One Soldier's Opinion
The new film Jarhead opens this weekend around the country. It's about a Marine's experience in Kuwait during the first Gulf War, based on a non-fiction account written by Anthony Swofford. But does the film capture the reality? To find out, Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev went to see the film with veteran Daniel Ortiz who was a private in Kuwait in 1991. He shares his impressions over dinner.

Phoning Home
When distance separates us from loved ones, we find salvation in phone calls — especially in times of war. The phone creates a vital connection between home and the front, providing a special intimacy that only life threatening situations can create. When Benjamin Busch was stationed in Iraq, his father Frederick often spoke to him by phone. Frederick says he's never forgotten the feeling of those calls. Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks with him about making that important connection.

Not in the Playbook
The color pink and football might not seem like a natural association, unless you've been in the visiting teams dressing room at the University of Iowa. Everything in the locker room is pink, designed to put the players in a passive mood. It's been part of Big Ten folklore for years, but this week a Iowa law professor took issue with the strategy. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with University of Iowa broadcaster Bob Brooks. He's been announcing Hawkeye football games for more than sixty years. Then, Weekend America hosts Barbara Bogaev and Bill Radke get the scoop on all things pink from fashion guru Mr. Mickey.

Jazz Music: Loren Stillman
Weekend America host Bill Radke talks to jazz critic Nate Chinen of Jazz Times about his latest passion, saxophonist Loren Stillman. His new album is It Could Be Anything — and Nate shares his take on a piece called "Gnu".

Nowhere to Smoke
Next week, smoking restrictions are back on the ballot. Citizens of Washington State will vote to ban smoking within 25 feet of all public buildings. If the measure goes through, smokers will be left with even fewer places to indulge their habit. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks to a smoker in Seattle for his reaction.

Elements of Style
Few reference books become classics, but Strunk and White's Elements of Style has endured the test of time. It inspired a musical as well as a new illustrated version of the manual. Artist Maira Kalman worked on both. Producer Alicia Zuckerman takes us to the musical's opening night.

Weekend Weather / Hometown Happenings
Weekend America's John Moe takes a look at the weather and Saturday happenings all across the country.

Finding Balance
The emails of former FEMA chief Michael Brown during Hurricane Katrina have come under scrutiny. They reflect a man in the center of a storm, struggling to manage his personal life in the face of a national crisis. How do you strike a balance with both? Weekend America talks with Lucy Jones. She's the scientist-in-charge at the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Team in Pasadena. She recalls her experience as the go-to scientist during the Northridge earthquake in 1994.

My Name Is Angela Shelton
Ever wondered who else shares your name? Filmmaker Angela Shelton went on a quest to find other Angela Sheltons and discovered dozens of every race and background in cities around the country. But to her surprise, she found a disturbing commonality — a history of abuse. Weekend America correspondent Alex Cohen talks with her about her personal journey to make peace with her past, and the making of her film, My Name is Angela Shelton.

Man of a Thousand Voices
For decades, Robert Easton has been the premier dialect coach in Hollywood. Over the years, he's mastered hundreds of accents, with the help of the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE); it's based on field research that recorded native speakers in communities all over the country. This weekend, he's appearing on a panel with the editor of DARE, but first, he shared tricks of the trade with Weekend America hosts Barbara Bogaev and Bill Radke.

Podcast Picks
American Public Media technologist Chris Spurgeon shares his favorite video podcasts with Weekend America host Bill Radke.

Patriots or Vigilantes
Civilian border watchers from Mexico to Canada are generating a great deal of debate. Are they patriots or vigilantes? Producer Gregory Warner "embedded" with the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps in a New York border town south of Montreal, and brings Weekend America the real story behind these controversial volunteers.

Jazz Music: Ben Monder
Jazz Times critic Nate Chinen shares a selection from Ben Monder's first release in five years. It's the title track called Oceana.

Weekend Weather / Hometown Happenings
Weekend America's John Moe takes a look at the weather and Saturday happenings all across the country.

An Icon Gets His Due
Years after his untimely death, legendary soul singer Sam Cooke is finally getting some recognition. This weekend at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame an all-star tribute is planned. Gifted with a captivating voice and charisma to burn, he inspired generations of performers who came after. Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks to music reporter Jack Marchbanks of WOSU in Columbus, Ohio, who couldn't be happier about the renaissance of the king of soul.