Charlotte Talks

Friday July 30, 2010 | Charlotte & Energy Jobs

There’s an effort in Charlotte to expand the focus of being a banking city and diversifying the industries Charlotte is known for. One of the industries coming into the forefront is the Energy industry, which is undergoing some major growth these days. The industry is facing an upcoming shortage of qualified workers due to the expectation that a large percentage of the current workforce will soon retire. This means that Energy is becoming a more popular career track for young people and people ready for a career change. We’ll talk about some of the different facets of the Energy industry and about future growth projections for jobs in this industry here and around the country.
Guests
John Espey – Chief Operations Officer, Intelagrid
Jeff Merrifield – Senior Vice President, Shaw Power Group
Jay Potter – Dean of the Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College

• Event  |  CPCC Workshop about Energy Careers on August 3

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*Photo Courtesy James Willamor

Thursday July 29, 2010 | The Young Conservative’s Field Guide

Last week, we met the author of Answering Back, a guide for liberals when engaging in a discussion about politics. This time, we meet the young co-author of a similar guide book, The Young Conservative’s Field Guide. Brenton Stranksy joins the conversation to talk about how he’s informing young people with a conservative point of view about the issues so that they can better discuss politics.
Guest
Brenton Stranksy – Co-Author, The Young Conservative’s Field Guide

• The book’s website: A Hard Right
• Amazon  |  The Young Conservative’s Field Guide by Brenton Stranksy and Andrew Foy
• Charlotte Talks  |  Answering Back: A Liberal Toolkit
• Amazon  |  Answering Back: A Liberal Toolkit by David Coates

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Wednesday July 28, 2010 | Financial Reform in Banktown

Charlotte has long been known as Banktown USA so what effect will the largest financial reform legislation since the Depression have on our region? We’ll ask that question and many more to financial experts who keep an eye on the banking industry here in Charlotte.  Could the new reforms diminish Charlotte’s identity as a banking center or will we see another chapter in the story of Banktown USA? We’ll find out.
Guest
Dr. Judson Russell – Clinical Associate Professor of Finance, Belk College of Business
Paul Stock – Exec. Vice President and Counsel, North Carolina Bankers Association

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Tuesday July 27, 2010 | 75 Years of the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway turned 75 this year but the wildly popular scenic drive has endured a number of challenges to its existence. Constant threats from development, infrastructure issues and, more recently, pollution have taken a toll on the parkway. We’ll talk with two men charged with protecting the byway and the land it meanders through. Join us for a scenic tour of the history and the future of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Guests
Reid Wilson – Executive Director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina
Philip Francis – Superintendent, Blue Ridge Parkway

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Thursday July 22, 2010 | Answering Back: A Liberal Toolkit

We live in an age of ever-increasing political divisiveness and our rhetoric reflects that. No matter the topic- trickle-down economics, welfare, social security, health care, immigration control, war, economics- our discourse seems to degenerate into shouting matches using jargon.  Wouldn’t we benefit from a different kind of discussion? Of course. And in his book, Answering Back: Liberal Responses to Conservative Arguments, David Coates takes a stab at that. We hear what he has to say. Also be sure to join us next Thursday, July 29th for a discussion with the authors of The Young Conservative’s Field Guide.
Guest
Dr. David Coates – Worrell Chair in Anglo-American Studies, Wake Forest Universityand Author of Answering Back: Liberal Responses to Conservative Arguments

• David Coates’ Website
• Amazon  |  Answering Back by David Coates

** Join us Thursday July 29th for a discussion with the authors of The Young Conservative’s Field Guide **

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Wednesday July 21, 2010 | Bail Bond System

New Legislation has gone into effect aimed at reforming the Bail Bond system and our guests today were all instrumental in creating those reforms. If applied correctly, Chief District Judge Lisa Bell says the new rules will save taxpayer money while also ensuring that the most dangerous criminals stay in prison while awaiting trial. We’ll look at the bail bond system in our district; how it works, how much it costs and what can happen when the wrong people get out on bond. It’s a look at the criminal justice system and bail bonds.
Guests
Judge Lisa Bell – Chief District Court Judge
Kevin Tully – Mecklenburg County Public Defender
Bruce Lillie – Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney

• WFAE  |  Mecklenburg County Changes Bail Policies
• NPR  |  Behind the Bail Bond System
• Charlotte Observer  |  New Bail Rules Aim at Worst Offenders

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Tuesday July 20, 2010 | CMS Comprehensive Review

The CMS Board of Education has launched a comprehensive review of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools called “The Case for Continuous Improvement”. The multi-faceted review began last month with a series of community forums where the public could share their opinions and ideas with members of the school board. We’ll talk about the results from the first round of forums, about why this review is happening now, and what board members hope the comprehensive review will accomplish.
Guests
Eric Davis – Chairman of the Board of Education for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Kathy Ridge – President and Executive Director of MeckEd (Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education)

• CMS  |  More about the Comprehensive Review
• Charlotte Talks  |  Teaching in Charlotte’s Urban Schools

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Monday July 19, 2010 | Video Gaming Ban

The North Carolina legislature has just completed a long-fought task of banning video sweepstakes games in the state but gaming industry advocates say the fight is not over. Lawsuits are planned and critics say technology continues to outpace gaming legislation. The industry generates $700 million a year in the state but gaming opponents say the people who play can least afford it. We’ll look at the video gaming battles in North and South Carolina and whether the latest ban has a chance to succeed.
Guests
Rep. Ray Rapp – NC Representative (District 118)
Brad Crone – President, Campaign Connections
Frank Quinn – Therapist, Researcher in Addictions field

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Friday July 16, 2010 | WFAE’s Julie Rose & Josefina Lopez

Part One: WFAE’s Julie Rose on her Trip to the Gulf
We talk to several accomplished women today. First, a conversation with WFAE’s own news reporter, Julie Rose. She recently spent time in the gulf region to report for WFAE and NPR. She shares what she witnessed there.
Guest
Julie Rose – Reporter, WFAE News

• WFAE  |  A WFAE Dispatch From The Gulf
• NPR  |  Weathering Emotional Storms Over Gulf Oil Spill
• NPR  |  Can Lake Pontchartrain Handle Another Threat?
• NPR  |  Gulf Beach Nuptials Dry Up With Oil Spill
• NPR  |  Darryl Willis: BP’s Unexpected Public Relations Man
• NPR  |  Inventor Takes Tip From Whales To Clean Oil

Part Two: Josefina Lopez and Real Women Have Curves
Then we meet Josefina Lopez, author of Real Women Have Curves. Her play has been made into a movie and became a symbol of empowerment for Latina women everywhere. She is in town for a CAST production of her play. Director Adyana De La Torre joins us as well.
Guests
Josefina Lopez – Playwright and Co-screenwriter, Real Women Have Curves
Adyana De La Torre – Director, CAST production, Real Women Have Curves

• JosefinaLopez.com
• Ticket Info  |  Real Women Have Curves, Now thru July 31st at CAST Theatre
• Charlotte Observer  |  Lopez proves real women have nerve

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Thursday July 15, 2010 | Modern Marriage

Marriage is changing, and not necessarily for the political or ideological reasons we may think. More and more couples are eschewing the institution of marriage and the notion of family is taking on new meanings as well. Jessica Bennett co-wrote a fascinating article at the fading institution of marriage as we know it. Dr. Philip Cohen, quoted in the article, studies marriage and relationships at UNC Chapel Hill. They join us to talk about why more and more people are saying “I don’t” instead of “I do.”
Guests
Dr. Philip Cohen – Associate Professor, Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill
Jessica Bennett – Contributor, Newsweek Magazine

• Newsweek  |  “I Don’t: The Case Against Marriage” by Jessica Bennett

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