The Russian River was the setting, the subject, and even a part of the soundtrack for “Stages of the Russian River,” an unusual “opera,” that debuted last June outside of Healdsburg.

Music, technology and nature merged in an unusual performance piece staged on the banks of the Russian River last summer. We heard from the creators of the unique opera, “Stages of the Russian River,” on this archival North Bay Report that first aired just before the production debuted.

See a video from a rehearsal of the opera on the North Bay Report website at radio.krcb.org. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

The power of theater is documented in a film about a historic play staged by inmates within San Quentin.

For nine San Quentin inmates, acting in a unique staging of John Brown’s Body was an improbable yet life-changing experience. And thanks to their letters to the man who directed that show, their stories now form the basis of an equally unique documentary film.

There will be a free showing of the film, John Brown’s Body at San Quentin, tomorrow night at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, at 7 pm, with director Joe DeFrancesco on hand to talk about it. See a preview on the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Directly or indirectly, most everyone in the North Bay is affected by immigration issues.

US immigration policy is a complex and fluid subject, affecting the entire north bay population, but in widely differing ways. A public forum tonight is out to educate those who may not think it has a bearing on them. Bruce Robinson has a preview.

The free public forum was held in the Glaser Center in downtown Santa Rosa. You can find out more about it on the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Just a century ago, a spectacular world’s Fair spread across San Francisco’s Marina Green. It’s recaptured in a new book.

Exactly 100 years ago, San Francisco played host to a spectacular international event, an opulent World’s Fair now documented in a newly published illustrated history.

You can see pictures - and even some 100 year old video - of the P.P.I.E. on the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health workers are on strike against Kaiser this week, but money isn’t the main issue.

Kaiser Permanente was fined $4 million last year for providing inadequate mental health services; now the people who deliver those services are striking to get them upgraded.

For more on the strike, visit the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

It’s good news for the bay ... Scientists have spotted a steep decline in the levels of toxic flame-retardant chemicals.

On today’s North Bay Report, we speak to scientists tracking the decline in flame-retardants in the water and wildlife of the San Francisco Bay. KRCB science reporter Danielle Venton has the story.

You will find more news online at our website at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

At 14, a local high school student invents a new way to save water and starts his own company.

What if you could water your yard with rainwater stored in your fence? A Rohnert Park high school student is proposing to do just that with an invention he's calling a "water fence." KRCB reporter Danielle Venton has the story.

See a video demonstration of Water Fence by going to our website at radio.krcb.org/news. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

An emerging new technology for removing salt or other contaminants from water cuts costs by using chemistry instead of power.

The biggest obstacle to turning salt water into fresh water is the considerable energy that’s required. A new Petaluma- based company believes it has found a way to cut those costs by more than 80%, and is now out to prove it.

Today’s story, and all the special features this week are archived on the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

It's time to brighten up! A local company is saving energy and water with its revolutionary grow lights.

LumiGrow, Inc. in Novato makes energy-saving lights to growing plants. Their technology, they believe, is about to change the face of agriculture. KRCB reporter Danielle Venton recently visited their headquarters and files this report.

Learn more about LumiGrow on our website at radio.krcb.org. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

A compostable alternative to plastic packaging is struggling to make inroads with corporate customers.

Today our series on North Bay Innovators reports on PulpWorks: a Marin-based company that is out to replace plastic packaging with something that instead is recyclable and compostable - and made from recycled material to begin with.

Find out more about PulpWorks on the North Bay Report webpage at radio.krcb.org. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.