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Through single-minded dedication to an unusual choice of instrument, New York-based musician Tom Varner has claimed a jazz niche with compositions and performances of the French horn. Working odd jobs and putting together fellowships, he's recorded 10 albums for small labels, including the recent Swimming and Second Communion on the Omni Tone label. Jeff Lunden reports.

In Boston -- the birthplace of the American Freemasonry society -- some ceremonial objects are considered so sacred, they're kept locked away. As part of the Hidden Treasures Radio Project, Harriet Baskas goes inside the Grand Lodge's vaults for a look at objects with ties to such illustrious Freemasons as George Washington and Paul Revere.

Filmmaker Carma Hinton is an American who grew up in China. Her new documentary on the Cultural Revolution, Morning Sun, includes footage of victims and perpetrators of that period, when Communist youth, inspired and encouraged by Mao Zedong, rebelled against their parents and teachers, and workers rebelled against their bosses. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Hinton.

A couple prepares to send their daughter off on her first day of kindergarten in a new piece of short fiction, "The First Day," read here by the author, Silas House. House's latest novel is titled A Parchment of Leaves.

The novel Adama relates a teenager's impressions of Saudi Arabia in the 1960s and 70s as he transforms from home boy to questioning intellectual. Author Turki al-Hamad's book, first published in 1998, has been banned in several Middle Eastern countries; it is al-Hamad's first work to be translated into English. Alan Cheuse has a review.

Albert Barnes was a masterful art collector who founded a school centered on his priceless art collection. Now the financially troubled Philadelphia foundation that manages the school wants to break with its founder's wishes and move the collection to gallery row in downtown Philly. Joel Rose reports.

Thursday's announcement of Golden Globe nominations officially kicks off the Hollywood award season. The nominations, considered a good predictor of how the Oscar race will shape up, suggest the field for the coveted Best Picture Award has narrowed dramatically. Hear NPR's Kim Masters.

One of the hottest authors for girls ages 10 to 14 is Tamora Pierce. She works in the world of fantasy, but allows young female characters to "kick butt." The characters also work their way through more mundane real-life experiences. NPR's Margot Adler reports.

Alan Dugan's poem, "Love Song: I and Thou", remains a beautiful mystery for commentator Peter Sagal. Sagal remembers his favorite poet, who died recently.

Actor Les Tremayne dies at the age of 90. Tremayne was one of the best-known actors on radio in the 1930s and '40s. He starred in The First Nighter, The Thin Man and The Falcon. NPR's Bob Edwards remembers Tremayne.