WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

DC Appleseed Public Policy Contest

"You know, this city would be so much better if they would just..."

It's a phrase we've all muttered at some point, usually to no one in particular. But now's the time to speak up, because someone is listening. The nonprofit called DC Appleseed is holding a contest for anyone who's ever had an "a-hah" moment about how to make something in the District better. The contest is still going on, but ideas have been flooding in - and we'll hear what some of the contestants have to say today. WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard spoke with DC Appleseed Executive Director Walter Smith. He says the problems contestants choose to tackle can be big or small, but, he warns, this is NOT an open invitation to rant for the sake of ranting.

Animal Shelter - No Cages

A bright room flooded with skylight...individual booths separated by glass and outfitted with heated floors and specialty cushions...the soothing sounds of a "serenity fountain" splashing in the background. Sound like the latest high-end spa? Well, this is the Washington Animal Rescue League's new shelter, now under construction. The League, a non-profit that houses stray animals and helps them get adopted, says it wants the new shelter to serve as a model of modern animal care - and says the shelter is the first in the world without metal cages. WAMU's Sarah Hughes went along on a tour, guided by the League's executive director Scotlund Haisley.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Mission Impossible

WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske has done everything you can do in the radio business. He's been a contributor here on Metro Connection for over 10 years. And whether you agree with his opinion or not every week...bet you never picked him for a guy with his wife in the car's trunk.

"Might Could"

If you ever wondered what the music from old Nintendo games would sound like performed on acoustic guitars by a group of physics PhD candidates from the University of Maryland...wonder no more.

The band "Might Could" formed on the campus of the University of Maryland back in 2000… a quartet made up of three physicists and one chemist - who are also three guitarists and one bassist. And aside from the Nintendo fixation, they write and perform their own instrumental compositions, with influences ranging from progressive rock and classical music to heavy metal. But the band is about to play its last performances for a while. They're not QUITE breaking up, but members are moving on from grad school and going their separate ways. They'll be playing in Bethesda tomorrow night, Saturday night the 22nd. The band joins us in the studio now - Andy Tillotson, Tim McCaskey and Aaron Geller, all on guitars.

Nightlife with Fritz Hahn - The Death of DC Nightlife

Writer Fritz Hahn joins us every few weeks on the show to keep us up-to-date with the latest trends in DC nightlife. Today...the death of nightlife in downtown DC. Fritz Hahn writes about nightlife for the Washington Post and the Washington Post.com.

Commentary by Melissa Jordan - Spring Forward, Knocked Back

Defensive driving is always a good philosophy on the road. Don't drive aggressively...keep a close eye on the movements of those around you...and always try to have an exit route. But these days, being a defensive WALKER is more important than ever. Especially, as writer Melissa Jordan found out, near the entrances of parking garages downtown.

Melissa Jordan is a writer living in North Bethesda. When walking in DC in the future, she plans to keep a cocoon of "buffer pedestrians" around her at all times.