Mick O’Shea Visits Salt Lake City

KUER listeners recently returned from their Mekong Delta adventure as part of KUER’s Travel Program, “Citizens of the World.” This photo shows RadioWest Host, Doug Fabrizio, and Producer, Elaine Clark, talking with author, filmmaker and eco-tourism consultant Mick O’Shea in Vientiane, Laos. Mick O’Shea will be in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Public Library Auditorium for a free screening of his film, “Exploring the Mother of Waters.” The film explores the first-ever descent of the Mekong River from Tibet to the Sea. The Salt Lake Film Center and Snow Lion Expeditions invite you to join O’Shea at a pre-film book signing and fundraiser for the Mekong Descent Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to social and environmental issues in the Mekong River corridor. For fundraiser tickets and more information about the film, visit kuer.org.

Recovering Frogs in Utah

Nine years ago, Bruce Babbitt, then Secretary of the Interior, stood in the Provo River on a windy, cold day in April looking for the Columbia Spotted Frog. He couldn't find one - so had to hold a plastic bull frog for his photo op. Today, Babbitt would likely have much better luck finding a Columbia Spotted frog in the Provo, thanks in part to a deal he struck with various federal, tribal, state and local agencies. The plan was to restore the Provo River, a project that began in 1999 and was completed this year. Producer Beth Hoffman visited the river and brings us a report of the progress of the Columbia Spotted Frog. Listen to Beth’s piece here.

KUER’s On-Air Studio gets a Facelift

KUER’s on-air studio was recently remodeled. The 25+ year-old soundboard was replaced with a state-of-the-art digital mixer and upgraded computers and computer programs to edit, produce and store audio. Although the sound of KUER might not sound different to you, KUER’s on-air hosts are delighted to broadcast from a more modern studio. Plans are being made to remodel KUER’s production studios as well.

Podcast: NPR’s Business Story of the Day

Too busy to catch the latest business news on KUER and NPR? Now you can download NPR business news and features and listen to them on your own schedule. You don’t need an mP3 player or iPod to podcast, you can podcast to your p.c. or laptop. In addition to business, NPR podcasts programs and features ranging from music and food to legal affairs and pop culture. Click here to access NPR’s podcast directory.

2007 Human Rights Campaign Utah Gala

The local chapter of The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, invites you to its 2007 HRC Utah Gala. Bruce Bastian will host this year’s fundraising event at his Orem estate, Saturday, June 23, 2007. The HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. General and VIP tickets for the Utah Gala are now on sale, call 1-800-494-8497 for more information.

Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!

Tickets to Salt Lake City’s live broadcast of Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! are sold-out. However, you can still check out the show on Saturday, June 16th from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on KUER featuring Paula Poundstone, Tom Bodet, Carl Kasell, Robert Sagal and a special local “Not my Job” guest (TBA). In the meantime, check out some of Judge and Scorekeeper Carl Kasell’s answering machine messages for winners of the show.

NPR Books: Without a Map

In 1965, 16-year-old Meredith Hall became pregnant. Her community shunned her, and after giving up her child for adoption, she wandered the world. Hall's new memoir, Without a Map, recounts her turbulent journey and the unexpected reunion she had with her lost son. Read an excerpt from Without a Map here.

NPR Music: Robyn Hitchcock

Robyn Hitchcock has been playing the role of whimsical lunatic for three decades now, and while linear songs like "N.Y. Doll" pop up from time to time throughout his catalog, it still hits with the shock of the unexpected. Writing the song from the perspective of late New York Dolls bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane, Hitchcock smartly opts not to copy the Dolls' pre-punk strut and roar. Instead, he sticks to what he knows, working with R.E.M.'s Peter Buck to slowly stretch the guitar jangle until it ripples and pulses with the hum of psychedelia. Read more about Robyn Hitchcock’s latest work here.

NPR Art: Martin Ramirez

A Mexican man who spent nearly half of his life in American mental hospitals is now being hailed as one of the giants of 20th century art. Martin Ramirez, who was diagnosed as a catatonic schizophrenic after he immigrated to the United States in 1925, produced more than 300 mesmerizing drawings during his time in hospital wards. Much of his work is now on display in a major retrospective at the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan. Read more about Ramirez’s life and work here.

NPR Correspondents’ Travel Picks: Where and What to Eat

From Beijing and Berlin to Nairobi and New Delhi, NPR reporters, producers and editors create news and feature stories from around the world. These globetrotters share their favorite places to eat, drink and stay in their beats. Click here to read about the “superb” sandwiches at Cervantes in Rio de Janeiro.