WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

"President" Warner

After such a heated campaign it seems amazing to say it but the 2004 presidential election is quickly fading from our memories. That's a relief for some of us but a few masochistic pundits are already talking about the 2008 election. In the days following President Bush's victory, Virginia Governor Mark Warner's name kept coming up as the kind of Democrat who can win in Republican states. That's surprising to some, considering Bush easily won Virginia after Warner insisted that the democrats could take it. WAMU's James Jones has this report on Mark Warner's entrance into a political dialog set off by those self-appointed presidential candidate "name droppers."

Street Sense

Street Sense, the District newspaper for and by homeless people, celebrates its one year anniversary this week. Since its inception the monthly paper's mission has been two-fold: to bring attention to the issue of homelessness and to provide income for homeless people, who serve as the newspaper's vendors. Homeless residents also work on a volunteer basis as reporters. As WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports, the founders of Street Sense say after one year they're accomplishing their goals and are now working on expansion plans.

Commentary by Fred Fiske: Safe from Censorship

Fred takes on censorship of the network airing of "Saving Private Ryan."

The Case of the Missing Genealogists

If you wanted to research your family history ten years ago the only way to look at original documents was to make a special trip to local courthouses, state archives or the National Archives in D.C. Now many one-of-a-kind documents such as census records are posted on the web - a couple of clicks and the image of an 1880 census page pops up on your home computer. At the same time the National Archives has been putting the finishing touches on its high-tech "Family and Local History Research Center," a research facility designed for the general public that is seeing much less foot traffic than expected. As more people use the web, fewer are making their way to research libraries. WAMU's Susan Goodman reports.

Dancing about Architecture

The Washington Ballet performed excerpts from its new production of the Nutcracker...at the National Building Museum last weekend. But wait - it's not as incongruous as it sounds. Both venues are currently obsessed with local history.

The ballet's new version of the Nutcracker is set in Georgetown and abounds with local references, complete with cherry blossoms, dancing Anacostia Indians and guest appearances by George Washington and Frederick Douglas. The Building Museum is hosting an exhibit called "Washington: Symbol and City" that explores the tension the District faces as it tries to be both a home for residents and for the government.

WAMU's Stephanie Kaye had a chance to speak with both institutions this week. We begin with Septime Webre, artistic director of the Washington Ballet, who spoke about his new D.C. twist on the Nutcracker. Then, we speak with guest curator Don Hawkins about the tensions in a city "created by the government, for the government." He says Washington is a unique creation both architecturally and historically.

Off-Beat Museums and the Best Bathrooms in D.C.

Travel Writer Jim Yenckel joins us on the show every few weeks to talk about places to visit in the mid Atlantic. Today he offers us a list of off beat museums but he also brings with his some very valuable practical information for those who like to do a lot of sightseeing and museum hopping right here in town...a list of the best bathrooms in D.C.

Neighborhood Pigskin

As people all around the region settle into their couches to watch another potentially agonizing Redskins game on Sunday, writer and longtime D.C. resident Katie Davis will be getting itchy. She doesn't want to watch football. She wants to play.

Katie Davis has been living on the same block in Washington since 1968 where she writes her Neighborhood Stories.