Charlotte Blogs

We’ll discuss the Civil Rights movement and its beginnings across the country and right here in the Charlotte region. Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, author of Defying Dixie: The Radical Roots of Civil Rights joins us to discuss the battles over Jim Crow and segregation in the post World War I era and the role Communism played in the early Civil Rights movement. We’ll also take a look at Nazi Germany through the eyes of African Americans in the Civil Rights movement.
Guest
Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore – History Professor, Yale University & Author, Defying Dixie
Since this is an encore presentation, we won’t be able to include your comments.
Originally Aired: 4/6/2009

• Amazon  |  Defying Dixie by Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore

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Richard Dawkins is no stranger to controversy. His international bestseller, The God Delusion, sparked heated debate about the nature of man and religion. His follow-up novel, The Greatest Show on Earth, is his defense of science and evolution. At the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species, we revisit our conversation with Richard Dawkins on evolution, religion and public discourse on God.

Guest
Richard Dawkins – Evolutionary Biologist and Author
Since this is an encore presentation, we won’t be able to include your comments.
Originally Aired: 10/15/2009

• Amazon  |  The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
• Amazon  |  The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins

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Our restaurant critics are back for a special edition of Charlotte Talks. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, our panel will focus on some of the most romantic restaurants in the region, whether they be old stand-bys or surprising new finds. We’ll also explore ways to create romantic meals at home. Make your reservation for a special edition of the food critics show.
Guests
Helen Schwab – Food Writer and Critic, The Charlotte Observer
Heidi Billotto – Food Writer and Critic, Charlotte Living Magazine
Tricia Childress – Food Writer and Critic, Creative Loafing

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Some of the restaurants mentioned during the show:

• Taste on Tour (Food blog from the Avett Brothers’ Joe Kwon)
• La Pariesienne Fine Chocolate
• The McNinch House
• Upstream
• Sante
• Rudy’s Italian Restaurant and Bar
• Aria’s Tuscan Grill
• BLT Steak
• Pewter Rose (can do Vegan)
• River House Inn & Restaurant
• Gado Gado Restaurant (Matthews)
• Louisiana Purchase Food and Spirits (Banner Elk)
• The Perry House Bed & Breakfast (Banner Elk)
• Banner Elk Winery
• Musashi Japanese Restaurant
• NC Wine

From Helen Schwab….
Four less predictable choices than the usual for Valentine’s Day:
Crepe Cellar 3116 N. Davidson St.; 704-910-6543
Beef n’ Bottle 4538 South Blvd.; 704-523-9977
Pike’s Soda Shop 1930 Camden Road; 704-372-0092
Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe, the 24-hour French bakery; 2424 N. Davidson St.

Five hipster choices:
Vivace 1100 Metropolitan Ave.; 704-370-7755
Soul 1500 Central Ave.; 704-348-1848
Nolen Kitchen 2839 Selwyn Ave.; 704-372-1424
Andrew Blair’s 1600 Montford Drive; 704-525-8282
Yn; 1315 East Blvd., 704-343-0131

Ten spots that are classically “romantic” (a little dark, a little mysterious, and/or amazing decor, view or food):
Carpe Diem 1535 Elizabeth Ave.; 704-377-7976
Dolce 1710 Kenilworth Ave.; 704-332-7525
Barrington’s 7822 Fairview Road; 704-364-5755
Global 3520 Toringdon Way; 704-248-0866
Zebra 4521 Sharon Road; 704-442-9525
Luce 214 N. Tryon St.; 704-344-9222
McNinch House 511 N. Church St.; 704-332-6159
Bentley’s on 27 201 S. College St.; 704-343-9201
Pewter Rose 1820 South Blvd.; 704-332-8149
Passion8 Bistro 3415 Highway 51, Fort Mill, SC; 803-802-7455

Part One: Spring Awakening
We’ll talk about one of the biggest Tony Award winning Broadway shows in years, now in Charlotte for the week…Spring Awakening. It’s a controversial story of teenage self-discovery set in 1891 in Germany. We’ll talk with cast members and one of the creators about how the story made it to the stage, and about how parents can use this production as a tool to talk with their children about sex, religion and intellectual freedom.
Guests
Jake Epstein – Actor, plays “Melchior” in Spring Awakening
Christy Altomare – Plays “Wendla” in Spring Awakening

• Tickets and more information about Spring Awakening

Part Two: Woody Sez
We’ll meet the creator, cast and hear live music from the latest show to hit the Booth Playhouse in Charlotte…Woody Sez. The show celebrates the spirit of American folk legend Woody Guthrie. It’s a theatrical concert that uses Guthrie’s words and more than 25 of his songs to transport the audience through Guthrie’s sometimes tragic life.
Guests
Nick Corley – Director of Woody Sez
David Lutken – Actor and musician, plays “Woody” and is the creator of Woody Sez

• Tickets and more information about Woody Sez

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Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman recently announced a set of initiatives aimed at reforming the school system. One of those proposals was to examine a possible move to performance based pay for teachers. Teachers’ groups say it puts an unfair burden on classroom teachers where performance and quality are hard to define, but others say it’s a long needed fix to ensure the best teachers for CMS students. We’ll examine the performance based pay model for teachers.
Guests
Patte Barth – Director, Center for Public Education
Mary McCray – President, Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators
Keith Burnam – Founder/School Leader, KIPP School of Charlotte

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The President of Belmont Abbey joins us to discuss sports as a means to regain a sense of virtue in our society. Dr. Bill Thierfelder has spent his life in sports, first as an Olympian and All-American track star and later as a consultant and manager for many sports stars. He believes that sport is an important tool for young people to learn virtue. He’ll share his thoughts on sports as a means to a more virtuous life and much more.
Guest
Dr. Bill Thierfelder – President, Belmont Abbey College

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When Matthews based physician Will Conner decided to go to Haiti to help in any way he could, he literally answered a prayer. When Charlotte Observer reporter Franco Ordonez decided to tag along, he found out that there was such a thing as hope and joy amidst the ruins of the earthquake ravaged country. Both men share their stories and we hear from a native Haitian who is a local expert on International relations. Join us for a doctor’s journey to Haiti.
Guests
Dr. Will Conner – Owner/Physician, Conner Family Health Clinic
Franco Ordonez – Staff Reporter, Charlotte Observer
Eddie Souffrant – Professor of Philosophy, UNC Charlotte

• Video |  Haitian patients break into song as Dr. Will Conner works on a patient
• WFAE  |  Charlotte Observer’s Ordonez tells of his time in Haiti
• WFAE  |  Following the money from cell phone text to Haiti
• Charlotte Observer  |  The names, faces behind Haiti’s pain by Will Conner
• Charlotte Observer  |  Doctor sees suffering, but also luck, hope in Haiti
• Charlotte Observer  |  Matthews doctor gently cares for Haiti’s desperate

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We’re joined by members of the WFAE News Team to discuss some of the biggest news stories of the month for the Queen City and the surrounding region. We’ll take a look at Charlotte’s big banks and earnings, scandals at CMPD and with the ABC Board and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Park Helms, an update on several issues within the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and many other issues around the region.
Guests
Lisa Miller – Reporter, WFAE News
Simone Orendain – Reporter, WFAE News
Julie Rose – Reporter, WFAE News

• WFAE News page
• WFAE  |  Wells Fargo success has much to do with Wachovia
• WFAE  |  Jackson’s personnel file won’t be made public
• WFAE  |  Soldiers from NC’s largest guard unit coming home
• WFAE  |  Report: wide range in per student funding at CMS schools

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A conversation about the struggles – religious, social, and psychological – of growing up gay in America. We’ll meet Mitchell Gold, a successful furniture company owner from Alexander County who has put together the stories of 40 people from across the country and their experiences of coming to terms with their sexuality. We’ll talk about the common themes of depression, fear, anxiety and loneliness that appear through the stories and book and how Mr. Gold thinks this book will help gay kids in the future.
Guest
Mitchell Gold – Owner, Gold + Williams Furniture & Editor, Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America

• Crisis book website
• Faith in America website
• Event  |  Gold will be interviewed by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien Jan. 28th at 7pm at Lenoir Rhyne University for their Visiting Writers Series
• Event  |  Gold will speak Feb. 25 at 6pm at Myers Park Baptist Church and at 8pm at Petra’s Piano Bar

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