KUCI: Ask A Leader

Returning to the show, for the full hour, is Samantha Trad, the National Director of Advocacy for Compassion and Choices. Up the escalator are more states enacting laws granting end of life options or “medical aid in dying,” (MAID). Amidst this trend, boarding the downward escalator, are federal and state challenges to end these choices. In the background are Compassion and Choices’ findings that a majority across the political spectrum support MAID. More earnest questions about this last act we all have. Hop onto their website for all the resources to which she refers in this interview: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; and Leonard Bernstein conducting, Debussy’s “Nocturnes,” A Total Embrace of the Conductor – album.

For the full hour is Chinmayi Sharma, assistant professor at Fordham University Law School. Think Cassandra for this time we are in, as she brings her not-so-modest proposal, "AI’s Hippocratic Oath.” Amidst the tech sector’s arms race to build these voracious artificial intelligence systems, she raises the specter of harm overtaking the common good. Professionalizing the AI engineers at the front end would do for the public, what licensing other professions has done for clients, patients, and communities. In the closing segment (approx. minute 46:15) is Mykola Omelchenko, Ukrainian filmmaker/photographer who’s presenting “War Up Close” showing Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine thru virtual reality this Friday, April 12 at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Stand With Ukraine 11 am-6 pm this Friday. It’s free, visitors can sign up at: https://war.city/upcoming/. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Claraguilar, “Invisible Orchestra,” Figura – album; Vsevolod Zaderatsky’s Preludes and Fugues, performed by Jascha Nemtsov.

In this extended portion of Jordie Davies' interview we draw comparisons with Ukrainians coalescing in the Maidan Revolution in 2013-14 and American protest movements. This clip is under 3 minutes.

Today we first hear from Dr. Jordie Davies, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UCI, and an affiliate faculty member of the UCI Culture & Theory Ph.D. Program. Of particular interest is her work on “Solidarity Processes in Multi-Racial Coalitions.” An additional portion of this interview is available in Part 2 of this pod. In the segment (minute 35:50) is Paula Tomei, managing director of South Coast Repertory. She’s stepping down this August after a 44-year career, building a lot of things of local, regional, and national significance. It’s SCR’s 26th Pacific Playwright Festival May 3-5. Wrapping their season are the productions “Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical” and “Galilee, 34” which were previously showcased in earlier festivals. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Casey Benjamin, “Your Recipe,” single At Clement’s Place; “Ponteio,” Peppino D’Agostino, single.

We begin with Davin Phoenix, who talks about the voter participation gap opening up between Black and white voters, since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Shelby Co. v Holder. His very well received book, "The Anger Gap; How Race Shapes Emotion in Politics" anticipated this trend. He breaks it all down for us; his work along with the findings of the Brennan Center for Justice. In the segment (approx minute 35:11), is Grace Kelly: alto saxophonist, singer, composer, arranger, and more, releasing her 15th album and latest project, "Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies." This tribute to her sax hero Charlie Parker, features more than 16 films. Listeners will be able to find her recordings through PAZZ Productions, https://www.gracekellymusic.com/, or her live performances this Spring and Summer, including a Festival of the Arts gig in Laguna Beach July 13th. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Oliver Jones, “Mark My Time,” A Classic Act – album; Grace Kelly, “Morricone Medley,” Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies - album.

Logic for kiddos and dance are on today’s roster. We begin with former therapist now children’s book and memoir author Cornelia Maude Spelman. Her brand-new children’s non-fiction book, entitled A "Foot is Not a Fish," published by Frederator Books, pairs rhymes with vivid illustrations, to help parents show their children that it is not hard to see what is true and what is not, a fitting starting point for talks about the elections. In the second segment (approx. minute 26:15) is Jennifer Backhaus, founder, and artistic director of Backhausdance, a critically-acclaimed contemporary dance company, in advance of their March 27th, 8 p.m. Barclay performance in the middle of their 21st season. Ticket information is available: www.thebarclay.org or call (949) 854-4646. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Lunatraktors, “Rigs of Time,” single; Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band, “Gym Scene” Blues/Mambo, Westside Story Reimagined – album.

Our guest for the full hour is Sudi Farokhnia, a local Risk and Audit professional and Co-founder of Iranian American Democrats of California. Speaking in her capacity as an activist, she has a full roster to cover today including: Iranian American political organizing in general; The Middle Eastern Northern African Inclusion Act, California AB 2763; the Temporary Family Visitation Act, HR 5155; and The Allyship Act, HR 6865; all this going into Ramadan and Nowruz. As spring has sprung, civics keeps up on this show. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Kiosk, “Vada Bebar,” Triple Distilled – album.

Paa-Kwesi Heto had more to say, on the heels of the news about the U. S. Supreme Court rendering its decision about Donald Trump's eligibility to appear on the Colorado primary ballot.

Welcome all to the CA Primary 2024 edition of "Ask A Voter," continuing the tradition of asking guests to tell their voting story. Think Story Corps walking around the polling place. Today, on Super Tuesday our roster of voters include: Alex Denysov, Ukrainian-American actor, filmmaker, musician and songwriter based on Los Angeles (minute 1:48); Shawn Khalifa, UCI sociology major soon to complete his BA in UCI’s Underground Scholars program (minute 17:00); Paa-Kwesi Heto, international political economist, security analyst affiliated with both UCI and Soka University of America (25:12); Elizabeth Martin, retired Orange County attorney and contributor to Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development’s citizenship fair (minute 35:19) and finally KUCI radio trainee Matt Sereno (minute 44:33). Music credits: Fanfare for the Common Man, Leonard Bernstein, conducting NY Philharmonic; DakhaBraka, “Carpathian Rap,” – single; Matt Haimowitz, “Star Spangled Banner,” single; Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Not in Our Name - album; Agustín Uribu, “Fiesta en Ticara,” Santa Fe – album.

We are 1 week away from CA Primary Election Day, March 5th. On today’s roster is our last candidate: Crystal Miles, Villa Park City Council member, running as a Republican in the CA State Senate 37th District. Other candidates either did not reply, were unavailable for interview, have appeared in past election cycles, or are not actively campaigning. In today’s second segment (approx. minute 27:15), we do one better with a heady discussion of civics. Taking that up is Linda Bytof, retired judge and currently the Chair of Youth Outreach Committee with the League of Women Voters, Alameda CA; and a member on the Alameda Co Office of Education Civics Advisory Committee. NOTE: Calling all “Ask A Voter” guests to reach the host to appear on the CA Primary show next week. We still have openings. As with election show, we want to hear your election story: about your first time you registered and why are you voting today. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Nestor Torres, “Solar," Dance of the Phoenix - album; Mc Coy Tyner Trio, " Happy Days," Infinity - album.

As our primary coverage continues, our first guest is Dr. Nancy Watkins, education professional and OC Board of Education candidate running for trustee in Area 3. This area includes: Fullerton, Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Orange, Foothill Ranch, Villa Park, central and North Irvine, Portola Hills, Anaheim Hills, portions of Lake Forest and Tustin. This is 3 of 5 trustee races that are on the CA Primary ballot. In the second segment (approx. minute 32:59) is financial technology entrepreneur Max Ukropina, who is running as a Republican in CA 47th Congressional District. This district includes: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport, and Seal Beach, and portions of Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Woods. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Vincent Herring/Bobby Watson/Gary Bartz, “Folklore,” Bird at 100 – album; Isaiah J. Thompson, “1,000 Rainbows,” Plays the Music of Buddy Montgomery.

We are 3 weeks out from CA Primary Election Day, March 5th. Our vote-by-mail ballots are delivered; on Feb. 24th select vote centers will open, 25 with a drive through ballot drop off. The Registrar of Voters office will be open for the entire voting period. Information is available at: https://www.ocvote.gov/VIG . AAL continues coverage of the primary; on today’s roster are 2 State Senator candidates running in the 37th District: First is Alex Mohajer, Democrat and LA County Civil Service Advocate/Employee Relations Representative. In the second segment (minute 28:40) is Guy Selleck, Republican and founder/CEO/principal of BuildersMax Inc. and G.E.M. Investment Properties. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Miki Yamamoto, ”Suite 1 Brain,” Human Dust Suite – album; and Bela Fleck “Rhapsody in Bluegrass,” single.

Yesterday vote-by-mail ballot mailing began, California! Feb. 20th last day to register to vote, Feb. 24th select vote centers (183) open, inc 37 open for 11 days, 146 open for 4 days & 25 with a drive through ballot drop off, 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.

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

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 from the 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. Please do listen. 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.

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.

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.

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 & 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.

For the larger share of the hour is Climate Action policy director, Ayn Craciun. She talks about local public works, public advocacy, and will later cover her public office aspirations this fall. Of interest are: the redirection of Orange County Power Authority; 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; Teodross Avery, “Teo,” Harlem Stories: The Music of Thelonius Monk - album.

Matt generously spoke at greater length in this session. This portion completes the whole.