The Jefferson Exchange

The Jefferson Exchange: December 19, 2013 Hour 2:In The Studio With "A Celtic Christmas"Maybe we're on the back side of the boom in interest in all things Irish.  But we don't see any waning of enthusiasm for the annual celebration called "A Celtic Christmas." Ashland's own Tomaseen Foley started the show years ago, and brings the collection of stories, songs and dances to stages around the country. Our own holiday tradition continues as we welcome Tom and some of the cast members into our little studio for a preview.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 18, 2013 Hour 1A:What To Do About Oregon's Spotted FrogMore troubles for the spotted frog. The Klamath County commissioners have voted unanimously against the idea of designating more than 56,000 acres in Oregon as critical habitat for the Oregon spotted frog. At the same time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are proposing to list the spotted frog a threatened species. Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallams joins us to explain his opposition to the plan.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 18, 2013 Hour 1B:VENTSday: Gun Control + Celebrating The HolidaysOur weekly ritual is renewed, as we throw a pair of topics on the table--in theory, unrelated--and open up the phone lines and the email box to gather your take on either or both of the issues. We want to know what you think about gun control in the year since Sandy Hook and how you celebrate (or don't) in the holiday season?

The Jefferson Exchange: December 18, 2013 Hour 2:Winter Driving Do's & Don'tsDecember: a time for icy roads, holiday travel and you guessed it… automotive maintenance. It’s time to be sure your vehicle is safe, efficient, and ready for winter driving. Zach Edwards, president of Ashland Automotive, gives tips on what to do before hitting the roads and answers your questions.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 17, 2013, Hour 1A: "Relocation" sounds like something out of the witness protection program, but it's the process of moving animals from one habitat to another. In the case of beavers in Klamath County, the relocation process is meant to put the beavers in the best place to help the environment and/or not create issues for farmers and ranchers. Klamath Watershed Partnership does the relocation work; we'll hear how it's done and how well it works.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 17,2013, Hour 1B: Spend any time around a beach, and you'll notice changes. No beach looks quite the same day after day, thanks to the winds, the tides, and all the other factors. But a recent study indicates that some Oregon beaches are undergoing long-term changes, and not positive ones.  We explore the major finding of the study, that some key beaches are eroding.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 17, 2013, Hour 2:It may be harder to describe the work of comedians than any other performers. And harder still when you try to describe or explain the work of the late Richard Pryor. The way he channeled his anger at his early life and society in general pushed the envelope of standup comedy in ways that made audiences alternatively nervous and convulsed with laughter. Brothers David and Joe Henry look back at Pryor's life and work in the book Furious Cool.  Joe Henry joins us.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 13, 2013 Hour 1A:Jackson County Food Banks Reach 1-Million LbsThe green bags caught on. A few years back, when John Javna and company started the Ashland Food Project, they kept count of how many pounds of food each drive collected. Six times a year, families saving up food for donations put those donations out for collection.  Now there are Neighborhood Food Projects in Ashland, Medford, and several other cities. And the milestone of one million pounds collected will be met this month.  We review the history and future of the Food Project concept with John Javna.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 13, 2013 Hour 1B:The Polar Express Comes To MedfordEven people who do not love trains can get excited about them as Christmas approaches. Especially since the publication of the book "The Polar Express" and the movie version that followed.  The train to the North Pole (somewhat modified) comes to Medford's Railroad Park on Friday and Saturday nights.  We get a preview from the sponsoring organization, the Medford Rogue Rotary Club.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 13, 2013 Hour 2:Climate Change and the Coming Flight for SurvivalJust how hot will it get as climate change continues? Even if we don't notice the heat, what will rising sea levels do to coastal communities?  These are the questions Giles Slade considers in his book  American Exodus: Climate Change and the Coming Flight for Survival. The book anticipates the disruptions that could take place if the warnings about climate change come to pass.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 12, 2013, Hour 1A: Funnies yes, but not a joke. The University of Oregon seriously launched a comics and cartoon studies minor last year, the first of its kind in the country. It offers students a wide selection of courses from art history to Asian studies. Department Director Benjamin Saunders and Assistant Professor Glynne Walley join us to share where the program is going and how the program got started. 

The Jefferson Exchange: December 12, 2013, Hour 1B:Thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and other food items are staying out of the trash and going straight to people in need, thanks to the help of one Ashland woman. Pamala Joy, Director of the Ashland Food Angels, collects food from markets and bakeries around the Rogue Valley to help feed low income families. She was recently presented with the E-Chievement award (from public radio's eTown) for her work.  We catch up with her on her latest  recycling efforts, as well as her continued push to help those in need.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 12, 2013, Hour 2:Any discussion of American President Theodore Roosevelt often goes straight to his tough-guy image. Yes, he charged up San Juan Hill in Cuba with a unit called The Rough Riders. Yes, he actually delivered a speech with a bullet still in his body, after being shot. But Roosevelt's image belied his background as the privileged son of a prominent New York family.  His work in and for New York is the subject of Edward P. Kohn's book Heir to the Empire City: New York and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt. 

The Jefferson Exchange: December 11, 2013 Hour 1A:Childcare Least Affordable In OregonOregon can be an expensive place to raise a child. In actual dollars, other states rank higher, but Oregon families pay a greater portion of their income for child care than in any other state. The average is 14 percent of income, and the percentage climbs for infants. Jada Rupley, Oregon's Early Learning System director, explains the dynamics of the situation, and possible solutions.

The Jefferson Exchange: December 11, 2013 Hour 1B:VENTSday: Snow Stories + Cell Phones On PlanesOur weekly ritual is renewed, as we throw a pair of topics on the table--in theory, unrelated--and open up the phone lines and the email box to gather your take on either or both of the issues. How was your week in the snow and how do you feel about cell phone use on planes?