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The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay

This summer we have been running a series of features on the history and health of the Chesapeake Bay. Today we follow the Potomac River 30 miles south of the White House. Here, in an isolated section of Charles County, the nearest gas station is a half hour's drive to Indian Head, Maryland. And the only traffic jam lies submerged and motionless in a watery burial ground - hugging the Maryland side of the Potomac. Known as the "Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay," it's the largest shipwreck fleet in the Western Hemisphere.

We're joined by Donald Shomette, author of "The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay – and Other Tales of the Lost Chesapeake."

Fred Fiske

Senior Commentator Fred Fiske tackles a difficult issue this week... the anguish of shopping for a birthday gift for his wife.

DC's "Race of Pain"

Bicycling in the DC area often involves taking your life in your hands – especially if you happen to be a bike messenger. So a race organized by a group of bike messengers COULD be a little on the challenging side. Called the "Race Of Pain," it's taking place tomorrow, Saturday, and the route will not revealed until race time. The idea is that it takes in as many hills in the city as possible. It's not a race that is sanctioned by the city OR by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. But it DOES highlight how difficult it is for bicycles to co-exist with cars on DC streets. Metro Connection's Stephanie Kaye speaks with Association director Eric Gilliland about the race... and about WABA's efforts to make the District a more bike-friendly city.

Staged Portraits

Deep in the basement of the National Portrait Gallery something is stirring. Historical figures, from Walt Whitman and Lyndon Johnson to Paul Robeson, are coming to life. A scene from "Night at the Museum" or the efforts of some mad scientist? No, it's part of the Portrait Gallery's "Cultures in Motion" series. Andrew Hiller reports.

Travel: Must-See Mid-Atlantic

Top 10 lists are always tricky. It's nearly impossible to decide on a top ten of anything, and favorites are always squeezed out... but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Jim Yenckel is a freelance travel writer based here in Washington. He's back with a list of the Top Ten Places To See In The Mid-Atlantic Before You Die.

Taxi Telepathy

Candidate debates, voter polls... forget 'em. Commentator Deborah Bolling says to learn the electoral fates of Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, she looks no further than DC's cab drivers.

Deborah Bolling runs the Youth Voices program for WAMU.