WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

The Bookstore Is Closed

Tucked somewhere between the headlines announcing the collapse of all the Wachovias and Washington Mutuals this week was news about another failing business that, for some of us, carried more emotional impact. Olsson's Bookstore was done. At one time, this independent books and music chain ran nine stores in the DC region. By this summer, it was down to five. By Tuesday, all doors were closed. We're joined by a local musician and a local author to talk about the end of Olsson's. Singer and songwriter Mary Battiata was a Washington Post reporter and now leads the band Little Pink. Scott W. Berg teaches writing at George Mason University and is the author of "Grand Avenues, The Story of the French Visionary who Designed Washington, DC."

Get Out and Get Nuts

With so much going on in the worlds of finance and politics, it can be refreshing to get back to the basics – and to get OUT in nature. And there's nothing more basic than collecting seeds and planting trees. The Potomac Conservancy is looking to collect thirty-thousand pounds of hardwood seeds for a tree planting program - fittingly called, 'Get Out and Get Nuts.' We're joined by Kate McNamee, Outreach Coordinator with the Potomac Conservancy.

Barack Obama and 'Race' in the Race

A win in November for Senator Barack Obama would make him the first African-American president of the United States. That is forcing the nation to confront one of its most contentious issues - centuries of racial prejudice and discrimination. David Smith, an intern from the Fund for American Studies' Institute on Political Journalism, examines why some voters in the DC region... who intend to vote for the Democratic Illinois lawmaker... are concerned about the role race is playing in our presidential politics.

All Roads Film Festival

The 5th annual All Roads Film Festival begins this weekend. The four-day fest aims to highlight work by and about indigenous and under-represented cultures - bringing filmmakers, and film lovers, together from around the world. It's happening at the National Geographic headquarters in downtown DC. Stephanie Kaye speaks with director Francene Blythe and filmmaker Rashini Thinakaran.

DC's Gourmet Burger Boom

Tim Carman writes about food for the Washington City Paper and he's here to talk burgers. And not just any old burgers. A few weeks ago we spoke about the failure of gourmet hot dogs in the region. This time, we highlight the sizzling SUCCESS of gourmet burgers.

The DC region's best burgers - according to Tim:

1. Ray's Butcher Burgers (or "Ray's Hell Burgers"), Arlington, VA

2. Good Stuff Eatery, Capitol Hill, DC

3. BGR: The Burger Joint, Bethesda, MA

4. Big Buns Gourmet Grill, Arlington, VA

5. Urban Burger, Rockville, MD

6. Elevation Burger, Falls Church, VA

7. 5 Guys Burgers and Fries (multiple locations)

8. Z-Burger, Tenleytown, DC

Jim Helein: No Walk in the Park

Back in 2005, commentator and longtime Washington baseball fan, Jim Helein, who waited 34 years for a team to replace the Senators of his childhood, basked in the arrival of the Washington Nationals. This year he was thrilled by the new ball park on South Capitol Street. Next year he's just hoping for a team that isn't bad.

Jim Helein is a writer – and a fan of terrible sports teams – living in Northern Virginia.