Bruce Bratton hosts University Grapevine, linking local and campus issues, every Tuesday 7:30-8:30 p.m. on KZSC 88.1 fm.
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LAST WEEK'S HISTORICAL PHOTO. Scroll down to see last week's historical photo of a parade down Pacific Avenue. I asked Paul Elerick what year that picture was taken he said, "Rough guess, around 1925-1928. I don't see any Ford Model A's and they came out around 1929. What a great picture!" I agree... a great Pacific Avenue photo. However "Clarkie" emailed in to say, "Hi, I don't think it is a parade. My take on it is a developer's way of advertising houses for sale or for construction. The sign looks like the house replica and maybe says "6 houses?" I think the 1st and 2nd vehicles are replicas of the houses and then after that just traffic backed up from the demonstration. Or, maybe the first house on the back of the truck is the "before" and the other one the "after?" Interesting picture though".
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ FLOODS. I got into a discussion with some friends about who built The Galleria, that miserable eyesore in the heart of our downtown. I maintained that it was Barry Swenson and Company. Nowadays Swenson & Co. rarely talk about building the galleria it because it has never been successful and is even a more cheaply built structure than Louis Rittenhouse's mausoleum at Pacific and Church. I asked other historical-minded friends for help on the Galleria data. They suggested I read the plaque by the front doors, it states: "Dedication of the San Lorenzo Park Plaza Development 1962-1985. Cooper Street Plaza Project Developers C. W. Swenson, Inc. Santa Cruz Redevelopment Agency: Mardi Wormhoudt, Chairman; John Laird, Arnold Levine, Spiro Mellis, Michael E. Rotkin, Katy Sears Williams, Jane Weed. Richard C. Wilson, Executive Director. Joe H. Hall, Assistant Executive Director. Keith Shaffer, Project Originator."
More than that, and according to an article in the Good Times (August 27, 1987), "since completion of the Cooper Street Plaza project in 1985, owners Cliff and Barry Swenson had had trouble keeping the retail spaces filled. In 1986 over 35 percent of the retail spaces were vacant. Changing the name to the Galleria was part of the effort to attract and retain tenants. Quoting Nancy McKendrik, agent for Blickman-Turkus, The Galleria was chosen because it gives a sense of "a festival and fun". Coast Commercial Bank and Hobee's Restaurant moved into the Galleria (1986-2002)
SANTA CRUZ FLOOD HISTORY. Now that tenants are moving into the Tannery Project it might be a good idea to have all those artistic types design arty rowboats. In looking up that material on The Galleria I came across the Santa Cruz Public Library's data on our flood history. So take a look while you're checking this year's rain gauge. I'll warn you it's scary and as Sandy Lydon states numerous times in each of his local history classes we seem to try hard to never remember our history of disasters.
CEMENTING RELATIONS IN DAVENPORT. Referring to a discussion a few columns ago on the Cemex plant in Davenport, Fred Yukic writes,"I wholeheartedly agree with your idea to close the cement plant in Davenport. Recent events have shown that the cement plant pollutes the air, runoff water, and soil in Davenport. In addition, there are landfill(s) at the property that are an eyesore. The increased truck traffic going to and coming from the plant contributes to the danger of driving Highway 1. The mining creates an ugly scar in the earth, causes noise pollution, and is damaging Lidell Spring which is part of the water supply for the City of Santa Cruz. I do not think the cost of all this environmental damage is balanced by the benefits of the jobs and tax dollars". Thanks Fred.
Elsie Beltram's Memorial
Elsie's son Dennis and her daughter Nan hosted the most touching memorial to their mother last Sunday. As friends and supporters of Elsie over the years, it was just a wonderful recognition of this woman's life. Dennis was eloquent in narrating the life of his mother from Brooklyn, where she was born, to Santa Cruz, where her life ended almost ninety years later. Long time family friend Gary Patton emceed the afternoon. Mary West composed some lyrics that would have made Elsie smile, and her friends "The Daring Do's" who sing at the annual DWC St. Patrick's Day events very happy. We got to sing a medley of songs that Elsie put words to over the years, but none more poignant that her "Condoleeza", sung to the tune of the "Mona Lisa", a Nat King Cole classic. That same classic was performed as "Ode to Elsie", with lyrics by pianist Richard Stauff who sang them. Here they are:
"ODE TO ELSIE"
(Sung to: "Mona Lisa")
Our good neighbor, Elsie Beltram,
We acclaim you!
Such a Lady, Mother and a Friend so true!
Democratic? A fanatic!
Patriotic!
We're so grateful to have been involved with you!
Yours was lifelong dedication, Elsie Beltram!
Just like you, with mind and heart, we heard the call!
And your songs will inspire us forever!
You still live here,
And you give here!
We will ne-ver forget you, Elsie Beltram!
The wise and heartfelt love you gave to us, to all!
The best quality of Elsie was her ability to bring people who wanted good things to happen together. Sharon and I were the recipients of the Elsie gift. We have friends for life that we never would have known without the Elsie Beltram connection. Dear Elsie, thanks so much!
The California Budget
In the aftermath of the state budget train-wreck, (excuse the pun), here's what will probably happen to Santa Cruz County's chances for better public transit. Along with the sacking of transit funds for our bus system, a foot-dragging Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) continues on their dead-end number one priority, widening highway 1.
For those who haven't followed PROPOSITION 116, the "Rail Transportation Bond Act", Mike Dalbey, a Campaign for Sensible Transportation member, put together a fact sheet we should all be aware of. Here it is:
"Prop 116 is an initiative statute passed at the Primary Election in 1990.
CHAPTER 3 of Proposition 116 allocates a total of $1,586 million in 34 separate sections.
Section 99640 allocates $11 million to the Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) for:
(a) Intercity passenger rail projects connecting the City of Santa Cruz with the Watsonville Junction.
(b) Other rail projects within Santa Cruz County which facilitate recreational, commuter, intercity and inter-county travel."
Remember, Proposition 116 passed with a majority of "Yes" votes state-wide, county-wide AND in each of the 5 Supervisorial districts within Santa Cruz County.
The SCCRTC is virtually the only jurisdiction in the State that has not used its Prop 116 allocation. Most other jurisdictions used their allocations years ago. The dramatic improvements in rail service in the Bay Area provided by Caltrain and the Amtrak Capitol Corridor are direct results of Prop 116 funded improvements.
Monterey County used their Prop 116 money to purchase the UP rail corridor from Castroville to Pacific Grove. The wildly successful public trail from downtown Monterey to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is located on this corridor and they have been working actively implement passenger service that would link Monterey to Caltrain, via Watsonville."
After 18 years, the SCCRTC has placed our $11 million at risk pursuant to the Following provision in Prop 116: "If any of the funds are not expended or encumbered prior to July 1, 2010, the Legislature may, in the same manner (i.e. by a statute passed in each house by a two-thirds vote), reallocate the funds for any other passenger rail project in the state."
Let your county supervisor know that we want that rail line purchased with Prop 116 funds, no matter how many anti-rail letter-writers to the Sentinel get their B.S. published.
PVUSD TRUSTEES MADE TO TAKE BROWN ACT TRAINING.
Last week, all seven members of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District's Board of Trustees attended a two day (6 hour) training on the Brown Act and Public Records Act as part of a settlement agreement of two lawsuit filed against the district in 2008 for alleged Brown Act violations. The goal of the training was to have all the school board trustees to learn open California's two important open government laws to prevent possible future violations. Also, attending the training were new Superintendent Dorma Baker and several staff members. Pajaro Valley education advocates claim that the training was long overdue and believe that it will help ensure compliance in future years. In 2007, the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury released a report criticizing the PVUSD' s actions with respect to compliance with the Brown Act. Sounds like an annual training or refresher might also be a good idea for the PVUSD.
ZOOT SUIT COMES TO THE MELLO CENTER.
Renowned Chicano playwright and film producer Luis Valdez will be coming to the speak at the annual On the Same Page community read-along event on Thursday, March 5th at the Mello Center (doors open at 5:30pm). Valdez is best known for his film, La Bamba, about the late singer Ritchie Valens who died in 1959 in a tragic plane crash along with the Big Bopper and Buddy Holly (the Valens family still lives in Watsonville). Valdez also continues to direct the renowned community theater, El Teatro Campesino, located in San Juan Bautista. But Valdez has been an activist for decades and initiated a Chicano arts renaissance during the 1960s out of the farmworker rights movement led by labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Valdez used theater and the arts to inform and inspire farmworkers to fight for their rights in fields of California's Central Valley and during the Grape Boycott. In 1978, Valdez premiered one of his most famous plays, Zoot Suit, which told the story of Chicano youth, known as pachucos, in Los Angeles who were attacked and blamed for violence in what came be to known as the Zoot Suit Riots. In fact, the Chicano youth were the victims of brutal attacks by Navy soldiers stationed nearby. The story transitions to telling the true tale of a group of Chicano youth who were falsely accused of a murder and were given an unfair trial. The play became a big hit and would later premiere on Broadway in 1979 at the Winter Garden Theater, and made into a film in 1982. Valdez is a outstanding speaker and his talks are very rare around these parts. Besides speaking at the main event at the Mello Center on March 5, Valdez will be speaking at various Pajaro Valley schools. Students from Pajaro Valley High and Watsonville High will also be acting in their own version of Zoot Suit that will premiere at the Mello Center on March 26 for the first time ever. Don't miss out on these events.
WATSONVILLE MAY LOOK TO BAN STYROFOAM.
Members of the Pajaro Valley Coalition for Environmental Justice, who fought against the county's plan to place a trash incinerator at Buena Vista, are now focusing on other strategies to reduce waste in the county and in Watsonville. They are now looking to propose a ban on styrofoam in Watsonville, which is not recyclable or biodegradable. Other area cities, including Santa Cruz and Monterey, have already taken the step to help keep styrofoam out of area landfills. Watsonville zero waste advocates say it is time for Watsonville to also do its part, especially since alternatives to styrofoam are now cost feasible. The Watsonville City Council may be taking up the issue in March.
Remember props I and J? It is proposition J that is relevant to this Salvo. J was intended to amend the City Charter to require a public vote before water and sewer service could be provided to UCSC. It passed in Nov. 2006 with an overwhelming 79.98 of the vote. The probability was that if the people later were asked to vote, they would quite probably refuse to extend services to the north campus. The University attacked the measure. In April, 2007, the Court ruled that a time requirement had been violated and therefore the measure was declared void on technical grounds only. The City, or rather several council members, promised to put it back on the ballot, this time without any technical errors.
Had the City put the measure back on the ballot promptly the people would have had the right to vote on expansion of water and sewer service. However, the Council waited until October, 28 2009 to fulfill its promise--one and a half years later.
In the interim, the City/CLUE/UCSC settlement agreement was finalized. That agreement recited that the intent of J had been met. By strange coincidence, the LAFCO applications which asked for water and sewer service to the University were also filed on exactly the same date of October, 28, 2009. The new measure J, now an ordinance, became effective one month later. It did provide for a vote by the people prior to any extension of services.
In November, 2008 the City Attorney issued a letter saying that the ordinance could not be retroactive. The Attorney also wrote that the new J could not affect the extension applications, because that would violate the settlement agreement which had been entered into previously. So why did the City pass J again in October, 2009? The intent was clearly to require a vote before services were extended. Yet at the time the ordinance was put on the agenda, the City must have known that it was irrelevant to University expansion due to both timing and substance. Whether the Council members who voted unanimously for the ordinance knew that, is a mystery that perhaps will soon be revealed.
All of this may be irrelevant. It may be that some of the voters in the City want the University to expand and want us to provide UCSC with water and sewer service. The settlement agreement does say that J is now irrelevant, and the Council presumably was acting as the steward of the public interest when the agreement was negotiated. CLUE was a party to the settlement. But the Council did promise we could vote on it. 79% of the voters wanted to express their opinions on whether or not to provide water and sewer service. Now, they can't have it, at least they can't if the City Attorney is right. Is this the right way to treat the electorate?
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary Patton talks about the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting and asks questions about Land Use and Global warming. The Supes will be hearing from the newly formed Commission on The Environment. He asks too about the Santa Cruz City Council and water use and most importantly about UCSC constructing 3,000,000 square feet of new buildings and how our City Council is giving them all the water they need to expand without letting us vote on it. He tells us there is lots of great information on the California Budget Project Website – http://www.cbp.org/ that we should be aware of. Then he tells of a class he's giving about lobbying in Sacramento.
EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Tim calls it Aesop's Epilogues , and times are tough all over.... scroll down, if you know what's good for you.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau concludes his weekly article in Progreso by saying," When he addresses Congress in his State of the Union speech, perhaps Obama will appeal for public support and intellectual guidance to face the most serious crisis in the history of the world: the changing environment". Read all of it here...
SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER PLAYERS. Their concert #4 is titled Danzas Espanolas. And Nancy and John Lingemann will tango. There'll be music by Mompou, Albeniz, Piazola, Villa lobos, Ginastera and others. The concert will be this Saturday, February 28 at 8pm and Sunday March 1 at 3p.m. It will be at the Christ Lutheran Church 10707 Soquel Drive in Aptos. Tickets at the door or go to www.scchamberplayers.org or call 425-3149 for info.
NEW MUSIC WORKS. This long time concert's title is a real tradition, it's Night of The Living Composers. Guest artists will be Colleen Donovan, Roscoe Mitchell, and William Winant. Plus the New Music Works ensemble conducted by Philip Collins. It'll happen Saturday March 7, at 7:30 in the Kuumbwa Jazz center
SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL. They call their concert # 2. "The Natural Mandolin" for good reason. Across 3 centuries, the mandolin 'naturally' traveled throughout Europe and North America with immigrants, and was adopted by folk musicians nearly everywhere. Evoking the delights of al fresco concerts, the mandolin also caught the attention of Vivaldi, Beethoven and other composers. The concert will be Saturday, March 14, 2008 at 7:30 PM ~ UCSC Music Center Recital Hall.
The concert features Caterina Lichtenberg on mandolin with Linda Burman-Hall (harpsichord & fortepiano), and Mesut Özgen (19th-century & modern guitars). For more information: www.scbaroque.org tickets: - call 831-459-2159 or 457-9693.
THE SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. Their concert is titled, "A French Affaire". It'll be an evening of music, art, and theater featuring guest lecturers, musicians and actors, presenting French Life and Culture between 1850-1950. They will explore the artistic correlation and significance of this period, guided by special guests/lecturers including: Susan Hillhouse of the Museum of Art and History, Nabil Ghachem Mosaic Theater Group, and Pianist Alberto Ráfols of the Santa Cruz Cultural Council. Music by Ravel - Quartet in F Major and Debussy - Violin Sonata. It happens Saturday March 14, 2009 @ 8pm at the First Congregational Church, 900 High Street Santa Cruz. Tickets are available at Streetlight Records or by Phone: 1.800.838.3006
AFTER HAMLET, REVIEW. I ran this last week...Sommer Ulrickson UCSC Alumna choreographer and director has produced some very exciting theatre dance pieces at UCSC in the last three years. Her Helen of Egypt, Foreign Bodies, and Jerusalem Syndrome were nothing short of wonderful. This week The UCSC Theatre Arts Department is presenting Sommer's world premiere of After Hamlet. After Hamlet has dancers, actors, a chorus of ghosts and will be performed two weekends. Amos Elkana born in Boston, and raised in Jerusalem has written an original score for A. Hamlet. Go here to listen to Amos' compositions, and to get details on the hamlet performances. He's got new compositions being played in Carnegie Hall and Romania next month. I attended opening night and want to tell you that Sommer is a near genius at staging, movement, and making you feel Hamlet as you've never experienced it before. I wish there was more of Amos Elkana's music in the piece it but what there is works perfectly, go see it...it's your last chance. The only performances left are Thurs-Sun 2/26, 27, 28 and March 1, at 3p.m. It's all newly installed hard wooden bench seating (which is an improvement) in the UCSC Experimental Theatre up hill from the Shakespeare Box Office. Call the UCSC ticket office at 459-2159.
NICOLAS NICKELBY. Part One of Charles Dickens' "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" plays March 5-8, 2009 (Thu-Sat performances at 7:00 PM; Sunday at 3:00 PM) on UCSC's Mainstage where Shakespeare Santa Cruz plays. They're doing David Edgar's 1980 revisioning of the novel they claim brings colorful 19th century characters to the stage in 4-hour theatrical extravaganza! "Nickleby " features a huge student cast with each actor playing numerous roles. It's directed by UCSC Theatre Arts professor Kathy Foley. It's being presented by the UCSC Theater Arts Department with support from Porter College (UCSC). FIGHT HUNGER in the 21st century by attending *OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL: all tickets $2 Donate a non-perishable food item or a cash contribution of at least $1, and pay only the per-ticket service fee ($2).All donations will be given to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Counties. tickets: 831-459-2159 www.santacruztickets.com
FAGGOT ARABESQUE. This is a new performance piece created and directed by UCSC professor of theater arts Danny Scheie. Danny was on my radio program University Grapevine last week and among other things, said between laughs that this would definitely be called a pro-faggot production. It'll be outrageous fun which you can guess, if you know Danny. He stated," "The piece includes lots of dance, music, and video and staged treats vaguely based on representations of Arabia in super-western art like Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Kismet, Disney, TV, and the influence of American film — specifically those with planes and stewardesses — in Saudi Arabia. Eventually these intersect with Mormon fanaticism, al Qaeda hijackers, and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military and their discharge of gay Arab linguists." It too is Presented by the UCSC Theater Arts Department Friday–Sunday, March 6–8 & Thursday–Sunday, March 12–15 performances at 7:00 pm (except closing Sunday 3/15 at 3:00 pm) It'll be at the Second Stage Theater which is just down the hill from the Mainstage Theatre at the UCSC Theater Arts Center. It's free for UCSC undergrads w/ ID or at the UCSC Ticket Office 459-2159.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. I host University Grapevine a radio interview program every Thursday 4-5 pm. on KZSC 88.1 fm. This Thursday my first guest will be Kathy Foley and we'll be talking about her directing of Nicolas Nickleby March 5-8 at UCSC. In the second half hour I'll be talking with author and playwright Phil Slater about his new book," The Chrysalis Effect. The Metamorphosis of Global Culture".
QUOTES. "Only the hand that erases can write the true thing", Meister Eckhart. "Photography is truth. And cinema is truth 24 times a second", Jean-Luc Godard. "It's a bit hard to bullshit the ocean. It's not listening, you know what I mean", David Crosby.
Deep Cover
Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.
It's free! Click here.
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ACADEMY AWARDS NEXT SUNDAY. I don't believe there are more than three humans on earth who still believe that Oscars go to actors and movies based on talent.
Last year the audience who watched on TV was the lowest it's ever been, and yet there's nothing like the bling, glitz, and glamour that Hollywood can crank out every year. Movies are the most popular art form the world has ever known, movies are the one topic that everyone at every level can communicate on. The world is intrigued, envious, and unbelieving about movie stars lives. Movies will always reach and awaken our hidden dreams and nightmares. This Sunday night will be no different... stars will fall, millions will be made, and in spite of the condition the world is in, in spite of the poverty and suffering the box-office statistics will rise and so will our hopes for our favorite stars futures. Open that envelope and hurry.
"MEET THE CRITICS: THE ACADEMY AWARDS SPECIAL!"This will be at least our fifth annual FREE film discussion with Morton Marcus (Cinema Scene SCCTV) & guest movie reviewers Lisa Jensen (Good Times), Wallace Baine (Santa Cruz Sentinel) & yours truly. The four of us get great fun from discussing our differing opinions on movies. The truth is we probably agree just about as much as we disagree on what and who makes good films. Join us and an ever growing audience to tell us your opinions on who you think will get Oscars and who you think should get Oscars.
(This Saturday February 21st Only at 11 Am. at the NICKELODEON THEATRE, 210 Lincoln Street)
HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY A&L. Ren Curry sent an email reacting to what I said last week about how UCSC is being so un-neighborly in killing off their Arts & Lectures program, and I compared UCSC's to U.C. Davis A & L. Ren states..." I saw your comments about the UC Davis A&L program. It turns out UC Davis is not alone in providing a great program. Our grandson goes to Humboldt State, and their program is incredible!! Follow the link
Not only do they get great performers (Linda Ronstadt fer crissakes, Taj Mahal Trio, Martin Short), but they also get touring shows like Chicago and STOMP.
How can a small town in the boonies support a program like that and we can't?"--Ren
Some performances/appearances Ren didn't mention, Amy Goodman, Leon Redbone, Smuin Ballet, The Munich Symphony, Alvin Alley, Abib Koite, The Alexander String Quartet and Joshua Redman...all coming to Humboldt State University which is in Arcata, California. Why is it UCSC can't figure a way to manage an equally as viable an A&L program as Davis and Arcata. Finishing touches are also being worked on the story behind the closing down of the University Extension here in Santa Cruz, more to this story than has met our eyes so far.
The end of the Republican Party?
It's time for the Republicans to fish or cut bait. The losing Republicans on the economic stimulus bill favored by the Democrats are complaining about not getting their way. I'm sure I'm not the first person to think about this solution, but why not give them what they want? No stimulus money. If they don't think this is a good idea, fine. Just make sure the people who live in the districts of those representatives and senators who oppose President Obama's plan don't get any of the stimulus money? Of course they'll never do that, but it's time to call this group of sore losers bluff. I can't wait to see the disappearance of this form of Republicans from the scene.
The same problem in Sacramento
As this is being written on Sunday evening, our Sacramento "leaders" are still going at each other over the budget. From what I can tell, it's going to be awhile before the stalemate is resolved. One of the biggest issues on the table is public transit, where our own Democratic leaders are considering caving in to the Republicans and pulling all the funding for public transit. Why? It makes more sense to fund public transit and take money from the highway-building lobby, where it's been shown that more freeways mean more traffic. Our local transit district stands to be a big loser if they lose their funding for increasing bus services, and more importantly, maintaining what we have. We have a Highway 17 Express bus that is oversubscribed right now, as are the bus routes that serve UCSC and Cabrillo. We need more transit, not less!
The real Frost/Nixon interviews
We were totally entertained by "Frost/Nixon", the movie. If Frank Langella doesn't win an award for his portrayal of tricky Dick, something is wrong with the system. But just to make sure the movie was a good as we thought, we rented the "Frost/Nixon original Interviews" from Netflix. It was really a review of all the PBS series that aired so many years ago. From the perspective of three decades, Nixon almost came across as a misunderstood but dedicated president. Maybe that's because comparing Watergate to what George Bush did to the country between 2000 and 2008 was so horrific.
PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING. The PDC changed it's monthly meeting place to the Galleria on the first floor and will meet there this Thursday night Feb 19th at 7 p.m. Shawn Bagley the California Democratic Party Regional director will give the main talk. There are many party news items about Monning, Simitian, Boxer, Sam Farr and Anna Eschoo and even a Mardi Gras next week all in the online PDC newsletter read it here
PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary mentions the AMGEN tour thing and our state budget and reveals California Budget Project Website - http://www.cbp.org/. Mr. Patton continues to tell us about the city meetings discussing River and Front streets and lower Pacific Avenue. There's more talk about general plans and how they involve water. The Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission will meet and probably remain centered on widening Highway One, while there are two City of Monterey meetings, one about climate change and the other about affordable housing and city park space.
EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Scroll down to catch Tim's take on two of our favorite icons.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul watched the Super Bowl and rips apart the politics of war and advertising. Check out Progreso Weekly here
Recall that the City agreed to not oppose the application of the University to expand into north campus. The University requires water and sewer service in order to do that. The city agreed to and did issue a "will serve" letter. The City agreed to negotiate with the County for a Sphere of Influence amendment to be submitted with the UCSC application.
The City has negotiated a sphere of influence amendment. The first of the unusual developments is that it not only has not opposed the UC application, it has filed an application itself. One would think there is a difference between non-opposition and filing of an application. This was done without a City Council hearing and it seems doubtful that Council members knew of it. A Public Information Act request has been filed in order to wrinkle out just why this happened. There is quite possibly an innocent explanation; it may be that legally this was the only way the sphere of influence amendment could be processed. But then, if there was, why wasn't this publicized and the reasons explained? Can the City, by filing the application, remain neutral? Perhaps we'll soon find out.
An environmental impact report is required. A second and more surprising development is that the City has agreed to split the costs of the EIR with the University. So far, the City has deposited $3990 with LAFCO and the University has deposited $550, but these are just the beginning. EIR costs can be extremely substantial and estimates of the total cost of this one are unknown. Unless memory errs, the City has a severe budget crisis. One wonders where the authorization by the City to spend and commit that money came from. The City Council did not consent, and, as far as we know, not even advised. The City is not in the habit of helping developers pay costs related to their proposed developments. There could be perfectly acceptable reasons for this and we await them. The cost-splitting first came to relatively unnoticed public attention in November, when a scoping session for the EIR was held. Who in City government authorized this, and why? Public records have been requested about this decision as well. Recall that November was when the Council was deciding to close several public services because City coffers were almost empty. A budget crisis is not normally a time for a gratuitous commitment to pay an unknown amount of money for an EIR to aid a developers' project. Other rather strange developments await next week's "Salvo". Remember measures I and J? (end of Searle's salvo)
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. Saturday March 14th SAVE THE DATE
WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina checks out Mickey Rourke, in "The Wrestler" and lives large with some choice pinot noirs. All at this week's www.christinawaters.com. Don't miss her review of Oswald in this week's Metro Santa Cruz, and on-line at http://metroactive.com.
HOSTETTER'S HOT STUFF. Paul says, "A couple of nice things happened this weekend, the Tamburitza Blowout in SF and a very special Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum show at the Cayuga Vault in SC on Sunday evening - details to be found here. And the Eric Von Schmidt show is opening at the Berkeley Public Library this Tuesday, and if you scroll down the page you'll see many more events, some recently listed. For example, Mike Marshall w/Choro Famoso, his Big Trio, and Danilo Brito, too, not to forget the UCSC Chamber Singers, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music David Garner concert, Mesut Özgen's Classical Guitar Ensemble with special guest Erdem Helvacioglu, Santa Cruz Baroque Festival's evening with Caterina Lichtenberg (mandolin), Linda Burman-Hall (harpsichord & fortepiano), and Mesut Özgen (19th-century & modern guitars), Geoff Muldaur, Molly's Revenge with Moira Smiley, the Bad Livers, Mike Marshall and Darol Anger with Väsen (yes, Väsen), and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain. Keep checking back as things will undoubtedly be added. All the best, ph
AFTER HAMLET. Sommer Ulrickson UCSC Alumna choreographer and director has produced some very exciting theatre dance pieces at UCSC in the last three years. Her Helen of Egypt, Foreign Bodies, and Jerusalem Syndrome were nothing short of wonderful. This week The UCSC Theatre Arts Department is presenting Sommer's world premiere of After Hamlet. After Hamlet has dancers, actors, a chorus of ghosts and will be performed two weekends. Amos Elkana born in Boston, and raised in Jerusalem has written an original score for A. Hamlet. Go here http://www.amoselkana.com to listen to Amos' compositions, and to get details on the hamlet performances. He's got new compositions being played in Carnegie Hall and Romania next month. Performances are 7p.m. Fri-Sun 20, 21, 22 and Thurs-Sun 2/26,27,28 and March 1, at 3p.m.It's bench seating(which may be an improvement) in the UCSC Experimental Theatre near the Shakespeare Box Office. Call the UCSC ticket office at 459-2159.
CELTIC HARP HOUSE CONCERT. Celtic harpist Kim Robertson will be performing a house concert here in Santa Cruz. Kim name has become synonymous with the gentle but powerfully evocative Celtic harp ... an instrument which for a thousand years held within its strings and wood the spiritual heartbeat and poetic breath of the Celtic race. Her ability to reach into its strings and pull from it these hidden treasures has made her one of the most popular harpists performing today. That'll be Friday February 27th at 8:00 at the home of Irene Herrmann 220 Spring Street, Santa Cruz. For Information call 831-425-4939.For more information on the concert http://www.gourd.com/kimconcert.html for more about Kim Robertson:
THE INTERNATIONAL. Worse than the Illuminati, The Trilateral Commission, the 911 Conspiracy, and Lee Harvey Oswald this movie contends the worlds evils are all because of the secret powers behind the International Banks and Clive Owen and Naomi Watts try to stop it all for 1 hour and 58 minutes. It's pretty good shoot ‘em up material, lots of scenery, no Oscar nominations, so rent it when you're really, really bored.
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC. This sad mean-spirited drivel treats consumerism and self pity like a joke. Lacking any originality, it substitutes an addiction to shopping to AA meetings and alcoholism. There is no one to like of even care about in this non thinking failure of a comedy....don't even rent it, ever.
FRIDAY THE 13TH . I have to say that I was surprised that I liked this film. That may make me the only critic that did, but whoever made it, accomplished exactly what they wanted to create...a scary movie. The plot kept going, tension was maintained./ Characters were about as defined as possible given that this genre of film is idiotic to begin with. But as a slasher/horror flick it's as good as any I've seen in years. But still you shouldn't go unless you like this kind of thing.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each week I host this radio interview program on KZSC 88.1 fm on Thursdays 4-5 p.m. My first guest will be Good Times movie critic Lisa Jensen. We'll talk about this years Oscars and who we think should get them and who will undoubtedly get them. In the second half hour I'll be talking with Director Danny Scheie about his new theatre piece titled, "Faggot Arabesque" at UCSC Second Stage March 6-8, 12-15.
QUOTES. "They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad that I'm going to miss mine by just a few days", Garrison Keillor. "I'm going home next week. It's kind of an emergency-my parents are coming here", Rita Rudner. "My grandmother was a very tough woman. She buried three husbands and two of them were just napping, Rita Rudner.
The United Nations Association and many co-sponsoring groups will be celebrating International Women's Day on Saturday March 14 at the London Nelson Center Room 3 from 12 noon to 3 pm. Interesting speakers, International Soup Kitchen, Silent Auction and Treasure Sale. For information contact Julie Esterly <jilani@esterly.com> or call Pat Arnold 425-7618
http://www.kimrobertson.net/index.html
Deep Cover
Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.
It's free! Click here.
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OUR NEW CULTURAL CENTER. Seems like now would be a good time to start planning another new Santa Cruz Cultural Center. That would be in addition to the one we talked about at the Circuit City site. How long will it be before World Market, Office Max, Petsmart etc. etc go bankrupt? Sure it's a shame, loss of jobs, things like that but what a great place to have those much needed community buildings.
BUYING LOCAL. Last week I printed an email from Emily Hein about not shopping at locally owned businesses that were selling or importing mass produced items like clothing. As many of you noted and I sure agree that while it would be environmental and ecological and even sustainable who can afford hand made locally woven and crafted clothes. Corporations are many things but they do make cheap tee shirts.
IN PASSING. Have you noticed lately that the spam ads are running more toward car buying, time shares, buying gold, college degrees, sham wows, and lots of weird women who live near you? Where did all the snuggies, our lottery winnings, and Viagra ads go?
TANNERY QUESTIONS. Dan Dickmeyer emails, "It's been a long time since November 28. Are we as taxpayers entitled to know who is moving into the Tannery and what their arts are? Inquiring minds want to know. I have a friend who is very deserving but who did really get to move in? Who is keeping the lid on? There have been no news stories in the Senile. Dan http://www.tanneryartscenter.org/
The People's Democratic Club will indeed hold their meeting this month on Thursday, February 19th, 7 :00PM at the Democratic Party HQ. Guest speaker will be Shawn Bagley, Democratic Party Region 9 Director (that's us, Monterey and San Benito Counties). This should be an interesting evening with Shawn, he can fill us in on what's happening with the Democrats in our Region and in California.
What does it take to legitimize a vote by an elected city council? Am I the only person who can't figure out why people (including newspaper editors) blame an elected body for causing the demise of a project, just because their members don't vote in lock step and make it unanimous? The project that comes to mind first is the Coast Hotel, which was approved by the majority of the Santa Cruz City Council, but after that was killed by the developer who could read the tea leaves of public sentiment against their project. Will that La Bahia proposal be held to the same all-or-nothing scrutiny by the developer?
County Planning Gibberish Here's an interesting item on the County Planning Commission's agenda. I've been wondering what the sign in small print at the entrance to Alimur Park in Soquel was about. Now we know its' a "Proposal to convert the existing Alimur Mobile Home Park from a rental occupied park to an airspace condominium subdivision ownership park with 147 spaces." I know a bit about this wonderful mobile home park. My mom lived there for that last 24 years of her life. But how many people know what an "airspace condominium subdivision ownership park" is? It would have been nice to include the definition of such an ambiguous term in the published Planning Commission Agenda.
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks about Monterey County and its long overdue update of their General Plan. He asks about the "will serve" letter from the Santa Cruz water department and UCSC's newer and larger water needs. There's more news ahead about desalination. Monterey County Supervisor Jane Parker holds community meetings (hint...why don't our supervisors do that??) Then there's some ideas about a Monterey County Law Firm that does lots of work for developers: check it out
LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commission, is a little known but powerful State agency. Whether it is more powerful than the University is a matter that may yet be determined---the University is not accustomed to being subservient to local agencies. LAFCO decides whether a city may expand into unincorporated area or provide city services in those areas. LAFCO is now being asked to determine whether the City may extend water and sewer services to the North Campus. The University doesn't believe LAFCO has any right to tell the University what it can do. But as part of the City/Clue/UCSC settlement, the University agreed to submit an application. This is to be done, as the lawyers' say, "without prejudice" to the right of the University to claim that LAFCO has no power to control University expansion. In the event LAFCO turns down the applications, the University has the right to argue in Court that LAFCO has no power over the University. So, if LAFCO turns down the application, the economic well being of a number of lawyers may be substantially improved.
As part of the settlement, the City agreed to not oppose the application. But CLUE, the citizens' group that was part of the negotiation process with the City and University, insisted on retaining the right to have LAFCO hear the applications and to actively oppose the University request. CLUE hasn't been given much credit for it's' participation in the negotiation process. But Clue's insistence on being able to oppose the LAFCO applications keeps the door open for dissenting views.
The applications require an Environmental Impact Report. That report is now in process. The draft report and the hearing that finally will occur, give residents an opportunity to express their concerns about the impacts of the proposed expansion. What with an acute water shortage and with residents' concerns about University expansion, the LAFCO process is very significant. I hope the EIR will analyze the benefits to the City and the costs to the City. I hope LAFCO will consider both.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau gives his take on "The Wrestler". He talks about the loneliness, the low income middle America, and gives depression a new meaning. Read it here
EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Mr. Eagan delves deep into sleep deprivation. Scroll down now, do not wait until it's time for bed.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina says," I love CSI - and I'm willing to talk about it. Had another great meal at La Jolla's Nine-Ten, but the photos didn't turn out. Oswald is now open for lunch so that's good news. Plus I gush a little over Ca' del Solo's beautiful Dolcetto. All at this week's http://christinawaters.com. If you love CSI too, email me about your favorite episodes. I'm a recent convert so I'm looking forward to wallowing in re-runs. Now go out and stimulate the economy! Dine out!" I'm guessing by CSI she means Crime Scene Investigation, a Thursday night tv show with Laurence Fishburne
HOSTETTER'S HOT STUFF. Paul Hostetter's stuff just about always comes in a day or two after the last column goes online, so ignore the outdated first few events, and check out the rest. "You get two days off before Jamie Laval and Scott Nygaard play in Felton. Then in Berkeley two nights later, The Foghorn Duo (Sammy Lind & Caleb Klauder), Eric & Suzy Thompson, and Bill Evans & Megan Lynch do a big show of Amazing Duos as part of the SF Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival. Not to mention a very last-minute appearance in SC by Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum & Friends, the big Eric Von Schmidt show at the Berkeley Public Library, the BluePrint series final concert in SF, the UCSC Classical Guitar Ensemble directed by the indomitable Mesut Özgen, the Natural Mandolin concert with mandolinist Caterina Lichtenberg...well now we're into March, and there's much more on the site here: http://www.lutherie.net/live.music.html Have a look and mark your calendars! Rain? Yrs, ph.
PONDERABLE. An email from Barbara Vorlop asks..."Have you ever noticed that whenever anything good happens God, a male figure, gets the credit. When something bad happens, Hurricane Katrina, for example, it's blamed on Mother Nature? Isn't that evasive? Nobody would ever blame God for polio, leprosy, smallpox, syphilis, tuberculosis, and cancer. How cowardly.
UCSC'S A & L, AND THE GAIL RICH AWARDS. Judi Grunstra emails the following..."As for the demise of Arts & Lectures, it really hasn't been the same since former director Michelle Witt (and her part-time staff) left. The season programming overall has seemed uninspired for the past 2 years. (I've volunteered as an usher). I agree that it was a valuable link between UCSC and the larger community. (Instituting paid parking in the performing arts center lot didn't help attract attendees either.) As part of University Relations, the arts do have their own development staff, just like the other divisions (social sciences, humanities, engineering, etc.); Shakespeare Santa Cruz had their own development staff and still was in the red. Market forces at work, perhaps?
As for the story in The Santa Cruz Sentinel about the Japanese Cultural Fair also needing funding, that is another event that is pretty much the same year in and year out. Admittedly this is run by volunteers for the most part. The city needs an infusion of new ideas as far as cultural programming. Parks & Rec staff repeats the same programming year after year - I suppose it's easier that way but makes for rather tepid offerings.
I stood in line outside the Kuumbwa last week waiting to get into the Gail Rich Awards presentation to no avail. Apparently people were turned away last year as well. If the city really wants to honor arts leaders, they should waive the usual venue fee and let next year's Gail Rich Awards presentation take place in a larger venue", Judi G.
UCSC AND UC DAVIS A & L. Sure cutbacks, economy, budget and all that muck goes into the usual explaining why UC Santa Cruz had to cut it's Arts and Lectures program. BUT somebody needs to explain to us locals why and how UC Davis still has such a brilliant star studded cultural program. How do they afford it? Why is their community different? Go to their website http://www.mondaviarts.org/events/index.cfm?sort_type=By%20Date&season=2008 and read such great entertainment during this month as The Munich Symphony Orchestra, Phillip Glass, Itzhak Perlman, The Afro Cuban All Stars...read about March, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, k.d. Lang, The Estonian Symphony Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Ravi Shankar, Yo Yo Ma and the San Francisco Symphony for starters!!!
THOSE ACADEMY SHORTS LIVE AND ANIMATED....REPEATED!!!. Whew, the Del Mar had great audiences for those Live Action and Animated Academy Award nominated shorts and thanks to the folks who agreed with me about how really wonderful they all were!! Tell everybody who didn't go they have another chance about this weekend BY POPULAR DEMAND...ENCORE presentation: ACADEMY AWARD Nominated Short Films programs -special engagement this weekend at the DEL MAR Theatre. Live Action program - plays Sat February 14th at 12pm. Animated program - plays Sun February 15th at 12pm. This is once only....you won't be sorry.
CORALINE. We don't have any 3D screens in this county yet. That's a shame because there are many 3D films out now and many more on the way. Coraline uses 3D with taste and it isn't even that obvious. It's a scary cartoon like the early Disney ones, Snow White, Pinocchio etc and it works. It's also paced slowly and the plot doesn't hit you over the head. Every young child in the audience was completely immersed into the story and so was I. Go for it.
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. Before stating that this is a very depressing poorly made movie please note that I was and am a complete fan of "Sex and The City" and have watched nearly every episode. This "Into You" movie was written or created by some of the same people BUT it's actually the dark side of Sex and the City. We liked, supported and cared what happened to the characters in "Sex And" but as far as Into You....everybody is so unlikable, desperate, and twisted you just don't care. Yes, I know it was number 1 at the weekend box-office....that proves it!!
PUSH. Tim Burton type cartoon legs on a 15 year old Dakota Fanning wearing a mini skirt playing the part of a 13 year old who's sent from the future to stop trackers from sniffing out evil doers....how can you not want to see this movie??? But try anyways.
POTTERY AUCTION FUNDRAISER. According to the press release..."The fundraiser inspired by the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin happens February 14, 2009 at Gault Elementary School from 1- 4 P.M. In case you haven't read the book, Three Cups of Tea tells the story of Greg Mortenson' s work in Pakistan and Afghanistan where the only schools available for poor village youth were the ashrams that turned out soldiers for the forces of radical Islam. The fundraiser will benefit the Central Asia Institute, the organization Greg founded to "promote and support community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Central Asia." Bonnie & Steven Barisof, Santa Cruz potters, have reached out to the clay community, and asked each artist to make a set of 3 cups to be auctioned at the event. You can view these cups and learn more about the Central Asian Institute and the work of Greg Mortenson at http://www.3-cups-of-tea-santacruz.com/. Cups by such locals as Coeleen Kiebert, Mattie Leeds and George Dymesich are all part of it, check out that website. The online auction for the sets began February 1st. Even if you live out of town, you can still bid! Julia Bergman, from the Central Asia Institute, will speak at the event. Julia will describe her work with Greg Mortenson and the experience of attending the opening of the first school in Afghanistan". End of press release.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. I host University Grapevine every Thursday 4-5pm on KZSC 88.1 FM. Listen next Thursday February 12TH from 4 to 5 pm for the next "University Grapevine" when I talk with director Sommer Ulrickson about her UCSC Dance Theatre production of "After Hamlet" opening Feb. 20 at UCSC In the second half of Grapevine...I'll talk with Paul Drescher about the 9th Annual Jewish Film Festival starting February 21.
QUOTES. "When you win, NOTHING Hurts", Joe Namath. "If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself", Mao Tse-Tung. "Love is all fire; and so heaven and hell are the same place", Norman O. Brown.
Deep Cover
Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.
It's free! Click here.
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MORE ON THE DAVENPORT CEMEX PLANT AS A CONVENTION CENTER
Emily Hein used to work at Metro Santa Cruz back around 2001...she sent an email Monday morning...here's some of what she said, "I guess my heart has never really left Santa Cruz and I come back to visit every year or so. I am always amazed at what has changed and what never will. Pacific Avenue sure looks a lot more corporate than it used to, but the city seems to be flourishing and protecting its small town charm simultaneously. I am a strong proponent of Smart Growth and Livable Community initiatives. I recently received my Masters in Integrated Facility Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and have done numerous research and writings about sustainability and integrated community planning.
Do you know that it is actually illegal in most US states to create a downtown like Santa Cruz has? Most city building codes prevent it. I am sure you are aware of one of the leaders in the New Urbanism design trend, Andres Duany. I had the opportunity to meet him last year and I hope that more people in California would investigate his ideas. www.dpz.com/ I am so sick seeing suburban sprawl. It's wonderful to know Santa Cruz has been able to protect (somewhat) its growth.
I believe it is incredibly important to teach people about sustainability and I have one point regarding a comment you made in your column and a message touted by many Santa Cruzans: "Think Local, Buy Local from businesses that are locally owned". Yes, it is always best to buy local and support the community you live in. It's even better to search for locally owned companies that source or produce their goods locally. Is it really that great to buy clothes that are shipped over from China even when it's by a locally owned business when you might be able to find a hometown designer, or items manufactured in the good ol' U.S.A? (Sorry for that southern humor). People need to look at all forms of buying locally and supporting the communities they live in.... while also supporting the sustaining of the entire earth's natural resources.
In closing I want to celebrate your idea that the Davenport Cemex Plant be redeveloped into a Convention Center. I have extensive experience in these types of projects, especially those that relate to Green Redevelopment of Hospitality Facilities. (I have white papers on the topic if you are interested, along with one on a green redevelopment of Pogonip). As you can tell I have never really left Santa Cruz. I love the area so much. Take care and keep writing...the world needs it! Sincerely, Emily Hein". (end of Emily Hein's email)
P.S. FROM EMILY. So then I asked Emily what she meant by, "it is actually illegal in most US states to create a downtown like Santa Cruz has? Most city building codes prevent it". She replied, "The issue is suburban zoning codes and single use zoning. Many cities do not allow for apartments above shops or Live/work units. Supporters of single-use zoning argue that people don't want to live near shopping, while downtown Santa Cruz and other cities prove that wrong. I wonder about the new upgrade you mentioned Safeway was getting. Projects like that should be redeveloped to add affordable housing options before the city ever looks at developing green space. Another option would be to add smaller and affordable office units into the Safeway complex.
My information comes from a few places of reference, but mainly the book "Suburban Nation, The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream", by the aforementioned Andres Duany.
THE LEFTMOST CITY. Bill Domhoff and Richard Gendron' s book on "Power and progressive politics in Santa Cruz" is finally out and for sale. Bill Domhoff says it's an academic book because it's got a lot of political theory in it....BUT it has volumes of our local political history too. Cynthia Mathews, Sandy Lydon, Stan Stevens, Gary Patton, Mardi Wormhoudt, Mike Rotkin and many other folks contributed to it. The book states that Santa Cruz is further left for a longer period of time than any other city in the country bar none, since at least the heyday of the New Deal. If you care about Santa Cruz City Politics or wonder why it got this way, or want to know some political theories that our way of life here may fit into, read this book. It's on sale at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Capitola Book Café. Bill will be on my University Grapevine radio program Thursday February 26 to talk about it and Richard Gendron will be on probably March 12 to talk even more about it.
Bill Monning hits the State Assembly running!
For those in the 27th Assembly District, we should feel proud of our new Assembly member Bill Monning. As a 1st year Assembly member, Bill has already been appointed to the Chairmanship of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Bill was one of only three 1st year Assembly Members to be appointed to a chairmanship. He was also appointed as a member to the Budget Committee, and to the Environment and Toxics Committee. The Dems are three votes short of being able to move ahead with approving a budget. The Republicans have all signed a pledge not to support any tax increase, even though they are a minority party, no matter the cost to California citizens.
Stay tuned to this issue, as we're supposed to be out of spending cash as a State on February 1st. For those readers who have an inside track to State Senator Abel Maldonado, a phone call to his office asking him to support the Dems in this issue would be in order.
BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS TO KING STREET
A large number of Santa Cruz residents are looking into making King Street a "bicycle boulevard", along with other traffic routing improvements. With the recent fatalities involving two separate bicycle accidents on Mission Street, something needs to be done. Currently there is no satisfactory bicycle route within the broad outlines of the Mission Street corridor on the Westside of Santa Cruz. Here's a project the City should really get behind after a thorough planning process. This makes a lot more sense than building a five story parking garage on a fully functional city parking lot that also houses a great Farmer's Market on Wednesday afternoons. If you agree, drop a line to each member of the Santa Cruz City Council
CEMEX AGAIN
This time there's an issue in Monterey County with Cemex Corporation. We've been following what's been going on with the Cemex plant in Davenport where Cemex management is closing down operations for six months due to the dropping demand for their cement. They also have a problem with possible Chromium 6 contamination at Davenport. The Monterey Cemex operation mines sand for a number of industrial uses. This process erodes the coastline, and has been doing so for years. They were apparently in this business prior to the formation of the California Coastal Commission so they are "untouchable" on the environmental issues. Monterey's coastline contains a very unique quality of sand, found nowhere else on the California coast. So before its all gone maybe it's time for an international corporation like Cemex to move on, say to another country?
PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary discusses the state budget and the environment. He details the work being done to protect our North Coast (like Wilder Ranch). Then there's water and Monterey County, rail transportation, and the problems Marina is having with development.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau addresses Barack Obamas inner sensitivities and asks, "Terrorists, Freedom Fighters or Schlemiels? You Pick". Click here
The City's budget problems have been off the front pages for a few days. The seriousness of the crisis continues. Our contribution to the budget shortfall is probably minimal. Would a Coast Hotel and a Home Depot on the Westside have made the budget crunch less severe? Would a convention center or a nuclear plant in Lighthouse Field have helped? Well, yes, they might, although the City probably would substantially have disappeared in the process. We can and should investigate ways of obtaining additional city revenue, even though the word "tax" continues to be anathema.
Most of our economic problems originated with Federal and State policies and with the economic depression. Vested interests at State and National levels, Obama notwithstanding, mean that raising federal and state revenues or diverting funds to Cities are not likely to help us through the present crisis. And how long will it be before the economy improves so that tax revenues will equal local government spending needs, with or without the City being destroyed in the process?
Those of us who feel relatively secure financially are probably less willing to compromise the perceived ambiance of the City by encouraging much economic development. While those of us who feel less financially secure may be more willing to compromise. Regardless of perceived financial stability or interest, people differ about the impact of development on quality of life and the importance of each. These feelings and convictions are hard to reconcile.
There is no necessary connection between economic benefits developers or to their employees and increased tax revenue. A project may or may not benefit the community and it may or may not bring overall improvement even to the private economy. The Planning Department will soon be preparing a planning tool, hopefully for inclusion in the new general plan, to attempt to measure the community impact of proposed developments. The impacts to be studied should be aesthetic as well as economic---quality of life as well as projected tax revenue and income to city residents.
Compromise between conflicting interests and values is essential. When we have all the information we can obtain, we can make principled decisions. All too frequently in the past, we have had inadequate information and knee jerk reactions---on both sides. In a climate of economic insecurity and fear, we may tend to grab at anything that sounds of money. I hope we can avoid that.
EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Tim Eagan cuts through it all and asks about stimulus, politics and constructive dickering...scroll down about 3 more pages...
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina Waters likes a new Ca' del Solo wine, lunched well in La Jolla and watches with interest the on-going Darwinian battle for survival in local cuisine. All at www.christinawaters.com.
ACADEMY SHORTS LIVE AND ANIMATED. Every year cinema nuts weep and wail that they don't get a chance to see the Academy Nominated short films. For exactly the last three years the Nickelodeon/Del Mar has been playing these shorts, not for monetary gain but out of response to movie goers' requests. Everybody talks about these films but they don't show up at the box-office. Once again this Saturday February 7th only at NOON the Del Mar will screen the Academy Award nominated Live Action films. I've seen them all and all five are absolutely magnificent. The films are from Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and France and will have you roaring, crying, and loving them all. The same goes for the Animated program of five short nominated films plus five more "Commended Films". These will be shown only at NOON on this Sunday February 8. Now if enough folks do attend they may try a repeat weekend at the Del Mar the following weekend. Remember the Academy Awards are Sunday Feb. 22
WALTZ WITH BASHIR. If you liked Persepolis and the way animation was used to tell a story beyond what photography can do "Waltz With Bashir" is even better. It's about war and the collateral damage it does to soldiers and civilians. As tragic as the subject is the beauty of the film is truly memorable.
TAKEN. So Liam Neeson took the lead in this messy, pointless, car chase, kidnapping piece of junk and probably made millions, you still don't have to go. It's precisely what the directors wanted it to be, the number one at the box office last weekend....and I repeat you still don't have to go.
"8 10'S @ 8". This 14th annual 10 minute play festival presented by Santa Cruz Actors Theatre had over 150 plays to choose from this year including one from Russia! Some are like one joke sit-coms, others are well worth seeing especially At a Crosswalk, Why Did I Come In Here? and Neighborhood Watch. Go see them now through February 15th . Call 831 425-PLAY or go to their website at www.actorssc.org
VALENTINA LISITSA. Pianist Valentina Lisitsa is UCSC's A & L very next presentation. She'll be at UCSC's Music Recital Hall this Friday February 6 at 7:30. Exactly what she'll play hasn't been announced but she usually plays Bach, Mozart, Shostakovich and Leonard Bernstein. Click here to see a video she made
CABRILHO'S DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS SERIES & HALIDA DINOVA.
Halida is an acclaimed Russian pianist and she'll play works by Bach,
Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and she'll play the U.S. premiere of Dodecafonically a composition by Santa Cruz Composer, Josef Sekon, for which she was the inspiration. Staff of Life Natural Foods is sponsoring the concert and it'll be Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 PM, Cabrillo College Theater. Tickets: 479-6331 or www.ticketguys.com Information: www.distinguishedartists.org or www.metronomeinc.com/HD/halidahome.htm
SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL. Never a dull moment especially this weekend.
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival's 36th season titled "Natural Baroque" presents Susan Judy (soprano), with Lux Musica: Linda Burman-Hall (musical director and early keyboards), Lars Johannesson (baroque flute), David Wilson (violin), Amy Brodo (viols), with Nina Treadwell (lute). The press release says it's "A riot of Renaissance and Baroque nature music. Passionate Italian works balance delicate Elizabethan songs and character pieces. Visionary virginal music combines with expressive images by internationally-known earth-scientist and artist Othmar Tobisch". A meet-the-artist reception follows for donors and subscribers. That's this Sat, February 7, 7:30pm. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall (Heller & Meyer Drive, Santa Cruz, CA) (map). For tickets Online Click here. To order through Santa Cruz Tickets. Phone
- UCSC Ticket Office: 831-459-2159 (hours: TUE-SAT 12pm-4pm)
- Civic Center Box Office: 831-420-5260 (hours: M-F 11am-6pm, S-S 10am-1:30pm)
- Santa Cruz Baroque Festival: 831-457-9693 (hours: variable, all voice mail returned)
In Person
- UCSC Ticket Office: Theatre Arts, UCSC Campus(hours: TUE-SAT 12pm-4pm).
- Civic Center Box Office: 307 Church Street, downtown Santa Cruz (hours: M-F 11am-6pm, S-S 10am-1:30pm)
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. I host this radio interview program every Thursday 4-5 p.m. on KZSC 88.1 fm. This Thursday February 5th I'll talk with UCSC professor and author Patricia Zavella about Mexican migrant issues in Santa Cruz County. Patricia will be giving the UCSC Faculty Research Lecture Tuesday, February 10 at 8 pm in UCSC Music Recital Hall, details here
In the second half of Grapevine I'll interview Jodi Frediani about forest and stream and wildlife challenges in our part of the state. Jodi is Director of Central Coast Forest Watch, a Board Member of the Salmonid Restoration Federation, and a member of the Santa Cruz Fish and Game Advisory Commission.
QUOTES. "I didn't know the full facts of life until I was seventeen. My father never talked about his work", Martin Freud. "Nature is that lovely lady to whom we owe polio, leprosy, smallpox, syphilis, tuberculosis, and cancer", Stanley N. Cohen. "Exercise is bunk. If you are healthy, you don't need it; if you are sick, you shouldn't take it" Henry Ford.
Deep Cover
Bruce critiques films every Friday on KZSC-FM (88.1) on The Bushwhacker Breakfast Club at 8am.
It's free! Click here.
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