Hearsay With Cathy Lewis

Whether it's the SAT's or SOL, students are getting their fair share of standardized testing. Today on HearSay, we'll consider the effectiveness of those tests and discuss how that testing has shaped Virginia schools.

Sitting in your car at lunch? Tune in Monday on HearSay for some transportation talk. We're taking a look with you at the latest headlines on this hot button issue in Hampton Roads. Send in your questions or comments by e-mail in advance to hearsay@whrv.org, post them on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis, or send us a Tweet at www.twitter.com/HearSayWHRV. You can also call in live with your questions during the broadcast at 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

Where can you rub shoulders with generals, take a tour of 28 countries, or enter your Dachshund in a costume contest? NATOFest of course! The celebration of our region's ties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will be celebrated later this month at Town Point Park. In advance of the 2014 Norfolk NATO Festival, we'll take a look at the current state of NATO and the role our Norfolk branch plays in charting the organization's course for the future.

Have you ever been stuck with the bill and wondering what to tip? We are going to take an in-depth look at those on other side of that 20 percent. We'll consider if the federally set minimum wage for a tipped employee can be considered a living wage and explore what changes are in the works for Virginians who work for tips.

The English language is a living thing, growing and changing with the passage of time and evolving to match the culture of its speakers. On today's HearSay, we'll explore aspects of our language that have fallen out of prominence but might be deserving of a resurgence. Also, Cathy Lewis is joined by the editor of the American Heritage Dictionary for a look at the new words making their way into our lexicon and the more obscure ones that are deserving of a place in your vocabulary.

The British are coming! The British are coming! Redcoats, revolution, and RevQuest galore is the theme for today's show as we sit down with local historians to discuss the local ties to AMC's new Revolutionary War spy show,"Turn," and Colonial Williamsburg's new online mission where you can try your hand at your own clandestinehistorical adventure.

What does the future hold for our region? It's a polarizing question-one that shapes elections and divides public opinion. Dan Bell, president of a local think tank dedicated to just that question, joins us to wax regional on the big opportunities and issues that stand before Hampton Roads. We'll also discuss their efforts to bring a new series of Ted Talks to the region.

Are you cybersafe? The recent theft of personal information from Target shoppers-noted by some experts as one of the largest cyber crimes of all time-highlighted the sophistication of cyber criminals and the increasing vulnerability of businesses and customers alike. Small-to mid-size businesses are falling victim to cyber criminals at an alarming rate. A recent study by Verizon estimates that 70 percent or more of data breaches in 2012 impacted companies of fewer than 100 employees. By targeting the online presence of employees and vendors, hackers are increasingly bypassing known security measures and installing software that cripples small businesses. These attacks can cost a small business thousands or even shutter them. Experts join us today as we tackle what you can do to protect yourself or your business.

Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we'll check in on the progress being made in Richmond as the special session of the 2014 General Assembly continues. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on our Facebook pagefacebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

Today we continue our 2014 series of one-on-one conversations with the elected officials representing the citizens of Hampton Roads in the United States House of Representatives. Join us as HearSay host, Cathy Lewis, speaks live with the congressman from Virginia's second district and the senior senator representing Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

As the weather starts to warm, pets and their owners will be heading outdoors for exercise and play. Our resident veterinarian, Dr. Phyllis Neuman, joins Cathy Lewis to prep you for another season of outdoor adventures. She'll offer up tips on easing your pets into higher levels of activity and what pests to look out for.

Elsewhere in the country, snowfall on the first week of spring might be considered strange, but it's business as usual here in Hampton Roads. The frenetic weather can make it hard for gardeners to plan and even harder for gardens to survive. Thankfully our gardening guru, Jim Orband, is here to coach you through the mad weather.

Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we'll explore crowdfunding efforts underway to support the Norfolk Arts District. First, we consider "the oil dimension of U.S. foreign policy" with Old Dominion University's Dr. Steve Yativ. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on our Facebook pagefacebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

On ABC's Shark Tank, hopeful inventors and entrepreneurs petition a panel of angel investors who are arguably the toughest sell in the business. Many face unapologetic rejection from the likes of Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, and the "Queen of QVC," Lori Greiner. However, a select few of the contestants survive the encounter and are then snatched up by one of the four investors who in turn invests their own capital in the product. Today we're joined by local entrepreneurs who've swam with the sharks on the hit ABC show and lived to tell the tale. Tune in for a conversation about their eye opening experiences on Shark Tank and the harrowing challenges of taking that "big idea" to market.

There was a time when retirement was seen as the end of a successful career and the start of a new chapter in life filled with travel, leisure and personal discovery. But now tens of millions of baby boomers are leaving retirement behind and setting out to make their mark, or a little extra cash, by starting an "encore career." We'll talk with two local residents who have bucked the retirement trend and taken the plunge into new and fulfilling careers as they begin their "second act."

Segment A: Flavor Profiles First up, we dish out what's new in our monthly cooking program on HearSay as host Cathy Lewis talks with our favorite foodie Patrick Evans-Hylton and guests to gets the latest on local restaurants and eateries, plus new cookbooks on the shelves. Segment B: International Flavors Sometimes you're in the mood for a little Italian, or perhaps you'd prefer a sampling of small plates from central Spain; maybe you're just dying for a piece of Japan's finest sushi. Though you probably can't jet-set around the world to sample great international cuisine at a moment's notice, you can certainly scratch that culinary itch at many of the fine restaurants right here in Hampton Roads. Today we'll tell you about one event that brings together many of the region's great chefs who are ready to tantalize your pallet with flavors from across the globe.

Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we discuss circumstances surrounding the Governor's call for a special session of the Virginia General Assembly, with the purpose of finalizing a state budget. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at hearsay@whrv.org or join us on our Facebook pagefacebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

This week the Norfolk State University Department of English and Foreign Languages will hold the second annual William Carroll Writers Festival March 25-27. The event is a celebration of the unique culture of creativity that was fosters across the campus by the festival's namesake, Dr. Bill Carrol. The festival will feature published writers, professors and poets who will serve as keynote speakers in five sessions over the course of three days; they join us today on HearSay to discuss Dr. Bill's legacy and the challenges facing a new generation of writers and poets.

Do you have plans to take advantage of your accrued vacation and personal days before they run out? You're in good company if you don't; this year alone almost 60% of Americans won't use all their vacation time. We'll explore a new trend that's taking root in many startups, "unlimited vacation time," and consider how the U.S. stacks up in global rankings for maternity leave and paid leave.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. On today's HearSay, host Cathy Lewis is joined by doctors, advocates, and caregivers who continue the search for new developments in the treatment of this debilitating disease. We'll also discuss the local resources available to our region's ALS patients and how those options are helping them maintain their independence.