WPT Be more Tuned In Podcast -- Producer Rick Sebak

We spoke with Rick Sebak, a producer of favorite public television documentaries, via telephone from the Pittsburgh studios of WQED-TV. The mp3 podcast conversation can be downloaded here and can be enjoyed on your personal computer or loaded onto your personal mp3 player for on-the-go listening. You can also subscribe to our monthly podcasts via iTunes by clicking here.

Sebak has produced and narrated a series of documentaries including A Hot Dog Program, Sandwiches You Will Like, An Ice Cream Special and Unusual Buildings and Other Roadside Attractions. Using a wry wit and finding normal everyday folks to tell the story of their local favorites -- from diners to cemeteries -- Sebak has created a successful style that is all his own. This month, Sebak offers his newest special, To Market To Market To Buy a Fat Pig. In the film, viewers are transported to various public marketplaces across the United States to see the local flavor. The program airs on WPT Wednesday Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.

In our interview, Sebak talks about his history in public television, what he tries to accomplish with his documentaries and what his favorite market finds were.

Science can be funny...

Neil deGrasse Tyson, acclaimed scientist, author and host of Nova ScienceNOW, appeared Monday night on The Daily Show With John Stewart.

The newest edition of Nova ScienceNOW, airing at 7 Tuesday night on WPT covers such topics as epigenetics (how our environment changes our DNA), a code-filled sculpture on the CIA campus, blood cells in dinosaurs and a prominent mathematician and physicist from Belize.

But, on The Daily Show, deGrasse Tyson and Stewart discussed Earth's connection to Mars, how easy it is to cook pizza on Venus and whether or not deGrasse Tyson stole his necktie from the Museum of Natural History's gift shop. You can watch the segment's video below.

It's not a secret anymore...

Many WPT fans have found an interesting little nugget of a program on Monday nights that gives them an insight into the Secrets of New York. Each week, the program's host, Kelly Choi, delves into surprising unknown aspects of the United States' largest city -- from skyscrapers to underground structures. Monday night's episode, airing at 10 p.m., takes a look at the large number and logistics of jails and prisons in the city.

If the television program has piqued your interest for more little known information about New York, you can download program podcasts here. And, this Web site offers a more travel-minded perspective on the Big Apple.

A civic project called "Secret N.Y." is helping residents find the cultural gems hidden in their own backyards. But, through the magic of the Internet, Web surfers can take part in the project and get to know the hot spots through a detailed interactive map.

A message from Nancy Zieman...

I'm delighted to be an occasional guest on this blog. Many of you may be familiar with me from watching my public television series Sewing With Nancy. It airs at 9 Saturday mornings on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT).

Two years ago, WPT and Sewing With Nancy presented the first Quilt Expo in Madison, Wis. We were delighted when quilters from all over the country sent in their quilts for the juried and judged 10-catergory Quilt Expo Quilt Contest. We also were excited to meet so many quilters and quilt enthusiasts as they joined us at Quilt Expo to learn, laugh and draw inspiration.

This September marks the third year for Quilt Expo, which has gained a reputation as a superb opportunity for quilters to get together with friends and family, and to make new acquaintances with people who share their passion for quilts and quilting. It's also a chance for anyone who appreciates quilts to enjoy viewing the hundreds of beautiful quilts that will be on exhibit.

The 2007 Quilt Expo takes place 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Thursday, Sept. 13 through Saturday, Sept. 15 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Way in Madison.

Visit the Quilt Expo Web site to learn about arranging a bus tour for your group and to register for Quilt Expo lectures, workshops and special evening events at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday night.

I look forward to seeing you at Quilt Expo!

Nancy Zieman

WPT Be more Tuned In Podcast -- Architectural historian Jim Draeger...

In anticipation of the new WPT documentary, Fill 'Er Up: The Glory Days of Wisconsin Gas Stations, we spoke with Jim Draeger, an architectural historian with WPT's producing partner -- the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS). The mp3 podcast conversation can be downloaded here and can be enjoyed on your personal computer or loaded onto your personal mp3 player for on-the-go listening. You can also subscribe to our regular podcasts via iTunes by clicking here.

Draeger is an important part of the program, which premieres on WPT at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 12. He also is authoring a companion book that will be released next year.

In our interview, Draeger spoke about the development of his interest in classic roadside architecture, the evolution of the shapes and styles of the businesses and the work that is being done to preserve the few remaining historic gas stations.

You can find the program video and more enhanced program information on the official Web site. More information about the history of gas stations can be found at the WHS Web Site.

Patty Loew on the radio...

In Wisconsin host Patty Loew made an appearance on Wisconsin Pubic Radio's To The Best of Our Knowledge this past weekend to talk about her upcoming documentary, Way of the Warrior. The interview with Patty is available for streaming on any computer by pointing your Web browser here.

In the interview, Patty talks about her own grandfather's diary account of World War I and how the Native American culture can help mainstream America in learning how best to re-integrate soldiers into society after serving in combat.

Way of the Warrior will be broadcast in November on WPT and on public television outlets across the United States. Keep your eye on Be more Tuned In for more information about this important program.