Archive for November, 2004

Death Penalty/Elizabeth Lawrence

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Death Penalty or Life In Prison: Host Frank Stasio talks to Oren Dorell, reporter with the Raleigh News and Observer; and Irving Joyner, professor of criminal law at North Carolina Central University, about the decision process North Carolina District Attorneys go through in choosing to seek the death penalty against murder defendants. In 2001, the state law changed, giving DAs more discretion in whether to seek the death penalty. (18:00)

Elizabeth Lawrence: Host Frank Stasio talks with Emily Wilson, author of “No One Gardens Alone: A Life of Elizabeth Lawrence” (Beacon/2004). Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985) was a well-known gardener and prolific letter writer. She lived in New York City in the 1920s before returning to live with her mother in North Carolina. She maintained correspondences with other writers like Katharine White, Eudora Welty, and Joseph Mitchell. (14:00)

Kelly Anderson: Food writer Kelly Anderson continues her exploration of North Carolina cuisine. (4:00)

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Changes In The Workplace

Monday, November 22nd, 2004

Changes in the Workplace: The faith-at-work movement is gaining acceptance here in North Carolina and across the country. But what are some of the legal and moral ramifications of promoting spiritual activities and personal choice in the workplace? Frank Stasio hosts a discussion on the issues with: Gil Stricklin, founder, president and CEO of Marketplace Ministries Inc.; Preston Foster, executive director of Communications and Public Affairs at Educational Testing Service, Inc.; Catherine Fisk, professor of law at Duke University; Craig Kocher, acting dean of Duke Chapel and director of Religious Life at Duke University; and Bob Page, founder and CEO Replacements Ltd., of Greensboro. Listener Call-In (59:00)

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Poll/Silas House/Pura Fe Crescioni

Friday, November 19th, 2004

Poll Results: The latest poll from Elon University asked North Carolinians what they expect from the next terms of President George Bush and Governor Mike Easley. Host Melinda Penkava talks with Tim Vercellotti, professor of political science at Elon University, about the results. (12:00)

Silas House: Melinda Penkava talks with writer Silas House. His latest novel, “The Coal Tattoo” (Algonquin/2004), tells the story of two very different sisters growing up in the 1950s and ’60s. Silas House is also the author of “Clay’s Quilt” (Random House/2002) and “A Parchment of Leaves” (Random House/2003). (20:00)

Pura Fe Crescioni: Ten years ago, singer-songwriter Pura Fe Crescioni returned to North Carolina, the birthplace of her Tuscaroran grandparents. Her contemporary blues music incorporates the tribal rhythms of her ancestors with the driving impulse of African-American blues. Host Melinda Penkava talks with Pura Fe Crescioni about her new album “Follow Your Heart’s Desire” (Musicmaker Relief Foundation/2004). (17:30)

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Dan Neil

Thursday, November 18th, 2004

Car Critic: Dan Neil, automobile columnist for the Los Angeles Times, described one car as “the double whopper with cheese of SUV’s.” Of another, a Lamborgini sports car, Neil wrote “you can’t take your eyes off (it). It’s like Donald Trump’s hair.” Neil, a North Carolina native, was awarded the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Host Melinda Penkava speaks with Dan Neil about his love affair with well-made cars and his disdain for sport utility vehicles. Listener Call-In. (54:00)
(Originally aired May 24, 2004.)

Commentary: Justin Catanoso, executive editor of the Triad Business Journal, on the recent tax breaks given to Dell Computer Corporation. (5:00)

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Ross McElwee

Wednesday, November 17th, 2004

Ross McElwee: Host Melinda Penkava talks North Carolina-born filmmaker Ross McElwee. His latest film, Bright Leaves (First Run Features/2003), is about his great-grandfather, John McElwee, a business rival of the Duke family during the rise of tobacco. The film contemplates how Ross McElwee’s family may have changed had his great-grandfather won the tobacco wars. (59:00)

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