WORLD FOOTPRINTS

On today’s World Footprints radio show we will showcase some remarkable young women who are doing extraordinary things.

World Footprints was invited to attend the Girl Up Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.  Girl Up is an innovative campaign of the United Nations Foundation that gives American girls the opportunity to become global leaders and channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for United Nations programs that help some of the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls.

We are pleased to share highlights from this first Girl Up Leadership Summit which included remarks from actress Monique Coleman from High School Musical; Sarah Hurwitz, Speechwriter for President Obama; and moments between Girl Up teen advisors and young girls from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Also, we are delighted to introduce a dynamic teenager who is making waves on the air with her weekly radio show—Pavlina’s Kids Place.  Pavlina Osta shares interviews with celebrities, politicians and newsmakers.  In addition to her radio show, Pavlina is an honor-roll student and an accomplished steel drum musician. Truly a wonderful role model.

World Footprints will take you on a journey through America's heritage through the words of legendary actor Hal Holbrook.  We will travel on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle with our friend Stan Ellsworth--the gregarious American history TV show host of "American Ride", and we will go inside the iconic Oak Alley plantation deep in the American south.  If you'd like to experience a living history lesson or two then tune in because today's World Footprints is just for you.

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World Footprints is excited to share one of our new favorite cities --Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (despite our football rivalries).  When most people who have never visited Pittsburgh think of the city, they may envision an industrial city filled with tall smoke stakes.  In reality, Pittsburgh is a vibrant, colorful, modern and pristine city that is very welcoming.

The three rivers that meet at a point creates a flowing calming energy and provided the inspiration for Dutch artist Florentjn Hofman to select the city as her North American debut of his giant rubber duck.  Today, we will give you a glimpse into this remarkable city as we explore Pittsburgh's rich history through attractions like the Senator John Heinz History Center, we'll walk through the streets of The Hill Districk and we'll relive Pittsburgh's industrial past as we tour the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

On today's World Footprints radio show we will take flight across America with pilot Field Morey as he prepares for his Capital Air Tour.  Field and fellow pilot Conrad Teitell are embarking on an adventurous flight in a small aircraft to all the state capitals in the United States lower 48 plus Alaska in only two weeks.  The pilots plan to raise awareness about the importance of smaller airports to the tourism industry and to provide a virtual geography lesson to school children across America.

We will also enjoy some time in middle America; namely Ohio, as we enjoy a walk through the roller coaster capital of the world--Cedar Point.  This Sandusky landmark is a place that holds special memories for us because every childhood summer was spent daring ourselves to ride the latest roller coaster.  This visit was no different because the Park's Bryan Edwards led us to an old favorite--The Blue Streak; and we enjoyed soaring through the air on the newest giant--The Gatekeeper.  Enjoy exploring the "best amusement park in the world" with us.

Finally, one of the decisive battles in the War of 1812 took place in Lake Erie's Put-In-Bay where Commodore Olivr Hazard Perry captured the British squadron and raised the now famous "Don't Give Up The Ship" flag on board the US Brig Niagara.  National Park Ranger Marianne Duvendack takes us on a tour around the International Peace Monument and shares more about Ohio's role in the War of 1812.

In honor of the War of 1812, World Footprints will travel the "Star-Spangled Banner" Trail by land and by sea through Maryland, the home state of Francis Scott Key.   Our first stop will be two historical sites in Baltimore--Ft. McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Then we will explore Southern Maryland and travel to historic Jefferson Patterson Park and the Sotterley Plantation where we’ll learn about the two largest naval battles in Maryland’s history—the Battles of St. Leonard Creek. Finally, we will travel to Maryland’s capital in Annapolis to visit the U.S. Naval Academy for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy where we’ll learn about many artifacts from the War of 1812.

For more information about Maryland’s role in the War of 1812 visit www.StarSpangled200.org.

September 11, 2001 is a date that touches every American from coast to coast, recalling memories of a fateful day that placed thousands at the center of a terror attack. The personal stories that emerged from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 bring to light the men and women whose courage and resilience have shown how humanity will always overcome fear. 

Today World Footprints commemorates the anniversary of the terrifying attack that changed the world and brought heroes to the front-line. You will hear from survivors their first-hand account of the events as they experienced them. You will also hear from individuals who selflessly put their own lives at risk to rescue others. We will also share our own memories for the first time.

We will always be united in memory!

Click HERE to see our video from within the Pentagon and our visit to the Pentagon Memorial.

World Footprints is pleased to share Part 2 of the 3-part interview with Emmy Award winning actor Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on The Young & the Restless (CBS Daytime).   Eric talks about his favorite travel destinations and his efforts to foster peace and understanding between Germans and the Jewish community.  Then, enjoy a feast with Spain’s celebrated chef Maria Jose San Roman as she shares the secret ingredient that appears in all of her dishes (and cocktails).  Finally, since every day is World Animal Day we are pleased to be joined by Paul Butler, SVP of Global Programs at RARE Conservation, who will discuss RARE’s animal conservation efforts and the world-wide Pride Campaign.

World Footprints will give you a taste of paradise as we journey to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)—a multi-island country of 32 enchanting islands and cays.  Of those islands only nine are inhabited and each offers unique accommodations.  We’ll introduce you to three of our favorite properties today.

Our first stop is Buccament Bay Resort on the island of St. Vincent.  Buccament Bay is a brand new 5 star all-inclusive resort surrounded by lush green mountains, rainforests and a white sand beach.  Resort Manager Christine Nelles will offer a virtual tour of the array of experiences that families, couples and business travelers can enjoy.  From the Liverpool Football Club Soccer School and Pat Cash Tennis Academy to the Harlequin Performing Arts Academy, and world-class cuisine the resort offers something for everyone. 

Our next stop is the island of Bequia, the largest of the Grenadine Islands.  Here we’ll introduce Bengt Mortsted, owner of the newly built Bequia Beach Hotel.  This boutique hotel is inspired by stylish Mustique villas and situated on the beautiful Friendship Beach.  Lush tropical gardens embrace the grounds and provide a luxurious and relaxing experience.

The private island of Palm Island, in the Southern Grenadines, and the Palm Island Resort is our final stop on this tour.  The resort is an eco-friendly, all-inclusive, 135-acre resort that is intimate with only 41 guestrooms and two villas.  General Manager Chris Ghita will entice us with a tour of the amenities, activities, dining options and accommodations.

World Footprints returned to New Orleans for our 7th annual French Quarter Festival 2-hour broadcast.  This year we set up at Tableau Restaurant, Dickie Brennan's newest culinary gem in Jackson Square.  This second hour of our FQF broadcast explores the unique history of New Orleans with two prominent professors from the University of New Orleans.   

The diverse heritages of the people of New Orleans makes this city very unique, interesting and alive with traditions that are not found in any other city in the country.  New Orleans is a place where Africans intermingled with Native Americans and european settlers ultimately creating a sustainable culture that distinguishes New Orleans today.   Dr. MaryMiitchell, History Professor at UNO, joins us to discuss the African contributions to New Orleans and the dynamics that slavery played in the development and culture of this city.  

Most people don’t equate compassion and beauty when they think of Voodoo, but  Voodoo historian, Professor Martha Ward, says that is what she discovered when she first began researching the practice.  Prof. Ward is a Professor Emeritus at UNO and author of the book, Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau, the only academic account of the famous New Orelans voodoo priestess and her daughter, Marie Laveau II.  Professor Ward  offers a Voodoo history lesson and her belief that Hollywood and media have incorrectly racialized and stigmatized Voodoo. 

Enjoy our FQF hour one discussion of New Orleans art and history.

World Footprints returned to New Orleans for our 7th annual French Quarter Festival 2-hour broadcast.  This year we set up at Tableau Restaurant, Dickie Brennan's newest culinary gem in Jackson Square.  

The first hour of World Footprints showcase New Orleans international outreach, the arts and history.  We introduce a hidden gem, The New Orleans Historic Collection.  The Historic Collection  is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region.  New Orleans' homegrown stars, The Boswell Sisters, are featured and the exhibit's curator Mark Cave and the granddaughter of Vet Boswell, Kyla Titus, joins us for a lively discussion.

We also talk about a special event that the world is sharing this year--the 70th anniversary of the landing at Normandy.  The National World War II Museum's Alan Raphael joins us to talk about how the museum is commemorating this anniversary and the special role that New Orleans played in WWII.

We promise you'll enjoy this first hour and we invite you back to listen to the 2nd hour broadcast where we talk about the history of Voodoo and spotlight the contributions of Africans in New Orleans.