Catalyst Radio: Look up to find planets, galaxies and satellites in the night sky

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INTERVIEW (9:54)

Grand Rapids' night owls fit right in with the GR Amateur Astronomical Association. As stewards of the Veen Observatory in Lowell, Mich., they share the beauty of astronomy during public nights and take to the streets in downtown GR, enticing passerbys with a telescopic peek of the moon.

Rickey Ainsworth, a member and the director of the Public Museum's planetarium, share just what you can see in the night sky, including which planets are currently visible in our hemisphere.

Music this week is by Bruce Cockburn with "The Whole Night Sky" from his release, The Charity of Night.

ANALYSIS (0:00)

Men step forward as the editors of two lesbian blogs
Two men have come out as the authors behind popular lesbian blogs, where they posed as lesbians dispensing advice and reflections about issues around sexual orientation. Amina Arraf was the pseudonym for American Tom McMaster, who wrote the popular Syrian blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus. Bill Graber, who lives in Ohio, used his wife's name as his front for the blog, Lez Get Real.
[More: Washington Post]

Fashion not protected under American copyright laws
One Etsy shop owner is not happy after discovering that Urban Outfitters is selling a product that mimics her own. Etsy is an online storefront network for independent crafters, and the shop owner has been selling charms of state outlines with a heart. UO has recently imitated that, and while she is still waiting to hear back from their public relations, the incident dredges up the issue of copyright and fashion.
[More: U.S. Copyright Office, I Make Shiny Things, Freakonomics]

Video game art of high quality get their day in a virtual museum
The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has put together an exhibit of video game scenes worthy of museum recognition. With so many video games using detailed graphics, AIAS is promoting artists' work by curating an online exhibit and art contest and showed it earlier this week at a prominent gaming expo.
[More: NYT Bits Blog]

Comedian's column removed from Vice after bashing Axe
Comedian Neil Hamburger is well known for his dislike of Axe, a body spray company that produces commercials showing women to be sexually drawn to men after they use the product. In his recent Vice column, he expounded upon his distate for the corporation, especially that they attach their brand to icons that have cachet with the indie scene. Vice, which receives much financial backing from Axe as one of those indy icons, promptly removed the column.
[More: The AV Club]

CALENDAR (26:17)

Community Automotive Repair holds fundraiser for Inner City Christian Federation
8 a.m. on Saturday, June 18 at Community Automotive Repair (846 E. Fulton)
Tomorrow starting at 8 a.m., Community Automotive Repair is having its third annual fundraiser, this year benefiting Inner City Christian Federation. All the proceeds from full servce oil change, comprehensive inspections, hand car washes and more services will go to ICCF. More info at The Rapidian's calendar.
[More]

Spanish for Neighbors starts next round of classes
Mondays and Tuesdays at The SOURCE (1409 Buchanan SW)
Starting next week, The SOURCE is offering two levels of its Spanish for Neighbors course. From beginners to the those familiar with Spanish, the SOURCE is offering once-a-week evening classes into August to polish up on language skills.
[More]

Jazzoo Mondays to start the summer
6 p.m. on Monday, June 20 at John Ball Zoo (1300 W. Fulton)
The John Ball Zoo kicks off Jazzoo Mondays, evening jazz concerts at the zoo every Monday till September.
[More]

New York designer presents at AIGA West Michigan
7 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (101 Monroe Center)
The West Michigan chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts has invited designer Jessica Hische to share her work. Hische is well known among lovers of typography.
[More]