Archive for November, 2004

School of the Americas

Tuesday, November 30th, 2004

The Edwards Farewell Tour: Host Frank Stasio checks in with outgoing Senator John Edwards, who is traveling across North Carolina as part of a farewell tour. (6:00)

School of the Americas: It used to call itself the School of the Americas. Critics call it the “School of Assassins.” Many of the most notorious human rights violators in Latin America were trained at the military education center at Fort Benning, Georgia. Host Frank Stasio talks military training and political violence with American University professor of anthropology Lesley Gill, whose new book is “The School of the Americas” (Duke Press/2004). Listener Call-in (47:00)

Theater Review: Mike Munger, chair of the political science department at Duke University, reviews the new Playmakers production of “Not About Heroes.” (6:00)

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Dell In The Triad

Monday, November 29th, 2004

Dell In The Triad: On Nov. 9th, the Dell Computer Company accepted a $242 million tax incentive package from North Carolina to locate its new manufacturing plant in the Triad. Now, several counties are vying for the plant — by offering even more tax breaks. Host Frank Stasio talks to Justin Catanoso, executive editor of the Triad Business Journal; and Mike Walden, professor of economics at NC State University, about the Dell deal and the wisdom of tax incentives for large employers. (32:00)

Letters Segment: On Wed. Nov 17, SOT spent an hour with North Carolina born filmmaker Ross McElwee whose new movie, “Bright Leaves” chronicles his obsession with his family’s sketchy connection to a 1950’s Hollywood movie called “Bright Leaf” about two warring North Carolina tobacco families. In our occassional letters segment Host Frank Stasio speaks with Terence Fitzsimmons, son of Foster Fitzsimmons who wrote the novel “Bright Leaf,” upon which the Hollywood movie was based. (17:00)

Remembering the Greensboro Massacre: Twenty-five years ago five civil-rights activists were shot and killed in the middle of the day. The incident would later come to be known as the Greensboro Massacre. Earlier this month activists again gathered in Greensboro to finish the march that began in 1979… and to remember those who were killed. Produced by Jordana Gustafson. (3:00)

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Holiday Stories

Friday, November 26th, 2004

Holiday Stories: ‘Tis the season of burned turkeys and encounters with the in-laws. Host Frank Stasio talks with guests and callers about their favorite holiday stories. Guests include: Jackie Torrence, a storyteller in Salisbury, NC; and Donald Davis, a storyteller in Ocracoke and storyteller-in-residence for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. (59:00)

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Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 25th, 2004

The Role of Southern Cooking in Southern Culture: It’s Thanksgiving Day and many North Carolinians are gathering with family and friends to cook, eat and visit. Host Frank Stasio talks to Moreton Neal, the former wife of the late guru of Southern cooking, Bill Neal, and the author of the new book “Remembering Bill Neal” (UNC Press/2004) about the central role food plays in such gatherings. Bill Smith, current chef at Bill Neal’s restaurant Crook’s Corner joins the conversation to share recipes and memories of Bill Neal. (45:00)

Thanksgiving at the In-Laws: State of Things Senior Editor Dave DeWitt offers a humorous look at the difference between Thanksgiving with his own, somewhat terse family, and Thanksgiving with his loquacious and possibly boundary-challenged in-laws. (5:00)

Remembering the Hunger: On this day of great gastric indulgence, host Frank Stasio speaks with Hope Hancock, development director of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, about the need for donations now and through the Christmas holiday. (7:00)

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WXYC/Foreign Exchange

Wednesday, November 24th, 2004

Foreign Exchange: Technology has changed the way we listen to – and produce — music. Two musicians living on opposite sides of the Atlantic mixed technology and music to produce an album without ever meeting in person. Host Frank Stasio interviews Foreign Exchange, the group consisting of North Carolina-native Phonte Coleman, the emcee of Little Brother, and Amsterdam-based Nicolay Rook, and talks about the creation of their new album “Connected” (Barely Breaking Even Records/2004). (15:00)

WXYC: 10 years ago this month, WXYC in Chapel Hill became the first radio station to stream live on the Internet. Host Frank Stasio talks with Mike Shoffner and David McConvillle, who configured the original simulcast on November 7, 1994. (20:00)

Holiday Hilarity: As a preview (and to encourage listeners to call in with their stories) of Friday’s SOT, which features storytellers Jackie Torrence and Donald Davis and many tales of turkey day woe; producer Stefanie Hirsh offers a story of family dysfunction at Thanksgiving. (4:00)

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