National and World News from NPR

When the economy entered its downward spiral in 2008, most everything related to housing hit the skids, including the lawn and garden industry. But one sector escaped the pinch — food gardening. In fact, sales spiked 20 percent and stayed there. While many households started growing food to be more budget-conscious, some are deciding vegetables and fruits can be beautiful, too. Blake Farmer

John S. Allen, a research scientist at the University of Southern California, explores our draw to crispy foods in a new book called The Omnivorous Mind: Our Evolving Relationship With Food. He speaks to host Guy Raz.

As both parties turn to the general election, and the potentially pivotal role of minority voters, battles over voter identification and other new state election laws are intensifying.

Fresh Air weekend

Cal Ripken Jr. knows streaks. The Baseball Hall of Famer played 21 years with the Baltimore Orioles and holds the record for most consecutive games played.

We've invited Ripken to play a game called "You want to see a real streak? Here, hold my pants." Ripken is known for playing 2,632 consecutive games, but we don't think it counts as a streak because he was wearing clothes. We'll ask him three questions about sports' real streakers.

Our panelists tell stories of summertime leisure made even more leisurely, only one of which is true.

Simon Pegg is living every nerd's dream: He grew up watching Star Wars, Star Trek and horror movies, then started making movies of his own. He played Scotty in the new version of Star Trek and is starring in Steven Spielberg's latest, Paul.

We've invited Pegg to play a game called: "And he makes a poke check while head-deking in the crease!" Three questions about an obscure little game called "ice hockey."

Our panelists tell stories of parents going the extra mile to toughen up their kids, only one of which is true.

It was a huge surprise in Hollywood last week when actor Gary Oldman got an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy — people weren't surprised that he was nominated, but they were shocked that this was the first time.

We've invited Oldman to answer three questions about Up With People — a horde of wholesome, smiley young people who performed four Super Bowl halftime shows back in the day.

Sometimes, politicians eat their words. This week, the British government reversed course on a plan to place a 20 percent tax on all foods sold hot — with no exemption for pasties.

Pasties are hand food, baked for Cornish miners to eat when they could put aside their pickaxes. People eat pasties today as they sit on a bench for a few minutes' respite or walk along the street between chores. They have become comfort, convenience, pub-crawling and football-watching food.