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June 9 - 13, 2003
Monday, June 9
Mars Launch
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NASA's Mars Exploration Rover project is scheduled to kick off by launching the first of two unique robotic geologists on June 8. The identical rolling rovers can see sharper images, explore farther and examine rocks better than anything that's ever landed on Mars. The second rover mission, bound for a different site on Mars, will launch as soon as June 25. Bad weather has changed the launch date, but we have the latest with deputy project scientist Albert Haldemann.
Child Tax Credit
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Last week the Senate overwhelming approved a bill that would extend the child tax credit for lower income earners. The bill will now go to the House, where itÕs prospects are uncertain. In an effort to make the bill more palatable to the House, the Senate also voted to extend the child tax credit for higher income earners. One of the arguments floating around the House is that low-income earners do not pay enough taxes to be reimbursed. Kitty speaks with Chair of the Economics Department at Boston University about his extensive research that argues against that premise, Laurence Kotlikoff, and Director of Fiscal Policy Research for the Cato Institute, Chris Edwards.
Will the Ducks Win the Stanley Cup?
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The Orange County Register along with the rest of Orange County is celebrating the Anaheim Ducks participation in this yearÕs Stanley Cup finals. The Register is working on a special commemorative section for the paper (should the Ducks win the series) as well as a 165-page collectorÕs book on the team. Kitty talks with Orange County Register reporter Dan Wood about the teamÕs surprise success. Also, Mayor of Anaheim, Curtis Pringle, speaks with Kitty in his cab ride over to the game tonight.
Daddy & Papa
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Who would have thought that starting a traditional family would be such a radical idea? Johnnie Symons is the director and producer of Daddy and Papa which chronicles the growing phenomenon of gay fatherhood. The documentary shows how four unique families were created and the surprising reactions they encountered in the process.
The film will air on PBS June 15 at 10PM.
Tuesday, June 10
A Problem from Hell
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Now the executive director of the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University, Samantha Power won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for her unique look at AmericaÕs repeated failures to stop or prevent genocide in the 20th century.
Samantha Power, will be in conversation with Steve Wasserman, editor of the Los Angeles Times Book Review as part of the Hot Off the Press 2003 Author Series at the downtown LA Public Library at 7:00PM tonight. For more information, visit LAPL online.
Bangkok 8
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Some claim itÕs the summer must read. Get a jump on your summer travel and tour the underworld of Bangkok with author John Burdett and Kitty Felde. His novel is Bangkok 8 (Knopf).
Wednesday, June 11
HowÕs Your Work?
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Americans are already working more hours than at any time since the 1920s. A full 63% of us work more than 40 hours a week. New Department of Labor regulations and a pending law in the House are about to change flex-time regulations in businesses across the nation. And Wal mart employees are successfully suing to be paid for lunch hours that they worked. Are you compensated for your overtime? Should you be? Or is just having a job in this economy reason enough to put in the extra hours?
Kitty takes your calls.
Richard Navarro
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Back from another stint in Afghanistan to orchestrate the countryÕs educational system, Richard Navarro joins Kitty for an update on the progress of rebuilding the educational system in the post-war country. For more information e-mail rnavarro@unicef.org or visit www.unicef.org.
Liberia Update
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A few days ago the State Department ordered all Americans in Liberia to leave the country on account of the fighting between government troops and rebels, which has now reached the western edge of Monrovia, the capital. Kitty talks to Alain Kassa, head of the mission for Doctors without Borders in Liberia, about the current situation in Monrovia, about the evacuation of hundreds of foreigners, and about the lack of a functioning water supply or electricity for hospitals.
Thursday, June 12
Expanding Domestic Partner Rights
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The California State Assembly passed a bill last week that will broaden domestic partners rights and responsibilities. Kitty Felde speaks with Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg who authored the bill. The bill now moves to the California Senate for a vote.
The Wedding Show
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It generated fifty billion in spending last year alone. According to Conde Nast Bridal Group, in the past two decades, 2.3 million people have wed each year. Despite a faltering economy, the wedding industry flourishes. Kitty Felde speaks with two wedding experts, Rosanna McCollough, editor of www.weddingchannel.com and Lori Leibovich, editor of www.indiebride.com, about the wedding economy, how not to get swept away, and more. Also, what can you learn by attending 52 weddings a year? Kitty speaks with former NY Times ÒVowsÓ columnist Lois Smith Brady. Her new New York Times column is ÒFor Better, For WorseÓ.
Water Wars
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The ongoing water dispute in California took a turn for the dramatic recently when the state water resources department threatened to dump 30 billion gallons of Colorado River water into the sea because the Southern California Metropolitan Water District (MWD) opposed a condition on the deal for sharing the river water. The water was originally being stored for Southern California use. Host Kitty Felde talks to both sides of the debate with guests Richard Katz, Governor DavisÕ senior advisor on water issues, and Adan Ortega, Vice President for external affairs at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Also joining the conversation is Los Angeles TimesÕ San Diego Bureau Chief, Tony Perry, who will help sort out the truth in the ever confusing story of California water wars.
Friday, June 13
ArroyoFest
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This Sunday, the Arroyo Seco freeway opens its lanes to bicyclists and pedestrians for a historic walk down the freeway. Kitty speaks with Marcus Renner, who sits on the ArroyoFest Steering Committee, about the event. The bicycle ride begins at 7:00AM at Glenarm and Arroyo Seco Parkway in Pasadena. Bicyclists cost $10, but walkers are FREE! For a complete schedule of events, where you can join the walk, festivities, and more information, visit www.arroyofest.org.
Davy Rothbart is FOUND
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The creative head of the innovative FOUND Magazine returns to Los Angeles. Davy Rothbart has a collection of short stories, The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas (21 Balloons). For more information, visit FOUND Magazine online.
Calvin Trillin
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Kitty takes a culinary tour of local specialties the world over with author Calvin Trillin. His latest book, Feeding a Yen: Savoring Local Specialties from Kansas City to Cuzco (Random House), a series of 14 essays, describes the delicacies he craved and found in places outside his Greenwich Village home - Louisiana boudin, Santa Fe posole, pimientos de Padron and Kansas City barbecue to name a few.
Alexander McCall Smith
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The adventures continue for Precious Ramotswe, the protagonist in Alexander McCall SmithÕs fourth installment in his series on the African detective. The author sits down with host Kitty Felde to discuss his latest mystery, The Kalahari Typing School for Men: More from the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Pantheon Books).
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