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Metro Rail to Dulles

It was an important milestone for the project. The Metro Board voted last week to accept the creation of a public-private partnership to construct a four billion dollar rail line to Tyson's Corner and Dulles Airport. The Board gave the project the go-ahead unanimously, but not without questions. Among them, how the new line might affect economic development in the region. One of the District's representatives to the Metro Board, Councilman David Catania, expressed a concern shared by some in the DC business community - that the trains will take businesses and jobs from DC to the suburbs. WAMUs Vince Pearson has more.

Eastern Market Lunch Counter

DC's Eastern Market lost an institution on April 9th with the death of Mary Lewis Cole, head cashier at the Market Lunch. She was 52 years old. Mary Cole became a legend of sorts simply for demanding that customers in the epoch lines at the grill famous for its crab cakes, had their orders ready when they got to the counter. Customers who were unprepared faced a serious stare and possible public humiliation. Despite that gruff reputation, people who knew Mary Cole weren't a bit surprised when a makeshift memorial at the market the day after she died was piled high with flowers from customers. And they say her impact at Eastern Market looms much larger than her work at the Market Lunch. WAMU's James Jones spoke with some of her co-workers, customers and fellow Eastern Market merchants who knew Mary Lewis Cole well.

Commentary by Fred Fiske

Fred compares the changing face and circumstances of the U.S. soldier.

Music by Lisa Cerbone

Songwriter and performer Lisa Cerbone has been writing and recording CDs from her home base in Westminster, Maryland for over a decade. Over the course of three albums she has won wide-spread praise for her delicate, often mysterious songs and attention-grabbing voice.

After her second album she took a break from the music business and spent the last 6 years starting a family. Her third album, "Ordinary Days," was finally released in 2003. She'll be performing during the Bethesda Literary Festival this weekend.

Takoma Theatre Season

The Takoma Theatre begins its new season this week. Located less than two blocks from the Takoma Metro station, the theatre was built in 1923 by a Baltimore architect and has changed hands many times and served many purposes over the years. Its latest incarnation began in 1983, when Milton McGinty - father of former WAMU host Derick McGinty - purchased the venue and converted the old movie house into a live theatre performing space. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Takoma Theatre president Mau van Duren and programming director Joe Martin about the theatre's current season...and its sometimes checkered past.

Takoma Theatre president Mau van Duren and programming director Joe Martin spoke with WAMU's Stephanie Kaye. For more information about upcoming events you can go to takomatheatre.org or call 202-291-8060.

Arts with Peter Fay

Nobody knows more about - and has more enthusiasm for - the D.C. arts scene than Metro Connection Arts Editor, Peter Fay. And every month or so we try to harness his energy to help us focus-in on the must-see events in the region. It's something we call "Peter Fay's Best Bets."