WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

6th and I Synagogue

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Some signs of an ongoing revival in Downtown Washington are obvious. The DC skyline is dotted with construction cranes. The Chinatown gate is now dwarfed by the huge new Gallery Place development. But in the shadows of the rising buildings there are more subtle signs of change. For fifty years, a predominantly African-American church occupied the corner of Sixth and I streets, NW. The church was sold last year to a group of investors, intent on restoring the building to what it was at the turn of the LAST century -- a downtown synagogue. As WAMU's James Jones reports, backers of the project are counting on DC's downtown revival to lead a similar rebirth in prominence for what was once the center of Jewish life in Washington.

Real Battle-bots

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Most of the reports we hear of the military these days focus on the ongoing struggle in Iraq. But for a peek into the future of the military, we travel 40 miles north of DC to Westminster, Maryland -- home of the General Dynamics robotics plant. The company is based in Falls Church, but engineers in the Westminster Robotic Systems office are leaders in an effort to re-tool the US Army for 21st century combat. In the military's future, Army literature predicts a more rapidly deployable, yet highly capable and survivable force with a major role for robots. WAMU's Vince Pearson has more.

Commentary by Fred Fiske

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WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske talks about U.S. jobs being sent overseas.

Wonkette

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An Internet site called Wonkette has been generating a lot of buzz around town lately. Call it a BLOG or an on-line magazine, Wonkette is a collection of links to political gossip stories of the moment. It's filled with commentary on DC news and national politics and heavy on the attitude and the cutting humor. Wonkette is written and edited by Ana Marie Cox, described on the site as a suburban housewife living in Arlington, Virginia. Ana Marie Cox joins us to talk about the site.

Poetry Open-Mic Anniversary

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Every Tuesday for two and a half years, a group of DC poets gathered at a café called "It's Your MUG" in Georgetown. They would talk politics, practice their craft in workshops, and the microphone was open to all. The group disbanded in 1997 -- and many went on to teach in universities and publish their work. Now, DC's boldest and brashest poets are back on the mike. They're gathering once again at Café Mawanaj on T Street for a 10-year reunion. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Patrick Washington, poet and organizer of the event.

The anniversary event is happening this Saturday at 5pm at DC's Café Mawanaj. For more information you can call 301-237-6684.

Three Videos, No Waiting

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Critic Bari Biern comes in every so often to call our attention to a group of videos or DVDs that might not be on our minds while we're staring at the new release wall. But these are films worthy of our consideration. She's back today with another installment of "Three Videos, No Waiting."

Commentary by Liam Callanan

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We take a look back on this past week. Not in a global context or even on a national scale...this is a bit more of a narrow focus: Commentator Liam Callanan's week as a solo parent. It proved an educational experience and the lessons focused on aerodynamics, sculpture, and ultimately, survival.

Liam Callanan's first novel, The Cloud Atlas, is out Tuesday. He'll be reading from The Cloud Atlas at the Barnes & Noble Metro Center location on Wednesday.