Diversions http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1051&ft=1&f=1051 Irrestible and odd stories from news, culture, sports, and literature. Subscribe to the Diversions RSS feed. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Diversions http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1051&ft=1&f=1051 Advances In 3-D May Mean No Ridiculous Glasses Movies, TV shows, video games — it seems 3-D technology is everywhere these days. It's creating a competitive market for companies trying to improve the way we experience the illusion of depth perception. Dr. Marsh and his team hope for a wider release of the procedure in select cities starting April 1, 2012. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/04/01/135033545/3d-surgery?ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/2011/04/01/135033545/3d-surgery?ft=1&f=1051 Movies, TV shows, video games — it seems 3-D technology is everywhere these days. It's creating a competitive market for companies trying to improve the way we experience the illusion of depth perception. Dr. Marsh and his team hope for a wider release of the procedure in select cities starting April 1, 2012.

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]]> The Ordinary Life Of An Extraordinary Billionaire West Virginia magnate Jim Justice doesn't act the part of a billionaire mogul. He recently acquired one of America's most iconic pieces of real estate, the Greenbrier luxury resort in West Virginia. But on any evening, you'll find him coaching a local high school girls' basketball team and dining at Applebee's. Host Michel Martin speaks with writer Neely Tucker, who profiled Justice in this week's <em> Washington Post Magazine </em>, in a cover story titled, "The Richest Regular Guy." Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2011/03/07/134332435/The-Ordinary-Life-Of-An-Extraordinary-Billionaire?ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/2011/03/07/134332435/The-Ordinary-Life-Of-An-Extraordinary-Billionaire?ft=1&f=1051 West Virginia magnate Jim Justice doesn't act the part of a billionaire mogul. He recently acquired one of America's most iconic pieces of real estate, the Greenbrier luxury resort in West Virginia. But on any evening, you'll find him coaching a local high school girls' basketball team and dining at Applebee's. Host Michel Martin speaks with writer Neely Tucker, who profiled Justice in this week's Washington Post Magazine , in a cover story titled, "The Richest Regular Guy."

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]]> Chinese New Year Celebrations Kick Off Year Of The Rabbit Chinese-Americans and Asians worldwide are celebrating the Lunar New Year. Across the U.S, the year of the Rabbit is being ushered in with cultural festivities that run through the end of the month. Arnold Chin, director of the country's largest Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, talks about how the most important date on the Chinese calendar is celebrated here, and in China. Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133623710&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133623710&ft=1&f=1051 Chinese-Americans and Asians worldwide are celebrating the Lunar New Year. Across the U.S, the year of the Rabbit is being ushered in with cultural festivities that run through the end of the month. Arnold Chin, director of the country's largest Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, talks about how the most important date on the Chinese calendar is celebrated here, and in China.

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]]> James Bond's Aston Martin Up For Auction A classic piece of James Bond memorabilia is being sold at auction in the fall. The sleek silver Aston Martin driven by Sean Connory in <em>Goldfinger,</em> dates to the 60's, is in near perfect condition and is expected to fetch up to $6 million. Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:25:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127363313&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127363313&ft=1&f=1051 A classic piece of James Bond memorabilia is being sold at auction in the fall. The sleek silver Aston Martin driven by Sean Connory in Goldfinger, dates to the 60's, is in near perfect condition and is expected to fetch up to $6 million.

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]]> New Training Manual For China's Bus Drivers China's bus drivers and ticket sellers have been urged to leave communism behind. The new training manual says a driver no longer needs to address a passenger as "comrade." It's now the rule to refer to the passenger as "sir" or "madam." Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127363267&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127363267&ft=1&f=1051 China's bus drivers and ticket sellers have been urged to leave communism behind. The new training manual says a driver no longer needs to address a passenger as "comrade." It's now the rule to refer to the passenger as "sir" or "madam."

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]]> Delicious Drinks For A Hot Summer Day For many, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to enjoying great summer food. But after breaking out the grill and the tasty new recipes, you might also want to consider serving up the right beverage. Guest host Allison Keyes turns to wine enthusiast Callie Crossley, who runs the blog The Crushed Grape Report. Crossley shares the recipes for her favorite chilled beverages. Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127217858&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127217858&ft=1&f=1051 For many, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to enjoying great summer food. But after breaking out the grill and the tasty new recipes, you might also want to consider serving up the right beverage. Guest host Allison Keyes turns to wine enthusiast Callie Crossley, who runs the blog The Crushed Grape Report. Crossley shares the recipes for her favorite chilled beverages.

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]]> Ray's Rodriguez Stung By Real Ray Tampa Bay Ray's infielder Sean Rodriguez was in the ocean this week when he was attacked by a ray. A Florida newspaper reports the ray stung his heel, causing a trail of blood. A teammate called 911. Rodriguez is fine, and is back on the field. Fri, 28 May 2010 06:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127232160&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127232160&ft=1&f=1051 Tampa Bay Ray's infielder Sean Rodriguez was in the ocean this week when he was attacked by a ray. A Florida newspaper reports the ray stung his heel, causing a trail of blood. A teammate called 911. Rodriguez is fine, and is back on the field.

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]]> Top 10 New Species Of 2009 Revealed A flat-faced frogfish and a minnow with fangs made this year's list of the top 10 new species. The list of newly described or named species is compiled every year by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists. Fri, 28 May 2010 06:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127232100&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127232100&ft=1&f=1051 A flat-faced frogfish and a minnow with fangs made this year's list of the top 10 new species. The list of newly described or named species is compiled every year by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists.

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]]> Frogs Shut Down Major Greek Highway A horde of frogs forced authorities in Greece to shut down a key northern highway for two hours. The traffic police chief says "millions" of amphibians carpeted the road, causing three cars to skid off it. He guesses the frogs were headed to a nearby lake, looking for food. Thu, 27 May 2010 07:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127208476&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127208476&ft=1&f=1051 A horde of frogs forced authorities in Greece to shut down a key northern highway for two hours. The traffic police chief says "millions" of amphibians carpeted the road, causing three cars to skid off it. He guesses the frogs were headed to a nearby lake, looking for food.

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]]> Police Just Didn't Appreciate Would-Be Hero Roger Witter was at a store in Oregon, when he spotted two guys stealing some iPhones. He ran after the thieves, and saw them try to drive away. He pulled out his handgun and shot at the tires on the getaway car. But it's our hero who didn't get away. Witter spent a night in jail charged with reckless endangerment. Thu, 27 May 2010 07:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127208360&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127208360&ft=1&f=1051 Roger Witter was at a store in Oregon, when he spotted two guys stealing some iPhones. He ran after the thieves, and saw them try to drive away. He pulled out his handgun and shot at the tires on the getaway car. But it's our hero who didn't get away. Witter spent a night in jail charged with reckless endangerment.

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]]> Author Writing About Palin Moves Next Door To Her Author Joe McGinniss has taken up residence in a house next to Sarah Palin's lakeside home in Wasilla, Alaska. Palin posted on Facebook that she'll be starting on a tall fence between her and her biographer. Wed, 26 May 2010 07:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127130401&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127130401&ft=1&f=1051 Author Joe McGinniss has taken up residence in a house next to Sarah Palin's lakeside home in Wasilla, Alaska. Palin posted on Facebook that she'll be starting on a tall fence between her and her biographer.

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]]> Man Who Bans Himself From Gambling Wins Big In Pennsylvania, an effort to help gambling addicts is working well. Too well for a 55-year-old man who had to give up $2,000. The man joined a state program that promised to not let him gamble. The man snuck into a casino in Erie, won the jackpot but because of the program, was not allowed to collect. Wed, 26 May 2010 07:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127130395&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127130395&ft=1&f=1051 In Pennsylvania, an effort to help gambling addicts is working well. Too well for a 55-year-old man who had to give up $2,000. The man joined a state program that promised to not let him gamble. The man snuck into a casino in Erie, won the jackpot but because of the program, was not allowed to collect.

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]]> Marking The Centennial Of Esperanto Creator's Visit This weekend, advocates of the Esperanto language will meet in Washington, D.C., to mark the 1910 visit of the language's creator, L.L. Zamenhof. A hundred years ago, Esperanto was taken very seriously by important people in the nation's capital. Tue, 25 May 2010 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127118219&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127118219&ft=1&f=1051 This weekend, advocates of the Esperanto language will meet in Washington, D.C., to mark the 1910 visit of the language's creator, L.L. Zamenhof. A hundred years ago, Esperanto was taken very seriously by important people in the nation's capital.

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]]> Lawnmower Sets World Land Speed Record Over the weekend in Wales, a man got his lawnmower up to nearly 88 mph. He set the record for lawnmower speed. The team had hoped to reach 100 mph. Tue, 25 May 2010 07:39:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127107523&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127107523&ft=1&f=1051 Over the weekend in Wales, a man got his lawnmower up to nearly 88 mph. He set the record for lawnmower speed. The team had hoped to reach 100 mph.

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]]> Bootsy Collins: I Can't Keep All This Funk To Myself Legendary musician Bootsy Collins is launching Funk University. He laments that kids today can't tell their James Brown from their George Clinton. The online school will offer classes in bass guitar. Tue, 25 May 2010 07:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127107451&ft=1&f=1051 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127107451&ft=1&f=1051 Legendary musician Bootsy Collins is launching Funk University. He laments that kids today can't tell their James Brown from their George Clinton. The online school will offer classes in bass guitar.

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