“Talk of Our Towns” Host Donna Quinn focuses on the Astoria Regatta Festival happening August 9-12. Since 1894 Astoria Regatta has celebrated all things Maritime with boat races, parades, Coast Guard demonstrations and more. This year’s theme is “A New Wave”. Donna’s guests are Michelle Murray, Vice President Astoria Regatta Association and Leah Boles, 2022…
Episode
Michael McCusker delivers rapid fire material! Including: “Putin is preparing for a major war,” by Jack Walls. “The Last Days of Mankind,” by Karl Kraus. “Why War Is Never a Good Idea,” by Alice Walker. “How to Write a Poem About Singing,” by Tracy McCusker. And a tribute to the recently passed SinĂ©ad O’Connor, written by Una Mullally.
Rethinking Lawns
Teresa interviews Britt Boles, local indigo doula, about the crop’s history and varied uses.
Mac and Alana are joined by Rebecca Coplin, Providence Seaside Hospital Chief Executive. We may report on traffic conditions in Seaside.
Michael McCusker reads material from the New Yorker magazine. The headline is “Finally, the Trump Case We’ve Been Waiting For,” and Susan B. Glasser is the article’s author. Additionally, from the New York Times, “Democrats Try a Novel Tactic to Revive the Equal Rights Amendment,” written by Annie Karni.
Saturday, August 5th events at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
“Inanimate Objects”: Have you inherited an inanimate object that carries emotional weight? Have you bestowed a name on your bicycle or your car? The poems featured in this episode respond in a variety of ways to inanimate objects. Leigh Stein, “What Happens If You Click It,” from What To Miss When (NY: Soft Skull Press, 2021). Richard…
Justin Grafton joins Mac & Alana. Growing up local, construction, cameras, and urinals are all on the menu tonight.
Michael McCusker ruminates on rising global temperatures, recent attempts at banning the book ‘Maus,’ and the loss of Anchor Steam beer.
Starting Birdwatching
Mac & Alana welcome world traveler Janet Weidman. This whirl-wind tour includes Disneyland, California, France, Iran, and Japan with guest appearances by Walter Cronkite, Joseph Stalin, and the Monkees Â
In recognition of Bastille Day, Michael McCusker delivers an original piece of writing titled “An Assumption of Freedom.” And from Katrin Bridget Snow comes “Liberty and the Bastille.” Â
Roger Rocka speaks with Joseph Stevenson, who in August of 1961, at the age of 18, became a Freedom Rider. The text below was written by Joseph Stevenson in 2021: My name is Joseph Stevenson, I was born in New York City, grew up in California, and lived most of my life in Oregon. When…
Elderberry
An interview with Andrew Morgan
An interview with Pacific Northwest Poet Emily Ransdell
Join Mac & Alana for a riveting conversation about toothbrushes, tires, public nudity, and the Home Bakery.Â
 Michael McCusker features an article written by James Banks titled “The Beginning of Black Baseball.”
Friday, June 30th at 3pm ARTS – Live & Local! Carol Newman & guests:  Musicians John Hammond & Dennis Hale from the North Coast Symphonic Band with “An American Celebration” at the Liberty Theatre.  Juleen Eun Sun Johnson & Heather July Goguen with “Statements & Illuminations” a show of Art & Words in…
On the next Story Told, original writing by Michael McCusker including “Sons of Liberty,” and “Freedom Implies Maturity.” Also on this program, from the Guardian newspaper, written by Dharna Noor, “Oregon county sues big oil over 2021 heatwave that killed dozens of people.” Â
The Impact of Fireworks
“Lust or Love”: In your own life, have you always been able to distinguish which powerful emotional response to another person grips you? In the four poems featured on this episode, can you determine whether it’s lust or love that directs the poem’s speaker? Ellen Bass, “Gate C22,” from The Human Line (Copper Canyon Press, 2007). Frank…
Bruce Smith shares his musical journey with Mac & Alana
Friday, June 23th at 3pm ARTS – Live & Local! Carol Newman & guests:  Jane Brumfield, manager of Brumfield Gallery in Astoria & Bronze Coast Gallery in Cannon Beach on “The Planets & Other Worlds”, exhibit by Katherine Ace.  Bette Lu Krause with the three day Oysterville Schoolhouse Artisan Fair of arts, music,…
Short stories, poems, news and original commentary from Michael McCusker. Including, from the Guardian newspaper, “Greta Thunberg Ends Her School Strikes After 51 weeks,” written by Remy Tumin. Additionally, a piece written on Greta by Michael McCusker titled, “Beauty and the Beast.”