Federal requirements for Real ID take effect in 2020
Q What is going on with California Real IDs? I thought we had until sometime in 2020 to comply. Then I heard on TV that it’s now April. …
You and the DMV have been saying all along that we have until Oct. 1, 2020, to get Real ID. Perhaps a word of clarification would be good. … I’m told with my current Real ID I don’t have to do anything until it’s time for me to renew my license. I am really confused. — Susan Cianciarulo, Jim Bangsund, Jane Parks-McKay (and I bet many others)
A That’s a good bet. Federal officials changed the rules and beginning in April will require drivers applying for Real ID to have two forms of residency documentation instead of one. However, if you already have a Real ID you don’t need to have a second proof of residency until your license is renewed.
And you can continue to use your current license and valid passport to get on a plane.
Q Just because you must love pesky corrections: Iron Eyes Cody — the actor who played the Crying Indian in the 1971 anti-litter commercial — was born in Louisiana from Italian heritage, not Native American at all. I admit his iconic stature and thought he was great. It was a powerful PSA. — Kevin Madej, John Buck, Janice Dabney, Richard Popchak, Henry Lacaze, Susan McClory, Will Rend and so many more
A But not everyone loved the Crying Indian.
Q Iron Eyes Cody was more like “Lyin’ Eyes Corti.” He was not American Indian. He was born of parents who were born in Italy. He was born Espera Oscar de Corti. He was an example of an actor inappropriately appropriating a heritage that was not his. Oscar was a man of Italian heritage playing American Indian roles (OK), but who habitually lied about not being Italian (not OK). — Laura Shulman, Gilroy
A Veronica-the-Historian says “It’s a strange tale, detailed in ‘Savage Kin: Indigenous Informants and American Anthropologists’ by Margaret M. Bruchac: He did extensively support Native causes so I guess people just overlook it.”
Q Can you please let me know when the very bumpy 1100 block of Laurie Avenue in Willow Glen will be paved? Over the 24 years I’ve been here it’s been patched a few times and given a very superficial overcoat that didn’t last long. — Vern Ladd, San Jose
A There’s good news, but patience may be needed. Your street is on the list of 388 miles to be repaved thanks to the Measure T bond vote last year. But the city has yet to decide what streets will be worked on first.
The city will publish a list and map of streets to be paved on its website in early summer. Follow the links to “Roads” and then “Pavement” from www. sanjoseca.gov/transportation.