KUCI: Ask A Leader

Write-In Candidate Enters CA 37th State Senate Special Election

Louise Stewardson, write-in candidate, and lonely Democratic candidate in the 37th Senate District Special Election on 3/17/15, talks policy in one of the shortest campaigns in local history. She also reminds us of the downside of low voter turnout: the lowering of the required number of signatures to qualify an initiative to become a statewide ballot proposition. Registered voters in: Anaheim Hills, part of Orange, Villa Park, Tustin, Irvine, Foothill Ranch, El Toro, Lake Forest, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, and South Huntington Beach take note - polling places open on 3/17/15 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Information about your polling place is available at www.ocvote.com.

Looking Under the Cuban Hood AND UFW Turns 50

For the larger share of the hour, Raul Fernandez, UCI Chicano and Latino Studies Emeritus Professor and current Chair of the UC-Cubaa Academic Initiative, gives a nuanced look at the changes taking place in Cuba amidst US-Cuban rapprochement . Briefly, United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez speaks in advance of the 50th Anniversary of the UFW, celebrated in Orange, CA. on 3-7-15. Mr. Rodriguez will return to the program for a longer interview in September with new initiatives planned for launch at that time. Stay tuned!

Irvine Assistance League Shop: A Community Affair

Jaimee Tashiri and Diana Cavanaugh, co-manager and board member respectively of the Irvine Assistance League Thrift and Gift Shop, present their charity's abundant benefits to community and consumer. This venture is the one and only thrift store in Irvine, city of nearly 250,000. The store opens house with "It's Just Coffee" on March 7th from 10 am til noon, at 2425 Alton Parkway. More information about other events, opportunities, and hours is available at: www.alirvine.org, or 949-955-3437.

Dark Money Trails in Irvine Mayoral Races AND ”Alien She” Raises OCMA Roof

Attorneys Frank Barbaro and Frank Lunding, in the thick of unsettling investigations, examine the forensic evidence of dark money laundered and stacked in the Irvine mayoral election of 2012. The Federal Political Practices Commission, and CA Attorney General Kamala Harris' office are the most direct sources of oversight of these transgression - general public take note. LA artist and curator, Astria Suparak walks us through the Riot Grrrl movement as well as "Alien She," the current exhibition at the Orange Museum of Art that she's co-curated with Ceci Moss. This exhibit runs through May 24, 2015. http://www.ocma.org, http://www.astriasuparak.com, http://riotgrrrlcensus.tumblr.com, and http://www.bit.ly/RGmap are resources to follow the plethora of events at OCMA and or get your own project started. The Lesbian Feminist Haunted House will be staged in West Hollywood this Halloween, presented by exhibiting artist Allyson Mitchell.

Progressives Eat, Meet, Pray at the Delphi Center

In advance of the event, emcee Andrew Tonkovich speaks about "Challenging Capitalism," featuring acclaimed progressive intellectual, Dr. Richard Wolff and Ellen Brown, attorney and writer best known for her advocacy of public banking. It was sponsored by KPFK and O C Greens Party, Feb 12th, at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana. Although this segment did not make the broadcast, this interview sets listeners on the path toward broader discussion about labor behind the Orange Curtain. Mr. Patrick Conlin, of the OC Green Party is available for more information, http://www.ocgreens.org/ or http://www.rdwolff.com/ for the featured speaker.

UCI CAREs About Sexual Assault

Establishing UCI’s Center for Excellence Rare Genetic Diseases

Dr. Virginia Kimonis, UCI Medical Professor of Genetics and Metabolism, takes up her collaboration with researchers and clinicians at UCI, focusing on rare diseases, especially muscle and bone genetic diseases. With her extensive career in rare genetic diseases, she makes the case for the National Institutes of Health's increased funding for precision or individualized medicine. Talking about her medical team's leading edge diagnostics and treatments, support, and care are: Zack Dumond, with the pediatric onset of Pompe Disease; and David Sweetman, with adult onset of Inclusion Body Myopathy Associated with Paget's Disease (IBMPFD). This interview is presented in advance of World Rare Disease Month, February 28- March 31. The UCI event for this occasion will be hosted on 2/25/15 from 12:00-2:00pm, at the Bill and Sue Gross Hall/CIRM Institute. RSVP Erika Fisher, 949-824-2886. More information about Dr. Kimonis' clinics, rare diseases, and upcoming events is available at: UCI Division of Human Genetics and Metabolism and globalgenes.org. David Sweetman generously maintains an encyclopedic website as a resource for the general public: www.ibmpfd.com.

International Labor Eyes on the Local Prize AND Anteaters for Autism

Returning to the show is Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, General Secretary of Mexico's National Union of Mine, Metal and Steel Workers, Los Mineros; as well, a member of the executive commmittee of IndustriAll Global Union. He brings us up to date on his North American and international goals as well as on his personal successes. His book, covered over his 4/2013 appearance on AAL remains very topical, "Collapse of Dignity; The Story of a Mining Tragedy and the Fight Against Greed and Corruption in Mexico." Next, Payal Shah, second year biological sciences major and president of "Anteaters for Autism," posts her organization's goals and upcoming events. On February 8th, from 2-5 pm, at UCI's Student Center Emerald Room, Payal's organization will host "Social for Adults with Autism and Their Caregivers." Watch for other events and fundraising opportunities on their Facebook page.