WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Teenage Girls and the DC Courts

Across the country teenage girls are committing violent crimes and joining gangs in increasing numbers. And that trend is also playing out here in DC. The percentage of crimes committed by girls considered "violent" jumped from 44% in 2001 to 52% last year.

The change has not gone unnoticed by the DC Superior Court, which is responding by forming a separate juvenile offender unit just for girls. Court officials say members of the unit will be specially trained and will provide "gender-responsive" services for the young offenders. Metro Connection's Lisa Nurnberger reports.

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS day. Earlier this week, experts from around the country gathered in DC to talk about the disease and to look at the District in particular. That's because back in June, DC launched what's being called the most ambitious HIV testing campaign any city has ever undertaken. The goal: to have every resident know their status by the end of the year. With just one month left to go, Metro Connection's Sidsel Overgaard checked in with the District's HIV Administration head, Dr. Marsha Martin, to hear how the campaign is progressing.

Homeless in Fairfax

When many of us consider the issue of homelessness, we think of a problem that exists in urban downtowns. But homelessness is in the suburbs too. There are an estimated 2000 homeless residents in Fairfax County. And many others are barely scraping by in high-cost Fairfax. In the fourth in our series on the region's nonprofits and the people who lead them, Metro Connection's Jessica Smith meets Kerrie Wilson, of Reston Interfaith. Wilson has emerged as a leading advocate for low-income workers, immigrants, and homeless people in the county. She is a recipient of the Meyer Foundation’s first "Exponent Award" for her work in revitalizing the social service organizations.

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Excuses

WAMU Senior Commentator Fred Fiske wonders how so many celebrities get away with the simple phrase "I'm sorry."

The Chinese Elvis

A middle-aged dominatrix...an obsessive-compulsive maid...and a Chinese Elvis impersonator. With a trio like this, how could you go wrong? They are the title characters in the Woolly Mammoth Theatre's latest production, "Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis." Set in an English suburb, the play is a whirlwind of snappy jokes and lightning fast comebacks. Metro Connection's Stephanie Kaye spoke with director John Vreeke - AND with the Chinese Elvis himself, Tony Nam. The play runs through December 17th.

Peter Fay's Best Bets: Holiday Happenings

December is here, and the number of Christmas themed productions happening around the region is staggering. Here to help make sense of the madness is Metro Connection arts editor Peter Fay, back with an all-holiday edition of his "Best Bets."

Celtic DC Part V - Jody Marshall and Friends

In the final concert of the fall Celtic series at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, musician Jody Marshall blends Celtic and Christmas. She'll be playing selections from her new CD, "Carol of the Bells" along with traditional Celtic favorites. Marshall typically jumps between hammered dulcimer and piano in her music, with a few vocals thrown in for good measure. Sadly, when traveling from gig to gig, the hammered dulcimer doesn't lighten her load...she says it's almost as tough a "transportation challenge" as the piano.

Our piece on Jody Marshall was produced by Metro Connection's Stephanie Kaye. You can catch Jody Marshall and friends in concert this Sunday at the Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls.

John Constable at the National Gallery

The National Gallery of Art is playing host to John Constable's six-foot landscape paintings for a few more weeks - the exhibit wraps up at the end of December. Critic Brett Busang says we should put all plans on hold and get over to the gallery.