The countdown is on for th digital television conversion.

The high definition television is just deliver spectacular images that, that I think that's what people really want.

But if you buy a fancy new TV, what should you do with your old one?

Next On Q, find out how you can safely recycle your old television.

Also tonight we head to Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Singer Tony Butala one of the original Letterman, has news about the new vocal group Hall of Fame.

I think all those beautifu vibrations are captured in here, and you're going to bring them back.

Bring it back.

On Q starts now.

Welcome to On Q. I'm Michael Bartley.

The date may have changed but the outcome will be the same in just a few months.

Television station across the country will switch from broadcasting an analog signal to a digital signal.

Although you do not have to buy a new television for the changeover, many consumers have see this as a good time to upgrade to high definition television.

So if you recently bought a new TV, what should you do with your old set?

On Q Tonia Caruso explains how, where and why you should recycle your old television.

It's thanks to televisio that marvel of modern science, from its early days of blac and white to the progression of color, television, has see a lot of changes over the years.

But perhaps nothing as big as this.

The high definition television is to deliver spectacular images that, I think that's what people really want.

Today's technology goes way beyond plain old digital television.

High definition televisio is fast becoming the standard.

Paul Byers is WQED executive directo of engineering and operations.

It's still remarkable when you do a side by sid comparison between the analog TV and the HDTV, showing the same pictures.

The difference is striking.

Even in this tough economy sales of HDTV are on the rise, and now so too is the concern about what will happen to all of our old television sets.

And I'm thinking the 30th is the one I might have a conflict with.

David Maza is the Western Regional director of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, or PRC, one of the state's oldest environmental groups.

We know that these television sets, that people are going to be potentially disposing o as they become somewhat obsolete with the switch over to digital, contains some very, dangerous and sometimes toxic products and components.

Televisio sets are full of all kinds of, heavy metals, thing like lead, cadmium, beryllium, you know, the plastics, the PVC, the poly vinyls.

So there are a lot of, a lot of components to these things that are known carcinogens.

So we're trying to do here is to provide the, the general public with a safe and viable option for disposing of thes television sets and keeping them out of the landfill and makin sure that, all of the materials that are contained in these sets are disposed of properly.

The PRC is launching a major television recycling event, partnering with several local groups, including a company called E-loop.

Ned Eldridge is E-loop's president.

So we basically ar the are the people that show up at the events and collect all the material, and then we take it back to our warehouse.

We process the material to the point where we organize a bike by like commodity group, and then we send it off to processors that actually break it dow and do the disassembly and then, provide a, a chain of custody back to us to show that the material has been handled properly.

E loop recycles television and other electronics year round construction.

Junction and Point Breeze serves as one of its permanent collection sites.

We pick up from this location every two weeks.

We have all of our smalle electronics like your computers, your printers and smaller monitors in the steel boxes.

And then we'll build a, a pile of televisions.

Customers are asked to pay a fee base on the size of their television.

We charge, $15 for a 19 inch TV, and then it goes up to as muc as maybe $35 for the larger TVs.

Is it in general expensive to recycle a television?

That is the most expensive items that we recycle, primarily because of the weight.

They're very heavy.

Our downstream processor charges by the pound to process that material.

Another big reason for the cost disposing of the materials safely.

David Mesa uses this computer monitor to show just some of what recyclers have to deal with.

So we've got the plastic case, which is PVC plastic.

If burn could give off toxic fumes.

We've got the picture tube itself, which is where the lead is contained.

Tube this size could contain anywhere from 6 to 8 pounds of lead.

Also, the cadmium is contained inside this in the band.

The metal band that goes around the outside, you've got heavy metals, you've got copper.

You've got some other metals here in the circuitry.

Beryllium is in the circuitry as well, which again, is a known carcinogen.

So lots of potentially toxic materials handled properly.

Most of these materials can safely be reused.

This is a sample of lead.

This is about a half pound of lead.

And again 6 to 8 pounds of that containe within the picture tube itself.

Lead acid batteries, which is, what your car battery is, contain lead, panels.

So a lot of this lea can go back into manufacturing, other products.

We have some samples here of shredded plastics, which would be a sample of the outside case itself shredded down into, pellet form to be, remade into other products.

We also have crushed glass, which would come from the picture tube once the lead is removed.

And again, this would be remade re manufactured into another product.

And we have a small sample of mercury.

No real re-use, opportunities for mercury.

But you do want to make sure that we capture it and dispose of it properly.

The alternative, Mesa says, is that the mercury and other metals could end up in landfills, potentially leaching into the soil.

And water supplies.

And that, he says, is hopefully reason enough to get people to recycle their old TVs.

I thin in the grand scheme of things, you know, you look at this i is somewhere between 10 and $35, depending on the size of the television set that you're dropping off.

It's a relatively small investment when you think about the bigger picture of, what the serious, effects of these materials could be.

It's not a hard argument to make that people want to keep it out of the landfills as well.

Our message is, you know, with our social conscience being what it is today, that most people will do the right thing and recycle.

So here's what you need to know.

The big Don't Trash or TV event will be held this Saturday, February 21st from 10 a.m.

until 2 p.m.

at these locations.

Construction junction on North Lexington Street in Point Breeze, or at the City of Pittsburgh' Environmental Services facility that's on Railroad Street in the Strip District.

Again, there is a fee to drop off your television according to its size, but there are special prices for this weekend's event $1 each for TVs 19in and smaller.

The prices go up to $35 for televisions that are 40in or larger.

For more information, you can log on to our website at wqed.org.

Slash On Q Michael's special weekend event.

Special rates for this weekend.

But of course, folks can drop off their television anytime at Construction Junction and a few other local locations, and we have that information on our website as well.

Great information.

Thank you.

It's really important.

Who else got it?

I know a lot goes into recycling.

Thank you Tonia.

All right.

Still to come, special recognition for a history making program here at WQED.

A look back at a decade's wort of some of our own contributors.

And a musical walk down memory lane in Sharon, Pennsylvania, went On Q, continues.

You're watching On Q because these foundations care enough about local programing to help pay for it.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, the McCune Foundation, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Benter Foundation.

Additional funding is made possible by the Pennsylvania Public Television Network and by the Allegheny Regional Asset District, helping On Q showcase thi region's vibrant arts community.

Corporate fundin is provided by Nova Chemicals.

Funding stories of innovation in our region.

And these corporations also support On Q. When my good cholesterol number was really, really bad.

When my fourth attempt to quit smoking failed for my relaxed fit, jeans didn't feel so relaxed when I'd leave the office, but it wouldn't leave me.

But I wanted to make sure I stay healthy.

Highmarks, lifestyl information support and health and wellness innovations like you have a greater hand in your health every day.

No matter what the market does when the economy makes waves.

Where can you find insight?

The private client group at National City where trust is something we earn.

And we couldn't do it without you.

The members of WQED.

Hard to believe I know it, but On Q is wrapping u its first decade here on WQED.

So throughout the year we'll be looking back at how our program evolved, remembering some of the stories we've told, catching up with some of the people we've profiled.

Tonight, though, let's talk personalities.

I don't mean the regulars you see here every night, like Chris Moore, Tonia and me for that matter.

I'm talking about the fine work of a whole stable of contributing reporters who helped bring On Q into season ten.

On Q starts right now.

From the opening theme song to the se design, viewers have watched on Q evolve over the years, and it's come a long way since the debut episode in January of 2000.

I am Stacy Smith, and welcom to the premiere edition of On Q. Proud to announce that WQE Pittsburgh will begin production of a live, live, nightly local show from our studios in January.

Leading up to that premiere came the important mission of choosing the hosts and reporters.

Once we put the word out that we were looking for a team of people, it was an embarrassment of reaches.

My phone was ringing off the hook.

People didn't quite know what it was we were doing, but they knew that WQE was doing something important.

You'l recognize the permanent fixtures from the first several years of On Q correspondent Tonia Caruso have come up with idea on how to make airplanes safer.

We teamed up and here are Stacy Smith, Carol Lee ESPY, Chris Moore along with me in the very first episode of television.

So it makes you wonder is there anything new to tell?

Well, right here in Pittsburgh, the answer is yes.

The regular staff was in place, but On Q wasn't done yet.

And then we had this crazy and wonderful idea of putting together the best contributors we could from the community.

We looked across all of the cultural assets of Pittsburgh and saw, all right, there's a brilliant astronaut and scientist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Dr.

Jay Apt, grab him.

What's happened to science stories for On Q?

This control is just wonderful.

Imagine being able to drive one of these little guys.

We did the same thing with Tom Sokolowski from the Warhol Museum.

Interesting artistic mind.

What kind of a voic could he bring to the program?

One thinks of art that is electronic is being called from wonder, art from Patti Burns at that point had retired from KDKA.

We reached out to Patti a lot.

Is really happening, and those are the kind of stories I hope to bring to.

On Q, Patti reported on community issues and was among on News First contributing reporters.

They arrived with fresh ideas, presented them and their own stock.

Y2K.

Sir, can I talk to you about the Y2K?

You don't want to be on no TV, then says the basic technique of rowing a dragon boat and over the years On Q, attracted a growing pool of contributors.

Their stor topics ranged from simple fun.

I can't do it to serious social issues.

The girls said that if they weren't here that they might end up dead.

This is Terry Taylor.

She reported on environmental issues in the region.

Doug Oster of the Post-Gazette has explored the outdoors and gardening for On cube.

Angie Corley brought features on lifestyles and fashion.

Dave and Dave have covered the quirky side of the city.

They've covered a lot of miles and racked up quite a following along the way, and we've just completed the entire Greenbelt.

Jim Cunningham from WQED FM does his reports on all things cultural.

The pan is really hot.

You want to make sure that the oil is nice and ho before Chris Fenimore has cooked just for On Q viewers to sear on the outside.

Here's Minette Seat on the arts.

Interviewing Eartha Kitt Phil Harris, reported on the music scene and a bit of guitar.

Andy Masich brought his expertis on the region's past from the Heinz History Center.

The gunner pulled the lanyard through his cannon could send the ball.

The proclamation ending the friend.

One of Pittsburgh's best known feature reporters is Dave Crawley at KDKA.

Dave enjoys on queues, longer format and works for us, too.

He's one of many respected journalists who've contributed to On Q like Harold Hayes, Lynn Sawyer, Darius Chisholm, Mike Clark.

They decided to come to this Washington County college.

Laurie Savage, Rick Sebak we cover, and Eleanor Chenault, we put together the mos interesting cast of characters and people who knew how to d really high quality television.

People like Gina Catanzaro, who reported on her personal journey to adopt an orphan in Russia, bringing On Q one of its first Emmys.

Another Emmy winner, Beth Dolinar.

Our story on the Ebenezer Baptist Church rising from the ashes after a devastating fire, bell tower collapsed.

Many voices, effects of it.

All right, I got okay.

So you have many hands and many of the region's finest reporters contributing their best to On Q viewers.

First time down there, you throw a strike, and it really became this, almost like a barn raise they're putting up the walls for, you know, everyon brought their individual skills and very quickly we were able to put this program together, which was not perfect from the first minute we put it on the air.

But I think over time has really become something, something really special.

Can't believe it's been ten years.

I look so nice and young ten years ago.

A few things that might surprise you.

As the show evolved, we actually stopped going after contributors and many of these veteran reporters started approaching On offering their services, saying they wanted a chance to tell long form stories that aren't being told anywhere else.

And do they make a lot of money?

No.

They're paid a nominal fee for stories that take them days to shoot, write and produce.

That says a lot about their commitment to this community.

The On Q staff and our viewers appreciate their hard work.

Speaking of hard work, one o our sister shows here at WQED TV is the longest running minorit affairs program in the country.

And that show, of course, is Black Horizons.

They've been on the air for 40 years and recently received some very special recognition from Allegheny County.

We have with us today, some real outstanding people.

And so it's a treat for me to recognize, Black Horizons, a television program has been around for a long time, 40 some years.

But it's today that we're going to recognize Chris and Minette Seate for their work with this extraordinary program in our community that is nationally and internationally recognized, is one of the best magazine programs of its type anywher in the United States of America.

Moore and producer.

Minette Seate whose service is so integra a part of the program's success.

The landmark television show continues to shine a light on issues important to the nation's African-American community.

I'm really, really proud to be counted in the company of the people who are honored here today and to be supported by my hometown.

I just want to say thank you, for all the people who've been around.

So I really thank you so much.

And thank you very much, Mr.

Robinson, for recognizing this.

Has been a great honor.

Our congratulations to Chris Moore, Minette Seate Mark your calendars for February 22nd, Black Horizons Day in Allegheny County, and tun in to the show Sunday afternoons at 2:00.

And in Sharon, Pennsylvania, a young man named Tony Butala made histor when he formed a musical group called The Lettermen some 50 years ago.

He still performs with them, but today Tony Butala is on another mission, reopening the vocal Group Hall of Fame in his hometown.

On Q, contributor Dave Crawley shares some magic moments so different and so new was like any other.

Until I Kissed You.

I met him at the candy store, turned around and smiled at me.

You get the picture?

Yes, we see.

That's when I fell for the leader of the pack going to the chapel.

And when you're looking at us getting married in the still of the night, in the middle of the night, it's a curtain call for pop music icons at a concert hall in Youngstown, Ohio.

The 10th anniversary induction for the vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Hold me in your eyes, baby, it's all right.

Put your arm around the one you love.

The story begins with a timeless trio called The Lettermen, led by the group's only original member, Tony Butala.

Put your head on my shoulder Rewind 50 years.

The original Lettermen sing their way to hit records and lasting fame, but the young leader would never forget his hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Out of our bedroom window, we said, crawl under the roof of the porch there and sit there and watch the 4th of July fireworks that were being shot off down in the valley.

Some time ago, we visited the now deserted homestead where Tony and ten brothers and sisters grew up.

He proudly introduced us to the high school stadium that bears the family name.

They did me the great honor t name the stadium Butala Stadium, after the memory of my father who recently passed away.

You, you you.

In 1998, Tony Butler realized a long time dream, if only for a moment.

The vocal Group Hall of Fame opened in his hometown, Mr.

Sunshine, luminaries of the past celebrated a museum dedicated to harmony, but funding difficulties would eventually close the doors.

Those glass case and the memories they contained have all been stored away.

The building now sits vacant and the music has faded, at least for now.

But just down the street, volunteers are hard at work.

In an effort to keep the dream alive, a once busy restaurant avoids the wrecking ball.

This building was the Sharon restaurant for many, many decades, and it became the Phoenix restaurant.

And we bought The Thing about three years ago.

And all this is false ceiling.

This is all that 5060 stuff, you know?

So what we're going to do is we're going to take all of this out.

The ceilings are like, you know, 20ft ceilings, three stories.

And this has about 30,000f space, enough for a new museum.

But the work ahead is daunting.

Just outdoors, a sidewalk bears the handprints and signatures of music legends who have stopped in Sharon to pay homage.

And Tony Butalas El Camino rests in the shadow of the old Columbia Theater.

He bought that building in hopes of restoring it for concerts yet to come.

The artistry in the dome has been carefully restored, but on ground level, we've don a lot of work in this theater.

When we first bought it years ago, we removed 10 tons of debris and old plaster.

Well, you know, we've done a lo that you can do without money.

Raising that money is a tough task in difficult times.

But Tony Butala perseveres as we stroll along to emerge and the show goes on.

The concert in Youngstow celebrates the induction of 12 new members of the vocal Group Hall of Fame.

All these people consummate musicians.

I'm gonna need you.

May be right here.

Okay?

I'll be all right.

In the early days, you know we used to do all these caravan of stars and stuff with a bunch of groups, but that was like in the 60s.

It's a busy night for the emcee.

The leader of the Lettermen.

You guys are in the vocal Group Hall of Fame.

It's a great honor.

Now we deserve it.

Baby boomers, teenage idols, groups like Dann and the Juniors and Rock n roll lead their audience down a musical memory lane.

Last night we were the Hilltoppers.

Yeah, Hilltoppers.

And, with the tokens, of course.

And, tonight with Johnny Americans.

Jay Trainor sang with the original Jay and the Americans, did and love her any more.

Jay has sung with other groups since then.

Getting together with old friends is the best part.

It's the talk for old times.

And then go back and hey, you know, remember this one and that one and laugh and laug and have a good time together.

Yes, it's like a high school reunion.

Good music.

But at 5:00, the world when the whistle blows, no one knows.

It's about time.

But it's not just a 5:00 worl for the vogues of Turtle Creek.

After everything is over.

And to be able to hang out together, that's the most fun time.

Yeah.

And the singing, the performing tonight, that's fun too.

And that's giving back to th audience, which we love to do.

They're the ones that bought the records.

I'm so glad that you're pleased glad to see you're back.

It's been a long time since Gretchen, Christopher and the Fleetwood's topped the charts with heartthrob hits like Mr.

Blue, but her philosophy hasn't changed.

Try to be a good, model role model since I've been a teenager.

I mean, I, I said, you know, we're influencing millions of teenagers who bought our records to Ruth Pointe and the Pointer Sisters are 2005 inducted into the vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Oh, thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

35 years after the Pointer Sisters first hit, grandma still rocks with the best of them.

Rock and roll is here to stay.

Just ask bouncer.

It's been about 40 years since Shawn and I really started the rock and roll revival.

And I still love this music.

It's it's the soundtrack of our lives.

It really is.

It's a soundtrack that keeps Tony Botella going more than 100 concerts a year, but won't let him forget that dusty old stage at the Columbia Theater.

The first dates, the first kisses.

I can't tell you how many people said what they did in that balcony up there.

They're on their dates.

I think all those beautifu vibrations are captured in here.

And you're going to bring them back.

Bring it back?

Yes.

And the first grou to play on that renovated stage, I want to hear the Letterman, of course.

What a surprise.

Bringing it all back home with the soundtrack of our lives.

I'm Dave Crawley for On Q. Another great story, by the way.

The vocal Group Hall of Fame is a strong supporter of the Truth and Music Law, which protects artists from imposters under the law.

At least one recording member of a group such as The Drifters or the Vogues they must perform or the name of the group may not be used.

So now you know that' going to do it for us tonight.

Join us tomorrow night at 7:3 for a special look back at civil rights pioneers again tomorrow night, 7:30 in the meantime for Tonia Caruso, all of us here at On Q, I'm Michael Bartley.

Thanks so much for watching.

Good night.