WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

A Word From The Chancellor

During her first year on the job as Chancellor of DC Public Schools, Michelle Rhee has been an aggressive agent of change. What residents think about that change... well, that depends who you ask. She's closed almost two dozen schools, fired a hundred and fifty administrators, principals and teachers and she's been accused of undermining the teachers union. Rhee has overseen building improvements, responded to almost 100-thousand emails and many schools have reopened this academic year with more support from reading and math coaches, psychologists and librarians. Kavitha Cardoza speaks with Michelle Rhee about her work.

Children Should Be Seen AND Heard

Grab some finger paint and put on your smock, we're heading off to nursery school. And there's no need to be perfectly silent in class. Doctors say parents and teachers shouldn't worry if pre-schoolers start talking to themselves; in fact, they should encourage it. Nancy King, with the radio program With Good Reason, has more on chatty children.

Fred Fiske - The Handgun Ban

Following the recent Supreme Court decision that declared DC's handgun ban unconstitutional, Congress is considering legislation that would re-write the District's gun laws. Observing from the sidelines, Senior Commentator Fred Fiske is getting a little hot under the collar.

Saving African American Treasures

The Smithsonian wants you to clean out your attic - you might be holding on to a national treasure. A new call to search through basements and attics is part of a program called 'Save Our African American Treasures.' This weekend, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is encouraging DC residents to bring in their scrapbooks, letters, family photos - anything that could shed light on local African American history. Archivists will be on hand for an 'Antiques Roadshow' style evaluation, white gloves at the ready. Some of the treasures that come through the door could wind up in the museum. Stephanie Kaye reports.

The 'Save our African American Treasures' preservation event takes place Saturday, Sept. 13th at the Shiloh Baptist Church on 9th Street Northwest in the District.

Chris Anderson

Classical guitarist, Chris Anderson was born in Canada but moved to Hagerstown, Maryland at the age of seven. He ended up living across the street from a music store - a location that pretty much helped seal the deal on the path his life would take. He's performing at the new Franklin Park Arts Center in Loudoun County, Virginia Saturday, Sept. 13th at 8 pm. Chris Anderson joins us for a performance in the studio.

Gardening with Kathy Jentz

September might not be the first month we think of for starting a garden but don't write it off. It may be the perfect time for procrastinators to take advantage of nature's bounty. Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, joins us to help us plan a fall planting season.

Lynn Peterson Mobley - Older

Just as surely as our fall vegetable gardens will eventually come face to face with winter frosts, there's nothing we can do to slow the hands of time. But commentator Lynn Peterson Mobley says she discovers new benefits to aging on a regular basis - between visits to health care providers.

Lynn Peterson Mobley is a writer living in Great Falls, Virginia.