Join The Conversation! Talk about the news of the day with public radio fans on WAMU 88.5's The Conversation.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Your Amazon.com purchases support WAMU 88.5
Your purchases from the NPR Store support WAMU 88.5
December 15, 2008 - Metro has started using a new public address system in dozens of underground rail stations in hopes of improving poor sound quality. Passengers have long complained about inaudible messages in the cavernous concrete stations, and Metro hopes a $7.5 million upgrade fixes the problem. The new public address system installed in 38 stations includes speakers on most station platform pylons and walls. Two chimes are played just before an announcement to get passengers' attention.
Meymo Lyons reports...
December 15, 2008 - (Through Dec 28) ALICE IN WONDERLAND Alice in Wonderland at Roundhouse Theater rides the line between children's fantasy and entertainment for adults at the stage in Bethesda through December 28th. Lewis Carroll's beloved story comes to life in an inventive, magical new production, as audiences follow precocious young Alice down the rabbit hole into a fantastic new world.
(Through Jan 18) HIDDEN Dalya Luttwak's sculptures are featured at American University's Katzen Arts Center through January 18th. Born in Northern Galilee, her work is embedded in the Middle East and explores the "hidden" structures and shapes of plant roots.
(Dec 17 & 18) GERMAN CHRISTMAS LIEDER The Tolzer Knabenchor (TOLL-tser KNAHB-en-kor) boys choir presents an Alpine Christmas Concert of traditional German Christmas songs in cooperation with the German Embassy, Wednesday and Thursday nights at the United Church in Foggy Bottom. A reception featuring German cookies and libations will follow.
The hidden structures of plants on display through January 18th at the Katzen Arts Center.
courtesy of: Dalya Luttwak
December 15, 2008 - Skippers, truants and chronic absentees are just a few of the names given to students who cut classes. In D.C.'s public schools, the truancy rate is nearly 20 percent. That means nearly one in five students has racked up at least 15 unexcused absences.
In the first of a two part series, Kavitha Cardoza explores this widespread problem from the perspective of the students themselves....
December 15, 2008 - The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the D.C. government that requires the city to make homeless shelters more accessible to people with disabilities. Under the agreement reached Friday, D.C. must improve oversight of contractors who manage shelters and develop a plan to ensure that homeless people with disabilities can access shelters, among other requirements.
District officials estimate the overall plan would cost be between $4 and $5 million. A 2008 survey by a contractor found that 23 percent of the city's homeless are physically disabled, 19 percent have a mental illness and 2 percent are living with HIV or AIDS. Justice Department officials say they investigated the shelter program after receiving complaints that the city was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Patrick Madden reports...
December 15, 2008 - Students at KIPP D.C.'s Will Academy are giving back by helping refugees in the Congo and by raising awareness about local issues.
Jessica Forres has more...
December 15, 2008 - D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton pushes for a U.S. House vote for D.C. voting rights on the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Despite some support for the measure, some representatives resist the timing, and one congressman suggests redesigning the District, rather than the law.
Todd Zwillich reports...
December 15, 2008 - Each year, the United Service Organizations sends "care" packages to members of the U.S. military and this weekend, Jessica Forres watched as volunteers celebrated completion of the one and a half millionth package at Fort Belvoir in Virginia...
December 15, 2008 - U.S. Postal officials say today will be the busiest mailing day of the year. They say they expect to handle a billion fewer holiday packages and cards this year nationwide because of the lagging economy.
Yverne Moore is the postmaster for D.C. Moore says customers at post offices in Washington may find the lines a little shorter this holiday season, because there's a 13 percent increase in the number of people who use the postal services Web site to ship packages locally. The postal service estimates it will still deliver 19 billion packages over the holidays.
Matt Bush reports...
December 15, 2008 - More than 500 leaders of Washington-area non-profits gathered to compare notes at the aptly titled conference: Nonprofit 911. As the recession worsens, non-profit groups face dwindling donations on one hand and a surge in demand for their services on the other.
David Klatt reports...
December 15, 2008 - Over a 20 year period, Harriet Walters embezzled $48 million by creating fake tax refunds. Many of the refunds contained inconsistencies or errors that should have tipped tax officials off. A special committee charged with investigating how this was possible cited a failure of controls, a dysfunctional work environment and a lack of oversight. Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi said in a statement that many of the reforms recommended by the committee had been put into place over the past year including better training, electronic processing and more controls throughout the refund process. Additionally, an audit committee will be specifically assigned to the, and three auditors from the U.S. Treasury will also regularly review the office.
Sabri Ben-Achour reports...
privacy policy - terms of use - contact - sitemap - directions - rss - podcasts - jobs - community
Copyright WAMU 88.5 American University Radio | 4000 Brandywine Street NW | Washington, DC 20016-8082 | (202)885-1200
