'Tis the Season, ...for THANK YOU's!

Over the last year or so I've become friends with many of my amazing fellow volunteers. Men and women who take time out of their busy schedules to help a worthy organization with a variety of tasks. They assist staff with everything from office duties, special events, and membership campaigns. Some even attend multiple volunteer orientation to help boost interest and answer the many questions new volunteers may have. Their assistance is VITAL to the survival of The Nine Network.

A few volunteers have designated hours that they spend at the Nine studio helping staff address and stuff envelopes, distribute mail, filing, data entry, phone calls, and overall organization. The amount of office work available for a volunteer could keep you busy for weeks!

Special events volunteers help distribute a wide variety of information, answer questions, and serve as an important ambassador for Nine. We are the face of Nine, the volunteers that the public identify with. These volunteers often determine the experience that an individual may have with Channel 9.

You know those pesky membership campaigns that air once each quarter, where you'll see people in the background answering phones? Those are volunteers as well. Campaign volunteers track each pledge and sort through campaign information to make sure that each new member receives the appropriate gift requested and is signed up as a Nine member. It's not always a simple task between the background noise, and the programming going on.


To all of my fellow volunteers, THANK YOU!! For everything you do. Every one of you is helping to improve your community. I hope to see many of you tonight!


That's all from your eccentric Channel 9 cheerleader. Thanks for tuning in, and keep on givin'!!

That's Entertainment Meet and Greet

While staff, executives, and board members were celebrating the launch of the new re-branding of Channel 9 the weekend of October 12th, 2010, Celtic Thunder Fans were once again thrilled to see George, Ryan, Paul, Keith, Damian and recently added Neil, back in St Louis. If you have had the chance to read through any of my previous blogs, you're well aware that I'm a fan of Celtic Thunder. So, you won't be surprised to hear that I offered to help out during the meet and greet. The location and timing of the meet and greet this year was a big improvement. The Fox Theater has such a colorful history, and hides many secrets beyond what the average theater goer will experience. The talent who have graced the stage of the Fox have been the best of the best, and pieces of their stories remain. Celtic Thunder joins great's such as, Nat King Cole, Haley Mills, Liberace, Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, Frank Zappa, the Grateful Dead, and Chris Botti.

Our Meet & Greet took place in the Fox theater's screening room. We were led into the main auditorium then down a flight of stairs behind the customer service desk. I couldn't help but stop to stare at the signed pictures of Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines on the way down. Tables and chairs were available, as well as some light refreshments for members to enjoy while they waited. And the name of the game is always waiting. I had the chance to visit with a few of the attendees that night, many familiar faces as well as some I hadn't seen before. One family brought their two daughters who are big Damian fans. The older daughter had broken both of her arms a couple of weeks prior, but it didn't keep her from showing up in a precious and elegant silver dress that matched her sisters. What a joy to watch their excitement! I doubt she minded the casts after Damian signed them. I have a feeling they'll both remember that night well.

The platinum level members were finally treated to a visit by Damian and Keith an hour before showtime. All ready to appear on stage they both came charging into the room and were greeted by a roar of applause. Everyone agreed the wait was worth it. I won't bore you with details of autographs, photos and giddy ladies, but needless to say everyone was pleased with the event. The performance that followed was an even greater treat, with a brand new line up of songs. These talented men treated the audience to their own renditions of a few traditional irish tunes during the first half, then the audience clapped, laughed, cried, and sang along to the now familiar songs from, It's Entertainment.Celtic Thunder continues to grow in popularity and it's not difficult to see why, these young men are not only professionals in their field, but they bring so much to the stage. Personality, energy, humor, and a love of performing all make a Celtic Thunder performance an experience and not simply a concert.

If you're interested in learning more you can visit www.celticthunder.ie, or keep your eyes on Channel 9 during their current pledge drive and you may catch a glimpse of their Christmas show that was performed during the second leg of their recent fall tour. They'll be back in St Louis again next fall with another brand new show, and I'll be there to make sure you hear all about it!

That's all from your eccentric Channel 9 cheerleader. Thanks for tuning in, and keep on givin'!!

Nine Makeover

Fall managed to grab me by the ear and drag me through three months, relatively reluctantly, without much of an opportunity to stop and smell the roses let alone breathe. But here I am, December, and the holidays are in full swing and I have so much I have to catch you all up on! During my extended, and unwanted absence, I have volunteered for a few events and there has been several exciting developments at Channel 9. Most importantly is that you will no longer hear me refer to Channel 9 as KETC. Channel 9 is now the Nine Network of Public Media. A mouthfull? Yes, I was inclined to agree with you at first, but what the new Channel 9 has to offer is simply amazing! The current nineMagazine includes an indepth article detailing the new changes and additions to the Nine Network. The subtext states "On October 12, 2010 KETC/Channel 9 became the Nine Network of Public Media. The change signifies the organization's expanded opportuniites for engaging the community through the multiple platforms of public media." Technology has delivered an entire new dimension for community members to become involved, and The Nine Network is rising to meet the new standards that have been set. You can find Channel 9 on Facebook, Twitter, ninevoices.org, ninenet.org, through nineProductions, nineTownSquare, nineCommunityCinema, nineMagazine (formerly known as the KETC Guide) and several more! There's a full list in the KETC guide this month, or take a look yourself at the sites I've listed, you'll find plenty of great information for you to look through. Each site provides a more in depth look and different aspect of the Nine Network of  Public Media and all it includes. Channel 9 has grown from a single public broadcasting station into an entire network of people and organizations that connects and inspires St Louis people to become more engaged and involved in the community! Remember that illusive hallway with all of the doors of opportunity that your teachers used to mention? Well, now that number has doubled and a few windows have been added just for variety.

The Nine Network has been a long time coming and the staff and board members are thrilled to see the success of this new branding. Although I've been watching channel nine for 20 years now I only recently discovered what that number 9 represents "strength, trust, and energy" (nineMagazine p5), and that is something I feel proud to support!

Let your curiosity get the better of you for once and explore the many avenues The Nine Network now has to offer. Believe me, you won't regret it! Let me know what you think about the new brand, and share any experiences you have had with a new website, or nine platform.

That's all from your eccentric Channel 9 cheerleader. Thanks for tuning in, and keep on givin'!!