Weekend America

Cleaning Up Skid Row

This week, the Los Angeles Police Department began a new effort to combat crime in downtown's notorious "Skid Row." They will be making more drug arrests. Convicted drug offenders on probation are not allowed in the area. And homeless people sleeping on the street during the day could be arrested. Weekend America's Pat Loeb found out how people in the area are reacting to the latest crackdown.

The Fire Watcher

Kathy Ball is spending this weekend in the shadow of the "Day Fire," which is burning in Los Padres National Forest in California. The fire has been burning for 26 days and is one of the biggest and longest-burning brush fires in California history. Kathy is a professional fire spotter, and about six months out of the year she lives at Buck Rock, a fire lookout perched atop a mountain in the Sequoia National Forest. Barbara talks with Kathy about what it takes to keep your eyes on the fire.

Pop Music Pick: The Decemberists

Alan Light brings new pop music from indie rock darlings, the Decemberists. We hear a cut from their major label debut, called "The Crane Wife."

Friday Night High School Lights

Fifteen-year-old Garrett Gilbert has some big shoes to fill. This season, he'll replace the star quarterback on his high school football team, the Lake Travis Cavaliers. On top of that, Garrett's dad, Gale Gilbert, took his team to the Super Bowl five times (although he never scored a Bowl victory). So with his coach's eyes and dad's eyes locked on his every pass and play, Garrett is feeling the intense pressure of the game. Weekend America's Michael May watches him play.

Luxury Car Share

Independent Producer Peter Crimmins doesn't own a car. He lives in Philadelphia and gets around on his bike or public transportation. And he's also a member of PhillyCarShare, a practical way to have access to very practical cars for very practical reasons. So Peter was surprised when he visited San Diego, recently, to find out that not all car shares serve such pedestrian purposes.

Heavenly Journey

This past Monday, an unmanned rocket loaded up with memorabilia launched from New Mexico, soared high into the sky and quickly plummeted into the desert. Weekend America's Krissy Clark takes a look at the precious cargo that crashed down to Earth that day.

Ashes to Ashes

Around 40 percent of Americans are cremated when they die. And along with this surge in cremation, comes confusion about what to do with a loved one's ashes. Barbara speaks with Thomas Lynch, a poet and the second generation owner of his family's funeral home in Milford, Michigan, about the rituals surrounding death and ashes.

Trans Fat Free

This past week, New York City's health department--tired of trying to convince restaurants to use less trans-fats in their foods--considered banning them outright. We asked Weekend America's Amanda Aronczyk to find out how people in the restaurant business are reacting to the campaign to rid New York City of trans fat.

Sustainability

Swan Song

In the name of environmentalism, the trumpeter swan is being reintroduced to Wisconsin. But the plan's not without some controversy. The State Department of Natural Resources says a competing species, the mute swan, has to go to make room for the trumpeter. But a group of citizens isn't going to let the mute swan go so easily. Independent Producer Christina Shockley introduces us to the mute swan and the people who have come to consider them a part of the family.

Underage Drinking

The state of Connecticut is cracking down on underage drinking with a new law which will take effect October 1. The law will make underage drinking in private homes illegal. Over 30 other states already have so-called "social host liability" legislation in place. Today, if Connecticut police see underage drinking on private property, their hands are tied but starting Sunday, they'll be able to do something about it. Independent producer Sally Herships talks to Connecticut kids and parents to find out what they think about the new law.

What the Fluff?!

This weekend, in Somerville, Massachusetts, a local community group is celebrating the important historical contribution of their town: Fluff. It's that marshmallowy stuff in the red, white and blue jar. Remember Peanut butter and Fluff sandwiches? Fluffernutters? Among other things, the "What the Fluff?" festival features a burlesque act called the Flufferettes. Weekend America contributor Sean Cole takes us through this and all sorts of other Fluffy stuff.