www.KVPR.com - Valley Edition

Valley Economy / UC Merced / Valley Storytellers Project

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:06:34 -0800

Segment 1: Valley Economy
Last week, US News and World Report ranked the worst cities to find a job in the US, and Merced, Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield all ranked in the top ten. How can the San Joaquin Valley diversify its economy, improve education levels, and create new jobs? Lee Ann Eager, the new President and CEO the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County; Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern County Economic Development Corporation; and David Spaur, President and CEO of the Merced Economic Development Corporation discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the regional economy.

Segment 2: UC Merced
UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland has been on the job for less than a year. But with growing enrollment and severe budget cuts, it’s not been an easy start to her tenure. Chancellor Leland joins us on Valley Edition to talk about the role the newest UC campus plays in the future of the San Joaquin Valley, and what students and faculty are doing to help transform the region.

Segment 3: Valley Storytellers Project
Earlier this month, Valley residents gathered in Sanger to share their stories about hunger. Those stories will soon be turned into an original play, thanks to the Valley Storytellers Project’s Nikiko Masumoto, and the Los Angeles based Cornerstone Theatre Company. FM89’s Joe Moore brings us some of the stories from project participants, and Juanita Stevenson talks with Nikiko Masumoto to learn more about the upcoming performance of the play, which takes place February 4th in Sanger.

High Speed Rail / Foster Care / "The Germ"

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:26:27 -0800

Segment 1: High speed rail
California's plans for a high speed rail system are facing increasing scrutiny, at the same time the entity responsible for managing the project is undergoing internal turmoil. On Tuesday, the California State Auditor issued a report critical of the authority's management, and called the program's financial situation "extremely risky." This follows the resignation of the rail authority's CEO and chairman earlier this month, and another report by the state's peer review group that criticized the wisdom of issuing $2.7 billion in bonds to fund construction of the system. Reporter Tim Sheehan of The Fresno Bee joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about the latest troubles facing high speed rail, and what it means for the Valley, where construction is slated to start later this year. Tim also shares his experiences travelling to Spain to report on that country's high speed rail system.

Segment 2: Foster care
A recent audit of the California's child protective services uncovered many troubling issues, from sex offenders working in foster homes, to deaths that experts say should have been prevented. On this segment we talk about new efforts in Sacramento to ensure the safety of children in protective custody and to require counties to further investigate when something goes wrong. Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) joins us to talk about a new bill he has authored that would require counties to conduct an investigation in the deaths of children in foster care. Dr. Mort Rosenstein of the Foster Care Standards Oversight Committee and Cathi Huerta former director of Fresno County Social Services also join the discussion.

Segment 3: "The Germ"
Byron Watkins of Windsong Productions joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about a new project that aims to inspire local filmmakers to create short films based upon a common theme, to culminate in an event taking place January 26th in Fresno.

Air Quality / Veterans / Energy Upgrade

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:48:26 -0800

Segment 1: Air Quality
So far the winter of 2011/2012 is proving to be an especially bad one for residents concerned for their respiratory health, as air pollution levels have spiked, thanks in part to a lengthy dry spell, and soot from wood fires. On this segment of Valley Edition, we talk about what Valley residents can do to breathe a little easier, and listeners share their comments. Joining host Juanita Stevenson to discuss this topic are Jaime Holt of the Valley Air District; Dr. John Gasmann, a pulmonologist with Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, and Bonnie Holmes-Gen of the American Lung Association.

Segment 2: Veterans Home Funding Stalls Again
For around a decade veterans advocates have been looking forward to the opening of a new state operated Veterans Home in Fresno. Last year, funding for operating the facility was caught up in the struggle to balance the state’s budget, and now in 2012, it’s happened again. The facility which was built with federal funding, is nearly complete, but Governor Brown’s proposed budget eliminates the money necessary to actually open and operate the home, and serve the Valley’s veterans. FM89’s Tracey Scharmann reports on the struggled which has united both Democrats and Republicans, and host Juanita Stevenson talks with Assemblymember Linda Halderman (R-Fresno) about efforts to restore the funding.

Segment 3: Energy Upgrade CA
From frost filled winter nights to blazing summer afternoons, residents of the Valley have to endure more dramatic swings in climate than their coastal counterparts. That makes having an energy efficient home all the more important. Here to talk about one state program to help Valley residents to just that is Colin Clark Senior Program Manager for the climate group of Energy Upgrade California.

Postal Service / Redevelopment / Hinds Hospice

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:36:58 -0800

Segment I: Changes at the Postal Service
Last month the US Postal Service announced plans to close over 3,000 post offices, end Saturday service, and slow the delivery of first class mail. Many people still rely on the post office, but in an era of email, social networking and online bill pay, that’s quickly changing. On the next Valley Edition, we talk about the future of the post office, and the traditional hand written letter. The proposal has left Bakersfield’s Pegasus Road mail sorting facility at risk of closure, and with it, hundreds of jobs could be lost. Joining us to discuss the situation is Jim Wigdel, a spokesperson for US Post Office; Omar Gonzalez from the American Postal Workers Union; and Russell Johnson Bakersfield City Councilmember for Ward 7.

Segment II: Redevelopment
Late last month, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state could go ahead with Governor Jerry Brown’s planned elimination of hundreds of redevelopment agencies. It was a major victory for the Governor in his quest to balance the state’s budget, and a defeat for many cities, which had fought hard for the programs that have helped revitalize inner cities and spur private investment in blighted areas. FM89’s Joe Moore brings us a special report, followed by a discussion with Fresno Redevelopment Agency Chair Oliver Baines; Vice Chair Larry Westerlund; and Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters.

Segment III: Hinds Hospice
Samantha Schuh and Lauren Gaither of the Hinds Hospice in Fresno join host Juanita Stevenson to discuss their programs which assist the terminally ill in the Central Valley.

Health & Wellness in 2012 / Learning / Pecha Kucha

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:27:37 -0800

Part I: Health & Wellness in 2012
With the start of 2012, many Valley residents are looking to make the New Year a healthy one. Dr. Ken Ellzey Assistant Physician-in-Chief for Health Promotion at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, and Myron "Doc" Downing, LMFT, at the Affective Center for Therapy join the discussion and offer listeners tips and insights.

Part II: Lifelong Learning
Education options abound for older adults in the Central Valley. Guests Bob Allison from the Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning at Bakersfield College, Dr. Lynnette Zelezny of the Osher Institute at Fresno State, and Lori Grainger, LMFT from the Center for Mindfulness, join the discussion and talk about how seniors are embracing a return to the classroom.

Part III: Pecha Kucha in Fresno
It's been called a mix of speed dating, karaoke and a power point presentation, and the international trend called "Pecha Kucha" has made its way to the Valley. Creative Fresno's Kiel Thomas Famellos-Schmidt tells us about the upcoming Pecha Kucha Night Fresno on January 9th, and how the rapid fire, 20 slides for 20 seconds approach has become a fun and creative way for area professionals to network and share ideas.

Holidays / ImagineU Museum

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:23:07 -0800

Segment I: Holiday Crime
Last week, a stabbing during one of Christmas Tree Lane's annual "walk nights" left Fresno residents stunned, and led some to question the future of the decades long Fresno tradition. Will this apparent gang related crime dampen holiday spirits? We talk about this incident, and holiday crime in general with Louise Yenovkian and Dean Alexander of the Fig Garden Homeowner's Association, and Al Maroney of the Fresno Police Department.

Segment II: Holiday Shoppers
Retailers nationwide posted record "Black Friday" sales this year. But what is the mood of Valley shoppers? FM89's Juanita Stevenson visited one Central Valley Christmas tree lot to talk to the lot owner and his customers. Joann Sorrenti of the Sierra Nut House and Carole Lester of the Business Organization of Old Town Clovis also join the discussion.

Segment III: ImagineU Children's Museum
Visalia's ImagineU Interactive Children's Museum brings science, the environment and the arts to hundreds of Tulare County students every year. Virginia Strawser, director of the museum joins us on Valley Edition to talk about ImagineU's programs, and plans for a new facility thanks to a $5.6 million grant from the State of California.

Athletics vs. Academics / Helping Those in Need

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:23:21 -0800

Segment 1: Academics versus athletics on campus
Last week, Fresno State fired head football coach Pat Hill after a disappointing season, both on the field and at the turnstile. The desire to have a winning team, and the millions in revenue a successful NCAA Division I football program can generate has never been greater. But in an era of shrinking academic budgets, class cancelations, and rising tuition is the dream of a "big time" college sports program still sustainable, especially at a CSU school? University Presidents Dr. John Welty of Fresno State and Dr. Horace Mitchell of CSU Bakersfield join our discussion and talk about their vision for inter-collegiate athletics on their campuses. Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen and Bulldog Foundation incoming chair Ed Dunkle also provide their perspectives on the financial challenges facing these programs.

Segment 2: Helping those in need
This holiday season our attention turns to those in our community who are in need. With continued high unemployment and high poverty, the need this year is especially great. Our discussion features Anthony Armour, General Operations Manager of Neighborhood Thrift in Fresno, Dayatra Latin from the Community Food Bank and Iris East of the Visalia Emergency Aid Council.

Road Diets / First 5 / Pearl Harbor

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 15:06:35 -0800

Segment 1: Shrinking streets in Fresno & Bakersfield
Many roads in Fresno are about to go on a "diet" with lanes for cars and trucks being removed in order to slow traffic and make room for more bike lanes. Some people, including bicycle advocates think it's a good idea, but it has also raised concerns from some residents and motorists. Today on Valley Edition we talk about efforts in both Bakersfield and Fresno to create streets that are more bicycle friendly. Scott Mozier Assistant Director of Public Works with the City of Fresno, Bob Smith, founder of the Bakersfield Bicycle Coalition, and Byron Watkins of the group I Bike Fresno join the discussion.

Segment 2: First 5 gets funding reprieve from court
Last week a court in Fresno rejected an attempt by California lawmakers to access up to $1 billion in funds from the state's First 5 programs, as part of an effort to craft a state budget. The effort had left local First 5 commissions in limbo, with millions of dollars and programs at risk. Kendra Rogers Executive Director of First 5 Fresno joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about what this new court ruling means for Valley First 5 programs.

Segment 3: Local author documents "Stories of Service"
On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and entry of the United States in the Second World War, Valley author Janice Stevens joins us to talk about her new book "Stories of Service Volume II." Her book includes remembrances of local veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War.

Truancy / Shop Local / CALM’s Holiday Lights

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:02:28 -0800

Segment 1: Truancy Solutions
While some Valley schools districts are struggling to address the issue of chronically truant students, others offer potential solutions, including one in the South Valley. We talk to Daryl Thiesen, the chairperson of the Kern County Truancy Reduction Program with the Kern County Office of Education. This program which began in 1990, has been called a model for districts and counties throughout the state, with a broad coalition of schools, law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office and community organizations. Hedy Chang, founder of the group Attendance Works also joins the conversation to talk about how

Segment 2: Shop Locally Owned Businesses
Many communities are adopting economic development strategies that stress the importance of shoppers patronizing their locally owned businesses, versus chain stores. Does shopping at a locally owned "mom and pop" store create more jobs than at a big box store? Amy Huerta from the City of Fresno joins us to talk about a new organization called the Fresno Regional Independent Business Alliance, as well as Joanna Vitucci-Lopez owner of DiCiccio’s in Fresno, and Laurie Price, co-owner of Snead’s for Men in Bakersfield.

Segment 3: Holiday Lights at CALM
Bakersfield’s California Living Museum (CALM) is known throughout the Valley not only for its collection of animals, plants and fossils native to California, but also for its annual Holiday Lights display. Lana Fain, Zoo Manager for CALM joins us to talk about this year’s display, which runs from December 2nd thru January 1st and other activities at the zoo.

Additional Links:

Occupy Central Valley/CSU Budget

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:03:34 -0800

Segment I:
The movement that began earlier this fall as Occupy Wall Street has inspired similar demonstrations in cities across the globe, including here in the Central Valley. Today on Valley Edition, we look at what members of the groups Occupy Bakersfield and Occupy Fresno aim to accomplish. Sam Lujan of Occupy Bakersfield, Joseph Hunter from Occupy Fresno, and Dr. Simon Weffer, a sociologist at UC Merced join us for this discussion.

Segment II:
Last week the CSU Board of Trustees approved a 9 percent tuition increase for students at the 23 campus system. At Fresno State, school administrators are considering dissolve the university’s College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Social Science, in an effort to saving money, consolidating those programs in other campus colleges such as Education, Agriculture and Engineering. We talk about the impact of these changes to students and the Valley at large with Dr. Dennis Neff, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Vice President of Academic Programs & Resources at Fresno State and Chris Cruz-Boone, a lecturer and faculty representative at CSU Bakersfield.

Segment III:
Litter is a problem that plagues many Valley communities, and some community leaders are working on a solution. John Enriquez of the group Keep Bakersfield Beautiful joins our discussion to talk about what residents can do to keep streets and sidewalks clean and maintain a public space that all residents can be proud of.

Health Reform Funding / Teatro Obesity

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:01:21 -0800

Segment 1: Fresno County walks away from $50 million in health care funding
Earlier this fall the Fresno County Board of Supervisors chose to withdraw the county's application for $50 million in federal funding that would have helped create a "Low Income Health Program" for the county's poorest residents. That makes Fresno the only county in the state to not take advantage of this new program, designed to get poor residents out of local emergency rooms and into a primary care setting. On this Valley Edition, host Juanita Stevenson reports on how an old contract with a local hospital, the debate over immigration, and the uncertainty over cost, and the future of health care reform caused the county to walk away from a lucrative program, one that could have improved the health of the poor, and could have created hundreds of jobs. Kevin Hamilton of Clinca Sierra Vista, Jacey Cooper of Kern County's Kern Medical Center Health Plan, and Diana Dooley, California's Secretary of Health and Human Services join our roundtable discussion following the report.

Segment 2: New theatrical production tackles obesity
Augustin Lira is widely recognized as one of the fathers of the Chicano movement. In 1965 he co-founded the group Teatro Campesino, which focused on the issues facing California's migrant farm worker population. Now in 2011, he's tackling a new topic that impacts many local Latino residents - obesity. "The Weight of Things" is a new production of four vignettes plus and original song, produced in conjunction with the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. Guests Patricia Wells and Genoveva Islas-Hooker tell us about what this new production hopes to accomplish.

3 Strikes / Kern Sewage / Veterans

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:52:08 -0800

Segment 1: Prison Realignment & 3 Strikes
Last month, the State of California began its experiment in shifting inmates from state prisons to local county jails. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about what impact this move has had on the Fresno County Jail, where reopened a previously closed floor was reopened to house the influx of prisoners, but still regularly releases inmates early. We also examine California’s approach to incarceration, with the father of California’s "Three Strikes" law, Mike Reynolds, and Dr. Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at UCLA.

Segment 2: Kern County Sewage Sludge Battle
For years, the residents of Kern County have been trying to stop a practice by which Los Angeles sends treated sewage sludge to Kern County, to be spread on San Joaquin Valley farmland. Now, the effort is drawing new attention as the case makes its way through the state’s court system. Should Kern County voters have their way and stop the controversial procedure, or does state law take precedence, as Los Angeles contends? Former State Senator Dean Florez of Shafter, and Mark Nations, Chief Deputy Council for the County of Kern join host Juanita Stevenson, to talk about what’s next in this long saga.

Segment 3: Stories of Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, we look at an effort at Fresno State to document the stories of area veterans. Professor Gary Rice, who founded the Central California War Veterans Oral History Project, joins us, as well as two of his students, Chelsea Cushing and Keeylon Hanlon to talk about their work.

CA Crackup / Downtown Fresno

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 15:18:59 -0700

Segment 1: Splitting Up California
Is California too big to fix? And can the solution to the state's many problems be as simple as splitting the state in two? Joe Matthews and Mark Paul, authors of the book "California Crackup" join host Juanita Stevenson on Valley Edition to talk about what a divided California might look like. It turns out that splitting up the state is not a new idea, and is nearly as old as the Golden State itself. Matthews and Paul explain what a new state of "South California" would look like and what it would mean for Valley residents. Both authors will participate in a public debate on this issue Tuesday night November 1, 2011 at the Fresno Art Museum.

Segment 2: Downtown Fresno rebirth?
Downtown Fresno once was a vibrant and bustling center of commerce and civic activity. Today, its streets are largely empty, many of its historic hi-rises are shuttered, and blight mars formerly picturesque views. Now the City of Fresno is proposing a major renaissance though a new planning process that seeks to revitalize the heart of the city, a place that many Fresnans are afraid to go. What makes this current plan different that those of virtually every other city administration of the past 40 years? Kate Borders, President and CEO of the PBID Partners of Downtown Fresno joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about how her organization of private sector property owners is helping to lead the revitalization effort, and how they plan to overcome an area that many have written off as a lost cause for decades.

Segment 3: Kern County Entertainment Update
Bakersfield Californian Entertainment Editor Matt Munoz join us to let us know the latest on what's happening in Kern County's entertainment scene, including "So You Think You Can Dance" star Sasha Mallory, who returns to her hometown of Bakersfield for a performance with the travelling show on Wednesday November 2, 2011.

CA Dream Act / Child Abuse / Hmong Writers

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:09:01 -0700

Segment I: CA Dream Act
California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law the so-called "California Dream Act" which would allow students who came to the country as children illegally access to financial aid at state colleges and universities. Supporters call it an important step towards giving students access to higher education, while critics say it is rewarding those who cross the border illegally. Fresno State political science professor Thomas Holyoke and Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies join the discussion.

Segment II: Recession & Child Abuse
The recession isn't just hurting families financially. It's creating more stress for parents who already feel overwhelmed by the demands of raising children. Child safety advocates are concerned about the link between the economy and rising reports of abusive head injuries in infants. That condition is better known as shaken baby syndrome. FM89's Shellie Branco files this report and Valley Edition host Juanita Stevenson talks with Karen Cooley Executive Director of the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council's Haven Counseling Center, and Esther Franco, Executive Director of the Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention.

Segment III: Hmong American Writers’ Circle
Burlee Vang founder of the Hmong American Writers’ Circle joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about a new book called How Do I Begin?: A Hmong American Literary Anthology. Vang was recently awarded the prestigious Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Federal Court Backlog / Air Quality / Earthquake Drill

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:24:08 -0700

Segment 1: Political gridlock creates backlog at federal courthouse
Even before the recent retirement of Justice Oliver Wanger, the Fresno division of the US District Court’s Eastern District of California faced big case backlogs. The district is home to over 6.7 million residents, and 19 of California’s 33 state and federal prisons, but the Fresno division is home to just two judges, and the nation’s heaviest caseloads. That’s leading many, including Wanger, and Justice Anthony Ishii to suggest that the court may need to stop seeing civil cases. On this segment of Valley Edition, Juanita Stevenson reports on what the judicial bottleneck means for Valley residents, and retired Justice Wanger joins us for an in-studio conversation about how political gridlock in Washington DC has helped to create this problem.

Segment 2: New study examines air pollution and hospital stays
We all know the San Joaquin Valley has some of the nation’s dirtiest air, but when air pollution spikes, what is the direct impact on the health of Valley residents? Dr. David Lighthall, health science advisor for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and Dr. John Capitman, Executive Director of Central Valley Health Policy Institute join Juanita Stevenson to discuss the results of this new research. Their study examines the links between environmental and health care policies regarding air pollution, by tracking emergency room and hospital admissions linked to asthma, and other evidence of short-term health impacts on children and adults from Bakersfield to Modesto.

Segment 3: California ShakeOut
Are you prepared for the big one? Guest Susan Jekarl joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about the California ShakeOut, the statewide earthquake drill taking place on Thursday October 20th. Susan will give Valley residents tips about surviving the next quake, and talk about the website TotallyUnprepared.com.

Homeless / Water Quality / Fresno Fair

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:20:03 -0700

Part I: Housing the Homeless
Even before the recession, the issue of homelessness was a big problem for many Valley communities. Both Bakersfield and Fresno have adopted a "housing first" strategy as part of their plans to end chronic homelessness in the next ten years. How are those plans progressing? And is it really as simple as just offering shelter to those living on the street? Host Juanita Stevenson talks about these issues and more with Fresno's homeless prevention and policy manager Greg Barfield, and and Stephen Pelz, Executive Director of the Kern County Housing Authority.

Part II: Water Quality
Many of us take clean safe tap water for granted. But for residents of Tulare county communities like Seville and Tooleville, pollution from nitrates is forcing residents, many of whom are already in poverty, to buy expensive bottled water. The unhealthful water conditions have even drawn the attention of a United Nations official, comparing the situation in Seville to that of "third world" nations. In this segment of Valley Edition, Laurel Firestone of the Community Water Center in Visalia, Kara Brodfuehrer of California Rural Legal Assistance, and Dr. David Zoldoske California Water Institute, join host Juanita Stevenson to talk about the problem, and what can be done to fix it.

Part III: Fair season in the Valley
It's October and that means its time for the Big Fresno Fair. Guest Stacy Rianda will tell us what's new this year, and what attendees can expect at this venerable Central California tradition.

Needle Exchange/Education Gap/Bakersfield Events

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:35:12 -0700

Segment 1: Needle exchange generates controversy
It's a tough question: Do needle exchanges enable drug users? Or do clean needles from these programs ultimately save people from HIV? The Fresno County Board of Supervisors recently dropped their support for a local needle exchange, making the program illegal. The fight is making national headlines. Valley Public Radio correspondent Shellie Branco reports on the impact to people using the program, and Valley Edition host Juanita Stevenson discusses the issue with Michael Alsup a clinic manager with Aegis Medical Systems, and with Fresno County Supervisor Judy Case.

Segment 2: Education gap plagues Central Valley
A recent study by the Brookings Institute shed new light on an issue that’s long been a concern to many in the Valley, the wide gap between available jobs and the education level of the workforce in the Central Valley. Pam Lassetter of the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board, and Luis Santana from the organization Reading and Beyond join Juanita Stevenson to talk about what Valley leaders are doing to help solve this problem.

Segment 3: Bakersfield events
We find out what’s coming up in Kern County’s entertainment scene as Juanita Stevenson talks with Matt Munoz of The Bakersfield Californian, and learn more about an upcoming visit by Latin rock legend Carlos Santana.

Raw Foods / Heart Procedures / Good Company Players

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:33:54 -0700

Segment 1: Raw Food & Slow Food: Steps to a Better Diet
Many Valley residents are seeking to improve their health by changing their diet. Some are seeking to cut back on fast food and processed meals, adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to their diet. But a number of Valley residents are going even further, embracing an all organic, vegan, raw foods diet. Host Juanita Stevenson talks with Tara Hamilton, owner of Downtown Fresno's Revive Café and Whole Farms Market, and Shellie Matson a registered dietitian from Madera Community Hospital about this growing trend and what listeners can do to change their eating habits. Later in the segment, local organic farmer and food activist Tom Willey joins the conversation about bringing the concept of "slow food" to more people in the Valley.

Segment 2: Elective Heart Procedures in Valley Outpace Rest of State
A new study from Stanford University indicates that residents of the Central Valley have a much higher rate of certain elective heart procedures - elective angiography, and angioplasty than residents of the rest of the state, even when compared to patients with similar conditions. Journalist Emily Bazar of the California Health Care Foundation's Center for Health Reporting, who broke the news of this study in newspapers across the state joins us to talk about what this means for patients and doctors in the Valley.

Segment 3: Good Company Players Opens Legally Blonde
Local actress Emily Pessano of Fresno's Good Company Players joins Juanita Stevenson to talk about her starring role in the new GCP production of Legally Blonde, and the importance of musical theatre in the Valley's cultural landscape.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer & The Fresno Grand Opera

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:32:54 -0700

Segment 1: Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer
In late June, Jerry Dyer announced his retirement as Chief of Police for the City of Fresno, a job he's held for 10 years. On this week's Valley Edition, Juanita Stevenson talks with Chief Dyer about three decades in law enforcement, the impact of budget cuts on the force, the state of politics in America, and his personal plans after he hands over command to a new chief.

Segment 2: Fresno Grand Opera
Ron Eichman and Thi Nguyen of the Fresno Grand Opera join host Juanita Stevenson in this week's "Around Town" segment to talk about the company's upcoming season, which features a performance by former Fresno resident and current Broadway star Audra McDonald, Friday October 14.

9/11: 10 Years Later

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 14:20:10 -0700

On today’s Valley Edition, we look back to the events of nearly 10 years ago, September 11, 2001. Former New York City firefighter and 9/11 first responder Andrew Isolano joins host Juanita Stevenson to share his story of that day, and his colleagues that perished. Fresno resident Eric Field, who also was at the World Trade Center at the time of the attack, joins us with his memories of that day. Later in the program Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno shares his thoughts on how the reaction to the 9/11 attacks has changed life for Muslim Americans and others in the Central Valley. Terry Abbott, former Chief of Staff at the US Department of Education, gives us his first-hand account of the events of that day as he accompanied President Bush at an appearance at an elementary school in Florida, and talks about the challenges of explaining the attacks to young people. And finally, Cathy Caples of HandsOn Central California joins the conversation to talk about upcoming volunteer events like the National Day of Service, which will help to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Maricopa/Racial Profiling/Soul Food Festival

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:38:13 -0700

Part 1: Kern County city of Maricopa faces uncertain future
As small cities everywhere face debilitating financial challenges, or even bankruptcy, some wonder if cityhood itself is worth the price. Disincorporation allows a city to fall back into the care of a county. That's the challenge faced by the citizens of Maricopa in Kern County. A series of scathing grand jury reports this summer criticized everything from the city's poor management and severe debt to speed traps set by the police. But last week, the Maricopa city council refused calls to disincorporate. Valley Public Radio correspondent Shellie Branco has this report from Maricopa.

Part 2: Racial Profiling – 10 years after 9/11
Nearly ten years after the events of September 11, 2001, racial profiling remains an issue in the US. Attorneys and law professors David Mugridge and Melissa White from the San Joaquin College of Law debate the issue with host Juanita Stevenson.

Part 3: Soul Food Festival
Charla Franklin chef, artist and organizer of the Soul Food Festival at the African-American Historical & Cultural Museum of Fresno joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about the upcoming event.

Doctor Shortage / Charter Schools / Philip Levine

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:46:34 -0700

Segment 1: Physician Shortage
California’s Central Valley faces a shortage of primary care doctors and specialists. Many physicians prefer to work in urban areas where the pay is better, rather than rural clinics for the poor. But a program through UC Davis and UC Merced is trying to change that, encouraging Valley medical students to practice here at home. Valley Public Radio's Shellie Branco brings us a special report, and host Juanita Stevenson talks with guests Steve Barrow of the California State Rural Health Association, and Dr. Dominic Divon, a primary care physician and UCSF Fresno Director of Ambulatory Medicine discuss this issue.

Segment 2: Charter Schools
Some people look at charter schools as an innovative solution to the challenges facing K-12 public education. Others worry that charters have a negative impact on traditional schools, or lack enough regulation. On this segment, guests Dave Childers, Executive Director and Principal of ACEL Fresno Charter High School and Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher of the Fresno County Office of Education, join host Juanita Stevenson to talk about charter schools in the Valley.

Segment 3: Philip Levine
Last week the Library of Congress named Fresno poet Philip Levine the nation’s 18th Poet Laureate. A native of Detroit, Levine moved to Fresno in the 1950’s to teach English at Fresno State, where he founded the university’s creative writing program, and helped foster the San Joaquin Valley’s rich poetry community. In 1991 his collection "What Work Is" won the National Book Award, and in 1995, his book "The Simple Truth" was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. In this interview, host Juanita Stevenson talks with Levine about this most recent honor, his thoughts on the Central Valley, and the subject of work and unemployment.

Redistricting / Bookstores

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 16:14:28 -0700

Segment 1: Redistricting Fresno County
While California’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission is tasked with drawing district boundaries for the state Senate, Assembly and Congressional districts, it’s not just those districts that are getting new lines. California’s counties are also drawing new boundaries to keep pace with population, as measured by the 2010 Census. Fresno County Supervisors have are evaluating four plans, but Supervisor Henry Perea has his own idea of how the lines should be drawn. FM89’s Tracey Scharmann reports on the process and host Juanita Stevenson talks with Perea, as well as Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar; Redistricting Task Force Member Ernie “Buddy” Mendes; Fresno State Political Science Professor Tom Holyoke, and Terri Figg from the League of Women Voters.

Segment 2: Future of Bookstores
With the closure of book retailer Borders impacting readers in Bakersfield, Visalia and Fresno, what does the future hold for Valley bookstores and readers? Has a Kindle or the Nook replaced your favorite hardcover or paperback book? In this segment host Juanita Stevenson reports on what Valley independent bookstores are doing to stay ahead of the curve. Guests include Tony Russo of Russo’s Books in Bakersfield, and Dan Dunklee of A Book Barn in Clovis.

Foster Kids / Heat Illness

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:42:54 -0700

Segment 1: Foster Kids
FM89’s Tracey Scharmann reports on how a program at a local college is helping former foster youth gain not only an education, but also a solid foundation in life as independent adults. Host Juanita Stevenson also talks with guests Colleen McGauley, Executive Director, of CASA of Kern County; Cathi Huerta recently retired director of the Fresno County Department of Social Services, Margaret Jackson, Director of the Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program, and Deshunna Ricks, former foster youth.

Segment 2: Heat Illness
The record-breaking heat wave that has scorched the Eastern U.S. is a stark reminder of California’s vulnerability to dangerous summer temperatures. Those who work in the heat must take extra precautions to stay safe. The state is stepping in as well, conducting sweeps of outdoor work sites to make sure employers are protecting their employees. California workplace-safety officials say they are investigating six possible heat-related deaths since April, including those of two farmworkers in Southern California. Meanwhile, Valley farmers and farmworkers are at odds with each other over different interpretations of the state’s heat safety laws. FM89’s Shellie Branco files this report, and host Juanita Stevenson talks with an expert on heat illness, Dr. Matthew Murphy, a senior epidemiologist with the National Center for Environmental Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA.

Segment 3: Around Town - Comedy in the Valley
Host Juanita Stevenson talks with Fresno Bee entertainment reporter Mike Osegueda about the Valley’s burgeoning comedy scene, and Tracey Scharmann provides a sound montage of Central Valley comics talking about their work.

ADA lawsuits / K-12 education cuts

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:14:47 -0700

Segment 1: Disability access lawsuits hit local businesses
Over 20 years after the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act, compliance with the law's requirement of equal access remains controversial. Recently, it's pitted business customers with business owners, resulting in dozens of lawsuits. Reporter Shellie Branco brings us this report on both sides of the access issue.

Segment 2: Budget cuts impact local K-12 Schools
Last month, when California lawmakers passed a new state budget, they also passed a bill prohibiting local school districts from laying off teachers. Backers, including the California Teachers Association, say that the law protects students from class size increases and will save teacher jobs. School districts say it ties their hands, especially with the prospect of a midyear $1.5 billion funding cut if revenues fall short of projections. Host Juanita Stevenson reports on the story of one Fresno Unified teacher who has already lost her job, and the financial challenges still facing local districts. Guests Larry Powell, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools; Christine Lizardi Frazier, Kern County Superintendent of Schools; and Jesse Aguilar, a classroom teacher at East Bakersfield High School join host Jaunita Stevenson for this discussion.

Segment 3: Arte Americas
The Fresno based Latino arts non-profit Arte Américas is part of a vibrant arts scene in the Central Valley. Arte Américas board member Gloria Verdugo joins host Juanita Stevenson to talk about the "Nights in the Plaza" concert series and other activities at the center.

Unemployment / Breaking Up CA

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:21:21 -0700

Segment 1: Valley Professional Struggle to Find Work
Among the groups hit the hardest in the economic downturn are business professionals. From April 2010 to April 2011 the business and professional sectors in Fresno County lost 1,800. Host Juanita Stevenson reports on how some Valley professionals are looking to re-enter the workforce and having success finding work.

Segment 2: Breaking Up California
Every few years, a new proposal suggests "breaking up" the Golden State into several smaller states. This week, one Riverside County lawmaker is advancing his idea to create a new state of "South California" which would include San Diego, Orange County and much of the San Joaquin Valley. Author Mark Paul joins us to talk about what he thinks this proposal would mean for the state and the Valley.

Segment 3: CSU Summer Arts
In our "around town" segment, Juanita Stevenson talks with CSU Summer Arts director Jim Spaulding about what's in store for the final year of Summer Arts at Fresno State.

Obesity / Violent video games

Tue, 5 Jul 2011 17:03:11 -0700

Part 1: Obesity
We hear the term "obesity epidemic" often in the news these days. It's an issue that hits close to home. About 40 percent of Fresno County kids ages five to 19 are overweight or obese. And so are their parents. 57 percent of Fresno adults are overweight. In this we'll talk to some regional experts about what valley residents can do to avoid the illnesses that come from excessive weight gain. On this edition of Quality of Life, reporter Lauren Whaley brings us the story of one Fresno teenager who suffers from obesity. And how getting sick changed his life. For the better. We are also are joined in-studio by guests Genoveva Islas-Hooker, Regional Program Coordinator for the Central CA Regional Obesity Prevention Program, and Sara Bosse, Senior Nutrition Program Manager, Family Nutrition Education Program of the UC Davis Cooperative Extension.

Part 2: Video Games
Last week, on a 7-2 decision, the US Supreme Court overturned California's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors. Writing for the majority, justice Antonin Scalia stated "There is no tradition in this country of specially restricting children's access to depictions of violence," noting the violence in more traditional childhood fare, such as Grimm's Fairy Tales. He continued, "like books, plays and movies, video games communicate ideas. The most basic principle of First Amendment law is that government has no power to restrict expression because of its content." Justice Breyer, in his dissenting opinion wrote, "extremely violent games can harm children by rewarding them for being violently aggressive in play, and thereby often teaching them to be violently aggressive in life". And Justice Thomas, in his own dissenting opinion wrote, "the State is entitled to adjust its legal system to account for children's vulnerability."

Critics of the law hailed the decision as a victory for free speech. Meanwhile parents groups and the law's supporters, including State Senator Leland Yee criticized the court for not taking a stronger stand against violence. Many pointed out the seeming inconsistency of laws that bar minors from access to sexually explicit material, but not depictions of graphic violence. Joining us on this segment to discuss the intersection of violent video games and the first amendment, are former California Attorney General and current California Congressional Representative Dan Lungren; Chris Cruz-Boone, Professor of Mass Communications & Journalism at CSU Bakersfield; and Ed Webb, a former manager of video game retail store.

Human Trafficking / Break the Barriers

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:12:05 -0700

Segment 1:
On Monday the US State Department released a report that estimates that up to 100,000 people in the US are victims of human trafficking. They range from those working in forced labor, to women and children trapped in the world of sex trafficking. California is one of the top three states in the nation for human trafficking, according to Cal EMA. Joining us to talk about the extent of this problem in the San Joaquin Valley is Ronna L. Bright, from the group Central Valley Against Human Trafficking and the Central Valley Freedom Coalition. We’re also joined by Clint Olivier, Fresno City Council Member, who last week announced the city is hiring a new prosecutor to specialize in graffiti and prostitution crimes, with a focus on human trafficking.

Segment 2:
For nearly 25 years, the Fresno based non-profit group Break the Barriers has been working to change attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities. Their highly choreographed gymnastic routines, featuring people of all different abilities have helped gain the group widespread recognition in the US and abroad, including trips to China and South Africa. In this segment we talk with co-founder & Executive Director Deby Hergenrader, and Jared Schmidt, a Break the Barriers staff member and Special Olympics International World Ambassador.

California Budget / Chocolate Milk Ban

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:48:48 -0700

California Budget
California's long running budget battle entered a new chapter last week, when Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a budget sent to him by the Democratic controlled Legislature. On this edition of Quality of Life, we talk with Democrat Assembly member Henry T. Perea of Fresno, and Republican Assembly Leader Connie Conway of Tulare about what's next in the budget debate. We also get political analysis on the budget from Professor Jeff Cummins of Fresno State and Nathan W. Monroe of UC Merced.

Chocolate Milk
Last week the LA Unified School District voted to remove chocolate and flavored milk from its school lunch menus, as part of an effort to fight childhood obesity. Food activists say this is an important move to help improve the health of children, while critics say it's a case of good intentions gone too far. We're debate the issue with guests Jennie Cook from the LA parents group Food For Lunch; Hanford dairy owner Dino Giocaomazzi; and Shellie Matson, a Registered Dietician at Madera Community Hospital in Madera.

County Jails & State Prisons / Chaffee Zoo Expansion

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:06:27 -0700

Segment 1 - County Jails & State Prisons
Last month the US Supreme Court ruled that California must reduce its prison population by 33,000 inmates by 2013, to improve inmate health care. And a new state law plans to shift much of that burden to county jails. We talk about the future of the state's corrections system and what it means for the Valley, with Kern County Sheriff Joel Youngblood, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims and prisoner rights advocate Rebecca Evenson of the Prison Law Office.

Segment 2 - Chaffee Zoo Expansion
Early in the last decade, the future of Fresno's Chaffee Zoo was in doubt. The longtime fixture of Roeding Park, owned and operated by the City of Fresno was in disrepair, facing accreditation issues, and lacking a stable funding source. In November 2004, Fresno County voters passed Measure Z, a sales tax increase of one tenth of one percent to fund capital improvements and operations at the zoo. After a long process of planning and environmental impact review, the zoo's $40 million expansion is set to go before the Fresno City Council for approval later this month. We talk about the Zoo's future with Executive Director Scott Barton, and also speak with Barry Falke, President and CEO of neighboring Rotary Storyland and Playland.

High Speed Rail / High Tech Jobs

Tue, 7 Jun 2011 13:54:52 -0700

Part I: High Speed Rail
As California's high speed rail system inches ever closer to breaking ground in 2012, criticism and opposition to the project is growing on a number of fronts. Valley farmers in Kings County have objected to the proposed alignment of the tracks through farms and dairies near Hanford. The State Senate voted last week to radically remake the High Speed Rail Authority and its board of directors. And in May, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office issued a highly critical report of the project and its management. On this segment of Quality of Life, we talk about the project, its future, and what it means for the Valley with Fresno Bee reporter Tim Sheehan.

Part II: High Tech Jobs
California's Central Valley is known worldwide for growing food that's shipped across the globe. But does the Valley's economic future rely as much on growing a hi-tech economy, with jobs in fields like software development? We ask guests Travis Sheridan and Gustavo Cavalcanti those questions and more, and also learn about a new showcase for Valley tech talent "The 59 Days of Code."

CSU Budget Cuts / Job Training

Tue, 31 May 2011 12:28:02 -0700

Segment I: California State University Budget Cuts
California's publicly funded state university system, the CSU was once the envy of the nation, providing accessible and affordable higher education to millions of Californians. While the 23 campus system is still the largest in the country, the recent budget crisis has taken its toll. Under Governor Brown's latest "May Revise" budget, the system faces as much a $1 billion budget cut (36 percent) and a potential student fee increase of as much as 32 percent for the coming year. We ask Fresno State President Dr. John Welty, and CSU Bakersfield President Dr. Horace Mitchell what the cuts will mean to their campuses and the future of the system.

Segment II: Job Training
It sounds like a paradox: while Valley unemployment rates remain among the highest in the state at nearly 20 percent, a number of jobs for skilled workers continually go unfilled. What’s being done to try to solve this problem, better train the Valley's workforce, and fill these jobs? Blake Konczal, Director of the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board; and Carole Goldsmith, Vice Chancellor of Education Services and Workforce Development at West Hills Community College join us to talk about Career Technical Education and other programs that help to address these issues facing the Valley's unemployed.

State & National Parks

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:11:49 -0700

Part I: National Parks
Central California's National Parks are known worldwide and attract millions of visitors each year. In 2010, over 4 million people visited Yosemite National Park, just short of breaking the park's all-time record. But those visitors bring big city problems with them, from traffic jams, to pollution and safety concerns. This week on Quality of Life, we examine the difficult task of balancing public access with preservation of natural resources, in Yosemite and beyond. Should certain popular areas be restricted, and what's the most equitable way to do that? We ask those questions and more on this segment on Quality of Life. Our guests include John Rasmussen, executive committee member of the Sierra Club's Tehipite Chapter; and Ron Sundergill, Pacific Senior Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association.

Part II: California State Parks
Earlier this month, California Governor Jerry Brown announced a proposal to close 70 of the state's 278 state parks, in order to save some $11 million dollars in the coming fiscal year. In Central California, the list of closures includes the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve and the Fort Tejon State Historic Park in Kern County, and the Mariposa Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa County. In response, a new bill in the Assembly would make it easier for non-profit organizations to assume some responsibilities for operating state parks. What would that plan mean for the state parks system, and is the process of closing parks a costly proposition? Guests Kathy Weatherman, Tehachapi District Superintendent for the State Department of Parks and Recreation; and Jerry Emory, Communications Director for the California State Parks Foundation, join us to talk about the future of California's state parks.

Diabetes & Local History

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:21:58 -0700

Segment 1: Diabetes
Californians spend $24 billion each year on diabetes care, and the Valley's diabetes rates are some of the highest in the state, around 10 percent. For people struggling with the disease, the financial and emotional burdens of diabetes make for a difficult combination. When the costs of diabetes testing supplies add up, some bypass the pharmacy and turn to the street to get what they need. Correspondent Shellie Branco reports on how some Valley residents are dealing with their disease, and Dr. Allison Diamant from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research joins for a studio discussion on diabetes.

Segment 2: Local History
Central California is one of the fastest growing regions in the state. But with all of the development and population growth the Valley has experienced in recent decades, what unities our communities and makes us unique? In this segment, we talk with local history authors Janice Williams, Scott Morrison and William Secrest Sr. about our shared heritage and Valley history, and how the past can inform our future.

Redistricting / Drunk Driving

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:46:11 -0700

Segment I - Redistricting
While it doesn't get nearly as much attention as the state's on-going budget debate, behind the scenes, work is underway on a set of maps that could dramatically alter California politics for a decade to come. The State's 14 member Citizens Redistricting Commission is currently at work on redrawing the lines of the state's assembly, state senate and congressional districts. And in a state where major decisions such as the budget and big social issues often are decided by just one or two votes, the stakes for all those are high. On this edition of Quality of Life, Valley Public Radio's Tracey Scharmann brings us a special report on what redistricting means for the Valley. We also talk about the politics and practice of drawing legislative district boundaries with Dan Walters, columnist for The Sacramento Bee, and Dr. Stanley Clark, professor of political science at Cal State Bakersfield.

Segment II - Drunk Driving
With Memorial Day and high school graduations right around the corner, the issue of drunk driving is front of mind for many Californians. In this segment we talk to Officer Matt Radke of the California Highway Patrol, who takes the anti-drunk driving message into area schools, and Barry Gleason of the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Nuclear Power / FUSD

Tue, 3 May 2011 14:09:38 -0700

Segment I: Nuclear Power In the Valley?
The State of California has a long love-hate relationship with nuclear power. It's now been 26 years since Diablo Canyon, the state's newest nuclear power plant, came online on the Central Coast. In the intervening years, reactors at Rancho Seco, near Sacramento, and San Onofre near San Diego have been decommissioned, and the state's moratorium on the construction of new plants still remains in effect. But now, with rising concerns over global warming, and a state law that requires dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions, nuclear power is gaining renewed interest in the Golden State. One Fresno based group wants to build a so-called Clean Energy Park, including two reactors here in the Valley. All of this comes in the wake of the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima power plant in Japan, and the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Does nuclear power have a place in the future of the Valley? Is it a clean energy solution to solving our environmental and economic problems? Or is it a dangerous idea that could endanger Valley residents and agriculture? John Hutson, President and CEO of the Fresno Nuclear Energy Group is our guest.

Fresno Nuclear Energy

Segment II: Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson
Several weeks ago, local journalist Mark Arax was a guest on our program, and called the Fresno Unified School District "arguably the most broken district in the state." He also made several serious claims about the district’s operations and the driving record of Superintendent Michael Hanson. This week Hanson is our guest and responds to his critics and addresses the $71 million budget crunch currently facing the district.

Fresno Unified School District

Kern River / Foreclosures

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:35:14 -0700

Segment 1: The Kern River Flows Through Bakersfield Once More?
The Kern River has long been known as one of the wildest rivers in the west. But far below Lake Isabella, as the channel makes its way through the city of Bakersfield, the days of a wild river, or for much of the year a river at all, are long gone. However, a new proposal from the City of Bakersfield aims to do what many thought would never happen, return year round water to the river through the city, creating a new community amenity. Some think the idea is long overdue, and would be a big improvement to the quality of life of city residents. Others, including farmers and small cities to the north of Bakersfield, who would be on the losing end of the proposal are crying foul, and say the proposal would hurt Kern County, cost jobs, and strain the aquifer. On this edition of Quality of Life, we talk with Lois Henry of the Bakersfield Californian who has covered the issue extensively in the paper; Florn Core, former Water Resources Manager of the City of Bakersfield, and Richard Diamond of the North Kern Water District.

Segment 2: Foreclosures & the Valley
Valley communities like Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield have been some of the hardest hit following the collapse of the real estate market. With foreclosure sales continuing to rise, what’s the current outlook for Valley homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes. Where can homeowners who need assistance turn, and what are programs like Making Home Affordable doing to help? We ask those questions and others with guests Cendy Rojos Foreclosure Prevention Counselor with the Community Housing Council Fresno, and Dan Hawkins, a Fresno area realtor and specialist in short sales.

School Health / Fresno Unified

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:08:12 -0700

Segment 1: School Health
When we hear about budget problems in California schools, we usually think of teachers losing their jobs. But school nurses are also worried about job security and cuts to student health services. On this edition of Quality of Life, correspondent Shellie Branco brings us a feature report on school health, and talks with school nurses and one Visalia family who relies on them. We are also joined by guests Linda Davis-Alldritt, RN, a School Nurse Consultant for California Department of Education, and Kevin Hamilton, Deputy Chief of Program of Clinica Sierra Vista, which serves Kern and Fresno Counties, talking about a new state law that mandates pertusssis booster shots for students entering grades 7-12 starting July 1.

Segment 2: Fresno Unified
Last week on our program author and journalist Mark Arax leveled serious accusations against the Fresno Unified School District, calling it "most broken district in the state," and making serious allegations about Superintendent Michael Hanson's driving record. The interview sparked a flurry of discussion in the local media and community, including calls by some FUSD Board Members for an inquiry into the alleged incidents. This week, we present a differing view of the district, and of Hanson’s leadership, with guest Pete Weber, who was one of the principal authors of a 2005 report called "Choosing Our Future," which was commissioned by the district as it was on the verge of state takeover prior to Hanson’s hiring.

The Valley & Education / Tax Day

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:46:33 -0700

Segments 1 & 2: Mark Arax on the Valley & education
Journalist and author Mark Arax has spent much of his career exposing the dark secrets of life in the Central Valley, from corrupt politicians to secretive land barons. A former senior writer with the LA Times, Arax joins us on this edition of Valley Public Radio’s Quality of Life, to talk about his books, the Valley, and the troubled Fresno Unified School District. The district’s Superintendent Michael Hanson has recently been the subject of media scrutiny after revelations that Hansen has been cited for numerous speeding tickets and for driving with an expired license. In our interview, Arax levels further accusations against Hanson, and claims FUSD is "arguably the most broken" school system in the state.

Segment 3: Tax Day
In our final segment, guest Tom Bell, a certified public accountant and partner in the accountancy firm Moore Grider & Company, joins us to talk about taxes and more. Why is tax day (April 18) "late" this year and what are some of the most common mistakes people make on their taxes? We pose those questions and more in this segment on Quality of Life.

End of CA Drought / Honeybee Collapse

Tue, 5 Apr 2011 17:00:25 -0700

Last week, California Governor Jerry Brown declared that the wet winter has officially put an end to the state’s drought. But with the annual April 1 Sierra snowpack at 165 percent of average, does that mean California’s water woes are behind it, or are just getting started. This week on Quality of Life, UC Merced hydrologist Dr. Roger C. Bales tells us about the science of measuring snow, and what global warming might mean for the our water supply. We’re also joined by Chris Acree of the conservation group Revive the San Joaquin, and Mario Santoyo of the Friant Water Users Authority, who will give us their perspectives of river restoration, and California’s water politics. And later in the program, we ask why honey bees are disappearing at a fast rate, and what it means for the Valley, with UC Davis apiologist Dr. Eric Mussen, beekeeper Gene Brandi, and pollination broker Joe Traynor.

Earthquakes / Lake Isabella Dam

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:50:43 -0700

California is known worldwide as a state especially prone to earthquakes. The 1994 Northridge quake and the 1989 Loma Prieta quake are still fresh in the mind of many Californians. But deep in California's Central Valley, far from the San Andreas, and the state's major population centers, what are the risks to residents and our infrastructure? In our first segment we talk with Dr. Stephen Lewis, Associate Professor of Geophysics at Fresno State about the relative risk the Valley faces from earthquakes, and past events like the two quakes that struck Kern County in 1952, and the 1983 Coalinga earthquake. We also talk with several longtime Valley residents who survived those earthquakes.

In our second segment, we look at the specific issues facing Lake Isabella Dam. Completed in 1953, for years it has served the flood control, irrigation, recreation and hydroelectric needs of Kern County. But in recent years, the earthen dam has become a source of concern, due to water seepage, an undersized spillway, and perhaps most importantly, the discovery that the upper dam was built on top of an active fault. David Serafini of the US Army Corps of Engineers, joins us to describe the problems, and what the Corps is doing to fix the dam.

In our final segment we talk with two guests from the County of Kern, Georgianna Armstrong, Emergency Services Manager, Kern County and Chuck Lackey, Director of the Engineering, Surveying & Permit Services Department. We learn about the steps the county has taken to alert citizens in the event of a disaster, including the "worst-case" scenario of a dam failure, and what the county has done to make buildings safer in the event of an earthquake.

Small Cities Faces Tough Times / Volunteers

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:17:43 -0700

California's cities have been hit hard in recent years. The housing bust, the economic downturn, and perennial state budget crises are just a few of the factors that have helped batter the balance sheets of municipalities up and down the Golden state. Valley cities are no exception, especially given the region’s perennially high levels of unemployment, even in so called "good" times. Many large cities, like Fresno have been forced to make drastic cuts to city services, and have been forced to lay off hundreds of employees. But what about the Valley's smaller cities, those in rural areas, that have less diversified economies, and already rely on doing more with less? FM89's Tracey Scharmann reports on how a financial crisis has rocked the small Madera county community of Chowchilla. We also look at how other small cities are faring in these difficult times, and how volunteers are helping in areas like public safety and emergency response.

Segment 1:

In this segment, we talk about the challenges facing the Valley's small cities with Jose Antonio Ramirez, City Manager of Firebaugh; and Danny Brown, Economic Development Director, City of Wasco; and Mike Dozier of the Rural Development Center at Fresno State. Is the future for small, rural Valley cities a bright one?

Segment 2:

One way many cities are dealing with the budget crunch is by assigning community volunteers with tasks that used to be performed by paid staff. The Fresno Police Department was recently featured in the New York Times and on the BBC for its Citizens on Patrol program which finds volunteers doing everything from collecting evidence to crime scene preservation. In this segment we talk with Sergeant Brenda Trobaugh of the Fresno Police Department and learn more about this program and its implications for the future.

Segment 3:

Valley residents are finding a number of ways to come to the aid of their fellow citizens, not just through programs like Citizens on Patrol. In this segment we talk with Yolanda Akers, Executive Director and Crisis Team Manager of the Foothill Mountain Chapter of the Trauma Intervention Program; and Barbara Swanson, Medical Reserve Corps Project Coordinator, from the Kern County Dept of Public Health.

Toxic Air & Water / Redevelopment

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:57:40 -0700

Segment 1: Toxic Air & Water

Last month, Forbes magazine released its ranking of the nation’s ten "most toxic" cities, and Bakersfield and Fresno were ranked #2 and #3. While concerns about the Valley's air and water quality are nothing new, this report brings new national attention to the efforts to deal with these problems. In this segment, we examine the efforts to clean up the air with Sayed Sadredin, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Guest Maria Herrera, of the Community Water Center in Visalia also joins us to talk about the water quality issues facing many small communities in Tulare county, such as Seville, which was recently singled out by a United Nations expert for its nitrate polluted water system.

Segment 2: Redevelopment

While California lawmakers negotiate a solution to the state’s budget crisis, the future of the Valley's local redevelopment agencies hangs in the balance. Governor Brown's budget proposal aims to close the state’s over 400 redevelopment agencies, and use $1.7 billion in redevelopment money to help balance the state’s $25 billion budget gap. Critics say redevelopment agencies siphon off property tax dollars that would otherwise be used for schools, spend money on dubious projects, and abuse their powers of eminent domain. Supporters, including most of the state’s mayors, claim that redevelopment is an essential tool in revitalizing urban areas, creating jobs, low income housing and improving communities. How would the Governor’s proposal impact communities in the Valley? We examine those questions and more with Fresno City Council member and Fresno RDA chair Larry Westerlund, City of Merced Redevelopment Coordinator Daniel Ainslie, and Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen.

Health care reform / Brain injuries in youth sports

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 14:28:24 -0800

Part 1: Health care reform, 1 year later

Last March, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. This sweeping and controversial law aims to expand health coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans, with the bulk of the new programs beginning in 2014. But many Valley residents, who currently lack coverage, or lost their insurance after losing a job in the recession, have yet to feel the impact of the legislation.

On this edition of Quality of Life, reporter Lauren Whaley looks at how several north valley residents are dealing with the health care crisis, in a special report from The Modesto Bee and the California HealthCare Foundation’s Center for Health Reporting at USC. Following the report, we talk about how the health care reform law is being implemented in California, and what reform measures are being implemented now, before 2014. Our guests include Dr. Shana Alex Lavarreda, Director of Health Insurance Studies at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research; and Dr. Steven Choolijian, M.D., an internist and a consultant to the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State.

Links:

Part 2: Brain injuries in youth sports

Each year American emergency rooms treat 135,000 sports and recreation related traumatic brain injuries, and some 65 percent occur of those occur in children between the ages of 5 and 18. Now California coaches, educators, and lawmakers are working to make the state’s playing fields and gyms safer. From new "safer" bats and helmets, to rules requiring children who suffer head injuries to be removed from play, and to not return until cleared by a medical professional, awareness of the danger of concussions is on the rise. In this segment we learn more about the proposed bill AB 25 by talking with Ross Warren, Chief Consultant to the State Assembly’s Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection; professor Scott Sailor, director of the Athletic Education Training Program at Fresno State; and Marie Ishida, Executive Director of the California Interscholastic Federation.

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Prop 13's Shadow/Future of Public Libraries

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 15:14:52 -0800

Part I: Prop 13 casts a long shadow on state, local government
Thirty three years ago, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 13 into law, ushering in a new era of California politics and forever changing state and local government. Not only did the constitutional amendment cut property taxes nearly in half, its implementation also ushered in a major change in the way government services are provided, in the Golden State, centralizing more power in Sacramento. It also helped spark a wave of so called “ballot box budgeting” with citizens taking control of the power of the purse, in both setting tax rates and spending priorities. Here to talk about the long shadow cast by Prop 13 is Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters; Paul McIntosh, Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties; and David Klein of the California Taxpayers Association.

Part II: Public libraries feel the budget squeeze, usage grows
Valley residents have relied on free access to information at local public libraries for over 100 years. And despite the changes in media over the past century, from videos to the internet to ebooks, in many cases, library use continues to rise. However, like most arms of local government, the Valley’s public libraries are now facing their own set of tough challenges. Not only are declining sales and property tax revenues having a negative impact on library budgets, but the new Governor’s proposed state budget also has some significant reductions in store for libraries. Laurel Prysiazny, County Librarian for the Fresno County Public Library, and Sherry Gomez, Deputy Director for the Kern County Library join us to talk about the potential impact of cuts on users, and on how libraries are evolving to meet the needs of a new generation of users.

Public Transit/Judge James Ardaiz

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:18:52 -0800

There's no doubt that Californians love their cars, and the Central Valley is no exception. But with rising fuel prices, the struggling economy, and a desire to be more environmentally friendly, many Valley residents and leaders are looking at mass transit as an option. Last week, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that President Obama's proposed budget sets aside $18 million to help fund a new "bus rapid transit" system for Fresno. Called by many "light rail on rubber wheels," this new "BRT" system would be the first system of its kind in the Valley. John Downs, Planning Division Manager of the City of Fresno's FAX bus service joins us to talk about what this new system may mean for the future of the Valley.

But getting more people to use mass transit isn't just a matter of supply, it's also one of demand. Despite ambitious goals in the state's global warming reduction bill SB 375, getting Californians to leave their cars at home is proving to be difficult. In our second segment, Louise Bedsworth, research fellow at the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California, tells us about a new study she co-authored called "Driving Change: Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled." The study calls for government to encourage job growth in areas served by transit, and to raise the cost of driving, in order to reach the greenhouse gas reduction goals signed into law in 2008 with SB375.

In our final segment, recently retired State 5th District Court of Appeals Presiding Justice James Ardaiz joins us for a candid discussion about life on the bench. From the personal challenges judges face in their quest to be impartial arbiters of the law, to the role of outreach and innovation in making the judicial system's interactions with the public, we get rare insights into perhaps the least understood branch of government.

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Mental Health Services / Body Art

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:30:53 -0800

Segment I:
As California’s counties face increasing budget pressures, programs that aid those with mental illness have been reduced or eliminated. In Fresno County, patients who used to be treated in the county’s Crisis Intervention Service program are now being sent to area hospital emergency rooms, with serious consequences for patients and the public. Correspondent Shellie Branco reports on the state of mental health services in the Valley followed by an in-studio discussion led by host Terry Phillips with guests Craig Herron, Consumer and Family Advocate for the National Alliance on Mental Illness; Dawan Utecht, CEO of the Community Behavioral Health Center in Fresno; and Donna Taylor, Mental Health Director, Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health.

Segment II:
From piercings to tattoos and beyond, body art is an important form of self expression to many. But when it comes to the workplace and law enforcement, such self adornment can create controversy. Host Terry Phillips talks about the legal and cultural implications of body art in today’s world with employment attorney Marcia Ross from the firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo; Marc deLeon owner/artist of Mad Dog Tattoo in Bakersfield; and Matthew Kundinger, Supervisor of Gang Intervention and Suppression Team with the Kern County Sherriff’s Office.

Bullying & Kettleman City

Tue, 8 Feb 2011 16:11:35 -0800

We look at the spread of bullying and the high rate of babies being born with congenital problems in Kettleman City. Program host Terry Phillips talks with Jorge Barrientos, Education Reporter at The Bakersfield Californian; Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D., Founder and President, Peaceful Playgrounds; Michelle Smith, a Sacramento-based workplace advocate; Dr. Gary Namie, Ph.D., psychologist and Director of the Work Place Bullying Institute; and Rebecca Plevin, Community Health Reporter for Vida en el Valle.

Links:

Music:

"Don't Laugh at Me" (Mark Wills)
"Ugly" (Sugarbabes)

Food Safety / Social Media

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 12:01:57 -0800

How safe is our food? From time to time, government agencies order dangerous products removed from shelves. But are these recalls effective in protecting us? Host Terry Phillips speaks with attorney and food safety advocate Bill Marler; Joe Bezerra, Executive Director of the California State University Agricultural Research Institute; and Greg Wegis of the Kern County Farm Bureau. And later in the program, social networking is all the rage. How are Facebook, instant messaging and other new media services changing our lives? Detective Dustin Dodd of the Clovis Police Department’s High Technology Crimes Unit talks about how secure are we in this virtual world. Other guests include Bradley Fitzhenry, Promotions and Production Director of the Fresno Social Media Club; and Tamyra A. Pierce, PhD, Mass Communication & Journalism Department Chair at CSU Fresno.

Reforming California / Public Employee Pay

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:53:47 -0800

California has one of the world’s largest economies. Despite our wealth, the state’s budget is in constant disarray. What are the causes and possible solutions? Host Terry Phillips talks with Mark Paul, co-author of California Crackup: How Reform broke the Golden State & How We Can Fix It; Mac Taylor, Legislative Analyst for the State of California; and Pete Weber, Executive Committee Chairman of California Forward. Later in the program, reporters John Ellis of the Fresno Bee and Steven Mayer of the Bakersfield Californian discuss the salaries of local government employees.

Cesarean Section Births and General Vang Pao

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:08:10 -0800

Women living in San Joaquin Valley seem to have a statistically high rate of babies being delivered by Cesarean Section. Correspondent Shellie Branco looks into this phenomenon. And later in the program, the most famous – and some say "infamous" - member of the Hmong community died in the Central Valley on Jan. 7, 2011. Program host Terry Phillips talks with some of those who knew Gen. Vang Pao. Guests include: Dr. Tracy Flanagan, M.D., Chair of the Kaiser Permanente Ob/Gyn Chiefs Group for the Northern California region; Donna Macris, RN, Certified Nurse Midwife; Fresno City Councilman Blong Xiong; Charles Vang, one of General Vang Pao’s grandsons; Charlie Waters, veterans advocate and friend of General Vang Pao.

High-Speed Rail and Museums

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:08:10 -0800

High-speed rail is coming to California. What still stands in the way of riding a bullet train in the Golden State? Host Terry Phillips gets an update. And later in the program, we find out how local museums are surviving in this era of fiscal troubles. Guests include: Rachel Wall, Press Secretary for the California High Speed Rail Authority; Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation; Mark Hendrickson, Merced County Director of Commerce, Aviation & Economic Development; Manuel Cunha, Jr., President of the Nisei Farmers League; Linda Cano, Executive Director of the Fresno Art Museum; and Jeff Nickell, Director of the Kern County Museum. Music: "Marrakesh Express" (David Crosby & Graham Nash) "Locomotive" (Thelonious Monk) "That Train Don't Stop Here Anymore" (Ruth Brown) "A Foggy Day in London Town" (Fred Astaire) "King Tut" (Steve Martin) "Indiana Jones" (Boston Pops Orchestra)

Bikes and Diets and Resolutions

Tue, 4 Jan 2011 14:24:09 -0800

Our first program of 2011 offers some tempting possibilities for transportation and nutrition. We also talk about New Year’s resolutions. Guests include: Bryan Jones, Traffic Engineer for the City of Fresno; Tina Chapa, Executive Director for Bike Bakersfield; Dr. Avtar Nijjer-Sidhu, Senior Health Educator for the Kern County Health Department; Circle of Life coach Michael Levine; fitness and weight loss coach James Leath.

Music:

"Bicycle Race" (Queen)
"Bicycle Built for Two" (Nat King Cole)
"Food, Glorious Food" ("Oliver" soundtrack)
"The Diet Song" (Bobby Bare)
"Promises, Promises" (Sean Hayes) "New Year’s Resolution Song" (Rhett & Link)

Additional Links:

Year in Review

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:07:21 -0800

’Tis the season when many people in America look back on the year gone by. But not all the big news of 2010 happened somewhere else. Many important events occurred right here in the Central Valley. Moderator Terry Phillips talks with some local observers to tell us what they think mattered most.

Panelists include: Gabriel Dillard, Managing Editor of The Business Journal; Mike Tharp, Executive Editor of The Merced Sun-Star; Gretchen Wenner, reporter for The Bakersfield Californian; and Jack Robinson, Managing Editor for The Fresno Bee.

Additional Links:

Music:

"It's About Time" (TV Theme)
"The Syncopated Clock" (Arthur Fiedler)
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" (The Byrds)
"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" (Chicago)
"As Time Goes By" (Henry Mancini)

Micro-lending & Philanthropy

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:11:21 -0800

Americans are a generous people. But in the midst of these uncertain economic times... it's difficult for many folks to give as much as before. Even banks are less likely to lend money than they used to. What does the future hold for borrowing and for benevolence? Terry Phillips moderates a discussion with guest experts and listeners. Panelists include: Dan DeSantis, CEO of the Fresno Regional Foundation; Brock Seraphin, Micro-Lending Program Coordinator for the Dolores Huerta Foundation; Debbie Raven, CEO of the Valley Small Business Development Corporation; Jeffrey Pickering, CEO of the Kern Community Foundation; and Doug Broten, CEO of the Central California Better Business Bureau.

Medical School and Meditation

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:04:22 -0800

The University of California plans to help meet Central California’s increased need for doctors by training more physicians in the San Joaquin Valley. Moderator Terry Phillips also looks at the connection between health, meditation and religion.

Panelists include: Dr. Don Hilty, Co-Director of the UC Merced San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education; Grace Schireson, founder of the Empty Nest Zen Group; and Eric Nelson, spokesman for the Christian Science Church of Northern California.

Additional links:

Pearl Harbor Remembrance

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 14:30:35 -0800

The Central San Joaquin Valley is down to about six survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack. Chuck Lishman of Coarsegold is one of the guests on this program. He was one of 84,000 service members who were on the island on that Sunday morning. His memories of the planes and of the ensuing hours are, one might say, almost too clear.

Another guest is Joyce Okazaky, who was confined to the Japanese American Internment Camp at Manzanar (nine miles north of Lone Pine on Highway 395) from April 1942 to July 1944. She says she could never answer the question of, "Why was I taken away," and even without her childhood toys, until just six years ago as she continued reading the history.
Guest-hosting for Terry Phillips is George Mason, who is joined in-studio by C.S.U.F. history professor Lori Clune, PhD., who adds the perspective of just where today’s college-age person is, when it comes to the pivotal day of December 7, 1941.

DREAM Act / "Brain Drain" in the Valley

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:50:15 -0800

The DREAM Act, also known as the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, is proposed federal legislation that would extend legal resident status to many illegal immigrant college students. The debate over the law has created a national controversy, one that recently hit close to home, with the disclosure by Fresno State Associated Students President Pedro Ramirez that he is an illegal immigrant. We'll talk about the political calculus of the law with Fresno State Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Thomas Holyoke, and get opposing views on the law from Christopher Chavez, President of the California State Students Association, and Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

In the second half of today's show we'll examine how the economy is impacting the long running problem known as the "brain drain" - educated young professionals leaving the Valley to seek jobs elsewhere. We'll talk to Richard D Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern County Economic Development Corporation, as well as Jaime Holt and Suzanne Bertz-Rosa from Creative Fresno. We'll find out what is being done to attract and retain more educated professionals in the Valley, and also talk about the phenomena of "boomerangs," people who leave the Valley, only to return later in life.

Additional Links:

Prostate Cancer & Thanksgiving

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:37:58 -0800

Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest diseases affecting American men. What help is available to diagnose and treat this illness? Moderator Terry Phillips asks a panel of guest experts. We also take a look at the many ways Thanksgiving is celebrated around the world. It’s not just only an American holiday.

Panelists include: Dr. Randy Fralick, Kaiser Permanente Urology Department; Dr. Uzair Chaudhary, Chief of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology as well as
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF Fresno; Sam Wells, Board Member of the California Prostate Cancer Coalition; and Dr. M.A. Nezami, Pacific Medical Center of Hope.

Additional links:

Health Insurance Town Hall - Part 1

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:33:51 -0800

How will new federal and state laws affect the way we pay for medical care? Valley Public Radio hosted a Health Insurance town hall meeting in collaboration with The Great Valley Center. We invited a panel of guest experts to explain the changes. This two-hour event was recorded in front of an audience at College of the Sequoias in Visalia on Nov. 9, 2010.

Part 1 is an overview of the status quo.
Part 2 focuses on those who are uninsured.
Part 3 looks at those who currently have insurance.
Part 4 is a political debate about the future of health insurance.

Panelists include: Dr. Len Finocchio (Ph.D.), Senior Program Officer at the California HealthCare Foundation; Verla Oliver, Director of Consulting at Single-Point Outsourcing; Dr. John Capitman (Ph.D.), Professor of Public Health at California State University, Fresno; Norma Forbes, Executive Director at Fresno Healthy Community Access Partners; Greg Hund, CEO of CalViva Health; Dr. Michelle Quiogue (M.D.), President of California Academy of Family Physicians.

Our debaters are investment broker Tom Fife and attorney Joe Altschule.

Our correspondent Shellie Branco revisits a family with an autistic daughter and their changing insurance challenges.

Special funding for this program comes from the California Health Care Foundation

Campaign Finance Reform & The Peace Corps

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 13:38:57 -0800

Many people worry about the affect of money on our electoral process. A bill in Congress is trying to change that. What are its chances for success? We’ll also take a look at a government agency that is actively recruiting people to take the adventure of a lifetime. Terry Phillips moderates a discussion with guest experts and listeners.

Panelists include: Chris Manson, News Director of KSEE-TV in Fresno; Simon Lee, Central Valley Regional Organizer for California Common Cause; Allison Hayward, Vice President of Policy of the Center for Competitive Politics; Jacob Hall, a Peace Corps recruiting coordinator; and Jim Carl, a returning Peace Corps volunteer.

Additional links:

Longevity

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 11:59:49 -0700

What does "old" mean to you? We are living longer than ever before, but Americans still lag behind many other developed countries when it comes to longevity. Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion with guest experts and listeners about what we can do to improve the chances of celebrating our one hundredth birthday.

Panelists include: Dr. Helen Miltiades (Ph.D.), Chair of the Gerontology Department at CSU Fresno; Cindie Van Noy, founder and owner of To Whom Honor Is Due in Fresno; Sally Little, Vice President of Southern California Presbyterian Homes in Glendale; and Eric Cooper, President of the "Oildorado Days" centennial in Taft.

Election Preview - Part 4

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:43:58 -0700

Moderator Terry Phillips and his guests talk about at two state initiatives: Propositions 19 deals with legalizing marijuana. Proposition 23 concerns air pollution controls and climate change. We also hear from the candidates for governor.

Panelists include: Casey Creamer, Vice President of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (Yes on 23); Steve Maviglio, Communications Director for the "No on Proposition 23" campaign; and Dr. Donald Bucklin, National Medical Review Officer for U.S. Health Works Medical Group. Additional links:

Additional Links:

Election Preview - Part 3 & Seasonal Affective Disorder

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:06:18 -0700

Some people can get a bad case of the winter blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is actually a form of depression. Terry Phillips moderates a discussion of this and other mental illnesses. Correspondent Shellie Branco has a special report. We also continue our look at candidates and measures in the upcoming midterm elections.

Panelists include: Dr. Michelle Quiogue, California Association of Family Physicians in Bakersfield; and Elizabeth Fields, League of Women Voters in Fresno.

Election Preview - Part 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:00:53 -0700

Moderator Terry Phillips and guest analysts continue to look at local races and measures as well as statewide ballot Propositions 21, 22 and 24. Plus opposing opinions on Propositions 20 and 27.

Panelists include: Michael D. Evans, Fresno County Democratic Central Committee Chair; Francine Farber, Fresno League of Women Voters President; Ted Green, "No on Proposition 24" spokesman; and Robert Price, The Bakersfield Californian Editorial Page Editor.

Additional Links:

Election Preview - Part 1

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 16:34:53 -0700

Moderator Terry Phillips and guest analysts look at two pairs of propositions: 20 and 27 deal with redistricting; 25 and 26 concern legislative voting. We also look at contested statewide offices and check recent voter surveys.

Panelists include: Jim Boren, Vice President and Editorial Page Editor of the Fresno Bee; Dr. Sarbjit Johal, History and Political Science Department Chair at Fresno City College; Mark Baldassare, President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California.

Additional Links:

Fresno Bee
Public Policy Institute of California
California Secretary of State or 1-800-345-8683

Agriculture Aid to Afghanistan

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:28:18 -0700

In addition to bullets and bombs, American troops are engaged in combat with some unexpected weapons - such as advanced farming techniques. With advice from Central Valley agriculture experts, U.S. Marines and California National Guardsmen are trying to help growers in Afghanistan. What are the long-term prospects for stability and peace there? Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion.

Panelists include: Dr. Bill Erysian (Ph.D.), Coordinator of Grants and International Projects at the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, CSU Fresno; USMC Major Tom Espinosa, former Commander of the Civil Affairs Detachment at Upper Helmand Province in Afghanistan; Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Romano; and Brian Fishman, Counterterrorism Research Fellow at the New America Foundation.

Folk Medicine

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:55:13 -0700

Although we continue to see improvements in the science and technology of medicine, many people would rather rely on home remedies or old-country cures. But how effective are alternative treatments? Terry Phillips moderates a discussion with guest experts and listeners. Correspondent Shellie Branco has a special report about a local Hmong shaman.

Panelists include: Rev. Anna Lopez, President of the New Thought Community in Fresno; Dr. Unaiza Hayat (M.D.), Director of Avecinia Wellness Center in Fresno; Dr. Karen Stocker (Ph.D.), Anthropology Professor at CSU Fullerton.

Additional Links

Hospice Care

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:56:57 -0700

Hospice care is one option to deal with an incurable disease. These facilities provide a dignified and compassionate environment as we near the end of life. Terry Phillips moderates a panel of guest experts who talk about what help is available for those wishing to face the final phases of terminal illness as comfortably as possible.
Panelists include: Jane Lindberg, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Hinds Hospice in Fresno; Kathleen Stefani, Community Development Director at Hinds Hospice in Merced; Roger Wyan, UC Merced lecturer and photographer of the “Portraits of Life” project; Robert Rees, Social Worker at St. Agnes Hospice in Fresno; Beth Hoffman, Director of Operations of Hoffman Hospice in Bakersfield.

Hospice links:

National Hispanic Heritage Month links:

Culture Clashes

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 09:47:36 -0700

The Central Valley has a very diverse population. Many of us have multiple national identities. We practice different cultural traditions and speak different languages. But how does all this variety affect our quality of life? Terry Phillips moderates a discussion with guest experts and listeners.

Panelists include: Francine Oputa, Director of the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute and host of "Common Ground" on KFCF; Jeannie Parent, Chair of the ESL Department at Bakersfield College; Charlie Croker, author of "Lost in Translation: Misadventures in English Abroad"

Music Links

Additional links:

Music Appreciation

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:30:09 -0700

Classical music is one of the most popular genres used by filmmakers to score their productions. The great composers provide wonderful resources to evoke a wide range of emotions. But over the years, teaching music appreciation in public schools has changed. Are the classics in danger of becoming extinct? Moderator Terry Phillips leads our discussion.

Panelists include: Mike Dana, Head of the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program at Fresno City College; Kristina Herrick, host of "Clearly Classical" (weekday mornings), "In The Mode" and "Young Artists Spotlight" on Valley Public Radio; Dennis Herbst, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts at Panama-Buena Vista Union School District in Bakersfield; Vince DiCiccio, host of "The Intersection" and "The Oasis" on Valley Public Radio; Robert Emmett, host of the "Norman Bates Memorial Soundtrack Show" on KFJC at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Calif.

Additional links:

Kindness

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:53:24 -0700

At a time of growing social and political division, what can we do to get along better? Moderator Terry Phillips invites listeners to talk about the protection of animals and religious tolerance.

Guests include: Louis Medina, first place winner at this year’s Center of the World Festival; Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, Director of the Fresno Islamic Cultural Center.

Additional Links

Nursing Shortage

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:52:46 -0700

The San Joaquin Valley has a critical shortage of qualified nurses. Many nursing schools have long waiting lists and turn away would-be students because they don’t have enough teachers. One solution: Assembly Bill 867 which would help to create a new nursing doctorate degree at the California State University system. Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion with guest experts and listeners. Correspondent Shellie Branco has a special report about job prospects for nursing school graduates.

Panelists include: Kris Aubry, Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital Central California; Michael Russler, Chair of the Nursing Department at CSU Fresno; Christine Lawry-Hawkins, Director of Clinical Education at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia; Pilar De La Cruz-Reyes, Director of Diversity at the Institute for Nursing and Health Care in Fresno; and Gloria Fitzgerald a retired nurse who managed educational development at Fresno Community Medical Centers.

Additional Links:

Kaweah Delta Hospital Festival

Air Quality Policy

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:39:57 -0700

What, if anything, can government do to clean the atmosphere? Terry Phillips moderates a discussion with guest experts and listeners to examine the political challenges for preventing pollution and improving air quality.

Panelists include: Tom Jordan, Senior Policy Advisor at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; Dorene D'Adamo, Board Member of the California Air Resource Board; Sam Atwood, Media Relations Manager for the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Los Angeles County; and Karen McConell, Director of Special Services at Hanford Elementary School District.

Additional Links

Landscape

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 15:32:26 -0700

George Mason fills in for Terry Phillips and talks with listeners and guests about weeds, landscape and watering.

Panelists include: Bob Boro (Landscape Architect, ***commercial/residential, member: American Society of Landscape Architects); Elizabeth Sereda (Master Gardeners of Fresno County, Univ. Calif. Cooperative Extension - UCCE); Martin Querin (Asst. Director of Public Utilities, Water Division Manager at City of Fresno, ***City of Fresno Water Conservation Program as well as the City 'Pilot Program'), Susan Stiltz (Landscape Water Conservationist Specialist, City of Fresno, ***Assists customers through landscape consulting and design of Water-wise landscaping. Susan also surveys irrigation systems for water efficiency, helps find water leaks, and sets controllers. These are Free services to City customers. Water meters are coming and approximately 60% of water use is outdoor. Susan is well-known in the local Green industry. She has over 24 years in horticulture, including: Staff at Tree Fresno )

Immigration Policy

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:01:00 -0700

What is the impact of immigration - both legal and illegal - in the Central Valley? Moderator Terry Phillips talks with listeners and guest experts about this controversial subject.

Panelists include: Fresno immigration attorney Isabel Machado; Dr. Va Nee Van Vleck, Economics Professor at CSU Fresno; Alfredo Cuellar, Dean of Behavioral and Social Science at Imperial Valley College in Calexico, Calif.; Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, DC.

Additional Links:

Medical Technology

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:04:01 -0700

How is the increased use of medical technology affecting the quality of health care in the Central Valley? Computers influence nearly every aspect of the way we live including medicine. High-tech evolution provides many benefits. But some people say all this technology costs more than just money. Are doctors and nurses and other wellness professionals doing a better job with all these modern tools at their disposal? Correspondent Shellie Branco has a special report about telemedicine.

Moderator Terry Phillips takes listener calls and interviews a panel of guest experts including: Sean McFarland, Dept. Of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, Physician-in-Chief of Kaiser Permanente in Fresno; Professor Dylan Roby, Ph.D., UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Pollution

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:04:19 -0700

Where does all our garbage go? We are a notoriously disposable society. But all that trash has to end up somewhere, and we’re running out of room for rubbish. In some parts of the Central Valley, ground pollution poses a serious health risk.

Moderator Terry Phillips talks with a panel of guest experts about the need for cleaning up after ourselves and some creative solutions. Panelists include: Stephanie Acker, Director of Fresno City Recycling Education and Outreach ("Operation Clean Up"); Steve Fuller, Cal Trans Maintenance Manager; Margo Reid Brown, Director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery ("Cal Recycle"); Jeanette Richardson Park, recycling artist and Kern County Arts Council Exec. Director; Ricardo Martinez, Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice and Border Affairs, California EPA, Sal Moretti, Bakersfield Solid Waste Superintendent.

Additional links:

Summer School

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 09:45:00 -0700

Some kids attend classes during vacation months to earn extra credits or to make up a failed course. Others go to summer school just for fun. A wide variety of choices are available for students of all ages.

Moderator Terry Phillips talks with guest experts and takes listener calls. The panel includes Dr. John Mayer, Course Coordinator of the CSU Summer Arts Program at Fresno State; Randy Mehrten, Executive Director for the Safe and Healthy Kids Programs at the Fresno County Office of Education; Jackie Brouillette, Summer Camp Director of the Lori Brock Discovery Center at the Kern County Museum; Jennifer Joliffe, Adult/Child Summer Fun Program Coordinator for Clovis Unified School District; and Mr. Arnie Prieb , Director of International Programs & Services at Fresno Pacific University.

Additional Links:

Fresno County Office of Education

CSU Summer Arts Program

Kern County Museum Summer Camp

Clovis Unified School District

Fresno Pacific University

Sports Medicine

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:04:41 -0700

As we move into warmer weather, many of us are using muscles that were in hibernation during recent months. Whether one is a serious athlete, a weekend warrior or just moderately active, warming up is an important prelude to any physical exertion. What should we know to avoid getting hurt?

Moderator Terry Phillips interviews guest experts and takes listener calls.

Panelists include: Dr. Jason Gray, owner of Physiomotion Physical Therapy; Dr. Steven Thaxter, orthopedic surgeon at Sierra Pacific Orthopedic & Spine Center; and Bob Pair, co-owner of Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy

Physiomotion Physical Therapy

Sierra Pacific Orthopedic & Spine Center

Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy

Conflict Resolution

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 10:33:39 -0700

Many people claim to have irreconcilable differences. But not all disputes have to end unhappily for one person or the other. Sometimes, there is some common ground that can lead to a win-win outcome. Moderator Terry Phillips interviews guest experts on mediation, and takes listener calls.

Panelists include: Daniel DeSantis, CEO of Fresno Regional Foundation; Lori Granger, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at the Center for Mindfulness; Erin Rhames-Childs, Collaborative Divorce Attorney with the Childs Law Group; and Detective Doug Reese, Fresno Police Department Crisis Team Negotiator.

Additional links:

Fresno Superior Court alternative dispute resolution program
Fresno Pacific University Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies
Fresno Regional Foundation
The Center For Mindfulness
Childs Law Group

Primary Election Propositions

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 09:30:33 -0700

This is a fast-paced summary of the arguments for and against the statewide initiatives. Terry Phillips moderates a debate among advocates for and against the most controversial measures: Proposition 14 (changes primary election process), Proposition 15 (introduces public funding of political campaigns) and Proposition 16 (limits local electricity providers).

Advocates include: Jeannine English, President of California AARP (Yes on 14); Richard Winger, Californians for Electoral Reform board member (No on 14); Trent Lange, California Fair Elections Act campaign chair (Yes on 15); Richard Wiebe, Schubert Flint Public Affairs firm (No on 15); Becky Warren, Mercury Public Affairs firm (Yes on 16); and Mark Toney, Executive Director of TURN (No on 16).

Other guests include: Tom Holyoke, Political Science Professor, CSU Fresno; Mark Trezza, Political Science Professor, Fresno City College.

Additional links:

Yes on Prop. 14
No on Prop. 14
Yes on Prop. 15
No on Prop. 15
Yes on Prop. 16
No on Prop. 16
Yes on Prop. 17
No on Prop. 17
California Secretary of State Guide to Propositions
League of Women Voters Guide to Propositions

Politics and Public Opinion

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:12:38 -0700

Today's program is all politics and public opinion, as moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion on how public opinion is moving in today's political climate.

Terry’s guests are: Mr. Mark Balsassare, President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California; Mr. Jonathan Zwicle, Fresno County Treasurer of the California Libertarian Party; Mr. Derek Iverson, Spokesperson for the California Green Party; Mr. Markham Robinson, State Chair and Media Contact for the California American Independent Party; Mr. Kevin Akin, State Chair of the California Peace and Freedom Party.

Public Policy Institute of California
California Libertarian Party
California Green Party
California American Independent Party
California Peace and Freedom Party

Addiction

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:11:50 -0700

Today’s program deals with the all too common and very serious problem of addiction. Our moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion covering the psychological and physiological realities of addiction, and our listener’s calls offer unique insights into the way individuals and families deal with a variety of addictive behaviors.

Our guests are: Dr. Markham Kirsten, and addiction specialist at Kaiser Permanente; Dr. David Roy, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Creative Transformation; Ms. Sherill Calhoun, who speaks about methamphetamine addiction and its effect on families; Ms. Marti Rodriquez, Family Health Supervisor for the Kern County Mental Health Department.

Civility

Tue, 11 May 2010 14:39:50 -0700

Today's discussion centers around civility in politics and individual, corporate and international affairs. We learn about the International Civility Project, and discuss the traditional "politeness" and civility in the U.S. military. The importance of protocol and discipline, the display of respect, responsibility and restraint in the armed services is important in providing the polite society in the military. We discuss the loss of civility in daily life that encourages the need for change toward a more polite society. Our quests are Ms. Cynthia Bruno Wynkoop, Esq., President, Wynkoop Image; Dr. David Schecter, Political Dept. Chair, CSU Fresno; Mr. Peter Laufer, Author of "Wireless Etiquette."

Shopping Malls

Tue, 4 May 2010 14:05:34 -0700

Today, our Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion on the "Public Square" function of shopping Malls. Our guest panelists are: Mr. Craig Scharton, Director of the Downtown and Community Revitalization Department, City of Fresno; Mr. Joe Altschule, Attorney; Mr. Mike Jenner, Executive Director, Bakersfield Californian.

School Textbooks and Testing

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:06:50 -0700

Today’s program addresses the questions surrounding the writing and selection of school text books, and testing. Our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes a panel of experts, and we have many interesting calls from listeners.

Our guests are: Dr. Don Holder, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction for Fresno County Office of Education; Ms. Jill Tafoya, West Fresno Interim Superintendent, Fresno County Office of Education; Dr. Guadalupe Solis, Administrator for Educational Resource Services, Tulare County Office of Education; Dr. Lisa Benham, Language Arts History Coordinator for Fresno County Office of Education; Mr. Lou Massicci, Sales Executive with Voyager Learning.

Obesity and Diabetes

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:11:31 -0700

A large and growing problem in central California is diabetes, and one of the main causes is obesity. Today, moderator Terry Phillips, our guest panelists and callers talk about this problem and what can be and is being done to combat the unhealthy trend.

Our guests are: Dr. Deborah Van Gundy, Ecdrocrinologist with Kaiser Paermanente Medical Center in Fresno; Ms. Nancy Whalen, Dietitian for Clovis Unified School District; Ms. Edie Jessup, Program Development Specialist with the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program at CSU Fresno; Mr. Matthew Constantine, Director of Public Health Services for Kern County.

Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program
Kern County Public Health Department
California Center for Public Advocacy

What Are We Growing?

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:31:30 -0700

Fresno County is the nation’s number one agricultural county in the U.S., producing more than 350 commercial crops, totaling more than $5.3 billion dollars in gross production value. Our moderator Terry Phillips and his guests talk about what’s new in crops, our listeners call with their own experiences growing edible plants, and we have a special guest who puts a comedy spin on it all.

Our guests are: Mr. Ryan jacobsen, Executive Director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau; Mr. Les Wright, Deputy Commissioner of the Fresno County Department of Agriculture; Dr. Margaret Reeves, Senior Scientist with Pesticide Action Network North America; Mr. Roger Radley, Comedian.

Fresno County Farm Bureau
Pesticide Action Network North America
Roger Radley's Site

What Do We Know

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:49:55 -0700

Today’s program takes us to the Library for an interesting discussion about these institutions in this new age of on-line information. Taking part in the discussion are: Bill Secrest Jr., Local History Librarian, california History & Genealogy Room at the Fresno County Library; Rod Hersberger, Dean of the Library at CSU Bakersfield; Johanna Alexander, Reference Series Coordinator, CSU Bakersfield Walter Stiern Library; Rick King, Chairman of the Minnesota Ultra high-Soeed Broadband Task Force; Jeff Scott, Deputy Librarian at the Tulare County Library. And, our listeners come up with the correct answer to the question "which book is most often stolen from libraries."
Fresno County Library
Kern County Library
Tulare County Library
Gather No Dust Blog
Library of Congress

Violence in the News: How Does it Affect You?

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:29:30 -0700

Today’s program features the listener/callers who share their ideas about how we are affected by what we hear, read and see in the news. We share some very personal stories about reactions to the violence of war, about traveling without fear because of the belief that God will protect, and dealing with violence in the home. Also, Terry takes us on a pre-recorded trip to the "Center of the World Festival" at Pine Mountain Club. Center of the World Festival

Local Banking

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:51:58 -0700

Today’s program is a very interesting discussion about local "community" banks and the big national banks. Our discussion and questions from listeners are informed by a panel of experts in banking and business. They are: Mr. J. Michael McGowan, President & CEO of Premiere Valley bank; Mr. Robert Hemsath, President & CEO of Security First Bank; Mr. Tim Sheehan, Reporter for the Fresno Bee; Mr. Mike Wilson, President 7 CEO of Suncrest Bank; Dr. John Emery, Dean of Business & Public Administration, CSU, Bakersfield.

Teen Pregnancy & Domestic Violence

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:58:22 -0700

Today, Quality of Life tackles a difficult pair of topics – Teen Pregnancy and Domestic Violence. With a special report from correspondent Shellie Branco, great questions and comments from listeners, and a notable panel of experts, the program is an interersting and thoughtful presentation. Our guests are: Ms. Kayla Wilson, Teen Parent and Support Coordinator for Fresno County Office of Education; Ms. Katie Quinn-Crask, Director of Clinical Services and Licensed Therapist at the Marjorie Mason Center of Fresno; Ms. Afreen Kaelble, Supervising District Attorney, Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, Family Protection Team.

To contact Teen Parent Support, Fresno County Office of Education: 559-265-3098 ext 3239 or Kayla Wilson at kwilson@fcoe.org.

Tulare County Victim/Witness Assistance Bureau at (559) 733-6754

The Crane Valley Equine Project – For Kids at Risk and Battered Women. 559-877-3455

Free Speech on Campus and at Work

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:47:59 -0800

Today’s program is a very special pre-recorded program. On March 4th, our moderator, Terry Phillips, led a discussion before a live audience at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia. With questions and comments from the public, the conversation includes Mr. Joe Altschule, an Attorney; Mr. David Miller, President of Pacific Employers; Dr. Sue Cox, adjunct Professor at Fresno Pacific university; Mr. Tommy Smothers, entertainer. The panel discusses our First Amendment protections for freedom of speech, and how they are extended to the workplace, and where the lines should be drawn between exchange of ideas and unreasonable intrusions at Universities.

Water Bond

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 14:45:49 -0800

California voters will have an opportunity to decide on passage of a very large water bond. The long-standing and very contentious issues connected to the distribution, sale, use and storage of water are extremely important in the San Joaquin Valley as well as the rest of the state. Our panel of guests speak to the issues, and deliver a stimulating discussion. Our guests are: Dr. Robert Merrill, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Geology, CSU Fresno; Mr. Jim Earp, Co-Chair of the California Water Bond campaign; Mr. Jim Metropulos, Senior Advocate, California Sierra Club. Also, to speak to issues surrounding increasing the flow of water in the Kern River, is Mr. Florn Core, Former Water Resources Manager for the City of Bakersfield.

The Central Valley Water Forum “Fact vs Fiction” will be at Fresno City College on Saturday, March 13 from 9am to 4pm. Registration is free at revivethesanjoaquin.org.

Funerals and Organ Donation

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:11:22 -0800

Today’s topic is difficult but interesting, and moderator Terry Phillips has a most interesting line-up of guests. Our discussion ranges from typical questions about the funeral business to organ and full body donation, interesting observations by an Anthropologist, and finally, a conversation with the COO of a Cryonic Society. And, we have emails and calls from listeners. Our guests (six of them!) are: Mr. Michael J. Rabara, President of Central Valley Funeral Directors Association; Mr. Russ Heimerich, spokesman for the California Department of Consumer Affairs; Ms. Ayanna Anderson, Community Development Coordinator for California Transplant Donor Network in Oakland; Ms. Kristin Dorn, Community Relations Manager for Science Care in Phoenix; Dr. Ron Barrett, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota; Mr. James Yount, Chief Operating Officer for American Cryonics Society.

California Dept. of Consumer Affairs - Cemetery & Funeral Bureau

Donate Life california - Organ & Tissue Donor Registry

Whole Body, Organ & Tissue Donation

American Cryonics Association

Health & Air Quality

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:53:51 -0800

The quality of the air we breathe and the related health issues we are dealing with are the focus of today’s program. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests speaking to the science of air quality and the medical responses doctors employ. Our guests are: Dr. David Lighthall, Ph.D., Health Science Advisor for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; Dr. Praveen Buddiga, Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center in Fresno; Dr. Segun Ogunjemiyo, Ph.D., Geography Professor, Atmospheric Science Program at CSU Fresno; Ms. Susie Rico Vasquez, Associate Director of Programs, American Lung Association of California. Healthy Air Living San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District American Lung Association - State of the Air To phone the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District with complaints about possible violations: Northern Region: San Joaquin, Stanislaus & Mercend Counties 1-800-281-7003 Central Region: Madera, Fresno & Kings Counties 1-800-870-10037 Southern Region: Tulare & Kern Counties 1-800-926-5550 For general questions: 559-230-6000

Mining

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 14:44:07 -0800

Today’s program springs from a labor dispute in Boron, California, where the Rio Tinto Borax plant is in dispute with the workers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. We hear representatives of both sides in this labor dispute, and learn a bit about mining, geology and some history. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes these guests: Ryan Couch, Hanford Corrections Officer, who is from Boron and offered historical perspective; Professor Andrew Isenberg, who joined us by phone from Germany, Temple University Professor and Author of “Mining California: An Ecological History; Mr. Patrick Keene, General manager of Keene Engineering in Los Angeles; Mr. Bob Deal, Pilot Plant Director for Rio Tinto, U.S. Borax plant; Mr. Craig Merrilees, Communications Director of International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Weather

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 16:29:37 -0800

Today is Groundhog Day, a perfect day to talk about the weather, which we do from several different angles. From the effects of weather on local agriculture and wildlife in the Sierra Nevada to the beautiful and changing Antarctica. Our guests are: Mr. James Brotherton, Warning Coordinator Meteorologist with the National Weather Service; Mr. Vernon Peterson, Founder of Abundant Harvest Organics; Ms. Desiree Achollo, with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; Ms. Adrienne Freeman, Public Affairs Specialist with Sequoia National park; Mr. Sebastian Copeland, Photographer and author of "Antarctica: A Call to Action" and "Antarctica: The Global Warning."

Culture Crisis

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:27:44 -0800

How is our culture surviving his period of financial crisis? American arts organizations are suffering cutbacks, layoffs and even closings, and the Central Valley is no exception. Our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guest and callers to share their views. Our guests are: Mr. Don Reinhold, Executive Director of the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra; Ms. Jennifer Baldwin, Founder and Executive Director of the Bakersfield Express; Mr. Stewart Randall, President of the Board of Trustees of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum; Mr. Don Martin, President and Creative Director of Metro Galleries in Bakersfield.

Health Care Reform Update

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:27:22 -0800

With national legislation possibly nearing completion, Terry Phillips invites some people directly involved in supplying services to people in central California to discuss their views on what is happening now, and on changes we may see. Our guests are: Mr.. Michael Boyle, Washington bureau reporter for McClatchy newspapers; Dr. Brian Olowude, Psychological Services Coordinator for Fresno City College; Mr. Steve Schilling, CEO of Clinica Sierra Vista; Mr. Keith Winkler, Director of Kings County Public Health Department.

Law & Order

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:28:56 -0800

Today’s program is a general discussion about law enforcement and the Grand Jury, but we start with a quick conversation about flu shots with Dr. Bela matyas, acting Chief, Communicable Disease Emergency Response Branch of the califiornia Department of Public Health. Our guests for the rest of the hour include Sheriff John Anderson, Madera County Sheriff; Senior Deputy Michael Whorf, with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, and Fresno County Superior Court Judge Robert Oliver.

Electoral Reform

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 14:56:37 -0800

Our electoral processes are central to our democracy, and there are many contentious issues that have been subjects of debate over the years. There are a considerable number of organizations seeking to change, streamline, revolutionize and reform our systems, and our Moderator Terry Phillips invited an impressive group of experts to discuss the various issues. Our guests are: Dr. David Provost, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, CSUF; Mr. Steve Chessin, President of Californians for Electoral Reform; Mr. Steve Peace, Co-Founder of the California Independent Voter Project; Mr. Gautam Dutta, Deputy Director for the Political Reform Program of the New America Foundation; Dr. Jonathan Sanders, Communications and Media Department professor at Fordham University.

New Year's Eve

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:57:01 -0800

What are you planning for December 31st? Quality of Life moderator terry phillips and guests take a look at some interesting traditions for New Year's Eve, and we'll hear some of your New Year's resolutions. Our guests are: Mr. Josh Patterson, CEO of Robot Co-op; Ms. Holly McGuire, Editor-In-Chief of Chase’s Calendar of Events; Ms. Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith, America’s Premiere "Eventologist." A very happy New Year’s wish to you!

Secret Wishes

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:14:28 -0800

Our very special guest today is none other than Santa Claus! Listeners - children and grown-ups share their special wishes and share some fun and some bitter-sweet wishes and remembrances around Christmas time.An unusual and peaceful hour for "Quality of Life."

Alternative entertainment

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:55:33 -0800

Today's topic takes us to the movies, theatre and elsewhere to have some fun with entertainment that doesn't often grab the headlines. Our guests and listeners give us many ideas! Our guests are: Mr. Phil Neufeld, President of Flics International Cinema Society, Bakersfield; Mr. Robert Emmet, Radio show host at KFJC in Los Altos Hills; Michael Prince, Artistic Director of Gaslight Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall in Bakersfield.

Business Benevolence

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 17:13:16 -0800

Many companies, large and small, dedicate people and money toward beneficial activities aimed at helping organizations, individuals and communities. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests representing three companies doing business in central California to talk about what they do for the community and why they do it. Our guests are: Mr. Scott Bridgeman, CEO of Eye Q Vision Care; Ms. Carla Musser, Manager of Public Affairs for Chevron in the San Joaquin Valley; Mr. Eric Johnson, Executive Director of AT&T External Affairs.

National Service & Proposition 12

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 17:42:15 -0800

Today's program takes a quick look at California State Proposition 12, passed by voters to provide financial assistance to veterans for home purchases. Then, our moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion about national service - should there be mandatory national service? Should we re-introduce the draft? Should we have a draft for service other than military service? These questions and more are addressed by our guests and callers. This week's guests are: Mr. Jim Lowrey, Deputy Secretary for Farms & Homes for the Veterans Affairs Dept., Sacramento; Mr. Chris Asch, Founder, U.S. Public Service Academy, Washington, D.C.; Mr. Jim Palmer, Board Member, Center for national & Community Service; Major General Ron Markarian (ret.), Selective Service System Representative.

Thanksgiving

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:26:27 -0800

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, Terry Phillips welcomes guests to discuss the efforts to get food to those who need it in central California, and visits with a chef who will be creating dining experiences for the more fortunate. Our guests are: Ms. Sandy Bels, Executive Director of Foodlink Tulare County; Mr. Gary Romriell, Program Manager of Partnership of Kern Food Bank; Mr. Karsten Hart, Executive Chef at Erna's Elderberry House in Oakhurst.

Redistricting and Money in Politics

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:43:30 -0800

Today we look back on Proposition 11, approved by the voters in California, and discuss the Commission yet to be formed and the likely effects of redistricting. Our panelists and callers also talk about money in politics, and what might be done about that. Moderator Terry Phililps leads the informative and interesting session with these guests: Ms. Terri Figgs, Board member, League of Women Voters; Mr. Jim Boren, Editorial manager, Fresno Bee; Mr. Steven Hill, Director of the Political Reform Program for New America Foundation; Mr. Trent Lange, Chairman of Californians for Fair Elections; Mr. Steve Chessin, President of California for Electoral Reform.

Who Are We?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:35:26 -0800

A combination of philosophy and practical considerations about how we view ourselves as people. Our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes a diverse group of guests, and we take interesting calls from listeners. Our guests are: Mr. Jeff Hensley, Owner of Hensley Associates Marketing & Sales Consulting; Ms. Jennifer Giles, Communications Director for the U.S. Census Bureau in Northridge, California; Ms. Deborah Nankivell, CEO of the Fresno Business Council; Mr. Ray Pezolt, Pinkerton Investigations, Denver Office.

Fresno Mayor - Ashley Swearengin

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:14:03 -0800

Today, our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes back to our studio the Mayor of Fresno, Ashley Swearengin. The conversation ranges from police auditor to public art, with many questions from listeners. The program begins with a short conversation related to last week's special on health insurance. Dr. Matt Hendrickson, MD, who was arrested shortly after his appearance on "Quality of Life" checks in. Information and questions to the Mayor can be directed to 559-621-city (2489), or to the Mayor's line, which is 559-621-8000. Much information about the city is also available at City of Fresno

Health Care Insurance Special - Part 5

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:59:31 -0700

Today's 2-hour special has been divided for ease of use into 5 segments. Part 5 The politics of it all. A lively, fast-paced run through the political arguments of the past few months with two regular columnists for the Visalia Times-Delta newspaper – Mr. Tom Fife, a Visalia-based invest broker, and Mr. Jow Altschule, a Visalia-based attorney.

Health Care Insurance Special - Part 4

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:58:44 -0700

Today's 2-hour special has been divided for ease of use into 5 segments. Part 4 The insurance industry gets its turn in this part of the program. Our guests are: Mr. Rick Kolstad, President of Central California Association of Underwriters; Mr. Mark Weideman, Vice President for Government Affairs for Blue Shield of California.

Health Care Insurance Special - Part 3

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:58:07 -0700

Today's 2-hour special has been divided for ease of use into 5 segments. Part 3 Physicians speak out in this part. Our guests are: Dr. Matt Hendrickson, MD, an Emergency Room Physician at St. Agnes Hospital, and Chairperson of LA Single Payer Coalition and Vice Chair, California Physician’s Alliance; Dr. Steve Chooljian, MD, in private practice – Internal Medicine; Dr. Winthrop Dillaway, MD, Practicing family medicine for more than 30 years, and representing PNHP, A Chicago-based organization that supports universal health care.

Health Care Insurance Special - Part 2

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:57:17 -0700

Today's 2-hour special has been divided for ease of use into 5 segments. Part 2 The economics of health care and insurance is the focus for this part of the program. Our guests are: Dr. Mohammad Rahman, Assistant Professor of public Health, College of Health and Human Services at CSU Fresno; Dr. Gerald Kominski, Director of Health Economics and Evaluation Research at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Health Care Insurance Special - Part 1

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:55:24 -0700

Today's 2-hour special has been divided for ease of use into 5 segments. Part 1 Our program begins with a short produced story that introduces some of the insurance issues through the true experiences of a real family in Madera. The story was prepared by our correspondent, Shellie Branco. Our guests for this part are: Dr. John Capitman, Professor of Public Health, and Executive Director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at California State University, Fresno; Dr. Joan Voris, A Fresno Pediatrician and Associate Dean at the UCSF Center for Medical Education and Research; Ms. Marian Mulkey, Senior Program officer with the California Health Care Foundation.

Preschool

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:27:56 -0700

Our discussion today centers on is Preschool and early childhood education and development. The attitude and actions of the professional educators and administrators toward home schooling, especially in children's earliest years may surprise you. Our guests are: Dr. Larry Powell, Superintendent of Schools, Fresno County Office of Education; Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Administrator: Educational Services, Fresno County Office of Education; Ms. Cindy Ruiz, Director: Early Childhood Education & Development, Kern County Superintendent of Schools; Ms. Linda Fiddler, Healthy California Network. As usual, we have interesting and thoughtful comments from listeners as well.

For help & information from the Fresno County Office of Education: 559-265-3000

Fire

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:10:05 -0700

Today, our moderator Terry Phillips explores the world of fire fighters. We gain some insights into the work of these "first responders" with the help of three professionals: Captain Chris Christopherson, Public Information Officer with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Mr. Don MacAlpine, Deputy Fire marshall with the Fresno Fires Department; Mr. Sean Collins, Engineer with the Kern County Fire Department.

Alternative Fuels

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 16:18:08 -0700

Guest moderator Jay Parks leads today’s discussion about alternative fuels for our cars and trucks. Bio-fuels, electric cars, hydrogen, and natural gas are all considered. Our guests take some interesting calls from listeners as well. Today’s panelists are: Mr. Mike Smith, Deputy Director of the Transportation Division for the California Energy Commission; Mr. Joseph Oldham, Sustainability manager, City of Fresno; Mr. Richard Chapman, President & CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation.

Unemployment

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:28:43 -0700

The central California city of Delano is the focus for this discussion on unemployment. Delano is suffering from an unemployment rate of about 35%, sharing with other San Joaquin Valley cities this important problem. There is, however, an optimistic outlook for improving conditions in Delano, and there is considerable help available for job seekers. Three leaders in Delano help us understand what is going on now, and about some new projects that will expand opportunities in the city. Our guests from Delano are: Mr. Sam Ramirez, Mayor of Delano; Mr. Keith Woodcock, Delano Community Development department; Ms. Maribel Reyna, Director of the Delano Economic Development & Re-development Department. Also joining the program is Mr. Bill Stevenson, Employer Services Coordinator for the Kern Workforce Investment Board.

Marathon Running

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:35:57 -0700

Marathons running and walking is a large and growing sport in the Valley, and today, our Moderator Terry phillips welcomes a panel of experts and questions and comments from listeners as we take a closer look at marathons. Our guests are: Mr. Mike Herman, Race Director of "Two Cities Marathon and a Half" which returns to Fresno/Clovis November 8th; Mr. Ken Takeuchi, Race Director of the "Smokey Bear Run" at Bass lake; Ms. Deb Whitneye-Johnson, Running Trainer at Pro-Cor Fitness; Mr. Craig Wheaton, Director of Visalia Runners; Ms. Lauri Chichester-Taylor, representing the Bakersfield Track Club.

Housing and Homelessness

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:19:49 -0700

Moderator Terry Phillips has a full house of panelists for today’s discussion of help for the homeless and information for care givers and those needing medical help. Our guests include two attorneys who are specialists in long-term care planning – Mr. Robert Howk and Ms. Marcella Downing, Howk & Downing, Attorneys at Law. From Californians for Economic Security, Director Ms. Susan Smith brought information from a recently completed study on the cost of long-term care for seniors done by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Ms. Cynthia Sterling, President of the Fresno City Council and Representative from Fresno’s District # 3 spoke about what is going on in Fresno, and potential help from federal monies. Mr. Louis Gill, Director of the Bakersfield Homeless Center helps us understand who the homeless are, and points to organizations ready to help. Ms. Sylvia Petitt, Supervisor of the Adult Transition Team, under the Kern County Mental Health System of Care explains how her team helps people. All of our guests have recommended phone numbers or web sites for more information or help. Hicap: For free help with Medicare questions: 1-800-434-0222 Susan Smith, Director - Californians for Economic Security: 510-251-2600 ext. 108 Information regarding homelessness, City of Fresno City manager & City Council office: 559-621-8000 Homelessness help in Bakersfield area: Call 211. Adult Transition Team, Kern County Mental Health System of Care: 661-868-1842

Forgiveness

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 16:02:20 -0700

In an unusual topic for a public affairs program, moderator Terry Phillips and his guests are swamped by callers wishing to share in the conversation. The program starts with a discussion of President Ford’s pardon of President Nixon. Phillips speaks with Professor Jeffrey Crouch, Professor at American University, Washington DC and author of "The Presidential Pardon Power." The rest of the hour features our other three guests: Reverend Father Arshen Aivazian, Parish Priest at St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church, Fresno; Rabbi Cheryl Rosenstein, Temple Beth El, Bakersfield; Senior Pastor Will Stoll, Northwest Church, Fresno. These three and callers share their personal and religious points of view.

Proposition Nine and Open Line

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 16:48:53 -0700

Today's program stays mainly on two lines of discussion. First, moderator Terry Phillips introduces Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Egan to fill us in on State Proposition Nine, the victim’s Bill of Rights also known as Marsy's law passed by voters last election. Ms. Egan talks about the important changes in law regarding victim's rights. Next, we welcome Canadian journalist Sandy Wolofsksy for a discussion on health care Canadian style. Ms. Wolofsky talks with Terry and takes listener calls about health care in Canada.

Same Sex Marriage - The Law

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:53:27 -0700

Today's program explores California and Federal law in regards to same-sex marriage and Domestic Partnerships. Our first guest is Mr. Andy Pugno, architect of and Chief Counsel for Proposition 8, an attorney in Folsom, California, and candidate for State Assembly in 2010. Our other guests are Ms. Kathleen Bakergumprecht-Davies, a Fresno attorney specializing in Domestic Partnership law; Ms. Vaughan Bearski, a paralegal; Ms. Jenny Pizer, Senior Counsel and Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal. Thoughtful questions from listeners help drive this very interesting discussion.

Medical Insurance

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:32:24 -0700

Quality of Life joins the national debate on medical insurance today, as moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests and callers for a wide-ranging discussion. Our guest panelists are: Ms. Norma Forbes, Executive Director of Fresno County Healthy Community Access Partners; Mr. John Capitman, Professor of Public Health at CSU Fresno, and Executive Director of Central Valley Health Policy Institute; Dr. Henry J. Aaron, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution; Ms. Yolanda Prado, Program manager of Kern County Aging & Adult Services.

Water Management

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:20:05 -0700

Quality of Life revisits some of the issues surrounding water management in the San Joaquin Valley. Today, moderator Terry Phillips has guests with expertise in farming, nuclear power, integrated water management and reverse osmosis. Callers add some interesting questions to the mix. Our guests are: Mr. Bill Dietrich, a farmer on the west side; Mr. John Hutson, President, CEO of Fresno Nuclear Energy Group; Mr. Mark Cowin, The California Department of Water Resources’ Deputy Director for Integrated Water Management; Mr. Shannon Murphy, Watts Water Technologies. For more information: To arrange a visit to the farm of Bill Dietrich, contact him at agspray@sbcglobal.net

Religious Philosophy

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 16:31:40 -0700

Most of us have some familiarity with the basics in regards to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religions. There are, of course, many religious philosophies with followers in central California. Today, our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests with three very different perspectives: Reverend Kurt Rye, Fresno Buddhist Temple; Amanda Peterson, President, Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno; Mark Boyd, President & Co/Founder of the Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics. This is a very interesting discussion that is most certainly worth your time.

Stay-cations

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:58:55 -0700

A new word has entered our vocabulary recently "stay-cation" short for stay-at-home vacation. Many of us are saving money this summer by spending our holidays closer to home. But where to go? Our moderator, Terry phillips, welcomes three guests with lots of suggestions on where to go and what to do within easy reach of our own backyards. Our guests are: Gay Fontana, Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau; Don Cohen, Executive Director of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau; Erin Capuchino, Tourism, marketing & Events Services Coordinator for the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:10:55 -0700

Today's program focuses on skilled convalescent homes as well as in-home care. How good are the facilities and the care? Who regulates them, and what can you do to make sure the services are up to standards? Our correspondent Elizabeth Tracey has a special background report, and moderator Terry Phillips welcomes these guests to our studio: Ms. Pattie Yost and Ms. Randy Walter, both are Ombudsmen for Fresno/Madera County, working with the Valley Caregiver Resource Center; Ms. Terri Garcia, President/Founder of Fresno AngeliCare (In-Home Companion Care).

Community Theater

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:11:01 -0700

We explore some of the Central Valley’s many local theaters. Moderator Terry Phillips talks with Jim Spaulding, festival director of the CSU Summer Arts Program (Fresno); Danette Moser, theater arts instructor in the Clovis Unified School District; Heather Parish, artistic director of the Woodward Shakespeare Festival (Woodward Park); Sheila McClure, director of production for the Bakersfield Community Theater; Donald Williams, secretary-treasurer of the Enchanted Playhouse Theater (Visalia); and Chris Haberman, board member of the Visalia Community Players.

Alternative Energy

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:55:25 -0700

For an interesting discussion about living with a higher degree of energy efficiency, our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes these guests: Mr. Tom Cotter, Solar Specialist with Real Goods Solar; Dr. Don Hunsaker, Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at CSU Fresno; Mr. Pete Schoemaker, renewable energy expert, Pacific Energy Center.

Water Management

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:52:33 -0700

Our planet's most valuable resource is water, and in central California we face many important issues regarding the use and management of this finite resource. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes an impressive panel of experts to discuss the problems and possible solutions. Our panelists are: Mr. Sarge Green, Program Director of Cal Water Institute at CSU Fresno; Kris Kristofferson, Public Information Officer with the Fresno County Division of the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection joins us for a short discussion about fireworks; Mr. Ryan Jacobsen, Executive Director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau; Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith, Senior Research Associate with the Pacific Institute; Mr. Bill Diedrich, A Mendota Farmer.

A Shortage of Doctors

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:23:08 -0700

Central California, like many parts of the country, suffers from a shortage of doctors. Medical institutions are working to overcome the problem in a variety of ways, and there are promising new programs operating now with the intent to recruit doctors and to train local physicians in specialties who will serve patients in the San Joaquin Valley. Our guests are: Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, MD,Physician-in-Chief, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Fresno; Dr. Dominic Dizon, MD, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director for Internal Medicine, Medical Education Program, UCSF, Fresno; Mr. David Quackenbush, CEO of Central Valley Health Network.

Police Funding - Proposition 6

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:18:20 -0700

Our Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion that begins with how California's resources might best be redirected away from incarceration and toward youth opportunities. Zachary Norris, Director of "Books Not Bars" stresses his belief that California's expensive youth prisons be replaced with rehabilitation centers and community-based programs. Another guest panelist, Roselyn Clark, President of the Fresno Police Department Neighborhood Watch Association adds her expertise and experience to the discussion, and many callers share their personal stories and opinions about how police are doing their jobs.

History of Broadcasting

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 14:19:42 -0700

Today, we take a look at the history of radio and television broadcasting in the San Joaquin Valley. With some audio from days gone by, we enjoy a conversation with John Wallace and Colin Dougherty, with a few words from FM-89’s Station Manager, Jim Meyers.

Live from Yerevan, Armenia

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 10:56:51 -0800

Our program today is direct and live from Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. Terry Phillips discusses life and politics in Armenia with Levon Zourabian, Headquarters Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress, and with Onnik Krikorian, an independent journalist from Great Britain, now living and working in Armenia. Armenia’s relationship with Russia, and the difficulties facing the relatively recently independent Armenia are two of the interesting topics covered in this hour.

Butterflies and Flowers

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:47:07 -0800

Today we take a look at how land Conservancies and our own small at-home environments can support populations of butterflies and flowers. Thousands of acres of foothill land in central California is now under the protection of conservancies such as the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, from which we welcome two of our guests: Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, Executive Director, and Chuck Peck, Land Protection Director. Also in our studio is Susan Stiltz, Landscape Design Expert with the UC Master Gardeners of Fresno County, University of California Co-op Extension Program. Joining us via phone is Peter Laufer, author of "The Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists."

Drugs

Tue, 19 May 2009 14:30:28 -0800

What should our policy be regarding drugs? We look back at last year's vote on Proposition Five, get some expert views and hear from lots of listeners. And our corespondent Elizabeth Tracey files a fascinating report. Guests on the program today are: Ms. Tamar Todd, a Staff Attorney with the Drug Policy Alliance Network - Office of Legal Affairs; Mr. Jim Kirby, Instructor at Fresno City College, who is a licensed clinical social worker.

State Initiatives

Wed, 13 May 2009 09:50:45 -0800

State Propositions 1-A through 1-F are on the ballot, and we welcome some help in understanding what they mean for Californians. Guiding us in the non-partisan portion of the discussion are two representatives from the League of Women Voters: Elizabeth Shields, Voter Services Director; Terri Figgs, Board of Directors member. Making partisan arguments are Tom Hudson, Executive Director of California Tax Payer Protection Committee (against the Propositions), and Bob Prath, Executive Board Member of California AARP (for the Propositions). Thoughtful comments from listeners round out the program, hosted by our Moderator, Terry Phillips.

Bilingualism

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:00:05 -0800

Today’s Discussion on bilingualism in the United States centers on the costs and the benefits of our multi-language society. With language playing a substantial role in all of our personal identities, many, but certainly not all of us place a positive value in our diversity and embrace it. Some see the costs as too high and argue against the official use of languages other than English. We listen to the viewpoints of many listeners, and draw on the experience and expertise of our panelists: John Fitzer, Department Chair of the Fresno City College English as a Second Language program; Sandy Wolofsky, a Canadian Journalist; Dr. Emilio Garza, Assistant Professor of bilingual Education - Advanced Educational Studies Department at CSU Bakersfield; Dr. Irene Borrego, Associate Professor and Multi Cultural Education Coordinator in the Teachers Education Department at CSU Bakersfield. Our Moderator, Terry Phillips, leads the lively discussion.

H1N1 Influenza A and Proposition Four

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:18:44 -0800

The first half of today’s program is a discussion of the H1N1 Influenza A situation, and how it is affecting travel and other plans for people in the San Joaquin Valley. The second half is dedicated to a very interesting discussion about the value and difficulties of communication in families - especially between mothers and daughters when the issue is sexual activity, pregnancy or abortion. Marilyn Golleher, Director of the Department of Adolescent Family Services at the Clinica Sierra Vista in Bakersfield, is with us to describe how they counsel young women, and encourage greater communication with parents. Our callers describe how they were able - or in some cases - unable to communicate openly with their parents. Information about the services offered at Clinicia Sierra Vista is available at 661-324-0293.

Medical Technology & Privacy

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:29:57 -0800

Our Medical policy issues reporter, Elizabeth Tracey leads off the program with her report, and moderator Terry Phillips welcomes four panelists to speak to medical technology and privacy issues. Sean McFarlan is an RN and Clinical Applications Coordinator in the Chief of Staffs Office of the Veteran’s Administration in Central California; Dr. Dominic Dizon, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of Ambulatory Care at University Medical center, UCSF, Fresno; Dr. Rob Longers, MD., at Kaiser Permanente, Fresno; Deven McGraw, Director of the Health Privacy Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology.

The Economy

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:54:20 -0800

Today's program includes a general discussion about economic theory with one of our guests, Professor Mark Martinez, Chairman of the Political Science Department at California State University, Bakersfield. Professor Martinez has written a a new book, "The Myth of the Free market: The Role of the State in a Capitalist Economy." We also went into considerable detail in regards to class action lawsuits against home builders in the Fresno area. Darius Assemi, Vice President of Granville Homes and David Weiland, an Attorney with Dowling, Aaron & Keeler, Fresno brought their expertise to the discussion, and took listener calls. The program finished with a short conversation with Jesse Weller, a spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, who had some advice for last-minute filers.

Preserving Our Memories

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 14:37:34 -0800

Today’s program takes a look at how we preserve our memories in photographs. Whether it is on a civic or personal scale, most of us have a substantial interest in preserving history through photography. As the medium has become digital, the possibilities for preservation have expanded, and we have several guests with expertise in this area. Howard Watkins is a well-known photographer and archivist in Fresno County, and has an extensive collection. Also, we are joined by Sunny Frazier, from the Hanford Book Fest, Randall Priester, owner of Kamotion Marketing, and Ruth Thomasian, Founder and Executive Director of Project save - Armenian Photograph Archives.

The Future of Media

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:35:26 -0800

The title describes the topic quite well for today's program. Our moderator, Terry Phillips, visited the College of the Sequoias to lead a public forum on media. A panel of students and teachers shared their opinions and took questions from the live audience.

Children's Hospital

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:20:30 -0800

Today's program is the first in a special series of health care programs in which our medical issues reporter sets the focus. Today, Elizabeth Tracey reports on California's Proposition 3, which was approved by voters in the last election. We'll look at what the Children's Hospital Bond is doing for the hospitals. Joining moderator Terry Phillips on our panel of experts are: Diana Dooley, President & CEO of California Children's Hospital Association; Tim Curley, Director of Community and Government Relations, Children's Hospital Central California; Kristine Aubry, Director for Emergency and Trauma Services for Children's Hospital Central California; Terence Cunningham, Administrator & CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Special funding for our series of health care policy issues comes from California HealthCare Foundation.

Physical Education

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:20:28 -0800

Today, our moderator Terry Phillips, guests, and callers discuss the state of physical education in our schools today. Our guests are Nancy Mealer, Coordinator of Health and Wellness for Clovis Unified School District, and Nancy Shelton, physical education teacher at El Diamonte Elementary School in the Visalia Unified School District.

Scams & Safety

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:44:40 -0800

Today, our moderator, Terry Phillips, leads a discussion in the first half-hour about a variety of scams and how you can protect yourself. The second half-hour is about safety and injury protection. With us for the first part are Doug Broten, CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Central California. In the second half-hour we welcome Carlos Flores, RN – Trauma Coordinator, Injury Prevention Dept. at Children's Hospital Central California, and Leticia Adkins, a Passenger Safety Technician and Instructor who works with law enforcement in Tulare County. Two suggestions for avoiding financial scams that didn't make it into the program are worth noting here: To keep telemarketers at bay, in addition to signing up for "do not call" is to implement The Privacy Manager. Another is to use pre-paid debit cards with small balances to make purchases.

Education

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:35:27 -0800

How well are we educating our children today? Does "No Child Left Behind" create, rather than solve problems? These and many other questions surface in our discussion today, as moderator Terry Phillips welcomes these guests: Larry Powell, Superintendent of Fresno County Schools; Pat Alexander, Administrator, Division of Instructional Services for Kern County Superintendent of Schools; Horace "Rog" Lucido, Retired Physics Instructor, Founder of Educators and Parents Against testing Abuse (EPATA). Our phone lines stay filled as students, teachers and retired teachers have their say.

International Agribusiness

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:58:20 -0800

The San Joaquin Valley has depended on the economy of agriculture for many decades, and the business of agriculture is dealing with the same world-wide economic pressures affecting all other businesses. Four guests with substantial expertise join our moderator, Terry Phillips, in an engaging discussion. Our guests are: Paul Betancourt, farmer; Vern Crowder, economist; Susan Smith, Director of Californians for Economic Security; Bruce Allbright, Founder and President of Allbright Cotton.

What We Breathe

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:18:31 -0800

Air quality has been a major concern in the San Joaquin Valley for decades, and in recent years much attention has been paid to to farming and ranching practices in regards to their contributions to the problems and solutions. There are cooperative efforts in this regard, and our discussion today brings in both farmers and a representative from the Air Pollution Control District, along with interesting calls from listeners. Our guests are: Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League; Mark McKean, a Riverdale area grower; Rick McVeigh, Deputy Air Pollution Controller.

What we Raise

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:30:40 -0800

Today, Terry Phillips leads a discussion on the effects of Proposition 2, which was passed by California voters last November. The new law requires changes in the amount of space made available to chickens, hogs and calves. Our guest panelists are Paul Shapiro, Senior Director of the Factory Farming Campaign for the Humane Society of the United States, and Ryan Armstrong, owner of Armstrong Egg Farms. We take calls from listeners with unique perspectives, such as a poultry Veterinarian and a large egg retailer.

Eating Badly

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:05:08 -0800

The first half of today's program is about the very large number of people in the San Joaquin Valley who are overweight, under-nourished, or both. Moderator Terry Phillips calls on Dr. Constance Schneider, Registered Dietitian with the University of California Co-Operative Extension in Fresno County. In the second half, the discussion turns to helping those who need help getting the food they need. Three guests and quite a few callers participate in this conversation. Our guests are: Don Clarke, Director of Donation Services for the Bakersfield Rescue Mission; Louis Gill Jr., Executive Director of the Bakersfield Homeless Center; Dana Wilkie, CEO of the Community Food Bank in Fresno.

High-Speed Rail and Food Transportation

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:23:58 -0800

This week's program takes a look at high-speed rail and transportation of food in central California. Californians voted in favor of Proposition 1-A, calling for bond money to be used to construct a high-speed rail line from Sacramento to Los Angeles. After more than a decade of discussion and preliminary planing, it is hoped that work will be able to begin in the reasonably near future. We also discuss the transportation of food, and the value of buying locally grown products. Our guests on the program are Bethany Thompson, Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Economic Development Corporation; Roger Van Groningen, President of Van-G Trucking; Carrie Pourvahidi, Deputy Director of California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Inauguration of President Barack Obama

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:16:05 -0800

Today's Quality of life is a special program in which our listeners talk about their hopes and concerns for the new American administration. Moderator Terry Phillips guides the lively discussion on this historic day.

Personal Transitions

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:12:30 -0800

Today's program takes a look at two common transitions in life - finding a new job, and changing residences - with little warning. Our first guest is Jeanette Woodward, author of "Finding a Job After 50: Reinvent Yourself For the 21st Century." Then, our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes George Mees, President-elect of the Fresno Association of Realtors with advice on getting ready to move, and then we are joined by Dr. Lynn Buzhardt, DVM and Dr. Sue Steib, PhD, who are co-authors of "Can We Have One? - A Parents Guide to Raising Kids with Cats and Dogs."

Regional Transitions: Changes in the Central Valley

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:27:26 -0800

Today's program brings together executive leadership of four of Central California's news organizations to discuss with our moderator, Terry Phillips, the outlook for changes we might expect to see in the next year. Our panelists are: Betsy Lumbye, Executive Editor of the Fresno Bee; Kevin Kennedy, Managing Editor of The Business Journal; Paul Jurley, Community Conversation Editor for the Visalia Times-Delta; Mike Tharp, Executive Editor of the Merced Sun Star; Mike Jenner, Executive Editor of the Bakersfield Californian.

Smart Presents

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:31:40 -0800

This is a season for giving, and today Terry Phillips, our guests and listeners exchange ideas and stories about gifts…from planned estate giving, to families volunteering their time to help others. Our guests are Jeff Jaech, an attorney with Baker Manock and Jensen, and Dan De Santis, CEO of the Fresno Regional Foundation. Our callers have many wonderful stories about what has made giving special for their families.

Alternative Energy

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 14:55:11 -0800

Solar power is explored today, as moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests in the studio and via phone. Franz Weinschenk is a teacher and writes a column about alternative energy issues. Erin Clark is Managing Director of Regrid Power, Tom Cotter is a Solar Consultant for Regrid Power, and Bruce Williford is a biology teacher at Fresno High School. We learn about the Fresno Solar Tour coming up on April 18th, and talk with listeners about their experiences and ideas regarding solar power.

Prohibition

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 15:27:27 -0800

Should our government tell us what to do... and what not to do? Quality of Life moderator Terry Phillips leads the discussion, and gets some expert legal input from Professor Brian Landsberg, Professor of Constitutional Law at McGeorge Law School. And, we receive many interesting opinions from listeners.

Fibromyalgia and AML

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:55:09 -0800

Today’s program delves into two troublesome diseases. Fibromyalgia, which is not well understood, seems to cause a general malaise and considerable pain throughout the body. AML – Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, and is a very aggressive cancer. Our guests are Dr. A.P. Sidhu, A Physician and President of Fresno Long-Term Medical Care; Dr. Michael J. Moffett, Oncologist with Cancer Care Associates; Jodie Henslee-Giannetto, a Fibromyalgia patient.

Fresno vs Bakersfield

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:48:15 -0800

Where do you prefer to live? Moderator Terry Phillips invites listeners to compare Fresno and Bakersfield. Guests include Jim Shaw, President of Buck Owens Enterprises; Jon Carroll, Development Director of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum; and Bruce Janigian, attorney for William Saroyan.

Local Food

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:30:40 -0800

One of our listeners emailed us with this reminder: "There are two things money can't buy... True love, and home-grown tomatoes!" Our moderator, Terry Phillips, welcomes the author and photographer of the book "Edges of Bounty: Adventures in the Edible Valley." William Emery, author, and Scott Squire, photographer discuss their adventure in exploring locally grown foods, and many listeners join the discussion with memories and current home gardening experiences. We also welcomed Ms. Lou Veihn, Treasurer of the Mono Nation, who filled us in on opportunities to learn about the history, food and culture of the Mono Nation at the North Fork museum.

Citizenship Test

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 02:52:53 -0800

Today's election day program is all about immigration and citizenship. Should everyone born in the USA automatically be a citizen? Should some sort of test be required for everyone? We have an Immigration and Citizenship Attorney, Brent Woodward, in the studio to let us know what the law says, and to discuss the process of becoming a citizen. Also, Terry tests the listeners with questions from the actual test used to qualify immigrants for citizenship. Our callers do very well!

College of the Sequoias Political Panel Discussion

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:39:04 -0800

Today’s Quality of Life is a special pre-recorded program. Our moderator, Terry Phillips, hosted a panel discussion and audience questions at a live event given by the Arts and Lectures Department at College of the Sequoias. Local political newspaper and radio commentators Joe Altschule and Tom Fife discuss the issues and take questions from the audience. Dr. Peter Tannenbaum, Fresno State professor of mathematics joined via webcam to discuss election prediction models and the math of elections. This program is longer than normal, running about an hour and a half.

Candidates & Issues

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:55:47 -0800

Today, our moderator Terry Phillips, with the help of three guests, covers the candidates and issues on the ballots in central California. Our guests are: Jeff Cummins, Political Science Professor at California State University Fresno; Bill McEwen, columnist for the Fresno Bee; James Geluso, reporter for the Bakersfield Californian.

Fresno Mayoral Candidates

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:38:21 -0800

Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes the two candidates for Mayor of Fresno, who engage in a spirited and substantive discussion. Questions from listeners and from Phillips cover a wide variety of topics. Valley Public Radio thanks both Ms. Swearingin and Mr. Perea for their appearance on Quality of Life

Local Elections and the Economy

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:39:03 -0800

Today’s program first takes a look at some of the local elections, and how voters can get the information they need to make informed choices. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes two guests: Kay Bertken, Chairperson of the Education Committee of the League of Women Voters; Sarah Woolf, member of Fresno Citizens for Good Government, and co-author of “Choosing Our Future” which is about Fresno Unified School District. The second half of the program is dedicated to a conversation about how the economy is affecting business in the Central Valley. Travis Sheridan, Director of Member Services for the Central Valley Business Incubator is our guest, and he offers an interesting an informed view of the current economic situation, and how it may offer some real opportunity.

Down Syndrome

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:19:51 -0800

Today, our discussion is about Down Syndrome, with an emphasis on the Special Education programs available. Two of our guests not only are professionals in education and other services for people with developmental disabilities, they also have children with Down Syndrome. They help us understand that people with the syndrome learn more slowly than others, but that they continue to learn throughout their lives. Fortunately, the school districts and private organizations are able to provide much assistance to families. Our guests are: Denise Allshouse is Founder and President of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Area Down Syndrome Society; Michal Clark, PhD, Executive Director of the Kern Regional Center; Pam Sanders, Special Education Services Administrator of Kern County Superintendent of Schools; Juliana Gaines, Special Education Services Director, Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Fresno Area Down Syndrome Society 559-228-0441 Kern Regional Center 661-327-8531

Hospital Safety

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:50:33 -0800

Investigations by State inspectors have uncovered problems in local hospitals. Today’s guests help us understand the importance of these inspections, and discuss the operational realities of safety procedures in hospitals. Moderator Terry Phillips’ guests are: Dr. Herbert Boro, MD, Chief of Quality at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno; Dr. Thomas Utecht, MD, Senior VP and Chief Quality Officer for Community Medical Centers, Fresno and Clovis; Kathleen Billingsley, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Care, California Dept. of Public Health, which is responsible for licensing and oversight of health facilities, hospitals and clinics. Additional information: People with complaints about patient care can contact the California Department of Public Health at: www.cdph.ca.gov

Blood and Blankets

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:59:13 -0800

We all sympathize with the victims of fires, hurricanes and other tragic situations. But few of us have taken the necessary steps to anticipate how we would survive such challenges. Quality of Life moderator Terry Phillips invited guests to advise us on what we can do to protect ourselves and to help others. Our guests are: Greg Gallion, CEO of Houchin Blood Services; Lorraine Castro, CEO of American Red Cross, Kern Chapter; Dr. Heather Case, Coordinator for Emergency Preparedness and Response for the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Water Quality

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 14:53:00 -0800

Issues of water quality and quantity take center stage in today’s Quality of Life as moderator Terry Phillips and expert panelists take on a few of the water issues in central California. David Zoldoske, the Director of the CSUF Center for Irrigation Technology & California Water Institute discusses a variety of these quality and quantity issues, and answers interesting questions from listeners. Martha Guzman, a Representative and Attorney for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation speaks to the problems of water quality and availability for farm laborers in the Valley, and Shannon Murphy from the Watts Regulator Company in Phoenix, introduces us to the latest in reverse osmosis technology which holds promise for the provision of clean water where it is a scarce resource.

Central Valley Jobs

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 14:59:40 -0800

The Central Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. Ironically, it is also one of the hardest-hit in terms of unemployment. On this day after Labor Day, Terry Phillips and our expert guests talk about jobs lost and gained, how bad things really are, and how this picture might improve. Terry’s guests are: Blake Konczal, Director of the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board; Swean McNally, Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs for Grimmway Farms, Bakersfield; Kirk Vogt, Senior Executive Vice President for United Food & Commercial Workers in Fresno, and President of the Central Labor Council for Fresno/Madera/Kings/Tulare Counties.

William Saroyan Centenary

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:26:53 -0800

Today, Quality of Life celebrates the William Saroyan Centenary. The on-going year-long festival includes many of the area’s cultural organizations and an impressive list of special events. Joining our moderator Terry Phillips are: Larry Balakian, Co-Coordinator of the Saroyan Centennial Celebration and a member of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Armenian Museum; Mary La Follette, Director of the Fresno Armenian Museum and a Co-coordinator of the Saroyan Centennial Celebration; John Kallenburg, Chairman of the William Saroyan Society; Jerry Lee, Vice President of Programming and Partnerships for Valley Public Television, KVPT.

Emergency Medical Care

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:38:20 -0800

Among the pressing medical issues in central California as well as in much of the nation are the availability and cost of emergency medical services. Two physicians with extensive experience in emergency medicine help us understand the problems, and listener calls relate some illuminating stories. Our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes two guests for this program: Dr. Gene Kallsen, MD is Chief of Emergency Services for UCSF Fresno; Dr. Dennis Martinez, MD is the Medical Director for Hall Ambulance in Kern County and a former emergency room physician at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield.

Land Trusts and the Russia-Georgia conflict

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:50:55 -0800

In the first half-hour, moderator Terry Phillips explores Central Valley land trusts - non-profit organizations that preserve agricultural land, rivers and foothills. Guests include: Dave Koehler, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (www.riverparkway.org); President Scott Spear and Farmland Conservation Director Dan O'Connell of the Sequoia Riverlands Trust (www.Sequoiariverlands.org); Chuck Peck, Executive Director of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy (www.Sierrafoothill.org). In the second half-hour, journalist Jonathan Sanders and San Francisco State University political science professor Andrei Tsygankov analyze the Russia-Georgia conflict.

Public Education Funding

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 15:25:10 -0800

Quality of Life moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion of public funding in California for education, and asks the question: "Are you getting your money's worth?" While some programs are "on hold" while the California legislature struggles to produce a budget, our panelists and callers carry on a lively conversation about financing options available to students, and also about the expectations that students and educators have regarding academic performance. Our guest panelists are Jessie Ryan, Outreach Coordinator for the Campaign For College Opportunity, and Steven Watkin, Director of outreach at CSU Bakersfield.

Wine in the Central Valley

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:32:29 -0800

The wine industry is an important factor in the economy of the Central Valley, and plays an important role in the continually evolving international business. Today, Quality of Life moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests from different parts of the business, creating an interesting blend for our conversation. Our guests are: Dr. Robert Wample, Research Center Director and Chair of the CSUF Viticulture and Enology Department; Chuck Van Fleet, owner of Vino 100 in Fresno; Laurent Guinand, President of GiraMondo Wine Ventures; Ray Kraus, Proprietor of Westbrook Wine Farm; Chris Shackelford, Co-Owner and Sommelier of Trelio Restaurant in Clovis.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:35:33 -0800

Today's program focuses on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes Vietnam Vet Elliott Storm, author of "These Scars are Sacred" (www.TheseScarsAreSacred.com) and his wife Debbie. From Good Samaritan Hospital in Bakersfield, CEO Tim Kollar (661-215-7500) and therapist Russ Sempll (661-303-1416) talk about efforts to diagnose and treat PTSD. More information is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.NAMI.org). And Dr. Albert "Skip" Rizzo is a research scientist at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies with some innovative methods using virtual reality to treat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. More information is available at http://ict.usc.edu/people/400.

Future of Telecommunications

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:39:45 -0800

Today's program takes a look at current telecommunications and where it is all headed. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes panelists Randy Reed, President of Community Media Access Collaborative in Fresno, Leo Laporte, a technology journalist and Host of "This Week in Tech" podcast, and Danille Wade, Customer Service & Marketing Director for Bright House Cable in Bakersfield.

Sports and the City

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:12:59 -0800

Today's program takes a close look at the impact that a professional sports franchise can have on a city. Terry Phillips welcomes Bryan Glover, the Managing Partner of the Fresno Grizzlies and David Berri, an Economics Professor formerly at California State University Bakersfield and now at Southern Utah University, who is a co-author of "The Wages of Wins: Taking the Measure of the Many Myths in Modern Sport." It is a fascinating look into the world of sports.

Self Defense

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:50:47 -0800

What can we do to protect ourselves against violent crime? Moderator Terry Phillips gets advice from personal safety trainer Kelly Rudolph, author of "Safety Quick Tips" (www.SafetyQuickTips.com); and martial arts instructor Charles R. Hepburn II (www.VitalSelfDefense.com).

Obesity: A Growing Epidemic

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:36:02 -0800

Obese - overweight - weight loss: All issues of great importance to our health and the health of our communities. Today, Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests with expertise on the many problems associated with an overweight society: Genoveva "Veva" Islas-Hooker, Regional Program Coordinator for the Central California Center for Health & Human Services; Marlene Bengiamin, Research Associate at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at CSU Fresno; Dr. Portia S. Choi, MD, Deputy Public Health Director for Kern County; Dr. Avtar Nijjer-Sidhu, MD, Community Health Capacity Building Specialist for Kern County.

State of the Station

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:51:49 -0800

Today's program offered listeners the opportunity to pose questions to the station's President and General Manager, Mariam Stepanian and Station manager, Jim Meyers. We also welcomed the National Public Radio Ombudsman Alicia Shepard for the network perspective. The conversation with Moderator Terry Phillips and listeners ranged from programming decisions to technical questions.

Child Care

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:34:13 -0800

Its an age-old problem... who can take care of the kids? Today, our moderator, Terry Phillips, welcomes four guests with extensive expertise in today's world of child care: Mary Scaff, Senior Program Officer for First 5 Fresno; Wilma Hashimoto, Assistant Director for Child Development for Clovis Unified School District; Lisa Duncan-Purcell, Program Director for Community Connection for Child Care in Kern County; Rose Ellen Burgess, a former teacher operating an in-home day care service designed to help prepare children for school.

Fixing Democracy

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 15:06:19 -0800

Terry Phillips tackles two large issues today – The state of our democracy and electoral politics is the main focus of the program, but a discussion on the graduating student from Fresno’s Bullard High School, who faces possible deportation due to his immigrant status prompts many listener calls. Our guest in the studio is Michael Der Manouel, Jr., Chairman and Founder of the Lincoln Club of Fresno County, who has served in various capacities for the Republican Party. Also joining us are Victor Salazar, Fresno County Board of elections and Sandy Brockman, Kern County Election Board.

Fresno Mayoral Race

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:09:04 -0800

On June 3rd, Fresno voters will decide who - or who will be in a run-off election - to replace term-limited Mayor Alan Autry. Valley Public Radio’s Quality of Life moderator Terry Phillips speaks with all eleven candidates (the only forum to include every candidate) about their views. To give the office-seekers enough time, this is a special two-hour broadcast. You will hear from each candidate on why they want to be mayor. Why they think they are qualified for the job, and what issues are most important to them - and much more.

Alzheimer’s

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:57:16 -0800

A single word that can mean tragedy for an individual and a family. This widespread condition brings a complicated change of life for those affected, and our Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes two guests who help us understand the disease and offer advice on how to begin to deal with it. Dr. Alex Sheriffs, M.D. is the Medical Director of the UCSF Alzheimer Center in Fresno, and Dr. Arnold Bresky, M.D. is a self-described Preventive Gerontologist. Listener calls and emails add much of value in this hour-long discussion. Dr. Sherriffs recommends the book The 36 Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins, M.D. Dr. Arnold Bresky is the author of The Secret for Caregiver Success.

Forestry Management

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:56:10 -0800

Environmental groups, the Forest Service, and the lumber companies have long-standing differences regarding best management practices for our forests. Moderator Terry Phillips discusses the issues with several guests: John Flaherty from the Sierra Club; Tom Eliason from the Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club; Steve Brink, Vice President of California Forestry Association, which represents forest landowners and the logging industry. And, we take your calls and emails.

Alternative Transportation

Tue, 6 May 2008 16:36:35 -0800

Today's program is all about getting around the valley without a car. Busses, trains, bicycles, and good old-fashioned walking all play a role. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes three guest panelists: Michael Hamilton, Train Master for Amtrack; Lauren Franconi, Executive Director of Bike Bakersfield; John Downs, Senior Transportation Planner for Fresno Area Express (FAX). These experts and callers from all over the valley make for a lively discussion.

Bakersfield Mayoral Race

Thu, 1 May 2008 08:18:56 -0800

Moderator Terry Phillips talks with candidates for mayor of Bakersfield - building contractor Dennis Martinez; film producer Joseph Caporali; tattoo artist, musician and businessman Marc deLeon; incumbent mayor and ambulance company owner Harvey Hall. Political science professor Kent Price of CSU Bakersfield gives expert analysis.

Race Relations

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:15:04 -0800

Race relations in 21st century America have certainly changed quite a bit in the past several decades, and our moderator Terry Phillips, guests and listeners discuss their perceptions about how things have changed and the current state of affairs. Our guests are: Ms. Youa Lee, a student-member of the Asian-American group at Fresno City College; Mr. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, Director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno; Dr. Justin Akers Chacon, Professor of Chicano Studies at San Diego City Community College, and author of "No One is Illegal".

Allensworth

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:51:51 -0800

Allensworth, the unique State Park in the central valley is celebrating its centennial this year. Founded by Colonel Allensworth, this community was built for and by African Americans. The history and meanings we can draw from Allensworth are the focus of today’s program. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes three guests: Steve Tomey, an Interpreter at Allensworth State Park; Dr. Eleanor Mason Ramsey, President of Mason Tillman Associates, a public policy research company; Dr. Clayborne Carson, historian and Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

Alternative Medicine

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 17:16:08 -0800

Terry and his guests talk about treating pain with complementary and alternative medicine. Dr. Matthew Norton is a chiropractor and author of "Where Does It Hurt?" Tim Moore is a licensed acupuncturist. Dr. Jonathan Shear is Professor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of "The Experience of Meditation."

April Fool's Day

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:42:08 -0800

With help from our guest, Benjamin Radford, Managing Editor of the Skeptical Inquirer Magazine, Moderator Terry Phillips and listeners have some fun with stories about April Fool’s Day exploits. Mr. Radford recommends a web site at which you can check the veracity of statements you hear or read: snopes.

Hope and Art and What's On Your Mind?

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:39:44 -0800

Today's program follows up on last week's with more discussion of the local arts scene with two long-time leaders in central California. Joyce Aiken, Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council and Nancy Marquez, a founder of FCASH (Fresno Coalition for Arts Science and History) and member of Fresno Arts Council have seen the growth of arts of all kinds in the San Joaquin Valley. In our "what's on your mind" discussion, the subject of AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) was brought up in regards to a possible cluster of the disease in Visalia. We learn that the week of April 6 – 12 is a National Awareness Week for cancer, and that information from a variety of sources will be available to callers at 1-800-477-7666 during that week. And finally, Terry Phillips checks in with Wandering Dave - David Burke - who has finished his travels. Tales of his experiences are available at www.wanderingdave.com

Value of the Arts

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:48:27 -0800

Public spending on the arts and arts education in California has, according to our panelists, been woefully low for decades. There are many people in central California communities seeking to create opportunities for artists and students, and that includes our panelists: Cynthia Cooper, Executive Director of the Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science and History - FCASH ; Pam Beecher, Executive Director of the Madera Arts Council; Jeanette Richardson, Executive Director of the Kern Arts Council.

Death and Dying

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:08:20 -0800

The one part of living that all of us have to deal with sooner or later is the end of life. That’s the topic for today’s program, as our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes guests with expertise in the many facets of death and dying. Our guests are: Jane Lindberg, Executive Director of Hinds Hostice; Sylvia Miller, Ethics Committee member at St. Agnes Hospital; Dr. Joanne Cacciatori, Professor at Arizona State University, Tempe, and MISS Foundation CEO and Founder; Esther Padilla, Community Outreach Coordinator for Organ and Tissue Donor Network Donate Life California, which can also be reached at 800-588-0024.

Air Quality

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 14:14:44 -0800

On more than one occasion, we have talked about air quality. It's no secret that the Central Valley has very bad air. Many of us suffer measurably from the pollutants in our atmosphere. There are people trying hard to do something about the problem, and on today's program we meet five of them. This program was produced in association with The Maddy Institute. Our guests: Kim Thompason, Air Quality Director for the Fresno/Madera Medical Society; Dr. Michael de Lollis, Chairman of the Community Health Committee for the Fresno/Madera Medical Society; Peter Weber, Chairman of the Air Quality Workshop of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley; Dee Dee D'Adamo, California Air Resources Board; Seyed Sadredin, Executive Director, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

The Flu

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:24:18 -0800

It happens every year, and it is never good news. The flu season is in full swing, and Terry Phillips welcomes a panel of experts to help us understand what we can do to avoid the flu, and what to do when we get it. Our guests our: Curtis Allen, Spokesman for the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Howard Backer, Chief of Immunization Branch of the Center for Infectious Diseases, California Dept. of Public Health; Dr. Dennis Martinez, Emergency Room Physician at Bakersfield Mercy Hospital; Shauna Miller, Public Health Nurse; Isidro Fragoza, Health Education Specialist, Fresno County Dept. of Community Health Immunization Program.

A Visit From C-Span

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:51:16 -0800

Today, we welcome two representatives from C-Span, in Fresno with the C-Span Bus, and in our studio to talk about the non-profit television and radio services from the cable programming source. Our guests are Vanessa Bailey and Erin Patton, both C-Span Marketing representatives, who also give our Moderator Terry Phillips and our listeners an audio tour of the C-Span Bus.

Libraries

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:45:13 -0800

The library, known to most of us now as the Free Public Library, has a long history. As the age of personal computers took hold, many predicted the demise of the public library as an out-dated and no longer needed institution. However, the past decades have seen the growth of libraries, and the old institutions have become even more often used than in the past. Helping us in the exploration of libraries are: Dr. Kevin Starr, California State Librarian Emeritus; Dr. Thomas Frey, Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci institute; Karen Bosch Cobb, Fresno County Librarian.

Hair

Wed, 6 Feb 2008 12:24:15 -0800

Whether one has a full head of locks or a slightly smoother scalp... hair is everywhere. How do you manage what you have? What do you do to try to keep it... or try to restore it... or cover up where it used to be? Moderator terry Phillips asks our guests experts. They are: Lorina Alvarez, Licensed Cosmetologist at Sunday Stylist, Clovis; Angela McIlvain, Aesthetician, Santa Cruz; Benjamin Shapiro, Author of "Project President".

Third Parties

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:31:42 -0800

In this Quality of Life program, we hear from the political parties that are seldom given any attention by the media. We hear what the parties stand for, and about how they hope to influence the electoral process in California and the nation. Our guests are: Green Party of California - Fresno County Council Member, Larry Mullen; Libertarian Party of California - Fresno County Chair, Rodney Austin; Peace & Freedom Party of California - Madera County Chair, Vickie Fouts; American Independent Party of California - Chaplain, Warren Campbell.

California Propositions

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:46:04 -0800

Today's program explores Propositions 92, 93, and 94-97. Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes spokespersons for and against each. Our guests are: Yes on 92 - Zwi Reznik, President, California Federation of Teachers, Local 1533; No 0n 92 - Teresa Wheeler, California Teachers Association; Yes on 93 - State Senator Roy Ashburn; No on 93 - Lew Uhler, President and Founder, National Tax Limitations Committee; Yes on 94-97 - Jacky Parks, President, Fresno Police Officers' Association; No on 94-97 - Cheryl Schmit, Founder and Director, Stand Up for California

Traffic

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:28:07 -0800

Today's program is all about traffic - new laws coming into effect, safety issues, and lots of listener's opinions about how we drive in central California. Moderator terry Phillips welcomes two experts to our studio: Capt. Roy Huerta, Commander of the Fresno area CHP, and Capt. Greg Garner, Commander of the Fresno Police Dept. Traffic Enforcement Bureau.

Air Quality

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 15:08:26 -0800

A new air quality report issued by the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, CSUF helps inform today's discussion about air quality and various health issues connected to air pollution. Our Moderator, Terry Phillips. Welcomes David Lighthall, the Senior Scientist and lead author of the report entitled "The Long Road to Clean Air in the San Joaquin Valley: Facing the Challenge of Public Engagement." On the phone we welcome Charlie Eaton, Regional Political Director of United Healthcare Workers Service Employees International Union, and Dale Julin, a talk show host on radio station KXRA-AM in Monterey. The Julin family moved from the central valley to the coast due to air pollution related health problems.

Show #50 air date December 18th 2007

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:16:03 -0800

The State’s budget and the proposed health care plans are the main topics for discussion today. Terry Phillips welcomes three guests: Don Jackson, Chairman of The Maddy Institute; Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines (R-Clovis); Assembly member Nicole Parra (D-Hanford). And we take listener calls as well.

Show #49 air date December 11th 2007

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:14:08 -0800

Water conservation, new reservoirs, under ground storage, and repairs needed to the state's levees are just some of the issues facing Californians. Joining Terry Phillips in the discussion are Thomas Holyoke, Political Science Professor at CSUF Fresno; State Senator Dave Codgill (R - Merced); Assembly member Juan Arambula (D - Fresno). Both legislators feel guardedly optimistic about the chances of political compromise on the decades old arguments.

Show #48 air date December 4th 2007

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:10:54 -0800

With the U.S. Senate beginning hearings today on the FCC's proposed rule changes regarding media ownership, our Moderator, Terry Phillips, brings in Broadcast industry experts and a well known author for a lively conversation. Our panelists are: Terry Dolph, Broadcasting Consultant, A/Dolphin Associates; Dennis Wharton, Executive Vice President of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); Dr. Elliott Cohen, with the Institute of Critical Thinking, and co-author (with Bruce Fraser) of "The Last Days of Democracy: How Big Media and Power-hungry Government Are Turning America into a Dictatorship.

Show #47 air date November 27 2007

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:40:44 -0800

Today, Quality of Life Moderator Terry Phillips looks into the world of charitable giving. In the studio is Dan DeSantis, CEO of the Fresno Regional Foundation, and joining the conversation via telephone is Trent Stamp, President of Charity Navigator, a company offering on-line information on many charities throughout the country. Here are some places for more information: www.fresnoregfoundation.org; www.charitynavigator.org; www.unicefusa.org; www.americares.org. Suggested reading; “The Soul of Money” by Lynne Twist.

Show #46 air date November 20 2007

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:46:56 -0800

As the holiday season approaches, we look at how to avoid the temptation of too much food - particularly fattening food and lack of exercise. Today’s guests include Dr. John Zweifler, Chief of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF Fresno; Dr. John Capitman, Executive Director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at CSUF; and Kezia Frayjo, project manager of the Latino Nutrition Coalition - publisher of Camino Magico, a free bilingual guide for healthier living through traditional Latin cuisine. It is available through their website (www.latinonutrition.org) or by calling (617) 896-4818. More information about obesity prevention can be found at www.cvhpi.org or www.ccropp.org.

Show #45 air date November 13, 2007

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:09:57 -0800

Today's program explores the tendency for people to believe conspiracy theories, with special attention to the attacks on 9-11. Our Guests include Dr. David Ray Gifin, Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Theology at Claremont Graduate University; Gene Corley, Senior Vice President of the CTL Group of the American Society of Civil Engineers and FEMA; Brooke Gladstone, Host of "On The Media" from NPR; Professor Bob Levine, Professor at CSUF.

Show #44 air date November 6, 2007

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 14:10:59 -0800

Today’s program covers a lot of political ground, as moderator Terry Phillips welcomes representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties and two other knowledgeable guests. On the program are: Candi Easter, Chairman of the Kern County Democratic Party; Stuart Weil, Vice-Chairman of the Fresno County Republican party; Nicole Winger, Communications Deputy for the California Secretary of State’s Office; Bill Benoit, Professor of Political Communication at the University of Missouri, and author of "Communication in Political Campaigns." Benoit refers us to a website to learn much more about political campaigns, and some political myths: http://www.presidentialcampaign2004.coas.missouri.edu/default.htm .

Show #43 air date October 30, 2007

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:35:18 -0800

Today, Quality of Life Moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion about one of the most common subjects of conversation – the weather. Our guests are: James Brotherton, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service; Dan Errotabere, a San Joaquin Valley farmer; Angelo Stalis, meteorologist and weather reporter for KFSN-TV; Scott Nestor, from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. We also spoke with Jeff Smith from PG&E about weather related power outages such as the rather large outage from Monday night’s thunderstorm.

Show #42 air date October 23, 2007

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:36:10 -0800

Our discussion about health care reform in California continues today with an emphasis on the political side of the equation. Our guests are Herb Schultz, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Senior Health Policy Advisor, and Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation. Mr. Schultz provided three avenues for more information or to add your ideas to the debate: www.fixourhealthcare.ca.gov ; email Mr. Schultz at herb.shultz@gov.ca.gov ; or Mr. Schultz’s cell phone – 916-213-0763. For information from the California Labor Federation: www.itsourhealthcare.org or telephone at 510-663-4000.

Show #41 air date October 16, 2007

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:05:39 -0800

Health insurance in America is complicated and is a challenge for the business of health care and is also a political football. This week, moderator Terry Phillips leads a discussion about the current state of health care with guests who are truly experts. Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, MD is Physician-in-Chief at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno; Tom Epstein is Vice President of Public Affairs for Blue Shield of California; Mark Keppler is the Executive Director of the Maddy Institute at CSU Fresno.

Show #40 air date October 9, 2007

Tue, 9 Oct 2007 13:54:27 -0800

Our guests today are Imam Seyed Ali Ghazvini from the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, and Hamid Entezam, an Islamic researcher and lecturer. Our discussion, moderated by Terry Phillips explores religious, social and political questions that are frequently raised. The resulting conversation is engaging and highly informative.

Show #39 air date October 2, 2007

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 14:10:45 -0800

Our discussions on life in big cities and small towns continues today with a look at the quality of life in small towns.Author David Savageau, whose latest book “Retirement Places Rated” kicks off the conversation with some ideas on how to choose a new home town for those who want to move when they retire. In our studio, Betty Morehead from the Pixley Chamber of Commerce, and Steve Rapada, a City Councilman in Reedley, offer their observations of life in their towns. And, we take calls from quite a few people who are very happy with their “small town” lives. Moderator Terry Phillips keeps the conversation going.

Show #38 air date September 25, 2007

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:54:52 -0800

Today on Quality of Life, we talk about life in the the Valley’s large cities. We begin with a bit of a sports rivalry between the hockey teams from Fresno and Bakersfield, and the two sports writers that had some fun with it in print. Ken Robison, sports columnist from the Fresno Bee and Andy Kehe, a journalist with the Bakersfield Californian meet for the first time on the air, and enjoy many calls from listeners eager to discuss the positive and negative aspects of city life in the central Valley. Our moderator, Terry Phillips, keeps the conversation flowing in a program that kept the phone lines full for the whole hour.

Show #37 air date September 18, 2007

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:33:50 -0800

Writing and publishing a book is a dream for many people, but progressing from an idea to a finished product presents a multitude of questions for the would-be authors. Today's Quality of life explores some of the options for small publishing or self publishing, and also addresses the creative side of this business. Moderator Terry Phillips has two guests who are well qualified to give advice: Scott Flora is Vice-President of About Books, Inc.; Howard V. Hendrix is widely known for his science fiction stories, having published 30 stories and novelettes and five novels. Those seeking more information about writing and publishing can visit www.spannet.org. Information for those looking for an agent is available at www.aar-online.org . For more about Howard Hendrix and his work, visit www.howardvhendrix.com.

Show #36 air date September 11, 2007

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:22:33 -0800

On the sixth anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Quality of Life examines how terrorism has changed our lives. For a national perspective, our moderator, Terry Phillips, welcomes author Clarence Augustus Martin, whose book "Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues" speaks to this issue. With information about how California is dealing with the threat of terrorism is Jay Allen, Deputy Director of Communications for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security.

Show #35 air date September 4, 2007

Tue, 4 Sep 2007 16:44:37 -0800

Today's program looks into the relationships of labor and management, and the state of unions today. Our guests are Bobby Kahn, Executive Director of the Madera County Economic Development Corporation; Arlene Ramos-Aninion, Kern Medical Center Clerical Workers; Chryl Brown, Labor Specialist with the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. Listener calls provide many interesting questions, and our Moderator Terry Phillips pulls it all together.

Show #34 air date August 28, 2007

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:44:02 -0800

Today’s program explores home financing. With foreclosure rates causing problems for borrowers and lenders alike, Terry Phillips and guest panelists discuss the causes and effects of the current real estate market conditions, and answer many questions from listeners. Our guests were Dawn Golik, Operations Specialist with HUD; Kevin Williams, Vice President of Premier Valley Bank; Katy Hudson, President and CEO of Consumer Credit Counseling Service for Kern and Tulare Counties.

Show #33 air date August 21, 2007

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:50:36 -0800

Today we consider some of the issues and problems associated with the prison system in California. Our moderator, Terry Phillips, welcomes guests Marisela Montes, Chief Deputy Secretary for Adult programs in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Mary Beth Pfeiffer, author of "Crazy In America: The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill."

Show #32 air date August 14, 2007

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:58:03 -0800

Everyone is interested in education. The range of challenges, opportunities, and problems facing school districts throughout central California run the gamut from mechanical and maintenance to teaching philosophies. Today’s guests fielded many thoughtful questions from callers, as moderator Terry Phillips guided a most interesting conversation. Our guests were Don Holder, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Fresno County Office of Education, and Larry Reider, Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

Show #31 air date August 7, 2007

Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:06:36 -0800

He's been called Fresno's favorite journalist. Mark Arax is a critically-acclaimed author and a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Arax has spent decades covering life in the Central Valley and elsewhere. Moderator Terry Phillips spends the entire hour talking with Mark about the stories he's written as well as the quality of journalism.

Show #30 air date July 31, 2007

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:17:53 -0800

Sleep is important for everyone. Scientific studies indicate that insufficient rest can affect many aspects of our lives, from physical and emotional well-being to professional productivity. Our panel of experts discuss causes of sleeplessness, and what we can do to sleep better.Our moderator Terry Phillips welcomes three experts for today’s program: Dr. Kathryn Lee, PhD is a Professor of Nursing in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco, and is a sleep consultant for many NIH-funded research projects; Dr. Karl Van Grundy, MD, is a Pulmonologist and a Clinical Professor of medicine at UCSF in Fresno; Dr. Herbert Ross, DC, is Founder of the Aspen Sleep Institute in Colorado, and is an authority on alternative solutions to sleep disorders.

Show #29 air date July 17, 2007

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:17:10 -0800

A visit to Yosemite National Park by our moderator Terry Phillips resulted in this information-filled program. Terry walks and talks with Park Ranger Scott Gediman, Mark Gallagher from the Delaware North Company, the park’s concessionaire, Park Service Hydrologist Jim Roche, Park Ranger Adrienne Freeman, and Naturalist and Director of Educational Programs for Yosemite National Park Pete Devine.

Show #28 air date July 17, 2007

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:40:16 -0800

Today we explore what may be the number one issue facing all of us. Whether we raise crops, raise children, or simply raise our own standard of living, we need water. Here in the Central Valley, we are interdependent on the supply and distribution of water. And during times of drought, every ounce matters. Joining moderator Terry Phillips are: Paula Landis, San Joaquin District Chief for the California State Department of Water; Don Mills, General Manager of the Kings County Water District; Tim larson, First Vice President of the Kings County Farm Bureau.

Show #27 air date July 10, 2007

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:41:19 -0800

Hollywood studios frequently use California's Heartland as a filming location. On this program, moderator Terry Phillips finds out what productions have been made here, what famous stars have strolled among us, and what it takes to get cast as an extra. Panelists include Kristi Johnson of the Fresno County Film Commission, Dave Hook of the Kern Film Commission and Carollyn De Vore of De Vore Talent.

Show #26 air date July 3, 2007

Fri, 6 Jul 2007 15:21:27 -0800

Today's program is about patriotism - what does it mean in America today, and how has the concept changed? Light is shed on the questions by our guests: John Ferling, Historian and Author ("Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence"); Brad Jones, American History Professor, CSU Fresno; Markos Kounalakis, Publisher of The Washington Monthly Magazine, and producer/director of an animated film based on Mark Twain's "The War Prayer," which is heard in this program. Our moderator is Terry Phillips, who, along with the FM-89 staff, wishes you a happy Independence Day!

Show #25 air date June 26, 2007

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:14:21 -0800

Take the bus? What about trains or high speed rail in California? Questions about mass transit on a local and state-wide scale are topics for discussion today on Quality of Life. Our host Terry Philips has experts live in the studio and via phone. We'll meet Ken Hamm, Director of Fresno Area Express (FAX); Ed Eames, Chairman of the Fresno ADA Advisory Council; Ron Brummett, Executive Director of the Kern Council of Governments; Carrie Pourvahidi, Deputy Director of the California High Speed Rail Authority.

Show #24 air date June 19, 2007

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:52:20 -0800

International trade is our topic today, as our host Terry Phillips moderates a discussion on the impact of international trade on the Valley's economy. Free trade, tariffs, and the need for guest workers are topics of debate these days, and our guests offer their expertise and opinions. Our guest panelists are Riley Walter, an attorney with the Walter Law Group; Congressman George Radanovich, Republican from Mariposa; Carol Whiteside, President of The Great Valley Center; Professor Steve Blank, Department of Agricultural Economics at UC Davis.

Show #23 air date June 12, 2007

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:38:28 -0800

Today, we take a trip to the Zoo! Both Fresno and Bakersfield have excellent collections of fascinating animals, and some special learning programs for children. We take a closer look at the California Living Museum in Kern County, and the Chaffee Zoological Garden in Fresno. Join Terry Phillips for this field trip!

Show #22 air date June 5, 2007

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 15:12:19 -0800

Today our Moderator, Terry Phillips, takes us on an excursion into planning for residential and industrial growth in the San Joaquin Valley. As the Valley's population continues to grow, so does the demand for housing, industrial growth, and the need for sound planning. Developers and builders have new sets of problems, and cities and counties are faced with difficult economic and land-use decisions. Helping us get a handle on this complex situation are today's guests: Rick Ballantyne, Executive Officer of the Fresno County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); Bob Keenan, Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of Tulare and Kings Counties; Fred Brusuelas, Planner for the City of Visalia. Our phone banks were filled throughout this most interesting discussion.

Show #21 air date May 29, 2007

Tue, 29 May 2007 15:04:21 -0800

In today's program we discuss medical care and other veteran's benefits, and the quality of care received by our wounded troops.There are many services available in central California, and to help inform us, Terry Phillips welcomes Al Perry, Director of the Fresno Veterans Administration Central California Health Care System, Robert piaro, President of California Veterans Assistance Foundation, and Ralph Cansimbe, Manager of Veterans Services Division of California Department of Veterans Affairs. And, of course, interesting calls from listeners.

Show #20 air date May 22, 2007

Tue, 22 May 2007 14:44:14 -0800

Gun control - one of America's most emotional and contentious issues is on center stage in today's Quality of Life. Moderator Terry Philips leads a fascinating and civil discussion about the role of guns in our society. Do we want them? Do we need them? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? You will hear very thoughtful callers giving us their ideas, and an interview with Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mimms. Also on the program is Dr. Rebecca Stickler, MD, from Kaiser Permanente.

Show #19, air date May 15, 2007

Tue, 15 May 2007 15:23:35 -0800

Where do you like to eat: a neighborhood deli...a fancy restaurant...maybe something in-between? The central valley is home to very diverse cuisine. With all the choices available, how do you decide? Our moderator, Terry Phillips goes in search of the Valley's best food. Joining Terry on the program are Chef Klaus Tenbergen, now an Assistant Professor of Culinary Science in the Culinology program at California State University, Fresno, and who has worked at fine restaurants around the world and is the author of the textbook entitled "On Baking." Also on the panel are Tori Parker, food writer for the Visalia Times-Delta, and Representative Tom Nelson from the Wisconsin State Assembly. All this and listener calls make this an enjoyable program.

Show #18, air date May 8, 2007

Tue, 8 May 2007 14:53:58 -0800

Our pets fulfill a variety of needs from loving companion to trusted guardian. We focus today on dogs and cats, and how well we treat them. The discussion touches on some of the problems associated with over population, and efforts to better control the number of strays and unwanted pets. Our listeners call in with some very interesting questions for our panel, which includes Beth Caffrey, Volunteer Coordinator with the Central California SPCA, and Dr. Gary Shahbazian from the Palm Bluff Veterinary Hospital. Our moderator is Terry Phillips.

Show #17, air date May 1, 2007

Tue, 1 May 2007 16:33:55 -0800

Today's topic is corporate ownership of media. Moderator Terry Phillips and guests discuss the evolving media landscape and issues such as political candidates debates available to the public exclusively on one cable news outlet, and whether consumers are doing a responsible job of finding or paying attention to the growing variety of news and information choices available. Terry's guests are: David Schecter, Assistant Professor in the CSUF Political Science Department; Harut Sassounian, Publisher of the California Courier; Peter Hart, Activism Director for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR); Adam Thierer, Senior Fellow at the Progress and Freedom Foundation; Mary Wilson, President of the League of Women Voters.

Show #16, air date April 24, 2007

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:13:16 -0800

Today's program examines an international tragedy with local connections - genocide. For ethnic Armenians in the Central Valley and around the world, April 24th is the day to commemorate the slaughter of more than a million innocent souls living in the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Nearly a century later, their pain persists. Unfortunately, Armenians aren't the only victims of genocide. Similar crimes against humanity continue to this day. Our panel of experts will help us understand this dark side of human nature - and search for hope in the face of evil. Joining our moderator, Terry Phillips, are: George Papagiannis, from Internews; Suliman Giddo, Darfur Peace and Development Project; Chuck Poochigian, attorney and past member of the California State Assembly and Senate; Rev. Yeghia Hairabedian, Pastor.

Show #15, air date April 17, 2007

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:43:32 -0800

It's a disease that affects tens of thousands of us every year. It can occur without any significant symptoms, and it can sometimes be very serious. The disease is called Valley Fever. Today, Terry Phillips welcomes Dr. Hans Einstein, well known for his work with this disease. The conversation moves from Valley fever to air pollution and associated medical problems. Also on today's panel are Michelle Garcia, Program Director for the American Lung Association Central California Office; Jaime Holt, Public Education Administrator for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; Dr. A.M. Aminian, from the Allergy Institute in Fresno.

Show #14, air date April 10, 2007

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:00:00 -0800

The Fresno Film Festival is up first today, as our Moderator Terry Phillips welcomes John Moses, a film professor at Fresno City College and President of Fresno Filmworks, and Stephen Crutchfield, an Oakhurst-based filmmaker. Joining the program via phone is Darren Navarro, a film editor working in Los Angeles. The second part of the program is about civility - Are we less polite than we used to be? Are Americans still perceived as the "ugly American" in the rest of the world? Joining the conversation are Nelsene Deranian, a retired elementary school teacher, Peter Laufer, author of "Wireless Etiquette," and Terri Morrison, author of "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands."

Show #13, air date April 3, 2007

Tue, 3 Apr 2007 14:15:19 -0800

There’s no business like show business! Today’s program is all about theatre in the San Joaquin Valley. Moderator Terry Phillips takes a look at the very active theatrical scene with the help of some of the leaders in the field. Donald Munro is the theatre columnist for the Fresno Bess; Dan Pessano, co-founder and Managing Director of Good Company players, Roger Rocka’s Music Hall and Second Space Theater; Kate McKnight-Wippern is music coordinator for the Fresno Unified School District and an actor; Coleen Gundzik, board member of the Bakersfield Community Theater; Chris Haberman, President of the Board of Directors of the Visalia Community Players.

Show #12, air date March 20, 2007

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:25:59 -0800

Today, Terry Phillps leads a discussion on going to college. Some of the issues include why people go to college, the problems associated with financing, and some advice to parents who are concerned that they might not be able to convince their children that going to college would be a wise choice. Our guests also explained some of the outreach programs intended to help young students find their way into college. We welcomed Jessie Ryan, Outreach Coordinator of the Campaign for College Opportunity; Chri Cruz, Executive Director of Central Valley Higher Education Consortium; Keith Kelley, President and CEO of Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development; Bernie Vinovrski, Vice President of Enrollment at California State University Fresno; Steven Watkin, Director of University Outreach and Recruitment at California State University Bakersfield.

Show #11, air date March 13, 2007

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:52:42 -0800

Where would you like to go on vacation this year? London? Paris? Rome? How about driving around the United States? How about driving around the Central Valley? Terry Phillips invites two guests to share some thoughts on vacation ideas: David Burke (“Wandering Dave”) is already on the road; Gigi Gibbs, from the Fresno Visitors Bureau, would like you to stay right here.

Show #10, air date March 6, 2007

Tue, 6 Mar 2007 16:25:52 -0800

In this issue of Quality of Life we look into computer security. Our panel includes law enforcement officials and banking insiders. How big is the problem? What can you do to protect yourself? Moderator Terry Phillips welcoms Roger Wilson, a prosecutor with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office andCarrie Bennett, VP of Marketing and Membership with the Fresno County Federal Credit union.

Show #9, air date February 27, 2007

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:35:48 -0800

Medical Reform in California is the topic for today’s program. Moderator Terry Phillips, our panel of experts, and callers will examine various proposals to provide better health care for everyone. Among the issues: Is universal medical insurance the solution? If so, how much will it cost and who will pay? Should we tax doctors to offset those costs, or offer them a tax credit as an incentive to treat the uninsured? Our guests: Deborah Riordan, a research analyst for the Central Valley Health Policy Institute; Dr. Joan Voris, Associate Dean at the UCSF – Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research. Dr. Voris practices as an attending physician at the Children’s Health Center; Fran Blackney, Communications Director and Business Advocate for the Clovis Chamber of Commerce; Ruth Liu, Associate Secretary of Health policy for the Central California Health and Human Services Agency. She was instrumental in building the governor’s health care reform plan. Among the callers to the program was Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts.

Show #8, air date February 20, 2007

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:44:26 -0800

Immigration: Whether we call them illegal or undocumented, millions of people are in the United States without permission. Are these immigrants guests or outlaws? Quality of Life Moderator Terry Phillips, his guests and FM-89 listeners take an in-depth look at immigration. Today’s guests are Ms. Mari Martinez, Host of “Punto de Vista” (Point of View) on Radio Campesina, and Mr. David Bacon, a photojournalist whose latest book is “Communities Without Borders: Images and Voices from the World of Migration.”

Show #7, air date February 13, 2007

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:25:00 -0800

Today, Quality of Life goes in search of love. On the eve of Valentine's Day, we'll talk about whether the romance has gone out of relationships. Our moderator, Terry Phillips, welcomes five guests: Ms. Zetta Hadden, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and expert in couples counseling; Ms. Sherri Mosher, wedding planner and owner of "A Vision of Elegance" in Fresno; Mr. Gerald Tomassian, attorney; Ms. Kay Trimberger, author of "The New Single Woman;" Professor Robert Palacio, Chair of the CSUF Sociology Department and research scientist at CSUB Applied Research Center.

Show #6, air date February 6, 2007

Tue, 6 Feb 2007 14:44:20 -0800

Today’s Quality of Life takes a look at the connection between politics and music. Throughout history, artists and musicians have inspired political though. But where are today’s artistic promoters and protesters? Our panel of experts includes: Dr. Benjamin Boone, Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition at CSUF; Mike Osequeda, Fresno Bee columnist; Gene Butler, actor, writer and composer; Jim Shaw, Musician and Business Manager for Buck Owens Productions.

Show #5, air date January 30, 2007

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:30:37 -0800

In this program we examine Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. This condition affects millions of children and adults. Yet, there is some disagreement about its cause and treatment. Our expert panelists are: Dr. Karen J. Kraus, a Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry for UCSF in Fresno; Ms. Linda Fiddler, a Resource Specialist at Bessie Owens Primary School in Bakersfield; Dr. Mark Popper, a clinical psychologist and the Director of Sequoia Psychotherapy Center in Fresno.

Show #4, air date January 23, 2007

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:27:21 -0800

A nuclear power plant in Fresno? The Fresno Nuclear Energy Group is working to make it happen. The group's President and CEO, John Hutson Joins our moderator, Terry Phillips, along with Dr. Ian Farnan, Earth Sciences Professor at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Aslam Lone, a consulting nuclear scientist, and Mr. Carl Zichella, Regional Director of the Sierra Club.

Show #3, air date January 16, 2007

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:45:05 -0800

Quality of Life jumps into the front seat with local law enforcement officers as moderator Terry Phillips explore traffic issues in the Valley. Guests include Fresno Policy Department Officer Andy Hall and Gary Fief and Paul Solorzano from the California Highway Patrol.

Show #2, air date January 9, 2007

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:45:04 -0800

California Highway Patrolman Axel Reyes has just returned from the Middle East where, for the past six months, he's been helping to train Iraqi police officers. He'll give us a first-hand progress report.

Show #1, air date January 2, 2007

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:45:03 -0800

This week's program is on college sports. Discussing the academic and economic issues of college sports are Tony Caviglia, Head Football Coach at Fresno City College, Andy Zimbalist, author and professor, and Keith Brown, Head Basketball Coach at California State university Bakersfield.