The Conversation Podcast

Vanishing Vacations and American Dreams

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Vanishing Vacations

It's called "vacation trepidation." Americans don't take the vacation time they're entitled to. And when we're on vacation, many of us are still working. Why can't we relax? And what's the result of vacation trepidation? Americans say vacation is an important benefit. But we don't act like it's important. On average Americans don't use three days of the vacation time they're entitled to each year. Is it the stress of planning a vacation? Are we more comfortable at work than we are taking time off? Are we afraid of slipping behind at work? Is it that we can't afford to go on vacation?

Living the Dream?

On the eve of our nation's birthday is the American dream still alive? Is this a country where each generation can create a better life? Is this a land of opportunity where everyone can succeed? What's the state of the American dream?

An Edible History of Humanity and Living the Focused Life

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Potlatch 2009

The Ultimate Frisbee competition known as "Potlatch "kicks off its 20th annual tournament tomorrow in Redmond.

1.21 Gigawatts? Great Scott!

We talk to an Israeli scientist about road strips that recharge your electric car as you drive.

Don't Try This at Home

An Oregon man has equipped his bicycle with a rocket. What was he thinking?

An Edible History of Humanity

In his new book, "An Edible History of Humanity," Tom Standage says food is the ultimate weapon and a key factor shaping history.

Attention and the Focused Life

Science writer Winifred Gallagher tells us how we can get a grip on our complicated world by learning how to focus our attention.

New Relief on Federal Student Loans, and Secret Public Places Revealed

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:05:00 -0700

3.7 Earthquake Hits Whidbey Island

Residents on Whidbey Island woke up to a 3.7 earthquake this morning. Was it just a blip on the radar, or an indicator of The Big One? We talk to a University of Washington seismologist who monitors quakes.

School District to Sell $11 Million Property for $500,000?

The Seattle School Board decides tonight on whether to sell property in West Seattle. The King County assessor says it's worth over $11 million. But the School District plans to sell it for $500,000. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher brings us the story.

Medical Marijuana

It's legal to use marijuana as medicine if your doctor approves. But how do people get marijuana when it's illegal to buy and sell? We'll talk to the coordinator of a Seattle medical marijuana dispensary.

Help for Student Loans?

Starting today, anyone with a federal student loan can apply for a program that will cap your monthly payments based on your income. It also lets you off the hook for the balance of your loan after 25 years. Are you a student? How will this affect your life? Call and tell us at 800.289.KUOW.

Amazon Fires Affiliates Over Internet Taxes

Some states want to collect Internet sales taxes from Amazon and other retailers who have affiliates in the state. When North Carolina and Rhode Island leaned toward passing those tax laws, Amazon opted to fire its bloggers and small online affiliates in those states. It just axed affiliates in Hawaii today. We talk to an Amazon affiliate about the effects.

Secret Spaces and Peek–a–boo Places

Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata tells us about secret public spaces. Developers build them in their downtown projects, but if you don't know where to look you'd never find them. Where's your secret place or park in the region? Call and tell us at 800.289.KUOW!

New! Secret spaces mentioned on today's program (PDF).

Ending Homelessness, World Hunger and Rep. Jay Inslee

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

King County Homelessness

It's year four of King County's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. We talk with project director Bill Block.

Tough Times for Real Estate Agents

KUOW's Amy Radil reports on how real estate agents are doing in a slow housing market.

Why World Hunger?

United Nations food officials say the number of hungry people on the planet has reached one billion. That's one in six people on Earth. Wall Street Journal reporters Roger Thurow and Scott Kilman provide analysis, based on their 20 years as foreign correspondents in the new book "Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in An Age of Plenty."

Rep. Jay Inslee

Congressman Jay Inslee stops by to talk about the cap–and–trade bill he helped pass in the U.S. House. Will it clear the Senate?

Pharmacy Robberies, Internet vs. Family, and 'The Corner'

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Community Health and Undocumented Workers

The King County Council is considering a proposal that would allow county health facilities to provide care to patients without checking their immigration status. The plan would also prevent sheriff's deputies from detaining or arresting people for immigration violations.

Stopping Drugstore Cowboys

The number of pharmacy robberies is increasing in Washington. The state has one of the highest rates for this type of crime. Major drugstore chains and law enforcement are teaming up to fight the trend.

Daddy, What's a Facebook?

More Americans feel they're losing family connections in the home because of the internet. Do you? How is being online impacting your family relationships at home?

'The Corner: 23rd and Union'

KUOW producer Jenny Asarnow has teamed up with local artists to document the intersection of 23rd Avenue and East Union Street in Seattle's Central District. The corner represents a changing neighborhood and — at times — a clash of cultures.

Cap and Trade, Port of Seattle and King of Pop

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Cap and Trade

The House of Representatives is debating a cap–and–trade bill today. A vote could take place this afternoon. We'll find out what this climate–change legislation would mean for you.

Port Report

The Municipal League of King County is criticizing the Port of Seattle's use of tax money. In a report out yesterday they say the Port is spending that money in areas outside their core mission. We'll hear from the Municipal League and get a response from the Port.

Michael Jackson, 1958–2009

Michael Jackson died in Los Angeles yesterday. The King of Pop was 50 years old. He lived for more than 40 years in the public eye, achieved stellar fame as an artist, and was diminished by allegations of child abuse. How will you remember Michael Jackson?

Street Performers, Consumer Rankings and Slavery in America

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Busker Ban

A federal appeals court strikes down regulations on street performers at Seattle Center.

Traffic Cams

Drivers dinged by traffic cameras have filed a class–action lawsuit that alleges cities are writing tickets for more than state law allows.

Renter Resources

The Tenants Union of Washington State is raising money to avoid going under. How would that affect renters?

Human Trafficking in America

The State Department estimates that a slave is brought into the United States every 36 minutes. The president of non–profit group Free the Slaves Kevin Bales talks about human trafficking in America. His new book is titled "The Slave Next Door."

City Employees Sue For Privacy

Should members of a Seattle City Light LGBT employee group that uses city facilities be allowed to remain anonymous? The issue goes before a King County judge this afternoon.

Rating the Ratings

Consumers looking for the best product or service often turn to ratings by other people on the internet. Chowhound will tell you what people thought of restaurants. For a fee, you can look at Angie's List for user–generated ratings of everything from plumbers to dentists. But are these ratings trustworthy?

Library Internet Rules, Neighborhood News and Urban Farms

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Leaky Dam

Water is leaking faster from the Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River. Officials are stepping up flood contingency plans. We'll check in with the mayor of Auburn.

Library Lawsuit

An Eastern Washington library district blocks internet access to an online gun magazine and some MySpace pages. We'll ask them why.

'Investigate West'

Former Seattle Post–Intelligencer reporters are starting a new Website called "Investigate West" that goes live next month.

Neighborhood News

We'll get news from neighborhood bloggers in Ballard, West Seattle and Capitol Hill.

Frisbee Champs

We'll find out how local grade–school kids beat middle school students to claim an international Ultimate Frisbee championship.

Farm City

A former Seattleite who is now an urban farmer in Oakland, and a local guerilla gardener who harvests from other people's land talk about growing your own food in the city.

Boeing Delays 787 - Again, and Robert Frank's 'Economic Naturalists Field Guide'

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Boeing's 787 Delays

Boeing says it has to push back the first test flight of the 787 Dreamliner. Again. Is this a temporary setback or are there long term implications for Boeing?

Maybe There Is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch

Some companies are employing "random acts of kindness" to make customers feel special, grateful and — ideally — more loyal. A University of Washington researcher explains the role of gratitude in modern marketing.

Summertime Blues

What does the recession mean for summer youth employment and kids' activities like summer camp? Are you a teen looking for a job or a parent with a great low–cost activity? Give us a call.

Common Sense in Troubled Times

Cornell economist and New York Times columnist Robert H. Frank says a handful of basic principals can help guide individuals and institutions through these tough economic times. His new book is "The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide."

State Welfare Numbers, Tuition Breaks, and Investigating Bloggers

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:05:00 -0700

Welfare Levels Climb

A new report finds Washington state has one of the fastest–growing welfare rolls in the nation.

Commercial Property Slump

KUOW's Deborah Wang reports on Seattle's commercial real estate market.

State Tuition Breaks for Foreign Workers

The Seattle Times reports there's a new benefit for foreign workers here on special visas — they get discounted in–state tuition if they attend state schools. Critics call it the "Microsoft subsidy" because it covers high–tech workers who can well afford to pay. Is this the right move at a time when the state's higher education budget is facing sharp cutbacks?

Blogger Payola

The Federal Trade Commission announces plans to investigate bloggers who fail to disclose conflicts of interest when they tout products for pay.