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August 16 - 20, 2004
Monday, Aug. 16
Standardized Test Scores
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This morning the California Department of Education released the results of
the California High School Exit Exam, which is now required for graduation starting with the class of 2006. KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze was at the conference and joins Kitty with the results.
Local Olympians
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How are our local Southern California Olympic athletes faring at the games? Kitty checks in with Stephanie Nesbitt from Riverside who is competing in team synchronized swimming and Janet Dykman from El Monte who is competing in archery.
Presidential Reading
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Who would have thought that among the best selling books this summer would be books about politics? Since 2000, political book sales have increased by double-digits. Kitty Felde explores the tidal wave of presidential literature and asks if and how it might affect the November elections. Matt Streb is Assistant Professor Political Science at Loyola Marymount University. Jonathan Kirsch is contributing writer to the Los Angeles Times and also writes the bi-weekly column "Westwords".
Comic Artist Lalo Alcaraz
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The hardheaded son of Mexican immigrants, Los Angeles-based artist and satirist Lalo Alcaraz has attracted numerous honors and awards, media coverage, and bags of fan mail for his powerful political cartoons demanding justice and fair treatment for immigrants, Latinos, and minorities. The "La Cucaracha" creator's latest work is an editorial cartoon collection called, Migra Mouse: Political Cartoons on Immigration (RDV Books).
Lalo Alcaraz will hold a signing at Luna Sol Bookstore, located in the Bluebird Art House, from 7-9PM on Friday August 27. There is a pre-reception from 6-7PM at Hecho de Alma store (two doors down from Bluebird).
Bluebird Art House is located at 6747 Bright Ave. in Uptown Whittier, (562) 696-9493. For more information, also contact Luna Sol Bookstore (562) 693-3643.
Electronic Voting in the Venezuelan Election
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With touch screen voting machines that print out a paper receipt, the recall election in Venezuela appears to be technologically savvier than our elections here in the states. Kitty talks with Kim Alexander, President of the California Voter Foundation, about the election.
Tuesday, Aug. 17
Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire
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As Force Commander of the UN Mission in Rwanda ten years ago, Romeo Dallaire fought his own losing battle with the US and the UN when he tried to warn of the upcoming (and then continuing) genocide that left 800,000 dead in a matter of weeks. Through his lectures, writing and research he has made huge efforts to ensure that this kind of international negligence never happens again. But many would argue that this is exactly what is happening in Sudan today. What are his thoughts and recommendations?
People Say I'm Crazy
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The early years of John Cadigan were much like any other kid's. He was athletic, artistic and social. By the time he got to college, however, he found himself unable to leave his basement apartment fearful of the world outside. What was first diagnosed as depression was later discovered to be schizophrenia. He joins Kitty Felde in studio to share the story of his fight to save his mind. His journey is chronicled in the documentary "People Say I'm Crazy" co-produced with his sister Katie who also joins the discussion.
Supporters of Prop. 63, the Mental Health Initiative, will gather today for a debut screening of this film and discussion with the filmmakers. 4pm, MHA Village, 456 Elm Ave. (cross-streets 5th/Elm downtown), Long Beach. Call 213-447-5596 for more information.
"People Say I'm Crazy" airs Wednesday, August 18th on CINEMAX.
California moves primary date from March to June
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California is poised to return its primary day to June, starting in 2006. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, political analyst and senior scholar at USC, and Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento Bee, join Kitty to talk about our state's failure to become more relevant in the presidential primary election process and the anticipated results of the date change.
Wednesday, Aug. 18
Black Students and Standardized Test Scores
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Earlier this week when the California Department of Education released results of the California High School Exit Exam, they were mixed. While overall 75% of students passed the English test and 74% passed the math test, the results for black students were surprisingly lower than we would expect. Are there other factors educators must consider when teaching black youth? Kitty explores those issues with Gail Thompson, associate professor in the school of Educational Studies at Claremont Graduate University and author of Through Ebony Eyes: What Teachers Need to Know But Are Afraid to Ask About African American Students (Jossey-Bass).
Ask The Chief
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Starting today (Weds), LAPD Chief William Bratton joins host Kitty Felde for a monthly discussion on policing Los Angeles. Tune in today and every third Wednesday of the month to ask the Chief your questions.
Sahara Marathon
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Running any marathon in grueling enough. Running 26.2 miles in one of the world's most punishing deserts seems outright crazy. But to the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara, the Sahara Marathon is their chance to be in the global spotlight. The annual race draws people from all over the world and coveted media attention to the plight of the Sahrawi people. Tomorrow night on PBS, Wide Angle presents "Sahara Marathon" about the quest to win the marathon and about the history and future of the 165,000 Sahrawi. Kitty talks with Dr. George Wortley who has twice run the marathon and is now the attending physician to the English speaking runners.
Wide Angle presents Sahara Marathon on KCET Thursday night, August 19 at 9 pm.
This Old House
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Long before Home and Garden television, "This Old House" was showing eager viewers how to lay tile, wield a power drill and more. The institution of home improvement celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a road tour. Kitty Felde catches up with "This Old House" general contractor Tom Silva.
Ask This Old House airs each Saturday on KCET at 11:30AM. Ask This Old House comes to the Hawthorne Home Depot (14603 Oceangate) Thursday, August 19, from noon-8:00 pm.
Thursday, Aug. 19
Governor Announces Gaming Agreements
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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his tentative gaming agreements with five more tribes. KPCC reporter Rachael Myrow joins Kitty with the details.
The Return of the Downtown Trolley
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The Los Angeles redevelopment board is expected to approve a $100,000 study to determine the feasibility of resurrecting a downtown trolley line. The five-mile line would connect downtown landmarks from Chinatown to the Staples Center. Kitty takes a look back at the history of the trolley with Dr. Kevin Starr, California State Librarian Emeritus.
I-15 Devore Project: Prototype for Future Freeway Reconstruction?
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Southern California commutes can be brutal enough. But if you could trade off short-term pain for long-term gain, would it be worth it? Caltrans is betting that it would with their innovative reconstruction plan of the Devore section of the I-15 near San Bernardino. Kitty will get the specifics from David Thomas, Caltrans Senior Design Engineer of the Devore project, and explore how drivers are affected by these delays with Brian Taylor, associate professor in the Department of Urban Planning and director of the Institute of Transportation Studies.
The I-15 closures are scheduled between the week after Labor Day, September 13, 2004 to the week before Thanksgiving, November 18, 2004. The I-15 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction from Sierra Ave in Fontana to the 15/215 junction, Monday to Thursday, round-the-clock. All lanes will be re-opened Friday to Sunday for heavier weekend traffic. Look for Caltrans advisory signs when the freeway work starts or go to Caltrans District 8 News for more information.
Presidential Voices
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When did communication become more important than oration in a President? Linguist Allan Metcalf analyses the linguistic legacy of past and present presidents. His new book is Presidential Voices: Speaking Styles from George Washington to George W. Bush (Houghton Mifflin).
The Loh Life
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Commentator Sandra Tsing Loh continues to muse on her patriotic, yet hidden, athletic abilities.
Friday, Aug. 20
Inclusionary Zoning
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Kitty Felde, LA Councilmember Eric Garcetti and Ray Pearl of the Business Industry Association discuss one of the most controversial proposals before the LA City Council. The Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance would require developers to set aside new housing for low income families.
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