Lehigh Valley Discourse

Sister Simone Campbell was the leader of the "Nuns on the Bus," the group of activist Roman Catholic nuns who followed U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman and vice presidential canidate Paul Ryan, challenging his proposal to dramatically reduce spending for anti-poverty programs while cutting taxes for Americans in the highest income brackets.  She will speak at Northampton Community College on Thursday, February 7, at 7:30 PM.  Before she does that, though, she will be Alan Jennings's guest on Lehigh Valley Discourse, live at 6 PM on WDIY.

As the Lehigh Valley mourns the passing of philanthropist Linny Fowler, we'd like to re-post the program she participated in last December.

On this program the topic is TEACH Rwanda.  Co-hosts John Pearce and Ray Schwab interview the co-founders of this organization, Janet Brown and Cindy Grieshaber.  The Country Director, James Iyamuremye, will also join us.  TEACH Rwanda provides teacher education and children's enrichment to schools in Rwanda.  Join us for an enlightening discussion about an area of the world many of us know too little about. (Original air date January 31, 2013.)

With the national holiday celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., just days away, Alan Jennings will turn the attention of listeners to the civil rights movement.  Sheila Michaels, a veteran of the civil rights movement who worked for SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and CORE (Congress for Racial Equality) in the early 1960's, knew and worked with some of the top leaders of the movement and has been featured among the movement's leaders in social history archives kept by various universities.

Bill Hansell has a remarkable history. He has held either elective or appointed positions at all levels of government, including advising local governments throughout the world. By definition, he is an expert. But he may be facing his most, uh, challenging position: Lehigh County Executive.  Join Alan Jennings as he welcomes Bill Hansell to Lehigh Valley Discourse.

Host Sally Handlon welcomes Holly Edinger to the program to discuss Envision Lehigh Valley; a public outreach effort designed to engage the citizens of Northampton and Lehigh Counties to create a truly sustainable Lehigh Valley.

Host John Pearce welcomes author Peggy Campbell and Anthony Maricini of Connexions Art Gallery in Easton. The two are working on an Art Collaboration program.

Listen and learn this week’s program as Charlene Donches Mowers, Executive Director, Bethlehem Museums and Sites discusses the changes occurring within the Historic Bethlehem Partnership and the exciting opportunities ahead – for the business community, for our residential community, and for 2012 holidays!

Among the changes that the 2012 election will bring is a new representative for Pennsylvania’s 132nd district, long served by Jennifer Mann.  Representative Mann was elected at the age of 28 and served seven terms.  She has lots to say and Alan Jennings, host of Lehigh Valley Discourse, will be giving her a venue to do so this Thursday.  The two will talk about her experiences, the difference she made, her regrets, what’s wrong and what’s right about politics in the 21st century, and the implications of the first election in 14 years in which her name isn’t on the ballot.