WAMU: Metro Connection

Non-Profit Survival

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

We all know the economic crisis has hit the business world hard. Some businesses have instituted salary and hiring freezes to cut costs. Others have gone through rounds of lay-offs. Still others have shut their doors completely.

And things don't look much better in the non-profit sector. In a recent survey of 1,500 non-profit organizations in the D.C. area, nearly half say they expect to freeze salaries this coming year. A quarter plan to freeze various programs. In fact, although many analysts are declaring an end to the worst U.S. recession since the Great Depression, many non-profits in the region fear the worst is yet to come.

Rebecca Sheir reports...

Remittances Dry Up

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

As the economy tumbled over the last year, immigrants in the Washington area felt the effects like everyone else. But the impact has gone beyond their own pocketbooks, all the way to the countries they came from.

Many in Washington's large immigrant community send money to the families they left behind. The families have come to rely on these remittances. But work is scarce, so remittances are down substantially.

Kate Sheehy went to D.C.'s Columbia Heights neighborhood to see how Latino immigrants there are faring.

Fred Fiske: The Door is Open

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Slots casinos are due to open in Maryland next year - and electronic table games will likely be part of the equation. Commentator Fred Fiske says it's just a matter of time before live versions of games like blackjack and roulette follow.

Redskins Trademark Survives

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to hear a case brought by a group of Native American activists. This was the challenge to the name, The Washington Redskins. The activists argue that the team name is too offensive to stand as a trademark.

We're joined by the attorney for the activists, Philip Mause, a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath in D.C.

The Washington Blade Closes - And is Reborn as the Agenda

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

The Washington Blade, the oldest newspaper in the U.S. for gays and lesbians, was abruptly closed on Monday by Atlanta based Window Media, along with other gay publications in Atlanta and Miami.

But the paper has already been reborn as the DC Agenda - the first issue is out on Friday, November 20th. Kevin Naff, the former editor of the Blade, says it's critical that the work continues. Speaking with Kavitha Cardoza he explains why he believes the mission is so important.

Food With Tim Carman: Talking Tacos

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

He's taken on burgers, hot dogs and Philly cheesesteaks. This time, food writer Tim Carman turns his attention to tacos. Specifically, where to find the BEST tacos in the D.C. region.

Tim writes about food for the Washington City Paper.

Edible Art

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Edible plants aren't just in the produce section of your local supermarket - they're all around us. You just have to know where to look. One Northern Virginia artist has become a self-taught expert on foraging for wild plants in Arlington. Not only does he make a lot of salad, it's a hobby that set his artistic efforts off in a new direction. Mike Janssen reports.

Edward Burtynsky: Oil

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

When you hear of an artist working in 'oil,' you naturally imagine oil-based paint. But a current exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art focuses instead on the stuff we use to make our cars go. The photography exhibit 'Edward Burtynsky: Oil' opened last month at the Corcoran. Oil is a substance whose photogenic qualities are rarely noticed. But critic Brett Busang says we should pay attention.

'Edward Burtynsky: Oil' will be at the Corcoran Gallery through December 13th.