This week (8/24/2008)

Parkinson’s Disease/Gary D. Leith Foundation – Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 people over sixty and a growing number of people in their thirties and forties.  Some well-known people have the disease, including Michael J. Fox, Mohammad Ali and Janet Reno.  Gary Leith, founder of the local Gary D. Leith Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, tells Bernie Lucas about the disease and his own experiences as an early-onset patient.  There is no cure but there have been improvements in management of the symptoms.  They also talk about the upcoming Finding A Cure Together Golf Classic fundraising event.  More information: www.garydleith.org.

Women Talk/Issues Roundup – Carol Blymire, Laurie Strongin, Mary Abbajay and Kim Love discuss the local implications of a California law restricting future fast-food restaurants, the the much-higher-than-average percentage of African-American AIDS cases in the District, the below-average participation in trash recycling in DC and recent global anti-smoking campaigns.

The Working Life/Interns –Okeyla Smith and organizational development expert Mary Abbajay discuss summer internships and look at how students and businesses can evaluate internships from this past summer.  They look into the types of organizations that use interns and talk about how to use internship programs as a tool for both the business and the intern.  More information: www.workingwisdom.blogspot.com.

Previous Week (8/17)

Transportation Update/AAA – Bernie Lucas and John Townsend from AAA/Mid Atlantic discuss the recent fatal crash on the Bay Bridge which left one dead, several injured and tens of thousands trapped in the backup for hours.  There have been 10 fatal crashes and 17 deaths during the fifty-plus year history of the bridge but this was the first time a vehicle went off the bridge. Restraining walls, two-way traffic and bridge capacity are factors in the discussion.  In addition, they discussed lower gas prices and end of summer travel safety.

Women Talk/Back To School – Carol Blymire, Laurie Strongin, Mary Abbajay and Kim Love discuss their own back to school memories and the two women who are parents talk about how their kids feel about back to school.  They also look at what they would do differently if they could go back and change behavior.  In addition, they each tell of a teacher that positively influenced them.