July 2, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Florida Evacuee -- All Things Considered host Noah Adams talks with John Hackney, a high school teacher from North Mims, Florida. Mr. Hackney was evacuated from his home yesterday afternoon by Brevard County Sheriff Deputies as wild fires threatened his neighborhood. He has joined over 100 evacuees at the Red Cross shelter at Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida where he is a teacher. He talks about the evacuation and the challenge of deciding what to bring with him to the shelter. (4:00)

Unemployment Report -- The United States unemployment rate rose slightly in June to 4.5 percent, but job growth remained strong. Turmoil in Asia sent manufacturing employment down, but that decline was more than offset by hiring elsewhere in the economy. Overall, business payrolls expanded by 205,000. NPR's Jim Zarroli has the details. (3:30)

Salvaged Wood -- The demand for high-quality old growth wood remains high even as logging of old growth stands is being cut back. That's created a new business--salvaging old timber. NPR's John Nielsen visits an entrepreneur who scavenges ancient timber form turn-of-the-century factories and warehouses before they're demolished, and turns it into top-of-the-line lumber. (6:30)

'Koolaids: The Art of War' -- Reviewer Alan Cheuse says that the first novel from London painter Rabih Alameddine, called Koolaids: The Art of War is an interesting and ambitious novel about war and love. He says that the writer's attempts at aligning himself with trendy literary theory aren't entirely successful. (Note: Koolaids: The Art of War is published by Picador.) (1:30)

GOP and Big Business -- NPR's Peter Overby reports from Washington on developing differences between congressional Republicans and many business people who have funneled funds into GOP coffers. Some executives are beginning to wonder openly about how much they can depend upon politicians they have supported and Republican leaders are complaining about pressure from traditional backers. (6:30)

Non-Profit Mergers -- Julie Grant-Cooper of member station WCBE in Columbus reports that small non-profit organizations around the country are under pressure from their funders to merge. Businesses and foundations that traditionally give money away are concerned that too many non-profits are vying for grants. But while some small charities have merged to improve their economies of scale, many are resisting the trend for fear of losing sight of their goals. (6:00)

Outside Magic -- Noah talks with John Stilgoe, the Orchard Professor of Landscape History at Harvard University, and the author of Outside Lies Magic: Regaining History and Awareness in Everyday Places. Stilgoe talks about the extraordinary things that can be found in ordinary places -- from shopping malls to post offices to interstate highways. (Note: Outside Lies Magic: Regaining History and Awareness in Everyday Places is published by Walker & Company.) (8:00)

Swiss Banks -- NPR's Melissa Block reports on today's announcement by New York officials on plans to impose a series of economic sanctions against Swiss banks, after negotiations broke down over restitution to Holocaust survivors and heirs. Switzerland bristled at news of the punitive measures, which will take effect in 60 days, if no settlement is reached. (4:30)

CNN Retraction -- Cable News Network today retracted its story alleging the U.S. military used sarin nerve gas to kill American defectors in a covert operation in Laos during the Vietnam War. CNN produced the story on "Operation Tailwind" in conjunction with Time Magazine. Today, the network acknowledged there were "serious faults" in its use of sources for the story -- and issued a statement saying "CNN alone bears responsibility for both the television reports and for the printed article" and apologized to viewers, colleagues at Time, and the military personnel involved in Operation Tailwind. NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports. (2:30)

Hong Kong -- Robert talks with Vicki O'Hara, who's with the group of reporters traveling with the President throughout China. The entourage is now in Hong Kong. Robert and Vicki discuss President Clinton's statements today about Taiwan, in which he reiterated his support for the so-called "One China" policy. The President also met with Hong Kong dissidents today, but reporters were not allowed to observe those meetings. (4:00)

Cyprus -- Chris Morris reports from Cyprus on rising tensions between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. U.N. envoy Diego Cordovez has begun negotiations in hopes of re-starting stalled peace talks. But the rival communities seem as divided as ever following last month's visits to the island by Greek and Turkish warplanes. The self-proclaimed Turkish Cypriot state in the north is reacting defiantly to plans by the Greek Cypriot government to purchase Russian anti-aircraft missiles. (4:30)

Burrito Search -- Burrito enthusiast Peter Fox has begun a journey to find the origins of the modern-day burrito. Along his journey, he is sending us audio postcards. His first comes from San Francisco, where he tasted his first burrito. (3:00)

Northern Ireland Fires -- Noah speaks with Irish Times reporter Andy Pollak about the fires that were set in 10 Catholic Churches in Northern Ireland last night. Pollak says that no group has claimed responsibility, but authorities strongly suspect the Loyalist Volunteer Force -- a small, very extreme Protestant group. (3:00)

Orange Marches -- Police and other officials suspect that the Loyalist Volunteer Force may be responsible for last night's church fires in Northern Ireland. British authorities told the Order of Orange, Northern Ireland's major pro-British Protestant fraternal organization, not to carry out its planned marches. The Order had been planning to march through a heavily-Catholic area of Belfast called Portadown this weekend, in keeping with a long-standing annual tradition. Noah talks with David McNarry, a counselor and spokesman for the Order of Orange. McNarry discusses why parades are important to the Orangemen in Northern Ireland. (5:00)

Numbered Days -- Commentator Scott Brunner has a story about his wife's grandmother, who records the contents of her days on a calendar. (3:30)

ATC Mailbag -- Noah and Robert read from listeners' comments. To contact All Things Considered, write to All Things Considered Letters, 635 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. To contact us via the Internet, the address is atc@npr.org. (4:00)

Shania Twain -- Music reviewer Will Hermes says that country music/pop artist Shania Twain's latest record, "Come On Over," is a classic example of how to create a crossover career in the recording industry. (Note: "Come On Over" is available from Mercury Records.)