For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Della Cassia
248-305-3770
PBS’ President, Paula Kerger, Comes to Detroit for presentation on impact of public media
followed by special This Old House event
March 24, 2017 11:30 to 1:30 (Paula Kerger Presentation-Detroit Economic Club)
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.-This Old House Celebration-University of Detroit Mercy
DETROIT (March 17, 2017) –In light of proposed funding cuts to public media, PBS’ President, Paula Kerger will be in Detroit on March 24—only her second trip to Detroit since she became president of the network—for a presentation to members of the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) on the impact of public media, as well as to attend a celebration of This Old House-Detroit episodes and a conversation on revitalizing Detroit’s neighborhoods later that evening.
In her presentation to the DEC, Kerger will share insights into PBS’ efforts to remain trusted, innovative and relevant amid a rapidly changing media environment. She will also discuss how PBS, often referred to as America’s Largest Classroom, is working with stations like Detroit Public Television (DPTV) to close the achievement gap. The DEC presentation will take place at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets to that event and more information are available at www.econclub.org.
Later that evening, Kerger will attend a celebration of the broadcast premiere of This Old House-Detroit episodes set to air on April 3 on DPTV. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a One Detroit community conversation on rebuilding Detroit’s neighborhoods moderated by award-winning journalist, Christy McDonald and Detroit 67 Project Director, Marlowe Stoudamire, along with the talent from This Old House: host Kevin O’Connor along with Tom Silva and Richard Trethewey, and homeowners Frank & Tamiko Polk; Craig Fahle, Director of Public Affairs at the Detroit Land Bank Authority; realtor Lolita Haley; and Maurice Cox, Planning Director at the City of Detroit. DPTV will turn the livestream into a special This Old House broadcast premiere airing on March 30 at 9 p.m.
At 8 p.m., guests will be invited to a Toolkit Party to meet This Old House talent and enjoy Detroit-made food and refreshments. Funding for the event is provided by MASCO.
For the first time in the history of the show, This Old House traveled to Detroit last summer to work with retired firefighter Frank Polk as he and his family renovates a classic brick home. The 1939 two-story
property was one of thousands of abandoned structures owned by the Detroit Land Bank. The family purchased the Russell Woods neighborhood house at auction with the promise they would make improvements and move in.
Renovations included a new roof, kitchen and baths, plus new mechanicals to replace vandalized equipment in the basement. The team worked to preserve historic details such as leaded stained glass windows and archways as the homeowners blend their modern aesthetics with the home’s historic details.
Leading up to the broadcast premiere of This Old House on April 3, viewers are invited to check out a special “Detroit. One House at a Time” digital series and get to know the inspiring people—and city—behind TOH’s newest project. Episodes are available now on www.dptv.org/toh.
For more information, visit www.dptv.org/toh or contact Della Cassia at dcassia@dptv.org or 248-305-3770.
About Detroit Public Television
Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. DPTV also manages WRCJ 90.9 FM, Detroit's classical and jazz radio station, in collaboration with the license-holder, the Detroit Public Schools. The radio station is located in the Detroit School of Arts. DPTV is licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation and governed by a volunteer board of trustees from the local business, civic, and cultural communities.
