WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Drug Addiction

The federal agency that supervises and assists felons released from jail in DC is expanding a program for offenders who struggle with drug addiction. The program now serves about 30 people who leave prison each month. The agency has a goal of serving an additional twelve hundred people. A recent study found that offenders who completed the program were far less likely to be rearrested after a year, compared to those who didn't participate. Former doctors' quarters on the campus of DC General are now being renovated to serve as the permanent and larger home for the program. WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

Governor-in-Waiting

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley was called the boy wonder of democratic politics when he was elected at the age of 36. After only two years in city hall, many of O'Malley's supporters urged him to run against Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in the democratic primary for governor. But O'Malley took a pass and Maryland voters sent Republican Robert Ehrlich to the Governor's mansion in Annapolis. I caught up with Mayor O'Malley at his city hall offices recently. Our conversation took place after Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos publicly attacked O'Malley when the Mayor said Washington should get a major league baseball team.

Wal-Mart Ban

Rockville says, "keep out." So do Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, and Prince William counties. All of those jurisdictions have an ordinance prohibiting or restricting the proliferation of super-sized retail stores like Wal-Mart or Target. And Montgomery County could be next. These so-called "Big Box" stores are popular with bargain shoppers but many communities are seeing a downside and saying thanks, but no thanks. WAMU's Vince Pearson looked into the debate over super stores in Montgomery County and has this report.

Rhodes Tavern Troubadours

Some area bands have a token song or two that clearly identifies them with the DC region. But for the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, songs about the area are the staple of their cranked up, pop-rock, rockabilly mix. The title track from their first Album is called "On the Red Line."

For information on the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours visit their website, RTTkids.homestead.com.

Gardening with Dr. Marc Cathey

We've reached the part of summer where most people who have a garden can feel free to just kick back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. But don't get too relaxed - Metro Connection's gardening expert Dr. Marc Cathey is here today to talk about the garden in summer - and he has all kinds of ideas for staying busy, even when it seems like all that spring work is finally paying off.

Dr. Cathey is President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society.

Music Review by Mark Jenkins

Ever since Bob Dylan strapped on an electric guitar back in 1965 rock and folk have had a wary relationship. Folkies protest that rock is frivolous, while rockers complain that folk is self-important. Yet the two styles often come together convincingly. That's what happens, Mark Jenkins reports, in the music of Fairfax singer-songwriter Carol Bui.

Mark Jenkins reviews music for the City Paper and for All Things Considered.