This week on Valley Edition, we look at how Valley residents are working to develop new, grassroots solutions to the problem of hunger in our community. We also look at how planned court closures will affect the residents of rural Fresno County communities, and learn about this year's Woodward Shakespeare Festival.
Valley Edition for June 26, 2012
Segment 1: Solutions to Hunger
Across the southern San Joaquin Valley, the commercial citrus harvest is virtually over. But over the past two months, a volunteer group has been working in backyards across Tulare county to collect fruit that would otherwise go to waste, and donate it to those in need. FM89's Joe Moore has a special report on the group TC Harvest, and host Juanita Stevenson talks with Sandy Beals of FoodLink, and Andy Housler from the NOSH program at the Old Town Clovis Farmers Market to learn more about innovative solutions to food insecurity.
Segment 2: Court Closures
California's budget problems have put a strain on all state departments - including local county courts. In a special report, FM89's Gabriela Ornelas tells us how Fresno County residents may find getting to a courtroom much more difficult in the coming weeks, thanks to the pending closure of 7 courthouses in the county's smaller communities. Valley Edition host Juanita Stevenson talks with San Joaquin College of Law professor and local trial attorney Rene Turner Sample about what this means for the justice system.
Segment 3: Woodward Shakespeare
This summer in Fresno's Woodward Park, Valley residents can enjoy the sights and sounds of live theatre thanks to the Woodward Shakespeare Company. Now in its eighth season, the company features many of the Valley's top actors, and this year will feature two Shakespeare plays as well as a stage classic from the 20th century by Tennessee Williams. Executive Producer Greg Taber joins Juanita Stevenson to talk about this year's season with The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Streetcar Named Desire and Henry V.