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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HURRAY FOR THE D.I.Y. PARADE. By his attack on the people's Last Night Parade Mike Rotkin has once again become the very enemy of the people he once claimed to represent. Demanding a huge permit fee and supporting the necessary use of police force Rotkin couldn't be more dictatorial and right wing authoritarian even if he tried harder. The Do It Yourself group now draws 10,000 community members downtown, needs no police, its perfect community effort....people acting for themselves. Retire Rotkin he's lost touch. The D.I Y announcement reads...
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SEX MACHINE..(NOT WHAT YOU THINK). These paraplegic musicians play at a zoo in the Congo; their group name is Staff Benda Bilili
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Last Night Celebrates Five Years of Do-It-Yourself Community Organizing
In the face of spiraling civic budgets, decentralized celebration is more relevant than ever
Five years after police attempted to shut it down, the Last Night DIY celebration still refuses permission to bring a homespun tradition to Santa Cruz streets. In it's fifth year, the do-it-yourself, grassroots celebration with a family-friendly parade, street party, entertainment, and performers to take over downtown for a evening of DIY adventure and entertainment.
More than an evening's entertainment, this is a parade with a purpose. The message is simple: We can do it ourselves. From its beginnings in 2004, the parade is not about merely celebrating, but celebrating what we as a community can do outside of governments, corporations, and institutions. It is a celebration of both our autonomy and the support we bring to each other.
In this historic moment, when the economy is spiraling into the ground and the local community is plagued with violence, we have an opportunity to create something good and sustainable and compassionate -- the polar opposite approach of law enforcement.
The spontaneous, open Last Night celebration is an antidote to recent reactionary groups who wish to take back Santa Cruz from undesirable elements, a fear-mongering movement largely pushed by well-heeled white residents. This celebration has always been about taking back our streets and town -- but the people already at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder are not our enemy.
This year, organizers asked themselves, how can we talk about families, and real people on the streets, and about controlling how these streets feel to us? This celebration includes a broad diversity of people including young and old, rich and poor, white and brown, English and Spanish speaking, housed and homeless. The Last Night website (www.lastnightdiy.org ) states, "We are not asking for permits and permission, nor are there any limits on participation. Our entire community is invited to participate and celebrate together".
This year on New Year's Eve, the celebration will meet at 5pm near the Saturn Cafe parking lot on Pacific Ave and Spruce Street.
ROTKIN ON ARANA GULCH???? As if his stand on the citizens creating another year's civic celebration wasn't authoritarian enough Mike Rotkin had to work hard to continue his fight against environmentalists and locals who want to save some precious few acres of Arana Gulch. He wrote a ridiculous attack on The Friends Of Arana Gulch in the Sentinel and their efforts to stop the few bicyclists who are waging and promoting this anti-Green Space war. Retire Rotkin. The Council needs new blood.
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary devotes the entire week of radio programs to the UCSC vs. City of Santa Cruz water problem. As an opener Gary states, "While the community focuses in on holiday celebrations, and our elected officials take a break, let me alert you to an important environmental impact review process now underway. The City of Santa Cruz and the University of California at Santa Cruz are
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RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS AND 3 LITTLE PIGS. Beautiful art work on this You Tube special. Check out the other Russian animation on You Tube. Will wonders ever cease??
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(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)
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RUSSIAN CHIDLREN'S TALE.
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EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim Eagan continues his view of cold hearts, cold streets and the reality of our times....scroll down.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau assesses the Presidents first year and has harsh words such as "After eleven months in office, Barack Obama has hardly revolutionized – or even altered – the major dysfunction that confronts our system. A man of obviously good values – read his books and speeches – he has yet to show convictions. He has tinkered to keep terrible problems from getting much worse – a kind of political plumber without access to equipment that would redo the entire system"
Read more here...
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
MORE ON CUBA'S FILM FESTIVAL AND CURRENT STATUS. Aurelio Pedroso writes about Havana's and Cuba's street scene after 51 years
1) Un-install programs that you don't use.
Many programs are pre-installed on your computer that you probably never even use. Even though you are not using the program, the program is using your computer resources. For instance, if you have AOL installed on your computer and you do not use it, the program still loads itself into memory and it will periodically check to see if there are updates for it online using your computer and internet resources unnecessarily.
To remove unused programs go into the control panel and select "add remove programs." Here you will see a list of installed programs. You can view the entire list and remove programs not being used. Do be aware of what the program is you are about to remove. It would not be wise to uninstall something if you have no idea what the program is. If you are unsure, check the program names online to find out what they do. You can use Google or Wikipedia to search for programs and get a description of them. If you are sure it's something you don't need or use, by all means get rid of it.
2) Keep your system software up-to-date.
Do regular software updates for your operating system software. Typically these software updates are automatic; however it is not uncommon for them to become turned off. On a PC (personal computer), "Automatic Updates" are available in the control panel. Open it and verify that it is turned on. Sometimes I will go directly to the Microsoft Website where I can have my system checked online for current system updates. I do this because often times even with automatic updates on "automatic" I will go to Microsoft and find that there are updates that should be installed.
Here is the link to Microsoft's update web page: http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
Apple also has an update site that should be checked from time to time if you are using a Mac. Here is a link to Apple's support download page: http://support.apple.com/downloads/
Next week I would like to recommend a couple of different "email client" programs. If you have an email program you would like to know more about or any other subject matter for next week please send me an email at pcasey1@gmail.com
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina has a few very last minute gift tips for you, plus some New Year's Eve ideas, and choice lunch items from Gabriella. All at the Christmas edition of http://christinawaters.com
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DOUBLE DUTCH. Just marvel on the home grown choreography, style and grace of these self taught kids. Good thing they don't want to get in any D.I.Y. Parade in Santa Cruz...Rotkin would have them arrested, or charge them for a permit!!!
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EVEN THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH MESSES UP!! Not quite as bad as George W. Bush but do read the rest of the article linked here
AVATAR THE IMPOSSIBLE. You know those old (1950) movies like Broken Arrow where the Indian chief (played by Brooklyn's own Jeff Chandler) beautiful daughter (played by Debra Paget) or somebody, falls in love with the young US Army lieutenant who has been part of the regiment sent out to move the tribe because they want the land? That's the exact and entire plot of AVATAR. Or to bring it up to date and apply it locally, it's about the same story of how evil Developer Barry Swenson wants to destroy La Bahia which means so much to the locals just to make money for his corporation. Or even the story of how nasty Judge Burdick and the evil Santa Cruz City Council care nothing for the shrinking environment and crush whatever is in their way to ruin Arana Gulch...that's what Avatar is about. It's an absolutely silly movie, and I certainly admit I'm in a minority on this one (and a million other films) but if you go see this 2 hour and 40 minute extravaganza (Cameron directs both plots and people like Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood) be sure to go see it in 3D in Watsonville at Green Valley Cinema or even 3D plus IMAX over the hill. The only reason to see this highly hyped silliness that has locals looks like a gathering of very tall EST graduates and a John Wayne army is for 3D so see it at the Green Valley Cinema or over the hill at some Imax 3D theatre.
BROTHERS. This re-make of an earlier Danish film "Brødre" (2004) contains one of the finest collections of screen actors working today, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman. It's up for two Golden Globes and it should be. Maguire plays a marine who's already been to Afghanistan when the film opens and is about to go back and leave his family and brother Gyllenhaal. Maguire as an internally wounded serviceman has never been better. This is right there with Hurt Locker and The Messenger...see it quickly.
ME AND ORSON WELLES. This is almost a mock-documentary of how Orson Welles created the 1937 production of Julius Caesar (set in Fascist Italy) on Broadway. Christian McKay makes the film nearly magic because he looks and sounds so much like Orson. John Houseman is in it, Joseph Cotton's there too and so's George Coulouris and Martin Gabel.. However Agnes Moorhead, Will Geer, Everett Sloane, and other stalwarts are missing. See it just for the fun of it...no real depth or insight it's just a tribute to the Welles legend. (full disclosure...when I worked in the magic store in Glendale my boss Bruce Sinninger was Orson Welle's magic teacher. Orson did a lot of magic in his USO tours!!)
THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE. Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Winona Ryder, Maria Bello, Keanu Reeves, Julianne Moore, Monica Bellucci (Irreversible, Passion of the Christ etc.) all make up another brilliant cast in this deep, complex study of what some jerks might call a chick flick. Robin Penn is a magnificent actor and apparently the rest of the cast just wanted to work with her. Go see it and go quickly because it won't play here very long.
YOUNG VICTORIA. One more excellent cast makes up this costume drama. Emily Blunt plays a sort of modern version of young Victoria. Not a GREAT film but if you enjoy court plots and politics and throne theatrics you'll love this one.
AFTER SEEING YOUNG VICTORIA. Check out this Brit accent contest..
Yeah baby yeah. Its international talk with a fake British accent day
BROKEN EMBRACES. Penelope Cruz has always been beautiful; in this film she is much more than that. She radiates to the core of your Christmas tree like no one on screen since Louise Brooks. And with all her awards we know she can act just as well. Almodovar who has now directed her in four films said that if he wasn't gay he'd marry Penelope. Who wouldn't? The story line is amazingly well thought out, the rest of the cast is perfect....just give this film as many Oscars as possible and be sure to see it on a locally owned big screen.
MARIJUANA NEWS...JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS. DEA forced to scrub misleading info on the American Medical Association's position on marijuana
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? Did you hear how bad this film is? Check out any/all of your favorite film critics or any friends who went by accident...this Sarah Jessica Parker, Hugh Grant film is not funny, not worth your money, and a waste of time.
THE COSMIC LADY WAS RIGHT. I haven't read it yet but long time Santa Cruzan Marshall Motz's new book The Cosmic Lady Was Right is the perfect last minute holiday gift for any local, or former local. It is just off the presses, has the Cooperhouse on the cover, a cartoon of Don McCaslin on the back and is full of Motz's take on the mix of area philosophies. Not to be confused with Ginger the Rainbow Lady Marshall relates how Ms. Cosmic laid down some thinking far beyond what many gave her credit for. Marshall brings his own considerable thinking into the mix. It's available at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Capitola Book Café and online at Amazon. Marshall will have a new website up and running by Jan. 11 www.kosmickladye.com so if you would rather wait, buy it there.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. It's been true for almost four years now that each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On December 22 Catherine Pickerrell and Chris Pratorius from the Santa Cruz Chamber Players will talk about the rest of their season. Susan Hillhouse and Paula Kenyon from the Museum of Art & History will sketch out their future exhibits. I'll be in Victorville Dec. 29th so we'll be re-playing the very successful program with Jane Dawson MFC telling us about dealing with Family issues during the Holidays. January 5th, 2010 Myriam Coppens from The Hemlock Society will describe developments in ending life concepts, and Michelle Williams will join Linda Wilshusen from The Cultural Council revealing next years plans. On January 12th John Orlando and Helene Wickett will be talking about their next Cabrilho Concert on Jan. 16th. So tune in, have happy holidays and keep on listening.
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ONE LAST YOU TUBE CHRISTMAS GIFT. I found this on Huffington Post go for it...
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COULDN'T RESIST ONE MORE HINT...
Why Fake Optimism Is the Worst Way to Deal with Life's Problems
QUOTES.
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man", Benjamin Franklin. "The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months"! Edward Payson Powell
"Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than eve". Mark Twain
"The inaudible and noiseless foot of Time"W. S.Shakespeare
"Merry Christmas, Happy New Years and again thanks for all the response and help from so many of you", Bruce Bratton
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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LA BAHIA AND THE COASTAL COMMISSION. If you go to the Coastal Commission website you'll see that the March 10-12 meeting is scheduled for The Central Coast area....news just got out that they'll be meeting in Santa Cruz...more than that they'll be discussing the Boardwalk-Barry-Swenson-La-Bahia-Hotel project. That's great news; it means that so many Santa Cruz environmentalists, union members, Historians and progressives won't have to travel so far to have their voices heard. Remember that the opposition to this project is based on having the developers stick to the existing General Plan. It's more about height and the future appearance of our beach beautification than anything else. It should be great fun to see the Coastal Commission in action. Now we have to wonder where they'll hold the meetings, certainly not the Cocoanut Grove!!!!
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I couldn't describe this You Tube clip if I tried and you wouldn't believe me if I did, just watch
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Suspicions are running rampant about Save Our Shores endorsing the Paving Over of Arana Gulch. Was this done by the entire organization voting for the widening of the path, the construction of a bridge, and flying straight in the face of the lawsuits? It's hard to imagine Fred Keeley, Wallace J Nichols, Kim Tschantz, taking these positions. David Terrazas is on the board too so we can get some idea of where he is environmentally. Here's a re-print of what Jean Brocklebank's letter in the Sentinel stated as "A rebuttal to the 12/6/09 op ed piece:
There has never been an environmental review of an alternative east-west bike route that would not involve paving a greenbelt and destroying "critical habitat" of an endangered species. Resource protection of Arana Gulch is not dependent on the Broadway-Brommer bikeway project; it is dependent on the City's 1997 Interim Management Plan which requires resource maintenance. No erosion control or wetland restoration at Arana Gulch has been "stymied by delay in approving the master plan."
Any use of the proposed short cut through Arana Gulch greenbelt for purposes of "shopping" requires bicyclists & pedestrians to be on regular sidewalks and bike lanes of the shopping areas, scattered throughout the City & County.
There are already three other "through routes" of east-west bicycle travel, complete with sidewalks and bike lanes. The Murray Street Bridge is being engineered right now for enhanced bicycle/pedestrian use. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service had the following to say in their 2008 Biological Opinion -- "Constructing the proposed bicycle-pedestrian pathway at the Arana Gulch open space would adversely affect approximately 65 acres of designated critical habitat for Santa Cruz tarplant." "The potential effects associated with these activities include crushing, cutting, or otherwise injuring and killing of plants and/or seeds (through mechanical or foot traffic), surface disturbance and soil compaction, and erosion and/or changes in the hydrology."
If the City wanted to provide ADA compliant access into the greenbelt, from Agnes St., it could reallocate the Federal/State funds at its disposal and make all current footpaths user-friendly to mobility-impaired citizens. The elderly walk in Arana Gulch all the time; elderly does not mean disabled", Jean Brocklebank
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CELL PHONE ORCHESTRA. This is not to be confused with our own New Music Works and their "Night Of The Emerging Composers" concert January 15th
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ABOUT MENORAHS, TREES, CROSSES AND OTHER SYMBOLS. All that muck about symbols and holidays was covered nicely by a piece on Alternet....one paragraph said, "That meant that when the next holiday season rolled around, the capitol rotunda had to be open to an atheist sign that stated, "At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." Read the article
As reported here in last week's Bratton Online, the California Coastal Commission was to hear the case for a massive development, Monterey Bay Shore Resort, on the sand dunes in Sand City last Friday in San Francisco.
This took place and the project was denied by a vote of 6-0 by the CCC upholding their staff's recommendation to do just that. The Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club has battled this developer for more that 12 years, and had representatives at the hearing. There will no doubt be a challenge by SNG Development Company, the developer, to have this decision reversed or ignored. Let's hope our Coastal Commission fights to uphold their decision.
Regional Transportation Commission – what's going on here?
The RTC cancelled their regular December meeting, presumably due to lack of items that needed attention on December 3rd. But then, they loaded up their Transportation Policy Workshop agenda for December 17th, also moving the meeting out of their Santa Cruz office to Watsonville's City Council Chambers.
A staff report published in their agenda packet asks the Commissioners to proceed with contracts that will continue Highway 1 widening. Also recommended is still more money to pay for this work, not previously planned. Not exactly shocking news, but questionable now that Caltrans is being sued to stop their piecemeal widening without a complete environmental report of the project as a whole. It will be interesting to see how the Commissioners respond to their staff's recommendations. Your can view the complete agenda at: http://www.sccrtc.org/packet/2009/0912/TPWAgenda0912.html
The RTC's Transportation Policy Workshop meeting starts at 9:00 A.M. On Thursday, December 17th at Watsonville's new city hall chambers at 275 Main St. in Watsonville. In the past, these meetings are just extensions of their regular monthly meetings, and are open to the public, except of issues that involve negotiations over issues like the rail line purchase, also on this agenda.
(Paul Elerick is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates, serves as the chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, and is a member of the Sierra Club's Santa Cruz Group's executive committee).
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary gives us heads up on Police Powers and Zoning Laws. He details what groundwater overdraft can do and how regulatory powers role can be. Carmel Valley (Leon Panetta territory) voted not to incorporate and Mr. Patton gives us points on what a Municipal Advisory Council could do in Monterey County and maybe even here....someday.
(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)
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LOUIS ARMSTRONG IN EXCELLENT SHAPE IN 1932. There's a brand new book out on Satchmo...titled "Pops" by Terry Teachout. Reviews say it's the best book yet on this genius. Watch this 10 minute "opera" with Satch doing "Shine", "You rascal you" and more...it's like a Holiday present...
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EAGANS DEEP COVER. Eagan's Evil Doctor tells Igor about his Global Warming hoax and We get to see the results...scroll down three pages...
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul and his wife explore Marysville in the California gold country and find nuggets of fast food, Bush Cheney bumper stickers, bibles, dirt bikes, Ronald Reagan photos. Read it here in Progreso Weekly
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
COULDN'T HAPPEN HERE. There's an article (with photos!!) in the latest Brit Telegraph with the headline "A district authority in southern India is attempting to ban an annual ritual in which babies are thrown from the top of a 30-foot temple". Check out the link below. I'll bet that there are only a few minor technicalities that would prevent us from throwing our Santa Cruz City Council from the top of The Rittenhouse Mausoleum. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/6771374/Indian-baby-tossing-ceremony-may-be-banned.html
WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina Waters gushes about some hot new movies, suggests a few holiday wines and pigs out on red velvet cupcakes. She gives her all at www.christinawaters.com
SPEAKING OF THINGS TO EAT. Alternet had this expose proving we are what we've been eating. Por ejemplo Kraft's Guacamole, Oreo cookies stuffed with Crisco, then there's always Spam, soups in cans, strawberry strips made of bacon, the blueberries in pancakes that aren't fruit and news like that. read on...
HOLIDAY GIFT STORES. For interesting and locally proper unique gifts drive out to the new La Sirena Antiques in Davenport between Arros Store and El Jarro Taqueria right there on Highway One. Marcia and Bruce MacDougal just opened the store. (Confidentially...they once owned another great collectible-type store called The Ego's Nest in Santa Barbara...so they know about these things). La Sirena is open every day except Tuesday 10-5.
CASEY'S COMPUTER COMMENTS. When first starting up your computer before you have started any programs, your monitor will be a display of your "desktop." Here on your desktop you will likely have "icons" of various different programs or pictures, maybe even a folder with other items in it. If you see an arrow on the icon, then what you are looking at is a "shortcut" icon. A shortcut icon is simply a pointer to a program or file that actually resides someplace else on your computer. It is very handy to have these shortcuts for programs on your computer desktop. Imagine a real desk where you would sit and work everyday. Having a file you work on frequently sitting on the desk is much easier than looking for it if it were filed away deep in one of the desk drawers, right? This is the same with the computer desktop. The shortcut icon is like the file sitting on top of your real desk, easily accessible.
Suppose you use Internet Explorer frequently and you would like to make a shortcut for this program. If you are not able to find the program listed by using the Start Menu (bottom left corner of your screen), it can also be found by using the Search Tool, also found in the Start Menu.
To make a shortcut simply right click with your mouse on the icon of the program you wish to make a shortcut for and near the bottom of the menu that pops up when you right click you will find the "Make Shortcut" option. Your new shortcut icon will appear near the original and you can click and copy the shortcut then paste it in a new place or simply click on the shortcut icon and drag it to a new place.
Now to put your freshly made shortcut icon in an orderly place you can keep several short cuts on your "taskbar". The taskbar is the bar on the bottom of your desktop (screen). On the far left is the Start button and the far right has the time. Just to the right of the Start button is where you can drag and place your shortcuts and use them as needed. I keep a shortcut icon here for the calculator, Word, Internet Explorer and several others. It's a very handy place to keep shortcuts for programs you frequently use.
(Please send your thoughts for next weeks Casey's Computer Comments pcasey1@gmail.com
SANTA CRUZ POTTERY. The great looking old store on Mission Street nest to the CVS and across from Ristorante Italiano has beautiful and one only pottery. Small cups, large bowls, super colors...aesthetically pleasing check out their hours at 426-8711.
INVICTUS = CLINT TRICKED US. I always apologize when I critique Eastwood films, I don't like them. I try hard to be open- minded when I watch one but each time I leave bored, and nearly stupefied. He has absolutely no style, except heavy handed and simplistic directing for the lowest common denominator. He hits us over and over with the most basic plotlines, Morgan Freeman does his usual great job, Matt Damon has some ridiculous role...but again, Clint Eastwood has wrung all the sensitivity, art, and depth out of the amazing Nelson Mandela story. Think what a real director could have done.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. It's really true that each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On December 15th Linda Bixby, development manager of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)will bring us up to date on their programs and Phil Collins from New Music Works will delineate their Jan.15th concert. On December 22 Catherine Pickerrell and Chris Pratorius from the Santa Cruz Chamber Players will talk about the rest of their season. Susan Hillhouse and Paula Kenyon from the Museum of Art & History will sketch out their future exhibits. I'll be in Victorville Dec. 29th so we'll be re-playing the very successful program with Jane Dawson MFC telling us about dealing with Family issues during the Holidays. January 5th Myriam Coppens from The Hemlock Society will describe developments in ending life concepts, and Michelle Williams will join Linda Wilshusen from The Cultural Council about next years plans. On January 12th John Orlando and Helene Wickett will be talking about their next Cabrilho Concert on Jan. 16th. So tune in, have happy holidays and keep on listening.
QUOTES. "Christmas is the Disneyfication of Christianity", Don Cupit . "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." Calvin Coolidge. "Tinsel is really snakes' mirrors." Stephen Wright. "I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me", Anais Nin. "Time has no divisions to mark its passage. There is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols", Thomas Mann.
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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THE STAIRS AS PIANO. Debbie Bulger and some other readers sent this stupendous example of how to get people away from escalators and dance up stairs. Worth a try?? On second thought where exactly would they work in Santa Cruz County?? The County Building? Only our official buildings have 2 plus floors....well there's the Regal Theatre but they can't even get 3D installed.
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2009 FILMS. It's that time when nearly everybody talks about the year's best movies. Along with the usual Hollywood muck there were some absolutely excellent films made/released last year, and you can bet many if not most of these films will be on the newly expanded Oscar list. The Hurt Locker and Precious will be on my top ten. So will An Education, and Up should get some awards for best animation. More best films definitely NOT IN ORDER but well worth renting at a locally owned video store are Cherry Blossom, Wendy and Lucy, Baader Meinhof Complex, Tyson, Skin, Sin Nombre, The Messenger, Fados, The Cove, Food INC., The Great Buck Howard, Inglorius Basterds, Disney's a Christmas Carol, District 9, Watchmen, and Anti Christ. Most definitely not a "feel good" or "just want to be entertained" list, but I loved them all.
ROBIN WILLIAMS SAD "Weapons Of Self Destruction" HBO SHOW. Robin Williams did his first HBO solo show in seven years Sunday (12/6) to be followed by many re-showings this week. It was sad to see this once brilliant jokester who used to rival Lenny Bruce in sheer comic genius reduced to making hundreds of self depreciating jokes about his open heart surgery, his long fight with alcoholism and very old crotch jokes. He used "fuck" 2000 times with no style or timing, made much worn attempts to zing Sarah Palin, the Pope, Viagra, G.W. Bush, and just creepy oral sex stuff that created winces, not laughs. Like George Carlin before him, maybe he's just run out of material...or had the HELL scared out of him. He taped it in November so no Tiger Woods stuff but I'm guessing it would have been as lackluster as the rest of the show. It was closer to self destruction title than he intended.
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary says a lot about Monterey County and its supervisors always saying YES to developers. He says even more about Water problems in a new development, he gives advice about SCRP Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning, and relates some open positions on Santa Cruz advisory boards. He closes with news about some sustainable events that will be happening.
(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)
"Eco Resort" project proposed for Sand City before the Coastal Commission
on December 12 in San Francisco.
SNG Development Co. is proposing a project consisting of 341 hotel/condo/residential units be built into the dunes of Sand City in Monterey County. The plans are to construct approximately 360,000 sq.ft. of mixed-use residential and visitor serving development. The Monterey Bay Shores Resort would include 160 hotel rooms, 180 condominium units (92 residential, 46 visitor-serving residential, and 42 visitor-serving units), restaurant, conference center, spa, 3 swimming pools, surface and underground parking for 841 vehicles, public and private access trails, dune/habitat restoration, and related infrastructure (including water, sewer, storm water systems, and various energy reduction technologies (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) This project will require 695,000 cubic yards of grading (and 418,000 cubic yards of sand disposal) in sand dunes west of Highway One. This current plan is actually a resurrected project from the late '90s. Previously, it was a 495 unit hotel/condo/residential development and was denied by the Coastal Commission in 2000.
The Sierra Club's Ventana Chapter is asking the Coastal Commission to follow the recommendation of their own staff and deny the project. Here are the details of the staff recommendation to deny.
This project looks like a super-sized Wingspread, the development Santa Cruz County voters said no to back in 1988; See the project here.
(Paul Elerick is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates, serves as the chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, and is a member of the Sierra Club's Santa Cruz Group's executive committee).
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Four reasons to hope, courtesy of Mr. Eagan... scroll down!
On the Macintosh use the {Apple Key}+Z; it is equivalent to Ctrl+z. Key combinations save a lot of time and work in most software applications in an identical fashion. If you can learn to use Ctrl+z in Word it will do the same (UNDO) in Photoshop, PowerPoint, and most other software. The Undo Ctrl+z is my absolute favorite key combination but there are many others. Instead of using the File menu and finding the Print sub menu, simply use Ctrl+p or {Apple Key}+P on the Macintosh and your document is sent to the printer.
Copy and Paste are the two other key combinations that are a "must know." Copy is done by highlighting the text (or photo) to be copied and press the Ctrl+c keys to copy the image or text. Then to paste it, perhaps into another document or into the same document, press the Ctrl+v keys and this will paste the text or image where the cursor is when you use the Ctrl+v (paste) key combination.
Typically there is more than just one way to do something; this is true for Copy and Paste where you can find these commands in your Edit menu (on the top of the screen on the menu bar). Open the edit drop-down menu and on the list is Copy and Paste commands.
For many other amazing key-combinations check out the following links:
For the PC check this link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449
For the Mac check this link http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343
In last weeks column I recommended Avast anti-virus software, however there is not a version for the Macintosh. Macs are not immune to the viruses going on but are much less susceptible to them. Here is a link to download anti-virus software for Macs: http://www.iantivirus.com/download/.
There is also one other virus checking tool I used called Malware Bytes. I used this in combination with my virus checker to repair an infected computer in the past week. Sometimes it is the case where you need more than one software tool to complete a job. You can find this additional software from the following link; http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5756
(Please send your thoughts for next weeks Casey's Computer Comments...and remember he does house calls, affordably. computer casey@yahoo.com
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LSD TRIPPING & PITCHING A NO HIT GAME. Coincidentally Robin Williams in his Sunday HBO special mentioned Dock Ellis' pitching a no-hit game against the San Diego Padres in June 1970 while he was high on LSD. Some folks added cartoons to it. Take a look.
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37TH ANNUAL GREY BEARS HOLIDAY DINNER. The Sentinel almost always forgets to give a mention to the performers who entertain the 1500 plus seniors every year at the Civic Auditorium. This year for example Jazzbirds gave us more stirring renditions of their 1930's harmonies and added swing dancers to the show. The Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School Chorus sang their hearts out, "Danceland" aka the Dave Allen Band got folks moving and clapping in the Civic just like they do at the Grey Bears Annual Picnics. Dave Field and Penny G. opened the two hour show with Holiday tunes and the all volunteer IATSE crew from the Civic kept the extravaganza moving right along...it was another grand Santa Cruz tradition as was the actual serving of the dinners by Mike Rotkin, Cynthia Mathews, Tony Madrigal, and Ryan Coonerty. Don Lane staffed one of the lobby tables and everyone had a great time, thanks to the California Grey Bears...what a group.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina says she has a few choice wine tips for the folks as well as a reminder that Jerry's Sports is now up and running in the old, historic Ebert's building. Go here to check it and her out www.christinawaters.com
ARMORED. Laurence Fishburne star of "Snakes on a Plane", Matt Dillon and a wasted Jean Reno bluff their way through this mindless bank robbery plot. The inanity of the plot is equaled by the quality of the miserable acting.
BOONDOCK SAINTS II: All Saints Day. This untalented director obviously stole everything he could from Quentin Tarantino. And failed. This film does make you appreciate just how clever and creative Tarantino can be.
BAD LIEUTENANT: Port of Call New Orleans. Nicolas Cage has made a few good films and can be believable with the proper plot. I couldn't believe a second of his acting as a drug addicted cop and fell asleep several times during this one. It too makes you appreciate Abel Ferrara's earlier film starring Harvey Keitel in the same role.
BLIND SIDE. The terminally cutesy Sandra Bullock makes this Hollywood football hero film into a sugar coated mess of nothing worth seeing. Go see Precious...a much more rewarding movie on more or less the same topic
FANTSATIC MR. FOX. I'm the only film critic that didn't like this film. Voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep and others are nearly perfect. It got ratings of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes and other places. It just isn't my kind of funny business. It's clever, hip, current, creative, and you don't see much stop motion animation. But I just couldn't laugh...go warned.
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12 GAYS OF CHRISTMAS. Cedar Geiger sent this fantastic clip of some of the finest choreography since they invented Rockettes. This gay thing is definitely catching on.
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UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Hopefully you know that each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On December 8th Attorney Bob Taren and I will discuss downtown and politics, followed by County Superintendent of Schools Michael Watkins who will teach us about the school district. Linda Bixby, development manager of CASA will bring us up to date on their programs on Tuesday December 15. On December 22 Catherine Pickerrell and Chris Pratorius from the Santa Cruz Chamber Players will talk about the rest of their season. Susan Hillhouse and somebody else from the Museum of Art & History will sketch out their future exhibits. In January Myriam Coppens from The Hemlock Society will describe developments in ending life concepts. John Orlando and Helene Wickett will be talking about the next Cabrilho Concert on Jan. 16th. So tune in or keep on listening, whichever works best for you.
QUOTES. "One hand washes the other, but both wash the face", Zen saying. "Richard Nixon and Howdy Doody are exactly the same in profile", Stu Cook. "The trouble with superheroes is what to do between phone booths", Ken Kesey.
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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VICTORVILLE REVISITED. It's about 390 miles from Santa Cruz to the heart of Victorville except that Victorville is so spread out I haven't yet seen where the heart is. Driving across the state from highway 101 to highway 395 takes you through the "Cholame Valley" down to Bakersfield then straight on through the Tehachapi Mountain range, which is truly beautiful. Great signage along the way water greedy farming corporations have huge signs reading "Food Grows where water flows" and "Farm Water feeds the nation". By the way almost all the rest stops are still closed except Shandon going east on 46 which looks terrible. You can't help but notice all over San Bernardino County the disguised cell phone towers hiding out as palm trees complete with faux cocoanuts and pine trees with near-bark and phoney branches. Road signs are odd too there's "Brown Material Road" near Wasco. Closer to Kramer's Corner there's a poster reading "Coy and Gold Fish - 2 Miles".
MUSING ON DENIM. One afternoon sitting in the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Hesperia I happened to notice that literally everyone (me too) in the waiting room was wearing Levi's aka denim pants. I'm willing to bet that never in history have so many people from so many walks of life all worn the same item of clothing. Imagine if the government said 90% of the citizens must wear Levi's!! Khaki slacks never came near the popularity of denims, nothing has. Yet we never seem to realize how conformist this is...either that or we don't care!! You know how odd it seems when there are even three people in a room with the same shirt or dress on. Yet we ignore the Levi epidemic. Is it like a uniform we're going after? We don't seem to recognize or talk about this sartorial fact, how did it happen? I'm aware that there are $15 denims and $500 denims....how come??? Any theories??
REACTIONS TO VICTORVILLE. Lee Quarnstrom cracker jack reporter and columnist now of La Habra formerly of Ocean View Avenue sends this response to my talking about Fort Irwin and other millions of acres of war training sites in our midst... "Re. military training sites out there: It's been common knowledge for many, many years that U.S. soldiers and Marines have huge training facilities in the high desert north and east of L.A. and Palm Springs. Interestingly, the late and eccentric Santa Cruz County Supervisor E. Wayne Moore Jr. told me a quarter-century or more ago that his annual Army Reserve or National Guard summer exercises were moved from Camp Roberts out to Fort Huachuca in Arizona. He said he was surprised to discover that he was being trained to fight a desert war -- even though at the time we had no enemies that we knew of living in desert regions. So, I realized when he told me that, the U.S. was, in fact, anticipating desert warfare, no doubt in the oil-rich areas of the mid-east. (Wayne Moore was delightful for Santa Cruz and Watsonville newspaper reporters such as me. You might recall that this self-described conservative bolted his right-wing Bund to endorse some liberals for office, for which he was shunned by conservative former "friends".
And, regarding your suggestions that the billions of dollars wasted in the so-called war on drugs be banned along with million-dollar mansions: Bruce, if the profits were removed from smuggling and selling illegal drugs there would be fewer millionaires wanting to buy those mansions. Best, Lee Quarnstrom, La Habra CA".
PROPOSITION 116 FACT SHEET PROPOSITION 116 is titled the "Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act". Prop. 116 was a California initiative statute passed at the Primary Election in 1990. Prop. 116 passed with a majority of "Yes" votes state-wide. Moreover it passed in ALL OF THE 5 SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS WITHIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 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) specifically 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 intercounty travel." Since the statute was passed 19 years ago (!!!), the State has given out nearly all the $1.6 BILLION to counties all over California. Our transportation commission is virtually the only jurisdiction in the State that has not already used its Prop. 116 allocation. Most other jurisdictions used their allocations years ago and their citizens are already enjoying the benefits.
Most notably, the dramatic improvements in rail service in the San Francisco Bay Area provided by Caltrain, the Amtrak Capitol Corridor trains to Sacramento, and the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) trains to Stockton, are direct results of Prop. 116 funded improvements. Monterey County used their $17 million of Prop. 116 money to purchase the rail corridor in their County from Union Pacific, and began working toward developing passenger rail service within Monterey County with the goal of eventually connecting their service, via Caltrain, to San Jose and San Francisco. The wildly successful multi-use trail from downtown Monterey to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is was built in this corridor.
We have delayed so long that we risk losing our $11 million, after 19 years, 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."
Opponents of purchasing the rail corridor claim that taking Prop. 116 money would be risky because the State might require us to pay them back if we do not immediately begin passenger rail service. This prospect has come to seem extremely remote. No jurisdiction in the State has been required to return any Prop. 116 funds. This includes Monterey County, even though they have not yet implemented passenger rail service on their branch line. Moreover, in a letter to the RTC, the California Transportation Commission suggests that they would interpret "rail project" with extraordinary latitude:
"...there are a couple of very viable options available to SCCRTC that could preclude the repayment of funds...submit an alternate operating plan ...propose an alternate project that meets the criteria of the legislation. The Commission is committed to working with SCCRTC to find any viable options for a rail project within your county..."
(Paul Elerick is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates, serves as the chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, and is a member of the Sierra Club's Santa Cruz Group's executive committee)
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(Gary Patton is "Of Counsel" to the Santa Cruz law firm of Wittwer & Parkin, which specializes in land use and environmental law. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton's.)
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim gives us four reasons to have hope for the future...probably!!! Scroll down to see if you agree.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul writes about "The Real Price Of Oil" in this week's Progreso Weekly. He tells of the pressures of working with oil production.
Check it out.
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
I have been using AVAST virus protection software with excellent results. Whenever I encounter a computer that is without virus protection I always install AVAST. As recently as today, I was working on a computer that was and is still infected with a terrible virus. It was a Trojan virus that had masqueraded itself, ironically as virus protection software. This is a new approach for bad people to hijack a computer and then attempt to get us to send them money to fix the problem that they caused. At first glance this seems serendipitous: "Oh, I have a virus and look, this new virus protection software wants me to purchase it." The problem is my friend's computer was already infected and giving them money would have left his system infected and his wallet lighter. It is a scam and if you get persistent messages on your computer system regarding a virus by software you didn't install, be very cautious. My friend's computer had virus protection software that had expired over a year ago. The problem with what is known as "subscription" software is once your time is up you become unprotected. AVAST wants only your email address to register and the registration (which is free) lasts for 14 months. After 14 months time you will be gently reminded at first and eventually persistently, to please re-register.
After working on it for over 3 hours, my friend's computer is now at my house. After all that time it is still not fully repaired and will take much more time. These viruses are self propagating and will multiply. Then they start to get into system files, making the system completely unusable; sometimes destroying data and system files. It's best to have protection on your system. AVAST can be found at the following website http://www.avast.com/. It is free; it is reliable and updates itself frequently as new strains of viruses become known, sometimes daily. If you think you have a virus, get someone to look at it as soon as you can. The sooner it is eradicated, the easier (and cheaper) it will be to have your computer working properly.(Please send your thoughts for next weeks Casey's Computer Comments mailto:pcasey1@gmail.com
EVERYBODY'S FINE. Once again, Robert DeNiro goes for the laughs and pathos and does a fine job. This is a grandparents film all the way, so I you know any take them to it, and get remembered in their wills!! It is based of course on the old fashioned idea of a man marrying a woman, but you can figure that out when you go, and you should.
RED CLIFF. John Woo has somehow taken over where Cecil B. DeMille left off, except that Woo can use special effects that beat anything DeMille ever thought of. This saga of war was cut by half to make a 2 hour film. It has nothing more than some absolutely wonderful war scenes that rival Eisenstein and Kurosawa. There's a bit of plot given to the importance of strategy...but go just for the spectacular aspect.
HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. "Hi folks –I'll try and keep the messages current through this busy season. In the offing now for the next week or so are: The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, twice 3rd and 5th. Cirkestra in SF on the 5th Drone Magic (the 7th Intl Bagpipe Festival) in SF on the 5th Bruce Molsky at several locations in central and northern California starting on the 6th, 9th and 11th Wozzeck sneak preview performance on the 10th The Black Olive Babes on the 11th in Santa Cruz, perhaps elsewhere Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks on Saturday the 12th And more after that, but I'll send another reminder. Details, as usual, are here: http://www.lutherie.net/live.music.html Watch those waistlines and mark those calendars! ph...(Bratton Add On...Paul doesn't mention it in this intro but he includes the details of the closing of the Cayuga Vault at the end of this month).
HOMELESS & HOLIDAY TIME. This Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. there's a special celebration going on at the project headquarters on West Cliff next to Depot Park, a genuine local thinking opportunity. AND the Homeless Garden Project Holiday store is now open 10am – 7p.m. all week go here and check it all out
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IMPROVISATION DIVERSITY AND CHANGE HAPPENING. Charles Lloyd himself will be at the UCSC campus for the third annual UCSC ISIM Festival. It starts this Thursday Dec 3 and features at least 40 events through Sunday the 6th It's about "The paucity of diversity" on and off our UCSC campus and how just maybe jazz and improvised music from around the world can bring folks together. It's a jam packed schedule of lectures, sessions, performances at Kuumbwa, and on campus. The four day event is too complex and too full of names to include here. Go to the link and go all over the links included...amazing!!
MILL WORKS THEATRE. Staged reading of Small Things by Cary Pepper with Brian Spencer and Brett Karleen on December 14 at the Mill Works theatre 131 Front street brief sample
Hoyt - Deliberate. Tired.
Drew - Clean-cut, well scrubbed. Innocent, sincere. Gives the impression of being almost fragile.
(ACTION...)
The doorbell rings, Hoyt glances at the door but doesn't move. The bell rings again. Hoyt thinks. At the door is Drew. Hoyt moves to the door and opens it.
Drew: Oh. I didn't think anyone was home.
Hoyt: No one is.
This begins a one act play about two men with more in common than either could have imagined. Join the audience, bring your own work to share, or both.
The Mill Works Theatre practice- perfect- perform at 131 Front Street 7:30p $6 donation @ door just to cover expenses
The Mill Works Theatre holds workshop style gatherings on alternating Mondays as an on-going time and place to practice, perfect, and perform audition pieces, monologues, scene work, and readings, encourage collaboration, and invite audiences to join with artists in the making of theatre. Dates: 12/14 and 12/28 all @7:30p More dates in 2010. Cost: $ 6 donation @ the door just to cover expenses
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Hopefully you know that each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On December 8th Attorney Bob Taren and I will discuss downtown and politics, followed by County Superintendent of Schools Michael Watkins who will teach us about the school district. Linda Bixby, development manager of CASA will bring us up to date on their programs and Environmental law attorney Bill Parkin will sum up the past year in legal terms on Tuesday December 15. On December 22 Catherine Pickerrell from the Santa Cruz Chamber Players will talk about the rest of their season. So tune in or keep on listening, whichever works best for you.
QUOTES. "Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!" Charles Dickens. "Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home", Carol Nelson. "In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!", Dave Barry.
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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