WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

From Pond Bacteria... To Energy Independence?

These days, it's almost a requirement for politicians on the campaign trail to promise more 'green collar jobs' and to announce that we must wean ourselves off foreign oil. Well, one local company has been working on solving our fuel dependency problem, while promising a greener alternative... and, what the heck, figuring out something to do with all the garbage we generate to boot. A tall order. But a company in College Park says it has found a way to create renewable energy out of every day waste. Patrick Madden reports.

The Washington Teacher's Union

It's been more than a year since negotiations between DC Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and the Washington Teacher's Union began. On January 31st, the union sent Rhee a proposal and in a few weeks Rhee is expected to make her final contract offer. The contract would cover teachers in DC and would be in place for 5 years. Kavitha Cardoza spoke with Chancellor Rhee here on the show a couple of weeks ago. Today she speaks with George Parker, the President of the Washington Teacher's Union.

Fred Fiske: Name Calling

From the playground to the campaign trail, it's sometimes hard to escape the effects of name calling. Senior Commentator Fred Fiske turns his attention to a recent example.

A New Deal For Artists

In the period after the stock market crash of 1929, the U.S. government set aside one million dollars to pay up-and-coming artists to 'depict the American scene.' Their work captured the spirit of a nation caught in tough economic times, and is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibit '1934: A New Deal for Artists' dusts off paintings from the depression-era Public Works of Art Program. Museum director Betsy Broun says although the paintings chronicle a specific time in American life, they remain a source of inspiration today. Stephanie Kaye speaks with with Broun - who says it's pure coincidence that the show opened during the current economic crisis.

The exhibit '1934: A New Deal for Artists' will be on display through January of next year.

Shane Hines and the Trance

The new CD by DC area band, Shane Hines and the Trance may appear like any other new release on first glance. But in an era where the music business is selling fewer CDs, making less money and taking fewer chances, 'The Glory Journal' offers another business model; it has been entirely financed by the fans.

Shane Hines and the Trance play a record-release party on Friday, March 6th at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia. Shane Hines joins us along with bass player Brian 'Thumbs' Keating.

Food with Tim Carman

Food critic Tim Carman joins us every few weeks here on Metro Connection to talk about DC dining. Today, it's all about the NEW. We'll focus on a trio of brand new high profile restaurants in Northern Virginia... and some popular dining spots that opened in the past year.

Tim Carman writes about food for the Washington City Paper.

Lynn Peterson Mobley: Mating Season

It's tempting to say that March came in like a lion - but so much of this winter has exhibited lion-like tendencies. Writer Lynn Peterson Mobley has had enough. And so have the animals in her neighborhood.