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Weekly Roundup: Whales, Mark Bittman, Arts Education

Here’s our weekly compilation of arts coverage from all four of WBUR’s radio programs – Here & NowOnly A GameOn Point and Radio Boston.

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Photographer Gets Up Close With Whales

Bryant Austin spends hours floating motionless without breathing gear so that the whales get to know him and approach him on their terms. See photos and read an excerpt from his new book, "Beautiful Whale."

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A Final Goodbye To Musician Rob Morsberger

When Morsberger was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, he promised to be as creative as possible with the time he had left — he fulfilled that promise, releasing several albums. He died on June 2 at 53.

Classical Music Fans, Take Note: Rachmaninoff Wrote Operas, Too

You're probably familiar with Sergei Rachmaninoff's symphonies, but the Russian-born composer also finished three operas in his lifetime. His first, "Aleko," is now being staged by Commonwealth Lyric Theater.

And Now It’s Her Turn: Aoife O’Donovan Debuts Solo Album

Aoife O’Donovan has always been a collaborator, working with artists like cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and country singer Alison Krauss. On June 11, she releases her debut album, "Fossils."

Whistlers Show Their Stuff In North Carolina

More than 60 contestants competed in this year's International Whistlers Convention. Chris Ullman, a four-time grand champion, advises against any good luck kisses. "You want to keep the lips kind of crisp, not mushy. Kissing makes lips mushy."

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‘Baby Whisperer’ Reflects On Six-Decade Career

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton encouraged parents to trust their own judgement about their children. At 95, he's out with his own memoir, in which he examines how his own upbringing influenced his life.

‘Snob Zones’ And A Divided America

Suburban poverty on the rise, but not in all suburbs. There's a growing trend of segregation by class. The author of "Snob Zones: Fear, Prejudice And Real Estate" helps explain the new generation in income inequality.

The Programmable World

Anything, anywhere with embedded intelligence and connectivity could respond to you and to other things around you — how will we navigate this programmable world? Wired's senior editor weighs in.

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Mark Bittman On Food Culture Now

Could you eat vegan until 6 p.m.? That's Bittman's new mantra.  Your heart and health and the environment will thank you, he says. He joined On Point for a live, on-stage discussion.

And The Tony Goes To… The Huntington!

If you're tuning into the Tony Awards this Sunday, you'll get a chance to root for a local institution — Boston's Huntington Theatre Company will receive the 2013 Regional Theatre Award. The artistic director shares his thoughts on why they were chosen.

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The World Impact Of The Bee Die-Off

If bees go, humans are in trouble — bees pollinate a big chunk of the crops that feed us. The new documentary "More Than Honey" explores global colony collapse.

Sound City Studios Turned Scruffy Kids Into Superstars

From its opening in 1969 to its closing in 2011, Sound City Studios produced more than 100 gold and platinum albums. A new film chronicles the recording studio’s rise and its descent into the analog graveyard with the advent of the digital age.

Cheerios Ad Sparks Racist Response Online

Cheerios stands by its ad, saying in a statement, "We know there are many kinds of families, and we celebrate them all." Journalist Mary Curtis, who's part of an interracial family herself, doesn't find the backlash surprising, nor does she take it personally.

Can Box Office Winners And Losers Be Predicted?

Summer movies are the realm of the giant blockbuster, but can you tell by looking at a movie's budget whether it will be a box office hit? Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s pop culture blog, says no — but studio executives are counting on making back that money.

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What Arts Education Can Do

A new report on the first four years of the Boston Public Schools' Arts Expansion Initiative is just out. Is there a link between academic performance and art classes? And if schools are already cash-strapped, why should they invest in the arts? Radio Boston finds out.

This program aired on June 8, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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