Spark: KLRU's Engaging Speaker Series Announces 2007 Lineup

From KUT's web site:

Gwen Ifill — Tuesday, January 31

Gwen Ifill, managing editor of PBS’s "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," is one of the most respected political analysts in the country. A veteran journalist, Ifill covered the White House, Congress and presidential campaigns for NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others. She joined the PBS news team in 1999 and has since been pegged to moderate the Vice Presidential debates and serves on the board of Harvard University's Institute of Politics.

Maria Hinojosa and Ray Suarez in Conversation — Wednesday, February 21

After years of covering the cultural changes in the United States, two of the nations most respected journalists will discuss issues including immigration, family and the nation’s future. Maria Hinojosa has been named Hispanic Business Magazine’s 100 most influential Latinos in the United States. Currently host of NPR’s "Latino USA," she is also a senior correspondent for PBS’s "NOW." She is the author of several books including Raising Raul, a memoir about raising a Latino child in a multicultural society.

In his work, Ray Suarez examines the economic, political and social dynamics that shape our culture. Formerly host of NPR’s "Talk of the Nation," he joined PBS’s "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" in 1999. Suarez is the author of several books including 2006’s The Holy Vote, which examines religion and politics in America.

Global Warming — Tuesday, March 20

Two of the leading voices on climate issues take center stage to discuss the causes and impacts of global warming. Internationally-acclaimed scientist Dr. Tim Flannery believes that human activity is altering the earth's climate. His best-selling book, The Weather Makers, demonstrates the substantial climate change and the likely ecological effects to the planet if this process continues.

Journalist Elizabeth Kolbert worked with top scientists for her groundbreaking environmental series for The New Yorker. That work has been expanded for the book Field Notes from a Catastrophe, which delves into what can be done to negate the causes of global warming.

Douglas Rushkoff — Wednesday, April 18

As an author, teacher and documentarian, Douglas Rushkoff focuses on the ways people, cultures and institutions create, share, and influence each other's values. As one of the leaders of the cyberpunk movement, he has written ten best-selling books including Get Back in the Box: Innovation from the Inside Out, Cyberia, Media Virus and Playing the Future. Rushkoff has written and hosted two award-winning Frontline documentaries — The Merchants of Cool and The Persuaders — and provides commentary for NPR's "All Things Considered."

Anne Lamott — Tuesday, May 15

Author Anne Lamott takes complicated issues and breaks them down with her quirky, self-effacing sense of humor. From alcoholism and motherhood to religion and family, Lamott uses a personal honesty in her writing that lifts, comforts and inspires. She is the author of six novels including Hard Laughter, Rosie, Joe Jones, All New People and Crooked Little Heart, as well as four best-selling non-fiction works including Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.

For more information, email spark@klru.org or call 512-475-9021.