Maple Syrup, Easter Music Shows New to SWOCC Public Access

The channel 12 programs can be seen by Bright House viewers in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

Two new shows running on SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) Studios public access channel are designed to inform and inspire.  According to Public Access Promotions Committee Brian Belesky, a Michigan Maple Syrup Association video shares information about the world of maple sugaring, which produces about 90,000 gallons of maple syrup in Michigan each year. The show will run at various times through April.  A Mormon Tabernacle Choir Easter concert also airs this month. Channel 12 previously hosted the world-famous choir's program of Christmas music. Belesky said viewers should look for more of their concerts on public access in the future. "And, of course, we continue to air Plymouth Whaler hockey and the other great programs …

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

YouTube Video Shares Local Veterans' Stories

SWOCC Studios pays tribute to local heroes in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

Area residents Virgil Thilz, Harvey Hershey, John Shalholub and Norman Berger all share their memories of serving during World War II in a video posted this week at YouTube.com. User swoccstudios1 shares videos produced by SWOCC Studios, home to the Farmington, Farmington Hills and Novi city channels, and public access television for all three communities.  Take a look at the 6-minute video, then check out the events for which you'll need to register or buy tickets, along with today's happenings:  Check our calendar for more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the week. If your event isn't listed, here's how to add it: How to Post an Event on Patch.

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

Who's Ready for Founders Festival?

The Farmington Downtown Development Authority puts out a call for crafters and food vendors to participate in the July event.

The weather may be blustery, but the Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) staff is already well into planning for the 2013 Founders Festival, held July 19-20.  Applications are being accepted from crafters, commercial businesses, food vendors and nonprofits for the event. In addition, Memorial Park on Grand River west of Farmington Road will be home to Wags-n-Whiskers, reserved for dog-related vendors. All applications can be downloaded from the Farmington DDA website. To get you in the mood for this year's festival, take a look at the 2012 parade, featured in today's Youtube.com video, posted on the social media sharing site by SWOCC Studios (swoccstudios1). Then check out the big events posted on today's calendar:  Check our …

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

Cable Program Profiles Three New Farmington Hills Businesses

Learn more about Ecotelligent Homes, Greek Islands restaurant and Grifols PlasmaCare, all of which opened in 2012.

Three new Farmington Hills businesses get star treatment in a December episode of "The Works", a SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) Studios production posted Dec. 17 on the YouTube video sharing site.  The 10-minute program provides a look at Greek Islands Bar and Grill at the Farmington Hills Golf Club, Ecotelligent Homes and Grifols PlasmaCare, all three opened in 2012.  If you're looking for something to do tonight, check out the Farmington Rotary Queen of Hearts Raffle, 9 p.m., at John Cowley & Sons in downtown Farmington. After the queen showed her face last month, the group has already bumped the new total over $2,000. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased from any Rotary club member or at the restaurant. 

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

Farmington Area Experts Offer Tips for Tightening Up Home Security

In this SWOCC Studios program, learn more about home security systems and how Farmington Public Safety officers help homeowners spot potential security problems.

Does the number of thefts from homes and cars have you thinking about how you can better protect what you have?  In a 2012 SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) Studios "SWOCC Around the Block" episode, a local home security expert and Farmington Public Safety officer talk about how to keep your home safe and secure. The video, which runs a little over four minutes, also explains how public safety officers help residents identify potential security problems.  Once you've taken a look, check out these events, which are happening today: 

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Holiday Shows Broadcast on Public Access Television

Turn to Bright House cable channel 12 to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, learn about Christmas trees and more.

If you're looking for holiday programming that's a little out of the ordinary, tune in to SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) public access channel 12 (on Bright House cable) this month: Two holiday concerts, "A Wondrous Christmas" and "A Tradition of Christmas" are both playing now through Jan. 7.  This program, produced by the Michigan Christmas Tree Growers Association, takes you inside the state of Michigan's Christmas tree industry. The local musical group's “Joyous Noel” holiday program was videotaped at St. John Lutheran Church in early December. The program features seasonal music sung by the Women’s Chorus, under the direction of Judy Reger.  To find air times and dates for the shows, visit Southwestern Oakland Cable …

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Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Farmington Area Public Access TV

The world-renowned choral group's holiday shows are now playing on Bright House cable channel 12.

If you love choral music, tune in to Public Access Channel 12 on Bright House cable this week to hear the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Public Access Promotions Committee member Brian Belesky said the shows "A Wondrous Christmas" and "A Tradition of Christmas" are both playing now through January 7 on Bright House cable channel 12. He said the recordings came through Bonneville Distribution in Salt Lake, UT, which he learned about via the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  Belesky thanked Bonneville's Terry Hritz for making the deal happen. In an announcement to city council members Monday, Belesky said the distribution company doesn't normally work with public access channels.  "I told him all about our public access …

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New Cable Show Spotlights Local Groups Extending 'Helping Hands'

Produced at SWOCC Studios, the show is hosted by Farmington Hills resident Diana Jacokes.

A new show produced at SWOCC (Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission) Studios shines a spotlight on organizations that reach out to people in need with "Helping Hands".  The Farmington Area Goodfellows are featured in the first episode, which is now posted on YouTube.com in addition to being broadcast on Farmington city channel 15 (Bright House). Host Diana Jacokes talks with David Kenerson, president, and Judy Glass, secretary, about the Goodfellows' holiday drive.  Producer Patti Soma said the idea for "Helping Hands" came out of a public access show she did called "Equal Access", which focused on groups that serve people with disabilities. SWOCC also does a "Community Connections" show that highlights nonprofits. The new show will …

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Public Access University Opens World of Television to Homeschool Group

Classes offered a Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission studios show kids how to 'do' TV.

When Farmington Hills resident Jody White found out about classes in television production were being offered at Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission (SWOCC) Studios, she jumped at the opportunity. And she brought a few people along for the ride.  "I love video production, and that's why I love Public Access University," said White, who homeschools her children Allison, 14, and Mitchell, 12. They took the classes with her, as did a group of parents and kids affiliated with Palaestra, a Livonia-based nonprofit that offers enrichment courses for homeschooling families.  SWOCC's Public Access Promotions Committee offers the certification classes taught by volunteers, committee chair Brian Golden said. The goal is to create a "sustainable …

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Farmington, Hills Approve Changes to SWOCC Agreement

Along with Novi, the cities will have more of a hand in the cable studio's operations.

Farmington officials on Monday night joined their colleagues in Farmington Hills and Novi in approving changes to an agreement that will alter the way Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission (SWOCC) Studios operates. SWOCC produces government programming and provides facilities for residents to produce and air their own cable shows at Nine Mile and Farmington roads in Farmington. A board that includes representatives from all three cities oversees operations. City Manager Vince Pastue said restructuring will place a manager in charge of day-to-day business but will eliminate the executive director position held by Caren Collins. The goal, he said, is to "address a projected long-term operating deficit and a financial plan that does not …

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