Search results for

Figurative abstract mixed-media paintings of Joan Ranzini and black-and-white portrait photos by past The Spark guest Fran Fevrier, paired at the request…

An artist-turned-teacher from a military family is teaching middle-schoolers to build bikes from scratch. For students who weren't thriving in a traditional classroom, the program provides a burst of insight into the value of hard work and new adventures.

While polls show most Americans would like the court to televise its proceedings, the justices have long been worried that what they say and do could be taken out of context. And they haven't been impressed by what's happened to other institutions.

The innovative puppeteer Basil Twist is the focus of a mini-festival in Washington, D.C., this spring. Performances include the underwater Symphonie Fantastique and Arias With a Twist, featuring renowned drag artist Joey Arias. Elizabeth Blair talks with Twist about his singular creations.

Culture Kitchen, a San Francisco company, hires first-generation immigrants as cooking instructors. It tries to find talented cooks who wouldn't normally be teaching because of a language barrier or lack of formal training.

After John McCain so quickly clinched the Republican presidential nomination the last time around, the party changed its rules with an eye to extending their primary season, reaping public interest for months like the Democratic primaries of 2008. Host Scott Simon talks with GOP strategist Mike Murphy about whether this extension has been a help or a hindrance.

Murder charges have been filed against Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians. Now, an investigative officer will decide whether there's enough evidence to go forward with a court martial, leaving a number of legal challenges ahead for the prosecution and for the defense.

Saturday is presidential primary day in Louisiana where 20 delegates are at stake. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul all campaigned there Friday. Romney leads in national polling, but Santorum is ahead in Louisiana.

When a young fruit-seller named Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Tunisia late 2010, the popular uprising that followed was succeeded by a string of protests in the region. Middle East analyst Mark Lynch says no one predicted this string of uprisings. But he tells host Scott Simon many people saw that the old order was crumbling.

The four things to watch for in Louisiana are Romney's share of the vote which must be 25 percent or more for him to gain any of the delegates who are in play Saturday. Also if he gets a large enough share of Catholic and evangelical votes, that could help him get to 25 percent as well.