WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Autism Treatment

As the health care debate continues to rage, we consider how health care reform may, or may not, affect how autistic children receive treatment - and how that treatment is paid.

The discovery of an autism spectrum disorder in a child can be devastating for families. Children can have serious learning and behavioral problems, and existing treatments can be shockingly expensive - especially for families in the Washington region... where many of the treatments favored by experts are not covered by health insurance. Jonathan Wilson reports.

The Tree Lady of Baltimore

Remember Johnny Appleseed? That barefoot hippie of the 1800s, who, legend has it, tamed the American wilderness by planting apple orchards? Two hundred years later there's another tree planting spree underway. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley wants people to plant 50-thousand trees statewide by next spring. DC, Baltimore, and Fairfax County have even more ambitious goals to increase tree coverage. It's all part of a push to clean the air, and the Chesapeake Bay. But planting a tree is harder than you might think. Cathy Duchamp reports.

Fred Fiske: Two Marylands

Senior Commentator, and long-time Maryland resident, Fred Fiske considers the finances of the state - and comes up with two different pictures.

Electronica Fest 2009

If you still haven't made plans for your Labor Day Weekend... don't worry, you don't have to make a last minute rush to the beach. Spend a day at the Electronics museum! On Saturday, September 5th, the National Electronics Museum is holding its first Electronica Fest. We're joined by festival organizers Gary Mauler and Mike Simons.

Legends and Legacies

From circuit boards to folk traditions.

The Library of Congress has come into a new inheritance; 6,000 hours of sound... archiving decades of American folk music. The Library's benefactor is the National Council for the Traditional Arts, or NCTA. To celebrate, the Library is holding a 'Legends and Legacies' concert on September 10th and 11th. Stephanie Kaye speaks with the Library's David Taylor and Michael Taft.

The 'Legends & Legacies' concert will be held on Thursday, September 10th at 8pm in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Jefferson Building.

Wine with Dick Rosano: My Favorite Fall Color - Red

After a long, hot August we can be forgiven for wishing autumn would arrive a bit sooner this year. And writer Dick Rosano says there's one fall color you don't HAVE to wait until late October to enjoy. Red. Dick writes for Wine News and is the author of 'Wine Heritage - The Story of Italian-American Vintners.'

(For Dick's full list of recommendations, please scroll to the bottom of the page.)

Liam Callanan: Serious School Supplies

For parents, 'Back to School' means it's time for the kids to get new sneakers... it's time for haircuts... and it's time to rush out to buy items on a long and increasingly specific list of school supplies. There was one item on this year's shopping list that stopped commentator Liam Callanan in his tracks.

Writer Liam Callanan is the author of All Saints and The Cloud Atlas.

Dick Rosano: Red Wine Picks for Autumn 2009

Recommendations

Cabernet Sauvignon and blends

Bordeaux vintages: 2003 and 2005 were superb but many of the bottles are sold by now; if you've got 'em, hold 'em. Of recent vintages, 2008 has the most promise. Top Five: Chateaux Margaux, Lafite, Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut Brion. Second Labels: Pavillon Rouge (Margaux), Carraudes (Lafite), Chateau de Marbuzet (Ch. Cos d'Estournel), Haut Bages Averous (Ch. Lynch Bages)

Napa cabs: every vintage since 2004 was good, with 2004 and 2007 the best. Flora Springs ($35, MacArthur Beverage, Wine Specialist). Caymus Vineyards (both CS $70 and Special Selection, $135) (most stores). Charles Krug ($30, Schneiders). Joseph Phelps (CS $60, Insignia $120) (Chevy Chase, Calvert Woodley, more)

Pinot Noir

Carneros vintages: 2007 was superb. Buena Vista ($25, Calvert Woodley). Etude ($40, MacArthur, Calvert Woodley, more)

Oregon vintages: 2004 - 2006 excellent. Adelsheim ($35, Wine Specialist, Chevy Chase). Argyle ($35, Chevy Chase). Erath ($15, Chevy Chase). Torii Mor ($40, Morris Miller, Wine Specialist, Schneiders)

Merlot (all California)

Souverain ($20, Chevy Chase, Wine Specialist). Wild Horse ($20, Calvert Woodley, Morris Miller, Wine Specialist). Leonetti ($100, Wine Specialist, Schneiders)

Zinfandel

Sonoma vintages: every vintage since 2005 very good. Dry Creek Vineyard ($20-25, Morris Miller, Chevy Chase, more). Lake Sonoma ($20, Scheiders)

Sangiovese

Tuscany vintages: 2006 is very promising, with 2007 and 2005 lagging just a bit behind. Castello Banfi (Chianti $10-20, Brunello, $80) (Wine Specialist, Calvert Woodley). Cecchi ($20 and up, Chevy Chase). Fontodi ($50 and up, Paul's). Peppoli ($20, Chevy Chase, Calvert Woodley)

Nebbiolo - stick to Piedmont

Ca' Rome Barbaresco ($45, MacArthur). Ceretto Barolo ($50, Wine Specialist. Produttori del Barbaresco ($30, MarArthur).