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Priced Out of St. Mary's

In St. Mary's County in southern Maryland, development threatens the character and culture of an area traditionally peopled by watermen and farmers - including some 400 Amish and Mennonite families. Many of them are packing up and moving to other states, where land is cheaper and better supports their simple agrarian lifestyle. But the county is trying to find ways to help them stay in St Mary's - where they say Amish and Mennonite farmers are valued members of the community. Kavitha Cardoza reports.

The Rise of the Robots

From friends like R2D2 to enemies like rampaging Terminators, our fiction is filled with robots that are equal parts helpmates and horrors. But robots are no longer figments of our imagination. From unmanned drones to autonomous vacuum cleaners, intelligent machines are everywhere. And in the spring, the Potomac, Maryland-based Robotic Technology Incorporated plans to unveil the 'EATR.' The Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot, an unmanned ground vehicle designed to go on military missions too risky or tedious for humans. And part of its mission... is to find something to EAT. (Hence, "EATR.") Andrew Hiller prepared this report.

Fred Fiske: Northern Virginia Gridlock

Like anyone who deals with a long commute in the DC region, Commentator Fred Fiske says he's tired of sitting in traffic. And he's especially tired of waiting for legislators in Virginia to come up with a solution.

DC Shorts Preview

Sandwiched between the L.A. and Toronto short film festivals, the DC Shorts Film Festival is making a name for itself. It started in 2003, on a budget of about three thousand dollars. Since then, the festival has grown to include hundreds of bite-sized films, workshops for filmmakers and a high-tech audience voting system. Stephanie Kaye speaks with founder and director, John Gann.

Searching For Blelvis

When Elvis Presley died 32 years ago this week, he left behind an abundance of adoring fans. One of his most obsessive - and mysterious - admirers is Washington's own Blelvis... a self-described 'Elvisologist,' who can often be found in the Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and Mt Pleasant neighborhoods. Sam Greenspan set out to find out more about the man behind the persona, but found out more about DC's fascination with Blelvis... than the man himself.

Gardening with Kathy Jentz: Hops and Grapes

Every few weeks we're joined by Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine. And this time she's here to talk about beer and wine in the garden.

Reuben Jackson - DC's Fifth Season

If you look closely, you may have already noticed some seasonal changes occurring in the region... and the fall colors starting to reveal themselves around DC. I speak of course, of the burgundy and gold. Writer Reuben Jackson says he's not on the bandwagon.

Writer Reuben Jackson lives in DC - but his heart lies in Western, New York.