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May 23 - 27, 2005
Monday, May 23
Carson Says No to NFL
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The Carson City Council decided yesterday that a mall is better for the city than a new NFL stadium. Kitty finds out why from Carson's economic development manager, Ron Winkler.
LAX Master Plan approved by FAA
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The Federal Aviation Administration signed off last Friday on the city's $11-billion LAX modernization plan, allowing construction to begin as soon as this spring. The decision came just days after Angelinos voted to replace Mayor Hahn and termed-out Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, the plan's two strongest proponents, with Antonio Villaraigosa and Bill Rosendahl, both of whom oppose major parts of the proposal. Kitty checks in with Councilman Jack Weiss and Mark Pisano, Executive Director of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), to find out what it all means to residents and travelers.
Is Immigration Slowing Down?
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A new report is being released today that shows an actual slowing in the growth of California's foreign-born population. In LA County in particular the report finds a demographic shift in the entire population. Immigration is not only slowing but more than half of the county's children are now second generation. Kitty speaks with USC demographer Dowell Myers about these surprising findings and their implications for education and public health.
Read the California Demographic Futures 2005 report.
Wendy Wasserstein on Sloth
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Tony and Pulitzer award winning playwright and author of such groundbreaking plays as the Heidi Chronicles joins Kitty to espouse the virtues of sloth. Her book, Sloth, is part of a series on the seven deadly sins, published by Oxford University Press.
Tuesday, May 24
Filibuster Averted
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7 Democrats and 7 Republicans in the Senate yesterday came to an agreement that will avert a constitutional battle over judicial filibusters. Both sides are declaring victory. Kitty speaks with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) about the last minute agreement.
Schools in the News
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LAUSD is deciding whether or not to implement the A-G course sequence as part of the high school graduation requirement, and Pasadena Unified may close Washington Middle School or another campus in order to close a gaping budget gap. KPCC reporter, Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, joins Kitty with the latest on both stories.
Local Cities Vie for NFL
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The return of the NFL to Los Angeles is on the agenda today at the owners’ meeting in Washington D.C. Three sites are being considered in the Southland area -- the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the LA Coliseum, and a site in Anaheim on which a new stadium would be built. Sam Farmer, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, is in Washington and gives Kitty an update.
Schwarzenegger On Tribal Gaming
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Governor Schwarzenegger’s new proclamation on tribal gaming policy outlines his plans to halt Indian gaming in urban areas. To clarify the policy and discuss the issues, Kitty is joined by Vince Sollito, deputy press secretary for the Governor; Howard Dickstein, an attorney who has represented many Native American tribes; and John Simerman, reporter for the Contra Costa News.
LA Plays Itself
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Voted the Best Documentary of 2004 by the Village Voice, this new film confronts the discrepancy between the urban reality of Los Angeles and its various cinematic permutations. How has the L.A. of the movies becomes a kind of separate urban reality unto itself? Filmmaker Thom Anderson shares his insights and favorite clips.
Screening at American Cinematheque's Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian on 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Call 323-466-3456 or click here for information.
Show times are:
Friday, May 27 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 28 - 3:30 PM
Saturday, May 28 - 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 29 - 3:30 PM
Sunday, May 29 - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 25
Real Estate Bubble
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The bubble is getting bigger, as U.S. home sales surge to record highs. The national median home price rose more than 15%, and here in sunny California, prices paid for homes increased by 17.5%, with a median price of $424,000. Kitty talks with John Karevoll, an Analyst for DataQuick Information Systems, a real estate information company in Southern California, about how long this can last, and what, if anything, might burst the bubble.
Earthquakes
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A new report published in the May issue of Earthquake Spectra reveals that the Puenta Hills fault, discovered some six years ago, could cause damage the likes of which Californians have never seen. Kitty discusses this sobering news with Lucy Jones, scientist in charge for the US Geological Survey in Southern California, Steve Cloke, Principal Structural Engineer for the LA County Department of Public Works, Farzad Naiem, Structural Engineer, VP and Director of Research and Development for the John Martin Association (a structural engineering and design firm), James Dalessandro, author of a book about a future San Francisco earthquake, and Roger Richter, Sr. Vice President of Professional Services for the California Hospital Association.
Bill Rauch's Long Goodbye to Cornerstone Theater
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Bill Rauch is a co-founder of Cornerstone and currently its Artistic Director, a post he'll be leaving next spring after twenty years with the company. For his swan song, he's directing two final productions for Cornerstone. Opening June 2nd, A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters, by James Still, is a powerful exploration of faith inspired by the religious history of Los Angeles, and the final production in Cornerstone's Faith-Based Theater Cycle. Rauch will also direct the world premiere of Alison Carey's adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, opening in March of 2006. A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters opens at the Ford Amphitheatre on June 2.
Thursday, May 26
Sex Offenders
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The small town of Mead Valley has been rocked by angry protests, after a two-time convicted rapist was released into their community. In response, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an emergency ordinance Tuesday, which tightens the restrictions on where paroled sex offenders can live. Residents and lawmakers alike seem to have an "anywhere but here" attitude, which begs the question, where are these parolees supposed to live? Kitty explores the complicated issue of how to safely reintegrate sex offenders into our communities, in conversation with Dr. Astrid Heppenstall-Heger, Executive Director of the Violence Intervention Program at USC, and Jeff Stone, Riverside County Supervisor.
Villaraigosa's New Team
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Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa held a press conference today announcing the members of his new transition team. Kitty gets a quick update from KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze.
Voice Interpretation Technology
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Everyone knows the frustration of trying to communicate with a company that refuses to put a live person on the phone. But what if the computer on the other end of the line could feel your pain? New breakthroughs in voice recognition technology enable automated phone systems to "hear" whether you're angry, fed up or frustrated – and to know when it's time to transfer you to a real person. USC Professor Shri Narayanan developed the system, which analyzes language and transforms speech patterns into electrical waveforms that can be interpreted by the computer. But the applications go beyond customer service – Narayanan's system could also help children with learning difficulties, bridge cultural differences and deepen our understanding of the art of communication.
For more information on Voice Interpretation Technology.
The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue
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For 40 years, Robert Klein has entertained us with stand-up routines, on Broadway, and in television and movie roles. Now, in The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue (Touchstone Books), Klein recounts the life-shaping events of his youth in the Bronx. In the book he also talks about his early years in show biz, with stories of the real-life characters he encountered at Second City and the Improv. Kitty talks to Klein about his book and the stories that formed the basis of his comic persona.
The Loh Life
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Commentator Sandra Tsing Loh shares her final installation in her quest for affordable housing.
Friday, May 27
Plein Air Art in the Capitol
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Congressman David Dreier is not only one of the most powerful Californians in Congress, he is also an art lover. He gave Kitty a tour of the House Rules Committee meeting room on Capitol Hill, which houses a fine collection of plein air paintings.
A History of Santa Monica Beach
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This beautiful history of Santa Monica Beach includes more than 225 images dating back to 1877. Ernest Marquez began collecting images over 50 years ago to trace the history of his ancestors who owned the Mexican land grant that encompassed Santa Monica Beach. The book is called, Santa Monica Beach: A Collector's Pictorial History (Angel City Press).
War Letters: Helping Soldiers Tell Their Stories
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Andrew Carroll has spent years compiling soldiers' letters. As director of the Legacy Project, a non- profit organization which preserves and archives soldiers letters, and as editor of War Letters, Carroll has helped give a voice to the American men and women who have served in armed conflict since the Civil War. Now, his newest book, Behind the Lines (Simon and Schuster), includes letters from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. KPCC reporters and hosts read from these letters.
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