KUCI: Ask A Leader

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.