February 2002
Program Notes
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First Week (Feb. 2 - 8)
Lincoln's Virtues
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He was born 193 years ago this month. By most accounts this child of the American
frontier looked like a country bumpkin not a serious student. But, even at a young
age, Abraham Lincoln was noted for his smarts. He read the classics. And, from
these came the moral structure that allowed Lincoln, as President, to confront
some of the most wrenching issues of his time. So says William Lee Miller (UVa),
author of Lincoln's Virtues: An Ethical Biography. Also featured: The carpetbagger
was a Yankee scoundrel to white Southerners and a redeemer to former slaves. Historian
Ted Tunnell (VCU), author of Edge of the Sword: The Ordeal of Carpetbagger
Marshall H. Twitchell in the Civil War and Reconstruction, discusses the life
of one carpetbagger who lost limb and nearly lost life for his ventures southward.
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Second Week (Feb. 9 - 15)
A Valentine to Us
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The horrible events of September 11 caused many of us to take stock of our
lives. We reevaluated our relationships with each other and drew closer to family
and friends. In this special Valentine's week show, scholars from Virginia's public
universities and colleges share poetry and prose reflecting on those people and
things they hold most dear post-September 11. Poets and essayists include Marcia
Day Childress (UVa), Lissa Bloomer (VT), Amy Clark (UVa-Wise),
Nikki Giovanni (VT), Tomoko Hamada (W&M), Drew Harris (Longwood),
Luisa Igloria (ODU), Grant Jenkins (ODU), Nkeiru Okoye (NSU),
Duncan Richter (VMI), Don Zeigler (ODU).
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Third Week (Feb. 16 - 22)
Shaky Knees and Pain
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It's the danger that awaits female athletes. Its victims have included soccer
great Michelle Akers and basketball players Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes. The
torn ACL is a devastating knee injury. But why is it two to eight times more likely
to occur in women? Kevin Granata (UVa) and Sandy Shultz (UVa) posit
some theories. Also featured: Pharmacologist Billy Martin (VCU) discusses
the pain relieving properties of marijuana and nicotine.
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Fourth Week (Feb 23 - March 1)
In Search of the Eastern Cougar
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Victim to hunters and a decline in its primary source of food - deer - the
last Eastern Cougar is thought to have disappeared from Virginia in 1882. Except
for a few in Florida, the cougar is officially listed as extinct in the eastern
United States. But several times a year, sightings of the tawny-colored, 140 pound
cats are reported to wildlife officials in the Old Dominion. Biologist Don
Linzey (Wytheville Community College) is one of those who investigates the
reports. He's never seen a cougar but believes they indeed do wander the mountains
of Virginia. Also featured: For centuries, the sleek, sinewy creature has captured
our imagination. Chris Bolgiano (JMU), author of Mountain Lion: An Unnatural
History of Pumas and People, looks back at the lore and lure of the cougar.
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