First for September 1st, 2017

Wall of Faces
Ken Burns’ 18 hour documentary on the Vietnam War starts September 17th on WHYY-TV. It’s sure to start a conversation that has never stopped when it comes to the war. Part of the conversation also has to do with helping people understand the Vietnam War. Our First Look begins in Washington, D.C., where Delaware vets are a part of a new education center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

First Person: Carper on healthcare
Senator Tom Carper is back with us on First this week. He created a national sensation a couple weeks ago by simply stating that Republicans and Democrats should work together to come up with a plan. Is that the state of affairs that something so simple is such a big deal?

First Experience: Rick Phillips
Next weekend kicks off the Brandywine Arts Festival. It continues to draw artisans from around the region, including the subject of our First Experience this week. For over two decades artist Rick Phillips worked as an illustrator. He did work for clients such as Campbell’s Soup and Glaxo Smith-Klein. But Rick wasn’t happy sitting in front of a computer, so he decided to start painting. Rick is happy now, spending most of his time painting, or teaching others to paint.

End Violence
Thrillist, an online lifestyle website, recently ranked Wilmington as one of “America’s best small cities to move to before they get too popular.” Despite the accolade, violence continues to plague pockets of the city. Mike Gnade is with us in the studio, he’s with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Next week, the church is hosting a symposium called, “Taking on Violence in Wilmington.”

Youth Academy
Some area students are heading back to school with a new attitude this semester and the Wilmington Police Youth Academy has everything to do with that change. A few participants expected it to be like ordinary camp, others took it as a networking opportunity. The experience altered their perspective about the men and women behind the badge.