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A song that had America dreaming of California sunshine actually was born on a New York winter's day. As part of the Present at the Creation series, NPR's Susan Stamberg has the story of "California Dreamin'," the Mamas and the Papas' enduring anthem to homesickness.

Technology has radically changed the sport of surfing. Surfboards have evolved from heavy solid-wood planks -- almost identical to boards used for centuries in Hawaii -- to high-tech tools that rocket skilled surfers across the water. Tom Goldman has the story on surfers and their boards for our continuing Present at the Creation series.

Actress Catherine Keener was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Being John Malkovich. She starred in the independent films The Real Blonde, Walking and Talking, Living in Oblivion and Lovely and Amazing.

A new study offers even more evidence that hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women is risky. Researchers say women taking estrogen-only pills are at greater risk for ovarian cancer. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports for All Things Considered.

A new poll delves into the problems Americans face with their health care. Four out of 10 families report trouble paying their medical bills. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports that most Americans are against what are called "defined contribution" health plans -- where employers give employees money to pay for health care benefits they find themselves. Find the complete poll results online.

Fed up with visitors illegally dumping garbage in Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest, rangers are using state-of-the-art electronic sensors to trigger video cameras to catch dumpers in the act. NPR's Emily Harris has the story for Weekend All Things Considered.

NPR's Morning Edition and Youth Radio have been giving Israeli and Palestinian youths the chance to share their thoughts about the continuing violence in their homelands. Today we hear from Sara Dansker, a 15-year-old Israeli girl who lives a half hour from Jerusalem, and from 21-year-old Dina Jawhar, a recent college graduate, whose home is a few miles from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah.

Just in time for Mother's Day, Jim Nayder presents a collection of mom-themed annoying tunes. Perpetrators include Jerry Lewis, Dottie West and Tennessee Ernie Ford. A bad time is guaranteed for all.

Music commentator Marika Partridge reports on singer Pat Humphries and an extraordinary song. Humphries isn't well-known outside folk music circles, but "Swimming to the Other Side" is becoming something of an underground anthem. Listen to three versions of the song online, and hear what Humphries fan Pete Seeger has to say about it. (10:00) The song is on a CD called Hands, and Pat's website is www.pathumphries.com.

The Economist, the London-based publication on politics and world affairs, publishes a simplified version of exchange-rate theory with its Big Mac Index, using the price of a hamburger to compare purchasing power worldwide. Economist editor Pam Woodall tells All Things Considered host John Ydstie how the burger can predict economic trends from Argentina to the European Union.