Wolfgang Puck Puts Down Roots at the La Jolla Playhouse.

We'll talk about the new restaurants and cafes popping up all around San Diego with City Search editor Erin Chambers.

 97.7 FM in Imperial County to Broadcast Calexico Bulldogs Football Games this Fall

How big of a deal is high school football in the Imperial County? Host Tom Fudge speaks to John Moreno and Victor Carrillo about the popularity of high school football in the Imperial Valley. We also talk to John and Vic about the Calexico High School Bulldogs' upcoming football season, which will be broadcast live on KPBS' sister station, 97.7 FM KQVO in Calexico.

 Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton Previews Upcoming Chargers Season

Is this a make a break year for the Chargers' Super Bowl dreams? What will it take for the Bolts to take the next step, and earn a berth in the NFL's championship game? What other teams look to be strong in the NFL this season? Host Tom Fudge speaks to Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton about the upcoming NFL season. We also talk to "Hacksaw" about the Aztecs' football team, and their game against Notre Dame this weekend.

 Chargers Kicker Nate Kaeding Discusses Upcoming Season, Iowa Roots

San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding is one of the top players in the NFL at his position. Kaeding has hit 91 of 105 field goal tries, and has hit 175 consecutive PATs since being drafted by the team in 2004. Host Tom Fudge speaks to Kaeding about his roots in Iowa City, his interests off the football field, and the Chargers upcoming season. We also speak to Kaeding about what it's like to kick a field goal with a fractured left leg, which he did four times in last year's AFC Championship Game in frigid New England.

 Imperial Valley Update: Area Code Change, Water Rationing, Off-Road Areas

What are the hot topics in the Imperial County? Host Tom Fudge speaks to Brad Jennings, editor of the Imperial Valley Press, about why Imperial County business leaders are fighting to keep the 760 area code. We also talk to Jennings about how IV residents will deal with water rationing in 2009, and why off-roaders are kicking up dust over a plan to protect 70,000 acres of land Northeast of Glamis.

 Girls' Social Aggression Can Be Just as Damaging as Hitting

Are girls less aggressive than boys? Not according to research which shows that girls can be just as aggressive as boys but they do it differently. While boys tend to engage in physical fights, girls use words and body language when aggressive. And researchers think the results can be very damaging for girls.

 93-year-old Woman Relives Youth When Diary is Found

When New York Times journalist Lily Koppel climbed into a dumpster outside her apartment building, she didn't know the extent of the treasures that lay inside. What came of it was a book based on a 75-year-old diary kept by a young New York woman in the 1930s. We'll talk with the author about finding the diary's owner, now 93 years old, and unraveling the hopes and dreams that we all possess.

 Facing Death & Dying

We all will die someday...it is unavoidable. But how do we deal with and prepare for death? How has the Western approach to death evolved over the years? And is there a 'right' way to prepare for the end of our lives? We'll talk about death and dying and the role that hospice and palliative care play in the process.

 Why We Drive the Way We Do

Human beings have fretted about traffic since they started to do something other than walk. The advent of horses, carts, carriages, bicycles, automobiles and skateboards have all caused annoyance and accidents and a re-figuring of the complex dance we engage in trying to get from one place to another. A new book examines why we drive the way we do, what that says about us and why we are worse drivers than we think we are.

 Republicans Regroup to Salvage Convention

The national Republican convention got underway this week in St. Paul, Minnesota but the mood has been dampened by Hurricane Gustav. We'll talk with KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner, who is at the convention, about the atmosphere, the speeches and the Republican plan to keep control of the White House.

 Three Pollsters Analyze Public Opinion and the Election

The election is two months away, and we are entering a period of intense political campaigning as politicians and advocates make their case to voters. Some people have already made up their minds. But public opinion is still in flux when it comes to the Presidential election and local elections. Besides, California's November ballot will be so lengthy that voter fatigue and attention deficit will surely affect the results. We'll hear from three professional pollsters who'll talk about public opinion now and how it's likely to change between now and election day.

 Athletes Strive to be Bigger, Stronger & Faster

How far would you go to win a tennis match or bike race? If you knew your competitors were using steroids, would you as well? Does the end justify the means? With the 2008 Summer Olympic games behind us, we'll examine the ethical questions of sports and technology. We'll look at the physical and social costs of pushing athletes to be stronger and faster than ever before.

 SD Zoo's Giant Panda Conservation Unit has Achieved Many Scientific Breakthroughs

What have been the biggest accomplishments to come out of the San Diego Zoo's Giant Panda Conservation Unit? Over the last decade, the zoo's pandas have given birth to four healthy cubs, and entertained millions of visitors. Host Tom Fudge speaks to Dr. Ron Swaisgood, from the Giant Panda Conservation Unit, about the scientific breakthroughs that have been achieved as a result of the zoo's panda program. We also speak to Kathy Hawk, a San Diego Zoo senior keeper who has worked with the panda's since they arrived in 1996.

 San Diego Brews on the Rise

Artisan beers are popular these days. We'll talk about the art to making, and enjoying, the malty brews with local beer crafters and critics.

 CA Schools Superintendent Discusses Budget Deadlock

How will the budget deadlock, and the state's $15 billion deficit impact California schools this year? Host Tom Fudge speaks to state schools' Superintendent Jack O'Connell about what parents and students can expect this fall. We also speak to O'Connell about how the state is doing with it's No Child Left Behind requirements.

 Many Changes on the Horizon for SD City Schools

Is the San Diego Unified School District in a state of flux? Host Tom Fudge speaks to KPBS Education Reporter Ana Tintocalis about a number of significant changes that could affect day-to-day operations at San Diego City Schools. Tintocalis details new Superintendent Terry Grier's plan to "right-size" the district. We also discuss the potential impact of a $2.1 billion school bond that will appear on the November ballot, and how the teachers union has responded to Grier's plans.

 Biographer-Turned-Felon Talks about Her Literary Crimes

Can an author redeem herself after being convicted of literary forgery and theft? We'll talk with Lee Israel, author of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" about what drove her to forge letters of famous people, and ultimately steal literary works from libraries.

 A Night of Short Films at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Alt.pictureshows is a curated short film showcase uniquely staged throughout the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla. The one-night only event has become a San Diego favorite with attendance growing each year. Visitors can "physically channel surf" throughout the museum, moving from screening to screening where the short films play on a continuous loop.

 The Evolution of the Movie Comedy

Comedy is one of the oldest genres in film, going back to the silent film days where comedians like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin made their mark. We'll trace the broad lines of cinema's relationship with comedy through one of its biggest fans, Scott Marks.

 Sizing Up the Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention is underway in Denver and KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner is on hand to witness history in the making. We'll get analysis from Penner on the speeches and Super Delegates, as well as party unity and diversity.