KUCI: Ask A Leader

What’s Cookin’ on the Solar Stove AND Is Our Media’s Goose Already Cooked?

Irvine Valley College Students Django Mangalam and Zachary Ho and U C I graduate student Noe Rodriguez discuss their two prototypes for clean cooking stoves. Their progress can be followed on youtube and at UCI's School of Engineering, respectively. More information is available at cleancookstoves.org. Over the second half of the show, Tom Patterson of Harvard University's JFK School takes up the challenge of maintaining quality journalism in his recent publication, "Informing the News; The Need for Knowledge-Based Journalism." Copies of his book can be ordered at www.vintagebooks.com

Jesus as a Prophet in Islam AND PeaceNow.com

Shayk Mustafa Umar, of the Islamic Institute of Orange County, weaves historic and legendary details into his Islamic interpretation of Jesus and the attendant prophecies. Shayk Umar's resonating themes take up application in our everyday, contemporary lives. iioc.com is a source for services, lectures, and cultural activities at the Institute located at 1220 N. State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92608. 714-533-6271 is open for calls between 10 am -5:30 pm. Briefly, Scotty Bruer, founder of PeaceNow.com brings on his own initiative, signing up "peace ambassadors" around the world.

Syria’s Shrinking Academic Portfolio AND The World’s Sinking Groundwater Stock

Syrian neuropharmacologist, Amal Alachkar, on a temporary appointment at U.C. Irvine takes up how the Syrian academic and scientific infrastructures is at risk amidst Syria's nearly 3 year old civil war. Her appointment is made possible by the Scholar Rescue Fund. Other sources worthy of listeners' support include: the Syrian Organization for Relief and International Awareness Inc. (Facebook page SORIA), and the Syrian American Medical Society. Returning to Ask A Leader, is James Famiglietti, earth sciences engineer and professor at UCI. Accompanying him are Jamiat Nanteza and Sasha Richey, veritable rock stars and doctoral candidates, who address international water security issues from persistent and deepening groundwater depletion. All three consider their research in Eastern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with the advanced technology available through the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (G.R.A.C.E.) satellite system that locates and measures ground water depletion globally. The Pentagon's highly secure Office of Net Assessment is also paying attention to these trends.

Remembering Sandy Hook Elementary and Nelson Mandela

Redeeming grief magnificently, Charles and Mary Leigh Blek continue to take up the prevention of gun violence, as we acknowledge the one year anniversary of the Newtown, CT shootings. They present a report card of state and federal legislation passed and pending. Legislative updates are available at www.smartgunlaws.org. Sat. December 14th, around California and the country, bells will toll for the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre. Information for the Orange County gathering is available at: orangecountybradychapter@gmail.com or 714-200-9676; for other venues around the country: www.bradycampaign.org or 650-863-3360. Moreover, we commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela, as well the work of Linda and Peter Biehl whose daughter Amy was killed 20 years ago in South Africa. Linda Biehl, who survives her husband, continues her work as co-founder and director of the Amy Biehl Foundation, an internationally supported organization transitioning toward local management. Information about Amy and the Foundation's charter and the outcomes is available at www.amybiehl.co.za or www.amybiehl.org Rest in peace, Madiba.

The Art of Listening AND The Need for Speaking

Just in time for the holidays, Gayle Jabour and Daniel Tigner have recently launched their publication, "The Time of Your Life: Everyone Has a Story." This book compiles reflections of some 40 retirees spanning a breadth of careers with a depth of experience. Insights this privileged are rare - the dividends of listening to this extent take us, in everyday life, to some very special zones. Books can be ordered at the usual outlets or www.revealinglightproductions.com, www.gsph.com or calling (819)682-0205. Robin Leffler, President of Costa Mesans for Responsible Government, takes up the latest developments in her city council's efforts to trim public comment. New policies of consequence are expected to be considered as well as enacted tonight, starting at 6 pm at the Council Chambers at 77 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. More information is available at www.cm4rg.org as well as www.costamesaca.gov.

High School Students Gear Up

Local high school students on Thanksgiving break discuss their projects and goals at school, their college aspirations, and the their pending admissions processes. Meet the up and coming professional class on this show: Hunter Craft, ASB president of University High School; Hannah O'Connor, ASB President of Woodbridge High; and Emma Kensington, home schooling in Newport Beach and recipient of The Environmental Nature Center's volunteer of 2013 award.

Personal Toll from Public Trauma AND Raiders of Some Lost Art?

Dana Garfin, a post doc scholar at UCI's Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, addresses the impact of nationally/internationally covered traumatic events on the individual's physical and mental well being; from the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination to 9/11. Next, UCI German Professor Kai Evers probes into the ambiguities of the provenance of the Gurlitt art collection recently discovered in the family's Munich apartment. This coverage of the family's relationship to the Third Reich and to the art world,is only the start of many discoveries yet to be disclosed. lostart.de is one website where this topic can be followed.

LGBT Seniors AND Immigration Law With or Without Reform

Katie Barraza, as Director of Senior Services a the Gay and Lesbian Services Center of Orange Co. advocates for elders of the LGBTQ community who are missed in the institutional and social settings. Stu Maddox' film Gen Silent is a remarkable glimpse into these lives which shift in and out of the closet. thecenteroc.org located at 1605 N. Spurgeon Street, SA, CA. You can give Katie a call if you want to sign up a senior friend who could benefit from any of these programs: (714) 953-5428, ext. 204 located at 1605 N. Spurgeon Street, SA, CA or at: thecenteroc.org. Immigration attorney Jeff Khurgel covers the legal and political status quo of immigrant law as prospects for reform dwindle on the Congressional vine. He can be reached at: Khurgel.com or his office located: 4199 Campus Drive, 949-509-6515.