ColorFall 2007
With the one hundred-degree temperatures somewhat behind us, Kentucky now slips into autumn, with brightly-colored leaves and beautiful scenery. The Kentucky Department of Tourism presents ColorFall, now in its twenty-second year.
The event showcases the Bluegrass in all its beauty, by highlighting festivals, tours and park activities. Tune in as WFPL discusses ColorFall 2007 with Marge Bateman from the Kentucky Department of tourism.
Kentucky Wildlife
Kentucky wildlife officials have seen the state’s worst outbreak of hemorrhagic disease among its deer population this year. Deer Biologist Mark Yancy says it will take a hard freeze to stop the spread of the disease. He spoke with WFPL’s Susan Sweeney Crum.
Lost Men
There have been many books written about fathers and sons. Some of them are funny, some sad, some are somewhere in between. Brian Leung’s first novel, “Lost Men” explores the father/son relationship and how it shapes both parties. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Leung about fathers and sons, relationships and how we choose our own families.
Robert Kowalski
Author Robert Kowalski has worked as a medical journalist for over 35 years. After his second bypass surgery at age 41, he developed a heart-health program which he outlined in “The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure”. This week on Studio 619, WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with Kowalski about his latest book, “The Blood Pressure Cure”.
Year of Reconciliation
In preparation for The International Year of Reconciliation, the Center for Interfaith Relations is holding a vigil for Reconciliation Day. Center Director Mark Steiner says it’s a great time to reconnect and mend old wounds.
He spoke with WFPL’s Heidi Caravan about the idea of reconciliation and how people can take part.
The War
“The War” is a Ken Burns documentary that begins airing on KET Sunday, September 23rd at 8pm. The seven part series explores the history of the Second World War by following so-called ordinary men and women who got caught up in one of the worst cataclysms in history.
WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with KET Director of Programming, Craig Cornwell about the film.
StoryCorps
An Airstream trailer outfitted with a complete recording studio inside will arrive in Louisville later this week. It’s one of the Mobile Booths from a project called StoryCorps. The trailer will be parked in front of the Kentucky Center for about a month, collecting interviews from everyday people.
StoryCorps founder Dave Isay says the project is about listening and learning from each other. He spoke with WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders.
Emily Goldstein
Sixteen-year-old Emily Goldstein will travel to Churchill, Manitoba later this week. She’s representing the Louisville Zoo in a Polar Bear Leadership Camp. Goldstein spoke with WFPL’s Susan Sweeney Crum about her love of animals, what the trip will be like and her aspirations to one day run a zoo or aquarium.
State of Activism
The Reverend Doctor William J. Barber, II, is a busy man. In his home state of North Carolina he leads the congregation at the Greenleaf Christian Church, is President of the state chapter of the NAACP and is the father of five.
Reverend Barber is headed to Louisville, but before his visit WFPL’s Robin Fisher talked with him about civil rights, working together and the state of activism today.
Everyday Miracles
Ardath Rodale, author of “Everyday Miracles”, encourages readers to take in the beautiful moments in life and embrace obstacles as chances to grow. Rodale offers tips and ideas for ways to live a more meaningful life.
Tune in to Studio 619 this week as WFPL’s Julie Goodwin interviews Rodale.
World Car-Free Day
As society becomes more and more dependent on foreign oil, September 22nd will be a day for citizens to celebrate a world that doesn’t rely on automobiles. On World Car-free Day, people throughout the world will put away their car keys and find alternative ways to travel.
This week, WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with Louisville organizer Jackie Green about the importance of World Car-free Day.
Freedom Sings
The song Wake Up Little Susie tells the tale of a young couple who fall asleep at the drive-in, wake up, realize they are out past curfew and invent a story to tell Susie’s parents. Today, it’s a quaint tale of a little bit of teenage mischief. But in the 1950’s, its subject matter was a little too risqué and the song was banned on several radio stations.
A multi-media touring production called “Freedom Sings!” comes to Louisville this week – it will explore the history of banned music in America and explain the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
Lions of Medina
We all know the stories of the troops who fought in World War II. From movies to books to miniseries, these tales of bravery are part of our collective memory. But mention the Vietnam War and the memories are different. Author and historian Doyle Glass wanted to set the record straight about the men and women who served in Vietnam. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Glass about his new book “The Lions of Medina: An Epic Account of Marine Valor During The Vietnam War.”
John Williams Concert
The music for films such as Star Wars, Superman and E.T. has become as much a part of American history as the films themselves. The composer of these, and hundreds of other film and television scores, John Williams, turns 75 this year, and the Louisville Pops Orchestra is celebrating with concerts on Thursday, September 20 and Saturday, September 22 at the Ogle Center at Indiana University Southeast.
Mikhail Gorbachev
Next month the former President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, is expected to discuss “Restructuring Global Priorities in the 21st Century” at the Kentucky Center. He’ll be the speaker of the Global Issues Forum series through the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
This week WFPL’s Julie Goodwin talks with Executive Director Ben Jones about Gorbachev’s visit to Louisville October 3rd.
Gail Heller
When southern Indiana resident Gail Heller lost her beloved dog Chance in 1998, part of her grieving process was to create a website honoring the animal. In the months that followed, she connected with others who were in the same position. In the years since, Heller has expanded that memorial into a full-service website that includes a weekly support group and tips for consoling people who are dealing with the loss of a pet.
This week marks the organization’s first foray into community outreach – with a candlelight vigil Sunday evening for Louisville-area pets that have died.
Heller spoke with WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders about her website, the memorial service and the similarities between grieving a pet and grieving a family member.
UK – UofL Challenge
A creative effort by the American Red Cross brings in donors on behalf of the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. The U of L/UK challenge is state-wide this year – when donors give blood, they state their favorite team.
The challenge finishes this week, after a major summer blood drive on September 11th. WFPL’s Heidi Caravan spoke with Loni White from the American Red Cross about the challenge.
They Might Be Giants
For more than two decades, John Flansburgh and John Linnell, better known as the musical duo “They Might Be Giants” have been entertaining a loyal base of fans with their style of rock, categorized as alternative, experimental or just plain quirky.
They’ve also enjoyed mainstream success with their theme music for television programs such as “Malcolm in the Middle”, and their venture into the world of children’s music.
They Might Be Giants will perform at the Kentucky Center in Louisville this Friday in conjunction with The Idea Festival. Flansburgh and Linnell are touring in support of their new 13-song CD release, “The Else”.
Flansburgh spoke with WFPL’s Rick Howlett.
A Day in the Life
Most people check the weather forecast at least once a day. It’s an industry that has become increasingly mainstream as television news stations offer more weather coverage and the internet features a number of ways to monitor conditions. But there’s only one agency that is in charge of issuing those all-important watches and warnings. They’re staffed 24-hours a day, even when it’s a cloudless, 75-degree day.
They’re the meteorologists of the National Weather Service – and WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders spent a day with forecaster Mark Jarvis at the Louisville office.
Colon Cancer Awareness
It’s the cancer no one wants to talk about but can be most prevented by early screening. Colon cancer kills more people each year in the U.S. than AIDS and breast cancer combined and is the number two cancer killer in Kentucky. So how can we combat this health threat? WFPL’s Robin Fisher talks with Dr. Whitney Jones about Colon Cancer Awareness, the Colon Cancer Prevention Project and getting the word out.
The Thin Thirty
Author Shannon Ragland’s new book is called “The Thin Thirty: The Untold Story of Brutality, Scandal and Redemption for Charlie Bradshaw’s 1962 Kentucky Football Team.” It tells the story of a football team that went through harsh winter conditioning seasons that were illegal by NCAA standards and possibly cheated in a game against Xavier. Ragland spoke with WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders.
Sheldon Berman
The Jefferson County Public School District has been the topic of several news stories this year. Its student assignment policy was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since then, the district has been looking at ways to change the process to eliminate the use of race but maintain integration in the school system.
Superintendent Sheldon Berman spoke to the downtown Louisville Rotary Club last week. He shared his thoughts on the Supreme Court decision and the evolution of education in America.
