Following Scott Simon's interview last week with playwright Eve Ensler and Dr. Denis Mukwege about violence against women in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, we received a fair amount of mail from folks looking to help with humanitarian efforts there.
Eve's site has information about the tour they're about to start to raise awareness of the problem -- and about what you can do to get involved.
Thomas Pierce, Weekend Edition.
You don't have to serve beer on Superbowl Sunday. You could serve wine. But what wine perfectly complements the taste of nachos decked with cheese and salsa and sour cream? What wine should you pair with the chili that's been sitting in the crockpot all day? To find out, Scott turns to Gary Vaynerchuck, host of Wine Library TV:
Produced by Justine Kenin and Thomas Pierce
Not to be outdone, Gary also filmed a webisode of his own show while in the studio.
Listen on Saturday for more Superbowl wine advice.
Gemma Watters, Production Assistant
Imagine giving up the comforts of your life: your television, your house and your friends and family, to embark on a walking expedition around world. That's what 81-year-old Harry "Hawk" McGinnis did. He started his trek in 1992 and he's still walking, visiting places he dreamed about as a child while leafing through the pages of National Geographic and encyclopedias. This week, in the final part of Weekend Edition's series, The Ninth Inning, we hear from Hawk. He called us on the phone from Leon, Nicaragua, to let us know where he's been, and where he's going.
We still want to hear your stories about the people in your life who you think are quite remarkable. Please post your stories here.
Liane Hansen, Weekend Edition Host
Zippo lighters have been around since the 1930's, but the iconic accessory has entered a new dimension. Join NPR's Liane Hansen and David Nogueras as they demonstrate both the original and the 21st century versions of the Zippo lighter. Here's a hint -- the new ones don't need lighter fluid.
Produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly and Kathryn Dalrymple
Thomas Pierce, Weekend Edition
Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda was arrested yesterday in Rwanda. Some of the soldiers under his command have been responsible for the violence against women in The Democratic Republic of the Congo -- including rape and mutilation -- but it's not just the rebel forces that have perpetrated these acts. The violence is widespread.
This morning, we talked to playwright Eve Ensler and Dr. Denis Mukwege about these crimes against women and girls and what's being done to stop them. You probably know Eve Ensler. She's the author of "The Vagina Monologues" and the creator of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women. Dr. Mukwege is a gynecologist in Congo who founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu -- a place where victims can get treatment and counseling. He's been honored by the United Nations for his work.
Sarah Beyer Kelly, Senior Producer
Do you think that President Obama needed to retake his oath of office after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed it? Did they let bloggers affect their actions? Watch Scott Simon and Juan Williams flub their own oath, talk about what may have driven the decision, and discuss the lip-synched music played by Yo Yo Ma. And please send us your thoughts, too!
Produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly and Kathryn Dalrymple
posted by Davar
18-year-old Alyssa Roberts is in Washington D.C. with her friend Olivia Rudeen. They managed to snag two of those 240,000 golden tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Alyssa and Olivia, started a Students for Obama Club in their Denver, Colorado high school. Weekend Edition's Scott Simon interviewed them Saturday morning. It happened to be Alyssa's 18th birthday. Check out the second video blog they've sent us documenting their adventures in Washington D.C. Watch to the very end and you'll hear folks in the restaurant mention hearing Alyssa and Olivia on NPR!
Sylvia Poggioli, European Correspondent
It's been 25 years since the United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations. Despite divisions over the US-led war in Iraq, relations have been warmest during the current Bush administration. Vatican officials are bracing for a sharp shift in relations under an Obama administration that will be openly pro-choice.
Kathryn Dalrymple, Weekend Edition
Hello! My name is Kathryn (Katie!) Dalrymple and I am the new multimedia intern here at Weekend Edition. Last week -- which was my second week at NPR -- I was assigned to photograph the Howard University Showtime Marching Band as they practiced for their performance in the 56th Inaugural Parade. The result is this multimedia piece, which supplements today's NPR report on the band by Host Liane Hansen and Producer Veronica Miller. It's my first slideshow for NPR -- so please send suggestions or leave comments. I look forward to producing more pieces for your viewing (and listening) pleasure!!
For full screen, click on the four-cornered arrow icon in the viewer's bottom right.
posted by Davar
18-year-old Alyssa Roberts is in Washington D.C. with her friend Olivia Rudeen. They managed to snag two of those 240,000 golden tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Alyssa and Olivia, started a Students for Obama Club in their Denver, Colorado high school. They will be sending us daily videos about their adventures in Washington D.C.
Gemma Watters, Production Assistant
Our month-long series, "The Ninth Inning," focuses on the remarkable lives of older-generation Americans, and it has motivated many of you to write in with your own stories. Some are personal reflections, and some are stories about loved ones. After hearing last week's incredible profile of Dorothy Toy Fong, a 91-year-old dancer, listener George Wood sent us this email:
I would like to recommend to you my mother, Eldora Wood, of Pinehurst, NC for your series on seniors. She is 84 and runs her own business, a gift shop. She goes to work every day, manages both the shop and the rental spaces above the store, and travels around the country to stock the store. She was a child of the midwest and Depression, taught school in a one-roomed school house in rural Iowa, ran summer programs in Biloxi, has survived breast cancer and the slow death of her husband from Alzheimers, raised four children of her own and four others from her husband's first marriage. She is affectionately known by her children as the Queen Mother of Pinehurst, serving on the library board and long-range planning committee for the village. She is a remarkable woman with no desire to ever retire and widely loved by her neighbors and customers.
If you know someone who has led an amazing life, or you have a wonderful story to tell, we would love to hear it. Post it here and we might put you on the air, just like George and Eldora.
Davar Iran Ardalan, Senior Producer
In the last few weeks on our blog and on Weekend Edition, we've asked you to let us know if you're attending the inauguration. 17-year-old Alyssa Roberts wrote in to tell us that she would be flying in from Colorado with her friend Olivia Rudeen. Together, the two started a Students for Obama Club in their Centennial, Colorado high school and even produced a video encouraging their fellow students to ask their parents to vote early.
The video features Jeff Tweedy from the band Wilco and Jonny 5 from The Flobots. It also featured big names in politics, including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Senator Mark Udall, who has now made their trip possible, by giving Ms. Roberts and Rudeen two tickets for the inauguration.
Alyssa and Olivia plan to send us more videos during their visit to Washington D.C. so check back here in the next few days.
Produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly and Kathryn Dalrymple
NPR Correspondent David Greene fills in for Liane Hansen as Host of Weekend Edition Sunday and teaches Scott Simon a little something about being a Pittsburgh Steelers Fan. Who's your favorite team? Do you paint your face with your team colors? Our Senior Editor Tony Marcano has some thoughts below. Post your story too!
Tony Marcano, Senior Editor
Being not nearly as erudite or photogenic as David Greene (I have the proverbial face made for radio), I'll avoid the goofy video log and just tell you about my passion for the New York Giants here. Excuse me, I meant the New York Giants, champions of the National Football League. Let me repeat that: CHAMPIONS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
Davar Iran Ardalan, Senior Producer
In early September, author and garlic farmer Chester Aaron emailed me and asked me to consider a program that focuses on the lives of seniors. "One neighbor," Chester wrote, "a fisherman, 80 years old, kept his family going by continuing to fish. He died last week. His children and grandchildren had a wake. The tributes, by fishermen and wives, would have broken your heart but also given you hope."
I was intrigued and over the course of the fall, we began reviewing essays and considering interesting seniors to feature. Today, as part of our series "The Ninth Inning," you will hear the story of Chester Aaron himself. I came to know Chester back in August of 2001, when NPR's Lisa Simeone and I traveled to Occidental, California to meet him. We were reporting on a story about garlic and had just attended the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. Chester, who is an organic garlic farmer, spoke of the dark days ahead for domestic growers.
Over the years, Chester has graced us with wonderful stories. He spoke to NPR's Steve Inskeep about his father's Russian Root Soup. And he shared his recipes for "Stuffed Grilled Trout" and "Cold Almond-Garlic Soup" with Liane Hansen and offered a cure for garlic breath.
Next week, as part of the Ninth Inning series, Liane will speak with Dorothy Toy Fong, also known as the Chinese Ginger Rogers, who at the age of 91 is still dancing.
Want to share your life story with us? Post it here and we might invite you to the show.
Gemma Watters, Production Assistant
On this week's show, Liane Hansen and editor of The Onion newspaper Joe Randazzo take a look into the future to see what news stories may be making the headlines in 2009. The Onion is known mostly for its satirical look at the news.
So, take a peek up at the stars and see if you can predict next year's
headlines. You never know -- you may be the next Carnac the Magnificent!
Sarah Beyer Kelly, Senior Producer
Harriet Tubman Elementary School sits in one of Baltimore's most impoverished neighborhoods. But when students there get a chance, they can really make some music. The school has a fairy godmother in the form of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's maestro, Marin Alsop. She and the BSO have paired up to help bring a musical education to the kids who get their own instruments to play.
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