Teacher, Master Gardener, Musician, and fellow KUCI DJ Ann Lui joined me Monday at 9:00am!

Thanks to special guest Ann Liu for joining me this morning for a fun conversation about gardening, music and more! If you missed the show, listen here.

About Ann Liu

Ann was born and raised in Los Angeles of immigrant Chinese parents who were rice farmers before immigrating in 1924 and 1936. She taught 37 years in Alhambra School --both general education and special education- Deaf and Hard of Hearing. After retiring in 2009, Ann was trained as a Master Gardener with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Orange County. She has volunteered in many different venues, such as the Heritage Museum rose garden, South Coast Research Center- fruit trees and sustainable garden, Food and Farm Lab at The Great Park, Speaker’s Bureau, and most recently – KUCI DJ for “In the Garden” show on Thursdays at 8:30-9:30.

 

Ann and her husband decided to re-do their entire Irvine home landscape in 2010 to make it more drought tolerant and sustainable. (No more lawn!) They changed their irrigation methods to fit the different micro-climates in their yard and include edibles in their landscape. They have a large area of all edibles mixed with California natives on the west facing side. They also have a long “Berry Wall” on the south side where they enjoy blackberries and raspberries April-July and then have grapes, mints, and fennel the rest of the warm season. They also have three large blueberry pots near their acid loving shadier plants. Altogether, they have 13 fruit trees.

Gardening and music (flute and piano) are her big favorite past times. Ann's four children are now all grown and live in Seattle, Davis, Sacramento, and Allentown, PA. Ann lives at with her husband, John, and they care for John's 101-year old mom, who enjoys their beautiful garden every day with them.

British singer-songwriter Rebecca Pidgeon joined me Monday at 9:30am pst!

Thanks to special guest Rebecca Pidgeon for calling in this morning! If you missed her, listen to the show here.

About Rebecca Pidgeon
Originally the lead singer for the British folk rock/pop band Ruby Blue, Rebecca Pidgeon, known for her dark lyrics and bright vocals, has been touted by Rolling Stone Magazine as “one of those rare singers who convey emotion purely…”

English folk rock/pop band Ruby Blue was active in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, and placed its early recordings on the U.K. indie album and singles charts. Pidgeon left the group in 1990, to further a solo career and pursue an acting career that began with her starring in the play Speed-the-Plow at London’s National Theatre. She has been featured in several major motion pictures and has released six albums including her most recent album Bad Poetry (October 2014) Grammy nominated Slingshot (2012) and Blues Dress On (2013), to great reviews; “.. sounds like a joyous party firework that can both light up the evening or blow torch your face” says Associated Press while All Music calls her “…a songwriter who is in a class of her own.”

Pidgeon has toured across the US in support of her music, including joining Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp at FarmAid in 2013 and headlining the Wine, Women & Song Concert Series in 2012. In the past year, Rebecca has toured with noted artists Marc Cohn and Keb Mo and shared the stage with Aimee Mann, Madeleine Peyroux, Stephen Kellogg, Rusted Root and Jeffrey Gaines, to name a few.

She continues to juggle her musical and extremely successful acting careers. She has been featured in several films including “Red,” alongside Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman, the 2013 Emmy nominated HBO biopic Phil Spector alongside Al Pacino and Helen Mirren and most recently in the film “Two Bit Waltz”.

www.rebeccapidgeon.com

For more information: Tracey Miller, TMA, 609-383-2323, ext.11 tracey@tmapublicity.com

Director/Producer/Actress/Comic/Writer Andie Bolt joined me Monday at 9:30am pst to talk about her first feature film WoW MoM!

Did you miss today's show with Andie Bolt? 

Listen to our conversation here!

ABOUT ANDIE BOLT
Andie Bolt - Actress/ writer/ director/ comic/ side seat gamer. (Queen of the "slash".) Andie has her own production company named after her father, Red Bolt. She has been performing writing and performing stand up comedy since she was 14, performs currently at UCB, IO West, and various comedy clubs around Los Angeles.

Credits include: Parks and Recs, Nerdist's Dork Fork & DIYDammit!, Fuel TV's The Daily Habit, National Lampoon's Lemmings, Nick Cannon's Short Circuitz and Dipdive comedy a will.i.am digital vertical. Andie executive produced the very successful multi-nominated series MyMusic for the Fine Brothers and has been tapped by Univision to write a new series for their digital vertical, Flama. Andie has executive produced and developed 8 shows for Seventeen Magazine's digital vertical helping oversee the launch earlier this year. Oishi High School Battle Season 2 for Ally and 16 Bit High School for SMOSH which was screened at SXSW. 

In January a series Andie wrote produced and stars in will be released via Geek Nation titled Red Baroness: Warrior Single Lady. Inspired by her love of the Red Sonja comics.

WoW MoM will be Andie's first feature film.

Andie would also like to add that she is a proud feminist, seeks out and writes strong female characters while creating and providing jobs for women both in front and behind the camera. 

A Note From the Director, Andie Bolt

Two years ago on the Nerdist Podcast, Chris Hardwick asked what I talk about in my stand up. At that time my Mom was using World of Warcraft to cope with her cancer and I was telling jokes on stage as a way to deal. Chris Hardwick, to my delight and gratitude, came up with a brilliant plan: “We have to send your Mom to BlizzCon!” My mom heard the Nerdist podcast and was bursting with excitement.

At the time, Mom was about to start a new clinical trial and this felt like a sign: I needed to stay with her and be part of this journey. After Mom got some rest, I told her the rest of the great news: “We’re going to BlizzCon and I’m going to film it! We are going to tell the world about your cancer so that maybe other people won’t go undiagnosed like you.” Her face lit up up as she realized by sharing her story of her battle with NET/Carcinoid Cancer, others may not have to suffer with a delayed diagnosis.

As I started telling this story, it was obvious that this project had much more to say than could fit into a web series. We needed a full-length film to tell these stories and accurately describe all the fantastic people I’ve met on this journey. Making a project you really, truly care about causes people to come out of the woodwork; beautiful, kind humans who want to impact others in a positive way. We weren’t just playing Warcraft, we were making a documentary, but it felt like I had my own guild. Everyone had their roles and we were raiding through on the tiniest of budgets. This crew was giving everything and even at complete exhaustion, giving more. We shot 17 hours worth of footage at Blizzcon on two cameras alone with the entire crew crammed into one hotel room. Not one person complained. When I tried to pay my sound operator he said, “Donate it to your Mom’s hospital.” Needless to say, I’ve cried a lot making this. Lots of happy tears! No one has ever cared this much about something I was making. This isn’t just my movie, it belongs to all of the beautiful people in front and behind the camera.

Director, Producer, Daughter

Andie Bolt
www.WoWMoMthemovie.com
#AcceptThisQuest

A Tribute to LINDA RONSTADT - FREE AT THE SATELLITE! Tues. Dec 16th, 8pm

A Tribute to LINDA RONSTADT - 

FREE AT THE SATELLITE! Tues. Dec 16th, 8pm

Parkinson's disease may have taken her voice from us--- but not her legacy.
Come sing - come dance - come hang  - come honor an icon of rock n' roll as we sing Linda's Greatest Hits Vol 1 in it's entirety.

The musicians will be performing her Greatest Hits Vol 1 in it's entirety - her highest-selling album, released 38 years ago this month. The concert is honoring and paying tribute to Linda and all that she has contributed to rock music. They are also hoping to raise a little money for Parkinson's disease research.

You may read all about it here--

https://www.facebook.com/events/994220843938270/

Here is the link to the nice little blurb in the LA Weekly
http://www.laweekly.com/los-angeles/a-tribute-to-linda-ronstadt/Event?oid=5257684

According to producer Tatiana Z, "I can't believe the community of vocalists and players who without a moment's hesitation donated their time and talent to this wonderful night - for a wonderful cause close to our hearts… I can't even tag them all….seriously, FB wouldn't let me. Vocalists are on the poster, the band is stellar and special guest appearances will be all night!"

DONATE:  http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/TributeforLinda

ATTEND:  Dec 16th, 9pm FREE at The Satellite

SHARE!!
Our wonderful Community:
100.3 The Sound LA has graciously stepped in to help spread the word on their station, and post on their website… http://thesoundla.com/events/event/tribute-linda-ronstadt/

The Satellite has wonderfully agreed to host the night! Details here http://www.thesatellitela.com/event/719387-tribute-linda-ronstadt-los-angeles/

Interview with the Bangles NAMM

BANGLES Manic Monday NAMM

Quick Summary of Media Coverage Day NAMM 2012

Sharing the many talents of professional Voice Actor Ed Victor!

Author, actor, blogger and tired mom of two kids...Deva Dalporto (MyLifeSuckers.com) joined me Monday December 15th at 9:00am!

Had a great time chatting with special guest Deva Dalporto Monday December 15th at 9:00am pst!

Miss today's show? Listen here!

Deva Dalporto is an author, actor, blogger and tired mom of two kids, you can read all about them on her blog MyLifeSuckers.com. She is the creator of the viral videos “I Just Need Some Space,” "What Does the Kid Say,” "Let It Go - Mom Parody," “Knock It Off” and “I’m So Cranky.” NBC recently called her the “Weird Al of YouTube Moms.” Her viral videos have been on People.com, CNN, Headline News, Fox News, People.com, TODAY Parents, Yahoo’s homepage, TODAY Australia, HuffPost Parents, Parents.com, Yahoo!, PopSugar Moms, Babble, CafeMom and many more. A former Senior Editor for Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect, Deva’s writing has been featured on The Huffington Post, Yahoo! Shine, PopSugar, Scary Mommy, NickMom, Bundoo, What The Flicka, Bio.com and WeAreTeachers. Deva also has an essay in the new anthology I Just Want to Be Alone—a compilation of essays from some of the funniest female bloggers on the web.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MyLifeSuckers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MyLifeSuckers/231635593671155?ref=tn_tnmn

Blog: http://mylifesuckers.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mylifesuckers

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mylifesuckers/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/mylifesuckers

Lisa D’Apolito, Director/Producer of LOVE Gilda- The Legacy of Gilda Radner, joined me Monday December 8th at 9:30am!

Lisa D’Apolito is Director/Producer of LOVE Gilda- The Legacy of Gilda Radner, a documentary film currently in production.

Miss today's show?
Just click here to listen to my conversation with 
Lisa D’Apolito!

 Many may know Gilda as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, creating iconic characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella and Baba Wawa. But, LOVE Gilda is not just a film about a beloved comedian, it is a film about how one woman with her honestly and humor continues to be an inspiration for people living with cancer.

“I have been filming members of Gilda’s Club, a non profit cancer support organization founded after Gilda’s death from ovarian cancer by Joanna Bull, her cancer psychotherapist, her husband Gene Wilder, TV Critic Joel Siegel and actor Mandy Patinkin and many dedicated others.. I realized the deep connection the members have with Gilda. One summer I was filming Camp Sparkle and a little girl named Ruth from Saint Lucia was drawing , I asked her what she was drawing and she said “Gilda”, And I thought wow, Gilda is more than just a talented comedian or someone the organization is named after, she is really a legend 25 years after her death.

So, I decided to go on a Gilda journey and learn more about her. I started filming her friends and family and also visiting and filming other Gilda Clubs in the U.S. and Canada. I learned how Gilda used her humor in her most difficult times and how many people going through cancer whether they are members of Gilda’ s Club, read Gilda’ s book “It’s Always’ Something” or just loved watching her on TV or films are still inspired by her. My goal is to have film that will also introduce Gilda to a new generation who may not know of her legacy both in comedy and in cancer.

Lisa started her career as an actor with parts in films like ‘Goodfellas”, she went on to have a long career as a producer/director in commercial production but her passion has always been in real issues especially those involving women and children. She recently directed a short comedy staring and written by David Cross and Amber Tamblin. She also directed and produced PSAs for Plan Parenthood with Julianne Moore and Mary J Blige, along with many public service videos for organizations such as the GVHC, a group that supports New York Kids in trouble and New Destiny Housing a place for women who have been victims of domestic abuse. Lisa has been working on fundraising videos with Gilda’s Club NYC for 5 years and is a passionate supporter of Gilda’s Club.

www.lovegilda.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/LoveGildathefilm

Indidegogo campaign begins December 8

https://www.indiegogo.com/campaigns/love-gilda-the-legacy-of-gilda-radner

UCI hosts 50th Anniversary spirit rally and volunteer stocking-stuffer event!

EVENT: UC Irvine will host a 50th Anniversary Anteater Spirit Rally to announce upcoming celebrations and the new 50 for 50 Volunteer Program, a campaign for the UCI family to donate 50,000 hours of service time over the two-year 50th anniversary period.

WHEN/WHERE: 10:30-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Bren Events Center (grid D6, bldg. 901 oncampus map: http://communications.uci.edu//documents/pdf/UCI_14_map_campus_core.pdf)
INFORMATION: Media planning to attend should contact Cathy Lawhon at 949-824-1151 orclawhon@uci.edu. Parking is complimentary for media who RSVP.

BACKGROUND: Highlights will include remarks from Chancellor Howard Gillman and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Thomas Parham, university-themed trivia, special performances, prizes and an appearance by UCI mascot Peter the Anteater. Culminating the event, Anteaters will gather for commemorative aerial photo shoot in the Bren Events Center to spell out “UCI 50.”

Nearly 400 participants have also signed up for the annual stocking-stuffing party sponsored by UCI Staff Assembly, which will follow the rally. The goal is to assemble 500 holiday stockings for children served through the Olive Crest organization. Papa John’s and Trader Joe’s will supply food and drink for the volunteers.