JESUS AND FRIENDS IN SANTA CRUZ, 1954. That's Saint Gertie fixing Jesus hair and Saint Lucy looking over the boy's shoulders. Everybody's wondering how Jesus got Melmac dinnerware and whose hand is sitting on Jesus left. Actually this is the life size wax Lord's Last Supper creation as done by Harry Liston back in the 40's. It gathered dust for decades in what is now the Santa Cruz Art League Theatre; I forgot where it is now. Maybe the Oblates of The Immaculate Parking Lot over on Lighthouse Point have this piece d'art fou. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection, click for bigger version. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

BRATTONONLINE NEWS. BrattonOnline will take a week off next week so here's a special thanks to Gunilla Leavitt at www.Godmomasforge.com, co-editor Hillary Bratton, Paul Elerick, Gary Patton, Tim Eagan, Saul Landau and especially to all the businesses and friends listed on the right hand side of this page and to emailers and all you subscribers and readers. And still more thanks to UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE listeners. Gunilla and I are plotting a new look to www.BrattonOnline.com sometime in January. So tell everybody to watch for it.

WHOSE TIDELANDS IS IT? Brand new County Superior Court Judge Paul B. Burdick faced his first bit time case Monday when he worked on Phase one of The Boardwalk versus The City Of Santa Cruz. Back in 1933 the City sold the tidelands to the Boardwalk. The tidelands in question are mostly next to the river where the Boardwalk uses it as a parking lot. The tidelands may cover more than that area but that'll come out in Phase 2. So here you have the Seaside Company with its 3.5 million visitors (or more) making millions of dollars from all those tourists and using our city's water, police, fire departments, causing traffic environmental, and major crime problems, suing the City of Santa Cruz whose dwindling money sources are causing major cutbacks. Seaside should be ashamed, but their attorneys press on, armed with boxes of papers and outdated court decisions and are out for our blood. The question that will be answered by Judge Burdick on January 31 at 10am is: did the City of Santa Cruz even have the right to sell that land since it was in public trust and especially since the City never asked the voters if they could sell it? Was that judgment valid? Or did the City sell that land illegally? We'll see. It seems to me that this is the biggest court case Santa Cruz has ever handled, a history making decision. The Coastal Commission was there, Stanford Law Center was there. I think the January Court date should be moved to the Civic.

LEON PANETTA ON CONSENSUS ON IRAQ. As usual Leon Panetta has some genuinely effective things to say about his involvement with the Iraq Study Group. He wrote this piece for the Mercury news and it was in their Sunday December 17 paper. Joyce Crain alerted me to it and sent me a copy. Leon tells about how President Bush needs to unite this very divided country...and time is getting short. Read it here... http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/editorial/16260568.htm

GARY PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary continues to discuss the importance of getting involved with community based organizations. He talks about Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning (SCRP) and how the acting chancellor of UCSC will be addressing their Wednesday meeting. He talks about Highway 68 Coalition, he tells about the Seabright Neighbors Association. Land use decisions have been and continue to be influenced by groups like these...get involved. Gary added this Holiday wish for all BrattonOnline readers, it's from his son: "Gary Patton is hoping for lots of lumps of coal for Holiday gifts - but to be buried not burned! A little awareness of the looming global warming catastrophe could lead to "carbon sequestration" gifts each memorable holiday, since we need to start giving our excessive combustion of carbon a long rest. That is, if we ever want to have more of those "winter nights" that are the stuff of holiday lore. Global warming is no joke. If you can't give a carbon sequestration present, at least search out the Al Gore DVD, and make sure it's wrapped up for someone who hasn't yet started thinking about what global warming is going to mean to all of us".

TIM EAGAN'S EFFULGENCE. Ponder Tim's expose of words and how much of our lives are influenced by them. Scroll downwards...to the end of this column.

PAUL ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul attended the Rail Symposium in Capitola and wonders why certain people weren't there.

PROGRESO AND SAUL LANDAU. Saul Landau continues his story of filming Fidel Castro many years ago as they traveled through Eastern Cuba. The lead article in Progreso is titled "Wakes for Fidel Castro" http://www.progresoweekly.com

CHRISTINA WATERS SAYS. She visits the new La Posta restaurant and offers her two cents on Apocalypto. Check out her website http://christinawaters.com for red-hot last minute gift ideas, plus a photo of Mardi Wormhoudt's boots . And by the way, Waters and I do NOT see eye to eye on that new Mel Gibson film.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5pm. On KZSC 88.1 FM I host University Grapevine. It's interviews with both Town and Gown people about issues and events that both groups should know about. This Thursday it'll be a repeat of Sandy Lydon talking about racial prejudice in the Monterey Bay area and the Ku Klux Klan in Santa Cruz. The second half will be Ann Osterman talking about the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.

SHAKESPEARE CLUB. Everyone is invited to the 4 January meetings (January 6,13,20, and 27th of the Shakespeare Club. It meets at the
Aptos Library , 7695 Soquel Drive on Saturday mornings from 10am –noon. We'll be discussing A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare enthusiasts Don Young and Jeff Towle lead the readings and it's a lot of fun whether you know anything about Shakespeare or not. Call 662-0302 for information.

GOLDEN GLOBE HOT PIX. Now that the Golden Globe nominees have been announced you know these will be the hot ones to check out on the big screens, or more likely to rent, or send for. Babel, Bobby, The Departed, Little Children, and The Queen. Based on their list, my choices in order are The Queen, Babel, Bobby and The Departed. Little Children hasn't been here yet, but sounds great. Penelope Cruz in Volver, Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal are must sees. So, too, are Will Smith in the Pursuit of Happyness and Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland. More personal favorites that are getting mentioned on lots of lists are The Devil Wears Prada, Little Miss Sunshine, Will Ferrell in Stranger than fiction.

ABOUT BORAT. I liked many of the interviews that Sacha Baron Cohen pulled off in Borat. I never got what he was attempting in his HBO series Da Ali G. Show. Then I went back to HBO's On Demand and watched those Ali G. Interviews again along with some of Cohen's other interviews after seeing Borat. He is simply brilliant!! It's nearly impossible to catch his genius the first time you see him and not all his interviews work, but when they do it's comedy at its most creative. Watch him again if any of your friends subscribe to HBO.

ERAGON. It appears that finally the special effects are catching up to the screen writers. This film is all dragons, impossible environments, a little acting here and there and it's good fun. Probably more fun if you are under 12. None of the intricacy or meaning of Lord of The Rings, but it's a visual delight. It stars by the way, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Robert Carlyle and Djimon Hounsen from Blood Diamond and about 15 other films I never noticed him in. But all the money they threw at Eragon doesn't make it anymore of a film than a 1950's Saturday matinee attraction.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Most people are aware by now that the boy playing Will Smith's son is really his son. Not since Charlie Chaplin's The Kid have we seen such a drama carried out in such a way that it isn't hokey and sugary. The fact that it was filmed in San Francisco helps it too. However don't bother watching for Ralph Peduto, I didn't see him in this one. It's based on a true story but its still Will Smith that makes it work.

BABEL. Put your money on this one. Director Inarritu made Babel as the end of his trilogy that started with Amores Perros, then 21 Grams and now Babel. Babel is the easiest of the three to access. It stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Gael Garcia Bernal but they aren't in it very much. The film has four interwoven stories and like the first two of the trio it's about how everything and everybody is connected. The film is complex, completely unpredictable, sexual, and needs to be seen on the big screen. But see it anyway you can... it's a fine film, deserves an Oscar and Alejandro Inarritu is one of a handful of living directors who has a style and theme you can sense.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICALLY CHALLENGED. . Morgan Cowin, president of the International Musical Saw Association www.sawPlayers.org sent these funny Christmas Carols.

1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?
2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Queens Disoriented Are
3. Amnesia --- I Don't Know if I'll be Home for Christmas
4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me, Me, Me.
5. Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants
6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me
7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
8. Full Personality Disorder-- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why
9. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
10. Agoraphobia --- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day But Wouldn't Leave My House
11. Senile Dementia --- Walking in a Winter Wonderland Miles From My House in My Slippers and Robe, now who am I?
12. Oppositional Defiant Disorder --- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus So I Burned Down the House
13. Social Anxiety Disorder --- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas while I Sit Here and Hyperventilate

QUOTES. I'm spending the Holiday in Mar Vista near Santa Monica with grandsons and family. So Los Angeles seems appropriate... "Nineteen suburbs in search of a metropolis." -H.L. Mencken. "In Los Angeles versus the San Gabriel Mountains, it is not always clear which side is losing." -John McPhee. "Who invented the brush they put next to the toilet? That thing hurts." -Andy Andrews. "I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall." -Eleanor Roosevelt.

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

HOLIDAY SHOPPING, SANTA CRUZ'S PACIFIC AVENUE DEC.1, 1954. This is one of my all time favourite old photos. It was back in the days when there seemed to be a drugstore on every corner of Pacific. This woman shopper reminds me of a deer caught in some car's headlights. She's obviously just caught up in the Holiday spirit, and must be nearly 80 years old by now. Anyone know who she is? Another holiday historical photo including caption. It's hard to believe that in 50 years the Santa Cruz of 2006 will look this dated...you are taking pictures of Santa Cruz today right? Because newspapers don't take these kind of pictures anymore. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection, click for bigger version. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

JOHN AND LYNN ROBINSON. If anyone had doubts about newly elected City Council member Lynn Robinson and the influence her husband has on her, read this. Husband John Robinson used to work for The Seaside Company as their PR or flack guy. Now he is CEO of the California Attraction and Parks Association (C.A.P.A.) in Sacramento. CAPA's function is to do legislative outreach and deal with regulatory issues. Like when the State wants to make safety inspections mandatory in amusement parks CAPA fights them. Or when the state wants the Amusement parks to pay minimum wage, or give part of their taxes to the California Arts Commission CAPA fights that too. They fought health care coverage for part time workers. As it says on their website www.capa.org "CAPA works closely with legislators on issues of regulation, tourism and ride safety". The Seaside Company as a dues paying member of CAPA paid $25,000 per year dues to CAPA...probably more now, the website is dated 2005.

So after Chris Cobb wrote what he did about John's wife Lynn in last week's BrattonOnline (scroll down to read it) John Robinson got mad, very mad according to Chris...here's what Chris has to say about that. "Mr. John Robinson, Lynn Robinson's husband, left an irate message on my home phone Friday letting me know he did not like what I wrote in BrattonOnline last week. He does not like that I used the word "lobbyist" to describe his work, and said that the owner of the Seaside Company is not technically his boss. I promised to clarify.

To be clear...Lynn 's husband John's job is to run an association representing the interests of amusement park owners, that includes the Seaside Company, in legislative matters.

John was also upset I said there was a "hidden" agenda. I did not use the word hidden. I say that Lynn's husband, as the CEO of an association that represents the interests of amusement park owners, has an agenda to take care of the Seaside Company, among others. That seems logical. I also say the Seaside Company wants to develop in town (we can start with the Sea and Sand expansion on our coastline, La Bahia...), and is unfriendly to town interests (that includes their lawsuit against the city and can we have the land you are using for a parking lot on the river back?). There doesn't seem to be anything to correct.

I believe John Robinson was upset I insinuated there was a connection between Lynn's running and John and the Seaside Company. It's hard to believe that the zero degree of separation between Lynn and John, and John's connection with the Seaside Company, does not create a distinct advantageous connection between the Seaside Company and our cities highest Council. I'll stand behind that, and wish Lynn would address it to all of us publicly. She's in an important public office now; I will raise that fear in any public forum."

So who did you really vote onto the City Council? The Seaside Company, or John Robinson, and is there a real Lynn Robinson? Should we copy all letters to John, will he continue to handle her affairs? It isn't fair to the people of Santa Cruz. Is there a conflict of interest here? Do you think Lynn could possibly vote honestly on behalf of the community when it comes to Seaside Company Business? That means the Sea and Sand Motel's expansion, it means The La Bahia development, it certainly means she shouldn't be allowed to vote on the lawsuit over who owns the Tidelands parking lot.

MARDI'S PARTY. There was a big NON-Retirement party last Saturday night at the Attic. It was great. Paul Elerick tells a lot about it in his weekly Input (see below) There were historical speeches by Cathy Calfo, Mike Rotkin and Madelyn McCaul did an original reggae, hip hop original song, Fred Keeley stripped to his undershirt and Levi's. Most amazing of all and I don't think anyone got a picture of Denise Holbert and Andy Schifrin actually getting up on stage with Mardi. Denise and Andy have not been known for their show biz attitude. They have been however the strength and continuity behind both Gary Patton's and Mardi's time in County office. They got a huge round of well- deserved applause.

PATTON AND THE EARTHQUAKE. National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting also gave a talk at Mardi's Party. He talked about how dedicated Mardi was in serving the Bonny Doon Community as Supervisor. And she was. She kept up on all the Bonny Doon issues, and her aide Andy Schiffrin helped us settle some real arguments up there. Anyway, The Rural Bonny Doon Association's monthly meeting was scheduled for the night of the '89 earthquake. Aside from Nancy Abbey and myself, no one from Bonny Doon showed up at the meeting. But surer than hell there came Supervisor Gary Patton and Denise Holbert wanting to make sure everything was alright. That's dedication, and I wanted to make sure everybody knew about that. (Full disclosure... I was president of The Rural Bonny Doon Association during the 1989 earthquake). Well...before and after too.

IS THE NORTH COAST SAFE? I spoke with Bill Parkin at the Mardi Party. Bill is an attorney specializing in land use issues and has worked hard to keep saving our North Coast. Also known as The Third Supervisorial District, the one Gary and Mardi fought so hard to protect all those years. Bill agreed that we are now going to see a huge number of development schemes thrown at us. Especially since so many folks are saying "don't worry, the North Coast is well protected"—it isn't, according to Parkin. Bill predicts development will come in the form of "Ranchettes", large sprawling "ranches". Will Neal Coonerty be another protector of the North Coast the way Gary and Mardi were? I haven't met one person yet who thinks so...we'll see, and soon. Parkin did say, when I asked him about The Red, White and Blue Beach being developed, that that land will be subject to enormous Coastal Commission and proper land use review. But keep alert.

CYNTHIA MATHEWS' IMPERIAL GAZE. Thomas Leavitt, a once candidate for City Council, responded to Chris Cobb's assessment of his own campaign by noting Cynthia's not looking at him. This certain non-look of Cynthia's has been known throughout history as "The Imperial Gaze". The Brit's developed it in India, Cynthia perfected it. Many citizens both on and off the City Council have been subject to her disdain or Imperial Gaze for years. Read Leavitt's email here.

THE CITY COUNCIL RACE 2008. Already people are becoming very concerned about the next City Council race. Ed Porter and Emily Reilly are termed out and Emily's running for Assembly. Ryan Coonerty is also running for Assembly so that's three seats open, and Tony Madrigal has started his campaign months ago, so he's running. This means a majority, (4) seats will be open. The only consistent rumor around town has been Micah Posner as a candidate. Oh yes, apparently Bill Monning is not running for Assembly....keep in touch.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Read Gary's take on The California Coastal Commission and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power plant decision. Read a short version of what Gary said at Mardi's Party (a wonderful tribute) and how she has always had the courage to vote NO even when no one else does. Gary created a list of 5 important rules for all politicians, download it and send it to your most or least favorite public servant. Once again Gary talks about Land Use Issues, Global Warming and CEQA. It's all right here.

SAUL LANDAU AND PROGRESO. Go to http://www.progresoweekly.com to read Saul Landau's part 2 of filming Fidel. Then read late news about John Bolton's leaving the U.N. Hugo Chavez's victory, and about the Cuban American Commission For Family Rights.

ELERICKS INPUT. Paul Elerick gives more news on Mardi's party. He then goes on to tell why highway 1 is still being widened after we voted it down, it's the RTC folks!! After that he reminds us all about the Rail and Trail Symposium this Thursday. It's right here.

TIM EAGAN STRIKES AGAIN. An exclusive expose of the five most underrated news stories of 2006, scroll downwards.

CHRISTINA WATERS ONLINE. Christina's website offers a sneak preview of La Posta, a few pithy film reviews (esp. why I am so disappointed in movies without a clue), and two red wines for the holidays. That's what she claims anyways, but there's undoubtedly some sneaky pithy plus material. She also reports that Oswald is still open and will be for a while more. Go to www.ChristinaWaters.com to check it out.

BERNICE BELTON IN KAISER HOSPITAL. Don't say prayers, just think good thoughts and maybe wave little red flags that would make her happy. Bernice has lung problems and had a lobe removed last week. She's not doing all that well and as of this writing she's in Intensive Care at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Jose. No visitors yet.

BRATTONONLINE COLUMN ERROR LAST WEEK. For a few hours, a line I wrote sounded like I said don't do your Christmas shopping at Chefworks. A terrible error. It was fixed thanks to Peter Beckmann pointing it out to me. I love Chefworks, I shop at Chefworks, it's locally owned, has great kitchen items. Sorry about that, if you did happen to catch that mistake. If not, move right along, nothing to see here...

MARIN ALSOP LIVE BROADCASTS. Music critic Scott MacClelland listens to Marin Alsop conducting the Bournemouth Symphony in a BBC Radio 3 broadcast. (Rebroadcast, actually, using their Listen Again feature that keeps each weekly program available for a week, and the daily ones for a day.) He "taped" many of these programs and made CDs of them. Any of your readers who are Alsop fans ought to know how easy it is to get Radio 3 through their computers (bbc.co.uk/radio3) for live and Listen Again broadcasts.

VOLVER. As critics around the world are saying, this is the film that takes Penelope Cruz out of the beautiful but witless category and puts her into the Sophia Loren special class. Pedro Almodovar's direction and plots gets better with each film. A deeply touching film, maybe it's even a woman's film...don't miss it.

HAPPY FEET. Yes, it's up for best animated film award. But the competition was/is miserable. It's as hackneyed as only a tap dancing penguin movie could be. Stupid damn penguins anyway. Don't go...send your little children to this film, expose them to this, maybe they'll OD on tripe and never want to see anymore.

BLOOD DIAMOND. Leonardo DiCaprio is back trying to look like an adult. He's 32 and still looks like an old teenager. The real star is Djimon Hounsou the local guy who finds the pink diamond. It's hard to believe but Djimon was formerly a Paris model and was in six episodes of ER. The film deals with blood or conflict diamonds and of course none of us in the USA would be found dead with any of these diamonds on our fingers, all of ours are conflict free...right?? The film is on a par with Apocalypto, jungle chases and all. Do not stand in the rain waiting to see it.

APOCALYPTO. It's hard to say what's left of this film after you subtract all the hype. We now know about the savagery, the racial stereotypes, the lack of the much bragged about authenticity, so what's left? Well it's exciting in a Last of The Mohicans kind of way. Full of plot holes, several continuity gaffes, and as I say many times it's like riding the Giant Dipper...thrilling, suspenseful, a couple of quick views, but that's all it is.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL. It's pure pleasure to watch Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy pull out all acting stops in Notes On A Scandal. It's an excellent film. The only problem is that we've seen the entire film by watching the previews. But make sure you don't miss this intelligent unpredictable film. Sure it's worth many awards, but guess what? It won't win many, if any.

ERSATZ CHRISTMAS CARD. Can you help out Cynthia Clark? She writes...

"Feeling nostalgic this weekend and trying to remember an ersatz Christmas carol that I believe the Sentinel published probably in December of 1990 or 91. It has to do with the fact that downtown still looked pretty horrible after the earthquake of '89 and most people were shopping at Capitola Mall instead. It went something like....

"Oh, little town of Santa Cruz,
Your downtown's still undone
yaddaa yadda etc. etc
(and the final line was)
There's always Capitola Mall".

Can you help us out on this one?? Thanks a bunch, C. Clark I never heard it anyone know anything about that Christmas of '89 song?

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Attorney Bill Parkin of Wittwer and Parkin will be talking about Land use issues around the Monterey Bay. Bill's worked with Land Watch, The Sierra Club and many organizations. We'll probably talk a lot about our Santa Cruz County's North Coast. The second half hour will focus on updating the revolution in OAXACA. Ruth Valdez has kept up to date on the situation and will be talking with Miguel Zafra who is from Oaxaca. Don't miss this one. This Thursday and every Thursday 4-5 p.m. Station KZSC 88.1 fm or online at www.kzsc.org .

BUMPER STICKERS. Cedar Geiger sent this one "If you can read this....you're not the president". Tim Seidl, Kathy Bisbee and Doug Pomeroy all sent the same list, and we are grateful:

1. (On an infant's shirt): Already smarter than Bush.
2. 1/20/09: End of an Error
3. That's OK, I Wasn't Using My Civil Liberties Anyway.
4. Let's Fix Democracy in This Country First
5. If You Want a Nation Ruled By Religion, Move to Iran
6. Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.
7. You Can't Be Pro-War And Pro-Life At The Same Time.
8. Of Course It Hurts: You're Getting Screwed by an Elephant
9. Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?
10. George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight
11. America : One Nation, Under Surveillance
12. They Call Him "W" So He Can Spell It
13. Which God Do You Kill For?
14. Cheney/Satan '08
15. Jail to the Chief
16. Who Would Jesus Torture?
17. No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade Iraq?
18. Bush: God's Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Crap
19. So Many Christians, So Few Lions
20. Bad president! No Banana.
21. We Need a President Who's Fluent In At Least One Language
22. We're Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them
23. Buck Fush
24. Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Blood
25. Is It Vietnam Yet?
26. Bush Doesn't Care About White People, Either
27. Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Handbasket?
28. You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.
29. Frodo Failed. Bush Has the Ring.
30. Impeach Cheney First
31. Dubya, Your Dad Shoulda Pulled Out, Too
32. When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46
33. The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century.

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

SPIKE JONES UNION OIL STATION, Pacific and Water Streets December 26, 1951. I ran a daytime photo of Spike's station a few weeks ago, this one is more seasonal. It is of course today's Town Clock Corner and I'm guessing that the tree was permanent and live. Yes, it does appear that it had just rained. Watch future photos here for my traditional Downtown Santa Cruz snow scenes. There are some historic Santa Cruz photos that I use almost every year. I've never found any better or more apt. So yes, you've seen this weeks' and the next two weeks photos and captions before...it's a tradition. Happy Holidays, especially to you atheists. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection, click for bigger version. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

LIZ IRWIN LEAVES UCSC RAPIDLY. Here's a copy of the Bratton Bulletin that went out last Saturday, December 2.... only to subscribers to BrattonOnline.com

More UCSC Campus Shake Ups. Liz Irwin UCSC's Associate Vice Chancellor is suddenly leaving her job on Wednesday December 13. The announcement shocked nearly everyone. Some are saying she was forced out, others are relating she was heartbroken over many recent UC Administration decisions. Liz wore many hats in her 11 years at UCSC. She was special advisor to the many Chancellors we've had lately (is it 5?) The UCSC Arts & Lectures director also reported to Liz and with A & L Director Michelle Witt leaving just as suddenly last week there was, for example, no one to introduce the Takacs Quartet Friday night except new-hire Donna Murphy who's now Vice Chancellor and Director of University Events.

SHAKING SHAKESPEARE SANTA CRUZ. On a slightly different hand last week's BrattonOnline.com referred to UC's administrations cutbacks and sideswipes to Shakespeare Santa Cruz. It seems the UC Admin believes the Shakespeare gang was living too high ("nearly sybaritic") and spending funds willy-nilly. The Shakespeareans however believe that UCSC is ruefully continuing its cutting back on all humanities: journalism, psychology, social sciences, and especially programs like Shakespeare SC that somehow serve the community. Will there be more on this? You better believe it. Or better yet..."this was the unkindest cut of all". "Let every eye negotiate for itself". "O, beware, my Lord of jealousy". Remember only BrattonOnline.com subscribers get the Bulletins and subscribing is free.

FREDERICK STREET PARK: TEST #1. There's little doubt that Santa Cruz is changing. Our City Council sure has been changing. On Tuesday December 12 the council will discuss whether to vote with the developers who want to build million dollar townhouses or support the community who want more open space where their children can play. Watch and see who votes for what...and take names. Decades ago the community won and there's a beautiful and much-used park there now. Taxes from the developer's townhouses won't pay for the increased services (they never do) so the council can't be voting on a need for city finances. Attend the meeting or at least watch it...and see the future. For more details on just how the community feels click here http://www.seabrightneighbors.org. SCRP, The Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning are opposed to the development and privatizing of this public space.

SWIFT STREET SCHOOL BUS YARD: TEST #2. Another test for our new City Council and the Planning Commission and where exactly they place their priorities will be how they vote on letting the Santa Cruz School buses use the property behind the Schools on Swift Street for 82 parking spaces. That includes 32 spaces just for maintenance. The bus yard will be open and running 6am-5:30pm. Monday through Friday. The area is zoned for schools and the neighbors have been trying to work this out for over 8 months email neighbors@westsidefriends.com to get their point of view.

CHRIS COBB ON THAT ELECTION. I asked Chris Cobb who ran for Santa Cruz City Council for his reactions to being a first time candidate for City Council in that last election, here's his reply:

"I learned a ton, and may or may not run again, but will for sure help the right candidate.

Anyway...signs, signs, everywhere signs. It's all that matters. So...if you ever want to run for city council (maybe to further your husband's agenda of taking care of his local boss and develop the hell out of our coast) simply figure out a way to get connected to as many locals as possible under the guise of caring about their "neighborhood" issues. It doesn't matter if anything actually gets accomplished to help these neighborhoods through this established group, just so long as you capture their email addresses and make it look like an altruistic cause. Then, when the time is right, send an email to everyone asking them to put up a sign. Done deal.

Because everyone will forget that you were for widening Highway 1, in fact, most people won't have any outlet to know that information. No one will know about your development plans. People won't get told by our local media that your husband is a lobbyist for one of the major businesses in town that has a very town-unfriendly agenda...

I just can't believe how many people in our Santa Cruz voted for Lynn and had no idea about her. Almost everyone I know...good people, simply voted for her based on signs. Bummer.

My major lesson from this campaign:

"No matter where I stand on issues, I will take the side of the businesses that give the money to campaigns" - that principle worked for our progressive Mike Rotkin. I never heard the man even one time talk about anything for the good of the city. He simply stayed on topic about never removing a parking space, never considering a downtown pedestrian only area, etc. Because even in Santa Cruz it is all about money. At least with the old guard.

What I really learned: It is really about signs. I kept hearing and reading how I wasn't a legitimate candidate. Only the candidates with signs up are legitimate. I knew that in the beginning, but it's surprising how little else mattered. My message worked (a little more fine tuning, sure, but people CARED.) With a little effort (and signs) I could have busted that barrier.

Saying "I neither do nor do not support the measure" is an acceptable answer.

I should have been more vocal about things I cared about. I spent so much time trying to figure out how to speak politically, when the whole time I should have been mouthing off about the 3 things I cared about the most, and stayed on my message no matter what anyone asked. Ask me what I think about immigration and my response should have been "they will work that out, but in Santa Cruz we need to take a leap forward into an ecologically sustainable paradigm..." You get my drift I'm sure. Next time I forget trying not to upset anyone and say what needs to be said. I learned that for sure.

I'm sure Mike and Cynthia and Lynn are nice people. I liked Mike and Lynn very much when I spoke with them (Cynthia never even looked me straight in the eyes). I'm just disappointed that none of the three are candidates who will help Santa Cruz leap forward into a new paradigm of sustainability. They are going to continue to bring us the same old Holiday Inn Express that goes in Anywhere, USA. Too bad...there's a lot of Santa Cruzans who know we need to change direction or continue to die this slow death.

P.S. The best idea by far I heard during the campaign was to establish a permanent "Farmers Market" where shoppers can buy locally grown food that has been picked in the last 24 hours, and fish that has been locally caught in the last 24 hours. If people could get behind that I think it has a lot of potential..."

Thanks to Chris Cobb for revealing all of that. I'm backing him the next time he runs too.

FOR GOD'S SAKE BUY LOCALLY. It's Holiday shopping time again. Shop the local small businesses. Buy gifts at Alma Gifts out on Mission, not at Costco. And shop at Chefworks on Pacific, not at Macy's. Buy books at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Logos, Capitola Book Café, and Literary Guillotine...Borders and Amazon won't miss your money and what have they ever done for you? Or Santa Cruz?

PEARL HARBOR. Yes, Thursday is that unusual day again. That's when we think about Pearl Harbor and Japan and are only now beginning to read and see the history behind those attacks and about FDR. Read this from History News Network: http://hnn.us/articles/89.html Doesn't it remind you of another time in history?

ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul the proud grandparent praises one of the teachers at Mar Vista School. He reports on our County Clerk Gail Pellerin's appearance and talk at the People's Democratic Club. He goes on to add that the County Board of Supervisors will be making an appointment to the Metro Transit Board, and how important that is. Click here to read Elerick's Input.

GARY PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks about "ALBA", a job training program aimed at Central Coast Farmers. He says that this is Monterey County's last call for public comments on their General Plan. After that he tells about going to Marin and watching salmon spawn. Santa Cruz's General Plan update process is moving along and you can all the details on the "One Ear to The Tracks" symposium December 14th in Capitola. Read it here.

SAUL LANDAU & PROGRESO. Read here about Castro and his birthday party. See too and read Saul's story about how he got that interview and made the film with Fidel. http://www.progresoweekly.com - click on Cuban Radar and get the latest news from Cuba.

TIM EAGAN'S EFFULGENCE. Tim works out plans and problems, especially plans. Scroll downwards.

CHRISTINA WATERS CHECKS IN. Christina Waters has her website up and zooming. She says she's going to talk about the new show at the Sesnon Gallery, the fresh wild porcinis at Avanti, my new wine of the week from Zayante Vineyards and the one holiday craft show everybody absolutely must check out. Check out that website at www.ChristinaWaters.com While you're there see what she said about the new Hula's restaurant on Cathcart. She's warming up, for sure.

THE NATIVITY STORY. No Mel Gibson attitudes in this warm, fuzzy, film about the beginnings of that cult, you know which one. It's like a Hallmark greeting card flip book. You've seen every tableau they set up, and you know the plot. Ultimately it's boring, but it is beautiful. If you missed church last week then you'll probably earn points by seeing this film...otherwise.....

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. Positive warning...this film is way more funny than the trailers (previews). By the same team that gave us Best In Show and A Mighty Wind, this too is not great funny but pretty funny. Being about movie business and if you like movie business you'll laugh in spite of yourself...go see it.

SHUT UP AND SING. This is an absolutely wonderful documentary about The Dixie Chicks. I don't remember ever listening to them before, but this film takes on much more than their music...and does it excellently. As has been said here before, it isn't easy to portray creativity on the giant screen and this goes a long way to doing just that.

THE FOUNTAIN. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz should be ashamed for making this piece of new age junk. Full of Christian, Buddhist, hippie, dream images this must be boiled down to being a flop of a science fiction film. It's like the nightmares that the inventory people have who work at Gateways Books must have...don't go.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5pm on KZSC 88.1 fm I host University Grapevine. This week I'll be talking to Timm Redwood, Director of Development at The Santa Cruz Aids Project. From 4:30-5pm Tamara Ball will be talking about the Santa Cruz Schools proposed school bus maintenance yard on Swift Street and how the community is reacting to that ill conceived scheme.

QUOTES. "Now I'm an old Christmas tree, the roots of which have died. They just come along and while the little needles fall off me replace them with medallions." -Orson Welles. "Once I was following my elephant by vine when he stopped suddenly and I ran into his tail-end and broke my nose." -Johnny Weissmuller. "I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph." -Shirley Temple.

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