Can a restaurant bounce back after serving Mouse Salad?

Beneath any situation lies an equation: "This fact + that circumstance = this outcome." Or so say Steve Levitt and Stephen Dubner, authors of the wildly popular book, "Freakonomics."

Now a new American Public Media radio series, "Freakonomics" shows us the hidden side of everything, blending pop culture with economics.

Host Dubner and regular guest Levitt, follow the thread and explore how seemingly disparate things are actually connected.

Tune in to the first episode of this VPR Saturday Special, "Freakonomics: The Days of Wine and Mouses," when we find out how and whether a restaurant can bounce back after a customer finds a mouse in her salad. Saturdays at 4 on VPR.

Town Meeting Day Coverage From VPR... and YOU!

VPR is your source for coverage of Town Meeting Day and Super Tuesday primaries, and we're asking for YOUR help to send updates and anecdotes from your town.

Of course, VPR News will provide in-depth coverage with VPR Newscasts throughout the day, during Vermont Edition at noon, with a special VPR News live broadcast at 7pm, and anytime at VPR.net. We'll provide updates from Town Meetings from around the state as well as full Super Tuesday results and analysis from our partners at NPR. You can get a preview of what we've already covered leading up to Town Meeting Day at VPR.net.

We're also looking for YOUR help to tell the story of Town Meeting Day in your town. Use Social Media, such as Facebook and Twitter, along with VPR's Public Post, to share updates, results, photos, anecdotes, or even your favorite town meeting recipe. By using Social Media, you're sharing your stories with the entire community. VPR staff will aggregate these messages and tweets, as well as links to Town Meeting Day stories, using the social media tool Storify. Visit VPR's Public Post for details on how you can participate in the Town Meeting Day coverage.

"Town Meeting Day continues to provide Vermonters with the opportunity to connect with their local government and guide decisions in their towns," says VPR’s News Director Ross Sneyd. "VPR's Public Post was built on that tradition and is designed to help Vermoneters stay in touch with their governments throughout the year not just at town meeting."

While you're at Public Post, browse local government minutes, including many Town Meeting Day warnings, from more than 70 Vermont cities and towns. You can search the minutes, comment on the minutes, and share what you find.

Turn to VPR on Tuesday, March 6, for full coverage of Town Meeting Day 2012.

Thank You For Making VPR's Membership Drive A Success!

On behalf of everyone at VPR, I just wanted to say thank you so much for making VPR's membership drive a success. The drive ended last Friday and 5,173 of you pledged $540,000 to pay for the programming you rely on.

You power VPR with your financial support, but your comments and reflections also make the case for supporting VPR better than any of us ever could. Here is just a small sampling of the notes we received during this drive:

"When I am listening to other stations, I am made aware of just how special VPR is. First, I love VPR Classical. It is such a pleasure to awaken to John Zech every morning; he has a great voice, a great sense of humor and plays wonderful music. I also think Joe Goetz is a wonderful announcer. The same thing goes for Mitch Wertlieb; he is funny, unpretentious, intelligent and a real pleasure to listen to. This is what I love about all the VPR staff; one just gets the sense that these people are very warm, friendly, intelligent and love what they do. VPR feels homey. It feels sincere. It feels accessible. I don't know if I am just getting older and wiser, but I have enjoyed listening to this fund drive, because I really hear what the staff is saying - that donating to VPR is donation to the whole Vermont community, a contribution to our small, wonderful and very special state which we love so much."

"After the kids had trundled off to school, I had a second cup of coffee and reflected on the part VPR/NPR has played in our lives. I don't think our boys remember a time when the radio wasn't on in the morning for breakfast or in the evening while dinner is being prepared. It has sparked many discussion - from gay marriage, to assistance for returning soldiers, to the attributes of the various Republican Presidential candidates. Our sons have developed an informed view of the world! Thanks for being part of our lives."

"No one wants to spend money they don't have to but here is what you may not know if you have not done this yet - it feels good. You'll feel better waiting for the drive to end having done your part - no gift too small, it's about all of us doing together what none of us can do by ourselves. I bet over 90% of us would be sorry if VPR was not just a button away. We just renewed our membership. Modest level but we're in. Thank you to all those others who are acting this month to help out."

Your generosity and passion is both humbling and inspiring, and ensures that this independent, community-supported source for news, music, and conversation will stay strong well into the future.

So, thanks. VPR wouldn't be here without you!

The News Is Very Serious Business.

But that doesn't prevent the VPR News team from writing silly songs to entertain and thank our loyal volunteers during our membership drive. We've heard pledge drive-themed songs based on the theme from Three's Company, Do-Re-Mi, and the theme from Gilligan's Island...and let's not forget Mitch Wertlieb's funky beats.



We take our responsibility to provide essential news, information, music, and conversation very seriously, but sometimes we just need to show a little love for the listeners and members that make VPR thrive! Do you have a public radio-themed ditty to share? Let us know and it may make the rounds at our next fundraiser. Also, donations of funny hats are welcomed and encouraged!

DJ Mitch Lays Down The Funk, Yo

As most Morning Edition listeners know, host Mitch Wertlieb can sometimes get a little, well...excited during membership drives. He's the kind of guy whose enthusiasm for public radio and the importance of listener support is so intense that he just can't keep it in.

Which is how he sometimes gets himself in (metaphorical) trouble.

Two mornings in a row, he's brought out his now-famous impression of Grandma Wertlieb, reciting what his grandmother would say if Mitch didn't support his public radio station.

There was also the great Pushups for Pledges incident of 2011. And the now-infamous shower scene from last October. And the beard-shaving fiasco of 2009.

So no one was really surprised when Mitch promised that if we met our morning pledge goal, he'd recite a little rap sent to us by VPR members Diane and William Ferriter of Thetford.

Unfortunately we came up a mere 7 pledges short - but despite, in Mitch's words, his "profound lack of beat rhythm, cadence, and timing," we convinced him to record it anyway. Enjoy!

If you haven't had the chance, we hope you'll make a contribution today online, or by calling 1-800-639-6391. We promise to not let Mitch rap anymore but we can't vouch for what he'll think of next.

Listen to Mitch Wertlieb rap here.

VPR News Honored In State House Resolution

Vermont Public Radio was honored last month in a Resolution of the Vermont Legislature for VPR's news coverage of Tropical Storm Irene.

The Resolution specifically honors Vermont Edition "for its extraordinary community service in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene," and for its "factual and reassuring voice, enabling Vermonters to comprehend the extent of the storm-related damage...".

It also recognizes the efforts of the VPR staff for keeping people informed via VPR.net and social media.

(Photo: Vermont Edition Managing Producer Patti Daniels, Producer Ric Cengeri, and Host Jane Lindholm with the resolution.)

iPad 2 Winner

Congratulations to Brenda Bergstrom of Burlington, winner of our iPad 2 drawing! Brenda has been a VPR member since 1991!

She stopped by our studios yesterday to pick up her prize. As we were giving her a tour, Brenda told us that she has never won anything before - except for a stuffed bear!

We're giving away more cool prizes during the upcoming drive, including a vacation at Jay Peak Resort and a trip to see Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me live in Chicago! Make a pledge today to be sure you're entered in all the remaining drawings!