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Archive of past FOCUS ON programs hosted by Don Gomes
 
Avian Flu
The flu is an occurrence that we have come to expect to happen each year.
This year, there is increased concern about Avian Flu.
The concern includes the possibility of a pandemic that could affect millions worldwide.
FOCUS ON: Avian Flu provides information about the disease, the preparedness of the public health system, and the policies that guide infectious disease.
Host Don Gomes discusses the issue with local and national experts.
January 26, 2006
Related Links:
San Antonio Metro Health District www.sanantonio.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov
World Health Organization www.who.int
Department of Health and Human Services - The official U. S. Government website for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza
www.pandemicflu.gov
America Abroad (Ray Suarez program re: avian flu) www.americaabroadmedia.org
Hunger in San Antonio
14.9 percent of Texas’ population is food insecure. One in five people in the San Antonio area live in poverty and will probably need to use emergency food services at least a few times in the next year.
One in four children in Bexar County live in poverty and experience hunger… every day.
FOCUS ON: Hunger in San Antonio hosted by Don Gomes explores the issue
with practitioners, academics, and those who deal with hunger every day.
Hunger does not take a holiday. December 22, 2005
Background Information:
Food Research and Action Center www.frac.org
U.S. Conference of Mayors - Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities – 2004
usmayors.org
City of San Antonio - Ten Year Plan re: Hunger and Homelessness
www.sanantonio.gov
Programs:
San Antonio Food Bank (Check out “Hunger 101”) www.safoodbank.org
Catholic Charities – Archdiocese of San Antonio www.ccaosa.org
SAMM Ministries www.samm.org
Salvation Army www.salvationarmysatx.org
A list of organizations that deal with hunger in San Antonio www.volunteermatch.org
“Thanksgiving 365” - Inner City Development Organization, 1300 Chihuahua Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
(210) 224-2199
The Texas Marriage Amendment
In November, Texas voters will go to the polls to decide on nine constitutional amendments.
One of those, Proposition 2, deals with whether two people of the same sex have a right to be legally married in the Lone Star State.
FOCUS ON: The Texas Marriage Amendment takes a look at the controversial proposed amendment to our state constitution, and what its passage or failure will mean to the citizens of Texas.
October 27, 2005
Related Links:
Free Market Foundation www.freemarket.org
No Nonsense In November www.nononsenseinnovember.org
Texans FOR Marriage www.texansformarriage.org
Texas Freedom Network www.tfn.org
Texas Marriage Alliance www.txmarriage.com
The Politics of Water
Mark Twain was quite prophetic in 1884 when he said “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.”
In the guise of planning, there have been countless fights over water in the San Antonio area.
FOCUS ON: The Politics of Water explores the issue with representatives of the San Antonio River
Authority and AGUA. CharMiller, of Trinity University, talks of where we’ve been and implications from history of how we handle the issue now.
September 22, 2005
Related Links and Resources:
Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas (AGUA) www.aquiferguardians.org
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) www.aquiferalliance.org
San Antonio River Authority www.sara-tx.org
Earl Lewis Symposium on Urban Affairs at Trinity University "A Tale of Two Cities: Atlanta and San
Antonio." 2005 Lewis Symposium
Schedule. 2005 Lewis Symposium
Online Registration. 2005 Lewis Symposium Registration
by phone at 210-999-7601.
TPW Magazine (Texas Parks & Wildlife) "Who Owns the
Water?"
Directory of Environmental Organizations in Texas www.eco-usa.net/orgs/tx.shtml
Prescription Drug Abuse
The illegal use of legal drugs is a great concern. Prescription drug abuse is not new but it is worrisome. Recent studies show doctors have limited knowledge of proper prescription.
"Pharming" parties bring young people together to trade drugs like some used to trade baseball cards.
FOCUS ON: Prescription Drug Abuse discusses the issue and provides insights from many angles.
August 25, 2005
Related Links and Resources:
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov
Toll-Free Hotline: 877-RxAbuse (1-877-792-2873)
San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse www.positivepreventions.org
Palmer Drug Abuse Program www.pdap.org
Child Abuse and Neglect
Did you know every 10 minutes a child is abused or neglected in Texas?
FOCUS ON: Child Abuse and Neglect explores the issue with Texas State Representative Carlos
Uresti, Janet Ketcham of Child Advocates San Antonio and Dr. Nancy Kellogg of the Alamo Children’s Advocacy Center.
July
28, 2005
Related Links and Resources:
Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) www.casa-satx.org
Alamo Children's Advocacy Center www.acactx.org
Child Protective Services Hotline 1-800-252-5400 Callers can make an anonymous report
State Representative Carlos Uresti (District 118) (210) 932-2568
National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Prevent Child Abuse www.preventchildabuse.org
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a feared and often misunderstood disease. Add
Hepatitis A and C, and the concern rises even more. FOCUS ON: HIV/AIDS
explores the issue in San Antonio. Host Don Gomes talks with
medical and professional practitioners, political leaders, as well as
those with HIV. The question of needle exchange as a preventive
measure is a central theme of the program. The
San Antonio Aids Foundation offers free testing. June 23,
2005
 City
Elections 2005:
A series of interviews with candidates and issues advocates.
All declared candidates for San Antonio City Council and Mayor and proponents of both sides of
propositions 1, 2 and 3 were included.
The series was produced in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area and hosted by Texas Public Radio’s Don Gomes.
Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5
Included in the program are David Arevalo, Joel Williams and Sheila McNeil, the three
candidates in City Council District 2. District 3's two
candidates, Roland Gutierrez and Ron Segovia are heard next. Two candidates
filed for district 4. Ruby Resendez did not appear for the
program, but we hear from incumbent Richard Perez. And finally, District 5
candidates Patty Radle and Raymond Zavala speak. Don Castillo,
also a District 5 candidate, did not appear for his
scheduled interview. April 20, 2005
Districts 6 and 10
We speak to Delicia Hererra, Dominic Dina, Larry Romo, Saul Santos and
Pete Galaviz all candidates for City Council District 6.
District 6 candidates Michael Gonzales, Ray Lopez and Ray Pena did not
schedule interviews with TPR. Next, the District 10 candidates,
Steven Schauer and incumbent Chip Haas are heard on the program.
Jose Hernandez, the third candidate in District 10, did not respond to
our request to schedule an interview. April 21, 2005
Districts 7 and 9
Candidates in all programs are presented in the order they appear on
the ballot. There are eight candidates in City Council District
7. Ernie MacDonald and Jim Valdez did not appear for their
scheduled interviews. We hear from the rest of the district's
candidates: Elena Guajardo, Noel Suniga, Reinette Alecozay, Ted
Kenyon, Cynthia Test and Fred Rangel. Also on the program,
Weston Martinez and Kevin Wolfe, candidates for City Council District
9. April 25, 2005
District 8 and Mayor
There are five candidates in City Council District 8. We speak to Bert Cecconi, Art Hall, Mike Keogh, Carlos Cardenas and Gabe Perales.
There are seven candidates for mayor of San Antonio. Julian Castro, Carroll Schubert and Phil Hardberger were heard on a live debate on KSTX.
The remaining candidates were offered an interview on this program.
Julie Oldham did not respond to our request for an interview, but we have the opportunity to speak to Rhett Smith, Michael Idrogo and Everett
Caldwell. April 26, 2005
Propositions 1, 2 & 3
Participating in the program were Bonnie Conner, former city council
member; John Montford, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; Bob
Martin, Homeowner/Taxpayer Association of Bexar County and Cliff
Borofsky, Bexar County Elections Director. April 28, 2005
Senior Adults
The population of Texas and of San Antonio is getting older. We
live longer, but do we live better? FOCUS ON: Senior Adults
looks at the numbers and issues of health, lifestyle and services for
senior adults in San Antonio. Host Don Gomes talks with Steve
Murdock, the official State Demographer of Texas, Robert W. Parker,
M.D., a geriatric physician, and with City and County representatives.
March 24, 2005
Black History in San Antonio
We look at People, Places, Politics and Perspective that tell at least part of the story of African-Americans in San Antonio.
Who, past and present, has made an impact? What places, and sense of place, made a difference?
Was it politics, pride, or economic persuasion that brought about change?
What perspective is drawn from headstones? Host Don Gomes talks with community, business, and academic leaders in this commemoration of Black History
Month. February 24, 2005
Related Link: TPR
Remembers Black History Month
Alamo Community College District Bond
Election
ACCD
is asking voters to approve a bond of $450 million on February 5,
2005. The
money will fund needed improvements at the district’s four
colleges. However, the consolidation of the nursing and allied
health careers programs and its proposed location in the South Texas
Medical Center, has brought angry response from business, civic and
community leaders. For many, this creates a dilemma, as the bond is
an all or nothing situation. Proponents from the district as well as several community sources who
oppose the measure present their views.
January 27, 2005
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