Diversions from NPR

Parting Words: Meat Of The Matter
Andrea Seabrook quotes from jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery: "I never practice my guitar. From time to time, I just open the case and throw in a piece of raw meat."
Loan Officer Flies To The Rescue Of Baby Ducks
A story is making the rounds through e-mail about a man who saved a nestful of baby ducklings from jumping off a second-story awning by catching them just before they hit the sidewalk. "Duck Hero" Joel Armstrong talks about the rescue.
Championship Wrestling, Nubian-Style
There's a weekly power struggle in northern Khartoum in Sudan. On this Friday, a young Nubian man answers the referee's call for a contender and waits to see who will enter the wrestling ring to test his strength in one of humankind's oldest traditions.
Are You Ready For The Summer? Camp, That Is
A new book titled Camp Camp: Where Fantasy Island Meets Lord of the Flies is an ode to the time of year when kids swarm to camps with appropriated Native American names and sweaty cabins filled with bunk beds and the spoils of independence.
Tour De France Drama On And Off the Course
The 14th stage of the Tour de France got underway Saturday morning in Nimes, France. There have been some surprising results on the course, and some unsurprising developments off it. Doping once again has plagued the Tour.
Tiny Texas Cafe Fills Up After Barbecue Award
Every five years, Texas Monthly chooses the best barbecue in a state that reveres smoked meat. Snow's BBQ in Lexington was unprepared for the onslaught of customers following its first-place win.
Fueling Up At The Chinese Restaurant
With the price of gas well past $4 a gallon, resourceful drivers are looking for alternatives. We meet with people who are driving past the gas station, straight to their local Chinese restaurant, to fuel up.
Getting Solar Power For Less
Thousands of megawatts of solar-generated power might not see the light of day if Congress doesn't act soon. Ira Flatow also looks at how you can bring solar to your sockets faster, without taking out a second mortgage.
Biofueled Powerboat Breaks World Record
Earthrace circumnavigated the globe in just 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes  14 days less than the fastest previous time for a powerboat. And they did it all with biofuels, including some converted from human fat removed via liposuction.
U.S. Cyclists Steer Clear Of Scandal In Tour Debut
Three riders have already tested positive for doping in this year's Tour de France. While scandals continue to plague the race, two American cyclists are making their debut. They're also determined to avoid any hint of scandal.
Rapping Hamburglar A Finalist For Big Mac Ad
Tamien Bain, who spent 12 years in jail after holding up a McDonald's in 1994, is now rapping to promote the fast food chain's signature sandwich.
Skydivers' High Jinx
A military band was about to start a review at Fort Riley, Kan., when three members took a tumble in front of a crowd. A skydiver with tangled lines had landed on top of them.
Students See World During 'Gap Year'
As many high school graduates prepare for college this summer, others are getting their passports and heading off on a kind of sabbatical. A growing number of students are taking a short break from the academic grind in order to travel and work.
Live Pitch: How About A Story on Chess Boxing?
BPP producer Dan Pashman tries to sell the rest of the show on doing a segment about a hybrid sport that combines chess and boxing. Tomorrow, checker wrestling, perhaps?
New Spot For Knockoffs In N.Y.: Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is planning an exhibit of sculptures that were supposedly made by Christians in Egypt more than a thousand years ago — even though 10 of the 30 sculptures are confirmed fakes.

Arts and Culture

Diversions from NPR