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A Year in the Life of a DC School - Part 2

Many in the city agree - a lot of DC public schools need radical improvement. For four weeks in a row, we're taking a close look at an attempt to turn around ONE failing school. It's an elementary school - soon to be a middle school as well - called Webb/Wheatley, in the Trinidad neighborhood. A whole batch of new teachers started at the school this year... many of them young and inexperienced. In part two of our series, 'A Year in the Life of a DC School,' Dan Charles examines what it takes to help those teachers do well.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection

The sound of motorcycles from last week's Rolling Thunder events has died down and Memorial Day, 2009 has passed into memory. But many veterans who visit the nation's capital leave much more than exhaust fumes behind.

According to the National Park Service, the most visited memorial in DC is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - the black granite wall inscribed with the names of the more than 58,000 U.S. service men and women. More than a million people visit the wall each year and many of them leave something behind... in tribute. Kavitha Cardoza reports.

Fred Fiske: The Language Curmudgeon Returns

'Dangling participles' and 'redundancies' beware! The Language Curmudgeon - AKA, Commentator Fred Fiske - is back in town.

FDA and Food Safety - A Failing Grade

In the wake of this year's tainted peanut butter scare, Congress is proposing changes to the Food and Drug Administration. A bill was introduced in the House this week, and lawmakers say they want to give the American public more confidence in the safety of the food supply system. But some people doubt they will be able to make real change. Julie Grant reports.

High School Baseball in Nationals Park

If you have been disappointed with the level of play at Nationals Park so far this year, hang in there... it may be about to take a step up. The second annual Congressional Bank Baseball Classic takes place on Saturday, May 30th at Nationals Park. The city's top high school players will be gathering for a series of games. We're joined by a spokesperson for the event, John McCarthy, Director of the Home Run Baseball Camp.

Step Afrika!

The DC dance company "Step Afrika!" celebrates its 15th anniversary with a festival this weekend at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, in Northeast Washington. The company fuses the South African 'gum boot' dance with the tradition of 'step' dancing - which uses the body as an instrument to create rhythms and sounds. This year's festival features guest artists from South Africa. Stephanie Kaye reports.

Mark Garland: "Next Stop, Nature"

When naturalist Mark Garland joins us on the show, we often talk about parks and nature walks within the beltway - or within a short distance from DC. Now, as part of a continuing series, we narrow our focus to Metro-accessible nature. In this series, we'll visit natural areas that are all within a short walk of the Metro rail line. This week, we meet at the East Falls Church Metro stop.

Near the East Falls Church Metro stop - Benjamin Banneker Park

Other Metro stops mentioned by Mark:

Arlington Cemetery Metro stop - Mount Vernon Trail

Rosslyn Metro stop - Teddy Roosevelt Island

West Hyattsville Metro stop - Sligo Creek and Northwest Branch bike trails

Music Review: Girl Loves Distortion

With the profusion of local groups playing mainstream pop-rock or some variety of Americana, there doesn't seem to be much room for music in the spirit of the '80s punk that once made the DC region internationally famous. One exception is Girl Loves Distortion, whose debut album is 'Earth Beings on Exhibit.' Critic Mark Jenkins says this DC trio has its own style, but it's part of a larger tradition.

Mark Jenkins reviews music for Blurt and the Washington Post - and reviews film for npr.org and reeldc.com