On Tuesday, Take Two looks at why a billboard put up in South L.A. is stirring controversy in the black community. Then, we'll look at a new report which says services for English learners are not living up to expectations. Finally, we'll talk about the history of Los Angeles' helipad law, which has since been done away with this week.
Hong Kong protesters turn to app that doesn't need a cell network to communicate
Mobile phones have been essential in organizing for pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
However, some activists worry that the government will shut down cellular networks as a way to hobble their efforts.
Enter FireChat.
It's an app that bypasses a tower that's down, overloaded, or non-existent by creating its own local network among nearby users.
Some activists are reportedly using the app as a tool to coordinate with each other.
Micha Benoliel is the co-founder and CEO of Open Garden, which created FireChat. Benoliel said he was caught off guard by the app’s usage among activists.
“It was a big surprise. I happened to be on a business trip in India and I was in-transit in Hong Kong because I was also meeting companies in China, and on Sunday I saw a spike of new users on FireChat, and I decided to stay. Obviously I quickly realized it was linked to the events that were happening,” he said.
Because FireChat allows for public communication with anyone who is nearby, there are concerns about who users could really be talking to, or if counter-activists could sabotage pro-democratic efforts. But Benoliel says he doesn’t think those fears should be big concerns.
“I think the good that the application is doing is much greater. You could imagine that some people tried to spread out some false information, but due to the massive mobilization of the people who are using the application I think it’s probably not happening, or if it is happening it’s at a very little scale,” Benoliel said.
Transportation Secretary visits LA to promote infrastructure funding
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx is in Los Angeles on Tuesday as part of a cross-country trip to advocate for more spending on transit infrastructure.
He'll be attending a ceremony commemorating the beginning of construction on the new Regional Connector light rail project that will connect transit lines in downtown Los Angeles.
Secretary Foxx says the project is an important one for Los Angeles and the entire country.
"By providing a one-seat ride for people, they can now move more freely through your downtown area without having to do multiple transfers," he says, "That's a big deal."
As far as how to promote more public transportation use in Southern California, Foxx says the first thing you have to do is provide people with options.
"Because once you have the mechanisms in place, be it light rails, or street cars or what have you, then folks have an option other than just getting in the car," he says.
Those alternatives to car travel are going to become increasingly important in the future.
America's population is growing. Over the next 35 years, Foxx says there will be 100 million more people in the United States— many of them coming to Southern California.
"The recipe for [transit] success isn't being built right now," Foxx says.
Writer Jesmyn Ward and her new memoir, 'The Men We Reaped'
Novelist Jesmyn Ward grew up in rural Mississippi in a family with French Creole roots. She overcame grinding poverty, a broken family, and deep-seated racism to attend Ivy League schools, write novels and win major awards.
One of four children, her father left the family when she was young and her mother worked long hours as a maid for wealthy white families to support them. It was one of these employers that paid for Ward to attend private school that put her on a path different to her siblings.
As she reflects on her childhood in her memoir, Men We Reaped, Ward tells the story of five young men in her community who died, including her brother. They died from random things like a car accident, suicide, a drug over dose and even an unsolved murder. But Ward came to believe the deaths were connected. The cause? Endemic poverty and lingering racism.
Here's an excerpt from the book:
Tuesday Reviewsday: Markéta Irglová, The Touré-Raichel Collective, Los Tigres del Norte and more
- Associate Editor of Latin at Billboard Magazine and music critic
join Alex Cohen in studio to talk about the latest in new music on this week's Tuesday Reviewsday.
Steve Hochman
Artist: Markéta Irglová
Album: "Muna"
Songs: “Point of Creation,” “Without a Map”
Summary: "Muna" opens with a church procession — bells and chanting and all — and then goes with it into the cathedral. The song, “Point of My Creation,” was in fact recorded in a church in Reykjavik, Iceland, where Czech-born Irglová now lives. Or, perhaps more accurately, she builds a musical cathedral, a structure of grandeur and beauty.
Accordingly, her second solo album is at once a joyful and somber experience, the artist looking at life with both hope and awe, portrayed in songs marked by beauty and depth. This is no surprise to fans of her first album, 2011’s Anar.
But it might be a little bit, in a good way, to those who only know her as the winsome co-star of the movie Once. That’s certainly her calling card for most, having won an Oscar for writing “Falling Slowly” with co-star and the movie’s creator Glen Hansard, plus a Tony for co-writing the music in the Broadway version. It might even be a little surprise to those familiar with the two albums she and Hansard made as the Swell Season, spinning off from the movie. Nothing against those works, but this is something different, something more, something — dare we say — better.
Where the churchy “Point of Creation” is the start, the close comes with the more homey “This Right Here.” It’s a chronicle of a journey, with some telling titles between: “Time Immemorial,” “Without a Map,” “Remember Who You Are,” “Seasons Change.” Renewal, growth and discovery are among the major themes, living “Without a Map” and being rooted, grounded in a present, seeing both the journey and the destination as equally important.
Certainly it traces her unlikely life, but also it would seem to reflect her relatively recent role as a mother, looking at the voyage ahead for the new life she’s brought into the world. Religious themes reappear, and “Without a Map” concludes with a gorgeous setting of the Lord’s Prayer. It’s not a Christian album, in the conventional sense, but it is prayerful.
As personal as that may be, so is the music, an in inventive lustrous blend, intimate and contemplative at some turns, invitingly expansive at others. Kate Bush comes to mind here and there, but without the precious artiness in which Bush has indulged at times. Irglová’s piano is most often the central instrument, dexterously played, but not showy and generally the backbone for the semi-orchestral elements surrounding it. And then there’s her voice, at once delicate and strong, certain yet dreamy, pure an unaffected.
All in all, Muna is rather — well, seductive may be the wrong word for something that seems so pious. But that’s what it is.
Artist: The Touré-Raichel Collective
Album: "The Paris Session"
Songs: “Hodu,” “Tidchar”
Summary: Listen to Idan Raichel sing a verse of “Hodu,” his adaptation of the Psalm 136 “Hodu l’adonai” — “Give thanks to God.”
Now listen to Vieux Farka Touré sing a verse. Same song, same melody, two very different feelings — one by an Israeli Jew in Hebrew, the tone distinct to his background and traditions, the other by a Malian Muslim in Songhai, true to his traditions.
The mundane, and obvious, thing to say now would be that this is not about how the artists and their cultures differ, but about what they share, a demonstration of how we can all embrace our similarities through music and transcend all our disputes. And it’s true. Of course. But that angle risks rendering this song, this album, this project about making a point rather than about making music — which is the point.
Keyboardist Raichel has made a mark with his fusions of Middle Eastern, African and European sounds, with a little jazz and electronics — and maybe just a touch of Jewish mysticism.
Toure has been following in the footsteps of his father, the late guitarist Ali Farka Touré, expanding the range and reach of the griot troubadour traditions of the Mande people, the son bringing in some jam-rock elements without diminishing the bonds to the family legacy.
The Touré-Raichel Collective grew out of a serendipitous 2008 encounter by the namesake principals in the Berlin airport. Already fans of each other, the two talked about collaborating. Raichel later invited Touré to Israel, resulting in 2011’s The Tel Aviv Session album, a nicely spontaneous exploration not just of their common ground, but also of how they can each respectively find their way in the other’s styles. A subsequent tour expanded and enriched the relationship. Plans were made for a second album, this time to be recorded in Touré’s hometown Bamako. But when conflict in Mali made that unworkable, the ensemble reconvened in Paris.
The compactness and focus of this music moves beyond that of the debut and the way the two leaders adapt to each other. The key is Raichel’s playing. Piano often seems out of place in non-western music. It’s too rigid, unable to go to the notes between the notes, the crucial quarter tones and legatos. Somehow he is able to at least create the illusion of such, perhaps not from what he plays, but what he leaves out.
“Hodu” aside, the album leans more to the lilting Mande modes and rhythms, a version of Ali Farka Touré’s “Diaraby” (which had appeared on his landmark collaboration with Ry Cooder two decades ago) as another centerpiece. But within any piece they can ease along the full range of the group’s experience, not just the leaders setting the tone but the bassist Daby Touré and percussionist Abdourhamane Salaha (on both African calabash gourd and congas) equally adept. And a few guest spots at once enhance the music marvelously and point to possibilities for further Collective explorations, notably Niv Toar’s trumpet on the opening “From End to End” and Eyal Sela’s flute on “Gassi Gabbi.”
But just the stripped-down quartet is plenty, the essence of this mosaic heard in the burbling “Tidchar.”
A photo in the CD package shows a close-up of Touré’s and Raichel’s fists bumped together, draped over them a silver pendant of the Hand of Fatima, a key part of the iconography of both cultures. So yes, there is a point illustrated here. But regardless, the image is in and of itself striking — just like the music.
Justino Aguila
Artist:
Album: "Quiero Ser Tu Dueño" (I Want to be Your Dream)
Songs: “Tenerte,” “Quiero Ser Tu Dueño”
Summary: Regional Mexican singer Luis Coronel returns with the second album of his career, “Quiero Ser tu Dueño.”
The latest project, a follow-up to Coronel’s first album in 2013 “Con la Frente en Alto,” re-introduces the 18-year-old who in one year has built major momentum in Mexican music, crooning his heart out in norteño and banda music.
The Arizona-born Coronel, who was discovered on YouTube by the owner of Del Records based in Downey, Calif., has become a major name in Mexican music. He’s part of the new generation of young artists growing in popularity.
As a new artist Coronel is showing promise as a songwriter in songs such as “Quiero Ser Tu Dueño,” a love ballad that showcases his solid vocals and ability to pen romantic songs that are vibrant and catchy.
The other song, “Tenerte,” shows Coronel’s ability to connect with a song vocally which in this case is set up perfectly in banda style.
Already, Coronel is showing maturity and savvy for his social media skills—he knows how to connect to his fans. Seeing him grow dramatically in a time frame of a year shows his he has plenty of talent, skill as a songwriter and it’s exciting to see this young crooner develop into a versatile performer.
Artist: Los Tigres del Norte
Album: Realidades (Realities)
Songs: “La Bala,” “Amarte Me Hace Bien”
Summary: Los Tigres del Norte, who recently were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, are back with the new album Realidades.
The CD features the classic Tigres noteño sound that has made the band a fixture on the Latin music scene since the late ‘60s. They've toured throughout the world and have fans everywhere. Their concerts, too, are must-see events.
Known for their versatility and ability to explore universal themes, Los Tigres on this album feature real stories that affect communities in songs such as “La Bala,” which explores the theme of guns which plays out further in the official music video.
The album also includes songs such as “Amarte Me Hace Bien,” a romantic composition about a man who is simply in love and who declares that “loving you does me good.”
Other themes on the record includes music tied to love, social rejection, discrimination and stories that will be a treat for fans as the band introduces one of the best albums of the year.
Billboard lays bare the HIV epidemic among young black males
A local nonprofit is hoping to spark conversation with a new billboard towering over the busy intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, the gateway to West Hollywood.
In bold white letters against an all-black background, it offers a startling L.A. county statistic: "One in three black gay men are infected with HIV."
Then, in even bigger letters, it asks: "IS HE YOUR SON?"
While HIV infection rates have stabilized or improved for most demographic groups, for young black men who have sex with men, they are getting worse, reports KPCC's Adrian Florido.
"They’re living at home. They’re living with HIV. And no one even knows it. No one is even having that conversation," says Jeffrey King, the man responsible for the billboard.
King directs In the Meantime Men, a nonprofit that works with young black gays in an effort to lower their high rate of infection.
Read the full story: Billboard confronts parents of black gays with HIV
Leaders rally in support of controversial LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy
Tuesday Los Angeles Unified school board members will meet behind closed doors to talk about what they will -- and won't -- take into account when they review Superintendent John Deasy's performance later this month.
Deasy has received lots of criticism for his oversight of the controversial iPad program and longtime critics of his autocratic style say this is the last straw - they want him fired.
But he does have his supporters, and the closed session has many of them worried.
A group of civic leaders sent a letter to the school board Monday asking them to keep Deasy and lobbied for a more open process when they review him.
Elise Buik - chief executive of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles - is among the leaders who signed a letter of support. She shares more.
LA high-rises no longer require helipads
With a decades-old helipad law repealed, Los Angeles could see some unique concepts in its skyline.
It used to be that new high-rises in Los Angeles were required to be built with a helipad on the roof so emergency personnel have easy access to the building.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember José Huizar and the LA Fire Department announced this week they will repeal that law.
Los Angeles was the only major American city to have such a rule on the books. Garcetti says architects can now make interesting buildings that might one day rival iconic skyscrapers like New York City's Chrysler Building.
LA Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne explains why the law fell, and what could be on the skyline's horizon.
California’s education system failing English learners, study finds
A new report shows that programs offered in California to students who are learning English are not living up to expectations.
One-quarter of students in California do not speak English, which represents a third of students nationwide. The goal of these programs is to get English learners to flourish and eventually exit out, but New American Foundation senior researcher Conor Williams says the state’s system is in chaos.
Williams is the author of "Chaos for Dual Language Learners," which finds the problems stem from inconsistencies in programs across districts.
While the students are getting access to content in English, it is at a slowed, simplified pace — which is good because that's the only way some of them will understand, but “the problem, of course, is that means that they fall behind in their academic content mastery, even as they’re struggling to develop their English proficiency,” Williams said.
Research shows one out of three students receiving language support services remain in those programs after eighth grade. Of those who still receive language help into high school, half of them fail the ninth grade.
One solution, Williams recommends, is setting a single state benchmark on English proficiency
“There’s evidence suggesting that California’s system is so disorganized and misaligned that it's actually more simple for students to be reclassified and tossed in with their mainstream, English-speaking peers, rather than to be provided English support services,” Williams said.
Veterans have hard time finding work, services fall short
California has more than 1.8 million service members, the highest of any state. And, each year, about 12,000 more veterans settle in Los Angeles County.
After more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the transition to civilian life remains tough for many — even services that are supposed to help veterans are falling short, according to a report from the University of Southern California School of Social Work.
"Our veterans today seem to be struggling more with employment, and the psychological and physical health," says Anthony Hassan, director of the school's Center for Innovation and Research for Veterans and Military Families. He's the co-author of the report, which found a quarter of veterans are unemployed and, among those with jobs, many work for meager wages.
Read the full story: Survey finds many LA veterans unemployed or earning poverty wages
One veteran's story: After service, it's "sink or swim" for many
To get a deeper sense of what it's like to transition from life in the military to civilian life in southern California, we're joined now by Alfonso Martinez Lopez.
He's a veteran of the Navy who served two deployments, including time in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
“You just kind of go out, and it's sink or swim," said Lopez of the transition to civilian life. He said he did find some assistance from government agencies and groups, but more could be done to help veterans out.
"Having guidance counselors or one-on-one with people who have transitioned recently would be very, very beneficial,” he said.
Almonds are top crop for Stanislaus County
In California's Stanislaus County, Almonds are king — bringing in a record-breaking $1.125 billion in gross income in 2013. Walnuts came in third (after the county’s other powerhouse, dairy), reports Lisa Morehouse:
Nuts aren’t just an economic powerhouse, though. They’re also key to the story of this region’s past, and future.
Read the full story: California Foodways: The Story Behind Stanislaus County's Top Crop
From surfing to hip hop: Film series seeks to change perspective of Africa
Surfing. Street art. Hip hop. Topics not typically part of the news that comes from Africa, but that's the point of a new series of short films part of a project called My Africa Is.
The videos aim, in the project's words, to change the perception of Africa, with a focus on youth and innovation.
The first season focused on Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, and now in its second season, three new episodes take viewers to the West Coast of the continent and Senegal.
“This was something I wanted to do in the form of video," said Nosarieme Garrick, executive producer and host of the series. "To actually show individuals living and what their realities were on the continent, things you wouldn’t normally see."
That includes a visit to a local newscast, called Journal Rappé, delivered in the form of rapping, that has drawn thousands of viewers online. It also brings viewers to coastal villages, where local residents are tying surfing to tribal traditions.
"It's not about glossing over issues," said Garrick. "But more so, instead of painting pictures of victims, actually showing the real lives of what people are doing in spite of all the issues that we might face on the continent."
What: Premiere of the second season of My Africa Is
When: Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Almost Holden Collection: 2821 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
'The Way, Way Back' filmmakers on writing as a team
The new film, "The Way, Way Back," stars Steve Carrell as Trent and Toni Collette as his girlfriend Pam. Trent takes Pam away for the summer to his beach house along with her 14-year old son, Duncan.
It's a rough summer for Duncan, who is in the prime of awkward adolescence, but it does get better, thanks to a friendship with a local waterpark employee played by Sam Rockwell.
"The Way, Way Back" was written and directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon, the team that won an Oscar for their adapted screenplay for the "Descendants."
You may recognize them from their onscreen comedy work. They stopped by the studio recently to talk about the film.