S1.E7 ∙ Episode #1.7

A video poem about who we are as people.

Understand the causes of high blood pressure, how it harms you and what treatments are available. Discover the lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health. State of the art animation explains the complex interactions involved in high blood pressure and how treatments control the condition. Personal patient stories also counter-balance the on-stage presentation by world experts on Hypertension. This documentary (Understanding High Blood Pressure, The Full Story) was made for patients with the condition - a tool to avoid heart attacks and strokes.

'Girls Go Fast' is the triumphant story of Kristen Kiger, junior drag racer in rural Ohio. The Kiger family bands together to support their daughters', both 16 year old Kristen and 9 year old Kelsey, as they pursue their love of drag racing. While the Kigers deal with issues like unemployment and Kristen's health, life at the track proves to be a rewarding retreat bringing them closer together. Their endearing family is a touching backdrop to Kristen's road to racing success.

Funding for education in Washington State has fallen so far behind the rest of the United States that our children are poised to fall through the cracks. Our economy demands well educated kids who can compete on a global scale. We are failing them.

Zhou Baisui is a direct disciple of Shang Xiaoyun, one of the Four Famous Dan Actors. After retirement, she was hired by the Shanghai Theatre Academy to teach the Shang-School of Peking Opera. Mrs. Zhou devoted her whole life to promote her master's art which caused some deficiencies in her personal life. Due to the complexity of the Shang-School's movement skills, the performers need to practice hard but there are few people willing to bear hardships. Ms. Zhou has been teaching for nearly 20 years; most of her students changed careers. Only two students continue with performance and have made some achievements. Under the drive of responsibility and urgency, Ms. Zhou are still tirelessly teaching instead of enjoying her late years.

Mama Sue's Garden chronicles the first four years after Hurricane Katrina through the story of a middle-aged woman and her family. Mama Sue, her daughter, April, and husband, Lou are 'typical' Americans, pursuing the American Dream sans flood insurance and as the waters recede, they realize they now have nothing. Above all, that normal life they craved seems to be well beyond reach. Yet it doesn't stop this classically New Orleanian family from meeting their fate with take-no-prisoners honesty and creative flair. As Sue examines the pieces, including her marriage, and April struggles to come of age, we are given a rare glimpse into the 'world of disaster' that few people have yet had a chance to see.