Non-Fiction

Sit up, pay attention, take notes! Time for a lesson in English ...

On Memorial Day, we hope you'll remember the courageous Americans who lost their lives and those who lost the ones they loved in service to their country.

Dan H. Woods takes us on a travel tour from his vacation in France.

The universe became much, much larger than anyone realized when Edwin Hubble started looking at some of the fuzzy spots in the sky.

"Is that a poem in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" On Poem In Your Pocket Day, you may just find that happy people DO carry poems in their pockets.

Mercury is visible and Venus is not (briefly, anyway), and a meteor shower keeps you company in between.

Have you ever considered getting a companion pet to fill the lonely hours? Some people adopt a wife, but you have to know what you're doing ...

The ringed planet has fascinated astronomers for almost 400 years, and is still being studied, and enjoyed, today.

Bernie Pilarski treats us to a report on Studio 80's stage production of "That Bad, Bad Cat."

Venus is on the move, Saturn is keeping long hours, and a lion brings the promise of spring.

Take another look at the star of story and song--Earth's closest neighbor, the Moon.

In addition to Orion and the rest of the gang of winter constellations, February offers a dwarf planet, a comet, and a chance to steer the world's most famous telescope. You're gonna be very busy.

In winter you treasure the memories of summer past, and the hopes for summer to come...

A look at our inscrutable neighbor, Venus.

This week, the Piker Press welcomes guest Scott Nickel, the creator of the marvelously funny comic strip, "EEK!" Hello, Scott!

Let's do a word association: Yellow? Lemon. Sweet? Sugar. Winter? --- Lemonade!

See what there is to see in the night sky this month.

Four hundred years after Galileo first looked at the sky with a telescope, The International Year of Astronomy 2009 wants to give millions of people the same experience.

It's not about perfection, not even about the finished product; Creativity is never still. A child's sketches have a lot to teach ...

No other sound is like it -- it's not a hiss, it's not like the sound of the wind; though loud, it is nothing like a shout or an explosion. The sound of purposeful flames leaping out to heat the air, to make the air lighter than you ever thought it could be -- that sound is a jubilant roar, the sound of a dragon exulting in power, the power to make people fly ...

When you've had so many adventures in one month, it takes a while to sort it out. Staff Writer Lydia Manx brings us a travel tale to tempt us to visit Southern Californa.

If the lousy winter weather is keeping you indoors, you can still book up on science, history, and literature of astronomy. Originally appeared 2004-02-07.

<b>Haiku.</b> To celebrate National Poetry Month, we look at poetry forms that everyone can learn to write. First up, the little Japanese gems called Haiku, as well as several related forms. Skills required: the ability to count to seven...or maybe not.Originally appeared 2004-04-03.

Some people are willing to admit addiction to the mundane and wondrously crunchy iceberg lettuce. Sand Pilarski details her habit.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a spot devoted to religion. This particular religion places a high value on meditation, and surrounds itself with natural beauty to help people understand that they are part of a greater universe.

Tecomaria Capensis -- brilliant orange flowers in winter in temperate zones, rich growth -- and about as welcome as ants at a picnic.

Excess fabric in the closet, too many plastic grocery bags in the world. There's a inspiration there, and a wholesome direction to take. Making your own grocery bags isn't that difficult.

It's Tony's, it's OIP, it's Laskaris' hotdogs ... you may think Bernie's kidding, but this stuff is worth stopping by to sample the fare.

Lassen Volcanic National Park lies almost fifty miles due east of Redding, California. On June 22, 2003 I am not thinking of the Park's beauty. On this night, a murmur of a search in progress begins, and grows as the bright, hot day fades into a still, breezeless night. A tiny child, not yet four years old, is lost. (Originally appeared 07-24-2004)

Marvelous Mars and the sadly misguided Percival Lowell. With a name like that, you'd see imaginary canals, too. (Originally appeared 08-18-2003)