Thursday, May 29, 2008

Fuming RVs

NPR is reporting on the toxic condition of FEMA trailers: Fumes Chase Family Out of FEMA Trailers

Check out the local angle by WVPE's Michael Linville: Kevin Brown of the RV Industry Association talks about the current state of the RV market.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Packing

In honor of Memorial Day weekend, here is a link to a All Things Considered story about packing: How to Pack Everything You Own in One Bag. It includes diagrams!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Historial Gas Prices

I heard a story on Morning Edition (I think it was ME) that our current gas prices aren't much higher than the gas prices in 1920, when adjusted for inflation.

I found a chart that shows the price of gas in the U.S. from 1979 to today. WTRG Economics has a more thorough history of oil prices. I can't account for the accuracy of either site, though. If you find a better source, please let me know.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Terry Gross on sale

The Fresh Air host's book All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians, and Artists is now $4.99 at Amazon.com.

Pop Candy mentions NPR

Pop Candy is a great pop culture blog at usatoday.com.

"Jamie Tarabay shares a cool story of how she helped stay sane while reporting from Baghdad: by watching episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Friday, May 16, 2008

China story not to be missed

If you didn't hear Melissa Block's story Couple Frantic to Find Loved Ones in Rubble on Wednesday or catch the listeners' responses to it, I would highly recommend listening online.

If you did get a chance to hear it, what do you think? It was the first news story that's ever made me cry.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Fuel economy: Save money on gas

Consumer Reports' tests show how to get the best gas mileage

Laundry List

Hopefully, you all had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday. My family celebrated by seeing Iron Man. I was surprised to see so many comedies and adventure films out at the theater, but then realized we are beginning the summer blockbuster season. I love "junk food" movies like Speed Racer and Indiana Jones, but if you are looking for a little more fiber in your diet, consider these flicks on DVD...

Fast Food Nation: This is the film interpretation of Eric Schlosser's best-selling expose. Like it's cousin Super Size Me it looks at food choice as a political statement. After viewing, you might want to listen to NPR's Cut the Nutri-Hype. Eat Real Food. An interview with Michael Pollan about his book In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

Into the Wild: Sean Penn's romanticized look at the real life Chris McCandless. Here is a review of the film from All Things Considered.

Bobby: Emilio Esteve's attempt at a Robert Altman mosaic about the assassination Robert F. Kennedy is a little heavy-handed. It is NOT a great film. However, one can't help but draw eery comparisons between the followers of RFK and Barack OBama.

Who Killed the Electric Car? Who isn't worried about rising gas prices? Click here to listen to Denver Drivers Learn How to Boost Fuel Economy.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Pushing Drugs on Public Radio

Stealth Marketers

A few weeks ago, devoted listeners of National Public Radio member stations* were treated to an episode of the award-winning radio series The Infinite Mind called "Prozac Nation: Revisited." The segment featured four prestigious medical experts discussing the controversial link between antidepressants and suicide. In their considered opinions, all four said that worries about the drugs have been overblown.

Read the Slate story here.

Tired this morning?

How late did you stay up waiting to here the poll results?

When WVPE's Morning Edition host Michael Linville came into the studio this morning, All Things Considered host Tony Krabill was still here.