EIGHT FORTY-EIGHT Audio Library

Indiana Parole Board Recommends Clemency for Darnell Williams
Bob Kasarda—Staff Writer, The Times of Northwest Indiana
The board made history by unanimously recommending that Williams's sentence be commuted to life in prison. Williams is scheduled to be executed on July 9, 2004, for his role in a 1986 murder.

CSI: Crime Scene Insects
Mike Cerna—Director of Exhibits, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Doug Taron—Curator of Biology, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Gianofer Fields—Producer and Correspondent
An exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago explores the science behind crime scene investigation and explains it in a way that won't turn your stomach.
CSI: Crime Scene Insects runs through September 12, 2004.
Related Link:
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Education Update
Alexander Russo—Education Contributor
Citing evidence of fraud, the Chicago Teachers Union has declared its June 2004 presidential runoff election null and void. Also, the Chicago Public Schools is changing how it tests principals, and we discuss Chicago mayor Richard Daley's education plan.
Russo is a contributing editor of Catalyst magazine and editor of the book, School Reform in Chicago.

A French Impressionist on the Steps of the Art Institute
James Yood—Arts Contributor
We remember self-taught artist, Lee Godie. For more than two decades, Godie sold her work on the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her art featured portraits of men and women with titles such as “Gibson Girl” and “Handsome Prince.”
The Lee Godie Exhibition runs at the Carl Hammer Gallery in Chicago through July 3, 2004.
This segment was originally broadcast on the June 27, 2004 edition of Hello Beautiful!

Behind the Scenes of Seven Out
Keith Uchima—Playwright
The play Seven Out tells a little-known story of Chicago's underworld: it's based on the adventures of Ken Ito, a Japanese-American who ascended the ranks of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950s and later turned state's evidence.
The Due East Theatre Company's production of Seven Out runs through July 10, 2004, at Stage Left Theatre in Chicago.

Regional Summer Theater Picks
Jonathan Abarbanel—Theater Contributor
Theaters mentioned:
American Players Theatre (Spring Green, Wisconsin; 608.588.2361)
Barn Theatre (Augusta, Michigan; 269.731.4121)
First Folio Shakespeare Festival (Clarendon Hills, Illinois; 630.986.8067) Illinois Shakespeare Festival (Normal, Illinois; 309.438.8110)
Oak Park Festival Theatre (Oak Park, Illinois; 708.524.2050)
Mason Street Warehouse (Saugatuck, Michigan; 269.857.4898)
Peninsula Players (Fish Creek, Wisconsin; 920.868.3287)
The Shaw Festival (Ontario, Canada; 800.511.SHAW)
Stratford Festival (Stratford, Ontario, Canada; 800.567.1600)
Theater on the Lake (Chicago; 312.742.7994)

June 29, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Seceding Suburbs, Part One
Donald Peloquin—Mayor, Blue Island, Illinois
Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin discusses his proposal for 55 south suburban communities to secede from Cook County to form a county of their own. He says it's an idea whose time has come.

Seceding Suburbs, Part Two
Charlie Wheelan—Reporter-at-Large
The Chicago area's political and economic equation has long seemed like a zero-sum game with winners and losers. But why? And does it have to be that way? We talk about the forces that shape Chicago's regional development patterns.
Contributor Charlie Wheelan is a faculty member at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy and former Director of Policy and Communications for Metropolis 2020. He's also author of Naked Economics.

The Story of Streeterville
Jeff Buelterman—Actor
Ralph Covert—Playwright
G. Riley Mills—Playwright
We recall the story of Chicago's first true secessionist, Captain George Wellington Streeter. The area he struggled to emancipate is now Streeterville, one of Chicago's toniest neighborhoods.
This segment was excerpted from the March 7, 2001, edition of Eight Forty-Eight. Listen to the entire interview. >>

Award-Winning Nurse, Sandra Wilks
Sandra Wilks—Director, Community Health Outreach, Michael Reese Hospital Quentin Young—Medical Contributor
Medical contributor Dr. Quentin Young sits down with Sandra Wilks, head of community health outreach at Michael Reese Hospital on Chicago's south side, to talk about her lifelong dedication to nursing. Wilks is the 2004 recipient of the Super Star in Community Nursing Award from Chicago's Visiting Nurses Association.

The Heart and Soul of Buffy
Jana Riess—Author
Jason DeRose—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Illinois native and theological seminary graduate, Jana Reese, chats with Chicago Public Radio's Jason DeRose about her book, What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide.

Musician and Songwriter Nicholas Tremulis
Nicholas Tremulis—Musician and Songwriter
Tony Sarabia—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Chicagoan Nicholas Tremulis has performed a unique blend of pop, R&B, and rock for more than two decades. He joins us in our performance studio to talk about his life in music and the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra's album, Napoleon.

Photo: Nicholas Tremulis warms up in the performance studio. Photo by Melisa Goh.

June 28, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Help Wanted: GOP U.S. Senate Candidate, Part One
Dave Syverson—State Senator, 34th District, Illinois
We talk with Illinois State Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford about the search for a candidate to replace Jack Ryan, who dropped out of the U.S. Senate race after the contents of his divorce records caused his support within the GOP to erode. State Sen. Syverson is treasurer of the Illinois Republican Party.
During the broadcast, we lost our phone connection to Mr. Syverson. Our conversation continued after the business update, but we present it in a single segment here.

Business Update
David Greising—Business Contributor
Contributor David Greising stops by to discuss why the business community is taking an interest in the Illinois U.S. Senate race, a turnaround for McDonald's, Nicor's troubles, and Hollinger's sales.
Greising is chief business correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

Help Wanted: GOP U.S. Senate Candidate, Part Two
James Leahy—Executive Director, Republican Assembly of Illinois
We continue talking about the Illinois Republican Party's search for a candidate to replace former U.S. Senate hopeful, Jack Ryan. James Leahy from the Republican Assembly of Illinois weighs in.

DCFS Deaths
Sarah Karp—Reporter, Chicago Reporter
The Chicago Reporter's Sarah Karp joins us to discuss the rising rate of child deaths in the DCFS system. More children are dying even after DCFS investigates, raising questions about whether DCFS is doing enough to prevent the deaths. Karp writes about the issue in the June 2004 edition of the Chicago Reporter.

A Maiden Voyage to the Taste of Chicago
Steve Dolinsky—Food Contributor
Steve Edwards has a confession: after living in Chicago for more than a decade, he'd never been to the Taste. So he enlisted the help of food contributor Steve Dolinsky for his maiden voyage.
The 24th annual Taste of Chicago runs through July 4, 2004, in Grant Park.
Dolinsky is a food and lifestyle reporter for ABC Channel 7 in Chicago.

Mother's Cabbage
Lucia Mauro—Writer
As the Taste of Chicago gets underway, writer Lucia Mauro reflects on how her mom's cabbage ruled her life for years.
Mauro is a freelance arts critic and writer in Chicago.

Northern Illinois Earthquake
Tim Larson—Head of Applied Geophysics, Illinois State Geological Survey
An earthquake of four-point-five magnitude shook parts of northern Illinois on June 27, 2004. Its epicenter was near Troy Grove, about 70 miles west of Chicago, and it caused no major damage. Just how common are earthquakes in Illinois?

Monday Music Corner: Percussionist Alejo Poveda
Alejo Poveda—Percussionist
Chicago musician and Costa Rica native, Alejo Poveda, joins us in Chicago Public Radio's Performance Studio to chat about his music and his unique collection of instruments.
Poveda plays Katerina's in Chicago on June 28, 2004 and Fitzgerald's in Berwyn on July 1, 2004. He also plays Joe's Be-Bop Cafe in Chicago every Sunday.

June 25, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Month in Review
Eric Zorn—Columnist, Chicago Tribune
Lynn Sweet—Washington Bureau Chief, Chicago Sun-Times
Carlos Hernandez Gomez—Political Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio

Sports Update—Bulls, Cubs, and Sox
Cheryl Raye-Stout—Sports Contributor
Luol Deng—Basketball Player, Chicago Bulls
Sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout talks with Duke forward Luol Deng, picked up by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA draft. Then Cheryl highlights the Crosstown Classic as the Cubs meet the White Sox once again.

Changing Faces for Ballparks
Ed Keegan—Architecture Contributor
Architecture Contributor Ed Keegan highlights the recent renovations to U.S. Cellular Field and the latest plans to expand Wrigley Field.

Changes Aren't Enough to Boost Sox Attendance
Nancy Gier—Writer
Fan and Chicago writer Nancy Gier believes a renovated park and aggressive marketing campaign aren't enough to bring White Sox fans to the stadium.

Cool Spot: First Lady Dolls
Gianofer Fields—Producer and Correspondent
Jerry Pohlen—Contributor
Save yourself the trip to the Smithsonian and head down to the Lansing Historical Society and Museum, where the First Ladies' dresses are also on display—though they're little smaller than the originals. The Lansing Historical Society and Museum is at 2750 Indiana Avenue, in Lansing, Illinois. For more information, call 708.474.6160 or visit their Web site. Want more quick, quirky roadtrips? Visit more Cool Spots.

Theater Reviews
Jonathan Abarbanel—Theater Contributor
Contributor Jonathan Abarbanel reviews Strong Poison at the Lifeline Theater, A Man of No Importance at the Apple Tree Theater, and the Journeymen's presentation of Le Livre Blanc at the Gerber Hart Library. Strong Poison is at the Lifeline Theatre through August 15, 2004; A Man of No Importance is at the Apple Tree Theatre through July 18, 2004; and the Journeymen's presentation of Le Livre Blanc is at the Gerber/Hart Library through July 17, 2004.

Riding with MS—The Tour de Farms Bike Tour
Steve Waranauskas—Technical Producer, Chicago Public Radio's Odyssey
Odyssey producer Steve Waranauskas challenges his Multiple Sclerosis by riding in the 23rd Annual Tour de Farms Bike Tour. The Bike Tour takes place June 26 and 27, 2004, and is sponsored by the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More information on the event can be found at their Web site.

June 24, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Illinois Budget, Part One
Bill Wheelhouse—Statehouse Bureau Chief, Illinois Public Radio
Governor Rod Blagojevich has called state lawmakers into special session to help break a budget impasse among the top four legislative leaders. We check in with Illinois Public Radio's Bill Wheelhouse down in Springfield.

Illinois Budget, Part Two
Ralph Martire—Executive Director, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
Some budget watchdogs fear that even if a compromise is reached on Illinois's $53 billion spending plan, deeper structural problems with the state budget will still exist.

Controversial Chicago Public School Closings
Jackie Leavy—Executive Director, Neighborhood Capital Budget Group
We discuss the closing of 10 schools in economically-challenged neighborhoods on Chicago's near north and south sides, a move that comes even as city officials announce plans to create 100 new schools.

How to Use Zoning Reforms and Influence Neighborhoods
Catrin Einhorn—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
It's a pivotal time for Chicago's urban look, as the city prepares to implement its first zoning reforms since 1957. Chicago Public Radio's Catrin Einhorn reports on how residents and aldermen can use the rules to influence their neighborhoods.
This segment originally aired on our June 24, 2004, news broadcasts.

No Federal Funding for Flood-Ravaged Illinois Towns
David Christensen—Director, Lake County Emergency Management Agency
Illinois towns recovering from the May 2004 flooding along the Des Plaines River, including suburban Gurnee and Des Plaines, have learned that they aren't getting financial help from the federal government.

Preventing Future Flood Damage in Lake County
Sara Agahi—Watershed Planner, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
Officials in Lake County, Illinois, have applied for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help prevent future flooding.

Burlesque Revival
Michelle Baldwin—Burlesque Performer
Ray Koltys—Burlesque Reviewer
In case you haven't heard, burlesque is back. Performers are putting a modern twist on the antique art of the striptease, drawing audiences to nightclubs, neighborhood bars, and storefront theaters in and around Chicago. Guest Michelle Baldwin is a burlesque performer based in San Francisco. She's author of Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind.
Shows mentioned:
Belmont Burlesque Revue—June 26, 2004, at The Playground in Chicago
Suicide Girls Burlesque Tour—July 1 and 2, 2004, at the Double Door in Chicago
Gurlesque Burlesque—July 16 and 17, 2004, at the Abbey Pub in Chicago

Sally Rand, Queen of the Fan Dance
Richard Cahan—Journalist
Chicago's 1933 World's Fair was a stage for one of burlesque's biggest stars—Sally Rand, known as the “Queen of the Fan Dance.” We hear her story from journalist Richard Cahan.

The Lady Is Not a Tramp
Gail Isaacson—Writer and Contributor
Contributor Gail Isaacson reflects on the bards of Tin Pan Alley and shares her thoughts on lyricist Lorenz “Larry” Hart, best-known for writing hundreds of songs, including “The Lady Is a Tramp,” with composer Richard Rodgers.

June 23, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Mental Health Courts, Part One
Jay Field—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
In Spring 2004 Cook County began operating its first mental health court, offering a small group of nonviolent offenders who suffer from mental illness monitored treatment instead of jail time. Chicago Public Radio's Jay Field has more.
This report originally aired on our June 22, 2004, news broadcasts.

Mental Health Courts, Part Two
“Dave”—Participant, DuPage County Mental Health Court
Jay Field—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Chicago Public Radio's Jay Field continues by bringing us one man's personal story of struggling with mentall illness. “Dave” is one of the first participants in west suburban DuPage County's mental health court.

Youth Mental Health
Dr. Patrick Tolan—Director, Institute for Juvenile Research; University of Illinois, Chicago
Psychiatrist Dr. Patrick Tolan joins us to assess the state of mental health care for youth in Illinois. Dr. Tolan is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Contracts, Connections, and Corruption at Chicago City Hall
Dick Simpson—Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois, Chicago
The conviction of Near North Insurance executive Michael “Mickey” Segal on federal fraud and racketeering charges is part of a string of scandals to touch City Hall. Former Chicago alderman Dick Simpson joins us to discuss this core of corruption.
Simpson is editor of the book, Inside Urban Politics, and author of Rogues, Rebels, and Rubber Stamps.

Possible Taxi Fare Hike
Hoping to offset high gas prices, Chicago cab drivers are petitioning for their first fare increase in four years. We took our microphones to the streets to ask people how a fare hike would affect their ridership.

Getting a Taxi with a Seeing-Eye Dog
Beth Finke—Writer and Contributor
Contributor Beth Finke tells us about the challenges of hailing a cab with her seeing-eye dog Hani.
Finke is author of Long Time, No See, her account of losing her eyesight.

The Dark and Deadly World of Patty Carroll
Jenny Lawton—Producer, Hello Beautiful!
Meet photographer and artist Patty Carroll, whose work includes posters for B Movies like Livid Love and Bliss to Blood—films, it should be noticed, that were never made.
The exhibit, Dark and Deadly: Photographs and Digital Movie Posters by Patty Carroll, is at the Art Institute of Chicago through September 19, 2004.
This segment originally aired on the June 20, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!

Chamber Music with an Experimental Bent
Janice Misurell-Mitchell—Co-Artistic Director and Flutist, CUBE
Patricia Morehead—Co-Artistic Director and Oboist, CUBE
Philip Morehead—Conductor and Pianist, CUBE
Kristina Stevens—Producer, Chicago Public Radio Music
CUBE's 2003 15th anniversary concert, “Far Eastern CUBE: An All-Asian Program Featuring Music of Composers from China and Japan,” can be heard on Chicago Public Radio's Performance Space June 26 and 27, 2004.

June 22, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards


	Jack Ryan Photo by Melisa Goh

Jack Ryan Responds to Divorce Record Allegations
Jack Ryan—U.S. Senate Candidate, Illinois
The Republican candidate for Illinois U.S. senator joins us to discuss his unsealed divorce records, in which ex-wife Jeri Lynn Ryan alleges he pressured her to perform sexual acts in public. Jack Ryan vows to stay in the race. Both Ryans had vigorously argued that opening the records would harm their nine-year-old son, but a California judge ordered them unsealed after a suit by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago's ABC Channel 7.

Republican Reaction to Jack Ryan Divorce Papers
Rod McCullough—Political Campaign Consultant
Republican strategist Rod McCullough weighs in on Ryan's chances in the Fall 2004 election. McCullough was campaign manager for Gen. John Borling in his unsuccessful primary bid for the Republican nomination for Illinois U.S. Senate.

Proposed Mississippi River Locks
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a two billion-dollar project to expand locks along the Mississippi River, but environmentalists say it'd be a waste of money. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Katherine Glover reports.
Related Link:
Great Lakes Radio Consortium

History of the Road Map
Jim Ackerman—Curator, Smith Dunlop Center for Historic Maps, Newberry Library
As summer vacation season begins, we visit an unbelievable collection of road maps at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Curator Jim Ackerman says road maps got their start in a form almost as detailed as GPS.
This segment originally aired on the August 20, 2003 edition of Eight Forty-Eight.

The Return of the Fat Nag
Laura Washington—Contributor-at-Large
Contributor-at-large Laura Washington has a message for parents as the school year comes to a close: it's not too late to get kids started on a healthy track. In fact, the self-proclaimed “fat nag” admits she was a...robust baby.
Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and the Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor at DePaul University.

The Magic of Wilco
Greg Kot—Rock Critic, Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot stops by to talk about his book, Wilco: Learning How to Die, chronicling the highs and lows of the legendary Chicago alt country band, which has released its fifth album, A Ghost Is Born.

June 21, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Stem Cell Research in Illinois, Part One
Jeffrey Schoenberg—State Senator, Ninth District, Illinois
Democratic state senator Jeffrey Schoenberg of north suburban Evanston has renamed his bill endorsing stem cell research the Ronald Reagan Biomedical Research Act, hoping to boost the cause in the state capitol.

Stem Cell Research in Illinois, Part Two
Jill Stanek—Pro-Life Coordinator, Concerned Women for America, Illinois Chapter
Among the critics of stem cell research are abortion opponents, who fear the creation of human embryos for the research. We talk with a leader of the Illinois chapter of the conservative group, Concerned Women for America.

Stem Cell Research in Illinois, Part Three
Robert Lanza—Medical Director, Advanced Cell Technology
Exactly what is the state of stem cell research, and how much promise does it hold? We ask leading stem cell researcher Robert Lanza, co-author of the article, “The Stem Cell Challenge,” in the June 2004 issue of Scientific American.
Lanza is also an adjunct professor at the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Stem Cell Research in Illinois, Part Four
Beth Finke—Writer and Contributor
Contributor Beth Finke has been listening intently to the debate over stem cell research and reading up on the issue herself. She offers these thoughts.
Finke is author of Long Time, No See, her account of losing her eyesight.

Trainer for a Day
Ken Ramirez—Vice President of Marine Mammals and Animal Training, Shedd Aquarium
Gianofer Fields—Producer and Correspondent
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is working on ways to help the public better understand its mission, and its Trainer for a Day program could be key. Visitors can shadow training staff as they tend to sea lions, dolphins, and beluga whales.
Guest Ken Ramirez is author of Animal Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement, published by the Shedd in 1999.
Related Link:
Shedd Aquarium

The Science of Performing On Cue and Under Stress
Denis Azabagic—Classical Guitarist
Award-winning classical guitarist Denis Azabagic shares tips from his manual, On Competitions: Dealing with Performance Stress. Azabagic is a faculty member at the Chicago College for the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Proposed Mosque Divides Orland Park
Lynette Kalsnes—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
The Orland Park Village Board is expected to approve the proposal, which has ignited a fierce controversy among residents of the southwest suburb. Chicago Public Radio's Lynette Kalsnes reports.
This report originally aired on our June 21, 2004, news broadcasts.

Sports Update—NBA Draft Preview
Cheryl Raye-Stout—Sports Contributor
Illinois is among the top producers of NBA players straight out of high school. Sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout joins us to discuss what's behind this crop of talent and the implications for players, their schools, and their families.

Monday Music Corner: Sonia Dada
On Test Pattern (Calliope/Razor & Tie, 2004), this nine-piece, Chicago-based band blends everything from roots rock to soul-inspired rhythmic beats. We feature the song, “Ragdoll,” from that album.

June 18, 2004

hosted by Tony Sarabia

Judge Rules Ryan Divorce Files to be Partially Unsealed
Thom Serafin—Political Consultant
The ruling that Illinois Republican Senate candidate Jack Ryan's divorce files are to be partially unsealed presents a challenge to the Ryan campaign. Political consultant Thom Serafin discusses the developments.

Inside Chicago's Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
Judy Valente—Religion Contributor
Despite the departure of the centuries-old painting, “the Miraculous Tikhvan Icon,” Chicago's Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral remains an architectural jewel. Contributor Judy Valente tours this historic house of worship designed by Louis Sullivan.

Father Figure Honored by Illinois Student
J.C. Boez—Sixth Grader
Michael Hamilton—Father Figure, J.C. Boez
Just in time for Father's Day, the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative has announced the winners of their essay competition. Sixth-grader J.C. Boez and his father figure, Michael Hamilton, read their essays.

Highland Games Celebrate Scottish Heritage
Jeff Armstrong—Athlete
Ed Diamond—Events Chair, Illinois St. Andrews Society
The 18th Annual Highland Games in West Suburban Oak Brook gathers athletes, dancers, musicians, and hearty appetites. Events chair Ed Diamond introduces us to this celebration of Scottish heritage.
Related Link:
Illinois St. Andrews Society—Chicago

Juneteenth Events Remember Emancipation
Delano Androzzo—Music Programmer, Old Town School of Folk Music
The Old Town School of Folk Music is celebrating Juneteenth with a day of music and workshops. Music Programmer Delano Androzzo previews the day and talks about the June 19th holiday that observes the end of slavery. The Old Town School of Folk Music celebrates Juneteenth Saturday, June 19, 2004.

Comédie-Française Debuts in Chicago
Jonathan Abarbanel—Theater Contributor
Theater contributor Jonathan Abarbanel hails the Comédie-Française's Chicago debut performance of Moliere's last play, Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid). Comédie-Française's Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid) is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through June 20, 2004.

Seurat Exhibition Traces Painting's Legacy
Steve Edwards—Host, Eight Forty-Eight
Gloria Groom—Curator, Art Institute of Chicago
The exhibit, Seurat and the Making of La Grande Jatte, plots the neo-impressionist painting's path from conception to contribution. Host Steve Edwards talks with Art Institute curator Gloria Groom about the legacy of the masterpiece and its painter. Seurat and the Making of La Grande Jatte is at the Art Institute of Chicago through September 19, 2004.

Film Reviews
Jonathan Miller—Film Contributor
Film contributor Jonathan Miller reviews the films, Confessions of a Ghost, I am James Mason, and Since Otar Left. Confessions of a Ghost and I am James Mason are at the Gene Siskel Film Center Saturday, June 12, 2004. Since Otar Left opens at the Music Box Theatre June 25, 2004.

June 17, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Vicente's Visit
Dr. Juan Andrade—President, U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute
As Mexican president Vicente Fox wraps up a two-day visit to the Chicago area, we discuss the significance of his trip both here and abroad.
Guest Dr. Juan Andrade is an op-ed columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Educating the Children of Mexican Immigrants
Linda Lutton—Education Reporter, Daily Southtown
We talk with the Daily Southtown's Linda Lutton, who's written about the educational experiences of children living in Mexico and in the Chicago area. Her investigation took her from south suburban Blue Island to a rural town in Mexico.

Latinos in U.S. History Books
Ray Salazar—Writer and Contributor
Thoughts from contributor Ray Salazar, a former Chicago Public Schools teacher

Restaurant Update
Steve Dolinsky—Food Contributor
Food contributor Steve Dolinsky stops by to give us the latest on the Chicago-area restaurant scene.
Dolinsky is a food and lifestyle reporter for ABC 7 TV in Chicago.

Restaurants Mentioned

Trio (1625 Hinman Avenue, Evanston)
Pluton (873 North Orleans Street, Chicago)
Boka (1729 North Halsted Street, Chicago)
Room 22 (22 East Hubbard Street, Chicago)
Rockit Bar & Grill (22 West Hubbard Street, Chicago)
Cafe Matou (1846 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago)
Charlie's on Leavitt (4352 North Leavitt Street, Chicago)
Spring (2039 West North Avenue, Chicago) Green Zebra (1460 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago)
Thyme (464 North Halsted Street, Chicago)
Thyme Cafe (1540 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago)
Tizi Melloul (531 North Wells Street, Chicago)
Acqualina (4363 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago)
Gabriel's (310 Green Bay Rd., Highwood)
Miramar Bistro (301 Waukegan Ave., Chicago)

Openings

Platiyo (1476 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago)
Adobo Grill (2005 West Division Street, Chicago) Le Lan (749 North Clark Street, Chicago)
De Cero (814 West Randolph Street, Chicago)

Capturing the Spirit of Maxwell Street
Lois Atkins—Actor
Matt Parker—Actor
Chicago's near-west side Maxwell Street neighborhood was famous for its blues, food, deals, and diversity. Some of its residents' stories are retold in And This Was Free, a series of performances by a local theater troupe.
In the excerpt we hear, Lois Atkins portrays Dr. Beatrice Tucker, medical director of the Chicago Maternity Center for more than 40 years; and Matt Parker plays boxer and Olympic gold medalist Jackie Fields.
And This Was Free is based on Ira Berkow's 1977 book, Maxwell Street: Survival in a Bazaar. The Maxwell Street Blues Bus production plays at Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory in July 2004 and throughout the summer at other locations in the city.

Saving the Dance Theatre of Harlem
Kelly Kleiman—Contributor
A financial crisis at the dance company could force it to close its doors in just a couple weeks. But contributor Kelly Kleiman has a proposal for saving the historically and artistically important institution.
This segment features the Chicago Sinfonietta playing “Petite Suite de Concert” under the direction of Paul Freeman. The 1910 composition by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is on the orchestra's album, African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. 1 (Cedille Records, 2000).
Originally aired on the June 13, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!

Al Gini and Daniel Born's Top 10 Political Novels
Al Gini—Resident Philosopher
Daniel Born—Editor, Common Review, The Great Books Foundation
If long-winded speeches and campaign promises made in corn fields aren't your cup of tea, then resident philosopher Al Gini and the Common Review's Daniel Born have some recommendations for you. See the booklist >>
Related Link:
Common Review

Geraldine Lawhorn—Trailblazer for Blind and Deaf Students
Geraldine Lawhorn—Instructor, Hadley School for the Blind
Beth Finke—Writer and Contributor
Contributor Beth Finke sits down with Geraldine Lawhorn, the first African-American blind and deaf woman to graduate from college, as Lawhorn prepares to deliver the 2004 commencement address at the Hadley School for the Blind. The 88-year-old Lawhorn teaches poetry at the school, located in north suburban Winnetka.

June 16, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Chicago Sun-Times Circulation Scandal
Jeremy Mullman—Reporter, Crain's Chicago Business
The paper's parent company stunned the media world by revealing that it's been inflating circulation figures by at least 25 percent for two years. We explore the ramifications for advertisers, readers, and the Sun-Times itself.

Spam Blocker
Rocky Mosele—Founder, Ethical Email
The Federal Trade Commission has decided not to create a national do-not-spam list, but Chicago businessman Rocky Mosele has already taken the matter into his own hands with his website, Ethical Email.
Related Link:
Ethical Email

Cracked!
Dick Kulpa—Owner and Executive Editor, Cracked
The satirical magazine, Cracked, has moved its headquarters from Florida to Rockford, Illinois. Owner and self-taught cartoonist Dick Kulpa says he wants to revive the glory days of comic book art and help put Rockford on the map.
Kulpa is CEO of MegaMedia.

Sammy Sosa in Tennessee
Bobbie Dickerson—Manager, West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx
As Chicago Cubs slugger, Sammy Sosa, recovers from a back injury, he's spent a few days playing with the team's AA minor league affiliate in Jackson, Tennessee. And he's been causing quite a sensation.

The Procedure
John Green—Writer and Contributor
Contributor John Green's stomach problems—maybe caused by drinking, smoking, or living the life of a reckless 25-year-old—landed him at the doctor's office and a date with a colonoscopy.

Whose Idea Was Cyrano de Bergerac?
Tim Samuelson—Cultural Historian, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
City of Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson tells the story of Samuel Eberle Gross, a Chicagoan who claimed playwright Edmond Rostand stole the plot of Cyrano de Bergerac from him.
Cyrano, a co-production of Redmoon Theater and Court Theatre, runs through June 27, 2004, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
This segment originally aired on the May 23, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!
Related Link:
Redmoon Theater

Shamika's Story
Dan Collison—Independent Producer
Elizabeth Meister—Independent Producer
We hear from a single mother striving to break the cycle of poverty by participating in a Chicago program that tries to prepare young women for parenthood and life on their own.

Chicago Blues Great, Lonnie Brooks
Lonnie Brooks—Musician
Dan Bindert—Producer and Host, Chicago Public Radio Jazz
The legendary musician sits down with host Steve Edwards to reflect on families, Fender guitars, and seven decades of forging a life in the blues.

June 15, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

One-Year Anniversary of Congress Hotel Strike
Tony Sarabia—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Housekeeping staff, bellmen, restaurant workers, and others have been on strike at the downtown Chicago hotel, and the picket line could continue for some time. Chicago Public Radio's Tony Sarabia has more.
This story originally aired on our June 15, 2004, news broadcasts.

Congress Hotel Strike—Henry's Story
Henry Miller—Bartender, Congress Plaza Hotel
Bartender Henry Miller, who's worked at the downtown Chicago hotel for 26 years, tells us why he's been walking the picket line for 12 months.

The Strength of Labor Unions
Robert Bruno—Associate Professor of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois, Chicago
From the Congress Hotel to Caterpillar to Wal-Mart, how strong is organized labor in Illinois? We ask Robert Bruno, author of Reforming the Chicago Teamsters: The Story of Local 705 and a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

New Leadership for the Chicago Teachers Union
Lori Olszewski—Reporter, Chicago Tribune
If the election results are confirmed by an outside auditor, Marilyn Stewart succeeds incumbent president Deborah Lynch. Chicago Tribune education reporter Lori Olszewski joins us to discuss this likely changing of the guard.

Holocaust Doctor
Ryan Bank—Filmmaker
Dr. Eugene Lazowski saved 8,000 Poles from Nazi concentration camps during World War II by faking an epidemic of typhus. We hear his story from filmmaker Ryan Bank, who has documented the life of the Chicago doctor.
Bank is a resident of north suburban Bannockburn and president of Clayton Entertainment.

Crossing California
Adam Langer—Author
Jason DeRose—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Author Adam Langer sits down with Chicago Public Radio's Jason DeRose about his novel, Crossing California, which chronicles life in the 1970s for a group of teenagers living in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood.

That '70s Show: The Age of Pluralism
James Yood—Art Critic
Edward Lifson—Host, Hello Beautiful!
The Northern Indiana Arts Association (NIAA) is featuring work by the Imagists, a group of 1970s Chicago-area artists known for their irreverent, cartoonish, and often sexual or violent work.
That '70s Show runs through July 11, 2004, at the NIAA, located in Munster, Indiana.
Guest James Yood teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
This segment originally aired on the June 13, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!

Studying How Art Can Affect a Community
Betty Farrell—Lecturer in Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago
The study, Measuring the Impact of Cultural Organizations, is a collaboration between University of Chicago students and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Project coordinator Betty Farrell joins us to discuss the report's findings.

June 14, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Closing Arguments in Segal Trial
Steve Warmbir—Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
Politically-connected Chicago insurance executive Michael "Mickey" Segal could face more than 10 years in prison if convicted of federal fraud and racketeering charges for stealing $20 million in customer premiums.

How the City That Works Really Works
James L. Merriner—Author
Richard Steele—Special Contributor
A veteran journalist and political observer, James L. Merriner discusses his book, Grafters and Goo Goos: Corruption and Reform in Chicago, 1833-2003.
Merriner is former political editor of the Chicago Sun-Times and of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has also written a biography of former Illinois congressman Dan Rostenkowski.

Political Pork of a Different Kind
Vivian Lund—Mayor, Warrenville, Illinois
Many west suburban mayors are squealing like pigs as they prepare for the 2004 DuPage County Fair hog-calling competition. Warrenville mayor Vivian Lund demonstrates.

Business Update
David Greising—Business Contributor
United Airlines could find out any day whether the federal government has approved its application for a $1.6 billion loan guarantee, which it says it needs to emerge from bankruptcy. We discuss this and other Chicago-area business stories.
Greising is chief business correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

A Museum of American Roots Music
Connie Gibbons—Executive Director, River Music Experience
Ellis Kell—Membership, Operations, and Special Events Manager, River Music Experience
Leaders of the River Music Experience in Davenport, Iowa, stop by to talk about the Mississippi River and the music it fosters. River Music Experience is the first museum in the nation dedicated to the history of American roots music.

A New Use for Silt
Silt washes from construction sites, clogging up lakes and rivers, harming wildlife, and blocking ship traffic. But one Great Lakes state is trying out a new use for the sediment. Jonathan Ahl reports for the Great Lakes Radio Consortium.

Sports Update—White Sox
Cheryl Raye-Stout—Sports Contributor
We check in with contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout about the explosion of offense from the Chicago White Sox and who's behind the firepower.

Rape Victim Advocacy
Sujata Bhat - Volunteer Medical Advocate, Rape Victim Advocates
Former Eight Forty-Eight intern, Sujata Bhat, reflects on her experience as a volunteer rape victim advocate in Chicago.

Monday Music Corner: Hot Club of 52nd Street
The jazz ensemble, which includes Chicagoan Johnny Frigo, celebrates the legacy of influential European jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. We feature "Tangerine" from the group's self-titled album on Chesky Records.
In addition to Frigo on violin, Hot Club of 52nd Street includes Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli on acoustic guitar and Michael Moore on bass.

June 11, 2004
Episode abbreviated for special coverage of President Reagan's funeral service.

hosted by Steve Edwards

Teachers Toil under Budget Shortages
Jim Dougherty—President, Illinois Federation of Teachers
President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Jim Dougherty talks with host Steve Edwards about the impact of budget shortages on Illinois teachers.

Lockup Closure Angers East Village Residents
Diantha Parker—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
The Chicago Police Department's sudden closure of seven lockups has residents of one affected neighborhood worried that they'll lose their entire police station. Chicago Public Radio's Diantha Parker reports.
This story originally aired on our June 11, 2004, news broadcasts.

Theater Reviews
Jonathan Abarbanel—Theater Contributor
Contributor Jonathan Abarbanel reviews Moonlight and Magnolias at the Goodman Theatre; The Romance of Magno Rubio at Victory Gardens Theater; and Cyrano, a co-production of Court Theatre and Redmoon Theater.
Moonlight and Magnolias is at the Goodman Theatre through June 13, 2004. The Romance of Magno Rubio is at Victory Gardens Theater through July 11, 2004. Cyrano is at the Museum of Contemporary Art through June 27, 2004.

June 10, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Daley's Green Crusade
Lisa Chamberlain — Writer
Dan Johnson-Weinberger — Lawyer and Lobbyist
Chicago mayor Richard Daley has pledged to make the city the most environmentally-sensitive in the nation. How's he doing? We ask Lisa Chamberlain and Dan Johnson-Weinberger, who've both written about Daley's green crusade.
Chamberlain's article runs in the July 2004 issue of Metropolis magazine. Johnson-Weinberger's appears in the April 2004 edition of Conscious Choice magazine.

Trees and Our Quality of Life
Edith Makra — Community Trees Activist, Morton Arboretum
Budding trees, blooming flowers, and acres of green space may be pleasing to the eye, but what impact do they have on our quality of life? Research suggests that the effects are more significant than you might think.

Cubs Catcher Michael Barrett
Michael Barrett — Catcher, Chicago Cubs
Cheryl Raye-Stout — Sports Contributor
Amidst an injury-filled season, Chicago Cubs starting catcher Michael Barrett has been a shining light with his hot-hitting and solid play. Sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout caught up with the Montreal transplant at Wrigley Field.

Post-No-Wave Rockers US Maple
Al Johnson — Vocalist, US Maple
Todd Rittman — Guitarist, US Maple
The Chicago band is known for fusing the rudiments of rock with jarring, chaotic structures. Two of its members drop by our studios to discuss their album, Purple on Time (Drag City Records), which is considered their most melodic to date.
US Maple performs June 12, 2004, at the Empty Bottle in Chicago.

How Steppenwolf Has Aged
Kelly Kleiman — Contributor
Contributor Kelly Kleiman reflects on how Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company has changed over the last 25 years.
Steppenwolf's production of I Never Sang for My Father runs through June 27, 2004.
This segment originally aired on the May 30, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!

The Chicago Roots of Blaxploitation
Sergio Mims — Film Critic and Screenwriter
Writer Sergio Mims discusses the connection between father-and-son filmmakers Melvin and Mario Van Peebles and blaxploitation films.
Melvin Van Peebles's 1971 film, Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song, is considered the first blaxploitation movie. Mario's documentary, Baadasssss!, chronicles the making of his father's groundbreaking work. It opens in Chicago on June 11, 2004. Mims writes for Newcity and teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chicago Blues Festival—Five Shows to See
Dan Bindert — Host and Producer, Chicago Public Radio Jazz
The 2004 event features more than 70 performers on multiple stages, so how do you decide whom to see? Chicago Public Radio's Dan Bindert gives us his list of five shows you shouldn't miss.
The festival runs June 10 through 13, 2004, at Grant Park in downtown Chicago.

June 9, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan
Arne Duncan — CEO, Chicago Public Schools
A one-on-one conversation with the Chicago Public Schools chief about budget difficulties, test scores, school closings, and the state of school reform in Chicago

Rising College Costs
Sharon Williams — College Counselor, Elgin Academy
Increasing numbers of people are taking on debt to pay for college. We discuss this trend with college counselor Sharon Williams, who says the reality of college financing can surprise even the savviest savers. Williams is also a counselor for the National College Summit.

The Theater of Western Springs
Bryon Abramowitz — Sound Designer, Theater of Western Springs
Tony Vezner — Artistic Director, Theater of Western Springs
We take a trip to Chicago's western suburbs to take a peek behind the curtain of the largest volunteer community theater in the area.
Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians runs at the Theater of Western Springs through June 13, 2004.

Stories on Stage: Calling All Authors
Kathe Telingator — Executive Producer, Stories on Stage
Chicago Public Radio's Stories on Stage wants writers of all stripes to submit original short stories for its competition, Now Hear This. The program is the Chicago area's only live dramatic short story reading series. Three winning entries will be part of the 2005 Stories on Stage live performance season. The deadline is July 19, 2004. For more information, visit the Stories on Stage homepage.

The Legacy of Federal Judge Prentice Marshall
Adrienne Drell — Assistant Professor of Journalism, Northwestern University
The late Judge Marshall played a key role in many controversial decisions, including getting the City of Chicago to integrate its police force and forbidding the INS from forcibly interrogating Hispanics about the status of their citizenship. Northwestern University professor and former federal courts reporter Adrienne Drell joins us to reflect on Marshall's legal career. Marshall passed away in May 2004 at the age of 77.
Drell is editor of the book, 20th Century Chicago: 100 Years 100 Voices.

Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
Bill Glass — Ecologist
Logan Lee — Project Supervisor, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Gianofer Fields — Producer and Correspondent
Located southwest of Chicago on the site of the former Joliet Arsenal, Midewin is the first national tallgrass prairie and the largest piece of protected open space in northeastern Illinois. We explore Midewin's habitat and learn about ongoing efforts to restore all of its 15,000 acres.

June 8, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

Milwaukee Sewage Threatens Lake Michigan
Mark Kirk — U.S. Representative, 10th District, Illinois
Weeks of heavy rains prompted Milwaukee officials to dump billions of gallons of raw, human sewage into Lake Michigan. Illinois Republican congressman Mark Kirk discusses the environmental and public policy implications of the contamination.
Kirk's district is north of Chicago along Lake Michigan.

Lake Affect
Othello Anderson — Photographer
For two decades, photographer Othello Anderson has made a daily pilgrimage to Lake Michigan near Fullerton Avenue on Chicago's north side, trying to evoke a scene his camera once failed to capture.
Lake Affect: Photographs by Othello Anderson, 1980 to Present is at the City Gallery in Chicago's Historic Water Tower through June 28, 2004. It collects 250 of Anderson's photos.

The Idiosyncratic Designs of Architect Bruce Goff
Tim Samuelson — Cultural Historian, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
To mark the 100th anniversary of Goff's birth, cultural historian Tim Samuelson tells us about Goff's idiosyncratic style, creative process, attempts at composing, and buildings in the Chicago area—including a house shaped like a pumpkin.
This segment originally aired on the June 6, 2004, edition of Hello Beautiful!

Stories on Stage: Living in a World of Your Own Creation
Hannah Tinti — Author
Wendi Weber — Actress
Kathe Telingator — Executive Producer, Stories on Stage
We preview It's Just Your Imagination, the last program in the 2004 Stories on Stage live performance season, by talking with writer Hannah Tinti. And actress Wendi Weber reads an excerpt from Tinti's short story, "Reasonable Terms."
It's Just Your Imagination is at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art on June 8, 2004. The program also includes "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber, read by Larry Neumann, Jr., and "Notes to My Biographer" by Adam Haslett, read by Howard Witt.

Reflecting on 30 Years of Chicago Theater
Marcelle McVay — Managing Director, Victory Gardens Theater
Mike Nussbaum — Actor
Jackie Taylor — Founder, Black Ensemble Theatre
Jonathan Abarbanel — Theater Contributor
1974 was a pivotal year for Chicago theater. Many of the legendary Loop theaters were dying, but an exciting scene—including Victory Gardens Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre Company—was burgeoning on the city's north side.

Cosby Controversy
Laura Washington — Contributor-at-Large
Bill Cosby's critical comments about African-Americans have prompted outcry and resentment nationwide. Contributor Laura Washington responds, beginning by reminding us what Cosby said.
Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and the Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor at DePaul University.

The Music of Rachael Yamagata
Rachael Yamagata — Musician
We revisit an October 22, 2002, interview with Yamagata. The Chicago singer-songwriter's long-awaited album, Happenstance, is now out on RCA Records.
Yamagata performs on June 22, 2004, at Schuba's in Chicago.

June 7, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

One-on-One with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich — Illinois Governor
Carlos Hernandez Gomez — Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
As lawmakers in Springfield continue duking it out over the state budget, the governor takes time to talk with Chicago Public Radio's political reporter Carlos Hernandez Gomez about deficits, deals, and his fellow Democrats.

Illinois Budget Negotiations Continue
Steve Brown — Spokesperson, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
A view from Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's side of the capitol

Remembering Reagan's Illinois Roots
Richard Norton-Smith — Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Presidential historian Richard Norton-Smith, former director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, joins us to reflect on the 40th president's Illinois roots and how those experiences shaped the person and the leader he became.
Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, at age 93.

CAN TV Faces Funding Cuts
Tony Sarabia — Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
Supporters of Chicago's public access cable channel say the station could lose up to 40-percent of its funding, meaning fewer opportunities for city residents to produce their own TV programs. Chicago Public Radio's Tony Sarabia has more.
This story originally aired on our June 7, 2004, news broadcasts.

Business Update
David Greising — Business Contributor
In his regular update, business contributor David Greising discusses Chicago's struggling convention and tourism industries.
Greising is chief business correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

Deader by the Lake
Doug Cummings — Author and Weekend Crime Reporter, WGN Radio 720
George Houde — Contributor
Reporter-turned-novelist Doug Cummings tells us how he channeled the dramatic reality of covering Chicago crime scenes into his mystery, Deader by the Lake.
Cummings talks with contributor George Hood, a former police reporter for the Elgin Courier in Chicago's northwest suburbs.

This Old, Stuffed House
Lisa Labuz — Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News
We hear the story of a Chicago couple that bought their first home...and got a whole lot more than they bargained for.
This story also aired during our June 7, 2004, news broadcasts.

Monday Music Corner: Singer-Songwriter Miki Greenberg
The prolific and offbeat Greenberg has released a retrospective of his first 15 records. Retrospectacle showcases both his solo and his group work from 1987 to 2003. We feature Greenberg's song, "I Slide."
Greenberg collaborators Fetal Position perform June 12, 2004, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago as part of a concert celebrating Greenberg's work.

June 4, 2004

hosted by Steve Edwards

The Glidermen of Neptune
Al Gini — Resident Philosopher
Charles Masters — Historian
For the 60th anniversary of D Day, Chicago historian Charles Masters and resident philosopher Al Gini recall the vital role hundreds of glidermen played in the invasion.
Masters is author of the book The Glidermen of Neptune: The American D-Day Glider Attack.