Program Points on the Web
Welcome to WRVO's Program Points I'm your host, Fred Vigeant. I'm the Program Director for WRVO.  I'm here to point out a few highlights you can hear on-air as well as some highlights you should know about that you can find online.  Let me know your thoughts on programming.  Send me an email to fred@wrvo.fm Now On Air: Up Next:

Listen to more than 30 new public radio programs on WRVO-2! WRVO is now broadcasting in HD. With this new technology we can bring you more public radio programs that we know you'll enjoy. WRVO-2 is available on-air at 89.9. An internet stream is now available as well. More details...

Hidden Kitchens Hidden Kitchens, the duPont-Columbia Award-winning radio series continues on NPR’s Morning Edition, exploring the world of secret, unexpected, below-the-radar community cooking across America. Produced by the Peabody Award-winning producers, The Kitchen Sisters (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva) with Jay Allison, the series travels the nation in search of unsung kitchen heroes, legendary meals, and cooking rituals -- chronicling American life through food. Coming up: Thursday July 31st - The Birth of Rice-A-Roni: A San Francisco Kitchen Story Hidden Kitchens discovers the origin of Rice-A-Roni. In 1948, the worlds of a young Canadian immigrant, an Italian pasta-making family, and an old Armenian woman converge to create the "San Francisco Treat." Join us for Hidden Kitchens on Morning Edition on WRVO on Thursday July 31st. This I Believe - Monday After her brother died in an fluke accident, a young, carefree Theresa MacPhail became overwhelmed with worry and fear of the world’s potential dangers. Now, MacPhail believes in embracing her fears because it means she gets to embrace life again. Tune in Monday to All Things Considered to hear MacPhail’s This I Believe essay. To learn more about the ongoing series This I Believe, or to submit an essay of your own, visit http://www.npr.org/thisibelieve/

Local Music Scene From bedroom studios to small, local clubs, musicians are taking advantage of new technology. They no longer have to gravitate to established scenes in New York, L.A., or Chicago to make it. They can choose quality of life AND have a modest/decent career because they can create a fairly good home studio with very little money. And they can distribute their music themselves through the Internet. This NPR series explores why musicians choose to live and work where they do –- and how they do it -– by focusing on unexpected music in unexpected places. We’re not talking about country music in Nashville or salsa in Miami. Think rock in Espanol in Charlotte, North Carolina; avant garde jazz in Albuquerque, New Mexico; post punk and heavy metal in Missoula, Montana. Houston- Friday, August 1 The home of Big Oil and one of the finest small museums of contemporary art in America -- the Menil Collection -- is also home to a vibrant community of contemporary classical composers, musicians, and presenters supported by an active foundation and an enthusiastic audience. NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports. Charlotte - Friday, August 15 There is now a vibrant Latin alternative scene in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's the result of a large influx of mostly Mexican immigrants who moved there for work. Developing over the last five years, the scene is large enough to support the bands and a variety of clubs and venues for them to play. NPR's Felix Contreras reports.

China's influence on Africa China Rising: Sudan Morning Edition, Monday, July 28 Much is unknown about the relationship between China and Sudan today, but the two countries have ties that go back more than 100 years to a man who clearly demonstrated the adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." NPR's Gwen Thompkins has the story of the man -- and of this longtime alliance. China Rising: Sudan & Soft Power Morning Edition, Tuesday, July 29 Despite China's large investments in Africa, it steers clear of moral issues. Its model for operating in Africa can be seen in Sudan. China brings in the infrastructure, manpower and know-how needed to get natural resources out, but doesn't muck around with domestic affairs -- that can be bad for business. NPR's Gwen Thompkins reports. China Rising: Congo Morning Edition, Wednesday, July 30 The Chinese have just signed a multi-billion dollar deal in the Republic of Congo to develop the mining sector and to build roads and hospitals in exchange for tons of minerals. Though many Westerners express suspicion about the Chinese deal, the Congolese say "tant pis" -- too bad. Instead of hemming and hawing on the sidelines about good governance and transparency, China came ready to play by Congo's rules. NPR's Gwen Thompkins reports. More selections to come....