WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

New Life for DC Bricks

This is a story about a brick...and fifteen-thousand of his friends.

They all started out as ordinary building materials. But somewhere along the way, they took on new life as symbolic playing pieces in a larger national debate on immigration. And they came to rest - as so many symbols do - here in Washington. WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard has the story about those bricks, and about the contemplative yet pragmatic Washingtonians who are now ushering them into their next phases of life.

From the Mean Streets to the Boat Yard

From bricks we move on to a new set of raw materials...fighting street crime with nails, screws, glue and wood. There are no easy solutions to gang violence but in Alexandria, one program has come up with a winning formula. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation runs a wooden boat-building apprenticeship for troubled young adults, many of whom are associated with gangs. The six month program teaches carpentry and guarantees a job at the end, if the apprentices abide by the rules and get other aspects of their life together. Last August, WAMU's Sarah Hughes visited the Seaport Foundation on graduation day, and produced this report.

One year later, Jerson Herrera is still working as a carpenter's apprentice, another three groups have graduated and the program has doubled in capacity.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Stuttering

WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske remembers someone from his past, and the lasting effects teachers can have on their students.

Docs in Progress

For independent filmmakers there is something known as "the bubble." Working in relative isolation, hunched in front of a computer screen, it's sometimes hard to know whether the story is taking shape or falling apart.

In 2004, documentary filmmakers Adele Schmidt and Erica Ginsberg decided to try and burst that bubble by getting local filmmakers and film-goers together to screen documentary films in progress - hence the name, "Docs-In-Progress." The bi-monthly screenings provide much needed feedback for filmmakers and an opportunity for the audience to offer up something never in short supply...their opinions. WAMU's Frank Hamilton has more.

The next Docs-In-Progress is happening in the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University on Tuesday, July 11th.

Day Tripping with the Kids

School's been out for weeks, the beach trip is still a month away, and the youngsters are getting restless. What's the answer? No, don't turn on the TV and leave the room for days on end. Travel writer Jim Yenckel says there are plenty of kid-friendly destinations close to DC that you may not have considered before and that make for perfect day trips. Jim joins us with a list of ideas so get a pen and paper ready.

Forget the Panda

With the deaths of two gorillas this week, staff at the National Zoo will be anxious to turn the public's attention to happier news this weekend - an event marking the first year of life for the zoo's most famous resident.

There's precious little birthday present shopping time left, because this weekend Tai Shan turns One. Yes, the National Zoo's baby panda. He's a national celebrity, his furry face can be found on posters and books and TV. But broods and clutches and litters of other babies have also been born at the zoo in the last year. WAMU's Jessica Smith sidestepped the panda exhibit this week and sought out the overlooked cubs, tadpoles and chicks, and has this report.

Empty Nest Syndrome

We jump from babies at the zoo to babies in the backyard...writer Michele Kayal explains.

Michele Kayal is a writer and sometime bird-watcher living in Arlington. She also writes for Gourmet, Conde Nast Traveler and the New York Times.