Weekday's Annual Listener Spelling Bee

The region's top middle school spellers go head to head this weekend in the King-Snohomish Regional Spelling Bee at Seattle's Town Hall. The winning wordsmith heads to Washington, DC, to compete in the 86th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. Last year's regional champ had to spell "putrescible." Think you have what it takes to win? Call 206.543.5869 and prove your spelling prowess on live radio against your fellow listeners.

Also this hour: This week marks ten years since the start of the Iraq War. Raed Jarrar was in Iraq with his family in 2003. We talk with him about his memories of the war and the situation since. Senator Patty Murray joins us from Washington D.C. with an update on federal budget talks. Plus, Marcie Sillman talks with dancer and actor Marc Kenison about Seattle's "boylesque" community and his alter ego, Waxie Moon.