WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Cost of Education

Last week we started the show looking at high school and middle school issues in the region. We continue with the back-to-school theme today but shift the focus to higher education. One of the indicators of the economic health of a state is that state's ability to educate its residents and get them into college. A new report card grades states on their efforts to prepare kids for college and on their ability to keep higher education affordable. As WAMU's Sarah Hughes reports, Maryland and Virginia get mixed reviews.

Kids Set Sail

The middle of the Anacostia River probably isn't the first location you'd think of for a college prep course. But "Kids Set Sail" is not your traditional classroom-based seminar. Along with providing an opportunity for urban kids to learn about sailing, the idea is to get them to think about enrolling in college and help them right through the application process. The program is run by the National Maritime Heritage Foundation here in DC. They'll be holding a fundraising regatta for Kids Set Sail in Annapolis next Friday. WAMU's David Furst met with Kevin Traver with the Foundation at the Gangplank Marina on the Anacostia River in Southwest DC.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Student Exchange

Besides being bright, talented young people, Fred Fiske says students who come here from abroad to work during the summer are the best public relations the U.S. could buy.

Tenleytown Development

Wisconsin Avenue is one of the major gateways to the District. Over the last several years, city planners and community leaders have been examining ways to improve the area stretching from Tenleytown to Chevy Chase, DC. The city's planning office has proposed several ideas for zoning changes that would allow a higher density of housing, more retail and taller buildings but those plans have been met with strong opposition from some residents of this mostly wealthy area. WAMU's James Jones sat down with two Upper Wisconsin Avenue residents with different views of the city's plan: Kevin Pettitt is an IT consultant with the Ward 3 Smart Growth Coalition, supporting higher density development around the Tenleytown and Friendship Heights metro stops, and Gina Mirigliano is co-founder of the Friendship Neighborhood Association. She says the city's plans do not reflect residents' feelings about how the area should be developed.

Green Festival

From tree-lined neighborhoods to the broad run of the National Mall, Washington is known as a green city. But this weekend the city is supposed to get even greener, thanks to the "Green Festival," a two-day event happening at the DC Convention Center. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Alisa Gravitz, executive director of Co-op America, one of the sponsoring groups of the festival, to find out what this green festival is all about.

To find out more about Washington's first Green Festival, you can check out the web site, greenfestivals.org

Gardening with Dr. Marc Cathey

From time to time here on the show we are joined by our official expert on all things having to do with the garden Dr. Marc Cathey, President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society, to talk about the fall garden.

Commentary by Jim Helein - Gibbs Fever

It's been a long decade if you're a Washington area sports fan. Very long. But Commentator Jim Helein sees new hope for Washington sports fans across the region, especially if you're a fan of the Burgundy and Gold. And that hope can be summed up in two words -Joe Gibbs.

Commentator Jim Helein promises you, the Metro Connection listener that he will never, ever sing on the air again. That is, unless the Redskins win the Superbowl....