OPENING OF STEELHEAD SEASON SAN LORENZO RIVER 12/08/40. Almost any resident can identify  this bend in the San Lorenzo over by Ocean View Park. Note the boat rental business at that little pier in the river. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

JOHN LEOPOLD FOR SUPERVISOR. In case you missed this news from the May 6^th BrattonOnline... John Leopold received a vote of 100% from the Democratic Central Committee. He was the only candidate interviewed because Betty Danner tried to do what she has done a number of times and claim that she never got the questionnaire.  Fortunately the DCC has a pretty formal process and after Fran Church sat through Betty's insistent chatter that she really wanted the endorsement and that she would have answered the questions if she had gotten the questionnaire, Fran told her that the DCC sends it out by certified mail and Fran had a receipt saying that Betty's campaign had signed for it!  Betty called back a few minutes later to say that she had an inexperienced campaign manager and that she got the questionnaire but didn't know what to do with it so it was thrown away.  Fran said no dice and Betty was excluded.  Keep in mind that Betty has told the same story at the Labor Council, People Power and the GLBT Alliance (she did not fill out any of those questionnaires either)

UTAH PHILLIPS DIED. Pat Matejcek sent this link to the . Sacramento Bee  Utah wasn't much a part of the legendary Berkeley folk scene in the 60's, he must have been traveling but his influence on our folk music legends and traditions was indubitable. Not many entertainers alive and performing for today's folk musicians to look up to, he'll be missed.

CORRECT CAMACHO FOR CONGRESS. (scroll down to see last week's photo)
I made a mistake in the caption and historian Phil Reader caught me. Julian Camacho wasn't running for State Senate he ran for Congress, and he ran hard, and he would have been good too. He was beaten by Republican Bert Talcott, who served seven terms in Washington. I guess I'm still not over that campaign back in 1972.

READER WRITES RE MOTORCYCLE DIN... AND IN CAPITOLA TOO.
"Thanks once again for elevating the awareness of our seemingly deaf police and community about noise pollution due to Harleys with modified exhaust systems.  The "Noise Standard Strictly Enforced" sign on Pacific Avenue is a joke and ought to be taken down; cops tend to go after safer targets, it seems, like bikes riding in the wrong direction.
    I've written Capitola's mayor and police chief, and have had e-mail exchanges with Bob Begun--all to no avail--regarding this quality-of-life issue. How hard is it to measure decibels when one-to-five of these monster machines power-up on the Esplanade? And more insultingly, after the riders have enjoyed the pristine quietness of time on the coast, we get to hear them leave town for the next mile. 
    In my opinion, similar to sobriety checks, the cops ought to pull over every south-bound Harley at the Highway 17 summit, and if the gleaming chrome-laden machine is excessively loud due to modified pipes, the rider gets a fix-it ticket, and a non-negotiable invitation to turn around and terrorize somebody else! Regards, Jan Kampa

ED OBERWISER MOVING TO HILO. Solar power activist and long time resident Ed Oberweiser is moving to Hilo in about a week. The Sun won't be the same around here without him. He says not vog or volcanoes will detain or dissuade him.

ATTENTION EST GRADUATES. By sheer luck I found this brand new DVD all about Werner and EST at Cedar Street Video. It isn't available at Amazon or at the movie company yet!! It's about 80 minutes long and is completely positive and yet answers all those nagging questions we all had way back then...and now. If you do get a copy be very sure to watch the "Bonus features". It has Werner once again explaining and teaching the things we resisted...and didn't even know it. Amazon has it or will have it soon. I think it's $19.95. It's titled "Transformation" The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard" a film by Robyn Symon. If Amazon (maybe netflix?) doesn't work for you try www.screenmediafilms.net or www.transformationfilm.com Go to www.transformationfilm.com it'll tell you everything and even show you part of the film with OLD Werner!! And you can order it there too.

ORANGE MAN REVEALED (PARTLY). Just by luck while standing in line for Indiana Jones old friend Mark Cianca ups to me and says, "The Orange Man isn't the Pink Umbrella guy"!!! Awestruck, jaw agape, arms akimbo and with eyes askance I said, "then who is he?" Mark wouldn't tell but he did send me to MySpace and he gave me this..

We need no longer call him the Orange Man, he calls himself the Buddhist Pimp. More specifically his site is titled "My Dutch Uncle as The Buddhist Pimp". Go to it, you'll see a video of him walking Pacific, hear some cool music, and read that he's single, male, 97 years old and a Gemini. The Gemini part is obvious. His main goal in life is to make us happy and smile. He does exactly that, and even says he wants to take his show on the road!! Imagine an entire army of Orange Men spread out all across the country which would  definitely be better than Republicans.  

SEARLE'S SALVO. Mr. Searle reports...."About 35 people attended the River St corridor planning meeting Wednesday evening.  This was better attendance than last time, but still very poor for a community that allegedly loves the River and wants to improve its posture in the City.  As before, the sandwiches and cookies provided by the Planning people were very good and reason enough to attend.  Much of the discussion came from landowners in the immediate area and from developers.  The results will be fed into the draft General Plan.  I don't think there were any conclusions, except that we'd like to see lower Pacific developed more like upper Pacific,  maybe some stores that
cater to locals, and some kind of transport between the beach and Pacific.  PRT was certainly mentioned and was well received.---a PRT route would use either the levy or River or lower Pacific.  There was substantial agreement that the area definitely needs substantial improvement, that the levy and river could be beautiful, that all
this takes ever so much money that is not now in evidence. Business interests and developers were present for somewhat obvious reasons, but it is possible, too, that they have the best interests of Santa Cruz at heart, but considering the attendance Santa Cruzans should not complain if they don't participate in the planning processes.

TIM EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Want to see a genuine debate topic...that only Eagan would think up? Scroll down, just a wee...

GARY PATTON. Gary tells about San Luis Obispo County and how growth issues are affecting their elections...that's good! Sutter Health factory is trying to grow in Watsonville and could be threatening to the Watsonville Community Hospital. There's an Environmental Health Forum happening in Monterey look it up. And the Big Sur Land Trust is doing some good work...Gary says. 

NO SOUTH COUNTY Nothing is happening in South County this week... or at least, there is no South County Report. CHRISTINA WATERS. Christina recommends some choice arts and wine events this week at http://christinawaters.com Check out her interview with Diana Kennedy in this week's Metro Santa Cruz.

SAUL LANDAU'S PROGRES. . Instead of the usual link to www.ProgresoWeekly here's another column Saul wrote about how the US media has systematically mistreated treated Cuba for the last 50 years, it's in the Institute for Policy Studies http://www.ips-dc.org/articles/409 .

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING. The monthly hot news sheet from the PDC says, "Come and hear from our popular, experienced, informed and public-minded Fred Keeley. People's Democratic Club Meeting, May 29 7 PM, LONDON Nelson Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz. You can click on this month's newsletter at http://cruzdemocrats.org/pdcnewsletter.php . Here you can read about Barack Obama's sister coming here to Santa Cruz June 19^th!! You can read about sneaky Abel Maldonado ( Maldonado means "bad duck") and what he's up to. But the main thing is to catch up on all the endorsements like Mark Stone, Bill Monning, John Leopold, (forget Ari Symons and Ellen Pirie..even PDC can make mistakes) Vote for Steve Wright who's been  a Democrat forever... unlike Ari who switched from being a life long Republican to Democrat because she knew otherwise she had no chance winning in this county.

HOUSING OF THE CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC. I never knew until Ellen Primack mentioned it on University Grapevine that as many as 70 musicians or participants in the yearly Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music are housed by area folks. Go for it, house a musician, become an active part of this world-famed event. Especially if you live on the Westside. Be sure to plan on attending the free and open rehearsals at the Civic. Go to http://www.cabrillomusic.org for everything about the festival or call Jessica Frye at 831 426-6966 about housing festival players.

INDIANA JONES THE ELDER. Harrison Ford is only 66 and somehow the age thing is a big deal with this film. Ford used to be a carpenter in LA before fame hit, in case it matters. This Crystal Skull film isn't anywhere near the clever fun of the earlier Jones flicks. A lot of talk, plenty of mindless action, the usual no plot to speak of ...it's just nuts, BUT fun for a while. See it if you must but see it on the big screen, it'll be nothing on DVD.

THE FALL. This film belongs in some Hall of Odd Films someplace. It was filmed in 18 countries. Its part morphine hallucination, children's fairy tale, Hollywood camp extravaganza and National Geographic epic. Poorly acted, oddly constructed, BUT it is a curious creation. See Roman De Gare, Standard Operating Procedure, The Visitor, Young at Heart first.

ROMAN DE GARE. First thing is to remember to stay until all the credits are finished, because the plot keeps going. 4/5 of the audience missed the real end of this tricky and well done thriller when I went. Great acting, entertaining, beautiful to look at and it's a murder mystery.

PLANET B BOYS. This absolutely inspiring documentary about international break dancing gives hope that maybe we can all get along. At least the young and poor males from 18 countries who compete in break dancing contests for almost no money all get along. To see the styles from Las Vegas dancing and creating moves against these alpha males from Osaka, Paris, Korea is just beautiful. It's a true international art and sport that was created by the people themselves. It all began with New York City Street dancing and you'll never know what it is until you see this film...it's big!!!

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. Errol Morris makes arty documentaries that grab you painfully and deeply. Not like Michael Moore's that make you want race outdoors and go storm Washington for almost any reason. This film is about how United States tortures people. More specifically it's about how we train our young innocent soldiers to be immune to humanity in the name of patriotism. We don't need more shame as a nation, we have enough but this film provides more. The film centers on photos and videos of one specific torture scene at Abu Gharib prison in Iraq. Go to You Tube to see and hear a woman general talk about Hussein http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAQybZ4wIH8. Then go see the film and take a McCain or Hillary supporter with you.

FOREIGN BODIES. Sommer Ulrickson who directs and choreographs Foreign Bodies was on University Grapevine last week. Her description of this full-length dance theatre piece is so exciting and innovative that I wouldn't miss it for anything. Based on Oliver Sacks writings and a play by Heiner Muller from East Berlin where Sommer lives this work is danced, spoken, and acted and has few theatre works to compare it to. It's funny, serious thought provoking and well worth seeing. Details..
Thursday-Sunday, May 29-June 1 7:00 pm (Sunday at 3:00 pm) post-show talk-back: Saturday, May 31 Mainstage Theater, Theater Arts Center, UC Santa Cruz.
$14 general, $11 seniors, $11 students prices include ticket outlet service charges
santacruztickets.com, UCSC Ticket Office (831-459-2159)  SC Civic Box Office (831-420-5260) parking $2.

RALPH PEDUTO ACTING CLASSES. Ralph has worked hard creating these classes and folks have gotten a lot from them his ad the I took from an email reads, " Have fun! Express yourself! Unleash your personalities, in Ralph Peduto' s ACTING ON CAMERA classes starting May 31st. Act like a pro: Study with one! There are no substitutes! Ralph Peduto SAG, AFTRA, IBEW.  Acting On Camera LLC. The original: since 1986. Have you already taken the first 12 weeks? Then call for your special tuition discount! Call for your free consultation & DVD: (831) 475-UACT (8228) or visit us at www.actingoncamera.com

RACHEL CORRIE PLAY.(repeat) The Santa Cruz Branch of the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom will stage a dramatic reading of The Story of Rachel Corrie: a Death in Rafah at the Actors Theatre on Saturday, May 31st.  The reading tells the story of Rachel Corrie, a young American, who was killed in 2003 while protesting the destruction of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip.
A local cast is directed by Brian Heath who brings extensive theater experience from the East Coast to the Santa Cruz stage.  April Bennett, who stars as Rachel, has just completed work in local productions of Over the River and Through the Woods and Dead Man Walking. The male lead in Dead Man Walking, Marc Nicholson, plays the international solidarity worker. Two highly regarded local actors, Suzanne Schragg, as her mother, and Nabil Ghachem as her father and the Israeli soldier, complete the cast. 
When: Two performances, 2pm and 8pm on Saturday May 31
Where:  Actors Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz.
Admission: $15-20 Tickets available at East Cliff Video, 17th & Portola; Cedar Street Video, Cedar & Cathcart; and Video 9: 12250 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek.

THE CONSUL.(repeat) The award winning UCSC Opera Theatre is staging Gian Carlo Menotti's contemporary opera, "The Consul". Nicole Paiement is conducting the UCSC Orchestra and their very best singers and Brian Staufenbiel (note correct spelling!) is directing. "The Consul" was Menotti's first full-length work. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950 and the New York Drama Critics Circle award for the best musical play in 1954-running on Broadway for 269 performances. There'll be just five performances: 3 evenings, 2 matinees. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 29, 30, 31 - 7:30 pm and Saturday, May 31 & Sunday, June 1 - 2:00 pm matinees. It'll be at the Music Center Recital Hall, UC Santa Cruz $24 general, $20 senior, $10 students RESERVED SEATING UCSC Ticket Office (831)459-2159, or santacruztickets.com.

SPAM NAME HALL OF FAME.  I probably owe some of you an apology but I can't let go of these goof ball names I receive daily in my SPAM file. Talk a look at them, doesn't it seem like they all come from one type of humor or single demented source. There's a sense of sameness yet they probably come from all over the world (I never open them for obvious reasons). Send in yours maybe we're getting different names!! Serena Beard, Agamemnon Bonnie, Elwyn Heckie, Wenche Loudy, Gustavo Farhad, Abel Luna, Latoya Faulk, Archer Cronus, Paul Reveal, Offelia Eddy, I know this is too many... but I've got to get rid of them...Cyril Hamm, Camellia Coletta, Heather Hatcher, Farrell Daryl, Milo Madden, Beatirz Suggs, Glenna Bautista, Lupe Mims, Adwoa Alvin, Antoinette Fish, Elliott Anant, Ahmed Puckett, Horacio Head, Lupe Bird (I think she wrote once before), Fox Festus, Felizio Eugene, Binky Chriss, Jerri Jolly, Hutton Maximus, Oulette Finlay, Lakisha Looney Brockie Daeburn, Chrissy Miscas, Carlo Kohley, Aldo Coffee, Foster Pate, Petronilla Kunz, Burl Dejesus, and Trinidad Talley. I mean can't you just imagine W.C Fields rattling off these names. Maybe it's just me and Tom Noddy who love 'em??

E CLAMPUS VITUS IN SWANTON!!! It now looks even possible that the light brown moth problem will be handled. Maybe we'll either get rid of them or learn to live with them. You can't say the same about E Clampus Vitus. Their numbers are growing and as a matter of fact they (the Branciforte Chapter 1797) are swearing in new members the weekend of June 28 just up the coast a ways. NGH Dave "Grumpy" Wendt will preside, Jim Cirner will be watching things and I'll be there non-cognito just to be sure it's historic Let me know if you want more information.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Last week Bill Monning for Assembly told the Grapevine listeners all about campaigning and how he's already put over 30,000 miles on his car during just this campaign. This week on KZSC 88.1 FM,  Thursday 4-5 p.m.   Mark Stone 5^th district supervisor will discuss his campaign and the 5^th district's major issues. Following Mark will be author James D. Houston talking about his newest book, "Where Light Takes its Color From The Sea".

QUOTES. "It is also nice that we share the air. No matter how far apart we are, the air links us", Yoko Ono. "Love is being at one with another person. Or being at one. Or being, I suppose", Dr. Jerry Rubenfeld. "I love God, and when you get to know Him, you find He's a Livin Doll", Jane Russell.

Deep Cover

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

1972 Camacho Faitz Cranston Rally at the Cooperhouse.(October 20,1972) From left to right that's Julian Camacho, running for California  State Senate, Henry Faitz running for California Assembly (I ran his campaign) and U.S. Senator Alan Cranston visiting here to support the local democrats. What's probably more interesting is that fellow in behind Cranston is Phil Yost soprano sax, and flute who was playing with Don McCaslin's very first band on the very first day in front of the Cooperhouse, the group that later became Warmth. Filmmaker Ken Koenig looked at this photo and stated these guys needed some Warmth. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

 

THE LA BAHIA STORY. Decisions are being made regarding the La Bahia project that will affect the look of our beach community for the rest of our lives. Do we want a Santa Barbara reasonable California beach look or a Waikiki developer-controlled-who-cares appearance? I asked Don Webber a neighbor of the La Bahia territory, who has stayed on top of this proposed development to write us a summary of what's happening he did it. Don writes...This summer the city council hopes finally to decide on the La Bahia Hotel plans brought by Barry Swenson Builder and the Seaside Company in 2006. Seaside Company bought the La Bahia property (215 Beach Street) in 1985, and has watched a number of ambitious proposals die there. It's a prime ocean-front location across from the Main Beach between the Cocoanut Grove and Wharf. The owners and many in the business community, especially those serving tourists, have long sought a hotel in the beach area that would give the beach area a facelift, cater for small conferences and other events, and help to increase off-season tourism, an important part of the local economy. City hall taxes hotels at 10% so it's an important part of the tax base too.  

The city's biggest builder (Barry Swenson) in partnership with the owner of the Boardwalk (Charlie Canfield)  intend to build a resort condominium of 125 suites to be operated as a hotel. The plan includes some meeting space, a bar and restaurant, a spa and swimming pool, and a two-level parking garage (partially underground) with nearly 200 spaces. It's big, about 180,000 square feet.

Their plan exceeds the building-height limit (currently 43 feet) substantially. It includes two ocean-view tower blocks along First Street that rise to 70 feet in places, six- and seven-story structures. And they plan to tear down the 80-year-old landmark La Bahia Apartments. 
To justify demolishing the landmark, the developers claim the dilapidated and outdated structures that comprise the landmark can't be "restored" and would have to be almost entirely replaced, and to put them back as they were, would be ineffective for their intended use, a modern beach resort condo hotel.

To justify the excessive height, the developers are naturally drawn economically to as many lucrative ocean view suites as possible; the higher the better. And the draft EIR concludes that only a hotel of this size would act as a "major catalyst" for further commercial development of the beach area, one of the project's objectives. 

The developers are asking the city to amend the general plan, the local coastal plan, and the zoning law to allow for demolishing a landmark and exceeding building-height limitations. They will need State Coastal Commission approval as well.

For those inclined to restore (or even to preserve) the aged La Bahia apartments, there is no good news in this draft EIR. The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a hearing on May 21, this coming Wednesday evening 7:30 p.m. in the city council chambers to receive comments on the draft EIR. You are invited. It will not be  televised.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE Planning Commission Meeting May 15Last Thursday evening, May 15, the Planning Commission met to receive comments on the draft EIR. Senior planner Don Lauritson concisely presented the project particulars in a PowerPoint presentation that, unlike Swenson's own a week earlier, had absolutely no audience members writhing or yelling about spin. Compared to Swenson's, the city's presentation is fair and balanced.
Following Lauritson, the consultant who prepared the draft EIR presented the list of additional environmental impacts that have been studied since the last draft EIR. None of them, he noted, were significant. Not water, not parking, not traffic, not shading of adjoining properties. All insignificant. Relieved? He also noted an expert opinion concluding that the photo simulations in the last draft EIR, seen by some as bogus, were in fact accurate representations of reality at some level.

He produced new graphics too. Slides that provided perspectives of the proposed construction as transparencies through which could be seen the smaller buildings behind and otherwise blocked by the construction. Answering Commissioner Foster, the consultant admitted that story poles would be a way of revealing the height and placement of the proposed construction helping decision-makers assess its visual impact. But he foresaw problems building poles to a height of 70 feet. Then he questioned whether people would be able to make out the netting from the end of the wharf. (What?!) This was a fitting segue to the public speakers.

Committee chairs have come to dread the public harangue, so Chair Bill Schultz limited public speakers to three minutes each and instructed them, wisely I thought, to limit their comments to the subject of the new draft EIR rather than open season on the project.

Surprisingly, members of the Historic Preservation Commission, speaking as individuals, but with their own coordinated PowerPoint packet, took the floor first to emphasize the importance of the landmark and to address the insufficiency of the draft EIR's analysis of project alternatives. Neither the City nor the developers discuss little if any alternative that attempts to preserve anything beyond the bell tower, and no discussion at all of any attempt to replicate the hillside village design, in style or scale, that makes the La Bahia unique. Will planning commissioners rush to take the floor at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Wednesday? I doubt it.

Later speakers addressed the insufficiency of the EIR to make the public aware of the scope of the project on Beach Hill. Beach Hill is a small primarily residential area more than a century old, overlooking the bay and wharf to the south and downtown and the river basin to the north. The back portion of the La Bahia site climbs Beach Hill, and it's on this high corner of the property that the project envisions its tallest structure.

Still you have to read some sixty pages into the draft EIR to find any reference to "Beach Hill." You will then have found, on page 4-17, the one and only substantive reference to Beach Hill in the whole document. And even then it's weasly. "The project site is located below the Beach Hill neighborhood," it says. Not "on" Beach Hill, mind you, but "below" the neighborhood. What are they denying or covering up?

Other speakers expressed the hope that planning commissioners will ultimately recommend the use of story poles at La Bahia for structures that exceed current zoning law height requirements.
The developer's representatives were present, silent and listening, but did not speak. Decorum prevailed; hearing closed. Chair Schultz assured the audience that there would be another opportunity for the public to weigh in on the proposal at the commission's July meeting.
For the city's part, the commissioners were not there to discuss anything, but to receive information only. Even so the commissioners variously requested some answers on the landmark; made no mention of story poles; stated a belief in the economic case for a new beach hotel; and expressed wariness that challenges by those who would change the project might actually wind up killing it. Adjourned.
 

Conclusion.  City Hall is still smarting from the Coast Hotel failure, and nobody wants to risk any act that might be interpretable later as having pulled "the trigger that killed the La Bahia Hotel". So they are all treading carefully and trying to be very constructive in any of their criticism. The period for written public comment on the draft EIR closes on May 28.
The draft in the form of PDF files on a compact disc is available for $5.00 from the Planning Department, or online at the city's website.(end of Don Webber's update on La Bahia)

PERFECTLY CLEAR. Because the Sentinel and so many other folks never seem to get the point in these land use battles I asked Don Webber to clarify where he stands...it's also where many historians, union members, and environmentalists stand. Don wrote....
"I support building a hotel on the La Bahia site because it makes economic sense for the Seaside Company to make better use of the Cocoanut Grove facility, for beach and downtown businesses to increase off-season visitors, and for the city to augment the tax base. But I believe that it should be redesigned to fit within the current height limits. They are there for a reason; no other building on Beach Hill is more than three levels. The site just does not support a hotel that towers over its neighbors. Why are we spot zoning in the first place? Even the EIR recognizes that to reduce the scale is to lessen (or even avoid) this project's objectionable aesthetic effects. Let's redesign it, this time with respect to its surroundings". We should all thank Don for his care and concern and time and skills. 

THE MAYOR'S SHOCKING COMMENT. Mayor Ryan Coonerty according to really reliable rumors opened one meeting maybe three weeks ago with some concerned La Bahia questioners with the statement, "this (La Bahia) is a DEAD DEAL". Folks are still trying to figure out what he meant. Was he playing footsie with his Boardwalk buddy Chris Reyes and trying to lull the opposition to sleep? Did he mean the opposition was a dead deal? We may never know...and it sure is baffling. Maybe he meant to say "This is a DONE deal"???

SAN LORENZO RIVER PLANS. As sure as Spring arrives each year some local-well-minded group comes up with "gee kids, lets' make that old San Lorenzo River into a swell looking place". Years of talk, plans, alliances, consortiums, studies and it still looks like hell. You'd think the problem must be merely money, but there must be some political brick wall that no one addresses. It's getting tiring, I mean who's fighting it who doesn't want to see the river cleaned up....and developed??

CORRECTION RE EAST MORRISEY NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT paragraph Last week. Nanlouise Wolfe wrote to say. "the Steve Hahn article you referred to in the Metro was about the proposed Day Labor Center which is not currently attached in any way to the BU/RCNV project (at least not that I've heard of!) The East Morrissey neighbors' website about getting involved and knowledgeable about the proposed Barrios Unidos/RCNV building project is http://www.eastmorrissey.org/page_1209516090546.html.  I do not get the impression that it is NOT in order to "fight" the project but rather to be informed and participate in helping to maximize its benefits for the community. Nanlouise adds (By the way, part of the reason for four stories is to shield the neighborhood from traffic noise, etc.!) I especially appreciated all your info on the River Arts Festival! ~Nanlouise W.

SENTINEL CUTS, MORE OF. On Thursday May 15 I received this email from deep inside the Sentinel walls. The original was from Don Miller, the comments are from someone else on (or off) the staff.
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:27 PM
Subject: fyi, more cuts at the Sentinel. Another reporter has been cut from the Sentinel staff, the first cut since the meltdown last year. With the paper looking ever thinner, each cut becomes more noticeable. The paper is now down to 7 reporters, from 11 last year.
> From: Miller, Don
> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 5:12 PM
> Subject: people> A few changes to announce:>
> Tom Ragan is leaving the Sentinel, effective today. His position will not be
> replaced for the time being. Tom volunteered to leave knowing that we, the
> newsroom, were being asked to again lose a position because of a continuing
> financial downturn. Tom's decision was extremely selfless – although he had
> been considering leaving for some time, he also wished to spare our
> department from any further agony. He's been a great writer and advocate for
> better stories in his four years and hopefully can find a future position
> where he can use his love of free-ranging reporting and story writing in a
> way that will be satisfying for him. He's not leaving town, although he may
> travel this summer ... still, we're going to miss him.
>
> Ryan Phillips has announced he is leaving the Sentinel as well, in two
> weeks. Ryan has accepted a job with Habitat for Humanity, working out of New
> York City, fulfilling a lifelong dream of working to serve others. Ryan has
> been a committed and intelligent sports editor, a wonderful writer and well
> organized. But it's a great opportunity for him to move to the big city,
> work in something he wants to do, learn a whole new world. It's tough to
> imagine Ryan not surveying the sports scene and the sports desk
>
> Julie Jag has been appointed sports editor, effective when Ryan leaves, a
> natural progression for her after serving the past year or so as assistant
> sports editor. Julie will parlay her strengths as a writer and reporter,
> deep interest in rec sports and love of stories into a whole new realm.
> She'll have a couple of weeks to huddle with Ryan to start mastering some of
> the many organizational duties she'll soon be taking over. And, oh, that
> early deadline pressure ...Don Miller Editor Santa Cruz Sentinel, 1800 Green Hills Rd., Scotts Valley, CA  95066  dmiller@santacruzsentinel.com (end of secret email)
As we all know this isn't a Sentinel decision. Even Don Miller must feel bad about what's going on up there in Scott's Valley....and across the United States in the newspaper business.

PROGRESSIVE DOOR HANGER. Late breaking rumors have it that there will be six different versions of the progressive door hanger soon to be affixed to your-you-know what.  Bill Monning and Ari Symons are on all of them. John Leopold is on the first district ones, Mark Stone is on the 5^th district ones and nobody is on the 2^nd district hangers. It's a shame that Dan Young never got serious about running against Ellen Pirie but he did get a few people talking.

BUY LOCAL BUT WHAT WHERE EXACTLY? Dave Britton's screed in the Sentinel Sunday about "Shop Local" never lays out what his KSBW TV, LOBA, group including Bruce McPherson really are pushing. The Shop Local group is different from the Think Local group headed by Peter Beckmann ...which is amazing but important. Shop Local even though it includes such out of town businesses as Barry Swenson Builders and Metro Santa Cruz believes it's important to keep the profits from businesses in the county... so shop in stores and businesses that are locally owned, headquarters are here, and the owners live here. The Britten McPherson group says shop Costco, Taco Bell, Safeway, Home Depot, Borders, McDonalds, Starbucks - it doesn't matter where the profits go, just don't drive over the hill...which is pretty dumb when you stop and look at it.  With all the blabbering about sustaining  our local economy, why wouldn't the keeping of company profits local be of prime importance?

LOUD MOTORCYCLES AND WHAT POLICE? Once again those tourists on trikes are polluting our ears as much as, or more than some of the other environmental trash. Our police do nothing, they love loud motorcycles, and, rather than take on bikers, go after the helpless and homeless. Any ideas on how to clean up the noise part of our city?

ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul's had an operation on his shoulder, he's doing fine but his hunting and pecking abilities are curtailed for a week or two.

SEARLE'S SALVO. Reed Searle retired attorney and local politics activist writes weekly for BrattonOnline. He says, "For the two years of its deliberations, the General Plan Advisory Committee doggedly ducked the dog issue.  There was no mention of
dogs in the draft plan.  There was no mention in the draft Parks and Recreation elements presented to the Planning Commission last week.  But the Planning Commission at the request of one of the Commissioners inserted ""Provide off leash dog areas where
appropriate.."  in the draft plan   There was no discussion of the issue that I heard. Off leash areas may well be appropriate, "as long as they're not in my backyard". One would have thought this issue was too significant to be inserted without warning or discussion.  Perhaps, though, it's better that way.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Mr. Patton addresses Water efficiency and land use and new developments needs. He talks about Certificates of Compliance and subdividing and how Monterey County differs from Santa Cruz County. Read about Architectural Reviews and Police power!!! Then there's agricultural organizations and sustainability in the Central Coast...he closes with talking about the Santa Cruz County Land trust and maybe some taxes.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week at http://christinawaters.com, check out Christina's review of Iron Man, a few obits and some new food experiences. Next week Christina's in the Mojave - back in June.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. No new issue of Progreso Weekly with Saul's column in it as of Monday at noon. Go to www.progresoweekly.com and see if anything new has come in.

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Tim takes on and uncovers those dreaded little known specialist Voter groups...you know the ones. Scroll down.

RACHEL CORRIE PLAY. The Santa Cruz Branch of the Women's International League of Peace and Freedom will stage a dramatic reading of The Story of Rachel Corrie: a Death in Rafah at the Actors Theatre on Saturday, May 31st.  The reading tells the story of Rachel Corrie, a young American, who was killed in 2003 while protesting the destruction of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip.
A local cast is directed by Brian Heath who brings extensive theater experience from the East Coast to the Santa Cruz stage.  April Bennett, who stars as Rachel, has just completed work in local productions of Over the River and Through the Woods and Dead Man Walking. The male lead in Dead Man Walking, Marc Nicholson, plays the international solidarity worker. Two highly regarded local actors, Suzanne Schragg, as her mother, and Nabil Ghachem as her father and the Israeli soldier, complete the cast. 
When: Two performances, 2pm and 8pm on Saturday May 31
Where:  Actors Theatre, 1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz.
Admission: $15-20 Tickets available at East Cliff Video,17th & Portola; Cedar Street Video, Cedar & Cathcart; and Video 9: 12250 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek.

THE CONSUL. The award winning UCSC Opera Theatre is staging Gian Carlo Menotti's contemporary opera, "The Consul". Nicole Paiement is conducting the UCSC Orchestra and their very best singers and Brain Staufenbiel is directing. "The Consul" was Menotti's first full-length work. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950 and the New York Drama Critics Circle award for the best musical play in 1954-running on Broadway for 269 performances. There'll be just five performances: 3 evenings, 2 matinees. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 29, 30, 31 - 7:30 pm and Saturday, May 31 & Sunday, June 1 - 2:00 pm matinees. It'll be at the Music Center Recital Hall, UC Santa Cruz $24 general, $20 senior, $10 students RESERVED SEATING UCSC Ticket Office (831)459-2159, or santacruztickets.com.

SHAKESPEARE GATHERING. If you want to hear more about Shakespeare Santa Cruz's 2008 version of "Alls Well That Ends Well" Audrey Stanley will be giving a free talk about it and Love's Labour's Lost on Tuesday May 27 from 10am-Noon at the Aptos Public library. It's part of the ongoing Shakespeare discussion group and everyone's welcome. I'll save you a seat.

BARNACLES OF CRANIA. It is very disappointing to see such a fine first job as the Chronicles Of Narnia have such a pointless part 2. Miserable use of special effects, pointless acting roles, yet it's the same company that brought us the first book. Even the kids won't be able to follow all the wars and impossible battles.

THREE CLASSIC FILMS. Not having any good films to see on the big screens around town I rented three films all from Cedar Street Video that are definitely going on my top film list of all time.
The Lovers starring Jeanne Moreau, directed by Louis Malle. In 1958 this was the most shocking film ever released and went to the Supreme court. Today you can watch it with the kids...but do watch it.
Happy Together, directed by Wong Kar Wai it's the sad and very real story of a relationship and how love goes bad and better and remains the same. Tragically real, you've been through it we all have. Stars Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung. Don't miss it.
The Fire Within. Another masterpiece by Louis Malle. True, Malle also did Pretty Baby starring Brooke Shields (1978)that was partly filmed in the Old Cooperhouse but never mind. This is a saga of a guy trying to give up drinking and life, and how his friends and lovers react to his plans...wonderful and entertaining.

JUST FOR FUN. This is the most clever, innovative, animated, wall mural I've ever seen. http://www.artsjournal.com:80/video.shtml Take a few minutes break and think about how it was drawn...or just enjoy its brilliance.

SPAM NAMES. I can't be the only one getting these fake names in my SPAM file...send yours in. How about Virgie Bledsoe, Lupe Landers, Elva Sprague, Marina Sneed, Lula Tidwell, Arley Othar, Gallard Saroj, Lorena Sizemore, Esmeralda Shipley, Odessa Tobin, Dona Dill, and Rigoberto Pacheco?

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5 I host this radio program on KZSC 88.1. This Thursday I'll be talking with Sommer Ulrickson guest choreographer of the UCSC dance production Foreign Bodies, playing Thursday-Sunday May 29-June 1^st at UCSC's Main Stage theatre. Hopefully in the second half I'll be talking with assembly candidate Bill Monning. We're still working on schedules so tune in and find out.

QUOTES. "I think any man in business would be foolish to fool around with his secretary. If it's somebody else's secretary, fine". Barry Goldwater. "San Diego didn't look like the kind of town where people get born", Steve Ellman. "L.A. is like a speed freak. A nude speed freak", Ken Kesey.

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

VENETIAN WATER CARNIVAL. This photo was from the 1912 Water Carnival or Marine Pageant. The early Carnivals were held on the Opera Island which was an island in the middle of the San Lorenzo River. These are the seats being set up on Opera Island  The carnivals were held up into the 1920's. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

LA BAHIA FIGHT. There is something very strange about the La Bahia development issue. No group is against it! A few compromises and it would have complete support. Historians say it's too big and a bit more architecture saved and that's it. Unions say use more union labor and that's it. Neighbors say make it shorter and no problem. Groups like SCRP say drop the top floor and go for it. Yet Barry Swenson with Jesse Nickell mouthing the words not only refuses to make these compromises he holds a public meeting and gets everyone shouting and angry.
Why did he hold that meeting? I watched union people scream at Nickell and call him liar saying he's lying to the community, I spoke with members of all sides concerned...and everyone asks why did he hold and continue to do these dog and pony shows? One deeply involved old friend had a very suspicious, logical, implausible, answer..."Because Swenson and Canfield want to get out of the project". They've lost money, can't find a management company to run it and with the economic downturn the high room rents needed to keep it going are looking impossible. And because it all depends on selling it as a condo-hotel room investment that too is shaky. Besides that they've spent over a million just on development and Swenson hates Santa Cruz anyway. The city of San Jose goes rear end up for his stucco rehabs and Santa Cruz can't forget and has to live with his failed Galleria palace of plaster. Ever notice how Jesse and his trained architects never show or mention the galling Galleria project in their slimy slide shows? And they've made millions from what Jesse claims as 9 Pacific Avenue projects and 15 downtown area projects. And still more are coming like 17^th and Brommer and East Cliff Shopping Center.
I predict that after the City Council meets the first week of August to hear this case Swenson and Uncle Charlie will back out and along with The Santa Cruz Sentinel they'll blame the community for not supporting it. For verification of the anger and frustration at that La Bahia meeting last week, don't re-read the Sentinel they only  reported half the meeting, ask Lynn Robinson she was there. So was Tony Madrigal for awhile but he's mostly just campaigning lately.

UNION VOICE. Mark Weller (Projects Coordinator for Union Local 483) was the guy who shouted and accused Jesse Nickell of lying. This is in addition to the shouting that The Sentinel reported on!! I asked Mark to write whatever he wanted to say for BrattonOnline he did, and here it is.. "The hotel workers' union, UNITE HERE Local 483, did not expect to speak out at Barry Swenson Builder's May 8^th PR show for the La Bahia at the University Inn, until Jesse Nickell crossed the line from tiresome misrepresentation of our union's position to outrageous lies.  When Nickell put up a slide with a point-by-point summary—yet inaccurate (in that, Swenson is consistent!)—of 2006-2007 closed-door discussions between the company and Local 483 mediated by Council members Madrigal and Coonerty, we could no longer sit on our hands.  Swenson had labeled these points "agreements," which is a complete fabrication.  Local 483 has no agreements with Swenson, as the company has thus far rejected the "card check" vote process of unionization (the process favored nationally by Congress in the Employee Free Choice Act and unanimously supported by the Santa Cruz City Council).   When I stood up and told them to stop lying, Nickell passed the buck to Councilmember Madrigal, claiming the company's information came from "Tony's notes," and implying Madrigal had some how sanctioned their public use.  Again, not true.

The events that ensued were angry, but in retrospect rather comical.  At first, Nickell invited me up front to clarify the union's position, but seconds later I was asked to sit back down, when the company decided to address the "union issues" at the end of their agenda.  On returning to my seat, I was shocked to see Nickell continue with the slide about union "agreements," so I bounced up again and complained, at which point another company employee, Jeff Major, said I was being a "jerk" and disruptive, and tried to ask me to leave.  The unions, including those of the Building & Construction Trades, had to stay, of course, to keep the company from lying further about our positions.  We walked out together when the company lamely said goodbye to their guests and turned to the "union issues" afterthought part of their agenda.

The local daily is focused on the Unions vs. Swenson fight (commenting only on a last minute exchange between Nickell and a Carpenter's Union representative, in this case) and missing the larger story of a community pressing Swenson for a project in keeping with Santa Cruz's values of not only union labor , but of respect for neighbors and environmental balance.  The Unions vs. Swenson arguments got the headlines, but the reporters missed the hour of concerned Santa Cruzans questioning the company on the height of the project and variances to City zoning laws, the possibility of storey poles, the project's financial feasibility, the fate of historic structures, and respect for the project's neighbors.

Unlike the split over the doomed Dream Inn expansion, on the La Bahia project labor, neighbors, and environmentalists have come together to push for a hotel that can benefit the entire community.  The Build a Better La Bahia coalition has just that goal.  The work now is to build enough power that Swenson and Canfield can't ignore.--Mark Weller, Projects Coordinator, UNITE HERE Local 483

ALMOST TRIVIA. The City Council in their eagerness to approve La Bahia isn't supporting the Storey pole construction. They forget that the computer drawings that the Coast Hotel pushers created were the phoniest- most manipulated cartoons since Speed Racer. Someone tell Ed Porter story poles are for everyone to see how big La Bahia will be and just how much of the mountain scenery and ocean views will be lost...not just people with computers and little screens. Others keep asking why aren't they building all of this on the Casa Del Rey site? No answers, ask Charlie C. He knows. Anyone else remember when Mike Rotkin was one of the leaders in getting the City to Boycott the Cocoanut Grove Boardwalk because they were non-union? Be sure to read The Santa Cruz Metro's issue this week on La Bahia. We'll see where they're at with this.

IMPORTANT LA BAHIA MEETING. The City Planning Commission will be gearing The La Bahia issue this Thursday at 7P.M. in the City Council Chambers. You should be there.(I'll bet neither Barry Swenson or Charlie Canfield will have the guts or care enough to show up). This will be another chance to see if the Commission just follows City Council orders or hears what the people care about. I'm taking bets.

SF WEEKLY SUED FOR FIGHTING SF BAY GUARDIAN. Can you believe that the San Francisco Weekly (owned by the Village Voice Media Corp.) is being sued for $15.6 MILLION IN DAMAGES !! The Guardian claims The SF Weekly was lowering their ad rates because they are a nation wide corporation and can stand the loss just so they can drive the Guardian out of business. It could never happen in Santa Cruz, just ask Good Times and The Metro. It's another sad hard copy story, read all about it here.

TOM HONIG RETURNS. It wasn't exactly a day like any other day... I was storming out half way through Speed Racer...I rarely walk out of a film. Who's walking right down Pacific?? Old Friend Tom Honig. Tom said he's not working for Betty Danner anymore. He reminisced about the good old days of the Sentinel under the Ottaway ownership, but neither of us mentioned the great old days under the McPherson ownership when I worked there for exactly six months. Tom has convinced his company Armanasco Public Relations to let him take on more Santa Cruz business because he misses Santa Cruz. Who wouldn't after 35 intense years with the Sentinel? He's looking good and we'll get together soon.

WATER CARNIVAL RETURNS. The Santa Cruz Education Foundation hosts the River Arts Festival ,May 17^th & 18^th. For a complete list of Participating Artists, Installations, a performance schedule, art activity schedule, and map go there.
The River Arts Festival celebrates Santa Cruz's rich cultural and natural resources while paying tribute to the illustrious "Santa Cruz Venetian Carnival" of 1895. The River Arts Festival brings the community together in an exciting cultural extravaganza to raise funds in celebration and support of art in our public schools. On May 17^th and 18^th   from 11a.m.- 5p.m., San Lorenzo Park will become the "Piazza di San Lorenzo", an aesthetic contemporary arts and crafts marketplace. Admission is free.

75 Juried artists will exhibit and sell their high quality fine art and craftwork. Painting, sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, textile work, glassblowing, metalwork and other techniques will be demonstrated through out the event. Many Open Studios artists will be featured as well as internationally known artists Tom Killion and Paul Nzalamba, showing their newest work. 10% of the artists' sales will go to enrichment programs for 7,000 Santa Cruz City School students.
The public is invited to enjoy inspirational art installations, musical performances, great food and free art activities for the whole family. Information about the San Lorenzo River's past and plans for its future will be on display. And to add to the excitement, the SCICA will host a Kinetic Sculpture Race along the river.

Great musical performances by professional groups as well as student groups will take place on the Duck Island Stage. Kim Luke, Gault Elementary mother of three, will be performing with her band "Chop Suey Orchestra", a jazz jug band that is super hot! Visitors will love dancing to Batucada-nana's Brazilian beat and New Speedway Boogie's classic rock. Santa Cruz Baroque Festival will perform early classical flute arrangements and show the audience a variety of beautiful instruments.  Enchanting troubadour, The Great Morgani, is sure to steal the show as always.

Artists have been working for at least the last 3 months on large works of art that will be installed throughout the park. These pieces will inspire, engage, puzzle, amuse, seduce and influence the public.
The birth of the River Arts Festival was inspired by the historic Venetian Water Carnival held on the San Lorenzo River in downtown Santa Cruz from 1895-1920. Our city forefathers conceived this event to help bring visitors back to the city after the disastrous fire of 1894. The event featured a floating regatta of decorated floral boats, races, music and entertainment. We are hoping to revitalize the river area and draw cultural tourism to the heart of Santa Cruz. Here's to a Santa Cruz Renaissance! 

Art stations, hosted by local education organizations will offer people of all ages the opportunity to make their own artwork. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will demonstrate games played by the Ohlone people. Learn Kite-making and Sand Painting from Sea Cliff and New Brighton State Park docents. The Art Material Reuse Project will offer Mask Making and making mythological sea creatures using recycled materials. The Museum of Art and History, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, UCSC's Life Lab Science Program, Cabrillo College, Bay View Elementary, and Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center will also conduct art workshops, most of them are free.
Live demonstrations of artists working in different mediums will give insight into various artistic processes. Brayton Furlong will be creating glass sculpture with a flame. I B Bayo will demonstrate traditional Nigerian Reverie Appliqué, an ancient textile art form. Painters Lynn Jaye and Kumar Lama will show how they develop their paintings from beginning to end. Pottery lovers can see a ceramicist hand-building a vessel and using tools to carve the surface. Woodworkers, weavers, instrument makers and more will show how they use their tools to craft their incredible artwork.
The River Arts Festival will create more awareness of the San Lorenzo River, its beauty and importance in our lives. The San Lorenzo River Committee will display maps and their Ideas to Activate the San Lorenzo Riverway. Student art and poetry will be on display celebrating the San Lorenzo Watershed's natural history. People can register their opinion about the river and its surrounding neighborhoods at a poll or add an animal or plant to the River Mural Project.
The Food Court around the Piazza will serve savory selections of snacks, coffee, tea, smoothies, ice cream and desserts. A delicious menu from India Gourmet will be offered.. Customers can enjoy relaxing and eating their food under umbrella covered tables in the center of the "Piazza di San Lorenzo". Go to www.RiverArtsFestival.com

ELERICK'S INPUT. Zach Friend and the Obama Caucus story. An email was floated about (and reached Bratton Online) that Democratic Central Committee Chair Zach Friend didn't receive any votes at the Obama Caucus at Cabrillo to attend the Democratic Convention as an Obama delegate.  This actually was a disservice to Zach, who had asked that his name be removed from the candidates list.  Reason?  He couldn't' attend the caucus because he was in Pennsylvania working on the Obama Campaign.  Caucus organizers rules didn't allow any names to be taken off the list of candidates.  Even not being there to run, he received 39 votes.

Questions for our Regional Transportation Commission. AB375, one of the most important Assembly bills to come along in a long time, addresses green house gas emissions and global warming.  It's one of several bills that put teeth into AB32 the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.  It requires the state to reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, a reduction of approximately 25%. Sounds like a good thing to do, right?  But wait!  Our RTC staff recommendation is to "Oppose Unless Amended".  If you're concerned about this recommendation, attend the next RTC ‘s Transportation Policy Workshop on Thursday, May 15th. 9:00 a.m.  This meeting will be held at 1523 Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. You hopefully will hear why a recommendation to oppose AB375 will be made.  Want to bet it has something to do with making it more difficult to widening Highway 1?

Question number two for the RTC and CALTRANS. With road repair money so short, why the full court press to prune back the decorative shrubs on Highway 1 between Soquel and 41^st Ave exits?  Besides being expensive, you sure uncovered a view of the frontage road and lots of unattractive development.  Next is the other side of the highway so we can look at Circuit City's box store that finally has mature foliage bordering the freeway that block it from Highway 1 travelers view.  Nothing is going the save Circuit City, with a new Best Buy store just down the road on 41^st Ave.
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Why I'm reluctant to give money to State and National Democratic Party causes You can bet the decision to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida delegates to their convention will turn out bad for the Dems.  These two states are being "punished" for moving up their presidential primary election, earlier than the DNC wanted them to.  Bad decision, because it leaves a foot in the door for the losing Democrat to claim foul, even though both Hillary and Obama agreed with this.  Obama wasn't even on the January Michigan ballot.  Hillary is already saying foul, in an email from "Central Coast Hillary" asking for money, including 20 paragraphs of circular logic, and an insulting letter from Hillary to Barack Obama.
The California Democratic Party can top that for being foolish, by spending over $500,000 to recall a Republican for not supporting the budget.  Only two Republicans voted to support the budget.  What the hell do they expect Republicans to do?  They always vote against the budget!  That recall is just plain stupid, as are the endless TV spots supporting it. (end of Elerick's Input)

EAST MORRISEY NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT. Go to www.eastmorrisey.org to see just who and how the proposed Barrios Unidos Resource Center proposed is being fought. You'll see there's a neighborhood meeting next Sunday May 18 at 6:30 at the Santa Cruz Community Church 411 Roxas Street. Read Steve Hahn's April piece in the Santa Cruz Metro to get background on this issue.

SEARLES SALVO. Owners are required to install a sidewalk when they make a substantial remodel. On a morning walk, Debbie Bulger noticed an area that should be a sidewalk being prepared for something else. An in lieu payment had been made by agreement between the owner and the Public Works Dept.  But, Debbie thought, sidewalks are transportation elements.  A few e-mails and calls later, the fee payment was reversed and a sidewalk is to be installed.  City policy will undoubtedly be changed to require that any proposal for sidewalk in lieu payments be submitted to (probably) the Transportation Commission for a public hearing.  The landowner, Debbie and Public Works Department all are happy. Sometimes there's good news.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary lays into the Prop. 98 & 99 sneak attack calling 98 "a trick". He tells us that Ben Lomond's Measure S has millions of $$$ in taxes attached to it. Patton goes on to tell more about the Planning Commission meeting LA BAHIA on Thursday night. He closes the week by discussing Transportation and Land Use issues.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul's article is titled Crises At Home. He talks about our class system and the homeless. Read it, then go back and read the battle over the Laborers Shelter on 41^st again.
 

WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina samples the Corralitos Wine Trail, savors appetizers at Gabriella and recommends a handsome new Syrah. All at www.christinawaters.com. BrattonOnlineNote:I have no idea what the Corralitos Wine Trail is, probably a trail of old wine corks leading up to Randall Kane's or Holt Murray's old houses. But do check it out.

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Only a few choices in solving the gas prices...a la Eagan, scroll down (and save gas!!!)

THOSE PROPOSITIONS EXPLAINED. Gail Page emails to tell all of us...
Vote 'NO' ON PROP  98 (and vote YES on Prop 99). *Proposition 98* on California's June ballot would have a devastating impact on communities and on the environment. Sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association, as well as by apartment and mobile park homeowner groups, Prop 98 wants voters to believe the measure is only about changing eminent domain rules, but it is really about benefiting large landowners and developers! Prop 98 would dismantle communities' ability to enforce their own decisions about growth and development. Hidden in its fine print is language that would make unconstitutional ALL laws or regulation that limit property
values of individuals or companies. It would prohibit laws protecting the environment, threaten public water projects, and abolish rent control and other renter protections. Because of Prop 98's anti-renter provisions, large landowners would reap enormous financial benefits on the backs of the elderly and fixed-income renters. It would also negate the current efforts by grassroots environmental groups to preserve the environmental integrity of privately held open-space areas, such as in the case of Coyote 
Valley.
*Proposition 99*, the Homeowners Protection Act, on the other hand, would reform eminent domain practices to protect homeowners and small businesses by prohibiting state and local governments from using eminent domain to transfer an owner-occupied home to a private developer. The League of California Homeowners, Leagues of California Cities and the California League of Conservation Voters have sponsored Prop 99, and if Prop 99 gets more votes than Prop 98, it will prevent the hidden provisions of 
Prop 98 from taking effect. Prop 98 can only be defeated by a grassroots effort. Any support you can provide to this campaign will go a long way, be it your time, money or voice. Please help educate others on this issue and pass along this email to others.
References:
 http://www.greenbelt.org/regions/bayarea/camp_no98_yes99.html
 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/07/

BEV MO COMING TO CAPITOLA!!! Here's another letter from a reader. "My name is Paul Cummins. I write a weekly column for The Good Times called Homegrown Winepick of the Week, a fairly subjective column in which I try to alert people to all the reasons why they should buy wine made by members of the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association, and why they should buy from local merchants. Not withstanding the excellent quality of local wines, we need to keep our money in the community, etc. etc.
Yesterday I learned that the planning commission for the City of Capitola had approved plans offered by the booze giant Beverages and more--they don't capitalize the m---. BevMo plans a giant store in the space once occupied by Wherehouse Music. The planning commission gave its stamp of approval at a meeting on May 1st that had little or no attendance by the public; it appears that the public had little, if any, notice of the hearing. Capitola wine merchants think it was a "given" that BevMo would be approved, and that the City deliberately kept the proceedings in the dark.
     I spoke with Ryan Bane the planner who is in charge of the project and he told me that anybody could file an appeal as to "why the commission had acted in error" with the City of Capitola within ten business days of the hearing which means the deadline for filing an appeal will be Thursday 5 p.m. May 15th, 2008. There is precious little time to mount an appeal. Lacking a strong protest group at the moment, a ferocious grass roots movement is called for.  I hope that you will help spread the word. Citizens interested in protesting this giant 90 plus store's presence in Capitola should contact: Tom Ragle, owner of 41st Avenue Liquor at 475-5117. The deadlines and publication dates for The Good Times do not jive to be of much help at this minute. Also, I am scheduled to leave on vacation Thursday thru Monday, so I'm trying to shake the trees a little prior to my departure. Interested parties should get in touch with Tom, and/or actually file their own appeal with The City of Capitola,420 Capitola Ave. Capitola, Ca.95010. 475-7300
Although I will be gone for a few days, I welcome comments and ideas at: portergulchpaul@yahoo.com thanks for your support, Paul Cummins. Bratton Comment: I'd never heard of BevMo. In trying to learn more online, it appears to be a huge West Coast chain selling all booze and related items at Costco type discounts.

OSS 17. I won't reveal any names but one film critic at last week's screening walked out saying," I don't know why they even bother making movies like this". It's a French attempt to do a Pink Panther style spoof on James Bond films and the lead does look a lot like Sean Connery. Jacques Tati and Fernandel made some very funny French comedies but OSS 17 is no laughing matter. Don't go.

SON OF RAMBOW. This is supposed to be a cute, tender, sweet but mostly cute film. It misses, only the trailer is cute. It feels like there was much hassle from the director department and the film goes off in too many directions. The charm isn't complete, the acting is good, but it simply falls apart. You could Netflix it or get it later at Cedar Street Video.

SPEED RACER. After enjoying Iron Man so much I figured this would be equally entertaining, it sure isn't. I knew it was a video game and cartoon and had Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman in it but whew...it's just weird. However that being said, there is a story, a dumb story (not quite a plot) and the way it's told is  done in a very interesting way. Let's hope movie makers see this and figure out ways to use this device to tell valid narratives. Don't even rent this mess unless you're about 6 years old...and you're not!!

TRISTAN AND ISUELT. The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival brought Patrick Ball and "The Medieval Beasts" to UCSC's recital hall last Sunday to tell The Legend of Tristan and Iseult. In all my years I've never seen an audience so involved, so attentive, eager, and appreciative as we all were that night. Patrick told the legend while the musicians sang and played musics from 12^th 13^th, 14^th  and 15^th centuries on such instruments as the psaltery, vielle, lute, and harps. This legend makes Richard Wagner's opera plot pale and crude. The story was full of Kings, dragons, dwarfs, Dukes, Counts, two Iseults  elixirs, poisons, and a love as we have never heard. We need to all chip in and bring Patrick and Beasts back every year ...it was an experience.

THREE PENNY OPERA (review). I've written so often about the Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra productions and how much I like them that I'm re-printing an email I got from old friend Nick Herbert (author of Elemental Mind and Quantum Reality: Beyond The New Physics) who sat two rows ahead of me at last week's opening night.  Nick states," I really love live theatre and Three-Penny Opera is my favorite musical.
I loved the production--the characters were all superb, especially Mr. and Mrs. Peachum--they held the production together. The spitting cat fight over Mac between Lucy and Polly was the high point for me. As well as Jenny's Solomon Song solo where she simply dominated the stage with her quirky presence recounting the inevitable downfall of Solomon, Cleopatra, Caesar and Mac the Knife. Did you catch Tiger Brown opening the second act by singing the Canonen song IN GERMAN?
Brecht was one of those playwrights who wanted to break down the barrier between actors and audience so the clearing out of the front section of the audience for the execution was a bit of stage business Brecht would have approved. This was probably unintended but the fact that the dressing room was across the hall from the theater entrance meant that before the show the actors were continually pressing thru the crowd going back and forth to the stage in their bustiers and tight dresses. I got there early, was the first in line and spoke to a confused looking guy wearing a Roman collar, asking if he had a ticket. "A ticket, no. I'm one of the actors." The stage business was particularly imaginative. I've seen lots of productions of TPO and don't remember any in which the captured Mac is stripped of his gloves, hat, scarf and cane and these are thrown to his admiring girlfriends. Wonderful piece of action". (end of Nick's review and I certainly concur).

SPAM NAMES. The odd thing about these SPAM NAMES is that they seem to mostly come on the same day. One BrattonOnline reader had the gall to ask if these were all real...the nerve!!! If I couldn't create better names than these I wouldn't be writing, besides these names are more than funny, they come close to creepy or demented. So here's this weeks...send yours in, if you stop long enough to read them, and I only do it  because my filters aren't all that efficient and real mail gets trapped...so I have to read them, hundreds every day. Bartlett Hyman, Hube Yardley, Darius Bird, Mrs. Lorita Candy, Mourine Mawoo, Merlin Marreo, and Chasity Addison (that's Chasity).

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Thursday 4-5 pm. I host this radio program and this week Jeremy Karafin will talk briefly about why UCSC students should vote yes on their Measure 34. Brian Staubenfiel will tell us about The UCSC Opera production of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul. Writing lecturer Jeff Arnett will talk about the book of student writings and observings he edited, "The Unnatural History of UCSC".

QUOTES. "Bad taste doesn't exist; it's just a figment of somebody's paranoia", Viva. "There are no services on this route", Road Sign. "Let everything be reported. Then one day we may have a revelation", Louis Pauwels. "It's not the size of the ship; it's the size of the waves", Little Richard.

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

CABRILHO COLLEGE 1962. At first glance this looks like it was taken yesterday because of all the construction but no it was 1962. That's Soquel Drive at the middle of the photo and we're looking toward the bay. Way at the top on the other side of highway 1 would have been the huge and unwanted Wingspread Development. Ask somebody about that battle. Some people insist on calling it Cabrillo (with Spanish spelling) when it was named after Joao Rodrigues Cabrilho a noted Portuguese ship pilot who sailed up our coast in 1542. This Library Of Congress website explains it all http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/portam/cabrilho.html . I know Sandor Lydon (his real name) preaches otherwise in his classes but he makes things up all the time, trust me. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES BILL MONNING. I got this email direct from Monning headquarters and am delighted at the news.
Sierra Club Endorses Bill Monning
This week Sierra Club California made official its endorsement of Bill Monning for the 27th Assembly. Sierra Club California has 200,000 members, and is part of one of the nation's oldest and most respected grassroots environmental organizations. The national Sierra Club has 1.3 million members. The local Ventana Chapter of the Sierra 
Club has also endorsed Bill. Upon hearing the exciting news of the endorsement, Bill Monning said, "I am honored to have won the endorsement of The Sierra Club. The Sierra Club stands as a giant in the field of environmental  protection. As a long time member of The Sierra Club, I look forward to being a voice for the environment in Sacramento."
Bill Monning has a long history in California as an advocate for stricter pesticide regulations. His work with the Pesticide Coalition resulted in stronger safety measures for posting fields before spraying occurs. He also helped craft safety regulations for methyl bromide application. Rita Delessio, chair of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club commented on the endorsement, " Bill Monning's long history of environmental and social activism makes him the Sierra Club's clear choice in the 27th Assembly District. He will continue the excellent work of assembly members John Laird and Fred Keeley in advancing the Sierra Club's goals." Former Santa Cruz Mayor, Celia Scott, a long-time member of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, says, "I am delighted that Bill Monning has been endorsed by the Sierra Club for the 27th District Assembly seat.  Bill's dedication to the protection of our regional and global environment is deep, strong and effective. He richly deserves the endorsement." As you must know by now...Bill Monning is a lawyer and professor of law at the Monterey Institute for International Studies and the Monterey College of Law.

"NANE" ALEJANDREZ FOR STEPHEN WRIGHT. "Nane" Alejandrez gave a very inspiring talk at the wonderfully successful North- South County dinner Saturday night at the Unitarian Fellowship in Aptos that was a benefit to buy another bus to send to Cuba. He was talking about his tough upbringing long before he helped create Barrios Unidos. At one point he spoke of his battles in court and trying to stay out of jail, he stopped and said that if it wasn't for one man defending and believing in him he wouldn't be here today...and pointed out Steve Wright who's running for Judge. Steve was there and got a huge round of applause. Check out his website at www.stevewrightforjudge.com you'll also see that Metro Santa Cruz gave him an award for best attorney.

JOHN LEOPOLD'S CAMPAIGN. John Leopold received a vote of 100% on May Day at the Democratic Central Committee. He was the only candidate interviewed because from what I hear Betty Danner tried to do what she has done a number of times and claim that she never got the questionnaire.  Fortunately the DCC has a pretty formal process and after Fran Church sat through Betty's insistent chatter that she really wanted the endorsement and that she would have answered the questions if she had gotten the questionnaire, Fran told her that the DCC sends it out by certified mail and Fran had a receipt saying that Betty's campaign had signed for it! Betty called back a few minutes later to say that she had an inexperienced campaign manager and that she got the questionnaire but didn't know what to do with it so it was thrown away.  Fran said no dice and Betty was excluded.  Keep in mind that Betty has told the same story at the Labor Council, People Power and the GLBT Alliance (she did not fill out any of those questionnaires either!!!).
Word on the street is that Tom Honig (formerly of you know what paper) is running Betty's campaign so who knows what will happen next.
The Leopold campaign is having a major precinct walk to finish the last precincts in the district on Sunday, May 18th starting at 12:30 at the Live Oak Grange. They are working to have over 80 volunteers to blanket the district.  The walk will end with a BBQ/party at Bonnie Keet's house in Soquel.

ROTKIN ENDORSES JOHN LEOPOLD. I lifted this from the Opinion page of Monday's Sentinel, it makes some interesting points. Mike Rotkin wrote "I have known and worked with John Leopold for two decades now and know his passion for participatory democracy. He's smart and by far the best-informed candidate in the 1st District race for county supervisor. But much more importantly, he really believes in grassroots democracy and will work with neighbors in Live Oak to make sure they know what is going on and that their voices are heard and concerns addressed. He will work to see that the whole county has the services we need and deserve, but most of all he will work with neighbors to defend their neighborhoods." Mike Rotkin, Santa Cruz.

SPAM NAMES, MORE OF. Finally I got a reaction to my collecting of dopey names in my SPAM file. Good old Tom " Bubbles" Noddy sent these in , Barrister Mark Anthony,
SANTA ALEXANDRA , Mr. Druv Matindale , Mary abem, Yours sincerely, Chief John Eze,

BEST REGARDS.
DRGODWILLOKEKE
DIRECTOR, FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Yours faithfully, Mr. Kalusha Bywayaya

Best regard,
Barrister Musa Justice
New additions to my collection are Alva Dick, Gordy Sang, Helma Pusch, Kito O'leary Milagrosa Feldman, and the ever popular Conroy Quoc. As previously mentioned I hate SPAM at least as much as you do, but we might as well make some lemonade while we're at it.

NEW ORANGE MAN ON PACIFIC!!! Minding my own business (between films) last Sunday @ 2:30 on Pacific what or who comes along?? An Orange Man. Nattily dressed in a spanking-neat–tailored-brilliant-orange suit and pants. Face covered with sunglasses and an orange hood and a broad brimmed orange hat with an orange boa trimming. He walks a lot faster than the Blue Umbrella Guy and has a definite jaunty step. He speaks to people and is a genuine traffic and conversation stopper. Now if get Morgani, the Blue Umbrella Guy and The Orange Man all together whaddya got?? I dunno, but it's worth asking. Only in Santa Cruz stuff.

MORE ON LA BAHIA. Lifting even more from today's Sentinel (May 5,2008) here's Don Webber's letter to the Opinion page." Build a better La Bahia project. Your La Bahia Hotel article mentions a "five-story building across from the Boardwalk." Wrong twice. It's a seven-story building, not five. And it's on Beach Hill, across from the homes on First Street, not the Boardwalk. Neighbors and community leaders have asked repeatedly for storey poles along First Street to demonstrate the location and height of this hotel. Powers that be have a bunch of excuses why they can't do such a thing. Baloney. Storey poles will demonstrate, including to Sentinel readers, exactly where and how high this construction would be. Neighbors and labor and other community leaders aren't looking for reasons to oppose the project. We recognize the benefit of development. But we want the benefits to reach those who build and operate the hotel and those who live in its shadow, as well as its owners. We want to build a better La Bahia than Swenson proposes. Don Webber, Santa Cruz. I would add that SCRP (Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning) doesn't oppose the development either just the illegal height. SCRP also has asked for storey poles but the damned City Council in their eagerness to approve this project at all costs has refused to back any requests for these poles that are required in many communities. There'll be an important chance for the public to see and witness what all the fuss is about, and why Storey poles would show us the true impacting height of this development. Go to the University Inn this Thursday night at 7 p.m. and lets see if we can convince stubborn developer Barry Swenson who continues to make millions from the backs of Santa Cruzans to be a little more open minded.

ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul tells about Mt. Madonna School and then gets into the No Child Left Behind program. Read it here.
 

SEARLE'S SALVO.  " The Senile reports last week that a combination of Barrios Unidos and the Resource Center for Non-violence is planning a development at Soquel and Trevethan.  Both community organizations would have offices there and there will be condominiums.  Complete with some low cost housing. One opponent was paraphrased as complaining that the neighborhood doesn't want the kind of shady characters that might be attracted.  Scott Kennedy, do you get the message? Would that be long-haired, smelly peaceniks, anti-Zionists??  Or something else?"

WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina's back from New York with a few choice dishes, a rant about serving wild children in restaurants and a brief review of the vivacious wine
release party up at Vine Hill. All at www.christinawaters.com

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau asks why NATO still exists in an article titled "NATO 2+2 = 5" read it here in the latest Progreso.

PATTONS PROGRAM. Click here to read Gary's discussion of LAFCO and how important it is. He then talks about new development and the use of Impact Fees. He reveals what John Garamendi said about the Pajaro River water use problems last week in Watsonville. There's more on eminent domain and Cal Am Water in Felton. And why we need to heed the Thursday night meeting of the Santa Cruz City Planning Commission and The General Plan.
 

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim exposes his and our remote interest in the current television programming. Scroll down a little later.

HOSTETTER'S HOT THINGS.  As always you can click on the Lutherie panel on the right margin to see what Paul Hostetter ahs picked as great and memorable events to see and be part of. He also says, "Some thrilling things coming up - read all about them right here

IRON MAN. It's a big stretch to imagine Robert Downey jr. playing a role that used to be played by John Wayne, Jesus, and Superman, but he does a wonderful job in Iron Man. He makes the picture and must be on the way to doing a sequel as we speak (or read). This is an exceptionally well made film. It is almost the perfect definition of entertainment as in "I just go to movies to be entertained". Gwyneth Paltrow is equally perfect as Pepper Potts Downey's secretary and Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane (great name too) who will now have a brand new career with better parts in Hollywood. He too is perfect. All in all it's the most fun film I've seen in  years...and see it only on the big screen...DO NOT WAIT AND RENT IT.

RED BELT. Warning...This is a David Mamet film. That means the driving force behind it is the dialogue. And this is 100% more Mamet dialogue than any of his other films (Glengarry Glen Ross etc.) The plot is not much more than an old movie cliché, the acting roles are taken by Mamet regulars such as Ricky Jay, Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's wife) Joe Mantegna, Alice Braga and Tim Allen who plays a movie star. It's about martial arts (because Mamet studies martial arts). Not easy to love or hate this film will keep you awake and involved. AND you could rent it and still enjoy it.

THEN SHE FOUND ME. I really dislike titles like this one. 1 minute after leaving the Nick a friend asked what I'd seen...I could not remember the title!! I remembered Bette Midler and you won't forget her either she makes the film worth seeing. She plays the mother who gave up her daughter then works hard and finds her...it's Helen Hunt!! Hunt also directed the film. Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick play husband and boyfriend roles. It's not an award winner because it lacks spirit or energy but go for it.

BLUEBERRY NIGHTS. Wong Kar Wei's films take some getting used to. His films are based on the emotions of his main characters not a tight plot. There is lots of brilliant color, much tenderness, sensitivity, complexity,  and just the second to second interaction between the two leads. Blueberry Nights is not a Hollywood film, far from it. It stars Natalie Portman, Jason Strathairn, Jude Law and this was my second time seeing it. I'll probably go again, it's that complex and good.

OOPS...CHENEY'S NOT MOVING. Last week I had an article saying that Dick Cheney had bought a house in Carmel. Almost everyone I know said it couldn't be true because Cheney hates California (and vice versa). Well it wasn't true and lots of folks were fooled. Ron Clegg sent this in:
Carmel's Butterfly House sold, but not to Dick Cheney
Cheney not owner, as widely rumored
By LAITH AGHA
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 04/30/2008 09:20:52 AM PDT

Carmel's quail population can rest easy: A rumor that Vice President Dick Cheney bought the Butterfly House was a fluttering untruth. Escrow on the Butterfly House, one of only a handful of houses with oceanfront property in the Carmel area, closed last week. Originally listed for a tad less than $20 million, the house sold for $9.3 million.

The rumor about Cheney's involvement in the transaction began circulating around the Peninsula, and apparently emanated from the nation's capital. Mike Canning, the listing agent for the house, and Hallie Mitchell, the selling agent, both dispelled the Cheney rumor on Tuesday.

Mitchell said her phone rang nonstop on Tuesday, as people called to inquire about the rumor." It's just amazing," Mitchell said. "My phone has been ringing off the hook. Other than 50,000 phone calls, no one is any closer to figuring out the source of the rumor. All I can say is "not true." Mitchell said someone in the Carmel Rancho Sotheby's office — where Canning and Mitchell both do business — heard Carmel Mayor Sue McCloud being asked her thoughts on Cheney moving to Carmel by Magic 63 talk show personality Mike Cleary on Monday. (The Butterfly House is outside the Carmel city limits.) Cleary said a friend of his, whose name he declined to share, e-mailed him the information that Cheney would be taking up residence on Carmel Point. The friend, Cleary said, is well connected in the Washington political scene. Mitchell said she also heard from someone earlier this week — the wife of a former congressman who has homes in both Washington and on the Peninsula — who asked Mitchell if there was truth to the rumor.

The actual buyer of the house is Joseph Walter, a Seattle man who founded a successful telecommunications management consulting and project management firm. He owns several properties on the Peninsula, including one of the other oceanfront Carmel Point properties. The 56-year-old dwelling was put on the market in July for the first time in five decades after the death of its owner, Stephen Kahn. Kahn bought the house in 1956 from architect Frank Wynkoop, who built the house in 1952. Records show the house cost $135,000 to build, though Kahn bought it for $15,000. One of the most select properties in Monterey County, the house sits on Carmel's rocky shore midway between Carmel Bay's two points — Point Lobos State Reserve and Pescadero Point in Pebble Beach — and often in the path of crashing waves. The house received its moniker because its roof flares up like butterfly wings.

SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL. This is from their press release....May 11^th  Event: The Flame of Love: The Legend of Tristan and Iseult Patrick Ball (harp, narration) & the Medieval Beasts: Shira Kammen (vielle, medieval harp, and voice), and Tim Rayborn (harp, voice, lute, and psaltery).

Program Information: A legend of Celtic origin that predates the Arthurian tale of Lancelot and Guinevere, this medieval romance is filled with love, passion, magic, and death. The faithful knight Tristan is called upon to deliver Iseult, an Irish princess, to her future husband, the King of Cornwall. Yet, while traversing the waves of the Irish Sea, a mix-up involving a potion determines their joint but tragic fate.
For most modern music-listeners, the primary reference-point to this legend is undoubtedly Richard Wagner's prominent opera "Tristan and Isolde" (premiered 1865). Yet this tale from the Dark Ages has been retold across the centuries and artistic genres. Patrick Ball's discovery of the romance some 20 ago eventually inspired his own interpretation of the narrative: "We tell this magnificent story much as a medieval storyteller would have done. . . . In Medieval times a storyteller looked into the eyes of his audience and told a tale" - using neither props nor scenery, but only words and the limitless imagination of the engaged listener. "The instruments - the harp, the vielle, the lute, the psaltery, and percussion - were all carried and played by this storyteller and those who accompanied him." Indeed, the music performed features pieces well-known to medieval audiences at the time. This concert concludes our 2008 series of season concerts titled Musical Legends. A meet-the-Artist reception follows for subscribers and donors.
 Day and Time: Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 7:30pm (evening of Mother's Day)

Location: UCSC Music Center Recital Hall (Heller & Meyer Drives, UC Santa Cruz campus)  

Admission: $2 K-12 & UCSC students, $16 std/sen, $25 gen, $40-65 3-ticket Flex Passes

Ticket Outlets: SC Baroque Festival (www.scbaroque.org, 831-457-9693), UCSC Ticket Ofc (831-459-2159), SC Tickets (www.santacruztickets.com), Civic Center Box Ofc. More information on all events at our website:
www.scbaroque.org

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5pm on KZSC 88.1 fm I host this interview program covering town and gown issues and events. This Thursday my guests will be Westi Haughey of Cruzio talking about the many events of The Santa Cruz Film Festival. Then Ellen Primack the executive director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will be discussing the many concerts and famous people coming here for the Festival that happens August 1-10.

QUOTES. "You never leave the bus. Nobody ever leaves the bus. The bus may spit you out for a while but nobody ever leaves the bus." -Ken Kesey. "A physicist is an atom's way of knowing about atoms." -George Wald. "A vote for mental health is a vote against Good Times" ( I probably shouldn't have capitalized that) -San Francisco Oracle.

Deep Cover

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

SANTA CRUZ WHARF AND THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD WHARF 1913. The railroad wharf was torn down around the end of 1922. If you squint you can see the davits (hoists) all along this side of the fisherman's wharf that were used to pull the fishing boats out of the water due to big tides. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

MONNING PHONE-A-THON IN THE PARK. If you see a crowd of people in San Lorenzo Park sitting in lawn chairs talking on their cell phones this Sunday, May 4th, you'll know it's the Bill Monning Phone-a-thon, and not some strange cult gathering. (his press release says) Sunday at 1pm, supporters will gather to phone voters in a push to motivate turnout for the June 3rd Primary election. Monning supporters should meet on the grass next to the lawn bowling area by the County Building on Ocean St. in Santa Cruz. Participants can call (831) 239-7685 for information the day of the event. Bring cell phones and a blanket or lawn chair.

The weekend kicks off the final month of primary campaigning, which includes precinct walking and volunteer recruitment Saturday. Volunteers for Saturday will meet at 9:30 am at the Monning headquarters office at 501 Mission St. in Santa Cruz. Voting by mail begins May 4th, with in-person voting on June 3rd.

JOHN LEOPOLD FOR SUPERVISOR. Click and open http://www.friendsofjohnleopold.com/calendar.html to see the very busy schedule that John has in May. There are many great chances to hear his positions and learn why he has so many endorsements from important people who share his concerns especially about land use among other vital things.

MARILYN HUMMEL & HUBBY LEAVING THE COUNTY. Marilyn Hummel has been a member of the Planning Commission, Housing Authority, Rural Bonny Doon Association, and numerous land use organizations for many years. She is the person most responsible for saving the 55 acre Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve over a long eight year battle. Now Marilyn and Don are moving to Marin County to be near the kids. Don's working on finishing up writing two scholarly books. With their leaving and considering all that Marilyn did to save and protect so much in our county I could say "there goes the neighborhood" but I won't. She'll be missed.

DICK CHENEY BUYS HOUSE IN CARMEL. Scott MacClelland sent this email. It tells how Cheney paid 9.3 million for this 3 bedroom/4 bath scenic spot called the Butterfly House. Scott goes further and wants to bet that old Dickey won't ever set foot in the place.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The ever thoughtful Judi sent this email, "There are several large vacant buildings around that could be turned into temporary art galleries until new tenants are found. These include Round Table Pizza on Mission, the former Senate Furniture place on Soquel Ave, and probably several others. Artists could exhibit large-scale sculpture or installations that don't fit in smaller gallery spaces. Maybe the Cultural Council could act as liaison. Other cities have similar "Phantom Gallery" programs". Judi has also suggested interesting uses for the old Sentinel building...check the BrattonOnline archives.

ELERICK'S INPUT The inimitable Mr. Elerick talks about Earth Day being celebrated...in a parking lot! Bill Monning is mentioned, and an idea or two about what to do with your economic stimulus check. Read it all here

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Mr. Eagan takes us inside Club Patriot, scroll downwards.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau has won Chile's top human rights award. Read about the award, read Saul's history and read what he says in response. click here

PATTONS PROGRAM. Read all about affordable housing in Monterey and about Santa Cruz's "housing strategies". Gary talks about Certificates of Compliance issue that happening in Aptos. There's a discussion of new parks and the requirement for an affordable housing provision. On May 1^st Gary pays tribute to the community actions that saved Marks Ranch in Monterey County and how Lighthouse Field was saved back in 1974. He probably just forgot to mention our North Coast's Wilder Ranch and how folks saved that too by a lot of community action. Click here

SEARLES SALVO. (weekly revelations from Reed Searle) George Dondero, exec of the Regional Transportation Commission spoke at a Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce meeting last Tuesday. The news from the RTC is the same as always ...and is not good. Widening Highway 1 is still the RTC's top priority; they still do not have enough money; a sales tax is the best way to finance the widening. Another campaign for a sales tax increase awaits a propitious year, and that year is not imminent. Lots of roads need repair and there's no money for that either--- AND no state or federal money is likely to come to the rescue. The good news is that the purchase of the rail corridor is proceeding, but there are no plans at present for passenger service. Not to be too depressed, though---George thinks a sales tax proposition will pass when the time is right. After the talk, sub-groups discussed the matter and agreed that traffic is indeed a problem. At the beginning of the talk, George asked how many people drove to the meeting. Almost everyone raised their hand. So it's perhaps not surprising that all the discussions were about improving traffic and not a word about public transportation---except that an HOV lane might help.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. Well if the truth were known Christina is in New York with her mother. She'll be back when she's good and ready...or in two weeks, whichever is sooner.

SIERRA CLUB RESPONSE TO BUENA VISTA LANDFILL. Pat Matecjek sent this email "Last Sunday, April 20, Kurtis Alexander's byline appeared on the lead "above the fold" article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Here is the Sierra Club's response:

The AdaptiveARC website claims that "no hazardous emissions will be released into the atmosphere" and that "all toxic byproducts are eliminated". This is simply not true. Harmful toxins such as dioxins and furans are released from plasma incinerators that process municipal solid waste. A company that provides false information about the basic facts of their technology is a danger to community health. And don't be fooled, plasma is in fact defined as incineration by the U.S. EPA.

There is no safe level of additional exposure to dioxins. This is because the average daily dioxin intake for Americans [1] is already 200 times higher [2] than what the EPA defines as a safe dose for adults [3]. Known health impacts of dioxin include cancer, IQ deficits, disrupted sexual development, birth defects, immune system damage, behavioral disorders, diabetes and altered sex ratios. Emitting dioxins is also counter to the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty signed by the U.S., which calls for the elimination or reduction of dioxin and other particularly harmful persistent organic pollutants.

The adverse impact of plasma and other incineration technologies on community health and the environment, has led to the environmental community to be strongly opposed to incineration. Indeed, more than 130 organizations nationwide including the Sierra Club, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC),and Environment America have signed onto a statement against incentives for plasma and other incinerators.

When faced with a similar proposal from a company pushing plasma incineration, the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii, did their homework and came to the conclusion that this technology would have no business in their town. The Honolulu City Department of Environmental Services concluded, "After thorough evaluations, including intensive meetings with the proposers to review technical components of their plans, we concluded that utilizing plasma arc/torch would significantly increase the cost of waste disposal for Oahu and would not provide any environmental advantages to justify such cost."

Along with concerned residents of Santa Cruz, the Sierra Club and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives calls on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to give the county of Santa Cruz a real Earth Day gift: stand up for environmental health and say "no" to incineration.

SANTA CRUZ SWINGS: A HISTORY OF JAZZ IN SANTA CRUZ. It was originally planned as a once only "sneak preview" but the Nickelodeon was completely sold out last Saturday and had to turn people away.. Santa Cruz Swings paints a jumping and very hip portrait of how jazz influenced Santa Cruz...and vice versa. It pulls together eight decades of our local jazz history and makes an exciting evolving study of jazz itself... both past and future. This local jazz documentary by Ken Koenig of Roseking productions was great fun to watch and there will be another "once only" screening very soon at the Nick...so get there early next time.

THE VISITOR. Good old Richard Jenkins from HBO's "6 Feet Under" is wonderful in this film. Without meaning to this film is another deserved condemning of the United States policy on immigration...go see it.

BABY MAMA. It's not quite possible to dismiss Tina Fey's role in this next attempt at motherhood comedy. She's an excellent actor, but the film would be just as good watching it at home. Maybe two laughs but there's a bunch of bitterness and sad reality in it too...it's an odd film.

BLUEBERRY NIGHTS. Wong Kar-Wai is one of my favorite directors and this is his first English Language film. He's directed such masterpieces as Chung King Express, In the Mood for Love, 2046, Ashes Of Time, As Tears Go By and some more. His films are amazingly complex and subtle. They are also wildly colorful and develop at a pace and in a way we aren't used to. People overlook what's happening in his films, but days later you find yourself thinking and wondering about what you actually saw. Natalie Portman, David Strathairn, and Jude Law are all part of this film and it won't be at The Del Mar long, don't miss it. Blueberry by the way refers to pie not that phone thing.

THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES. This is another excellent film you shouldn't miss. Uma Thurman does one of best and most honest acting jobs ever, and it too is a complex film. Evan Rachel Wood as a confused rebelling high school student equals Thurman's acting ability and the two of them make this film a wonderfully told story, that is disturbing and haunting...and memorable.

DECEPTION. Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor make this another thriller that's well worth seeing. Tricky plot, never boring, go see it.

A COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS: NEW WORKS. The 17 artists in this show have been meeting together for 25 years to discuss each others works. Last year the Community of Artists was the most popular exhibit at Felix Kulpa Gallery at 107 Elm Street behind Streetlight Records. This year's show opens Friday night May 2 and runs through June 29. Paintings, photos, digital art, and other things will be on show. Reception – Friday, May 2nd from 5pm – 9pm - 408-373-2854

THE MUSIC OF SATYAJIT RAY:IMPACT OF TAGORE. On Friday, May 2, Satyajit Ray Film & Study Center presents "The Music of Satyajit Ray: Impact of Tagore" at 7 pm at the Humanities Lecture Hall, Cowell College UCSC campus. This is a Rare & Unique Performance by Sharmila Roy-Pommot (Vocal) Shewli Basu (Esraj) Rajnarayan Bhattacharya (Tabla) Roy-Pommot, based in Paris, is arguably the top exponent/expert on Tagore and Ray's music. Tickets are $10.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the show. For more information please call (831) 459-4012 or email jpalines@ucsc.edu or dayani@ucsc.edu

SANTA CRUZ CLAY 2008 is a two day show at the Bargetto Winery 3535 Main St. Soquel which brings together a unique gathering of Ceramic artists from Santa Cruz County. 23 artists will take part in the show and sale, Saturday and Sunday May 3 & 4 from 11 to 5pm where each artist will have a 10' x 10' display area to exhibit their own work and be available to explain to visitors some of the processes involved in the making of 'one–off' pieces of high quality ceramic art. Five years ago 7 Clay artists held a group show at Bargettos which started the tradition. Go to
www.firecatpottery.com and see who's there.

LA PENA: A CELEBRATION OF LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE. On Saturday May 3^rd there's going to be a Cuban Dinner and Theatre fundraiser at the Unitarian Fellowship at 6401 Freedom Blvd. in Aptos. The dinner is from 5-7pm and the theatre happens 7-9pm. It's sponsored by: Barrios Unidos, the Cuba Study Group, Three Americas, Inc., and the Watsonville Brown Berets. The evening will feature a Cuban dinner cooked by Gina Val Leiva a former "Peter Pan" child - one of thousands of children exiled from Cuba after the Revolution. She is one of the people the dinner will benefit, enabling her to return to Cuba and re-connect with family left behind. A highlight of the evening's entertainment will be the Brown Beret's hip-hop and spoken word artists. Nane Alejandrez will speak about Barrios Unidos' international work with Venezuela and other Latin American countries.

The evening, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Action Committee, will honor the members, the common vision and work of Barrios Unidos, Cuba Study Group, Three Americas, Inc., Santa Cruz Cuba Caravans, and the Watsonville Brown Berets. For the past five years, Santa Cruz Cuba Caravans has traveled to Cuba with the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment to Cuba as a challenge to the illegal and immoral U.S. blockade. They have sent over 20 people on the Pastors Caravan and donated four buses loaded with material aid to Cuba. This gala event will raise funds for scholarships for students and low-income adults to travel as "Caravanistas" on this life-changing journey.

There will be music by Los Kombucheros, greetings from Rep. Sam Farr, a political skit by Students Informing Now, presentations by former Caravanistas, and other short acts. The evening will end with Lois and Bert Muhly leading the audience in original songs about Cuba. Contact for tickets and information – 427 0980.

SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER PLAYERS MUSIC IN MAY. From May 7^th through May 11^th The Santa Cruz Chamber Players is presenting FREE concerts in many locations around Santa Cruz County. The musicians and the choice of music is exciting and way too detailed to list here go to www.musicinmay.com and get the details. Composers such as Beethoven, Piazzolla, Dvorak, Schubert, Vaughan Williams plus some pop, and dance music. Check it out.

THREE PENNY OPERA MAY 9- 11^TH . It's a great way to celebrate Mother's Day weekend. Kurt Weill's music and Bertolt Brecht's words. Mack the Knife is just one of the hits. The Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra is presenting this opera at The Pacific Cultural Center, Soquel and Seabright, and tickets are available at Streetlight Records or by calling 1 800-838-3006. It'll be fully staged and costumed and the rest of the details are at http://www.scmusic.org:80 click on "events".

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday I host this radio program from 4-5 pm. on KZSC 88.1 fm. This week I'll be interviewing Lisa Rose and Tim Kelly from the Community Of Artists exhibit at the Felix Kulpa Gallery. In the second half hour I'll be talking with Paul Ortiz about The Reel Work Film Festival that's on now through May 11^th.

QUOTES. "NOBODY CAN BE EXACTLY LIKE ME. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it," Tallulah Bankhead. "Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth", Alan Watts. "Everything I know I taught myself", Bo Diddley. "Your wig steers the gig", Lord Buckley.

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