Benjamin Morris / NPR

To learn about each team member, visit Latitudes on our Intern Edition site.

Intern Edition is a web-based radio and multimedia program fromNPR. Produced three times each year by a team staffed entirely by interns, IE serves as a storytelling lab for public radios next generation of contributors.
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Rectangles

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter Ayodhya Ouditt Producer Emanuele Berry Multimedia Producers Emanuele Berry, Benjamin Morris, Ayodha Ouditt

Its not everyday that you come to a conclusion that completely changes the way that you see the world. For NPRs Ayodhya Ouditt, this change triggered an exploration both deeply abstract and utterly tangible.
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Fair Conditions

Long Hours and Low Wages for Immigrant Carnival Workers

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Ebony Bailey / NPR

Reporter Nadine Natour Producer, Multimedia Producer Ebony Bailey The arrival of the traveling carnival has long been a highlight of the American summer tradition. More than 3,000 of these carnivals traverse the U.S. each year and they bring something for everybody: sweet treats, games of skill and stomach-churning rides. But, behind the scenes, carnivals demand a grueling work schedule from those who make it run. The life of a carnival worker is not all fun and games.
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Iranian-American Bloggers Attempt to Reconcile Cultures

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Sex and Fessenjoon

Reporter Sam Keyvan Producer Daniel Frohlich The Iranian-American community is having a difcult time nding its voice. While there is a saturation of news relating to war and nuclear programs, how do ordinary Iranian-Americans speak about the issues that matter most to them?
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Asian-American YouTube Stars Find Alternative Route to Fan Base

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter, Multimedia Producer Kaitlin Parker Producer Will Stone They've got millions of online subscribers, hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers, and sponsorship deals with car companies and mobile networks. These actors, directors,

Kaitlin Parker / NPR

musicians and dancers have roots in L.A., but you wont nd them in Hollywood try Koreatown in Los Angeles.
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White Sheep: Tensions Rise When Roles Reverse

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Elliott Erwitt

Reporter Maddy Tutman Producer Jolie Doggett On the outside, David Murray is your typical all-American college student. He dreads nal exams, enjoys time with friends, and attends the occasional pep rally. A junior at UMBC, Murray is already taking steps toward his goal of becoming a lawyer. In 2011, Murray entered the Charles Hamilton Houston Scholars Program, a pre-law education seminar aimed at empowering young black lawyers. However, Murray is white.

Change of Plans: In Weak Economy, More College Grads Join Military

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Michael Tomsic / NPR

Reporter, Multimedia Producer Michael Tomsic Producer Emily Parker The weak economy may be bad news for most Americans, but it has turned out to be a big plus for military recruiters. Since the recession began in 2007, the number of college graduates joining the armed forces has been steadily increasing. The Navy and Army have seen the biggest jumps. About 60 percent more college grads joined the Navy last year than in 2007. For some, its a job they wouldve never imagined for themselves just a few years ago.

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Millenials have been taught hard work and a college degree leads to innite possibilities. But, does hard work and no play really guarantee you a job in this economy?

Bang For Your Buck

By Neel Limaye
Ah, summer. What a perfect time to be a kid. Its like the perfect layer of peanut butter and jelly that binds two bland, wheat bread school years together. So sweet. A time when children sleep in and stay out, care free. Well, at least some summers are like that. Growing up, mine were a bit different. Id stumble in to the kitchen at 8 a.m. every morning to nd a bowl of cereal, some OJ, and a stack of papers that had to be lled out by the time my mom got home from work. Times tables, algebra problems, essay writing, book reports, and even science projects cluttered our kitchen table. Something new every day. I hated it. But in the end, terried of my ve-foot tall Napoleon of a mother, I did them, and sat down with her every night to go over these projects. And every night, without fail, Id try to negotiate my way out of the next days work. I did so good today, Mom. Let me get the day off?

Angela Wong / NPR

Graph illustrates the rising cost of tuition for four year programs since the 1980s. Data for 19811989 and 19911999 not available. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011). Digest of Education Statistics, 2010 (NCES 2011015), Chapter 3 .

Neeeel shed say, elevating her thick Indian accent, you cant! You study, you go to good college, and then you get good job. Then you can stop studying! And so it went, every summer until high school, Id wake up every day and study, absolutely positive that Id go to good college, and get good job. Finally, after nearly two decades of being a student, she might actually turn out to be right. One more year of law school to go and Ill nally be on my way to a career. But while things may work out for me, not everyone is so lucky.
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There are a few things even my wise mother may not have accounted for when she gave her sage advice. First, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, from 2000 2010, higher education costs rose 37% at public schools and 25% at private institutions. For the 2009 2010 academic year, college tuition, room and board, and book costs were estimated at an average annual cost of $12,804 for public institutions and $32,184 for private. Thats over $51,000 for a public undergraduate education and over $128,000 for a private undergraduate education. In my two years at law school, tuition has already increased nearly 20%, and Im paying about the same at a public school as law students at Yale. The thought of being nearly $150,000 in debt literally keeps me up at night.

only three of 30 job openings with the highest demand will require bachelors degrees. So, were those four years of your life and the small fortune they cost you worth it? When you receive your diploma, what have you accomplishedare you any closer to any sort of certainty? Is my moms advice now outdated? Is college really worth it if youve mortgaged your life for a job that you didnt get any training for? I understand that well always need doctors and engineers and scientists and mathematicians to get training in college so they can continue to solve our most pressing problems. And I also know that some great minds come from the humanities and go on to write very inuential books and help transform social attitudes. But what about the majority of students that go to college because its what you do after high school? What did the uninterested Poli Sci major from a six-gure tuition liberal arts school get if he or she is now serving drinks or waiting tables? This question isnt posed to be condescending or rudeits an honest curiosity. Are we really that driven by the title of BA or BS that we dig ourselves into a seemingly insurmountable hole of debt? It seems that the social pressures of being college educated have driven us to make some pretty absurd decisions. We have transformed into a credential-based, rather than a skills-based, society, almost as if we come out of the womb trained to collect as many acronyms behind our last name as humanly possible. And heres the rub. While Ive been out collecting my own degrees, I havent really developed that many essential skills. I cant change the oil in a car. I cant install tile or carpet. I dont know the slightest thing about the wiring inside the walls of my house or the plumbing in my kitchen. And Im guessing a vast majority
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We have transformed into a credential-based, rather than a skills-based, society.

The next thing that mom didnt realize was that wed be in a recession. According to ABC News, about 53.6% of 2011 college graduates under the age of 25 were either under or unemployed, completely shattering the illusion I was raised to believe in.Overall, the entire class of 2011 was more likely to be a bartender, server or food runner than an engineer, chemist, physicist, or mathematician. Additionally, college graduates who majored in zoology, anthropology, philosophy, art history, and humanities were among the least likely to nd jobs appropriate to their education level. Finally, the Department of Labor predicts that by 2020

of the uninterested college students turned bartenders will tell you the same thing. Maybe its time to change our view of what being educated really means. Its time to value the mechanic, the electrician, the landscaper, and the plumber the same way we value our college graduates. After all, they are the ones that build stuff, not just know stuff. Maybe its time to focus on trade schools, and not just colleges, so we develop the workforce needed to continue competition with Chinas growing manufacturing sector. And maybe, just maybe, its time for that next generation of Napoleon mothers and fathers to leave a hammer and some nails, rather than a stack of papers, next to that bowl of cereal and glass of OJ.

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As Seen on TV

Portrayal of Black Families on American Sitcoms Worsens over the Decades

By Jolie Doggett
Whats your favorite TV show? Chances are youre mentally running through your most recent additions to your Netix queue or reviewing the recent Emmy Award winners. But if youre a black American, you might have to think back ten, 20, maybe even 30 years ago to come up with a favorite. For most black Americans, the popular shows marketed to us today just cant compare to the black sitcoms of the 1990s and 1980s. The Grio, NBCs African American news and opinions blog, listed the Best Black Sitcoms of All Time earlier this year. Each show on the list is no longer running although many are still syndicated and, sadly, almost all were ended in cancellation. This absence of decent programming is not for lack of new media. Theres BETs The Game, TBSs collection of Tyler Perry sitcoms, and even TV Lands new series, Soul Man, starring Cedric the Entertainer. There simply arent shows any that black people actually want to watch. The black sitcoms of today portray a slap-

Wikimedia Commons

Bill Cosby, star of The Cosby Show, is shown here, working on a public service announcement. The Cosby Show, generally viewed as one of the best black sitcoms to ever air, stopped lming in 1992, leaving a void in quality programming.

stick, country livin, sexualized, glamorized, and stereotypical view of the black experience, whereas the most popular black shows of the 1980s and 1990s boasted wittier comedy and deep messages about life, relationships, and community that related to all audiences, black or white.
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In truth, black television today is a poor reection of life as a black American. Bill Cosby, creator and star of arguably the most popular black sitcom, The Cosby Show, asked in a recent interview with the LA Times, How is it that there are people of color who are CEOs of companies, that are presidents of universities, but there is no reection of that on the networks? Cosby went on to say, It is arrogance and it is narcissism. Even the commercials have more black people than the programs.

proting off of uninformed stereotypes, and viewersshouldnthave to look to the past for quality programming. Instead, we request that TV actually mirror reality and portray the successes and true character of black America, not an embarrassing parody.

How is it that there are people of color who are CEOs of companies, that are presidents of universities, but there is no reection of that on the networks? Bill Cosby
Its not like black television is an unsuccessful entertainment enterprise that could be ignored. After all, famed black writer, director, and producer Tyler Perry has the longest running black sitcom in history, Tyler Perrys House of Payne. And BET reached its highest ratings when the network revitalized The Game in 2011. But despite the protability, the quality of the shows issub par. Not one of the 2011 or 2012 PrimetimeEmmy Award nominees was a black cast sitcom and no, The Cleveland Show does not count as a black sitcom: the title character is voiced by a white man, Mike Henry. So why is it that a lucrative industry is essentially abandoning its audience? Todays television has re-birthed old stereotypes about black culture that should be buried. These programsshouldntbe
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Jodi Kantor, The Obamas

Part 1 of the Mini-Guide to the Political Biographies of President Obama: The private lives of the most public couple in America

By Corinne Cathcart
When Jodi Kantors The Obamas made news for an allegedly harsh portrayal of Ms. Michelle Obama, I was instantly curious. And though it may seem strange that I chose to start off my Mini-Guide to the Political Biographies of President Obama with one about him and his wife, my goal is to show a variety of biographies, not just the birth-to-death model that people are so familiar with. A focus on the presidential marriage is a modern take on the presidential biography that many people may be unfamiliar with and therefore, curious about. I have to admit right off the bat, despite being a Political Science major and a lifelong political junkie, I didnt know much about Ms. Obama prior to reading The Obamas. I knew that she was a
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Wikimedia Commons

First Lady, Michelle Obama, viewed her realm in the East Wing of the White House as "pleasant but powerless." Kantor describes the First Lady's attempts to regain a sense of purpose and efcacy.

very stylish Ivy Leaguer who danced. But, that was it (for every YouTube video Ive seen of the President singing, Ive seen the First Lady dancing in another). For years Ive told myself that knowledge of rst ladies, past and present, wasnt a necessity because they lack enumerated political power, and apparently, Im not the only one to see it this way in The Obamas we nd out that the First Lady refers to her East Wing headquarters as Guam, pleasant but powerless. Reecting on the matter now though, I couldnt be more embarrassed of my dense thinking. Hillary Clinton and Eleanor Roosevelt were rst ladies and their inuence has most certainly been felt. And there were many rst ladies, like Nancy Reagan, who involved themselves in the day-to-day operations of the West Wing and acted as close advisors to the President; whos to say that other First Ladies couldnt or havent done the same? While I can see how some of Kantors descriptions of Ms. Obama could be perceived as negative or cruel, I found her portrayal endearing because it humanized the First Lady. While Ms. Kantor is clear that Ms. Obama is not a political wife by any denition, she paints a portrait of a woman with self respect, a desire to be productive, and a love for her husband. When President Obama wanted to be President, the First Lady didnt merely stand beside him, she fought for him. They pushed each other forward, and Ms. Obama was her husbands strongest ally as well as his harshest critic during the campaign and in the White House. (An aide quoted in The Obamas said Ms. Obama is President Obamas Lets Get Real Department in the White House.)

Kantor makes it clear that once Ms. Obama was in the White House, she wanted to be a force people could feel and see. That desire, and the insecurities that come with it, revealed her humanity in a way that Ive never seen in a biographical portrayal of a rst lady. She wanted to be heard and she wanted to contribute something signicant. Kantor describes the fog of frustration and melancholy that Ms. Obama felt before she developed the Lets Move campaign. She was used to being a strong, independent woman in an equalmarriage, though she accepted the fact that the previous equality would not translate in the White House, she still wanted to make a difference in a real way. It became clear to me as I was reading The Obamas that these frustrations could strike some as uncalled for or even insubordinate. On the other hand, it comforts me to know that a woman who is representing American women in the White House is uncomfortable with being left on the sidelines and will be a trailblazer in her own right. Ms. Obama appeared as only the fourth black woman on the cover of Vogue, which has been a monthly publication since 1973, and is still giddy about the opportunity to wear designer clothing. Reading The Obamas reassured me that Ms. Obama will only be that rock for the President when she needs to be and will be herself the rest of the time, challenging and inspiring him. As the biography unfolds, it becomes clear that that is exactly what the President depends on his wife for. Detailing two lives in transition, Kantor paints the larger picture with anecdotal details. The Obamas recounts the unwieldy move from the campaign trail to the White House and the man, as well as the marriage, behind the media coverage.
For more of the Mini-Guide, visit the IE blog.
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Romneyville
Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has been facing tough criticism for his nances lately, but could he reverse the momentum?

By Neel Limaye
For anyone whos been paying an iota of attention to the upcoming presidential election, its been pretty clear that Mitt Romney has had a tough week. Team Obama has been relentless, delivering blow after blow to the Romney campaign. Questions about tax returns, tax shelters, and tax havens have dominated the 24hour news cycle. Romneys tenure at Bain Capital, highlighted by Securities and Exchange Commission documents, has raised eyebrows, and even pushed some Obama surrogates to question whether his actions were legal. Now, pressure from within his own ranks is mounting, and leading conservative bloggers, strategists, and even politicians have called for Romney to be more transparent about his taxes. All in all, its been a tough week in Romneyville. So the question now becomes: How does Romney respond?
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Ayodhya Ouditt / NPR

The heat is on as election day closes in and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has to decide how he'll tackle his critics.

In reality, there are only two options. He could take a page out of his opponents playbook. Recall 2008Obama faced pressure from the right to address his afliation with Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Rather than duck the issue, the then-Senator stepped up to the microphone anddelivered one of his most eloquent speeches, transforming the debate into a teachable moment about race relations in the United States. Romney could do the same. Call a press conference, talk about his record, and make this a teachable moment about his vision for the American economy. How might this backre? The public may nd out that Romney has paid less than whats fair in taxes. In an election that seems to be all about the middle class, this could really hurtespecially when the whole platform is about rescuing the economy for regular people. I mean, how many regular people have money stashed away in a Swiss bank account, much less a regular money market account these days? On the other hand, if that wager is unappealing, he can continue on his current path. Tell the media that he just isntinterested in giving ammunition to his opponents. Release attack dogs like former Governor John Sununu to question the Presidents Americanness. What are the implications of this type of response? Surely, his base will love it. Anything that goes against Team Obamas wishes is a win for that group. But what about independent voters? More specically, what about middle-class independent voters that are genuinely considering casting a vote for the Republican from Massachusetts? Its pretty clear that these voters already have trust issuesthats why they dont commit until have all the information they need to make an informed choice. Without seeing Romneys tax returns and learning the truth about Bain, they might just walk awayfrom that voting booth.

It seems that both options have potential risks. Itll be interesting to see what happens. Keep your eye on Romneyvilleits thatspot on the map located directly in the middle of a rock and a hard place.

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Underground Angels

Benjamin Morris / NPR

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter Anna Schroen Producer, Multimedia Producer Benjamin Morris Crime in urban subway systems is a serious concern. Calls for police assistance generally have longer response times, and lack of cell phone service is a perennial issue. One group the Washington, DC Guardian Angels is taking public safety into their own hands.
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Anglers of the Anacostia: Subsistence Fishing in a Polluted River

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter, Multimedia Producer Alan Yu Producer Anna Schroen A 2011 report called D.C.s Anacostia River one of the most polluted in the United States. But while plagued by raw sewage and dangerous chemicals, the river is also home to a surprising number of sh. And now, increasingly, small groups of shermen are relying on these potentially toxic sh to feed their families.

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The Shadow Knows: An Obscure Hero Returns

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Howard Chaykin / Dynamite Entertainment

Reporter Sam Stander Producer Emily White, Tomas Hachard It has been a summer of heroes in popular culture. In theaters, the sentimental superhumans of The Avengers and the law-and-order intensity of The Dark Knight Rises were eagerly watched by many. In print, Marvel and DC Comics are repeatedly rebooting their most popular superheroes. But one publisher is hoping that a character who's been around for more than 80 years, since the days of radio serials, can capture readers' imaginations.

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Dumbarton Oaks:
By Kate Daniels

The Secret Gardens of Georgetown

Kate Daniels / NPR

Following the winding garden paths of Dumbarton Oaks, visitors nd a owered sanctuary.
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Lets begin by saying that Georgetown has a lot of mansions. Sam Stander already introduced us to the of theMansion on O Street. But, while the Mansion on O Street is full of hidden, sequestered treasures, Dumbarton Oaks is the exact opposite: its signicance lies all around rather than within the sprawling grounds of this historical estate. Located on the corner of 31st and R, Dumbarton has a long, storied history. Home to the Dumbarton Oaks Conference where the idea for the United Nations was rst eshed out the estate now serves as a research institute for Harvard. But thats not why people keep coming back. Dumbarton is an oasis of calm and greenery in the midst of bustling Georgetown. As you approach the stately building and sweeping front lawn, with its broad expanse of emerald grass, are beautiful, but expected this is Georgetown, after all. But then, the gardens emerge and overwhelm you. The crumbling, brick path leads away from the main house to Dumbartons real treasures: tiny, intimate gardens, cloistered off from the outside world. Through a curling metal archway lies the crown jewel of the estatethe rose garden. Even in the July heat, roses of every hue are blooming in a show of owery resistance. Wandering around the garden, you are left in the sort of awed silence people have when they step into cathedralsthe hushed appreciation for something grand and timeless. The gardens are structured like a maze; shaded arches, agstone steps, and grass terraces merge into one other seamlessly. This sense of continuity, even as each of the gardens retains its own distinct ngerprint, makes an afternoon in Dumbarton seem endlessin this secluded world, time seems to move more slowly, as you are caught up in the dreamy essence of summer.

Kate Daniels / NPR

Foliage winds through the windows of the Dumbarton Oaks estate.

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Wikimedia Commons

Ronald Phillips spends his time by the library in Chinatown, after having lost his New York home to the construction of Citi Field.

Home is Chinatown
This is the second post from an ongoing series Home is , in which Devon Kodzis will share the stories of some of the over 6,000 homeless in the D.C. area. By Devon Kodzis

When I approached Ronald Phillips he was standing outside of the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Library. Meeting his eyes was no easy task; he holds his height with a commanding posturea rm believer in the power of eye contact. Phillips is a force of nature topped with a ragged baseball cap reading Smile: Gods in Control. His hand shake was gentle in contrast with his intense blue eyes; his eyes gripped me more tightly than his n27

gers. He seemed hesitant to share his story, and took a long pause before speaking. Id like to tell you lots of things but Im trying to decide how I should go about ityou see, theres a lot of politics that go into homeless in the District. Do you even know about the place where youre living? he asked. Originally a New Yorker, Phillips lived in his previous home for 24 years before being evicted in 2008. The new Mets stadium went in and the government implemented eminent domain. I tried appealing, talking to my landlord, but the court kept throwing out the appeals and I was eventually evicted. Phillips expressed distress over losing his home but his voice dropped particularly low when he mentioned giving up some of his possessions. I worked for a long time as a home-renovator; I would re-work peoples basements and attics and nd stuff that [my clients] considered junk, so theyd give them to me. I had a whole room full of books, my own librarybooks of every kind, and when I lost my home, I had to leave them all behind. After facing eviction, Phillips had a brief stint working in the New York City Parks Department. A month after being hired, budget cuts set in and he was laid off. Phillips felt it was time to move on. I moved to D.C. thinking it would be better, but I didnt do my research. The job market is just as bad here.

Its hard to believe that an articulate and critically thinking man such as Phillips would make such a mistake; peppered in to his life story were references to the laws that affect homelessness in D.C. mentions of synonymous articles in the Washington Post. He is a very well read individual. My family raised me to be very well-informed, He said that knowing whats happening in the world is crucial to survival as a homeless citizen. The more you know about your environment, the more likely you are to survive in that environment. Phillips is particularly passionate about the issue of mental health as it relates to the homeless community.

If [my son] is graduating from college, Im doing something right. So Ill keep my distance.

I stay at the 801 shelter, part of St. Elizabeths hospital, which also serves as a mental health facility. Phillips expressed that he nds the relationship between trends in mental health and homelessness disturbing. [Mentally ill homeless individuals] are being medicated and put back out on the streets, said Philips. The responsibility of maintaining some semblance of normalcy for these individuals falls on the shoulders of the people who work in these shelters. They are already overrun.

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Phillips passion for mental health issues dates back to his college days when he received an associates degree in Counseling and Mental Health from a junior college inNew York. I went to school full time during the day and then worked all night. Things changed thoughPhillips continued, It was too much when my sons mother got pregnant. I wanted to pursue higher education after that but I had other things to do. Phillipss son just graduated from college inBaltimore, and fullled the dream his father was unable to reach. When I asked why he hasnt reached out to his son for help during his struggles, Phillips explained that he wasnt proud of his situation, and that things had ended poorly with his sons mother. If hes graduating from college, Im doing something right. So Ill keep my distance, refusing his sons help not out of pride, but a fearful selessness. I was impressed by the intimacy of the information which Phillips was willing to share, and when I conrmed that he was okay with all of what hed said being in a blog he peeked at my notes and replied with a twinkling smile. Yeah, all of that Ive told you? Sure. Maybe when youre the next Barbara Walters Ill give you a more in-depth interview.
For more of the Home Is series, visit the IE blog.

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Away from Keyboard: Online Users Connect in Person

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter, Multimedia Producer Christopher Egusa Producer Daniel Frohlich While we lead more and more of our life online, there is increasing evidence that connections formed on the internet are actually leading to real-life, ofine relationships. Internet communities are now encouraging users to leave comment

Christopher Egusa / NPR

threads and meet-up ofine, while dating websites have long strived to bridge the physical-virtual gap. But how do these transitions really happen?
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For Love and Money

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter Todd Whitney Producer Tahsan Scott Multimedia Producers Emanuele Berry, Anna Schroen On Manhattan's crowded streets people are always bumping into one another but never daring to step on another's shoes. In a city where foot fashion functions as a way to distinguish yourself, few are as invested in sneaker culture as Dwight Bodycott. Most people passing him on the street wouldn't know he's one of New York's top sneaker collectors.
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Mind Your Metro Manners

By Nicole Lehotsky

Advice from a Public Transportation Pro

I love the DC Metrosometimes. Every day I get on at the Rosslyn stop, and almost every day there is a kind man who sees me coming and hands me the Express and tells me to have a nice day. Fact: I love free reading material. Additionally, I love free reading material that is long enough to provide a news wrap up for my morning commute, and an entertainment guide for my trip home. I also like to multi-task, and any time I can read and still get somewhere effectively, Im a happy camper. However, there are other things that put a damper on my ride: hot cars, unexpected delays, tourists, and when I dont get my Express. Hot cars occur when the air conditioning for a particular train car just gives up. This is especially disastrous when it is already 100 degrees out. On a good day: I can feel the whoosh of hot air coming out of a car before I board, giving me an opportunity to run down the platform to another car. On a bad day: I end up in a sweltering metal box with the opportunity to change cars at the next stop. On a worse day: the one I switch to is even hotter. On

WMATA

We'll say it one more time please, plan your trip ahead of time and stay off the Metro during rush hour.

!"#$%&#'(
Always try to enter/exit at the end doors of the car for faster escapes and re-entries.

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the worst day: I miss the train completely trying to get onto a cooler car and have to wait 15 minutes for the next train because its not rush hour. Unexpected delays just happen. Sometimes, you can know when a delay is looming. My beloved Express does a good job of indicating when and where track maintenance will be occurring, so you can plan accordingly. Odds are, if you ride the Orange, Blue, or Red lines, you are going to have a delay over the weekend, if not every day. Its just going to happen. On a good day: I pop down the escalator as my train arrives. On a bad day: I forget that its not rush hour and that trains wont simply come every 35 minutes. On the worst day: I have no idea that a sick passenger/ derailment/whatever is about to cause a delay. Then I just wait. The most annoying thing about riding the Metro is tourists who dont know what theyre doing. I get it; youre not from here (neither am I). You dont know how to get to the Smithsonian (Blue line to Largo or Orange line to New Carrolton). Youve got a brood ranging from 1-year-old Lulu to 80-year-old grandma. Fine, but dont get in my way when Im going to work. I have places to be (like work), and quite frankly, the monuments arent going anywhere. So here are some tips for you, newbie Metro riders. Happy Metro riding! I cant wait to get back to my Express!

Use Google Maps to plan trips. The timing is pretty accurate. Download the Metro app for phone updates. Always carry reading material. Always.

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Dont even try to get on the Metro before 9AM if you dont know where youre going. Its rush hour. People are busy. You will get in the way and I wont be happy. Escalators are stand right, walk left. Stand right really means to the right. Leave enough room for someone to walk by you. If you cant touch the rail with your right elbow, youre too far from the side. Also, there are elevators if you have a stroller or particularly large quantity of souvenirs. When you get off an escalator or a train, keep walking. Do NOT for any reason stop immediately once you touch terra rma. Its just like they teach you in high school track keep the momentum going past the nish line. On escalators, walk straight out and then off to the nearest wall to regroup with family and gure

out your transfer. Same goes for exiting trains. Walk until you hit a wall. Dont look back to see if your family is following you. Tell them before you get off the train to keep walking. Dont dillydally. Commit your group to the train before it stops. If you dont think you can get everyone on a particularly crowded train, step back. True story: I unknowingly separated a family, because they couldnt decide if they were going to try to get on a train or not. If youre still asking each other if you can t and the doors are open, its too late. Im taking that spot, because Ive already committed to it. And really, dont get on the train before 9AM unless you know exactly what youre doing.

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Maryland Dairy Farmers Scoop up a New Source of Income

Ebony Bailey / NPR

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter Emily Parker Producer, Multimedia Producer Ebony Bailey Drive along Tuscarora Road in western Maryland, and you'll see an ice cream shop planted in front of a corneld. Enterprising dairy farmers in rural Maryland have found a new source of income: ice cream shops built on their farms. This summer, seven of them have joined together to form the nation's rst farm-based ice cream trail.

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A Food Truck to Call Home

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Ryan Arrendell / NPR

Reporter, Multimedia Producer Ryan Arrendell Producer Daniel Frohlich The nations Capitol has quickly become home to dozens of food trucks. From pizza to popsicles, theres no shortage of lunch options for tourists and professionals alike.
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Fattie

The Cupcake Chronicles

Curbside Cupcakes: Our Bites Rating (4/5)

By Ryan Arrendell
Dessert has gone mobile: forgoing the traditional storefront, Curbside Cupcakes brings you treats on wheels. Any given day, you could spot one of their three hot-pink food trucks posted around the DMV selling their uffy, frosted fare. But, if youre hankering for something cooler while we battle the hundred-degree heat, one of their trio boasts a milkshake machine. I got the opportunity to try out one of Curbside Cupcakes creations after speaking with very pregnant co-owner, Kristi. Kristi won me over with their new Pineapple Ambrosia avor. She and her partner have learned to capitalize off of their customers booze-tooth, catering liquored cupcakes on a daily basis. Chomping down on the cupcake, pineapple tidbits added a slight tang to the sumptuous cake. The distinct tropical avor blended well with the light ambrosia icing a delectable combination indeed.
For more of the Fattie series, visit the IE blog.

Ryan Arrendell / NPR

Curbside Cupcakes takes their fares to the streets in three of these hot pink food trucks.

Price: $3.00/single $15/half-dozen $27/dozen

Hours: 11 a.m. 3 p.m. For their location, follow @CurbsideCupcakes

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Tiny Kitchen Conquests

By Shimeng Mai

Sirloin Stewed Potatoes

In China there are eight cooking schools that represent the distinctive food characteristics of the various regions. Chengdu, my hometown, is the agship of Sichuan style food, a very avorful and deliciously spicy type of cuisine. Rich avors, various peppers, and mixed seasonings (i.e. sugar, salt etc.) are the major ingredients of traditional Sichuanfood. I always miss my hometown dishes, and the biggest challenge Ive experienced in the United States is that whatever restaurants I dine in I feel myself longing for more Chengdu-style fare. So, when I feel homesick, I cook up some Sichuan food. My current favorite is sirloin stewed with potatoes. Its hearty and easy to cook. If youd prefer it, ground beef or anything similar is a good alternative that is quick to nd at your supermarket. But, with certain ingredients, such as star anise, your best bet is to head to a local Asian market or specialty food store. If you happen to be a spice fan, go ahead, add as much chili sauce as you want.

Shimeng Mai / NPR

Turn up the heat with a traditional Sichuan dish. For more Tiny Kitchen Conquests, visit the IE blog.

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Preparation/Cook Time: 85 minutes

1 lb sirloin 12 large potatoes 2 tsp cooking wine tsp sugar

cup vegetable oil 89 ginger akes 68 star anise 1 tsp spicy chili sauce

Pinch of sea salt Minced green onions (optional) Steamed rice

Peel and cube the potatoes; submerge in cold water. Chop the sirloin into bite sized pieces. Put the chopped meat into a bowl with cooking wine and sugar, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add vegetable oil, ginger akes, star anise, spicy chili sauce, and salt to the bowl, then stir fry the meat over medium-high heat until the dish becomes deliciously aromatic about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add water until it reaches 2 inches above sirloins surface. When the soup comes to a boil, lower the heat and add the cubed potatoes, then wait until potatoes soften, 60 to 75 minutes. (Optional) Sprinkle the dish with green onions before serving with steamed rice.

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A Conversation with Rockie Fresh

To listen to this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Reporter Kristina Echols Producer Tahsan Scott On June 24, rapper Rick Ross announced via Twitter that he had signed a new hip-hop artist to his label, Maybach Music Group." But seven years before he caught the eye of one of raps most popular stars, Rockie Fresh was just Don-

Big Hassle Media

ald Pullen a quiet freshman at a high school in suburban Flossmoor, Illinois. Reporter Kristina Echols attended the school at the same time, and just as Donald hadnt yet discovered his gift, she hadnt yet discovered him.

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#FreshFaces: RNR
By Tahsan Scott
If The Roots and Jurassic 5 had a musical lovechild, it would be RNR. The Vegas-based band adds the live, in-studio vibe that crate-diggers salivate over to the style that the rap groups of the late 1980s and early 1990s made classic. RNRs latest release, an electrifying 6-song EP called Unsolicited Material, shows the bands versatility in just a few songs. This Track Right Here, for example, begins as a rocking, upbeat chant before morphing into a sensual slow-jam. Unlike many hip-hop acts that hire a backing band on tour, RNR is a tight-knit group that always writes, rehearses, records, and performs with their MCs and instrumentalists all in the same room. That hard work pays off: RNRs seamless, high-energy show has caught the attention of hip-hop royalty like Snoop Dog, Ice Cube, T.I., Three Six Maa and Busta Rhymes all of whom have invited RNR to open a concert or two. Even if you have not been lucky enough to see RNR live, you may have heard their sin-city anthem, Vegas, featured on the premiere of MTVs Real World: Las Vegas, in 2011. The funky,
Courtesy of RNR

RNR's "Vegas" has a throwback edge to it, but this eight-person group still manages to keep things contemporary.

brass-driven tune acknowledges the bands roots: Vegas is the city that we come from, cause we gets live everyday. But everybody knows, What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, so RNR has been hitting the road to bring their sound to Denver, Phoenix and San Diego, as well as the legendary Viper Room and Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles.

Fans of live hip-hop: See if RNR is coming to a city near you. If not, their Unsolicited Material EP is available on iTunes. For more #FreshFaces, visit the IE blog.
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#ConcertCoverage: Surfer Blood

By Martika Finch

Austin Cooper / NPR

Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete (foreground) supports lead singer and guitarist JP Pitts (background).
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Austin Cooper / NPR

New York intern Martika Finch hangs out with a friend and the lead singer of Surfer Blood, JP Pitts.

When I originally planned my two-day trip to visit the NPR headquarters in DC, I didnt know Surfer Blood was coming through town. It was my fellow intern and hostess, Emily White, who suggested that we catch their show at the Rock and Roll Hotel. As an NYC resident, I was stoked to go to what would be only my second show in the nations capital and to catch Surfer Blood for the rst time since seeing them in a bingo hall in Austin, TX for SXSW 2010.

I was also pleased that Id get to hang out with my dear friend Melissa, who has been touring around the Northeast with Surfer Blood. I got to see her for the rst time since last year just a week ago at the Thompson Hotel on Manhattans Lower East Side and it was a great surprise to see her on my short business trip to DC. Another fellow intern and Intern Editions photographer for the evening, Austin Cooper, bonded with Melissa over a mutual friend from his high school and her alma mater, Oberlin. Serendipity would be an understatement.
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When I rst looked at the lineup for Tuesdays show, I thought the opening band, Blonds, was actually Blondesa Brooklyn-based, electronic duo whom Ive seen countless times. When I arrived late (oops) to the venue with three other DC NPR interns, I found out that this Blonds was in fact a Floridian four-piece that I had never seen before and, owing to my tardiness, wouldnt get to that night, either. So I took a look around the venue to kill time between sets. The thing about the Rock and Roll Hotel is its not actually a hotel at all. It looks like a halfway-renovated loft space in Brooklyn; its multiple levels are made up of rooms whose walls dont fully meet the ceiling. I did manage to catch the second opener, Grand Rapids, a garage-rock band from NYC. Having heard some hype, I was surprised I hadnt yet caught them on our home turf. Their brand of indie rock comes encased in a country shell: Vocalist and guitarist Dan Lardner surprised me with his bluesy, southern-fried howls, and female vocalist Alex Niemetz didnt so much harmonize with Lardner as she did support him, shining when she got a solo verse. Since their acclaimed 2010 debut, Surfer Bloods buzz has mostly died down, but the band still has a loyal following, which I noticed is now mostly comprised of teenaged girls, bros, and the occasional grown man pushing 50. The West Palm Beach natives have signed to Warner Bros. Records and now plan to permanently relocate to California, where theyve been recording their next effort at East-West Studios with prolic producer Gil Norton, a seasoned veteran who has worked with Patti Smith, the Foo Fighters, and the Pixies among others.

Despite recent success, lead singer JP (short for John Paul) Pitts graced us with his modesty when he took the stage. A band that doesnt need an intro but just got one, he said before rushing into theAstro Coaststaple Floating Vibes. JP doesnt get enough credit for the control he has over his voice, which soars over each of his band's many breakdowns. Especially when he screams it out, I cant help but think of a de-industrialized Robert Smith of The Cure, circa 2004. The quartet, basically all clad in Vans, mostly played songs from their debut. With drum and guitar breakdowns that quickly turn from melodic to thrashing much like the beach that rst inspired them the majority of their set inspired st-pumping from the audience. On Catholic Pagans, lead guitarist Thomas Fekete shreds Hendrix style: His teeth bring his guitar down with a sly smile. Of the few new songs they played including Weird Shapes and Demon Dance all feature the same powerhouse drums and chugging bass lines that made their debut such a success, as well a couple more nger-picked guitar licks. At the end of their encore, JP opened a beer with a water bottle before running offstage. Naturally, I asked him to teach me one of the coolest things I had ever seen. You can pretty much open a beer with anything, he said. After many attempts and one destroyed water bottle, I could only pull it off once. Im not sure that Ill have enough muscle memory for a repeat performance I may need another tutorial. But that shouldnt be a problem: JP and Surfer Blood will be back again soon.
For more #ConcertCoverage, visit the IE blog.

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#DopeTrax:
YYU, YYYY
By Austin Cooper
YYUs music is full of hum-along hooks, sensual beats and trendy synths. But no matter how pop these songs may be, youll never hear them on the radio. Called TIMETIMETIME&TIME, YYUs latest album is available for download only on a sparse Bandcamp page pockmarked by bright teal hyperlinks. yyyy, the records fourth track, shares that strange beauty. YYUs faceless song unfolds over overdriven organs and the natural echo of crude drum samples. A male voice exaggerates the melismatic affectations of early 2000s R&B, swooping from a gritty tenor to rumbling baritone grumbles. Its a collage of contrasting textures the distant click of wooden drum sticks, the immediate brush of digitally generated hi-hats; the soothing calm of warm keys, the cruel timbre of his voice. Like a bat, the listener nds her way through YYUs musty attic studio by echolocation, realizing along the way that some things are most beautiful in the dark.

Courtesy of YYU

YYU may not show up on pop radio's radar, but the mysterious artist's new album, TIMETIMETIME&TIME, is about as trendy as it gets.

For more #DopeTrax, visit the IE blog.

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#SickDiscs: The Antlers, Undersea EP

By Johanna Cohoon

Courtesy of Shervin Lainez / Post Hoc Management

The Antlers' new EP, Undersea, oats along like a nautical dream.
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If Im really here now In a place and time Does someone look Just like me On the other side? The Antlers

feel the ocean swell below you, The Antlers lyrics intervene again, carrying you not only through water, but to the questioning depths of time and identity. In Endless Ladder, Silberman ponders, If Im really here now / In a place and time / Does someone look just like me on the other side? Its themes may be weighty,but Underseadoesnt leave you sinking like the heartbreak of 2009sHospiceor 2011sBreak Apart. Instead, youre set adrift in a sea of contemplation and harmonic reverie.
Underseais now available on iTunes. For more #SickDiscs, visit the IE blog.

There is a distinct, watery melancholy to all of The Antlers work: their albums swoon with a despair that satises like the emotional purge of a heartfelt sob. 2011 brought the(together)EP, a sprawling collection of disconnected but uncompromisingly lovely songs; this yearsUnderseaEP, however, nds the band returning to the artfully spun narratives of previous records. But the new album communicates more than a story it immerses you in feeling. Underseais something to be experienced. On Crest, the slow beat of a single drum echoes the languid cry of a trumpet, recalling the steady rise and fall of the oceans waves. On Zelda, cascading, laser-like chimes reminisce the tumble of the oceans currents, while singer Peter Silberman lulls the titular female gure to sleep: We swim in an ocean / It swims between us. Underseasgorgeous harmoniesoat you through the maritime dream that Zelda is still stuck inside.As you close your eyes to

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Studio Session: Shigeto

To watch this piece, visit the Latitudes site.

Producers Austin Cooper, Nick Michael Audio Recording and Mixing Meg McCluskey, Tahsan Scott Shooting Nick Michael, Benjamin Morris Production Assistants Kate Daniels, Otito Greg-Obi, Emily White Michigan native Zachary Saginaw records and performs under his middle name, Shigeto. A conservatory-trained jazz drummer, he incorporates the textures of acoustic percussion into his distinctively atmospheric brand of electronic beats. In between sets of a live performance at the NPR studios, Zach shed light on the muse behind his music.

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