State makes plans to store energy using solar

“One of the distinctive characteristics of the electric power sector is that the amount of electricity that can be generated is relatively fixed over short periods of time, although demand for electricity fluctuates throughout the day. Developing technology to store electrical energy so it can be available to meet demand whenever needed would represent a major breakthrough in electricity distribution.” That’s from the website energy.com.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released a report earlier this year to assess the state’s energy storage capacity and recommended increasing it by pairing solar energy with storage.

Friday’s Smart Talk examines battery energy storage development and why it matters.

Appearing on the program are David Althoff, Energy Program Director at Pennsylvania’s DEP and Jason Wert, National Market Leader, RETTEW civil engineering.

Recognizing the contributions of America’s veterans to our nation

For 100 years, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has stood as recognition and gratitude for the sacrifice and service of America’s Armed Forces.

Since November 11, 1921, the Tomb has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and Unknowns from later wars were added in 1958 and 1984. A series of commemorative events will take place this year recognizing their final resting place.

 

“…an unknown American warrior who in himself represents no section, creed, or race in the late war and who typifies, moreover, the soul of America…”

Congressman Hamilton Fish Jr., Hearings in the House of Representatives regarding the Unknown Soldier. 1921

Watch video of 1921 Unknown soldier burial ceremony here.

The nation owes a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice, but also to the countless others who fought America’s wars and sustained the peace.

There are many contributions of our military forces that are unknown to most Americans. The US military has been an important catalyst for exploration, disaster response, infrastructure design and construction, scientific advancement, and so much more.

These contributions continue today through military support to civil authorities, both here and abroad.

Smart Talk Thursday will recognize the contributions of America’s veterans to our nation. Joining the program are Retired US Army Lt. Colonel Conrad Crane, Ph.D., Chief, Historical Services and Support Army Heritage and Education Center United States Army War College and Army Colonel Laura Porter, Nurse Practitioner, and US Army Nurse Corps Officer. Colonel Porter is currently a student at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.

Author Sam Quinones writes fentanyl and methamphetamine are dominating streets today

During the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve been reminded from time-to-time that thousands of people are still dying across the country from drug overdoses. Often, the deaths are attributed to and listed as part of the opioid epidemic.

Best-selling author Sam Quinones writes in his new book that we as a nation are in a new era and one that is dominated by the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl, as well as a new generation of methamphetamine — that is driving those who use it to what looks very much like mental illness.

New York Times bestselling author Sam Quinones appears on Smart Talk Wednesday to offer perspective on his latest book, THE LEAST OF US: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth

 

 

Abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart shares her story

On a late spring night in 2002, a bearded man entered a home in a Salt Lake City neighborhood by cutting open a screen on an open bedroom window. He placed a knife to the throat of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart and dragged her from her room and into a nine month nightmare. 

Elizabeth Smart’s abduction kept the nation captivated until she was ultimately reunited with her family on March 12, 2003. 

Today, Smart is an author, advocate and public speaker who will appear at Elizabethtown College on Thursday. She joins Smart Talk Wednesday to share her story.

 

How well do mandates work to change behavior?

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The Biden administration implemented a vaccine mandate in September that would require any business with at least 100 employees to require vaccinations or weekly COVID-19 testing.

That requirement, which impacts more that 80 million workers in the private sector, was halted this weekend by a federal appeals court.

With all of the legal maneuvering and political posturing taking place one important question remains: How effective are mandates for changing or impacting behavior?

A recent University of Pennsylvania study researched this very issue and found that mandates do, in fact, work.

Professor Dolores Albarracin, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania and the lead study author. She will appear on Smart Talk Tuesday to share details of their findings.

Redistricting plans are underway, with little public oversight

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Now that the 2020 Census numbers are complete, the legislative working groups have begun the onerous work of redrawing Congressional districts to better represent Pennsylvania’s changing demographic.

The task of shaping the districts rests with a small group of legislative insiders. The public has little access to their process, even though the lawmakers have pledged to conduct deliberations with transparency.

Joining Smart Talk Tuesday to share details of the process and their expectations are David Thornburgh, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy and Carol Kuniholm, Chair, Fair Districts PA. Both of their organizations provide advocacy to the redistricting efforts.

A local playwright brings Violet Oakley’s life to the stage with Violet Oakley Unveiled

Most Pennsylvanians have heard of artist Violet Oakley, a woman before her time whose works grace the state Capitol building.

A local playwright brings Oakley’s life to the stage with Violet Oakley Unveiled for two performances at Open Stage in Harrisburg, on November 12-13. The Open Stage production will mark the 115th anniversary of Violet unveiling the murals she completed for the Capitol’s Governor’s Reception Room.

Writer Cindy Rock Dlugolecki and Heather Jannetta, the Director of Violet Oakley Unveiled, appear on Smart Talk Friday with her story.

Julian “Juelz” Davenport, writer and poet

A local poet and school librarian leveraged their common goals to offer a creative writing workshop for area students.

The initiative began with Julian “Juelz” Davenport, a writer and poet, who draws upon his own life and experiences, and Jennifer Hendry, a librarian with the Milton Hershey School. They join Smart Talk Friday to explain how their partnership encourages young people find their creativity, expression and confidence.

The work of cartoonist Ron Campbell (Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Rugrats, etc.) is displayed.

Chances are, you have seen his art. The cartoon artwork of Ron Campbell is a part of American popular culture and immediately recognizable to most people of a certain age.

Campbell’s 50-year career in animation includes works featuring Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Rugrats and more.

A “popup art show” begins this weekend at the Pure Gallery in Mechanicsburg, where they are displaying and selling some of Campbell’s work.

Scott Segelbaum is the curator and art publisher of Ron Campbell art and he and Rose Anderson, owner of Pure Gallery, appear on Smart Talk Friday to share details of the event.

Pennsylvania closer to offering COVID-19 vaccines for children

Late last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five through 11 years of age.

The issue went before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue their determination. The CDC panel of experts voted on Tuesday to recommend the shot, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health says they are ready to begin vaccinating immediately.

Dr. Denise Johnson, MD, Acting Physician General for the Pennsylvania Department of Health appears on Smart Talk Wednesday to outline the plan to vaccinate Keystone kids.

For more on COVID-19 vaccines plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. Online at Transforminghealth.org, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.