Hearsay With Cathy Lewis

This week, the Virginia Opera opens a new production to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, Rappahannock County. On Monday's HearSay, Cathy talks with members of the cast and crew about this period piece, which transforms the stage with projections of the Civil War and evocative songs.

The Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk is one of 18, highly-competitive magnet Governor's Schools in Virginia. Students are selected from the school systems in Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton County, Suffolk, or Virginia Beach. The school has departments of musical theater, visual arts, theater, instrumental music, dance, and classical vocal. Many accomplished performers and artists have risen out of the program. On Friday's HearSay, we'll talk with the school's leadership and some of the graduates who've made it to the big time!

Living with a child diagnosed with ADD and ADHD can be frustrating and overwhelming for many parents. On Thursday's HearSay, well talk with the author of a new book that uses humor to overcome those challenges. We'll also talk with a local expert about tools parents can use to help create peace in their homes.

The Culinary Institute of Virginia was invited to participate in First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign and attend a meeting on the South Lawn of the White House last summer. Chef Jonathan Highfield was at the meeting designed to get culinary students involved in the Chefs Move to Schools component of the First Lady's campaign. Those students serve as Food and Nutrition Ambassadors to schools in the Hampton Roads region. On this month's "What's Cookin'" program, Chef Highfield joins us along with our favorite foodie Patrick Evans-Hylton as we talk about initiatives in our area to keep our children healthy and instill good eating habits.

Why are children so terrified to be called "nerds"? In an age where we are increasingly dependent upon technology engineered by masterminds in math and science, why isn't it chic to be a "geek?" In his book, "NERDS: How Dorks, Dweebs, Techies, and Trekkies Can Save America and Why They Might Be Our Last Hope," family psychotherapist and psychology professor Dr. David Anderegg examines why science and engineering have become socially poisonous disciplines and what we can do to prepare our children to succeed in an increasingly high-tech world. We'll also have updates on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiatives in Hampton Roads' and Virginia's education system.

Today we open up our lines and explore the headlines and we want to know your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis or Tweet to HearSayWHRV.

For generations, most young Virginia males came of age in woods hunting deer and other animals. It was a rite of passage for to kill your first buck or skin your first rabbit. But interest in hunting has been declining in our state for the past two decades as farmland becomes scare and young people choose indoor gaming over the real thing. On Friday's HearSay, we'll talk with hunting enthusiasts about the legacy of their sport and its uncertain future.

Libya, an oil-rich nation in North Africa, has been under the control of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi since he seized power in 1969. But in February 2011, the unrest sweeping through much of the Arab world erupted in several Libyan cities. As airstrikes rock Tripoli and President Obama works to bridge differences among allies about how to manage the military campaign in Libya, we will talk about the latest developments and open our phone lines to hear from you. Join us!

Pediatricians tell new mothers that breastfeeding their babies is ideal - but breastfeeding is often more complicated and difficult than one might imagine. Women can feel pressured to breastfeed - or pressured to stop before they are ready. On Wednesday's HearSay, we'll examine these issues with local experts. We'll also talk with a human resource representative about new laws that affect breastfeeding working mothers.

When our days on Earth are done, is there an afterlife that comes next? If so, what is that journey like? While these questions have many answers depending on beliefs, one's beliefs have been known to change if that person has a near-death experience. On Tuesday's program, we're joined by author P.M.H. Atwater this hour who will talk about her new book, "Near-Death Experiences: The Rest of The Story." The book reveals what happens to children and adults who undergo this phenomenon through extensive, objective research with first "survivor" accounts and Atwater's personal experience. Also in the broadcast as we explore the topic, internationally-acclaimed psychic medium John Edward will share his experiences with us about "crossing over."

Japan's ongoing nuclear crisis has reignited the debate around America's nuclear energy future. On Monday's HearSay, we'll join this debate and talk with local and national experts about the safety of nuclear energy; how the nuclear power plants in our area operate; and what the future of nuclear energy should be after this month's 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

Can couples be happy and fulfilled in a childfree partnership? In "Two is Enough: A Couple's Guide to Living Childless by Choice," author Laura Scott's tackles this question and she'll join us for the conversation. We'll also explore the position that choosing childless is beneficial to the environment with Lisa Hymas, senior editor with Grist.org, an environmental news website. She coined the acronym GINK (green inclinations, no kids) to describe a small but growing group of people who are both environmentally conscious and childfree by choice. Call in with your questions or comments to 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

The U.S. Navy has released its investigation's findings of the video scandal that ended the leadership of the USS Enterprise by its Commanding Officer, Captain Owen Honors. On today's HearSay with Cathy Lewis we'll examine the findings and talk with military experts about changes the U.S. Navy intends to make in the wake of the scandal.

If you wake up in the morning exhausted and feel drowsy and irritable throughout the day, you may have a sleeping disorder. On today's HearSay with Cathy Lewis, we'll explore the mysterious nature of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, and talk with local experts about the latest treatments to the age-old problem of troubled sleep. Call in to 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

Today we open up our lines and explore the headlines and we want to know your thoughts by calling in live at 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis or Tweet to HearSayWHRV.

The clocks spring ahead one hour this weekend, and the Spring season officially starts one week later. Today we'll talk with HearSay garden guru Jim Orband about what you should be working on in your garden. We'll also check in with Kathy Van Mullekom of The Daily Press to get the latest on garden related happenings in Hampton Roads. Join us with your questions!

NPR President and CEO Vivian Schiller resigned this morning in the wake of a scandal involving an undercover video tape. The tape, released to the public Tuesday, shows former-NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller criticizing conservatives and questioning whether NPR needs Federal funding. While Vivian Schiller quickly condemned the video it was not enough to save her job. This latest controversy comes as Congress is considering the state of funding for public media. On today's broadcast, we talk with WHRO Public Media Chief Executive Officer Bert Schmidt about these recent developments and what they might mean for National Public Radio. Call in with your questions or comments to 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

On our monthly technology show we'll take you on a tour of some of the best online sites for financial management, including those that help you budget, track spending and savings, and advise you on investments. We'll also take a look at the pros and cons of rapid refund programs for your tax returns. Along with Ed Sykes, we're joined by Mike Howlett with the CPA firm Cherry, Bekaert & Holland.

Recent media reports have highlighted the increasing Separation between those serving in our nation's military and the population they are charged with protecting. With less than 1 percent of the population serving in the armed forces, is this schism unavoidable? Should we work to bridge the gap? Today we open up our lines and explore this topic. We want to know your thoughts by calling in live at 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

HearSay's favorite veterinarian Dr. Phyllis Neumann joins host Cathy Lewis to tackle your troubling pet problems. Send your questions in advance to hearsay@whrv.org or post them on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.