Author Archives: Claudia Shambaugh

Witnessing The Armenian Genocide, Now

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Returning to the show, this time together, are: Dr. Ara Apkarian, UCI Distinguished Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Kev Abazajian, Professor of Physics & Astronomy and the Director of the Center for Cosmology at UCI. Ara and Kev have a lot on their minds with the geopolitics taking place, from the campus to the Caucasus. They speak truth to power – a tale of two University of California chancellors weighing in on international catastrophes. Then on to the remarkable gesture of the recent visit of former member of the Turkish Parliament, Garo Paylan, whose laps around Southern California this month, included one right here in Irvine. Mr. Paylan, among one the few Armenians elected to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has been speaking about levers within the grasp of Armenians around the world. This program considers his points as well as his broader audience, amidst the staggering incidences of genocide, globally. Listeners are directed to additional sources for information and action: https://anca.org/ and https://www.armenian-assembly.org/ (nationally); and https://www.instagram.com/uciasa/?hl=en (locally).

Note: the host erred in not including the title emblazoned on the encased partially burned tapers taken from various churches being overtaken in Artsakh in the fall of 2020. The title is “Piece of My Heart.”

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, “Yes Kez Siretsi,” – live at the Tsitsernakabert.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ApkarianAbazajian10-24-23.mp3

“Death In a Nutshell” in the Armchair Anthropology Series

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Returning to the show is Roxanne Varzi, UCI anthropology professor, and award winning author, filmmaker, and playwright. She is rolling out a whole new creative enterprise: the Armchair Anthropology Whodunit Series, “Death in a Nutshell,” a murder mystery, is the first book in a series. This genre offers another way for her to examine and interpret anthropologists’ assumptions and roles in the study of humans. Of course there’s more under her microscope.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Demanda E Despejo (Bartosz Weber Remix, feat. Rogério Martins).

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Varzi10-17-23.mp3

On The Presidents’ Watch AND “Quixote Nuevo”

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UCI political science professor Matthew Beckmann returns to talk about the impossible job of the American presidency amidst legislative currents, some of which flow right up to a bluff. Watch next summer for his latest book: “The President’s Day; Every Day Work in an Impossible Job.” In the second segment (approx. minute 37:00) is playwright and director Octavio Solis, with his play now being performed at the South Coast Repertory, “Quixote Nuevo.” The show runs now til Oct 28th at Segerstrom Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa. The Rep is in a celebratory mood; this richly re-told story of a classic is a fitting performance to herald their 60th season.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Las Cafeteras, “If I Was President;” David R Molina-composer and performer, “Rusting Soul I and II.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/BeckmannSolis10-10-23.mp3

Crashing Carceral Walls in California

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Returning to the show is UCI Professor Keramet Reiter, Professor with appointments at UCI’s Dept. of Criminology, Law, and Society and UCI’s Law School; and founding director of “Lifted,” a prison education program in the UC system. Her acclaimed writings include her book: 23/7; Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement. She brings insight into solitary confinement reform in CA, and the intersection of that with her other projects in the carceral system: the BA degree program in the UC system, & other education programs. Details about this program are available at: https://lifted.uci.edu/. On future programming AAL will resume discussion of the bail reform and how the system affects individuals and communities, as time did not allow this coverage.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Jaimie Branch, “theme 001,” FLY or DIE LIVE – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Reiter10-3-23.mp3

Your PhD Coach Is Here AND The Kidz Are Not Alright

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In advance of her 10/20 workshop at UCI for PhD students, is Kimberly Duong, UCI School of Engineering graduate, now employed as a water agency civil engineer. She will return to the show to talk about her new calling as a PhD coach, assisting PhD students in: productivity, project management, procrastination, and anything else related. She can be followed in various ways at: https://itscoachkimberly.com/wp/. Her 10-20-23, noon- 1 p.m. PT, on line webinar registration: https://gps-stem.grad.uci.edu/project/2023-10-20/.

In the second segment (approx. minute 23:42), Briana Walker (@InMinivanHell) returns in her capacity as a local muckraker, to talk about local school board culture war policies cropping up all over Orange County. Her work is proof of the importance of down ballot voting, such as the next primary election on March 5, 2024. Resources available at: Rainbow Youth Project and Our Schools hotline 866-975-8870, and Ladera Ranch Social Justice Conversations on the Zuck pages. The extended interview portion follows this posting.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DuongWalker9-26-23.mp3

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; #2 T S Monk, “Crepuscule with Nellie,” Monk on Monk – album; and #11 Sportive Tricks, “Rigs of Time,” Old Dogs New Tricks – album.

The extended portion of this interview, thank you everyone for listening: http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/BrianaExtTrack9-26-23.mp3

Irvine City Council Expansion and District Maps

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Irvine, the largest city in California to have at-large city council members, is undertaking the process of amending the city charter to create distinct city council elections districts from which the candidates would run. The charter amendment would also add 2 seats to the City Council. Returning to the show for the larger share of the hour is demographer Justin Levitt, retained by Irvine’s City Council, to update us on that process, wherein the City of Irvine is drawing these 6 council districts for the voters’ approval on the Spring 2024 Primary election ballot. The November 2024 general election vote would include voters in 3 of those districts. Residents of Irvine are welcome to participate in this process by spending time at: https://drawirvine.org/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Hideto Sasaki – Toshiyuki Sekine Quartet, “Turquoise Twice” Stop Over – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Levitt9-19-23.mp3

Dear Me * Women.Life.Freedom * Tribute to Mary Ann Gaido

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For the larger share of the show are two childhood friends, building something special together. Saara Dang of Sage Hill High School, and Rohan Soni of Orange County School of the Arts – are partners in creating the app dearme.mentalhealth a project that assists youth in managing the challenges of chronic illness and mental health. The app is a platform for anonymous journaling. In the second segment (approx minute 47:30), we check in with local Iranian American activist Guita Sharifi about the Women.Life.Freedom rally this Sat in DTLA; 9-16th, 2-4 pm, at 200 N Spring Street. Other events around SoCal are planned leading up to that event. Volunteers can call 818-943-6276. She also posted us on The Mahsa Act HR 589, under consideration in the US Congress. We then close the show (approx. minute 52:20) with a tribute to civic leader extraordinaire Mary Ann Gaido, whom we lost 9-6-23. For those who wish to pay their respects… the Funeral Mass Service for Mary Ann Gaido will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 9 Hillgate, Irvine, CA 92612, Friday September 15th, 2 PM. Reception to follow. The family invites attendees to bring a photo or written memory to add to a display. Cards of condolence can be mailed to John and Peggy Gaido, Mary Ann’s son and daughter, at 5071 Berean Ln Irvine CA 92603. Donations in Mary Ann’s memory may be given to: Kennedy Commission for Affordable Housing, Sisters of St Joseph of Orange, Barclay Theatre, School of Nursing at UCI, or the Sierra Club.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Mindrangam and Indian Hand Drum; Benjamin Clementine, “Condolences,” At Least for Now – album; and Nadine Sierra performing “Take Care of this House,” composed by Leonard Bernstein, Pennsylvania Ave – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/SoniDangShafariMAG9-12-23.mp3

Raising Not Erasing the Lachine Corridor Toward Artsakh

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Returning to the show is Vic Gerami, editor and publisher of the Blunt Post, host and producer of the “Blunt Post with Vic” on Radio KPFK, and documentary filmmaker of the feature film “Motherland.” Given that the Republic of Artsakh is in greater tatters than when he last was on “Ask A Leader,” given that the media is watching a little bit more closely the mud show at Burning Man, or Barbie – that media appears to be missing some salient points about the disputed territories in the Armenian and Azerbaijani area. It is useful to return to sources who attend to existentially threatened nations. Vic explains about the 8 month long blockade in the Lachine Corridor, breakdowns what analysts are getting wrong, and offers a template about how to achieve and understanding of other fronts without feeling exhausted or helpless. For a moment that exercise took place in Irvine’s City Council chambers last winter.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Armen Martirosyan with Armenian Jazz Band – “Eastern Blues.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Gerami9-5-23.mp3

Eye of the Storm; Facing Climate and Social Chaos with Calm and Courage

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Dr. Terry LePage, research chemist, transitional minister, and hospice chaplain, brings her brand new book: “Eye of the Storm: Facing Climate and Social Chaos with Calm and Courage.” It is a profound manual, which covers novel as well as recognizable domains. Copies can be ordered at: https://opendoorcommunication.org/eye. NOTE: the correct email to reach Terry LePage directly is terry@opendoorcommunication.org. 

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Angélique Kidjo, “Sweet Lullaby,” Every Mother Counts – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/LePage8-29-23.mp3

Refugees’ Thermostat and Chocolatier’s Thermometer

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Our guest for the full hour is Olya Yaloza, chocolatier originally from Lviv, Ukraine, now setting up life and her enterprise here in OC. The host first met her at the World Refugee Day earlier this summer. As she explained what it was like to produce some of the finest chocolates one could find anywhere in the world, and to have to uproot from providing that choicest of treats, giving up her personal investments in that business – it became apparent that her story ought to be heard. That refugees are over-achievers is an adage that listeners will hear again today.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; DakhaBrakha, “Carpathian Rap,” broadcast in KEXP Studios.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Yaloza8-22-23.mp3