RICK STEVES UP FOR EMMY

Travel writer Rick Steves has been nominated by The National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences, Northwest Regional Chapter, to receive an EMMY
Award for his role as host of the ACLU of Washington's "Marijuana: It's Time
for a Conversation." The half-hour television program examines the history
and current impacts of state and federal marijuana laws and invites viewers
to consider, and discuss with others, whether those laws are working for our
communities.

"Conversation" has been viewed more than 30,000 times in western
Washington households subscribed to Comcast On Demand. It has received
print and radio media coverage locally and nationwide, and it has been
screened to capacity audiences at Spokane's Metropolitan Performing
Arts Center and the Kirkland Performance Center. The associated
website, MarijuanaConversation.org, has received over 320,000 hits.

Seattle network stations sparked some controversy when they refused to
air the program during evening hours when most adults would be likely
to be watching. KING-TV and its affiliate KONG would only run the
program at 1:00 a.m. KOMO and KIRO refused to air the program at all.

"I'm thrilled, honored, and proud to be recognized for my part in this
collaboration," Steves said of the nomination. "I believe media should
be used to share ideas and opinions for the benefit of our
communities. The networks' refusal to sell us time when we could
engage more viewers on the issue of our nation's failed drug war
strengthened my conviction that contributing to this project was good
citizenship."

"Conversation" already has won two Silver Tellys (the highest award) for
Information and Infomercial and a Bronze Telly for Political/Commentary from
the Telly Awards, which honors outstanding local, regional, and cable TV
commercials and programs. It also received Honorable Mention awards for
Contemporary Issues/Awareness Raising and Viewer Impact: Content/Message
Delivery from the Accolade Competition.

The EMMY Award recognizes outstanding achievements in broadcasting.
The NATAS Northwest Regional Chapter serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Alaska, and Montana and received approximately 850 applications for
EMMY Nominations this year. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on
Saturday, May 30, at the Snoqualmie Casino.