Washington bridge collapse and the state of our aging infrastructure; 'Liberace Extravaganza!' and the man behind the flashy outfits; Santa Cruz Island foxes are back from the brink of extinction; Census data shows Irvine among fastest-growing US cities; LAPD will not pursue complaints about noise from low-flying police choppers; Why do we continue to rebuild in natural disaster-prone areas? plus much more.
Washington bridge collapse and the state of our aging infrastructure
Last night, a bridge off Interstate 5 north of Seattle collapsed, reportedly after an overloaded truck hit part of the structure while crossing.
Two cars went off the edge and into the waters of the Skagit River, but all three passengers were rescued and are in good condition:
Though there were no serious injuries, the incident has renewed concerns about our country's aging infrastructure. Professor Richard Little, director of the Keston Institute for Infrastructure at USC, joins the show to talk about the state of bridges in Southern California.
Why do we continue to rebuild in natural disaster-prone areas?
This week in Oklahoma, tornadoes killed more than two dozen people and flattened entire subdivisions. Despite the destruction, residents are already talking about plans to rebuild in a region known as "Tornado Alley."
We've heard similar stories here in Southern California of people rebuilding in the exact same location following natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or mudslides.
Carlynne Allbee lost everything, including her home, in the 2003 Cedar Fire. The fire, caused by a lost hunter, killed 15 people and was the largest in California's recorded history.
Despite losing all of her belongings, Allbee decided to rebuild her home in the same area. After the fire was extinguished, she and some friends sifted through the rubble.
"Anybody who came out and helped me sift ashes, I told them, 'we're gonna delight in what we find…nothing about what you lost,'" said Allbee. "I'm a half-full person, not half-empty, but I have neighbors who just came, shook their heads, and turned around and they couldn't even face the idea of even looking in the ashes."
Although Allbee had a positive outlook on the tragedy, she says it was still difficult to rebuild. The process from start to finish took her more than five years.
"The difficulty was more the obstacles because of the insurance companies. Every time there's a major disaster, you hear stories about people being under-insured, and the insurance companies stalled us off so we didn't even have checks until the summer," said Allbee. "At that time, you're given, I don't even think a year's worth, maybe six months worth of additional living expenses. And they use up most of that time by stalling you off. It makes it hard."
Six years after the Cedar Fire, LA County's largest fire, the Station Fire claimed a number of homes. Back in 2009, we spoke with Adi Ell-Ad just days after he'd lost his home in Tujunga Canyon. He joins the show today to tell us why he decided not to rebuild.
Friday Flashback: Obama speech, drone use, and more
It's time for the Friday Flashback, where we look back and discuss the week's biggest topics with the journalists that cover them. This week, we brought in economic and fiscal policy correspondent Nancy Cook of the National Journal and James Rainey of the Los Angeles Times.
On tap this week:
It's been a hectic week in Washington, where the leader of the free world and the leader of the world's biggest tech company were both put through the ringer. President Obama held a press conference Thursday announcing that he plans to reduce the amount of unmanned drone strikes in the Middle East, after it was revealed earlier in the week that U.S.-controlled drones purposely killed four American citizens. Obama also addressed the ongoing battle to close Guantanamo Bay, a move he hasn't been able to complete since he took office.
In the courts, Apple CEO Tim Cook testified that his company complied with federal tax laws, while avoiding paying billions in taxes because of the company's offshore activities. Critics of Apple and large corporations going overseas are calling for tax reform, but we don't know yet whether Congressional changes are on the horizon.
Also on the Hill, the head of the IRS committee in hot water for unfair targeting, pled the Fifth Amendment when asked to testify on the case. Lois Lerner is on administrative leave after refusing to resign from the IRS, and now her ability to recuse herself from the court proceedings could also be in jeopardy.
Census data show Irvine among fastest-growing US cities
Between July 2011 and July 2012, the city of Irvine grew nearly five times as fast as any other large city in southern California. In fact, Irvine ranks among the top 10 fastest growing cities in the whole country.
With more on why, we turn to Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lalloway.
'Arrested Development': Why isn't Bluth's Banana Stand coming to Newport Beach?
This Sunday, Netflix will premiere 15 new episodes of the hit comedy "Arrested Development," the cult comedy about the formerly wealthy and incredibly dysfunctional Bluth family.
The series stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, David Cross and Jeffrey Tambor, but one of its biggest stars is not an actor, but a banana stand.
Bluth's Original Banana Stand was set at Newport Beach's Balboa Island and was staffed by George Michael Bluth, played by Michael Cera. To promote the new season of the show, replicas of the banana stand have been popping up across the country. Earlier this week, one appeared at several L.A. locations, including the Grove.
One place where the stand has not been yet, however, is its actual location from the show. "I think it's only appropriate that in come to the home of the original frozen banana, and maybe have a banana taste-off," said Keith Curry, the real-life mayor of Newport Beach.
Although the concept of a frozen banana became nationally popular because of the show, Curry and local residents have embraced the tasty treat for years.
"The frozen banana is a cultural icon of Newport Beach. People have been coming to Newport to enjoy the summer, go to the beach, and have a frozen banana for decades," he said.
More than 500 people, including Curry, have signed a petition to the bring the traveling Bluth Banana Stand to its fictional home. So far, no luck. "Of course, there's funny Hollywood rules about how far from Hollywood they can be for production," Curry said. "Still, they're always welcome."
Curry still maintains hope that the show's executives are saving his city for last. His message for those in charge of the mobile booth: "I would give you the key to the city if you come out and bring the banana stand. Because I can do that."
Jacob Freedman contributed to this report.
Mojave Desert star parties unite space lovers together under the stars
Twice a year, scientists, environmentalists, and amateur astronomers gather deep in the Mojave Desert to look at the night sky. The so-called star parties are growing in popularity — nearly 100 people ventured out to the desert this past weekend.
Reporter Caitlin Esch made the trip to one of the darkest places in California to see what it's all about.
Boy Scouts vote to allow openly gay members
The National Council of the Boys Scouts of America last night voted to allow openly gay members in the organization. The debate over whether to ease the ban on gay scouts has been lengthy and emotional, with passionate arguments on both sides of the issue.
Alan Eckert from Albany, California, is one of those voices. About a decade ago he was on his way to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, but quit because of his homosexuality.
We first spoke with him back in January when the Scouts initially announced it might re-consider its rules.
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LAPD will not pursue complaints about noise from low-flying police choppers
This is one in a series on the LAPD's helicopter fleet. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Helicopter noise - it's something Angelenos love to hate. Next week the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to release a series of recommendations that could muffle some of that noise in LA. But those recommendations are likely to exempt emergency helicopters such as the LAPD's 17 choppers, which happen to be the largest in the country.
In the last of her reports on LA's police helicopters, KPCC's Erika Aguilar explores the issue of noise.
'Liberace Extravaganza!': The man behind the flashy costumes behind the candelabra (photos)
By now, you've likely seen the splashy images plastered across buses and billboards advertising "Behind the Candelabra," the HBO biopic in which Michael Douglas steps into the bedazzled shoes of pianist and outrageous style icon, Liberace.
Liberace — born Wladziu Valentino Liberace in 1919 — was known for his extraordinary piano skills, his penchant for spending money and ,perhaps best of all, his incredible wardrobe. His career spanned four decades, resulted in two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, six gold albums and sell-out performances at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. Liberace died of pneumonia caused by AIDS on Feb. 4, 1987, at age 67 at his home in Palm Springs.
A new book, "Liberace Extravaganza!" features hundreds of photos of the performer and his stunning outfits, along with anecdotes from people who worked with him or who have been heavily influenced by his unique persona.
Liberace spent his childhood and adolescence in Wisconsin, where he was very popular in school and was already showing a penchant for an avant garde sense of style.
"He was the emcee of the talent show, and he would wear a smock and a beret and have a boutonniere in his lapel," said costume designer Connie Furr Soloman, one of the book's authors, adding: "His high school principal would often comment on the extent that Walter, as he was known at the time, would go to to dress well."
A formative moment in his career, at least when it comes to his wardrobe, was when he played the Hollywood Bowl for the first time.
"He had gone there to check out the venue, and he noted that the floor was black and the piano was black," Soloman said. "He looked out at the sea of seats and he thought, 'Well they're not going to be able to see me. I think I need to do something a little bit different. So that was the beginning of the costume changes, in which he wore a white suit of tails that made him pop against the sea of musicians who were in their black costumes."
Liberace's costumes became more and more extravagant, until he eventually added light-up suits after meeting electrical engineer Gordon Young, who has previously designed light-up jewelry for his wife. Young approached Liberace after a show and asked him if he would like some of his light-up jewelry, but Liberace requested that Young create a full light-up suit.
"That became the instance when Liberace's costumes went to new extremes of electrifying, so to speak," said Soloman. "He onetime said, 'My clothes may be funny, but they sure make me the money.' He was absolutely right."
Interview Highlights:
Connie Furr Soloman on what made Liberace so successful:
"I think he understood his audience, a little bit to the chagrin of his father, who really wished that we has going to be a classical pianist. He decided he wanted to be a popular pianist, but he embraced playing the classics but with a modern twist to them, which captivated his audience. That and his ability to converse with his audience and really become friends with the audience. He was one of the first people we have found that ever had electrified costumes. The costume from 1959 was the Candelabra costume. It had a Candelabra over the left breast, and it lit up, as various lights throughout the costumes."
On the philosophy behind his costumes:
"I think he totally went with it for entertainment, for spectacle. He knew what the audience expected, and each year he wanted to top himself. I think part of the schtick with this; he would come out riding in the Phantom Rolls-Royce, and he would exit the car, he would parade from stage left to stage right, and then his chauffeur would come up and remove the garment from his shoulders, put it back in the car, and then drive off. This was almost 200 pounds, so it would be like performing with a good-sized person riding on your back."
On Liberace's fashion and its affect on the stars of today:
"He was fearless. He knew he would be laughed at sometimes, perhaps when he goes prancing out on stage and his hot pants twirling his baton, but as long as his audience enjoyed it, he enjoyed it. Other performers took their cue from him. I know that Lady Gaga, there have been made references paralleling some of her choices with some of his early choices. It's interesting that in Radio City Hall, he made his entrance coming out of a Faberge egg, wearing that huge, pink, feathered costume.
"He had to walk down 80 steps wearing this pretty elaborate costume with a train, and it reminds me of Lady Gaga making her entrance to the egg in the Grammies a couple of years ago. She refers to him in music, 50 Cent refers to him in music, and there's CeeLo [Green], who is preparing to open his Vegas Liberace show. I think that his impact was felt through admiration from his peers, and who took a cue from what he had done."
We have a copy of Liberace Extravaganza that we'd like to give to one of you! Head over to the Take Two Facebook page to enter.
Atheism makes headway with comments by Pope, Arizona lawmaker
Atheists are having quite the week. Pope Francis rocked the religious world when he offered these welcoming words to Atheists:
"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone. 'Father, the atheists?' Even the atheists. Everyone!"
Also this week during the opening prayer for the Arizona legislature, Democratic Rep. Juan Mendez of Tempe announced he was an atheist, and delivered a secular invocation.
Then there's this viral video moment of CNN's Wolf Blitzer talking with a survivor of the deadly Oklahoma tornado:
Is atheism on the rise in America, and are more people willing to come out of the "godless closet"?
Todd Stiefel, an atheist and founder of the Stiefel Freethought Foundation, joins the show to explain.
Interview Highlights:
On the difference between atheist and agnostic:
"An atheist has no belief in god or gods, and an agnostic doesn't know if there are gods. I am both. I am both an atheist and agnostic. I don't believe, but I believe it's unknowable to know if there is a deity or not."
On what has changed for atheists in the past decades:
"There has been a whole lot of hard work and a lot activism going on. We've taken a page out of the LGBT page book and have really stressed 'coming out of the closet.' The reality is people have known atheists for generations, they just might not have known the person was an atheist because there were social consequences and there still are very powerful social consequences for coming out as an atheist."
On the difference between the LGBT struggle and the atheist struggle:
"It's definitely very different. I think they've had it vastly worse than we have during history and certainly during the last 20 to 30 years. I would say that there are some comparisons to be made, but they are certainly no equivalent."
On the discrimination against atheists:
"There's a statistic I'd like to talk about that Gallup has been gathering since the late 1950s where they ask a question, which to me is kind of a pure measure of someone's prejudice against another group. What they ask is, "If there was a well-qualified candidate from your political party running for office would you vote for them if they were black?" Certain groups have been lagging well behind. For example, African Americans have come a long way back in the '50s they were down in the 50 percent range, now they're up in the over 90 percent range. A group that is currently at the very bottom of that list, even if they are well-qualified and politically aligned, are atheists. That's actually lower than Muslim and lower than gay."
On the perception that atheist do not have a moral center:
"I think there's been a dramatic misinformation campaign that atheists can't be ethical, which is of course silly. There are countries that are majority atheist and they actually are doing better on most crime statistics than the more religious countries. We certainly can be ethical these are just myths that were propagated against us and mis-truths and we're still seeing the effects today."
"Some of the biggest philanthropists in this country, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, they're both consider themselves agnostic, and yet they give away billions of dollars to help save the world. The reality is that most people know an atheist whether or not they realize that person is. We're just as kind loving and friendly as other people."
Cold War Kids on their 4th album 'Dear Miss Lonelyhearts'
Long Beach rockers Cold War Kids are back with their fourth studio album, "Dear Miss Lonelyhearts," based on a black comedy set during the Great Depression. The foursome first hit the scene in 2006 with their debut "Robbers & Cowards," and they've been a staple both nationally and in LA's music scene ever since.
Their latest effort, produced by Dann Gallucci and Lars Stalfors, debuted on April 2.
Guitarist and vocalist Nathan Willet and bassist Matt Maust join the show to tell us about their humble beginnings, taking formal singing lessons and the inspiration behind the title "Dear Miss Lonelyhearts." They even play us a couple live tunes from their new album.
Interview Highlights:
On living together in Whittier:
Matt Maust: "We lived in a back house, the four of us in a really small house. We practiced under it in the garage. And it was pretty janky and dirty, and when we moved in there, there was a homeless man living there. When we moved in, we had to ask him to leave politely so we could have a practice space. A lot of friends live in the area, they came by a lot. There was a lot of Miller High-Life drinking. It was a lot of hanging out, but also a lot of hanging out that was going somewhere. We were all writing songs, all working jobs. It was a place where there never was not people around, and a lot of overgrown weeds."
On the Nathan West novel, "Miss Lonelyhearts", that inspired the title of the new album:
Nathan Willett: "The summary is that the main character is a guy who is an advice columnist, who is having this spiritual crisis where he can't just respond with these really happy, light messages to these readers of his who have these really tragic stories, so he's trying to think 'how can I write them something really meaningful, that's real and from me that's also not kind of shallow?' It kind of reminds me a lot of a Dostoyevsky characters as well. Everyone's dialogue is almost kind of like a Woody Allen movie, where everyone is saying things that you kind of never would really say in real life, but by doing that you're getting to these really deep things."
Is that "unsaid dialogue" reflected in any particular song on the album?
NW: "The title track 'Dear Miss Lonelyhearts' has a lot of it, and the song 'Bitter Poem,' in some ways I think of it as a conversation between old friends that have maybe had a falling out or a hard relationship. I love the last lines of the whole record of this kind of big, epic moment end of that song that says 'Well I can't hear you, are you talking to me? Oh I can't hear you, did you say that you're happy for me?' I think something about the way those lines come out is something that friends would say, seems really emotional to me."
MM: "I see this record as divided into three parts. There's the songs that are live, always playing in the room, the traditional Cold War Kids way from the first record and first EPs. Then there's the songs we built in the studio, built them up, I would say 'Loner Phase' is one of those kind of songs. Then there's a mixture of the two, kind of very live but lots of things added on top of it. 'Fear & Trembling' is one of those where it's very much live, us playing four guys in the room together, but then adding lots and lots of layers on top of it after the fact."
On getting formal training recently:
NW: "Learning how to sing, I always sang with a very high voice. Singing like that for an hour-and-a-half every night, it's just hard. I kind of knew, 'I need to learn some ways to have a stronger voice and to take myself seriously as a singer. I've been doing (that) for years.' I actually got lessons at the Silverlake Conservatory, and I think throughout this record and this touring I've felt so much more confident as a singer and having greater strength as a singer and being able to go places more confidently. I love how the vocals for this record came out, and are so much better than what I've done before."
On the live version of "Bottled Affection":
NW: "I think it's a really tender song… that we actually haven't been playing it as a band at these shows we've been doing the last month. A handful of times, kind of when the audience is just right, very attentive, and kind of eager and crazy but also really knowing that you can trust that you're going to have a really quiet moment. So I've been playing this song just on piano by myself, and I'll do some other thing with just an acoustic guitar, but there's a softness so it that I think is unique for us."