March 19, 1998 - The exotic and mysterious life of a 1930's Geisha is not the typical subject matter for a first novel from a Harvard-educated man from Tennessee. Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha was sparked by his interest in Japan and a series of interviews he did with a real geisha. Golden also has a Master's Degree in Japanese history from Columbia and has studied and worked in Japan. Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of a young girl--sold and forced to leave her little sea-side village to live in a house where geisha's are trained. Arthur Golden told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham the final version of Memoirs of a Geisha came after struggling with two dry rough drafts.
March 19, 1998 - For years, senior citizens enrolled in HMOs in Minnesota have received fewer Medicare benefits than their peers in other states. That's because Medicare's funding formula dictated lower payments in places like Minnesota that were cutting health care costs and higher payments in places like Florida that had high health care costs. Last year, Congress tried to fix the problem but the disparities have only gotten worse. Now lawmakers are taking another shot. We talk to 2nd District Congressman David Minge about the problem.
March 20, 1998 - "Images of Aging” Princeton survey shows working people think retirement will give them a chance for a fresh start, but most retirees say their lives are about the same or worse. This Midday program examines expectations upon retiring with guest LaRhae Knatterud, of the MN Dept of Human Service's Aging Initiative called "Project 2030," who discusses survey results and answers listener questions.
March 20, 1998 - Nolan Zavoral talks about his book about Iowa wrestler and coach Dan Gable.
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March 23, 1998 - MPR movie maven Stephanie Curtis previews the 70th Academy Awards. Curtis makes predictions on nominations, including Titanic, L.A. Confidential, and Good Will Hunting, amongst others. Curtis also answers listener questions.
March 24, 1998 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews Minnesota poet Susan Carol Hauser about her book “Sugartime: The Hidden Pleasures of Making Maple Syrup with a Primer for the Novice Sugarer.”