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Follow the Sewage

For more than a century raw sewage has been pouring into Rock Creek and the Anacostia and Potomac rivers during heavy rainfalls. Believe it or not, that's by design - the District's sewer system was constructed with "release valves" to prevent sewage from backing up in pipes during a big storm. So when pipes can't handle raw sewage that combines with rainwater, the excess is funneled directly into waterways. It's an antiquated system that environmentalists have criticized for years and it's about to change. WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

Washington Teachers' Union Elections

Even in a town hardened by scandal it was an impressive story: two years ago this month federal investigators raided the homes and offices of several former officials with the Washington Teachers Union. Several million dollars of union money had allegedly been diverted to pay for personal items like jewelry, clothing and furniture. The former president of the union later plead guilty to fraud and conspiracy. Four others plead guilty to assisting with the scheme and another four are still awaiting trial.

In the interim an outside management team has been running things at the Washington Teachers Union. But that team is about to step aside and return control of operations and finance to local leaders. Union members will choose new leadership in an election later this month. WAMU's Sarah Hughes reports on whether the elections signal a new start for the union.

Art Enables

For adults struggling with developmental disabilities, fitting into mainstream society can be a challenge. The everyday tasks involved in holding down a job or attending school can be overwhelming. But at a little studio called Art Enables, people with mental or developmental disabilities are not only learning life skills, they're sharpening creative skills and becoming full-fledged artists. Participants learn how to create and market their own "outsider" art - art made by people who often find themselves marginalized or "outside" of mainstream society. They're guided by professional artists and teachers to follow their interests in painting and drawing, and have become a part of Washington's arts community. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye visited the Art Enables studio in southwest D.C., and spoke with Joyce Muis-Lowery, director of the program.

Astralyte

Back in March of this year we had a contest here on Metro Connection looking for new theme music to the show. Listeners sent in all kinds of possibilities, but we finally decided on a piece called "Zero Wave" from the D.C. area band Astralyte.

Since then, the music has been starting every show but the band has remained shrouded in mystery. Now, Astralyte has a new CD on the shelves called To The Nines, and band members Andrew Stein and Ross Dettmering join us in the studio.

Peter Fay's Arts Best Bets

From the glut of Christmas specials on TV to the incredible amount of seasonal programming in area theatres and concert halls, there are plenty of options out there if you're looking for holiday-themed entertainment. But if you want to find an area arts event with no holiday attachments whatsoever, don't worry - they're out there too. Metro Connection Arts Editor Peter Fay was here two weeks ago with his holiday arts best bets, and returns to run down his list of NON-holiday performances and art shows happening this season.

Theatre Review with Bari Biern - Buratino

And finally today...Washington isn't just an international political capital. It's also an international theatre center. In fact, at one time our area boasted three theatre companies founded by Russian artists. Now, two of these companies, Classika and Synetic, have merged. Their latest production, "Buratino," is a Russian adaptation of the classic story of Pinocchio.

Metro Connection's Bari Biern reviewed "Buratino" at Classika-Synetic Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. The show runs through March 6th. For more information call 703-824-6200.