October 28 - November 1, 2002

Monday, Oct. 28

Hollywood Secession Debate (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle mediates a debate on Hollywood Secession. If approved by L.A. voters on November 5th, Hollywood would secede from Los Angeles in July of 2003. Joining him will be Hollywood Secession proponents, Gene La Pietra and Michael Ackerman, and Hollywood secession opponents Leron Gubler and Andrew Glazier.

Measure A (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks about the pros and cons of ballot Measure A which would authorize Los Angeles County to issue bonds to pay for earthquake and fire safety renovations of public and non-profit facilities devoted to science and art throughout the county. Larry talks with Jane Pisano, director of the Natural History Museum, and Ted Brown, chairman of the Glendale/Pasadena Cahpter of the Libertarian Party.

Race For The 39th Congressional District (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with Republican and Democratic candidates for the newly created 39th Congressional District. The race in this majority Democrat district pits Democrat Linda Sanchez, sister of congresswoman Loretta Sanchez against political novice Republican Tim Escobar.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

The History Of Labor Unions (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle discusses the history behind the trade/labor unions over the past century. He will talk about the beginnings and early growth of the labor unions, as well as the political, economic and sociological reasons behind their expansion. Perspective on L.A. unions and an update on the Longshoremens’ labor situation will be provided as well. Joining Larry will be several labor union experts including Nelson Lichtenstein, author of State of the Union: A Century of American Labor, Dr. Joel Fadem, specialist in labor-union management, and Ramon Ponce de Leon, President of the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union.

Bionic Technology (Listen)
For decades, research scientists and engineers have pursued the goal of using mechanical and electronic technologies to restore lost functions to people with damaged, paralyzed or missing body parts. Today scientists are getting closer to the goal of being able to restore vision to the blind, restore movement to paralyzed body parts, and treat bodily dysfunctions. Larry Mantle takes a look at the latest developments on several bionic technology fronts with experts including Dr. Gerald E. Loeb, director of the Medical Device Development Facility, Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, USC, Dr. Mark S. Humayun, professor of Opthalmology and Associate Director of Research at the Doheny Retina Institute at USC, David L. Gollaher, President and CEO of California Healthcare Institute, and actor Christopher Reeve.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

San Fernando Valley Secession Debate (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle moderates a debate between the supporters and the opponents of the creation of a new Valley City. Guests include Jeff Brain, President of Valley Vote, Bill Powers Chairman of the Board of the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, Michael Feuer, Former Los Angeles City Council Member, and Larry Levine, Co-chair of One Los Angeles.

Steven Pinker (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with MIT psychology Professor and one of the world’s leading authorities on language Steven Pinker about his new book The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature that explores the idea of human nature and its moral, emotional and political colorings.

Thursday, Oct. 31

Former FEMA Head James Lee Witt On Handling Crisis (Listen)
During his tenure as head of FEMA from 1993 to 2001, James Lee Witt pioneered a new way of handling crisis and rebuilt America’s emergency response system. In the aftermath of September 11th, he has become the “disaster consultant to corporate America,” drawing on his extensive knowledge and unparalleled experience to speak on newer, better ways to deal with crisis management. James Lee Witt talks with Larry about his book, Stronger in the Broken Places: Nine Lessons for Turning Crisis into Triumph

Orange County Update With Chris Reed (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with Chris Reed of the Orange County Register about the latest Orange County news including countywide ballot measures (Measures A and B), a discussion of the Santa Ana school board race and city races, Proposition 51 and the Great Park Plan, Measure GG in Irvine that would eliminate a tax Irvine imposed on telephone, electricity, and natural gas bought by city businesses, and Anaheim’s Mayor race.

KPCC’s New Orange County Reporter, Debra Baer (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with KPCC's new Orange County Reporter, Debra Baer.

Halloween (Listen)
Larry Mantle talks with renowned cultural historian and author David Skal about his new book Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of Halloween.

Friday, Nov. 1

Innovation and American History (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with Yale Professor of History, and author Daniel Kevles about his new book, Inventing America: A History of The United States, that discusses the history of America through the lens of innovation, technology, and science.

New All Things Considered Co-Host Michele Norris (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with Michele Norris, the new co-host of NPR’s afternoon news magazine, All Things Considered. She joins Melissa Block, whose appointment was announced last month and long-time host Robert Siegel, marking the first change in the show’s host line-up since 1989.

FilmWeek (Listen)

Larry Mantle with critics Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com and Peter Rainer of New York Magazine review this week's new film releases, including I Spy, Love in the Time of Money, and The Weight of Water.

Larry and the critics also discuss the City of the Angels Film Festival, Bagels & Docs: A Jewish Documentary Series, and the Ida Lupino Film Series as well as the new video releases .


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