ROUTE 90 ROCKS!
We're pleased to announce that THE COFFEE HOUSE is now telecast in Herkimer, New York, on HCTV - Channel 99. If you didn't know, Herkimer is east of Syracuse and west of Schenectady, where TCH began airing last month on SACC-TV - TV-16, the Schenectady Access Cable Council.

New in May

WHEN GETTING IT WRONG IS FOREVER
Over 120 death row inmates in the US have now been freed based on DNA evidence, reports Diann Rust-Tierney, executive director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. (How many people were wrongly convicted and executed before -- or since -- the availability of DNA evidence is, of course, unknown.) Nevertheless, some 15 inmates are slated to be executed by October, now that the Supreme Court has upheld a challenged method of lethal injection. However, when presented with the evidence of inadequate representation by counsel; that there are stark racial disparities in the application of capital punishment; and that the death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent, Rust-Tierney maintains that public support for the death penalty withers. (Host: Angela Jordan Davis).

THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE MEDIA
Reporters typically get to ask the questions of politicians, so we thought we’d turn the tables and let elected official, Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin, ask the questions of Washington Post reporter Lisa Rein, who covers the General Assembly. Rein reviews some of the major issues – such as phosphates in the Chesapeake Bay and alco-pops in convenience stores – addressed by the recent legislative session. She also compares the breadth of state legislative coverage in the Washington Post to that in the Baltimore Sun. Guess which paper does better? (Host: Sen. Jamie Raskin)

THE POETIC LEGACY OF REED WHITTEMORE
Celebrated poet Grace Cavalieri and poet/Dryad Press publisher Merrill Leffler discuss the poetic and literary legacy of 89-year-old Reed Whittemore, former poet laureate to the Library of Congress, poet laureate of Maryland, and national book award finalist. While suffering from vascular dementia, Whittemore nonetheless reads several of his celebrated poems. (Host: Reuben Jackson).

Also on this edition of THE COFFEE HOUSE… Poets Miriam Morsel Nathan (“Lullaby to My Father When He Finds His Mother At Long Last”), Joshua Weiner (“Cloak”) and Naomi Ayala (“Hole”)…a White House protest on the fifth anniversary of President Bush declaring "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq... and a music set by Charlottesville, VA's bluesy diva, singer-songwriter Terri Allard, and harmonica whiz Gary Green (“Loose Change and Spare Parts” and “Lifeline”).

View It Now
Outside THE COFFEE HOUSE TV viewing area? Don't have satellite or cable? Can't find a convenient telecast time? You can now watch this month's and past editions (from 2006) right here by first selecting "Archives" from the banner menu at the top of the screen and then the year. Click on the month you want to see and then select "View It Now." We'll be gradually adding past video editions to the Archives in reverse chronological order. Stay tuned.

Made Possible by...
THE COFFEE HOUSE is made possible in part by the generous contributions from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the House of Musical Traditions, and viewers like you. THE COFFEE HOUSE is produced at Montgomery Community Television in Rockville, Maryland.

Connecting Your Business to Our Audience
If you are trying to reach roots music fanciers, politics junkies, arts lovers, dance enthusiasts, enviros, spoken word and literature devotees, and the spiritually inquisitive, consider underwriting opportunities on The Coffee House. You won't find a more engaged audience or a better bargain on TV. THE COFFEE HOUSE is telecast nationally on saterllite by Free Speech TV, and in Montgomery County, MD nine times a week for nine hours! Plus, the show airs repeatedly each month in the Greater DC and Baltimore region (DC, Baltimore, and Prince George's, Arlington, Fairfax, Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll Counties) as well as Herkimer and Schenectady, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Charlotte, NC, the East Bay,CA, Pulaski, TN and Starkville, MS. Interested? Contact Mark.