KUCI: Ask A Leader

UCI political science professor Matthew Beckmann returns to talk about the impossible job of the American presidency amidst legislative currents, some of which flow right up to a bluff. Watch next summer for his latest book: "The President's Day; Every Day Work in an Impossible Job." In the second segment (approx. minute 37:00) is playwright and director Octavio Solis, with his play now being performed at the South Coast Repertory, "Quixote Nuevo." The show runs now til Oct 28th at Segerstrom Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa. The Rep is in a celebratory mood; this richly re-told story of a classic is a fitting performance to herald their 60th season. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Las Cafeteras, “If I Was President;” David R Molina-composer and performer, “Rusting Soul I and II.”

Returning to the show is UCI Professor Keramet Reiter, Professor with appointments at UCI’s Dept. of Criminology, Law, and Society and UCI’s Law School; and founding director of “Lifted,” a prison education program in the UC system. Her acclaimed writings include her book: "23/7; Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement." She brings insight into solitary confinement reform in CA, and the intersection of that with her other projects in the carceral system: the BA degree program in the UC system, & other education programs. Details about this program are available at: https://lifted.uci.edu/. On future programming AAL will resume discussion of the bail reform and how the system affects individuals and communities. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; and Jaimie Branch, “theme 001,” FLY or DIE LIVE – album.

PhD coach excerpt, alone, of yesterday's broadcast.

This is the extended portion of Briana Walker's interview. Thank you for having this listen.

In advance of her 10/20 workshop at UCI for PhD students, is Kimberly Duong, UCI School of Engineering graduate, now employed as a water agency civil engineer. She will return to the show to talk about her new calling as a PhD coach, assisting PhD students in: productivity, project management, procrastination, and anything else related. She can be followed in various ways at: https://itscoachkimberly.com/wp/. Her 10-20-23, noon- 1 p.m. PT, on line webinar registration: https://gps-stem.grad.uci.edu/project/2023-10-20/. In the second segment (approx. minute 23:42), Briana Walker (@InMinivanHell) returns in her capacity as a local muckraker, to talk about local school board culture war policies cropping up all over Orange County. Her work is proof of the importance of down ballot voting, such as the next primary election on March 5, 2024. Resources available at: Rainbow Youth Project and Our Schools hotline 866-975-8870, and Ladera Ranch Social Justice Conversations on the Zuck pages. The extended interview portion follows this posting. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; #2 T S Monk, “Crepuscule with Nellie,” Monk on Monk – album; and #11 Sportive Tricks, “Rigs of Time,” Old Dogs New Tricks – album.

Irvine, the largest city in California to have at-large city council members, is undertaking the process of amending the city charter to create distinct city council elections districts from which the candidates would run. The charter amendment would also add 2 seats to the City Council. Returning to the show for the larger share of the hour is demographer Justin Levitt, retained by Irvine’s City Council, to update us on that process, 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 3 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; Hideto Sasaki – Toshiyuki Sekine Quartet, “Turquoise Twice” Stop Over – album.

For the larger share of the show are two childhood friends, building something special together. Saara Dang of Sage Hill High School, and Rohan Soni of Orange County School of the Arts - are partners in creating the app dearme.mentalhealth a project that assists youth in managing the challenges of chronic illness and mental health. The app is a platform for anonymous journaling. In the second segment (approx minute 47:30), we check in with local Iranian American activist Guita Sharifi about the Women.Life.Freedom rally this Sat in DTLA; 9-16th, 2-4 pm, at 200 N Spring Street. Other events around SoCal are planned leading up to that event. Volunteers can call 818-943-6276. She also posted us on the Mahsa Act HR 589, under consideration in the US Congress. We then closed the show (approx. minute 52:20) with a tribute to civic leader extraordinaire Mary Ann Gaido, whom we lost 9-6-23. For those who wish to pay their respects… the Funeral Mass Service for Mary Ann Gaido will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 9 Hillgate, Irvine, CA 92612, Friday September 15th, 2 PM. Reception to follow. The family invites attendees to bring a photo or written memory to add to a display. Cards of condolence can be mailed to John and Peggy Gaido, Mary Ann’s son and daughter at 5071 Berean Ln Irvine CA 92603. Donations in Maryann’s memory may be given to: Kennedy Commission for Affordable Housing, Sisters of St Joseph of Orange, Barclay Theatre, School of Nursing at UCI, or the Sierra Club. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Mindrangam and Indian Hand Drum; Benjamin Clementine, “Condolences,” At Least for Now – album; and Nadine Sierra performing “Take Care of this House,” composed by Leonard Bernstein, Pennsylvania Ave – album.

Returning to the show is Vic Gerami, editor and publisher of the Blunt Post, host and producer of the “Blunt Post with Vic” on Radio KPFK, and documentary filmmaker of the feature film “Motherland.” Given that the Republic of Artsakh is in greater tatters than when he last was on "Ask A Leader," given that the media is watching a little bit more closely the mud show at Burning Man, or Barbie - that media appears to be missing some salient points about the disputed territories in the Armenian and Azerbaijani area. It is useful to return to sources who attend to existentially threatened nations. Vic explains about the 8 month long blockade in the Lachine Corridor, breakdowns what analysts are getting wrong, and offers a template about how to achieve and understanding of other fronts without feeling exhausted or helpless. For a moment that exercise took place in Irvine’s City Council chambers last winter. Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa - album; Armen Martirosyan with Armenian Jazz Band – “Eastern Blues.”