Mpt

Thanks to Maryland Public Television for scheduling the airing of "Under our Skin" ("MPT airing deeply flawed film about Lyme disease," June 19). A controversy in medicine is not a new thing, and the push to stop the airing of this film is quite telling. It's great to know that MPT is still in the business of free speech. Bravo. K. Meyer, Vienna, Va.

Lou Davis, the dean of State House reporters, cracked the Annapolis equivalent of the "glass ceiling" Friday as he became the only journalist honored with a meal in his name at Chick & Ruth's deli of Main Street. Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch joined in the ceremony at which "the Lou Davis" -- a lox, eggs and onion platter with deli potatoes and toast -- was added to the menu wall alongside dozens of sandwiches and other meals named for politicians. Teddy Levitt, owner of Chick & Ruth's, said Davis has been a customer at the deli since the 1960s.

A majority of callers to SUNDIAL has no objection to Maryland Public Television broadcasting reruns of commercial network programs. MPT plans to air NBC's old ''St. Elsewhere'' series nightly at 11 p.m. beginning June 1.Of 292 callers, 156, or 53 percent, said MPT should show the reruns. And 74 percent felt the station should carry programs other than news and public affairs at 11 p.m., the traditional time for late news on the commercial networks."It's Your Call" represents a sampling of opinions from certain segments of the community, but it is not balanced demographically as would be done in a scientific public opinion poll.

Fourteen-year-old Caitlyn Fernandes of Dayton has dreams of one day being an actress, but when she landed a role in a television special that will air this week on Maryland Public Television, it wasn't the bright lights that attracted her attention. It was the dolphins. Filming for the show, "The Great Aquarium Treasure Hunt," took place after hours over several days at the National Aquarium in Baltimore . For the Glenelg High School freshman, it was a dream come true. "I'm really into animals, so seeing all of the aquatic life was my favorite part," she said.

With regard to the piece on state-run public TV, David Zurawik gets to the heart of the matter when he says, "the community-based formula, as practiced at WETA in Washington, is vastly superior in terms of guaranteeing editorial independence and community access. " ("Chris Christie's take on state-run public TV outlets — like MPT," July 5.) While Gov. Martin O'Malley may be completely blameless, the door is wide open for the abuse of power by less-then-honorable officials.

"The Maryland Harvest," a new documentary exploring the partnership between Maryland farmers and chefs, debuts Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on Maryland Public Television. You can watch a teaser for the documentary here . Produced by Hoopla, Inc. and hosted by Al Spoler, "The Maryland Harvest" follows the seasons as it chronicles several chef-farmer partnerships. Among the chefs are Spike Gjerde (Woodberry Kitchen), Cindy Wolf (Charleston) and David McCallum (Tilghman Island Inn)

Maryland Public Television said Wednesday that Steven J. Schupak, its senior vice president, has been named chief content officer. Schupak, who joined MPT in 2003, oversees the development, production, licensing and national distribution of the station's programs, among other responsibilities. Schupak is responsible for the station's local productions, including "Outdoors Maryland" and "State Circle. " During his tenure, MPT has earned 26 Emmy Awards and other industry honors for its productions.

Fourteen-year-old Caitlyn Fernandes of Dayton has dreams of one day being an actress, but when she landed a role in a television special that will air this week on Maryland Public Television, it wasn't the bright lights that attracted her attention. It was the dolphins. Filming for the show, "The Great Aquarium Treasure Hunt," took place after hours over several days at the National Aquarium in Baltimore . For the Glenelg High School freshman, it was a dream come true. "I'm really into animals, so seeing all of the aquatic life was my favorite part," she said.

Maryland Public Television is overwhelmed by the success of a children's show, "Barney and Friends," on which it is basing a new fund-raising effort. After airing six hours of the show last Sunday, pledges totaling $40,000 poured in. That's $10,000 more than MPT received the final night of the acclaimed Civil War series a few years back.Barney is a show about a big, imaginary purple dinosaur. The character has become so popular so fast it has eclipsed the internationally recognized Big Bird in popularity; "Barney" marched in the presidential inaugural parade and kindergartners trapped in the World Trade Center last month sang his theme song while awaiting rescuers.

Viewers of Maryland Public Television may complain about on-air fund-raising drives, but they respond to them.In its first on-air campaign in a year, MPT received pledges this month of $548,000, an increase of 40 percent over last year and a record amount for an August campaign, officials announced yesterday.In addition, 7,488 viewers made pledges during the 12-day period that ended Sunday, up 13 percent over last year, according to Michael Styer, MPT's senior vice president for broadcasting.

A son of Hollywood royalty will be in Baltimore this week, lending his support in the fight against the disease that killed his father 55 years ago. Stephen Bogart, the son of acting legends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, will be in town Oct. 24 to film a promotional spot for the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN), a three-year-old Baltimore-based non-profit promoting early detection and treatment of the disease. Humphrey Bogart, star of “Casablanca” and an Oscar-winner for “The African Queen,” died of esophageal cancer in 1957, when his son was just 8. Stephen Bogart, 63, will be taping a movie trailer and public service announcement at the MPT studios in Owings Mills.

Brian Roberts of Forest Hill has been named executive producer of MotorWeek, Maryland Public Television's long-running national automotive series. In his new role, Roberts will oversee all aspects of the daily production of the PBS show that airs weekly in 92 percent of public television markets nationwide. "Brian Roberts is a tremendous asset to the MotorWeek team, keeping all the day-to-day production elements on track so that new episodes can be delivered each week," MotorWeek's creator and host John Davis said in a press release.

Actor William H. Macy, will offer a bit of Hollywood glamour to a documentary about his home state. According to the Cumberland Times-News, Macy is going to appear in the Maryland Public Television production "Our Town," which takes a look at Cumberland and Frostburg. Macy graduated from Allegany High School in 1968, the paper says. “Getting Bill Macy was beyond our wildest dreams,” Rick Lore, vice president of MPT told the paper, adding the program will open and close with the actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in "Fargo.

Actor William H. Macy, will offer a bit of Hollywood glamour to a documentary about his home state. According to the Cumberland Times-News, Macy is going to appear in the Maryland Public Television production "Our Town," which takes a look at Cumberland and Frostburg. Macy graduated from Allegany High School in 1968, the paper says. “Getting Bill Macy was beyond our wildest dreams,” Rick Lore, vice president of MPT told the paper, adding the program will open and close with the actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in "Fargo.

"The Maryland Harvest," a new documentary exploring the partnership between Maryland farmers and chefs, debuts Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on Maryland Public Television. You can watch a teaser for the documentary here . Produced by Hoopla, Inc. and hosted by Al Spoler, "The Maryland Harvest" follows the seasons as it chronicles several chef-farmer partnerships. Among the chefs are Spike Gjerde (Woodberry Kitchen), Cindy Wolf (Charleston) and David McCallum (Tilghman Island Inn)

With "fracking" once again in the news, Maryland Public Television is airing a timely examination of the controversy around the controversial method for extracting natural gas. At 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday (3/21), MPT broadcasts " Fracking: Weighing the Risks ," looking at the pros and cons of drilling for gas in Marcellus shale deposits in Appalachia.  The 40-minute documentary portrays the divisions within western Maryland, where some farmers yearn for royalties from gas wells to help them stay on the land while others fear that drilling could destroy their water supply, their property and their health.

One month after purchasing Maryland Magazine, Towson attorney Michael C. Hodes and a partner have entered into a licensing agreement with Maryland Public Television to merge the station's member viewer guide and the magazine.Under the arrangement, the MPT staff will continue to produce MPT Magazine, which will be inserted in Maryland Magazine, beginning with the January 1996 publication.At that time, the Maryland Magazine, which is published bimonthly, is scheduled to be changed to a monthly publication.

Maryland Public Television had a record pledge drive of $715,801 for March 6-22, a station spokeswoman said yesterday. The station exceeded its goal of $600,000 and was up 23 percent from the drive held last March. Pledges totaled 9,846.

Maryland Public Television said Wednesday that Steven J. Schupak, its senior vice president, has been named chief content officer. Schupak, who joined MPT in 2003, oversees the development, production, licensing and national distribution of the station's programs, among other responsibilities. Schupak is responsible for the station's local productions, including "Outdoors Maryland" and "State Circle. " During his tenure, MPT has earned 26 Emmy Awards and other industry honors for its productions.

A Virginia man was injured and cited with trespassing after he tried to parachute off the Maryland Public Television radio tower in Crownsville. A second man was also cited for trespassing. According to the Anne Arundel County police department, Robert Scott Morgan, 25, of Fairfax, Va., sustained injuries when his parachute did not fully open before he hit the ground after jumping off the radio tower shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. The incident occurred in the 1600 block of Hawkins Road in Crownsville.