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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SCOTT KENNEDY AND CANDIDATES. Good old Scott Kennedy wrote on of his sneaky opinion pieces for the Sentinel Sunday. He says candidates for the City Council need to be stronger and be more able to make strong decisions basically in spite of what the voters want or need. He really needs to stick to his international peace making efforts where he does the most good. The Sentinel also forgot to add in Scott's credits that he won the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Man of The Year Award...he's their kind of man!!! Scott in slamming The Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning (SCRP) and their role in stopping the Coast Hotel Conference Center that 8000 citizen signatures also opposed this- sure- to- fail- scheme that Scott, Mike Rotkin, Dick Wilson and Ceil Cirillo tried to railroad past the Council and voters. Scott cleverly forgets too all the opposition of the residents of the Mobile Home Park that surrounds that proposed parking lot conference center. He forgot that the would be developers later on admitted the conference center would have been a huge risk, and that Scott engineered much of our City Money into financing the responsibility for that center. SCRP probably agrees (we haven't met lately) that the City Council performed poorly in the Tidelands dispute when they gave The Boardwalk all the rights to our tideland property for their parking lots. Millions of dollars in taxes given to Canfield and corp....it was and is a sorry performance. Will the TOT tax be a City Council Candidate issue...let's hope so. Will The De-sal plant be an issue...lets hope so...will UCSC's need for water be an issue lets hope so...most importantly lets make sure we hear solid answers to these issues when the candidate races begin.
SCOTT KENNEDY'S TIGHTROPE WALKING ACT. Here's what Scott Kennedy wrote for the Sentinel last Sunday...
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ORANGUTAN AND THE HOUND DOG. You'll ooh and ahh over this clip. It looks sort of like Scott Kennedy and Barry Swenson in a way. Simon Kelly of Soquel sent it in.
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ANARCHY MEETING. The Anarchy Panel meeting Thursday night at London Nelson Community Center was packed. More importantly the room was electric and excited at the beginning. Folks wanted to learn, get some new approaches, do something, solve something, and change everything. Panelists ranged from Matt Meyer from Modesto who was boring and nearly inarticulate, to Dani who took the entire concept personally and sexually, to Barry Pateman from The Kate Sharpley Library in Berkeley who was awe inspiring. But the best of the panel was John Malkin, long time Free Radio Santa Cruz host and teacher who made the most sense out of a topic that proved very hard to define. By evening's end many had left early, most were bored and no one understood much more than before. Michael Lewis of KUSP had a long piece on his blog about the evening, read it here. He was there with partner Jean Brocklebank. Read his take on the evening. I think the problem is that "anarchy" isn't a party like democrats, nor a group like communists, maybe more like a philosophy like Buddhism....we'll see. Do send thoughts.
JAZZ IN SANTA CRUZ DEAD OR DYING??? Here's this week's editorial from the Santa Cruz Jazz Society...
End of an Era ??
Since moving to Santa Cruz 25 years ago, there has always been fine live, local jazz presented in many places around town-
The Cooper House, Catalyst, Palookaville, E3Playhouse, The Attic, jazz and swing dances are no more. Capitola Wharf, Peachwoods,2525 Club, Severino's, and Bocci's Cellar were a few. The Cooper House fell in the 89 quake, Peachwood's cut back jazz to nothing, or almost nothing, Capitola Wharf after 19 years, discontinued Warmth's Sunday afternoon jazz, but even after that there was always Severino's. They had jazz every Tues, Wed, Thurs and most Fridays and Saturdays. This went on for many years. But, a few months ago Severino's discontinued Dizzy & Grover on Wed nites and today we hear that from now on there will be no more live music at all on weekday nites- No more Johnny Fabulous, or the Amazing Jazz Geezers. Even the Fridays and Saturdays now are rarely jazz. Where does that leave us?? Answer..Only Bocci's Cellar! The home of the Jazz Society of Santa Cruz for the last 10 years.
The other clubs and venues have discontinued jazz because- Bottom line: it doesn't pay for them. The main reason the jazz society has had this long and ongoing run at Bocci's is because Bocci's doesn't have to pay our bands! The bands play and get paid by the Jazz Society. That should go on forever, right? Not really. An important source of jazz society funds to pay bands came from grants (SC Arts Commission, Cultural Council, and the Community Foundation. The economy has caused all these sources to stop completely.
We always got most of our income from you, the people who like to listen to jazz, play jazz and dance to jazz. Now we need to get it all from you. We want to do this by having a steady income we can count on to meet our expenses. To be around for the long run we want a small but steady contribution from lots of people, not big donations from a few people or foundations. Our expenses are not large! We spend only $900 a month for the fine musicians who are our core band, who are doing it more for the love of the music and the community, than for the nominal payment. We have no other expense. Everything else is volunteered.
We need a relatively small commitment from a relatively small number of people to meet our need. We are seeking SUSTAINING MEMBERS who will sign onto our online donation server and commit to $10 month recurring donation. We began this a few months ago, and we now have 30 Sustaining Members to whom we are very grateful. We need FORTY more SUSTAINING MEMBERS.. That total of 70 would provide a steady monthly income of $700. Membership dues and the Tip Jar on Sundays provide the other $200. (Of course we also depend on your continuing to come to our Sunday jams and Friday happy hours and buy some food and drinks to make it worthwhile to Bocci's to continue to provide us a home).
So if you want the Jazz Society of Santa Cruz to continue to provide the music and the service to the jazz community, forty people need to step up to the task and commit $10 a month. That's basically $2 a week, and we will be able to keep going like we have for the last 10 years. Please think about it and take the step. Please be a sustainer. We need you. Click the link below, enter $10 and Recurring.
Donate to the Jazz Society The Jazz Society of Santa Cruz thanks you. We are confident you will come through.
Election wrap up and the next runoff election.
Money continues to be the issue in this summer's elections. On the bright side, PG&E poured over $50 million into their campaign to prevent anybody from competing with them and they lost. One for us. Then Meg Whitman more than doubled that in her campaign to beat out Steve Poizner in the Republican primary and won. This was a grim preview of what we can expect from the Republican candidate between now and November when she vows to spend another $150 million of here own bankroll to become Governor. The special election to determine who will eventually represent some of us as 15th District State Senator produced still another runoff election for August 17th. Our neighborhood is one of those "on the line" between the 11th and 15th SD's. When I say on the line, it is just that, with that line being drawn down the middle of a residential street, where neighbors living a few feet from each other have different representatives in the State Senate. And we wonder why people are confused about elections and choose just to skip them!
Elected officials back in 2001 (or so) decided to make a deal, with our 15th Senate District being thrown over the side to the Republicans in exchange for a similar benefit to the Dems somewhere else. I attended hearings in Monterey and San Jose where the public was allowed to express their opinion on this change. Every single person who spoke in Monterey and San Jose was AGAINST the change, but the decision had already been made. State Senator Perata who hosted the hearings just smiled at each speaker, thanked them, knowing full well they were wasting their time. It was like being in elementary school again, getting a pat on the head and told to run along.
So now we really have our work cut out to win back representation for the Central Coast in the State Senate. Let's start by working to get John Laird elected in the August 17th Special Election, and then work to fix the re-districting problem.
(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 talks about the definition of LAFCO
and what it's decisions mean to all of us. He talks about how Monterey's Highway 68 is a developers target, constantly. Then he discusses Dan Walters writing about Bill Monnings bill re a new Shopping center at Ford Ord's gateway and the state wide precedent it could set. He closes by discussing Vacation Rentals...and asks aren't they businesses or commercial activities that are located in residential areas??
(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. Mr. Tim Eagan depicts the many faces of war and the fine art of name calling...scroll that-a-way !
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NIXON IN CHINA...John Adams Opera
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LANDAU'S PROGRES. Imagine Fidel Castro advising Prez Obama on the oil spill
Saul's article is titled "Fidel Advises Obama, Ojala!" he adds, "Stop being President Nice Guy. Don't delegate authority to a new Mineral Management chief or vow to assemble experts and oil companies to study the problem. "Respond confidently to your people. They want you to control, not delegate authority or seek conciliation between powerless publics and mighty oil giants. And drop ‘God's help' from the speeches unless you think geese will learn to play baseball!" Read it all here
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's pirate adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 26: "Fortune's Wheel" A sentimental chapter involving a touching reunion and bloodthirsty pirates, in which Tory realizes the dream she has pursued above all others may cost more than she can afford to pay.
Click here to read Chapter 26
Click here to begin with Chapter 1
Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina tries the new Gabriella, drinks wine and goes to the movies. All at http://christinawaters.com
KNIGHT AND DAY. Everybody seems to wonder, so here goes...Tom Cruise is 48 and Cameron Diaz is 38. Tom was born in Syracuse, NY and so was Donna Maurillo, I think. Tom is also dyslexic, a Scientologist and lived with Penelope Cruz for 3 years. He makes an average of $15 million dollars per picture. Cameron Diaz's dad is Cuban, she likes "being Latin" graduated from Long Beach High, is very superstitious, lived with Matt Dillon for years and made about 10 million dollars for this movie. To be honest I liked Knight and Day. There are a lot of laughs, it's supposed to be funny, and these two nit-wits make a perfect pair and don't seem to have a thought between them. It's all fluff, if you want to laugh and like silly spy movie comedies, go for it.
CYRUS. The usual roster of very talented Indie stars in this complex comedy. Marisa Tomei, John C. Reilly, Catherine Keener and Jonah Hill. I wish there was a better word or more of them to describe dysfunctional families but this is another of THOSE films. Clever, unpredictable, funny, threatening, well acted...what more could you want in a summer film?
I AM LOVE. Tilda Swinton is an excellent actor but even she can't make this film interesting. It's almost a commercial for the luscious Italian countryside around Milan. Tilda plays an upper class Russian-Italian diva that falls in love with the wrong person. It's an interesting (that's INTERESTING) not involving, film to watch but you won't care much what happens to anybody in it.
HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. Paul says, "Of serious note is the current Cabrillo Summer Stage production of Swing, which we saw last night and which totally knocked us out. Get tickets ASAP, as it's bound to sell out. Moreover, Jim MacKenzie and Renee Flower have a joint show opening soon, and you can find out more about these and other things by clicking you-know-where A little later this week I'll add more things".
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. Painter/artist Susanna Waddell and Mary Warshaw from the Pajaro Valley Arts Council will be on June 29th talking about the Plein Air Show July 8-August 15th. They'll be followed by Secular Humanist Dennis Etler who will have just been to China and will talk about new anthropology, God and the state. Paul Figueroa and Susan Hillhouse of the Museum of Art and History, MAH will be on July 6th. Big area attractions Shakespeare Santa Cruz and The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will share the hour on July 13th and much more to follow. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.
QUOTES. "To live outside the law you must be honest", Bob Dylan. "He didn't know the right people. That's all a police record means in this crime-ridden country", Raymond Chandler/The Big Sleep. "I'll go to jail before I break the law", bumper sticker.
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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DICK WILSON'S VIEWS ON SANTA CRUZ WATER SUPPLY. Gary Patton in his Sentinel Op Ed piece and in his weekly KUSP program included these remarks by Dick Wilson. It's worth repeating over and over again until the City Council, The County Supervisors and UCSC get the message.
Remarks of Santa Cruz City Manager Richard Wilson, in his May 17, 2010 Budget Message to the Santa Cruz City Council, Addressing the City's Water Crisis
Water Department
We have lived on the precipice of extreme water shortage for so long that we hardly give it a thought. Every winter, year in and year out, those who work for the Water Department anxiously track rainfall and runoff. We are always on the verge of rationing. We can never be secure for more than one summer. No one knows this better than the people responsible for delivering water to 90,000 people who depend upon it; no one could know better.
We have sixty years of rainfall data, which are meaningless. It is silly to think that the most challenging drought of the last 60 years is a real worst-case scenario. Both wet and dry periods can last for decades or even centuries. We have no idea what future rainfall will be; we only know that we are absolutely dependent upon it. In a modest drought, such as 1976–77, we are in trouble.12 In a severe drought, we are in deep trouble. It is not a stretch to imagine banning all outdoor water use and closing hotels and restaurants and other businesses in time of severe drought. Moreover, we have an over-stretched system in the best of times.
We have an old water system. We have inadequate supply. We need to continue to invest large sums in the system and develop a supply for drought situations. If we do not, we will be risking the well-being of every one of our customers.
In contrast to the budgets of other City departments, the Water Department's budget is capital intensive. The fund balance is adequate to fund both operations and capital expenditures for the next year on a pay-as-you-go basis. Major capital projects such as desalination will require the issuance of debt in the future. We are developing cash flow projections for future capital expenses; it is not a simple task. Staff will keep the Water Commission informed as this work comes along, and will report to the City Council too. We have three times more customers today than we had then. Our water supply is unchanged".
MORE THAN THAT, RE UCSC GROWTH. Remember too we're talking about; 120 acres of trees to be cut down for the UCSC expansion, the bridges that would be built on that land to make it a campus, the increase in campus traffic that would use Empire Grade instead of staying within the existing campus, the opposition of environmental groups such as the Sierra Club to this increase of 3 million square feet of new buildings on the North Campus. What about the fact that no one has released figures of how these buildings will be used....classes? research? dorms? Is this all to increase grant money and because this campus is so close to Silicon Valley? Every student living on campus has to shop for food and necessities off campus now and that will only increase if the North Campus gets built. Be sure to ask any City Council candidate how she or he will vote on this expansion.
AROUND THE WORLD IN SECONDS. Hint watch the markers on the globe to see where it's at.
ORGANIZING ANARCHISTS!!! This just in from "The Spoon"...
Anarchists are everywhere! It's true. There are anarchists everywhere and they are definitely in Santa Cruz. But who are they really? What do they actually want? Are they really trying to destroy everything? We invite you to come find out for yourself at DEMYSTIFYING ANARCHY. Come hear self-identified anarchists speak about why they call themselves anarchists, what anarchy means to them and how they see the world. There will be a time for questions and discussion. Don't believe the hype. Come find out for yourself.
Demystifying Anarchy Thursday, June 24th, 6:30pm London Nelson Center, Room 3
The event is free, but donations for the space are welcome.
Demystifying Anarchy is organized by an ad hoc group of Santa Cruz locals from the anarchist community.
PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks about The County Supes dealing with Vacation rentals. Then he says more about UCSC growth in such excerpts as... "Does it make sense for the City to take on new water service responsibilities, to facilitate UCSC growth? That proposed Sphere expansion would help the University obtain an additional 152 million gallons of water per year, to facilitate the construction of over 3,000,000 square feet of new buildings in what is now a natural reserve area located outside the area designated for development in both the City and the County General Plans". He also talks about the AMBAG clearinghouse report.
(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 looks at the world and gives us good news...but only maybe??? Scroll down...
LANDAU'S PROGRES. "Israel again gives Jews a bad name" Saul Landau states in Progreso Weekly. He also says, "After Israeli commandos murdered nine people and wounded scores of others in international waters, I concluded that Israel continues to give Jews a bad name. The U.S. government and media, in their effort to kiss the Israeli lobby's ass, contributed to what Margaret Atwood called "a shadow hanging over Israel." She referred to its continued inhumane treatment of the Palestinians in occupied territories, including its control over access to Gaza". Read the entire article here
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 25: "Contrabandistas" In which island smugglers ply their illicit trade, stealthy pursuit leads Jack to the edge of madness, and a dramatic reunion finally occurs—in ironic and unexpected circumstances.
Click here to read Chapter 25
Click here to begin with Chapter 1
Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. The world's only Christina Waters claims ..."this week I gab about a Persian restaurant in San Diego, a terrific white wine and Kelly's Dinner Market this Saturday. All at http://christinawaters.com.
I LOVE YOU YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. This musical is way more sharp than I'd ever heard. Great lyrics that are near Lehrer-Sondheim & Coward plus staging, singing, and acting that takes it far above the usual "Great for Santa Cruz" level. It's in the new little (intimate) Cabrilho Black Box Theatre but only for 9 more performances. It was a huge hit last year and it's the same cast, so they know their stuff. Call 831 479-6154 for tickets or go to www.Cabrillostage.com
OPERA AT THE REGAL 9. After attending probably 300+ live operas in the last 25 years it was a different experience seeing the Encore Premiere screening of The Met's Aida at the Regal 9 last Wednesday. It was sold out, which means there are a lot of operas lovers in out county. This Encore Performance had no intermission, no backstage interviews by Renee Fleming just the biggest, grandest opera of the modern repertoire. It's a far cry from a Zeffirelli film version of operas like La Boheme, Traviata, or Otello. It's not quite like the PBS opera broadcasts either, it's got dozens of odd camera angles because it's a filmed live performance. It's just different AND it's bringing opera to thousands of folks who can't afford the prices of opera houses. check it out here There's an obnoxious popcorn spot before the trailer, keep watching.
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EXPLODED VIEW. Jim Campbell and Birds. Be sure to watch all of this and then re-think your view what creativity means.
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TOY STORY 3. Pixar once again leads the way in creating not only excellent and intelligent movies but with the vast amount of money they're making hopefully it will cause other 3D animated film makers to also make really good films, instead of the junk they turn out now.. The reviews are universally superior for this Toy Story 3 as they were for Up, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Wall-e, and Finding Nemo. Just see this film, you'll cry, laugh, think, remember, and re-think recycling all over again.
WINTERS BONE. Amazingly this is an adaptation from a book and it feels and looks like an extra gritty documentary. Set in back-country Ozarks the acting reaches new dimensions of reality. I easily put this on my 10 best 2010 films list. You will too.
JONAH HEX. From a comic book or some other pile of trash this mess of a spaghetti western meets Asian slasher flick stars Josh Brolin. Brolin's stepmother is Barbra Streisand and I think that's why he's so angry. He was just perfect in No Country for Old Men and Milk but he's slipped a few notches since then. Rent it just so you can watch the opening graphics + visuals credits a few times...those few minutes are great!!!
SWING, THE REVUE. The Cabrillo Stage opens Swing, the musical revue this Friday night and runs through July 18th. It's noted as an all singing, all dancing night with 30, count ‘em 30, dance numbers. Its won tons of awards, has a live band consisting mostly of Nordgrens and will be sold out two weeks after it opens. Plan ahead call 831-479-6154 (it has a terrible phone message that you have to listen to but humans do answer later) or go to www.cabrillostage.com for details and tickets.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG On June 22nd Anita Monga from San Francisco's Silent Film Festival will tell us all of this years feature attractions happening July 15th-18th.and then columnist-film critic Wallace Baine will "Rhyme with Vain" about his new book. Painter/artist Susanna Waddell and somebody else from the Pajaro Valley Arts Council will be on June 29th followed by Secular Humanist Dennis Etler who will have just been to China. Museum of Art and History, MAH will be on July 6th. Big area attractions Shakespeare Santa Cruz and The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will share the hour on July 13th and much more to follow. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.
QUOTES. "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics", Mark Twain. "Outer space is no place for a person of breeding" Violet Bonham Carter. "The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot, but the guy who invented the other three, now he was a genius", Sid Caesar.
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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ABOUT JUDGES & POLITICAL LEANINGS. We have just elected some judges. As mentioned many times in this space...it's a little crazy electing judges. We never hear anything about how they are doing their jobs. Are they liberal, conservative, caring about constitutional rights? We read in their campaigns a wide range of supporter's names but who besides attorneys and clients keep any kind of score? Lately I've heard complaints about Ariadne Symons and her being unfair regarding homeless issues...but there's more to the story than that. We all know the history of Citizens Committees around here but how can we elect and re-elect Judges when we have no communication? Is it honestly better that they should be appointed? Give me some of your thoughts on this...please???
ABOUT ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S GRANDDAUGHTER. Last week on University Grapevine Casey Protti and I interviewed the three Short Story winners from Bookshop Santa Cruz's fourth annual contest. The third place winner was Vanessa Hemingway who wrote the short story titled "El Bar." In answer to the obvious question, she said yes that's my real name and Ernest Hemingway was my grandfather.
You can check it and Vanessa out by looking at Wikipedia' s version of Hemingway's' family tree....
Yes, her story El Bar is a fine story and very like Grandpa's stuff and sure Vanessa likes to write and writes a lot. See what you miss by not listening to University Grapevine? (Tuesday nights, 7:30-8:30 p.m. KZSC 88.1 fm). Read Vanessa Hemingway's prize winner right here...http://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/el-bar
Vote for John Laird on June 22. This is the special election that our Governor called for to fill the open 15th Senate District seat. He "promoted the incumbent to Lieutenant Governor with hopes of replacing him in a low-turnout special election with another Republican. On June 22nd you have a chance to prevent Arnold from having his way. Our own John Laird is working as hard as he can to make sure Arnold doesn't get his way. We need John as our State Senator.
On our trip Sunday to San Jose, through Morgan Hill and returning via Los Gatos, we saw lots of signs supporting John Laird. Yes, all that territory is the 15th Senate District, all the way south past San Luis Obispo. The signs were encouraging, eye-catching in ocean-blue background. The opposition is peppering the TV channels with Whitman/Poizner type hate ads attacking John. One, unfortunately, featured ex-State Senator Bruce McPherson, ripping Laird and supporting his opponent. Here's some good information from Johns' Campaign Manager:
5 things you can do to help right now:
1. Sign up to volunteer here. Someone from your local campaign office will quickly let you know what you can do to help! We will be mounting a district-wide get out the vote effort this coming weekend, and we could use your help.
2. Remind your friends and family that June 22 is Election Day -- and tell them how important it is to vote! Tell them not to be fooled by the corporate-funded attack ads.
3. If you vote absentee, mail your ballot right now! (You can also deliver your ballot to any polling place or official drop off location on June 22.)
4. Identify your polling place. Because it is a Special Election, there will be fewer precincts open, so make sure you know where to vote on June 22nd. You can find your polling place by clicking on the link for your County Election Office at the end of this email.
5. Fight back against the corporations by contributing to John Laird's campaign: http://www.lairdforsenate.com/donate.html.
John Laird and I both thank you for your ongoing support. Without you, we cannot win this important race and bring change to California.
Janelle Beland
Campaign Manager, John Laird for SenateS.: To find your polling place, or other information about where to deliver your ballot, click the link next to the county in which you live:
Santa Clara County: http://www.sccvote.org/
Santa Cruz County: http://www.votescount.com/
Monterey County: http://www.montereycountyelections.us/
San Luis Obispo County: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/clerk/elections.htm
Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcvote.com/
(Paul Elerick is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates. He 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 talks about the UCSC water issue on his KUSP program and says...
The City of Santa Cruz, the County, various community groups, and individuals sued the University over proposed UCSC growth plans. Those lawsuits were ultimately settled, in 2008, by a "Comprehensive Settlement Agreement, which required the University and the City to go to LAFCO (the Local Agency Formation Commission) to seek approval for an extension of water service to the UCSC "North Campus. The North Campus is about 350 acres, now completely natural and undeveloped, and UCSC wants 152 million gallons of water per year, to support the construction of over 3,000,000 square feet of new buildings on this North Campus area.
The City and County made a contractual commitment as part of the settlement, promising to negotiate an agreement between them on land use related issues. This City-County agreement would then be submitted to and be considered by LAFCO. Despite this promise, the City now seems unwilling to carry through. What the Board will do will probably be decided today. (today being Tuesday June 15).
He continues on Wednesday saying...As reported yesterday, UCSC will not be able to tap into the City's scarce water supplies for its proposed North Campus expansion, without getting approval from the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO. LAFCO, in other words, is a pretty important agency, with the ability to guide just how, and where, and when future growth will be allowed.
A "Sphere of Influence is kind of like a City or County General Plan. It sets out LAFCO' s long-term policy objectives for each city and special district. Then, all individual LAFCO decisions must be consistent with the adopted Sphere. In Santa Cruz, the City and UCSC are seeking a City Sphere expansion to accommodate the proposed University expansion.
(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. "What Obama Should Have Done...in really brilliant color...scroll down to you know where.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul's weekly column in Progreso is titled "The New Right History" and starts off with, "The Texas State Board of Education approved a new social studies curriculum to reflect American History as it should have happened. Board member Cynthia Dunbar (R) elucidated the core of the Board's premise: America was and should be 'a Christian land governed by Christian principles'". Read the rest here
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter24: "Something On Account" In which a Faustian bargain is struck, information is exchanged, and Jack channels his inner pirate for a showdown with Destiny.
Click here to begin with Chapter 1
Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina gets introspective about "The Karate Kid" - and she also has some choice food world gossip for you - plus tales from her recent East Coast adventure......all at http://christinawaters.com.
SPLICE. This movie isn't entirely bad. It falls apart in several places, but you'll still stay awake through most of it. Adrian Brody is the mad scientist, or nerd, or geek, as we say nowadays. He and his cute lab assistant splice together a gooey slug that turns into a beautiful long and sharp tailed babe that he has sex with. Then in a cool plot twist the thing changes sex and rapes the cute lab assistant...and I'm not making this up!! Don't go on my say so, but there are some good and some funny parts of plots that do work.
A TEAM. This "thing shouldn't even be called a movie. It also shows that when Liam Neeson took the lead role he was either very desperate for money or his acting career has completely tanked, both of which are sad. This "thing was once based on a comic book and then on a dopey TV series which isn't bad in itself but it has no plot, no purpose, no humanness, no depth...it's just a thing not a movie and being all digital it certainly doesn't qualify as a film either.
ONDINE. Colin Farrell stars in this almost fairy tale, almost good Irish movie. The woman in his fishing net may be a selkie/fairie/nymph thing or an illegal immigrant. But you won't care because none of the characters are real enough to matter much. Sort of like Secret of Roan Inish...if you liked that one, which I didn't.
MIC MACS. Very tricky visionary type film. The director Jean-Pierre Jeunet also did Amelie, City of Lost Children (one of my favorites) and Life of Pi. This one is like those films but not as good. Somewhere is the film there's a story about getting even with international arms manufacturers and dealers. Yes, it's worth seeing.
OTHER REALLY WORTHWHILE FILMS. Exit Through the Gift Shop, Get Him To The Greek, Mother and Child, Secret in Their Eyes, Please Give, and City Island are all definitely worth seeing. See critiques in past columns by scrolling downwards.
SHAKESPEARE STUDY GROUP RE OTHELLO. Don Young former teacher, lecturer, writer, poet at Cabrilho College organized a Shakespeare Study Group back in 2002 beginning with Hamlet. Taking 22 of Shakespeare's plays apart act by act over the years Don has created a very loyal following (me included) and holds these groups 3 or 4 times each year. The next play study group, this one focusing on Othello, starts this Saturday 6/19 at 10a.m. We meet at The Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church 2402 Cabrillo College Drive in Soquel just off the freeway. It's free, and you need know nothing, or think you know everything, about The Bard. Bring a Pelican edition ($6) copy of the play, but any edition will do. Available at the newly re-located Bookworks in Aptos' Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center across from Eric's Deli. Call 763-2520 for info.
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE. This "riotous comedy opens the Cabrilho Summer Repertory Season this weekend Friday, Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. It's about relationships and you know how funny they are. It will run for only three weeks until July 3rd and was a huge hit last year. Buy tickets online at www.cabrillostage.com or 479-6154
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. On each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. This very Tuesday June 15th Cabrilho's Summer stage leads off with Cabaret Director Trevor Little and producer/musical director Jon Nordgren. After those guys famed artist/satirist Futzie Nutzle will discuss his artistic points of view. On June 22nd Anita Monga from San Francisco's Silent Film Festival will tell us all of this years feature attractions happening July 15th-18th.and then columnist-film critic Wallace Baine will "Rhyme with Vain about his new book. Painter/artist Susanna Waddell and somebody else from the Pajaro Valley Arts Council will be on June 29th followed by Secular Humanist Dennis Etler who will have just been to China. Museum of Art and History, MAH will be on July 6th. Big area attractions Shakespeare Santa Cruz and The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will share the hour on July 13th and much more to follow. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.
QUOTES. "Don't let your mouth write no check that your tail can't cash, Bo Diddley. "If I'm a lousy writer, a helluva lot of people have got lousy taste, Grace Metalious (author of Peyton Place). "There seems to be no plan because it is all plan, there seems to be no center because it is all center, C.S. Lewis.
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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DAMNED DEADLINES AND EMAIL MATTERS. Because this is written early Monday mornings and usually doesn't get online until days later there's not much that can be said about this week's elections. Once again, the problem of servers, plus the vagaries of the internet remind me to tell you that IF you aren't getting the reminder emails that the column is up and online every week...just subscribe again, and again if necessary. We'll all learn together, and laugh about these primitive systems one day.
PHONY ELECTION GUIDE. PG & E? By now almost every Democrat in the state received on of those Eagle faced flyers claiming to be a "voter information guide for democrats" with Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer's photos on the front. Googling around I found it was printed by Levine and Associates in Sherman Oaks. Levine and Assoc. claim an amazing 81% win factor when you use their strategy. They'll put the leading Democrat faces on the front BUT the real hidden goal is to make you vote NO on 15 the fair elections prop., YES on PG&E and YES on the Auto Insurance rip-off proposition...when we should have voted exactly the opposite....we'll see how well that worked this time. http://www.levineandassociates.com/voter-info-guide.php
GARY PATTON RE: UCSC VS. CITY WATER & ABOUT HIRING MORE COPS.. Gary has a radio program on KUSP as almost everybody knows. I repeat his advance script every week. This week he takes on the City Water issue and says...
"The Santa Cruz City Manager authors a "Budget Message" each year, and given that the City's budget situation is so difficult, this year's "Budget Message" is particularly worthwhile reading.
I was struck by what the City Manager said about the City's water situation. And of course, the City's water situation affects many people who are outside the City, including residents and businesses in the entirety of Pasatiempo and Live Oak, and in part of the City of Capitola. Here are a few quotes from the City Manager:
Assuming that the City Manager's statements are accurate, should the City Council expand its commitment to deliver water to facilitate 3,000,000 square feet of new construction at UCSC? Amazingly, enough, the Council has never given the public an opportunity to comment on this proposal. The Community Water Coalition is trying to make sure the public does get a chance to be heard in front of the City Council. There will be a court hearing on June 29th, in case you want to mark your calendars. We have 60 years of rainfall data, which are meaningless. It is silly to think that the most challenging drought of the last 60 years is a real worst-case scenario. ... In a modest drought...we are in trouble. In a severe drought, we are in deep trouble. ... Moreover, we have an over-stretched system in the best of times. We have an old water system. We have inadequate supply.
More Information
City Manager's Budget Statement
Santa Cruz County Superior Court
Gary also has a lot to say this week about the City and the annual budget hearings now in session...that is... "Local governments all over the state are in various stages of fiscal crisis, and the City of Santa Cruz is no exception. About a month ago, things got worse, in terms of budget balancing, when the Council decided, without any prior public hearing or public involvement, to fill police vacancies at an annual cost of at least a million dollars. Something else is going to have to go. If you'd like to be heard on the trade offs, rather than just read about them in a newspaper, your personal participation is required". Then on Thursday's broadcast he reports... "Meantime, state workers are hearing from the Governor that he will use the authority he got in a recent court decision to reduce all their pay to the state's minimum wage, starting July 1st. Read the rest here
(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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The Dark Side of Chocolate movie. Don't tell Donna Maurillo but this film which is now beginning to be distributed in the USA reveals the child labor and other nasty facts about chocolate production. Like Nestles, Tobler and more.
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John Laird showed his effectiveness as my predecessor in the State Assembly. He was a strong advocate for equality, a champion for those who are less fortunate, an unwavering defender of the environment, and a tenacious negotiator for a fair and balanced budget. As we enter another budget session, with Republicans once again demanding unacceptable cuts that will hurt Californians and delay our economic recovery, we need John Laird's leadership and expertise in the State Senate. His Republican opponent is a former Exxon executive who sponsored a bill last year to allow offshore oil drilling, and after it failed, tried to hide his vote. He is well-funded, and he's going to wage his campaign with big media buys. John can win this, but he needs the resources to match his opponent in the media and to turn out our voters on June 22. Here's where you come in.
I hope you will join John Laird and me at one of two upcoming receptions in the Monterey Bay Area. Please RSVP for one of these events, and help us send John Laird back to Sacramento. Whether you attend the Monterey or Santa Cruz County event, I am grateful for your help in electing my colleague and friend John Laird to the State Senate on June 22. Thank you. Bill Monning
MONTEREY COUNTY. Thursday, June 10, 5-7 pm
Home of Dwight Holling & Ann Notthoff
3168 Cortez Road, Pebble Beach
$3,900 Host · $1,000 Patron · $500 Sponsor · $100 Friend •
RSVP by June 9 to Connie Sanders Emerson conniesandersemerson@earthlink.net
or (916) 456-4098 • Credit Card Contributions:
http://www.actblue.com/page/montereycountyforjohnlaird • Contributions by check: Contact Connie Sanders Emerson for more information.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. Monday, June 14, 4-6 pm Clouds Downtown 110 Church Street, Santa Cruz Light refreshments, no-host bar $1,000 Sponsor, $500 Co-Host, $100 Friend • RSVP: sc4laird@gmail.com or (831) 458-2743 • To purchase tickets online go to: http://www.actblue.com/page/cloudstowntown • Contributions by check must be made payable to: Friends of John Laird for State Senate 2010
METHYL IODIDE. Larry Jacobs of Jacobs Farms and Jim Cochran of Swanton Berry Farms talked a lot about the dangers of Methyl Iodide on KZSC's University Grapevine last Tuesday night. Larry's sister Jana sent this link to further alert you to what too few people are getting riled up over... http://www.panna.org/fumigants/mei
WELCOME FRY'S ELECTRONICS TO SANTA CRUZ. You must have noticed that Fry's Electronics in San Jose and environs advertises in the Sentinel probably more than any other business. So why not get them to open a Santa Cruz store??? It would save millions of gas miles from all of us driving there, they would have no local competition etc. etc. I asked Peter Koht economic development coordinator for the City why not?? He suggested using the old & empty Circuit City store. I didn't ask him if the city or county has made any appeals or overtures to Fry's but don't you think they should?? If you check carefully you'll find that Frys has stores in Alpharetta, Georgia, Downers Grove (great name) Illinois, Fishers, Indiana, Plano, Texas, Tempe, Arizona, Roseville and even stupid Oxnard, so Santa Cruz would seem to deserve one....any ideas???
Pride Parade – Success Story. I had the honor of driving John Laird in Sunday's Pride Parade. The parade organizers, the Diversity Center, should be recognized for coordinating this outstanding community event. Being in a parade has its downside (you don't see who else is in it), but you sure get to see the spectators. You have to wonder which parade the Sentinel covered when they described the parade as having a few hundred spectators, my guess they were off by a few thousand. If the parade watchers warm welcome to State Senate Candidate Laird is an indication of how the June 22nd special election will go, John will win. We just have to get people to VOTE in this confusing special election called for by the Governor who hopes a low-turnout will favor the Republican candidate. Check John's website to find out how you can help John Laird become our next State Senator.
(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. Another in the Tim Eagan series "Thanks for The Advice" Scroll down, take a look and be glad you've never said those things.....
LANDAU'S PROGRES. "Fouling the human nest" or "The Spill is Gone" both are apt titles for Saul's Slime Filled Slam on BP's disaster. He quotes both Herman Melville and Fidel Castro. Melville's Moby Dick warned: Observe Nature's limits. Science will not solve problems caused by science for the purpose of "progress."
"Such developments as the recent environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico show how little the governments can do against those in control of capital," wrote Fidel Castro in a May Reflection. The giant corporation "in the United States and in Europe, through the economy of our globalized planet, decide the fate of the people."
Read it all here Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 23: "Wharf Rats and Seafarers" Tory's acting pays off, but unexpected complications (are there any other kind?) interfere with her clever charade to get back to the sea. Click here to read Chapter 23
Click here to begin with Chapter 1
Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.
MOTHER AND CHILD. You can be sure that when directors Rodrigo Garcia and Alejandro Inarritu work together that the film will be not just good but deeply layered, Centering on women, and well acted. Then add Annette Benning, Naomi Watts, Jimmy Smits and the best straight performance ever by Samuel Jackson and you have a fantastic film. You won't feel like whistling when you leave after 2:15 minutes but you will have experienced what good filmmaking is all about...go for it.
GET HIM TO THE GREEK. If you like show biz, rock star show biz since the mid '60's you'll love this comedy. Even though Judd Apatow was involved in it it's still sharp and even touching in spots. It's nasty, gross, clever, and yet it's a road picture. You could wait and rent it, but the fun will be gone, see it now.
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Here's the official trailer for Princess Kaiulani opening Friday at the Nick.
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Even more surprising the lead in the film Q'orianka Kilcher made news last week. She's really Peruvian and Swiss and also played Pocahontas in "The New World" movie.
Princess Kaiulani' actress arrested at White House By Associated Press
WASHINGTON >> U.S. Park Police have identified a woman arrested for tying herself to a White House fence as actress Q'orianka Kilcher, who stars in the lead role in the film "Princess Ka'iulani. "Authorities say the 20-year-old Kilcher tied herself to the fence yesterday and her 41-year-old mother, Saskia, poured a black substance over her. They told officials they were protesting a visit by the president of Peru. Q'orianka Kilcher's father is a Peruvian Indian. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser identified the mother, who's charged with defacing government property, and daughter, who's charged with disorderly conduct. Schlosser says they are expected to appear in D.C. Superior Court today. A call to Kilcher's publicist was not immediately returned. Kilcher also starred as Pocahontas in the 2005 film, "The New World."
ELIXIR OF LOVE. The UCSC Music Departments Opera theatre production of Donizetti's Elixir of Love had some wonderful singing. Re-setting it in an American factory in 1944 made it a little weird when a Sergeant returns from defending a nearby plaza. Allie Jessing as Adina and Alley Faulk as Nemorino were just perfect in the leads and let's hope we can hear Jaclyn Leigh Taylor somewhere in a bigger role than Giannetta. Next year's production will be Benjamin Britten's Opera Albert Herring.
CROSSING DELANCEY. This play is a comedy by Susan Sandler with heart – warm and funny and filled with love. Karen Schamberg plays Bubbie, a Jewish grandmother who wants great-grandchildren. It's presented by the Santa Cruz Jewish Theatre and performed at the Live Oak Grange Hall 1900 17th Ave Santa Cruz. June 11 – 20, 2010 Fridays & Saturdays at 8:30 pm Sundays at 3:00 pm. Info and Reservations: 831-465-1411 Matinees are "two for one" with a sack of non-perishables and proceeds will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
SANTA CRUZ ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR. "Celebrating Art", is the theme for Santa Cruz Art League's 2nd Annual Art Fair, held from 11am-5pm, this Saturday and Sunday, June 12 -13th. Free to the public, the event features 22 of Santa Cruz's finest artists and craft wizards in festive outdoor booths, on the lawn at 526 Broadway. Art Demos and a free children's art project will be held, along with an art and wine raffle both days. See their website: www.scal.org for a complete list of artists..
"Celebrating Art" is being held in conjunction with SCAL's 80th Annual Statewide Exhibition, "Nature's Treasures", featuring contemporary landscape painters of California from May 29th - June 27th. The exhibition was juried by the distinguished Richard Mayhew, and was curated by Ed Penniman. The exhibit is free to the public, and the Gallery will be open from 11am -5pm on the weekend of June 12-13th .
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at www.kzsc.org. This June 8th we'll have the now traditional Bookshop Santa Cruz three short story winners all reading their works for the entire hour. Cabrilho's Summer stage leads off with Cabaret Director Trevor Little and producer/musical director Jon Nordgren. After those guys famed artist/satirist Futzie Nutzle will discuss his artistic points of view. On June 22nd Anita Monga from San Francisco's Silent Film Festival will tell us all of this years feature attractions happening July 15th-18th. and then columnist-film critic Wallace Baine will "Rhyme with Vain" about his new book. Painter/artist Susanna Waddell and somebody else from the Pajaro Valley Arts Council will be on June 29th followed by Secular Humanist Dennis Etler who will have just been to China. Museum of Art and History, MAH will be on July 6th, Shakespeare Santa Cruz on July 13th and so forth. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.
QUOTES. "Whatever happens to Tim Leary will happen to America", Allen Ginsberg. "Neither in the hearts of men nor the manners of society will there be a lasting peace until we outlaw death", Albert Camus. "The rich are different from you and me because they have more credit", John Leonard
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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VOTING & POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS BY BRUCE VAN ALLEN. Bruce Van Allen , former politician - now advisor and strategist to politicians, gave an illuminating talk at the Peoples Democratic Club last Thursday night. Among other things he said that Santa Cruz County has 55% registered Democrats, 18% registered Republicans, and 21% declined to state. And that 55-59 year olds are most likely to vote and younger people aren't voting much YET!
He also woke us up with what absentee ballots have done and are doing to the usual campaigning practices. That means it's become "election month" instead of Election Day!!! Absentees are now more than 1/2 the votes. AND that even with the majority Democrats are less likely to vote than Republicans.
LIST OF GENERATIONS. Bruce Van Allen also offered this data on pinning down the generations we talk about so much. There are probably infinite variations on dates and names but this is the first time I've even seen these many specifics and labels.
1883-1900 The Lost Generation
1901-1924 The G.I. Generation ("G.I". ="Government Issue", just in case)
1925-1942 The Silent Generation
1943-1960 The Boomer Generation
1961-1981 Generation X
1982-1992 The Millennial Generation
NEAL COONERTY FOR SUPERVISOR. Neal's done a good job, we know him, he responds, the opposition Cove Britton and Doug Deitch have such little to offer even if there was a choice there wouldn't be a choice. Vote for Neal Coonerty for Third District and Tony Campos for Fourth.
COVE BRITTON NAMES. As previously mentioned Cove Britton refused to give me any names of his supporters. So in looking at his list of contributors to his campaign we can get a clue as to why he wouldn't and also where he's really at in terms of political leanings...Joe Ritchey ($200), Betty Danner ($400), Louie Rittenhouse ($99), Noel Smith (Mid County Press), Dan Garr (KUSP). Look at where he spent his campaign money Campaign Management= $30,000 to Oakland's Tramutola (check out Tramutola's website, http://www.tramutola.com/c-cb.html ) Campaign Consulting Laura Crotty of Saratoga $2345, Polling Research = $8993 to True North Research in Encinitas, $9387 to Printpro in San Lorenzo for campaign Literature. Not even buy local???
DOUG DEITCH FOR WATER BOY. Doug emailed me after I asked him too for a list of supporters. He surprised me by saying he didn't remember meeting me. I reminded him of the many campaign and non campaign times we'd met, I reminded him of the many times I slammed the phone down on his water-on-the-brain endless monologues and I haven't head from him again.
PHIL CRAWFORD FOR JUDGE. Phil stopped by that PDC meeting last week and impressed many of us with the breadth of his experience, his work with community colleges, and his attention to the politics involved in the other races. Vote for Phil Crawford for Superior Court Judge.
STEVE WRIGHT FOR JUDGE. Here's a re-run of last week's endorsement of Steve Wright for Superior Court Judge: SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE. When you get right down to it, the judge campaigns are odd business. We've almost always never heard of the people running and once they're elected you never hear about or see them again...unless you're in trouble. It's not like City Council, or Supervisors, or Assemblyman, or even Sam Farr. Judges just disappear. So I always lean on and depend a lot on who supports these people. I asked Steve Wright about that drinking item that keeps coming up when folks mention his campaign. He says and I believe him, that drinking is absolutely not a problem and definitely not an issue. He says all of his friends will say the same thing. He used to drink a lot more than now, and had an earlier reputation for it...but no more. I'm endorsing him all the way. I asked him more stuff he said that he doesn't like the "current witch hunt" that the May Day Pacific Glass Smashing has turned into. He likes the Guerilla Free Movies and said they are a wonderful community event. Read his list of a few of his supporters Paul Burdick, Kim Allyn, Luis Alejo, Scott Kennedy, Bert Muhly, Mike Rotkin, Austin Comstock, Robert Ludlow, Tom Shanle, Geoffrey Dunn, Daniel Press, Ed Frey, Reed Flocks, Annette Marcum, Christina Scherer, and Joe Henard. More at http://www.stevewrightforjudge.org/index.php?page=endorsements
REBECCA CONNELLY (REPEAT FROM LAST WEEK) Rebecca Connolly supporters. I owe an apology to new comers who don't associate supporters names with issues, jobs, past battles, and reputations but here are some of Rebecca Connolly's supporters...Marc Monte, Jan Beautz, Ellen Pirie, Bob Bosso, David Terrazas, Caleb Baskin, Stan Prolo, Ted Burke, Lynn Robinson, John Burroughs, Tim Morgan, Pat Liberty, Marilyn Liddicoat, Robert Steffen, Doug Liddicoat, and Marq Lipton of the Boardwalk's Seaside Corporation. More at http://www.rebeccaforjudge.org/endorsements.shtml
LUIS ALEJO. If you don't have enough reasons to support this hard working dedicated guy by now as your State Assemblyman...you must be new here. Vote for Alejo.
COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Just vote for Glen Schaller, Joyce Malone and Brian Murtha and leave the other three blank. You can trust these three to vote and stand up for what you believe. The others are what I call "Bruce McPherson Democrats" as in "well Bruce McPherson isn't so bad" and are far more centrist.
STATE MEASURES. YES ON 13, NO ON 14, YES ON 15, NO ON 16 AND NO ON 17. Especially NO on 16 that PG& E scam. Why doesn't Santa Cruz City begin work on creating and/or buying our own electric power? We once had a reputation for being an innovative, unique, environmental city...what happened to that?
WESTERN SERVICE WORKERS ASSOCIATION BACK AT TRADER'S.
These cult groupies are out again selling their fake newspapers and asking for donations in front of Trader Joes on Front Street. When they stop you ask them some simple questions to prove their claims of helping the homeless. Ask them for the name or location of our Homeless Center, ask them what's our Mayor's name, ask them where they live, ask them what's their home town...they won't answer. Ask them for any proof at all of what they've done for our homeless. More specifically ask them what they've done to "organize our low income workers", ask them what they've done "to fight for living wages". If you find anyone at their local Center at 1012 Mission (near Donnelly's Chocolate) they won't give you any answers either...I was there. Yes, they speak at local churches and organizations but that's just part of the plot...they do nothing beyond that except collect money and clothing for their national units. Go to Wikipedia and read about NATLFED organizations.
After reading about the NATLFED connection, read this from the Political Cult website.
"Unincorporated", meaning they don't have non-profit status, no doubt because non-profits have to conform to minimal standards of openness and accountability. What they mean when they say they organize low-income workers...well, that's anyone's guess.
WSWA organizes churches, schools and businesses into giving WSWA free-stuff, and organizes gullible editors into giving WSWA a platform in newspapers and magazines. And of course they "organize" new recruits to abandon their lives and dedicate themselves to the solely self-perpetuating activities of the WSWA.
Read more here.
Wikipedia says, "NATLFED entities conduct door-to-door canvassing and operate assistance programs for the poor; they have also been called by watchdog groups and government agencies "one of the country's most extreme and controlling political cults." Then ask yourselves why doesn't our city council deal with this? Why do we harass our homeless and yet allow California Service Workers to operate so freely?
LA BAHIA FAR FROM DECIDED. Activist and concerned citizen Don Webber reminded me last week that the La Bahia decision is far from over. That's in spite of the Sentinel headlining "Judge Paul Burdick on Friday paved the way for the city to demolish the historic La Bahia apartments and build a 125-room hotel designed to revive the waterfront", in last Aprils paper. "There's the Coastal Commission and much more work to be done on this" Webber said and he's getting a status summary to BrattonOnline any minute now...or later.
While Steve has picked up some solid endorsements that include Louis Rittenhouse and Charles Canfield, Rebecca has the endorsements from people and organizations I most admire. Here are a few Connolly supporters that I put in that category: John Laird, Fred Keeley, John Leopold, Neal Coonerty (Rebecca got the endorsement of all five County Supervisors), Celia Scott, Emily Reilly, Katherine Beiers, Tony Madrigal and the list goes on. The People's Democratic Club, Democratic Central Committee, the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council have endorsed Rebecca as well as other organizations.. You can see both candidates' credentials at their websites, Rebecca Connolly's and Steve Wright's.
Judge elections are more important that most people realize, considering these people are the ones who get to interpret the law on local issues like Arana Gulch and La Bahia. I'm for Rebecca Connolly all the way
Regarding Superior Court Office 3, this one could involve a runoff with three candidates in the running. All three, Phil Crawford, Jim Sibley, and John Gallagher are well qualified to be judge. My choice is Phil Crawford.
Nasty campaigns. I'm sure I'm not the only person tired of Poizner's and Whitman's TV ads. They both have a heavy Tea Bagger ring to them and both deserve to loose. But one will win and we'll be listening to that candidate all the way to November. They have given Jerry Brown so much ammunition to use; it will be interesting to see how he chooses to run his campaign.
Moderately nasty campaign. One that's at the top of this list is the 28th Assembly District race between Watsonville Mayor Luis Alejo and Salinas City Councilmember Janet Barnes. Both of these candidates seem to be running positive campaigns on their own, but unfortunately there are independent expenditure committees running Poizner/Whitman style hit ads and mailers supporting Barnes.
We in Santa Cruz County don't hear much from the 28th Assembly District as only few voters in the 28th live in our county. But it's important to keep this in the best possible Democratic hands. I'm for Luis Alejo all the way. (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).end of Elerick's Input.
JANET BLASER SIGHTING. There are people who add electricity to the community
Janet sure did when she lived, edited and wrote here. She moved to Mazatlan and was back here last week. She says the pressures in Santa Cruz are too much...get a new car, buy this, buy that"...Fine, sassy, brilliant...all of that, Now she's gone back to Mazatlan again.
JOEL SCHAEFER AND SUZANNE SCHAEFER LEAVING THE AREA. Joel and Suzanne Schaefer also added electricity to Santa Cruz. Joel played his last cello concert with Cadenza last week. Suzanne has been Larry Selman's Paperweight buyer/appraiser for years. They're moving to Buenos Aires in a month or so. Better health care, more community interest in cultural events were a few of the reasons. They'll be missed.
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ART...all about. Just when you think you know it all or have heard it all about what's art along comes....
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PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks about the proposed new self storage facility proposed for Shaffer Road near the new motel the city gave away. He talks about "healthy Foods in Watsonville" and what that could or should mean. There's the airport land use issue, Watsonville's General Plan...and more news about our lovely North Coast.
(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. Scroll down for T. Eagan's artwork of the week re rallies...(in color, snicker, snicker!!!)
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul's piece in Progresso Weekly is titled "Another Far Right Outing" parts are almost funny if it weren't so tragic...read it here...
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR CUBA OIL SPILL. World traveler and once Santa Cruzan Dawn Gable wrote an excellent column for The Havanna Times...she sent it to BrattonOnline...among other things it says, "The oil spewing into the Gulf right now could not underscore more the need to prepare for some future spill in Cuban waters - that would affect, among other things, US commercial fisheries, since species such as snapper and tuna spawn in Cuban waters - but also to avert and minimize damage to Cuba by US accidents". She also writes, "while there is a moratorium on new drilling in the US at the moment, projects will soon be underway in the areas Obama just opened up. Piñon pointed out the logistical problems in the new Gulf block presented by not cooperating with Cuba. The portion of the block that is expected to contain oil butts up to Cuban territorial waters. According to him, it will be necessary for boats to be able to cross back and forth over the line in order to carry out their work". Read all of it here
LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week in Lisa Jensen's Pirate Adventure, Runaways: A Novel of Jonkanoo: Chapter 22: "Whitehall" In which terrible secrets are revealed, the tragedy of slavery looms, and Jack discovers how he and Tory have been duped to further the cause of freedom in the islands. Click here to read Chapter 22
or:
Click here to begin with Chapter 1
Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. This week Christina does Shrek, the upcoming Vintners Festival and piles on the local food world gossip.
All at http://christinawaters.com
NEW SANTA CRUZ MOVIE BEING FILMED. I met Nelson Garcia by accident at Octagon Lulu's last week. He's making a completely local movie right here. He's involved with Cabrilho College's film class. He wrote saying," we're doing a low budget feature length movie we're shooting over the summer. It's going to be a "heist, con-artist, hot action sequences type film". I am directing it, and Deji Bankole is producing. If you knew any actors, send them over to our casting call we're holding next week! It's this Tuesday June 1(3-5pm) and Wednesday June 2(3-8pm) at the Firefly Cafe building complex. The Firefly Coffee House is at 131 Front Street behind Kinko's and The Saturn Café. Walk-ins are welcome! We have advertised our casting call through the Good Times, 102.5 KDON, and various internet outlets. We're looking to fill some supporting roles, but even still looking to fill a couple main characters! If anyone wants more information, tell them to fill out a quick application at http://www.reguluspictures.com and we will have someone send them more information on the movie and casting call". They'll be doing some airport scenes, shoot outs, action stuff, probably a plot too...this could be your big break. Call 831 566-6145 for info.
3D INSTRUCTIONS. In Santa Cruz County we have different 3D movie projection systems and they differ widely in viewing pleasure and aesthetics widely. Green Valley Cinema 8 in Watsonville has the best so far. They have Dolby Digital "A" system. That means sturdy 3D glasses that don't fold, must be returned and cost the theater about $17 per pair. Plus they are sanitized after each wearing!! CineLux 41st Avenue and Scotts Valley Cinema has the worst system they have Paramount 3D which some in the business call fake 3D. I saw Shrek there and it was dark, unfocussed and ache producing!! The Del Mar will also have Dolby Digital but The newer "B" system, that means the expensive, non-bendable, returnable glasses, and an improvement over what The Watsonville Cinema 8 has. I can't reach The Regal 9 on Monday Memorial Day morning to see what 3D they have...more later
SEX AND THE CITY 2.A huge flop at the box-office last weekend it was/is not worth seeing unless you're an old HBO TV series fan, and I am. Even then you realize just how bad these four "actors" are and how bad the script is. Miserable, plain miserable.
PRINCE OF PERSIA. A blot on the Gyllenhaal family name. When you think about how good actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Ben Kingsley are and then you see this FX monstrosity which towers in dumbness and lack any coherence whatsoever you just go numb. Plus even when the critics are knocking this they aren't saying anything about the poor photography that fails to depict or enliven the complex but phony looking action.
CITY ISLAND. Who knew there is an island besides Staten off NYC and the Bronx? Take a look . Andy Garcia heads this often deep and funny comedy about a genuine nutso family. The film ranges from clever and insightful to really dumb and hammy to the extreme. I‘d go if I were you, it's at the Nick.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP. Everyone and anyone who's ever though about what art is about should see this film. Every artist, every art administrator, they all need to see this to be able to re-think about the definition of art. No matter what you think art is you'll change your mind after this probably faked documentary. But what's a real documentary anyways? It's opening Friday June 4th...a First Friday and a great day/night to see this clever movie.
PLEASE GIVE. This also opens Friday at the Nick. Talk about dysfunctional family...this is it!!! Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, all work out an insane and mostly well written plot. It runs either profound and insightful, to way over the top. And from plain stupid to brilliant. If you like Woody Allen's New York film go for it.
DISGRACE. John Malkovich plays a mean, disturbed White South Afrikaner who you'll hate but he's great. This 2009 film never got distributed (it's at Cedar Street Video). More disturbed family plot but meaningful. Check out what Rotten Tomatoes "Top Critics" say (they gave it an amazing 91% positive rating)
35 SHOTS OF RUM. Another great film that got almost no distribution in the USA. (I got it from Cedar Street Video) This 2009 film by Claire Denis (Beau Travail, Friday Night) has nearly no dialogue. You'll love it...about a father and daughter in a Paris Housing project. Just see it.
HOSTETTERS HOT HITS. Paul lays it all out, the UCSC opera Elixir of Love, New Music Works Avant Garden Party, The Redwood Mountain Fair, plus big happenings on the mandolin front that you need to know!!! Go here
FUTZIE NUTZLE & BRIAN COLEMAN SHOW. This very First Friday is a bigger than usual art night. Futzie (of Santa Cruz Weekly fame) and Brian of neon art notoriety will be having a show at Motiv at 5 p.m. I can't find where Motiv is either the old Dakota Club at 1209 Pacific or the old Pearl Alley ???Futzie will be showing his serious and humorous oil paintings and also his general take on modern culture.
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. I host University Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On June 1st Larry Jacobs of Jacobs Farms and Jim Cochran of Swanton Berry Farms will talk about Methyl Iodide and related dangers. June 8th we'll have the now traditional Bookshop Santa Cruz three short story winners all reading their works for the entire hour. Even more traditional County Supervisor Neal Coonerty comes back on June 15th to celebrate Grapevine's 4th anniversary. Following his long time friend Neal will be artist Futzie Nutzle discussing his artistic points of view. On June 22nd Anita Monga from San Francisco's Silent Film Festival will tell us all of this years feature attractions happening July 15th-18th.and then
columnist-film critic Wallace Baine will "Rhyme with Vain" about his new book. Painter/artist Susanna Waddell and somebody else from the Pajaro Valley Arts Council will be on June 29th followed by Secular Humanist Dennis Etler who will have just been to China. Museum of Art and History will be on July 6th, Shakespeare Santa Cruz on July 13th and so forth. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.
QUOTES. "Plein Aire is better than no air at all", Greg Sims."She loves nature in spite of what nature did to her", Bette Midler. "One should try everything once, except incest and folk dancing", Arnold Bax
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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