Palo Alto 360

Thanks to those of you who expressed interest in seeing .. or, more accurately, *hearing* new episodes of the PA360 community podcast. Although response to the show has been gratifying — people from all over the world visit the PA360 web site and various episodes of the podcast have been downloaded THOUSANDS of times — it’s clear that the podcast audience still primarily consists of early adopters.
While the technology continues to evolve and the practice of *podcatching* becomes more commonplace, I have been exploring the concept space surrounding the community podcast.
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Today’s post-Thanksgiving edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast has a transportation theme. Listen to episode #16 to hear about the Holiday Train, a homemade plane, and an audio version of “Traffic Stop”.
Santa rides CalTrain .. who knew?

Episode 16: Tricked-out train » mp3 file [12:32 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Useful links:
Caltrain Holiday Train/ Toy Drive
Palo Alto High School Choral Groups > Madrigal Singers

Music featured in this episode:
Santa is Comin to Town by Andy Buscemi, Podsafe Music Network

It’s the middle of November 2006. Days are shorter, and we’re on the slippery slope now. Next week is Thanksgiving and before you know it, all the rituals of the season will be upon us — shopping, parties, and endless talk about food and MacWorld rumors. Episode #15 traverses a different terrain.
Today you are going to hear about 2 Silicon Valley businesses at either end of the digital life cycle. One is an established local business that has ridden the wave from film photography into the digital age; the other, a relatively new start-up, exists to keep us from drowning in digital detritus.
And just for fun, I’ll talk about some virtual island hopping with a real-life (RL) podcaster buddy. Check it out!

Episode 15: Goin’ Digital » mp3 file [12:33 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Useful links:
GreenCitizen, Keeble & Shuchat Photography

Podcast mentioned: The Amateur Traveler

Music featured in this episode:
You Don’t Need An iPod by Uncle Seth, Podsafe Music Network
Home Improvement by Josh Woodward, Podsafe Music Network
Fly Fly Fly by Adrina Thorpe, Podsafe Music Network
Santa is Comin to Town by Andy Buscemi, Podsafe Music Network

The annual Moonlight Run/ Walk @ the Baylands is scheduled according to the harvest moon. Once in a *blue moon*, the Baylands event AND the Black & White Ball occur on the same weekend. This episode features “news you can use” with Shia Geminder, the Palo Alto Rec Dept Special Events Mgr who is responsible for BOTH events. Plus, find out the answer to the trivia question posed back in episode #12.
It’s the running, walking and/or DANCING in the moonlight edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast.

Episode 14: moonlighting » mp3 file [8:51 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Music featured in this episode:
Sun Again Will Shine by slackstring, Podsafe Music Network
Grand Piano by Zong of the Week
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network
Little Black Dress by Cush, Podsafe Music Network

Useful links:
Moonlight Run - Friday, October 6, 2006
The Palo Alto Black & White Ball - Saturday, October 7, 2006

This episode includes Chamber humor revisited with Benjamin Simon, an overview of goings on at the *new* Mitchell Park Youth and Teen Center with City Recreation Supervisor Kim Parker, a preview of the Moonlight Run at the Baylands with the ever-popular Shia Geminder, and a secret *milestone* message for a loyal listener.

I had to get in touch with my *inner teen* to complete this episode. It’s the Simon-says, teen-centered edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast.

Episode 13: Teen Talk » mp3 file [14:24 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Please note that PA360 is interested in YOUR suggestions for podsafe music (see episode #8).

Music featured in this episode:
Chasing Hiro, Sailing The Gale by Joshua Christian, garageBand.com
Turning The Tide by Teen Idols, Podsafe Music Network
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network
A Little Bit More by Uncle Seth, Podsafe Music Network
People by Natives of the new Dawn, Podsafe Music Network

Useful links:
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra
City of Palo Alto: Teen Programs | Volunteer Opportunities

We’re coming up on the last weekend in Aug. 2006 and, as promised, this episode focuses on the 25th annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. Do you remember when the Festival first started? If yes, you have a good chance of knowing the answer to the FIRST EVER PA360 Trivia Question — where you can use your knowledge of *recent* (within the last 30 yrs) Palo Alto history to win *fabulous* prizes .. or at least some free stuff.

Get out the sunscreen and put on comfortable shoes — it’s time for the street-walking, people-watching, wine-drinking, music-loving, weekend Art-Festival (with a chance to win fabulous prizes) edition of … the Palo Alto 360 podcast.

Episode 12: UnivAve-apalooza » mp3 file [10:20 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Music featured in this episode:
Selections from Kevin Beadles Band: Ride to the Sea, Trick Of The Devil
Selections from Sage: Party Goin’ On, King Of The Avenues

Useful links:
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts: general info, entertainment page
Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (no relation)

Thanks to those of you who made July the best month ever for Palo Alto 360 in terms of site traffic and podcast downloads.
In this *interim* episode, I reflect on the irony that the most downloads for the PA360 podcast occurred during the month when there were *no new episodes* of the podcast (!). I also provide a preview of coming attractions, talk about 2 of the bands that will appear at the upcoming Palo Alto Arts Festival, and explain some of the changes you may have noticed here on the web site — including new ways we can connect.

At the risk of slowing the momentum, herewith .. a new edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast.

PA360 Quiki » mp3 file [9:05 mins] | subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Feel free to snoop around the public PA360 bookmarks.

Music featured in this episode:
Morning Run by Kevin Beadles Band
Selections from Sage: Megabyte, 1 Way 2 Rock
Nothing Lasts Forever by Rich Cronin, Podsafe Music Network

Also mentioned:
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts — August 26 & 27
Caltrain: Schedules, Maps & Fares

While I wait for the PA360 podcast *studio* to COOL DOWN, I thought I’d share a little news. Yours truly has been invited to participate in a panel discussion re podcasting. I *KNOW* .. I was surprised, too!
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If you’ve been around the Palo Alto area for any of the past 24 summers, you probably know what event will be occurring at Mitchell Park on the 4th of July. That’s right, it’s time for the Annual Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off!

In addition to Festival talk with the ever-popular Palo Alto Rec Dept. special event manager, Shia Geminder, this episode features selections from Red Beans & Rice — the ACTUAL band that will be PLAYING at the Cook-Off!!
But wait, there’s MORE. You’ll also hear a PROGRESS report from Jeff Selzer, manager @ Palo Alto Bicycles and Go-To Guy for the downtown train station/ bike rental project.

Put away your cell phone and pick up a spoon. Find out how to vote (non-electonically) for your favorite chili cookers in the Iron-Chili-Chef Smackdown/ More-than-just-chili edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast!

Episode 11: chili-fest » mp3 file [9:50 mins]

Music featured in this episode:
Selections from Red Beans & Rice: Put It Down, House Of Blue Lights , Hoochie Coochie Man, Lucky So Far
Good Day by Natives of the new Dawn, Podsafe Music Network

Last week in episode #9, I posed the first ever Palo Alto 360 audience- participation, “What Do You Think” Question about the Town-Gown relationship between Stanford and Palo Alto. THIS week two of our elected officials share their thoughts on the matter.
You’ll hear observations on how Stanford’s wild west heritage is reflected in today’s culture of innovation. Plus, lest we forget, there are many practical BENEFITS the communities offer each other in terms of cultural, entertainment, and recreational activities.

For good measure, this episode ALSO includes a little classic car talk, some audio geek speak, and a quick lesson on the governance structure between SU and PA. It’s the Town-Gown historical influences/ shared community benefits, geeks-gone-wild edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast.

Oh yes, and there’s a sneak peek at the Chili Cook-off with the ever-popular Shia Geminder at the end of today’s episode. Are you ready for some EXCITEMENT?!

Episode 10: Geeks Gone Wild » mp3 file [14:43 mins]

subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Music featured in this episode:
Big Automobile by Red Beans & Rice
College Daze by The Clintons, Podsafe Music Network
Intellectual by The Lascivious Biddies, Podsafe Music Network

Also mentioned:
Palo Alto City Manager
Concours d’Elegance
Judy Kleinberg — Palo Alto Mayor & City Council
State Senator Joe Simitian

technorati tags: palo alto, podcast, palo alto podcast, stanford hometown, podsafe music

Believe it or not, it’s the end of the 2nd full week in June and soon it will be time for the annual exodus of Stanford students from our midst. In honor of finals week, essay questions .. and making stuff up — this week I’m introducing a new segment called “What Do You Think?”.

Since many of us came to Palo Alto as Stanford students, it seems appropriate that the FIRST EVER WDYT question be about Town-Gown relations.
In this episode you’ll hear excerpts from an article that helped inspire the T-G question; City Historian Steve Staiger will give us some background on the founding of the University and Palo Alto, and as if THAT weren’t enough … I also have a quick update for you on the downtown Train Station.

Get ready to toss those mortarboards — it’s the Town-Gown, Where Did We Come From, Graduation-Weekend, Fathers Day edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast!

Episode 9: SU-PA rewind » mp3 file [9:45 mins]

subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Send your thoughts via email, or leave a comment to share your views with others.

Background reading:
Is Palo Alto a college town? Was it ever?: A fresh look at students’ relationship with the place Leland Stanford built, Mar-Apr 2002, Stanford Alumni Magazine

Music featured in this episode:
College Daze by The Clintons, Podsafe Music Network
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network
Donkeys and Elephants by Gecko 3, Podsafe Music Network

technorati tags: palo alto, podcast, palo alto podcast, stanford hometown, podsafe music

Before I get back to work on Episode #9, I’m posting this *interim* episode to give you a quick behind-the-scenes update on the PA360 podcast and answer a few questions.

Podcast Quickie » mp3 file [4:57]

When the Palo Alto 360 show started earlier this year, it was still an open question whether or not a community-specific podcast could find an audience. After posting some preliminary episodes and getting publicity on a popular podcast show hosted by former MTV-personality and podcast-evangelist Adam Curry, PA360 REALLY started to take off.

Although Palo Alto 360 is a podcast devoted to a specific community, people from all over the WORLD visit the web site.
Last time I checked, the various episodes had been downloaded or listened to directly on this web site more than FIVE SIX HUNDRED times!

I am grateful to ALL of you who take the time to check out the PA360 web site AND listen to the podcast. In order to receive new episodes automatically, if you haven’t done so already, please SUBSCRIBE to the show.

If you have iTunes on your computer, use this link to subscribe to PA360.

If you use other *podcatchers* (my favorite is iPodder/ Juice), you can add the Palo Alto 360 podcast to your SUBSCRIPTION list by copying and pasting this URL:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/PaloAlto360

Thanks again for your interest in the Palo Alto 360 podcast … and be sure to TYF — Tell Your Friends!

Music featured in this episode:
Inside Joke by Little Thom, Podsafe Music Network

So you think you know Palo Alto .. but can you put your knowledge to MUSIC?
This week’s episode includes a reminder about what the heck is *podsafe* music and a CHALLENGE.
Listeners are encouraged to find and recommend podsafe songs for upcoming episodes AND, for extra credit, identify lyrics that MATCH Palo Alto-related topics. It’s the podsafe - tune-filled - how-you-can-help/ audience-participation edition of the Palo Alto 360 podcast!

Episode 8: let’s get musical » mp3 file [9:25]

subscribe to PA360 in iTunes

Music featured in this episode:
Remember by Bob Kirkpatrick, Podsafe Music Network
Rain by Matthew Ebel, Podsafe Music Network
Pour-quoi, pour-quoi pas by Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet, Podsafe Music Network
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network
Mind has a mind by Laurence Elder, Podsafe Music Network
Days of Summer by NOW is NOW, Podsafe Music Network

Last week’s Mothers Day episode ended with an instrumental piano piece. Today’s episode continues the keyboard theme in the FYI segment with info about an upcoming organ concert.
Plus, learn about safe disposal of expired medications AND unwanted electronics. It’s the spring-cleaning/ do-the-right-thing installment of the Palo Alto 360 podcast!

Episode 7: green days » mp3 file [11:10]

Useful links:
GreenCitizen
Safe Medicine Disposal Days: list of Bay Area locations
James Welch, organist extraordinaire

Music featured in this episode:
Sound Scientist by Bill, Podsafe Music Network
In A Long Time by 46bliss, Podsafe Music Network
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network

This week’s episode includes an update on the Palo Alto Caltrain station, the story of a close encounter with a local celebrity at the May parade, and a piece of podsafe music to accompany your activities in The Great Outdoors!

Episode 6: bike talk » mp3 file

Useful links:
Stanford Spring Faire
Palo Alto Bicycles
BikeStation/ Palo Alto

Music featured in this episode:
Rocket Science by BRAIN BUCKIT, Podsafe Music Network
On A Podcast by Cruisebox, Podsafe Music Network
Remember by Black Lab, Podsafe Music Network
Waterfall by Jon Schmidt, Podsafe Music Network

Yep, it’s *that* time of year again … and Palo Alto is getting ready to party like it’s the FIRST SATURDAY in MAY. Parents of school-age children probably don’t need to be reminded, but for everyone else this episode provides some practical information about the annual May Fete Parade coming up THIS Sat., May 6.

Episode 5: parade city » mp3 file

Music featured in this episode:
Inside Joke by Little Thom, Podsafe Music Network
Eat Your Vegetables by The Egerton Boyz, Podsafe Music Network

Also mentioned: Rinconada Pool
Daily Source Code with Adam Curry

Market research indicates that the two most common times when people listen to podcasts are during commutes and while exercising / recreating. Putting these two facts together, my brain came up with the question, “I wonder if they still rent bikes at the downtown train station.”
Find out what happens next in this PRELIMINARY episode of the PA360 podcast.

PA train station » mp3 file

Music featured in this episode:
Catch That Train by Rose City Kings, garageBand.com

This preliminary episode includes excerpts from podcasts where service providers share info about their areas of expertise. Since Palo Alto is chock-FULL of experts .. this seems like a good match for *OUR* show.
If you have ideas for topix — or would like to recommend podsafe music for the show — pleeese let me know.

Episode 3: Service mavens » mp3 file

If you use a *podcatcher* program, you can add the Palo Alto 360 podcast to your SUBSCRIPTION list by copying and pasting this URL:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/PaloAlto360

In iTunes, go to “Advanced” menu > “Subscribe to podcast” then paste the URL.

Featured podcasts: Real Sydney, Wedding Podcast Network

Music featured in this episode:
Chasing Hiro, Sailing The Gale by Joshua Christian, garageBand.com