POWERGRAMS

36 EDUCATION For more than three decades, Alabama Power hasn't missed a beat supporting Alabama Public Television (APT). The company most recently signed on as the first corporate sponsor of the new PBS Kids Channel, which debuted in January providing children's programming around the clock. Alabama Power has supported children's television programming for many years, sponsoring 30-second messages featuring Louie the Lightning Bug, created in 1983 by the company to teach children about electrical safety. But Alabama Power's strongest link with APT comes from support of the popular Alabama Storytellers Series – documentaries about the state airing since 2005, starting with "The Quiltmakers of Gees Bend." "Without the funding and ongoing partnership with Alabama Power, these stories would not be possible, at least not at the level of quality we have produced," said Beverly Phillips, APT's manager of Corporate Support and Development. "Alabama Power and APT have a lot in common," said Gordon Martin, senior vice president of Corporate and Administrative Services, and former chairman of the APT Foundation board of directors. "We provide light and APT provides enlightenment. We enrich the lives of the people of Alabama through electricity and our community service while they do so through the highest-quality programming. We are committed to safety and they help us get our message out through Louie the Lightning Bug. It's a great partnership." Some notable episodes in the Storyteller Series include: • "Missile to the Moon" about German-exile rocket engineer Wernher von Braun and the emergence of Huntsville as a major player in the United States space program. • "WWII: Alabama Remembers" about Alabamians who served during the Second World War. • "Sucarnochee: A Revue of Alabama Music" about the Sucarnochee Revue radio show in Livingston, which celebrates traditional music. Frequent performers include Carroline Shines, the Jake Landers Band, the Birmingham Sunlights and Jacky Jack White, host of the radio show. • "Alabama Ballet: The Making of Romeo and Juliet" – For more than six weeks, APT's cameras captured days of extreme fatigue, tension and frustration, in addition to humorous moments, as dancers prepared an infamously arduous piece. The film culminates in a thrilling and emotional performance set to Prokofiev's score. Alabama Power has provided vital support for APT's popular documentary series "Journey Proud" – in its fourth and final season – highlighting people, customs and traditions of Alabama. Hosted by Joey Brackner, director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, "Journey Proud" canvasses the state documenting diverse cultural heritage. Episodes normally are broadcast on Sunday afternoon. Alabama Power-sponsored documentaries have won many regional and national awards, including 15 Southeastern Emmys and 16 Tellys. "Thornton Dial" earned first place for TV Documentary/Short Form at the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival. "Mr. Dial Has Something To Say" captured the 2007 CINE Golden Eagle Award for Documentary Excellence. Alabama Power's sponsorship of the PBS Kids Channel gives children the opportunity to watch award-winning shows like "Wild Kratts" and "Dinosaur Train" 24/7. Phillips said parents can enjoy the quality PBS programming when their children are finished with dinner and homework. "While PBS offers 'PBS Kids' in the morning and daytime hours, executives realized viewing of those shows is robust during after- school and primetime hours," Phillips said. More programs will be available around the clock, streamed on pbskids.org and on the PBS Kids Video App. APT is as much a part of the fabric of the Alabama media landscape as any outlet. The state's commitment to a vibrant public television system dates back to the formative days of TV itself, when, in 1953, the Alabama Legislature created the Alabama Educational Television Commission. Two years later, with WBIQ broadcasting from Birmingham and WCIQ broadcasting from the top of Mount Cheaha, Alabama became the first state with an educational television network. AET was a model for the other 22 states launching statewide public television. The name was changed to the Alabama Public Television Network in the 1960s, and now goes by Alabama Public Television. APC continues support of APT APT Corporate Support and Development Manager Phillips in Birmingham studios. Public channel produces award-winning documentaries. B Y G I L B E R T N I C H O L S O N • P H O T O S B Y B E R N A R D T R O N C A L E

• Cover