Take your pick: A baseball signed by Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia... a bundle of your choosing from Harmonix, developers of the smash hit games Guitar Hero and Rock Band... or an autographed photo of Celtics player Rajon Rondo!

There's only one place to win these items and many, many more: CCTV's Backyard BBQ on Thursday, Sept. 18th. The silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and it will close at 7:30 that evening. Don't miss your opportunity to score some great items for a great cause. All proceeds benefit CCTV's youth and outreach programs.

Buy your tickets now for this special event, and get a sneak peak of the full list of silent auction items here.

CCTV's Annual BBQ Fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 18th will once again feature live music by Zili Misik! With a sound that reconnects Haitian mizik rasin, jazz, roots reggae, samba, Cuban son, and neo soul, Zili honors its influences while creating a sound that is uniquely its own. Voted #1 in the "Best World Music" category in a recent Boston Phoenix poll, Zili retraces routes of forced exile and cultural resistance through diasporic rhythm and song with captivating sounds that evoke the African continent. Powerful Haitian, Brazilian and West African rhythms infuse Zili's original creations and traditional folksongs. Click "play" below to watch a clip from Zili Misik's performance last year. And don't forget to buy your ticket for this year's BBQ by clicking here!

You could be learning how to make media for all of Cambridge to see! This public information session will show you how to get involved at the number one public access center in the country and begin making your own media and television programming.

CCTV is looking for a few organized, reliable, and friendly individuals to help oversee computerCENTRAL during public drop-in hours. A sincere interest in helping people use computers is required, as is sensitivity to the needs and concerns of those new to computers. Must feel comfortable working with a non-profit organization with a diverse constituency.

Knowledge of both MAC and PC computers is required. Interns receive free CCTV Access Membership, which includes media production training and equipment and facility use.

Time commitment is 3 hours per week. Must be available during one of the following lab shifts:

• Mondays, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Thursdays, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Please contact Colin at (617) 661-6900 or email colin (AT) cctvcambridge (DOT) org for more information. read more...

CCTV is currently accepting applications to our NeighborMedia program, where we provide the training and you provide the stories!

NeighborMedia is designed to help you learn how to make media around issues that are important to you and other residents of Cambridge.

All NeighborMedia participants receive a free Flip Mino video camera during their time in the program and a free one-year membership to CCTV.

Download a program Flyer (PDF) or an Application (PDF) and become a NeighborMedia journalist today! read more...

CCTV's Annual Backyard BBQ is just around the corner, on Thursday, Sept. 18th. In honor of our 20th anniversary, we will be recognizing a group of individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mission of our organization, providing guidance, advice and advocating on behalf of CCTV. These individuals will be inducted to CCTV's first ever Honorary Board at the BBQ next month. A list of Honorary Board inductees can be found on this page along with more information about what's on tap for this year's BBQ fundraiser.

Help us celebrate these individuals and 20 years of free speech in Cambridge! Get your BBQ tickets today! (All proceeds will benefit CCTV's various special outreach programs.)

The deadline for the ACM's Fall Video Festival is coming up really, really soon. The deadline to submit your locally produced video programming is September 5, 2008 (postmarked). The screening for winning entries will take place on Nov 15, 2008, in Brockton, MA.

Historically, our CCTV members have done extremely well in this contest and we want YOU to enter your program. As an incentive for members to enter this festival, we are offering to pay 1/2 of the entry fee for each of your shows. In order to take advantage of this offer, members must submit their programs to us by September 3, 2008, by 5PM. The entry should include one DVD (or VHS) copy of the program, one completed and signed entry form, and one check for $12.50 payable to CCTV. Get moving, that date is coming up fast. read more...