Americans with Disabilities
In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed to assure equal access to services, buildings and transportation to the nation’s disabled. It’s been seventeen years and the act is still in the implementation stages, with transportation being one of the main issues. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Marilyn Golden, Policy Analyst for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund about para transit issues for our community and the nation.
Eugene Drucker
A violinist turned novelist explores the transformative power of music in his new book The Savior. Eugene Drucker is a member of the Emerson String Quartet and an eight-time Grammy Award winner. His first attempt at fiction writing is the story of Gottfried Keller, a German violinist during World War II. He spoke with WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders.
Presidential Primaries
Is America’s current presidential primary system broken? Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson believes it is.
And as Kentucky Public Radio’s Tony McVeigh reports, Grayson is backing a plan to fix it.
Olmstead Parks Path Project
Louisville Metro Parks is asking for public opinion on the Olmstead Parkways Multi-Use Path Project. The long-term plan is to create a system along the four Olmsted Parkways. The effort will use the original design intended by Frederick Law Olmsted and it will also fit into the “City of Parks” initiative. In this interview with Metro Parks Public information Officer Jason Cissell, WFPL’s Heidi Caravan gets an update on the project.
Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky
Being a paraplegic in a wheelchair hasn’t stopped Sherry Hixenbaugh from getting an education and working as a tutor for Jefferson Community College. Now the Louisville resident has won the Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky title and is heading to the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant in Maryland. Tune in to Studio 619 to hear Hixenbaugh talk about her life experiences with WFPL’s Heidi Caravan.
The World Guy
When Erik Bendl was given a sixty-pound inflatable globe eight years ago, he didn’t anticipate its potential use for charity. On his walks around Louisville with the giant sphere, he gained the moniker “World Guy”.
Now, “World Guy” is on the way to Pittsburgh with his giant globe. Inspired by his mother, the late Kentucky Representative Gerta Bendl, Erik decided to raise money and awareness for the American Diabetes Association.
He spoke from the road with WFPL’s David Tao.
Flame Run Gallery and Hotshop
Flame Run Gallery and Hotshop is the headquarters for many of Louisville’s glass artists. Each morning this summer, around a dozen or so artists can be found in 100-plus degree heat, crafting a variety of colorful glass pieces.
WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders went to Flame Run – which is located on East Market Street – to learn more about glass art and the Gallery’s latest exhibit, “Women in Glass”.
Match Dot Bomb
A widow describes a journey through a series of Mr. Wrongs as a 50-something single woman in the book “Match Dot Bomb: A Midlife Journey through Internet Dating”.
WFPL’s Julie Goodwin spoke with author Francine Pappadis Friedman about her experiences.
KET’s “The Spirituals”
Slave songs are featured in a public television documentary airing on Kentucky Educational Television. “The Spirituals” is a KET production. The film examines the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group in Lexington founded by University of Kentucky Professor Dr. Everett McCorvey.
Tune in to hear Dr. McCorvey talk with WFPL’s Heidi Caravan about the documentary and the music that is described as a legacy of the African-American slave.
Julia Glass
Julia Glass’s first novel, “The Three Junes” took the publishing world by storm and won the much coveted National Book Award in 2002. Glass is back at it with her second book, “The Whole World Over”.
Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Julia Glass about love, food and second novels.
Lose a Pound, Gain a Dollar
A new weight loss program in Bullitt County will pay participants to loss weight. The program was founded by Dr. Mohana Arla, in partnership with Jewish Hospital Medical Center South.
WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks this week with Dr. Arla about “Lose a Pound, Gain a Dollar,” which kicks off July 17th.
Charlie Johnson
What does it take to turn a neighborhood around? Well according to local businessman and philanthropist Charlie Johnson, decent paying, career oriented jobs are the key. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Johnson about his “Driving for Inner-City Development” program and how he sees it fitting in to West End revitalization.
Speed Exhibit
An upcoming Speed Art Museum exhibit will showcase more than 200 pieces of art from Yale University’s collection of 18th and 19th-century American fine and decorative arts.
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery” explores the richness and strength of American arts from 1660 to 1900.
Among the highlights is John Trumbull’s eight Revolutionary War scenes, including “The Declaration of Independence”. WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with Speed Art Museum Director Peter Morrin about the exhibit coming to Louisville in September 2008.
Harry Potter Mania
The latest Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, will open July 11th and anticipation grows for the final installment of the book series…as the seventh and last Harry Potter book is set to hit shelves at 12:01am on Saturday, July 21st.
Bookstores and libraries across Louisville are preparing for the release of the last of the J.K. Rowling series…called “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”.
WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders spoke with Tracy Thomas, the Programs Coordinator for the Louisville Free Public Library, Kate Schiavi, the assistant manager in the children’s department, and Reading Power Coordinator Lisa Claybrooks…who says the event will cater to children, teenagers, and adults alike.
Patas at the Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo recently welcomed three female patas monkeys to the Gorilla Forest exhibit. The fastest of all primates, the patas can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The patas’ lightning-quick speed developed as a defense mechanism against predators in central Africa’s savannahs and forests. While speed helps the patas elude natural predators, deforestation and human hunting have threatened the survival of the distinctive species. Join WFPL’s David Tao as he discusses the Zoo’s new residents with General Curator Steve Wing.
The Simpsons Movie
Voting closes Monday night in the contest between 14 American towns named Springfield. They’re battling for the rights to be the Springfield where the Simpsons live…and to host the premiere up the upcoming “Simpsons Movie”.
One of the cities in the running is Springfield, Kentucky…WFPL’s Ashleigh Barber spoke with Hal Goode of the Springfield Economic Development Authority about the contest and the video that is the town’s entry.
Sheldon Berman
This summer has been an eventful one for Jefferson County Public Schools. On June 28, the United States Supreme Court struck down the assignment plan the district has been using to integrate its classrooms.
This past week, JCPS welcomed its new superintendent, Dr. Sheldon Berman. WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders reports on Dr. Berman’s plans for the district in light of the high court ruling.
Louisville’s Smoking Ban
Louisville is under a new smoking ban this week. The ban applied to all Louisville businesses, except Churchill Downs. The enforcement comes despite attempts from bar and restaurant owners to block the ban.
The Louisville Metropolitan Hospitality Coalition has fought the ban with a lawsuit and then asked for an injunction to delay enforcement. A judge ruled last week the ban would go on as scheduled.
WFPL’s Heidi Caravan brings us details on the ban.
Supreme Court Case
Louisville was thrust into the national spotlight last week when the Supreme Court issued a ruling on a case dealing with Jefferson County Public School’s school assignment plan.
The high court determined the school system was acting unconstitutionally when it used race as the sole factor in assigning students to schools.
For more on the history of the case, and reaction to last week’s ruling, we turn to WFPL’s Heidi Caravan.
Robert Nixon
The University of Louisville is trying to make a Masters of Business Administration degree more obtainable for the full-time worker.
WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with the Associate Dean for the Masters Program, Robert Nixon, about a new MBA program developed for those interested in attending school part-time and working full-time.
David Eisenbach
Prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, gays in the media were portrayed as weak-willed and effete. The riots kicked off the Gay Power movement and changed the way media viewed homosexuals.
Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with author David Eisenbach about his book “Gay Power: An American Revolution” and the gay power movement through the 1960’s to the end of the 20th Century.
A Day in the Life
A number of traffic violators choose to attend traffic school rather than pay a ticket. Kentucky State Traffic School Instructor Sandy Samuels talks with students about how to become better drivers. WFPL’s Julie Goodwin spent the day with Samuels and found out how she’s trying to make a difference.
