A quiet green revolution in the building world is evolving - and a first wave of innovative green design projects large and small has already hit the ground. Green Builders profiles a cast of green building pioneers who have taken the leap into making their part of the "built environment" a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly place. The special takes a wide-ranging look at a variety of approaches and levels of commitment and at the individuals who have helped turn green building theory into reality.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits returns to host the biggest and brightest birthday party in the country, featuring, for the first time ever, Barry Manilow, who will both open and close the broadcast with a stirring medley of hits and patriotic classics along with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Choral Arts Society of Washington. Joining him are the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin; international pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield; the Tony and Grammy Award-winning cast of Jersey Boys ; multi-Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein; and acclaimed classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen.

This star-studded cast will light up the stage on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol for the 29th annual A Capitol Fourth celebration, featuring unrivaled musical performances with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of America's prince of pops Erich Kunzel. As a special treat for the entire family, Elmo, Big Bird, Coookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and more of the Sesame Street gang will be on hand to celebrate America's 233rd birthday. The Muppets will perform a medley of patriotic favorites, as well as iconic songs that everyone knows and loves from 40 years of the breakthrough children's television series, celebrating 40 years of fun and learning.

The multi-award winning A Capitol Fourth, featuring the most spectacular fireworks display anywhere in the nation, will be broadcast live in high definition before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, on National Public Radio and around the world to American troops on the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

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The Principal Story tells two stories, painting a dramatic portrait of the challenges facing America's public schools – and of the great difference a dedicated principal can make. Funded by The Wallace Foundation, The Principal Story is a national PBS broadcast film and media outreach project. The documentary and related video and print materials are designed to connect educators, policymakers and those interested in learning more to reliable, useful resources. Outreach Extensions is managing the national media outreach campaign.

Before taking Broadway by storm with the jukebox hit Mamma Mia, ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus teamed with lyricist Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita) in 1986 to create an original musical, the cult favorite Chess. Set during the Cold War intrigue of international chess tournaments, the musical dramatizes the romantic checkmate between an American chess champion, his lover and a Russian opponent secretly planning to defect to the West. Idina Menzel (Wicked, Enchanted), Adam Pascal (Rent) and pop superstar Josh Groban headline a concert production from London's Royal Albert Hall, performing a captivating score that includes the top-40 single "One Night in Bangkok," as well as memorable songs such as "Anthem" and "I Know Him So Well."

A Place of our Own and its Spanish-language companion series LOS NIÑOS EN SU CASA are designed for parents and anyone else who takes care of young kids: grandparents, nannies, babysitters and home daycare providers. This Peabody Award-winning series combines an entertainment format — the daytime talk/demonstration show — with solid educational information on how young children learn, and what adults need to know to help kids be prepared for kindergarten and beyond.  More... 

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