Essential Pittsburgh by 90.5 WESA

Fracking Reporter Tom Wilbur Screens Gasland II

Marcus Charleston — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:50:54 +0000

Journalist Tom Wilber has been reporting on hydraulic fracturing since 2008. He’s been our guest in the past to discuss the issue and help us sort fact from fiction when documentaries on the topic come out. He recently attended a screening of Gasland II, in his hometown of Binghamton, New York.

Legionnaire's Disease in the VA Hospital system

John Lavanga — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:02:00 +0000

In a series of articles in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reporter Adam Smeltz has investigated on the prevalence of the Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaire's disease, in Pittsburgh's VA hospital in Oakland. His findings indicate that there may have been reason to fear an outbreak in the hospital prior to the one that occurred in 2011.

Gasland Director Previews Part II

Katie Blackley — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:01:00 +0000

Filmmaker Josh Fox joins us to talk about his HBO documentary "Gasland II," a followup to 2010's "Gasland." Fox says his latest film demonstrates how the stakes have been raised in the controversial method of natural gas and oil extraction in the last three years.

Arts & Culture and Brian's "American Originals"

Marcus Charleston — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Andy Warhol museum's newest exhibits feature local and national artists with unique styles, perfect for the Warhol. Arts and Culture contributor Brian Siewiorek talks about what you can look forward to with this summer's artists.

Haynes to Debut Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration in Pittsburgh

John Lavanga and Katie Blackley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:15:00 +0000

A symphonic hall is probably the last place you would expect to hear the music of The Grateful Dead. However, the Pittsburgh Pops, with special guest guitarist Warren Haynes, will present a symphonic celebration of Jerry Garcia.

Speaking Volumes on Essential Pittsburgh: Steve Sokol

Katie Blackley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:14:00 +0000

After stints in New York and Berlin Steve Sokol came to the Steel City to head the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. He talks with WESA Morning Edition host Josh Raulerson about his reading choices which, as you might expect from someone whose job addresses world affairs, includes books with an international focus.

The Business of Non-Profits: Part II

Katie Blackley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:13:00 +0000

Business Contributor Rebecca Harris, speaks with Peggy Outon, the Executive Director, Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University in part two of her series on the business of nonprofits.This week the focus is on women who comprise the majority of people working at nonprofits.

On the Trail: Travel Through Frick Park and Hot Dog Dam

Katie Blackley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:12:00 +0000

For hikers and bikers alike, Frick Park has been a favorite Pittsburgh destination for years. Visitors can enjoy beautiful trails like Tranquil Trail and take their furry friends to cool off at “Hot Dog Dam.” Software engineer, Paul Heckbert has been riding Pittsburgh's bike trails for nearly 20 years. He shares his love of the region's trails as a member of the Steel Valley Trail Council, and today tells us about this beautiful piece of nature in Pittsburgh. Catch a moment on the trail with Paul Heckbert.

Training the Next Generation of African-American Leaders

Marcus Charleston — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:41:26 +0000

Pittsburgh is one of the few major cities in the northeast that has not had an African American mayor. At present there are only two African Americans on its city council. Where will the next generation of community leaders come from?

Political Commentary on Essential Pittsburgh

Marcus Charleston — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:41:03 +0000

Essential Pittsburgh has convened a political panel to disucss the impact of recent state and regional political developments. Up for discussion this week: Governor Corbett asks for, and receives, the resignation of DCNR Chief Richard Allan, former Governor Ed Rendell jumps into the fray on the transportation plan before the House, and control of Allegheny County's Port Authority board could be at risk as a bill moves through the state Senate.

Chasing Greatness: Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer and the Miracle at Oakmont

Marcus Charleston — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:24:00 +0000

Forty years ago, in 1973, a week after Secretariat won the third leg in racing’s Triple Crown, another great sporting event took place. The finish of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club is considered by some to be one of the greatest golf rounds ever played.

Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Marcus Charleston — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:33:25 +0000

A New York Times op-ed by Angelina Jolie disclosed her decision to have a double mastectomy after learning she carries a mutation of a gene that increases her risk of breast cancer.
Last week, researchers at Allegheny General Hospital, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic published important findings regarding breast cancer.

A Conversation with NPR President Gary Knell

Marcus Charleston — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:01:30 +0000

Gary Knell is the President and CEO of NPR which remains unique among news organizations. While a number of large media outfits have shuttered their foreign bureaus NPR has reporters throughout the world. However, public radio is also at a crossroads as some of its long time shows like Talk of the Nation comes to an end and Car Talk no longer produces new shows.
What will the future of NPR look like and can it stay relevant in the changing media landscape? Also, how is NPR cultivating new talent to reflect and appeal to a new generation of public radio listeners? Mr. Knell is in Pittsburgh to speak at the Americans for the Arts convention.

On The Trail: A Moment on the Great Allegheny Passage

Katie Blackley — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:46:41 +0000

This weekend, Pittsburgh celebrates the completion of the last section of the Great Allegheny Passage, a bike trail that runs from Pittsburgh to the nation's capital. Software engineer, Paul Heckbert has been riding Pittsburgh's bike trails for nearly 20 years. He shares his love of the region's trails as a member of the Steel Valley Trail Council, and he's already taken the GAP to Washington DC. Catch a moment on the trail with Paul Heckbert.

My Father's Shoes

Marcus Charleston — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:39:27 +0000

Raymond Vennare has had a successful career as an businessman and entrepreneur. His latest accomplishment is that of author with the publication of his book of essays My Father's Shoes: Life Stories and Other Memories.

Sole Power: Getting an Innovative Product to Market

Heather McClain — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:14:12 +0000

Like a power-packed Dr. Scholl's insert, Sole Power is a device that allows people to charge devices as they walk. It's currently in the prototype, fundraising phase, but is said to have the potential to fully charge small devices like a cell phone with 2 and a half miles of walking.
"We're hoping to serve military personnel, people stuck in emergency situations, hikers and people in developing nations who don’t have access to electricity on a regular basis." Says Matthew Stanton, Founder of Sole Power.

Americans for the Arts

Heather McClain — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:13:25 +0000

Over the next three days, arts and community leaders from around the country are gathering around town to strategize about how to better communicate the impact the arts make in U.S. cities. Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, joins us to talk about the convention and how Pittsburgh's strategy in this area has become the benchmark for others.

Will Congress Vote on Immigration Reform?

Marcus Charleston — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:22:33 +0000

The White House released a video on immigration reform featuring staffers in an attempt to push their support for the issue. It's hoped Congress will vote on the issue before before the July 4th holiday? Six years ago President Bush urged lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass his proposed immigration reform. Instead the bill passed away.

The Cultural Impact of Pittsburgh Pride Fest

Heather McClain — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:21:02 +0000

This weekend the Pittsburgh Pride Festival is expected to generate huge revenue for the city and bring thousands of individuals and families to Liberty Avenue. The parade and concerts at Pride Fest have become mainstream collaborations with city groups like Visit Pittsburgh and major sponsorship.
Pittsburgh Pride's website quotes Richard Florida in his best-selling book on economic growth, The Rise of the Creative Class, “the most successful regions welcome all kinds of people. The presence of an LGBT community in large numbers is an indicator of an underlying culture that is open-minded and diverse. People look for cities with lots of gay people when they are hunting for a place to live and work. The presence of gays signals an exciting place, where people can fit in and be themselves.“
But how representative of Pittsburgh's LGBTQ community is Pride Fest? And how do you go about organizing a large scale festival such as Pride, in a way that's inclusive for all aspects of the LGBTQ community and Pittsburgh as a whole?
We'll have a conversation about Pittsburgh PrideFest and its cultural impact with Gary Van Horn, President of the Delta Foundation, which organizes PrideFest and Sue Kerr, Editor of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondence, an LGBTQ Blog.

Kitchen Conversations with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Food Section and Joey Fatone

Heather McClain — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:49:18 +0000

We recently teamed up with food writer, Gretchen McKay, dining critic Melissa McCart and food editor Bob Batz Jr., the folks behind the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Food Section and PG Plate for a discussion on outdoor cooking trends.
And just in time for Father's Day, pop music singer, dancer, father and cooking show host, Joey Fatone was recently in town for the Pittsburgh CLO production of 42nd Street. So Gretchen made him a classic Pittsburgh dish with a twist in the Post-Gazette Outdoor Test Kitchen.

Getting Where You're Going with the New Girl in Town

Heather McClain — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:29:55 +0000

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile, sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination. This week travel contributor Elaine Labalme looks at various modes of transportation.

Pittsburgh Public Housing Shortage

Heather McClain — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Pittsburgh's city housing authority recently closed the waitlist for the majority of public housing properties. This is the first time in 17 years this has happened and reflects the critical shortage of public housing in the city and Allegheny County.
Reporter Halle Stockton has written about this issue for our content partner Public Source and joins us to look at this issue.

The War at Home: Expansion Plans for the Mexican War Streets

Heather McClain — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:20:00 +0000

Expansion plans to designate more of the North Side as a historic district are causing an uproar in the Mexican War Streets. It's an issue that has neighbors split and calls into question the issue of who has a say in the neighborhood's master plan.
Paul Johnson, president of the Mexican War Streets Society and Post-Gazette reporter Diana Nelson Jones who covers the city's neighborhoods talk about the controversy.

Fox News "Mole" Emerges with Book

Katie Blackley — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

After graduating from Notre Dame, Joe Muto moved to New York in search of a media position. He ended up with the Fox News Company, eventually becoming a producer for the top-rated show,The O’Reilly Factor. After eight years he decided he wanted to search for another position. He was, after all, a liberal at heart and he noted that since the Obama administration, Fox News was becoming progressively more conservative and far less “fair and balanced.” Muto approached Gawker as a possible employer after leaving Fox, but was instead encouraged to begin writing for Gawker while still an employee at Fox. He was to be the liberal inside the right-wing media group.

The Life of Learning Initiative on 90.5 WESA

Heather McClain — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:35:35 +0000

This week 90.5 WESA is launching a three-year learning initiative.
Life of Learning will focus on learning and education activities, opportunities and challenges in the Greater Pittsburgh area. A five part series begins airing this week during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Kevin Gavin, Executive Producer of 90.5 WESA’s Life of Learning talks about the scope of the initiative.