Talk of the Bay from KSQD

Rachel Anne Goodman interviews classical musician and composer, Peter Blanchette. Peter plays one of only four arch guitars in the world, an instrument he invented, which is a combination of classical guitar and lute. Blanchette is one of the world’s experts on the instrument, having played his brand of Renaissance and Baroque music in concert halls and street corners throughout Europe and the United States. Peter shares his music, perspective on what it takes to survive as a musician, and his transition from factory worker to street musician, to film scorer and winning Prairie Home Companion’s Towns under 2000 competition. For more on Peter Blanchette: https://www.archguitar.com/

Steven Gonzalez Monserrate is a postdoctoral researcher at the Fixing Futures Research Training Group at Goethe University. He received his PhD in the History, Anthropology, Science, Technology & Society (HASTS) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His current book project, Cloud Ecologies, is an environmental ethnography of data centers in New England, Arizona, Puerto Rico, and Singapore. A graphical preview of his research appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of Yes! magazine. Committed to public engagement and accessible scholarship, Steven’s writing and research appears in venues including Wired, Aeon, Popular Science, Anthropology News, ABC News, BBC News, NPR and more. Steven holds an MA in Anthropology from Brandeis University and a BA in Feminist Anthropology from Keene State College. He is also a filmmaker and a speculative fiction writer (under the byline E.G. Condé).

Sarah Gilman studied studio art and biology in college and wasn’t quite satisfied with either. The art world looked hermetic, sealed off in cities away from the landscapes that she loved. And the science world felt binding, too, with its sprint to publish clunky treatises for an audience of other scientists. Writing, though, stole the best from both fields — the creativity, the exploring, the analysis and the always-and-forever-learning — and, at its best, seemed like it could bring the same important topics explored by art and science to a much broader audience of people. So here she is, still at it. Sarah writes about the environment, energy, science and miscellany from Mazama, Washington. She was a staff and contributing editor for High Country News, an environmental magazine about the American West, for 11 years, and is a contributing editor for both bioGraphic magazine and Hakai magazine. She also is the author and illustrator of the “Terra Affirma” series in Yes magazine. In addition, she illustrated a book about the origins of human occupation of the Americas, Atlas of a Lost World, by Craig Childs. You can find more of her writing at sarahmgilman.com. She tweets @Sarah_Gilman. The image above is a detail from the comic poem Slow Comet by Sarah Gilman.

Five talented musicians sing in honor of the great Pete Seeger to preview their upcoming concert. On June 9th at 3 pm musicians Emma’s Revolution (Sandy O and Pat Humphries, Bob Reid and Judi Jaeger and Aileen Vance will convene a sing-a-long concert in honor of Pete Seeger at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. In this show they share original and Pete Seeger songs.

Christina Baal-Owens is Executive Director of Public Wise, a voting rights organization that works to secure a government that reflects the will and protects the rights of the people. She brings nearly two decades of experience in electoral and legislative campaigns, advocacy, government, and non-profit management. A social worker by trade who started her career in the labor and immigrants’ rights movements, she views social change work through the lens of the direct impact and accessibility of enacted policies on communities. Christina first developed a passion for making voting accessible to marginalized communities as Director of Civic Engagement at the New York Immigration Coalition where she ran one of the largest voter registration programs for newly naturalized immigrants in the country and led a statewide immigrant voter table. Following her time at NYIC, Christina served in the political departments of two major labor unions, RWDSU, where she was Deputy Political Director, and 32BJ SEIU, where she was the State Legislative Coordinator. Directly prior to coming on to Public Wise, she was the Assistant Comptroller for Community Affairs at the NYS Comptroller’s office. Christina also brings a wealth of experience running campaigns and IEs at the city, state, and federal levels. Most notably, she was the NYS Organizing Director for Hillary for America in 2016 where she ran a program that generated voter contacts in all 50 states.

Santa Cruz has a powerful activist history, and one of the most impressive outcomes for our county emerged from the Women’s Health Collective of the early 70’s. Monday, on the Talk of the Bay, two of the collective’s founding mother’s–Coleen Douglas and Jane Reyes– join host, Christine Barrington, and share about the feminist vision that gave birth to a local movement that resulted in a health care revolution. Listen in and hear how a committed group of young feminists empowered women to learn about their bodies, provide health services with respect, and challenge the male-dominated medical system. This became the seed for current day Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, with its three clinics, affordable housing complex, and a residency program slated to begin this summer. What lessons learned are relevant for today’s young women (amidst the overturning of Roe v. Wade)? And, what can our women Elders learn for their own empowerment in health care? Learn more about the national history of this movement through this bestselling narrative: Looking through the Speculum: Examining the Women’s Health Movement by Judith A. Houck Friends and partners in activism: Coleen Douglas and Jane Reyes

Rachel Anne Goodman speaks with Richard Ginell author of a book about the famed sixties trio, The Limeliters. The book, Makin’ A Joyful Noise, the Lives and Times of the (Slightly) Fabulous Limeliters explores the meteoric rise of the band and their role in shaping the music of that era. The interview includes a musical exploration of their history as well as the author’s memories as a superfan and music critic. Limeliters member and banjo player, Alex Hassilev, the last surviving member of the band, passed away in April, so this program is a kind of tribute to him.

On May 4th, 1970, Ohio National Guard troops opened fire on unarmed Kent State students protesting the war in Vietnam, killing 4 students and wounding 9 others. Local author Lois Van Buren was there. Having spent the last 45 years in Santa Cruz, raising a family, running a business, and working as an educator, Lois reflects on how that experience affected her life, about some of the hard lessons, great good fortune, and iconic milestones of the 60s counterculture, and how nature came to the rescue.

Anthony Suau, director of Organic Rising, talks about the rise of organic agriculture and its importance to health, the environment and slowing global warming, Organic Rising will be screened at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz on May 3 at 5PM. The screening is being hosted by CCOF, UCSC, SCCFM and the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF). The film began production in Santa Cruz, CA in 2012 and features a number of local organic farmers including: Tom Broz, of Live Earth Farm, Jeff Larkey of Route 1 Farms, Caleb Barron of Fogline Farm and Joe Schirmer of Dirty Girl Produce. We also worked extensively with CCOF and filmed throughout the Salinas Valley. Myra Goodman, the founder of Earthbound Farms, was interviewed and appears in the film. We spent days at Eco Farm and filmed at UCSC’s Center for Agroecology interviewing now executive director Darryl Wong and instructor Kistin Yogg and Orin Martin. The film looks at both conventional and organic agricultural practices. Scientists present their research on conventional pesticides: glyphosate as well as 2,4-D, dicamba and atrazine and their long term effect on humans and the environment. This is to present what organic agriculture is not. Organic Rising is a 2-hour documentary produced by Goldcrest Films with executive producer Deepak Chopra. The film has been selected for more than a dozen film festivals around the world and to date has won Best Feature Documentary at several. Following the screenings there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with Tom Broz, Jeff Lackey, Nesh Dhillon, Jessy Beckett Parr of CCOF and Director, Anthony Suau. The Q&As, following the screenings, have been intense as consumers are desperate for answers about the USDA organic label. Tickets available at: https://organirising.ticketspice.com/organic-rising-public-screening

Filmmaker Gloria Morán discusses her film, Unique Ladies about an all-female lowrider club in San Diego. Her screening is part of a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Watsonville of lowrider culture. Cinco de Mayo becomes Cinco de Lowrider Week What: 5 days celebrating Chicano ingenuity and the creativity of Lowrider culture When: Wed. – Sunday, May 1st – 5th at various times & locations Just added: the Barrio Bus will be at MAH, 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz for the First Friday event in Abbot Sq. from 4:30-7pm. Folks can get onboard and learn more about Chicano & Lowrider history, watch videos and take photos with the colorful murals! The Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) is reclaiming the Cinco de Mayo holiday with five days of films and festivities honoring Mexican and Chicano heritage and pride. The celebration is part of a prestigious California Humanities grant awarded to WFF to create the “More than Cars: Celebrating Lowrider Culture” and a series of cultural events in partnership with Pajaro Valley Arts and local car clubs. Humanities advisor, Dr. Alberto Lopez Pulido, Chair of the University of San Diego Ethnic Studies Dept., and a renowned Lowrider author and filmmaker, will bring the iconic 38-foot mural-covered “Barrio Bus,” aka classroom on wheels, from San Diego to visit PVUSD schools. From May 1-3, students will have the opportunity to tour the Barrio Bus and engage with Professor Pulido, who is also Vice-Chair of Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, to learn about the 8 Principles of Lowriding and the significance of 5 de Mayo. “Since the 1940s, lowriding has been a source of pride and a symbol of Chicano ingenuity,” says Dr. Pulido, “Yet for decades, many cities passed laws banning Lowriders from gathering and cruising. They were targeted with negative stereotypes when in fact they represent a unique form of “art on wheels.” In 2024, California finally repealed the bans after a grassroots campaign organized by Lowrider clubs across the state. On Saturday, May 4 at 6pm, the Watsonville Film Festival will present Dr. Pulido’s award-winning documentary, Everything Comes from The Streets about the history of Lowriding. UCSC graduate Gloria Morán will present her film, The Unique Ladies about women Lowriders in a culture traditionally dominated by men. There will be a Q&A after the films with the directors and Dr. Pulido’s co-producers Rigoberto Reyes and Kelly Whalen at Cinelux Green Valley Cinema, 1125 S. Green Valley Rd. Starting at 9pm, DJ XXIII will be spinning Lowrider tunes at a free after-party at Fruition Brewing, 918 E. Lake Ave in Watsonville. On Sunday, May 5, there will be free ‘Cinco de Lowrider’ festivities at Pajaro Valley Arts, where the “More Than Cars: Celebrating Lowrider Culture” exhibit will be open to the public. The Watsonville Riders will host their club’s showcase and talk from 1-2pm. There will be music, food vendors, and lots of beautiful Lowrider cars outside of the Porter Building at 280 Main Street between 11am–4pm.

Just ahead of his sold-out talk in Santa Cruz on April 25th, Ami Chen Mills grabbed a half hour with actor, comedian and author Rainn Wilson (formerly Dwight Schrute of “The Office”) to discuss his book SoulBoom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, his Ba’hai faith, the kind of God he believes in, how spirituality has become too individualistic and consumeristic … and many other profound concerns for the human race. This is a shorter version of this interview, edited for KSQD’s spring pledge drive. Find the full interview (“Director’s Cut”) at Moment of Truth with Ami Chen Mills soon at the show page here at KSQD and at all your favorite podcast sites.

Kyndal Edwards is a 30-something man walking across America to raise awareness about mental health and addiction. Past his 4,000 mile, he was on his way to the Mexican border when I caught up with him to hear how the journey was going.

The Low Impact Camping Ordinance drafted by the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission took some rural residents by surprise. On one hand, people are already renting out camping sites on their private properties, sometimes with negative impacts on neighbors, sometimes not. But with the state striving to regulate private camping, such as HipCamp.com (similar to Air B and B, but camping) has already made this a common practice. While some say regulating is the only way to enforce safety rules on private property, others say without enforcement, these rules just rubber-stamp dangerous practices, such as open fires and lax supervision of guest safety. Supporters say some enforcement is better than none, and they want to follow guidelines so they know what is legal. Bonny Doon resident, Nancy Kille came on the program to share her reservations about this new planned ordinance. Here is a powerpoint showing the parameters of the proposed ordinance. https://www2.santacruzcountyca.gov/planning/plnmeetings/PLNSupMaterial/PC/agendas/2024/20240313/007c.pdf

The Gipsy Kings have sold 20 million records worldwide, won a Grammy for best World Music Record, and four other grammy nominations. They have played the great concert halls of the world, appeared in movies (Big Lebowski, Toy Story III) and wowed audiences with their combination of rumba, salsa, flamenco and pop music. In this interview Rachel talks with founder and lead guitarist, Tonino Baliardo, who only speaks French and Spanish, so had a translator. The Gipsy Kings will play the Warrior’s Stadium in Santa Cruz on May 19th.

In part II of “Have you Been Canceled?”, a look at California’s homeowner’s insurance crisis, Rachel Anne Goodman talks with Deputy Insurance Commissioner and spokesperson for Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Michael Soller. She asks him about the proposed fixes coming from his boss and how that may impact insurance availability.

This month at the Actors’ Theater in downtown Santa Cruz we have a rare opportunity to experience a very local story. White Sky, Falling Dragon is a play in two acts by playwright, and Director, Steve “Spike” Wong. The play runs April 19 through May 5. Inspired by Spike’s own father, Captain Ernest Wong, USAAF, the play tells the story of a young Chinese-American man’s return to small town Watsonville, California in 1944 after his WWII service as a bombardier. This production, featuring an all Asian cast in primary roles, offers a rare opportunity to experience a largely untold story of the heroic contributions of Chinese-Americans, and a dramatic telling of the aftermath of war. With its focus on Chinese-American culture, immigration, and military service during wartime, the play is a unique blend of drama and comedy and a moving tribute to the complexities of what it means to come home. For more information and to purchase tickets: Actors Theater

In this program, State Senator John Laird and Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog, Carmen Balber discuss California’s homeowner’s insurance crisis and whether Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s proposed fixes will actually help the flight of insurance companies from the state or make it worse. Listeners weigh in, too.

Omer Bartov was born in Israel and educated at Tel Aviv University and St. Antony’s College, Oxford. His early research concerned the Nazi indoctrination of the Wehrmacht and the crimes it committed in World War II, analyzed in his books, The Eastern Front, 1941-1945 (1985), and Hitler’s Army (1991). He then turned to the links between total war and genocide, discussed in his books Murder in Our Midst (1996), Mirrors of Destruction (2000), and Germany’s War and the Holocaust (2003). Omer Bartov’s interest in representation also led to his study, The “Jew” in Cinema (2005), which examines the recycling of antisemitic stereotypes in film. His more recent work has focused on interethnic relations in the borderlands of Eastern Europe. His book Erased: Vanishing Traces of Jewish Galicia in Present-Day Ukraine (2007), investigates the politics of memory in West Ukraine, while Anatomy of a Genocide: The Life and Death of a Town Called Buczacz (2018), is a microhistory of ethnic coexistence and violence. The book received the National Jewish Book Award and the Yad Vashem International Book Prize for Holocaust Research, among others, and has been translated into several languages. Bartov’s Tales from the Borderlands: Making and Unmaking the Galician Past (2022) explores the centuries pre-dating the Holocaust. He has edited several volumes, including Shatterzone of Empires: Coexistence and Violence in the German, Habsburg, Russian, and Ottoman Borderlands (2013), Voices on War and Genocide: Three Accounts of the World Wars in a Galician Town (2020) and, reflecting his new interest, Israel-Palestine: Lands and Peoples (2021). His novel, The Butterfly and the Axe, was published in January 2023. His new book, Genocide, The Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis, has just come out. Omer Bartov is the Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, where he has taught since 2000.

Martin Rizzo-Martinez is a historian and a producer of film, podcast, and other media content. After completing his PhD at UC Santa Cruz in 2016, he became a UC Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow to work with Dr. Cliff Trafzer at UC Riverside. Following his postdoc, he worked with California State Parks as the Historian & Tribal Liaison for the Santa Cruz District, which allowed him to work closely with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and other tribal partners in the region. He is currently a professor in the Film and Digital Media program at UCSC. Martin is the author of the recently released book We Are Not Animals, a detailed look at the lives and survival strategies of the native peoples of the Monterey Bay area who survived the Spanish mission system, and the Mexican and American colonizing forces that followed it. He is also co-producer of the podcast “Challenging Colonialism”.

While the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission celebrates the groundbreaking of the Highway 1 auxiliary lane, bus on shoulder, and Mar Vista bike and pedestrian overcrossing, a lawsuit has been filed by the Sierra Club and The Campaign for Sustainable Transportation seeking to halt the Highway 1 expansion in Aptos. Our Talk of the Bay guests are Campaingn for Sustainable Transportation Co-Chair Rick Longinotti, along with Lani Faulkner of the Sierra Club Ventana Chapter Executive Committee and Founder of Equity Transit. Together they address their organization’s views on why investing in multi-modal transit options and making our streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians should be a higher priority than road expansions that don’t realize their stated goals. Lawsuit press release: The Sierra Club and Campaign for Sustainable Transportation (CFST) filed suit in Sacramento Superior Court regarding Caltrans’ plan to widen Highway 1 in Aptos to build auxiliary lanes between State Park Dr. and Freedom Blvd. The complaint argues that Caltrans’ Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project unlawfully evades the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The EIR did not analyze the alternative of building the rail and trail segment parallel to the highway without combining that project with the auxiliary lanes. The Sierra Club and the Campaign for Sensible Transportation support the rail and trail project as envisioned in the EIR. “This project is based on the discredited belief that auxiliary lanes will reduce congestion,” says Rick Longinotti, Chair of CFST and Sierra Club’s local Transportation Committee. The Caltrans EIR estimates that congestion in the northbound morning commute would get worse if the project is built. The EIR’s claim that there would be congestion relief in the southbound afternoon commute is based on the opening year of the project. It’s an empirical fact that any congestion relief is short-term, because more vehicles fill up the expanded road in what transportation researchers call “induced travel”. Longinotti states, “What we need are alternatives to being stuck in traffic. Spending $180 million on a futile project makes it less possible to fund those alternatives.” He points to other cities such as Minneapolis, Cleveland, and Atlanta that have genuine bus-on-shoulder operations that attract riders because the buses are not stuck in traffic. Sierra Club and CFST argue that investing in making our streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians should be a higher priority than road expansions that don’t reduce congestion. Santa Cruz County ranks 5th worst in rate of serious injuries to pedestrians (out of 58 counties) and 2nd worst in rate of injuries to bicyclists.