Patt Morrison Tues, 12/23

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

1-3 p.m.

 

 

1:00 – 1:20

A Few Loose Bolts at San Onofre: Cause for Panic or No Big Deal?

Federal regulators discovered a few loose bolts at San Onofre nuclear plant that prevented a battery from working. The battery powered safety systems at the plant; its malfunction went unnoticed for four years. Although this incident was labeled a low to moderate safety significance finding, the San Onofre plant has troubled the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for some time. In its report, the NRC said the San Onofre plant's "ability to effectively evaluate problems has been, and continues to be, a concern to the NRC.'' Should we be concerned?

 

Guests:

NOT CONFIRMED

Elmo Collins: Nuclear Regulatory Commission regional administrator

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Rep from Southern California Edison

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1:20 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

 

1:30 - 1:40

Shaky Truce, Potential Peace Deal or All Out War: Israel, Hamas Weigh Options

Americans sick of hearing the constant drum beat of bad news from the Middle East might be excused for missing the relative calm from the region over the past six months.  Since June a shaky truce between Israel and the Hamas government in Gaza has been holding and violence between the mortal enemies had slowed to a crawl.  Through a series of events, complicated by domestic politics in each camp, rocket launches and missile strikes were back again this weekend and now Israelis are considering an all out war in Gaza to topple Hamas once and for all.  As they stare once more down the precipice of bloody conflict, might a lasting peace be possible this time?

 

Guests:

Shmuel Bar, director of studies at the Institute of Policy and Strategy in Tel Aviv

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1:40 – 2:00

End of Oranges? Disease Wipes out Crop in other Nations; Threatens California.

It's called "greening disease" because it causes the leaves of orange trees to fade in color. It sucks the sugar out of the leaves, leaving the trees incapable of producing edible fruit. Transmitted by an aphid-like bug, it has wiped out crops in China, India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and has now wrecked havoc in Brazil. Florida Citrus growers have found the bug that spreads it. And it's already showing up in Southern California. So far the disease hasn't shown up, but it may be a matter of time. What are state growers doing to prepare?

 

Guests:

Joel Nelsen, President of the California Citrus Mutual, a citrus producers growers association

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Ted Batkin, President of the Citrus Research Board, co-chairs the Statewide task force on Greening Disease

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[NPR NEWS]

 

 

2:00 – 2:20

Shoppers Drive a Hard Bargain!

Shoppers aren't shy about asking for bigger bargains, as holiday sales shape up to be the lowest in years and some retailers, Toys "R" Us and Macy's included, stay open 'round the clock.  Discounts, easier return policies, buy two and get a bigger percentage off -- they're all on the table.  Are you treating your search for the perfect Christmas gift like shopping for a used car?  Some experts say you're a moron if you're not.  What's your method for finding the best bang for your buck?

 

Guests:

TBD

 

 

 

2:20 – 3:00

Two Hot Tamales Take on the Holiday Table

Cooking your first Christmas goose? Making grandma’s tamales? Looking for a variation on your Hanukah latkes? We can help! Chef and restaurant owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are here to field your questions—basic and advanced—about holiday cooking, traditional and avant-garde. The experts also offer up some recipes of their own for those without a clue.

 

Guests:

Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, Chef/owners of Border Grill and Ciudad restaurants

IN STUDIO

 

Mary Sue and Susan will bring some of their own recipes and talk about traditional holiday foods from various cultures. They mentioned wanting to talk about a Southern Italian tradition, the “Feast of Seven Fishes,” which is a fish stew.