Category: Voices & Weekend Voices

Producer: Amy Browne
An update on a peace rally and march planned for September 30 in Bangor (Maine)
Volunteer opportunities at Spruce Run, an agency providing domestic violence services

Producer: Amy Browne Contributors: Chris Covert, Carolyn Coe, Bob LeVangie (audio recording), Ousman (theme music) Topics: Community radio in Africa, Penobscot Theatres Upcoming Season, voices and music from the WERU Full Circle Fair

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Topic: Profiles of two Maine based groups working with international communities. Interviews with Alexander Petroff of the Topsham (Maine) based group Working Villages International, and Patrick Manley, of the Washington (Maine) based Masons on a Mission.

Working Villages International, www.workingvillages.org, is working with communities in the DR Congo, to create sustainable villages. From their website: Working Villages International /Villages de l’Avenir is a new NGO, established for the purpose of promoting the development of sustainable communities stressing low cost appropriate technology and the use of local materials and skills, with the goal of raising the standard of living and improving the quality of life of the people living in them. WVI’s goal is to promote practices which emphasize agricultural independence and community self-sufficiency in conjunction with sound environmental practices.

Masons on a Mission, www.midcoast.com/masonsonamission, work with Maya families in Guatemala, replacing hazardous three stone fires with less smoky stoves built from local materials. From their website: Our mission is mobilize North American masons and other interested parties to build safe masonry cook stoves for impoverished Maya in Central America, and to train local Maya in cook stove construction in order to improve public health in the region.
Masons on a Mission (MOM) is now a IRS tax exempt charitable foundation, and part of the National Heritage Foundation. All donations made to MOM are tax deductible.
We are replacing what are known as 3 stone fires, with hand built masonry cook stoves, known locally as estufas, or la plancha. The 3 stone has a fire in the middle of 3 stones set as a triangle, with a metal plate (often the lid from a 55 gallon drum) laid over the top to cook on. These 3 stone fires are commonly located within a dwelling, providing heat as well.
This February 2007 we will be based in San Marco la laguna, again building estufas in the that area. We will also accept donations earmarked for buying emergency supplies, beds, blankets, water filters, food etc for the people of San Marcos, who are still digging out from under 6 feet of rock and gravel that slammed thru town during Hurricane Stan a year ago.

Producer: Amy Browne
Contributers: Marge May, Paul Melnikow
Marge May interviews Florence Reed, Executive Director of the Surry (Maine) based Sustainable Harvest International, www.sustainableharvest.org
Paul Melnikow interviews Peter Rottman of the newly formed local Community Media Center
www.cmcmaine.org

Producer: Amy Browne
Reporter Carolyn Coe interviews local activist Peter Robbins who has been active in Cuba solidarity efforts for several years. He shares his thoughts about the future of Cuba, especially in light of Fidel Castro’s recent health problems
Also, the Beehive Design Collective joins us to tell us about a dance they’ll be holding in Machias (Maine) this weekend to celebrate their successful renovation of the Machias Grange.

Producer: Amy Browne
Topic: The 30th anniversary of the Belfast (Maine) Co-op, including interviews with one of the managers, one of the founders, and short comments from shoppers and workers at the store.

What is the history of the co-op?
How does one become a member?
How will the co-op do in the face of “big box” health food?

Producer: Amy Browne Topic: An interview with actress and audio artist Judith Sloan. She and Warren Lehrer are the creators of the award winning and critically acclaimed book and multimedia presentation, Crossing the BLVD:strangers, neighbors, aliens in a new america There will be a benefit performance for WERU and EarSay in Bucksport Maine at the Alamo Theatre on August 9 and 10, 2006 www.crossingtheblvd.org

Voices 07/26/06

Producer: Amy Browne Topics: Denis Howard interviews actor, casting director, film critic and radio host Dick Dinman Tish Noyes interviews Maureen Block and Judy Robbins, July 4th in Blue Hill, Maine, as they participate in a fast to protest war What are some of Dinman’s memories of classic Hollywood? What inspired the fast for peace? What do the participants hope to accomplish?