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Washington Consumers' Checkbook

If you ever wondered if a contractor was ripping you off, or worried that your dentist has been recommending work you didn't need, you're not alone. On the flip side, there are plenty of us who are thrilled with our dentists and would be happy to recommend our roofers. But how to sort them all out? If you don't have a friend or a neighbor who happens to know a great doctor or contractor for every occasion, you might try Washington Consumers' Checkbook magazine. The latest issue rates area dentists, hardware stores, roofers, furniture stores and hospitals. We're joined by Checkbook president, Robert Krughoff.

Fred Fiske: My Money's On Gore

He's been wrong before. But Senior Commentator bets that Al Gore will get in the game.

National Book Awards Finalist: Stanley Plumly

Winners of the 2007 National Book Awards will be revealed in New York on November 14th, but finalists in the poetry, fiction, non-fiction and young-people's literature categories were announced in October. One of the finalists, Stanley Plumly, is Director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Maryland. He's been nominated for his book, Old Heart: Poems. Andrew Hiller reports.

Listen to Stanley Plumly read "The Morning America Changed" from his book Old Heart: Windows Media or Real Audio.

Washington Balalaika Society

For nearly 20 years, the Washington Balalaika Society has been keeping the tradition of that triangle-shaped, Russian stringed instrument alive and well in the DC region. Musicians in the 'WBS' range in age from eight to eighty. And with more than FIFTY claiming membership, the group boasts it is the largest balalaika contingent in the United States. The WBS gets a chance to strut its stuff this weekend, with performances at Northern Virginia Community College on Saturday - and in DC at American University's Greenberg Theatre on Sunday. Metro Connection's Stephanie Kaye stopped by a rehearsal and spoke with music director Maxwell McCullough.

Jim Yenckel: Easy Day Trips From DC

Travel writer Jim Yenckel says now that we have it... it's time to really take advantage of the fall weather. Jim joins us with a list of easy day trips in the Washington region.

Jim Helein: The High School Reunion Time Machine

This year, people all over the country who graduated from high school in 1982 are attending those quarter-century high school reunions. So what makes last month's 25-year reunion of the McLean, Virginia Langley High School so special? Well, it just happens to be the one attended by Commentator Jim Helein.

Writer Jim Helein lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and two daughters.