The Jefferson Exchange

The Jefferson Exchange: June 26, 2013, Hour 2: Double Double Martha Grimes is best known as a writer of mysteries, but her latest work turns her focus upon herself and her son, Ken Grimes.  They are the co-authors of a book about their struggles with alcoholism, together and apart.  The book is "Double Double: A Dual Memoir of Alcoholism," a look at the pathway they took to find sobriety.

The Jefferson Exchange: June 25, 2013, Hour 1B: Country Fair Prepares Food, entertainment, vaudeville and sustainability: these are among the features of the one-of-a-kind Oregon Country Fair, returning to the Veneta area the weekend of July 12.  General Manager Charlie Ruff will walk us through the attractions and changes of this year's version of the fair.  

The Jefferson Exchange: June 25, 2013, Hour 2: Student and Other Debt The subject of debt has been a big one in recent years… personal debt, government debt, you name it.  Add student load debt to the pile; it's an ongoing concern, and Congress is currently debating whether to let the interest rates rise on college student loans.  Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon deals with debt and credit issues in all shapes and sizes. 

The Jefferson Exchange: June 24, 2013, Hour 1B: Increasing Altitude and Awareness This goes beyond just wearing pink ribbons.  A group of women and men set out to reach the summit of Mount Shasta, to raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.  The weather stalled them at first; you'll hear the outcomeof the climb, both in physical and goal terms.

The Jefferson Exchange: June 24, 2013, Hour 2: Up in Attitude We have to accept the fact of growing old and losing some of our mobility and utility.  But we do not have to accept it with a grumpy attitude.  In fact, being positive about aging may in fact help ease the aging process.  That's the finding physician and researcher Hilary Tindle expands upon in her book "UP: How Positive Outlook Can Transform Our Health and Aging."

The Jefferson Exchange: May 28, 2013, Hour 1: Cancer Study Proposed Long-term studies provide some of the best information in science and medicine.  And a prospective study from the American Cancer Society proposes following many people for many years, in the hope of discovering the genetic, lifestyle and environmental causes of cancer.  You'll hear who is eligible for the study.+ Opportunity Village Anew It was envisioned as a place for homeless people to spend the winter.  But the winter came and went without the opening of the proposed Opportunity Village Eugene.  Now the village, modeled after Dignity Village in Portland, is at last taking applications.  You'll hear where the process goes from here.

The Jefferson Exchange: May 28, 2013, Hour 2: Animals and Other Family Lots of us grow up with pets and other animals around, but in Clare Balding's family, she got the distinct impression that she and her brother ranked somewhere below the family horses in the pecking order.  And the arrangement worked for her... Balding says she learned many of life's important lessons from growing up among so many animals.  She recounts the lessons in her book "My Animals and Other Family."  

The Jefferson Exchange: May 24, 2013, Hour 1: Target Monsanto The misgivings some people have about genetically modified organisms are not going away, and appear to be getting more deeply entrenched.  One of the largest users and practitioners of GMO techniques is the Monsanto company, so it is no surprise that the company faces a backlash, including a series of events set for May 25th called the "March Against Monsanto."  You'll hear from the organizer of the Medford event. + Klamath Drug Raid Hundreds of police officers from several jurisdictions raided homes and businesses in Klamath County last week, trying to break up what police say is a major methamphetamine trafficking organization.  Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah joins us to talk about the police operation, and what it produced.

The Jefferson Exchange: May 24, 2013, Hour 2:Counties on the Brink The failures of this week's public safety levies create a renewed sense of urgency in Josephine and Curry Counties, which are already operating with bare-bones public safety systems, and may have to cut them further in the year ahead.  You'll hear what happens now, from Curry Commissioner David Smith and Josephine Commissioner Cheryl Walker.

The Jefferson Exchange: May 23, 2013, Hour 1: Youth Unemployment Younger adults have an even tougher time finding work in Oregon than their older counterparts.  A recent study found unemployment among the younger group at more than double the general unemployment rate.  The study came from the think tank "Young Invincibles;" you'll hear about the outfit's research and other work. + Touring on the Train Passengers on the Amtrak "Coast Starlight" between Klamath Falls and Eugene get something more than a train ride.  They also get descriptions of the sights around them, courtesy of volunteer guides narrating in the lounge car.  You'll hear about the guide program, managed by the Klamath County Museum.

The Jefferson Exchange: May 23, 2013, Hour 2: Brains Bouncing Back Our brains have an amazing capacity to bounce back from the things that life throws at us, big and small.  Therapist Linda Graham spent years observing and assisting the way the mind works from different approaches--from personal therapy to meditation--and she brings her knowledge to bear in her book "Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain For Maximum Resilience and Well-Being." 

The Jefferson Exchange: May 22, 2013, Hour 1: Land-Use Flap Tempers are up and petitions are circulating in the city of Talent, where an asphalt plan continues to operate near Bear creek, in an area zoned for residential development.  Jackson County approved the non-comforming use, but the group Rogue Advocates is appealing the approval.  You'll hear the appeal argument.+ VENTSday No guest, two topics, and all the calls and emails we can fit in half an hour.  That's the general structure of our weekly VENTSday segment, a chance for listeners to vent politely on topics in the news.  Take part by calling 1-800-838-3760 or 541-552-6782 or emailing JX@jeffnet.org THIS WEEK: A) Reactions to the tax levies on local ballots; B) How much should a university president be paid? 

The Jefferson Exchange: May 22, 2013, Hour 2: Burma Evolving Call it Myanmar or Burma, it is slowly elevating its reputation in the world.  The hardline military government is allowing more freedoms, resulting a slow easing of sanctions by the United States… and even a planned visit to the U.S. by its president.  You'll hear from the U.S. Campaign for Burma about how it views the changes.

The Jefferson Exchange: May 21, 2013, Hour 1: Wine and the Weather The rapid growth of the wine industry in the region is all a function of climate.  And subtle variations in climate can mean the difference between a great year for wine grapes… or a disastrous one.  Southern Oregon University research climatologist Gregory Jones keeps an eye on overall climate conditions and their specific impact on the wine industry; you'll hear his outlook for this growing season.+ Biomechanics in Oregon The term "biomechanics" may conjure up images of workers in overalls tending to people with aches and pains, but it's just a bit more complicated.  Biomechanics is cutting-edge research and techniques for repairing injuries to the body, especially the joints.  Oregon State University just opened one of the country's few biomechanics labs, in Bend.  You'll get to know the FORCE lab and what it does. 

 Jefferson Exchange – May 20, 2013, HOUR 1 Oregon Law on the Road Not everybody can make it to the University of Oregon law school, so the school is going on the road.  Not the entire thing, mind you.  But three law students are visiting communities in Oregon and California through the "Oregon Law on the Road" program.  Fire Season Approaches Recent rains might have delayed the onset of fire season, but it will arrive, and wildland firefighters expect it to be significant.  We'll talk to Oregon and California fire bosses and a climate change expert on the possible impact of climate change on fire seasons in our region.