North Gate Radio

Change

This week’s show is all about change, man. Our reporters are looking at some of the big changes happening in West Oakland, where a parking lot is now a skate park, and urban blight has become urban beauty with the arrival of a non-profit farm. We’re talking to people whose lives have been transformed by excruciating, relentless pain. And hear that clinking sound? Now that we’re in a recession, everyone is paying more attention to the change shaking around in our pockets. We talk to the owner of a coin shop. Plus, one year after a presidential election that promised huge political change, some thoughts on how the Obama administration scores on surveillance.

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Today's producer was Clayton Trosclair.  Our executive producer was Ben Manilla.  Our studio engineer was Angela Kilduff.  The anchors were Ali Winston and Melanie Mason.  Our Web producer is Tyler Sipe.  Music for this week includes "Change" by Tears for Fears, Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," War on Drugs' song "Taking the Farm," and "William Tell Overture" composed by Rossini. Additional music includes "Express Yourself" by N.W.A. and "Rollout" by Ludacris.

Skate Park Brings Change to West Oakland
In a neighborhood known for its high homicide rate, there's a community volunteer working to make West Oakland safer for children. And he's doing it...with skateboards. After three years and a lot of hard work from the community, the first legitimate skateboard park in Oakland is finally done. Reporter Dara Kerr dropped by for the grand opening.
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Photos by Dara Kerr

Grand opening of Town Park in West Oakland.

Urban Agriculture
One of the newest tourist attractions in Washington is First Lady Michelle Obama's victory garden.  It's a small organic vegetable patch on the south lawn of the White House and visitors having been craning their necks to get a glimpse of the garden from the street.
It's one of the most visible signs of the growing urban agriculture movement.  A little closer to home, Oakland residents are making their own efforts to bring farming to the city.  Melanie Mason has the story.
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For more information on City Slicker Farm, click here.

Sketch of Union Plaza Park



The Spectrum of Pain
Everyone knows the pain of stubbing a toe. But some people suffer from chronic pain so intense, living becomes difficult. Reporter Caitlin Esch talks to people whose lives are transformed by conditions so painful, stubbing your toe seems pleasant in comparison.
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Web Extra: To view Allan Basbaum's 2007 UCTV speech on pain and the brain, click here.

One-on-One Conversation with Ralph Foster
Reporter Tyler Sipe is going to examine the change we keep in our pocket.  Sipe speaks with Berkeley Coin and Stamp owner Ralph Foster.  He recently wrote a book about the history of global currency.
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Photo by Tyler Sipe

Ralph Foster at his store Berkeley Coin and Stamp located on Bancroft Way.

Commentary by Ali Winston
Reporter Ali Winston critiques President Barack Obama's first year in office.  In his piece, he examines how Obama has continued some of the practices started under the Bush Administration.
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