(Published 08.21.02) CityTV cable channel 31 in Lakewood brings you the programming you need to see to be in touch with Lakewood all day every day.

From live city council meeting coverage to park sports to special events, CityTV is the source for neighborhood-specific information. In fact, don't be surprised to see your park, neighborhood school, or even your own neighbor on CityTV. Lakewood's multiple-award-winning cable programs cover every aspect of Lakewood life.

Funded entirely from cable franchise revenue, CityTV has been cablecasting since 1984. The city's cable television programming has evolved into a 24/7 access point, linking city government with Lakewood's diverse population.

The city launched its first lineup of Lakewood-produced programs as soon as the city was wired for cable. The first "season" featured original programs that explored both the new medium of public cable access and the untold stories that Lakewood had to tell. Some of these programs still cablecast today.

"Crime Stoppers," which still airs new editions, combines timely news magazine segments with studio interviews with law enforcement and safety experts. Over the years, topics have ranged from the Sheriff's Department's Sky Knight helicopter to home safety and child abuse.

"September is Sizzling on CityTV" Senior Producer Linda Price reviews September programs Senior Producer Linda Price (Published 08.15.02) CityTV, the City of Lakewood's cable channel, produces programming each month ranging from sports and entertainment to news and information. Here is a sneak peek at what to look for this September on CityTV. Tune in to watch "Stolen Lives" on cable channel 31. This informative program explores how this new crime can impact you and provides valuable tips on how you can keep from becoming a victim of identity theft. Are you a fan of radio talk shows? Then, you won't want to miss "Ticket to Ride: Transit Talk." "Transit Talk" is a talk show spoof that is both entertaining and informative. The transit brothers, George and Ulysses, share their knowledge on how mass transit is changing southern California. Program producer Eileen McIlrath in the "Stolen Lives" identity theft consumer information documentary. Also, on CityTV, experience a day in the life of a firefighter. Our cameras followed the Station 45 B-shift to give viewers an up-close and personal look at the duties and responsibilities of these everyday heroes. If you have a hankering for an all American meal, tune in to "Café 50/50" and learn how to prepare "star-spangled" dishes that include BBQ beans and pork, potato salad and "fireworks" chocolate cake. Practice your 3R's--reduce, reuse and recycle. Watch the program, "Trash: Past, Present and Future," and learn why we need to recycle, and how our trash is getting recycled. Using a music video style, trash has never been such fun. And, of course, don't forget to watch CityTV's monthly magazine show, "Community Digest," to find out the latest city information and upcoming events. You can get CityTV's schedule on the TV Guide Channel by selecting Channel 45 on the analog side or pressing the guide button on the digital side. The schedule is posted on our website or call 920-9325 and leave your name, address and phone number to receive a free monthly schedule.

Another longtime running show, which debuted in the early years of CityTV, is "Read Me a Story." The show was produced with the assistance of the Lakewood library system and promotes reading that is educational and fun. Storytellers and actors bring to life the characters in many childhood favorite books.

"Lakewood Living Magazine" is another staple of the channel. This timely newsmagazine show still airs key segments on the channel. Special specific topic focused talk shows and documentaries take its place.

CityTV 24/7

The opening of the Centre at Sycamore Plaza in 1985 provided CityTV with a production studio and editing facilities. In 1999, CityTV joined the revolution in television technology with a switch from videotape to digital storage. Now, instead of videotapes, racks of high-speed drives hold over a hundred hours of city-produced programs. Three years ago, CityTV started using desktop video editing systems.

"Best of all," notes Senior Producer Linda Price, who oversees the city's cable production unit, "CityTV now can cablecast 24 hours a day, seven days a week, putting Lakewood information and activities even closer to residents."

CityTV's video production truck provides on-location coverage of community events and "Game of the Week," a series featuring local youth sports from park youth leagues to high school competitions.

CityTV has won many awards over the years, including national, regional, and local recognitions. Among the accolades are two Emmy nominations and a handful of ACE awards.

Recently, "Crime Stoppers/SAO's," a documentary about the Sheriff's Department's Special Assignment Officers, received a first place nod by the Alliance for Community Media.

You'd be amazed by what's
going on in your own backyard

Today, CityTV cablecasts 20 to 30 different programs a month to more than 11,000 Lakewood cable subscribers. Topics include everything from Lakewood's history and crime prevention to local news and the Lakewood Youth Sports program. Among the highlights:

• City Council meetings - coverage of the business portion of all regular city council meetings, including "Before the Council," an informative, talk show program about the issues to be discussed at the city council meetings.
  
  
• Community Digest - Lakewood's video news magazine. Programs are produced monthly and include features on community events.
  
  
• Specialty Programs - includes such informational shows as "Ticket to Ride," Lakewood Annual Report," Beyond the Badge," and Miss Arlene's Dance Recital.
  
  
• Game of the Week - provides whistle-to-whistle coverage of Lakewood youth sports. Color commentary and play-by-play announcers add to the excitement.
  
• Crime Stoppers - co-produced with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, highlights crime awareness and prevention.
  
  
• Neighborhood Watch - features crime prevention seminars. These presentations inform residents about home burglary prevention, drug abuse, auto theft prevention, and the criminal justice system.
  
  
• Café 50/50 - Tune in and learn how to prepare gourmet meals. Guest chefs include instructors who teach cooking classes offered by the Recreation and Community Services Department. The recipes on the programs are available just by clicking on the link above. Or, call 920-9325 and leave your name and address, and we will be happy to send you a copy.
  
  

  Click to request a program schedule Everyday heroes Experience a day in the life of a firefighter. Our cameras followed the Station 45 B-shift to give viewers an up-close and personal look at the duties and responsibilities of these everyday heroes.

  The complete CityTV schedule is also posted monthly on the web, or call 920-9325 and leave your name, address and phone number to receive a free monthly schedule.

CityTV is committed to educating, informing and entertaining Lakewood residents. Keeping the community connected is the goal of CityTV by producing video programming that communicates the city's public information priorities.

The policies for municipal cable access also reflect the concerns of the contract county agencies that share Lakewood's cable resources.

Lakewood's libraries and the County Fire and Sheriff's Department all contribute to the public information opportunities created by cable TV.

Whether it is educating viewers about identity theft or keeping residents tuned in to issues such as the impact of controversial storm water regulations, community television is for and about Lakewood.