Friday, August 8, 2008
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February 05, 2008 - (Feb 8 & 9) BEST OF THE FEST Don't want to watch a whole bunch of film fest movies you're not really interested in? Well, you don't have to. The D.C. Shorts Film Festival has carefully selected the finest movies on offer and will screen only the best on Friday and Saturday at the Goethe-Institute in downtown D.C. The "Best of the Fest" offers a top-notch assortment of dramas, comedies, documentaries and animations by local and foreign filmmakers.
(Feb 5) SUPER TUESDAY WATCH PARTY In D.C., there's no better place to watch the Super Tuesday election results than at Busboys and Poets, just off the U Street Corridor. The cafe/restaurant/bookstore has earned a reputation for being a cozy hang-out for political junkies and community activists. Early birds can start arriving at 6 p.m. and die-hards can linger until 1 a.m. There'll be two large TV screens for viewing tallies, with lots of trivia, political commentary and good eats to round out the evening.
(Feb 7) WWII MEMORIES Award-winning author and illustrator Tracy Sugarman shares his poignant WWII memories through sketches and videos in "Drawing Conclusions: An Artist Discovers His America." Sugarman's artwork, writing and video-recorded interviews are part of a rich living history compiled by the Library's Veterans History Project. Wartime vets are encouraged to attend and add their own experiences. The program begins at noon Thursday in the James Madison Building at the Library of Congress.
February 05, 2008 - As voters across the nation take part in primaries and caucuses today, they will use a range of skills to choose the candidates who will win their support.
Commentator Aleta Margolis, from the Washington-based Center for Inspired Teaching, wonders whether we're preparing the voters of tomorrow to make those critical choices...
Disclaimer: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WAMU 88 5 or American University. What do you think? Email us at commentaries@wamu.org
February 05, 2008 - President Bush's final budget is getting a mixed review from a longtime Republican supporter. Northern Virginia Congressman Tom Davis says he applauds the president for nearly doubling the amount of money for the D.C. public schools -- $74 million, up from $41 million in the current budget. The president's budget would also provide $20 million to help Mayor Adrian Fenty and Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee reorganize the school system, expand teacher and principal training, and support low-performing schools. However Davis, whose district is home to many federal workers, says the president should have granted the same percentage pay raises to civilian workers as to military employees. He says these employees are sacrificing financial gains to perform vital public services.
Rosiland Jordan reports...
February 05, 2008 - Governor Tim Kaine met with six members of Virginia's congressional delegation to share the state's top federal priorities and to ask for their help in achieving those goals.
Anne Marie Morgan has more from Richmond...
February 05, 2008 - An environmental group says Maryland's landmark law protecting the Chesapeake coastline has become ineffective and outdated. When the Critical Area Law was passed it 1984, it promised to restrict development within a thousand feet of the shoreline. But a Chesapeake Bay Foundation analysis of four coastal Maryland counties found that thousands of shoreline acres have been developed over the years. Coble hopes lawmakers will pass a new bill that improves enforcement, raises the fine for violations, and makes it harder for homeowners to get building exceptions.
Patrick Madden reports...
February 05, 2008 - A bi-partisan group in Maryland that hopes to overturn Montgomery County's Gender Identity Bill has presented petitions to the local Board of Elections.
Liz Anderson reports...
February 05, 2008 - Lawmakers in Maryland are considering a ban on cell phone use while driving. The measure under consideration would make it a crime to use a cell phone while driving, except with the use of an earpiece or other hands-free device. Supporters of the legislation say drivers using hand-held cell phones leads to distracted driving, which in turn leads to crashes. John Townsend, a spokesman from AAA Mid-Atlantic, says that while the organization does not have a position on the bill, anything that leads drivers to be less distracted is a good thing. Townsend says AAA prefers broader restrictions to prevent distracted driving rather than prohibitions specifically targeted at cell phones. The Maryland legislation would not apply to emergency calls. D.C. and states including New York and New Jersey already ban cell phone use while driving, except with a hands-free device.
Gene Kuleta reports...
February 05, 2008 - A huge development has been approved in Fairfax County, Virginia. The project is the first to be approved under the county's new policy regarding density. The 10-acre site near the Reston Parkway and around the Reston International Center will sport 500 residential units, almost a half million square feet in office space and 145,000 square feet of commercial development. It's also close to a proposed Metrorail stop should that project come through with the federal funding needed to get it started.
Pat Brogan reports...
February 05, 2008 - Power Breakfast, our daily look at what's happening on Capitol Hill and at the White House...
February 05, 2008 - Officials at Parkdale High School in Riverdale have sent a letter to parents warning that someone at the school has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Prince George's County Health officials will not say whether the TB infected person is a student or staff member. Meanwhile, they're trying to determine how many people might have been exposed. Parkdale High School administrators say they will send letters to anyone who might need to be tested.Health officials say tuberculosis is spread through the air, usually by coughing or sneezing, but a person would typically need to have prolonged exposure to an infected person to catch the illness.
Meymo Lyons reports...
February 05, 2008 - A measure in the Maryland General Assembly to honor a hero of the Republican Party is drawing bi-partisan support. Ronald Reagan would have turned 97 years old today. If a proposal in Maryland becomes law, every February 6th would be recognized as "Ronald Reagan Day" in the state.
Gene Kuleta reports...
February 05, 2008 - As the region's foreclosure rates continue to rise, elected officials and mortgage lenders are turning to a group of black churches for help. The D.C. based National Black Church Initiative says it plans to hand out "foreclosure prevention guides" at its churches in the coming weeks. The program was unveiled at the historic United Asbury Methodist Church in downtown Washington. During the opening prayer, Reverend Louis Shockley said leaders had a moral obligation to stop foreclosures. The first pamphlet was presented to Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson. Foreclosure rates there are twice as high as any other county in Maryland. Johnson says he hopes the guide will encourage people to seek help. The churches teamed up with Fannie May and a mortgage lender's association to put together the guide.
Patrick Madden reports...
February 05, 2008 - In the first vote on the issue, the D.C. Council has overwhelmingly approved a bill to make businesses provide paid sick and safe leave to their workers. The council chamber was divided, one side with dozens of workers wearing purple shirts holding signs bearing the thumbs-up symbol, the other representing business and industry wearing blue stickers that opposed the measure which would mandate paid sick time for all workers and paid safe days for the victims of domestic violence. Councilwoman Carol Schwartz is a leading advocate. She says the measure would only cost local government less than $550,000 dollars over the next five years to cover its employees. But Andrew Klein, who represents the Restaurant Association, says there will be other costs. A second vote will be held next month.
Katrina Matthews reports...
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