Media Center Turns Twenty from Midpeninsula Media Center on Vimeo.

On February 5, 1990, the Midpeninsula Public Access Corporation (MPAC) opened its doors to the public in a tiny suite of offices on Park Boulevard in Palo Alto. MPAC had one full time employee, director Elliot Margolies. Annie Niehaus (now Folger) was a contractor who came on board full time as Associate Director on June 17 of that same year. A Board member by the name of Andrew Mellows oversaw the construction of a very rough studio and helped stock it with mostly used or donated equipment.

This past Friday, February 5, 2010, MPAC now the Midpeninsula Community Media Center turned 20. An impromptu party was held in the conference area in mid-afternoon. Andrew (still on the Board), Annie now our Executive Director and Elliot now a staff consultant were there as well as current staff members. Doug Devore, a former production manager who joined MPAC over 18 years ago, dropped by with little Penelope Devore.

A lot of changes have hit the Cable Access industry over the years. We even had to send Annie to Washington to testify before Congress on behalf of PEG preservation! To be able to have a 20 year birthday party when many access stations have had to shutter their doors is a reminder of how fortunate our community has been in the dedicated, constant and selfless leadership of people like Annie, Elliot and Andrew. They make the party possible! Thank you Annie, Elliot, Andrew and to all the board members, volunteers, employees and fans who over the years who got us to 20!