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Diversions from NPR

• The Insatiable SUV
  Millions of Americans are faced with a dilemma: What to do with that nice, big, comfortable and highly inefficient SUV? You could continue to drain your bank account to fill the thing with gas, or you could try a few other suggestions.
• Detroit Red Wings' Good-Luck Charm? The Octopus
  Detroit Red Wings building manager Al Sobotka talks about the tradition of throwing a good-luck octopus onto the ice at the hockey team's playoff games. League officials banned the practice, but it's been recently revived — with a few changes for safety.
• Neil Young Fan Honors Him with a Spider
  Music legend and activist Neil Young has been bestowed with another honor. He's the inspiration for the scientific name of a trapdoor spider. Biologist Jason Bond, who discovered the new species, is such a big fan of the musician that the spider now bears Young's name.
• 78-Year-Old Blind Man Bowls Perfect Game
  His vision has been failing for years, but his sister encouraged Dale Davis to return to an old love: bowling. The 78-year-old man was in top form Saturday night in Alta, Iowa. Davis, who is legally blind, bowled a perfect game — 12 strikes.
• Political Comebacks: The Art of the Putdown
  Politicians are known for delivering a scripted message. Those who stray far from their prepared remarks often find themselves in trouble. But a select few who dare — think Winston Churchill or Daniel Webster — can make a point with their quick wit.
• Missing Moms in the Movies
  It's Mother's Day and moms are in the spotlight, so we'll take a moment to reflect on a few movies where maternal figures are noticeably absent. Both Bambi and Nemo lose their mothers early, and in <em>Star Wars</em> it took prequels to find out who Luke's mother was.
• Turning Into Your Mother Isn't So Bad After All
  When commentator Lori Gottlieb became a mother, she dreaded the idea of turning into her own mom. But after attempting the touchy-feely approach to parenting she read about in books, Gottlieb realized that being like her mom might not be such a bad thing.
• Ode (Owed?) to Ma
  In this week's on-air puzzle, you are given clues for six-letter words, each containing the consecutive letters M-A. Remove the M-A, and the remaining four letters, in order, will spell a word answering the second clue.
• Illinois Man Pedals Toward Exercise Record
  This weekend, George Hood of Aurora, Ill., is trying to break the world record for continuous exercise. If he's successful, he will have pedaled his stationary bicycle for 132 hours straight. He talks with Andrea Seabrook as he nears the finish line.
• Homework: Economic Stimulus Checks
  Listeners talk about how they plan to use rebate checks sent out by the IRS. Many said they'd go shopping or take a vacation. One listener is buying a pair of roller skates. For next week's assignment, send us stories of voicemail messages you just can't erase.
• Parting Words: The Pursuit of Perfection
  Andrea Seabrook quotes American essayist and critic, Logan Pearsall Smith: "The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection, even though it consist in nothing more than the pounding of an old piano, is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star."
• Charlie Brown: Authenticity and Honesty
  Charlie Brown was born in 1950, at a time of cautious optimism about America's global role after World War II, and about the average guy's day-to-day prospects back in the states.
• Lakers Look Strong as Kobe Bryant Wins NBA MVP
  The Los Angeles Lakers are up 2-1 against the Utah Jazz in the NBA conference semi-finals. And Lakers' star Kobe Bryant has just been named the the league's Most Valuable Player.
• How to Pack Everything You Own in One Bag
  Now that many airlines are charging for a second checked bag, one packing expert reveals tricks travelers can use to pack everything they need in one checked bag. He says the key is to draw up a list and bundle wrap clothes.
• Jenna Bush Prepares for Wedding
  The president's daugher is getting married this weekend at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas. The ceremony will begin with a traditional BBQ.