KUCI: Ask A Leader

Alex Armlovich, senior housing policy analyst at the Niskanen Center weighs in on how empty nesters are trapped in the single-family huts, and how young homeowners are shut out. The barriers toward solving this are as persistent as they are increasingly formidable. In the second segment (minute 32:30), it’s that time of the year for the Annual UCI MIND Alzheimers conference, it’s their 33rd and it’s a hybrid event for the first time. Megan Witbracht, Associate Director of Education at the UCI, offers the highlights and the secret sauce blend of leading-edge topics and invited experts for all you prospective attendees this September 9th, 8am-3:15 p.m. Irvine or in your home. Details for the conference are available at: https://conference.mind.uci.edu/. Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Y Tube-Victor Hugo Morales, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” Fred Rogers composition; Sai Galaxy, feat Olugbase Okunade, “Get It in The Sun,” Get It As You Move - album.

CRT Forward Tracking Project Director Taifa Alexander at UCLA’s Law School brings her Anti-CRT Mapping Project. Last spring on this show, involved O C parents zoomed in on their district. Director Alexander zooms out onto the national effort: to identify, track, and analyze local, state, and federal activity aimed at restricting the ability to speak truthfully about race, racism, and systemic racism. In the second segment (minute 30:35), UCI ethnographer and anthropologist Roxann Varzi has raised her creative game during Covid staying in place, with some beautiful, intentional pieces she’s created and produced, gauging our capacity to deal with challenges like oh climate, and Covid and the next scourge. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Antibalas “Gold Rush” Where the Gods Are in Peace – album.

Returning to the show, wearing his public health cape is my guest UCI professor Andrew Noymer, again for the full hour about the pox on all our households. Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Tadaki Misago & Tokyo Cuban Boys, “Sakura Sakura,” WaJazz Japanese Jazz Spectacle, vol. 1 – album.

After Metropolitan Water District water pump mechanic Gina Chavez’ several appearances on this program, it’s her offsprings’ turn to take this the full hour to talk about growing up amidst her labor history and growing up in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Lucy Panuco, senior at Lake Havasu High School, and Milo Panuco, graduate of Parker High School; share their own experiences on their own terms. Their duet is chronicle of two identities, two high schools, and two career paths. Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Radar State, “What’s a Rebel,” Strays – album.

For the full hour, UCI Political Science Professor Louis DeSipio considers how and at what rate the GOP is managing to draw Latino voters away from the Democratic Party. Among the he explores are: Latino identities, regions in the country, gender, wedge issues, and the campaign approaches both tactics & strategies tailored to each and every demographic segment/niche. A lot of noise around these trends, we’ll bring it to a sensible volume. Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Los Ángeles Azules, "Mis Sentimientos," ft. Ximena Sariñana.

For the full hour is Linda Kraemer, Orange County chapter co-chair of the Climate Reality Project. As we continue coverage of local climate actions we turn to Linda for her inestimably thorough pursuits, closely following local institutions’ energy distribution models in pursuit of lowering everyone’s, businesses’ and residents’, carbon footprints. Means for following up: https://www.climaterealityoc.com or LKTeamTalk@gmail.com. Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Electronic José González, “Swing EP,” Solomun Remix.

For the full hour, is UCI emeritus Jack Miles bringing his new book, that he co-wrote with his long established friend Mark C. Taylor, the noted cultural critic and philosopher: A Friendship in Twilight: Lockdown Conversations on Death and Life (Columbia University Press, 2022). Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Michael J Miles, "Mississippi River Sweet", featuring Zahra Glenda Baker.

This is the extended interview of today's program with MWD employees: Ellen Mackey, Gina Chavez, and Jason Sierras. 9 minutes of added commentary, have a listen.