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Friday January 8, 2010

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Week of January 4, 2010

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Storm Water Solutions

Everything's frozen. So flooding isn't much of an issue right now. But it was only a few weeks ago that the area was dealing with melting snow and pouring rain. As always, that means storm water runoff - one of the big causes of water pollution in urban areas. It can cause flooding and, in some cases, dramatically suffocate marine life.

One small town in Prince George's County that's on the receiving end of a lot of regional runoff is trying to set a national example with its approach to the problem. Sabri Ben-Achour reports.

Anacostia River at Edmonston, MD Anacostia River at Edmonston, MD Courtesy of: Sabri Ben-Achour View more images from this gallery.

Reducing Impervious Cover

For more on storm water runoff we're joined by Steve Silva. He's Chief of the Water Quality Branch in the Environmental Protection Agency's New England region.

Fred Fiske: Get Used to Profiling

When it comes to providing security at airports, Senior Commentator, Fred Fiske says it's time we all get used to profiling.

Cupcakes and Life Lessons

Our next story takes us up I-270 to Frederick, Maryland, where a new social enterprise aims to provide at-risk youth with a sweet future.

Cakes for Cause is a non-profit serving 16- to 21-year olds who live in public housing - or who have aged out, or been adopted out, of foster care.

Cakes for Cause offers 6-month, paid apprenticeships in the organization's eatery, Moxie Bakery and Cafe. But the goal isn't just to teach teenagers how to bake a mean cupcake. It's to help them develop a lifelong recipe for success. Rebecca Sheir pays a visit to see what's cooking.

Moxie Bakery apprentice Christina Quinn readies chocolate-toffee cookies for the oven Moxie Bakery apprentice Christina Quinn readies chocolate-toffee cookies for the oven Courtesy of: Rebecca Sheir View more images from this gallery.

Coffee Cupping Takes Off

There are coffee drinkers who will drink anything - as long as it contains the requited amount of caffeine. And there are those with a more refined palate... who insist coffee is the new wine. They're lining up in tasting rooms around the country to hone their skills at picking out the flavors in a perfect cup. It's called coffee cupping.

Amy Blaszyk savors a cupping in Washington's Adams Morgan neighborhood.

Cups of coffee grounds at the ready at DC's Counter Culture Coffee Cups of coffee grounds at the ready at DC's Counter Culture Coffee Courtesy of: Amy Blaszyk View more images from this gallery.

DC Poetry Tour

Washington is a city full of history and landmarks, but a new do-it-yourself tour explores the city through poetry. The Poetry Foundation has created a downloadable audio tour with maps and music featuring local poets and literary culture. It's part of a series by the Chicago-based organization. Media Director Anne Halsey speaks with Stephanie Kaye from the Windy City.

DC Poetry Tour DC Poetry Tour Courtesy of: The Poetry Foundation

Nightlife for Your Inner Child

Every few weeks Fritz Hahn joins us to talk about what happens in the DC region after the sun goes down. This time - it's nightlife for your inner child. Fritz writes about nightlife for the Washington Post - he's one of the Going Out Gurus at the washingtonpost.com.

'Spelling Buzz' at DC's Rock and Roll Hotel

'Recess' - game night for adults at the Sheraton National in Arlington

Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra at the Carlyle Club in Alexandria

Lynn Peterson Mobley: Missing My Dog in Winter

At the time of year we could ALL use some extra motivation to get us out into the great (and freezing) outdoors. That's why Writer Lynn Peterson Mobley says this is the season she misses her dog the most.

Lynn Peterson Mobley is a writer living in Great Falls, Virginia.

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