When does lust become sexual obsession? When do these obsessions become untenable and illegal? Can love and obsession ever co-exist? Tonight on Inquiry, these difficult questions about sex and longing are discussed when we talk with DANIEL BERGNER, staff writer for the New York Times Magazine. Bergner has written a complex and difficult book about four people who have a paraphilia, a longing that exists outside the norms dictated by society. This is a challenging discussion that touches on issues like the differences in sexual expression between men and women and how the medical community treats the people who have a paraphilia. Bergner’s revealing and thought-provoking book is titled: THE OTHER SIDE OF DESIRE: FOUR JOURNEYS INTO THE FAR REALMS OF LUST AND LONGING.
A switch to strong-mayor governance is something that Worcester has considered on three occasions over the 60-year history of city-manager government—known here until 1985 as Plan E, after the alphabetized options for city government allowed under state statute.
< br/>In a sense, Worcester’s hybrid form of government is the weakest possible “weak mayor” system. This is because the mayor has no true authority beyond wielding the gavel at the Tuesday night council meetings. The 1985 charter reform also weakened the city manager. The mayor became a “supercouncilor,” empowered by voter mandate as the titular head of Worcester municipal government. In short: The appointed city manager has the legal power, but the elected mayor has the political power. The result: a two-headed government, with ample—and frequently realized— opportunity for confrontation and gridlock.
These days, 14 years later, a combination of tough economic times, a continually shrinking business tax base, and a longing for a kind of entrepreneurial leadership that has been lacking under the hybrid Plan E system have the conversation about charter change once again being raised. This time, by longtime political activist and several-time City Council candidate Bill Coleman.
These questions remain: Does Worcester really need to reform its charter? Does the city need a strong mayor? Or, a reversion to a pure Plan E charter, with its strong city manager and weak mayor not elected directly by the people? And what does all of it mean for the economic sustainability of New England’s second largest city?
In the early years of the 19th Century there was a Second Scientific Revolution that occurred in Britain and Europe. These were the days of the grand exploratory voyage to uncharted realms, the lonely scientific genius working for that “Eureka!” moment, and the notion of an infinite, mysterious nature, awaiting discovery. It was a time when poets wrote sonnets about science and scientists did art. It was a time of dallying with the native Tahitians, gazing into the enormity of the cosmos, ballooning over Paris and Frankenstein’s horrific creation. Tonight on Inquiry we have a lively conversation with RICHARD HOLMES, writer and Professor of Biography at the University of East Anglia. Holmes has written one of the most entertaining and unusual histories of science: THE AGE OF WONDER: HOW THE ROMANTIC GENERATION DISCOVERED THE BEAUTY AND TERROR OF SCIENCE.
Dick Kennedy is the president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
As the largest Chamber in New England, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to enhancing the region’s economic prosperity and the vitality of its business community.
The mission of the Chamber is to support existing businesses and promote economic development in the Worcester region by being a bold, strong, articulate and effective advocate. The Worcester Regional Chamber represents thousands of members through public-policy advocacy and economic-development initiatives that seek to create balanced regional growth. The Chamber also delivers programming, support services, and growth opportunities to its membership.
Inquiry welcome’s back author, artist (and now producer), JARRETT J. KROSOCZKA. Though Jarrett is known far and wide as the author and illustrator of such beloved children’s books as Baghead, Goodnight Monkey Boy and Punk Farm, he has now written and illustrated a new series of graphic novels debuting with LUNCH LADY AND THE CYBORG SUBSTITUTE. Geared for 8-12 year olds, these books feature a hilarious and action-packed series of illustrated stories. Tune in and learn how Jarrett creates his books; how writing a graphic novel is a very unique and challenging experience, who Jarrett’s real Lunch Lady was in school, and the possibility of Lunch Lady becoming a movie.
Richard Elia earned his Ph.D. in English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1972. He has created a double career as a full-time professor at Salem State College and president / publisher of Quarterly Review of Wines (QRW),
an international wine magazine that is one of the largest wine
magazines in the country. In addition to being president and publisher
of QRW, Elia writes articles for every issue.
He is the author of more than a dozen publications, primarily on the Victorian era and on maritime Boston painters of the 19th century; Elia has an extensive maritime art collection, and his articles have appeared in Antiques Magazine.
Active in the community, Elia participates in charitable fundraising
for town libraries and hospitals. He is on the board of several
corporations, including Quinlan Publishing, Boston University
Hospitality, and Diderot. In 1980 he joined WGBH/PBS and became the
creator of three major wine auctions at Channel 2/Boston, which he
still oversees. The auctions have generated millions for public
television programming. A professional wine taster, Elia spends much of
his summers traveling and tasting throughout major wine regions of the
world.
J. Stuart Esty, founder and Chief Doctor Officer of Dr. Gonzo’s Uncommon Condiments talks to Steve D'Agostino about his company and his products.
Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to condiments?
Do you often forget what you ate at your last meal?
Life is too short to be bland!
Man bites hot dog: No news.
Hot dog bites man: BIG NEWS!
My guest, J. Stuart Esty – a.k.a. the "Good Doctor" -- produces a line of all natural condiments with no fillers or preservatives -- just what's in the produce -- that can be used in a variety of ways.
If writing comedy is hard, authors who write comedy for young audiences must have very special and unique talents. Tonight on Inquiry we speak with the world’s most respected writer on children’s literature LEONARD MARCUS. He has assembled a collection of interesting and entertaining interviews that he conducted with noted children’s authors like Judy Blume, Daniel Handler, Norton Juster and Jon Scieszka about how they write “funny” for young people. Tune in and learn why children find Captain Underpants infinitely hilarious. Leonard Marcus’ book is titled FUNNY BUSINESS: CONVERSATIONS WITH WRITERS OF COMEDY.
Frank Gehry is world’s most famous living architect. His extraordinary designs for the Bilbao, Spain Guggenheim Museum, the Disney Concert Hall in L.A. and the Weisman Art Museum in Minnesota are admired for their unique and wildly curved forms and original use of materials. He has even been on an episode of The Simpsons! But Gehry is a very private and shy person, uncomfortable in crowds and therefore difficult to know as a person. Tonight on Inquiry, we talk with writer, lecturer and reporter BARBARA ISENBERG who has known Gehry for decades. Isenberg interviewed Frank Gehry over a number of years, and these free-ranging interviews offer the first intimate portrait of this amazing artist and architect. Tune in and find out how Gehry came up with his designs; how one of his designs became known as the “Fred and Ginger” building and why Gehry thinks titanium is “buttery”. Barbara Isenberg’s book is titled CONVERSATIONS WITH FRANK GEHRY.
Basel Cellars located in Walla Walla,Washington began the journey into the wine business in 2001. Their estate vineyards were planted prior to this in 1997. All of the wine production is done on the property in a 9,600 sq. ft. underground wine cave. I spoke with Justin Basel, a young
winemaker who is both dedicated and passionate about the wines he produces. This is a family run operation with everyone pitching in to lend a hand. Justin talks about his entry into the business and about his vision for the future. Who says you have to go to Europe for great wine?
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