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NPR's Martin Kaste reports that thousands of political activists meeting in Porto Alegre Brazil are trying to channel a protest movement against globalization into positive action. The delegates, who represent a broad range of political ideology, are holding their meeting as world leaders and corporate executives meet in Davos, Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum. The Porto Alegre meeting is a follow-up to big protests held over the last 18 months in Washington, D-C, Seattle and Prague.

When a group of alcohol and nicotine addicted pigeons are 'freed' from their cages at a University of California laboratory, crazy things can happen. Host Lisa Simeone talks to satirist C.D. Payne about his latest creations, the feathered characters of the novel Frisco Pigeon Mambo, (Aivia Press, 2000).

NPR's Steve Inskeep has been following developments in a race for the congressional seat in Pennsylvania's 15th district, between incumbent Democrat Paul McHale and Republican challenger Bob Kilbanks. The contest is considered a toss-up and the kind of seat both parties say they need to win in order to control the House of Representatives. As in other congressional races, money has a major role. The piece focuses on where both candidates have gotten their money, and how that is affecting the race. (12:30). CUTAWAY 1C 0:59 1D 7. TRIMPIN. German-born, Seattle-based sound sculpturist. He creates assemblages of found and second-hand objects that make interesting musical sounds. Trimpin has earned international acclaim despite the fact that none of his work is in any museum collections anywhere...as soon as an exhibition is over, he dismantles the work and recycles the parts into new works. His works only exist in the memories of those who've seen and heard them. And Trimpin's works are inspired by memories of his childhood. He's created sound for Merce Cunningham's latest work, which is being performed tonight and tomorrow in Seattle. As tedious as all of this sounds, the SOUNDS THEMSELVES are a lot of fun. Deirdre Kennedy reports.

America 24/7, a photographic collaboration profiling a week in the United States, is the latest project from Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen. The pair also shephered the photography project A Day in the Life of America.

NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg profiles painter Ed Ruscha. The California artist is the subject of a retrospective at the Hirschorn Museum in Washington, D.C.

Two hundred years ago this week, a horse-drawn carriage arriving from Quincy, Massachusetts, pulled up to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., delivering President John Adams into the home then known as the President's house. Over the years, the White House has survived a fire and numerous renovations. Host Lisa Simeone talks with Gary Walters, Chief Usher of the White House.

Scott talks to comedian Bob Newhart, who was in Washington, D.C this week performing a retrospective on his career. Newhart is best known for his long-running television series The Bob Newhart Show, and Bob, as well as several comedy albums, where he plays everything from Abraham Lincoln's public relations advisor to a beleagured driving instructor.

This past week marked the 59th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the event that ushered the U.S. into World War Two. The day after the bombing, the Library of Congress sent archivists out onto the streets of Washington, D.C., to record people's reactions to the event. As part of our American Talker series, we present a sampling of that historic tape. (3:00)For more information on the American Talker series from Sound Portraits Productions and City Lore in New York, visit their website at http://www.soundportraits.com.

At 88, Phyllis Diller has published a memoir, appears in the film The Aristocrats and has a documentary out about her retirement from stand-up comedy.

NPR's Jack Speer reports on the arrival of the high-speed train, Acela Amtrak rolls out the new electric train to offer faster travel in the northeast corridor, particularly between Washington, D.C. and New York City. Amtrak officials say the train is not only faster, it is also safer. The key challenge for the Acela project will be how to make it turn a profit. (