Stories in Action

“From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks,” a film about the life and times of controversial labor leader Harry Bridges, airs on PBS stations on September 6 and 7. The film is directed by Haskell Wexler, written by Ian Ruskin, with appearances by Elliot Gould and Edward Asner. Check your local listings for details.

“How I See It - My Place,” an exhibit of photographs and writing by California teens. The online gallery showcases work of 200 California teen city and town explorers. Find inspiration in their vision and take a second look at the world around you. Free, downloadable materials let you replicate the project with your group. More.

Hayward: “Teens Take a Closer Look,” a teen photography and writing exhibit, captures the little-noticed in Hayward. Hayward Main Library, 835 C Street, Hayward, CA, 94541, through September 22. Opens at the Weekes Branch Library, 27300 Patrick Ave., Hayward, CA, 94544, September 23. For information, contact Shawna Sherman, young adult librarian, at Shawna.Sherman@hayward-ca.gov.

La Habra: ” La Habra, the Pass Through the Hills: From a Teen’s Perspective,” a teen photography and writing exhibit opening September 27, 3 to 5 p.m. La Habra Branch Library/OC Public Libraries 221 E. La Habra Blvd. For more information, 562-694-2958.

Oakland: “Chinatown Memory Map Exhibit and Website Launch Party,” explores the history of Oakland’s Chinatown. Opens September 19, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oakland Renaissance Plaza, 388 Ninth Street, 2nd floor. For more information, contact Roy at 510-637-0463.

Ridgecrest: “Stories in the Sand II,” a teen photography and writing exhibit captures the little noticed in the town. Through September 30. Ridgecrest Branch Library, 131 East Las Flores Avenue. More.

Salinas: “Our Place in the Watershed: The Arts and Service Learning,” professional development for teachers who want to learn how to integrate arts and service learning in the classroom. September 12. National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main Street. More.

Van Nuys: “Hearing the Deaf,” a semi-staged presentation of a play about the struggles and triumphs of the deaf community, followed by a discussion. DEAFestival at Woodley Park, 6340 Woodley Avenue. For information, contact Matt McCray at 323-841-9151.

Reserve your Seat: “On the Front Line: Three Generations of Soldiers’ Voices,” a free performance and discussion. October 29 at 7:30 p.m., Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive. 310-670-0362 for information and reservations.

Save the Date: California history will again come alive at the Fourth Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar on Saturday, October 17, from 10 am to 5 pm. Don’t miss it. More.

Radio broadcast: “Broadway: Around the World in 30 Blocks,” a radio series about the cultures and cuisines along Sacramento’s most delicious street. The series airs on Capital Public Radio on the second Friday of each month through November 2009 during “Morning Edition.” Learn more about the project, listen to the segments and get recipes.

Television broadcasts:

“Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times,” a Council-funded documentary about the L.A. Times family that transformed Los Angeles, airs nationally on PBS. October 5. Check your local listings. Read an interview with filmmaker Peter Jones in the latest issue of Network here (a downloadable pdf file).

“Going on 13,” a Council-funded documentary exploring the lives of four girls as they pass from childhood to puberty, airs on PBS stations in Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose in September. Check your local listings and visit Going on 13 for up-to-date information.

“From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks,” a film about the life and times of controversial labor leader Harry Bridges, airs on PBS stations on September 6 and 7. The film is directed by Haskell Wexler, written by Ian Ruskin, with appearances by Elliot Gould and Edward Asner. Check your local listings for details.

“Polk Street: Lives in Transition,” an exhibit of photographs and audio on the changing face of San Francisco’s Polk Street. Through August 25. Good Vibrations Polk Street Gallery, 1620 Polk Street (at Sacramento). More.

“Stories in the Sand II,” a teen photography and writing exhibit captures the little noticed in the town. Through September 30. Ridgecrest Branch Library, 131 East Las Flores Avenue. More.

The grant guidelines for the 2009 round of funding for the California Documentary Project are now available. Applicants may apply for either a research and development grant or a production grant. The proposal deadline is October 1, 2009. Attend a proposal workshop to learn how to apply for a grant. The California Documentary Project supports film, radio and new media projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. Find out about previously funded projects.

Congratulations to Jim Leach, who was confirmed by the Senate today to be the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council is NEH’s state partner. During his 30 years in the House of Representatives, Leach founded and was co-chairman of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, which advocates in the House on behalf of the humanities and seeks to raise the profile of humanities nationwide. Leach begins work at NEH next week. We wish him all the best and look forward to working with him in the months ahead.

Need an antidote for the summertime blues? Try the Don’t Knock the Rock festival in Los Angeles, a high-energy mix of film and music that runs every Thursday in July and August at the Silent Move Theater in Hollywood. The festival celebrates the rock ’n’ roll roots of Hollywood with classic and brand-new rock films containing quintessential music performances and live shows by fresh musical talents. Coming up this Thursday, July 2, at 8 pm is the Council-supported film “Chicano Rock,” the lively story of how young Mexican Americans in East Los Angeles created a new musical form — a blend of white rock, black soul and Latin rhythms.
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