July 30, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with Thomas Sanchez, a California writer. Sanchez discusses language, writing and visual arts. Sanchez’s works include "Rabbit Boss", tracing the development of an Indian family from the 1850s to the Eisenhower Era; "The Zoot Suit Murders", a story of love and suspense amid the racial strife of Los Angeles in the 1940s; and a fictionalized account of the 1970s Wounded Knee conflict based on his real-life experiences as a supply-runner at Pine Ridge. Sanchez has been turning back to works of another era - the 50s Beat Generation. He’s traveled around the country reading to blues music poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Neal Cassady. Program opens with Sanchez performing a reading at the Walker Art Center. Also, on hand was pianist Butch Thompson.
July 30, 1980 - On this segment of People on Books, David Robinson reviews Fly Away Home by Mary Hedin.
August 1, 1980 - MPR’s Tom Meersman interviews Minnesota delegates to the 1980 National Democratic Convention and finds the decision of nominee is not the battleground…the platform is.
August 6, 1980 - On this segment of People on Books, Paul Gruchow comments on The World of Oz: An Inside Report on Big-Time Journalism by Osborn Elliott.
August 8, 1980 - On this segment of People on Books, Majorie Dorne, associate professor of English at Winona State, reviews Deliberate Regression by Robert Harbison.
August 14, 1980 - Live coverage of the Democratic National Convention includes the acceptance speeches of President Jimmy Carter and Vice and President Mondale.
August 14, 1980 - Vice President Walter Mondale delivers his acceptance speech to the 1980 Democratic National Convention.
August 16, 1980 - Marvin Mitchelson, a California divorce attorney, speaking at main branch of the Minneapolis Public Library as part of the Minneapolis Public Library's series on justice. Address was titled "Alimony/Palimony: How to Heal a Broken Heart". In speech, Mitchelson criticizes a Minnesota law passed last session dealing with living-together relationships outside of marriage. He accuses the bill's author, Senator Jack Davies, of being a chauvinist. After speech, Mitchelson answers audience questions. Mitchelson who, in the Marvin vs. Marvin case, established that, in a "living together relationship", each member of that couple has definite rights to property. That, even if there is no written agreement between the two parties. The settlements in such cases have come to be called palimony.
August 18, 1980 - MPR's Fred Steiner accompanied the University of Minnesota concert band's tour of the People's Republic of China, and in this program we hear the thoughts and impressions members of the band had about their recent musical tour, with musical excerpts from concert performances.
August 20, 1980 - MPR’s Tom Meersman profiles some of the operations that take place at the Minnesota State Fair, including safety and commerce.