10/13: Swim Across America
Swim Across America is raising money to fight cancer…and you can jump right in! Meet Olympic silver medalist Janel Jorgenson, and Susan Helmrich, who has fought cancer twice and won! These women are part of this nationwide effort that will benefit cancer programs at two hospitals right here in the Bay Area. Find out how you can help.
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10/05: Dr. Katarina Lanner Cusin
It’s time to talk about women’s health. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is there for women from puberty through menopause, and beyond. My guest this week is Dr. Katarina Lanner Cusin. We’ll be discussing the health care needs of women as they go through life, and how women can tap into useful information about their health.
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9/28: Hands on Bay Area
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Those words were spoken by Mahatma Gandhi and they were the inspiration for “Be The Change Day” on September 13th. This week’s guest is Lou Reda with Hands on Bay Area. He’ll tell us about the day’s accomplishments and how easy it is to be part of the changes we would all like to see in our communities.
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9/21: California Academy of Sciences
“WOW!” That’s the word you’ll hear most often when you visit the new California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Academy director Dr. Gregory Farrington is here to tell us about the new building, and how this vital institution is expanding our knowledge of life on our planet and beyond. The California Academy of Sciences opens to the public on Saturday, September 27th.
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9/14: Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt
“TRAFFIC: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us)” is the title of a best-seller by Tom Vanderbilt and he’s my guest this week. Tune in for an entertaining look at one of the Bay Area’s favorite pastimes. You’ll be amused and perhaps, mortified at what goes on behind-the-wheel in every vehicle on the freeways.
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9/7: HERS Breast Cancer Foundation
The HERS Breast Cancer Foundation offers a unique service for women who have survived breast cancer: Bras for Body and Soul. This is a beautiful boutique where women can be fitted for prostheses and brassieres after undergoing mastectomy. This week’s program features Liz Barron and Karen Jackson with HERS. We’re talking about the shop and the very specialized service it offers, along with the HERS Keeps Abreast 5k, which happens September 27th.
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8/31: Women of Taste
What if every child in the Bay Area had books they love to read? We think that would turn many "reluctant readers" into kids who are passionate about reading. And that is the goal of The Children's Book Project. Every year they hand out thousands of books to teachers, librarians and others who can pass them along to kids whose homes are not crammed with books. This week's guests are Kathy Katz, one of the founders of the Children's Book Project...along with Lisa Bishop, a San Francisco school librarian, and Carla Hatley with Book Pals. Tune in and learn how to help get books into the hands of needy children all over the Bay Area.
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8/24: Children's Book Project
What if every child in the Bay Area had books they love to read? We think that would turn many "reluctant readers" into kids who are passionate about reading. And that is the goal of The Children's Book Project. Every year they hand out thousands of books to teachers, librarians and others who can pass them along to kids whose homes are not crammed with books. This week's guests are Kathy Katz, one of the founders of the Children's Book Project...along with Lisa Bishop, a San Francisco school librarian, and Carla Hatley with Book Pals. Tune in and learn how to help get books into the hands of needy children all over the Bay Area.
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8/10: Megan Nardini
Do you know someone who is living with Crohn's disease of ulcerative colitis? 1.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with these digestive diseases and many of them are children and teenagers. Megan Nardini is a South Bay high school student who is fighting a courageous battle with ulcerative colitis. Megan is my guest this week, along with Dr.Antonio Quiros, a pediatric gastroenterologist, and Tamara Block, executive director of the Northern California chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
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8/03: La Casa de Las Madres
Where does a woman go when her health, and her life, are in danger because of an abusive partner? In San Francisco, that place is La Casa de Las Madres. Much more than just a shelter, La Casa has many programs to help women make the changes that will put them back in control of their lives. This week, I’m talking with Lisa Polacci from La Casa. She’ll update us on the work they do, and explain why women we don’t think of as victims may be hiding some very dark secrets.
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7/28: Hoarding and Clutter
Most of us have closets and cupboards stuffed with things we don't really need...but when our belongings take control of our lives we can be in real trouble. Hoarding and cluttering are serious problems that are symptoms of mental disorders. This week, I'm speaking with Alecia Hopper and Dr. Mason Turner with the Mental Health Association of San Francisco. They'll explain why hoarding can lead to homelessness, and how the Mental Health Association is trying to get help to people before the situation leads to eviction.
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7/20: The Puppy Stork
Mick Aguilera has one of the best jobs in the world. He's the guy who drives a truckload of puppies to their new homes in 8 Western states. These aren't just any puppies. These are the puppies who will grown up to be Guidedogs for the Blind. Join us for the inside story on what it's like to be the "Puppy Stork."
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7/11: Easter Seals Bay Area
With one out of every 150 children currently being diagnosed with autism, Easter Seals Bay Area has risen to the challenge with early intervention programs.
This week I'm speaking with Matt MaAlear and Mike Pelfini from Easter Seals. Their South Bay pilot program for infants and toddlers has proven so successful it will soon be expanding into the North Bay. Hear how Easter Seals is helping disabled children and adults reach their full potential and live happy productive lives. You can learn more at www.eastersealsbayarea.org.
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7/06: American Red Cross
The Bay Area’s blood supply can dip to dangerously low levels while regular donors take off for their summer vacations. That’s why the American Red Cross is giving you lots of incentives to come in and roll up your sleeve. Sara O’Brien with American Red Cross Blood Services is my guest this week. If you’d like to donate blood, just log on to www.redcross.org.
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6/29: Las Madres Playgroups
This week’s guests are all young moms from the South Bay. They’re members and volunteers with Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups. This organization helps families with children under the age of 5 connect with each other. Among the benefits: a lecture series for the grown-ups, a babysitting co-op and a summer schedule packed with activities for kids and their siblings and parents. Ingrid Dick, Leana Dalton and Laura Eurin are my guests . If you’d like to check it out, just go to www.lasmadres.org.
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6/15: Author Kelly Corrigan
My guest this week is East Bay author Kelly Corrigan. At the age of 36, with two small children, Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her book, “The Middle Place” is the story of her fight to live, but it is also a very warm memoir of growing up in a funny, rowdy family. And most of all, it is a love letter to George Corrigan, Kelly’s father who was fighting bladder cancer while she was dealing with breast cancer. Both Kelly and George are doing fine now, so happy Father’s Day…I think you’ll enjoy spending it with Kelly. And while you’re at it, visit her website at www.circusofcancer.org.
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6/08: Economist Jared Bernstein
Just about everyone you talk to is feeling the effects of a slower economy and high prices.
Economist Jared Bernstein has been looking at the current state of affairs and has some
thoughts on how to make it through until times get better.
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6/01: Hosting Exchange Students
If ever we needed to foster international understanding, it’s right now. A great way to do that is to host a high-school age foreign exchange student. Carol Berger, and her daughter, Susan Berger, have hosted dozens of teenagers and they’ll share their experiences with us. The Bergers work with the Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange which matches up students with host families, and right now AFICE is looking for host families for the coming school year. You can contact them at www.afice.org or call their office at (858)455-0302.
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5/25: Summer Olympics at UC Berkeley
Special Olympics of Northern California is gearing up for the Summer Games at UC Berkeley. I'm talking to Jill Osur from Special Olympics, along with John Britton from AT&T. Our very special guest is Jerrod Schmidt, a Special Olympian from Fresno. This young man is a competitive downhill skier in the Winter Games and will be competing in several aquatics events at the Summer Games. Jerrod exemplifies the spirit of Special Olympics and is an inspiration to everyone he meets. To get details on the events and the Opening Ceremony just log on to www.sonc.org.
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5/18: Economist Jared Berstein
There’s not much good news on the horizon when
it comes to the economy, and plenty of us are
wondering how things went so wrong, so quickly.
Jared Bernstein will try to shed some light on
the subject this week.
Bernstein is senior
economist at the Economic Policy Institute,
and the author of the new book
"CRUNCH : Why Do I Feel So Squeezed
(and other unsolved economic mysteries."
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5/04: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
1.4 million American adults and children are living
with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Although we don’t have a cure yet, researchers are coming up with more effective treatments and they’re optimistic that a cure is in sight.
This week, I’m speaking with Dr. Jeffrey Aron,a prominent gastroenterologist and researcher, along with Tamara Block and Trish Wynne with the Northern California Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. We’ll bring you the latest theories on these painfuland debilitating diseases, and explain how you can
support research, education and patient support services.
If you’d like more information, go to www.CCFA.org or Dr.Aron’s website at www.gut-check.com.
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4/27: National Brain Tumor Foundation
As many as 200-thousand Americans will be diagnosed
with a brain tumor this year. That is why the National
Brain Tumor Foundation is such an important
resource for patients and their families. This
week’s guests are Harriet Patterson and Michael
Logsdon with NBTF. They provide an overview
of the support services that are available
through the foundation. And they’re also
asking folks in the Bay Area to come out for
the 14th Annual Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk
and Angel Adventure. It happens on Saturday,
May 3rd in Golden Gate Park. If you would like to
register, you can call 415-834-9970, or log on to
www.braintumor.org.
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4/20: NAWBO San Francisco
The National Association of Women Business Owners is celebrating the achievements of local women who have made their mark in the business world. Coming up on May 2nd, it's the 24th Annual Leaders and Legends Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards Luncheon. This week's guests are Barbara Mark, new president of NAWBO San Francisco, and Jesse Ziff Cool. Cool has been at the forefront of the movement toward organic, sustainable agriculture in Northern California. For more than 20 years she's been serving organic food in her restaurants and has just published a new cookbook, "Simply Organic."
If you'd like to learn more about NAWBO, or attend the awards luncheon, go to www.nawbo-sf.org.
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4/13: Brain Tumor Research
This year, more than 20 thousand American adults and children will be diagnosed with brain tumors. The good news is that many of these people will survive. But most will face a long recovery and some degree of disability in the months and years ahead. Dr. Tomoko Ozawa is a researcher with the Brain Tumor Research Center at UCSF. She is here to tell us what symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately, and how doctors are likely to treat the tumor.
We’ll also here from dancer Kumi Dews about an exciting event to benefit brain tumor patients and to help fund research.
Spring Dance Inspirations 2008 is taking place April 26th and 27th at Fort Mason. Dancers from all over the world will be featured and if you’d like to attend, go to www.fortmason.org or you can click on www.tkfproductions.org.
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4/06: Camp Unalayee
It’s the stuff that makes childhood memories…
swimming, canoeing, hiking and campfires. This
week our guest is Lowell Fitch, who, for the past
20 years, has been the director of Camp Unalayee.
Located high in the Trinity Alps of northern
California, Camp Unalayee offers a real
wilderness experience for children and teens.
It’s a very special place where kids can spend
2 weeks in the great outdoors with no iPODS,
cell phones or video games. Join in to find
out what’s in store at camp this summer. And
if you want to apply, just log on to www.gocampu.org.
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3/27: The Children’s Village
When children are placed in foster care, if often
means they will be separated from their siblings…
another blow to children who have already been
separated from their parents. The Children’s
Village in Santa Rosa is a place where foster kids
can be placed with their brothers and sisters
and where they can live in a multi-generational environment with foster parents
and grandparents. The Children’s Village is
here because Lia Rowley had a vision of a
better life for these kids. It took years of planning
and very hard work, but The Children’s Village is
now a reality. Lia Rowley and “Grandpa Hank”
Mattimore are this week’s guests and they’ll convince you
that if we really care about these kids,
we can find a better way!
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3/21: Easter Seals
Children are being diagnosed with autism at an alarming rate, and though we don’t know what causes autism, we do know what these children need: early intervention. That’s where Easter Seals Bay Area steps in with programs that follow children with disabilities from infancy to the age of 22. This week we’re talking to Matt McAlear, Director of Early Intervention Services at Easter Seals. Matt shares information on how Easter Seals can help families adapt to their situation and why it’s so important that autism is diagnosed early and that intervention begins right away.
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3/9: Dr. June Ma
Most people are shocked to learn that heart disease is the number one killer of American women, and that more women than men are dying of heart disease. But there is good news. Heart disease can be prevented, and the American Heart Association has some very good tools to help you become, and remain, heart-healthy.
This week’s guest is Dr. June Ma. She is a cardiology researcher with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute. She has some solid advice for women on preventing, and even reversing, heart disease. And there is a great on-line tool for gauging your risk at
www.goredforwomen.org. Join us to learn about becoming heart healthy.
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2/10: Anew America
Anew America is an organization that is helping "new Americans" become successful entrepreneurs. Meet Founder Sylvia Rosales-Fike, and Teresa Boydon, who have created a successful import business with help from Anew America. This organization gives people the training and tools it takes to get their businesses off the ground, become established and expand.
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2/3: Author Kelly Corrigan
East Bay author Kelly Corrigan is this week's guest.
Her new memoir, "The Middle Place", tells her story
of being a mother to two toddlers and learning
that she has stage three breast cancer. As
harrowing as the diagnosis, treatment and
her eventual recovery were, Corrigan was
able to lean on her friends and her parents
and brothers for support. If you've ever
doubted the power of love and laughter
to heal the body, Corrigan will convince you
of just how important they can be.
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1/27: Julie Cameron
She helped thousands of artists and writers tap into
their own creativity with "The Artist's Way." Now
author Julia Cameron is offering a creative way
to lose weight with her new book, "The Writing
Diet." It's not really a diet, but a way to get in
touch with the feelings that often lead us
to the refrigerator when we're not really
hungry. Cameron believes putting pen to
paper can help us figure out what we're really
craving when we reach for the Haagen-Dazs.
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1/20: Big Brothers
What if you could make a huge difference in the life of a child or teenager, and you could do so by simply being a friend? That opportunity exists and it is called "Big Brothers and Big Sisters." This week's guest is Eddie Kaufman, Executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay. If you've ever thought about volunteering with kids, Eddie will convince you that it's one of the best moves you can make. And the best time to make that call to Big Brothers Big Sisters is right now.
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1/13: Saving Lives at UCSF
There is a campaign underway in San Francisco that could save the lives of many children. There currently is no public, not-for-profit umbilical cord blood bank in Northern California, but a group of dedicated volunteers is working to create one. My guests this week are Scott Hildula with the Joanne Pang Foundation, and Dr. Mort Cowan, a pediatric oncologist at UCSF. Listen, and learn why this project could make a huge difference in the lives of children waiting for blood marrow donors.
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1/6: Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is this week's guest. Ronstadt has lots to say about the state of our culture, especially as it relates to music and kids. She's been involved in programs that get kids to sing, play and dance...to be more than just passive consumers of popular music. Join us for a great chat with this legendary singer.
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12/28: The Eighth Promise
Local author William Poy Lee is my guest this week. Lee is the son of immigrants from the Pearl River Delta in China. He likes to say he grew up with one foot in San
Francisco's Chinatown, the other in North Beach.
In his new book, "The Eighth Promise", Lee describes his childhood...and the process of becoming a "real American." And he also tells the story of his mother and the region and people who shaped her life.
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12/14: Stem Cells at the UCSF Umbilican Cord Blood Bank
There is a campaign underway to open a public, not-for-profit, umbilical cord blood bank at UCSF. The cord blood of newborns is rich in stem cells which could save the lives of children suffering from leukemia and other diseases.
Two of the people who are working to make the Northern California Umbilical Cord Blood Bank a reality are my guests this week. Scott Hildula is President of the Joanne Pang Foundation, and Dr. Mort Cowan is a pediatric oncologist at UCSF. This project could bring hope to sick children all over the country, so I hope you'll listen and get involved.
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12/7 : Gorillas In The Mist
If you saw the movie "Gorillas in the Mist", you are already familiar with the work of Dian Fossey. A San Francisco native, Fossey is responsible for beginning the efforts to study, and save, the endangered gorillas of Rwanda. Despite her untimely death, her work is very much alive.
Clare Richardson is the President and CEO of The Dian Fossey Gorrilla Fund International and this week she joins us to explain how we can all keep Dian Fossey's dream alive.
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11/23: The Family Giving Tree
We know the Christmas season is here when Jennifer Cullenbine puts on the elf outfit and goes to work. She's the CEO (Chief Elf and Organizer) of The Family Giving Tree and she's
Sherry's guest this week.
For 18 years, The Family Giving Tree has been delivering Christmas wishes to needy children all over the Bay Area. Last year, 68,000 children opened a special gift on Christmas morning... something that would not have happened without The Family Giving Tree. There are many ways to help and we hope you will open your heart this year for this wonderful organization.
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11/16: The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center will open its doors early in 2008, on the campus of Alta Bates Summitt Medical center in Oakland. Everything from mammograms, to state-of-the-art treatment will be available in one location. Dr. Lisa Bailey is the co-founder and Medical Director and she is Sherry's guest this week.
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11/9: Been to New Orleans lately?
The folks in the Crescent City want the rest of us to know that New Orleans is up and running. The hotels, restaurants and nightspots are all open for business and everyone is hoping to see lots of visitors. We'll hear form the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, and tourism officials about planning your next vacation there.
The Gift of Blood for the Holidays
Then we'll check in with Lisa Bloch from Blood Centers of the Pacific. Blood donations are needed every day of the year, but the holidays can mean critical blood shortages for the Bay Area. Maybe you can help with a blood drive at your business, school or place of worship.
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10/7: Visual Arts in Schools
Public schools no longer offer very much instruction in visual arts...but one local organization has stepped in to fill that void. Meet Geoff Benjamin and Marlon Ingram with The Imagine Bus Project. It really did start as a mobile art studio...but now it has grown into an after-school program in partnership with schools and youth organizations. Find out how you can help keep The Imagine Bus Project rolling, and why we think it is so important to our community.
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9/30: Hands On Bay Area
It's time to put on your gloves and spend a day beautifying your little corner of the world. Hands on Bay Area day is coming up on October 13. I've been talking to Hands On Bay Area's executive director, Jim Pitofsky, and Jphn Edmiston with Kaiser Permanente. They'll tell us what's new with the organization and what we can expect when everyone comes together to spruce up our communities.
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