The Food Innovation Center and Nancy Pearl's Favorite Novels of 2008

Megan Sukys/Dave Beck
12/29/2008

One of Nancy Pearl's favorite novels of 2008 is David Benioff's "City of Thieves." We'll hear more about the book based loosely on Benioff's grandfather's experiences during the siege of Leningrad.

At 2:05 p.m. – A Moon Over Wings: Poems by Thomas Aslin

In Thomas Aslin's poems, love and regret seem inextricable. His first full–length collection, "A Moon Over Wings" (Clark City Press, 2008), meditates on the twin losses of his mother in his teen years, and his father decades later. In between, there may or may not be a daughter, but there are certainly many missed opportunities. Today, the Seattle–based poet reads three poems that consider who he has loved and how, and the sources of regret. Aslin received an MFA in creative writing from the University of Montana in Missoula, where he studied with Richard Hugo. He is also a driver for Seattle Metro.

At 2:20 p.m. – Adventures with Owls

There are over two hundred species of owls in the world. Local photographer Paul Bannick has traveled all over the U.S. and Canada capturing many of these owls on camera. And he's discovered that here in the Northwest, he doesn't have to travel far to find a wide diversity – from the long–eared owl to the saw–wet owl. But just as exciting as the discovery is the adventure in searching for these birds of prey in their natural habitat. In an archive interview from September 10, 2008, he tells Dave Beck that he's been fascinated with all species of owl ever since the day he heard the sound of a snowy owl outside his back door.

At 2:40 p.m. – Nancy Pearl Book Reviews

Our weekly visit with Public Radio librarian and author of "More Book Lust," Nancy Pearl.

At 2:50 p.m. – Walla Walla Tandem Cyclists

When Gus and Sonia Calzaretta's parents proposed riding across the country on tandem bikes, the kids thought they were crazy. But Dan Calzaretta and Alison Kirby of Walla Walla weren't kidding, and the foursome's summer pedal from the Pacific Coast in Oregon to the Atlantic Ocean in Maine turned into an unforgettable journey that will firmly establish itself in family lore.

At 2:55 p.m. – Food Innovation Center

An Oregon State University supported center in Portland helps local entrepreneurs bring new food products to market. Beer chips and "Fizzy fruit" are coming, for instance. But some items are hard sells for the mass market, like Northwest sardines.