Saturday, January 15, 2005
On Inauguration Day, 1961, convention called for a hat. But John F. Kennedy, the dashing young president-elect, didn't think it was his best look. Scott Simon looks at how America became a hatless nation.

Listen to Saturday's show | Listen to individual stories

Saturday, January 8, 2005
The members of the rock group the Donnas have been together since they met as high school freshmen in Palo Alto, Calif. Now in their mid-20s, the group has just released a new album, Gold Medal. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with the band mates about growing up as rock stars.

Listen to Saturday's show | Listen to individual stories

A Harrowing Kayak Expedition in Tibet
In February 2002, journalist Peter Heller accompanied seven extreme kayakers on an attempt to paddle down the Tsangpo river gorge in Tibet. He talks with NPR's Scott Simon about the experience and his book, Hell or High Water.
Saturday, January 15, 2005

The Donnas Graduate to a New Class of Rock
The Donnas have played together since meeting at Palo Alto High School a decade ago. But there are signs the group is growing up: They're using their real names now, for one thing. The band joins NPR's Scott Simon for a performance and conversation.
Saturday, January 8, 2005

Trumpeter Clark Terry Shares Jazz Memories
Jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, 83, was a mentor to Miles Davis and performed with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. He recently donated his archive of memorabilia to William Paterson University in New Jersey. NPR's Jacki Lyden interviews Terry just before he takes the stage at New York's Jazz Gallery.
Saturday, January 1, 2005

Nigerian Town Struggles to Support Its Orphans
For a while, in one small Nigerian town, money from foreign aid flowed. Five years later assistance came to an end, and that left thousands of orphans to fend for themselves. NPR’s Brenda Wilson reports.
Saturday, December 25, 2004

Christmas Party Decorating with John Waters
Every year, filmmaker John Waters has hosted a huge Christmas party at his Baltimore home. NPR's Scott Simon visited Waters as he and a team of friends prepared to decorate every room of his four-story 1928 house.
Saturday, December 18, 2004

Joan Nathan Offers Classic Hanukkah Dishes
For Hanukkah, Jewish Holiday Cookbook author Joan Nathan brings in treats for NPR's Scott Simon: a fried noodle casserole, mandelbrot cookies, and tips on making the essential potato latkes.
Saturday, December 11, 2004

Richard Marinick and the 'Boyos' of Southie
The former debt collector used a 10-year prison sentence for bank robbery to develop his writing skills. His novel Boyos portrays life among mobsters in the working class neighborhoods of South Boston.
Saturday, December 11, 2004

'American Dream': The Effects of Welfare Reform
New York Times writer Jason DeParle's book American Dream explores the effects of the welfare reform enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1996. DeParle and Angela Jobe, a woman affected by the law who is featured in the book, join NPR's Scott Simon.
Saturday, December 4, 2004

Minnie Driver: From Movies to Music
Minnie Driver becomes a Hollywood hyphenate with her new solo album Everything I've Got in My Pocket. But her evolution to actress-singer is not a whim; Driver was signed to a major label in the early '90s before her acting career eclipsed the music.
Saturday, December 4, 2004

Kinvara and the New Ireland
Ireland's economic boom has made the once-deserted town of Kinvara a target for developers. But the boom town is returning to an ancient tradition: music, rendered by fiddles, banjos and songs. Frank Browning reports for the documentary series "Worlds of Difference."
Saturday, December 4, 2004