Off Mic: The Kojo Nnamdi Show Blog

Cute Animals You Have Raised...To Eat

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Wed, 05/12/2010 - 5:15pm

Credit: Manny Howard via Flickr.

One imagines that one of the most difficult things about raising your own food is having to kill the cute animals you have seen grow up. Manny Howard, urban farmer and author of My Empire of Dirt: How One Man Turned His Big-City Backyard Into a Farm, found it hard, too, but also, ultimately worthwhile.

The Burqa Debate

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 5:09pm

Credit: Flickr user Neuro74. Some rights reserved.

The lower house of the Belgian Parliament's overwhelming vote in favor of banning the burqa last week has once more rekindled the Europe-wide debate about the garment and what it represents. For many in favor of such bans, the burqa is a stark affront to women's rights. To others, it's a security threat. And to those fighting against the bans, it's a question of religious freedom or freedom of expression, and, more specifically, discrimination against Muslims.

Coming Up Next Week...Health Care Innovations, Local Seafood, and Michelle Rhee

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 3:34pm

Maryland Blue Crab. Credit: Flickr user T o n y. Some rights reserved.

On Monday's show, we're taking a look at innovative new local programs designed to deliver health care services to struggling communities, with a focus on a doctor's work to promote preventative care among Latinos and a Maryland community's partnership with University of Maryland researchers to help combat the growing HIV problem in the suburbs.

Ken Cuccinelli Elicits Strong Opinions

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 5:22pm

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) is a politician who galvanizes people at opposite ends of the spectrum.

What Do Films Made in 48 Hours Look Like?

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 4:10pm

Character: Marco or Muffin Gabbowitz, a person who works with animals
Prop: a horn
Line of Dialogue: "Do you think you can do that again?"

A character, a prop, and a line of dialogue - in addition to a few crew members and equipment they were able to bring along, that's all that hundreds of filmmakers in D.C. were armed with last weekend when they set out to make short films in just 48 hours, from conception to completion, as part of The 48 Hour Film Project.

Computer Gal Allison Druin: More Than a Guest

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Tue, 05/04/2010 - 3:05pm

Computer Guy Bill Harlow and Computer Gal Allison Druin show off Allison's brand-new iPad in April.

In a few weeks, our Computer Gal Allison Druin, Director of the University of Maryland's Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL), will bring a team of volunteers to WAMU 88.5 for a day of brainstorming. It's part of HCIL's Service Day for Wednesday, May 26, in which HCIL researchers and volunteers visit area non-profits and government agencies to offer suggestions and advice for technical improvements to their sites.

Techie Gifts for Grads

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 3:16pm

Credit: AH!Photography via Flickr. Some rights reserved.

It's graduation time again, and our Computer Guys & Gal are here Tuesday with suggestions, among other things, for gifts for the grads you know.  A recent survey by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project finding that nearly 75% of all 12-17 year-olds have cell phones caught Allison Druin's attention. So if you happen to know one of the 25% of kids in that age range who don't have a phone, Allison thinks that's a good gift idea, especially if they're heading off to college.

We Won a James Beard Foundation Award!

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 11:09am

Kojo in studio, with cheese, 2009.

Thanks to the James Beard Foundation for recognizing our 2009 food programming at the first part of their annual awards ceremony in New York City Sunday. Thanks also to our great guests throughout the past year who've shared their love for food, their culinary knowledge, and, of course, their terrific recipes.

Coming Up Next Week...Satire, Race and Housing, and D.C.'s 48-Hour Films

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Fri, 04/30/2010 - 4:46pm

Kojo's on vacation next week, and though we'll miss him we've got some great shows planned.

Tribute to Washington City Paper's Loose Lips

Submitted by Anne Stopper on Fri, 04/30/2010 - 3:12pm

Earlier this week, Washington City Paper Loose Lips columnist Mike Debonis handed back the initials LL and headed off on vacation. When he returns, he'll be working at with The Washington Post. As a regular guest on this program, The Politics Hour created this tribute to his talents...

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The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.