Weekend America

Compelled to Help in China

Joy Portella, a Seattle native, works for Mercy Corps, an international aid organization. She's currently in China doing her part to help folks recover from Monday's devastating 7.9-magnitude quake, and talks to Desiree Cooper about what motivates her to keep working amid the death and chaos.

Not So Bezerkeley After All

The Bay Area city of Berkeley is often mocked as "Bezerkeley" or called the "People's Republic of Berkeley." But a new exhibit showcases all the firsts that the rest of the nation eventually emulated: police academies, gourmet coffee and brewpubs. So what's next? Krissy Clark sifts the past for a peek at the future.

Donation Day

We're taking a look at stories that have stayed with us through the year. One of our producers, Marc Sanchez, received a FedEx package in early spring, and soon as he read the return address, he knew that they had found him. "They" are the National Marrow Donation Program. And Marc was going to have to face something he didn't even know he'd been avoiding.

Letters

Letters: A Hitchhike Reunion

A few weeks ago, we aired a story about a woman who hitchhiked on her spring break to Florida back in 1972. We got lots of letters about that story, including one from the state trooper who picked up that hitchhiker and her friends. She hadn't spoken to the state trooper since 1972, but Weekend America changed all that.

Bike Maintenance Tips

Commuters are taking a good hard look at bicycles as an alternate means of transportation. To make sure they get those rusty old bikes rolling, we're going to take a look at bike maintenance and repair.

Iraq's Oud Ambassador

Rahim Al-haj is a master of the oud, the ancient instrument that's the precursor to the lute and guitar. It's origins are in Iraq, where Al-haj was forced to flee Saddam Hussein's regime. He found a new home in the U.S., and recently returned to Iraq to play for his mother one last time.

Bun B, Solo Without Pimp C

For nearly two decades, Bun B performed with his partner Pimp C as the Houston hip hop group UGK. They're one of the longest-running groups in hip-hop history. But Pimp C's death in December changed things forever. Now Bun B's out with a new CD, and he talks to Michael May about what's next.

This Weekend in 1968: Political Plays to the Silent Center

This weekend in 1968, Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon gave a radio address that became a pivotal moment in American politics. Nixon emphasized that most Americans did not stage political protests or riots -- and he tried to make himself the candidate for these Americans.

Good News, Bad News, No News

McCain's Rosy Future, Corpses Down the Drain

Our panel of non-experts tackle the weighty issues of this weekend: John Ridley, who writes the "Visible Man" blog for NPR.org; author David Rakoff, whose latest book is "Don't Get Too Comfortable"; and "A Red State of Mind" author Nancy French.

Eating Our Way Out of the Carp Dilemma

A growing number of fishermen love angling for carp, a much-maligned bottom-feeding fish. That's a good thing -- Asian carp are pushing out native species in U.S. lakes and rivers. One food writer says a good way to keep numbers down is to put carp dishes on restaurant menus and develop a taste for the bland white fish.

Old-School Wrestling, Alive and Well

Hulk Hogan-like personalities and WWE Wrestlemania stadium events on cable TV all but killed off the regional pro wrestling scenes that filled arenas for decades. But in St. Louis, a working-class cast of characters keeps the spectacle alive -- just on a more intimate scale.

Saving Duck Eggs, Saving the Land

A family farm in California's Sacramento River Valley is the nation's largest source of organic rice. It's also a showcase of sustainable agriculture. The Lundbergs say it's just common sense -- you save some wild ducks eggs, and you end up saving the land.

What Makes a Great War Movie?

The second-annual GI Film Festival gets underway in Washington, D.C. this weekend. They're showing a mix of recent feature films, documentaries, even some classics. Larry Suid is a military historian, speaking on a panel today about the 100 greatest war movies. Desiree Cooper asks what makes a good war film.