WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

City of Trees

We open the show in Rock Creek Park - right where Montgomery County meets the District. It's one of many places in town that give you a sense for why DC has earned the nickname 'City Of Trees.' Along with the elms, conifers and sycamores, we'll be joined by author Melanie Choukas-Bradley. The latest edition of her book 'City of Trees - The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington DC' has just been published.

The 7th Street Community Garden

The 7th Street Garden isn't on 7th Street anymore. The community garden that brought fresh organic food to low income residents in the District was in danger of losing its land. But now it's moving to a bigger space. The new home is on a plot of land behind one of the public schools shut down by DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Mayor Adrian Fenty last year. Kathleen Masterson reports.

Fred Fiske: Feeling a Little Overdressed

New Year's Eve found WAMU Senior Commentator, Fred Fiske contemplating how far we've fallen. Not in terms of the economy or America's reputation in the world... but in our fashion sense.

Song 44 is On The Way

With 44 getting ready to enter office, it's time to reflect on the former 43. And there's no better way to bask in the glow of ex-presidents, than with a musical salute - in this case, a 3-CD set called 'Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies.'

We're joined by songwriter Christian Kiefer who spearheaded the project along with J Matthew Gerken and Jefferson Pitcher.

A concert featuring material from 'Of Great and Mortal Men' is happening in DC just before the inauguration. A cast of thousands (ok maybe not thousands) will perform at the 6th and I Historic Synagogue on January 17th.

Wine with Dick Rosano: Presidential Wine

The inauguration is January 20th - and you probably had to book your trip back in September if you wanted to find a hotel room in the city. But it's not too late to purchase some WINE to toast the occasion. Wine writer Dick Rosano joins us to talk about the 'Wines of the Presidents.'

Dick's picks - California sparkling wines for toasting the inauguration:

Domaine Chandon

Domaine Carneros

Gloria Ferrer

Scharffenberger

Reuben Jackson: Our Material Footprint

It may fly in the face of all that is American to say this... but with the big shopping season behind us, writer Reuben Jackson says he's hoping consumers can adopt a less-is-more approach in the new year.

Writer Reuben Jackson lives in the District.