VPR's prEview E-Newsletter for December 2, 2009

Ask me what my favorite time of year is in Vermont, and I’ll respond like a kid in a candy store. At the sight of the first snow, winter is the most miraculous thing that’s ever happened. But by February, it’s all about ANY sign of life under the melting snow. In August…well, we all know nothing can top August in Vermont. Ooh! Ooh! Until October, that is.

If you think that’s bad, don’t even try to ask me to pick a favorite public radio program. I can’t even pick a favorite from this edition of prEview. Before you call me wishy-washy, I dare you to try! Read on for more about “States of Marriage,” VPR’s documentary that examines the path to same-sex marriage in Vermont – and around the country. Plus, share your favorite music of 2009 for Vermont Edition’s annual music show, and a recipe for ginger tea to ward off oncoming colds.

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Documentary: States of Marriage
Tuesday, December 8, 7 p.m., and Saturday, December 12, 4 p.m.
Ten years ago this month, the Vermont Supreme Court set in motion a historic change in the legal status of gay and lesbian couples. VPR examines how Vermont's civil unions law was a precedent for same-sex marriage in other states, and how the political fight over marriage has been waged across the country. Learn more online here.
http://www.vpr.net/episode/47448/

Specials: Climate and Copenhagen
Wednesday and Thursday, December 2-3 on VPR
World leaders meet next week in Copenhagen to find ways to stave off the effects of climate change. Listen to Vermont Edition today at noon for a discussion about the connection between weather and climate change with VPR’s Eye on the Sky meteorologists. Then, listen tomorrow at 8 for “The Climate Race,” a special documentary from Marketplace.

Vermont Edition: Annual Music Show
Thursday, December 17, noon on VPR
2009 has been a great year in music, and Vermont Edition's Annual Music Show is a chance to share your favorites with VPR listeners. Jane Lindholm and Bob Kinzel co-host our annual audio tour of great tunes, noteworthy artists and albums that deserve a second, third, or fifteenth listen. Visit our website to share your music picks for 2009.

Live Classical Performance: Ensemble Liber
Friday, December 4, 11 a.m. on VPR Classical
Walter Parker welcomes Ensemble Liber, a vocal quartet specializing in medieval and renaissance music, to VPR’s performance studio for a live performance. They preview their upcoming Lane Series concert of old and new seasonal music.

Classical Performance: Counterpoint
Wednesday, December 9, 11 a.m. on VPR Classical
Listen for an in-studio performance by Vermont's professional vocal ensemble Counterpoint, led by Robert DeCormier. They’ll preview their upcoming concerts celebrating the winter solstice and talk with Walter Parker.

Live Jazz Performance: Ellen Powell
Wednesday, December 9, 9 p.m. on VPR
George Thomas welcomes Vermont musicians Ellen Powell, Thomas Cleary, and Steve Wienert
to VPR for a live performance next Wednesday. They'll improvise on a mixture of standards and originals, and we’ll discuss the state of jazz in Vermont. Learn more online here.

Holiday Programming
Beginning December 11 on VPR and VPR Classical
VPR has many gifts for you to unwrap this holiday season. From Willem Lange’s rendition of “A Christmas Carol” to the harmonies of Counterpoint, our holiday program schedule celebrates the many traditions of the season. Visit our website to find out when your favorites are on the air, and best wishes from all of us at VPR.

VPR Cooks: Ginger Tea
Every time someone sneezes or coughs at the office these days, it’s followed by an emphatic disclaimer: “It’s not the flu! I swear! It’s allergies! It’s just a cold!” So far we’ve been lucky, but it never hurts to have a special concoction to (we hope!) ward off illness. VPR volunteer Eugenia Saganich shared this recipe for ginger “tea” to do just that.

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