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"Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - July 3, 2008
Stephanie Kaye

July 03, 2008 - (Through July 31) TIME SHADOWS Time Shadows features poetry and folk music from China, Germany and the United States at the Goethe Institute in Chinatown throughout the month of July. You can stop by and learn how this trio of nations was instrumental in the development of this DC neighborhood and then take a self-guided walking tour through its historic streets. www.timeshadows.org

Featured Poems:

China Song of an Autumn Midnight Li Bai

America In the Good Old Summertime Ren Shields / George Evans, 1902

Germany Secret Love Anonymous Folksong, first published 1807

(July 3) VISITING THE UKRAINE Travel locally - not globally - to the Ukraine during an embassy dinner and cultural event Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Ukraine, which hopes to become part of the European Union, presents exquisite examples of its rich culture, history and cuisine. The embassy is located in the Forrest-Marbury House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(Through Sept 1) SCENIC VIRGINIA The preservation group Scenic Virginia is seeking a few good photographers, through September 1. Local shutterbugs can submit their favorite view-shed pictures taken in Virginia. Those are photos of land, water and other environmental elements visible from a fixed vantage point. The photos selected will be used to promote the protection and enhancement of the Commonwealth's scenic beauty.

(July 3) MIDTOWN LIBERTY BAR TOUR You can do a little good while having a lot of fun at the Midtown Liberty Bar Tour Thursday night from 5:00 to midnight. Registration is at Mackey's bar on 18th & L Streets near Farragut North. Proceeds will benefit the Manna food bank.

Commentary: Frightened by Fireworks

July 03, 2008 - As many of us get set to “oooh” and “ahhh” over fireworks displays this Fourth of July weekend, writer Liam Callanan says he has a new perspective on the pyrotechnics.

Hundreds of New State Laws Take Effect in Virginia

July 03, 2008 - Hundreds of new state laws took effect in Virginia this week -- including many intended to improve public safety.

Anne Marie Morgan has highlights from the Capitol...

Priest in Montgomery County Jailed for Sexual Abuse

July 03, 2008 - Police in Montgomery County have arrested a priest on sexual abuse charges stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred in 2001 and 2002, while he was serving at a parish in Germantown.

Officials say that when 65-year-old Aaron Joseph Cote was a youth minister at Mother Seton Parish nearly a decade ago, he sexually molested then 14-year-old Brandon Rains. Lucille Vaur is a spokeswoman for Montgomery County Police.

"The victim was being counseled by Father Cote, so he was meeting with him on a regular basis," Vaur says. "They had developed a relationship. During the summer of 2001, Father Cote brought the victim to an apartment in Germantown on several occasions."

Becky Ianni represents Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, a group that advocates for victims. She hopes this arrest will give others the courage to confront their abusers.

"Victims dont necessarily come forward in a timely way because of their pain," Ianni says. "They can't. I think by Brandons courage, that shows other victims it's okay to come forward. And that's what we hope will happen."

Cote is being held on $250,000 bond.

David Klatt reports...

Gun Rights Opponents and Activists Weigh in on Recent US Supreme Court Ruling
Jessica Golloher

July 03, 2008 - Gun rights activists and opponents are weighing in on how the DC Council should structure its new handgun legislation.

The public hearing, sponsored by the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, is a result of the recent US Supreme Court's ruling striking down the District's 32-year ban on handguns.

Ricardo Royal is a firearms safety instructor. He says that there is no debating the high courts decision and that city should move forward by educating future handgun owners.

Absalom Jordan says the District should take a wait-and-see approach before drafting new legislation if crime increases.

Public comment on the ruling ends July 15, the date of the councils next special legislative session, when the issue is expected to be revisited.

Jessica Golloher reports...

Power Breakfast for July 3, 2008

July 03, 2008 - An architectural flaw is frustrating women in the Capitol, and it's a matter of plumbing.

Todd Zwillich explains...

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine Talks Transportation

July 03, 2008 - Virginia Governor Tim Kaine talks with WAMU's Bill Redlin about the legislative battle over transportation. Kaine shares his perspective on offshore drilling, tax hikes and illegal campaign contributions made to leaders in Virginia, including himself.

Hundreds Mourn Slain Police Officer

July 03, 2008 - In Prince George's County, Maryland, a slain police officer is laid to rest. The funeral services for corporal Richard Findley were held in Beltsville, and as Patrick Madden reports, more than a 1,000 people showed up to pay their final respects.

As the flag-draped coffin of Findley was carried into a church, waves of officers and color guards from around the Capitol region and beyond stood at attention.

During the funeral, Findley was remembered for his service to Prince George's County -- 10 years as a officer and 20 years as a volunteer fire man.

His supervisor, Staff Sergeant Jeff Schreiber, recounted Findley's sense of humor, his ingenuity as an officer and his devotion to family. Findley was murdered on Friday when he was struck by the driver of a stolen pick-up truck. His accused killer, Ronnie White, was later found strangled to death at the county corrections center. Prince George's County police chief Melvin High spoke at the funeral and posthumously promoted Findley to the rank of sergeant.

Following the service, Findley's casket was loaded atop a Beltsville volunteer fire truck. With black bunting on its doors, Engine 31 headed to the cemetery, trailed by a procession of squad cars, fire trucks, ambulances and motorcycles that appeared to stretch for miles.

Patrick Madden reports...