Arts and Culture

  Another in our 'What Does It Mean' series, this time looking at being an artist. What is the role of artists in Maine? Who are they, what do they do and how do they earn a living?

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Julie Richard, Executive Director, Maine Arts Commission

Don Tuski, President, Maine College of Art

Aimee Petrin, Executive Director, Portland Ovations 

  Take a look back on the year in films....the contenders...the dark horses...the likely winners. Lincoln vs. Argot? Which will win Best Picture?

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Mary Pols, film critic for Time.com.  Visit Mary's blog.

Bart D'Alauro is the owner of two independent video rental stores in Maine: Bart & Greg's DVD Explosion! in Brunswick and River Bottom Video in Bath

  From Harry Potter to The Hunger Games - young adult and teen lit isn't just for kids. Learn about the latest and great YA/Teen books and authors.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Jenny Mayher, librarian at the Skidompha Public Library and YA / Teen book blogger, Jenny's Book Review

Maria Padian, author. Her most recent book is "Out of Nowhere"

Justin Hoenke, Teen Librarian at the Portland Public Library

Just in time for Valentine's Day - poetry - the language of love. A panel of poets, including Richard Blanco - who delivered the poem at the Presidential Inauguration last month - discussed all things poetic.

 Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Richard Blanco, Inaugural poet

Megan Grumbling, Poet, instructor, theater critic

Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, Poet and VP of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance board of directors 

  Does grammar still matter in an age of texting and tweeting? Many of us suffered through English class, diagramming sentences and memorizing grammar rules. Was it all for naught? Social media has made choppy communication acceptable, and those grammar rules we learned seem to be shifting with the times.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Nancy Gish, Professor of English at the University of Southern Maine

Phuc Tran, Latin teacher at Wayneflete School

and Taffy Field, English teacher at Wayneflete School 

  What hidden treasures are in your attic?  Maureen Stanton has written a book about Flea Markets, Antiques and Collecting.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Maureen Stanton author of Killer Stuff and Tons of Money

[ Killer Stuff and Tons of Money by Maureen Stanton  originally aired on Maine Calling August 23, 2012.]

  The best and overlooked books of 2012 were discussed. This is our annual look at the best-sellers of the past year as well as the books that might have slipped your notice.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Bill Lundgren, with Longfellow Books

  Take a look at the latest news and trends in the world of children's literature.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Vicky Smith, Children’s & Teen Editor, Kirkus Reviews

Scott Nash, children's book illustrator and author, NASHBOX Design and Illustration

Chris Van Dusen, children's book author/illustrator

  Thanksgiving tips and food trends and forgotten foods and flavors.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Sandy Oliver - food historian and author of Maine Home Cooking and co-author of Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving History and Recipes from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie

Michael Sanders - nonfiction writer and author of Fresh From Maine

  The Executive Director of PopTech talked about the conference and his new book.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Andrew Zolli, Curator and Executive Director of PopTech, author of "Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back"

"Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back" book review

  Susan Poulin, creator of the character "Ida LeClair," authors a LeClair 'self-help' guide to help readers get in touch with their 'inner moose.'

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Susan Poulin, Author of Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida Leclair's Guide to Livin' the Good Life

Ida's website

Poolyle Productions

Just Ask Ida

  Max Alexander has written a book about his brother Whit's business - selling affordable goods and services to low-income villagers in Ghana, West Africa. An African Adventure on bad roads with a brother and a very weird business plan.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Max Alexander author of Bright Lights, No City and

Whit Alexander, founder of "Cranium," by phone

  A discussion of the great tastes and flavors of the area. It's more than lobster shacks and blueberry pies.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by :

Jean Kerr, Editor-in-Chief, Northeast Flavor magazine

Cathy Nash Holley, Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Flavor & The Menu magazine, Flavor Trends Website

and Stephanie Brown, Chef/Owner, Seagrass Bistro in Yarmouth

  A conversation with author Crash Barry about working on the isolated sliver of land with a bad reputation. True stories from Matinicus, Maine.

  Maine has several Chamber Music Festivals and Concerts during the summer.  Hear what is going on in the Chamber Music World.

Host Suzanne Nance was joined by:

Wilhelmina "Mina" Smith - Artistic Director, Salt Bay Chamberfest

Manuel Bagorro, Artistic Director, Bay Chamber Concerts

and Jennifer (Jenny) Elowitch, Artistic Director, Portland Chamber Music Festival