Friday, December 10, 2010

Discover Janesville at Woman's Club

Janesville Woman’s Club AssociationThis episode was a culmination of several ideas: one is that I am always on the look out for a good theme for a show. The next was that I am interested in history and the historic building at 108 S Jackson in Janesville has attracted my attention for a while. It is a regal building in its appearance yet it is hidden so unless you know it's there or remember to turn your head while driving down the street, you may never notice it. Thanks to a suggestion by my friend Meredith Helgerson and with help from JATV and Julie Richardson, I was able to put together an episode highlighting the 108 S Jackson Street building housing several women organizations in Janesville. Thanks also to Vivian Creekmore who helped me with research as I prepared for the taping of this episode.

First interview is with Julie Richardson. Julie is the past president of the Woman's Club and is the current president of the Foundation for the Preservation of 108 S Jackson.


Next is the interview with Wendy Facinger, co-president of the AAUW (American Association of University Women). I originally got to know Wendy through the Janesville Noon Lions and thanks to Discover Janesville, I learned of Wendy's involvement with AAUW.



Doing this program gave me a wonderful opportunity to sit down for a taped conversation with someone who deserves the name of Janesville Institution as much as anyone, namely Jackie Wood. It is hard to imagine all the things that Jackie has done in Janesville from working endlessly to help the downtown to having served as a County Supervisor and on and on and on, suffices to say that her small stature can't hide her energy or track record of getting things done in Janesville for very long. Jackie is also a past president of the Woman's Club and is a wealth of information on history of the building.


Next, please take a look at this interview with Anne Wanke who represents Daughters of American Revolution in her position as Regent. Anne provided an absolute wealth of knowledge about this organization and should inspire anyone who thinks they may be related to anyone involved in the Revolution to research and certify their family roots.


Next, please take a look at this interview with Claudiadair Fitzgerald. A woman who has done so much to shape our community, Claudiadair has been involved with the visual arts for many years and while she is technically credited on the show as being the 2nd VP of the Arts League, in the past she has been the President and practically everything else that the Arts League needed over the years. Claudidair has also been inducted in the United Arts Alliance Rock county Arts Hall of Fame.


Finally, here is the interview with Frieda Lubkeman, treasurer for the MacDowell Music Club. The club is an organization that supports music and has been part of Janesville for many decades.

Monday, October 4, 2010

United Arts Alliance presents: Summer Acoustic Series

During the summer of 2010, Discover Janesville took a vacation and instead, I worked with Teresa Nguyen and Judith Detert-Moriarty to produce United Arts Alliance: Summer Acoustic Series. Jointly with JATV we put together 3 concerts, featuring 8 local performers performing mostly acoustic, mostly original pieces. Designed to showcase local talent, these 3 tapings resulted in 8 shows, which air for 8 consecutive weeks on Saturday and Sunday at 10 am, 4 pm and 10 pm on JATV 98. Once the shows air on JATV, they are uploaded on YouTube and are available for viewing to those who do not have access to the station, which is currently available only to Charter subscribers.

To those who may not be familiar with the United Arts Alliance, the organization started in 1996 with the original goal of creating a performing arts center in Janesville. Clearly that mission was a success and these days UAA continues to work to bring local performers together in order to bring the arts to Rock county residents. Members of UAA include many local theaters and performing organizations, but we are also looking for more local individual artists to become members. Learn more about the United Arts Alliance and upcoming events at www.RockCountyArts.com

Important note: While the tapings were free to the invited audience, we did ask for donations, which went in their entirety to support United Arts Alliance Scholarship Fund. From this fund, UAA gives scholarships every year to local students. Donations for UAA Scholarship Fund are still being accepted. Please send your contributions to PO Box 8132, Janesville, WI 53547-8132. We appreciate your support.

Check out this performance by Teresa & Anthony Nguyen!.





Second program featured Yuri Rashkin & Theresa Carroll



Check out United Arts Alliance Summer Acoustic Series concert featuring Greg Winkler and Bill Hatfield!



Here is the performance by Gaia Galvan and Friends!



Here is the performance by Al Hulick!



Here is the performance by Claire Olsen, JP Merz and Brandon Stottler!



Here is the performance by Bethany Conway and Michael Bachmeyer!



Here is the performance by Chris Kohn!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Discover Janesville at Rotary Gardens

John McCally
General Manager of Janesville Jets

John McCally part 1

John McCally part 2

Meredith Helgerson and Brad Cantrell

Tallman House committee

Meredith Helgerson and Brad Cantrell part 1

Meredith Helgerson and Brad Cantrell part 2

Meredith Helgerson and Brad Cantrell part 3


Christine Rebout
Executive Director of Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Christine Rebout part 1


Christine Rebout part 2


Mark Dwyer
Director of Horticulture
Rotary Botanical Gardens

Mark Dwyer part 1

Mark Dwyer part 2

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Discover Janesville at Best Events - David Marling

Underwritten by Alliant Energy, this episode of Discover Janesville is titled "Future Leaders" and features interviews with people who are likely to be involved in shaping our community in the future. Take a look at this interview with David Marling and see the passion that Dave has for his community and his family business - Marling Lumber.

Dave Marling

Discover Janesville at Best Events - Sam Liebert

Underwritten by Alliant Energy, this episode of Discover Janesville is titled "Future Leaders" and features interviews with people who are likely to be involved in shaping our community in the future. Take a look at this interview with Sam Liebert. Born and raised in Janesville, Sam has already been involved with several political campaigns and was a part of the Obama administration.

Sam Liebert part 1

Sam Liebert part 2

Discover Janesville at Best Events - Matt Kealy

Underwritten by Alliant Energy, this episode of Discover Janesville is titled "Future Leaders" and features interviews with people who are likely to be involved in shaping our community in the future. Take a look at this interview with Matt Kealy. Born and raised in Janesville, Matt already is the owner of several restaurants in the area and shows no signs of slowing down.

Matt Kealy

Discover Janesville at Best Events - Britten Grafft

Underwritten by Alliant Energy, this episode of Discover Janesville is titled "Future Leaders" and features interviews with people who are likely to be involved in shaping our community in the future. Take a look at this interview with Britten Grafft. Born and raised in Janesville, Britten is back in town after graduating from college where she studied architecture, which is extremely important considering that Monterey Hotel is one of several important historic structures owned by her family in Janesville. Watch for Britten and her brother Jay in the coming years to become more involved in shaping the future of Janesville.

Britten Grafft part 1

Britten Grafft part 2