The Sound of Ideas: December 2006

Keeping Those New Year’s Resolutions
Friday, December 29
Lose weight. Quit smoking. Cut down drinking. Those are the Big Three New Year's resolutions. Does anyone really keep them? It's that time of year. Out with the old, in with the new. A clean slate. A do-over. A chance to start over with new hope and promise... and promises to ourselves. How does one quit smoking and stay smoke-free? Stick with an exercise plan and diet? Cut down or cut out alcohol for good? Too many people lose sight of the target and fall far short of their goals before January is over. We'll bring in the experts to talk about the best ways to make life changes. Join Regina Brett with your resolutions for the New Year Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Statehouse Year-End Conversation
Thursday, December 28
Lessee... a new gun law, a five-grand limit on consumer sales lawsuits, and minimum wage exemptions - and that's just in the last month. From the legislating to the campaigning, it's been a busy year in state politics. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll take a look at what's been accomplished and what's gotten stalled at the Statehouse, and we'll take stock of the year's top stories. Join the conversation Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.

Black Leadership
Wednesday, December 27
African-American news analyst Juan Williams is frustrated. And he's calling out many of the 21st century's black leaders. Says Williams, "Rather than hold to the ideals of the civil rights movement when they gained political power, they said, it's our turn." In his new book, Williams is saying "enough." Join us for a conversation on Black Leadership - we'll hear from Juan Williams, local leaders, and you.

Checking Out Great Teaching at Tri-C
Tuesday, December 26
If you're looking for great teaching in local higher ed institutions, the Carnegie Foundation says there's only place to check out: Tri C. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll chat with the two Tri-C professors identified as among the best educators in the country. Also, media critic and reformed pundit Jeff Cohen airs a little of corporate media's dirty laundry. A conversation with the Cable News Confidential. That's Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

The Benefits of Forgiveness
Friday, December 22
The holidays don't always look like Hallmark cards. Instead of bringing gifts, some family members come bearing grudges. Forgive and forget. Sounds simple; but even a wound that heals leaves a scar. What does it mean to forgive? Christians are told to turn the other cheek. Jews stress atonement. And we're finding out forgiveness has benefits beyond the moral and ethical. It can be good for mind and body. Regina Brett and her guests will explain Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Mayor Frank Jackson Call-In
Thursday, December 21
Some call him the "invisimayor." Others say he's too busy doing CPR on Cleveland to worry about PR. Those who've been wondering about the mayor's activities... wonder no more. Mayor Frank Jackson will be on our airwaves to answer your questions about current doings at City Hall. We'll cover topics from restoring hope to retaining home rule. You can call in and tell the mayor where he's succeeded or failed, and your hopes for Cleveland's future, on The Sound of Ideas, Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.

Mental Health Parity
Wednesday, December 20
Health insurers used to have a mind-body split - break your leg and you're probably covered; fighting chronic depression, and you're on your own. That is, until now. Both the Senate and House have passed mental health parity legislation and Governor Taft is poised to sign it into law. We'll find out what it means for your mental health. Speaking of which, have the holidays got you down? Help is on the way. Join us for The Sound of Ideas, Wednesday morning at nine on 90.3.

A Conversation with Senator-Elect Sherrod Brown
Tuesday, December 19
He won Ohio's Senate seat promising to fight for the middle class. "And some of those people who thought we couldn't win warned us to be cautious, they advised me not to be myself, they advised me to be middle of the road; they said don't take risks... it's a risk worth taking to stand up for what you believe..." You're invited to join us for a conversation with senator-elect Sherrod Brown. It's The Sound of Ideas, Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

The Ohio Core
Monday, December 18
With just two weeks left in office, Governor Taft is trying to leave a legacy, and it would dramatically change the high school graduation requirements. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll find out the details on Taft's Ohio Core proposal, and we'll hear why some of the leaders of the state's largest school districts don't like it. Also, he's been Ohio's senator for 12 years. Mike DeWine joins us before he says goodbye to Washington. That's Monday morning at nine on 90.3.

‘Tis the Season… For Charity
Friday, December 15
Open the mailbox and the pleas for money tumble out. 'Tis the season to be jolly... and generous. But which charity will you choose? There's no escape. The Salvation Army bell, the Toys for Tots box, the guy on the street. Everyone wants a slice of your paycheck. Who gets that slice is your call and the choice can be confusing. We'll be here with some expert advice on how not to get taken Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Bans for a Healthier Public
Thursday, December 14
Like New York City, Ohio has banned smoking in public places, but now the Big Apple has banned trans fats. Is Cleveland ready to do the same? On The Sound of Ideas, we'll feast on a pairing of bans geared toward a healthier public. Pushing industry to make us healthier seems to be a trend in governing. But what's at stake for the restaurant industry? And why does it seem as though that smoking ban isn't really working? Join us for the conversation Thursday morning.

Getting Back More From the Tax Man
Wednesday, December 13
If you drive a car, he'll tax the street. If you get too cold, he'll tax the heat. Unless, of course, you've taken advantage of the energy savings credit, in which case he could give you a deduction. It's almost time to pay the tax man. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll get tips on what you can do before the end of the year to pay less - or get back more - on your income taxes. Also, he's the newest candidate for president - Congressman Dennis Kucinich joins us Wednesday morning at nine on 90.3.

Myers University at the Crossroads
Tuesday, December 12
Money's tight, and the leaders of Cleveland's oldest four-year college are facing a decision: close the doors or merge with another institution. The plight of Myers University may be part of a deeper trend in higher education, especially for institutions that don't have access to historic endowments or lucrative research grants. Tuesday morning on The Sound of Ideas, we'll talk about it with some local college presidents.

Cleveland in Decline
Monday, December 11
Cleveland is certainly not the bustling metropolis it once was. Just consider the most common form of open space downtown. A new documentary making sense of Cleveland's decline and its future is screening Monday night in University Circle. Monday morning on The Sound of Ideas, we'll hear from the brains behind the documentary and the voices of those fighting to bring the city back.

Master Plan for Ohio Schools
Friday, December 8
A new report on education in Ohio is hot off the presses. It reads like a playbook for the new governor on how to improve public schools. An Ohio Grantmakers Forum task force took a hard look at the problems in schools. It found disconnected goals, uneven access, and poor affordability when it comes to higher education. We'll explore what should - and shouldn't - go into a new master plan for Ohio schools, Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Youth Issues
Thursday, December 7
Every day on The Sound of Ideas, we hear adult perspectives - we talk about education, the economy, and the events and trends that are changing our neighborhoods. But there are voices from those neighborhoods we don't often hear. So Thursday morning, we're taking some time to talk to young people. It's going to be a special program, where we'll hear from a panel of local teens and take questions from a live studio audience. We invite you to join us for a conversation Thursday morning for The Sound of Ideas.

Whom Do You Trust to Write the Laws?
Wednesday, December 6
Here's the question: when it comes to your neighborhood, your home town, who do you trust to write the laws: your city council or your state legislature? The recent overturning of Cleveland's predatory lending law appears to threaten the power of local governments. So whether it's residency, red light cameras, or lending laws, whose voice should take precedence? And what does the state constitution actually tell us about home rule? Answers Wednesday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

The Future of the Great Lakes
Tuesday, December 5
No one's sure, but it may have been Mark Twain who said, "Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting over." The Ohio legislature is poised to ratify an international compact governing diversions from the Great Lakes. So what will the compact mean for Ohio? For industrial growth and for the future of this billion-dollar watershed in our backyard? It's the future of the Great Lakes on The Sound of Ideas, Tuesday morning on 90.3.

Kickstarting the Economy
Monday, December 4
The news on economic growth is in from the Fed: the diagnosis? Not stellar, but not terrible either. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll hear from some of the finest local economic minds on where the last year has taken us and what we need to kickstart us out of the region-wide slump. Also, it's maybe the most toxic word in our lexicon, and one Black community group wants to ban it. But can you ban a word? Join the conversation Monday morning at nine on 90.3.

Choosing the Right Book
Friday, December 1
They say you can't judge a book by its cover. If that's true, then how are you supposed to choose the right book for each person on your holiday shopping list? So many books... so little time. Local authors. Best sellers. Sci-fi. Mysteries. Romance. Tried and true classics. Whew. Where do you start? How about right here? Join Regina Brett and a panel of local book lovers. We'll figure out how to buy the best book for everyone on your list, plus a few for yourself, Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.