Charlotte Talks

Friday May 1 | The New Credit Score

We’ll look at how your personal information may be used against you and at a new term in credit scoring called “behavioral scoring,” where your purchases can affect your credit rating. Where you went on your last vacation, what medicines you’re buying, and what you bought at the grocery store are all up for grabs. Find out how this information becomes public property, how companies are using it, and how you can protect your information.
Guest
Dr. Bjarne Berg– Asst. Prof. Computer Science & Mathematics Lenoir Rhyne University

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Thursday April 30 | Chain Restaurants

Join us for our monthly food show; this time we’re looking at large-scale chain restaurants. Representatives from McDonald’s and Domino’s join us to talk about how chain restaurants operate. We’ll look at supply chain issues, how menu and taste standards are maintained on a massive scale, the logistics of new openings and image branding worldwide.
Guests
Peter Reinhart – Chef-in-Residence, Johnson & Wales University
Brandon Solano – VP Brand Marketing, Domino’s
Marty Ranft – Regional VP, Raleigh Region, McDonald’s USA
Jeff Conway – Franchisee, Charlotte and Savannah Ruth’s Chris Steak House

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Wednesday April 29 | Bank of America Shareholders Meeting

The Bank of America annual shareholder meeting is today in Charlotte. We’ll get a preview of what is expected to happen- including the vote to keep members of the board and Chairman Ken Lewis and questions about Lewis’ assertion that he was forced into completing the Merrill Lynch purchase by the government. We’ll also examine the recent earnings report and controversy surrounding it, and put Bank of America’s story in context with the banking crisis overall.
Guests
Dr. Robert Bliss – Prof., School of Business and Accountancy, Wake Forest University
Dr. Tony Plath – Assoc. Prof., Finance, Belk College of Business, UNC Charlotte
Susanne Craig – Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

Follow WFAE’s Live Blog of the BoA shareholder’s meeting

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Tuesday April 28 | Stem Cell Research

Dr. Irving Weissman has done groundbreaking work in the field of stem cell research. He joins us for a conversation about the work to repair diseased tissues. We’ll also discuss the ongoing public policy debate about whether government should fund human stem cell research and how the Obama Administration may change the face of scientific research around the country.

Guest
Dr. Irving Weissman – Professor of Pathology and Developmental Biology and Director of Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

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Monday April 27 | “When I Married My Mother”

Successful New York DJ Jo Maeder had it all. A Manhattan apartment, a career as one of the first and most successful female DJ’s and an urban lifestyle filled with men and adventure. So why did she give it all up to care for an aging mother in North Carolina? We’ll meet Jo Maeder and hear her story from the pages of her memoir.
Guest
Jo Maeder – Author, When I Married My Mother
Anja Workman – Editor, All For Seniors Magazine

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Friday April 24 | Motown at 50: History, Music and Art

As Motown turns 50, we look back at some behind-the-scenes history with Motown album cover artist Curtis McNair. We’ll talk about some of his favorite and best-known album covers, and hear about his least favorite work. Members of a Motown tribute group also join us to discuss Motown’s significance and how fans of Motown music still react when they hear their favorite songs.
Guests
Curtis McNair – Former Motown Album Cover Artist
Cush Roberts – Leader of Spectrum, a Motown Tribute Group
Darryl Grant – Member of Spectrum

Click below to see Motown Album Covers designed by our guest, Curtis McNair:

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Continue Reading Friday April 24 | Motown at 50: History, Music and Art…

Thursday April 23 | Report on Charlotte: The Recommendations

In 1995, Neal Peirce and Curtis Johnson studied Charlotte as part of the Peirce Report, a large-scale study of urban areas in America. In late 2008, they compiled a new study on Charlotte as part of their CitiStates Report. They join us to share their findings and recommendations on what city leaders should do to prepare for Charlotte’s future.
Guests
Neal Peirce – Co-Author, CitiStates Report
Curtis Johnson – Co-Author, CitiStates Report
Jeff Michael – Director, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

• More information about the Charlotte CitiStates Report

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Wednesday April 22 | Charlotte/Broadway Connection

Part One: Legally Blonde The Musical
We’ll talk about making a hit movie into a Broadway production and then taking it on a national tour. Cast members from the national tour of Legally Blonde and the producer joins us. They say the musical is not just fun, perky and pink but that it has a positive message for teens.
Guests
Mike Isaacson – Producer, Legally Blonde
Becky Gulsvig – “Elle” in Legally Blonde
Alex Ellis – “Kate” and “Chutney” in Legally Blonde

• Tickets, showtimes and more information about Legally Blonde

Part Two: Broadway Series from New York to Charlotte
We’ll have a conversation about some of the Broadway productions making an appearance in Charlotte this year and next, and we’ll talk about Charlotte’s role in making theatre happen on Broadway.

Guests
Tom Gabbard – CEO, Blumenthal PAC, Member, Broadway League Board of Governors
Mike Isaacson – Producer, Legally Blonde The Musical
Charlotte St. Martin – Executive Director, Broadway League

• Tickets, showtimes and more information about Broadway Lights Series

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Tuesday April 21 | Federal Budget & Earmark Process

We’ve all heard about pork barrel spending, but today we’ll go behind the scenes to look at how earmarks are written, how they make their way into a federal budget and what impact they have on spending in Washington. Do earmarks help states and regions as much as they may bloat the budget? We’ll explore these questions and examine some little-known facts about the federal budget.
Guest
Dr. Michael Bitzer – Political Science Professor, Catawba College

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Monday April 20 | Leonard Pitts

Pulitzer prize winning columnist Leonard Pitts has written about American politics, culture and race relations for over thirty years and is one of the most popular columnists in America today. He’s in Charlotte to talk about one of his passions, education reform. But first he sits down with us to talk about everything on his mind, including his first effort as a novelist.
Guest
Leonard Pitts – Syndicated Columnist, The Miami Herald

• Info on Tuesday’s Education Forum with Leonard Pitts

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