CityLine is Channel 5's award-winning urban news and feature magazine program. For a half hour every Sunday at noon, CityLine explores an array of compelling subjects at length.
The program covers a wide spectrum of topics: political and social policy, medical care, historical discussions, people profiles, ethnic cuisine, travel, newly-released books and the latest previews of theatrical, musical, dance and fashion-related productions around the city.
The result is a blend of education, enlightenment and entertainment.
Karen Holmes Ward is the host of CityLine.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008 12:00 PMToday CityLine stands up to cancer. Many fans of ABC's "Good Morning America" know that co-anchor
Robin Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a year ago. Our friend and colleague, Kelley Tuthill of NewsCenter 5, visited Robin in New York to find out how she is doing, and to share what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. We'll also talk to members of the
Wellness Community at Dimock Health Center, an international non-profit providing free support, education, and hope to people with cancer. And we'll hear in-depth about
The Sister Study, a groundbreaking, long-term study of women ages 35 to 74 whose sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is looking for 50,000 women whose sisters had breast cancer - but who don't have breast cancer themselves - to join the study.
Wellness Community at Dimock:
http://www.wellnesscommunity.orgThe Sister Study:
http://www.sisterstudy.org(Spanish) version:
http://www.estudiodehermanas.orggToll-free number: 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837)
Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2008 12:00 PM.Today we're talking to some of the best known writers on Asia in the world!
Pico Iyer is the author of nine books, including VIDEO NIGHT IN KATHMANDU and THE LADY AND THE MONK, based on his travels all over Asia. He has written up to 100 articles a year for more than a hundred magazines and newspapers, including TIME Magazine. With the Beijing Olympics just months away, it's a perfect time to discuss Iyer's new book,
THE OPEN ROAD: THE GLOBAL JOURNEY OF THE 14TH DALAI LAMA. Iyer has known the Dalai Lama for over 30 years, and shines a light on the life and ideas of a global icon. Also -- last year, India celebrated its 60-year anniversary of independence from British rule. Today, one of the world's most celebrated and respected chroniclers of Indian history talks to us about his latest book,
THE LAST MUGHAL.
William Dalrymple tells us the true, epic story of the last Mughal emperor, an elderly poet who was chosen to lead a doomed rebellion against British rule, resulting in one of the most tragic sieges in Indian history. And finally - adhering to a vegetarian diet in America takes extra effort, but how about a vegan diet -- free of ALL animal and dairy products? In many parts of Asia, where vegetables are more varied and more popular, vegan cuisine tastes better than you might imagine. Chef
Hema Parekh is going to help us create healthy meat- and diary-free meals from
The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors. Her new cookbook features over 200 recipes that celebrate the authentic spices and flavors of nine Asian countries.
William Dalrymple:
http://www.williamdalrymple.uk.com Asian Vegan Kitchen:
http://www.kodansha-intl.comRecipe from
The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors, courtesy of Kodansha International:
Vietnamese Transparent Spring RollsSUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2008 12:00 PMOver 300 youth leaders and chaperones from 20 countries gathered in Boston this month for a global Teen Summit. The summit was hosted by the Museum of Science's
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, now in its 15th year. The Network teaches young people how to fuse cutting-edge technology skills with teamwork, imagination, and an eye toward their own future. Plus, best-selling novelist and mathematics professor
Manil Suri talks about his India-inspired second novel,
"The Age of Shiva". And, for the past 25 years,
Harvard Business School has been providing college students with a potentially life-changing opportunity. Find out about their Summer Venture in Management Program, designed to expose young leaders to a future in business.
Intel Computer Clubhouse:
http://www.computerclubhouse.orgManil Suri's website:
http://www.manilsuri.comHBS Summer Venture in Management Program:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/svmpSUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008 12:00 PMIt's time to get up and move! From the rhythmic dances of India to the grace of Latin ballroom, see how Bostonians are expressing their culture through dance! ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is a huge hit, as people across America are rediscovering ballroom dance.
Classical Indian dance and Latin ballroom dance in particular combine lots of energy with exhilaration on the dance floor. And for years, New Englanders have appreciated the beauty and discipline of the Boston Ballet. Did you know the Boston Ballet is looking for future ballet stars at Boston public schools? We'll tell you about the "CityDance" program. Plus, meet the Boston Ballet's first African-American principal ballerina and learn all about the history of African dance from a renowned teacher.
Triveni School of Indian Dance, Brookline:
http://www.trivenidance.orgSUNDAY, JULY 27, 2008 12:00 PMA candid, half-hour conversation with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. He'll talk to us about everything from a new reading program he's launching for very young children to his vision for Boston's architectural and design development to whether he'll run for mayor again.
ReadBoston:
http://www.readboston.orgSUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 12:00 PMAre you feeling overwhelmed? Is there too much going on in your life, and you're at your wit's end? No matter who you are, no one is free from stressful situations in life. Still, many of us overlook the harmful effects that stress can have on our mind, body, and spirit. We'll explore some
stress-relieving therapies rooted in the East. You'll be surprised at the ways stress relief can be accomplished, whether it's at a wellness center, a spa, or even from the comfort of your own home. And, we'll find out how a Massachusetts General Hospital program could help you relax -- online, through an avatar.
The Sports Club LA/Boston:
http://www.thesportsclubla.com/Clubs/template.asp?Club=BostonDr. Inna Khazan, Biofeedback: Pathways to Wellness:
http://bostonhealthpsychology.comPathways to Wellness:
http://www.pathwaysboston.orgDr. John Zhang, Acupuncture:
http://www.acuhealing.orgReiki, Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism:
http://www.greaterbostonchurchofspiritualism.com/index.html Meditation, Cambridge Zen Center:
http://www.cambridgezen.com Second Life/Mass. General Hospital:
http://www.connected-health.org/programs/second-life.aspx SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2008 12:00 PMIt's an island that inspired Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. It's also home to reggae, rum and coffee. We're talking about the Caribbean island of Jamaica. We'll visit the resort cities of Montego Bay and Negril, sample Jamaican cuisine at home in Boston, and talk to photographer Peter Simon about his new book,
The Reggae Scrapbook.
Coyaba Resort:
http://www.coyabaresortjamaica.comHalf Moon Resort:
http://www.halfmoon.comFlames restaurant:
http://www.flames-restaurant.comPeter Simon:
http://www.petersimon.comSUNDAY, JUNE 22, 2008 12:00 PMA summer beauty show, with makeovers and beauty secrets that have roots in Asia. We'll introduce you to ayurveda, shiatsu, Thai massage, and threading. Fans of these treatments say they not only look, but feel better, once they've tried them. We'll tell you why.
Ayurveda doctors:
http://www.spadocs.comLotus Mind & Body Spa:
http://www.lotusmb.comSUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2008 12:00 PMOnline fraud is rampant. How do you, as a consumer, protect yourself and your money? The anonymity of the internet makes it easy for scammers and hard for consumers to tell when they are being set up. We'll take an in-depth look at
online consumer fraud and offer you helpful tips on what to watch out for, how to spot a fake check, and where to turn if you've been defrauded. We'll also talk to an expert from the Federal Reserve Bank about what to do if you have fallen prey to identity theft.
How to spot fake checks:
http://www.fakechecks.org Federal Reserve Bank of Boston:
http://www.bosfrb.orgSUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008 12:00 PMIt's deja vu, as they say! Boston sports fans are on an emotional high as the
Boston Celtics take on the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Championship! There is a LOT of history in this east coast-west coast matchup. We're delighted to sit down with Celtic legend
Satch Sanders, who will join us for the entire half hour. Joining Mr. Sanders is
Marc Spears, NBA beat writer for the
Boston Globe, Celtics in-house arena announcer
"Coach" Willie Maye, and
David Czesniuk, an expert on
sports psychology at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society.
Center for the Study of Sport in Society:
http://www.sportinsociety.orgSUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2008 12:00 PMRecently, cardiac surgeon Francis Fynn-Thompson and 25 staff from Children's Hospital in Boston traveled to
Ghana to perform the first
pediatric cardiac surgery in Ghana's history. Dr. Fynn-Thompson, a native of Ghana and a graduate of Harvard Medical School, will make bi-annual visits to Ghana to help children who could die without his help. We'll also talk to
Dr. Monica Bharel of the
Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, the country's largest and most comprehensive medical program of its kind. And finally, if you are struggling with
infertility, a new book by a Harvard physician could change your chances for successful conception, by telling you what to eat.
Dr. Jorge Chavarro is co-author of a new book called
The Fertility Diet.
Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program:
http://www.bhchp.orgSUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008 12:00 PMIn February 2009, television viewers across the country will all witness a revolution on television. The switch from analog to digital transmission will change how you watch TV. We'll walk you through what you need to know about the conversion, with help from the National Association of Broadcasters.
Information: 1-888-DTV-2009
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008 12:00 PMAs the campaign for president edges forward, the debate about how to end the war in Iraq remains unresolved. What do Iraqis think of what is going on in their country? We asked that question to several
Iraqi immigrants living and working in Boston.
El Greco to Velasquez: Art during the Reign of Philip III is an important new exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It offers an in-depth look at Spain's art from 1598 to 1621, and has been garnering national attention and praise from Spanish-speaking communities. And, since her childhood in Nanjing, China, she dreamed of becoming a journalist, even though she spent her teens working in a missile factory.
Lijia Zhang taught herself English and helped organize a workers' demonstration in support of the Tiananmen Square protest. Now, she lives in Beijing, writing for publications like the Washington Times and Newsweek, and appearing on BBC Radio and NPR. Her new memoir is called "Socialism is Great: A Worker's Memoir of the New China".
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston:
http://www.mfa.orgLijia Zhang:
http://www.lijiazhang.comSUNDAY, MAY 4, 2008 12:00 PMWhether it's safe water, disaster relief, or reducing greenhouse gases in Boston, local movers and shakers are heading up the charge to make people's lives better. Deborah Jackson, CEO of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Red Cross, is going to tell us about the
Clara Barton Humanitarian Awards, which recognize the true spirit of community, compassion, and humanitarian ideals while raising support for and awareness of the Red Cross. Also -- do you know that
1.1 billion people live without safe water and 2.4 billion do not have proper sanitation? An organization called
"Water For People" helps developing countries support locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and health and hygiene programs. And, one year ago, Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino issued an executive order to set clear and challenging goals for the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We'll talk about easy ways to
go green at home.
Red Cross of MA Bay:
http://www.bostonredcross.orgWater for People:
http://www.waterforpeople.orgBoston's "green" website:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/climateSUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 12:00 PMToday, our program has a Korean theme! This month, two Korean presidents visited the U.S. -- two men with very different messages about dealing with
North Korea.
Katharine Moon, a Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College, will join us to re-cap President Lee Myung Bak's recent visit to Washington, D.C. as well as former President Kim Dae Jung's recent visit to Boston. We'll also talk to writer and Cambridge resident
Jeff Talarigo. Talarigo is the author of the highly-acclaimed novel, "The Pearl Diver". His latest novel,
"The Ginseng Hunter", tells the story of a ginseng farmer who works along the banks of the Tumen River, which separates North Korea and China. There, he encounters North Korean refugees who need his help. It's a haunting portrait of life along a fragile border. Finally, we'll talk to Korean-American writer and former Boston-based editor of "Ploughshares",
Don Lee. His latest novel,
"Wrack & Ruin", is a comic farce that combines satire with social commentary on topics like multiculturalism, art and fame, environmental degradation, and family bonds that desperately need repair.
Katharine Moon:
http://www.wellesley.edu/Polisci/KMoonJeff Talarigo:
http://www.jefftalarigo.comDon Lee:
http://www.don-lee.comSUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008 12:00 PMYou've seen him on the big screen in movies like "Ray" and "Dead Presidents", and he played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in an award-winning tele-bio. Actor
Clifton Powell was born in Washington, D.C., but came of age right here in Boston while a student at Emerson College. Clifton is in town to speak at the annual breakfast hosted by a group called
Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts. The mission of the group is to help and empower young black males and give them opportunities for mentorship. We'll talk to Powell about his rough upbringing and how he says acting, as well as the right mentors, changed the way he approached life... forever.
Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts:
http://www.cbbm.netSUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2008 12:00 PMToday we're talking to some of the best known writers on Asia in the world!
Pico Iyer is the author of nine books, including VIDEO NIGHT IN KATHMANDU and THE LADY AND THE MONK, based on his travels all over Asia. He has written up to 100 articles a year for more than a hundred magazines and newspapers, including TIME Magazine. With the Beijing Olympics just months away, it's a perfect time to discuss Iyer's new book,
THE OPEN ROAD: THE GLOBAL JOURNEY OF THE 14TH DALAI LAMA. Iyer has known the Dalai Lama for over 30 years, and shines a light on the life and ideas of a global icon. Also -- last year, India celebrated its 60-year anniversary of independence from British rule. Today, one of the world's most celebrated and respected chroniclers of Indian history talks to us about his latest book,
THE LAST MUGHAL.
William Dalrymple tells us the true, epic story of the last Mughal emperor, an elderly poet who was chosen to lead a doomed rebellion against British rule, resulting in one of the most tragic sieges in Indian history. And finally - adhering to a vegetarian diet in America takes extra effort, but how about a vegan diet -- free of ALL animal and dairy products? In many parts of Asia, where vegetables are more varied and more popular, vegan cuisine tastes better than you might imagine. Chef
Hema Parekh is going to help us create healthy meat- and diary-free meals from
The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors. Her new cookbook features over 200 recipes that celebrate the authentic spices and flavors of nine Asian countries.
William Dalrymple:
http://www.williamdalrymple.uk.com Asian Vegan Kitchen:
http://www.kodansha-intl.comRecipe from
The Asian Vegan Kitchen: Authentic and Appetizing Dishes from a Continent of Rich Flavors, courtesy of Kodansha International:
Vietnamese Transparent Spring RollsSUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008 12:00 PMWith the public firestorm over
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Senator Obama's speech on race, we thought we should look at a few contextual issues that can't be easily explained in a network news story or soundbite. What is the role and responsibility of the leader of a black church? What's appropriate to say to your flock and what crosses the line? Sunday, we talk to
Prof. Mark Burrows, Theologian-in-Residence at Old South Church and a member of Reverend Wright's United Church of Christ. We'll also speak with
Reverend Irani -Sheila Newsome-Camara, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and a professor of theology at Boston University. Also, you've heard it said: it's good to talk things out! These days, Bostonians have a platform where they can express frank, sometimes painful feelings about race:
City-Wide Dialogues. It's an annual series of meetings where people of all races come together to talk, ease long-standing tensions, and create understanding -- one neighborhood at a time. And finally, you might have heard about a new blog called
"Stuff White People Like". It's become so popular that its creator just landed a six-figure book deal. The blog has fans as well as detractors, but it definitely has people buzzing. We'll talk to
Vanessa E. Jones of the Boston Globe, who wrote an article about the blog's success.
B.U.'s Project for African American Religious Research and Education:
http://www.bu.edu/sth/paarre/about.htmCity-wide Dialogues:
http://www.bostondialogues.orgStuff White People Like:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.comSUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2008 12:00 PMIt's time to get up and move! From the rhythmic dances of India to the grace of Latin ballroom, see how Bostonians are expressing their culture through dance! ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is a huge hit, as people across America are rediscovering ballroom dance.
Classical Indian dance and
Latin ballroom dance in particular combine lots of energy with exhilaration on the dance floor. And for years, New Englanders have appreciated the beauty and discipline of the
Boston Ballet. Did you know the Boston Ballet is looking for future ballet stars at Boston public schools? We'll tell you about the
"CityDance" program. Plus, meet the Boston Ballet's
first African-American principal ballerina and learn all about the
history of African dance from a renowned teacher.
Triveni School of Indian Dance, Brookline:
http://www.trivenidance.orgSUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2008 12:00 PMThe Bay State has long been a leader in American scientific discovery. At the many hospitals, academic institutions, and biotech companies in the area, researchers are trying to find cures for disease using innovative
biotechnology that is winning attention and prizes the world over. We'll take an in-depth look at how biotech is putting Massachusetts on the global map as well as strongly driving the state's economy.
Gaucher's Disease:
http://www.gaucherdisease.orgU-Mass Medical School, Worcester:
http://www.umassmed.eduMassachusetts Biotechnology Council:
http://www.massbio.orgSUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2008 12:00 PMMost Americans feel secure that our country is the most powerful nation in the world. But a young author says America's dominant status could be changing sooner than we think.
Parag Khanna, a Senior Research Fellow at the New American Foundation, spent two years traveling to over 40 countries to understand just how quickly America's global power is in decline. His new book,
"The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order", explores the growing influence of resource-rich underdog nations, as well as the tug of war between the world's current "superpowers" of the European Union, China and the U.S. Also --
Nicholson Baker is an award-winning author. His best-selling novels have allowed readers to accompany a character on his lunch-hour expedition to buy shoelaces, or even eavesdrop on racy phone conversations between two strangers. Now, Baker takes us on an entirely different journey.
"Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, the End of Civilization" is a collection of short vignettes during the decades leading up to World War II. It weaves together narratives from Churchill, Gandhi, Einstein and FDR. Their voices show missed opportunities for peace and what happens when nations have war-mongering leaders.
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2008 12:00 PMHe was stopped by a reporter outside a political debate and asked to explain who he was supporting for the Presidency and why. Musician
Derrick Ashong's answer was so impressive that the video was posted on
youtube and at last count it has close to 800-thousand hits!! We'll talk to Derrick about his band,
Soulfege, as well as his message to get out the vote. Also, Charlestown High School was home to Boston's school desegregation war a generation ago. Today, the school is better known for battles on the basketball court. Boston Globe reporter
Neil Swidey introduces us to coach Jack O'Brien and his students in his new book,
"The Assist: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their Lives". The team wins state championships as well as opportunities to rise above destructive neighborhood influences. And finally, a book called "The Media: Shaping the Image of a People" brings together images of the past and present, providing the reader with a thought-provoking examination of the media and its impact on us. Author
Bill Overton explores diversity and media responsibility in a collection of 19th Century images paired with 20th Century quotes and photographs, spanning centuries of our country's evolution.
Soulfege (band):
http://www.soulfege.comDerrick's "youtube video":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kica8hmSdAMAlray Taylor Second Chance Scholarship Fund (to help a promising student from Boston's inner city graduate from school):
http://www.theassist.netSUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 12:00 PMToday our topics take us around the world. A new documentary called
The Price of Sugar could change the way you take your morning coffee. The Dominican Republic supplies the United States with much of its sugar. That sugar is harvested by thousands of Haitian laborers who are forced to endure horrible circumstances. A priest is dedicating his life to helping these laborers fight for their human rights. Paul Newman narrated this documentary made by Boston-based
filmmaker Bill Haney. Plus, on a per-capita basis, Africa produces 20 percent less food today than it did 35 years ago. A new book argues the reason is rich countries are withholding science from Africa. Wellesley College professor
Robert Paarlberg's book is
Starved for Science: How Biotechnology Is Being Kept Out of Africa. It argues that Europe and North America see modern crop biotechnology like genetic engineering as potentially dangerous for Africa. But Paarlberg argues that reasoning is moot on a continent where most farmers have no improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, or irrigation. And finally,
Manil Suri wrote the best-selling novel _The Death of Vishnu_ in 2001, and now his long-anticipated follow-up is
The Age of Shiva, which tells the story of a woman trying to assert her rights in modern-day India.
"The Price of Sugar" film information:
http://www.thepriceofsugar.comSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2008 12:00 PMThe play
"A Raisin in the Sun" changed theater forever when it debuted on Broadway in 1959. It tells the story of a struggling African-American family from Chicago's South Side who dream of leaving their tenement apartment for a better life. "A Raisin in the Sun" was revived in 2004 and picked up a pile of Tony Awards. The latest incarnation airs Monday night (the 25th) at 8:00 PM on WCVB. We talk to the program's superstar lead actors,
Audra McDonald and
Sean "P Diddy" Combs. Also,
Cora Daniels is an award-winning journalist and author who has written a provocative cultural commentary called
GhettoNation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and the Home of the Shameless. Daniels uncovers the lure of what she calls the ghetto lifestyle and says it is leading to a dangerous degradation of American culture. And finally, we step back in time to Beacon Hill during the early 19th century. At one point in Boston's history, there was a
free black community on the Hill. Some very important historic figures there played a vital role in the Underground Railroad and the emancipation of slaves nationwide.
Museum of Afro-American History:
http://www.afroammuseum.orgAuthor Cora Daniels:
http://www.coradaniels.comSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 12:00 PMOne of Boston's most beloved television personalities returns home to Channel 5!
Janet Langhart Cohen, former host of "Good Day" turned author and commentator, talks about a play she has written that's ready to debut at Emerson College this spring. It tells the story of an imaginary conversation between Emmett Till and Anne Frank. Also, how do you choose to participate in life? Are you a volunteer? A mentor? An activist? A new, multimedia exhibit called
"Choosing to Participate: Facing History and Ourselves" tells real-life stories of courage, initiative, and compassion -- qualities that are needed to protect democracy and human rights. The display is at the Boston Public Library from now through May.
"Choosing to Participate" exhibit:
http://www.choosingtoparticipate.orgSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2008 12:00 PMOnline fraud is rampant. How do you, as a consumer, protect yourself and your money? The anonymity of the internet makes it easy for scammers... and hard for consumers to tell when they are being set up. We'll take an in-depth look at
online consumer fraud and offer you helpful tips on what to watch out for, how to spot a fake check, and where to turn if you've been defrauded. We'll also talk to an expert from the Federal Reserve Bank about what to do if you have fallen prey to
identity theft.
How to spot fake checks:
http://www.fakechecks.orgFederal Reserve Bank of Boston:
http://www.bosfrb.orgSUNDAY, January 20, 2008 12:00PMOn CityLine--we're talking with a man who has made history here in Boston. In July of 2007, Keith Motley became the first person of color to be appointed to the position of Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Boston. His appointment came just two years after being passed over for the same job while serving as the then interim chancellor.The move prompted community and campus-wide uproar. We'll talk to him about that ordeal, and also discuss his new vision for UMass Boston's future, which includes $125 million dollars towards much-needed new academic buildings and repairs. It's "A Conversation with ... Chancellor Keith Motley."
UMass Boston: http:// www.umb.edu
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2008 12:00 PMYou may not have heard of Wiley College. It's an historically black college in Marshall, Texas, founded in 1873. But with the release of the film "The Great Debaters," moviegoers all over America will learn the story of the Wiley Forensic Debate Team and how they became the nation's top debate team in the 1930's, besting universities like Harvard. The movie stars
Denzel Washington, who is also the film's director.
Oprah Winfrey is the producer. Also, from high schools across Boston, young people are lifting their voices as part of the
Boston Debate League, which runs debate programs in Boston's public schools. Six schools are part of the league so far and compete at multiple events during the school year. It's changing the way urban students spend their time after school.
Boston Debate League:
http://www.bostondebate.orgSUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2008 12:00 PMOn today's CityLine -- women leaders. This past fall, you might have picked up the newspaper to read some surprising news. A 28-year-old, Chinese-American graduate of Boston University has become the
new mayor of Fitchburg, Massachusetts! We welcome
Mayor Lisa Wong to the studio. Plus -- she's one of the most scrutinized women in politics:
Condoleezza Rice. New York Times reporter
Elisabeth Bumiller has written a new biography about Secretary Rice called "Condoleezza Rice: An American Life". Also, find out why Massachusetts has so few women in positions of business leadership. A revealing new study -- researched, written, and produced by women at
The Boston Club.
The Boston Club:
http://www.thebostonclub.comSUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2008 12:00 PM 12:00 PM Owning a home is at the heart of the American dream. But it's not always easy. You find that perfect home but then you also have to find that perfect mortgage or home loan. And in today's lending market, not everyone is working for our best interests. That means many people get saddled with bad loans, which can land them in serious debt, and cause terrible emotional stress. We take a look at a problem growing across the nation, and we examine Chinatown, at the center of a movement toward development and change.
Info. on buying a home:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/dnd/hbsEnsuring Stability Through Action in Our Community
http://www.esacboston.orgDivision of Banks hotline: 1-800-495-BANK
Asian Community Development Corporation:
http://www.asiancdc.orgBoston Redevelopment Authority:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/braUMASS Boston's Venture Development Center:
http://www.umb.edu/vdcSUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2007 12:00 PMAs temperatures start dipping lower and lower, New Englanders are turning the heat higher and higher. However, with oil prices at almost one hundred dollars a barrel, it's important to consider oil conservation as a way to save money and remain environmentally conscious. You may have seen
Lynda Lyday on HGTV, the Discovery Channel, and CNN, among others. She's a renowned contractor who hosts home improvement shows and has advice for us on the best ways to
heat your home. Also, who thought
cakes and cookies could be good for you? We have a holiday story about a local company that's an expert at making sweet stuff for the stomach AND the soul. You may have seen
Dancing Deer all-natural goodies at your neighborhood grocery store. But did you know it's one of the country's fastest growing inner city companies? And, Dancing Deer donates 35% of the revenue from one product line to One Family, a Boston organization that helps homeless families move into their own place.
Lynda Lyday's webpage:
http://www.lyndalyday.com Dancing Deer:
http://www.dancingdeer.comSUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2007 12:00 PMIf you are a parent with a child in a Boston public school, you probably have a lot of questions for
Dr. Carol Johnson. Dr. Johnson is the city's new school Superintendent. She arrived in August after working in Tennessee and Minnesota, where she was twice awarded Superintendent of the Year. She also received a VH1 Save the Music Award for her support of music in schools. With national high school dropout rates on the rise, the Boston School Committee is creating a "Graduation for All" citywide forum to confront the problem head-on. We'll talk to her about that and more in a special conversation.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2007 12:00 PMWe can all easily tick off tips about improving your well-being: eat right, go to the gym, spend time with the family. Well, a locally-based, national magazine called
Body & Soul decided to ask their most trusted experts about the best tips for living what they call a "saner" and more satisfying life. We'll tell you what they are. Also, actor and writer
Nilaja Sun is a teaching artist in the New York City public school system. Inspired by her experience, she wrote and now stars in a one-woman show called
"No Child…", on stage at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge. She plays herself -- as well as eight high school students who are considered proverbial troublemakers in an already troubled school environment. The New Yorker called the play, quote: "Astounding! Sun brings us not her world but the world. An object lesson in what should not be missing from any life curriculum: hope." And finally, we've all heard the news:
Oprah Winfrey has endorsed
Senator Barack Obama, and is joining him on the campaign trail. Could her influence change the presidential race entirely? We'll talk to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Kenneth Cooper.
American Repertory Theatre:
http://www.amrep.orgSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2007 12:00 PMWhat was Jesus's message? Not what most Christians think, according to our guest for the latest installment of our series, "A Conversation With...", where we sit down for an in-depth talk with America's leaders and change-makers.
Reverend Peter Gomes of Harvard University is the best-selling author of "The Good Book". His latest book is called
"The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good About the Good News?". In it, Reverend Gomes writes that Jesus's teachings have become lost in polarizing, dumbed-down religious discussions of the day. He says the church and Christians everywhere are failing in key ways -- mostly by ignoring the very heart of Jesus's message of hope and inclusion.
Memorial Church, Harvard University:
http://www.memorialchurch.harvard.edu/preachers/pjg.shtmlSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2007 12:00 PM The Boston Lyric Opera's new season kicks off with a production widely known as the world's most popular opera:
"La Boheme". If you don't know what "La Boheme" is about, it's time you find out! It's a tale of star-crossed love set in 19th century bohemian Paris, and the BLO's production stars two acclaimed sopranos,
Alyson Cambridge and
Kimwana Doner. Also, this week, WCVB will join with the City of Boston in an effort called
"Boston Helps the Homeless". It's part of a nationwide, eight-city initiative to inspire action by allowing volunteers to interact directly with people affected by homelessness. WCVB's contribution is another extreme makeover at the Crittenton Women's Union in Brighton. And finally,
Veterans Day is especially meaningful to the 27,000 Massachusetts veterans who have returned from Iraq. Soldiers from the Vietnam era know well what these new veterans are experiencing. We'll hear from one who remembers what coming home was like.
Boston Lyric Opera's "La Boheme":
http://www.blo.org "Give Us your Poor" benefit concert, Friday November 17 at the Strand Theater:
http://www.ticketweb.com Volunteer Day of Service, Saturday, November 17 (call 617-635-2370):
http://www.helpthehomelessboston.org Crittenton Women's Union (call 617-259-2921):
http://www.liveworkthrive.orgSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2007 12:00 PMThousands of families in the United States are turning to
international adoption. Hollywood celebrities make adopting abroad seem easy, but in fact, it's often a long and difficult process. After China, Guatemala is the most popular country for American adoptions. But a recent suspension by Guatemala's president could indefinitely postpone the journey of thousands of babies who need new homes. We'll have that story for you. Plus, the
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society so far has ensured the health and welfare of over 20,000 abandoned or sick cats, and we'll have a few of the lucky rescuees on set for you to see! Finally, the Greater Boston Food Bank will be collecting
turkeys for the holiday season to spearhead a hunger awareness campaign throughout Boston. We'll tell you how you can pitch in.
Greater Boston Food Bank:
http://www.gbfb.org Wide Horizons for Children:
http://www.whfc.org Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society:
http://www.mrfrs.orgSUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2007 12:00 PMAfter discovering a box of photographs, letters, and a journal from 1903, two photographers, a Swede and an American, retrace the steps of a hundred-year-old expedition to Egypt and Palestine. Mattias Satterstrom and Mark Smith join us to talk about their new book of photography,
Osterlandet. Also -- a non-profit organization called
World Unity is dedicated to fighting prejudice and discrimination in the Boston area and beyond, by erecting a landmark in the heart of the city.
World Unity:
http://www.worldunityinc.orgSUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007 12:00 PMWell, it's been four years since the U.S. invaded Iraq. Everyday, we hear about American perspectives about the war, but what do
Iraqis think of what is going on in their country? We asked that question to several Iraqi immigrants living and working in Boston, including a former security general with Iraq's Ministry of Defense. We also talk in-depth with human rights expert Prof. Jacqueline Bhabha of Harvard University about the effect of
wartime trauma on Iraqi children.
Last of Iraqis blog:
http://www.last-of-iraqis.blogspot.comSUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2007 12:00 PMDoes your home need a little
design makeover? Today on CityLine, tips from design pros on re-vamping your surroundings. You might have heard the term
feng shui and have some idea that it's an Asian design practice or philosophy. Fans say it can actually improve the quality of your life! Also -- for years, there's been one designer to whom nearly every luxury hotel in Boston has turned.
Jinnie Kim is a design powerhouse and has quietly been in business in Brookline for over two decades. And finally, we'll meet two women who are part of a new interior design and architecture firm powered by women of color!
R.D. Chin, feng shui expert:
http://www.rdchin.comJinnie Kim:
http://www.jinniekim.comThereDesign:
http://www.theredesign.comSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 12:00PMThe fight against cancer is a long and hard road for anyone. But new medical studies have indicated that African American men and women are more likely to die from certain types of cancers than other races.
We're discussing breast and prostate cancer specifically, and what each of us can do to increase our chances of surviving them. Later in the show, we'll also meet brave men and women who have done just that.
Boston Public Health CommissionPink and Black CampaignProstate Health Education Network (PHEN)Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical TrialsUpcoming events: A Pink Day at Dimock Wednesday, October 3, 2007
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
55 Dimock St., Cheney Conference Center
RSVP: gmartin@dimock.org
Or call 617-442-8800 ext. 1207
(Please pre-register for the mammogram screenings)
www.dimock.org
"Revolutionizing Access: Cancer Clinical Trial Access and Communities of Color" Symposium October 16, 2007
8:30 am - 1:30 pm
UMass Campus Center, Boston
E-MAIL: nbitow@hsph.harvard.edu
617-384-8523
Recent CityLine Broadcasts
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2007 12:00 PMIt's an end of the summer celebration! We're cooking up a feast for your senses that includes delicious food, good music, and fabulous fashion. Experience fine Middle eastern cuisine at Norwood's Byblos restaurant, and see why you can taste the love in every bite.
Also, we're talking to Chilean singer/songwriter/arranger Claudia Acuña, one of the more than 30 acts that will take the stage Sept. 27-29 at the seventh annual Beantown Jazz Festival. It kicks off on September 28 at Symphony Hall with the benefit concert, "A Celebration of Jazz and Joyce."
Plus, we're previewing the Fall's couture fashions as we talk to Brian Clarke of the Ebony Fashion Fair. For fifty years now, the Fashion Fair has led the way in showing Black America the latest in high fashion. This year it will be on September 30 and benefits the Millat Educational Consortium.
Byblos Restaurant 781-762-8998Beantown Jazz Festival For tickets, Click here or call 888-266-1200Ebony Fashion Fair
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
64 Arlington Street
Boston, MA
617-504-3764SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 12:00 PM Owning a home is at the heart of the American dream. But it's not always easy. You find that perfect home but then you also have to find that perfect mortgage or home loan. And in today's lending market, not everyone is working for our best interests. That means many people get saddled with bad loans, which can land them in serious debt, and cause terrible emotional stress. We take a look at a problem growing across the nation, and we examine Chinatown, at the center of a movement toward development and change.
Info. on buying a home:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/dnd/hbsEnsuring Stability Through Action in Our Community
http://www.esacboston.orgDivision of Banks hotline: 1-800-495-BANK
Asian Community Development Corporation:
http://www.asiancdc.orgBoston Redevelopment Authority:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/braUMASS Boston's Venture Development Center:
http://www.umb.edu/vdcSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2007 12:00 PMJust a few years ago, a new tradition was born in Boston. It's the
IDEASBoston conference -- a fast-paced, one-day event where the public gets to meet and mingle with some of New England's leading innovators from every field imaginable. This year, it's being held on Thursday, October 4 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Joining us today are three of this year's presenters -- one person per segment. They are
Nader Tehrani, Principal of Office dA, an intriguing young architecture firm in Boston;
Kecia Ali, an Assistant Professor of Religion at Boston University, where she specializes in women and gender issues in Islamic texts and Muslim communities; and
Dr. John Warner, who helped start the world's first PhD program in Green Chemistry at UMASS Lowell. Now, he now serves as the President and Chief Technology Officer at the Warner-Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry.
IDEASBoston conference registration and schedule information:
http://www.ideasboston.com/SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2007 12:00 PMDid you know Massachusetts has the largest number of patents and Nobel Prizes in the country? Much of that success can be attributed to the fast-growing life sciences and biotechnology industry. At the Boston area's many hospitals, academic institutions, and biotech companies, researchers are trying to find cures to disease as well as cement the Bay State's status as a global leader in
biotechnology. We take an in-depth look at whether biotech is enhancing the state's reputation and economy.
The National Gaucher Foundation:
http://www.gaucherdisease.org/Genzyme:
http://www.genzyme.comUMASS Medical School, Worcester:
http://www.umassmed.eduSUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007 12:00 PM You see their influence everywhere in the Boston area -- in the Red Sox line-up, your office or your favorite local restaurant. Many Latinos emigrate to America for a better life, but the transition is rarely easy. Two local community organizers are calling for changes ranging from comprehensive
immigration policy to official recognition of immigrants' contributions to the American workforce. Plus, it's the 90th anniversary of a famous African-American fraternity,
Omega Psi Phi. Their upcoming reunion in Boston is star-studded and open to the public.
MIRA Coalition:
http://www.miracoalition.orgCentro Presente:
http://www.cpresente.orgOmega Psi Phi Fraternity:
http://gammachapter1916.orgSUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2007 12:00 PM CityLine makes a summer jaunt to a nearby vacation hotspot.
Martha's Vineyard's easygoing style has attracted vacationers from Bill and Hillary Clinton to Oprah Winfrey. One element that gives the island its unique character is the rich tradition of the African American community based in Oak Bluffs. One group in particular,
The Cottagers, is dedicated to preserving that culture and tradition. Also - if you are thinking about traveling to the Vineyard or an island a lot further from home, why not do so with a group called
Road Scholar. Road Scholar reaches out to people who are interested in lifelong learning through adventurous travel.
Tuesday, August 14: The Cottagers annual clambake
Thursday, August 23: open house
Call: 508-693-7645
August 10 and 11: Divas Uncorked Wine & Food Festival at Outerland near Edgartown Call: 617-296-3434
Divas Uncorked:
http://www.divasuncorked.com"A Taste of Road Scholar"
Tuesday, August 21, Shearer Cottage 5:00 pm
877-426-8056, program #15886MBK
Art on the Vineyard Friday, August 17, 3-7pm Paul Goodnight & Ekua Holmes 47 Buena Vista 508-693-6666
Saturday, August 18 Oils and Watercolors of Glenn Tungstall 508-693-6656 Cousen Rose Gallery:
http://www.cousenrose.comSaturday, August 25 Acrylics by Myrna Morris 508-693-6656 Cousen Rose Gallery:
http://www.cousenrose.comSUNDAY, JULY 22, 2007 12:00 PM This is the second year in a row that Massachusetts will see a decline in anti-terrorist aid from the federal government. The US Department of Homeland Security announced that the state's first responders will receive 34-million dollars in grant money, which is 17% less than last year. Since 2005, Massachusetts has lost more than 40 percent of its funding. But there are other cities deemed more at risk than Boston. Massachusetts
Undersecretary for Homeland Security Juliette Kayyem explains the situation to us. Also, some African American leaders question whether 2008 Presidential candidate
Sen. Barack Obama is "black enough". What do they mean, and how can defining a candidate's "blackness" affect or change the tone of a presidential campaign? We talk to
Wilbur Rich, Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College, and
Kimberly McClain DaCosta, Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies and of Social Studies at Harvard University. And finally, the
Roxbury Film Festival will kick off its ninth year next month. Filmmakers from all over new england are ready to showcase their work -- including former Boston police officer Bill Willis, who directed "Shot in the Hood", a documentary of candid interviews about youth violence in mattapan, dorchester and roxbury.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:
http://www.state.ma.us/memaRoxbury Film Festival:
http://www.roxburyfilmfestival.orgSUNDAY, JULY 8, 2007 12:00 PMThere are many talented and motivated teenagers from low-income families who dream of doing great things with a
college education. But, in most cases,
finances limit them, and so their choices are either limited or non-existent. But elite colleges in our area see the potential of these young adults and recruit them. We'll meet two students from
Amherst College who say the opportunities afforded to them changed their lives forever. Also - the
Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program helps high-achieving, low-income community college students transition to four-year colleges and universities. As the largest scholarship of its kind in the US, the awards can total up to $30,000 per year for up to three years. And finally, in 2003, a group of Boston-area young professionals thought of an innovative way to help inner-city students who are bright but struggling for the right opportunity. The
Boston Scholars Program provides tuition scholarships and mentoring relationships during young people's critical and formative years. The scholars are selected based their achievement and enthusiasm, academic potential and integrity, financial need, and leadership and community involvement.
Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program:
http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.orgBoston Scholars Program:
http://www.bostonscholars.orgSUNDAY, JULY 1, 2007 12:00 PMIt's our annual summer books show! For more than a decade, Yale Law School
Professor Stephen Carter has helped shape debates on American politics, religion, and law. Professor Carter has written many a non-fiction book, such as "God's Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics" and "Civility: Manners, Morals and the Etiquette of Democracy." And when he made his first run at fiction five years ago with "The Emperor of Ocean Park" -- it wasn't a surprise to many that the book became a best-seller. How will his new novel, called
"New England White" - hold up?
Chandra Prasad's first novel,
"On Borrowed Wings", is set in a small mining town in Connecticut during the 1930s. It tells the story of 17-year-old Adele Pietra -- devoted to her parents and her brother, who works in the local granite quarry. After her brother dies in a mining accident, Adele is pressured to marry and conform to tradition. Instead, she resists -- takes on her brother's identity and enrolls as a student at the all-male Yale University. And finally, after searching for books about kids with diverse ethnic backgrounds like their own children, two moms from Minneapolis teamed up.Their idea? A new children's book series ,
"Bur Bur and Friends". The books also encourage an interest in sports and outdoor exploration.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2007 12:00 PMMany dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals are left homeless everyday in Boston. And now with vacation season here, animals are even more prone to abandonment and sickness. We'll talk to the hard workers at the
Animal Rescue League of Boston who are trying to save animals' lives everyday. Also, if one needle makes you squeamish, how about having hundreds of them placed all over your body?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that involves inserting tiny needles to release blocked energy or "chi". We'll learn how acupuncture works and dispel myths about this treatment. And finally -- last year 28-year-old Boston resident
Vinay Chakravarthy was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called leukemia. Now, he needs a
bone marrow transplant. But getting a transplant means finding a donor who matches Vinay. And his best chances are to look within his own ethnicity -- the Indian community. We'll talk to his family about their outreach efforts.
Animal Rescue League of Boston:
http://www.arlboston.orgHelp Vinay Chakravarthy:
http://www.helpvinay.orgSUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2007 12:00 PMWelcome to our first CityLine show from our new HD set!
It's been more than two and a half years since Hurricane Katrina left the Gulf coast in ruins. Today, the city is still deserted. Recently, a group of Boston Women professionals traveled to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding efforts. The group, called "Boston Women Build in the Bayou," partnered with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, whose "Musicians Village" is the largest home building project in Louisiana. Come with us on location to see "Snapshots from New Orleans".
Habitat for Humanity, New Orleans:
http://www.habitat-nola.org Phone: 617-354-2736
SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2007 12:00 PMWell, most of us are in the market for a little self-help, aren't we? Go to any bookstore and you'll see the shelves are lined with how-to books. One of the latest is by someone you might recognize, if you follow women's basketball.
Fran Harris was part of the Houston Comets' first WNBA championship team in 1997.She's since become a business expert, sports and spirituality commentator, and now she has written a book called _Will The Real You Please Stand Up? 7 Spiritual Strategies To Help You Discover Your Purpose & Live It With Passion_. Join us for a special conversation.
Fran Harris's website:
http://www.franharris.com/SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2007 12:00 PMWhat is the difference between the terms "organic" and "all natural"? We'll have tips on
eating healthy from a renowned nutritionist. We'll also take you on a flavor tour around the world -- to India, Korea, and the Mediterranean, as we sample cuisine from
restaurants around Boston. And we'll talk to experts about all-natural ways to soothe the mind and body.
Rangoli restaurant:
http://www.rangoliboston.com/Yasu restaurant: 617.738.2244
Casablanca restaurant:
http://www.casablanca-restaurant.com/Joan Salge-Blake's Web site:
http://people.bu.edu/SALGESUNDAY, MAY 6, 2007 12:00 PMYou see their influence everywhere in the Boston area -- in the Red Sox lineup, your place of work or even your favorite restaurant. Many Latinos immigrate to America for a better life, but the transition is often not easy. What has changed in recent years about the process people have to go through if they want to live in the US? And how important is our state's
Latino immigrant population, which is, in large numbers, Guatemalan and Dominican? Two local community organizers are calling for changes ranging from comprehensive immigration policy reform to official recognition of immigrants' contributions to our workforce and culture.
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2007 12:00 PMWhether you love him or hate him, you probably have a strong opinion of Justice Clarence Thomas. The second African American to be elected to the Supreme Court, Thomas's conservatism has made him a pariah in much of America's black community. In a new biography,
"Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas," Washington Post reporters Kevin Merida and Michael A. Fletcher explore the inner-workings of one of America's most mysterious public figures. They reveal that Thomas is deeply hurt by his estrangement from much of black America, that he is a powerful behind-the-scenes political operator, that his jailed nephew is afraid to mention his famous uncle's name in prison, and that he battles accusations of not being up to snuff intellectually. The book includes testimony from some of Thomas's closest friends, as well as his enemies, who all paint the picture of a man caught between two worlds, and uncomfortable in both.
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007 12:00 PMThe brouhaha over the Rutgers University women's basketball team is only now beginning to die down, after radio host Don Imus's comments got him fired. That same week, the sports world was celebrating the breaking of the baseball color line by
Jackie Robinson, 60 years ago this month. Robinson was the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. His daughter Sharon spoke to us about her father's career. Also -- a new vintage sports business is devoted to researching, preserving and teaching the history of African American basketball teams which played from the early 1900s through 1950, a period known as the Black Fives Era. Now,
Black Fives is catching on with everyone from Nike to Sean Diddy Combs. Aind finally, what if someone told you that just learning how to play tennis could completely alter the course of your child's life? Well, it may sound like a lofty claim, but the folks at
Tenacity say it happens everyday, because their program is year round, free, and combines athletic and academic enrichment.
Black Fives:
http://www.blackfives.comTenacity tennis program:
http://www.tenacity.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2007 12:00 PMSo why is it that
arts programs are often the first to go when there are budget cuts in our public schools? Two local schools -- Framingham High and Cambridge Rindge & Latin -- are firm supporters of the arts and plan to keep it that way. And, now that colleges are now pretty much done informing students about where they've been accepted in the fall, here comes the big question: How are you going to pay for it all?
American Student Assistance, or AMSA, is a Boston-based non-profit organization with one mission: helping students and families cope with school finances. And finally, the New York Times dubbed
Irshad Manji "Osama Bin Laden's worst nightmare." Oprah Winfrey awarded her a Chutzphah Award for her quote, "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction". Irshad's first book _The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith_ was a bestseller despite being banned in several countries. Her new film, "Faith Without Fear", will air as part of the PBS series "America at a Crossroads."
American Student Assistance:
http://www.amsa.comIrshad Manji's website:
http://www.muslim-refusenik.comSUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 12:00 PMIn the last few years
Dr. Atul Gawande has become something of a literary superstar. His hospital insider writing has won him all kinds of acclaim as well as a spot on the bestseller lists. A general and endocrine surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a staff writer for "The New Yorker", Dr. Gawande is the author of two books.
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance is out this month. It focuses on medicine's imperfect science -- and how doctors need to strive to do better Also, in the program -- to address and chronicle sweeping political and economic changes in Africa, Boston University created the
African Presidential Archives and Research Center five years ago. Since its inception, the Center has organized a residency program for former democratically elected African leaders. It also serves as a setting for policy debates and strategy on democratization and free market reform in Africa. We'll talk to former ambassador to Tanzania
Charles Stith, who is director of the Center.
African Presidential Archives and Research Center at Boston University:
http://www.bu.edu/aparcSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2007 12:00 PMToday - we focus on message-making -- from sharing news about your community with a wider audience to asking your boss that tricky question to telling a good joke... how do you get the word out? On May 12, the
Asian Community Development Corporation, or ACDC, is holding its third annual
Asian Comedy Night! It will benefit ACDC's affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization programs in Chinatown. Among the comedians performing are: Kevin Kataoka, a former "Mad TV" writer who has appeared on Comedy Central, and Joe Wong, a finalist in the 2003 Boston International Comedy Festival. Also -- a new online source gathers news from all ethnic communitues in New England in one spot! It's called
New England Ethnic News, and it's the brainchild of UMass-Boston's Center on Media & Society. And finally - do you wish you knew the right way to bring up difficult subjects at work? How do you ask for a raise, resolve a situation with a difficult co-worker or even a boss? These are just a few of the questions examined by the world-renowned
Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. It's an interdisciplinary center on negotiation and conflict resolution that helps inform everyone - not just lawyers - how to talk the talk, and succeed.
ACDC Comedy Night:
http://www.asiancdc.orgNew England Ethnic News:
http://www.gonewz.comProgram on Negotiation:
http://www.pon.harvard.eduSUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007 12:00 PMSpring is here and it's high time to get out of the house and take in the new arts season. Today we'll tell you about three plays staged by small and devoted local companies.
"Six Rounds, Six Lessons" is a brand new production with an edge -- an interactive story that guides you through the life of Ace, a boxer and DJ who uses music to survive hardship at home and on the street. And
"409 Edgecombe Avenue: The House on Sugar Hill" weaves the true story of Madame Stephanie St. Claire, also known as the "Numbers Queen of Harlem". She was from Martinique but her home was in Harlem, and during the 1930s, she defended her neighborhood against the city's crime bosses while working as a social activist. And finally,
"The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae" has been described as a laugh-out-loud courtroom drama! It's about Victoria, a successful African American TV producer who sues two stereotypes of black women: the subservient mammy and the promiscuous siren. Victoria argues her case before a judge, and in doing so, examines how modern African American women feel about these stereotypes, even if it means laughing at them.
"Six Rounds, Six Lessons":
http://www.companyone.org"409 Edgecombe Avenue: The House on Sugar Hill":
http://www.upyoumightyrace.org"The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae":
http://www.bostontheatrescene.comSUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2006 12 PM Today we bring you selections from a special documentary called
"The African American Experience", narrated by ABC's Robin Roberts. The program pays tribute to the men and women who dedicated their lives to equality for all Americans: Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary Mc Cloud Bethune, Booker T. Washington, and others. We'll showcase officially designated historic sites that tell us about the lives of these remarkable leaders.
The African American Experience/National Park Foundation:
www.aaexperience.orgNational Parks:
www.nationalparks.orgSUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2007 12:00 PMThe rest of us may have to redefine the word "superstar" after meeting
Carlos Watson. Here's the 20-second version: He's from Florida, went to Harvard and Stanford Law School, where he was editor of the law review. After law school, he worked at McKinsey, a world-renowned strategic consulting firm. Then he went on to found a college preparatory company for middle and high school students. In 2002, Carlos began his TV career - most notably as a political commentator for CNN and now, he's about to host his own show, called
"Conversations with Carlos Watson", which airs on Channel 5 starting March 26. Guests include Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Sean Combs, Heidi Klum, and others.
Carlos Watson:
http://www.conversationswithcarlos.comSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2007 12:00 PMTonight's broadcast of the
79th Academy Awards features the most diverse roster of nominees in Academy history! Two African Americans are nominated in both the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. There's a Spanish actress up for lead actress and three women of color up for Best Supporting Actress. Latinos and Hispanics alone garnered a record 19 nominations! And Best Picture nominee "Letters from Iwo Jima" is almost entirely in Japanese! Today we talk to the stars of four movies considered for top honors tonight:
"Dreamgirls", "The Last King of Scotland", "Blood Diamond", and "The Pursuit of Happyness". For Hollywood Oscar buffs, check out Hollywood memorabilia up for auction in the
Auction Room of thebostonchannel.com! Proceeds benefit local charities.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007 12:00 PMToday - a winter books show that will not only intrigue you but will get you thinking hard about women in work and love.
FireWife follows Nin, a 31-year-old aspiring photographer who abandons a corporate job in California to travel around the world creating a photo essay of modern Asian women. The novel explores the realities of female oppression and sexual subjugation in today's society. Also - In a new novel called
Family Tree, a baby with African-American traits is born to a well-known, blue-blood New England family. The new parents struggle to find out the truth about their baby's roots, and the mother investigates her husband's heritage, finding secrets rooted in prejudice and fear. And a new book may redefine who is powerful in business and why.
How She Does It: How Women Entrepreneurs are Changing the Rules of Business Success tells us that the growth and success of women-owned businesses is creating a sea change in entrepreneurship.
Tinling Choong ("FireWife"): A Better Community:
http://www.firewifebook.com Barbara Delinksy ("Family Tree"):
http://www.barbaradelinsky.com Margaret Heffernan ("How She Does It"):
http://www.mheffernan.comSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2007 12:00 PMWhile the New England Patriots won't be going for the record today to continue their winning ways as the best in the NFL, many in the African-American community see today's game as the payoff of another winning strategy that began years ago. Today, the head coaches leading both
SuperBowl teams, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, are black. That --- believe it or not , is the first time in the history of the League! And, a world-famous
Chinese New Year performance is coming to Boston's Opera House straight from Radio City Music Hall. We'll go behind the scenes. Also - a very special concert is taking place at the historic Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury. It celebrates traditional Negro
spirituals performed by the New England Spiritual Ensemble.
Chinese New Year at the Opera House, February 10:
http://shows.ntdtv.com The New England Spiritual Ensemble performance: Sunday, February 11 at 4:00 PM, 160 Warren Street in Roxbury, 617 442 7855
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007 12:00 PMWe're already closing out January, which is national mentoring month. With the help of our friends at ABC, we bring you the stories of everyday heroes changing the lives of people in their communities, step by step - through
volunteerism. We found stories from across the country that demonstrate just how devoted your neighbor can be toward helping those in need. Some of these tales may inspire you to reach out and help, too. Many of the people we are featuring were honored by the Points of Light Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit responsible for mobilizing volunteers from all walks of life.
Check out our Commonwealth5 page! The link is in the left-hand column on thebostonchannel's home page.
A Better Community:
http://www.abettercommunity.comSUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2007 12:00 PMCapitol Hill has a new agenda to bring economic help to low- and middle-income Americans. But will it serve people of color? If so, how well? A new report from a local organization says not very well. According to
United for a Fair Economy, 37 million Americans today still live below the poverty line, and of those, 43% are African American, and 24% are Latino. Their new report addresses four proposals: increasing the minimum wage, decreasing interest rates on college loans, lowering drug prices under Medicare, and investing in renewable energy sources. Also, a Boston organization is devoted to making sure young people have access to high-quality, hopefully life-changing, mentoring programs. According to the
Mass Mentoring Partnership, several studies show that, after a year of mentorship, at-risk children were 52% less likely to skip school, 46% less likely to start using drugs, and 33% less likely to be violent. And, the Museum of Fine Arts has a wonderful film program that showcases films from all over the world. Starting this week, a
Korean Film Festival is taking place at the museum that will introduce area audiences to some of the most respected films and biggest box office hits to come out of Seoul.
United for a Fair Economy:
http://www.faireconomy.orgMass Mentoring Partnership:
http://www.mentoring.org/massMuseum of Fine Arts Korean Film Festival:
http://www.mfa.orgSUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2007 12:00 PMIt is a fact that women are severely underrepresented in governments worldwide. Across the globe, studies show that women make up only 15 percent of ministers, members of parliament, and heads of state. And though Nancy Pelosi became US Congress's first woman Speaker of the House, only 16% of Capitol Hill is represented by women. This month, The
Initiative for Inclusive Security brings to Cambridge and Washington DC approximately 20 current and former elected and appointed women leaders from countries of conflict. They are from Colombia, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Sudan and Uganda. They have all overcome immense odds to get to their positions and make their collective voice heard. We'll talk to
Betty Ogwaro of Southern Sudan and
Santa Oketta of Uganda. Ms. Ogwaro is a member of parliament in the government of southern Sudan, representing Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State. Ms. Oketta is the Secretary for Community Development in the Gulu District Council of Uganda.
Initiative for Inclusive Security:
http://www.inclusivesecurity.org"A Glory from the God" documentary about Reverend Gloria White Hammond's work in Sudan will be shown on Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 PM at Christ Church Unity in Brookline. Call 617-232-4548 for more information.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2006 12:00 PMEvery holiday season, many of us are reminded of not just what we have but what we want. What about people - particularly young people -- who just want a place to sleep and eat? A Boston agency called
Bridge Over Troubled Waters has been working hard since 1970 to solve that problem. We'll also talk to celebrity doctor
Dr. Ian Smith of ABC and VH1, who says he's got a foolproof way to stay fit, and it's outlined in his new book,
The Fat Smash Diet. And finally, we talk about a wonderful new CD just released by the
Berklee College of Music. Called "We Are All Connected", it's a collection of all kinds of music written, performed, and produced by Berklee students, faculty, and alumni to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Proceeds will benefit the Mercy Corps Darfur Fund. _We Are All Connected_ is for sale at all Newbury Comics and Borders locations, as well as CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, and Ebay.com.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters:
http://www.bridgeotw.orgWe Are All Connected: Berklee College of Music Reaches Out to the Women of Darfur CD:
http://www.berklee.edu/darfurSUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2006 12:00 PMShe keeps her work a secret in her native Baghdad. But now an Iraqi journalist shares her story of what life is really like at home and what she wishes for her country. A very compelling conversation with reporter
Huda Ahmed, who is a special fellow with the
International Women's Media Foundation, or IWMF, and is studying at MIT for the year.
IWMF:
http://www.iwmf.orgSUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2006 12:00 PMThe Nutcracker is back in town, once again at the historic Opera House on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing. The
Boston Ballet has long received national attention for their production. This is the 39th consecutive year the Boston Ballet has been performing the Christmas Classic. During Nutcracker season, dancers work Tuesday through Sunday, sometimes performing two shows EACH day with a three-hour break in between!
So this is not work for the faint of spirit or strength! We'll talk to two of those dancers, Lia Cirio and James Whiteside. And one local organization is fighting to end homelessness by helping homeless people help themselves.
Solutions at Work in Cambridge is led and run by people who have experienced homelessness. Most of their programs are connected to recycling high quality goods like clothes, computers, cars, and bicycles.
Transitional employees receive paid, hands-on training before they move on beyond the organization or stay on as trainers and mentors. Also -- author
Bebe Moore Campbell passed a few weeks ago at the young age of 56. What we will remember about this great American writer, who happened to be an African American, is that through her best-selling books, provocative articles and commentary, Campbell was able to write with touching clarity about social issues that impact us all.
Boston Ballet:
http://www.bostonballet.orgSolutions at Work:
http://www.solutionsatwork.orgSUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2006 12:00 PMThe
Home for Little Wanderers is America's oldest and New England's largest, private, non-profit child and family service agency, with roots dating back to 1799. And they're in the middle of a huge effort that brings in up to 70% of their funding this season. Find out about their toy drive and auction of books signed by celebrities like Madonna and Sting. Plus, the
American Anti-Slavery Group is dedicated to abolishing modern-day slavery. The organization reports there are still over 27 million people held in bondage today. A new book titled
Enslaved tells the stories of slaves who escaped as well as those who are waiting for help. We'll meet one woman who was a slave and lived to tell about it. Also, find out why former Boston Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Principal Dancer Anthony Williams founded
BalletRox, which uses "the power of dance to break down racial barriers and enrich the community's artistic experience". This year, BalletRox is ready for its annual Urban Nutcracker performance!
The Home for Little Wanderers:
http://www.thehome.orgIAbolish (American Anti-Slavery Group, book):
http://www.iabolish.comBalletRox/Urban Nutcracker:
http:/balletrox.orgSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2006 12:00 PMFor the past two years, Channel 5 has taken part in
Extreme Home Makeover, patterned after the hit Sunday night show of the same name. We've taken on projects in Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, East Boston, Worcester, Newton and most recently, Dorchester. This holiday season, we are helping
Project Hope revamp their living space for homeless women and their children. We'll find out more about their organization and how you can help. And, as winter rolls in, some of you may start worrying about how you are going to afford your heating bills. A new program called
Energy Bucks could make things easier. It's is a partnership between ABCD - or, Action for Boston Community Development - and Massachusetts utility agencies to help income-eligible families save money - up to 30 percent -- on their energy bills! And finally, for the past 25 years, the
Greater Boston Food Bank has given away more than 25 million pounds of food annually. Just this week, it announced that it distributed over 35,000 turkeys this past Thanksgiving, making this year its most successful turkey drive ever. But that doesn't mean the work is over - far from it.
Project Hope:
http://www.prohope.orgEnergy Bucks (1-866-LESS COST):
http://energybucks.comGreater Boston Food Bank:
http://www.gbfb.orgSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2006 12:00 PMNote our new show time! We are now on at noon every week.
Today we ask, are we on the precipice of a new nuclear age involving
North Korea and Iran? Or is the danger exaggerated? We examine how the United States is handling escalating tensions with both countries. We'll have in the studio a panel of experts who will give us a crash course on what we need to know about the history behind the looming crisis, as well as possible solutions for the US to consider. Joining us are
David Kang, Associate Professor of Government at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire;
Katharine Moon, Assoc. Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College;
William Martel, Associate Professor of International Security Studies at Tufts University's Fletcher School; and
Houchang Chehabi, Professor of International Relations and History at Boston University, and a native of Iran.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2006 12:30 PMTuesday is Election Day, and there's a lot at stake nationally for both parties. How does a candidate even begin to win a campaign these days? More politicians are realizing that using new media in a savvy way can make all the difference, because information travels fast, with the help of computer technology and high-speed internet. People no longer have to wait for presses to stop and paint to dry to get their daily dose of news. We'll be joined by Holmes Wilson of the
Participatory Culture Foundation, an Worcester-based organization that is trying to help everyone have an equal say in the political process. Their mission? To "facilitate a new, democratic mass medium through internet TV". What they mean is, by giving visitors free software and being an open source for outreach and information, grassroots organizations can have the same advantages as campaigns with big pockets. We'll also talk to Amanda Michel, who was Coordinator for Generation Dean, Howard Dean's youth outreach program. She also created the blueprint for the Kerry campaign's grassroots media effort, and she co-founded the
New Organizing Institute, which trains people how to campaign online. And, almost anyone can access the internet these days, and with the help of modern technology, creating a blog or uploading a video has never been so simple. But with accessibility comes concerns over issues of confidential information, ethics, and defamation of character. Speaking about the legal challenges and current political implications of new media is Professor John Palfrey, who is also the executive director of the
Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School.
Participatory Culture Foundation:
http://participatoryculture.orgNew Organizing Institute:
http://neworganizing.com/Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School:
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2006 12:30 PMThis Sunday - enriching children's lives through sports and television! Locally, there are two programs that give young people in urban areas the chance to get out on the water and onto the court.
G-row gives teens in-depth experience with the elite sport of rowing. The other,
Tenacity, combines tennis and literacy in life-changing ways. Both of these programs are free, and both are based in Boston. And, she burst onto the scene in her new neighborhood with so much fanfare that even the New York Times wrote a huge article about her. Who is "she"? She's
Abby Cadabby, a new lead character on Sesame Street who is groundbreaking in her own very cute and spunky way. Why is this little pink fairy creature getting so much attention and could she be the next Elmo? And finally, the
Justice Resource Institute -or JRI - is one of the largest social service providers in the state. For the past 15 years, JRI Health has served more than 24-thousand people living with HIV/AIDS, through counseling, medical and housing support. In fact, the institute is now the third largest AIDS housing provider in the country. We'll find out why.
Tenacity (tennis):
www.tenacity.orgG-row (rowing):
www.growboston.orgAbby Cadabby:
www.abby-cadabby.comJRI Health:
www.jri.orgSUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2006 12:30 PM"Soul of Justice", a new documentary film about the life and career of U. S. District Judge Thelton Henderson is screening at American law schools and international film festivals. Judge Henderson was the first African-American attorney in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in the early 1960s. So far, he has served 25 years on the federal bench in California, making landmark rulings on race, crime, and the environment. In 1996, when affirmative action was outlawed in California universities, he ruled the proposition unconstitutional. He helped place the state's prison health system under federal control. And he even wrote a landmark decision to protect dolphins from deadly fishing nets. We'll talk to Judge Henderson and filmmaker Abby Ginzberg. Also -- a study done in five Boston schools showed that more than 30 percent of the students there were diagnosed with asthma. In fact,
childhood asthma rates are the highest in Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester. So Mayor Menino is kicking off a statewide campaign called "Kids with Asthma Can". It's a joint effort between WGBH, the Boston Public Health Commission, Children's Hospital, the Children's Museum and the Boston Public Library to help families help their kids manage asthma. We'll also talk to director
Phillip Noyce and actress
Bonnie Henna of the new film,
"Catch a Fire", about the life of South African freedom fighter Patrick Chamusso. It opens on October 27.
"Soul of Justice" film:
www.soulofjustice.orgBoston Public Health Commission:
www.bphc.orgSUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2006 12:30 PM This past week, the last of the Nobel Prizes were announced. In 2004, Kenyan environmental activist Dr. Wangari Maathai won the Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, making her the first African woman to win. She's coming to Boston to speak and joining forces with her is the
Urban Forest Coalition of Boston. We'll find out about the work they do in protecting and preserving trees in and around Boston. Also, an editor at the Washington Post pens a fascinating book about his experience in Iraq's Green Zone - a virtual fortress of calm right in the middle of Baghdad. The book is called
Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran. And finally, we'll talk to up and coming actress
Michole Briana White, who is in town starring in "Radio Golf" at the Huntington Theatre.
Urban Forest Coalition of Boston:
www.bostonforest.orgRajiv Chandrasekaran:
www.rajivc.comHuntington Theatre:
www.huntingtontheatre.orgSUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2006 12:30 PM Today, we focus on a disorder that affects between four and six percent of the US population: ADD, or attention deficit disorder, and its sister disorder, ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Why is the diagnosis of ADD on the rise, and who is most affected by it? We'll talk to a local pediatrician. We'll also examine a disturbing new trend. With so much competition on college campuses, young people are always looking to get one step ahead of the game. So students are finding a way to rise above academic pressure and enhance their study stamina, by abusing prescription stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. We'll also look at why and how some medical experts and therapists say there are newer, better ways to treat children with ADD and ADHD. Those treatments involve little or no medication.
Manville School:
www.jbcc.harvard.edu/programs/manville.htmThe Hallowell Center:
www.drhallowell.comSUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2006 12:30 PM It's estimated that less than six or seven percent of attorneys of color are in the ranks of Boston's top law firms. For 20 years, the
Boston Lawyers Group has been working with its consortium of over 40 law firms and government agencies to change those numbers. One of the BLG's programs reaches out to students while they are in college to put them on a path leading to law school, and hopefully, a career in law. Also - how young is too young to be thinking about college?
TERI - or The Education Resources Institute - says that middle school-age students and their families should be thinking about college and how they're going to prepare and pay for it. TERI operates centers in Boston, Brockton and Chelsea that offer free guidance on college admissions, financial aid, and other "college-ready" services. And finally,
Simmons College in Boston was recently named one of the country's top colleges for African American students. "Black Enterprise" Magazine surveyed over 1400 colleges and universities, coming up with a top 50 list based on graduation rates as well as academic and social opportunities for black students.
Boston Lawyers Group:
www.bostonlawyersgroup.orgTERI College Access:
www.tericollegeaccess.orgSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2006 12:30 PMOur fall books preview covers everything from solutions to the racial wealth divide, ending terrorism through psychology and understanding, and examining how middle-class single moms today are breaking all stereotypes. We talk to
Betsy Leondar-Wright, co-author of the new book,
"The Color of Wealth",
Professor Louise Richardson, author of
"What Terrorists Want: Understanding the Enemy, Containing the Threat", and
Professor Rosanna Hertz, author of
"Single by Chance, Mothers by Choice: How Women are Choosing Parenthood Without Marriage and Creating the New American Family".
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2006 12:30 PM Massachusetts approved a bill making it the first state in the union to require all citizens to have some form of health insurance. The vote to pass it was nearly unanimous: The House voted 154 to 2, the Senate 37 to 0. This pioneering plan is being touted as a national model, but what are its details and why are some people worried about its potential impact? This Sunday, we provide an in-depth look at how the new mandate could affect your family and your business. Plus, two prominent members of an interfaith organization discuss not just the practical consequences of the new law, but the morality behind the debate.
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization:
www.gbio.orgSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2006 12:30 PM We had the chance to sit down with actor/comedian/talk show host
Wayne Brady and singer
Fantasia Barrino as they promoted their two new films. Wayne stars in "Crossover", a drama about streetball in Detroit. Fantasia has been busy since winning the American Idol contest two years ago. The Grammy nominee is starring in a television movie about her life and her new album will be released this fall. Also - from now until September 14, in honor of its 30th anniversary season, the
Boston Lyric Opera is launching an Artist Residency Program. The stars of the BLO will travel all over Boston and Cambridge for free, one-hour, interactive sessions of music and conversation with the public. We'll meet soprano
Lisa Daltirus, and bass
Morris Robinson. Plus, Boston's Board of Election is looking for
poll workers to help staff the city's 254 precincts for the primary on September 19 and general election on November 7. Workers will receive a stipend and can opt to apply for a full or half-day shift.
Boston Lyric Opera:
www.blo.orgCity of Boston Election Department:
www.cityofboston.gov/elections.SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 12:30 PMIf you're a fan of R&B and soul music, it's going to be hard to find a place on the radio dial to turn to. WILD 97.7 FM was sold last week by Maryland-based Radio One to Entercom Communications for a reported 30-million dollars. It had been on the air since 1949. Just 24 hours after the sale, Entercom began simulcasting its rock music station, WAAF. The news came as a fast blow to WILD FM employees and fans.
Many black Bostonians say the absence of WILD means an absence of black culture in the city. We'll talk to former WILD hosts
Reggie Beas and
Mark Coleman. Also - before Hurricane Katrina hit, New Orleans had 117 public schools and a teaching force that was 80% African American. Today, the beleaguered city has approximately 30 charter schools and just five public schools under the city's superintendent. How did this happen, and what does this mean for the city's educational future? We'll talk with education expert and Simmons College professor
Theresa Perry, who is a member of the National Coalition for Quality Education in New Orleans.
Federal Communications Commission:
www.fcc.gov/contacts.htmlSUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006 12:30 PMEver since it began six years ago, the
BeanTown Jazz Festival has been a hit with the public. Last year, 40,000 fans jammed three city blocks in the South End to take in the free, outdoor portion of the festival. This year, the festival is being produced by Berklee College of Music, and it promises to have some big, established names on stage as well as some local stars on the rise, like singer and bassist
Esperanza Spalding. Also, we meet New York Times best-selling author
Kimberla Lawson Roby, whose latest novel, "Changing Faces", tackles the fragility of health and relationships. And, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
August Wilson died this past year, leaving a body of work unsurpassed in portraying African American life on stage. His final play, "Radio Golf", will open at the Huntington in September. Acclaimed Broadway director
Kenny Leon joins us to talk about the production.
Sixth Annual Beantown Jazz Festival:
www.beantownjazz.org.Kimberla Lawson Roby:
www.kimroby.com."Radio Golf" at the Huntington Theatre:
www.huntingtontheatre.org.SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2006 12:30 PMArea museums are gearing up for a jam-packed fall season. The Museum of Science is garnering national attention for an eye-catching and newsmaking exhibit called
BodyWorlds 2.
Bodyworlds explores anatomy and physiology through the study of real human bodies that have been preserved through a groundbreaking method called plastination.
Also -- the
Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is more than 200 years old and has one of the country's most impressive collections of Asian art. This fall, the museum is organizing a number of new shows that highlight its extensive collection of Chinese and South Asian art.
And finally, in September the
Museum of Fine Arts is celebrating "Domains of Wonder: Masterworks of Indian Painting", the first major exhibition of Indian art to be held in New England in two decades. Domains of Wonder features 124 paintings spanning five centuries -- the 14th century through the colonial period.
Museum of Science: www.mos.org.Bodyworlds: www.bodyworlds.com.Peabody Essex Museum: www.pem.org.Museum of Fine Arts: www.mfa.org.SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2006 1:30 PM*Note: Delayed air time.*
If this season's movie line-up is looking a bit lackluster to you, then a festival showcasing indie films from New England and around the world might spruce up your summer. We'll talk to the head of the 8th Annual
Roxbury Film Festival. Also, the MAPC, or Metropolitan Area Planning Council, created the
MetroFuture project to develop a plan for Metro Boston's growth and development through 2030. They've been holding over 50 community briefings.
One briefing focused on preserving and revitalizing Chinatown is coming up on Tuesday, and the MAPC and the
Asian Community Development Corporation are looking for YOUR help. Finally, this past week, close to 250 young "ambassadors" from 18 countries gathered at the Museum of Science. The reason? The
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network's 2006 Teen Summit.These teens came together to use their technology skills to tackle problems like gang violence and environmental degradation.
Roxbury Film Festival:
www.roxburyfilmfestival.org.MetroFuture:
www.MetroFuture.org. Briefing: Tues., July 28, 2:00 - 5:00 PM at the Metropolitan Community Room, 38 Oak Street, Boston
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network:
www.computerclubhouse.org.SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2006 12:30 PMIs there a rising tide in girl violence? What are Boston area law enforcement and community agencies doing to try to get to the heart of girl gangs and why they are formed? We talk to teens, counselors, police, representatives of the Department of Youth Services, and lawyers about the juvenile justice system in Massachusetts and the community programs working to combat teen violence.
Center for Research on Women, Wellesley College:
www.wcwonline.org.Teens Against Gang Violence:
www.www.tagv.orgYouth Advocacy Project:
www.youthadvocacyproject.orgCitizens for Juvenile Justice:
www.cfjj.orgSUNDAY, JULY 4, 2006 12:30 PMWe continue our series
"A Conversation With...", where we talk in-depth to some of the country's leading scholars, politicians, artists, celebrities, authors, and scientists who have a connection to New England. This week, we air a reprise of our talk with Pulitzer Prize-wnning, Indian-American fiction writer
Jhumpa Lahiri, author of "Interpreter of Maladies" and "The Namesake".
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006 12:30 PMEvery year an organization called
Black & White Boston singles out a handful of local, minority-owned businesses that are successful models for small companies everywhere.
This year, three organizations were honored: Aim & M, a groundbreaking sales and marketing company; Done Right, a comprehensive maintenance and cleaning service; and Unity First, an online news service for diverse communities and media.
Also in the show: If you've ever taken young people to task for not caring enough about their community, you might have to think twice once you hear about the
Rappaport Public Policy Fellows at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Over the summer, they work on research projects at various state and city-wide agencies and try to come up with solutions to some of the city's toughest problems.
And finally, WCVB is working hard on a public service effort patterned after the hit ABC program, "Extreme Makeover." This week, we are giving a facelift to the
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester at 33 and 45 Freedom Way in the Great Brook Valley Housing Development. Find out what the process is all about!
AiM & M:
www.aimm.com.Done Right Building Services:
www.donerightservices.com.Unity First:
www.unityfirst.com.Rappaport Institute, Harvard:
www.ksg.harvard.edu/rappaport.SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2006 12:30 PMWhat was your favorite subject in high school? Fewer and fewer American students are ranking math and science as their top picks, a trend that could jeopardize the United States in fundamental ways.
We'll examine this issue in-depth by talking to education experts at Harvard, MIT, and the Museum of Science, so we get a reality check on what the future of math and science in America looks like.
Also, we'll peek in on a high school competition in Boston that's a breeding ground for future science stars. It's called
First, and it was started by famed inventor Dean Kamen. Finally, we talk to
Dr. Yvonne Spicer of the Museum of Science in Boston. She tells us how the museum is becoming an increasingly important academic resource for people of all ages.
FIRST Robotics Competition:
www.bostonfirst.org.National Ctr. for Technological Literacy, Museum of Science:
www.NCTL.org.SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2006 12:30 PMThe
immigration debate has been in the headlines for the last few weeks, and is a hot button issue that is sure to persist, perhaps influencing the 2008 presidential election. What do YOU think about this very complex issue, and how can we sift through all the arguments to understand what's at stake?
We talk to Elena Letona, Executive Director of Centro Presente in Cambridge, and Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition in Boston. We also learn about
sobriety maintenance. With a staff that is one-quarter Hispanic, Dr. P.S. Kishore's Preventive Medicine Associates bridges the language and social barrier within Boston's Hispanic community. Through his clinics, which include group therapy and individual meetings, Dr. Kishore provides Hispanic patients not only with the necessary coping skills to remain sober, but with staff that is qualified to communicate effectively with their families. Finally, we get a crash course in the Chinese art of tai chi, with the help of Dr. Aihan Kuhn, a Holliston-based tai chi expert and doctor.
Centro Presente, Cambridge:
www. cpresente.org.MIRA Coalition, Boston:
www. miracoalition.orgPreventative Medical Associates, Springfield: (413) 781-6410 Hotline (800) 770-1904
Chinese Medicine for Health & The New England School of Tai Chi:
www.taichihealing.com/SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2006 12:30 PMChinatown is the most densely-occupied district in Boston -- there are more than 6,000 residents, and 81 percent of them are Asian.
Yet, Chinatown has always been threatened externally -- by economic and political forces -- as well as internally -- by apathy and lack of civic participation. That might start to change this week! It took five years and the work of four agencies to put together a groundbreaking, public art and education project called
A Chinatown Banquet. Also -- breaking into the job market can be hard for anyone, especially young people. One government organization is giving people the career skills and education they need to improve their lives. Job Corps provides hands-on training in more than 60 occupations, as well as the chance to earn a high school diploma or GED at no cost!
And finally, it's springtime in Boston and that means the swan boats are out in the Public Garden, people are strolling along the Charles River, and "Art in Bloom" is back at the Museum of Fine Arts. The annual festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month with four days of events highlighting the art of floral design.
A Chinatown Banquet:
www.chinatownheritage.orgJob Corps:
bostonregion.jobcorps.gov.Art in Bloom:
www.mfa.org.Project STEP:
www.projectstep.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2006 12:30 PMFor 400 years, African-Americans have been a huge part of the country's maritime history. In fact, seafaring has long been central to the economic survival and civil rights struggles of African Americans. A new exhibit at Connecticut's Mystic Seaport Museum tells that story. It's called
"Black Hands, Blue Seas". Also, one hundred teens at a special public high school in Worcester are going to college well before they apply! We'll take you to
Mass Academy, an 11th and 12th grade public high school for academically advanced students from across the state. And finally, the Sportsmen's Tennis Club in Dorchester is trying to change the statistics, one game at a time. The club is the first indoor, not-for-profit, African-American owned and operated tennis club in the United States. For over 40 years, it has helped thousands of low income and moderate income Boston youth fall in love with a sport they ordinarily might not have access to.
Mystic Seaport, CT:
www.mysticseaport.orgMass Academy, Worcester:
www.massacademy.orgSportsmen's Tennis Club, Dorchester:
www.sportsmenstennisclub.orgSUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 12:30 PMShows like ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS are catapulting ballroom dancing to new heights of popularity. Now a new movie, based loosely on a true story about the New York City public schools, capitalizes on the dance craze. It's called
"Take the Lead", and it stars Antonio Banderas. We'll take a look at the trailer and talk to two local
Latin dance experts teaching everyone from kids to adults how to salsa, meringue, and tango. We'll also see how
Boston Ballet has been working to teach urban kids ballet through a special program called
CityDance, which trains public school kids in classical ballet. Finally, the Bank of America Celebrity Series has presented the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in Boston for 35 consecutive years. In 2000, the Celebrity series created
Ailey Camp Boston for young people -- using dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, creative expression and imagination.
Guillermo Rivera-Pagan, Owner, Salsa Contigo
www.salsacontigo.comRaul Nieves, Co-owner, Dance Caliente
www.dancecaliente.comSpecial Announcement: The first 25 viewers to e-mail us get sneak peek passes to see "Take the Lead" on Tuesday, April 4th at 7:30 PM at the Loews Boston Common Theatre. Tickets are first-come, first-serve and seating is limited. You will not be guaranteed a seat, so please show up early. Passes are good for two people. E-mail: wcvb-cityline@hearst.com
Boston Ballet:
www.bostonballet.orgBank of America Celebrity Series/Ailey Camp Boston: 617-482-2595
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006 12:30 PMThe Boston Ballet melds traditional ballet with classical African dance in a new production called
"Lambarena". We'll see how the choreographers and dancers put it all together. Plus, three female friends in their 30s get together, swap stories, and decide they have enough ideas for a steamy new novel called
"The Vow". And, a local public relations powerhouse creates a resource guide that no one in Boston should be without.
Boston Ballet:
www.bostonballet.orgKaleidoscope.:
www.kscopecity.comSUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2006 12:30 PMBaseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson once said, "Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life." Robinson lived and played in an era when sports was only beginning to reflect changes in social and political history. After many a struggle, athletes of color like him broke through, succeeded, and became stars. And when they left the playing field, the doors were finally open for those who followed. We review sports history to see who these groundbreaking stars were, and we meet two local stars of college sports:
Mathias Kiwanuka of Boston College's football team and
Christina Kim of Boston University's women's soccer. We'll also find out about a program that allows young girls to play soccer in urban communities.
Center for Study of Sport in Society, Northeastern Univ.:
www.sportinsociety.org.CityKicks soccer league.:
www.citykickssoccer.org.SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2006 12:30 PM Today on CityLine -- remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Channel 5 and the
Boston Children's Chorus will partner to make television history on Monday as Channel 5 televises a LIVE, one-hour concert called "Raising the Roof: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. In Song." It marks the first time in the United States that a children's choral concert will be presented live on a major television network affiliate celebrating the King holiday. Also, the
Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is celebrating a community open house on Martin Luther King Day. And - how would Martin Luther King view how far we have come since the 1960s, and what would he think about the future of civil rights law under the current Supreme Court?
Professor Martha Davis of Northeastern University School of Law and
LaTrese Evette Adkins, a post-doctoral fellow at Wellesley College, discuss this and other issues with us.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston:
www.mfa.orgSUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2006 12:30 PM Today we ask, "Where are they now?" as we take a look back at four young and talented Asian and Asian-American stars to watch in our area... and beyond. Indian movie actress
Aishwarya Rai is her countr
