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Harnessing Electricity from the Wind

For those who visit Palm Springs, California for the first time, they are often most surprised, not by the luxurious resorts and gold courses, but by want dominates the skyline…

The History of Wind Farming in California

If someone tells tall tales we might say they are full of wind. Mr. Oliver’s story was not only full of wind, it was about the wind itself. But thanks to him, Palm Springs, California was on the map for a new kind of energy…

An Island with A View

This island has some of the best views of San Francisco Bay and the city itself, yet most people didn’t want to live here. In fact, some couldn’t stand the thought of such a scene to be had…

An Island Called Alcatraz

At one time, it was one of the nation’s most important forts, but that’s not how the it’s known today. Now it’s a destination for thousands of tourists…

Palm Springs Oasis

If you visit Palm Springs, California, you may be tempted to believe this resort town was carved out of an endless desert. That is partly true, but this man will quickly show you how this valley has been home to peoples for thousands of years…

Raising Boys to Be Men

The Bible’s parable of the prodigal son shares the story of a wayward son that comes home to a father, who has every right to be livid with him, yet welcomes him with open arms. Ron Searle sees the parable play out many times each year. This is the story of cattle, horses and raising boys to be men…

A Daughter of Alcatraz’s Story

It was the most famous of escape attempts at Alcatraz. The fact that no one ever saw the inmates alive-or dead-keeps the story alive, as a daughter of Alcatraz tells the story today.

Palm Springs, California

Before Palm Springs was a resort town–before Palm Springs was really even a town, for that matter; movie stars began building their second homes here. So why did the rich and famous settle in the middle of a desert?

Jackie Cochran, Pilot

Most people have heard of Chuck Yeager, but most have not heard of his good friend Jackie, a pilot who set more aviation records that any other aviator…

A Train Depot in Palm Springs

When the rails came through this stretch of dry wilderness, the only people living here were the Cahuilla Indians. What became of the train depot and the city built in the middle of the desert?

Creating Tastier Vegetables

President George Bush made headlines when he banned broccoli from the White House and Air Force One. Perhaps he’d eat it if he worked with Kirsten Compton, as she works to improve broccoli and other vegetables…

Near Libertation from a POW Camp

Andrew and Paula McCrea pose with Tom Crosby and his wife Nancy at the Veterans Museum in San Deigo.

American troops had finally made it to Manila and were attempting to free POWs like Tom Crosby. Just when things seemed hopeful, the tables turned and this young boy found himself in the middle of a hostage negotiation…

Suffering in a POW Camp

It is difficult to imagine the conditions for POWs like Tom Crosby in the weeks leading up to their camps liberation. Some had already died from malnutrition, and now they feared they might lose their life in the American forces attempt to free them…

Living As A Prisoner of War

In January of 1942, eight year old Tom Crosby, along with his brother, mother and grandmother, Americans living in Manilla, were taken prisoner by the Japanese who had invaded the Philippines. For the next three years we would experience life as a child POW…

An 8-Year Old POW

Life was good for eight year old Tom Crosby, an American living in Manila in 1941. Then December 7th came, and his life changed forever…

The Point Loma Lighthouse

Not long after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Americans began to see and hear things–things like Japanese tanks, subs and ships coming to attack the west coast…

The San Diego Veterans Center

sandiegoveteranscenterThe plan was to tear down San Deigo’s old navy hospital. A new hospital was built, but portions of the old grounds are one of the most beautiful places to enjoy past and present…

Tunnelling to Pass the Time

Most prison camps wouldn’t want their detainees digging tunnels to freedom, but at Ed’s camp, it was a way to keep the prisoners occupied…

A World War 2 Pilot and POW

EdDavidson2Ed believed he was a well informed pilot flying for the United States. Then the German captured him and told him things about himself that he’d never known.

A Young WW2 Pilot

EdDavidsonEd Davidson got to cross the Atlantic on the Queen Mary, but his trip wasn’t for pleasure…