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Maryland Governor's Race Part 2 - Robert Ehrlich

As the time ticks ever closer to Tuesday's general election, some political analysts say the race for Maryland governor is too close to call. It's true there are polls that show Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, a democrat, with a comfortable lead over Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich - no shock, since it's a heavily democratic state. But the Washington Post endorsed Ehrlich. And other polls have the candidates neck and neck. In the second part in our series on the candidates, Lisa Nurnberger has this profile of the incumbent, Robert Ehrlich.

Virginia Senate Race Part 2

We jump across the Potomac where Republican incumbent George Allen and Democratic challenger Jim Webb are locked in a tight race for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat. After a bitter campaign with no shortage of controversy, political analysts say it may all come down to voter turnout. Allen is hoping his family values/low taxes platform will motivate his base on Election Day. Webb is trying to excite voters by tapping into frustration with the war in Iraq. Metro Connection's Sarah Hughes reports.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Protective Law

After a woman was denied a protective court order and attacked by a spouse, WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske reflects on the state of domestic laws that may have little power to actually protect those who need it.

Watergate for Rent

For more than a month now, democrats and republicans have been trading accusations of abuse and cover-ups over the latest political scandal to adopt that trademark suffix of scandal...Foley-gate. Watergate is, in fact, the standard by which all scandal in Washington is measured. With all the mudslinging over the past 30 years it's easy to forget that before it became synonymous with political corruption, the Watergate was simply a fairly new hotel, office and apartment complex along the banks of the Potomac where people could work, shop, maybe even visit their dentist. Now the Watergate is under new ownership, and Stuart Cohen reports one of its most famous offices is on the market again.

"College Park: the Opera"

To some it may seem an unlikely setting for an opera but the Squonk Opera company has created "College Park: the Opera," a unique look at Maryland's sometimes riotous, sometimes sleepy, college town. "College Park: The Opera" is the first installment of the Pittsburgh-based group's new "Put Your Hometown's Name Here" series of operas. Metro Connection's Stephanie Kaye spoke with Squonk's artistic directors Jackie Dempsey and Steve O'Hearn about this fill-in-the-blanks approach to theater, and how, as they move from town to town, the music stays the same, but the words change to fit the locale.

Squonk Opera unveils "College Park: The Opera," at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center next Thursday and Friday.

Three Videos, No Waiting - Stage to Screen

When a theatre production is adapted for the silver screen the work is usually in for a major overhaul. For one thing, film is not confined to the stage – it can be filmed on-location. Second, in most movies, actors record their parts in a seemingly infinite number of takes. This may allow for all of the "best" performances to be used in the film but the power and flow of a continuous live performance is lost. Not so with today's DVD offerings. Critic Bari Biern has selected some "theatre-on-video" releases that, for the most part, record actual performances in a no-frills manner.

Celtic DC - Part I

It may not be Ireland, but DC boasts a very active Celtic music scene. Through November we'll be highlighting the region's Celtic musicians with profiles of artists performing at the Fall Celtic Concert Series at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, Virginia. The Old Brogue kicks off its fall evening concert series on Sunday and the first to cozy up to the fireside are not one, but TWO, harpists. The duo, known as "Hen," brings together Sharon Knowles of Scotland and Sue Richards from Ohio, both now residents of Montgomery County.

Music Review by Mark Jenkins - "Spoils of Northwest"

Before the explosion of punk shook things up, Washington was a roots-music town. Rockabilly, bluegrass, country, and the blues were heard regularly in local clubs. The band "The Spoils of NW" recall those days, but only partially. Critic Mark Jenkins says this DC quartet starts with roots-rock but doesn't stop there.

The new album by The Spoils of NW is Seeing Things. Mark Jenkins also reviews music for Blender and The Washington Post.