WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

A Botanic Garden For The Nation

The idea for the U.S. Botanic Garden goes back to 1816 and it has been in its present location since 1933. The history is presented in a new book released by the USBG called A Botanic Garden For The Nation - which also details the collections on display and features some eye-catching artwork. We're joined by author and photographer, Anne Catherine-Fallen and the U.S. Botanic Garden's Executive Director, Holly Shimizu.

International Ice Cream

The Washington area is an international hub that boasts food from around the world... in everything from hole in the wall joints to fine dining restaurants. On hot summer days, reporter Wilma Consul says it's best to partake of these culinary treats in frozen form. And what better time? July is national ice cream month and Sunday is - officially - national ice cream day. She takes us for a tour and taste test of some of the region's not-so-ordinary ice cream.

B.U.R.P.

Each month, dozens of people gather in and around the District to compare, sample and discuss their favorite consumable - beer. It's a meeting of BURP - Brewers United for Real Potables. The club was founded over 25 years ago by avid home brewers in the Washington area... and, obviously fans of amusing acronyms. During Oktoberfest celebrations a couple of years ago, Gail Wein attended a BURP meeting and came back with this report.

Fred Fiske - 'Sicko'

Senior Commentator Fred Fiske talks about the new Michael Moore film, Sicko.

Drum Therapy

When does therapy not feel like therapy? When you're pounding the skins and moving to the beat with room full of drummers. Twice a week the Young Women's Empowerment Project meets in the St. Stephens and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in northwest DC... and fills the halls with drumming, poetry and song. Andrew Hiller reports.

Mondo DC - The 'Anarchy' Mural

We visit the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress to see a series of murals dedicated to the effects of good and bad government. We're joined by Jeff Bagato, author of "Mondo DC - An Insider's Guide to Washington DC's Most Unusual Tourist Attractions." And we stop to stare at the one labeled "anarchy."

Music Review: Lejeune - For Club And Country

The term "80's music" is widely accepted as a category, but what it actually means is less clear. Michael Jackson had hits in the 80's, and so did Tiffany, Van Halen, and Milli Vannilli. For some people, however, the 80's means British indie-rock - literate, driving and often melancholy. Among those people, critic Mark Jenkins is pretty sure, are the members of Lejeune.

Lejeune's new album is called, For Club And Country. Mark Jenkins also reviews music for Blender, the City Paper and the Washington Post.