Shows for December 2011

Fri, Dec 30

Elizabeth Hovde Then & Now

If you've heard anything about her, you're unlikely to forget the story of Oregonian columnist Elizabeth Hovde. She suffered a brain injury almost a year ago after a skiing accident at Mt. Hood. Now her life has taken another huge turn.

Thu, Dec 29

The Ross Brothers

The Ross brothers live in Eugene: one is a respected journalist; one is homeless. They came together on Think Out Loud earlier this year to share their stories.

Thu, Dec 29

The New Poverty

Earlier this year we asked: what's it like to be an Oregonian living in poverty in the 21st century? Some of the answers were surprising, so we're bringing you the conversation again.

Wed, Dec 28

Winter Drinks

When the weather gets chilly and the fires are burning, what drink do you reach for? We got some beverage advice at the beginning of the season and we'll bring it to you again today.

Wed, Dec 28

fathermothergod

Lucia Greenhouse, the author of fathermothergod, joined us in October to talk about her experience growing up in a Christian Science household. We'll rebroadcast part of that conversation today. To hear the rest of it click here.

Wed, Dec 28

Rob Ingram Remembered

In November Portland lost a true community leader: Rob Ingram. He died at 38 of a heart attack. Soon after his passing we talked to some people whose lives he changed.

Tue, Dec 27

Matt Kish

There are some people on our staff who have a real love for the tale of Moby-Dick so when the book Moby-Dick In Pictures: One Drawing for Every Page showed up at our office in November we couldn't resist digging in. Take a listen.

Tue, Dec 27

Ismet Prcic

We spoke with Ismet Prcic earlier this year about his fascinating book, Shards. It was among our favorite author interviews this year, so we're bringing it back as part of our week of holiday rebroadcasts.

Mon, Dec 26

Wildwood

We begin this week with a rebroadcast of one of our favorite interviews of the year: Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) and his wife, Carson Ellis, talking about their new book Wildwood with an enthusiastic group of grade-schoolers.

Fri, Dec 23

Voices of 2011

We wrap up our week of looking back on 2011 by bringing back a few of the most interesting and influential guests we had on the show — from arts and culture to politics and the economy.

Thu, Dec 22

The Best Music, Film, and Food of 2011

As part of our year in review, we take a look at the best music, film, and food of 2011.

Thu, Dec 22

Telling the Truth About Santa

How do you talk to your kids about Santa Claus? What's the right time to tell them the truth?

Wed, Dec 21

Our Town: Astoria

Think Out Loud has just launched a new series called "Our Town" — exploring the history and personalities of places all over the Northwest — and Astoria is the first Oregon town to be profiled.

Tue, Dec 20

Reporters Look Back on 2011

OPB reporters join us to look back at the stories that shaped 2011. What news was big for you?

Tue, Dec 20

Inequality: HIV/AIDS

As part of our ongoing inequality series, we look at the differences in diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS in different populations.

Mon, Dec 19

The Top Environmental Stories of 2011

We're counting down the top environmental stories of 2011

Mon, Dec 19

Blazing a New Trail

What will the shortened 2011-2012 NBA season mean for a Blazers team full of new faces?

Mon, Dec 19

Is a Blogger a Journalist?

Oregon's shield law did not protect one blogger from being fined $2.5 million in a defamation lawsuit. Should it have?

Fri, Dec 16

Weekend Look-Ahead

It's the last weekend before Hanukkah and Christmas. What are you planning to do?

Fri, Dec 16

Dangerous Year at the Lucky Friday Mine

The recent collapse at Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho left seven miners injured in an accident that occurred 6,000 feet underground. It was the third major accident at the mine since April.

Fri, Dec 16

Ron Wyden's Medicare Overhaul

Oregon senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat, and Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan, a Republican, have a plan to overhaul Medicare.

Thu, Dec 15

Worst Charities in Oregon

How does the Oregon Department of Justice rank what it calls the "worst charities" operating in the state?

Thu, Dec 15

20 Years of Drug Courts

The nation's second oldest drug court is turning 20 Thursday. We'll explore the history and effectiveness of the Multnomah County system.

Wed, Dec 14

National Cell Phone Ban?

The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that all states pass complete bans on using phones and other electronic devices while driving. We'll find out why — and get reaction to the recommendation.

Wed, Dec 14

Oregon Leadership Summit

How are the state's business leaders and elected officials doing with their goals to create jobs and raise Oregonians' income?

Wed, Dec 14

New 9-1-1 Policy for Suicide Calls

Next year, the Portland Police Bureau will begin to redirect non-threatening 911 calls involving suicide to a mental health call center.

Tue, Dec 13

Canning Food Drives?

What if donating money to canned food drives was more effective than donating food?

Tue, Dec 13

PERS Follow-Up

We continue our conversation about the now-public benefits of retirees in Oregon's Public Employees Retirement System with its director and others.

Mon, Dec 12

Scott Poole's Sliding Glass Door

We'll talk with Northwest poet Scott Poole about his new collection of poems, The Sliding Glass Door.

Mon, Dec 12

New Directions in the Occupy Movement?

We track the Occupy movement as it expands to the ports and to the 2nd Congressional District.

Fri, Dec 9

Weekend Look-Ahead

It's a mid-December weekend, which means you'll probably be looking for presents. Here's some gift ideas for toys and books.

Fri, Dec 9

Talking Business

Portland Business Journal editor Rob Smith joins us to discuss Portland's rental market, baseball as an economic development strategy, holiday shopping and more. 

Fri, Dec 9

Inequality: By the Numbers

What can we learn about inequality from a look at shifting demographics in our region?

Thu, Dec 8

Class in Prison

The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program takes college students into maximum-security prison to learn with prisoners. We'll hear from students and past prisoners about the program.

Wed, Dec 7

Breaking News: Washougal

Washougal Fire Chief Scott Koehler talks about the latest developments surrounding a fire and reports of gunshots. 

Wed, Dec 7

Progress on Climate Change?

The U.N. is hosting its annual climate change conference in Durban, South Africa. What progress are global leaders making toward combat global warming?

Wed, Dec 7

Slower Snail Mail?

The US Postal Service may close processing centers to cut costs. How would slower delivery of first-class mail affect you?

Tue, Dec 6

Petition to Reclassify Marijuana

Several governors have now signed onto a petition to the federal government asking for the reclassification of marijuana so that doctors could prescribe it to patients.

Tue, Dec 6

Inequality: What Is It?

Kicking off a new series about inequality, we're asking a seemingly basic question: what is it?

Mon, Dec 5

PERS Benefits Made Public

A court settlement with two newspapers compelled  Oregon's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to release the names and benefit amounts for all of its retirees. Has this information affected your opinions on PERS?

Mon, Dec 5

Fighting to Keep Union Alive

Union Mayor Bill Lindsley is trying to keep his small town economically viable, even as he sees people in his town — like those in other rural places — increasingly move to bigger cities.

Mon, Dec 5

Occupy Arrests

Some Occupy Portland protesters were arrested over the weekend and forced to take down tents they had set up in the Park Blocks in downtown.

Fri, Dec 2

Design/Build

Design educators in Portland are celebrating the transformative power of design in a new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Craft and an annual program for MFA students.

Fri, Dec 2

New Translation of the Mass

This past Sunday, Catholics around the world recited a new translation of the Mass. It's the largest change since the 1960s.

Thu, Dec 1

Weekend Look-Ahead

There's plenty to do in Portland and around Oregon this weekend. Will you stay indoors, or go play in the snow?

Thu, Dec 1

Washington's Special Session

The Washington Legislature began a special session this week to address a $1.4 billion budget shortfall. The session opened amid demonstrations by a coalition of Occupy Olympia and union members.

Thu, Dec 1

The Big Pipe

After 20 years and $1.4 billion, Portland has completed its Big Pipe Project to keep what's known as "combined sewage overflow" out of the Willamette River.