PEACE IN VIETNAM PROTEST APRIL 8, 1967. In front of our Post Office back in the day. Yes, that's John Tuck with armband in the front row. That's also Tom Scribner in dark fedora about four people behind Tuck and a guy I used to work with at Eastside hardware in 1970 is in there too. Remember when there would be big protests like these? photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

JOHN LEOPOLD'S KICKOFF. Sunshine, birthday cake, great weather, plus plenty of Live Oak folks attended Leopold's Santa Cruz County Supervisor campaign kickoff and genuine birthday party last Saturday. Most of the conversations were about how Watsonville has been suffering from enormous growth. Their loss of apple orchards, packing plants, and developers dancing over getting every project approved has been scary under Supervisor Tony Campos. With Betty Danner as a supervisor added to Campos' and Ellen Piries solid pro development votes, Watsonville and all of South County will become San Jose South before we know it. Check out santacruzleopold@hotmail.com and reach him at john@friendsofjohnleopold.com

RYAN COONERTY'S BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN? It's surprising that Ryan who has been such a big time promoter of Think Local, Buy Local and of course LOBA went out of town and out of county to hire and pay professional political campaign people. Hard to say whether that's conflict of interest or just double talk on his part.

WHO'S FOR BETTY DANNER? The word around the First District is that Supervisor Jan Beautz and Dave Reetz have told Betty Danner to cool her relationship with developer Louie Rittenhouse until after the election. There are a growing number of people who are beginning to suspect that the two are engaged and that she intends to live in Santa Cruz at Louie's place on High Street if she becomes Supervisor. She already spends most of her time there, among all the dead stuffed animal heads hung on the wall, (if I remember correctly) according to sources close to Betty. Betty also did not speak up at all last Tuesday when the Board of Supervisors voted on the Pleasure Point Community Plan. And the only people who didn't want the new guidelines were developers and builders, John Leopold on the other hand attended all the community meetings and he spoke in favor of the plan. Could it be the Betty does not want to upset her developer-backers? The answer is yes.

THAT $42 MILLION DOLLAR 5 STORY DOWNTOWN GARAGE. We have a traffic problem, and we have an oil problem. So what's proposed? Some crazies want to spend $42 million of our dollars not on buses, not on PRT, not on any way to reduce the dependence on cars BUT spend it on a way to bring MORE cars downtown??? Go to the Campaign for a Vibrant Downtown's recently updated website and read all the details. This is how to become informed, read it them ask your friendly campaigning City Council person where they are on this.

GOODBYE CHRIS MATHEWS. Once in a while words fail me...this is one of those times...we'll miss him very much. Anyone who knew him knows how impossible it is to express our sadness. Our community suffered a huge loss last Saturday, and we won't get over it.

SPEAKING OF DENMARK. Ron Sandidge (no relation to John Sandidge :-) ) sent this column from Thomas Friedman (NYTimes), it's about Denmark and going green. Read it when you have a minute... then think about his last line and China and think about Santa Cruz and PRT just as an example.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul uses the Olympics to zing neo cons, relate to 2002, talk about Cuba and still more than that.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary tells about more land use issues in San Luis Obispo County and so called "staff reports". He continues and relates the story of Friends of The Hillside and their struggle. Aside from cocaine Bogotá can teach us a lot about Land Use that works!! Then Gary reveals the Republican state plot to pass a bond to build new dams...

WATERS WEIGHS IN. Lots of food, wine and cooking events hit Christina's radar this last week of summer - all at christinawaters.com. Don't miss her review of Tropic Thunder.

THE GOODTIME WASHBOARD 3 ...A PERSONAL NOTE. In the late 50's and all of the 60's my most serious hobby was as a professional entertainer. I had a singing trio called The Goodtime Washboard 3. We recorded an album for Fantasy Records, headlined and played The Purple Onion, The Hungry i , and other SF show venues but the biggest accomplishment we ever did was when we appeared on Bing Crosby's Hollywood Palace along with such greats as Louis Armstrong, Nanette Fabray, and Red Buttons. My daughter Jennifer Bratton Boulanger researched and found a kinescope of the 1967 show and my son in law Martin Kloiber just put it on You Tube a couple of weeks ago. You can see and hear it here . Folks often ask about Bing Crosby, he was completely wonderful; we got to know him when we were members of The Bohemian Club. So was his son Gary Crosby, he and I hung out while we were stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington in the mid fifties

FROZEN RIVER. It seems like it's a documentary (because the acting is so poor) this is supposed to tell the sad sagas of two mothers trying to raise what's left of their families. The acting (what there is of it) is done by non-actors, which is supposed to be a plus. It could have been a solid and a worthwhile movie but it's way too amateurish.

THE HOUSE BUNNY. I saw about 30 minutes of this, which is 30 minutes too much. I don't want to talk about it.

DEATH RACE. Joan Allen, Jason Statham, and Ian McShane can't make this flick into anything even approaching good. I had succeeded in forgetting the original Death Race but it all came back in a flash. It's sort of Blade Runner meets video games it's all computer generated, and if you go wear some kind of disguise so people won't see that it's you laughing or screaming at the twists and turns.

HAMLET 2. I only saw the last 20 minutes hoping to catch the "Hamlet The Musical" part of this movie, but there isn't one...or if there is, it's so screwed it is unrecognizable. Do not think of seeing this movie.

BACH AT LEIPZIG. Once again good and seasoned reviewer/critic, friend Joyce Mann reports in with her take on Shakespeare Santa Cruz's production of Bach at Leipzig.

"If you enjoy full-bodied dark-roast espresso coffee, you will love the Shakespeare Santa Cruz production of Itamar Moses' "Bach at Leipzig." On the other hand, if your choice is watered-down instant or, heaven forbid, latte mocha with syrup . . .

The play is set in the Age of Enlightenment, at a time when Lutherans, Calvinists, and the Pietist arm of Lutheranism are sparring over the merits of their respective religions, much as certain extremist religious sects are doing today. However, the Lutherans, et alia, in this play at least, do it with much more wit and humor. If that was the Age of Enlightenment, how will our own age be characterized?

As a devotee of the Baroque period of music, I was much taken with Moses' notion that all the great (and not so great) musicians of the 18th Century were called either Johann or Georg. Moses presents six of the less notable Johanns and Georgs, competing with the Greatest Organist in Germany, Georg Phillipe Telemann, for the post of organist at the cathedral in Leipzig. Sean Gorski's Telemann struts the stage and terrifies his competition without speaking a word. But even he can't compete with the greatest Johann of all, Johann Sebastian Bach, who dominates the contest without ever appearing on stage.

Moses' language is rich and intense, basically contrapuntal and, admittedly, occasionally difficult to follow. The rapier-sharp exchanges between the characters mirror the mathematical precision of the music forms of the time. The choreographed representation of the fugue is particularly creative and very funny. As they feud over fugues, the contestants also argue the merits of their respective religions. They do their best to sabotage each other in the pursuit of the job of organist, using every dirty trick at their disposal. By the end of the play verbal rapier thrusts give way to literal rapier fights of comic proportions.

People I talked to either loved or hated this play. What more could a writer hope for? There's very little wishy-washy sitting on the fence with this one. I've thought a great deal about these strong reactions, and have failed to come up with a feasible explanation. If you like the music of the Baroque period, you will probably enjoy Moses' riffs on it. If you're less esoteric, you might ask, as one of my theatre neighbors did, "Is this why I missed the baseball game on TV tonight?" Does it all come down to that: Baroque fugue versus baseball addiction?

Perhaps Moses tries to cram too much into this play. The density of his language is both a strong point and a weak point when it comes to dramatic impact. There are times when Moses gets carried away with his own eloquence, and some of the monologues are just too long. But the zany confrontations between the six musicians, with sharp crossovers from intellectual discourse to slapstick comedy, are incredibly funny. So chalk up my vote as one for the Baroque.

A couple of years ago, I saw Itamar Moses' "The Four of Us" at the Globe Theatre in San Diego. Again, in this piece, he plays fast and loose with dramatic form, characterization, and language. So "Bach in Leipzig" is not just a flash in the pan. Moses has often been compared with Tom Stoppard, whose early works, such as "After Magritte," and "The Real Inspector Hound," were lightweight but extremely funny. Only as he matured, did Stoppard's work take on a more abstract dimension. Moses has leapfrogged over Stoppard's early plays, and is way ahead in terms of metaphysical abstraction. Moses is still working to control his art. I left the theatre humming bits from Bach's Mass in B Minor, and hoping to be around long enough to see where his incredible skills take this talented young writer.

"Bach at Leipzig" runs on the Theatre Arts Mainstage, UCSC, and closes this Sunday August 31st. It was directed by Art Manke.

SPAM NAMES. In case you just joined us these names are genuine fake names I get weekly, no daily in my non functioning SPAM FILE. Having to read them and delete each one it dawned on me back in the day that many of them were hilarious...so send me the ones that plague you and at least we can laugh together. This week's include Demetrius Winona, Antonius Homayoum, Jotham Narcissus, Pansy Sams, Boipelo Ashley, Fabio Hench, Marwan Doyal, Lonard Anis, Fernando Heck, Hillier Subodh, Gilbert Othar, Percy Pitts, Woodward Gross, Ase Gad, Evelin Thavy, Aline Adair, Claudianus Adonis, Easter Kamssi, Derward Drazen, Eufemia Phebe, Zulma Taschereau, and Coy Mercado which would be a good name for a start-up grocery store.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5 pm. I host University Grapevine KZSC 88.1 fm. This week Christine Johnson Lyons from The Community Action Board will be talking about new projects and events that CAB are working on. In the second half hour Rick Longinotti will tell us about the proposed 5 story $42 million parking garage on Cedar, between Lincoln and Cathcart that the City Council will vote on September 9th.

QUOTES. "Too Much Law and Order is what causes disorder", Tom Hayden. "If someone is violent toward those who seek freedom, that's' bad. But if those who seek freedom use violence to achieve it, that's good. Fuck ethics". Michelangelo Antonioni. "If God were to appear to starving people, he would not dare to appear in any other form than food", Mahatma Gandhi

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

East Side Santa Cruz Post Office Dedication at Seabright and Gault Streets February 3, 1951. Note the Roller Palladium which is still in place. Also note some guy speaking on the flatbed stage behind the band (all dressed in white). Then there's the kneeling Boy Scouts with rope, probably some bondage ceremony, and the white helmeted color guard ready to put down any revolution by fedora wearing citizens....quite a day. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

THIS JUST IN.

WHAT: RALLY AT THE MAIN BEACH IN SANTA CRUZ
WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 5:30 PM
WHERE: ACROSS FROM THE LA BAHIA ON BEACH STREET
BETWEEN THE BOARDWALK AND THE WHARF
WHO: BUILD A BETTER LA BAHIA COALITION
The Build a Better La Bahia Coalition is an alliance of Santa Cruz community members, neighbors, and labor unions dedicated to the appropriate design and construction of a new signature beach hotel that is consistent with core community values: respect for neighborhood compatibility, General Plan requirements, and good jobs that are secure and pay middle-class wages and benefits.

Are you aware that the proposed hotel will be over 70 feet tall? !!!

The public is invited to learn more about the new Hotel project, Thursday afternoon, August 21, at 5:30 p.m. right across from the La Bahia: 215 Beach Street Santa Cruz.

Speakers will include local elected officials. There will also be a demonstration of the impact of the size of the proposed project. Contact: Ned at 760-2429 or Don at 425-8100. Thank you. Our Coalition is for a new but reasonable-sized Hotel.

SANTA CRUZ PLANNING COMMISSION'S LAST PUBLIC HEARING ON LA BAHIA. I asked Don Webber a neighbor of the proposed La Bahia Barry Swenson-Charlie Canfield project to keep readers of BrattonOnline up to date on what's happening on Beach Street. In this report he tells in excellent detail of the August 7th final public meeting. He doesn't mince words. He tells how there was no discussion of possible changes to the Swenson Canfield proposal and no discussion of any of the alternative plans. He repeats that most of us believe a hotel in that location would be fine IF it were built to scale. He tells of Planning Commissioner Judy Warner virtually copying a page from the developer's book and supporting the destruction of the Historic La Bahia Landmark...after we take pictures first!!! Read it here!

I'LL GET OVER IT. Last Thursday an excited checker at the old Mission Street Safeway gleefully told me the New Mission Street Safeway store will BE OPEN in October 2009. Since they haven't turned the first shovel full on the new Safeway yet she said "Oh they'll work around the clock three shifts to get it open". I asked how it will compare with the huge new 41st Safeway and she said it'll be at least 2 or 3,000 square feet bigger. What I'm still trying to get over is just how Santa Cruz, including many otherwise smart thinkers, allowed a chain store to just go ahead and build a brand new box store. Did we need a bigger Safeway?  Did the locally owned businesses like pharmacies, bakeries, and especially coffee houses need more competition? (A new Starbucks will be inside this Safeway). If we preach sustainable economy why do we continually support chains that send the profits outside the County or state? As previously mentioned even Scotts Valley is examining a new Target store closely, and looking at their economic picture and promises, but Santa Cruz and Safeway.....????  I'll probably get over it, I'm trying.

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC CLUB. The monthly meeting will be this Thursday night 7 p.m. at London Nelson Center. Some C.L.U.E. members will be there to tell about the UCSC/ Santa Cruz City "settlement". There'll be endorsements, plans for the big City Council forum (10 hopefuls for 4 seats) on September 10 at Vet's Hall. Too Much activity happening to print it all in this space, Click here

WATSONVILLE LATINO PRIDE AND LGBT EVENT. It's all happening this Sunday at 10:30 am in the Watsonville Civic Plaza. Presented by Watsonville Latino Pride and SOMOS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender LGBT, Watsonville Pride 2008:
Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008
Location and Times

• 10:30am Pre-March Gathering at the Plaza
• 11:00am March Starts at the corner of Union and Peck
• 12:00noon Circle of Healing and Rally at the Watsonville Plaza
• 1pm-5pm Music, Poetry, Food, Dance, Informational Booths
• Admission: Free

Pride marches to Watsonville

August 18, 2008, WATSONVILLE, CA—Watsonville is celebrating its diversity with the first annual LGBT Pride event being held Sunday, August 24 in the Downtown Plaza. The event will kickoff with a march, starting at 10:30am in the plaza, which will wind through city streets and back to the plaza again, where a rally at noon and street party afterwards will continue the celebration.

In addition to the march and rally, there will be music, poetry, a kids corner, dancing, and community booths with information available to the public. This event is the first of a kind for Watsonville, as past attempts at organizing met in failure. For the Latino community it is especially important to promote information in Spanish because most existing organizations lack a bilingual component.

The event is being organized by local residents and members of the Watsonville Pride Subcommittee of SOMOS LGBT to raise awareness about LGBT issues in the community. Many people in the community believe that the lack of communication about LGBT concerns leads to a misunderstanding. This event is intended to prompt much-needed discussion and to bring the conversation out in the open.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT MAP. Gunilla Leavitt, the ever loyal and talented webwoman of BrattonOnline.com, sends in this odd map that compares our various states to countries around the world with similar GDP's take a look ...it's humbling, plus educational. just click right here

SCIENTOLOGY ACTIVISM. I couldn't find much in the papers about Isaac Hayes being a Scientologist. But you go online and wow! The following is from various sites too numerous to credit. "Isaac Hayes joined Scientology around 1995. He contributed endorsement blurbs for many Scientology books. The frontispiece page for Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought (1997 paperback edition) quotes Hayes as saying "If you really want to know about the mind, the spirit and life itself, read Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought. It will put you on the right path!" Hayes also appears in the Scientology film Orientation. In 1998 Hayes and fellow Scientologist entertainers Anne Archer, Chick Corea and Haywood Nelson attended the 30th anniversary of Freedom Magazine, the Church of Scientology's investigative news journal, at the National Press Club in Washington DC, to honor eleven human rights activists. Hayes and Doug E. Fresh, another Scientologist musician, recorded an album in 2001 called The Joy Of Creating -The Golden Era Musicians And Friends Play L. Ron Hubbard. The album incorporates Scientology themes in the lyrics, such as "Let me tell you something. Wax enthusiastic and you'll feel so. A being causes his own feelings. It's the Joy Of Creating. Uh!".    Then there are web sites telling how Isaac had heart attacks and how Scientology uses hot pepper purging tactics to cleanse the soul, and much more weird things like that. MUSICAL SAW FESTIVAL & THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Our most unique musical festival goes unheralded, and I even forgot to mention it...but The Wall Street Journal covered our annual Musical Saw Festival: http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2008/08/15/qsaw

GUNILLA ADDS MORE. Design goddess Gunilla Leavitt emails again to comment on  Ben Franklin's quote in last week's column she says, "Being Swedish and having spent the first 30 years of my life in Sweden, I was somewhat baffled that Benjamin Franklin would refer to Swedes as "swarthy" and liken them in any way to Italians and other Mediterranean people in appearance. I went a-searching on the intarwebs to see if there was more to the story. Someone made a comment, the link for which I can't find at the moment, that likely old Ben was being satirical or at the very least sarcastic, wanting to illustrate a point. Having great respect for Mr. Franklin, I was relieved that there's a chance he wasn't completely ignorant in this specific area, and that his comment has survived the years on face value alone, with the underlying meaning lost to time.

Makes you think about what you say to people, hm? :)   //Gunilla// --
Design Goddess :: gunilla@godmoma.com
831-295-3918 :: www.godmomasforge.com

SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL TREE CUTTING. Many Santa Cruz High school neighbors are opposed to the school's cutting down some trees in their neighborhood. Dean Silvers sent this letter from Mark Gottlieb & Constance Crawford that they wrote to Mayor Coonerty and the City Council...

"Dear Mr. Coonerty,

I own a home and business at 320 Myrtle Street which I purchased 4 years ago. My home is across the street from the Santa Cruz High School Athletic Field.  I recently became aware of the schools intention to remove the Walnut trees, and other vegetation that creates a buffer zone for me and my neighbors. I have registered an appeal with Parks and Recreation, so this issue will be brought up at the next council meeting.  I would like to call to your attention to the fact that the school doesn't contact any of the Myrtle Street residents by mail. What they usually do is either put a notice under our doormat, or do a small posting in the ivy on the chain link fence across the street on school property.  Most residents, unless they walk their dogs over there, never see the notices. The notice about tree removal was done in this manner, as well as a notice of when pesticides are applied to the fields. They always apply pesticides on days when students and faculty are away, but there is no explicit notice to property owners that might be experiencing health problems as a result. We received a notice one day ahead, of a helicopter dropping eggs on the field for Easter.  It really seems to me that the Myrtle Street property owners have been ignored.

With regard to the new field project, I haven't heard anything about operating hours, or plans for parking.  No one seems to have made esthetic plans for the Street or property owners. When we look out of our front windows now, what we see is an ivy covered fence and the Walnut trees that many birds roost in. When the ivy is periodically cut back too much, we get a view of the athletic field, bleachers, the scoreboard, and the schools toilet facilities.   If the school has its way, that is what we will see all the time.  In addition, there is no plan to replace the old bleachers, which have been up for more then 50 years. Isn't this a liability that we can't afford?

We would like some reassurance, along with my neighbors, that Sunday mornings will be quiet, and that there will not be night games every evening, and when there are night games that they finish by 10:00PM.

It would be appreciated by me and my neighbors if you would please bring these matters to the attention of your colleagues. Any input that you can suggest that would help us mitigate these matters would be greatly appreciated". Mark Gottlieb & Constance Crawford Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Mark and Constance have some valid points let's see what the City Council does with them, especially since its election time. Stay tuned.

PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary continues his nine part series on how communities need to organize to preserve their environment and the quality of life. He tells how it's communities that establish land uses. He says we need to learn the laws and especially how CEQA works. More than that he relates how incorporation and becoming a city gives control to the community. Next month Gary will be teaching a class in Environmental Law at De Anza College in Cupertino and he tells of the huge number of laws pertaining to land use there are. The main point of all his words is in being involved in any changes to land use in your community....wise words indeed.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau educates us about The Baltimore Orioles being flown to Havana in 1998 and the ongoing (think Olympics) sport of making big money from sports. Read it here

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Professor Eagan teaches us what the problem is when we deal with Putin & Russia...scroll you know where.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina reviews "Tropic Thunder," reveals a few sudden restaurant changes and talks Beauregard wines. All at www.christinawaters.com

MIRRORS. Kiefer Sutherland stars in this very good horror movie. You know how some mornings you go to brush your teeth and you look in the mirror and you're holding a butcher knife instead of your toothbrush and you've already sliced off part of your neck and there's blood all over everywhere?? Well it's like that. It's the souls of those damned schizophrenics (movies' term, not mine) who live behind our mirrors that put us up to bloody tricks like that. So just tell your mirrors you're just going for cigarettes and sneak off and see this movie instead...it's excellently made, most of the acting is just fine...and here's looking at you kid!

AMERICAN TEEN. It's a woman director's documentary about four American teen agers in Indiana about graduating from high school. It shows them as they are, complex, confused, intelligent, sensitive, needy, and creative and it is as exciting as any drama ever produced. Give it 5 or 10 stars, or however many you have, but do see it.

STAR WARS: CLONE WARS. George Lucas really sold out on this one. It's just a cartoon not deserving the words "animated feature". A silly fake story with way too many children's jokes to please any adult. Nothing to tax the brain, no art to stun the eyes, it's barely blah. Lucas' Star Wars TV series is starting soon and he's made this as basically a promotion stunt for the series. Don't go, or at least push the kids into it and watch whatever's showing next door.

HENRY POOLE IS HERE. If you had to guess you'd say this movie was produced and directed by Hallmark Cards or Oral Roberts Church of the Misinformed. It's a movie about HOPE, even the Latina next door is named Esperanza, and it's that obvious. A vision of Jesus on the immaculate stucco starts and ends it all. Don't go even if you are still a Christian, your church will be showing it as soon as the DVDs are out.

ELEGY. They'll stop making middle-aged-professor-in-love-with-student-movies about the same time as they stop making westerns, horror films and action thrillers. Why so few older women loving younger guys movies besides Harold and Maude and The Graduate?? In Elegy Ben Kingsley falls for Penelope Cruz...and so will you! She's never been more beautiful and she shows more acting talent than in any of her other films. This movie works and is believable, and even the older women in our preview audience loved it...don't miss it.

TRANSSIBERIAN. Another Ben Kingsley movie, this time he's a Russian heavy after some drugs and money on the Transsiberian Railroad. Murder, tourists, and it's impossible not to compare it to some Hitchcock movies. The critics seem to love it, I thought it was far too obvious, and contrived. Woody Harrelson tries to act in this but fails awkwardly especially when paired with Emily Mortimer.

CHINA SPEAKS ENGRISH. Kate Minott sent this in, and after viewing all these signs doesn't it make you wonder what those characters are on those lucky bamboo shoots and the red new years greetings that you have on the wall really say? Click Here (opens in new window)

SPAM NAMES. Erasmus Ervan, Marta Hickey, Agamemnon Heesung, Josefina Blount, Chiesa Cattolica, Lawton Mou, Elmer Gupi, Madge Yazzie, Isidore Wooiyi, Audonis Yeng, Idris Baba,Svenja Wurth, Jill Butts, and fresh in from last Monday mornings' trash.. Bonita Crump.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Caleb Baskin and Jeremy Kongslie from Santa Cruz Next will be my first guests on this Thursday's University Grapevine KZSC 88.1 fm 4-5 pm. The second half hour Joe Michalk and Sally Morgan will join me to discuss and describe the new plan to restore and preserve the historic lime kiln buildings on the UCSC campus.

QUOTES. "Money costs too much", Lew Archer. "How can you be in two places at once when you're really no place at all? Firesign Theatre. "Life is  a Zoo in a jungle", Peter De Vries. "I'd like to see somebody run up to the Jolly Green Giant and say, "Ho Ho Ho yourself, you big queer!", Johnny Carson.

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

PRE COAST HOTEL SANTA CRUZ BEACH 1955. This was before everything hit the beach. No lighthouse, no dogs, not much surf that day either. The old/original Sisters Hospital was there so were the Kline House and The Darling House. The Ideal Fish Restaurant was on the right hand side of the Municipal Wharf and The Ship Ahoy restaurant was where the Ideal is today. From the beach or water level The Swenson-Canfield proposed La Bahia Hotel with the 70 foot height will equal the height of the Dream Inn. Do we want or deserve another Dream Inn on our beach? Waikiki and Palm Beach wished they had voted NO. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

2120 DELAWARE. Think about the future of that huge development out there at Delaware and Swift, or more accurately at the bottom of the street that leads straight up to UCSC. Explain just how this development WON'T turn into Student City. Why won't UCSC students rush to move in there? It'll have everything students need for their four years stay. Parents who for four decades have been buying houses all over Santa Cruz while the kids attend UCSC will leap at the chance to buy these live-work studios. They'll be buying the Tannery places too (just a short hike up Golf Club Drive to East Campus). Now, UCSC has agreed to house a larger percentage of students than before and I predict UC will look at these 2120 Delaware and also The Tannery housing and figure what great investments and plonk...it becomes UCSC property, and it's off the tax rolls!!! Only Red Trees Craig French's pure and ethical motives would prevent him from selling to UCSC. Yep, that's depressing, but tell me why it won't happen.

THE UCSC/SANTA CRUZ AGREEMENT. The City of Santa Cruz won a victory and so did UCSC in that settlement last week. Unlike the previous settlement over a LRDP, this time the city has specific requirements and enforceable means. And that's good news. You must admit that sounds like a win-win solution...at least so far. The new buildings that'll go up on the North Campus meadows will probably be certified green.

TIM FITZMAURICE FOR CITY COUNCIL. There was an amazing cross section of political viewpoints and philosophies at Tim Fitzmaurice's campaign kickoff for his City Council Campaign last Friday. Emily Reilly gave an excellent talk about why we should support Tim and hoped he'd be taking her place on the City Council. Ed Porter said that too and spoke about how highly principled Tim is. Past City Council people like Celia Scott, Jane Weed, Mardi Wormhoudt, Bert Muhly, Christopher Krohn and for some reason even Don Lane was there too. Pat Arnold, Mitchell Page, Paul Johnson, Louis LaFortune, Fred Geiger, Dick Doubrava, Martha Schwartz, Ron Pomerantz, Wolfgang Rosenberg, Jennifer Brager, Mathilde Rand, Don Webber, Norma Del Gaudio, Betsy Phillips, Zach Schlesinger, Elaine Herman, Denise Holbert, Paul Elerick, Bill Malone, Andy Schiffrin, Jimmy Kelly and fellow council-runner David Terrazas all seemed to be having a good time talking issues and stuff about Olympics and Obama.

CITY POLITICS, PART 2. Pat Arnold was passing out notices saying that Tony Madrigal will be having a coffee party at Scott Kennedy's house. The flyer just reminded everybody how close Madrigal is tied to Kennedy's way of controlling the city and encouraging growth at the community's expense. Some conversations were heard wondering why Kennedy wasn't running again or why his son or daughter wasn't running. Probably because Scott's stealthy operations haven't been forgotten yet and how he was beaten when he ran the last time.

CAMPAIGN FOR SENSIBLE TRANSPORTATION. Peter Scott reminded me at Tim's party about the excellent website the CampFoSenTrans has. Go to http://sensibletransportation.org immediately...better yet read all of BrattonOnline then go to that website. There's another link from that website that we all need to memorize its http://sensibletransportation.org/vibrantdowntown The theme is For a Vibrant Downtown. The first item you'll se there is the relatively new struggle (July) to stop the 5 FIVE 5 story parking garage at Cedar and Cathcart. There are numerous ideas on how to spend the 21 million dollars it will cost to build and there will be a total debt of 42 million dollars. The basic problem is that we've got a car and traffic problem now and this five story garage only brings more cars downtown. Other cities have solved this problem, we can too. Read these websites then be sure to ask those council candidates who are running around where they stand on the new parking garage.

GHOST SUBDIVISIONS. Ever wonder about all the housing around town, and how empty the new apartments and office buildings are?? Read this article from The Wall Street Journal

A. Webb sent it to SCRP and I'm passing it on.

COPS ON LOUD HARLEY'S. I've written dozens of time about how our local cops LOVE loud motorcycles. Many people haven't believed me, so here's an article from the San Francisco Chronicle think about Oakland Police and their bikes."e.w."(??) sent it to us. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/06/09/BAJB114OUT.DTL

PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary's gone to Montana on vacation. While he's gone he's written a nine part series on Land Use Issues. He goes into the 3 "E's" of land use, economy, environment, and equity. He relates what we need to know, the importance of the community being involved, what the legal power of governments are in controlling land use...it's a brilliant series read the first parts here. Then next week we get the next four installments. I'm trying to get him to print it or reprint it so it can be dispersed to everybody.

DRATTED HISTORIC PHOTO MISTAKE. I really enjoy hearing from readers

About the mistakes I make in the historic photo captions. It makes history alive and interesting and more informative...and besides most historic photo collectors know way more about our history than I do. Here's a note from Peggy Overbeck..."Some time ago, you stated the building the East side post office occupies was a Safeway. That was a Lucky Store when it was built. It was in competition with Safeway. Safeway moved from the building pictured in your July 28 blog to the current Safeway on Morrissey Blvd. Peggy Overbeck"...thanks Peggy.

LANDAUS PROGRES. Saul Landau and Nelson Valdes write about Cuban Reforms. They make a great case for the ongoing building of a sensible socialism on one island

Read it here http://progreso-weekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=572&Itemid=1

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Tim's humor smacks of deep satire...scroll down.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina gets worked up about the homogenization of culinary traditions, suggests a choice wine dinner for you, extols some award-winning wines and previews the August 24th Kitchen Tour, all at http://christinawaters.com.

STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY. I'm not sure about lab animals but the rest of the animal kingdom is beginning to fight back. See this article from the Telegraph, a British newspaper.

Do not scroll down to see the photo of the crocodile with the human arm in its mouth, just don't. Especially don't look at the photo of the lions eating some guy in a zoo. Then there's the one of a bear mauling some human, who probably wasn't even responsible for any lab testing of anything.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Good friend and veteran reviewer ( Watsonville Register Pajaronian, Santa Cruz Metro ) Joyce Mann saw the Cabrillo Stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar at Cabrillo last week. She'd never seen a production of it before and kindly sent BrattonOnline her review.

"As a vehicle, the show comes over as dated. What was new and startling in the early 70s seems a bit jaded now. I generally don't feel that Lloyd Webber's work has the same staying power as, say, Bernstein. Also the structure of the shows seems fragmented and too episodic. I think Evita has more cohesion. The sound system in the theatre has been one of my gripes in all the reviews I've written. The first issue is whether mikes are necessary in such a small space. The second issue is the quality of the sound system. The third issue is the skill of the sound technicians. Anyway, the sound last night was terrible. The orchestra, which was backstage, still overpowered the singers in most cases. I couldn't make out a word that Judas was singing. Which leads into another issue with sound and that is the diction of the singers. One would expect trained singers to be able to enunciate clearly. What we got last night in some cases was the sound system amplifying mush. I often wonder what goes on in the heads of the musical director and director, and if they ever sit in the audience to listen to the words. I can only hope that if the group plans to go on using mikes that they get a better sound system, sound designer, and sound techs. Having said all that, there were some very good features. The choreography and dancers were excellent and the big production numbers very good. As I said at the beginning, though, the subject matter seemed tired".

Some voices were excellent: Jesus Christ (Adam Campbell), Mary Magdalene (Ashley Little), Pontius Pilate (David Cox, minor role), Herod (Andrew Ceglio, minor role), Annas (Benjamin Holck) and Caiaphas (Steven Berlanga). Even the good strong voices managed to get overpowered by the orchestra, which in itself was good, but too loud. The real tour de force, though, was the ensemble work, choreography, and dance. We actually only knew one person in the entire cast and production staff, and that was Ben Holck, so things have really changed with Cabrillo Stage in the last few years.

David Cox, by the way, directed. The music director was Jon Nordgren, and Cassie Nordgren was the choreographer". Joyce Mann never misses anything, thank her very much the next time you see her.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. Woody Allen, who has been making movies for 43 years, made his newest movie one of his very best. It should be titled Vicky and Cristina in Barcelona. Woody uses Javier Bardem to make love to Scarlett Johannsson, Penelope Cruz, and Rebecca Hall, all in one movie. It's another witty, sharp, scathing comment on love, commitment, lust, marriage, one night stands and it's all shot in Spain's most beautiful locations. Go see only if you've ever been in love, or if you think you've ever been in love, or you wish you had been in love at least once.

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2. This is a non singing version of Mamma Mia or a younger version of Sex and The City. It got better reviews than the new Mummy movie so I saw this one instead. It's foolish, poorly acted, says nothing, goes nowhere and isn't worth seeing, but it's something to do if you're downtown or near some movie house.

MY WINNIPEG. Guy Madden has made some very unusual movies. His Saddest Music in the World was a visual and mental trip that impressed the movie world. In My Winnipeg he goes even farther out and pays a backhanded tribute to the eccentric side of that Canadian city he calls home. It's all in black and white. Madden, by the way was at The Silent Film Festival for three days last month, and introduced some classic silents. My Winnipeg has some never to be forgotten near classic scenes and shots. The entire movie is completely original and brilliant. It's a fake documentary and fake biography and you'll never know which part is faked. If you are really into movies don't miss it, you won't forget it.

BOTTLE SHOCK. This could have and should have been either an intense thriller or a great comedy...it's neither. It's the story of how little vintner Stags Leap's wine from Napa Valley beat the French wines in a blind tasting held in France. It was a world shaking event....if you care about wine. The movie lacks excitement, focus, sincerity, and good acting. It's a true story and will sure make you thirsty (critic Ann Parker brought a bottle of a humble red to the screening/tasting at 10am.) Go see it just to appreciate what Stags Leap did to the world of wine buying.

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED. This is a two hour version of the eleven hour version of the novel and it stars Emma Thompson. One critic wrote that this two hour version is longer than the 11 hour version, and I almost agree...something is lacking. It's like going to a museum of pre WWII England. Castles, cars, coats, hats, frocks, morals, religion, and the class system are all too too British. But it's also fun to watch. It doesn't grab you or make you ponder any of your own failings but it is interesting to see how these upper class twits handle theirs.

WHAT PRICE ART?? John Thomson ex conga drummer with Warmth and an artist calling himself "the fastest painter in the west" has had a booth at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music's Art festival for years. This year things didn't work out too well. Not only did he pay his $200+ fee to have a booth, but he didn't sell a single painting. Not only did he not sell a single painting, he had his wallet stolen from the back of the booth. Yes, he still wears red shorts.

$1000 FOR ART. THE MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR LOCAL HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECT AWARD. Filmmakers, researchers, genealogists, writers, interviewers, and oral history interviewers who plan to start a project on the history of the Monterey Bay Region are invited to apply for a $1,000 grant to be awarded through the James Dolkas Memorial Fund at The Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center (MAH). It's for a worthy project that will advance community awareness about regional history. Past awardees include: Colleen Mclnerney-Meaghen for "The Story of Pogonip" in 2002; Barry Brown for "California Powder Works, 1864-1914" in 2003; George J. Fogelson for "The History of the Jews in Santa Cruz County, 1855-present" in 2004, Dr. Julianne Burton-Carvajal for a guide to Monterey Bay adobes and Robert Edwards and Charr Simpson Smith of Cabrillo College for archeological work at the Redman-Hiraharra House, Watsonville in 2005, Melissa Stevens for "An Oral History of Monterey Bay Fishermen, Part I: A project to document and preserve local fisheries knowledge and the cultural heritage of our fishing communities" in 2006, and most recently Philip Reader for "History of African Americans in Santa Cruz County" and Alverda Orlando for "Davenport History Website" in 2007. Applications and information are available at The Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz. Candidates will be asked to submit a 500 – word narrative outlining their proposal and final work (i.e. written document, film, museum exhibition, etc.). Applications and narratives must be submitted to the Museum no later than September 27, 2008.

Submissions are for new projects, and no requests will be accepted for projects that are already underway or completed. The recipient will be announced in November at the History Forum's annual awards dinner. Call Paul Figueroa, MAH Executive Director (831) 429-1964 x. 18 or Burt Rees, History Forum (831) 438-1775.

SPAM NAMES. Olive Pham, Esme Tee, Boycey Fergus, Edsel Ngoc, Conn Boon, Darm Tuan, Benny Swanson, Franciskus Dorab, Humfried Enda, Aisha Schwark, Igor Kristi, Delmar Sosa, Buford Blanchard, Pansy Blount, and Bart Fergus. Now, Bart Fergus may be related to Boycey Fergus for all I know. It could also be possible that Benny Swanson is a fake spam name that developer Barry Swenson uses to jam up the world's internet system...we'll probably never ever know.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5 pm I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. This Thursday my first guest will be author and chaos theory expert Ralph Abraham. In the second half hour Carmina Eliason and I will talk about the very impressive and important exhibit at the Pajaro Valley Gallery titled, "Remembering The Struggle" which will be there through September 21.

QUOTES. "Let me say, at the great risk of sounding ridiculous, that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love", Che Guevara. "Our political power is our ability to destroy", Huey. P. Newton. "A people without hate cannot win this struggle", Frantz Fanon

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

STICKY WICKET IN APTOS. This is a photo of an accident in front of "The Red Door" coffee shop in October 1953. The Door was located on the road near the ole pitch and putt golf course next to the freeway in Aptos. It later became The Sticky Wicket when the Wicket moved from Cathcart Street in downtown Santa Cruz. Contrary to public opinion and oft repeated statements, The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music did NOT start at The Sticky Wicket Coffee House in Aptos. It started in the auditorium at Cabriho College and was organized by the Cabrillo Music Guild led by Jerry Barnes and Ted Toews of Cabrillo College, Alyce Holland Vestal, and Gene Hambleton. It was only after the first years concert was almost completely booked in 1963 did composer Lou Harrison and musician Bob Hughes reluctantly join in. Lou and Bob had been involved in many small sessions and performances at the Wicket and at first didn't like the idea of bringing in outside musicians to form a festival. Bob Hughes then assisted conductor Gerhard Samuel and Bob Commanday was one of the two Choral Conductors during the very first Festival year. Anna Carol Dudley and Carole Bogard sang, and Peggy and Milton Salkind played piano. Hindemith, Bartok, Stravinsky, Cowell, Pachelbel, Rameau, Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven were all on the program that first year. Back in '63 The Carmel Bach Festival had proven a big success and the Monterey Jazz Festival even loaned Cabrillo their mailing list to get off the ground.. Skipping ten years there was John Orlando's role in showing Dennis Russell Davies how great the Mission at San Juan Bautista would be for a concert. A more complete history is in the works. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

2120 DELAWARE SELL OUT. The Sentinel and, I think probably it was Genevieve Bookwalter who did a fine job of interviewing folks about the 2120 Delaware debacle that the City Council so soundly endorsed... go to http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews click on "Delaware debate" and watch the video clip. We should force this City Council and Craig French to appear at the 2120 site in 5 years and explain all the changes from the promises French and the council made in public about what would or could be developed there. You've noticed of course that the brand new condos at 2030 North Pacific aren't selling... see Jondi Gumz' piece in the Sentinel so, who's going to buy the condos out on Delaware? Not locals! These will be over the hill folks who want a crash pad and naturally students who want to live close to campus.

APTOS NEW MALL... Paul Elerick says a bit about what's been going on in Aptos Village. He doesn't say that developer Barry Swenson and Thatcher and Thompson are hoping to build17 new buildings, plus a plaza, a skateboard park, 60 residential units AND turn the historic Apple Barn now used as an antique center into a grocery store and move it someplace. Read about it in the Aptos Post. http://www.mcpost.com/article.php?id=1249 you think there's not serious concern about Barry Swenson's continual and ongoing desire to destroy our community character and history? Just watch this one environmental battle, It'll be huge.

TIM FITZMAURICE FOR CITY COUNCIL 2008. That's what Tim's flyer says. It also says that "The Campaign is underway". Come to a party and celebrate with friends and neighbors August 8^th 5-7 pm at 107 Green Street. Snacks and Drinks, then it says "video endorsements" he's going to video dozens of supporters endorsing him for his website...this could be your big break!!! It says "Discussing issues" which I guess would mean like 2120 Delaware, UCSC Growth....and there'll be surprise guests. View his website (that Ed Porter is still working on) at www.tim4council.com or email him tim@tim4council.com Write to Tim Fitzmaurice for City Council PO BOX 8041 Santa Cruz, CA 95061-8041. Tim lives halfway down Green Street, across from Holy Cross Church. It's hidden. You will see a flag. Please park on the street. You can drop people off by coming up the drive. But they'll have the party in the driveway. Call 252-3197 for directions or questions.

KUSP NEWS. It appears that September 1^st is the big day when KUSP changes its identity. After the searching of souls the board of directors has decides to lay off more than 20 programmers, and programs. Because the station was losing listeners to KAZU for the last couple of years and because the people who did answer the survey said they wanted more local news and talk most of the dropped programs are music and niche appeal type. KUSP will also reduce their staff to meet the budget. They'll be getting programming from other stations and there's talk about starting up a KUSP 2 digital station. It's all about money and loyalty and who's listening to what.

DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS TO OPEN AUGUST 13 IN GALLERIA. There'll be a big celebration with Congressman Sam Farr on Wednesday August 13 on the second floor of The Galleria at 5:30pm. It's The United Democratic Campaign!!

That's 740 Front St, Ste 250 Santa Cruz (in the Galleria, 2nd floor). There's a great chance to get involved by staffing the office and doing plenty of volunteer jobs and making sure this is the big election we've all been waiting for call 831.476.2442 and leave messages.

LA BAHIA...THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION STANDS UP TO SWENSON CANFIELD PROJECT. Before getting into late news on La Bahia here's what Don Webber advises re convincing the planning commission and the City Council not to go belly up to Swenson and Uncle Charlie Canfield's Seaside Corporation. "Right now it's important for emails (or letters) to be sent to the City Council and the Sentinel in favor of building a hotel within the current height limits, with respect for workers who build and operate it, and the respect for preservation of more of the landmark. I think the message is YES to a successful hotel, without changing the height requirement. In the EIR this is referred to as Alternative 4. Rest assured that the Swenson tribe (and it's a big one) is sending emails in support of La Behemoth every day. The results of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting of July 30 were the following recommendations to the City Council: Yes, on certification of the EIR, with prejudice.

No, on all alternatives with the exception of alternatives 1 (no alternative) or 2; due to lack of preservation of significant portions of the historical landmark of the La Bahia and its courtyards through rehabilitation or reconstruction in kind. No, on the proposed design, which the Commission believes does not meet the minimum standard as a replacement structure. No, on approving a Historic Demolition Permit, which is only issued when an appropriate replacement project has been approved. No, on delisting the signature City landmark and NR2 National Register Landmark from the Historic Building Survey.

No, on changing the policies and guidelines embodied in the General Plan and Local Coastal Plan and zoning amendments, because the Commission believes in these policies and has not been convinced that these changes honor the spirit of the guidelines.

However, if significant portions of the La Bahia building and courtyards were preserved through rehabilitation or reconstruction in kind, then a consideration of greater heights could be appropriate. These are unofficial statements of the recommendations but seem as accurate as I and attendees can interpret them. The meeting lasted five-and-a-half hours; there was a lot of discussion preceding adoption of each recommendation.

The next step in the process occurs at the Planning Commission Meeting next Thursday August 7. Webber closes by saying...We need to let the commission and the council know our concerns so respond in kind. They can be short and sweet. Send emails To the City Council at this address: citycouncil@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us and to the Santa Cruz Sentinel at this address: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/submitletters

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ABOUT GERMANS In words amazingly similar to what we're hearing today regarding Mexican immigrants especially relating to the planning of local Day Laborer Centers David Sweet told me about Ben Franklin's warning that Germans were too stupid to learn English, and therefore represented a political threat to America: Good old Ben said, ""Those who come hither are generally of the most ignorant Stupid Sort of their own Nation...and as few of the English understand the German Language, and so cannot address them either from the Press or Pulpit, 'tis almost impossible to remove any prejudices they once entertain...Not being used to Liberty, they know not how to make a modest use of it...I remember when they modestly declined intermeddling in our Elections, but now they come in droves, and carry all before them, except in one or two Counties...In short unless the stream of their importation could be turned from this to other colonies, as you very judiciously propose, they will soon so out number us, that all the advantages we have will not in My Opinion be able to preserve our language, and even our Government will become precarious."

The other objection that Ben Franklin had to German immigrants was their "swarthy complexion", which was an affront to the "purely white people" who originally settled America: Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and they will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion.

Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also, the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased. And while we are, as I may call it, Scouring our Planet, by clearing America of Woods, and so making this Side of our Globe reflect a brighter Light to the Eyes of Inhabitants in Mars or Venus, why should we in the Sight of Superior Beings, darken its People? why increase the Sons of Africa, by Planting them in America, where we have so fair an Opportunity, by excluding all Blacks and Tawneys, of increasing the lovely White and Red? But perhaps I am partial to the Complexion of my Country, for such Kind of Partiality is natural to Mankind". Someone else wrote," Of course, Franklin's animosity towards Germans may have another explanation: as a young man in Philadelphia Ben Franklin published the first German language newspaper in America - the Philadelphische Zeitung - which failed after only one year". Good old Ben Franklin, I think he held on to that kite string too tight when the lightning struck.

CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROWS AND SHINES. After the opening weekend of three concerts The Cabrillo Festival has never been more successful. Critics being aware of the still growing importance of the festival included Alan Rich writing for Bloomberg.com, S.F. Chronicle's Joshua Kosman, Robert Commanday of SF's Classical Voice, San Jose Mercury's Richard Scheinin, SC Sentinel Phyllis Rosenblum plus a sell out crowd of over a thousand at Saturday night's Evelyn Glennie concert, all had a good time. Christopher Rouse's commissioned piece especially for Maestra Marin Alsop and the Festival orchestra was the favorite and most exciting work of the weekend. Gordon Getty filmmaker, composer, billionaire, Republican, would- be- opera singer, friend and backer of Gavin Newsom, read Shakespeare while Matt Haimovitz played Cello and Mason Bates did electronic stuff on Sunday night. Try to get any remaining tickets for next Saturday's or Sunday's concerts, there's nothing else in Santa Cruz that equals the professionalism and success that this festival has achieved and maintained over these nearly 50 years.

CYPRESS COFFEE MACHINE BACK AT LULU'S OCTAGON. It's not often you hear of a coffee making machine that costs $11,000 but the Cypress Coffee machine at Lulu Carpenters at the Octagon did. It is such a great coffee making machine that Starbucks bought the entire Cypress business just so they'd have control over using these machines. But then the one at Lulu's broke down...after a long, very long delay Cypress fixed it, it's back in use and believe me if it didn't produce such great coffee I wouldn't mention it...just try a fresh cup of Peaberry OR Ethiopian Yirgacheffe next time you go there. Coincidentally after writing all of above, my son in law Martin Kloiber sent me this great article from Wired, read it here. It says that there are only 250 Cypress machines operating now, and that most coffee houses charge way more than Lulu's. Cypress machines do three things; they control the exact amount of ground coffee cherries (beans) going into your cup, they control the water temperature and the time it takes to brew your specific cup and it does it very fast and exactly. That's why Starbucks hopes it can save their business.

WORLD'S OLDEST JOKE. M. Scott MacClelland sent this in from some foreign source...England or Yahoo News as I remember...The world's oldest recorded joke has been traced back to 1900 BC and suggests that toilet humor was as popular with the ancients as it is today. It is a saying of the Sumerians, who lived in what is now southern Iraq and goes: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap." It heads the world's oldest top 10 joke list published by the University of Wolverhampton on Thursday. A 1600 BC gag about a pharaoh, said to be King Snofru, comes second -- "How do you entertain a bored pharaoh? You sail a boatload of young women dressed only in fishing nets down the Nile and urge the pharaoh to go catch a fish." The oldest British joke dates back to the 10th Century and reveals the bawdy face of the Anglo-Saxons -- "What hangs at a man's thigh and wants to poke the hole that it's often poked before? Answer: A key." Try to control yourself before reading any further or farther...whatever.

ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul Elerick apologizes to Santa Cruz Next...read on....

BROCKLEBANK ON LA BAHIA. Jean Brocklebank sent this email to BrattonOnline and to developer Barry Swenson... "I have been studying the La Bahia project and have come to a conclusion: the only way Barry Swenson's La Bahia project can be called "green" with a straight face is to start from scratch and make it so: reuse the existing building and remodel, repair and restore existing interiors and exteriors wherever possible, then rehabilitate the grounds. Respect the General Plan and stay within the 43' height guideline. The size absolutely must be reduced.

A green building does not exist by itself. It is a part of the whole. To ignore the existing neighborhood and plop this oversized project in the middle of a smaller-scale environment is like squeezing a stretched hybrid Hummer into a compact parking space. Sure, the Hummer may be excellent in design and have the latest energy efficiency bells and whistles. It is still a Hummer and it will stick out like a sore thumb, no matter how green its paper work proclaims. Being green also means being a good neighbor. Barry Swenson Builders has done this so often and so well: downtown after the earthquake when restoration was so important, at East Cliff Village where our seasonal Farmer's market is topped only by the amazing landscaping that breathes beauty throughout the neighborhood, and the upcoming project at 17th & Brommer. BSB has an opportunity to impart the same excellence at La Bahia and be embraced by residents, once again, as a part of our whole.

The owners of the West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel told audiences and the City Council when it wanted to demolish the Dream Inn and build a new one that it was absolutely not feasible to remodel the old one. And what did they do this year? They remodeled the old one and recovered the old name. They now have a building that residents respect and they will make money on it... by Jove!

Do you notice that I underlined all words that begin with re? This is deliberate, because the future lies with re-inhabiting the places where we live. That means learning to live again in the future, not in the past. I think, given the creative minds that most certainly exist at BSB, the same can be done with La Bahia. Think progressively! Progressive thinking knows that the future is smaller-scale in a world of Peak Oil.

La Bahia can be a real green project, incorporating the best technology the present has to offer and be a good neighbor...the two are not mutually exclusive. Sincerely,

Jean Brocklebank".

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary celebrates how Land Watch Monterey stopped the Rancho San Juan Development!!! They challenged the EIR !!! He tells about the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting. Then there are his words on the La Bahia destruction and some warnings. He adds news about the desalination plant on Cannery Row and about the Ocean View Plaza...and ends with questions re: The Pogonip property and the developing of housing there.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Read what Saul Landau has to say about The Cuban Revolution after 50 years and about the unique Cuban Socialism

EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. "Ask yourself about Obama" says Mr. Eagan in an esoteric sort of way...scroll downwards and see for yourself.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina showcases an appetizer at Avanti (note the alliteration) and deconstructs the recent Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers wine competition. At www.christinawaters.com

MARK MASSARA/THE SIERRA CLUB ON DESALINATION PLANT PROBLEMS. Click here to see what we will be facing out on Terrace Point when the desalination plant goes in.

MAN ON WIRE. This is an absolutely brilliant and exciting documentary flick about Philippe Petit, the guy who walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974...and even if you don't like heights this movie won't bother you. The history behind the World Trade Center's construction, Petit's feat of also walking the Notre Dame towers, his life long dreaming and accomplishing of impossible dreams makes for a beautiful experience. This is one of a very few movies to rate a complete 100% from Rotten Tomatoes.com both from critics and normal people. Please go see this film, I promise you 90 minutes of fun, real tension as tight as a bank heist flick, and not a single mention of the 9/11 attacks on the Towers.

SWING VOTE. Try, just try to imagine a cast like this one, Arianna Huffington, Willie Nelson, Bill Maher, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Chris Matthews (the bad news guy not our friendly- local –astrology- driven Chris Matthews), James Carville, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez and Kevin Costner. Impossible but true! This is a mean-spirited sad, depressing, mess of a movie that should never have been made. If you feel bad about our political scene now, you'll feel worse after seeing this piece of junk. Don't rent it either, it's not funny, moving, or enlightening in any way. Arianna says she loves it on her blog but she was bought out because she's in it!!

THIS WEEK'S GENUINE FAKE SPAM NAMES. Please notice the Shakespeare influence in this week's crop of scam and sex ad names. Fidel Salinas, Humberto Roman, Rosalinda Fink, Ofelia Jeremy, Burt Byung-Uk, Dunc Liew, Hester Alfaro, Erna Mohr, Hugues Gus, Shandra Digna, Marissa Lovett, Bettie Butcher, Aida Burger, Devon Isto, Edmund Ruknet, Horatio Haney, Rosario Ratliff....My fav?? I think Aida Burger has a certain ring to it.

MEASURE T BALLOTS...IF you haven't signed and mailed your Measure T ballots back, mark it YES and do it now. That 9.1.1. emergency center of ours is too good and too necessary to risk losing the necessary funding. Remember that low income seniors won't have to pay for it.

UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5 pm I host University Grapevine at KZSC 88.1 FM. This week I'll talk with executive director Marcus Cato about what's been happening with Shakespeare Santa Cruz and the low down on the plays and events. In the second half hour Dentist Ballan Tuck will bring us up to date on dental health and about the benefits of adding fluoride to our water supply.

QUOTES. "So if you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag, wash it", Norman Thomas. "If we sit out five more years in the U.S.A. even hell will look good to us", Diane Di Prima. "You can't underestimate the power of fear", Tricia Nixon.

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