WeatherBrains 207: Talking with an Author
WeatherBrains Episode 207 is now online (Jan. 11, 2010). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!
WeatherBrains - January 11, 2010
Our special guest this week on WeatherBrains is author David Laskin. A lifelong weather enthusiast and a student of history and literature, Mr. Laskin has written a number of nonfiction books about weather history, American writers, artists, gardens, and travel. His recent book, Partisans: Marriage, Politics and Betrayal Among the New York Intellectuals, won the Washington State Book Award in 2001. His book, The Children’s Blizzard, won this same award for 2005.
Mr. Laskin publishes regularly in the New York Times Travel Section and in Preservation Magazine and has written for the Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, Horticulture, Newsday, and the Washington Post. He lives in Seattle with his wife, law professor Kate O’Neill, their three daughters, two unruly dogs and a large, unruly garden.
Also joining us as guest panelist is Mike Nelson, Chief Meteorologist with 7News in Denver, CO. Mike has been in Denver since June, 2004. Mike received his degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 1976, he began work at Weather Central, a private weather consulting firm specializing in forecasts for ski areas, agri-business, power utilities, and the Wisconsin TV network as well as over 40 other radio and TV stations nationwide. Nelson was appointed executive vice president of Weather Central in 1979 and supervised a staff of 14 meteorologists.
While in Madison, Nelson partnered with fellow meteorologist, Terry Kelly, in devising a computer weather graphics system for television. This system, called LIVELINE, remains the most widely used television weather graphics system in the world; over 500 TV stations use this system.
Mike has won 14 Emmy awards for Outstanding Weather Anchor. In 2001, he was recognized by the Colorado Broadcasters Association as their “Citizen of the Year” for his volunteer work in Colorado schools. Mike enjoys sharing his knowledge of the weather with young and old, visiting nearly 100 schools, clubs, and service organizations each year. His Tornado Dance is a much anticipated event!
Mike has also written a local best seller, “The Colorado Weather Almanac.”
Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:
Who Are These Guys? James Spann and Kevin (Collins) Selle…around 1992.
Kevin tackles the email coming in from dedicated listeners even if the host can’t remember his name! Topics we hear are heating/cooling degree days, ham radio, twalkin, gridded forecasts and wording, and working offshore.
From The Weather Center:
WeatherBrains 101: While JB provides details on the weather, I think it safe to summarize the last week with one word – C O L D ! So, in honor of the cold, the dandy professor peeks at one of the dangers cold can bring on – black ice. Listen to the riveting explanation in this episode.
TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of January 12th. Sometimes the weather and aviation do not mix. Such was the case as Bill details a fateful flight in 1982 out of National Airport.
Listener Surveys: Okay, we continue to drive this topic into the ground, but we really do like to hear from you. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. The survey takes just a minute or two to complete and provides us with an opportunity to learn where you are and hear your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey.
Web Sites from Episode 207:
Picks of the Week:
JB Elliott – Gets the Horn AGAIN!
Bill Murray – Book by Bernard Mergen: Weather Matters – An American Cultural History Since 1900
Brian Peters – Satellite View of England in Snow
Kevin Selle – NWS Begins Use of Twitter for Storm Reports
James Spann – Arctic Oscillation from CPC
Email Links – Thanks to Ellen Bloomfield and C. R. Vaughan!
http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/na.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1242011/DAVID-ROSE-The-mini-ice-age-starts-here.html
The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like JB Elliott, Kevin Selle, Dr. Tim Coleman, Bill Murray, and Brian Peters. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating netcast about weather.
We love to hear from you! To leave a recorded message, call 1-888-247-8627. Some calls may be used in future episodes. Also, feel free to post comments to the site and drop us an email at email at (at symbol) weatherbrains dot com.
Like many meteorologists, Brian’s love for weather came at an early age after experiencing severe storms that rolled through his hometown of Martinsville, Indiana. Brian began his career in Bismarck, North Dakota, at KFYR-TV in 2001 and then moved to Erie, Pennsylvania ,in 2003, where he fell in love with lake effect snows. He joined WROC in January, 2008. An avid musician who plays the trumpet, Brian gravitated to the business of broadcasting after graduating Purdue University with his meteorology degree, finding it to be a winning combination of his passion for weather and his love of “performing.” He is a member of both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. Brian lives in Brighton with his wonderful wife Trisha and his three sons, “the twins” Ryan and Zachary, and their youngest, Alexander. When Brian isn’t delivering the weather he enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and enjoying all that Rochester and the surrounding areas have to offer.
This episode we go across the pond to snag our guest, Hannah Bayman, a weather presenter for BBC program, Look North.
