Alfred Adler (1926)

“And since true happiness is inseparable from the feeling of giving, it is clear that a social person is much closer to happiness than the isolated person striving for superiority…”

Adlerian psychologists use term “gemeinschaftsgefuhl” to describe a sense of community or “social interest”; an individual’s state of social connectedness and interest in the well-being of others, according to Alfred Adler, characterizes true psychological and spiritual health. Individuals with a strong sense of community not only transcend his or her personal sense of belongingness but the small group to which one is affiliated therewith. Gemeinschaftsgefuhl involves melting into or relating oneself to, as Adler aptly described, “…the brotherhood of humanity.”

Bay Area Beat: Local Music News was graciously invited by Louise M. Thompson, executive director of Tampa Bay Community Network, to attend the 2009 Tampa Bay Video Awards at Plant Hall at the University of Tampa April 28, 2009. TBCN is a service of Speak Up Tampa Bay Public Access Television, Inc. a non-profit agency that encourages citizen participation in identifying and solving Bay Area issues and also provides the community with a means to disseminate information through the use of community-based media, specifically the increased usage of public access cable television in Hillsborough County. Cable subscribers in the City of Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County can view TBCN programming on Verizon FIOS channels 30 and 36, Bright House Networks cable channels 949 and 950 and Comcast cable channel 20.

Thompson, TBCN executive director since 2003, was the perfect host. She explained the purpose and mission of TBCN and excitedly welcomed Bay Area Beat to the Bay Area Community. Obviously, both TBCN and BAB have a similar mission: Encourage a strong sense of community among Bay Area artists! Kevin Beckner, Hillsborough County Commissioner for District 6, assisted Thompson with emcee duties throughout the evening. Beckner, a staunch supporter of Bay Area artists and community-based media, encouraged the participants to continue supporting local media outlets and artistic integrity and creativity. TBCN Outreach Coordinator Pamela Garron, also was helpful and accommodating.

Awards were given in several categories, including stop-motion, entertainment, animation, ethnic/cultural, inspirational, informational, and documentary. We met many talented filmmakers who expressed their visionary ideal through visual media. Most impressive were artists Krystal Brown, aka Lady KararD, and Tampa Grapevine host Dean S. Chambers and his on-air partner Pamela Robinson; all three winning awards in their respective categories. Other individuals like photographer/videographers Reggie Johnson, Katherine Walton and Stone Handy further expounded the strong sense of gemeinschaftsgefuhl swarming throughout Plant Hall that evening. Kudos of thanks to Louise, Pamela, Reggie, Kara D, and all the TBCN staff for welcoming Bay Area Beat into the community fold! Local artists who want to submit original music for airplay during the overnight TBCN Community Bulletin Board should contact Pamela Garron at www.speakuptampabay.org or call 813 254-1687 for more information.

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