On The Record

Here’s a Stoop Story from Aishah Alfadhalah about the beauty and power of connecting over a shared meal. You can hear her story and many others at stoopstorytelling.com, as well as the Stoop podcast.

You can also get a taste of the Mera Kitchen Collective’s offerings at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market on Sunday mornings or at one of their events.

Sea levels along the Eastern Shore are rising twice as rapidly as the global average, and Smithville, a small community founded by freed slaves, is threatened by the encroaching marsh. Rona Kobell of Maryland Sea Grant tells us about a new documentary that traces how rising waters threaten a church and cemetery. Plus, filmmakers Wyman Jones Jr. and Jalysa Mayo share their perspectives on environmental justice.

With rain and sunshine galore, it’s time to get your garden ready! Alexa Smarr, a horticulture educator and the master gardener coordinator for the University of Maryland-Extension - Baltimore County joins us to talk all things green. We hear why soil-testing is a must, what you can do to thwart common pests, and why Maryland’s birds and bugs rely on native plants.

Questions about gardening, weeds, or pests? Want to become a master gardener? Find resources at the Home and Garden Information Center.

Steel-making was the throbbing heart of Sparrows Point for more than a century. With the “Bethlehem Steel Legacy Project,” The Baltimore Museum of Industry and Tradepoint Atlantic intend to document steel at the Point--from its rise to its demise--by engaging the community. We hear from Auni Gelles, the museum’s community programs manager and director of interpretation Beth Maloney to hear what people have told them. Then WYPR reporter John Lee tells us what Sparrows Point looks like today, and what’s planned for the future. Plus, we hear excerpts from UMBC's "Mill Stories", voices of Bethlehem Steel workers share their memories.

For information on the Tradepoint Atlantic open house, visit this link. For information on "Shuttered" at Baltimore Museum of Industry, visit this link. 

To hear more of "Mill Stories" voices from Bethlehem Steel workers, visit this link.

To hear more of John Lee's reporting, visit this link.

It was not the first school shooting in the U.S. , but it grabbed the public’s focus and reverberates still: Twenty years ago this week, two seniors at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 fellow students and a teacher, wounded others … and turned the guns on themselves. The tragedy changed school security protocols and attitudes toward mental health … but similar scenes have played out since. The mother of one of the shooters, Sue Klebold, still wonders what she had missed … and has since tirelessly advocated for mental health awareness.

To watch Sue Klebold's Ted Talk, visit this link, and to purchase her book, visit this link.

Taking inventory of the wild things that abound isn’t something you get to do everyday. The global ‘City Nature Challenge’ hopes you’ll grab the chance later this month. More than 150 cities worldwide are taking part in the friendly competition. Regional organizer Maura Duffy, Conservation Project Manager at the National Aquarium, says data collection for a project like this goes beyond what scientists can do on their own. For information on how to participate, visit this link and get outside!

Here's Stoop Story from Dana Gillet about the upside of bed bugs! You can hear her story and others at Stoopstorytelling.com or on the Stoop podcast.

There’s much more to Maryland cuisine than crabcakes and Old Bay. Have you tasted Peanut Pickle Sandwiches and Baltimore Caramels? Or sipped tomato Wine? Kara Mae Harris has. The Food enthusiast and recipe sleuth is painstakingly preserving Maryland’s culinary heritage across dozens of decades ... one recipe at a time. Harris tests favorites and reports back on her blog, ‘Old Line Plate.’ She’s also created a searchable database of more than 30-thousand recipes and has made some surprising discoveries. Original air date 7/24/18

What’s the best combination of letters and numbers to create a secure digital password? When there’s a data breach what does it really mean for the average consumer, and what should be done if one occurs? We talk with digital forensic analyst Blazer Catzen, who offers answers, insight and anecdotes about life on the internet. Catzen also discusses how he follows data trails that reveal the digital clues to help him crack open a case.

What lessons are learned after overcoming dependence on heroin? How do you rebuild your life after three decades of addiction? Theo Hill, host of the new WYPR podcast, “One Day at a Time: Recovery in Baltimore,” hopes that sharing his story and the stories of others can inspire someone else on that path.

You can find Theo's podcast at WYPR's Podcast Central, on the WYPR app, or on iTunes or Google Play.

Plus, we hear part of Theo’s interview with Laura, who lost her family and her nursing license as a consequence of her addiction. She tells how she has repaired relationships and discovered the strength to stay sober. Listen to the full interview here.

An extraordinary last day of the General Assembly session is getting underway, just hours after its longest-serving speaker, Michael Busch, succumbed yesterday to pneumonia and other health problems. As tributes to Busch pour in, the delegates and senators have work to do before midnight.

“This is My Brave, Baltimore” is an evening of storytelling meant to erase the stigma surrounding conversations of mental illness ... one personal story at a time. We meet the show’s producers: Michele Wojciechowski shares her experience overcoming panic attacks through good meds and humor. And Phila Hoopes describes the show’s powerful effect for both performer and audience.

Visit this link for show and ticket information.

To see a video of last year's performances in Baltimore, visit this link.

Here's a Stoop Story from Nikki Gamer, about facing down a dark depression and emerging in the light. You can hear more stories like hers on May 21 at the live Stoop storytelling event: ‘Out of Stigma’s Shadow: Stories about mental health, mental illness, and the mysteries inside our heads.”

Propelled by stories of patients who can’t afford their medicines, and sometimes skip what the doctor ordered, advocates in the General Assembly are pushing to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the power to set a cap on how much Maryland and its counties would pay for some costly drugs.

Opponents contend that would amount to price controls, not within the power of the state--and could lead to shortages of crucial drugs.

We hear from Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, the only Republican among the eight county executives lobbying for the board, and Gerard Anderson, who directs the Hopkins Center for Hospital Finance and Management. 

Baltimore’s mayor is on leave and under investigation after Gov. Hogan called for an investigation of the half million dollars the University of Maryland Medical System paid its board member Catherine Pugh for children’s books. City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young has asked for trust as he stepped into the role of acting mayor.

Baltimore Brew editor Fern Shen joins us to discuss what’s at issue.

Read the latest from Brew:
Another Healthy Holly buyer: Associated Black Charities
Connected contractor renovated Pugh’s house at a discount, sources say
Found: 8,700 Healthy Holly books in a school warehouse

Plus, Amy Coates Madsen from Maryland Nonprofits describes how boards can ward off conflicts. To request more information from Maryland Nonprofits on conflicts of interest, click here.

FDR’s New Deal shaped Democratic politics for generations. But the roots of the coalition that made it happen stretch back further.

We speak to historian Robert Chiles about his new book, "The Revolution of ’28: Al Smith, American Progressivism, and the Coming of the New Deal". 

This show originally aired on February 11, 2019.

Twice since 2016 Ellicott City’s Main Street has been devastated by flooding. Though several businesses have re-opened, some buildings remain boarded-up and vacant. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball shares an update on redevelopment efforts. Then we meet two business owners: Sherry Fackler-Berkowitz of art-glass studio ‘Great Panes’ describes what it was like on the ground. And Julia Sanger of Park Ridge Trading Company, tells us why she perseveres, even with an uncertain future.

Here’s a Stoop Story from Joey Haavik. A few years ago, he took a 4,000-mile bicycle trip from Baltimore to San Francisco to raise money for cancer research, as part of a large group of cyclists. Along the way, they picked up an unexpected tag-along.

You can hear many other Stoop Stories at stoopstorytelling.com, as well as the Stoop podcast.

As the weather warms, the siren song of winding roads calls out to motorcyclists.

We hear about a DIY garage--the Baltimore Motorcycle Collective--and how it’s empowering rookie and veteran riders.

Founder Ethan Pritchard tells us about his approach to teaching motorcycle maintenance and about the upcoming custom bike comeptition, the B(alt) Bike Buildoff on Sunday, April 7th from 10-4 pm.

What is like to have a brother or sister with a disability? How can the stress of helping them navigate challenges affect their neurotypical siblings?

Carolyn Chen, of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, tells us about a conference this Saturday that offers a place for siblings to share their experiences. And we hear from her and her sister, Jennifer, about how their relationship has changed over time.

Registration information for Sibs2019 here.

Plus, Walter Suskind, founder of the group SibStrong, and his autistic brother Owen talk about breaking through the isolation. Owen's story is the subject of the documentary, Life Animated. 

With 137 acres of green space in Southeast Baltimore - Patterson Park is a jewel of the city. Jennifer Robinson, executive director of the Friends of Patterson Park, tells us about the coming renovation of the historic Superintendent's House and plans to add more space for community groups.

And this weekend the park will host the Big Baltimore Kite Fest, where kids will be able to make their own kites. Ari Pluznik, of the Creative Alliance and Katie Long, of the Friends of Patterson Park, offer advice for creating high flying kites. 

The Big Baltimore Kite Festival is from 12-4 pm on Saturday, March 30th. Details here.

The grief that accompanies a loss, whether the death of a family member, the disappearance of a job, even a divorce -- can be intense. What happens to the brain during grief? Are there identifiable symptoms that are treatable? Are the effects of grief reversible? Dr. Lisa M. Shulman shares the answers she’s worked through in her book called “Before and after Loss: A Neurologist’s Perspective on Loss, Grief, and Our Brain.” We’re revisiting a conversation we had with her in January. Original airdate: 1.22.19

Carpentry, biomedical sciences, accounting--some of the fields students in Baltimore’s Career and Technical Education program can study. But a new report by the Fund for Educational Excellence finds that one of out five students don’t finish the program and more than half haven’t found employment in their field.

Roger Schulman, head of the Fund, describes the challenges in the program--from lack of internships to teacher turnover--and potential solutions.

Here’s a Stoop Story from Mimi Dietrich about her run-in with rock and roll. You can hear her story and many others at stoopstorytelling.com, as well as the Stoop podcast.

Mimi Dietrich finds it “magical” to make a quilt. She’s in the Quilters Hall of Fame, and the Maryland Historical Society is about to exhibit dozens of her works. We hear how she started quilting and where she draws inspiration.

The opening reception for "Hometown Girl" is tomorrow from 2-5 pm at the Maryland Historical Society.

This is a yearlong exhibition on view during regular museum hours (Wed.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sundays 12 pm-5 pm). Special guided group tours with Mimi Dietrich are available. More information here.

When you hear the name of the nonprofit “Doctors Without Borders,” you’re usually hearing about a catastrophe--the devastating cyclone that hit Mozambique last week, for example … the ebola epidemic in Congo, or streams of refugees. In more than sixty countries across the globe, Doctors Without Borders works to care for the displaced--medical treatment, food, safety. What’s involved in doing this work? Donna Canali, a nurse and team coordinator, shares the nonprofit’s principles.

Donna Canali will be speaking on Monday March 25 at the Baltimore Museum of Art at 6:30pm. To rsvp, visit this link.

For information on the MSF recruitment event on April 30, visit this link.

An ambassador travels to the capital of a foreign empire, only to discover that her predecessor has died in baffling circumstances. That’s the start of the new novel, “A Memory Called Empire.”

The space opera weaves together the intrigue of a political thriller with the rich intricacies of an alien world. Author Arkady Martine tells guest host Nathan Sterner why she loves the sci-fi genre.

Arkady Martine will speak about her book at the Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Rd, next Tuesday, March 26th at 7 pm. 

Johns Hopkins amassed millions by trying almost anything that promised to make money--investing in liquor, real estate, coal-mining, fertilizer, and more. He never married, and it was only after he’d retired from most of those businesses that the public saw what he intended to do with his fortune: create a university--including a medical school--and a hospital. Author Antero Pietila guides us through his book, “The Ghosts of Johns Hopkins" to show us the man behind the name.

Pietila will be speaking on Sunday Mar. 24 at 2pm at the Engineers Club in Mt. Vernon, more info at this link.

The non-profit Civil Justice believes every citizen deserves his or her day in court. That’s why they line up legal counsel to represent people with low or moderate incomes in non-criminal cases. Executive director Eden Forsythe talks about why there is a direct connection between fair representation in court and restoring faith in democracy and civic engagement. Plus, we meet  Civil Justice lawyer Chelsea Ortega and her client, Renee Spencer to hear about their experience.

For more information about the organization, visit the Civil Justice website here.

Say “Fort McHenry,” and we think of the men who braved “the bombs bursting in air” in 1814 … and the man inspired by the flag that waved … to write the poem that became our national anthem. But women have also shaped the Star Fort’s history. Who made that flag? We talk to Park Ranger Shannon McLucas about her new walking tour “Proprietress, Patriot, Nurse, and Spy: The Unconventional Women of Fort McHenry.”