Santa Barbara Fire Update; Obama Immigration Reform; Bio Fuels Bad?; Obama Talks with Afghanistan and Pakistan; Think Smart; Opera at PCC
Santa Barbara Fire Update
Larry Mantle gets the latest on the fire burning in Santa Barbara with KPCC reporter Brian Watt.
Obama Immigration Reform
Obama border security: President Obama, in an attempt to ward off the flow of dangerous weapons and combat illegal immigration, is launching a proposal to increase funding for immigration reform by $27 billion, thus fulfilling his promise to the Mexican government to crackdown on trafficking organizations. In doing so, Obama is putting immigration enforcement as a high priority, beefing up security around the border, air, and seaports, as well as intensifying screening for employee eligibility.
Bio Fuels Bad?
The EPA reports that ethanol, as produced today, does not meet congressional mandates that it produce 20 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. In fact, it reports that when land-use from ethanol production is taken into account, it may actually be worse. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said future improvements in production will, ultimately, make ethanol the better choice. But not everyone agrees. Nitrous oxide from the burning of bio-fuels may turn out to be an even more potent contributor to global warming. Meanwhile, the Obama Administration issued a directive to find ways to get automakers to make more cars that can run on ethanol. What's the truth? Is ethanol part of the solution or part of the problem in fighting global warming?
Obama Talks with Afghanistan and Pakistan
Today President Obama begins two days of talks with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan on how to improve security in the region. Five weeks ago the three countries released a plan to combat the insurgency in eastern Afghanistan, but now must reevaluate that strategy due to fighting with the Taliban in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Larry Mantle discusses the pressing issues surrounding the talks.
Think Smart
Expanding your vocabulary? Eating right and sleeping right? What are you doing to keep your brain working at its peak? In "Think Smart: A Neuroscientist's Prescription for Improving Your Brain's Performance," Dr. Richard Restek tells his readers there is a lot people can do to keep their brains working to their full potential, including spelling long words backwards and creating stories and mental pictures for lists you have to remember. Larry talks with Restek about his new book that is all about how everyone optimize their brains.
Opera at PCC
Carol Vaness made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1984 and has performed across the nation and abroad. Known for her Mozart operatic roles, she currently teaches at Indiana University. Larry talks with opera singer Carol Vaness, who is the first guest artist in Pasadena City College's new Master Class Series. The series is endowed by the estate and family of Pamela L. Girard, a former music student at PCC, and starts this spring with the inaugural event focusing on voice. In years to come a different area of music will be showcased, such as piano or wind instruments.