Podcast by Monte Belmonte
This week I announced that I would be stepping down as morning host at 93.9 The River and the bulk of this final podcast will be me and the listeners reflecting on the end of 17 years of waking up together. Plus some of the same shenanigans I'm usually up to on this podcast. Like drinking wine. Talking to a Congressman. Word nerding and astronomy. But I say to you podcast listeners what I say to my listeners on the air, thank you for spending time with me. It's been an honor. This is the final week of mornings.
First off, thank you for helping us raise $509,034 for the Food Bank of Western Mass, with donations still rolling in. Congressman McGovern on how he feels after Marching and on the Democrats new leadership in The House An early abolitionist with ties to Northampton who you've likely never heard of, apart from her Thanksgiving song. Merriam-Webster's Word of The Year and some of the runners up. If the Food Bank March didn't show you how generous a community we are, wait until you hear about The Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage. Port wines for the holidays and more.
The March for The Food Bank XIII draws nigh. We'll hear all about how hunger impacts our area. Exactly how the Food Bank helps organizations like our survival centers. How hunger impacts veterans. Where health care and hunger meet. And changing the policies around hunger. Plus Congressman Jim McGovern-the OUTGOING chair of The Rules Committee-who will go with us the whole 43 miles of the March. And a couple of non-March related things too. Like words. And wine. And the moon.
Congressman McGovern on the red ripple and on how the death of his party has been greatly exaggerated. The Doctor of Rock, Steve Waksman, on his new book The History of Life Music in America-From Jenny Lind to Beyoncé. We know who Beyoncé is. Who is Jenny Lind and why is she important to Northampton? The kids from Wildwood Elementary providing us with an FAQ on the March for the Food Bank. When to call in the cavalry vs when to call in the calvary with the Word Nerd. Mr. Universe on climate change and Brian Eno. Wines for Thanksgiving and more.
Congressman McGovern on the midterm elections. Is this Democracy's last chance in the US? MA Ballot Question 4-The Work and Family Mobility Act. A Roundtable look at why so many people, people who usually can't agree on anything, agree on this. The sounds of Mars with Mr. Universe. Dog restaurants with Dr. Steve. How to pronounce words like pronunciation with Emily Brewster from Merriam Webster. Halloween shenanigans and Pinot Noir with The Wine Snobs and more.
Congressman McGovern on whether or not the Democrats have thrown in the towel for the midterms. Question 4 on the MA Ballot and why it is important for our immigrant neighbors and our farmers. Women supporting women entrepreneurs in Northampton through The Resilient Project. Women helping mothers who are artists with the MICA festival. Oat milk and omakase with the Word Nerd. And heading back into Rose season with the Wine Snobs.
Maria from Sesame Street. She's coming to OUR neighborhood this weekend. A spooky Halloweeny boat ride on an underground river that runs just under the city of Hartford. The most controversial food word Merriam-Webster has ever put in the dictionary with the Word Nerd, who also offers color commentary with me on the radio of an adult spelling bee. And guess what? That color is blue. Three Sicilian reds with the Wine Snobs.
One man's obsession with Star Wars has led to a one-man show where he performs all of the first three Star Wars movies in an hour. I'll talk to that one man, Charles Ross. One man's book of poetry was picked up from a used book bin by Sheryl Crow, and she used his poem to write one of her biggest hits. I'll also talk to THAT one man, Wyn Cooper. Plus, we'll hear about why Saturn's rings are so incredible, new words in the dictionary and Italy's grape with a thousand names.
More from the White House Conference on Hunger Nutrition and Health including Congressman McGovern's post-conference thoughts, what the Beacon Hill delegation is doing to combat hunger in Massachusetts and why Chef Jose Andres was unimpressed. Plus I met a chef to the astronauts? ALIENS! Did 60 schoolchildren in Zimbabwe see aliens in September 1994? Western Mass filmmakers have made a documentary about this Ariel Phenomenon.
I'll take you to the White House Conference on Hunger Health and Nutrition. We'll hear excerpts from the President's speech and his plan to end hunger in the US by 2030. And yes, a little about the gaffe. I'll take you to the immersive world of Deus Ex Machina. And we'll hear about the spacecraft NASA just smashed into an asteroid on purpose
Gearing up for the White House Conference on Food Nutrition Health and Hunger with Congressman Jim McGovern. Getting to know the Puritan Tiger Beetle of Rainbow Beach, Northampton. The science of belly-button cheese with the folks behind the Tumble Science Podcast for Kids. And the dumb phone of the metaverse.
Guess who's going to the White House Conference on Food Nutrition Health and Hunger? We'll talk with Congressman Jim McGovern about his long hoped for and worked for conference, just two weeks away. More of Merriam-Webster's new words. Two new ones from television. I'll take you to the movies with a movie tribute in a corn maze and with the editor of Children of The Corn. And Back To The Future.
Has the Trump-effect taken hold of Charlie Baker's Republican Part in Massachusetts? Thoughts post-primary from Congressman Jim McGovern. Let's yeet the janky cringe sus! Now a real sentence thanks to the new words just added to Merriam-Webster. Our Word Nerd has more. Chef Nef and I eat our way through Holyoke, this time Colombian food. Western Mass is finally taking a moment to grieve our loved ones lost to COVID. We'll hear about the memorial happening in Goshen. LOTS of shellfish and wine.
Two Juilliard students are trying to break the mold of music instruction and have formed an anti-conservatory, a libretory if you will, on a hill in Gill. Well hear from Congressman McGovern, who has a date for his White House hunger conference and a party that is gaining some momentum. How the drought has been affecting local farmers and the local agency here to help. Borrowing accents for English with the Word Nerd. And protecting Greenfield's drinking water with the Source to Sea Cleanup.
Rock Goddess June Millington, and her partner Ann Hackler from the Institute for Musical Arts on how they are creating a rock goddess pantheon. Mr. Universe will prepare us for phase one of the female mission to the moon with the launch of Artemis I. What do Bjork and Motorhead have in common? Diacritics. We'll hear all about from Emily Brewster, resident wordster, from Merriam-Webster. Resurrecting an extinct tiger, Jurassic Park style, and why it might not be such a scary idea. Delicious and cheap Portuguese wine and
Bonnie Prince Billy aka Will Oldham on acting in the most famous made for TV movie of my childhood and on coaching Johnny Cash. SEX! With local sex therapist and now published author Yanna Tallon-Hicks. Her new book is Hot & Unbothered. Arm-wrestling for abortion access. This etymology of the marshmallow and more.
How Medeski and Martin of Medeski, Martin and Wood are teaming up with Algonquin singers and an electric guitarist and our areas greatest taco chef to create a viable future. Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan. Good idea or bad idea? We'll hear what one of her top dogs in the House, Congressman Jim McGovern has to say. Commemorating the anniversary of the El Paso massacre with National Book Award winning poet Martín Espada. A kids cookbook author with the name Cook. Destiny. The little-known etymology of the word “ketchup” with the Word Nerd. Some esoteric white wines with the Wine Snobs.
A post-apocalyptic Northampton? Rival landscaping companies MURDERING each other in Easthampton? I'll introduce you to the imagination of local hero author Tom Pappalardo. How Joe Manchin is giving Congressman Jim McGovern whiplash. And The Congressman's new drag name! Celebrating Joni Mitchell's historic musical comeback. Taking a look at the first ever unionized Trader Joe's, right here in Hadley. Taking theater back to the land in an attempt to bring the land back. The final performance in the 30 plus year history of the Ko Festival of Performance. Plus rum.
Summerstock? Taking you inside the Ko Festival of Performance for their final season. And taking you OUTSIDE to Double Edge for their 40th season. A look at the stage adaptation of a crossword puzzle. And a look at the stage adaptation of complaint letters to an early 20th century catalog. The non-image image that piqued the interest of Mr. Universe. The Word Nerd with a nerdy look at summertime words. And refreshing beer that's perfect for a heatwave.
Breaking down the INCREDIBLE JWST first images with Mr. Universe. Why hasn't there been a bigger outcry in light of the overturning of Roe v Wade? There will be this weekend at an event called Outcry. What's happening in regard to the Supreme Court with the Democrats in DC? We'll ask Congressman Jim McGovern. Saying farewell to a four decade old family restaurant in another installment of Nef and Monte Eat Holyoke. Taking a look at Jeremy Dubs' Tallywacker. Don't worry. It's the name of a movie about to film in Northampton.
Are there analogs between the recent resignation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and what the January 6th Select Committee is up to? We'll hear Congressman Jim McGovern's thoughts. It's been a wild couple of weeks with the Supreme Court. How do Massachusetts residents feel about their Federal Government? We'll hear the results of a new poll. Getting nauseous with the Word Nerd. Pet divorce on Heavy Petting. Mezcal and the MCU with the Wine Snobs and a whole lot more.
Unpacking the Supreme Court's decision overturning Rowe vs Wade with Smith College professor Dr. Carrie Baker. Congressman McGovern on whether or not the Democrats will be able to do anything legislatively to support the rights of women, and on the surprise Jan 6th Select Committee hearing. Looking back with the Word Nerd on the suffix that was launched 50 years ago this summer, when the nation was in the midst of the PREVIOUS biggest political scandal of the modern era. On becoming a US Citizen on the 4th of July with the Center for New Americans. A taiko takeover of Turners Falls. 3 roses for a 3 day weekend and a whole lot more.
Gearing up for the Green River Festival in Greenfield. Revisiting some great memories and hearing about some of your favorite performances there in years past. Mr. Universe on the importance of Ms. Marvel and the assassination of nuclear scientists. Congressman McGovern on why he, as a staunch anti-war Congressman, continues to support funding for weapons for Ukraine. Expresso excetera on the Chaise Longue with the Word Nerd.
Fresh back from the Cape and I didn't get eaten by a whale! But we are gearing up for the first Federal celebration of Juneteenth and the local happenings in Greenfield and Historic Deerfield. What's a hyggehaus and why is it coming to the Green River Festival? A Haydenville woman who has become an unlikely organizer for rescuing people in Ukraine. The January 6th Select Committee hearings have begun. We'll hear Congressman McGovern's take. Some interesting white to get you out of your white wine rut.
Along with our regular chat with the chair of the Rules Committee-McGoverning with McGovern, we're Askin' Raskin. A radio town hall with the Chair of the Select Committee investigating January 6th, Jamie Raskin. We'll hear about a new jazz album created through the bars of a life sentence in prison. A funeral for whiteness? A new theater piece explores that topic at Double Edge. And ALSO at Double Edge a Harlem theater groups' exploration of their African roots. Syrah from around the world. On what dogs dream about and more.
Welcome to a special edition of A Week of Mornings, recorded in the afternoon live from MASS MoCA in North Adams. This is Being There with Wilco. A conversation at the kick off to Wilco's 2022 Solid Sound Festival. On this episode you'll hear from Wilco's John Stirratt, Pat Sansone and Nels Cline. And we'll hear from Wilco founder-Jeff Tweedy, his sons Spencer Tweedy and Sammy Tweedy, and even a distant guest appearance by Sue Miller Tweedy-the matriarch and creator of The Tweedy Show. Plus comedian Nick Offerman-Tweedy? And will Mikael Jorgensen make it from his solo performance in time to join the broadcast? We'll chat with Mark Greenberg from Team Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the manager of Wilco's The Loft. Mass MoCA visual artists Kellie Rae Adams and Amy Yoes as well as our Being There with Wilco winners Rachel Gordon and Josh Hillsdon from Greenfield. While you'll hear us all talking a lot about Wilco's new album Cruel Country you won't hear the actual songs in this podcast. But do go buy the album! And now, A Week of Mornings presents Being There with Wilco.
Getting an early podcast this week and a bonus podcast next week. Look out for my Being There with Wilco podcast this coming Tuesday, recorded live from Wilco's Solid Sound Festival at Mass MoCA. This week: Reeling from yet another deadly massacre at a school, listeners and Congressman McGovern give us their thoughts. Spending some time with the Indigenous communities still making their home on their land and also making some incredible art. How a Fox News host got a word BACK into the dictionary with the Word Nerd and more…
A conversation with one of the UMass scientists who helped create the image of our galaxy's black hole. Talking about the continuing drama surrounding the Greenfield Police Department. We've talked many times with the Word Nerd about how a word gets INTO the dictionary, but what kicks a word out? We'll find out. Congressman McGovern on graduating Magna Cum Lousy. What wines pair with Cheez-its.
The Valley says goodbye, for now to a Broadway and LGBTQ icon. Congressman McGovern with an update on the war in Ukraine and on his upcoming commencement speech for UMass grads. Plus some sparkling wines you might want to try to celebrate your graduate. Playing videogames you don't win on NERDWATCH. Poking fun at Van Morrison while giving away tickets to his upcoming show.
Congressman McGovern makes a surprise trip to visit President Zelensky in Kyiv and gets a surprise from the White House. We'll hear all about it. Plus thoughts on the imminent demise of Roe v Wade. Is there anything to be gruntled about? Is “gruntled” even a word? We'll learn more from the Word Nerd. Delving into comic books and the Multiverse of Madness.
Preparing to Meltdown. Our free family music and book bash. I'll talk with well decorated authors JJK and Heidi Stemple and the creators of the Tumble Science Podcast for kids. Resurrecting an extinct bar with…a dinosaur. On saving The Drake and on what actually killed the dinosaurs. Poetry, pie and pugilism with National Book Award winning poet Martin Espada.
Celebrating 40 years of the feminist theater company that makes its home on a farm in Ashfield with the Magdalena Project. Celebrating the amazing Michelle Yeoh on Nerdwatch. Rats and maggots on Capitol Hill? And not just the Congresspeople. We'll hear about from Congressman Jim McGovern. Using comedy as a weapon and tasting Grenache with panache.
National Book Award winning poet Martin Espada reading his poetry and being welcome to his new Western Mass neighborhood. A rabid fox on Capitol Hill? And no its not the TV station. We'll hear all about it from Congressman Jim McGovern. Goat milk? We'll hear from a local goat farmer about the benefits of goat over cow. Getting your gently used books into the hands of the 3 in 5 kids in Springfield who don't have a single book in their home. And drinking Argentinian wines.
One of the world's leading Marxist intellectuals Vijay Prashad from Northampton on what the US media might be leaving out in regards to the war in Ukraine. More with our peace correspondents on the border between Ukraine and Poland, the Cycons from Leverett. Our last chance to maintain the health of the Connecticut River draws nigh and I'll talk to two folks trying to save it. Orcs! Turns out, they're real. Oh and there was some big thing that happened at The Oscars.
I check in with my war correspondents-strike that PEACE correspondents. Dean and Annette Cycon live from Poland. Congressman McGovern on the Ketanji Brown Jackson hearings. The first image from the JWST is in and we'll see it, with our ears. Rethinking Chardonnay for all the Chardohaters.
Western Mass rallies around one of the Valley's favorite and most community oriented couples as they head to the Polish/Ukrainian border to volunteer assisting refugees. I'll introduce you to them. Congressman McGovern on the Zelensky address to Congress. The Irish and American India connection on St. Patrick's Day. Throwing down the gauntlet of Merlot at the feet of Paul Giamatti, who is making a movie here in Western Mass. King Tut's extra-terrestrial dagger. Cat arthritis and more.
This week marks the two-year anniversary of the Pandemic. We'll do a little reflecting and a little ranting and a little drinking. It's been a long two years. The history of the popular Western Mass term The Tofu Curtain with the Word Nerd. A TOTALLY nepotistic interview about a pretty dang cool interpretation of the Phantom of The Opera. Congressman McGovern on the omnibus bill and the continuing situation in Ukraine and more.
The Cancer Connection Bed-In 2. A John and Yoko style fundraiser to raise money for an AMAZING local organization and featuring appearances from Rickie Lee Jones, Valerie June, Congressman Jim McGovern and so many people whose lives have been bettered by the work of The Cancer Connection.
Keep Calm and Carignan? Is this the beginning of World War III? We'll hear from Congressman Jim McGovern. And pizza restaurant that serves Indian food? Talking food and ganja and anticolonialism as Nef and Monte Eat Holyoke. Gearing up for the Cancer Connection Bed-In 2 and meeting some of the folks whose lives have benefited from the work of Cancer Connection. Tabletop role-playing games on Nerdwatch. And the return of a beloved kid's graphic novel character.
How close are we to going to war with Russia? We'll hear from the Chair of the House Rules Committee, Congressman Jim McGovern. The near death of Hampshire College is chronicled in a new documentary starring our very own astronomer, Mr. Universe. We'll hear from the star himself. If you were to take one supplement every day what would it be? We'll ask a wellness expert who is retiring after 40 years. How to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and why you might need to take your hat and throw it over a fence, with author Laurie Herrick. The ins and outs of Anime on Nerdwatch. Saving people's lives one bouquet of flowers at a time. And working the wine floor with the Wine Snobs.
The rise of fascism and the Gazpacho Police. McGoverning with US Congressman Jim McGovern. Microwave Syndrome-is it just the ravings of the tinfoil hat set or something else? We'll explore that issue via the ironic lens of online theater. Getting better acquainted with Black-authored Science Fiction on Nerdwatch. Exploring South Asian cinema. And saying farewell to a friend.
Saying goodbye to the GOAT. With Tom Brady announcing his retirement, will my New England Patriots correspondent, my Dad, make good on his promise to retire now, too? Congressman McGovern on the drumbeat of war and on who he is honoring in the Rules Committee to celebrate Black History Month. Tasting Coppola Wines and raw milk in the wine bunker.
What does the Bluest of Blue States think of Biden? A new poll on how Uncle Joe is doing in the Bay State. Congressman McGovern on the retirement of Justice Breyer and on whether or not we'll be able to take a train from Western Mass to Boston. What does the Word Nerd think of Wordle? Why are some of your favorite whiskeys no longer available? Trying some weird whiskeys alternatives with the Spirit Guide. Chinese Hip-hop, Blacksplotation and Big Papi in the Hall of Fame.
Fresh from a week away in Mexico, we'll hear about some of the shenanigans we Belmontes were up to. Is the John Lewis Voting Rights Act dead? We'll hear what Congressman McGovern has to say. One of the most well decorated children's book author/illustators Northampton's Mo Willems gives us a guided tour of his new abstract art exhibit called Gravity. Are you suss or are you sussybaka? Find out what THAT means with the Word Nerd. And can we make the Yankee Sippah appreciate the grape Chenin Blan with the Wine Snobs.
Welcome to 2022! Sorry I missed you last week but I, like millions of other people, got COVID for Christmas. I'll share my absolutely not harrowing at all ordeal and talk with UMass virologist, Dr. Mandy Muller, to find out if I'm invincible now! Plus, the last man standing on the floor of the House of Representatives on January 6th 2022 will reflect on the one year anniversary of the insurrection. Plus a call from an insurrectionist. An idea on how NOT to fail on your New Year's resolutions. The Word Nerd answering your questions.
Congressman McGovern on whether Joe Manchin has killed the Biden administration's attempt to Build Back Better. The launch of the James Web Space Telescope with Mr.Universe. Food trends to look out for in 2022. A long distance Xmas dedication. A wine wishlist and more.
What does the last man standing on the House floor Jan 6th think of the texts sent to Mark Meadows during the failed coup? We'll talk with Congressman Jim McGovern. Another failed coup, of sorts, or was this one successful? It took place over 200 years ago in our backyards here. We'll talk with Daniel Bullen the author of Daniel Shays's Honorable Rebellion. Mr. Universe's astronomical review of the new Leonardo DiCaprio/Jennifer Lawrence film “Don't Look Up.”
This week: why Congressman Jim McGovern's face looks that way and whether or not AOC saw Monte in her Met Gala gown. Weird cows in Western Mass. And on Monte's new favorite wine maker who reminds him of his Nana.
A quick recap of The March for The Food Bank which, thanks to you, was another smashing success. And I think I LOOKED smashing in my AOC Met Gala inspired ball gown for the March. Congressman McGovern debriefing from the March and on the good news and bad news in DC. Merriam-Webster's Word of The Year 2021, and some of the runners up-including a word McGovern knows all too well and a Bill Murray inspired word? Thoughts on Giving Tuesday. Eating Holyoke. Drinking California. Hanukkah and a whole lot more.
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