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Saturday, November 7, 2009
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February 03, 2009 -
(Feb 4-Mar 1) LIE OF THE MIND Sam Shepard's award-winning play Lie of the Mind opens tomorrow at Howard Community College's Studio Theater in Columbia, Maryland, running through March 1st. Rep Stage explores the scary side of family life in this dark comedy set against the rugged landscape of Montana, with a post-show reception following Sunday's performance and free post-show discussions after the February 13th and 20th shows.
(Feb 6 & 7) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH / BOYS TO MEN V-Day comes to Washington with "Enough is Enough" at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium](http://www.howard.edu/howardlife/cramton/cramton/General.htm) in D.C. this Friday and Saturday. With an all-star, African-American cast, this show seeks to raise awareness about violence against girls and women and is modeled on the worldwide tours of The Vagina Monologues. The women's empowerment event is matched by a "Boys to Men" program The Johnson Chronicles a debut performance from the male perspective, addressing health, intimacy, fatherhood and the journey from boyhood to manhood. For more information contact Syieda Penn at 301-880-1626 ext.6, or syipenn@pastichegroup.com.
(Feb 7) NO BOUNDARIES The show No Boundaries: Dancing the Visions of Contemporary Black Choreographers arrives for one night only at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Saturday at 8:00. The Gesel Mason Performance Projects features works by Robert Battle, David Rousseve and Reggie Wilson, in funny and on-the-mark performances that include a "physical scat" performed to the music of Ella Fitzgerald.
Sam Shepard's award-winning play opens tomorrow at Howard Community College with a post-show reception following Sunday's performance and free post-show discussions after the February 13th and 20th shows.
courtesy of: Howard Community College
February 03, 2009 - Gov. Tim Kaine is turning up the pressure on the House of Delegates to pass a bill creating a bipartisan commission to redraw legislative districts. At a hastily arranged news conference shortly after the Senate unanimously passed the bill, the Democratic governor urged the Republican-controlled House to get on board. The Senate has passed similar legislation two years in a row only to see it killed in the House.
Meymo Lyons reports...
February 03, 2009 - Maryland Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen just returned from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Matt Laslo reports on Van Hollen's efforts to bring economic development in the region...
February 03, 2009 - Maryland gaming officials say they've received a total of six bids from companies who are seeking the state's five available licenses to operate slot machines.
Donald Fry, the head of Maryland's slot machine commission, says all five proposed sites -- Anne Arundel, Cecil, Worcester and Allegany counties, and Baltimore city -- received one bid each. One undisclosed site received two bids.
The initial proposals call for approximately 10,000 machines to be spread out over the state -- about two-thirds of the allowable amount. An additional 2,500 machines could be phased in later.
David Klatt reports...
February 03, 2009 - Virginia is reporting a widespread outbreak of the flu across the state and is urging residents to get vaccinated. Laura Ann Nicolai is an epidemiologist with the state's Department of Health. She says a flu outbreak is not unusual this time of year and is expected to continue for six to eight weeks. Nicolai says it's not too late for people to get flu shots.
Curtis Allen, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says less than have of the US population is vaccinated annually. The number one reason, he explains, is short-term memory.
Jessica Forres has more..
February 03, 2009 - The Washington Teachers Union has released highlights of it's long-awaited contract proposal. After more than a year of negotiations, the WTU has sent it's current contract proposal to D.C. Public Schools. The highlights released were just one page and were very broad. George Parker, president of the WTU, was not immediately available for comment. In his letter promised to meet with the full membership to discuss contract details soon.
While there is no mention of Chancellor Michelle Rhee's two-tier compensation package, where teacher would receive higher salaries in exchange for giving up tenure for a year, the contract does talk about the need to increase base salaries and for school-wide financial incentives. There weren't details about how teacher evaluations would be conducted either -- only the need to "ensure D.C. students are taught by effective teachers by providing teacher center and strengthening evaluations." The highlights emphasize the need to improve school conditions and implement a strong discipline and safety program.
Contract talks had stalled for several months prompting the WTU's parent organization, The American Federation of Teachers, and it's president, Randi Weingarten, to get involved. There could still be a breakdown in negotiations and a mediator could be appointed.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
February 03, 2009 - The proposed stimulus package is open for amendments in the Senate. The Senate Environment and Public Works committee unveils the broad outlines of their climate bill. And Eric Holder is sworn in as attorney general.
Todd Zwillich reports...
February 03, 2009 - Lawmakers in Maryland's Howard County have approved a bill meant to help avoid hunting accidents. The measure follows an incident in December when a gunshot meant for a deer instead hit the window of a daycare center in Clarksville. Although no one was injured, people were in the building at the time.
Initially, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman proposed doubling the 150-yard shooting safety zone around buildings and prohibiting hunting on less than 10 acres of land. But those requirements were stripped from the final bill, which makes hunters liable for a civil fine of up to $1,000 if they damage private property with a gunshot. It also says hunters can't fire unless a safe backstop is visible.
The vote was unanimous, although at least one county council member told the Baltimore Sun she's disappointed the bill was "watered down."
Matt McCleskey has more...
February 03, 2009 - Edward Welburn Jr. talks about the present and future of GM and America's car industry with WAMU 88 5's Matt McCleskey...
February 03, 2009 - Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley is pushing to extend health care benefits to same-sex partners of state workers. O'Malley extended benefits to same-sex partners of city employees when he was mayor of Baltimore. Now he's proposing to do the same for state employees.The plan would allow state workers and retirees to add domestic partners AND their dependents to health, dental and prescription drug plans. The proposal has received a mixed response. Democrat Ulysses Currie, the chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee , backs the idea, though he notes that it's still early in the budget process. Republican Senator Allan Kittleman, the minority leader, questions whether the change is appropriate given the state's financial difficulties.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
February 03, 2009 - Montgomery County council heard pleas from several residents on where members should not cut spending in the face of a major budget shortfall. The county's budget deficit for the next fiscal year keeps rising, standing now at close to $500 million.
Residents like Kevin Ray urged council members to leave funding for social services alone. No decisions have been made yet on where spending will be cut, although county executive Ike Leggett asked each county department to find ways to cut their budgets by at least five percent.
Matt Bush reports from Rockville...
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