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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.

Weekend Edition Saturday once again features summer readings from the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, held at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Conn. The festival's 11th year continues with "Charles by Accident" by Wesley McNair.

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.

A mock assault on downtown Macon, Ga., is the latest step in training for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The exercise is designed to show Marines the difficulties of negotiating urban terrain -- with a strong emphasis on anti-terrorism efforts. NPR's David Molpus reports on Morning Edition.

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.

Caucasians are no longer a majority in California or Los Angeles. Scott Simon talks with a group of white Angelinos about their perceptions of what happened 10 years ago. He then visits a group of journalism students and their teacher at Phineas Banning High School in the Wilmington neighborhood of south Los Angeles. The hour concludes with an essay by Scott Simon.

Her sister's hospitalization for depression sent Virginia Gonzales Torres on a mission to reform her country's mental health system. Some 25 years later, she's founded a series of group homes and set the standard for how developing countries can treat the mentally ill. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.

For years, Amy Borkowsky has been collecting hilarious and embarrassing messages left by her mother on her answering machine. Now she's put them on a CD and wants the world to hear them. On Morning Edition, host Bob Edwards reviews some of the messages with the former ad executive turned standup comedian.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Jeanne Jagdeo from Houston, Texas. She listens to Weekend Edition on member station KUHF in Houston.)

If Cole Porter and George Gershwin provided a soundtrack for the city, then Hoagy Carmichael was the voice of America's heartland. A new Carmichael biography and song collection — both called Stardust Melody — lead a resurgence of interest in the prolific songwriter's work. Sing along Wednesday on All Things Considered