Elections call for enormous people power and attention to detail. The Baltimore City Board of Elections director Armstead Jones describes the struggle to train … and retain elections judges. Then we talk with Whitney Quesenberry, executive director at the Center for Civic Design to hear how they work to simplify ballots and the voting process.

Links: Early voting poll locations, Register to become an election judge, Vote 411 Maryland for ballot information and more, Center for Civic Design.

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

It’s a dead heat in the race for Anne Arundel county executive, and on the Eastern Shore, Maryland’s lone Republican congressman faces a progressive challenger. Days before early voting starts, we talk politics with Maryland Matters founding editor Josh Kurtz.

Then, at the bottom of the Baltimore City ballot - questions about police and an underground conduit system. We break down some ballot questions with Baltimore Sun reporter Emily Opilo. 

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

In his debut novel, Brendan Slocumb draws on his own experiences as a Black violinist encountering racism. His protagonist, Ray McMillian, faces the same challenge, plus a devastating betrayal -- the theft of his priceless Stradivarius. We delve into "The Violin Conspiracy."

Slocumb will be in Baltimore on Wednesday evening for a conversation at Enoch Pratt Central Library with Judith Krummeck, drive time host for classical station WBJC. Details here. 

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

That was a Stoop Story from Jeffrey Kent about trusting your gut … and becoming who you want to be. You can hear his story and others at Stoopstorytelling.com.

Looking forward to Halloween? Start the spookiness with a live Stoop Storytelling event! “Tales from the Crypt: Stories that Shiver Your Spine and Boggle Your Brain” happens on Monday at Center stage. Come for cocktails and live music from Midnight Sun at 7 p.m.; eerie stories start at 8 p.m.

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

Atman Smith, Ali Smith, and Andrés González are co-founders of the Holistic Life Foundation. Their new book, “Let Your Light Shine: How Mindfulness Can Empower Children and Rebuild Communities,” is partly about the systems in Baltimore that make life so challenging for Black and Brown children, partly about the authors’ personal transformations through yoga. The volume tells the stories of the Holistic Life Foundation’s founding and its two-decades working to spread love to at-risk youth. 

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

Music can soothe, motivate and stir feelings. Can music heal? Dr. Alexander Pantelyat, who runs the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine, develops therapies and conducts research with patients who have Parkinson’s disease and other ailments. He says it’s not one-size-fits all, and can be tailored to each patient just like other medications.

Plus, Senior Music Therapist Kerry Devlin, who works with adults and children, says that using music for healing may not be the right fit for everyone, but for many:

“It’s an experience that brings something different into their care. It feels really different from some of the other therapies that they move through because of the ways in which it holds space for their experiences, their music and their personhood.”

Links: The Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine, A Woman's Journey registration, Where to find a music therapist.

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

Raised in Baltimore, an alumna of Morgan State, April Ryan has covered urban issues from the White House press room for 25 years. Her new book, Black Women Will Save the World, describes pressures on African-American women--including many Ryan has faced--and her ideas for tackling them.

Links: Mahogany Books, DC, Oct. 20; Politics and Prose, DC, Nov. 2, Enoch Pratt Library Nov. 7 in conversation with Kurt Schmoke.

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

Arundel County executive lines incumbent Democrat Steuart Pittman against Republican County Councilwoman Jessica Haire.  We ask about reducing crime, getting students to school on-time, pursuing development while protecting the shoreline, and their priorities if elected. 

Check out this WYPR News story on polling in the race.

Tomorrow evening Anne Arundel County executive candidates Steuart Pittman and Jessica Haire will participate in a debate at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. The event will also be live-streamed. 

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 is a Stoop Story from Shannon about trying to stay out of trouble in Germany. 

Listen to more from the Stoop Storytelling Series and find out about upcoming Stoop events. 

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 father of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmstead, and his sons, are acclaimed in Baltimore for spaces like Patterson Park and neighborhoods like Roland Park. We hear how the Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes is celebrating 200 years since Olmstead Senior’s birth. 

Guests:
Jennifer Arndt Robinson is the president of the board of directors of the nonprofit Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes. She is also executive Director of the Friends of Patterson Park. Hannah Hethmon is the owner of Better Lemon Creative Audio and a freelance consultant in museum and history research.

Learn more:
National Association for Olmsted Parks
How Frederick Law Olmsted’s Principles Shaped Baltimore Parks
The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

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