THE WAVE MOTOR. Circa late 1890's. This contraption was invented by J.E.& William V. Armstrong. It stood out on West Cliff Drive and was used to bring ocean water up to the 6000 gallon storage tank. They used the salt water to sprinkle dusty Streets in the summer time. I think the hole they drilled in the cliffs is still visible and accessible. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

COUNCIL CANDIDATES DUCK ISSUES. Early reports from City Council candidate's forums all say that no one is facing or talking about the issues. They spout empty blather about the city needs immediate Economic Growth and don't seem to know that new businesses take years before any tax money gets inserted into the City Coffers. No discussion about that lack of proof that new businesses take as much money out of the city as they contribute. We need to ask some hard questions at these forums...and demand answers. The main points are...Do we want to continue down the same path the current council is leading us? Where do they differ with the current council? See if you can get answers to such issues as:

If you were voting today (or next Tuesday) how would you vote on saving or destroying the La Bahia?

If you were voting today how would you vote on Arana Gulch, how would you vote on the proposed trail through Pogonip, on giving UCSC half our City water? How would you vote on legalizing Marijuana?

And if you vote to give UCSC half our water how can you also encourage new businesses to open here if we can't promise them water?

GOOD TIMES HISTORIC PHOTO REACTIONS. Lots of great responses to last week's 1977 Good Times Christmas Card historic photo. As I mentioned Lisa Jensen and I couldn't remember where it was taken. Sylvie Foley wrote, "I remember this photo like it was yesterday. I was hanging out with Marilyn Memoir at the time. This may have been the same year that I was featured in Get Dressed -- a fashion page that Marilyn was responsible for. I have a copy of that issue in one of my boxes. As far as the location goes, I usually have an uncanny architectural memory, but this one is stumping me. It looks like the back door to an auditorium, church, or school. I have a vague memory of the Good Times' offices being near the Palomar at the time and as a high schooler who was always prowling around downtown -- every back alley and nook and cranny -- I don't recall this set of steps. I'll let you know if I think of it. And please feel free to let me know if you find out. Cheers! Sylvia Foley.

So I emailed Dan Coyro days ago and never a response...he probably took the picture, but he's shy. Then today Stacey Naman Grant solved the entire search...she said, "You may remember me as Stacey Naman when I worked in the art department at GT from 1977-78. I am in the photo you posted (as a 20 year old....!) and I DO remember where the photo was taken. It was taken on the steps of Holy Cross Church on High St. Ring any bells? (no pun intended). TX for the revisit to photo. SNG. Thanks so much for all your reactions, honestly it's one of the major kicks out of doing this column.

JOE ZIRKER EXHIBIT NOW!!! I've probably been to 500-800 art exhibits over the last many, many years. One of the finest, most impressive exhibits I've ever seen is the current "Machines of Memory: Sculpture and Works on Paper by Joseph Zirker" on the Third floor of the Museum of Art & History (MAH) now through November 21st.To say that Joe Zirker is a master printmaker is obvious he's also an inventive, and creative and aesthetic genius. His unique methods of printing and his rarely seen sculptures are too beautiful for words. The hanging of them and the lighting are impeccable. MAH is to be congratulated...and trust me Zirker's works are well worth seeing.

MET OPERA LIVE CASTS TO THE REGAL. Managers Jack Kleinman and Trista Bailey confirmed that we'll be getting the full twelve 2010-2011 Season Metropolitan Opera live broadcasts starting Saturday October 9th. Plans are to screen them in Theatre #3 which has 217 seats. That's bigger tha9n #2 where they showed the Encore Series last season. Being live will mean getting there at 9:30 or 10a.m. There'll be Encore re-showings each Wednesday after the opening at 6 p.m. but the thrill of watching live opera even televised is best. Remember that every one of the Santa Cruz screenings of those Encore performances sold out so get tickets early. Here's all the details from the Met

They open with Wagner's "Das Rheingold" with Bryn Terfel, something with Anna Netrebko, something else with Placido Domingo, they'll do John Adams Nixon in China on February 12 and close with Deborah Voigt singing Die Walkure. That's one hell of a season. Tickets are all on sale now at the Regal box office or fandango.com (you must know play dates however). They have already started to sell! Tickets are $24 adults, $22 seniors, $18 children, $20 pre-paid.

GANDHI'S SEX LIFE & YOUNG GIRLS??? No hot photos but some new takes on the old boy!!!

HIGHWAY THROUGH THE SERENGETI. You probably read where Tanzania wants to build a 260 mile highway between Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria. It will of course jeopardize the 2 million wildebeests and zebra's migrations. They've probably already thought of it but our City Council should send a suggestion to Tanzania National Parks to name it the "Micah Posner Pathway to Progress". He deserves it for all he's done.

GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN TATTOO PLUS ROYALTIES. An amazing article about what a flop Steig Larson's books almost were. Read it here.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks all about the Propositions facing us in November. For example he says," Proposition 26 the Chamber of Commerce job If passed, it will make it more difficult for local governments to undertake planning actions that respond to public concerns". He details facts about Props.21, 22, and 25. Then he includes links to more information on each of them.
(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Exposing the dangers of watching Fox News...or "you are what you watch"!!!. Scroll downwards for Professor Eagan's weekly lesson.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau says in his article, "Ironically, the loudest complainers about paying taxes become the most eloquent advocates of spending more on the military – the leading Republicans and their certifiably moronic Palinesque supporters. One could argue that these deficit and war hawks belong to a secret society of ghouls who intimidate the rest of Congress and the public into funding devastation. After nine years in Afghanistan and seven-plus in Iraq the most obvious results of this trillion dollar plus effort are lots of dead and maimed people, many of them civilians; tens of thousands of houses turned into rubble and assorted damage to infrastructure and other public property. U.S. taxpayers can rightfully claim a role in not only the killing, but for some, their burials (coffins and flags) as well. Read it all here.

Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 35: "The Merry Greenwood" Tory struggles to compose a quartet for two, while Jack races against time to try to save a friend and prevent a massacre.

Click here to read Chapter 35
Click here to begin with Chapter 1

ALSO, here's the link for Lisa Jensen Online

Breaking news...Lisa has a new blog and writes to tell us. "—here's a teaser for my brand new baby blog, just up this week: Lisa Jensen Online— Express! I hope this will be a place for me to write about local things (movies, books, art, music, etc) that are interesting right now. This week, I put on my "fat lady jeans" to weigh in on Eat Pray Love, catch up (at last!) with the dreamstate that is Inception, suggest some spellbinding books to get lost in on a hot (or foggy) summer's day—and more!

"The coordinates for my new blog, LISA JENSEN ONLINE-EXPRESS is http://ljo-express.blogspot.com

I know it's confusing. The "old" LISA JENSEN ONLINE is now the online archive of my older work. The brand new LJO-X (which I just launched this week) is a more informal blog format where I can post updates any time there's something going on that I want to write about. Let me know if you have any questions".

(Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975).

WATERS WEIGHS IN. this week Christina feasts on local, handmade ice cream, chat up a sensuous flamenco food fest on 9/11, and slap around two celebrity deadbeats. All at http://christinawaters.com

MAO'S LAST DANCER. Don't knock yourself out to see this film.Even though Bruce Beresford directed it. It's cute, predictable, politically managed, and you can guess every minute...except when the Chinese government kidnaps Li Cunxin in Houston and jails his parents back home...that was heavy. But for him to get a standing ovation for the tiny brief dance in the Die Fledermaus opera is stretching it a bit. So is slowing all his leaps into slow motion...he's no Baryshnikov nor is Chi Cao who does the acting and dancing in the film. Not to belabor the point but the hero Li Cunxin now has three kids, and is a stockbroker in Australia!!! Besides all that Kyle McLachlan is in it too!!! Remember him from Dune and Blue Velvet...well Blue Velvet anyways.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED. Lisa Jensen said it all in her new blog...this is one wildly inventive, creative film. More plot twists, switches of loyalty, even humor, and it's all about kidnapping a beautiful rich daughter. You have never seen an old story/plotline so re-worked and re-invented as this one. It's exciting, thoughtful, tense, unpredictable, go see it, you'll love it.

THE LAST EXORCISM. What really surprises me is that with Blair Witch, Paranormal Activity and this Exorcism there's been an entire new genre of film invented. The fake ghost documentary. These aren't Freddy the slasher bloodies, they aren't the "don't go into the cellar" scareables, and they are a new way to make a movie. Hand held, low budget, supposedly real/true, lots of behind the camera scenes...and they do work very well. They are scary, the audiences eat them up and Last Exorcism was #1 at last week's box-office. I have doubts about how long or how many spin-offs can be made...we'll see. Yes, Paranormal Activity 2 is coming soon.

TAKERS. Matt Dillon who maybe did one good acting job in his life fails again and so does Idris Elba in this rob-by-the-numbers, downtown LA armored truck-heist job. Forget ever seeing it.

HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. A large dose of fiddle and banjo stuff, Persian music and dance, lithe belly dancers shimmying to gypsy jazz, Irish guys in black leather jackets, take-no-prisoners dance bands from Louisiana, a Bulgarian bitov band...things are starting to heat up! Read all about it at http://www.lutherie.net/live.music.html

In addition, the Valley of the Moon 27th Annual Concert final concert takes place on Friday at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, 8pm: Don't miss the new postcard at the bottom of the page, either.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. Environmentalist Grey Hayes will tell us more about Global Warming and how it'll affect Santa Cruz, on August 31. Following Mr. Hayes, UCSC's Winifred Frick will tell us some new news about her studies on bats. Julie Barrett Heffington director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will talk about new exhibits and programs on Sept 7th. She'll be followed by UCSC Prof. Emeritus Elliott Aronson talking all about his brand new memoir book "Not By Chance Alone". Then on September 14th Susan Hillhouse and Paul Figueroa will lay out the plans for the Fall Exhibits at MAH. After MAH Susan Myer Silton who's directing Clouds will give details on this comedy set in Cuba. On September 21st Allison Carrillo and Betsy Anderson will talk about the new Eduardo Carrillo exhibit opening at the Crocker Museum. As per always, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome, so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. "Ironically, the loudest complainers about paying taxes become the most eloquent advocates of spending more on the military – the leading Republicans and their certifiably moronic Palinesque supporters", Saul Landau. "The whole world is about three drinks behind", Humphrey Bogart. "Who's downstairs ringing your bell? A Friend? Or the Boston Strangler?", Ad for General telephone and Electronics.

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Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.

GOOD TIMES CHRISTMAS CARD 1977. Lisa Jensen confirmed that this old card I found last week was from 1977. We can't figure where in downtown it was taken, any ideas?? Yes, I read that Hap Dean died recently...note Dan Coyro with fake eye high atop the group. Those were the days. photo credit: Bruce Bratton private collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

POWDERED ALCOHOL...GREATEST INVENTION SINCE THE INTERNET!! Wow, just think.... no taxes, kids can drink it, watch for it on your favorite shelves!!!

SUTTER HOSPITAL THE WAL-MART OF HEALTH CARE? If you missed the Sunday Chronicle piece on how Sutter Health Company is buying and building hospital facilities and now owns and operates more than a third of the market in Northern California...And then charges 40 to 70 % higher rates, be sure to read this...

It's the largest health care provider in an 11 county region. Locally it's also known as the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and the Santa Cruz Medical Clinic.

RON POMERANTZ CAMPAIGN KICKOFF THIS SATURDAY. Ron Pomerantz has been studying, participating and working hard to make a difference in Santa Cruz politics and he's kicking off his campaign with a big Block Party this Saturday on the 200 Block of Gharkey (actually spelled Gharky) and will begin at 1pm. He says "Come and enjoy local food, drink from SC Mountain Brewery, and music from Peter Weiss "The Singing Scientist" & David Winters. Our MC will be Brett Taylor and Fred Keeley will deliver a fiery speech to help propel Ron to victory in November. Feel free to bring the whole family as well as your friends... and please spread the word about this event and Ron's candidacy. More info is available at www.RonForCouncil.com or by calling (831) 419-0565

POMERANTZFOR CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS. You can get a complete list of Ron's endorsers by going to his website and here's just a hint of who supports him. Luis Alejo, Katherine Beiers, Bert Muhly, Celia Scott, Tony Madrigal, Chris Krohn, Gary Patton, Jane Weed, Tim Fitzmaurice, Al & Denise Holbert, Linda Wilshusen, Micah Posner, Mark Halfmoon, Michelle Whizin, Peter Scott, Rick Longinotti, Sara Friedlander, Ken Wagman, Dan Haifley, Paul Elerick, Peter Beckmann, Robert Stagnaro, Ian Magruder, Barbara Schatan and Brian Murtha. I'll print a lot more in the next weeks.

TOM HONIG IN GOOD TIMES. You can read what Tom Honig wrote in Good Times here. You've read it all before but now read what Ted Benhari member of CLUE, RBDA, and CWC had to say in answer to Honig's Column. From Good Times letters to the editor last week.
"Been There, Read That?"
Tom Honig's column, "A New Economy for Santa Cruz" really should have been headlined, "Same Old Sentinel Editorial Board Anti-Environmentalist Diatribe."

THE ICE MEN MELTETH!!! A Berlin Global Warming Protest

Without regard to any facts or data (even the Sentinel throws in a few, although it often still gets them wrong) Tom dismisses those opposing the giveaway of a large percentage of Santa Cruz's slim remaining water surplus to UCSC as: "aging Santa Cruz figures who bought their homes for $50,000 some 30 years ago and really don't have to worry about things like a mortgage. In fact, some of these folks bought two or three of these houses, and make a good living by doing nothing more than renting them out." I am one of those people who are worried about the impact of UCSC growth. And yes, I am aging, but I do have a mortgage and I only own the one house, the one I live in. Not that any of this has any relevance to whether or not UCSC growth is a good thing for Santa Cruz.

Rather than reporting or commenting on the content of what speakers said at the recent City Council hearing to certify the Environmental Impact Report for the expansion of Santa Cruz's water district, Honig uses sarcasm and pejoratives to dismiss those who pointed out the EIR's inadequacy. He calls them "comfortable old-timers" and "impressionable student-age voters." Claiming that activists sought to cap growth by limiting the water supply, he goes on to compare them to the (overused) simile of parent-killers pleading for leniency because they are orphans.

The facts are that our water supply is limited by many real-world factors. Various attempts to increase that supply over the years were rejected because they were either prohibitively expensive and/or came with intolerable environmental damage. The proposed desalination plant will likely fit into both of those categories.

Honig goes on to claim that UCSC growth opponents are against economic growth. But no data has ever been collected comparing UCSC's economic contributions to our community vs. the cost of its growth in added infrastructure construction, government services (remember, UCSC pays no taxes), higher rents, time and gas lost to traffic gridlock? Shouldn't we know that before pronouncing UCSC growth a positive economic agent? Ironically, Honig goes on to write, "A better economy could mean that younger families can afford Santa Cruz and not have to commute over the hill." I say ironic, because one of, if not the main driver of high rental and housing prices in Santa Cruz, is housing competition from UCSC students, staff and faculty. One of the reasons that people oppose the supply of additional water to UCSC is that it will leave very little for other entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their own businesses. Do we really want to become like Davis, completely dependent on the University for our Economic Well-being?

Ted Benhari, Bonny Doon. (Editors note...you'd think Honing would know better after all these years.)

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC CLUB. The monthly meeting will be Thursday August 26th at 7 .p.m. at the galleria, 740 Front Street suite #165 and will focus on the homeless and homelessness in Santa Cruz. Ken Cole, who is now head of the County's Housing Authority, and Joel Miller, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, will share with us their knowledgeable perspectives on the problems and challenges all of us face in our local attempts to deal with them. Read the PDC newsletter here.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary discusses the Monterey County Planning Commission, he mentions the Corral de Tierra shopping Center at Highway 68, he adds some acronyms such as VMT, CARB, and ADT to our vocabulary. He closes by warning us to be awfully aware of the soon to hit us propositions.

(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Time delves deep into the American psyche..scroll for all you're worth but down...

KUNG FU COCOANUT FINGER...don't ask and I didn't make this up either...just look

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Actor Danny Glover and Saul Landau visit Gerardo Hernandez. They write..."Gerardo Hernandez, one of the Cuban 5, is serving two life sentences for conspiracy to commit espionage and aiding and abetting murder. Prosecutors presented no evidence of espionage at the Miami trial. The aiding and abetting charge presumed evidence, not shown, that Gerardo sent flight details to Cuba of the Brothers to the Rescue planes shot down by Cuban MIGs in February 1996 -- which he did not. The charge also assumed that he knew of secret Cuban government orders to shoot them down, also not true".. Read the entire article here

Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 34: "Harlequin's Last Gambit" All roads lead to the island of Nevis for an uneasy reunion, an uncovered plot (and counter-plot), and a desperate gamble. Please note: In response to reader requests, I've posted a map of the Leeward Islands, ca 1822, to help you keep track of the action as it hops between the islands. Check it out! Click here to read Chapter 34
Click here to begin with Chapter 1

Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.

Swash and buckle your way into Lisa's website at www.lisajensenonline.com

EXPENDABLES. ("Execrables" would be a more apt title) As you can guess from this cast of Republicans on steroid this movie is even dumber collectively than it would have been if each of them made a film separately. Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger??? What other type film could they make??? Of course it was the biggest grosser for the last two weekends...now that's scary!!!. As I should have predicted I had to leave before it ended. How about "Inscrutables", "Exhumables "Insufferables",", "Exhaustibles" ad infinitum.

SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. This phoney flop of a supposed hip film with Michael Cera playing the only role he can is as bad in its way as Execrables was. I walked out before this dull mess was over too.

PIRANHA IN 3D. I'm not ashamed to be a big fan of 3D. I always have been and I hope to see the time when 3D is used to add as much dimension to films as sound did back in 1929. So far it's mostly 97% novelty. Piranha wasn't any fun to watch at all. I thought it would be scary, have some new 3D devices, maybe a little different twist to some kind of plot... I was wrong in every instance. Avoid it like the plague.

WORLD'S TALLEST MAN MEETS THE SMALLEST. Don't overlook this clip. Gives new meaning to "The Odd Couple"

SECRET OF THE GRAIN. This almost unknown 2007 masterpiece won 10 Cesar awards and is the best film I've seen in years. Read Rotten Tomatoes Critics reviews. It should have a better title like Family Blood and Couscous. It's the story of an Arab family in Southern France. I do not ever remember seeing and experiencing such high quality acting in a film ever...and I don't say that lightly. I found it by accident on the Cedar Street Video shelves. It's in French and Arabic, and you should see it.

CHINESE COFFEE. Al Pacino (whose sister used to live in Santa Cruz) acted in this play then directed a film of this two-man dialogue starring himself and Jerry Orbach. Pacino says about the play "It explores the difference between symbiosis and real friendship. At the end of the play (his character Harry) even says he doesn't know if they ever were real friends. What appealed to me most about this piece was the fragility of friendships. If there's anything relevant to an audience, it's that. They've all got friends and we can all identify with things that hurt friendships." Lampshade Productions is doing to the play at the Broadway Playhouse and on opening night Jake as played by Jaye Wolfe needed more direction. He played the entire role in one voice, one tone, too few gestures, and way too intense. Richard Saldavia who also directed and played the other role was better. It plays through Aug 29. At 8p.m. at The Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz more info 345-7157, www.brownpapertickets.com

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm, or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. This Tuesday August 24th Paper makers Chuck Hilger and John Babcock will talk about their art and the big and beautiful Papermakers Show currently at MAH. Following the paper will be UCSC professor Forrest Robinson bringing us up to date on Mark Twain's newly released autobiography. Environmentalist Grey Hayes will tell us more about Global Warming and how it'll affect Santa Cruz, on August 31. Following Mr. Hayes, UCSC's Winifred Frick will tell us some new news about her studies on bats. Julie Barrett Heffington director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will talk about new exhibits and programs. On September 14th Susan Hillhouse and Paul Figueroa will lay out the plans for the Fall Exhibits at MAH. After MAH Susan Myer Silton who's directing Clouds will give details on this comedy set in Cuba. On September 21st Allison Carillo and Betsy Anderson will talk about the new Eduardo Carillo exhibit opening at the Crocker Museum. As per always, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. (This week's quotes have the word "missing" in common, since the quotes from Bruce were missing in this week's update... -the Webmistress) "There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties." -Douglas Adams; "An autobiography is an obituary in serial form with the last installment missing." -Quentin Crisp; "Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot." -Groucho Marx

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Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.