Melanie in the Morning – Mid Valley News Magazine

KMUZ's own DJ Sloan, went from “writer” to “author” last week when her first book, "On the Road to Find Out," was published.

Melanie Belle will interview Sloan about her story and what she found out.

Sloan says her book is about insights and universal truths experienced while traveling in Australia, Nepal, Greece and Ireland. “You don't need to travel abroad to have these experiences, they're life experiences and I think any one reading the book can relate to the lessons learned,” Sloan said.

Cris Ogo is from Micronesia and now lives in the mid-Valley. He represents the Micronesian community in this area. Join me on Melanie in the Morning to find out more about these people, their culture and how they impact our community. And mark your calendar to join them in celebration at A Taste of Micronesia at Bush Park this Saturday.

Meet Ann Copeland, AKA Ginny Furtwangler, on Melanie in the Morning, Tuesday at 9am. Ann is Ginny’s alter-ego, the pen name used on the many books Ginny has written. Ginny has a story to tell: from the convent to wife and mother to author and Chair of Willamette University’s first “Hallie Ford” Chair of English.

Melanie Belle and her guest, Ian Dixon-McDonald from Marion-Polk Food Share discuss sustainable food systems, “food security”, hunger, and the “Urban Agricultural Summit” happening at MPFS headquarters this Saturday.

Small town life, police dogs and hazelnuts will be the topics of conversations this week. Join Melanie Belle and her guest Scott McClure, city manager of Monmouth, as they talk about opportunities and challenges facing Monmouth Oregon and how police dogs are trained and used in law enforcement there. Then, Donald mayor, Daroll Nicholson will tell us about a new summer festival honoring the state nut – the filbert … or is it hazel nut?

It’s Animal Day on Melanie in the Morning Tuesday July 2 at 9am. First Melanie will talk to Gwen and Angie from Second Chance Salem, a dog rescue organization. Then Wayne from Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio will describe his operation that rescues farm animals.

Many people hear “lobbyist”, and think “undue influence!” Melanie Belle interviews Jim Craven, a lobbyist who represents the high tech industry. He will describe the various approaches to lobbying and do a recap of this legislative session slated to end this month.

David Cross, survivor of pancreatic cancer, tells his personal story and how the upcoming Relay For Life is important for cancer survivors and people who have lost their loved ones to this disease.

Melinda Mokalla, a recreational specialist from the City of Salem, will tell us all the ways we can be active and engage others through a number of city-sponsored athletic adventures.

Can energy be “smart”? Melanie investigates Salem’s Smart Power Center – the hub of one of the most advanced electrical systems in the country and part of PGE’s project piloting smart grid technologies. Learn how energy storage, back-up and renewable energy will keep power on during interruptions and save consumers money.