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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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July 03, 2009 - (July 3rd) J.B. Beverly and the Wayward Drifters J.B. Beverly and the Wayward Drifters are at the Olde Town Tavern in Frederick, Maryland, Friday night at 9. This band bills its music as the real country music, a music that reflects everyday life, although Bandleader J.B. Beverly hasn't exactly had an everyday life - he's a "retired hobo." He distills years of experiences drifting on trains and cars into his music.
(July 5th) What to the Slave is 4th of July? In 1852, Frederick Douglas asked "What, to the Slave is 4th of July?" On Sunday afternoon at 2 on the National Mall, he will ask it again when actor Roger Guenveur Smith recreates Douglas' famous oratory as part of the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival.
(July 3rd - 19th) Castleton Festival The first ever Castleton Festival opens in Castleton, Virginia tonight at 7 with a performance of "The Turn of the Screw". The two-week long festival was created by Maestro Lorin Maazel who stepped down as conductor of the New York Philharmonic only a week ago. The maestro has retired to his Virginia estate to tutor young professional artists. The festival is the culmination of that effort, as 170 young artists will perform four chamber operas and two symphonic concerts.
July 03, 2009 - D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is pushing a bill to make ex-offenders a protected class of citizens under the city's Human Rights Act. There are about 60,000 ex-offenders living in D.C. That's about one in 10 District residents.
Barry says these men and women often face discrimination when applying for housing or employment based solely on the fact they have a criminal record. The bill would protect add ex-offenders to the list of protected classes. Other factors covered by the Districts Human Rights Act include race, religion and sexual orientation. Barry is holding a hearing later today on the bill.
Patrick Madden reports...
July 03, 2009 - A federal judge is allowing a suit brought against Wells Fargo by the city of Baltimore to go forward. Baltimore is accusing Wells Fargo of using racially biased predatory lending practices. The city says the bank targeted African-American borrowers for subprime loans and that many of them ended in foreclosure. The city says those foreclosures cost it tens of millions of dollars in lost property revenues as well as expenses for police, fire and rehab expenses.
Wells Fargo representatives have said the lawsuit lacks merit. But U.S. District Judge Benson Legg rejected the bank's motion to dismiss the suit. He said that Baltimore was entitled to discovery. A hearing is set for July 20th.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
July 03, 2009 - The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the number of fireworks-related injuries declined last year, but officials say there are plenty of reasons to be extra careful this July 4. It's hard to tell how many injuries or deaths are prevented by the annual demonstration of exploding watermelons and flaming mannequins. But CPSC Chairman Inez Tannenbaum says this display is as important as any that will light the night sky in the coming days. And this year she says expects fewer public, professional fireworks shows, and more of the amateur, backyard variety. The CPSC works with other agencies to stop the spread of illegal fireworks and explosives like the powerful M-1000. In the past couple of years, the federal government has confiscated and destroyed 75 tons of illegal fireworks and dished out $1.5 million in fines. But officials say tracking international sales of illegal fireworks through the internet is still a huge challenge.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
July 03, 2009 - Metro, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine are under scrutiny this week. The Washington Post's Robert McCartney talks with WAMU host Matt Bush about the reasons and ramifications for the controversy.
July 03, 2009 - If you've kicked back a few brewskies this Independence Day, one D.C. organization wants to make sure you get home safely. If you're in need of a sober driver this Fourth of July, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is sponsoring Sober Ride. The free cab ride service is offered to legal drinkers in the Washington metropolitan area. Kurt Erickson is President of the organization. He says the program has been running since 1993. Erickson says Sober Rider usually averages 300 riders every Independence Day. The service runs from 4 pm July 4th to 4 am on July 5th. Anyone interested should call 800 200-TAXI during that time.
Natalie Neumann reports...
July 03, 2009 - With gubernatorial races in only two states this year, many analysts are looking at Virginia's campaign for governor as a referendum on the Obama administration. But Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds brushed off persistent talk that the race has any significance beyond the Commonwealth.
Michael Pope reports...
July 03, 2009 - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says he is pleased a Baltimore judge dismissed an appeal by Constellation Energy, which disagrees that state regulators should be able to review a proposed deal with France's Edf. O'Malley said he remains focused on ensuring the $4.5 billion deal is in the public interest and protects ratepayers. Constellation says it believes the pending deal does not require state approval. The judge ruled Thursday that Constellation cannot appeal the Public Service Commission's decision to review the deal that is in the works. EdF is seeking to buy up nearly half of Constellation's nuclear operations. Constellation says the decision violates the letter and spirit of an agreement with state lawmakers to allow such deals.
Meymo Lyons reports...
July 03, 2009 - Nearly every dog cage at the Humane Society's New York Avenue Shelter in Northeast D.C. is occupied. The shelter's director, Nick Gilman, expects more dogs will be coming his way this weekend.
"Fourth of July is fun for us," he says. "But the dogs and cats in our homes don't celebrate fourth of July the way we do. So as a result, all they are is confused."
Gilman says many pets run away from their homes on the holiday. Some come home, but many never make it.
"Our recommendation is very simple," Gilman says. "Just keep your dog or your cat locked in some part of the house that isn't going to hear the fireworks as much and in which they won't have a likelihood of escaping."
Gilman also says you should place your dogs in a room where they can't hurt themselves if they become agitated.
David Schultz reports...
July 03, 2009 - Elizabeth Wynne Johnson has a story about buried treasure, directly underfoot at one of the most recognizable spots in the nation's capital.
July 03, 2009 - We won't be talking about that big parade on Constitution Ave on the Weekend Planner this week. Instead, we highlight some of the best "small town America" parades happening around the region. David Furst speaks with Tracy Grant, the Weekend and Kids Post Editor at the Washington Post.
July 03, 2009 - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has granted pardons to former convicts for the second time in two weeks. As of the end of May, O'Malley has only used his clemency powers two release two prisoners. Both were suffering from AIDS. But The Baltimore Sun reports that O'Malley pardoned seven other ex-convicts last month, and another 6 yesterday. Their crimes included minor thefts, disorderly conducts and marijuana possession. Only one had served jail time, and that was 7 days for petty theft.
O'Malley has said he's unlikely to use his clemency powers liberally. It's a big change from his Republican predecessor. Governor Robert Ehrlich pardoned or commuted the sentences of 249 people during his single term.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
July 03, 2009 - Mount Vernon is getting in on the Fourth of July festivities with a fireworks display this year. And viewers will not have to wait until the sun goes down to enjoy the light show. For the first time, Mount Vernon will hold a display over the Potomac River, kicking off at 12:45 Saturday afternoon.
Stephanie Kaye has more...
July 03, 2009 - A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitution's confrontation clause is already being felt in Virginia.
Bill Redlin reports...
July 03, 2009 - More than 500,000 riders will use Metrorail to converge on the National Mall for Fourth of July fireworks and Metro is asking riders for help managing the flow.
Mana Rabiee reports...
July 03, 2009 - Uncertainty about the economy could cause more people to spend this weekend close to home in the Washington area -- according to AAA Mid Atlantic.
The transportation monitoring agency expects the number of area residents traveling more than 50 miles from home to drop about 2 percent from last Fourth of July. And on the eve of Independence Day the same trend seemed to apply to visitors on the National Mall.
As auto travel decreases, air travel - thanks to competitive ticket pricing - is expected to rebound.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
July 03, 2009 - A restaurant near Hagerstown is now offering vet services. When you go to "Next Dimensions Restaurant" in Funkstown to grab a burger or a crab cake, you can also get your pet spayed or neutered. The unusual combination of services is being offered by the restaurant and Promise Animal League Inc.
Stephanie Kaye has more...
July 03, 2009 - The number of Americans taking to the skies this July the 4th weekend should be up according to Triple-A. But that may not add up to bigger crowds on the National Mall.
Jonathan Wilson reports...
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