Thursday, June 30, 2016

KOCT Open House

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

What a delight to welcome so many residents to KOCT’s annual Open House on Tuesday, June 28th!
KOCT Open House visitors
Visitors had an opportunity to be Directors, Camera Operators and even Candidates for public office (& read TelePrompTer lines from San Diego news anchor, Ron Burgundy.)
Eileen Turks new job

& now she's running for office!
Visitors sampled delicious desserts courtesy of Petite Madeline (thanks Christine!), root beer from the new brewing company, Midnight Jack and nutrition bars from KOCT’s neighbor Nii bars.
New Brewery!
MiraCosta College’s Jazz Quartet performed in the KOCT studio and visitors were encouraged to operate and record the concert on professional studio cameras. 
jazz band 
MCC Jazz Quartet
KOCT’s Board of Directors were on hand to answer questions and lead guests on tours of the station.  KOCT’s Station Manager Jacob Rush did a great job leading KOCT’s production team, interns and volunteers on the elaborate set-up of the studio, mobile studio and edit bays.   Mark your calendar for this annual event next April and thanks to everyone who attended. 
Gwen, Liz & Kellie

Ward O Doherty (L) and KOCT Executive Director

Bill, Kellie, Jon & Jake

KOCT IT Specialist Phoenix Von Hendy (L) & visitors

Bill Peters Engineer Lab
More photos to follow but thanks to Eileen Turk, Division Manager/Parks & Rec at City of Oceanside for taking & sharing these ‘first look’ photos.





Thursday, June 23, 2016

Random Pixels

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

KOCT has a wealth of programs to keep you informed about civic issues. We provide ‘live’ coverage of every Oceanside City Council meetings and numerous replays. We replay every Tri-City Medical Center Board meeting and air the California Channel and San Diego’s County News Center (CNCTV) on a daily basis.

But we also have a lot of new programs that are very brief and informative too—Click on the links below for a sample of recent community events: 

Cal State San Marcos University Lacrosse- This new Newsbrief features an overview of our local university’s women’s Lacrosse team.  There is so much happening at Cal State University San Marcos academically and in their growing sports programs - check it out.


The new El Corazon Trail is another milestone in the development of our ‘great park’.  The volunteers and city staff who made this possible have given a great gift to those who love exercise, the wilderness and to our high school athletes. If you would like to volunteer or contribute to this non-profit, go to their El Corazon website.


Neighborhoods: Manufactured Homes   KOCT once produced a series called ‘The Neighborhoods of Oceanside’ and we are glad to finally add a new segment about ManufacturedHomes.  In this program we not only look at some of Oceanside’s unique neighborhoods but at Carlsbad’s manufactured neighborhoods too. 


Datron provides support for KOCT. This brief program thanks Vista’s Datron Corporation for their recent donation provided to help preserve KOCT vast videotape archive. You’ll learn about the dilemma KOCT faces with aging tape stock and the need to preserve ‘the life and times’ record of North County for future generations.  


Volunteer for Oceanside boards & commissions  Would you like to help our City by volunteering on a board or commission? You’ll meet interesting community volunteers, help city staff with important projects and make a difference in your community.

Community Media has been under assault by a perfect storm of economic, social media and media law changes. Our nation continues to lose newspapers and newspaper jobs on a daily basis. Consumers have more media choices than at any time in history but less about our hometown than 10 years ago. Cable networks do not provide the same level of functionality, service or support for PEG community channels like KOCT as they do for commercial channels. Yet KOCT continues to seek grants, production work and community support so that we can meet our Mission: “KOCT, North San Diego County’s Community Public, Education & Government Channel, is an exclusive, independent, non-profit, educational media conduit.  KOCT’s focus is on the topics and issues of importance to the people of North San Diego County.”

You can help KOCT and our Mission:  Become a Friend & support quality community television

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Random Pixels

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

On June 1st the City Clerk’s office and KOCT premiered a new spot at the Oceanside City Council meeting.
Oceanside’s City Clerk, Zack Beck explained that his office wanted to encourage citizens to volunteer for city commissions and boards.
Oceanside City Clerk, Zack Beck

Retired Assistant City Clerk Holly Trobaugh wrote a script that was brought to life by KOCT’s Production Supervisor Angela Miranda.
KOCT Production Supervisor Angela Miranda
Fellow KOCT employee, Kellie Davis, helped Angela recruit volunteers, KOCT employees and the Oceanside Police & Fire to come to the KOCT studio on Industry Street to shoot the new promo.  (She also made sure to include her very cute niece too [twice]!)
In addition to producing the spot, Angela edited it as well. Thanks to our City Clerk, Zack Beck for acknowledging Angela’s artistic endeavor. You can make the spot even more successful by becoming a City of Oceanside volunteer!  Click here to find out how and to watch this collaborative production. 

·               Hey recent graduates from Oceanside High School:  Congratulations!  If you’d like to relive your graduation, share the moment with distant relatives or analyze your hat throwing skills, Click here. KOCT rolled its Mobile Studio to the Junior Seau Beach Amphitheater to capture the pomp and circumstances. The graduation will replay on KOCT’s channel 19 all month. You can also access this program under KOCT Specials on Video on Demand.



·           We have a lot of new Newsbriefs you’ll want to check out too—because a great way to stay connected with your community is to stay tuned to KOCT.