The Sound of Ideas: November 2008

Mothers of Soldiers in their Own Words, an encore presentation
Friday, November 28
Sending a child to war is one of the hardest things a parent can do. Now some mothers are trying to compile their thoughts in a book. Janie Reinart and her friend Mary Anne Mayer have been soliciting and going through essays from Ohio mothers of soldiers. The works show the pride moms have for their sons' or daughters' service, but also the fear of what could happen. Their working title is Love You More Than You Know: Thoughts of Ohio Mothers Sending their Sons and Daughters to War. Since we originally recorded this program, they've attracted a publisher and are now hoping to use the proceeds to help fund Wounded Warrior programs. Join us Friday at 9 as we talk with Ohio mothers about their stories.

Taking Time to Listen
Wednesday, November 26
Thanksgiving is a great time for story telling and for listening. And if you're going to do that, you might as well put it on tape. "But if you do, it is--talk about a treasure," says oral historian John Biewen, "I think it is every bit as precious to pass along as any photograph. Public radio's National Day of Listening is coming up. We'll talk about what it is and how you can participate, and we'll spend some time listening to you. Be sure to join us with your stories and memories, Wednesday morning at 9.

When the Cupboards are Bare
Tuesday, November 25
Across the country, more than 36 million Americans have difficulty putting food on the table; that's roughly equivalent to the population of California regularly going hungry. Public health leaders say current economic conditions are pushing more and more people to turn to food pantries. Not surprisingly, those food pantries are finding it harder to meet that growing demand. Join us Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. for a conversation about when the cupboards are bare at home and at the food bank. We'll talk about how you can help and where to go if you need help in Northeast Ohio.

The Land Bank Solution?
Monday, November 24
There are at least 20,000 vacant properties in Cuyahoga County. Vacant homes and buildings breed crime and chip away at the fiber of neighborhoods. Almost exactly a year ago, The Sound of Ideas asked: should there be a county-wide land bank? Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis said yes and he has made some important gains. Since then, State Senator Thomas Patton sponsored a bill which would lay the groundwork for county land banks throughout the state. Rokakis and Patton point to Genesee County Land Bank in Michigan which helped revitalize Flint. Ohio House and Senate Hearings on the creation of regional land banks will begin in early December. Supporters are optimistic Patton’s bill will pass. What would a land bank do for Northeast Ohio? Is it really a magic bullet? We’ll discuss county land banks Monday at 9am.

The Revolving Door of Work: What to Do If You’re Headed Out and How to Get Back In
Friday, November 21
The job market these days may best be described as a revolving door... and you know those revolving doors - you can get squished if you're not careful. As the revolving door of employment turns, you're either going out or coming in. Lots of people are rewriting their resumes and polishing their interview skills. What should you do as layoffs loom? And how do you jump back into the job market at 35, 55, or 75? How to get through the revolving door of work… Friday morning at 9.

Thursday Journalists’ Roundtable
Thursday, November 20
Most of the newly-elected leaders in the Ohio statehouse call Northeast Ohio home. That might mean added clout for the region. And a Cleveland neighborhood rallies to prevent a firehouse from being closed. It's been a week to announce changes: at the statehouse, at city hall, and in the future address of a large Cleveland bank. We'll look at those stories, and at a demand the city of Cleveland start controlling what parking lot attendants should be doing, while you go to the game. That's Thursday morning at 9:00 on 90.3.

Love Stories: Adoption in Northeast Ohio
Wednesday, November 19
It's been called the quintessential American institution, the selfless act of permanently taking a child not of your biological family - into your home. Yet what do you really know about adoption? From the Orphan Trains of the 1800's to interstate and inter-national adoption, the process is primarily one based on loving and supporting a child. There are great successes and unseen pitfalls. We'll discuss them with Northeast Ohio adoptive families. Wednesday morning at 9 on 90.3.

Equal Treatment Under the Law
Tuesday, November 18
Studies of Cuyahoga County show blacks are far more likely than whites to be charged with a felony for so-called ‘drug paraphernalia’ violations—that is, possession of a crack pipe or another implement found to test positive for drug residue. Allegations of a racial disparity in the treatment of such drug cases were reported last month by the Plain Dealer and were the subject of an earlier study done for the organization Citizens for a Safe and Fair Cleveland. These reports also documented that black defendants are were far less likely than whites to be placed in drug intervention programs in lieu of jail time. Meanwhile, in the suburbs these offenses are routinely treated as misdemeanors, rather than felonies. Join us for discussion Tuesday morning at 9:00 on the Sound of Ideas.

Troubled Bridge Over Water
Monday, November 17
Predicting Cleveland traffic patterns just got easier - but navigating through town will be much tougher if the busiest bridge in the region is taken off the grid for two years. That's the Ohio Department of Transportation's new proposal, rebuilding the I-90 bridge over the Cuyahoga River, instead of building a new span alongside. Local government leaders and business owners say that's the last thing the downtown economy needs and the plan would hit truckers with more fuel costs due to long-term detours. ODOT's project director joins us to explain, along with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, among others. We'll bridge the conversation gap Monday morning at 9 on 90.3.

What’s Next For Same-Sex Marriage?
Friday, November 14
Gay couples married in Connecticut for the first time this week while gays in California protested a new ban on same-sex unions. How divided is the country on “gay marriage?” Same-sex marriages were banned in 3 states last week, California, Arizona and Florida and in Arkansas, voters banned adoptions by all unmarried couples. Meanwhile here in Cleveland, some city council members plan to push a non-binding domestic partner registry which could open the door to civil unions. Will any of the rest of Ohio follow? What’s ahead for gay rights, Friday morning at 9 on The Sound of Ideas®.

Reporters’ Roundtable: Yes, We Have No Good News
Thursday, November 13
We've heard a litany of bad economic news this week: the pending shuttering of DHL's cargo operations in southeast Ohio, news of layoffs at steel-maker Republic Engineered Products in Lorain, plus, Lordstown and Whirlpool, then came word that a major housing and office development in downtown Cleveland has been taken off the table the owners of Beachwood Place, one of the largest malls in the region, have money trouble and could face bankruptcy. And there's a report that developers in New York are prepared to move ahead with a project that threatens the future of Cleveland's proposed Medical Mart. Our weekly reporters’ roundtable will put all this glum news into perspective and we'd like to hear your input Thursday morning at 9:00 on The Sound of Ideas.

Automakers Spin Their Wheels
Wednesday, November 12
Detroit's Big Three automakers are begging Washington for bailouts. The current President is under pressure to help, while the President-elect says he will help, but he's ten weeks from power. A quarter million Ohioans' livelihoods depend on the auto industry, as do towns from Avon Lake, to Lordstown, to Parma. So we'll pop the hood on the auto crisis. We'll look at everything from leadership to legacy costs, and examine the options facing the companies - as well as the fates of people whose lives are tied to them. Join us for the discussion Wednesday morning at 9am, on 90.3.

Change Coming for County Government/Cleveland City Council
Tuesday, November 11
The Commission on Cuyahoga County Government Reform recommends turning several county elective offices into appointed offices and slightly retooling the Board of Commissioners so that one commissioner would have the additional responsibility of overseeing the budget process and making key appointments. The reform commission completed its work last week, sending its recommendations to the legislature for approval. Once that’s done, the new structure would be presented to the voters. We’ll also talk with the president of Cleveland City council about a charter amendment that will result in a downsizing for council next year. Join the discussion at 9:00 a.m.

Science Cafe: The Origin of Life on Earth
Monday, November 10
You know the question: which came first the Chicken or the egg? For scientists the question is RNA or the DNA? It’s a Science Café Monday on The Sound of Ideas®. We’ll talk with researchers looking into the molecular basis of life. Big questions and your questions, Monday at 9, on 90.3.

Obama, Race and America’s Future
Friday, November 7
This week “black power” took on an entirely different meaning than it has ever had as the United States selected an African-American to hold the most powerful job in the nation. Obama did not play up his mixed race status, but his victory clearly broadens the aspirations of African-Americans and gives a greater ring of truth to the words of the Declaration of Independence. A new America? Join us Friday morning at 9 on The Sound of Ideas®. Image courtesy The Plain Dealer

Reporters’ Roundtable
Thursday, November 6
The election that brought a landmark win for Barack Obama also brings Democrats back to power in the Ohio House and may perhaps bring to the statehouse the first house speaker from northeast Ohio in 70 years. We'll talk about what Governor Strickland might be able to do with the help of a Democratic House and discuss some changes coming for Cleveland City Council and Cuyahoga County government. It's the reporters' roundtable Thursday morning at 9.

Election Postmortem - Obama Wins
Wednesday, November 5
Barack Obama will be the next president. In his speech last night, Obama spoke of unifying the country to face the challenges ahead. Soon we'll find out if he's able to do that. We'll talk about Obama's victory and the new colors across the nation's electoral map. We'll find out what made the difference in Ohio and what his victory means for the future of the nation and the state. We'll also talk about McCain's loss, what missteps were made, and what's next for the Mavericks. We'll also look at outcomes in congressional races across Ohio, how ballot issues fared, and the future of the Ohio General Assembly. Join us for conversation and analysis of the election results, Wednesday morning at 9.

In Defense of Food
Tuesday, November 4
Nutritionists often puzzle over the French paradox, that a people who eat foie gras and butter in everything should actually be as healthy as they are. And then there's the American paradox: that a nation as health-obsessed as ours should be so unhealthy. New York Times writer Michael Pollan says those obsessions have lead the U.S. down the wrong path. "The public health campaign against fats," he says, "coincides really well with the obesity epidemic. Enough said." Tuesday morning at 9, the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto joins us to explain why we should eat food, as opposed to chemicals posing as food.

A Race Like No Other
Monday, November 3
It takes years of punishing legwork, personal sacrifice and focused ambition to go the distance and only one person wins the big race. No, we’re not talking about Tuesday’s election but the New York City Marathon. 39,000 people signed up for this extreme challenge of mind and body. We’ll hear some of their stories - the how and why of what brings them to this “race like no other.”