WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

"Conversations"...Michael Cottman speaks with Dr. Marjorie Innocent

July 02, 2009 - As part of our continuing series "Conversations," reporter Michael Cottman speaks with Dr. Marjorie Innocent, director of research and programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., about the foundation's national HIV/AIDS awareness initiative.

"Art Beat" with Sabri Ben-Achour - Thursday, July 2nd 2009

July 02, 2009 - (July 2nd) The Thing Around Your Neck Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is at Politics and Prose in Northwest D.C. near Chevy Chase, tonight at 7. The award-winning Nigerian author is best known for writing "Half a Yellow Sun" and "Purple Hibiscus." Tonight Adichie will read from and discuss her new book "The Thing Around Your Neck." It's a collection of stories set in America and Nigeria that explore the ties that bind men and women, parents and children, Africa and the United States.

(July 2nd) The Verbas and Nistha Raj at Artomatic Two very different local musical groups are playing at "Artomatic" in Southeast D.C. tonight at 8. The Verbas from Cheverly, Maryland are a band of siblings, ranging in age from 13 to 17. Their version of pop-rock is based on piano, drums and violin. Then there's D.C.-based Nistha Raj, who is a classically trained Hindustani violinist. Raj recently returned to D.C. to share one of India's oldest musical traditions.

(July 2nd) Just Kidding Comedian Dick Gregory presents "Just Kidding", Wednesday night at 6 on the National Mall as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Gregory will discuss the role of comedy in the African-American tradition as a way of calling attention to critical issues of the day and social change.

D.C. Councilman Wants Cap on Cab Drivers

July 02, 2009 - A D.C. lawmaker wants to cap the number of taxi drivers operating in the city. With 8,000 licensed cabs and 1000 more on the way, Councilman Jim Graham says the city has more taxis per capita than anywhere else in the world. That's great if you're trying to hail a cab, but Graham says its crippling business for drivers. Graham is introducing legislation to look at how the city can limit the number of cab drivers. The councilman says he would support a medallion or certificate system.

Patrick Madden reports...

Homelessness Isn't Just for Adults
Sabri Ben-Achour

July 02, 2009 - Veggie burgers and patties are grilling at the Sasha Bruce House in Northeast D.C. The party was put on by Stubbs Barbecue Sauce, whose founder was homeless himself before building a barbecue empire. Some kids are playing basketball, others Jeopardy. A lot of different things bring young people to this place. It's a resource for homeless kids and runaways. Some children here have been rescued from the sex trade. Some come because their families just can't take care of them. A few have been thrown out of their homes for being gay. Here they get counseling, housing, help with pregnancy, classes on things like how to cook or be a parent.

Sabri Ben-Achour reports...

Is Virginia's New Anti-Texting Law Enforceable?

July 02, 2009 - Arlington Police Officer Dee Stright patrols the streets of Crystal City, looking for bad drivers. She's been briefed about the new anti-texting law, but she's not sure how it will work when she pulls someone over.

"I think it's probably going to have to be a consent-type thing," she says. "You can ask to see their phone. If they say no, your hands are tied."

Stright says she thinks the text-ban law is too vague as it's currently written. She says it will be easy for anyone who gets cited to go to court and get their $20 fine overturned.

"How are we going to prove that they were texting?" she asks. "It comes down to, are we going to subpoena phone records, text records? I mean, how far are we going to go to enforce this?"

The sponsor of the anti-texting law, Del. John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), could not be reached for comment.

David Schultz reports...

D.C. Homeless Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson

July 02, 2009 - Several days a week, people from across the city line up in the basement of the First Church of Seventh-Day Adventists in Petworth for a free lunch and fellowship. Volunteer Rocky Twyman says he also wanted to give the homeless a chance to celebrate Michael Jackson's life.

Larry Foster-El, who spends his nights on a park bench near the Watergate, says Jackson did a lot to help those in need. And with that, Melville Moses Andrade, pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, raises his voice in memory of the musician.

Organizers say they plan to send the condolence book to Jackson's family.

Jessica Gould reports...

Pool Safety Advocates Remind Parents to Keep a Watchful Eye

July 02, 2009 - Swimming pools around the region are sure to draw large crowds this holiday weekend. Pool safety advocates urge parents to keep their eyes on their children.

Seven-year-old Alex Conkey tip-toes to the edge of the pool and bends her knees. Her mom, Karen Conkey, stands in the pool with her arms open.

Conkey says Alex isn't a strong swimmer yet, but she is practicing her stroke for her summer camp's swim test.

"I don't like to let her out of my sight, so you've seen me," she says. "I've been swimming with her. It might be a bit overprotective, but I think it's better than not."

Ellen Jones leads the YMCA's team of lifeguards. To prepare for the crowds this weekend, Jones will give each child a colored wrist band so her guards know who can swim and, more importantly, who belongs in the shallow end. She says parents should make sure young children wear approved flotation devices -- and water wings don't cut it. Jones says look for the tag.

"Somewhere there should be a rectangular square that says U.S. Coast Guard-approved. That will keep your child's head above water. However that doesn't mean you can just put that on and leave them in the pool," says Jones.

Jones adds that all backyard pools should have a locking gate.

David Klatt has this story from the pool deck at the YMCA in Alexandria, Va....

Fred Fiske: Summer Gas Prices

July 02, 2009 - According to some analysts, summer gas prices have peaked. That's welcome news to Commentator Fred Fiske. But, he says, saving a few pennies at the pump is not exactly a reason for celebration.

The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WAMU 88.5 or American University.

What do you think?

Go to: Conversation.WAMU.org and click on "Commentary Forum."

Power Breakfast - July 2, 2009

July 02, 2009 - The Capitol Visitors Center opened in December, but that hasn't stopped lawmakers from squabbling about it. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson has more...

Former Congressman On Trial

July 02, 2009 - Prosecutors are playing audiotapes of former Congressman William Jefferson talking with a woman about business deals he is accused of brokering in exchange for bribes. Jefferson's conversations with businesswoman Lori Mody were recorded in 2005 in restaurants in Washington and northern Virginia. Authorities say Mody approached federal agents after becoming suspicious, and they say Mody agreed to wear a wire. Federal agents eventually videotaped her giving Jefferson a suitcase stuffed with $100,000 cash at a hotel. Jefferson is on trial in U.S. District Court. He's accused of receiving more than $400,000 in bribes in return for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.

Meymo Lyons reports...

Homeless Advocates Say Economy Causing Overcrowding at Shelters

July 02, 2009 - Homeless advocates in D.C. say the economy has pushed many shelters beyond their capacity this summer. After the chanting and a few short speeches, this crowd of about 50 homeless individuals and advocates headed into City Hall to hand deliver a letter to city council and Mayor Adrian Fenty. The letter urges city leaders to put more effort into safe and secure emergency housing for homeless. It points to data from the month of May, showing that emergency shelters were in overflow mode for 18 of 31 nights.

Nassim Moshiree is a staff attorney with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. She says Fenty's focus on permanent housing is admirable but needs to be better balanced with more shelters for those with immediate needs. Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells tracks intake data for shelters across the city. He says the situation is different among the various parts of the homeless population.

"We're not in the crisis mode for men. We are at capacity for women, and I believe we are a little over capacity for families," Wells says.

In past years, homeless advocates say demand for shelter decreases in warm weather, but a recent survey by the Homeless Emergency response work group shows that hasn't happened in 2009.

Jonathan Wilson reports...