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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
  • New Jersey

    Fix It

    On today’s show: We examine the history of political corruption in New Jersey over the past three decades. Then, the J.D. Allen Trio performs live in our studio. Also, director of a new documentary about the motivational organization Up With People. Plus, the gurus of how-to, Al and Larry Ubell answer your home repair questions.

    RSVP to the Lopate Show’s Projections screening of "Ace in the Hole" on August 18th in WNYC’s Green Space here: projections@wnyc.org

New Jersey and Political Corruption

The Garden State has a long history of political corruption— we’ll try to cover the last three decades of it in forty minutes with journalists Bob Ingle. His book The Soprano State covers the scandals that have made New Jersey famous; from Jimmy Hoffa to the recent headline grabbing stories involving money-laundering rabbis, bribed mayors and black-market organ selling.

The J.D. Allen Trio

Tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen, bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston of the The J. D. Allen Trio discuss their new album "Shine!" and perform live in our studio.

The J.D. Allen Trio is also performing August 11th-16th at The Village Vanguard. More info here.

Smile 'Til It Hurts

Up With People

In her new documentary "Smile 'Til It Hurts" filmmaker Lee Storey looks at the secret history of the motivational group Up With People from its genesis as a religious cult onward.

"Smile 'Til It Hurts" is playing through August 13th at the IFC Center. Screening and ticket info here.

The Gurus of How-To

Al & Larry Ubell answer your questions on home repair. Call 212-433-9692 with your questions, or leave a comment below. The Ubells' Accurate Building Inspectors website

Tributes: Kate McGarrigle

The Leonard Lopate Show

Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.

Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals

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On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.

Alan Alda on What Makes Us Human

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Barbara Demick on Ordinary Lives in North Korea

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Lucien Castaing-Taylor on "Sweetgrass"

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Michael Pollan on Food in 2010

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Atul Gawande on The Checklist Manifesto

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Christopher Kimball on Surviving Holiday Cooking Disasters

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Lidia Bastianich on Cooks from the Heart of Italy

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Neil deGrasse Tyson on Pluto

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National Book Award Winners

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A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

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On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.