Coconut Water: It's about the image.

The new "it" drink is Coconut Water. Wasn't pomegranate juice the big thing last year...or the year before.
NPR's Planet Money looks at the phenomena of coconut water. As one consumer says, "The only thing that really counts is image." "If people see me carrying around this coconut water with my yoga mat this will show that I like yoga and I'm really conscious and enlightened."
Studies about the benefits associated with coconut water suggest those benefits are overstated. Check out this article in the Huffington Post. Coconut Water Health Claims Not Supported, Study Says
For the consumer quoted above, it's more about the image. Carrying around the bottle of coconut water is an important accessory. 
It's a lot like when I lived on the East Side of Milwaukee. The Sunday accessory that was at the coffee shop or the bookstore was the Sunday Edition of the New York Times. In fact, living on the East Side may have been an image thing. 
A twelve pack of coconut water is running $24 on-line.
The story is a part of their series, "What's it been a good year for..."

Louisiana Coastal Erosion Explained

Coastal Erosion in Louisiana has become a major problem. Diminished wetlands intensified flooding during Katrina. There's a documentary airing on Louisiana Public Television Sunday that explains the issues of coastal wetland erosion. Filmmaker Christina Hendrick Melton's documentary also includes recent findings from the Mississippi River flooding from earlier this year. It may be too late to save it all. There's more in The Times Picayune.Times Picayune

Reversals on Health Care Mandates

Reversal On Health Mandate Came Late For Gingrich And Romney
It can be hard to find where candidates actually stand on issues during elections. NPR's Julie Rovner reports in NPR's Health Blog that both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have reversed their opinions.
In fact, Gingrich supported Romney's Massachusetts plan.
You can read more on the blog.

Good King Wenceslas: advocate for the poor.

The Good King

Tom Manoff filed an interesting story in NPR about The Duke of Bohemia, King Wenceslas. The carol has been one of my favorites for a long time. (even more fun that the wassailing tune). Wencesals was an early advocate of social justice and an early Christian. The last line of the carol sums up the King's Christian mission. "Ye who now will bless the poor / shall yourselves find blessing." 
Perhaps, a good reminder for the 1% or, at least the politicians who claim to be their champions.
Take a moment to listen to Manoff's report on NPR.

The Evil Bother

According to an article in Wikipedia he was the duke of Bohemia from 921 until his assassination in 935. His younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel, was complicit in the murder. A group of nobles allied with Boleslaus plotted to kill him. The King was invited to a feast. At the feast three of the nobles attacked him. His brother is said to have Wenceslas through with a lance.
There's more about Wenceslas and traditional caroling in the second hour of today's "On Point."

Wait, Wait on BBC America Reviewed

David Hinckley of the New York Daily News reviews NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell which airs Friday in BBC America. His conclusion is Wait, Wait is perfect for the radio...not television. Hinckley says the TV version does not have as much life as the radio version.

A Surprise in David Bianculli's Top Ten

I've always enjoyed this segment on Fresh Air as David Bianculli picks the best and worst TV shows from 2011. David even picked  his best, and most surprising, moment for him from Parks and Recreation. During the episode, Amy Poehler's character is being interviewed on Public Radio. The parody hits the mark. Listen to the interviewers question and Amy's response. It's about 25 minutes into the segment.

Good News for FOCUS

The FOCUS Center for Autism received good news this week. According to the Courant Website, The FOCUS Center for Autism is the November recipient of a "One Good Turn Project" donation sponsored by Phoenix-based Commotion Promotions, Ltd.


FOCUS works with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum through educational and extended day programs using milieu therapy. FOCUS has a transition program for young adults seeking positive outcomes for those young adults. They also offer sessions for families affected by autism.


One Good Turn Project President Karen Kravitz says, "The motivation for this program evolved from the current hardship facing nonprofit organizations due to the decrease in financial funding and private donations," 


This is an example of positives that come from the interconnectedness of the web and social media. At least, I hope it's positive. I'm in the board at FOCUS. So I have an interest in this. The article was shared with me through email. I shared the article on Google+ and Facebook. And now, I'm sharing the positive attributes of social media on this blogsite. My expectations? If I get a couple dozen hits I've increased awareness about Autism and FOCUS. I hope I'm using interconnectedness to promote the greater good.

Giving Perspective to On-line Numbers

I was looking at the most emailed stories from NPR today. (You can find the list here.) It struck me that the numbers listed are quite small when compared to those who listen to these stories in their cars, at home or on-line. I'm not trying to diminish the importance of sharing the stories but, live broadcasts and streaming still generate a much larger audience. 


According to research figures released by Ben Robins at NPR, In Spring 2011, we see that the total number of persons who tune in each week to an NPR member station holding at or near record-high levels. The weekly audience to NPR Stations* has reached a new high of 34 million listeners each week.  (You can read more here.)


34 million represents radio listening. The figures remain steady. What's the point? Put on-line usage in perspective when you decide how to use your resources. The vast majority of your listeners still use the radio.

*NPR stations are a mix of newsmagazine and music-only stations (which carry the NPR Newscasts).

Ben Robins is the Research Manager for NPR Programming.

Music Therapy on Science Friday

Like so many other interesting conversations on public radio, I happened to jump in the middle of a conversation about music therapy on Science Friday this afternoon. A caller mentioned how music therapy had helped two of her autistic sons...both non-verbal. Unfortunately, the therapy is not covered by most insurance companies.

There was a good exchange on Music Therapy for children with autism and on why insurance companies do not cover the therapy.


Joke Bradt is an associate professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at Drexel University in Philadelphia explained: Sure. I think, unfortunately, in this era of evidence-based practice where evidence really drives our health care industry, as well as our funding and reimbursement industry, we really need more evidence in terms of randomized control trials that show that this - that music therapy really is effective. We all know it is extremely effective with children with autism, but there are a lot of skeptical minds out there, like the caller was herself initially. Fortunately, we do have one Cochrane review out already, but it only included a few trials.


Autism is an area of interest for me. I'm on the board of Focus Center for Autism.


You can hear the entire conversation on Science Friday. That's what I did to find out more.

New Journalism Partnership in Georgia

Another partnership funded by the Knight Foundation aims to strengthen journalism in central Georgia and beyond. The partnership involves public broadcasting, a university and print media. Georgia Public Broadcasting, The Macon Telegraph and The Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University. The partnership will involve 50 to 100 journalism students over the next five years. Funds rae coming from the Knight Foundation.

Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/12/16/1826450/46m-journalism-partnership-launched.html#ixzz1gkTrz16u

WESA Midday Host Named

WESA, Essential Public Media...formerly WDUQ...has a new midday host. Paul Guggenheimer will host "Essential Pittsburgh." "Essential Pittsburgh" will air Monday through Friday at noon. A start date has not been announced.
There's more information in PostGazette.com.
Guggenheimer is currently hosting "Dakota Midday" for South Dakota Public Broadcasting.