Cincinnati Edition

Monday was Earth Day, and one way to help preserve the landscape and soil is to maintain, and in some cases, resurrect, the native plants that once existed in all regions of the planet. A new book, Back to Eden: Landscaping with Native Plants provides information and instruction on starting a native plant garden, how to make a rain garden, dealing with pests and how to avoid using fertilizers. The author, Dr. Frank Porter, joins Mark Perzel on the phone to discuss the many benefits of using native plants.

When the brand new Aiken High School opens this fall, students will be introduced to personalized learning. Part of the plan is a Carpe Diem charter school inside Aiken, the first one Cincinnati Public Schools has sponsored. There's a similar program in Indianapolis, and Ann Thompson went there to take a look and provide this report.

After more than 40 years reporting, mostly as a Statehouse News Correspondent, Bill Cohen is retiring.  Maryanne Zeleznik speaks with Bill about his career.

In just a few short years, the SpringBoard program, launched by ArtWorks, have become a highly sought after business training program for artists and creative entrepreneurs. SpringBoard coordinator Caitlin Behle joins Mark Perzel in the studio to discuss some of the success of the program, and to provide details on the current application process for two summer sessions of its small business course.

Her online community is large and passionate. Her essay, Don’t Carpe Diem, was a viral sensation. Glennon Doyle Melton is founder of the online community known as Momastery.com. Her writings have helped her conquer her demons while realizing many other women shared the same fears and contradictions as she. Her new book, Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed, brings together many of her best and favorite essays, along with some new ideas. Our Maryanne Zeleznik speaks to the author, mother and wife, about her life’s journey and what this book means to her.