Search results for

A song that had America dreaming of California sunshine actually was born on a New York winter's day. As part of the Present at the Creation series, NPR's Susan Stamberg has the story of "California Dreamin'," the Mamas and the Papas' enduring anthem to homesickness.

Technology has radically changed the sport of surfing. Surfboards have evolved from heavy solid-wood planks -- almost identical to boards used for centuries in Hawaii -- to high-tech tools that rocket skilled surfers across the water. Tom Goldman has the story on surfers and their boards for our continuing Present at the Creation series.

Weekend Edition Saturday once again features summer readings from the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, held at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Conn. The festival's 11th year continues with "Charles by Accident" by Wesley McNair.

A new study offers even more evidence that hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women is risky. Researchers say women taking estrogen-only pills are at greater risk for ovarian cancer. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports for All Things Considered.

Music commentator Marika Partridge reports on singer Pat Humphries and an extraordinary song. Humphries isn't well-known outside folk music circles, but "Swimming to the Other Side" is becoming something of an underground anthem. Listen to three versions of the song online, and hear what Humphries fan Pete Seeger has to say about it. (10:00) The song is on a CD called Hands, and Pat's website is www.pathumphries.com.

For years, Amy Borkowsky has been collecting hilarious and embarrassing messages left by her mother on her answering machine. Now she's put them on a CD and wants the world to hear them. On Morning Edition, host Bob Edwards reviews some of the messages with the former ad executive turned standup comedian.

Jockey Jimmy Winkfield was the last African American to win the Kentucky Derby, 100 years ago this year. For Weekend Edition Saturday, NPR's Howard Berkes reports on Winkfield's legacy and the history of African Americans in horseracing.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Jeanne Jagdeo from Houston, Texas. She listens to Weekend Edition on member station KUHF in Houston.)

Turns out Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk has a secret passion for bonsai and magnolias in addition to carburetors and exhaust systems. On Morning Edition Ketzel Levine of Talking Plants takes us on a tour of Ray's Massachusetts garden. Hear excerpts of their rainy-day conversation and view a collection of photos online.

Thomas Keneally talks about his new book examining the life of the rakish congressman who beat a murder rap after killing his wife's lover -- then went on to gain fame (and lose a leg) as a Civil War General. And let's not forget the affair with Queen Isabella of Spain. (American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles {Doubleday; ISBN: 0385501390}).