Speakeasy alternating with Bamboozled

The battle for public education continues as the means to solving our debt is to dismantle our Master Plan for Higher Education and destroy all past gains in the K-12 arena. Meanwhile, we may ask: Where is Barak? The Democrats have sold out to Wall Street and the financial interests rule. We are in a jam. Is there a way out?

The minions of the GOP are taking their shots at the next in line: educators, labor unions, police, fire, etc. Look at www.fcic.gov and read the inquiry examining the real fleecing of the taxpayer. Our attention span is short and hence Scott Walker can reap havoc in WI. Meanwhile the president plays nice and cast the progressive to the wind. We are being marginalized by the hope and change candidate. California has a date with destiny next week. Stay tuned.

The President's budget shares a vision of innovation, education and infrastructure. Congress-GOP-is unlikely to work with him and is committed to his ruin. President Obama's call for $50 billion investment for infrastructure is ludicrous: see infrastructurereportcard.org for more details and a reality check. Meanwhile, our state continues to hemorrhage. Will the governor's call for extension of taxes work? Stay tuned.

The State of the Union theme of innovation U.S.A. , but the GOP questions the wisdom of investments. And so it goes. Meanwhile the Mediterranean is in a state of turmoil as nations there seek to compost their dictators. Here in the Golden State, we have to make some tough decisions about the budget and our future. Davis, meanwhile, prepares for the return of picnic day. Stay tuned!

In recognition of Dr. King's birthday, today let's look at his sermon, The Drum Major Instinct. His focus is service and that one person makes a difference. If we embrace that ideal, we can improve conditions for the poor in our community, challenge the system in Sacramento-cuts to education-or join in the debates at the national level over the gross expenditures for the military and terror industrial complexes. We are the change we seek!

My good friend & community radio advocate Jeff Shaw and I talk about the history of the Low-Power FM service, the recent legislation enacted that will greatly increase numbers of said stations, and our lessons learned in our 10 years of being involved with LPFM. A fun ramble through the LPFM avenues of our minds...

Today's show discusses the upcoming budget and the impact upon the future of education here in the state of California.

Today we look at district elections here in Davis and then move to issues facing the state and the national governents.

Bamboozled in review. What is this program about as we look back over the past five months. Congress is wrapping up the year and there is much to contemplate. Do not forget www.infrastructurereportcard.org for more about the woeful state of our nation's infrastructure and what to do about it.

A conversation about winter wellness, including homeopathy and nutritional considerations. Dr. Vespignani is a Doctor of Naturopathy who practices at the Institutes for Restorative Health in Davis, CA.

Ashley Horan serves as the intern minister for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis. In her capacity as a liaison to students at UC Davis, she has spoken about the intolerance that has fueled a widely publicized rash of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) suicides recently, and the resulting "It Gets Better Campaign" on YouTube and Facebook.

Horan, who identifies as a queer person of faith, speaks about the perception that people of faith are responsible for perpetuating intolerance, and posits UU as a place and a faith welcoming of all people. She shares a message of encouragement for all who are being bullied because of their sexual preference. Interviewed by Autumn Labbe-Renault.

In the wake of widespread problems with this year's Picnic Day celebration, the City, UC Davis, businesses and community leaders are beginning a dialogue geared at creating a better community experience for all in 2011. A public forum will take place Wed., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Davis Senior Center's Multipurpose Room, 646 A Street in Davis. Join me at 10 a.m. that same morning for a preview with Gary Sandy, Director of Local Government Relations for UC Davis, and Kelly Stachowicz, Deputy City Manager for Davis, as we talk about the problems, the process and how community members can provide input and feedback.

Gary Simon of SARTA's CleanStart program discusses clean technology and how it will be highlighted at a forthcoming expo on the CSU Sacramento campus.

Show by Rick Moniz

This episode of "Speakeasy" highlights the Cool Davis Green Living Festival. In solidarity with 10-10-10 climate actions worldwide, organizers are planning a festival event that connects low-carbon lifestyle choices with a healthy environment, personal well-being, international eco-justice, and a thriving community. The festival is billed as a time of inspiration, fun, education, and celebration. Lynne Nittler, who is involved with Cool Davis Initiative and serves on the board of the Cool Davis Foundation, guests.

Joan Moses and Jean Canary, president and vice president of the Davis League of Women Voters, discuss the League's work on voter education and local elections, as well the history of the suffragists and 90th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Recorded Sept. 22, 2010.

A conversation about libraries and technology, and Patty's good work here in Yolo County.

jesikah maria ross co-founded and directs the Art of Regional Change, a UC Davis program that brings scholars, students, and artists together with community groups to collaborate on media arts projects that strengthen communities, generate engaged scholarship, and inform public decision-making.

ross is an educator, media maker, and community cultural development practitioner. She recently co-directed Saving The Sierra: Voices of Conservation in Action, an award-winning multimedia project that uses public radio, the Web, and citizen storytelling activities to document community efforts to conserve the culture, economy, and environment of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California.

Her last film, MAQUILAPOLIS (Sound Recordist, Community Engagement Director) made in collaboration with workers in Tijuana’s assembly factories, aired nationally on PBS in October 2006. ross co-founded the National Association of Media Arts & Culture’s Leadership Institute, helped birth KDRT 95.7 LPFM, launched the Bioneers Reel Change Youth Media Program and designs participatory media projects for organizations in Europe, Africa, and the United States.

This show features Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS), a project of the CRESS Center at
the UC Davis School of Education. With SAYS Director Jason Mateo, and youth poets and poet mentors Charday Ife Adams, Alex Gonzalez, E-Legal Tag Team: Troublesin & Coon, and Adrian Gutierrez. Segment includes spoken word performances and discussion of what SAYS is and how youth can get involved. Recorded as part of Davis Media Access' "In the Studio" series.

A discussion with community activist Mary Zhu exploring the notion of corporate personhood, especially the recent Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission Supreme Court case, and local organizing around the move to amend the Constitution.