Veterans Reprised – Their Stories Stay With Us

For this 2023 Memorial Day edition, my guests return in these reprised interviews, with emphasis on prize. The is a segment of my longer interview with Air Force veteran Don Fisher who served during WWII. In his later years, Don understood the value he had as a relic of that war period, considering his experience in training, serving, and surviving those years, so he began offering his stories to the National Archive, and later shared on “Ask A Leader.” The full program is available on the 10/09/2010 episode at: https://askaleader.com/?p=826. Don Fisher died in October 2015 at the age of 97. The second segment is the full 25 minute interview with Don Lipstein, then a volunteer at Tragedy Assistance for Survivors (TAPS) talking about surviving his son Joshua who at the age of 23 died by suicide in March 2011 after serving in Iraq as a Navy Casualty Assistance Officer. This interview is also available, 6/25/13 at: https://askaleader.com/?p=53. Don Lipstein continues his connection with this humble radio program and has moved on as a consultant, having founded a new firm, Imagine Family Recovery, which offers services to families who survive a loved one who dies by suicide after military service.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; César Franck, “Le Chausseur maudit,” performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Tadaaki Otaka conducting; Fabrizio Bossa, Max Ionata, Roc Flowers, and Stefano de Donato, “Mood Variations,” Ovision – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/FisherLipstein5-30-23.mp3

Irvine City Council Transitioning to Districts – Your Definitive Guide

Finally, Irvine, the largest city in California to have at-large city council members, is transitioning toward creating distinct city council districts from which the candidates would run. The City will also add 2 seats to the City Council. Our guide to this process for the full hour is demographer Justin Levitt, retained by Irvine’s City Council. He lays out the process under way, 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 4 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; Rodney Whitaker, “Minorabilia,” Oasis – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Levitt5-23-23.mp3

An Engineer and a Chemist Walk Up to the Energy Buffet

Taking the heat down a few notches are today’s guests: Mark Nelson, engineer and founder and managing director of Radiant Energy Group; and A. J. Shaka, UCI chemistry professor and director of the UCI Nuclear Reactor Facility. We go local and zoom out to international cases with their consideration of the viability of nuclear power in the energy mix, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases overall. An extension of this interview is provided below.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Terry Riley, “A Rainbow in Curved Air.” 

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/NelsonShaka5-14-23Pod.mp3

An Engineer and A Chemist Close this Round at the Buffet

This is the continuation of Mark and A.J.’s discussion of nuclear power, including an industrial application of a closed loop system. http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/NelsonShakaPod25-16-23.mp3

Refinery Workers Amidst Fossil Fuel Conversions AND “avaaz” at the South Coast Rep

Virginia Parks, UCI professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy and director of UCI’s Labor Center, presents her recent findings on how the closure of a Marathon refinery affected its displaced workers; a story of the challenge in transitioning to renewable. The full report is available at the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center.

In the second segment (approx minute 36), we continue coverage of South Coast Rep after their completion of last week’s Pacific Playwrights Festival, with playwright and performer Michael Shayan. He brings phenomenal story-telling in his world premiere of avaaz, running now through May 27 at the Segerstrom Stage in Costa Mesa, https://www.scr.org/plays/productions/22-23-season/avaaz/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Laura Love, “If I Knew,” Octoroon – album; Jalal Hemati, “Baba Karam.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ParksShayan5-9-23.mp3

OCCORD’s Grassroots Menu And South Coast Rep Celebrates 25th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival

Back in full swing, in their new Santa Ana location, is Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development with a whole roster of community activation building leaders, supporting labor, and guiding prospective citizens – all this under the helm of their executive director Ely Flores. Find out what’s the next event on their roster at: https://www.occord.org/. or call 714-621-0919 et 6. The National Day of Action will be celebrated this week 5-4-23.

In the second segment (approx. minute 34:26) is Andy Knight, co-director of the South Coast Repertory’s 25th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, underway through May 7. SCR’s outsized role in dramatic arts comes through with this incubation of plays: from ideas to final production. Details about the May 5-7 events at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa are available at: https://www.scr.org/plays/plays-landing/pacific-playwrights-festival/2023-pacific-playwrights-festival/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Hermanos Guitérrez, “Esperanza” single; The Musical Stage Company performing “Dr. Silver is Gone,” Dr. Silver a musical by Anika & Britt Johnson.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/FloresKnight5-2-23.mp3