The dog days of summer are here… It would be so nice to get away. Sadly, that’s not always an option. Never fear! This hour on Focus, we talk about things to do in the area that will make you feel like you’re on vacation, even if you’re in your own backyard.
This hour on Focus, host Jim Meadows explores East Central Illinois…from the perspective of a tourist. Sue Post, author of Hiking Illinois, will be here to tell us about some scenic, and maybe unexpected, places in the area to enjoy the outdoors and will talk with us about what makes hiking in Illinois unique. We’ll also talk with her about native wildlife of note.
Then during the second half of the hour, we’ll talk with Heather Wilkins, Director for the Land of Lincoln Regional Tourism Office, about Illinois trails. These Trails don’t have much to do with hiking, but they’re just as scenic. We’ll talk about where you can go to visit everything from Illinois’ most historic drive-in movie theatres to the oldest soda fountains and the world’s largest golf tee and covered wagon.
What are your favorite places to go or things to do to “get away” while staying in the area? We want to hear from you this hour on Focus!
This hour on Focus, host Jim Meadows talks with former WILL meteorologist Ed Kieser about summer storms and tornado preparedness. We welcome your calls and questions!
One of the deadliest tornadoes to come through the Midwest in years has left a trail of destruction and death in Moore, Oklahoma. This hour on Focus, we’ll talk with former WILL meteorologist Ed Kieser about tornadoes, when they form, how they form and when they become dangerous. We’ll also talk with him about the strange weather patterns we’ve been having in the Midwest – from drought to damaging floods and summer weather preparedness.
Have you ever been bitten by a dog or another animal? This hour on Focus, we talk about preventing aggressive pet behavior.
Each year in the US, more than 4 million people are bitten by a dog, and one in five of those people require medical attention. This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and this hour on Focus, we’ll talk with Sally Foote, a small animal vet from Tuscola who specializes in dog and cat behavior about aggressive pets and how to prevent children from getting bit on accident. We’ll also talk about ticks and fleas as the heat of summer is almost here. We welcome your questions no matter what breed you love and care for!
Read more and find a video about dogs, why they bite and how to avoid getting bit.
Ryan Chalmers is attempting to push himself across the country from Los Angeles to New York in 71 days…in a wheelchair. This hour on Focus, we talk with Chalmers about why he’s doing it and how it’s going.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign grad, PADI divemaster and US Paralympian Ryan Chalmers has pushed himself more than 2,000 miles in the last few weeks, journeying the length of three to four full length marathons every day. He’s trying to cross the US in his racing wheelchair in 71 days, a distance of nearly 3,000 miles. He arrived in Champaign around 3:00 on Wednesday, and this hour on Focus, host Jim Meadows talks with Ryan about his trek and what inspired him to do it. We'll also talk with Ryan about his career as a wheelchair athlete - at the UIUC, in marathons around the country and the 2012 Paralympic games in London.
This hour on Focus, we’re going to T.A.L.K. about kids with Baby TALK Founding Executive Director Claudia Quigg about the Baby TALK model, her organization and her new book.
Claudia Quigg founded Baby TALK in the late 1980’s in Decatur after having children of her own and realizing that even though she had a supportive group of friends, she needed advice and access to resources. Today the organization has a presence in 36 states and Canada and has more than 100 programs in operation in Illinois communities. This hour on Focus, host Jim Meadows talks with Claudia about why the earliest years of life, from birth to age 3, are so important and what resources her organization provides in East Central Illinois. We’ll also talk about the memories and lessons she’s taken away from working with families for more than three decades and about her new book "Let's Talk Kids: Becoming a Family."
Claudia writes a weekly column for the Decatur Herald-Review and has a weekly radio segment that airs on NPR member station WUIS in Springfield at 7:55 on Thursday mornings.
What’s in the future for public media? How is the sequester affecting WILL? This hour on Focus, we’ll talk with Illinois Public Media General Manger Mark Leonard and Station Manager Bob Culkeen. We welcome your questions!
This hour on Focus host Jim Meadows talks with Illinois Public Media’s head honchoes. Bob Culkeen and Mark Leonard will be here to discuss programming changes taking place this summer, the health of your public media station and new ideas we’re cooking up at WILL.
“Vinyl sounds warmer….it’s about the experience….I like the crackle….” Do you enjoy listening to music on a turntable? We’ll talk about music in the 21st century and if vinyl’s “comeback” really means anything to the future of the music industry.
According to Nielsen Soundscan, a company that tracks the sale of music in the US, vinyl sales are up by 35% over the same time last year; nearly two million vinyl albums have sold so far in 2013. Nielsen says their data shows that vinyl sales started climbing in 2007 and have kept on going ever since. Interesting considering music hasn’t been released solely on vinyl albums for decades... This hour on Focus, we’ll talk about the resurgence of records and record stores and will talk about what makes old-fashioned records so appealing in an era largely defined by digital culture.
Do you bike to work? Why? If you don’t, what’s stopping you? This hour on Focus, we talk about cycling, infrastructure and why some in the area are working to empower a strong cycling and pedestrian community.
According to recent research, most people don’t commute on bikes because they are afraid of being hit by a car. And most people who are comfortable riding bikes in traffic are men. This hour on Focus, we talk with Jeff Yockey, the President of Champaign County Bikes and Cynthia Hoyle, who works with Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit. They’ll tell us about how the cities in our area are working to create infrastructure that fosters a strong pedestrian and cycling community. The month of May also kicks off National Bike Month, and Wednesday is Champaign-Urbana Bike to Work Day. Jeff and Cynthia tell us how to get involved locally.
Ralph Buehler, co-editor of the book City Cycling and an Assistant Professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech, also joins the conversation this hour. We’ll talk with him about cycling infrastructure and culture across the US and in other parts of the world to see how East Central Illinois compares.
Do you bike to work? Do you like listening to music on vinyl? Is the media doing a good job of reporting on the Boston Marathon bombing case? Find out more about what’s coming up next week on Focus and join our conversation.
Coming up next week on Focus, we’ll talk about cycling and how strong biking communities and cultures are fostered, why records are coming back and if they’ll stick around. We’ll also talk about nanotechnology and the exciting possibilities for the future.
Do you remember the SNL skit with Pat? Do you remember a time when women were banned from running most major marathons? Find out more about what’s coming up next week on Focus and join our conversation.
Coming up next week on Focus, we’ll talk with former SNL cast member and author Julia Sweeney, local New York Times Bestselling author Jean Thompson and Marketplace Morning Report’s Jeremy Hobson, among many others.
Tuesday, we’re recording an interview with Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to register for a bib number to run the Boston Marathon. Have something you want to ask her? Email us at will-talk@illinois.edu
