The Pacific Institute gives an update on California's water situation, the latest discoveries in science, and John Doe from X.
What's standing in the way of a long-term solution to the drought?
Amid growing concern over California's prolonged drought, California Governor Jerry Brown and top lawmakers announced a $1 billion emergency plan designed to address the crisis yesterday.
The Pacific Institute's Heather Cooley joined Take Two to discuss the state's water situation and the impediments to conservation efforts.
How the next generation of farmers has to think about the drought
The lion's share of water used in California – as much as 80 percent – goes towards growing food that feeds the whole country.
But in the midst of an ongoing drought, what's a farmer to do? Especially the next generation of farmers who are trying to establish themselves?
They may have to move away from many of the traditional crops grown here in the past.
Kate Greenberg with the National Young Farmers Coalition explains what new farmers will have to think about, and how what they grow will change how we all eat.
How X's John Doe reinterprets his old punk hits acoustically
Over the years, Los Angeles has seen plenty of bands come and go, but few have had the impact of the band X, with its song "Los Angeles" becoming, to some, the anthem for our city.
https://open.spotify.com/track/75a66iUfwKdJb5n9juvXRI
The punk rock foursome was once even awarded an Official Certificate of Recognition from the City of L.A. to applaud their influence on the music scene here.
Later this year, the band will be performing a series of four shows: Each night, the band will perform one of its albums in its entirety.
And this weekend, two of X's founding members will perform an acoustic set at the First Unitarian Church of L.A.
Doe recently joined Alex Cohen in studio to talk about his musical career and L.A. back in the day. Below is an edited version of their conversation.
Can you describe what L.A. was like back in the 1980s?
"There was an actual scene happening in 1980. In 1977, there wasn't. But there was something about Los Angeles at the time that was like a Tennessee Williams book. Everything was in decay. And I'm proud of Hollywood Boulevard for not succumbing to the gentrification. ... Hollywood Boulevard is still pretty scary, ... and it was then.
"The second 'O' of the Hollywood sign had fallen down. Or the third 'O,' if you count Holly. But that would never happen nowadays. Since I'm bohemian, I thought that was incredibly wonderful. That they had such a lack of civic pride that they would let one of their defining icon of the town that everybody could see, and the 'O' is just laying on the ground for several years."
But in the midst of that decay, there was this burgeoning punk rock scene. And it's easy to look back now and say, "Yeah, there was this golden era of punk, and X was a key part of it." But I'm curious. At the time, did you have any sense about being a special band at a special time?
"I think we were too busy to think that. And you can't inflate yourself while it's happening. I think everybody had a sense that something was going on, and we hoped that it would be another step in the rock and roll ladder of scenes.
"We were trying to recapture the freedom and dangerousness that rock and roll had. Short songs. Fast and loud and wild. But I think what defined it was that freedom. You could do anything you wanted. It wasn't codified into one type of punk rock."
One of the reasons X is such a great band is because of the chemistry you have with Exene Cervenka. At one point you were married, you eventually divorced, but you continued to make music together. What's it like these days when the two of you perform together?
"Exene and I have a special secret language. ... I somehow know how she might phrase a line, and she somehow knows the same about me. But after we separated as a couple we became better friends. We support each other through all the ups and downs. She knows that she can always give me a call, and I can do the same for her."
When you two play this weekend, it's going to be just the two of you performing at a church, acoustic. It seems like a really long way from being a punk rock quartet playing in a hot and sweaty club.
"It certainly is. Life is a long journey if you're lucky enough to keep going. We became fascinated by old music. By folk music. By all kinds of music, ... and for this show we'll do some X songs reinvented."
Can science help you hack your NCAA bracket?
From manipulating morality to making your March Madness bracket, we're going to look at some new and fascinating science in our weekly segment, Lab Notes with Southern California Public Radio's Sanden Totten.
Here's a list of what's being covered on the segment:
- Scientists have found a way to manipulate our moral judgement.
- March Madness is in full swing, but what does science say about the art of bracket-ology?
- One recent study found that you'd have a better chance filling out your bracket by just flipping a coin for each match.
- Sports can be a boon for a school's applicant pool.
Could a line item in President Obama's budget kill tax-funded stadium deals?
For years, cities have helped pay for new sporting arenas with public funds, with financing coming with the promise of new jobs and a cash boost to the local economy.
But that's rarely the case and the return on the millions of dollars invested isn't always so great, and President Obama wants to put an end to this with an item in his new budget.
Elaine Povich is a Senior Writer at Stateline and she's been writing about the issue.
"An obscure item in the president’s new budget would put an end to the longstanding practice of states and cities using tax-exempt bonds to finance professional sports arenas, a practice that costs the U.S. Treasury $146 million, according to a 2012 Bloomberg analysis.
"The proposal comes as many team owners are pressing cities and states for new facilities, with some threatening to move elsewhere if they don’t get them. State and local officials are wary of seeing pro teams depart, taking prestige and tax revenue with them. But they are also taxpayer-minded and budget-conscious."
Povich joins A Martinez for a discussion about the topic.
Weekend on the cheap: CicLAVia in the SF Valley, Happy Day LA and Amoeba's sidewalk sale
Can you feel that breeze? It's the cool temps calling your name.
The heatwave is over just in time for your weekend.
SCPR's Kristen Lepore joins Take Two with her preview of the top things to put on your weekend planner.
Today's highlights include Happy Day LA, CicLAVia in the San Fernando Valley and Break Room 86 in Koreatown.
Update: While Eater LA and L.A. Times reports that the bar is opening this week, Break Room 86's Facebook page now says March 24. Sorry folks, you may have to wait another couple days.
For a full list of weekend events, visit: Free weekend? Happy Day LA, Amoeba sidewalk sale and CicLAvia
3D printers take classrooms to new dimension
Classroom printers are taking on a whole new dimension - 3D, to be precise. Educators say the devices are changing the way kids learn, and giving them an edge in the work force.
A panel of experts will discuss the future of 3D printers at Southern California Public Radio at the Crawford Family Forum on Sunday.
Miguel Almena, one of the panelists, is a former Disney employee who now leads 3D technology training for public school teachers in Pasadena. He tells more about the printers and the event.
Succulent wedding bouquets a drought-friendly option
With California's persisting drought, some couples may be looking for water-friendly ways to say I Do.
Enter: Succulently Urban, the San Diego-based business created by Marialuisa Kaprielian.
Kaprielian creates wedding bouquets, cake toppers, corsages and more -- all out of Southern California's very own succulents. She chats with host Alex Cohen about her designs and what inspired her business.