Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago and nine other regions in New Zealand have an anniversary day, so what about the Waikato? A public discussion will be held at the University of Waikato on March 8 to discuss what Waikato residents think about having their own anniversary day. National MP for Taupo Louise Upston will co-host the public discussion with Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock. They will share the stage with Waikato Times acting Editor Roy Pilott, University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Doug Sutton, and historian Professor Giselle Byrnes. Prof Byrnes will provide an overview of Waikato's key dates in history. The results from the discussion will then be put forward at the next mayors' forum, as any decision will be made at local government level. Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion held at the University Of Waikato Academy Of Performing Arts Concert Chamber, on Monday 8 March at 6.30pm.

Chilean singer-songwriter Carmen Salvador is in Hamilton this week, appearing exclusively at the Hamilton Garden Festival, but we convinced her to pop in with Edwin on Thursday Breakfast for a quick chat and live-to-air. Check out Carmen's lovely voice and guitar work - on demand stream

David Strassman has big news on his 2010 New Zealand tour - it's "Ted E's Farewell Tour". Tragically, the much adored Ted E Bare is announcing his show biz retirement. The pressure, the publicity, the paparazzi, the tabloids! And - most of all - Chuck Wood! It's finally too much for one shy bear to handle. As hilarious as ever, the show is a star-studded tribute to Ted E Bare's greatest showbiz moments. And it shares the pain of his struggle, trying to understand where he belongs in the world.

The show's SOLD OUT, but on Wednesday Breakfast we talk to Strassman himself, and have SIX TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY to lucky Community Radio Hamilton listeners!

This morning we welcomed NZ Skeptic Chair Vicki Hyde, who discussed the Skeptics' recent media stunt - taking homeopathy's claims as inspiration they staged a "mass homeopathic overdose".  Despite the claimed efficacy of such remedies, Vicki and her colleagues remain in fine health. Vicki discussed her concerns around the sale of such remedies and the apparent anomalies around claimed ingredients and homeopathic principles. Listen to Vicki and decide for yourself -  stream

In December 2009 Community Radio Hamilton was delighted to host three luminaries from the US alt-folk scene - Raymond Raposa from Castanets (described as one of the more prominent proponents of the so-called freak-folk/psychedelic folk scene] and Dylan Metrano and Mandy Sabine from Tiger Saw. Community Radio Hamilton's Thom Klepach interviewed them, and produced this wonderful live-to-air performance in which the artisits discuss their work and play a selection of new works. It's a real treat for folk fans! Link to stream / download

left: Raymond Raposa with Thom Klepach