Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
White House officials took questions Wednesday from all across the nation via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr on the heels of the State of the Union address. It's an effort called Big Block of Cheese Day, which was inspired by an event that took place at the White House back in 1837 that involved a lot of cheese.
On February 22, President Andrew Jackson hosted an open house in the main foyer of the White House where his staff and thousands of citizens feasted on a 1,400-pound block of cheese while they discussed the issues of the day.
NBC's political drama, "The West Wing," paid tribute to President Jackson's act of populism in its first season.
Obama has turned the event into a tradition. Back for the second year in a row, "The West Wing" cast reunited to help promote the online town hall.
Video: 2nd annual Big Block of Cheese Day West Wing promo
Lindsey Tepe, policy analyst with the New America Foundation, tells more about the event.