Fear of Flying
Last week's arrests of suspected terrorists put the dangers of air travel front and center once again. But has air travel really become any more dangerous? Is seizing liquids at security check-ins going to improve safety? Weekend America brings together terrorism expert John Mueller and former White House National Security Council advisor Steven Simon to look for an answer. They talk to listener Beth Beighlie, who refuses to fly because of safety concerns.

Chowing Down at the Fair
State and county fairs are home to extraordinary foods ranging from all things fried to anything on a stick. Weekend America talks with chowhound Jim Leff about what he found to rave about at the Delaware County Fair in Walton, New York. Also, not all food at state fairs is meant for consumption. We hear about butter sculptor Norma "Duffy" Lyons, who carved the butter cow at the Iowa State Fair for the last 46 years.

Jazz Pick: Steven Bernstein
Jazz bands ruled local dance halls in the early 1920s and 30s before the big bands took over. The small, regional bands had their own distinct sound and energy. A new CD by trumpeter Steven Bernstein and his band The Millennial Territory Orchestra tries to capture that nostalgic sound. Bill talks with jazz writer Nate Chinen about this new album with an old twist.

Sibling Reunion
Summer camp usually means making new friends and leaving the family back home. But for some, it's a chance to be reunited with their siblings. Camp to Belong in Idaho reunites siblings separated at an early age by foster care or adoption. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson spent a week with the kids at the camp. Then, Bill talks with Sami, a teenager, and her eight-year-old sister Elena. Elena was adopted by a family, but Sami was not. We hear what life is like for these sisters: how they stay connected, and how their relationship has changed over the years. We also hear from the parents about their decision to adopt only Elena.

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

» Event information

The Sound Of Music
In August of 1938, the Von Trapp family fled Austria when the Nazis marched into Salzburg. Many people know their story from the classic film, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews. It's been 50 years since the family gave their last concert together. The third eldest child, Maria, lives in Stowe, Vermont—not far from the Von Trapp Family Lodge. She's 91 and still sings and plays the accordion. Dianne Finch talks with Maria about her life and the 2,000 concerts she gave with her family.

Creative Education
It's back to school time and for some students in U.S. public schools, that means an end to creative thinking until next summer. American schools are criticized as places where imagination is crushed, not encouraged. Barbara talks with Sir Ken Robinson, the author of "Out Of Our Minds: Learning To Be Creative," about keeping education innovative. And we'll meet two people who managed to keep their creativity vibrant right through formal education.

Over The Rainbow
The rainbow flag means different things to different people. To some, it's the symbol of the rainbow coalition, and stands for racial equality. For others, it's a symbol of gay pride. And to a 12-year-old boy, it was just a pretty flag that he gave as a gift to his parents. They run an Inn in Meade, Kansas, and they decided to run the flag out front. They got some surprising reactions from their neighbors. Barbara talks with JR Knight, the boy's father and owner of the Lakeway Hotel, about some not so colorful goings on about town.

Snakes on the Phone
Next time you pick up your phone it could be Samuel L. Jackson. His new film, "Snakes on a Plane," comes out this weekend. If you go to the film's web site and fill out a questionnaire, you can get a recorded call or e-mail from the star himself. We call up a Weekend America listener, Deborah Schild, to get her thoughts on this personalized form of marketing.

Solomon Squad
It seems so harmless. You turn on your lap top and see that someone within range has an open wireless connection that you can use. They've practically handed you the keys, right? Not so fast, says our Solomon Squad. This week, our ethicists, former head of Paramount Pictures Sherry Lansing and political marketing consultant Lionel Sosa, talk over the moral implications of using your neighbor's wireless access without asking.

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

» Event information

Clowning Around
Marvin Nash travels from his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Pilesgrove, New Jersey every weekend during rodeo season. That's a 1700-mile commute, one way. Marvin always wanted to be a bull rider but he wasn't any good at it so, instead, he became a rodeo clown. We tag along during one of Marvin's weekends to see what makes him tick, and keeps him clowning so far from home.