Republicans from around the nation meet in Minnesota's Twin Cities to formally nominate John McCain, hold planning meetings and rally the troops for the fall. After the last piece of confetti falls, we’ll look at what was said at the Republican National Convention, how much of an impact it made and where the Grand Old Party goes from here.

Guests

• Dante Scala, associate professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, host of the GraniteProf and contributor to PolitickerNH.com
• Allan Bonner, political journalist for several international publications and author of Media Relations

We'll also hear from

• Maureen Mooney, Republican state representative from Merrimack and voting delegate for John McCain at the Republican National Convention
• Maggie Hassan, Democratic state senator from Exeter

New Hampshire has one of the highest suicide rates among 10-24 year olds in the country.

Yesterday, the governor signed into law a bill to help the state improve its ability to prevent people from taking their own lives.

Some advocates and state officials believe focusing on suicide will mean more money for substance abuse and mental health services.

New Hampshire Public Radio’s Dan Gorenstein reports.

For 139 years the steam engines that have chugged up and down Mount Washington have marked their passage with huge clouds of black smoke. But that’s changing. A biodiesel is on the rails. NHPR correspondent Chris Jensen has the story.

It’s no secret that the music industry is swimming in rough waters these days. Online downloads have cut CD sales dramatically. But the industry is finding a bright spot in an unexpected place: vinyl records - yes, those things gathering dust in so many attics.

Nationwide, shipments of vinyl went up by a third between 2006 and 2007, driven by baby boomer nostalgia and young hipsters inspired by the look and feel of vinyl. This week, Capitol/EMI launched "From the Capitol Vaults," with the release of 13 titles on vinyl, including Radiohead's "OK Computer" and the Steve Miller Band's "Greatest Hits 1974-1978."

But this news comes a little too late for vinyl fans in Mill Valley, Calif. Their local record shop closed its doors last year after 60 years in business. KALX North Gate Radio producer Julie Napolin brings us this profile of the historic Village Music record store.

(Photo of Village Music by Michael Scannell)

Today on Word of Mouth, we begin with a growing trend in architecture. Not more titanium siding or stunning art museums, but "free architecture," for clients with real needs, but no money. In a field dazzled by “starchitects,” John Peterson launched the nonprofit design firm Public Architecture. He’s leading the charge to get firms to donate one percent of billable hours designing spaces that bring inspiration and dignity to society’s most vulnerable people.

The 1% program is making its pitch, asking professionals to consider this question: "You could have been anything. You chose to be an architect. Why? Doctors save lives. Architects _______."

John Peterson, founder of Public Architecture and principal of Peterson Architecture, joins Word of Mouth on the line from San Francisco.

(Photo of Public Architecture's Community Learning Space)