What do you get when you mix a Masters of Fine Arts and a Medical Doctor? The answer is Dr. David Teplica, a Penn State alumnus who uses his unique combination of talents in the Fine Arts and Plastic Surgery to bring about a better understanding of human anatomy. We'll talk with him about how photography has made him a better surgeon, and vice versa, about the need for gender-specific plastic surgery, and about what he's learned from his decade's long study of identical twins.
Today's guest, Jeffry Wert, is a historian and author who specializes in the American Civil War. He's written nine books about the Civil War. His book, Gettysburg--Day Three, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. Wert also taught at Penns Valley Area High School for more than three decades. WPSU's Kate Lao Shaffner talked with him about his career as an author and teacher.
Bob Zellner's story starts about as far as you can get from where it ended up. Born in lower Alabama, his father, uncles and grandfather were robe-wearing members of the Ku Klux Klan. In his inspirational memoir, "The Wrong Side of Murder Creek: A White Southerner in the Freedom Movement," he chronicles his journey to become one of the first white southerners in the early civil rights movement.
Nearly 35 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. That's seven times more people than currently live in Ireland! No wonder Saint Patrick's Day has evolved to celebrate all things Irish! We'll talk with Cahal Dunne, the Cork-born singer/songwriter, and now, self-published author. He's been sharing his musical heritage with American audiences since immigrating here in 1983.
We remember Col. Gerald Russell, a decorated Marine commander and devoted community volunteer. He died February 24, 2014, at age 97. We share our last interview with him from May, 2007. Plus, historian Jeffry Wert on the significance of Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, which he delivered 149 years ago this week. Some say it's his greatest speech.
The more than year-long search for Penn State's next President has come to an end. The Board of trustees has chosen Dr. Eric Barron to lead Penn State as the University's 18th President. Currently the president of Florida State University, Dr. Barron is no stranger to Happy Valley. He spent more than 20 years here
Daphne Miller is an family physician who practices integrative medicine and an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Univeristy of California. Her most recent book is "Farmocology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us about Health and Healing." It shows how lessons from sustainable farming can be applied to medical practice. And we talk with Brian Snyder, the head of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, about recent changes to food safety laws and what those changes mean to the small-scale farmers he represents.
Acclaimed State College photographer Bill Coleman died last week at 88. He was known worldwide for his exquisite photographs of the Amish. We'll share our last interview with him dating back to 2008. We'll also hear about the recently completed stream restoration project at the Rothwell Farm in Centre County. Landowner Sally Rothwell and Clearwater Conservancy's wildlife biologist, Katie Ombalski, say the improvements impact water quality all the way to the Chesapeake Bay!
Joel Rubin is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Ploughshares Fund, a foundation dedicated preventing the use and spread of nuclear weapons. We'll talk with him about the recent Iran nuclear weapons deal and why Americans should be concerned about the state of nuclear weapons today.
John Sanchez is the only American Indian faculty member at Penn State. A member of the Apache Nation, we'll talk with him about Hollywood's misrepresentation of American Indians, about how those images influence how the entire world perceives them, and about why the use of American Indians as team mascots should be discontinued.
As Penn State's Executive Vice President and Provost, Nicholas Jones has a hand in virtually every aspect of the University. The New Zealand native recently came to Penn State from Johns Hopkins University, where he served as the Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering. WPSU's Patty Satalia talks with him about what enticed him to join Penn State, about the challenges facing higher education in the 21st century, and about his vision for the future of Penn State.
The multifaceted poet, rock legend and artist Patti Smith was recently at Penn State to receive the 2013 Institute of Arts & Humanities Medal for Distinguished Achievement. She came by our studios to talk with us about her life's work, her family, and her deep friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
They call it the "Red Zone." There are more sexual assaults on U.S. college campuses during this time than at any other time during the school year. WPSU's Emily Reddy talks with the Penn State Center for Women Students programming coordinator, Jennifer Pencekbut first, November is National Caregivers Month. Family caregivers provide an estimated $450 billion worth of uncompensated care to loved ones each year. But family caregiving comes at a cost. Caregivers experience high stress levels that can lead to physical and mental health problems. WPSU's Patty Satalia talks with Dr. Steven Zarit, a distinguished professor and head of the Department of Health and Family Studies at Penn State, about ways to reduce caregivers' stress and improve their health and well-being.
Pete Hatemi teaches Political Science, Microbiology and Biochemistry at Penn State. His research explores the complex connection between evolution and our political attitudes. He speaks with WPSU's Kristine Allen.
You could say art is in her blood. Victoria Wyeth is the only grandchild of iconic artist Andrew Wyeth. She's been giving talks about Wyeth art since she was 16, both here in the U.S. and abroad. WPSU's Patty Satalia talks with her about growing up in the so-called "First family of American art" and about the lessons she learned at her grandfather's knee.
Pedro Noguera is an internationally renowned professor of education at New York University and the author of seven books, including "The Trouble With Black Boys: And Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education." We'll talk with him about education's most pressing problems, about why installing metal detectors isn't the answer, and about why we should assess schools the way we access hospitals.
We'll find out what college professors can do to turn entitled, self-absorbed Millennial students into Millennial thinkers. Plus, why doesn't "scientific consensus" settle disputes about climate change or other risk issues? We'll talk with a professor from Yale law school who studies how cultural values and group identity impact how we interpret science and perceive risk.
Poet, musician and artist Patti Smith visited Penn State to receive the 2013 Institute of the Arts and Humanities Medal for Distinguished Achievement. She joined us in our studio just a few hours before the evening's celebration, and her much-anticipated solo performance, to talk with us about her life, art and friendships.
Among his many achievements, he was a decorated fighter pilot in Vietnam, an aerospace engineer, and a corporate leader, but above all, Guy Bluford is best known as the first African-American to fly in space. He was also a 1964 graduate of Penn State. We'll talk with him about his career, about his experiences in space, and about the future of space exploration.
"Beautiful Souls," by Eyal Press, tells four stories about people who did what they considered the right thing under extremely trying circumstances. A Swiss border guard smuggled Jews into Switzerland against policy, a Serbian misidentified Croats to save their lives, an Israeli soldier refused to continue to guard what he felt were illegal settlements and a broker blew the whistle on a Ponzi scheme. The book was chosen as the inaugural text for the Penn State Reads initiative.
The New York Times called her ""The Green Power Broker." We'll talk with Majora Carter about the revitalization and community improvement projects she's leading in her South Bronx neighborhood. We'll also talk with her about her efforts to stop the placement of polluting industries in low-income or minority communities.
As summer draws to a close, many gardeners are turning their attention to end-of-the-season projects and taking note of their successes and failures. Hear from the experts about what you should be doing in your garden. (Today's Take Note is an encore presentation of "Conversations LIVE: Get Your Garden On!")
First, a Q & A with Penn State's VP for Human Resources about the university's new "Take Care of Your Health" program. Employees who do not participate in the three-part plan will be charged a $100 a month surcharge. Then an encore conversation about water fluoridation and just why it's so controversial. (photo by Jessica Paholsky)
The Pennsylvania legislature passed a budget on time but none of the major initiatives proposed by Governor Corbett were enacted. Funding for transportation, state pension reform, and privatization of liquor sales were victims of the political process. WPSU's Greg Petersen talks with Mary Wilson, Capitol Bureau Chief for Pennsylvania Public Radio about legislative news.
Beverly McIver is one of the most acclaimed black female painters working today. Her larger-than-life portraits of her family and herself examine race, gender and social identity. We'll talk with her about growing up in the segregated South, about her career as a painter, and about the HBO documentary that chronicles six years of her life as Renee's caregiver.
This week on Take Note, we'll find out what's in store at this year's Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College, and at People's Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts in Boalsburg. We'll talk with the directors of both festivals. We'll also talk with one of the organizers of BookFest PA, which has been part of Arts Fest for the past four years. It celebrates the written word and offers folks a chance to hear and meet authors!
We'll introduce you to a simple, science-based diet that could get you off the dieting treadmill, but first...Time Magazine labeled those born between 1925 and 1942 as "the Silent Generation." The 1951 cover story described those who came of age in the 1950s as "grave and fatalistic, conventional, expecting disappointment, and for women, desiring both a career and family." What shaped the so-called Silent Generation and why were they not acknowledged? We'll talk about that with our guest, Judith Thompson Witmer, a graduate of Curwensville High School Class of 1955. She's also an assistant professor of education at Penn State-Harrisburg. Her book, "Growing Up Silent in the 1950s," is self-published.
Republican state Representative Matt Gabler represents the 75th district which includes Elk county and parts of Clearfield county. He was elected to the state house in 2008. Greg Petersen talked with him about legislative issues including transportation, privatization efforts and his support of the coal industry and gun-owner rights.
To celebrate Father's Day, we talk with two poets whose writing is strongly influenced by their relationships with their fathers. First we have Marjorie Maddox, whose book of poems Transplant, Transport, Transubstantiation focuses on her father's unsuccessful heart transplant. Todd Davis's newest book of poetry, just out this month from Michigan State University Press, is In the Kingdom of the Ditch. Davis's poems have been featured on Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac."
Arthur Goldstein describes himself as a pianist, composer and teacher. Audiences describe him as not just versatile, but highly accomplished in a wide variety of musical styles including classical, jazz and rock-
Democratic state Representative Mike Hanna. Hanna represents the 76th district which includes Clinton county and parts of Centre county. WPSU's Greg Petersen talked with him about legislative issues including transportation infrastructure, privatization efforts, health care, and education.
USA Today described him as "the closest thing to a rock star" in the graphic design world. Chip Kidd is a book jacket designer for Alfred A. Knopf Publishing. He's also a Penn State alumnus. Among his many creations is the iconic T-Rex skeleton for Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park," which became one of the most iconic images of the 1990s.
Just hearing someone mention "The Great Gatsby" is enough to evoke vivid images of the roaring twenties--elaborate parties, flappers and booglegging gangsters! But how much do we know about the man behind Gatsby? F. Scott Fitzgerald and his contemporaries form a cohort of some of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. Literary expert and Penn State Professor Linda Patterson Miller is the editor of "Letters of the Lost Generation." She talks with us about the authors of The Lost Generation, about what their letters reveal, and about how real life is often more interesting than fiction.
State Senator Jake Corman has represented the 34th district since 1999. WPSU's Greg Petersen interviews him about legislation to privatize liquor sales, his lawsuit to keep the NCAA fine levied against Penn State in the commonwealth, and other topics of note in the state legislature.
What will it take to avoid war with Iran? According to our next guest, the real obstacles to successful nuclear diplomacy with Iran lie in Washington, not Tehran. We'll talk with Flynt Leverett, co-author of the controversial new book, "Going To Tehran, Why the United States Must Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran." Leverett is a founding member of Penn State's School of International Affairs.
Charles Figley has spent more than thirty-five years studying trauma and its effects on both victims and caregivers. His work has led to innovations in psychology, psychiatry, and social work. We'll talk with him about the field of traumatology, about what he means when he says there's a cost for caring, and about his personal experiences with "compassion fatigue." Figley is a professor and Distinguished Chair in Disaster Mental Health at Tulane University.
Today, Take Note takes a look at two locally made films. The first is by a Penn State film major who hopes to spread awareness of the problem of rape on college campuses with her documentary, "Unreported." The second is by Gregory Collins, a filmmaker from State College. He talks about his new feature film, "A Song Still Inside," about an under-employed father struggling with parenthood and with his wife's success.
In 2011, Chuck Felton organized a reunion for the Cresson TB Sanatorium. The retired aerospace engineer now living in Texas, spent 16 months at the state-run tuberculosis facility that was located on a remote mountain top outside of Cresson. For more than 50 years, Felton kept his experience there mostly to himself. Then, in 2009, he decided to create a website to share his story with his two grown children. To his surprise, other TB survivors, staff, and children of patients who died at the facility, came out of the woodwork to reminisce, share stories, and
A number of privatization initiatives have been proposed in Pennsylvania in recent years. A combination of state and local budget crises has prompted these so-called public-private partnerships that seek to transfer ownership of public assets or services to the private sector in exchange for lump sums of money. Everything from the state lottery to liquor sales and even prisons are up for grabs. The belief among proponents of these deals is that the private sector can do many things better
When Stacy Parks Miller was sworn into office in January of 2010, she became the first woman to serve as district attorney in Centre County, easily defeating Republican Incumbent Mike Madeira, who served only one four-year term. Parks Miller talks about what the district attorney's office does, how the Jerry Sandusky trial affected day-to-day operations, and about the greatest challenges facing Centre County's office of DA.
We talk with two of the speakers in this year's Penn State TEDx conversation series about their "ideas worth sharing." Dannah Gresh is a leader in the evangelical chastity movement. She says the hottest sex is between monogamous married partners. Plus, Penn State professor Nichola Gutgold says it will take imagination, not image, to elect the first woman president.
State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff has represented the 171st district for 16 years. WPSU's Greg Petersen interviews him about legislation to privatize liquor sales in the Commonwealth, infrastructure funding, and other topics of note in the state legislature.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called community water fluoridation one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century. But critics say fluoridated water is not as safe and not as effective as we've been led to believe. They argue for a consumer's right to choose. Why is water fluoridation controversial? WPSU's Patty Satalia talks with Michael Connett, special projects director of the Fluoride Action Network, a group that opposes water fluoridation. (The PA Dental Association and the PA EPA declined our invitation to talk.) In the second half of the show, WPSU's Kristine Allen talks with NPR's Guy Raz about the expansion of the TED Radio Hour.
Where do life and art intersect? We'll talk about that, but firstif you resolved to diet in January, but have already lost interest, you're not alone. Research shows that dieting is a short-lived New Year's resolution. We'll introduce you to a simple, science-based diet that could get you off the dieting treadmill. Our guest is Dr. Barbara Rolls, professor of nutritional sciences and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in nutrition at Penn State. She's creator and author of The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Diet book.
The two-time Grammy winning singer Kathy Mattea has never been afraid to push the creative envelope. Her newest albums, "Coal" and "Calling Me Home," are her most personal and daring. Both records pay tribute to her rich alto and to the folk music of her native Appalachia. We'll talk with her about the power of music, her fight to end mountain top removal, and about facing Alzheimer's disease head on.
Rep. Scott Conklin, has represented the 77th district since 2006. WPSU's Greg Petersen interviews him about funding for education, transportation funding, his bill to shrink the size of the Penn State Board of Trustees and other legislation in Harrisburg.
In 1975, Tyrone Werts was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Then, in 2010, after 36 years as a model prisoner, his sentence was commuted by former-Governor Ed Rendell. Today, Werts is a consultant with the Philadelphia Public Defenders Association and with Temple University's Inside-Out Prison Program, a nationally renowned program that takes college students inside prisons to examine crime and justice issues alongside inmates. WPSU's Patty Satalia talked with Werts about his long road out of prison, about Pennsylvania's "life means life" policy, and about his views on our criminal justice system.
As football season begins, we talk with WSPU-TV producers Jeff Hughes and Cole Cullen, whose documentary, "Making the Blue Band," chronicles the famous Penn State marching band. And, to celebrate the 200 anniversary of Edgar Allen Poe's birthday, Penn State DuBois professor of English Richard Kopley discusses his latest book,which tracks the origins of POe's most famous short stories.
Homes in Pennsylvania entering foreclosure reached a four-year-high last March. Kate Newton of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, talks about assistance programs that could keep some Pennsylvanians in their homes. And, Peter Hudson,biology professor at Penn State University, discusses the evolution of new infections, such as the swine flu.
Two years ago, a mysterious ailment started killing bats in New York State. Now "white nose syndrome" is affecting bats in Pennsylvania. We'll get an update on the problem from PA Game Commission biologist Lisa Williams. Plus, we'll talk with Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, whose book Anti-Cancer recounts the author's own battle with brain cancer.
Local author Carolyn Turgeon talks with Cynthia Berger about her new book, and its unique take on Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. And Geisinger's Dr. Alfred Casale discusses with WPSU's Kevin Conaway why Geisinger may become a national model for some aspects of its health care.
Patty Satalia talks with Kate Newton, director of Homeownership Programs with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which has helped more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians avoid foreclosure since 1972... ....and the emergence of Swine flu has health experts concerned. Patty discussed the subject with Dr. Peter Hudson, director of the Huck Institute of the life Sciences and the Willaman professor of biology at Penn State University Park.
The state is building a new medium security prison next to the existing Rockview facility. The state prison population has grown by 21 percent since 2001; the state's department of corrections already has 46,000 inmates in 26 state correctional institutions, a motivational boot camp, and 13 community corrections
An exhibit of New-Deal era artwork is on display at the State Historical Museum in Harrisburg. State College resident David Lembeck conceived the idea and is the co-curator. The exhibit is titled A Common Canvas: Pennsylvania's New Deal Post Office Murals. It is part of the national recognition of the 75th anniversary of the New Deal. Patty Satalia spoke with David Lembeck about the exhibit. Penn State's Palmer Museum of Art is a free-admission arts resource for the University and surrounding communities in central Pennsylvania. The financial crisis has led some universities to consider selling off collections or closing their art museums altogether. Patty Satalia spoke with Jan Muhlert about the situation at Palmer Museum of Art
As part of his budget plan for 2009-2010, Governor Rendell proposes to zero out funding for Public Broadcasting statewide. Anne Danahy of the Centre Daily Times talks with WPSU's General Manager Ted Krichels about what that could mean for WPSU and PBS stations across the state.
Ken Lawrence is a Boalsburg stamp-collector who has documented the horrors of the Nazi regime through a collection of letters, leaflets and other postal memorabilia
Pennsylvania's human service agencies report an increase in domestic violence. Is it related to the economic downturn? We talk with Anne Ard, director of the Center County Women's Resource Center, and Peg Diekers, director of the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about the connection between financial stress and domestic violence. Also, the rate of teen pregnancy is on the rise, after a decade of downward trends. Patricia Koch directs a new program at Penn State aimed at combating the twin issues of teen pregnancy and STDs.
Pennsylvania has a reputation for being the "puppy mill" capital of the East. We talk with Sarah Speed of the Pennsylvania Humane Society about a new state law that will require certain kennels to conduct twice a year veterinary exams and specifies larger cage sizes,and exercise requirements. And, an initiative called "A Few Good Women" increased the number of women in federal government. Barbara Franklin, Penn State Alum and former Secretary of Commerce spoke at the university recently about this initiative.
Our first guest is Lee Ann De Rues, professor of human development at Penn State Altoona and co-founder of the Save Darfur Central Pennsylvania chapter. De Rues is the 2009 recipient of the Carl Wilkens Fellowship, an honor given by the Genocide Intervention Network to twenty individuals across the country who have shown dedication to ending genocide. We also talk with celebrated pianist Emanuel Ax, who performs with violinist Itzhak Perlman, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts March 30th.
Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, known for a body of work that reflects compassion, humanity and an abiding concern for the underdog. She talks about her newest book, a memoir chronicling the 2006 Senate campaign of her husband Sherrod Brown. And, in late March in Centre County
The organization called SCORE provides free business counseling to Central Pennsylvania residents. We talk with Bill Asbury, chair of the central Pennsylvania SCORE chapter, and Ned Book, a local volunteer. We also talk with State Senator Jake Corman, head of the senate appropriations committee, about the state budget.
Arun Gandhi, peace activist and grandson of the legendary spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, delivered the keynote speech at Penn State's 2009 Martin Luther King commemoration. Gandhi speaks about his life's work, lessons learned from his grandfather, and about his own efforts to spread the word of nonviolence across the globe.
Today, more than 98,000 Americans are on an organ donor waiting list; nearly sixty-five hundred of them are right here in Pennsylvania. Why is the need sogreat and how does the organ distribution system work? We'll talk about organ transplants. We'll also talk about the number one health risk facing American kids: Childhood Obesity. Guests: Dwendy Johnson & Barbara Layne
John Lucas is a Penn State sports historian and an internationally recognized specialist on the history of the modern Olympic games. He has attended every summer games since 1960 and this year will be no different. We talk with him about the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. We also talk with the first Penn State women's soccer coach to attain a spot on the U.S. Olympic coaching staff. Guests: John Lucas & Erica Walsh
You've heard the expression, "Ten miles of bad roads." Well, in Pennsylvania, we've got 30,000 miles of dirt and gravel roads, many of them poorly designed and maintained. We'll find out how they're polluting nearby waterways and what's being done about it. We'll also talk with the authors of "Long Journey Home," a collection of stories about the Lenape tribe, which settled along the Delaware River. Guests: Wayne Kober, Rita Kohn, & Jim Brown
Motorcycle fatalities have been rising steadily for the past eight years. During the summer months more motorcycles are on the road. We find out what we can all do to reduce the risk of accidents. We also talk about the latest developments in fuel cell technology. The next generation of automobiles could look-and sound-quite different. Guests: Hal Hallock & Matt Mench
The horrifying images of Minnesota's bridge collapse last summer raise a frightening question: Could it happen here? Despite a record level of investment since 2003, Pennsylvania has the largest number of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, with nearly six thousand. We'll talk about bridge safety. We'll also talk about the pros and cons of tolling I-80. Guests: Andrea Schokker, Gary Gittings, & Barry Schoch
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you're probably confused, afraid-perhaps even angry. But you are not alone. More than two million women in the U.S. today are breast cancer survivors. We'll talk with a renowned surgical oncologist about where we are in the fight against breast cancer. We'll also talk with a breast cancer survivor about Grow for Life and their festive fundraiser called Lilyfest. Guests: Dr. Monica Morrow & Barbara Ekey
We talk with the executive director of Centre Peace about the concept of restorative justice and we talk with a researcher about a new that looks at poverty in rural areas---including central Pennsylvania. Growing up poor in the country is very different from growing up poor in the city. Yet most studies on childhood poverty have been carried out in urban areas. Guests: Thom Brewster & Mark Greenberg
Eric Leven is a visual effects supervisor for Tippett Visual Effects Studio, one of the biggest names in Hollywood. We'll talk with Leven about the role of special effects in films today and about his most recent film, Cloverfield. He created the giant monster-and it's scary dog-size offspring-that attack New York City. We'll also continue our series on alternative energy with a look at wind power. Guests: Eric Leven & Greg Bock
In 1951, radio pioneer Edward R. Murrow launched "This I Believe," a unique radio program where Americans from all walks of life shared the values and beliefs that guided their daily lives. In 2005, the show was revived on National Public Radio and this year, WPSU launched a local version. We'll talk with the series producer. We'll also continue our series on alternative energy with a look at biodiesel. Guests: Dan Gediman & Tom Richard
Long before there was television, movies, or even radio; entertainment in small-town America came from the town band. Today, the town of Franklin, Pennsylvania, preserves that tradition, in the form of the Franklin Silver Cornet Band, one of the nation's oldest traditional town bands. Take Note's Cynthia Berger traveled to Pennsylvania's Oil Region to talk with the band's historian and sit in on a rehearsal as the band prepared for the 2008 summer concert season. Guest: Peter Greene
Powwowing has been practiced in Pennsylvania since the first German-speaking settlements were established here in the early eighteenth century. Some say the healing art draws on the power of God; others say it's the work of Satan, but who knew it was still practiced today? We'll also talk about the futuristic house designed by Penn State students for the "Solar Decathlon." Guests: David Kriebel & Andy Lau and Kyle Macht
The term "Power Walking" has a whole new meaning, thanks to a knee-mounted device that can covert the kinetic energy of walking into useable electricity. We'll talk with one of the inventors about how the knee-brace works and about its potential. We'll also talk about a previously untapped source of energy in Pennsylvania and the innovative methods being used to capture it. Guests: Dr. Doug Weber & Dr. Terry Engelder
Gypsy moth caterpillar populations were high in central Pennsylvania last summer and are projected to be higher this year. We'll talk with a spokesperson from Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about the situation. We'll also continue our look at alternative energy. Experts say coal is plentiful and cheap, but is there still a place for coal in America's energy future? Guests: Donald A. Eggen, Ph.D. & Dr. Harold Schobert
As recently as the 1970s, the U.S. Justice Department declared that Pennsylvania was the most corrupt of the 50 states! Are we returning to the bad old days of Pennsylvania politics. We'll talk about the current rash of alleged misdeeds. We also take a look at the crowded congressional race for Pennsylvania's 5th district! Guests: Russ Eshelman & Mike Joseph
Mario Vargas Llosa is one of the most prolific and celebrated Latin-American writers of our time - novelist, essayist journalist and political activist, his words have transcended from the page to the screen and have influenced and inspired not only a new generation of writers but the world around him. We'll talk with Vargas Llosa about his life and career. We'll also talk with writer Lynn Hoffman about his debut novel, "Bang Bang," a sharp, contemporary satire that addresses the issue of gun control. Guests: Mario Vargas Llosa & Lynn Hoffman
Pundits are calling this year's primaries invigorating, unprecedented, unforgettable. Pennsylvania holds its primary on April 22nd. Not since Jimmy Carter in 1976 has Pennsylvania had a real voice in the nomination process. What makes this race so unique? We talk with two presidential scholars about the 2008 presidential race. Guests: Dr. Greg Ferro & Dr. Meena Bose
Sociologist Donald Kraybill and photographer Bill Coleman have had more access to the Amish than most outsiders. Kraybill is nationally recognized for his scholarly writing on the Amish of Lancaster County and Coleman has earned a reputation as the world's foremost photographer of Amish culture. On this program, we explore the Pennsylvania's Amish. Guests: Don Kraybill & Bill Coleman
At age 12 and in the throes of her first alcohol-induced blackout, Jennifer Storm was raped. That launched her on a downward spiral into drug and alcohol addiction. Today, she is alive and ten years sober! We'll talk with her about turning her life around and about her provocative first book, "Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America". Guest: Jennifer Storm
Title: Beating the Odds / Cataract Surgery A diving accident in 1992 left Bill Cawley a quadriplegic. The accident changed his life, but not what he wanted out of life. We'll talk with him about living life on his terms. Then, no stitch, no patch, no injection. We'll talk with an ophthalmologist about the latest advances in cataract surgery. Guests: Bill Cawley & Dr. Adam Marcovitch
Title: Highway Privatization / Pyrite at I-99 near Skytop Is tolling Interstate 80 or leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private company the best way to pay for repairs and upgrades of Pennsylvania's deteriorating roadways? What's behind these public-private partnerships and what's at stake? Plus, researchers trace the pyrite at I-99 near Skytop to a meteorite impact 35 million years ago! Guests: Ellen Dannin & Barry Scheetz
In theory, most Americans support the death penalty, but the possibility of mistakes and recent discoveries of innocence have led to historic shifts in public opinion and to a sharp decline in executions. Last fall, the American Bar Association released a study criticizing Pennsylvania's death penalty system. Is capital punishment on its deathbed? Guests: Frank Baumgartner, Amber Boydstun, & Andrew F. Susko
Title: Negro Baseball League When the entire white culture was telling them, 'You will not play baseball,' they went ahead and formed a league. Until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, African Americans were systematically excluded from playing in the Major Leagues. We talk with an oral historian and with two former Negro League players, about the game, the times, and what we can learn from both. Guests: Bob Allen, Jim Weedon, and Willie Fordham
The underground mine fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania, is widely regarded as the nation's worst. It's been burning for 45 years. We speak with the author of "The Day the Earth Caved In: An American Mining Tragedy". We'll also talk with the author of "Fit to be Crazy: Living with Lithium and Manic Depression," which provides a personal glimpse of what it's like for those with biochemical clinical depression. Guests: Joan Quigley & Jean Siphron
As gasoline prices rise, so do battle cries to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Energy independence may be possible in rough technical terms, but what would it cost? How quickly could it happen? And what kind of political and economic sacrifices are necessary. We'll talk about that and talk with a Penn State researcher about biomass energy and potential sources of future fuels. Guests: Andrew Kleit & Tom Richard
When the late Tom Larson took the helm of PennDOT in 1979, he inherited a highway system mired in scandal. He did much more than turn the agency around. We'll talk about Tom Larson's legacy in the world of transportation. We'll also talk with Steve Sheetz about the convenience store chain's knack for reinventing convenience. Guests: Brad Mallory and Dan Hawbacker & Steve Sheetz
They married across plantation lines, strived to get right with God, and fashioned neighborhoods as the focus for their struggles to overthrow slave owners. We'll talk with the author of a new book that provides an entirely new view of American slavery. We'll also talk with a Penn State astronomer and astrophysicist about the discovery of new planets outside our solar system. Guests: Anthony Kaye & Dr. Alex Wolszczan
Rarely does a week go by that we're not reading about student athletes in trouble with the law. Who hasn't heard about the Duke lacrosse case or the criminal run-ins of former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett? But are student-athletes really as bad as we think they are or are they getting a bad rap from the media? We'll talk with the author of a new study about athletes in trouble. We'll also talk with State Senator Jake Corman, who represents the 34th district, about some of the hot legislative issues. Guests: Marie Hardin & PA State Senator Jake Corman
Pressures on our time seem greater than ever, with work encroaching more and more into family life. Why do most Americans lead unbalanced lives and what can we do to regain balance? We'll talk with an expert. We'll also hear about a new Emergency Radio System that's underway in Pennsylvania that promises better service delivery. Guests: Dr. Robert Drago & Charlie Brennan
When the first woman president moves into the White House-whenever that day might be-she will be indebted to at least five women who ran for president before her and helped pave the way. Are we ready for our first Madam President? We talk about the obstacles and opportunities for women as presidential contenders. Guest: Nichola Gutgold
Does affirmative action hurt or help black law students? Despite a US Supreme Court ruling that upheld the University of Michigan's law school affirmative action plan, the debate continues. We speak with the law professor who drafted the school's policy. Also, we learn about a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson. Guest: Richard Lempert & Lisa Gensheimer
Title: Horseshoe Curve & Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease A new book released on the history of the Horseshoe Curve tells the story of three little-known events in American history, including the Nazi plot to destroy the Horseshoe Curve, a mission Adolf Hitler himself conceived. Had the Nazis succeeded, they could have crippled the American war machine and changed the course of history. Meet the author of "The Horseshoe Curve: Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City." We will also discuss an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, among Pennsylvania's deer population. Guest: Dennis McIlnay & Dr. Walt Cotrell
Is there public support for a smoking ban in restaurants, bars and casinos? There's a coalition that's pushing for a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law that protects all Pennsylvanians. Also, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We talk with the executive director of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition about the most common cancer for women in Pennsylvania. Guests: Dr. Mark Piasio & Heather Hibshman
The trial of Saddam Hussein to the conviction of Jose Padilla has sparked heated global debate about national security law and international criminal law. We'll talk with a legal expert about the war on terrorism. We'll also talk with State College resident Thomas Day who served with the U.S. Army's legendary 101st Airborne Division, better known as the "Screaming Eagles." Guests: Greg McNeal & Thomas Day
When Mata Hari's mummified head was discovered missing from the Museum of Anatomy in Paris, biographer Pat Shipman was intrigued. In her rigorously researched new book, Shipman says the exotic dancer who was convicted of spying for the Germans in 1917, and executed by a French firing squad, may not have been pure, but she was likely innocent. The life and times of Mata Hari on this edition of "Take Note". Guest: Pat Shipman
From 1951 until 1974, hundreds of Philadelphia prisoners were used as human guinea pigs in an array of unethical and often dangerous medical experiments. Most were African-Americans. We'll talk with the author of "Sentenced to Science." a disturbing account of one man's days as a Holmesburg Prison test subject. Guest: Allen Hornblum
What do Columbian drug-smuggling enterprises and terrorist networks, including al Qaeda, have in common? We talk with a Penn State professor of political science and public policy about his new book, which explores how drug cartels and terrorist groups remain one step ahead of us, despite our military and technical advantages. Guest: Michael Kenney, Ph.D.
Are you in the dark about mushrooms? Picking edible mushrooms in the wild can be risky business-and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. On this edition of Take Note, we talk with the author of the new "Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic" and speak with a biologist about a little-known rodent, the Allegheny woodrat. It's a threatened species in Pennsylvania. Guests: Bill Russell & Dr. Janet Wright [Encore]
From the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution, many great cities of Europe were best known for their cathedrals. In 21st century America, cities are best known for their sports stadiums. What does this say about our values and priorities? We talk with the author of "The New Cathedrals." Also, if you've strolled across a stone bridge in a state park, or picnicked in a pavilion, chances are you've enjoyed the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. A new book from Penn State Press tells the story of the CCC in our state. Guests: Bob Trumpbour & Joseph Speakman
Dr. Whitehouse's pioneering research led to the development of the first four medications approved to treat Alzheimer's disease. Now he says we need to give up on the fantasy of a single cure for dementia and focus, instead, on developing better ways to view and treat dementia. We'll also talk with a researcher who's exploring the possibility that music recognition is spared in dementia. Guests: Peter Whitehouse & Jackie Duffin
There are more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. While their status has improved markedly since the Disabilities Rights Movement began in the late 1960s and early '70s, those with disabilities are still only half as likely as other Americans to be employed and more than twice as likely to live in poverty. We speak with one of the nation's most ardent advocates for disability rights and about his own experience raising a son with Down syndrome. Guest: Michael Berube
Why do poor women put motherhood before marriage, despite the daunting challenges? We talk with a noted sociologist about what motherhood and marriage mean in the context of poverty. We also talk with a feminist economist who ask questions most economists don't even think about like how to measure unpaid labor predominately done by women. Guests: Kathryn Edin & Nancy Folbre
Some say his life reads like a Greek tragedy. We talk with the author of "Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich," the basketball legend whose storied life begins in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and ends at age 40 due to a heart attack suffered in a pick-up basketball game. There's also a new biography out about actor Jimmy Stewart and try as he might, celeb biographer Marc Eliot couldn't dig up a whiff of scandal Guests: Mark Kriegel & Marc Eliot
Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower paved the way to U.S. victory in World War II, the most significant war of the modern era. We talk with master historian Stanley Weintraub about his newest book, "15 Stars". We also talk with the author of "Jeb Stuart and the Confederate Defeat of Gettysburg", the greatest battle ever fought in our hemisphere. Guests: Stanley Weintraub & Warren C. Robinson
Are we becoming a nation of burnouts? We talk with an executive coach who says employees are struggling to survive in today's fast-paced workplace. Then we answer the question: does the Nittany Lion live? Wildlife officials get hundreds of cougar sighting reports each year. But are they legitimate? We'll hear from a member of the Eastern Puma Research Network. Guests: Lisa Marshall & John Lutz
What do Columbian drug-smuggling enterprises and terrorist networks, including al Qaeda, have in common? We talk with a Penn State professor of political science and public policy about his new book, which explores how drug cartels and terrorist groups remain one step ahead of us, despite our military and technical advantages. Guest: Michael Kenney
Are you unhappy with state government? Last November, Pennsylvanians voted for change. We talk about legislative reform with Damon Boughamer, bureau chief for Pennsylvania Public Radio Capitol News. We also hear from State Representative Scott Conklin, the freshman legislator from Pennsylvania's 77th Legislative District. He'll tell us about his first term in office and about his involvement in legislative reform. Guest: Damon Boughamer & Scott Conklin
The thirty-six day campaign to capture Iwo Jima was the bloodiest in the history of the U.S. Marines. We talk with a World War II Marine veteran, and the last living infantry battalion commander who had Navajo code talkers assigned to him. We also talk to the Pennsylvania sculptor who created the trio of Memorial Day ladies in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Guests: Col. Gerald Russell & Lorann Jacobs
Dr. Whitehouse's pioneering research led to the development of the first four medications approved to treat Alzheimer's disease. Now he says we need to give up on the fantasy of a single cure for dementia and focus, instead, on developing better ways to view and treat dementia. We'll also talk with a researcher who's exploring the possibility that music recognition is spared in dementia. Guests: Dr. Peter Whitehouse and Jackie Duffin
Reptiland, located between Williamsport and Lewisburg, is much more than a roadside attraction. We'll find out how one man's passion for the less-loved animals of the world has grown into a nationally accredited zoo. Also, agritourism is a growing part of Pennsylvania's economy-with everything from winery tours to farm-stay vacations to corn mazes. In the second part of the program, Cynthia Berger talks with Susan Ryan of California University of PA, who recently conducted a survey of agritourism in Pennsylvania. Then in part three of the program, we learn about the Annual River Sojourn. For the past five summers the Juniata Clean Water Partnership has invited local residents to celebrate this beautiful and free-flowing river by hopping in their canoes. Guests: Clyde & Chad Peeling, Susan Ryan, and Vanessa Dietrick
Her debut novel, "Back Roads", was an Oprah Book Club selection and a New York Times bestseller. Her latest book, "Sister Mine", reveals that same raw talent--her trademark blend of black humor, tenderness, and keen sense of place. We talk with Pennsylvania author Tawni O'Dell. Later in the program, we find out why kids in Huntingdon County schools are so enthusiastic about learning a foreign language. Guests: Tawni O'Dell & Dr. Deborah Roney
Tens of thousands of people die in hospitals each year as a result of preventable medical errors, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. What's being done to make the system safer? Also, April is "Cancer Control Month"---a time to learn the early warning signs of cancer, and to be pro-active about your health. Pennsylvania takes this charge seriously, with a statewide Cancer Control Consortium that's working on a comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. Guests: Dr. Albert Wu & Kathy Stadler
April 15th is Holocaust Remembrance Day, we talk with the producer/director of a new documentary "On the Side of Angels" about Polish Christians who risked their lives to save Jewish neighbors during World War II. Guests: Judy Maltz- Schejter, Barbara Bird and Richie Sherman
From the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution, many great cities of Europe were best known for their cathedrals. In 21st century America, cities are best known for their sports stadiums. What does this say about our values and priorities? We talk with the author of "The New Cathedrals." Also, if you've strolled across a stone bridge in a state park, or picnicked in a pavilion, chances are you've enjoyed the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. A new book from Penn State Press tells the story of the CCC in our state. Guests: Dr. Robert Trumpbour & Dr. Joseph Speakman
Time is not money, in fact time is more important than money! On this edition of Take Note, we talk with a feminist economist who says the Gross Domestic Product doesn't adequately measure unpaid labor predominantly performed by women, such as housework, childcare, and eldercare. We also talk about a new report that explores the economic issues facing rural communities, which includes much of Pennsylvania. Guests: Nancy Folbre, Al Luloff & Ted Alter
There are more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. While their status has improved markedly since the Disabilities Rights Movement began in the late 1960s and early '70s, those with disabilities are still only half as likely as other Americans to be employed and more than twice as likely to live in poverty. We speak with one of the nation's most ardent advocates for disability rights and about his own experience raising a son with Down syndrome. Guests: Dr. Michael Berube
An American Muslim leader says American Muslims have a special duty to demythologize Islam to the American public and to stop violence committed by Muslims in the name of Islam. What does it mean to be Muslim in America? We speak with Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a Muslim convert from Catholicism, and the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America. Guests: Dr. Ingrid Mattson
Gary Alt is best known as one of the nation's leading experts on the biology of the black bear. During the program, we'll learn about the growing number of black bears in Pennsylvania and how they're getting along with a growing human population. Later in the program, we meet Anne Sullivan. She began her career as a concert harpist at age 12 when she appeared twice as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Gary Alt & Anne Sullivan
The world famous Ridgway Chainsaw Rendezvous is the world's largest gathering of chainsaw artists in the country and last year the event received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. This year's event takes place February 17th through 24th. We visit Ridgway to speak with the couple that started it all and hear about what people will see at this year's event. Guests: Rick & Liz Boni
What role does stress play on the quality of life among Black Americans? During the program, we'll talk with a Penn State researcher about his state-by-state "Living While Black" index. We'll also find out what communities across America, including some here in central Pennsylvania, are doing to make literacy a part of Black History Month. It's the 18th annual African American Read-In. Guests: Shaun Gabbidon & Elaine Richardson
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cynthia Berger talks with Dr. George Olt at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center about the risk factors of cervical cancer, what are the symptoms and how to detect and prevent it. Later in the program, we speak to Dr. Craig Myers about a new vaccine for cervical cancer, which is manufactured here in Pennsylvania. Guests: Dr. George Olt & Dr. Craig Myers
Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education has a challenging job: to oversee all education initiatives in the state. Here in Pennsylvania, we have 500 school districts with almost two million students. Our new secretary of education knows education from the inside out. He's been a teacher, football coach, principal, school superintendent, and school board member. On this edition of the program, we'll talk with Dr. Jerry Zahorchak about education policy in the state. Guest: Dr. Jerry Zahorchak
Among the most celebrated and versatile writers in the country, Frank Deford's work appears in virtually every medium-books, magazines, movies and television. He's Senior Contributing Editor at Sports Illustrated, a correspondent on the HBO show, "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," and his commentaries are heard every Wednesday on NPR's "Morning Edition"
His name has been synonymous with music since his high school years in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Known as "the man who taught America how to sing," the beloved choral leader and founder of The Pennsylvanians died suddenly in 1984 at the place where it all began-Penn State. We'll hear one of "Fred Waring's" favorite Christmas tunes and talk with the former archivist of Fred Waring's America Collection, which is housed at Penn State. Guest: Pete Kiefer
In his newest book, "11 Days in December", master historian Stanley Weintraub transports readers to the frontlines of what was one of the deadliest battles for American forces during WWII. We'll talk about the infamous Battle of the Bulge. We'll also talk about a battlefield of a different sort here in Pennsylvania. There's a growing population of feral pigs in Pennsylvania and mounting concerns over habitat destruction and disease. Guests:Stanley Weintraub & David Wolfgang
A penny saved may be a penny earned, but today, many of us are reluctant to even take pennies as change. Are pennies more trouble than they're worth? During this edition of the program, we talk with a Penn State economist who says a bill to ban the penny doesn't make sense. We also talk with the author of "Now You See It". She was born and raised in a small Pennsylvania town much like the fictional place in her book. Guests: Ray Lombra & Bathsheba Monk
Housing is considered "affordable" if a family pays no more than 30% of its monthly income for total housing costs. Nearly one-third of Centre County residents pay more than that--sometimes much more. On this edition of Take Note, we talk about the need for affordable housing. Also we learn about the Allegheny Chronicles, a brand-new, online archive at the Warren Library with hundreds of rare images that document the Allegheny River. Guests: Linda Marshall & Penny Wolboldt
Are you in the dark about mushrooms? Picking edible mushrooms in the wild can be risky business-and a practice not to be undertaken by amateurs. On this edition of Take Note, we talk with the author of the new "Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic" and speak with a biologist about a little-known rodent, the Allegheny woodrat. It's a threatened species in Pennsylvania. Guests: Bill Russell & Dr. Janet Wright
Researchers now say that climate change didn't happen gradually in the past, and it won't happen that way in the future. On the next Take Note, we'll talk with of the world's leading climate researchers. We'll also talk with a fuel scientist about proposed state regulations for lower emissions on 2008-model cars and what that could mean for you, your car, and for air quality in Pennsylvania. Guests: Richard Alley & Andre Boehman
The Help America Vote Act, which revised election standards and encouraged states to get ride of punch-card voting systems, came in response to the dimpled ballots fiasco that accompanied the 2000 presidential election. But are Pennsylvania's new electronic voting machines as safe, secure and easy to use as they've been touted? Join us for a lively discussion of the issue. Guests: Marybeth Kuznik, Chris Exarchos, & Mary Vollero
It is hard to find anyone writing today who doesn't owe a debt of influence to Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest American authors of all time. We talk with Penn State's Hemingway Scholar and General Editor of the Hemingway Letters Project. We'll also talk with two members of the Pennsylvania-based folk group, "Simple Gifts" Guests: Sandra Spanier, Linda Littleton, and Karen Hirshon
The simple little molecule we call H20 may not be so simple after all. Scientists say there is more to water than mere hydrogen and oxygen. We talk about the structure of water and its untapped potential for human health. We also talk with a Juniata College biology professor who teaches scientific principles using comic books he has created. Guests: Dr. Rustum Roy & Dr. Jay Hosler
At the age of seven, he became the youngest student ever admitted to the acclaimed Juilliard School of Music. He has since won virtually every major award: 3 Oscars, 4 Grammys, 4 Emmys, 1 Tony, and 3 Golden Globe awards for his work. His groundbreaking show, "A Chorus Line", received a Pulitzer. We spoke with the Principal Pops Conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Guest: Marvin Hamlisch
His lifelong love affair with radio began more than 50 years ago. He co-founded National Public Radio and created its flagship program, "All Things Considered". In 2000, NPR gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award for his "countless contributions to journalism and public radio." Today, Bill Siemering is helping to spread the power of independent radio to third world nations. Guest: Bill Siemering
His newest book has been called utterly original, provocative and truly unforgettable. We'll talk with author James Morrow about his historical fiction novel, "The Last Witchfinder". We'll also hear from Andrew Jackson. By day, he's an academic advisor in Penn State's College of Education. But at night, he's a fixture on the local jazz scene. Guests: James Morrow & Andrew Jackson
Pennsylvania's yearlong initiative, "One Book, Every Young Child," is dedicated to instilling in children a lifelong love of learning. We'll speak with two award-winning author illustrators. We'll also meet local jazz performer and composer Rick Hirsch. His large ensemble works are performed in Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C.. Guests: Lindsay Barrett George, Christopher Raschka, & Rick Hirsch
He once lamented "People are now much more interested in writers than in their writing." We'll talk with Salman Rushdie, arguably one of the most famous and controversial writers of our time. His fourth book, "The Satanic Versus", caused an international uproar that, for a time, forced him into hiding. He's since put that chapter behind him and would like others to do the same. Guest: Salman Rushdie
The Civil War Preservation Trust has preserved more than 22,000 acres of battlefield land in 19 states, including key parcels in Pennsylvania. We'll talk about the nation's most endangered battlefields and about efforts to save them. We'll also talk with two Civil War re-enactors. Guests: Jim Campi, Paul & Kathryn Mackes
The State College Area School District is a district divided. The school board's decision to demolish one building and combine students from their North and South Buildings into one renovated larger school has sparked prolonged and heated debate. Two citizens' groups are at odds. We'll talk with members of both groups and with a reporter from the Centre Daily Times. Guests: Patty Kleban, Tobin Short, & Adam Smeltz
Scientists may have found a less controversial way of getting special human cells capable of growing into nerves, organs or any other cell in the body. We'll talk about a potential breakthrough in stem cell research. We'll also talk with a MacArthur "Genius" award winner about what she's gleaned from preserved remains of ancient plants about long-ago civilizations. Guests: Kent Vrana & Lee Newsom
In celebration of Earth Day 2006, we talk with two environmentalists about their work on a former Superfund site in Mifflin County. They're creating a distinctive type forest habitat called vernal pools. Later in the program, it's one of the last wild places in the East. We'll talk with the author of "Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National Forest". Guests: Kathy Patnode & Bruce Pluta & Lisa Gensheimer
The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 per hour since 1997, the longest period without a congressionally mandated increase since the federal minimum wage was introduced in 1938. Recently, the Pennsylvania House passed an increase to the minimum wage and now it moves on to the PA Senate. Governor Rendell wants an increase; critics say it will hurt business. We'll talk about the pros and cons of a minimum wage increase with Steve Herzenberg. Despite the improving job market--the country's economy has seen 31 consecutive months of job growth--real wages haven't kept pace with inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real wages fell 0.9 percent last year, while workers' overall compensation (including benefits) was essentially flat. What does that mean? And what's being done in Pennsylvania to encourage the creation of good jobs, especially in high growth and emerging industries? In the second half of our program we'll talk with Emily Stover De Rocco, a 1983 Penn State graduate. In 2001, she was nominated by President Bush to be Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training in the U.S. Department of Labor. Guests: Steve Herzenberg & Emily Stover DeRocco
The construction of Interstate 99 over Centre County's Skytop Mountain has been stalled for almost three years-ever since excavations turned up acid-bearing rocks that threaten area trout streams and groundwater. On the next Take Note, we talk with Centre Daily Times reporter Mike Joseph and state senator Jake Corman to bring you up to date on the clean-up controversy. Guests: Mike Joseph & PA Senator Jake Corman
She's been called one of the best satirists on the planet. Pam Monk is a writer and producer, ruler of the Pamelapolis, an independent producing company, and an advice columnist for a Web-based magazine that parodies women's magazines. When she isn't in constant negotiations with other people's realities, she's leading the Forbidden Valley Singers in song or teaching fiction and nonfiction writing at Penn State. We'll talk with the multitalented Pam Monk of State College. Later in the program, we speak with Nancy Mooney of Warren, Pennsylvania. She heads up a group that aims to make Warren, Pennsylvania, a major tourist destination by constructing something called the "Allegheny Musarium." Guests: Pam Monk & Nancy Mooney
It is estimated that nearly 2/3 of high school seniors consume alcohol, the drug of choice for teenagers. That same drug is also the leading cause of death for those under age 21. We talk with Steve Schmidt, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol Education at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, about what's being done to combat underage drinking. In the second half of the program, we speak with Kathy and Larry Dansky about the Ulster Project. Through the Ulster Project, Protestant and Catholic kids come to places like Central PA--for a family homestay and to learn they can get along with each other. Guests: Steve Schmidt, Kathy and Larry Dansky
His lawsuits and press releases have Pennsylvania's top legislators in a tizzy. And well they should be. Activist Gene Stilp kept pressure on state lawmakers to repeal the pay hike they awarded themselves last July. And while the pay raises have since been repealed, fewer than half the legislators have repaid the money. We'll talk with Stilp about the situation, and about other battles he's waging on behalf of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Later in the program, we talk with Melvin Romig, president of the Central Pennsylvania World Hunger Association. Guests: Gene Stilp & Melvin Romig
According to the American Red Cross, only 5 percent of people who are eligible donate blood. This is happening as medical procedures are becoming more complex, as our society is aging, and as we are engaged in war. Many of our blood donor centers and hospitals are facing serious shortages. How do we encourage more people to become blood donors? We speak with with Lauren Larsen who now serves on the board of directors for the Foundation for America's Blood Centers. In the spring of 2000, her life took a dramatic turn when an emergency c-section triggered near-fatal medical complications. To recover, she was given roughly 200 units of blood. Later in the program, we speak with Wendi Keeler, from the Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross, about blood donation. Guests: Lauren Larsen & Wendi Keeler
In one of the biggest courtroom clashes between faith and evolution since the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, a federal judge ruled that it was unconstitutional for the Dover School district to present Intelligent Design in high school biology courses, saying the concept is creationism in disguise. We talk with two Penn State professors about the ruling and about the potential fall out. Guests: Pat Shipman & Preston Green
On this edition of the program, we talk with Robert Shaler. He directed the largest and most groundbreaking forensic DNA investigation in US history, the relentless effort to identify the victims of the World Trade Center attacks. In the second part of the show, we speak with Bob McConnell, a private pilot from Edinboro, PA. He volunteers with Angel Flight, a group that offers free air transportation for medical patients in need. Guests: Robert Shaler & Bob McConnell
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, better known as PennDot, operates the fifth largest state-owned highway system in the nation. With 25,000 bridges and more than 40,000 miles of state highway, we're talking more miles of highway than New York and New England combined. The state's secretary of transportation oversees the organization's 12,000 employees and $5 billion budget, and also administers grant programs for mass transit, rail freight and aviation. What are PennDOT's current challenges and how can the department balance the demand for new projects with budget constraints and community interests? We speak with Allen Biehler, Pennsylvania's Transportation Secretary since 2003. He has 34 years of experience in transportation engineering, planning, construction administration and public transportation management. Later in the show, we'll hear from the author of "The Slate Roof Bible". Joe Jenkins is an authority on the restoration of historic slate roofs. Guests: Allen Biehler & Joe Jenkins
We speak with Croatian-born writer Josip Novakovich, winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship and numerous other awards, about his newest work "Infidelities", another masterful collection of short stories. He teaches fiction writing at Penn State. Later in the program, we speak with Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon. Both are members of the Pennsylvania-based folk group, Simple Gifts. Guests: Josip Novakovich, Linda Littleton & Karen Hirshon
Earlier Pennsylvanians rarely passed up an opportunity to dam a river, creek or stream. Now, with thousands of dams across the state--including nearly 800 at risk of failing-Pennsylvania leads the nation in dam removal. It was the opportunity to make money grinding grain or making paper that gave rise to many dams. Now, it's liability and the risk of law suits that's bringing many of them down. We talk with Dennis Dickey about about dam safety and removal. In the second part of our program we speak with Kim Steiner, Director of the Arboretum at Penn State. He's part of a team working with the American Chestnut Foundation to restore this stately tree to its native range in the Eastern United States. Guests: Dennis Dickey & Kim Steiner
We talked with Jim Lichtman, an ethics specialist, who says Martha Stewart may have paid her debt to society for lying to government investigators about a suspicious stock trade, but that doesn't make her a role model for how to run a successful business. Later in the show, it's Hollywood, film and politics with Ernest Giglio. We talk about celebrity involvement in political campaigns and elections and about the overt and covert political messages conveyed in many Hollywood films. Guests: Jim Lichtman & Ernest Giglio
This week we observe the 10th anniversary of the peace accord after the war in Bosnia. Lee Peterson of Penn State Altoona has put a human face on the tragedy in her collection of poems titled "Rooms and Fields: Dramatic Monologues from the War in Bosnia". We talked with Lee Peterson about the war, her poems, and her recent trip to a country still recovering, 10 years after. Guest: Lee Peterson
Penn State Press has released a new poetry anthology that's a unique celebration of Pennsylvania. All of the poems are by writers with deep ties to the state . . . and all of poems evoke our Pennsylvania landscape and culture. The book is "Common Wealth" and the two Pennsylvania poets who put the collection together are our guests. Guests: Marjorie Maddox & Jerry Wemple
For more than three decades, Andrew Vachss has sought to protect children from the devastating effects of child abuse both as a lawyer who represents children exclusively and as a writer whose dark fiction brings his battle before a wider audience. Most fans know him for his gritty mystery series featuring the enigmatic avenger Burke. He hopes his newest, and very different, novel will get us to take a hard look at what we accept as truth. We talked with Vachss about his life's work and about his newest novel, "Two Trains Running". Guest: Andrew Vachss
On Friday, October 28, 2005, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, "Scooter" Libby, was indicted in the Valerie Plame spy case, prompting us to open our archives. In April 2005, we talked with Plame's husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson. In 2002 he was sent to investigate claims that Saddam Hussein was purchasing nuclear material from Niger. We spoke with him about the series of events that forever changed his life. Guest: Ambassador Joseph Wilson
The only Republican to be elected to two successive terms of governor of Pennsylvania, Dick Thornburgh has been a key player in American political and legal life for more than three decades. In his 2003 autobiography, "Where the Evidence Leads", he reveals the joys, frustrations, mistakes and accomplishments of his career in public life. Guest: Dick Thornburgh
This past August, Debbie Elliott was named host of the weekend edition of All Things Considered. Born and raised in the south, Elliott took over the anchor chair just as the Hurricane Katrina disaster was beginning to unfold. Later in the program, we speak with Michael Jinbo, conductor and music director of the Nittany Valley Symphony, about their 2005-2006 season. Guests" Debbie Elliott and Michael Jinbo
With more than 25 years of varied experience in the news business, Ray Saurez is not only a senior correspondent for the NewsHour on PBS, the former NPR host is also an author and essayist. A graduate from New York University, he also holds a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, where he studied urban affairs. Greg Petersen spoke with him when he visited State College for the dedication of Penn State's new outreach building. Guest: Ray Suarez
As the school year gears up, parents and teachers are wrestling with the issue of "how do you get kids to read?" In Central Pennsylvania there's an institution dedicated to promoting reading -- for kids, and for readers of ALL ages. We speak with Steven Herb, the director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book and an expert on children's literature. Guest: Steven Herb
Rock star Bruce Springsteen dropped out of college. But he's about to be back on campus in a big way -- as the subject of "Glory Days: A Bruce Springsteen Symposium." College professors from around the world will converge at Monmouth University in New Jersey September 9-11, 2005 for a conference where they'll deconstruct his lyrics and his life's work. We talked with the conference organizer and Springsteen fan about the Boss's role in American culture and why it deserves academic scrutiny. Guest: Mark Bernhard
Beginning in the late 1960s, the infamous "Black Mafia" terrorized predominantly African-American sections of Philadelphia and was linked to some of the most heinous crimes in Philadelphia history. The organized group, one of the bloodiest crime syndicates in modern US history, collapsed in the late 1980s after several successful prosecutions and internal conflict. Who were Philadelphia's "Black Mafia"? We speak to a former Philadelphia police officer turned Penn State faculty member about his latest book, "Black Brothers Inc.: The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia". Guest: Sean Patrick Griffin
This past July, Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame filed a civil lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney, Lewis "Scooter" Libby and Karl Rove. The lawsuit alleges that the Wilson's "privacy" had been invaded and their "personal safety" put in jeopardy when Plame's identity as a CIA operative was leaked to the press. We speak with the former Ambassador about this and more. Guest: Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson
In her fascinating book, Skin: A Natural History, Penn State anthropologist Nina Jablonski traces the three-hundred-million-year evolution of our skin, revealing a host of essential functions most of us take for granted. Why do we have skin? And how did it come to be what it is? Guest: Nina Jablonksi
Our current model of criminal justice emphasizes punishment and retribution, which helps explain why the United States has the highest incarceration rates in the world. But does our established system deliver justice-and for whom? We'll talk with one of the pioneers of the growing restorative justice movements about the promise and challenges of both systems. Guest: Dr. Howard Zehr
Renowned futurist and New York Times Best-selling author Peter Diamandis joins us by telephone. He's on the road in Vancouver, Canada, where he just recorded his TED Talk for the 2014 series. We'll find out why he says today's philanthropists and entrepreneurs are more empowered than ever to solve humanity's greatest challenges.
