Connections

Connections, produced at the Recording Library of West Texas, strives to bring local and regional people of interest to our listeners.

Please feel free to listen or download our shows. Left click to listen or right click and select "save as" to download to your computer.

October 17

Linda Hook, Prevent Blindness Texas
We find out about the services they offer, including the Low Vision Center store, which offers an array of products for the visually impaired.

Joe Garcia, Division of Blind Services
In addition to the White Cane Day Luncheon, Joe tells us what his agency offers.

October 24

Kelly Ives/Jody Sneed, CSS
We hear about the wide range of programs that Community and Senior Services offer, including Meals-on-Wheels, grocery delivery for seniors and opportunities for seniors to volunteer in the community.

October 31

John Trischitti, Midland County Library Director
The Library's been making changes! Learn what it has in store for you.

November 7

Deborah Benge Frost, Horticulturalist Pt. 1
Columnist, Master Gardener and retired from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Debbie Frost discusses gardening for the blind.

November 14

Deborah Benge Frost, Horticulturalist Pt. 2

Annie Fasion, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Annie stopped by to tell us about the presentation her organization was preparing for National Diabetes Month.

November 21

Dr. Stephen Ponder, Endocrinologist Pt. 1
Not only does Dr. Ponder specialize in diabetic treatments, he's been living with Type 1 diabetes for over 45 years. We discuss food and lifestyle choices, treatments and more.

November 28

Dr. Stephen Ponder, Endocrinologist Pt. 2

December 5

Hal Combs, Education & Program Director, Petroleum Museum
Hal gives us an overview of the museum and their new expansion plans.

December 12

Doylene Land, Curator of Education, Ellen Noël Art Museum
We get a tour through the area's only sensory garden, which features plants, sculptures and so much more.

December 19

Jimmy Patterson, Part 1
Jimmy tells us about his novel, Chisos Mountain Sunset.

January 2

Jimmy Patterson, Part 2
Jimmy narrates a portion of Chisos Mountain Sunset.

January 9

Jimmy Patterson, Part 3
Jimmy tells us about the follow-up to Chisos Mountain Sunset, a book celebrating 50 years of the San Angelo Diocese and working on compiling Midland's history from the last 50 years.

January 16

West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind
In our first trip outside the Permian Basin, we take a tour of the factory and sit down with employee of the year Paul Valdez.

January 23

Aphasia Center of West Texas
Kitty Benik, Executive Director at the Aphasia Center, drops by to talk about brain injuries and the many ways the Center rehabilitates its members.

February 6

Dr. Madylyn Babb, O.D.
In this show, we talk with optometrist and Recording Library board member, Madylyn Babb. Dr. Babb treats all visual diseases and specializes in glaucoma therapy.

February 13

Shrimpfest!
Ellen Noel Art Museum's Liz Roberson tell us about one of the fund raisers we look forward to most each year.

February 27

Downtown Lions Club Pancake Supper
It's more about food! The Lions' Aubrey Linne tells us about the different programs this annual fundraiser helps to support.

March 5

MCH Registered Dietitians
Mia Gibson and Deb McPherson stop by and explain how just a few changes at mealtime can make a big difference in your health.

March 12

Area Agency on Aging Pt. 1
Caregiver Program Specialist Susan Fredrickson discusses some of the programs offered by the Agency. Those include the Silver-Haired Seniors, who are delegates that represent seniors in Austin. Free counseling on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Power of Attorney and more. Care Coordination, which among other things, aims to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible. Caregiver Coordination, which offers help and conducts meetings for those who are caregivers.

March 19

Area Agency on Aging Pt. 2
In our second part of our interview with Susan Frederickson, we dive further into the topics of caregivers, care recepients and what help is available for both.

March 26

Area Agency on Aging Pt. 3
In our third part of our interview with Susan Frederickson, we go over the Ombudsman program, which provides an advocate for those in long-term living facilities. We also discuss how the Agency can help guide those in over 12 West Texas counties to senior centers, nutirition programs and transportation services.

April 2

Ellen Noël Art Museum and the Haley Memorial Library and Historical Center
In this two-part program, we visit first with Doylene Land about the Museum's annual fundraiser, Flower Market 2012. This is the primary fundraiser for the Sensory Garden
Then we talk to Pat McDaniel, Director for the Haley Library, which features thousands of holdings that trace our history back to the days of cattlemen and the wild west. Their vast collection includes documents, photographs, audio and more, which researchers use and are available to the public.

April 16

Drought-tolerent landscaping and water restrictions for Odessa and Midland
Horticulturalist Debbie Benge Frost and Andrea Goodson, Public Information Coordinator with the City of Odessa, spoke at Flower Market 2012. We visit with them for ideas about how to manage your landscaping and stay in compliance with the water restrictions.

April 30

John Davis, Part 1
John Davis, Staff Pharmacist at Town & Country Drug in Odessa, stops by and talks about how managed health care in Texas is changing pharmacies. We also discuss medications that are in short supply and why, familiar drugs that are going generic, the importance of keeping your doctors in the loop about all medications you're taking and more.

May 7

John Davis, Part 2
In the conclusion of our interview, John talks about generic drugs, keeping all doctors informed of what you're taking, vaccines adults and seniors should keep up to date and ways to make sure you're taking your meds regularly.

May 8

BobFu
In this special edition of Connections, we visit Bub Fu, president and founder of ChinaAid. At the time of this recording, U.S. diplomatic officials are trying to secure a visit from blind Chinese activist and lawyer Chen Guangcheng. Mr. Fu's organization is helping to facilitate this move.