All the world's a stage, and all the men and women -- merely players.” … “If music be the food of love, play on.” … “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”  

… A few of the most recognized lines penned by the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare. Many more familiar lines -- Actually ALL of the other plays in Shakespeare’s canon are jammed into the Vagabond Players’ production of ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).’  It runs through March 12th, directed by Daniel Douek.

We get a preview from actor, pianist, director Stephen Deininger and actor and educator Sydney Marks. 

Links: Vagabond Players tickets, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company tickets. 

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

For a decade, Bruce Goldfarb’s job was to be spokesman for Maryland’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In his new book, “OCME: Life in America's Top Forensic Medical Center,” Goldfarb traces the history of the office, its rise as a pioneering force for forensic science, and the challenges it faces today. 

Bruce Goldfarb will be speaking about his new book on Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Historic Osler Hall at MedChi, 1211 Cathedral Street, in Mount Vernon. Please RSVP by February 25rd to [email protected].

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Households who qualify for SNAP food benefits got an increase as the pandemic started. That emergency allotment ends in March. Carmen Del Guercio, president and CEO of the Maryland Food Bank, tells how it’s gearing up for more people needing help. Plus, Baltimore Banner investigative reporter Brenna Smith tells about the surge in SNAP theft. 

Links: Maryland Food Bank donations and find food locations; Brenna Smith reporting.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

At least one of every seven children in Maryland lives in poverty. A new analysis says the real number might be higher -- maybe one in every five children. Whatever the number is, it’s too high. Gov. Wes Moore has pledged to end child poverty in Maryland. He joins us to tell us how he plans to do that, and how long it will take.

Then Johns Hopkins sociologist Stefanie DeLuca tells how helping poor families move to neighborhoods where people are doing well … boosts their OWN success.

Links:
Maryland sought an accurate poverty count. It found 110,000 more kids.
Gov. Moore’s first step to ending poverty: Tax credits for low-income families
Poor families must move often, but rarely escape concentrated poverty

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Historian David O. Stewart traces George Washington’s skills as a political operator, as well as the first president’s failure to speak out against slavery as he came to realize its evils. Stewart's biography is titled, "George Washington: The Political Rise of America’s Founding Father."

Stewart will be talking about the book in a virtual event for the Fort Ticonderoga Author Series on March 12th at 2 pm. Event details here.

This interview originally aired on September 8, 2021.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

The origins of Black History Month reach back to 1926. From its from the outset, the emphasis has been on the coordinated teaching of Black American history in the nation's public schools.  

Blacktastic, A children's festival of Maryland Black history and culture, carries that mission forward today -- and this year, with a special emphasis on Maryland’s Black history. It's interactive online content designed by ‘Arts for Learning Maryland,’ 

Singers, musicians and actors will bring some Black figure’s of the Free State’s history  to life for K through 12 students across Maryland. We get a preview from Jessica Hebron, Chief Program Officer at Arts for Learning Maryland and from Traci Mathena, Principal at Creative City Public Charter Elementary School.

Links: Arts for Learning Maryland, Blacktastic! registration information.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Here’s a Stoop Story from Morgan State professor Charles Carter about what can come from dedication and believing in yourself. Hear his story and others at Stoopstorytelling.com .

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Maryland set up a ‘truth-and-reconciliation’ commission to come to grips with the shameful history of lynching in the Free State. We talk to its chair, David Fakunle … and to Joseph Koper, author of the book--The Isaiah Fountain Case--that asks when an execution after a trial could be called a lynching. 

Links: Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The Isaiah Fountain Case.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

Where would our country be, what would it be without Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman?

Award-winning documentarian Stanley Nelson evokes new insights into how each pushed to freedom from slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

"Becoming Frederick Douglass" will re-air on MPT this Saturday at 10 p.m. Both "Becoming Frederick Douglass" and "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" are available to watch online.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472

A change in state law required all jurisdictions to create a new process to review civilian complaints against law enforcement officers. How will Baltimore’s police accountability board function? What power does it have? 

We speak with Dana P. Moore, head of the city's Office of Equity and Civil Rights, and Mariel Shutinya, chief of the Police Accountability Division. Then, PAB member Jamal Turner talks about restoring trust between the public and the police.

The board’s next meeting will take place in two weeks: 6 p.m. Monday, February 27th at 7 E. Redwood Street in Baltimore. An option to participate virtually will also be available.

Links:
Baltimore City Police Accountability Board 2022 Annual Report
Complaints against Baltimore police officers grow as new accountability board takes shape
Following reform effort, some police accountability boards up and running in counties, some still not formed

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472