November 11 - 15, 2002

Monday, Nov. 11

The Cenral Valley Today (Listen)
A recent boom in population growth, urban sprawl, poverty and smog are just a few of the problems facing San Joaquin Valley residents today. Host Larry Mantle talks with Mark Araks, State Reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Fred Evans, Dean of the Craig School of Business and Professor of Marketing at California State University, Fresno, and Greg Aghazarian, currently President of the Stockton Unified School Board and soon to be a California Assemblyman representing the 26th District, about the current challenges facing the residents of Fresno, Stockton and other cities.

Senator John McCain (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with United States Senator from Arizona John McCain about his new book Worth the Fighting For: A Memoir, the new balance of power on Capital Hill, Saddam Hussein, the war on Al Qaeda, and the economy.

Tuesday, Nov. 12

Drug-Resistant Bacteria (Listen)
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly two million Americans are killed by drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals each year, and the number is growing. Bacteria strains are also becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotics, and scientists are struggling to keep one step ahead of disaster. Host Larry Mantle talks about the problem with renowned ethnobotanist and author of The Killers Within: The Deadly Rise of Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Mark Plotkin, and Cedars-Sinai’s Director of Hospital Epidemiology Dr. Rekha Murthi.

Louie Anderson (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with author, comedian, and host of “Family Feud,” Louie Anderson about his career in Hollywood, and his new memoir The F Word: How to Survive Your Family that chronicles his upbringing, poor family dynamics, and how those experiences still inform his relationships today.

Wednesday, Nov. 13

California’s Energy Crisis (Listen)
Some of the nation’s largest energy companies were recently served with subpoenas in an investigation into whether they manipulated California energy prices in 2000 and 2001, but on Monday, California dropped its lawsuit against one of them, the Williams company, in exchange for concessions and payments in the billions of dollars. Host Larry Mantle discusses the most recent developments in the California energy crisis with energy expert and UC Berkeley professor Severin Borenstein.

Cell Phones And Traffic Accidents (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle takes listener thoughts about driving while talking on hand-held cell phones, and pending legislation in California that could require “hands-free” cell phone use while driving.

Computer Security And Social Engineering (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle talks with infamous former computer hacker turned corporate computer security consultant Kevin Mitnick about his new book The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security. Mitnick’s book focuses on a common hacker technique known as “social engineering” in which a cybercriminal deceives an individual into providing key information rather than trying to use technology to reveal that secure information. Mitnick reveals the techniques used by these hackers and provides advice on how to keep computer systems secure.

Thursday, Nov. 14

Bishops’ Conference (Listen)
Yesterday, U.S. Bishops officially revised their “zero tolerance” policy on sexual abuse. The new policy promises to protect the rights of the accused priests, as well as those of their accusers. Victims’ rights advocates expressed outrage, worrying that the new policy could create loopholes for molesters in the clergy. Host Larry Mantle talks with Kathleen McChesney, the newly elected Executive Director of Bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, and Larry Stammer, a Los Angeles Times Staff Writer covering religion.

Chris Reed: Orange County News (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle discusses the latest Orange County news with Opinion pages editor for the Register, Chris Reed.

The New Documentary, "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle discusses the new documentary about the Funk Brothers, the musicians who created the Motown sound behind the most famous songs of the time. Joining Larry is the director and producer of the film, Paul Justman, and Funk Brothers guitarist, Eddie Willis.

The Syringa Tree (Listen)
Host Larry Mantle explores the true story of writer and actress Pamela Gien. Ms. Gien grew up in South Africa during the apartheid era. Her grandfather, who sheltered blacks hiding from the police, was murdered at random. She relates this experience, and the climate in which she grew up, in her one-woman play, "The Syringa Tree." Ms. Gien plays all twenty-four characters in this emotional ride through her past. Larry Mantle is also joined by acting coach Larry Moss, and producer, Matt Salinger.

Friday, Nov. 15

Los Angeles County Healthcare Funding Crisis (Listen)
The passage of Measure B on November 5th will prevent the immediate closure of two county hospitals but will not solve the funding shortage facing LA County’s hospitals and clinics. Host Larry Mantle talks with Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, LA County Supervisor, 2nd District, Michael Cousinseau , Research Associate Professor of Public Administration in the Department of Family Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Margie Martinez, Executive Director of the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena Medical Clinic, and Annelle Grajeda, General Manager of SEIU Local 660, representing 50,000 county workers, 19,000 of which work in health care about the county’s unresolved health care funding crisis.

FilmWeek (Listen)

Larry Mantle with critics Jean Oppenheimer of New Times and the returning Lael Lowenstein of Variety review this week's new film releases, including Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Way Home, Ararat, El Crimen del Padre Amaro, Interview With the Assassin, Daughter From Danang, and Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

Larry and the critics also discuss AFI Fest 2002 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.