Director Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke is the definitive document of the unmitigated disaster that was, and is, Hurricane Katrina. It’s also a contemporary manifestation of an ancient tradition: an oral history, told by the people who lived it, with no narration and only the occasional use of archival cable and broadcast news footage in addition to Lee’s own film. And a grim tale it is, an “American tragedy” subtitled “a Requiem in Four Acts,” each of them about an hour long.

Act I sets the scene; as the hurricane nears the Crescent City, some residents leave town, while others stay behind, figuring they’ll just ride the storm out– “mandatory evacuation” order rings fairly hollow, as there’s no public transportation provided for the many who don’t own vehicles. The real problems begin after Katrina makes landfall on August 29, 2005. Displaced New Orleaneans crowd into the Superdome, soon to become a living hell for those stuck there; the incredibly poorly engineered levees break, flooding some 80 percent of the city; and people start dying by the hundreds. And so it goes. Act II finds the survivors struggling to keep it together while the federal, state, and local assistance they’ve been promised fails to show up; Act III traces the dispersal of these so-called “refugees” all over the country, not knowing where their families, friends, and neighbors are, or even if they’re still alive; and Act IV deals with the slow rebuilding of the city while insurance companies refuse to pay claims and money keeps going toward the Iraq war effort instead.

The Civic Media Center will be showing “When the Levee Broke,” but we’d like to know how YOU want to see it. Because the film is 4 hours long, we are asking members to let us know if you would prefer to see the film in its entirety in one sitting, or if you would rather the film be split between two sittings of two hours each. We can show the first half one week, and the second half the next week. Or, we can show the first half one day, and the second half the next day. Email us at outreach@civicmediacenter.org, and let us know how YOU want to see it. Or, give us a call: (352) 373-0010. This is an important film, and we want to get as many people out as we can. Thanks!

The scheduled honored guest for the CMC’s annual SpringBoard dinner, this Friday, April 20th, has changed. Scheduled guest 90 year old Stetson Kennedy called to inform us he is currently being hospitalized with a stomach virus and will not be able to attend. In his place will be Gainesville’s own long time (though not as long) activist Scott Camil. A Veteran of two tours in Vietnam, Scott went on to be a founding member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in 1971, and has kept active with founding Gainesville’s Veterans for Peace chapter in 1985, an organization which has recently re-activated under his leadership. He has also worked on many local political and issue campaigns. He will address the issue of “Empowerment” at the dinner.

Don’t forget, the CMC’s annual SpringBoard dinner is a fundraiser held every spring, catered by some of the best local restaurants in Gainesville. The event includes an art and gift raffle, including works by local artists, free massage gift certificates, and other prizes. The dinner and these generous donations help the CMC get a head start on fundraising for the summer, our typically dryer season. This fine combination of food, wine, art, and conversation promises to make the evening an enjoyable one.

When: Firday, April 20 from 6PM to 9PM
Where: The Home of Hal and Paula Stahmer, 4621 Clear Lake Drive
(directions available by calling the Civic Media Center, (352) 373-0010)
Tickets are $10 in advance (at the CMC), $15 at the door

Tell your friends, or come by yourself. You’re guaranteed a great time!

Fingerpicking guitar wizard, deft songwriter, and mesmerizing live performer, Sam Pacetti, will be performing in Gainesville. Pacetti represents a culmination of the best of the American and British traditions. His 1997 Waterbug debut, Solitary Travel, garnered critical raves. “This guy is very good, indeed,” remarked the highly respected (and highly critical) UK magazine Folk Roots.

Sam Pacetti grew up in North Florida. At age 13, he saw Chet Atkins on TV and thought, “Yeah, that’s the way guitar should be played.” So Sam bought a couple of finger-picks and grew his nails. Fate intervened shortly afterwards in the person of Gamble Rogers, the legendary picker and raconteur from St. Augustine who took the young Pacetti under his wing.

Tradition and innovation neatly balance in Sam Pacetti’s music, the whole infused by a relentless intelligence. Martin Simpson and Merle Travis are touchstones to Pacetti, and while there are strong elements of the Leo Kottke/John Renbourn school of guitar wizardry throughout his work, there is a powerful raw emotionality evident as well - an earthy sensuality more reminiscent of a Greg Brown or a red-dirt blues master than of a musical academic.

Word has started to spread about Sam Pacetti. You won’t see Pacetti written up in People or Us. You won’t hear his music on Top-40 radio. No, word is spreading about Sam Pacetti the way true innovation always does - through the grassroots.

When: Saturday, April 14 @ 8 PM
Where: 2nd Street Bakery, 1511 NW 2nd Street, Gainesville
Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door
(advance tickets available at Hyde & Zeke Records, Omni Books, and Wild Iris Books)
Call (352) 373-0010 for more information.

The Civic Media Center is looking for an individual to help with accounting and serve as a part-time treasurer. The internship requires 4-5 hours a week and a familiarity with the CMC. We are now accepting applications, which can be mailed to outreach@civicmediacenter.org. For more information on the position, call (352 373-0010.

The Civic Media Center will host an anti-war film series, beginning Monday, March 19th and continuing into April. Films will include Winter Soldier, All Quiet on the Western Front, Dr. Strangelove, Fahrenheit 911, Syriana, and Wag the Dog. The series is an attempt to bring greater awareness to the current Iraq war and to foster discussion on the effects of war in general. The CMC invites everyone to attend these screenings and participate in the effort to help find peaceful resolutions to international conflict. Members of Veterans for Peace and other peace activists will attend to help answer questions and broaden the discussion. The films will show on Monday nights, starting at 8 PM. The event is open to the public with minimal donations appreciated.

Here is the tentative schedule:

Monday, March 19: Winter Soldier, discussion with Scott Camile
Monday, March 26: All Quiet on the Western Front
Monday, April 9: Dr. Strangelove
Monday, April 16: Fahrenheit 911
Monday, April 23: Syriana
Monday, April 30: Wag the Dog

Dates are subject to change. Call (352) 373-0010 for more information.

Dear Friends and Members of the CMC,

On behalf of the volunteers, board members and coordinators, I’m pleased to invite you to the Civic Media Center’s 13th Anniversary celebration and dinner extraordinaire on the evening of Wednesday, October 18th at the Thomas Center, located at 302 NE 6th Avenue. Thanks to the continued support of CMC and community members, this year has been one of our most successful ever. We wish to honor our history and recent successes with a party at the Historic Thomas Center in Downtown Gainesville. I hope you will attend.

The celebration will kick off at 7:00 in the evening, featuring dinner, drinks, and piano jazz in the beautiful Spanish Court. Tickets are available in advance or at the door for $15-$20. In addition, guests can enjoy an art display chronicling some of our favorite CMC events. The display will include photographs, posters, and artwork from the past thirteen years. If you would like to take part in this project, we ask you to please look through old albums and scrap books for photos to contribute. Memorabilia can be brought by the CMC in the weeks leading up to the celebration.

The party will also feature a screening of the new CMC promotional video. The video, created for student and community outreach, includes interviews with current volunteers, as well as a tour of the newly renovated space.

Dinner will be catered by the CMC Board and local restaurants. Your ticket to this special event includes dinner, wine, music, and entertainment, while benefiting one of the most successful alternative libraries in the country. Your contribution allows the CMC to continue providing Gainesville with non-corporate media and a space for activists and friends to meet, network, and make a difference. Join fellow members in celebrating the Civic Media Center and 13 years of local and national involvement!

If you have any questions, please call (352) 373-0010

The Civic Media Center is bringing Michael Parenti to Gainesville. He is an award-winning author, lecturer and one of the nation’s leading progressive political analysts. His highly informative and entertaining books and talks have reached audiences throughout North America and abroad. The CMC is proud to bring this important speaker to Gainesville for one night only!

First, on the schedule for the evening, there will be a fundraising dinner in honor of Parenti.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 21 @ 5 PM
WHERE: The Matheson Museum, 513 E. University Ave.
ADMISSION: $15-20, these can be purchased at the Civic Media Center, 1021 W. University Ave.

Second on the schedule, he will give a talk on “Systemic Censorship: The Structural Forms of Thought Prevention” THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Afterwards there will be an area for booksignings by Parenti.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 21 @ 8 PM
WHERE: The Philips Center of the Performing Arts
ADMISSION: FREE!

Call us at 352-373-0010 for more info.

Be a part of the poker explosion to benefit the CMC. The game that has everyone buzzing is Texas Hold’em. Before you race down to the casino and sign up for a high stakes tournament, support the Civic Media Center and go “ALL IN” for alternative press. Winners will receive prizes from local eateries. Texas Hold’em is simple to learn and lots of fun to play. This game involves no gambling as participants may not win/lose any cash amount.

Donate $5.00 or more to play.
Benefits the Civic Media Center

Members of the Civic Media Center: the CMC needs your input. As you may know, the CMC is run by a Board of Directors that currently has seven seats. The Board is responsible for ensuring organizational continuity, setting and overseeing policy, ensuring fiscal accountability, managing staff, and raising funds. The Board of Directors has a lot of responsibility and decision-making power for the Civic Media Center. Until recently, the seven members who held Board seats were divided into two groups: three professors (Chris Zurheide–UF, Manny Martinez–SFCC, and Chair Fereshteh Ebrahimi–UF), and four founding members (Joe Courter, Charles Willett, Harriet Ludwig, and lawyer Paula Stahmer). Harriet Ludwig has since resigned, leaving room for the election of past volunteer turned coordinator Joe Richard.

Joe brings a fresh vision to the Board but also has CMC experience. We want to continue this trend of broadening our vision and invite other individuals within the community to join the Board of Directors. Possible Board member candidates may include CMC volunteers, representatives of the fast-moving CMC Radio Project, professors with expertise in social issues, or leaders from community groups who are underrepresented at the CMC. In no hurry for any current Directors to resign, we must increase the Board from seven seats, to nine seats. This requires a change in by-laws and a vote from our membership.

Mailings have already gone out to members with information on this issue. Only current members whose dues are up-to-date may vote. For more information on this matter, including how to receive a ballot, update membership, or learn more, please give us a call at the CMC: 352 373 0010. Final ballots will be counted on February 15, 2007. Board meetings, held once a month, are also open to the public. We encourage members to attend. Our next meeting is Monday, February 5th, 5 PM at the Civic Media Center. We look forward to your input and appreciate your support.

The Civic Media Center has hired a new Co-Coordinator. Sylvia Arnold will be filling the position previously held by Joe Richard. Sylvia is a sophomore at Santa Fe Community College. She is studying art history and plans to attend the University of Florida during the 2008 spring semester.

Sylvia became involved with the CMC through the knitting circle held Monday evenings. She immediately wanted to volunteer to learn more about social issues and to help inform others. She hopes to inform more groups within the Gainesville community about alternative viewpoints and the Civic Media Center.