KPCC News: Society/Culture Podcast

Karen Fritsche: If you're one of those people with a habit - we won't succumb to calling it a "bad" habit, but a habit you want to break - maybe you have a better chance if you bet on it. A couple of Yale professors say if you want to succeed, you should bet a lot. Contributor Karen Fritsche put their theory to the test.

Karen Fritsche: If you're one of those people with a habit - we won't succumb to calling it a "bad" habit, but a habit you want to break - maybe you have a better chance if you bet on it. A couple of Yale professors say if you want to succeed, you should bet a lot. Contributor Karen Fritsche put their theory to the test.

Queena Kim: Some fans of the "Happiest Place On Earth" aren't feeling so happy these days. Rumors are swirling that Disneyland is making some dramatic changes to the "It's A Small World" Ride. The iconic ride that celebrates the children of the world is closed for refurbishing. When it reopens this fall word is that you'll see Disney characters like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Nemo in the ride. Disney purists and art aficionados told KPCC's Queena Kim the company isn't just messing with a ride, it's messing with art.

John Rabe: Harry Benson has photographed the Beatles, Amy Winehouse, every sitting President since Ike, Greta Garbo in the 1970s, Liz Taylor after brain surgery, and the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Benson, who was born in Scotland and came to the U.S. in 1964, has a new retrospective exhibit in West Hollywood. He sat down Tuesday with KPCC's John Rabe to talk about his life's work.

Sandra Tsing Loh worries about how her children will fare in a move to Las Vegas.

Susan Valot: Last month, the California Coastal Commission shot down plans for the 241 Toll Road extension in South Orange County. That road would have run through San Onofre State Beach, home to one of California's legendary surf breaks -- Trestles. But there's more to Trestles than just waves. KPCC's Susan Valot hit the beach to find out what makes the spot so special to surfers.

Sandra Tsing Loh points out that Las Vegas is not the most environmentally-friendly city.

Kitty Felde: This Sunday night, PBS continues its Jane Austen series with a new version of "Emma." But one group of fans has been celebrating the world of Jane Austen every month for nearly three decades. KPCC's Special Correspondent Kitty Felde puts on her gown and takes us out on the dance floor.

Frank Stoltze: Governor Schwarzenegger today signed an executive order creating a cabinet-level position devoted to encouraging volunteerism in the state. He called it the first of its kind in the country and an effort to harness California's "people power." KPCC's Frank Stoltze was at Cal State Northridge for the announcement.

Frank Stoltze: African American civil rights organizations came under fire at a recent debate KPCC sponsored. The event, which took place during black history month, asked whether civil rights groups for African Americans are still relevant. KPCC's Frank Stoltze says the question stirred emotions about the state of black communities and organizations across Southern California.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Latino voter turnout appears to be strong in yesterday's elections. They supported Hillary Clinton by a two-to-one margin over Barack Obama. KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez spoke with a few thirty-something Latinos gathered to watch election returns at a Los Angeles restaurant.

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Brooke Binkowski: Monrovia police are bringing in law enforcement officers from other areas to combat a rise in gang violence in the city. At least three people have died in places that, until recently, were peaceful.

Frank Stoltze: Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are both going after California's Latino voters. They represent one in five voters in the state. One survey puts Hillary Clinton 40 percentage points above Barack Obama and some ascribe this to Latinos' racial mistrust of blacks. Cal State Fullerton political scientist Raphe Sonenshein told KPCC's Frank Stoltze that there's a lot more at play than race.

Steven Cuevas: Tickets for the 9th annual Coachella Valley Music Festival go on sale tomorrow. The three-day event will draw about 200,000 to the desert. Coachella is famous for reunions and rare appearances. KPCC's Steven Cuevas reports this year's no different.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: A federal administrator appointed by President Bush visited the Southland Thursday to push an assimilation initiative for immigrants regardless of their citizenship status. KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

Kitty Felde: Radio pioneer and MacArthur Genius grant recipient Bill Siemering is working with radio partners around the world to strengthen the power of local broadcasting. KPCC's Kitty Felde say down with Siemering to find out what the rest of the world is tuning into.

Doualy Xaykaothao: This year's Rose Parade route includes protesters against the Iraq war and against China's human rights record. KPCC's Doualy Xaykaothao reports that more than 1,200 police officers plan to be along the route, too.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Los Angeles is known for its ethnic diversity, but very few bands climb into the rhythmic and aural spaces where cultures overlap. KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez says that one Southland band loves hanging out in that space.

Susan Valot: As part of our month-long "Season's Giving's" series, Susan Valot profiles the Shared Bread program in Redondo Beach. It uses donated goods to put on dinners for the homeless.

Doualy Xaykaothao: Military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan are opening gift boxes Tuesday, packed by volunteers in Van Nuys. Their organization, Operation Gratitude, has been shipping holiday care packages all month. KPCC's Doualy Xaykaothao dropped in on the operation at the National Guard Armory.

Kitty Felde: For the last few weekends, KPCC's Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has been telling Street Stories about the history and marketing of Wilshire Blvd. But artists have a knack for turning the official story upside down. Here's a special Christmas Day street story that may have you looking for a place to rent a movie.

Molly Peterson: As part of our month-long "Season's Givings" series, KPCC's Molly Peterson profiles the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. The program delivers hot lunches to homebound seniors seven days a week. It's the biggest program of its kind in the country.

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: This past weekend, the Getty Center launched a three-month celebration to mark its 10th anniversary. Most agree the Getty is a must-see destination, but KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez says that not everyone agrees about the Getty Center's effects on the Southland art scene.

Kitty Felde: Tens of thousands of people will cast their first ballot next year. KPCC's special correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with a group of these new voters: seniors at King Drew Medical Magnet High School in Watts.

Brooke Binkowski: The Humane Society de Tijuana is a Mexican and American nonprofit with volunteers from northern Mexico and southern California. The group treats stray cats and dogs and holds regular spay and neuter clinics.

Susan Valot: Volunteers for the non-profit Beach Cities Health District stuff and deliver more than 200 gift bags to shut-in seniors throughout the South Bay in December.

Kitty Felde: As part of KPCC's month-long "Season's Givings" series, Kitty Felde profiles Childrens Hospital Los Angeles board member Mary Adams O'Connell. O'Connell was a candystriper for the hospital a half century ago and now helps raise money for the facility.

Susan Valot: As part of KPCC's month-long "Season's Givings" series, Susan Valot profiles the "Shared Bread" program in Redondo Beach. It uses donated goods to put on dinners for the homeless.

Susan Valot: Big waves are banging into the Southern California coast today. Surfers and bodyboarders in Seal Beach were treated to six- to eight-foot waves this morning, with occasional 10-foot sets. KPCC's Susan Valot says it's a surfer's, and gawker's, heaven.