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Friday November 27, 2009

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Week of November 23, 2009

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Light Rail vs. Rapid Busses

Light rail or rapid busses. Those were the choices in Maryland for the Purple Line, a mass transit system that would run from New Carrollton to Bethesda. Light rail won out.

The same battle is taking shape with the Corridor Cities Transitway, which would run from the Shady Grove Metro station out to Clarksburg, Maryland. Even though the Montgomery County council recommended light rail, the fight is far from over. Matt Bush has more.

Britain Contemplates Baltimore

U.S. exports to Britain are on the rise - at least, as far as television shows go. The HBO Series 'The Wire' is gaining popularity in the U.K.

The show depicts a seedy side of Baltimore, from housing projects and drugs to corrupt reporters and politicians. But how close to real life is 'The Wire?' One British reporter wanted to find out.

Mark Hughes covers crime for The Independent, a newspaper based in London. He spent a week in Baltimore, while Justin Fenton, a crime reporter for The Baltimore Sun, explored the U.K. The two chronicled their experiences in a series of reports called 'Crime: A Tale of Two Cities.'

Stephanie Kaye spoke with both journalists - who were in London - about their impressions.

The Wire: Omar on the Streets of Baltimore The Wire: Omar on the Streets of Baltimore Courtesy of: HBO

Fred Fiske: Canine Intelligence

Some would 'argue' that family arguments are as much a part of the Thanksgiving dinner experience as the stuffing or the cranberry sauce. This Thanksgiving, commentator Fred Fiske remembers one of the most enduring arguments in HIS household - whose dog was smarter?

The Grandsons - 2009

The day after Thanksgiving. For some it means leftovers and shopping sprees. But here on Metro Connection it means the Grandsons are back in the studio.

DC roots rockers The Grandsons are hosting their annual day-after-Turkey Day party at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on Friday, November 27th. And as tradition dictates they are back at WAMU. Alan MacEwen on guitar and vocals, Chris Watling on sax, Matthew Sedgley on drums and Mo Nelson on bass.

The Grandsons The Grandsons

How to Cook a Turkey

There are many, many alternatives. But for a huge number of Americans, the turkey still stands as the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast. And along with the bird comes the fretting about how to cook it just right.

Hopefully, things went swimmingly at your dinner yesterday. If not - we have some tips for next year. Kavitha Cardoza found some seven-year-olds at Smothers Elementary School in Northeast DC who had some very definite ideas about the perfect bird.

Thanksgiving Turkeys - 2009 Edition

In the world of film, we know a turkey when we see it right away.

Critic Bari Biern is back. And she is the bearer of... well, not bad news, but certainly bad movies. We can't put it off any longer. It's time once again for her annual Thanksgiving Video Turkeys.

Wine with Dick Rosano: Leftovers

Thanksgiving 2009 may be history... but the leftovers live on. Our resident wine expert joins us to help us pick the perfect bottle to liven-up Thanksgiving: DAY TWO.

Dick Rosano writes for Wine News and Food magazine, he's also the author of 'Wine Heritage - The Story of Italian-American Vintners.'


WINE WITH LEFTOVERS - DICK's PICKS:

Generally, serve the same as those with dinner - but maybe a bit lighter since several of the dishes are re-served cold.

Light textures and lighter styles of wine usually go well with cold foods. Stick to lighter reds and a wide array of whites. Serve Petite Sirah or Carmenere;

Bogle 2007 Petite Sirah ($15)

Girard 2007 Petite Sirah (Napa Valley, $27)

Casillero del Diablo 2007 Carmenere (Chile, $8)

What goes best with cold turkey? Try an unoaked Chardonnay;

Grant Burge 2006 unoaked Chardonnay (Barossa Valley, Australia, $15)

Kim Crawford 2008 unoaked Chardonnay (Marlboro, NZ, $17)

Sebastiani 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay (Russian River Valley, $18)

At times, a dry Riesling with its evanescent flavors and forward fruit works well with chilled dishes.

Trefethen Dry Riesling (Napa Valley, $20)

What goes with stuffing??? A few suggestions;

Serve Albari�±o for the white wine lovers, or a Merlot.

Bodegas Montecillo 2008 Albarino (Spain, $8)

Charles Krug 2006 Merlot (Napa Valley, $20)

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