Category Archives: Uncategorized

Meet State Sen. Josh Newman AND Meet CA 47th Cong. Dist. Candidate Joanna Weiss

Posted on by

Yesterday vote-by-mail ballot mailing began, California! Feb. 20th is last day to register to vote, Feb. 24th select vote centers (183) open, including 37 open for 11 days, 146 open for 4 days and 25 with a drive through ballot drop off. The OC Registrar of Voters office will be open for the entire voting period. Information available at: https://www.ocvote.gov/VIG . In the service of that effort is AAL’s coverage of the primary. We start with State Senator Josh Newman (D-29), who is running for reelection in the newly mapped 37th State Senate District, which includes: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Modjeska, Newport Beach, North Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Silverado, Tustin, and Villa Park.

In the second segment (approx. minute 30:05), we hear from CA 47th Congressional District candidate Joanna Weiss. This district includes: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport, and Seal Beach, and portions of Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Woods.

NOTE: Useful analyses of the intersection of transportation, affordable housing stock, and commutes are available at: https://www.niskanencenter.org/sprawl-can-be-good-actually-expand-the-metropolitan-commute-zone-to-grow-housing-supply/ and https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=646d928c-fea3-4d90-90ef-98fd783ca2e4.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Weather Report, “Birdland,” Heavy Weather – album; The Lyman Woodard Organization, “Belle_Isle_Daze,” Saturday Night Special – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/NewmanWeiss2-6-24.mp3

Meet David Min, Candidate for CA 47th Cong. Dist. AND Rethinking Carceral Institutions

Posted on by

Today we begin coverage of the CA primary, a mere 5 weeks away. Community radio has an additional responsibility in this coverage as we all note the dwindling coverage of the OC politics in the area newspaper the L.A. Times. We first hear from CA State Senator Dave Min, one of the several candidates I’ll be interviewing, who are running in the CA 47th Congressional District, in the seat vacated by incumbent Congresswoman Katie Porter. In the second segment (approx. minute 31:30), is Shawn Khalifa who’ll be graduating this spring from the UC system’s UCI’s Underground Scholars program for felons from the carceral system and sends them off to thriving lives. The extended portion of his interview is posted on this same day.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Gustavo Dudamel conducting Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela – Arturo Márquez, “Conga del Fuego,” Discoveries – album; John Beasley & Monk’estra, “Work,” John Beasley presents Monk’estra vol. 2 – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MinKhalifa1-30-24.mp3

Shawn Khalifa had a whole lot more to say about his transition to academia and the world beyond. Have a listen.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/KhalifaPod21-30-24.mp3

The State of Nursing Home Care in the U.S.

Posted on by

Dr. Dana Mukamel, economist and UCI professor of medicine, will talk about her findings in the Health Services Research journal published Dec 2023, in collaboration with Heather Ladd, Debra Saliba, and Tamara Konextzka; all of who whom have found that not just adding staff, but specialized training and a more stable labor will improve outcomes in American nursing home care, including dementia care. One of the resources that she particularly found useful for listeners to reference is the Quality Care Compare resource: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/certification-compliance/five-star-quality-rating-system.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; #17 Wilhelm Peterson-Berger composer, “Gratulation,” Nordic Piano Favorites – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MukamelPod1-23-24.mp3

Applying to Schools in the Post-Dobbs Era; Girls Just Wanna Have Health

Posted on by

Today our guests for the full hour are three young women applying to colleges and universities in what we’re referring to as the post “Dobbs” era, where abortion and reproductive healthcare are highly restricted if not effectively banned in seventeen states. Offering their personal reflections, choices, and experiences as higher education applicants in this moment are: University High School senior Camryn Cummings, applying to undergraduate programs; and UCI alumna Kimberly Martinez and UCI undergraduate Kalisse Ajlouny, both of whom are applying for advanced degrees.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Miki Yamanaka, “March,” 29 seconds in, Human Dust Suite – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CummingsAjlounyMartinez1-16-24.mp3

World Affairs Council of OC AND Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet

Posted on by

Today our guests cover the world in two different ways, two different constructs. We start with Richard Downie, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Orange County, talking about the forums and mentoring that his local chapter offers the community. He surveys some highlights and moves into what they’ve got planned for 2024. In the second segment (approx. minute 30:00) Alonzo King Co-Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of LINES Ballet, raises the fundamentals of life and creativity, in advance of his San Francisco company performing Jan 20th, 7:30 p..m., at Segerstrom Hall. Details about the performance are available at: https://www.scfta.org/shows-events.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Aaron Lington Quartet performing Robert Nelson’s Concerto for Baritone Saxophone and Orchestra, “III allegro,” Secondary Impressions – album; Wayne Shorter Quartet, “Zero Gravity,” Beyond the Sound Barrier – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DownieKing1-9-24.mp3

Climate Action Campaign Considers Irvine City Council Biz

Posted on by

For the larger share of the hour is Climate Action Campaign policy director, Ayn Craciun. She talks about local public works, public advocacy, and public office aspirations. Of interest are: the redirection of Orange County Power Authority (OCPA); warehouses in the land-use mix; the single use plastics non-ban; and the CA March 5th Primary ballot down ticket item-the Irvine City Charter amendment.

NOTE: The California State Auditor’s 2-28-23 report pertaining to the OCPA is available here: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2022-120.pdf. The CA Energy Commission is an entity under the CA Natural Resources Agency, the director of whom is appointed by the governor of California.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; a tba jazz track; and Teodross Avery, “Teo,” Harlem Stories: The Music of Thelonius Monk – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/CraciunPOD1-2-24.mp3

Making Sense and Making Music Amidst Catastrophes

Posted on by

Shahir Masri, an environmental scientist, who identifies as a Lebanese American, uses his science and grass roots sensibilities to address the human public health catastrophe in Gaza. In the second segment (approx. minute 41:05), cellist extraordinaire Matt Haimovitz speaks about the possibilities and power of his musical instrument, especially in times like these.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; De Hartmann Cello Concerto Op 57 I Andante con brio, performed by Matt Haimovitz with Leipzig Symphony Orchestra; Cello Concerto Op 57 III Allegro ma non troppo, performed by Matt Haimovitz with Leipzig Symphony Orchestra.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/MasriHaimovitzPod12-26-23.mp3

An extension of Matt’s interview is available in this separate sound file, recorded on the same day; thus making the interview whole.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/HaimExtended12-26-23.mp3

At The Border AND In The Theater – La Posada and The Nutcracker

Posted on by

Sometimes we just need to cover a lot of ground, starting with Adriana Jasso, Human Rights Advocate based in San Diego, California. She speaks in her capacity as the Program Coordinator for the U.S./Mexico Border Program of the American Friends Service Committee, at various open-air detention sites in San Diego County. During the annual tradition of La Posada, Adriana takes stock of what the inn actually looks like. https://afsc.org/action/take-action-stop-border-militarization?ms=WEB23TA. The extended portion of this interview can be heard in a separate sound file. Please refer to that post on this same day.

In the second segment (approx. minute 34:00), Susan Jaffe, the artistic director and interim executive director of American Ballet Theater, has some special takes as her company performs “The Nutcracker” at the Segerstrom Hall, Dec 8th-17th, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. Tchaikovsky’s score is performed live by Pacific Symphony. Ticket details are available at: https://www.scfta.org/events/2023/american-ballet-theatre-s-the-nutcracker.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Adeste Fideles, “Vayamos Cristianos,” en español, Canto Católico Christmas Carol Album; Hal Leonard Choral, “Three Jazzy Nutcrackers,” (SATB Choir, a cappella) – arranged by Paul Langford.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/JassoJaffePod12-12-23.mp3

This is an extension of the interview with Adriana Jasso. The host sought personal context for what it feels like to be providing aide amidst refugees’ wide range of needs. http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/JassoPart2Pod12-12-23.mp3

Irvine City Business

Posted on by

Over the full hour we cover an ambitious City of Irvine update with Branda Lin, Irvine Planning Commissioner; and Adam Cavecche, the supervising Principal Council Executive to Irvine City Council Member Kathleen Treseder. On the municipal menu are: the failed single use plastics ordinance, warehouse creep, Irvine’s lobbying rules, the civil servant exodus, and the level of city commissioners’ training. For future coverage will be how Irvine Watchdog’s sights are set on city business on both the primary and general election ballots. A long table is set for this expansive buffet of topics.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio No. 41, BVW 248, “Ich Will,” Jingle All the Way – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LinCavecche12-5-23.mp3

Collective Trauma Perpetrated on Ukraine

Posted on by

Natasha Frolova, associate professor and crisis psychologist in the Dept. of Psychology and Social Work at Dnipro National University in Ukraine, speaks as a Fulbright scholar in residence at UC Irvine, working with trauma social scientist Roxanne Cohen Silver. She has the full hour to chart the dimensions of trauma experienced in Ukraine as she continues to build onto approaches toward addressing trauma on both the individual and the societal levels.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Andriy Khlyvnyuk x The Kiffness, “Chervona Kalyna.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Frolova11-28-23.mp3