Word of the Year

I never thought of having a guiding word of the year until I began blogging. Then I noticed a number of bloggers chose a word upon which to focus. Last year I thought about a few but couldn't settle. This year it seemed so easy.

Listen.

I don't mean necessarily with my ears -- although that certainly plays into it. Listening to different opinions (and then forming my own -- and sharing them if I feel so inclined). Listening to those who need to talk -- whether it is to share a trouble or because that's just what they do and maybe they need my ears because others have given up on them.

Listening to the wonderful sounds of the world -- the birdsong, Lizzie's purr, the troubling clink in the car, waves lapping against the shore, the rustle of fall leaves and the rumble of thunder as a distant storm nears the lake. My footsteps as they walk on snow. The sound of my breath as I struggle on a bad breathing day. Recognizing which are purely joy and observations and which are warning signs.

Do you remember the early evening of 9/11? If you lived near an airport and listened -- all you heard was silence. (Sounds like a song Simon and Garfunkel might sing.)

Listening to my body. The coughing, the breathing are pretty obvious. One can't help but hear them (including my bed buddy who has lost more than a few nights of sleep because of my night cough). But also listening to the silent parts of the body -- the troubling knee, a tight IT band, a troublesome foot. Listening and then taking some action.

Listening to my heart. Is it full? Is it broken? And listening to my soul. What is it telling me to do? What is the right thing to do at this very moment? Will it still be right tomorrow?

Listening to what isn't said. How many times do we hear someone say "I'm fine!" Or, "I've been better." And we may or may not follow up. And who knows? The unsaid may be a plea for understanding, for a kind action, a moment of gentle support or encouragement. I know I've done it back when I was working, even when I wasn't aware of doing so. "I'm fine." "It's OK." Only it wasn't. And it was more than one good friend who listened to what I didn't say and said "It's not worth it."

Listening with intent. What can I do with what I hear? Can I help ease an aching heart? Is Lizzie's bowl empty? Do I need to share what I hear and what I feel? How much is too much? How much is not enough?

I never imagined when I chose that word that so early in the year I would first listen, then not like what I heard, and finally do everything I could to affect change and to make my opinion known. I never imagined that posts I wrote on Facebook would be shared over and over, often by people I didn't even know; that people would send me email messages thanking me for speaking out when others felt unable or unsafe; that by sharing what I heard could influence others or at least inform them. By listening I could provide accurate information and OK, if it's spiced up a bit with obvious opinion, it didn't change the information, just reinforced the passion.

I am an only child. Well, was. I suppose childhood passed by decades ago. But as an only child I never learned certain skills that kids with siblings often pick up in the home. I never learned to compete until I was in theatre. I never learned to fight, for the most part, ever. I am totally non-confrontationaI (and this can sometimes really annoy people who are!) I don't get into politics and I don't argue religion.

I listen, I nod, and I go off and live my life. Do not ask me to fight.

I tend not to sweat the small stuff. I don't get really mad, really angry. A little, sure. Pissed off might be a better term. But I am a cheerleader, not a rabble rouser.

But I learned a long time ago to assess what I can change and can't and to recognize the difference. Some things don't matter, some things you put up with because you have to simply to get by (my last two years at my job before retiring, to name one) and some things matter so much you have to act.

By listening to myself, to my gut, to knowing when to speak (if not always when to stop!), I have learned a lot about myself in the past weeks, not the least of which is understanding that for the most part that those basic character traits are my dominant ones.

But don't attack something I hold dear. Don't ignore or insult people I regard with deep respect for their talents, their work ethic, for all that they are. Or I will go to the mat and I'll bring anyone I can with me. Maybe I've been hanging out with Rick Oberle too long (and after 20 years, that's not going to change!) but I have finally learned how to fight. If, and only if, it matters enough.

That's how I felt about the FCC spectrum auction and our TV station. That was speaking out positively, sharing information and making sure people knew about this so they could take a stand. It worked. The station was saved. (The decision-maker -- our university president -- said that the people's comments didn't make any difference and called those who were vocal "complainers," but between the media attention and the volume of letters and social media posts, she'd be ill advised not to pay attention.) BIG YAY!

It wasn't all good that came from this, though on the surface the victory was won. But like most victories, there are bruised bodies left in its wake. Words can hurt more than actions and our U president chose hers badly, insulting and demoralizing a group of remarkable professionals directly and less obviously but still verbally, our community at large. As I told one person, doing so is an insidious form of bullying and she should be ashamed.

Or, as one individual wrote on social media: "You are 100% correct that it hurt the staff at WKAR to be called "adrift, without focus" in the press conference yesterday." 

Whatever one in charge feels privately -- be it board president, office supervisor or teacher -- is one thing. Decisions made in private or in the board room belong to that person in thoughtful, candid discussions. There is a big difference between discipline for poor behavior and public dressing down. There are a multitude of political elements up in the air and leaders juggle lots of things. No one will say that one in control always has an easy job.

But words hurt and we're not all seasoned political candidates who take blatant insults, many of which are false, with the same "water off a duck's back philosophy" that we've seen in recent news footage. When my colleagues and community are more or less slammed, when a public broadcasting station is snidely degraded for wanting to serve the mid-Michigan community by serving them the PBS schedule, despite the fact that the people have spoken, it becomes my fight, too.

We all, at one time or another, have the opportunity to voice things that others can't, simply because it isn't in their best interest. When we have the opportunity, it is an obligation to do so. And then at some point, you pull back and let them take the charge and carry on.

It's time for me to go back to listening mode and believe me, I'm not looking for a cause. (Although lead in the water of the city of Flint, MI and our governor's role in all this is mighty tempting! But Rachel Maddow and Cher have done a far better job reaching out than I could ever do!) This one exhausted me. But our TV station will stay. My friends have jobs. And I'd write a recommendation for any single one of them if they had been forced out. But not, I think, for a woman whom a very clever friend called "The Dowager Countess without the warmth and wit."

Meanwhile, as our "esteemed" university president calls it, "DownTOWN Abbey" is in full force and I think for a bit that's where my public tv zone will be. (Really? Is she deliberately trying to insult public broadcasting viewers or is she just so out of touch and uninformed she doesn't know the title of a show that is an international hit -- and why on earth don't her "people" correct her? Say it once, it's a mistake. Say it twice and it sends a message -- "I do not care about you and your silly show.")

I will listen to posh tones of Lady Mary and Edith, the tears of Anna (will they turn to joy?), the determined stance of Mrs. Hughes to have the wedding she wants, the cleverly barbed interchanges between the Dowager Countess and Isobel Crawley and all my other favorites. I'll follow the discussion in Arti's Ripple Effects and dig into the books I have stacked up for 2016! Oh yes, there's that art journal calling me, too! Maybe it's time to listen to a good tutorial or two as well!

But I'll be listening.

A Little Bird Told Me -- and Valentine Images for You!

This is one of those "this and that" update posts while I work on a longer one about the most recent Cork Poppers tasting. 

WKAR Update: I know only those in mid-Michigan probably care about this but WKAR will keep its broadcast spectrum and not be auctioned off. This is a huge relief for our regional PBS viewers and especially for the truly talented men and women who still work there and for whom I have great regard.

I hope your area will maintain it's PBS station -- or any others that are of particular value to you. The FCC quiet period has started which means stations cannot talk about their plans to participate in the auction but you can still comment. 'Nuf on that one!

Google Stuff: I hope you are a follower of The Marmelade Gypsy, either by mail, through Bloglovin' or another service or through Google Friend.

A little bird told me (a little bird named Blogger; many of you may have received the same message) that beginning the week of January 11, they will be removing the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, they will remove non-Google Account profiles, telling us we may see a decrease in our blog follower count.

If you use a non-Google Account to follow The Marmelade Gypsy, you may want to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow the blog that way. With a Google Account, you'll get blogs added to your Reading List, making it easier to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs you follow.

That said, you can also follow me by mail or through Bloglovin' -- just click on one of the links on the right rail to sign up for that if you like. Doesn't matter to me how you follow, but it's fun when you do! 

Christmas Wrap: The trees are coming down. It always takes a long time, partly because there's a lot in the decorating line here and partly because I so hate to say goodbye to the tree. Just about every ornament has a story -- one that reminds me of a trip with Rick, something given to me by one of the kids, a family piece, lots of marmelade cats, pieces from dear friends like Patricia and Mary Jane who are no longer with us and others by real-life, blog and online friends who (thankfully) still are! As I pack it all away, these stories dance through my head like tiny movies, recalling special moments and a life well lived and enriched by those who have been a part of it. Tucking them away for until next November is like saying goodbye. 

Well, that was sappy. But very true. And, that said, it will be nice to get the furniture back where it belongs! 

Home Front: It's been awfully nice snugging in with the Lizzie-girl this winter. It hasn't been my best. Terrible headaches have been plaguing me almost daily along with some painful leg/knee issues that have been going on for a month. As you know from my baking class post, the kitchen is calling and now I must find something fun to try I've never done before! I'm looking forward to digging into my art journal again and continuing my reading quest. Speaking of that, I can HIGHLY recommend Mitch Albom's new book, "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto." Very good no matter what -- even better if you know, love and understand music. 

Some may remember I met him last summer when his play "Ernie," about Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell, was at MSU. (Big recommendation -- even if you aren't a baseball fan, if you have the chance to see "Ernie," take it. Excellent play as much about life as baseball. Probably more.) I wish I'd had this book to read then, except he probably couldn't have stood all the gushing. 

Valentines for You!

I'm hoping to plan a valentine-making crafternoon soon and was going through a few images. I thought I'd share them with you. After all, you, too, may be making valentines in your near future and it's fun to share.

I wish I could share the credit of where they all came from but I don't know anymore. So just enjoy and say a "thank you, somebody!" -- that's what I'll say!

Have fun!

Happy week!

Keep cozy out there!

Baking with Zingerman's and a Meeting a Blogger!

Many foodies nationwide are familiar with Zingerman's deli in Ann Arbor. It has a far-reaching catalogue and has been featured on more than one Food Network TV show. They are known for delicious meats, cheeses and baked goods as well as the specialty items in the shop.

And they also offer baking classes!

That was my destination recently, thanks to a birthday gift from Rick back last summer. He got hooked after taking his baguette class (which created a bread-making monster, thank goodness!) I signed up for Tea Cakes and my time to bake had finally arrived!

Ann Arbor is about an hour from my house and the class started at one. I knew I'd need lunch first so I contacted blogger Mae, one of my favorite foodie bloggers, to see if she was available. We'd never met in person and had "talked" about it for years. Finally it happened at Ann Arbor's Cafe Zola.

Those of you who have had face-to-face time with a fellow blogger know what I'm going to say -- it was great! Mae was the same warm, engaging and authentic Mae she is on Mae Food -- and we had plenty to talk about! Our conversations ranged from birds (Mae and her husband Len are avid bird watchers and show some great photos!), food, travel and yes, even Agatha Christie mysteries, the subject of some of her latest food posts.

All that, plus Cafe Zola's wonderful crepes made for a four-star start to my day!

I had the champignon (mushroom) crepe. Yum!

Then came class!

Our instructor, Nikki, was lively, well informed, fun and a good teacher. She took us through the recipes of three different tea time cakes. We began by making the yeast dough for an Icelandic coffee cake so that it would have time to rise while we worked on other things.

Then we dug into an aromatic "New Deli Crumb Cake" which was heavy on the brown sugar and butter, two of my favorite ingredients along with spices that included cardamon, cinnamon and ginger! The topping -- with coconut, pistachio and spices was to die for!

The classroom layout allowed the nine of us students plenty of room to work while the overhead mirror let us see Nikki's mixing from all angles.

The third treat was a raspberry ricotta cake. This was an extremely delicate cake using ricotta cheese and frozen raspberries. Nikki's tip -- when folding in fruit to a cake, frozen is often best because it doesn't break down the way fresh does, changing the color of your batter. If you are using fresh fruit, be careful when folding in!

We returned to our yeasty Scandinavian cake, rolling out the soft dough and making a mixture heavy on the almond paste and piping it inside.

With a soft dough like the Icelandic ring, Nikki recommended using a pastry bag to distribute the filling as the pastry was more likely to break when the filling was spread with an offset spatula.

Then it was rolled up like a jelly roll or pumpkin roll and the two ends joined together on parchment to make a circle. At this point, we cut into the circle with scissors every few inches and then twisted the cuts toward the outside and center alternately. An egg wash, a little more rising and baking and it was ready for its glaze.

You can see how Nikki made cuts in her ring and then twisted the sections toward the center and outside. I had a little trouble with this but am eager to try again.

This was one of my favorite tips! Nikki made a large bowl of glaze (enough to cover all our cakes, the only part of the day we didn't do ourselves). She mixes it with her hand, lifting it up to check consistency. Then she drizzles the glaze with her hand, the fingers making perfect, non-lumpy spots as she moves her hand over the cake.

Nikki basically just moved her dripping hand over the warm cake and let the icing dribble on in several streams from her fingers. This was much more successful than the uneven, clumpy look I get when using a spoon.

We ended the day with tasting the three and then received our own baked cakes ready to take home.

As you can see, my Icelandic ring got a little off kilter when I was doing the twist but it didn't change the taste one bit. It was fabulous!

That night and the next day I shared with Rick and friends. My two favorites are the Icelandic ring and New Deli cakes. I will definitely make both these again, though I might substitute pecans for pistachio in the New Deli. Jan was Icelandic ring all the way. I think Mark and Rick went with New Deli first and the ring being second. Same with Kate.

The three cakes -- raspberry ricotta, New Deli Crumb Cake (front on blue plate) and Icelandic ring in the background.

For me the most disappointing of the three is the raspberry ricotta. This might be because it is more delicate and when you are tasting them all together it doesn't have the flair. I also think it could have used a lot more raspberries and some lemon zest. I'll try this again with those adjustments and maybe with blueberries. It would also be delicious with a coulis or a side of fruit.

I was the only person in our class who was there for the first time an some came from at least 100 miles away. The workshops aren't inexpensive -- the four hour class (we got our cakes, instruction, supplies, a beverage and coupons for Zingermann's creamery and bakeshop) was $100. Many classes are more. Some are full day or even weekend.

But for me it was worth every penny and I would gladly return again, messy hands and all! What's next? Appetizers? Cookies? Pretzels? French or Italian dinners? Pizza? The possibilities are endless!

The 2015 Book Report

I may have broken the internet but it can be fixed! (And next time, thanks to an informative repairman, I can probably fix it myself!) And, he fixed my new DVD player, too, which I couldn't hook up right! Now, if only I could fix my broken camera (too many drops on its head). And if only my headache would go away to stay. I can cope with a painful knee but the head issue really cramps my style. (And thank you for all your wonderfully kind comments on the last and most frustrating post!)

But back on blog with the book post! And the answer is:

Yes, I met my goal.

Oh, you didn't know I had one, did you? Well, I did -- and that was to read 52 books this year. The equivalent of one a week, though I knew there would be heavy reading periods and times when I didn't open a book.

And I not only met it -- I topped it, with a total of  60 books covering a broad range of topics.

So, here we go again -- my "picks of the litter" in each category.

Fiction (excluding mystery)

Books in this category ranged from historical topics ("Bring Up the Bodies" and "The Invention of Wings") to contemporary. I'm not a huge fiction fan but when it is cloaked in the history of war or set in Britain, I'm always eager to dig in. My favorites this year were:

"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr. Set during WWII in France and Germany, this wonderful novel follows the life of a young German boy and a blind French girl whose paths eventually cross. Intriguing, inspiring and beautifully written, it was my top fiction pic of the year.

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins could equally fall into the mystery category but if the NYTimes calls it fiction, I'll go there, too. Hawkins weaves a fascinating tale told through the voices of three characters -- an unreliable witness, an adulterous young woman and a worried new wife. Did I figure out the end? I wish. Or maybe I'm glad I was surprised.

"The Pursuit of Love" and "Love In a Cold Climate" by Nancy Mitford. Back to the classics and really, does anyone tell a story with more wit and style than Nancy Mitford? You'll feel as though you are back in the days of the house parties, the country estates, London and Paris.

"Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky -- This book was part of her unfinished collection of stories set in WWII Paris during the German invasion and occupation. Nemirovsky never finished the series as she was taken to a concentration camp where she died. "Suite Francaise" is a worthy legacy.

"Bring Up the Bodies" by Hilary Mantel. Picking up where "Wolf Hall" left off, "Bodies" follows the saga of Thomas Cromwell as he negotiates the tricky political world of the court of Henry VIII.

More fiction -- "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd, "Reflections" by Richard Simkin; "Chasing Cezanne" by Peter Mayle, "The Girl in Hyacinth Blue" by Susan Vreeland, "Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton,  and "The List" by Martin Fletcher, which came within a hair of making the top 5 in this category.

Non-Fiction (excluding biography, how-to, travel)

"Wicked Takes the Witness Stand" by Mardi Link. This was one of my favorite books of the year for a couple of reasons. First, it takes place in the town where I spend summers. Second, it is so darned good, so darned scary in its damning true look at a justice system run amok. Link follows the murder of one of the town's residents, the arrest of a suspect (and then several others) and how the trial was rigged to send them all to prison. Only the vigilance and belief of a group of defense attorneys would help reverse wrongful convictions. I couldn't put it down.

"Lost Cat" by Caroline Paul. This was my most delightful book of the year. It is the true story of a couple who decide to track their beloved cat's movements via GPS in New York City. The illustrations for this are worth it alone.

"Dangerous Rhythm: Why Movie Musicals Matter" by Richard Barrios. This is heavy reading and not for the lighthearted movie musical fan. But if you love them as I do, you'll find Barrios' take on this genre fascinating and filled with wonderful tidbits!

Biography and Memoir

I won't count travel in here, though you might say some of the books I read and include here could be travel memoirs.

"Anne Frank: The Biography" by Melissa Mueller. A remarkable feat of research and writing. Mueller looks at life in pre-WWII Germany and occupied Holland through the well documented lives of Anne Frank and her family, along with those who helped them while they were in hiding. Rich in interviews and photographs, the book covers the lives of Anne's parents and the other residents of her Secret Annex, her time in hiding and her last months in Bergen-Belsen. Brilliant.

"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. This is not an easy book. Walking with someone through grief never is easy. But when you have done that, you can relate to Didion's year following the death of her husband. Eloquently stated, she recounts a life of love and a year of challenge.

"Without Reservations" by Alice Steinbach. Maybe this should fall into travel. Yet Steinbach's memoir is so beautifully written, following her search for greater meaning as she travels to England, Venice and France. Some may compare it to "Eat, Pray, Love" and the comparisons are fair -- but this one is so very much better.

"Tender at the Bone" by Ruth Reichl. What's not to love about a good food memoir? What is amazing is that Ruth Reichl ever became the food critic/writer/editor that she did, given her upbringing, which did not have a heavy focus on the culinary arts! Reichl is a delightful writer and weaves a good story.

"A Chorus Line and the Musicals of Michael Bennett" by Ken Mandelbaum. Again, this is a book for theatre geeks but it is a well written look at this beloved musical and the man who created it, along with the other musicals that shaped Bennett's career.

"The Tenth Muse" by Judith Jones. Judith Jones not only edited Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," but the cookbooks of countless other well known authors. She knows how to weave a good story and when the subject is her life -- an early career in Paris, then many years in the kitchen with some of the best chefs in the world -- well, it's a story she tells well and one worth reading.

Other memoirs/biographies I read included a lovely book on Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris; "Daybook" by sculptor Anne Pruitt (another search for self which I didn't enjoy at all), "Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey" by Fiona, Countess of Canarvon (fun!) and "Jacqueline Bouvier," a gushy biography written by her cousin John Davis.

Mystery

This is my favorite category and this year I continued many series as well as meeting up with a couple of new crimesolvers.

Mysteries make me smile!

I recommend starting any series with the first and reading in sequence and many of these are from later within a series, so head's up! My favorites included:

"The Victoria Vanishes" by Christopher Fowler. This wasn't the only one of Fowler's Bryant and May mysteries I read this year (I read four), but I think it was the wittiest and most fun. I love this series with the eccentric 80-something detective team!

The Sarah Caudwell Mysteries -- I read all four mysteries in this author's series, set in the legal world of London. Keep a dictionary at hand and be prepared to be challenged and delighted.

"Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death" by James Runcie. These are the stories upon which the PBS series "Grantchester" was based. Runcie is a fine writer and loving the series, it was fun to read the original stories. I'll definitely be reading more Runcie.

"A Dangerous Place" by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the most recent in the Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie is my favorite detective, this is my favorite series. This one takes her to Gibraltar as the Spanish Civil War is ramping up and does not disappoint.

"A Share in Death" by Deborah Crombie. This was the first of two of Crombie's books with Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, his detective team. I loved both of them and will be reading more of these London-seet mysteries.

Other mysteries and series: I enjoyed more books by Cara Black and her detective Äimee Leduc; "The Prime Minister's Secret Agent," the next Maggie Hope book by Susan Elia Macneal; more by Laurie R. King featuring two detectives -- Mary Robertson (and Sherlock Holmes -- I love these) and Kate Martinelli (contemporary San Francisco -- not so much). I tackled seven mysteries by Patricia Moyes (yes, British, though Henry Tibbett and his wife Emmy travel about) -- all enjoyable and very fast reads. "Hunting Shadows" by Charles Todd had an interesting setting (post WWI England) but I found my interest wandering and Ruth Rendell's "A Sight for Sore Eyes" just distressed me.

How To and Self Help

This is my catch-all category! There was one I loved, one I hated.

"Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief" by Katy Bowman. If you have crappy feet like I do, read this book. Period.

The book in this category I hated -- to the point of becoming seriously agitated when I speak about it too much -- is Marie Kondo's "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up." You may love it. It may change your life (she says it will). I say it will change my life by making me suicidal if I go her way! Read at your own risk.

My brain after reading Marie Kondo.

I suppose I could put "Victoria's 500 Christmas Ideas"by Kimberly Meisner into this cateogry, too. Not much text but fabulous photos and ideas for the holidays.

Travel

As usual, I read a lot of books about Paris in my travel selections. "Without Reservations" (mentioned as one of my favorite memoirs) also falls into this category.

"Paris, Paris" by David Downie is a delightful book about the author's experiences living in Paris. He visits various arrondisments and provides a lovely look from the perspective of an ex-pat living in the City of Light.

One of my favorite sites -- the Seine and the reear-end of Notre Dame.

"Pleasures and Landscapes" by Sybille Bedford. This series of essays visits a number of European cities and country spots including those in France, Austria and the Balkans. Many of the essays I could take or leave; I just wasn't that interested. But that was my issue, not Bedford's, who is a wonderful writer. (As you might expect, her essay on a wine tasting was my favorite piece!)

"Parisian Cats" is a gorgeous mostly-photo book and it is really more of a cat book than a Paris book. But the photos are lovely and so are the cats! (And I don't have another category to put this one in!)

Less loved was Bryce Corbett's "A Town Like Paris" (Australian ex-pat moves to Paris. Younger readers might enjoy it more than I did. I should hardly count Joel Porter's "Greetings in Paris" because it was mostly photos. But I will anyway!

Short Stories and Essays

"Life In General" by Becca Rowan. I am not giving this my top nod because Becca is a fellow blogger and friend. It's just a lovely book. And yes, you may have already "read it" without knowing it if you follow Becca's blog. The book is a series of (occasionally revised or edited) blog posts about -- as the title indicates -- life in general. Aging parents, raising children, writing, observing the joys of everyday life, being an only child (and having one). All these topics are deftly combined to form a wonderful look at the life of a middle-aged woman.

"The Day I Ate Everything I Wanted" by Elizabeth Berg. I love this funny, witty author. Berg's short stories fly by like magic and they are always fun! I'm not a short story fan but I bought another of her books right away. It's on the pile!

COMING UP -- Right now I am greatly enjoying "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto" by Mitch Albom. I didn't finish it in 2015 but it may well be at the top of the heap in 2016!

Internet Messes!

I am in the no-phone, no Internet zone, flattened by killer headaches and frustrated as all get out!  I am not optimistic about the power of pie.

 Looking forward to posting again and visiting you all soon! (At least the TV works -- Downton Abbey tonight!)

FCC Threat to Public and Commercial TV -- What Everyone Needs to Know NOW About the Spectrum Auction

This is a post that affects every television viewer in the nation -- and soon. It's about the auction of the broadcast spectrum -- in very simplified lay terms, the way that television gets over the air from the station to your home.

And yes, the airwaves should be free

The spectrum auction will affect every station and this makes a huge impact on public broadcasters as well as stations with local news and programming operations.

It's important that if you care about a particular station, you let the license holder know that you oppose the sale of the spectrum. There are many details below explaining this but I warn you, the post is a little long and sorry, no photos. But please stay with it. Remember, all television stations, public and commercial, could be affected -- and THIS could affect your ability to view locally produced entertainment and news programs.

(International readers -- you might want to skip this one!)

Under the Radar

There's something going on in the world of broadcasting that to many is "under the radar" in that you don't see a lot of press about it and its ramifications. And, it may well affect anyone who enjoys television, with public television especially at risk.

It's called the FCC spectrum auction and it's happening soon. And by soon, I mean January 16, 2016 is the deadline for stations to commit to putting their spectrum up for sale.

I should start this by saying that although for 32 years I worked in public television, I have not received information for this post from leaders at WKAR (unless through independent and public sources), though it was vetted through other professional contacts. This is not a post about WKAR (although I use them often as an example). However, local readers should know that the MSU Board of Trustees, WKAR's license holder, have empowered MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon to make the decision as to whether or not to let WKAR go.

What Is a Spectrum Auction?

The spectrum auction is a plan to reallocate a segment of the broadcast spectrum used by TV stations, making it available for use for wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and others.  To obtain this availability, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking stations how much (if any) of their spectrum they will be willing to relinquish forever.

Wireless companies will bid to buy rights to use the spectrum. What is left will be "repacked"" and new channels will be reassigned to all stations, whether they participated in the auction or not. Some will have new channel numbers. Some stations will share channels (WKAR/MSU has declined to participate in sharing a channel -- it is all or nothing.)

For many that will mean a new tower and huge installation costs, some of which will be reimbursed, much of which may not be. Public and commercial stations requiring a new tower will go dark until a tower crew can be scheduled (there are a limited number of tower crews in the U.S. and if it's winter in your market, you may have a big problem because no one wants to be on the top of a broadcast tower when it's freezing and windy.)

Hey, I have cable! Not my problem!

True, many people are now watching television content on cable, satellite, smartphones and tablets or other mobile devices. But many -- particularly lower income families and minorities, who make up a significant portion of the over-the-air viewers (see below) -- don't have this availability. And for some -- namely me and maybe you -- we'd rather watch our Downton Abbey on the big television screen and not our computer or tablets.

The results of the spectrum auction will likely mean the end of universal free access/universal over-the-air (OTA) service. In other words, if you watch TV without cable or satellite, you're in big trouble. This will be most likely to affect the elderly, those who cannot afford cable or those who have chosen to only have OTA signals because they watch TV selectively, perhaps only their local news or a public broadcasting station. In other words, those who may need it the most.

So, if I have cable, what's the dif and why should I care? Because some stations will go dark, some will sell-off their remote transmitters. As a result some parts of the country will no longer have a public television broadcaster and its programming (or possibly a local network affiliate with news about your community). 

Public television has been built on the concept of "free and universal" availability so all people, regardless of income or personal preference, can view its programs. Loss of a public television station in an area could not only mean losing specifically local content but the availability for anyone to watch its programs without paying for it.

There's another ramification to this for public broadcasters who receive funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which must ask for annual reauthorization. When going to Congress for the badly needed funding required by local stations, representatives or senators from a "Dark Area" will be less likely to fund a so-called national public broadcasting service. This will make a direct impact on the quality and quantity of programming local stations may be able to purchase and produce.

And, according to WKAR's station manager Susi Elkins, in a comment posted on Facebook, a station that sells its spectrum would no longer qualify for CPB funding without an over-the-air signal, so such stations would no longer be PBS stations. Should the station continue to provide content and a schedule, they could potentially purchase PBS programming but not the national schedule. This would mean the loss of "must carry" regulations (which allow local stations to be carried on cable at no charge) so the station would need to pay to be carried on cable services.

Here are two important links that explain the spectrum auction. 

The first is an outstanding guide by Dru Sefton, editor of Current, public broadcasting's industry news publication. It puts everything into very logical and simple perspective. Remember -- while these links are public broadcasting-targeted, the auction also affects commercial broadcasters.

Here's a link to a video on the spectrum auction from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and an accompanying article from which some of the material in this post is interpreted..

Why Am I Focusing on Public Television?

Forget that I had a career in public broadcasting or that I am world's biggest fan of "Masterpiece"and can't wait for "Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock" to return. As stated above, public television is provided free and over the air without charge to the user, relying heavily on individual support from donors as well as some corporate funding. Many stations are licensed to universities (such as WKAR, my station), while others may be licensed to a community or be a state network. (In state networks the legislature holds the funding strings.)

Public broadcasting stations are not "cash cows" for their owners. A university, for example, might gain many millions of dollars by auctioning off its station spectrum, causing the station to either go dark or eliminate subchannels that provide alternative commercial free broadcasting. (The "Create" service is a popular one for many stations.)

Why Would a University or State Sell Their PBS Station? 

 

Money. The prices being offered for spectrum are staggering. Our little station could be sold for as much as $208 million in what is called a reverse auction (Check Dru's article linked above for details on that). That makes for a pretty endowment for a university. As June Youatt, MSU's provost, told WKAR staff, the university has never received a gift that large. (Interest from an endowment from spectrum sold in our market at full price could be as much as $10 million a year; in larger markets the take could be much, much more.)

University licensees may well be pressured to sell. State universities might well be questioned by their legislatures why, when offered, the university did not pursue that kind of money. The question would be difficult to answer. 

And trust me, I've worked long enough on a university campus to know that when money is involved and dollar signs are glittering like wild cherries in a slot machine, the ethics of public service have been known to go flying out the window. (But don't start me on sports coach salaries when a well-respected music school in the same university would cut its music therapy program because of funding issues.)

In her Facebook comment, WKAR's Susi Elkins pointed out that in WKAR's case, the estimated $10 million a year is based on the highest valuation of the station. But since the process is a reverse auction, it is quite likely the total proceeds would be much, much lower, meaning the annual endowment interest would also be less. Elkins says experts predict stations might get half of the initial posted value.

The question is: All other arguments of public service aside, is it worth it to you to lose a station with so little potential gain? And particularly for universities, the other question is: Will picking up the dollars this way balance out the potential loss of endowment funds made in gifts to the university through station supporters. And my question is, can an endowment to a station presently in place be revoked by a living donor should the purpose of the donation (e.g., public broadcasting) no longer exist?

Where Does the Money Received Go?

The law makes no stipulation on how the dollars made from the sale can be used. Examples cited in "Current, public broadcasting's newspaper,  include a state government selling a station and using the funds to pave roads, while a university might build a new athletic dorm.

"Nothing in the law requires that funds received from selling a public media station must be plowed back into any other kind of public media," says John Lawson of Convergence Services, quoted in a Current article on June 22, 2015. (Lawson's remarks first appeared on the blog Convergence Services, Inc. and was reprinted in Current with Lawson's permission. You can find the entire Current article here.

In the same piece, Lawson also reminds us that minorities make up 41 percent of over-the-air-only homes, a number that is increasing. The impact of losing a public broadcasting station, renowned for decades for its educational quality children's television (with a boatload of statistics to back up its claims of the impact this has on America's youth) is significant.

What Can You Do?

Some stations, such as Columbus' WOSU, have been out in front to their members and viewers on this topic. Others -- not so much. (For local readers, WKAR is hosting two public meetings on January 4 and 11. Visit WKAR.org for more information.)

But the fact is whether it is a university's Board of Trustees, such as Michigan State or Ohio State or your state government that will make the decision of whether or not to sell their station's spectrum, it is important that they know how you feel about the possibility of losing your public broadcasting station or having its services significantly reduced.

Maybe it doesn't matter to you -- you may not watch public television or you might not have children whose skills were improved by watching its quality children's programs.

Maybe you don't watch local news on your network affiliates. Maybe you have cable and it doesn't matter to you so long as you still get your favorite networks, even if they are not local.

But if it does matter, these are stormy times on the broadcast horizon. It's important to find out who is holding the strings on your public television -- or commercial -- stations and let them know.

I know I'm writing to our university president (presmail@msu.edu) and Board of Trustees stating my opposition to the sale of WKAR and more than likely sending a letter to our local newspaper editors. If your station matters to you, please consider doing the same. Soon. The FCC deadline for station decisions on the spectrum auction is January 12, 2016, so time is of the essence.

For more information on the spectrum issue, please feel to check the articles I found helpful in preparing this blog post:

Current (public broadcasting publication) HERE and HERE. 

Guide to the Spectrum Auction is HERE.

A CPB white paper, “Facing the Spectrum Incentive Auction and Repacking Process: A Guide for Public Television Stations and Governing Boards (July 2014)” provides a comprehensive guide to the upcoming auction. This is geared toward public broadcasting professionals but may provide additional insight.

MSU President Lou Anna Simon's interview on this topic on WKAR Radio's "Current State" is here.  While the details pertain specifically to WKAR, the interview provides some insight into at least one decision maker's take on the issue.

(Gypsy fans, if you want more of a regular Marmelade Gypsy post, here's a Christmas wrap-up and coming next will be posts on my best books of 2015 and a Cork Poppers post focusing on wines of the Southern Hemisphere!)