Regional Features: Archive by Date

December 2000

Tuning In To Religious Broadcasting: Programs Gives People Another Approach to Faith
Posted Friday, December 29
A trade group monitoring religious radio and television says more people are tuning in, and they have more choices than ever before. According to a survey last year by the Barna group of California, at least 80 million adults tune in each week to a religious show on radio or television. The increase in programming corresponds to a nation-wide religious renaissance that could be changing how schools, media and civic organizations approach faith in everyday life. Janet Babin reports.

Building the Past Anew: The Fisk Opus 116 Organ at Oberlin College’s Finney Chapel
Posted Friday, December 29
Thought to have originated with the ancient Greeks, the pipe organ is one of the world's oldest musical instruments. This year, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music - one of North America's top schools for classical musicians - is building a new organ in its premier concert hall in Finney Chapel. The process of installing the organ began last August and will take nearly a year to complete. 90.3's Karen Schaefer takes us on this behind-the-scenes tour of a work-in-progress - the Fisk Opus 116.

Cleveland Gangs Part 2: Local Programs Help Kids Avoid the Lure of Gangs
Posted Thursday, December 28
While the number of gangs in the Cleveland area is down, according to recent state statistics, the lure of "the life" over young people is still a big concern. With most parents -- whether husband and wife or single -- holding down jobs, more kids than ever are left unsupervised after school hours. In some communities there are programs and facilities where kids can learn, keep occupied and stay out of trouble. Other locales are not so fortunate. 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

Cleveland Gangs Part 1: Less Gang Activity Shows Hope For a Safer City
Posted Wednesday, December 27
A recent survey of law enforcement agencies throughout the state identifies at least 700 gangs in Ohio, with members totaling more than 13,000. Those numbers are actually lower than those of a similar survey done four years ago. But State Attorney General Betty Montgomery says the 2000 study is considered more accurate, and that comparing it to the 1996 survey may be misleading. She stops short of concluding the threat of gangs is waning, but that suggestion does jibe with the assessments of some gang experts here in Cleveland, as 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

Celebrating Kwanzaa: Afrocentric School Incorporates Holiday Into Lesson About Cultural Heritage
Posted Tuesday, December 26
Today, people all over the world will celebrate the first day of the week-long Kwanzaa season. The African American holiday, which means "first fruits" in Swahili, is celebrated in homes, churches and even schools. In fact, it is the theme for schools like Stewart primary school in Akron. The public school is the only one in Akron's district to identify itself as "Afrocentric," a move the school made in August. And as 90.3's Tarice Sims reports, students are learning why Kwanzaa and other aspects of cultural heritage, are important parts of their education and daily lives.

Dealing With Increased Airport Noise: Problem Has Locals Concerned As Cleveland Hopkins Plans Expans
Posted Wednesday, December 20
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is waiting for final approval of its expansion plans, but some residents in surrounding communities continue to worry that more room for planes will mean less peace of mind for them. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

The Future of the Cleveland School Voucher Program
Posted Monday, December 18
Last week the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled that the Cleveland school voucher program is unconstitutional. That decision upheld an earlier federal court ruling that the voucher program violates the separation between Church and State. Opponents of the voucher program are applauding the ruling. They say public tax dollars shouldn't support predominantly religious schools. But supporters say the four-year old pilot program is working, providing nearly four thousand poor families the means to buy a better education for their children. In the meantime, the state says it will appeal the case all the way to the U.S Supreme Court. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Improving Cleveland’s Image: Getting the Word Out to the Country About the “Comeback City”
Posted Thursday, December 14
In recent years the city of Cleveland has made giant strides in cleaning up its image. We call ourselves the "comeback city." But while citizens, business and political leaders pat each other on the back, the rest of the country still might not have gotten the message. Many believe the image problem is hurting Cleveland's ability to attract talented workers and to cultivate new businesses. A study released earlier this year seems to bear this out. But to find out how outsiders really see the city, we came here, Bourbon Street in New Orleans. WCPN's Mike West reports.

Disability Advocates Call For Support
Posted Friday, December 8
Under former President George Bush's Administration, Richard Thornburgh helped spearhead one of the most far-reaching pieces of U.S. civil rights legislation -- the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ten years later, the former Attorney General and others are calling on cities like Cleveland to not only offer financial support to disabled persons, but stamp out the negative stigmas that have been attached to them as well. 90.3's Tarice Sims has this report.

Powering the Future: NASA Glenn’s Contribution to the International Space Station
Posted Thursday, December 7
The Space Shuttle Endeavor lifted from the launch pad last Thursday without a hitch. Its mission was to install the first of the large solar arrays that will power the International Space Station. The station's power system was developed by engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. But the job doesn't end there. The Glenn engineering support team is working around-the-clock to solve a mechanical problem with one of the array's two panels. Today, they'll be communicating their solutions to the astronauts, 250 miles up in space. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Keeping the Peace: How the Middle East Conflict Affects Cleveland
Posted Tuesday, December 5
The Islamic commemoration Ramadan started last week, prompting thousands of Ohioans to being a month of contemplation and fasting. Although the word "Islam" refers to finding peace within yourself, many area Muslims' thoughts are on the violence that has returned to the Middle East. There's been heavy fighting overnight in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. CNN is reporting at least 35 people were injured. This marks the ninth week of violent confrontation between Arabs and Jews in disputed territories. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports on efforts to keep the peace in Cleveland.

Sick Homes Part Two: Building Healthy Homes to Fight Problematic Indoor Air
Posted Friday, December 1
Each year in this country, asthma affects more than 15 million Americans. Doctors say there's new evidence that asthma can be caused and triggered by the poor quality of indoor air. That's the air we breathe in our offices, in our schools - and in our homes. While no one is regulating home air quality, health, government and civic leaders are working together to help improve home environments. But the private sector is also involved in the fight to slow the rapid growth of asthma. In Cleveland, one local builder is putting up Healthy Homes designed specifically for people with ailments triggered by problems with indoor air. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.