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07.03.2008 ~ PLATINUM BEACH OVERLAY

Click on the above picture to learn about the Platinum Beach Overlay Zone in Oceanside     back to top

06.17.2008 ~ KOCT-TV WINS EMMY AWARD

OCEANSIDE – Russell Ferguson, KOCT television producer/director/editor, received an Emmy Award on Saturday, June 14th for outstanding achievement in children’s programming. KOCT won the gold statute for Climate TV – episodes 2 and 3 at the Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards 2007 which was held at the La Costa Resort and Spa. KOCT production manager Jacob Rush attended the awards with Russell Ferguson and described the Emmy win as a first for KOCT-the Oceanside Channels. “We were nominated in 2000,” Rush said, “for a documentary about the Prince of Peace Abbey but this is the first time we’ve brought home the gold.” Climate TV is a television series that shows ‘tweens engaged in positive, healthy and fun activities. It aims to inform, entertain and offer attractive alternatives to the lure of gangs and destructive behavior. Production of the Climate TV series is made possible by generous financial contributions from the City of Oceanside , the Parker Foundation, the County of San Diego , Oceanside Parks & Rec Dept., Oceanside Unified School District , and Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad. KOCT gratefully acknowledges these community partners and Wendy Lam Endsley of Grant Writer Source for their support. Credits for Climate TV: Episode 2 Producer/director/editor: Russell Ferguson; Camera: Jeff Arballo, Jorge Marcial, John McGrath, Veronica Sanchez; Grip: Stephanie Ramos;Theme song: Jason Jianuzzi; Field support: Shannon Sellinger, Chelsey Geddis, Charles Price and the Melba Bishop Center ; Students: Gabbie, Sami, Simone, Simeon , Jordan and Yahayra. Episode 3 Producer/director/editor: Russell Ferguson; Camera: Jeff Arballo, Aaron Capehart, Ken DeWoody, Mike Holloway, Stephanie Ramos, Jacob Rush, Justin Thatcher; Grip: Gary Koopsen, Veronica Sanchez; Line producers: Peter Bonscher, Bobbie Pawelski; Offline editors: Christian Motos, Crystal Chessher; Special thanks: Shannon Sellinger, Greg Milano, Daisy Tate, Oceanside High School and the Universal Exchange Programs; Students: Salvador, Celeste, Jake, Sidney, Rebecca, Lizbeth, Chasing Shadows (Eric, Angie and Mario) To see Climate TV episodes 2 and 3 on demand, visit www.KOCT.org or watch it on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ClimateTV # # # # # back to top

06.03.2008 ~ KOCT-TV WINS OVERALL EXCELLENCE AWARD

OCEANSIDE – Executive Director Tom Reeser is pleased to announce that the Alliance for Community Media has awarded KOCT the 2008 Hometown Video Festival Award for Overall Excellence. Reeser said that KOCT was judged the best overall in the category of combined public, educational and government access stations nationwide with a budget greater than $500,000. At the July 9-12 national conference of the Alliance for Community Media in Washington , D.C. , Production Manager Jacob Rush will represent KOCT and receive the Overall Excellence Award on behalf of the station. Mr. Rush will be a presenter at a conference workshop about creative fundraising for community television stations. Since its beginning in 1984, KOCT has evolved and embraced a form of public access different from the national model — focusing on viewer needs rather than individual community users. KOCT staff and volunteers document community events such as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, High School Sports, Amnesty International Candlelight Walk for Human Rights, Freedom Days Parade, Election Forums and City Council Meetings. KOCT is responsive to community concerns such as coverage of the police officer Dan Bessant funeral, providing teleconferencing service for military families whose loved ones are serving in Fallujah , Iraq , and emergency information provided during the October 2007 firestorms. KOCT is one of a handful of noncommercial television stations in the region and is seen in 53,000 homes by subscribers to Cox Communications cable. The City of Oceanside and cable subscribers are the primary funding source for KOCT. Program underwriting by individuals, families and businesses also helps KOCT provide the quality community television that local viewers have come to enjoy. Oceanside Community Service Television Corp (d.b.a. KOCT) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors: Chair Nancy Chadwick, Vice Chair Robert Neal, Immediate Past Chair Tom Morrow, Secretary Kay Parker, Treasurer Al Myers , Director and Chamber Rep Dick Coppens, Director and Education Rep Steve Lombard, Members At Large: Director Michelle Bray Davis, Director Beverly Fisher , Director Ann Haden Fraser, Director Tom Missett , Director Ken Ryan, and Director Gwen Price. KOCT employs 10 full-time and 15 part-time staff and offers real world television opportunities to student interns and volunteers. Visit www.KOCT.org for a complete list of programs or to watch videos on demand. Both channels 18 and 19 are streamed live on KOCT’s website. # # # # # back to top

03.31.2008 ~ NEW YOGA SERIES TO AIR ON KOCT

Oceanside, CA — KOCT-TV has teamed up with Sherry Zak Morris, founder of Yoga Journey Productions (www.yogajp.com) to bring two fresh new programs to KOCT viewers.  Beginning April 7th, KOCT will air the first of a new eleven-part Yoga series.  Each half-hour segment will feature local instructors such as Garry Alesio and new segments from viewer favorite Mary Cavanaugh.  The Yoga series can be seen Monday through Saturday at 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on KOCT Cox cable channel 18 in Oceanside.  Yoga practice is ideal for beginners, seniors and people in high-stress jobs or those with high-energy lifestyles.  Finding the balance between activity and rest is a challenge for all of us, but it is a necessity to maintain optimal mental, spiritual and physical health.     In addition to the Yoga series, KOCT will air short Take5Moments.  Take5, featuring lead Yoga instructor Jade Puckett and other experts in the field of health and wellness, is a 5-minute break designed to relax, recharge and de-stress. Taking a blend of multiple disciplines that have proven to be effective in improving health and reducing stress, these short videos will be a welcome lift to a busy and hectic day.  Take5Moments will air immediately before and after the KOCT Community Bulletin Board on channel 18 Monday through Friday. “I am honored to share my video library with KOCT and to bring the last works of my dear friend and yoga mentor, Mary Cavanaugh, to a North County audience that knows and loves her well” says Sherry Zak Morris, CEO and founder of Yoga Journey Productions.  “Mary was an inspiration to everyone she touched, and her legacy lives on through our joint venture, Yoga Journey Productions. YogaJP continues to produce instructional yoga videos featuring local talented yoga teachers, as well as a library of 5-minute inspirational videos through the Take5Moment.com online programming. Providing this video content to the KOCT viewing audience is my gift of love and an outward reminder to everyone that one person, one moment, one dream ... can change your life,"  shared Sherry Zak Morris, CEO of YogaJP and co-owner of the Yoga Vista Studio. For additional replay dates and times of Yoga, Take5 and all KOCT programs, visit www.koct.org and click on Schedule. # # # # # back to top

03.28.2008 ~ KOCT WELCOMES NEW HOST TO OCEANSIDE SPECTRUM

Oceanside, CA — After eleven years as volunteer host of Oceanside Spectrum, Brian Cook taped his last show on February 20, 2008.  Brian’s final Oceanside Spectrum shows air throughout March and his farewell appearance will be on March 29.  KOCT executive director Tom Reeser expressed gratitude for Brian Cook’s dedication and enthusiastic interviews over the years, which is why Oceanside Spectrum was referred to by guests as “Brian’s show.”  On May 5th, KOCT welcomes a charming new host, Elaine Swann, to Oceanside Spectrum. With more than a decade of experience, Elaine has used her knowledge of etiquette to educate others through regular appearances as a special correspondent on San Diego’s NBC 7/39 “News in the Morning” program, her web site, syndicated column and etiquette-inspired products.  As author and Life Lessons columnist for Today’s Local News, Elaine delivers expert advice on subjects that range from table manners to conducting oneself in a business setting. Oceanside Spectrum invites guests from nonprofit organizations, civic clubs, faith-based organizations and the education community to publicize their events, solicit volunteers, and ask viewers to support their good works.  Each half-hour program has a series of five-minute interviews followed by a showcase of local band talent at the end. Oceanside Spectrum offers access to the medium of television for residents, students and people who are employed in Oceanside.  To request an appearance on the program, please call Priscilla Wells at 760 722-4433. Oceanside Spectrum is taped at the KOCT Oceanside studios at 3038 Industry Street, Suite 101.  KOCT is a nonprofit, non-commercial television station and guests on Oceanside Spectrum may not advertise commercial events or businesses. For replay days and times of Oceanside Spectrum, visit www.koct.org and click on Schedule. # # # # # back to top

03.10.2008 ~ KOCT SURVEY WINNER

Meet KOCT’s latest viewer survey winner GERALD HAMPTON shown here receiving his prizes for filling out the KOCT Viewer Survey. Winners of the drawing receive: KOCT T-Shirt KOCT Coffee Mug Video:  Learning to Surf With Surfer Joe, Parts 1 and 2 If you’d like to be entered in the monthly drawing, click on What Are You Watching? on KOCT’s homepage and fill out the survey—it’s that easy! #  #  #  # back to top

01.14.2008 ~ LIVING LEGACIES RECEIVES 2007 WAVE AWARD

Living Legacies co-producer and Host Tom Morrow and co-producer Ted Smit receive a 2007 WAVE Finalist Award on the set of the Living Legacies with KOCT Executive Director Tom Reeser.  The program featuring Paul Tanner was named as a finalist in the Programs by or for Seniors / Pro category. The Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) Award recognizes the work of community access volunteers and professionals in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico. KOCT volunteers Ted Myers and John Naranjo have routinely worked on the program for several years. #  #  #  # back to top

06.06.2007 ~ CELEBRATING OCEANSIDE

Some of the principals involved in the creation of KOCT’s award winning programs display their Star Awards and Telly Awards. Left to Right: Producer/editor Peter Bonscher, first place Star Award for “13th Annual Candlelight Walk for Human Rights”; producer Promise Yee, third place Star Award for “Inside Oceanside”; producer/director Jake Rush, first place Star Award for “High School Basketball”; Telly Award Winners for “Harbor and Beaches Top 10” - Voice over talent Stacy Waite; producer/editor, Courtney Richards Berlin and Director of Harbor and Beaches Don Hadley.   back to top

KOCT winners of the 2007 Silver Telly Award for the “Harbor and Beaches Top 10” video. Pictured left to right at Oceanside Harbor are Stacy Waite, Jake Rush, Courtney Richards Berlin (holding the Telly), and Director of Harbor and Beaches Don Hadley. Oceanside – KOCT-TV was honored with a 2007 Silver Telly Award for “Harbor and Beaches Top 10” —a video extolling the 10 best reasons to visit Oceanside’s beautiful small craft harbor and seven miles of white sandy beaches.  “KOCT’s Telly Award winning video was a public safety program obligation of the station’s contract with the City of Oceanside,” recalls KOCT executive director Tom Reeser, “but the show’s concept was the brainchild of Don Hadley, Director of Harbor and Beaches.”  “Harbors and Beaches Top 10” was shot on location in June 2006 and was produced by Jacob Rush and Courtney Berlin; voice over by Stacy Waite; camera operators were Jacob Rush, John McGrath, and Don Sinatra; and production assistants were Austin Hill and Tim Hogle.The Telly Awards receives in excess of 13,000 entries annually and approximately 7 to 10 percent of entrants are chosen as Silver Telly Award winners. The judges rate each entry on a 10-point scale.  Generally, entries with a score of 9.0 or higher are awarded a “Silver Telly” statuette, the highest honor.  Bronze Telly statuettes average scores of 7.0 to 8.9 for outstanding achievement.  Judges consist of a group of nationally recognized and highly qualified advertising, production and other creative professionals.  All judges in the 28th Annual Telly Awards are previous Silver Telly Award winners and represent all regions of the United States. For a complete list of winners and more information visit www.tellyawards.com. Oceanside Community Service Television Corporation (KOCT) is a nonprofit, non-commercial station operating cable channels 18 and 19 for the City of Oceanside. Visit www.koct.org and click on schedule for program listings. #  #  #  # back to top

Production Manager Jake Rush (left) and Executive Director Tom Reeser (center) display KOCT-TV's three STAR awards received at the 2007 SCAN / NATOA conference held in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, May 24. Oceanside – KOCT-TV brought home two 2007 STAR Awards for the City of Oceanside from the SCAN / NATOA conference held in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, May 24.  The awards ceremonies are held annually at the SCAN / NATOA Spring Conference. The STAR awards are beautiful shooting star statuettes given in recognition of excellence in government programming in California and Nevada.  KOCT won first prize in two categories: Community Event; and Sports Event; and third place in the Magazine category. 18th Annual Candlelight Walk for Human Rights: Protecting the Children, won first prize in the Community Event category. Documenting the local chapter of Amnesty International’s annual event at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre, the video was produced and edited by Peter Bonscher.High School Basketball – Oceanside vs. El Camino Boys Varsity won first place in the Spots Events category. Produced and directed by Jacob Rush, this game captures the excitement of the longstanding cross town rivalry between the city’s two high schools. Inside Oceanside – October 2006,a co-production of the City of Oceanside and KOCT, won third place in the Magazine Category. Promise Yee was the program producer; magazine segments were produced by Robert Boyd, Alison St. John, Courtney Richards Berlin, Peter Bonscher and Promise Yee. Executive Director Tom Reeser, who attended the conference with Jacob Rush, KOCT’s Production Manager, was delighted to bring all three awards back to display at the station for Oceanside residents to see.  Reeser was especially proud of KOCT’s production staff and that Inside Oceanside was voted third place in a field of finalists that included the City of Santa Monica and the City of San Francisco. Jacob Rush was invited to be a presenter at the conference workshop on sports programming because KOCT excels at this genre. The SCAN / NATOA (States of California and Nevada Chapter of the National Association of Television Officers and Advisors) is a non-profit professional organization serving local governments and regional authorities in the development, regulation, and administration of cable franchises and other telecommunications systems.  As of 2006 the regional SCAN chapter had 446 members.Oceanside Community Service Television Corporation (KOCT) is a nonprofit, non-commercial television station. KOCT operates cable channel 18 – the community channel and channel19 – the government channel for the City of Oceanside. Visit www.koct.org to find out more about KOCT. #  #  #  # back to top

03.16.2006 ~ Don't Throw Away That Empty Ink Cartridge

Don't Throw Those Empty Ink Cartridges Away RECYCLE THEM! KOCT-Oceanside Community Television is launching a fundraising project and you can help by recycling your old printer cartridges. Most of us have inkjet printers at home or work. Next time you have an empty inkjet cartridge, don’t throw it away. Simply drop off your empty inkjet cartridges at KOCT-TV Besides helping your local community television station, recycling also benefits the environment by reducing pollution. (Did you know . . . it takes 1000 years for a cartridge to decompose?) For questions, contact: KOCT-TV (760) 722-4433 3038 Industry St., Suite 101 Oceanside, CA 92054 YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! ALL CARTRIDGES MUST HAVE A PRINT HEAD TO BE RECYCLED. EPSON, LASER TONERS AND CANON BCI CANNOT BE ACCEPTED. Thank you in advance for supporting KOCT and keeping millions of pounds of cartridges out of our landfills. back to top