WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

School Conversions

When seven schools in the District reopen for the new academic year next week, the buildings will be the same... and most of the teachers will be the same... but the schools will be fundamentally different. They've changed from private Catholic institutions to secular charter schools. As Kavitha Cardoza reports, that 'conversion' means a new identity on many different levels.

National Women's History Museum

The National Women's History Museum gets about half a million visitors every year. But they don't walk in on foot. These are virtual visitors - right now the museum only exists online. Legislation that would give the museum some real land, just off the Mall on Independence Avenue, is expected to be considered by Congress this fall. Stephanie Kaye speaks with NWHM President Joan Wages.

Fred Fiske: Labor Day

As we prepare for Labor Day weekend, Senior Commentator Fred Fiske considers the impact of unions in America.

New Eva Cassidy CD - Somewhere

Singer Eva Cassidy released only two albums during her lifetime. And outside the DC region she was virtually unknown as a performer. But since her passing in 1996, several compilations of her work have been released - and something shocking happened; she became an international phenomenon. In Britain alone, she's topped the music charts three times. A half-a-dozen albums later, there's still more. The new CD, Somewhere, manages to uncover an entirely new set of Eva Cassidy recordings. We're joined by Eva's parents, Hugh and Barbara Cassidy.

Food with Tim Carman: The Death of 'Gourmet' Hot Dogs

Not many people use the words 'hot dog' and 'gourmet' in the same sentence. And with the closing of M'Dawgs Haute Dogs in Adams Morgan, that doesn't appear to be changing. Food critic Tim Carman says hot dogs have officially lost the gourmet fast food war to burgers. He writes about food for the Washington City Paper.

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Chasing the Ice Cream Man

At this time of year, perhaps in the late afternoon or early evening, there's a certain tune that becomes the soundtrack to summer - an intoxicating melody that promises sugary frozen treats, delivered to your doorstep. IF you can find the source. Forget about chasing interviews on the campaign trail, reporter Jeanette Woods would be happy just to catch up with the ice cream man in her Capitol Hill East neighborhood.

Jessica Piscitelli: Doing Business on a Social Network

If a tree falls in the woods and no one's there to hear it... does it make a sound? Similarly, if you send out a business-related message through your online social network and nobody actually reads it... does it even exist? Commentator Jessica Piscitelli ponders this philosophical question.

Jessica Piscitelli is a writer and video producer living in Reston.