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Loudoun vs. Loudoun

It's been one of the fastest growing counties in America. And the debate over how much development should take place in Virginia's Loudoun County has been raging for several years. Now that battle is entering a new realm - citizen advisory boards. A state attorney in Loudoun ruled that an environmentalist should not serve on a state task force on highway planning because of a conflict of interest. That opinion has outraged environmentalists who say the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors stacks advisory boards with developers, who make self-serving recommendations. They say the legal opinion should apply across the board and that development interests should also be removed from county advisory panels. WAMU's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

School Lunch

Anyone who's ever been part of a conversation when the topic has turned to school food knows it's a subject unique in its ability to trigger nostalgia. And, potentially stomach pain. Remember tater tots? Domes of rice served with an ice cream scoop? Soggy sloppy joes? Ah, delicious memories. Next week, the Campus Kitchens Project holds its official local kickoff at the Gonzaga College High School in DC. As WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard reports, the program's mission is to recycle un-served school food, get student volunteers to spruce it up, and then deliver it to community residents in need. Yes - RECYCLED school food.

The Fox Hunt

About two hours from DC, a few miles from downtown Culpepper, Virginia, small country roads meander off Route 29 shift into gravel or dirt and head toward open fields and farmland. From late November through March, pretty much any day of the week, you'll find a Virginia fox hunt club riding out with their hounds. Unlike traditional English hunts, the fox is not captured or killed - though we're not sure if the fox is particularly thrilled about participating. Reporter Jeanette Woods doesn't have a horse, but found a way to go along for the thrill of the chase.

Orchids, Orchids, Everywhere

Around this time of the year, any chance to see glorious flowers in bloom is welcome. Down on the Mall, the U.S. Botanic Garden is serving up an orchid extravaganza that can help any Washingtonian escape the winter blues. The exhibit, "Simply Sublime: Orchids in an Art Deco Garden," opens on Saturday and offers a glimpse of the style of the 1930's and the warmth of the coming springtime. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Holly Shimizu, executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden.

The Smoking Ban and DC Nightlife

If everything goes according to plan, at this time next year DC's bars and restaurants will be smoke-free. That's when enforcement is supposed to begin for the city's new smoking ban. It's a prospect that delights many. But for some, it's hard to imagine a dark, smoky rock club WITHOUT the smoke. We head to one of the city's smokiest rooms now to discuss the changing landscape of DC nightlife - The Black Cat, a live music club specializing in independent and alternative music. We met with Fritz Hahn who writes about nightlife for the Washington Post and the Washington Post.com, and with Dante Ferrando, owner of the Black Cat, who lit his first cigarette as we sat down.

Commentary by Melissa Jordan - The Commute

For a while, commentator Melissa Jordan had the DC commute all figured out. No stress...no traffic...and she was never late for the office. But then something terrible happened. She got a job.

Melissa Jordan is a writer living in North Bethesda. And whenever you happen to be stuck traffic, stay calm. Melissa feels your pain.