Metro Connection

Coming out was just the beginning for D.C.'s oldest troupe of performing Drag Kings; today they come out and play their created male characters for a crowd of adoring fans once a month. Yet, as members of the D.C. Kings tell Lauren Hodges, it took practice, and a lot of courage, before they found applause.

[Music: "Sharp Dressed Man (Streetlab Mix)" by ZZ Top from salacioussound.com]

The 19th Annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital is presenting a special Chesapeake Bay program, featuring films that highlight preservation and cleanup efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. Rebecca Sheir heads to the water to talk with the artists behind "The Last Boat Out" and "The Runoff Dilemma", as well as the woman who kicked off the festival to begin with.

[Music: "Familiar Ground" by The Cinematic Orchestra from Ma Fleur]

A cleanup initiative on Delaware's Rehoboth Beach picked up more than 7,000 cigarettes in just one block. Now it's kick-started a campaign to ban smoking altogether in the southern Delaware resort. Coastal reporter Bryan Russo talks with Rebecca Sheir about how resorts up and down the coast are all considering smoking bans in one way or another.

[Music: "Sea of Love" by Tom Waits from Brawlers]

After an end-of-the-year shake-up in management, many higher-ups at Metro are trying to clean up the transit agency's act. Transportation reporter David Schultz speaks with Rebecca Sheir about efforts to improve Metro's service and image.

[Music: "Blue Train" by John Coltrane from Blue Train]

When economic times are tough, there are plenty of ways to tighten your belt. You can clean out your home and try selling your stuff at a pawn shop, yard sale or Craigslist -- or you can start shopping at a place that offers discounted secondhand goods. Lauren Hodges visited a local re-saler that's pretty much been cleaning up in this struggling economy.

[Music: "The Bargain Store" by Dolly Parton from The Love Album]