Talk of Iowa

Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk was the first native American to graduate from Harvard College, completing his degree in the 17th century. Very little is known about his life, but he has been reborn in the novel "Caleb’s Crossing" (Penguin Books) by Pulitzer prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks. Charity speaks with Brooks live this hour.

Whether you’re looking for scientific exploration, a captivating memoir, or an opportunity to get lost in a novel, we’ve got something that will make your summer reading list. On today's Talk of Iowa it’s our summer books show. We’ll get reading recommendations from some of Iowa’s leading independent booksellers, including Paul Ingram and Jan Weismiller of Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City and Mary Ann Peters of New Bo Books in Cedar Rapids (opening this summer).

You say tomato, I say to-mah-to, you say cherry, I say roma--on today's Talk of Iowa, It’s Horticulture Day. The most popular homegrown vegetable is, of course, the tomato. We’ll talk about selecting varieties, planting and caring for tomatoes with horticulturists Richard Jauron and Linda Naeve of Iowa State University Extension. We'll look forward to your calls, too.

Just like Mr. McGregor many of us expend a great deal of energy trying to keep hungry rabbits out of our gardens. Today, it's Wildlife Day on Talk of Iowa. Wildlife biologist Dr. Jim Pease of Ames is here. We’ll talk about the two kinds of rabbits that live in Iowa, their habits and their habitats, and how Mr. McGregor and Peter Rabbit can live in peace.

There are hundreds of different kinds of cheese and an infinite number of delicious ways to consume them. Today, Charity speaks with the author of “Cheese and Culture,” Paul Kindstedt (Chelsea Green Publishing), a history of cheese and its place in western civilization. We’ll also talk about the growing number of cheese producers in Iowa and why we’re likely to see more. Other guests are C.J. Bienert, owner of The Cheese Shop in Des Moines and Lois Reichert of Reichert's Dairy Air in Knoxville.

It has played host to two former and one future president, co-starred in a wildly popular prime-time television drama and a History Channel documentary, and if you visit, your coffee will never go cold and your cup will never be empty. Today, we hear about a new book that celebrates the Iowa City landmark restaurant "Hamburg Inn No. 2."  

Towns around Iowa are trying to transform their communities with well-being habits from the world’s longest-living people. It’s called the Blue Zones Project and on Friday the first four Blue Zone Demonstration sites were announced. On today's Talk of Iowa, Charity talks with representatives from Spencer, Mason City, Cedar Falls and Waterloo: Iowa’s Blue Zones.  Later in the hour, we'll hear about a new study, co-authored by University of Iowa Education Professor Deborah Linebarger, that examines the impact on children of television playing in the background.  This exposure is above and beyond the more than 80 minutes of TV that children under six actually watch each day.  

The danger of frost is dwindling, it’s time to get out and plant. On today's Talk of Iowa it’s Horticulture Day. We’ll talk about what to plant and how to plant it. Laura Jesse and Erika Saalau of the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic of Iowa State University will be on hand to tell us what to watch for this spring as our plants grow.

School was torture for Nancy Sprowell Geise. With severe dyslexia she struggled to read and write, but in high school she had an English teacher at Ames High School who recognized her potential. On this Talk of Iowa from Iowa Public Radio, Charity speaks with novelist Nancy Sprowell Geise and the teacher, John Forssman, who changed her life. Her novel is called "The Eighth Sea."

There is a cavity epidemic among preschoolers in this country. According to the CDC, for the first time in 40 years tooth decay is on the rise. In fact, it is not unusual for young kids at all income levels to have cavities in half or even more of their teeth. We look at challenges in pediatric dentistry and what you can do to prevent tooth decay with the University of Iowa head of pediatric dentistry, Dr. Rebecca Slayton. Later, Charity speaks with Dr. Ginger Yang, Prof. of Community and Behavioral Health at the U.I. about a new University of Iowa report detailing the cost of sexual violence in Iowa.

Roller Derby was wildly popular for decades, but almost disappeared in the 1970's. Now it's back and has gained a die-hard following.  We'll look at its growing popularity with Lisa Edwards and Kimberly Hendricks, members of the Old Capitol City Roller Girls from Iowa City. Later, a conversation with award-winning author and commentator Frank Deford. He'll talk about his autobiography out this week, Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter. Deford speaks in Des Moines this week at an event sponsored by the Iowa Legal Aid Foundation.

Competitions are taking place across the country for U.S. Olympic hopefuls looking to earn berths in the 2012 Summer Games in London. Charity talks with Des Moines' Shawn Johnson about her preparation after a lay-off and knee injury sustained in a ski accident and the  four medals she took home after the 2008 Olympics. Charity also speaks with Lauren Pfeiffer, a field hokcey player on the US National Team; Miranda Leek, an archer currently leading the field in women's archery; and Matt Stutzman of Fairfield. Stutzman has qualified for the 2012 Paralympics Games as an archer.

Insects got a head start this year. On today's program, it’s Horticulture Day. Entomologist Dr. Donald Lewis of Iowa State University will be here. We’ll talk about red admiral butterflies, European sawflies and why we’re seeing so many moths. Horticulturist Richard Jauron of I.S.U. Extension will also be here to answer your lawn, garden and plant questions.

The Iowa Women's Leadership Council on Tuesday released its 2012 report on the status of women and girls in Iowa, "She Matters."  The IWLC is a public-private partnership of women's organizations focused on supporting Iowa's women and girls.  This hour, we'll discuss the new report.  Previous reports have revealed that females in the state experience a greater percentage of economic disparities, diseases and disabilities and barriers to corporate and civic leadership.  Joining us in the discussion will be IWLC Ex. Director, Diane Ramsey; Terry Hernandez, Ex. Director of Chrysalis of Des Moines; and Linda Kinman, a Public Policy Analyst at the Des Moines Water Works.

For over a century the Drake Relays has been a place for some of the world’s best athletes to run, jump and hurdle their way towards greatness. Today on Talk of Iowa, we'll focus on the upcoming 2012 Drake Relays. We’ll preview this year’s competition, revisit some of the most memorable performances and Charity will talk with reigning 1500m world Champion Jennifer Simpson. Other guests include the Assistant Director of the Relays, Carolyn Hill; and Associated Press sports reporter Luke Meredith, who has covered the Relays for eight years.