Best Televised Moderator / Gardener

Tom Spencer

Best known for his long running gig as PBS' Central Texas Gardener ("the CTG," to y'all in the know) and his more recent stint as the host of acclaimed local news magazine Austin NOW, less is known about Spencer's 20 plus years behind the scenes at KLRU. When not cementing KLRU's status as one of PBS' nationally lauded stations, his passion lies in documentary work: His directorial work on The Painted Churches of Texas led to its acclaim as Historical Documentary of the Year by the National Educational Telecommunications Association. He has also helmed Austin Remember When, a loving paean to bygone days of Capitol City, and hosted Austin at Issue, an in-depth round table with the city's leaders and precursor to NOW. Despite all this, he finds the time to update his topiary Web site, www.soulofthegarden.com, and host The Greenthumb Hour on 590AM KLBJ.

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