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Latin Jazz All-Stars

For many families across the region Thanksgiving is a time to spend a restful weekend together, giving thanks for the good things in life. It also means massive amounts of food, football games and houseguests. But now that the turkey's in the fridge, what do you do with the out-of-towners? The National Museum of Natural History may have a solution the second annual "Thanksgiving-Is-Over-What-Do-We-Do-With-Our-Houseguests?" concert. The museum is home to the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe and on the busiest museum-going day of the year it will be spicing up the holiday with Latin jazz and Spanish guitar. The Broadbelt Brothers will be opening for the local group the Latin Jazz All-Stars. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Leslie Whipkey, promotions manager for the jazz cafe, who says bringing the Latin Jazz All-Stars were a big hit last year.

The second annual "Thanksgiving-Is-Over-What-Do-We-Do-With-Our-Houseguests?" concert begins November 26th at six, in the Atrium of the Museum of Natural History.

The Cheese Shop

If you're not quite sick of eating yet but are feeling a bit overwhelmed by leftovers, we have the perfect neighborhood distraction: the Cheesetique Specialty Cheese Shop in Alexandria. The shop opened back in February and we're not talking about a cheese section within a fancy supermarket. This is a shop dedicated to nothing but cheese.

Cheese shops may be common in other parts of the world, but here in the D.C. region they are extremely rare. And unlike the store in the famous Monty Python sketch this one is well stocked with some of the finest cheeses from around the globe. WAMU's Sam Litzinger visited Cheesetique this week and met with owner Jill Erber. She explained why she had to drop everything and get into the cheese business.

And don't worry...unlike the cheese shop in the famous Monty Python sketch, while you won't find anything cheese at Cheesetique you WILL actually find cheese.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - the Bargain Hunter-Gatherer

Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. But if bargain hunting is involved, WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske says he doesn't want to get involved.

Perry School Community Services Center

The phrase "social services center" immediately conjures up images of grim architecture and stern-faced, grumpy clerks. But it's an image likely to be wiped from your mind after a visit to the Perry School Community Services Center. Located just off New York Avenue, near the North Capitol Street edge of Northwest D.C., the Perry School wears a lot of hats. The facility came together during the 1990s to address the issues of chronic poverty in the North Capitol Street area. It has become a vibrant, multi-dimensional community center, housing everything from child care for homeless preschoolers to a health center run by Providence hospital, a college preparation mentoring program, a dance company, an art studio and a group that teaches non-violence skills to young children. The Center was the brainchild of co-founder Alverta Munlyn, a longtime resident of the neighborhood. We had a chance to speak with Munlyn back in September. From her busy office she said the wide mix of programs all speak to the Perry Center's mission.

Thanksgiving Video Turkeys

It'is time once again for a disturbing annual tradition here on Metro Connection. Hopefully you have had some time to digest yesterday's dinner because video critic Bari Biern is back with another edition of her "Thanksgiving Video Turkeys." She selects these to help you plan a party around three videos that are so bad they're hilariously good. But be warned, these are films that are so stunningly awful, so repugnant, that only the most determined among us would dare rent them, even for the sport of mockery.

Commentary by Jim Helein - Post-Thanksgiving Strategy

A few years ago Commentator Jim Helein provided advice here on the show on how to make the most of our Thanksgiving dinners: stretching our stomachs with fast food burgers, wearing elastic waist pants and eating very, very fast were just a few of his extremely questionable tips on how to prepare for the meal. The following week, after the carnage, Jim checked back in to talk about the leftovers.

Jim Helein is a writer living in Northern Virginia, who is very thankful that his wife and two daughters all look the other way during Thanksgiving dinners.