Mpr - My Public Radio

Anyone can be a victim of identity theft. According to a Federal Trade Commission report, over 8-hundred cases of identity theft are reported in Atlanta each year, Philip Graitcer reports that identity theft can be a devastating crime with lasting impact. Aired WABE January 20, 2008

It takes lots of work to be a Santa Claus. They have to look the part too. Early preparations take place in a beauty shop in Atlanta where aspiring Santas with real beards come to get their hair and whiskers bleached to a snowy white. From Atlanta, Philip Graitcer reports. NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, December 22, 2007

Arvel Bird plays a style of music that is hard to classify. Its been called Celtic, Native America, and World Music. Whatever his fans chose to call it, it’s a style that’s firmly rooted in his family background. Aired on WABE, November 22, 2007

In the United States, autumn is the time for outdoor festivals. There are festivals celebrating Greek culture, folk music festivals, and even festivals to celebrate historic cemeteries. One of the most unusual festivals is the Oliver Hardy Festival that recently took place in Harlem, Georgia, a town of 2,000 about 30 miles west of Augusta in the southern state of Georgia Philip Graitcer traveled from Atlanta to see it. Aired WABE, October 8, 2007

Baby boomers have redefined retirement. They’re more active, and instead of playing mah-jong, they’re starting new careers and volunteering in their communities. Now, the Peace Corps wants them to go overseas. They’re launching a new initiative to recruit volunteers over 50. From Atlanta, Philip Graitcer has this story. Originally aired The World, October 3, 2007

2008 Winner Edward R. Murrow Award, Region 13 2008 Winner Green Eyeshade Award, Society for Professional Journalists Atlanta’s Turner Field is a lively place. It’s the home of the Atlanta Braves, where thousands cheer young men playing baseball. But less than a fly ball away from home plate sits another kind of home, a hospice for cancer patients, where much older men and women play out the game of life. Philip Graitcer has this story about two men whose lives were touched when they crossed the street that separates the hospice and the stadium. Originally appeared on Georgia Gazette 8/31/07, NPR Weekend Edition-Saturday, 9/15/07

In a parking lot alongside the traffic-snarled Downtown Connector, a car moves along the pavement, between yellow lines and around traffic cones. Georgia Tech scientists are hoping that this car may one day help improve Atlanta’s traffic. Aired WABE June 9, 2007

Don’t expect to go to a play at the Out of Hand Theater and just sit back and watch. At a performance, you could be frisked, have your cell phone borrowed, or meet with a life coach. It’s all part of a plan by Out of Hand Theater to make theater going fun and stimulating. As part of WABE’s continuing look behind the scenes at Atlanta arts organizations, Philip Graitcer has this report. Aired WABE, June 19, 2007

Bluesman Tommy Brown began singing, dancing, and telling jokes in Atlanta in the 1930’s. Today, 70 years later, he’s still performing. Aired Georgia Gazette, May 25, 2007

High schools can seem islands. All day long, students and teachers only see each other. But at 3 Atlanta private schools, there’s a program that is getting some students to see beyond the school walls. Aired WABE, Atlanta, May 28, 2007

A youth detention center is about the last place you’d expect to see theater. But an Atlanta theater company has been holding workshops to help some of the girls there learn about playwriting, acting, and themselves. As part of WABE’s behind the scenes visits to Atlanta arts organizations, reporter Philip Graitcer visited the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center to learn more about the Synchronicity Theater’s Play Making for Girls program.Aired WABE, May 21, 2007

It’s the time of year to head south for a winter vacation. Some computer programmers – they call themselves nerds –travel about an hour south of Atlanta to a spend a week at a dude ranch. But it’s not the kind of place where guests ride horses or lounge in hot tubs. We sent independent producer Philip Graitcer [great-sir] there to check it out.

Mention Muslim and Jew in the same breath and most people think religious warfare and hostility, but at Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University, Muslim and Jewish students are bringing people together. The Muslim Student Alliance has just asked the Jewish president of the university to become its faculty advisor.

For chocolate makers, Valentine’s Day is their own Valentine. To be ready for the onslaught of star crossed lovers and forgetful spouses, chocolate makers begin their preparations in early February. Reporter Philip Graitcer visited the kitchen of Chocolatepink, a chocolate dessert maker in Atlanta. Aired February 14, 2007

Imagine getting a chance to conduct a professional symphony orchestra. At a recent concert by the Gwinnett Philharmonic, several children did just that. As part of WABE’s behind the scenes visits to Atlanta arts organizations, reporter Philip Graitcer looked at the orchestra’s efforts to develop new audiences. Aired February 12, 2007

According to last year’s homeless census, there were about 5.400 homeless people in Atlanta. Over 600 of them were homeless mothers and their children. Philip Graitcer reports on an organization that works with homeless families. Aired January 24, 2007

Have you ever wondered what it takes for a new play to go from a script to an onstage performance? One step is a stage reading of the play. As part of WABE’s series of behind-the-scenes visits to Atlanta arts groups, reporter Philip Graitcer sat in on a recent play reading at the Actor’s Express. Aired January 22, 2007

One of Atlanta’s last meat and three restaurants is closing. The Silver Grill, a tiny 50-seat diner in Midtown, has been serving country cooking - like collard greens, country fried steak and peach cobbler - since 1945. Philip Graitcer visited this dying institution. Originally aired on WABE, Atlanta. December 22, 2006

Hank Williams has been called a musical Vincent van Gogh. His songs painted vivid pictures of the rural south - and the lives of the everyday people who lived and worked there. In a new biography, Atlanta author Paul Hemphill explores the life of Hank Williams. Aired on WABE, Atanta, October 2005.

There are about 475,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia. In September agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement swooped in on the tiny town of Stillmore, Georgia, arresting about 130 illegal workers. Those that weren't arrested left town or went into hiding. Now, the population of Stillmore is 80 percent of what it used to be. Philip Graitcer visited Stillmore and spoke with some of those who are still there. Aired on GPB's Georgia Gazette, October 13, 2006Honorable Mention: Radio Feature Story, Georgia AP Broadcasters Awards 2006