Topic: The Grateful Dead

Top Picks: Elegantly bound classic books, a Cold War miniseries, and more

National Geographic showcases some big cats, Nokia does Apple one better by offering clear directions, and more.

Bill Walton: 10 quotes for his birthday

For his 60th birthday, here are 10 quotes from the Basketball Hall of Famer.

420 marijuana rally: Can University of Colorado stop it?

420 rally: Smelly fish-based fertilizer was spread at the University of Colorado where the annual 420 marijuana rally is held. Will that stop the 'Reefer madness'?

A plucky revival

The mandolin is breaking out of bluegrass and becoming hip and versatile.

Pharaoh's Daughter lead singer mines her ultra-Orthodox roots for melodies

Basya Schechter, lead singer of Pharaoh's Daughter, draws on her ultra-Orthodox childhood to craft songs for the band.

Top Picks: Ellen DeGeneres, Eric Clapton, PBS documentary on William Kunstler, and more recommendations

Ellen DeGeneres' new cable comedy special, Eric Clapton at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, lawyer William Kunstler as the subject of a PBS documentary, and more top picks.

Chapter & Verse
Conservative authors on the rise?

'Tea party' in California, including a dump truck brigade

In California, one main issue is environmental laws. But protesters are targeting taxes and healthcare reform too.

Discoveries
Good news on fisheries? With rising CO2 levels, 'all bets are off'

Super Bowl halftime becomes a full-time venture

Entertainment will soon include everything from SpongeBob, to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, to an ‘Iron Chef America’ smackdown between Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart.

Play it again ... and we'll sue

Venues for up-and-coming artists are disappearing as copyright licensing fees get stiffer, although some relief is in sight.

Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

A new CD of foot-stomping gospel, a DVD of classic fairy tales with an irreverent twist, a Spanish author's latest love story, and more.