Mars Rover Update - It's hammer time on the Red Planet. NASA's Mars Rover Curiosity hammered its first rock last weekend and is preparing to bore into the Red Planet deeper than any previous rover mission. Ultimately, the Curiosity flight team is hoping to find evidence that Earth's neighboring planet could have supported microbial life. Joining us to explain more about the mission is UC Davis Geology Professor Dawn Sumner, who is also a co-investigator for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory team.

Homeless Inventor - Mike Williams is a local man and noted inventor who fell on hard times, lost his home and family, and ended up on the streets. One night, while sleeping in Capitol Park, he was severely beaten by two men while being robbed of his few possessions. It was in the E.R. that he met Dr. Jong Chen, a urologist who would end up operating on the homeless man. They struck up a friendship and, eventually, business partnership. Williams had an idea for a portable shelter for homeless people and Dr. Chen invested in both the idea and the man, finding Williams a home and work. We'll talk with them both about their unlikely relationship and hear how the business is doing.

 

 

 

"The Paris Wife" - Author Paula McLain is in Sacramento today to talk about her latest novel, "The Paris Wife," at the Sacramento Bee Book Club. "The Paris Wife" tells the story of writer Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley - why they fell for each other, how well suited they were for each other and why it didn't work. We'll talk with McLain about the book and why she got swept in this marriage.

 

Paula McLain will appear for the Bee Book Club at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St., Sacramento.

 

 

 

Sound Advice: Classical - Each week, a different music host or expert brings us new, reissued or never-before-heard songs from a variety of sources. Today, Capital Public Radio's Classical Morning Host Kent Teeters joins us with four new recordings featuring chamber and Baroque music, plus some well-known and lesser-known symphonies.

 

- Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, London Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Vladimir Jurowski, CD "Tchaikovsky Symphony 4 & 5"

- Mozart's Sonata for Violin/Piano, 3rd movement of K. 454, Christian Tetzlaff, violin & Lars Vogt, piano, CD "Mozart Sonatas for Piano and Violin"

- Fasch - Concerto (Premiere Recording), Tempesta di Mare Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, CD "Johann Friedrich Fasch Orchestral Works, Volume 3"

- Cartellieri - Sympohony No. 3, Finale, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Gernot Schmalfuss, CD "Antonio Cartellieri, Complete Symphonies"