September 16 - 20, 2002

The Salton Sea (Listen)
The Salton Sea was created by accident almost a century ago when a canal filled with Colorado River water overflowed into the Salton Basin. Since then it has become a beloved recreation area and a lifeline to millions of migrating birds. The Sea is sustained by agricultural runoff, which has increased the salinity and caused frequent fish and bird kills. A new water transfer may further hasten the Salton Sea’s decline. Larry Mantle talks with experts about the uncertain future of the Salton Sea. Joining him are: Tim Krantz, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Redlands, and Director of the Salton Sea Database Program, Edward Glenn, Professor of Soil, Water and Environmental Science at the University of Arizona’s Environmental Research Lab, Tony Perry, San Diego Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times, and Brad Lucky, Executive Director of the Imperial Irrigation District.

Santeria (Listen)
What comes to your mind when you hear “Santeria”? Perhaps recent news headlines about animal sacrifice and fire in the Angeles forest. But there is much more to Santeria than what you hear in news headlines. Larry Mantle speaks with babalocha Ysamor Flores Pena, a priest of Santeria, who is also a professor at UCLA, and Robin Evanchuk, PhD, Research Associate in Folklore and Mythology at UCLA. They co-authored the book Santeria Garments and Altars: Speaking Without a Voice(University of Mississippi Press).

The Hydrogen Economy (Listen)
Jeremy Rifkin joins Larry Mantle to talk about his new book, The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the World Wide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth, (Tarcher/Putnam). Rifkin believes we are at the dawn of a new energy era: The Hydrogen Age, in which hydrogen fuel will be at the center of the next great technological, commercial and social revolution. Larry also speaks with Ken Green, Director of the Environment, Health, and Safety Program for the Reason Public Policy Institute.

Images of Journalists in Film (Listen)
What is your image of the journalist and the press from films and TV shows that you’ve seen? Is the journalist an idealized hero, working for the public good? –Is he, or she, a villain, out to get ratings or headlines, truth be damned? USC Journalism professor Joe Saltzman takes all of this very seriously. We’ll find out why he cares, and why he thinks the image of the journalist in popular culture is not only fun to discuss, but important. His new book is called Frank Capra and the Image of the Journalist in American Film. You can visit his website at The Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture

Public Hearings on Iraq (Listen)
Larry Mantle takes listener calls regarding the public hearings on Iraq by the House Armed Services Committee. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld testifies, making the case for going to war with Iraq.

Sandy Koufax (Listen)
Larry talks with author, and former award-winning sportswriter for The Washington Post, Jane Leavy about her new book, Sandy Koufax: A Lefty’s Legacy (HarperCollins), a biography of the Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher. Koufax compiled a remarkable record from 1962-1966 that saw him lead the National League in Earned Run Averages for all five years, win three Cy Young awards, and pitch four no-hitters, including a perfect game. He is also legendary for his refusal to pitch the opening game of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. Larry will discuss his life, his retirement from the game, and his legendary status as baseball’s most famous recluse.

The Emmys (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with KPCC Television expert and executive producer of Zaptoit.com Greg Baerg about this weekend’s Emmy awards.

Orange County Edition (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Chris Reed of the Orange County Register about the latest Orange County news. Topics to be discussed include: the Nativo Lopez recall, the Anaheim feud between Latino activists and Anaheim Police Chief Roger Baker, the Orange County budget, the ongoing criticism of District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, Measure W, and an update on the county plan to purchase private toll lanes on the Riverside 91 Freeway.

The Museum of Sex (Listen)
On Monday, September 23rd, America’s first Museum of Sex will open its doors to the public in New York. The Museum is dedicated to presenting the latest and best scholarship on all aspects of sexuality and erotica. The opening exhibition, “New York Sex: How New York City Transformed America,” explores the history of sex and alternative sexuality in New York. From prostitution to burlesque to Margaret Sanger to the porn industry—-this exhibit promises to be both educational and entertaining. Larry Mantle speaks with the Museum of Sex’s Executive Curator, Grady Turner, and Dr. June Reinisch, one of America’s foremost sex experts. For more information, visit www.museumofsex.org

The Three Finalists for the Police Chief of Los Angeles (Listen)
Larry Mantle discusses the three finalists for the job of the Police Chief of Los Angeles with Mayor James Hahn and Los Angeles Times staff writer Beth Shuster. The three finalists are: Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney, ex-New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton, and Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez. The names now go to Mayor James Hahn, who will choose a Chief from the three names, or ask the Police Commission for three more names.

Filmweek (Listen)
Ella Taylor of the L.A. Weekly, Peter Rainer of New York Magazine, and Charles Solomon, animation critic of amazon.com discuss this week's new film releases, including Miyazaki's Spirited Away, The Banger Sisters, Secretary, Das Experiment, and Burning Man: The Burning Sensation.

Selected films from Documentary Days, and both the Toronto International Film Festival and the Montreal World Film Festival were discussed this week.


Be sure to visit Henry Sheehan's new website, HenrySheehan.com, for a selection of his past reviews and commentaries.