Even though Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary has been closed since 1963, the myth, legend, and lore of the infamous Rock that housed prisoners such as Al “Scarface” Capone, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”, and “Machine Gun” Kelly has grown exponentially over the past half century.

An innovator in the passenger vessel industry, Terry MacRae , is the Chairman and CEO of Hornblower Cruises and Events. In addition to crafting the only fleet of hybrid vessels in North America, MacRae has built an empire of more than 70 yachts in the last 35 years.

Lodi, California’s Mayor Mark Chandler talks about Lodi’s 150-year history as a premier grape growing region. Chandler shares insights on “Lodi Rules” pioneering sustainable grape growing practices that became a national model, his roots at Cal Poly, water conservation and re-use, and moderating development.

Rose Schweikhart turned a personal passion for beer in to a driving and thriving brewery and culinary business. It’s the Superior Bathhouse Brewery in the heart of downtown Hot Springs National Park , Arkansas. Rose’s enterprise is the only brewery situated within a National Park, and it is the only brewery in the world utilizing thermal spring water.

Ray Brown host of “Talkin’ Birds” is a frequent contributor to NPR’s Weekend Edition is the creator of Talkin’ Birds radio show, heard on sixteen stations in New England, New York, Maryland, and internationally via iTunes and talkinbirds.com. Brown is also a regular bird-topics contributor to National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Saturday. Join Correspondent Tom Wilmer in Michigan for a chat with Ray Brown.

David Noyes has been traveling the world for decades, recording photographic images of remote places and exotic people, from Tibet to Kenya. Correspondent Tom Wilmer visited with David at Chengdu, China Airport.

Pietro’s has been a favorite with Lodi, California locals since the Italian eatery opened 31 years ago. Family owned by Jim and Annette Murdaca, I stopped in for a visit with their son, Chef Pete who spent a year and a half learning the craft as an stagiaire (intern) in Calabria and Parma Southern Italy.

San Francisco Heritage was founded in 1971 with a mandate to save a dozen Victorian homes slated for demolition. Today the non-profit is San Francisco’s leading advocacy and educational organization dedicated to architectural and cultural preservation. Correspondent, Tom Wilmer visits with Mike Buhler, Executive Director of SF Heritage as he shares the ongoing restoration of the Haas-Lilienthal House built in 1886--San Francisco’s premier Victorian Landmark. You are invited to subscribe to the

A visit with Simone Harms, General Manager of the Westin San Francisco Airport and sister property, the Aloft hotel. It's a popular business meeting and holiday party destination.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Come along and join Dominic Miller on the shores of the Straits of Mackinac at the historic 18th Century colonial Michilimackinac fort and fur trading village. More than 16 structures have been painstakingly recreated utilizing years of archeological excavations and in situ research (ongoing since 1959).