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Crazy Running Guy

Today, we'll be playing back some of our favorite stories from this past year. And we're starting with one from just about a month ago - a profile of a guy who is a LONGTIME fixture on the city streetscape. We heard from many of you after this story ran back in January. The crazy running guy. The crazy BACKWARDS running guy. The crazy backwards running guy who hops around in circles in major intersections, shouting at everyone who passes by. THAT crazy running guy. You can always pick out the downtown tourists by their slack-jawed stares of amused confusion when he struts by.

But is he really crazy? Not according to him. WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard trotted alongside him - facing forward - to get the real story. They started near his house on Capitol Hill.

Defensive Driving - The Buddhist Way

Driver's education instructors: men and women with nerves of steel who teach the drivers of tomorrow how to handle the road. There are lots of rules of the road to remember, but it's equally important to learn how to handle the EMOTIONS that can impact driving - frustration, anxiety, over-confidence...and of course, anger. In this piece that originally aired last April, WAMU's Sarah Hughes profiled a drivers-ed teacher who helps students fight road rage impulses by taking some tips from Buddhism.

Apocalypse on the Indian Head Highway

Aggressive drivers on Indian Head Highway heading through southern Prince George's County, and the growing number of new houses being built along the old historic roadway, inspired an Accokeek author to envision a future where African Americans are forced to live on reservations - and that's not all. In this story from last summer, WAMU's Jacquie Gales Webb reported on Barry Barnett Keith's latest novel.

Peter Case

Songwriter Peter Case - he was raised in upstate New York, was discovered singing on the streets of San Francisco, moved to L.A., and hit the big time in the 80's when his band "The Plimsouls" were featured on the soundtrack to the movie Valley Girl. He's not exactly a local DC artist, but a local record label has just released a three-CD tribute album in his honor - with no fewer than 47 different artists performing his songs.

The new collection is called "A Case For Case - A Tribute to the Songs of Peter Case." And we're joined by the guy who put the project together, Jeff Campbell, founder of Hungry For Music. Also with us is Timothy Bracken a local songwriter who is featured on the new set, and the man himself, Peter Case, who has his acoustic guitar with him.

Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary

Around Thanksgiving last year, we paid a visit to the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary - where people feast WITH the animals, not ON them. The 400 acre non-profit refuge in Poolesville, Maryland offers care, rehabilitation, and permanent sanctuary for neglected, abandoned or unwanted farm animals. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye hit the farm with Terry Cummings, director of the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary.

Crummy But Good - Ben's Chili Bowl

Ben's Chili Bowl. For nearly fifty years this institution on U Street has been serving up chili burgers and half-smokes and inspiring a near fanatic level of customer loyalty. Hardening arteries aside, a visit to Ben's always leaves you feeling enriched - like you just experienced a bit of DC history along with your meal. Crummy But Good food editor Donovan Kelly brought us to Ben's Chili Bowl back in November. A Crummy But Good joint might look a little rough around the edges, but offers great food. He managed to save a seat for us before the massive lunch crowd came rushing in.

The Science of Love

No sense in pretending it's not happening...Valentine's Day is right around the corner. And this year, scientist and writer Véronique LaCapra is heading back to the lab, to analyze the chemical composition of - her ideal relationship.

Writer Veronique LaCapra works for the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs. She swears she's NOT working late in the lab on a new spray called "Cupid-Be-Gone."