Renowned pianist Robin Spielberg has marked a milestone in her illustrious career with the release of her 24th album, "By Way of The Wind." Breaking away from her previous solo piano and piano/ensemble compositions, this latest offering presents a collection of Spielberg's original works fully orchestrated for a complete symphony and piano and string orchestra. The album represents a departure from her established repertoire and showcases her versatility in a fully orchestrated context.

A remarkable aspect of "By Way of The Wind" lies in its unique recording process, as Spielberg collaborated with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra remotely over Zoom. Notably recognized for their work on the score of the acclaimed film "Parasite" and various other projects, the Budapest Scoring Orchestra contributed to the distinctive sound and texture of Spielberg's latest release.

The album not only demonstrates Spielberg's artistic evolution but also reflects the adaptability of musicians and orchestras to virtual collaborations. "By Way of The Wind" stands as a testament to Spielberg's enduring creativity and ability to push the boundaries of her musical expression, captivating audiences with a symphonic journey that adds a new dimension to her extensive discography.

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Some six million children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. Their grief is personal and not widely understood by those around them.

When Natasha Daniel’s healthy 42-year-old husband suddenly died of a blood clot, she and her three children were thrown into the darkness of grief. Her children experienced difficulty eating, sleeping, and focusing. People treated them differently and they lost some friends.

Inspired by conversations with her own grieving children, child therapist Natasha Daniels wrote The Grief Rock: A Book to Understand Grief and Love. Natasha Daniel was on The Spark Tuesday, who described what she and her children went through when her husband and their father died suddenly,"It really was like a boulder came and cracked our foundation. I never realized that, physiologically, grief really impacts your body and brain. And so it's like everything shuts down. I couldn't really communicate. I really couldn't speak, I couldn't read, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. My kids were having their mini versions of this. You just feel like you kind of woke up and everything looks the same. But it's all in a foreign language."

Daniel said her three kids grieved differently,"My youngest -- she sobbed. It was so hard to adjust. Hold that space for her because I feel like I was like literally in shock. And so, just her sobbing was exhausting. And my son was quiet, like, everything was fine, like he didn't want to rock the boat. Everything's fine. And my older daughter became very parental very quickly. At 18, she kind of just swooped in and was very concerned about me. And I had to kind of let her know that she doesn't need to be a parent."

What does she want parents of grieving kids to know? "This is what grief can feel like, and it's normal. It's going to feel horrible, but it's normal and you're not alone. So I think the first step is validating that and letting them know what the experience of grief may feel like for them."

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Tis the season with the holidays right around the corner. What better way to show your loved ones you care by giving them a great book to read.

The Spark is hosting our annual book-as-gifts guide. Books come in all shapes and sizes with a vast array of genres including non-fiction, fiction, mystery, romance, kids books and much more. Quite frankly, there is a book for anyone to be happy with!

On Monday’s The Spark, we discussed how books make great holiday gifts with our book experts and heard their recommendations for books to read or give.

Joining us Monday were Catherine Lawrence, co-owner of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, Travis Kurowski, (Ph.D.) an assistant professor of creative writing at York College of Pennsylvania, and Carolyn Blatchley, MLIS, Executive Director of Cumberland County Library System.

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Highlights from last week's shows!

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Marquis Lupton and Scott LaMar speak with some of the organizations involved with ExtraGive 2023 live at LNP/Lancaster Online Lancaster office.

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#WeGotAction

Alan Massenburg, the multifaceted comedian, writer, and actor hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has carved a distinctive niche in the entertainment industry. Notably, he earned recognition as a finalist in the American Black Film Festival stand-up competition, an accolade presented by HBO, showcasing his comedic talents on a prestigious platform. Massenburg's humor found a broader audience as he appeared in the "Dad Joke" segment on the Drew Barrymore Show, adding a touch of his comedic flair to the national stage.

The comedian further solidified his presence by gracing the legendary Apollo Theater as a featured performer, leaving an indelible mark on one of the world's most iconic venues. Additionally, Massenburg brought his comedic charm to Sirius XM's "Sway in the Morning Show," contributing to his growing reputation in the industry.

Despite expressing a "hate/hate relationship" with TikTok, Massenburg has defied the odds, with his social media content amassing over 10 million views online. This digital success underscores his ability to connect with audiences across platforms, showcasing the comedian's versatility and resilience in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment. As Massenburg continues to captivate audiences with his humor and talent, his journey from Philadelphia to the global stage reflects a promising trajectory in the world of comedy and entertainment.

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Black Friday is a week from tomorrow to unofficially open the holiday shopping season. Then there’s Cyber Monday for online shopping too. The holiday shopping season is make or break time for many retailers who see it as the best chance their bottom lines get into the “black.” The nation’s economy has not followed traditional patterns since the COIVID pandemic. For the most part, consumers have been flush with cash and have continued to spend. That’s even though overall inflation increased prices substantially for some products. The latest government report indicates inflation has leveled off from last year, but it still is the number one complaint and concern for consumers. So, what will the holiday shopping season look like? We’re joined on The Spark today by Dr. Matias Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University.

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Winnie Okello is a dedicated advocate for environmental justice, a principle rooted in the belief that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves access to a clean, safe, and healthy environment. This philosophy asserts that the right to environmental well-being should be universal and not contingent upon factors such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. At the core of environmental justice is the commitment to rectify historical and systemic injustices that have disproportionately burdened marginalized communities with environmental hazards.

One specific facet of this pervasive issue is environmental racism, an area where Winnie Okello has been actively involved. Environmental racism highlights the stark disparities in exposure to environmental risks faced by communities of color in comparison to predominantly white communities. This inequality manifests through a higher concentration of polluting industries, hazardous waste sites, and environmental threats in neighborhoods inhabited by people of color. These disparities are not random but are rooted in longstanding policies and practices that perpetuate systemic discrimination.

Addressing environmental justice and racism demands proactive efforts to dismantle entrenched inequities. Winnie Okello has been a proponent of empowering affected communities by raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and promoting inclusive decision-making processes. Her work underscores the importance of ensuring that the benefits of a healthier environment are shared equitably among all citizens.

The discriminatory allocation of environmental harms not only poses immediate health risks but also exacerbates broader social and economic inequalities. Winnie Okello recognizes that achieving environmental justice requires a multifaceted approach that engages communities, challenges discriminatory policies, and promotes sustainable practices. By championing these efforts, she contributes to a crucial step forward in creating a more just and sustainable future for everyone, regardless of their background or where they live. Winnie Okello's commitment to environmental justice is a beacon for positive change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of social justice, environmental well-being, and the collective pursuit of a fair and equitable society.

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This past weekend featured crisp, fall weather, including lots of sunshine yesterday. Many homeowners across Pennsylvania took advantage of the weather for yard work.

It wasn’t unusual to hear lawn mowers, weed whackers, leaf blowers or even chain saws droning.

Ironically, while cleaning up a yard, those machines may have polluting the air at the same time.

That’s according to a report from the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center that says gas powered lawn equipment emits 18,000 tons of pollution.

With us on The Spark Monday were Ellie Kerns, Climate Change Associate, PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center and Gerhart Arndt, owner of Sustainable Lawn Care Services.

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Emergency rooms in Pennsylvania hospitals are overcrowded according to the Pennsylvania Medical Society – a statewide organization representing doctors.

That’s even though there are more urgent care facilities, and more people have health insurance than a decade ago.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society says there are several causes for the overcrowding and is calling on Gov. Shapiro to step in to address the issue.

Joining us on The Spark Monday to talk about ER overcrowding was Dr. Kristen Sandel, President-elect of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

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