Broadcasts of this type are a style of radio that deserves preserving. This type of program, featuring a complete presentation by guest speakers plus interaction with the audience in attendance, is not nearly as common as it once was.

I enjoyed listening to the show and I learned a lot about the latest efforts of the guest speakers, Deborah and Carlos Santana. The subjects alone provided plenty of impetus to stay tuned.

This series has a somewhat quirky format of a guest (or guests) providing a short address to the audience, followed by a Q & A with a moderator...then audience questions relayed by the moderator. The show would be enhanced by allowing audience members to ask their own questions. Heck, why not make the show truly interactive and open the phones for non-attending listener questions or comments?

This series is community service of a type that has become rare on public radio stations. It embodies much of our Core Values.

I am not a fan of the "announcer" who does the program open, midpoint break and wrap-up. I really wish that an excellent series of this type had an announcer who better embodied the style of today's public radio. This guy's working too hard to sound like an "announcer," a technique that "worked" in the 1930's but comes off as abrasive on public radio in 2006. Plus (a personal peeve here) he can't pronounce the letter "W." I guess that's OK on the West Coast but he should particularly avoid web addresses with the "Dubya, Dubya, Dubya."

In addition the midpoint break is artificially inserted into the broadcast....slammed in over a round of applause, completely interrupting the train of thought. This break includes an appeal for listeners to "become a member and support the club." I'm personally uncomfortable with this call to action language and would prefer a more gentle and subtle reference to the fact that "membership and support information are available" etc.

I admire this series greatly and would listen to it if someone in my area aired it, but I'd really like to hear it brought into the 21st Century. How about a nice music bed for the open and close? If the mid-point announcement needs to happen, fade the applause to silence....do the announcement, another little pause and a fade back in. This production is done in a major metropolitan area but it needs some help in achieving "big city" production values.

An enjoyable, somewhat off-beat, feature segment. Based on one long interview with author Ruben Martinez, this piece starts strong with some great natural sound that will draw the listener in.

Interviewer/producer Benjamin Adair narrates the story in a relaxed, natural style. He's "chatting" with the listener rather than "announcing" or "narrating." A very comfortable, non-self-conscious delivery.

I especially like the way the opening narrative fades to make way for Martinez. A clever device that, to be honest, reminded me of the National Lampoon Radio Hour of the 1970's. Kept me hanging on, wondering, "What's next?"

Adair has used a number of off-beat techniques to keep it interesting, including natural sound frequently woven in behind the interview clips

I'd use this as a discussion-starter for a talk show on immigration issues. Would also work well in a magazine with an immigration theme.

There's a reference to "it's Spring" in the opening narration so users might want to consider whether or not to use it in other seasons.

Good commenry by Noel Black. Very appropriate as a drop in for a local talk show on the "War on Christmas."

The piece has an anchor lead attached, read by Eric Whitney of KRCC and a tag and music bed and creits, wrapping up "this edition of Western Skies."

I would advise leaving the pre and post material off future editions and making the commentary available for customized local station use.

Under existing License Terms, stations would have to air it the way it is presented. Not likely.

A good commentary for use in magazine shows, especially during the holidays.

Nicely written and delivered. A thoughtful piece from a "younger" writer.

Mohawk Indian culture at work in the big city. A sound-rich documentary about people whose roots are in the earth, working hundreds of feet in the air.

An interesting view of how a native culture adapted and made a unique contribution to modern society. An insight into the personalities and motivation of those who chose to risk their lives for the thrill and high pay of steelworking.

Interesting, sound-rich piece. Well recorded and narrated. Production values live up to the best of public radio.

Early in the piece I felt it could use better setup, putting the piece into context. As with most good documentary work, it built steam and drew me in as I stayed with the story.

Not for background listening. Take a half hour and enjoy a glimpse of a world most of us will never experience!

This would be a good special for Labor Day but useable any time, especially for stations that serve major cities.

"Old people are gonna die" and a naked guitar player. Not your everyday average public radio fare. Zoe Cordes Selbin has put together a fast-paced and engaging piece about a band I've never heard of.

This is a good piece for use in a youth-oriented talk show or in an alternative music format. I'd be sure to "wrap" this with some of the music being discussed.

This is NOT a politically-balanced piece. Stations will want to consider adding your own "balance," however you define it.

Techically, there are numerous over-zealous edits. I'm wondering if this isn't a "technique" that I haven't heard about...kind of like hand-held, wobbly, out-of-focus footage in music videos. This super-tight editing is only distracting in Zoe's question tracks.

A good merger of youth culture and political activism. We need more efforts of this type.

Clever concept.

Very Dave Lettermans Mom-ish.

Who is "Erika?" I guess that would explain who "Erika's Mom" is.

Clever. Cute concept.