COMPOSER LOU HARRISON. This was taken October 31, 1960, probably in his house in Aptos.  Lou died February 2, 2003 and he's missed by music fans all over the world. He didn't really start the Cabrillo Music Festival; actually he opposed it until almost the last minute before it began, then joined it and supported it all his life. Listen to Lou's composition, For Bill and Me , that he wrote for his partner Bill Colvig. and remember the free Cabrillo Festival rehearsals start next Sunday night. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

UCSC BUILDING MORE ON TERRACE POINT! (from an anonymous source I know)

The broad community opposition to Terrace Point Development evaporated when Wells Fargo sold the parcel to UCSC. The University then proposed a Coastal Long Range Development Plan (CLRDP) to the Coastal Condition which defined a broad outline of future development. This plan was finally approved by the Coastal Commission. This was after many presentations to the Coastal Commission over a period of 8 years. The individuals who contested the various proposals by the University were Grey Hayes, Barney Elders, Nancy Knudegard, Ren Curry, and Bob Curry. The final CLRDP has a much smaller footprint than the first proposal. It can be found here. A more specific plan for the parcel is contained in this document.

Last Wednesday UCSC held a scoping meeting for a DEIR concerning their first major construction. The specific project in question is described in this document.

What "anonymous source" didn't say was that the proposed new Coastal Biology Building will be 47,000 Square feet. AND that the E.I.R will be done by UCSC's own team. AND that the public has only until this Friday July 31 to respond to this.

THE JACKSON 5 WITH LITTLE MICHAEL.

WIDENING HIGHWAY ONE AND TRYING TO STOP IT!!! This email is from the Campaign For Sensible Transportation..."

The Campaign for Sensible Transportation has sued CalTrans to stop the next stage of widening Highway 1 in Santa Cruz: the one mile stretch between Morrissey Blvd. and Soquel Ave. The Campaign led the successful effort to oppose the 2004 ballot Measure J sales tax increase that would have funded the widening of Highway 1 to 8 lanes from Santa Cruz to Aptos. Measure J needed 67% of the vote to pass. It received 43%.With such a strong message from County residents opposing Highway 1 widening, many have wondered, "How has highway widening continued?"

read the rest of the report and plea here... (link expands, click again to collapse).

NEW BICYCLISTS IN TOWN. I thought at first that there was some new cyclo-cross event in town when I kept seeing so many new bicycle riders...nope it's the nine plus city council candidates out there peddling...and proving how Green they are.

DEBBIE BULGER ON BIKES IN POGONIP. An email from Debbie Bulger

Dear All, Perhaps Celia and Peter Scott have shared with you the situation at the Pogonip or perhaps you have seen Friday's Sentinel. The paper did not tell the whole story. Celia and I went to the Parks and Rec Commission meeting last week when we saw a new trail was on the agenda. I am enclosing below Celia's letter to the City Council about the proposed trail. It is really worth reading. Not only were mountain bikers at the Parks and Rec meeting in force, but so were members of  Take Back Santa Cruz and also horseback riders. The mountain bikers asked not only for the new trail, but also that the entire Pogonip be opened up to bikes. Groups such as Friends of the Pogonip and the Sierra Club were not notified in advance of the issue and plan. A staff report and map were not even posted on the city website until Celia called a few days before the meeting. Now the proposal has been rushed to the Council where it will be voted on Tuesday afternoon, July 27. Council will decide whether to allocate $25,000 for the design and environmental study for this 3-4 foot wide "multi-use" trail.

All this without good outreach and community discussion. I spent two hours at the top of Spring Street Thursday afternoon and most Pogonip users I talked to had not heard about the project. Please email the Council with your views and experiences hiking on narrow trails with bikes. email the City Council today: citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com If you can attend the Council meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday and speak, that would be appreciated.

If you can help more, please call me. Thanks, Debbie

CELIA SCOTT ON BIKES IN THE POGONIP. Celia says in a letter to Rotkin and the Council, "The drug and trash issues on Pogonip do require immediate attention.  Those of us in the community who have devoted decades to preserving and protecting our greenbelt lands do not want further delay in addressing those issues. I urge the Council to focus on that need, and not distract from that need with a controversial multi-use trails project that cannot be accomplished any time soon, and will not solve the serious problems we face on Pogonip or in the larger community. Please do not approve Item #19".

She says a lot more such as  "The P&R Commission meeting on July 12 was not preceded by any transparent citizen outreach focused on discussing the merits of the proposed new trail. There was no notice posted at either the Spring St. or Golf Club Drive trailheads on Pogonip notifying Pogonip users that the new trail was on the P&R July 12 meeting agenda. This lack of public outreach is in sharp contrast to the City's genuine efforts prior to adoption of the Pogonip Master Plan in 1998 to reach out to all segments of the community before the plan was adopted. Moreover, attendance at the July 12 meeting made it quite clear that some groups in the community had been informed ahead of time, and even participated in the trail proposal, whereas others had not".

read Celia's entire letter here (link expands, click again to collapse).

NAT KING COLE AND SAMMY DAVIS JR.

RENTAL UNIT INSPECTIONS.Another anonymous letter (I know the author)

WHY EVICT UP TO THREE THOUSAND* TENANTS FROM THEIR ( non publicly subsidized ) AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY IF THE UNITS ARE COMPLIANT WITH ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE NOT OBJECTIONABLE TO THEIR NEIGHBORS?

*The numbers are from Mayor Mike Rotkin's presentation to the Santa Cruz City council at  the July 20,2010 meeting regarding a proposed ordinance requiring inspections for rental units in the City. As written, units that may be too close to the property line to meet Planning codes or in a yard that doesn't comply with the size in the zoning code, will be closed down, no matter how long they have existed and even if there has been no complaint expressed by the other residents in the area.

Why is this happening and why now? Why isn't a "grandfathering" provision being offered as is usually done in such cases? The ordinance is a product of the settlement terms of a lawsuit against UCSC by the City of Santa Cruz, the County and the group Citizens for Limiting University Expansion (CLUE) which calls for a "residential rental ordinance".

Unfortunately the Council and CLUE members - who are nearly all financially secure and own their residences - appear disturbingly disinterested as to the effect the proposed ordinance will have on less fortunate community members. Are they blissfully ignorant of the misery suffered by those lacking shelter, not to mention the drastically higher death rate found among the non-housed, or simply blatantly indifferent to the plight of others?

My fervent wish for them is that every time they see a homeless person that they have to answer their conscience's question "what part did I play in this person's misery"?

One must wonder how far are we from the totalitarian governments of the last century where the credo "a few shall have to be eliminated for the greater good" horrified the world when the disgusting disregard for the well being and even existence of others became widely known.

Does anyone here care about this disturbing development? Do you? The message number for the Mayor's office is (831) 420 5020.

Signed "Jo Bless N" Santa Cruz.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary Patton has had a blog for a year...check it out www.gapatton.net . He also describes another blog "Legal Planet"; check the links at the bottom of his page. Gary also talks about Marijuana stores being open 7 days a week. Monterey Subdivisions, Those non green solar farms that have the Sierra Club so angry in San Benito. There's a plan for another highway one hotel at the Fort Ord Gate, wow...who needs it!!

CHECK OUT GARY'S Program 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.)

EVERYBODY LOVES A LESBIAN. From our open minded friends in the BBC, and just in case you haven't seen "The Kids Are Alright" yet..

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Scroll downwards to see Tim's view of hoods and hoodlums

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Read Saul's reaction to Cuba news...he states

"On July 8, the Washington Post lead story ["Cuba to release 52 political prisoners, Catholic Church says"] reported Cuba had released five political prisoners with assurances of forty-seven more to come in the near future. Cuban President Raul Castro said all political prisoners would soon be released. On July 16, another group was freed."

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 30: "Tempting Fate" Braving the Leeward Island Station, Jack writes himself a new role to escape his past while Tory receives an ill omen from Fate, now that she has so much to lose.

Click here to read Chapter 30

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 reviews "Lion in Winter", a dinner up in the Hunter Hill vineyards and a few more choice dishes at Main Street Garden Cafe. Also she interviews UC alumnus/woodblock artist Max Stadnik. 

All at http://christinawaters.com

DO MOVIE CRITICS MATTER? Read this piece...makes you think.

AGORA.This is one of the rare films to include a woman's menstrual cycle in the plot and, it's a real part of history. It's about Hypatia a woman who dared stand up for science and research, played excellently by Rachel Weisz. It's also about Pagans vs. Jews vs. Christians and religions in general. The special effects are flawless and almost as awe inspiring as Inception. It's boring in spots but see it for sure.

SALT. KZSC's Golden Voice Gene Fintz told me while we did Bushwhackers last Friday morning that Tom Cruise was supposed to play the lead in Salt instead of Angelina Jolie. I thought he was kidding....he wasn't. Depending on how you look at it Angelina is much prettier than Cruise and this would only be anotherdumb action flick if he was the lead. It's still another dumb action flick but Angelina makes it more fun to watch. See it if you've been thinking too much lately and just want to dumb out.

INCEPTION.Both Leonardo Di Caprio and Ellen Page are great to watch. Inception as you know is about dreams, memories, spies, killings, and is supposed to deal with many levels of consciousness. Its all "BS", it's better than just another action flick. It almost convinces you that the plot is worth thinking about because it "has levels of awareness" it doesn't. Just don't miss it, it's long but you'll stay awake. You might think about going twice I am, but there really isn't any there there.

COCO AND IGOR. Like I am Love this is a beautiful film to watch. It doesn't involve you, you won't care or identify with anybody, and you just watch it. It's about fashion, flirting, sex and the impact that Stravinsky's Rite of Spring had on the opening night audience and all serious music after that. I figure next in the Coco series we'll see Coco and Mickey Rooney, Coco and W.C. Fields, Coco and Tom Cruise...and beyond?

LION IN WINTER. Shakespeare Santa Cruz's play is clever, sharp, and as almost every critic has stated...a medieval re-take of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Author James Goldman created a play that's a mix of Shakespeare, Neil Simon, Edward Albee, and Euripides. Goldman also wrote screenplays for Robin and Marion, They Might Be Giants and "clever" is the main word here. Cedar Street Video has a copy of The Lion in Winter starring Glen Close and Patrick Stewart...easily as good as the Katherine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole version. Marco Barricelli is such a big guy in stature and stage moves he doesn't help this become an ensemble play, sort of an 800 Pound Gorilla with a drippy nose vs. Bambi group. All the acting is very good, sets and costumes work well, go see it.

CABRILHO'S CABARET. Never having seen the play and being warned that there were many changes from the Lisa Minnelli/Joel Grey film I was ready for anything. Then I was warned by more people that the Cabrilho Stage version had a huge change in the ending. It was still fun to watch. It's impossible to compare movie versions with stage productions of any work.  The screens ability to add intense close-ups, instant time & location scenes, voice overs, dream and flashback sequences make comparisons unfair.

Cabaret is a powerful play, using Hitler, swastikas, killings, sexes, grabs your attention every time. The Cabrilho version is good, not great, and snappy not commanding, music is a bit mushy, the dancers and cast work their hearts out and deserve all the applause they get. It's good for Santa Cruz and not quite prime time. And still go by all means if you haven't seen the play...remember it's not the movie. Actually it's not even the same play.

CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC.Tickets are on sale now and are going rapidly. They may still need rooms for musicians near the civic so call them at 420-5260 asap. Free rehearsals start Sunday August 1^st at 7:30 p.m. and are getting more popular each year. The big Music Art Food & Wine Festival when they close off Church Street will happen 11am-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday August 7^th and 8^th Go to www.CabrilloMusic.org for all the details.

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. Wayne Boss will talk about his Muse and the program he's developed about creativity and attorney Bob Taren will probably rant about his political views on July 27. Therapist Jane Dawson will talk about addiction, depression, marriage and intentional partnerships on August 10 right after Jane super busy and super devoted candidate John Laird will stop by and bring us all up to date on where and how that campaign is going. Those are only rumors that Parts of Agora Hills and Altadena are in this 15^th California State Senate District. Tandy Beal has a brand new and far out project coming up. She'll talk about it on August 17^th. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome, so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. "The Main obligation is to amuse yourself", S.J. Perlman. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Mehar Baba. "What, Me Worry?" Alfred E. Neuman.

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

SOQUEL GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1890. According to the Lydon-Swift book "Soquel Landing to Capitola-By-The Sea" this historic school co-existed with their Congregational Church and the Daubenbiss House. Both of which are still standing but this school  wasn't apparently designed by anybody has vanished. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

15^TH ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL. After spending four days and nights watching silent film masterpieces in the grand old Castro Theatre deep in the heart of San Francisco...I get a bit out of touch with what's happening in Santa Cruz. However I did get to talk with some big shot folks in the film business. Major silent film historian Kevin Brownlow told me some fascinating facts about the impact of silent films on cultures around the world. Film critic Leonard Maltin agreed with me on the state of films and the impact of 3D on future film business and art. I was surprised to see and share stories and contacts with film documentarian Les Blank. He said to tell his friends in Santa Cruz hello. One of the greatest silent film accompanists Dennis James shared his opinions, and changed my opinions on why the music played to accompany Silent Films should be as authentic as possible. This devotion to authenticity is losing popularity even though Dennis wowed the audiences once again with his artistry as he played the Mighty Wurlitzer in the Castro Theatre.

FILMS AND REAL PEOPLE. Both Mick LaSalle from the Chronicle and Richard Von Busack from the Santa Cruz Weekly were on the media lists and were supposed to be there but I didn't see them. I did see Brian Staubenfiel fresh from his triumphant directing of the Walnut Creek Opera's production of Madama Butterfly. Rick Hildreth formerly of Good Times and for many years one of the festival's writers and researchers has now become the official stage manager for the festival. He too says "hi" to a very specific group of Santa Cruzans. Films such as John Ford's Iron Horse (he was 29 years old at the time!!) and seeing how great Norma Talmadge was in the 1928 film The Woman Disputed rekindles your faith in the power of cinema and especially the art of creating silent films.

DAMNED DE-SAL PLANTS. Thanks to all the folks who sent in links to the NY Times piece on Australia's problems with de-sal. I hope this link works

Get you favorite councilpersons, and especially the council candidates to give you a clear statement on where they are with us having a de-sal plant here. The article ends with this cute little fact stating why we should re-cycle water ..."But since there's only so much water in the world, and it's been through somebody's body or some other place over the past 250 million years, maybe it's not that bad. At least, it might be better than desalination."

SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL'S FORUM PROBLEMS. Wes Modes of Subrosa Café and other community centered projects sent this email to both Don Miller and Tom Moore the online editor for the Sentinel. He copied Michael Jung, Publisher, Mike Blaesser, Sentinel Internet Director and the entire Santa Cruz Progressive Email List.

The title is Community Pressure to Rein in Sentinel Forums...

Dear Don and Tom,
Both of you have told me at various times in the last two months that while, yes, it might be possible to change how the Santa Cruz Sentinel does online comments, the political and financial will is not there. It seems that this is a larger problem than just at the Sentinel, it is something many online publications are trying to tackle. 

News sites reining in nasty user comments... from CNN.com

The Sentinel has escaped so far finding itself in court as a result of the irresponsible policies of the online forums.  Anonymous threats, personal information, libel are all daily part-and-parcel of the Topix forums.  Topix itself has not been as lucky as it has been to court now numerous times as a result of its un-moderated forums, and it has taken other publications with it.  The result has been expensive lawsuits and publications dropping Topix un-moderated and anonymous forums. I have offered to Tom my 25 years as an IT specialist to help him and the Sentinel to modify the format of the forums or help with research in switching vendors.   Unfortunately, said Tom, any change without something major happening is unlikely. Do we have to wait until someone is hurt or killed before something is done?  I'm not nervous about the blowhards on the forums, but when one of those irresponsible and anonymous posters lists someone's home address and a suggestion that someone put a bullet in their head (as they did with me in May), there is always the chance that someone angry or crazy enough will do it.  Is that a chance you are willing to risk for whatever modest kickback you might get from Topix?

There are very few things that I find myself on the same side of the fence with Ryan Coonerty, but this is one of them.  He and others on the city council have urged the Sentinel to reconsider how they offer the opportunity for online comments.  I have written numerous times, as have others, requesting, demanding, cajoling, but still no change seems even on the horizon.  I am urging others with similar concerns to put gentle community pressure on you and your publication to stop the hateful, racist, and offensive posts in the Sentinel comments by disallowing anonymous posting. Please get back to me with some concrete actions the Sentinel is planning to take to change the format of the Santa Cruz Sentinel reader comments. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely,
Wes Modes.

BrattonOnline certainly agrees with Wes and will print any and all Sentinel actions or reactions.

JOHN LAIRD NEWS. This in from headquarters "With just over one month left until the August 17th runoff election, the campaign is back into high gear and there's  great news to report. A new office was opened in Scotts Valley that will be used as a staging location for all canvassing in the area. We may also open the office a few nights a week for phone banking if there is enough interest. The new office is located at: 4444 Scotts Valley Dr. #7, Scotts Valley. (Right next to Malone's Grille).
Absentee ballots were mailed this Monday, July 19th, so we will need your help calling these voters to remind them to mail in their ballots every night this week.
More information regarding fundraisers and other events will be coming soon!
Go to http://www.lairdforsenate.com to see how you can help clean up this messy campaign and help John get elected.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary talks about our City Rental Inspection concept and how the City Council will discuss it and how it will change UCSC's housing commitment. He talks about Smart Growth and SB 375 and it's relation to global warming. Read too how Big Sur has re-worked rulings on time shares. He closes by discussing how there's pressure in Santa Barbara on the Coastal Commission to allow more local decisions on land use. Go hereXXXX

(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 reveals secrets about the "loathsome vices" surrounding the very best of us....scroll down.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Part way into his column Saul asks, "Didn't the ruthless 9/11 killers die when they crashed their skyjacked jets into buildings, or the Pennsylvania ground? How to wage war against one man, bin Laden, or his shadowy terrorist gang (al Qaeda) that sneaks away from soldiers, and communicates through the internet? Why should armies and air forces assume the role of police? Does Obama mean to equate current wars with the metaphor used in the interminable "wars" against drugs or poverty or cancer? Read his entire article titled "The rhetoric-reality Gulf" at progreso-weekly.com 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 29: "Gone A-Maying" Back in the islands, Jack feels like a boy again, Tory laughs at danger for the sake of freedom, and Alphonse is forced to confront his own private desires.
Click here to read Chapter 29 
Click here to begin with Chapter 1

Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT. Make a film starring Annette Bening and Julienne Moore as lesbians and add Mark Ruffalo as the love interest...how can you miss? That's' almost a joke, but it isn't at all. This is one excellent film. I kept thinking that it's a west coast version of the New York City stories Woody Allen works so hard to bring off. This film doesn't work at cleverness or being too California-phoney, it's honest, wrenching, real and damned worth your time to see. That's all I saw besides 10 features at the Castro over the weekend, and you missed those and can't see their like until next year.

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 Tim Jackson executive director of The Kuumbwa Jazz Center and General Manager of the Monterey Jazz Festival will talk about this years Fest and past history of the Monterey Jazz Festival on July 20, and after Tim Jim Funaro will bring us up to date with his 25 year project Contact and other spacey items. Wayne Boss will talk about his Muse and the program he's developed about creativity on July 27. Therapist Jane Dawson will talk about addiction, depression, marriage and intentional partnerships on August 10. Somewhere in all this John Laird will stop by and bring us all up to date on where and how that campaign is going. Those are only rumors that Parts of Topeka, Kansas and Prescott, Arizona are in this 15^th California State Senate District.

Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES: "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it", Dwight D. Eisenhower. "Politicians should read science fiction, not westerns and detective stories", Arthur C. Clarke. "A society that hates its young has no future", Fred Dutton California Board of Regents.

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

DAVENPORT TRAIN STATION. April 25, 1948. Train enthusiasts can fill us all in on data about this train, where it came from with all those passenger cars and where it was going and probably who built the engine. Yes, it was a quiet day in Davenport and it was before The Swanton Road Corn Roast began in the 70's. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

BBC EXCLUSIVE OIL SPILL FOOTAGE. Ron Clegg sent this rare footage of the BP oil spill. It's more terrible than we thought. It's the first time the Coast Guard allowed news cameras out into and over the disaster. It is 10 minutes long and makes the Exxon Valdez Oil spill look like a tea cup.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT....???? Celia Scott sent this..."You won't believe this: While reaping the largest profits in history and destroying the Gulf of Mexico, BP and other Big Oil companies have shaken more than $35 billion in special subsidies and tax breaks out of the U.S. taxpayer. Surprised? I was. That's why I just signed this petition telling Congress to end all tax breaks and subsidies for dirty fossil fuels and invest in green jobs and clean energy instead. Can you do the same thing? Go to www.stopbigoilbailouts.com Thanks for all your work! The team at CREDO Mobile Democracy for America and TrueMajority/USAction

HOW A TINY TOWN SENT AN INTERNATIONAL WATER GIANT PACKING Three cheers for Felton and how the residents said no to American Water Works Co. and its subsidiary, California-American Water (Cal-Am), which took over Felton's water utility. American Water was acquired shortly afterward by London-based Thames Water. Pat Matecjek sent this link to YES magazine's article. Let's hope that the Santa Cruz City Council realizes the water problem involved when they consider and re-consider giving half of our city water supply forever to UCSC's proposed expansion. Read it all here

"IT DOESN'T PENCIL OUT" AND "FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON TOURISM WE MAKE $10 BACK". Those two would be bumper stickers have led Santa Cruz County and the City for decades to make poor choices. Developers use the PENCIL OUT statement to justify every law breaking plan they want to sell. The point here that no one ever calls on them to prove it!!. Like for instance, Barry Swenson and re-building La Bahia higher than the law allows. "EVERY TOURISM DOLLAR BLAH, BLAH" has been used so long by Maggie Ivy and the CVC in their perpetual tap dance for cash, and it too has never been proven, and worse yet no City Council members challenge it...why?? Let's get some new gutsy council people in there who can stand up to Rotkin, Mathews, Maggie Ivy, Jesse Nickell and Scott Kennedy.

OPERA AND THE REGAL. The Regal Theatre downtown informed me that the Wednesday night opera series from the Metropolitan Opera has been selling out. More than that they'll be moving the series to one of their bigger theatres as soon as possible and yes they'll be screening the live Met's regular series in the fall. Paul Hostetter sent this You Tuber clip that rips through all the great operas in 10 minutes

EMILY MALONEY MEMORIAL. The memorial service for Emily Maloney will be held at Star of the Sea Church (at her request) on Friday August 13, at 2 pm. A reception will follow in the church hall. Friends and family hope people will bring stories and memories of Emily to share. Star of the Sea Church 515 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-2693 (831) 429-1018 www.ourladystar.org

HELPING JOHN LAIRD. From City Council days to his time in Sacramento John Laird has been part of Santa Cruz and vice versa. Now's the time to pay him back. Bill Malone president of the Peoples Democratic Club writes, The June 22 Special Election has barely finished and the negative ads against John Laird have already started to appear. If you watch local news on KSBW these negative ads appear every day several times during the programming. What to do? We all know how important this election is!

The PDC E-board decided to help the Laird campaign by asking its members to make Get Out the Vote calls for John on Thursday July 15th at the Democratic Party Headquarters between 6:00 and 9:00 pm (instead of having a regular PDC meeting). The Laird campaign is calling on other days too, so let us know if you would prefer to call some other day.

We are asking PDC members and Laird supporters to bring their cell phones to make calls for John. The Laird campaign has several cell phones that volunteers can use if they don't have a cell phone. We are coordinating this effort with Laird campaign coordinator Ian Magruder (421-1808). He will provide phone scripts and voter lists. Please call 831 420-1133 if you can come and telephone for John or if you need more information.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. On Friday, Gary talks about a Widening Highway One public meeting. He says, "The meeting will be held at 7:30 on Friday night July 16th at the Quaker Meeting House, located at 225 Rooney Street in Santa Cruz. It will focus on "alternatives" to the widening of Highway One. David Foster, a City of Santa Cruz Planning Commissioner, and a declared candidate for the Santa Cruz City Council, will lead the meeting tonight. That indicates to me that there is likely to be lots of healthy debate about this important topic in the upcoming election cycle in the City of Santa Cruz. Foster says that he favors non-widening alternatives, and that the history of highway widening has shown that the congestion relief provided is only temporary.

The Campaign for Sensible Transportation will also be represented tonight. The Campaign is engaged in a lawsuit with Caltrans over their highway-widening proposal. In 2004, 65% of the voters in Santa Cruz County rejected a measure intended to widen Highway One from Santa Cruz to Aptos. According to the Campaign, the one-mile segment that Caltrans is currently proposing must be seen as part of that larger highway-widening project. The California Environmental Quality Act is very clear that it is not legal to avoid environmental review by breaking down a large project into smaller segments, and that is what the lawsuit is about". The rest of the week Gary deals with UCSC's demand for City Water, suburban sprawl and land use legislation...then he talks about The Monterey Bay Sustainable Tourism Action Group!!! Who knew???

(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. View the world though Tim Eagan's colored glasses..scroll down...

LANDAU'S PROGRES. You need to read the entire column, but here's some words from Saul in this weeks Progreso Weekly titled "Vietestan Debacle"...He opens with," Last month's Obama-McChrystal debacle dramatized how military thinking dominates U.S. policy. Obama axed one surging general and replaced him with General David "Surge" Petraeus. Shocking? The Pentagon commands in Afghanistan despite the fact that no officer or civilian has explained what positive outcome could result from continued war there". He closes by saying..."the Vietnamese won and now do business with us. But here the analogy with Vietnam breaks down. Iraqis and Afghans (and many Pakistanis) will not likely claim victory. But those with family members killed by U.S. troops and drones -- might cultivate hatred for the United States for decades to come".

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 28 " Pledges and Promises" Jack turns a curse to his advantage, while Tory reluctantly agrees to leave justice to Fortune as they honor their promise to return to the blight-infested islands. Click here to read Chapter 28
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 talks wine, beer, artwork and two animated movies — one she likes the other she doesn't. All at http://christinawaters.com

I AM LOVE. Tilda Swinton (one of the finest actors working today) plays a Russian who moves to Italy and falls in love too much. It's just a little removed tempo-wise and these folks aren't like many people we know but it's a masterful and beautiful film.

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. If you read and/or saw The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo you have to see this one...it's part two of his three books to be made into film. Part Three will be with us in October. Gutsy, violent, sex themed, intelligent...it's the kind of film the Obama's would watch after the kids are asleep. Wouldn't you like to see a list of which films the presidents watched in the White House in private??? I figure Adam Sandler and Frat House films for the Bushes. Any ideas about what you think Bill and the Clintons watched??

JOAN RIVERS....A PIECE OF WORK. This isn't a real documentary, it's what Joan allowed the filmmakers to see of one year in her life...and it's a testimonial to a show biz phenomenon. She's beyond raunchy, embarrassingly honest, desperate, and exciting to watch. If you have only seen her on the red carpet or selling junk on tv go see this all too rare revelation. You'll have an all new appreciation of what's she's accomplished.

HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. Next weekend will take some careful planning, as it seems everything is happening at once. Meanwhile, the MacKenzie/Renee Flower exhibit is still at the Felix Kulpa Gallery, Swing! is still swinging (you should go, unless you just don't like music and dance), Donegal fiddler Caoimhín MacAoidh (who might answer to Kevin McKee) is coming though not too far in the future. Details on the concurrent Boomeria/Zydeco Flames/who-knows-what-else are to be found, as usual, here: www.lutherie.net/live.music.html. (I usually change the page within 24 hours of these notices, so check back.)Happy July, and try to stay warm. pH

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL. This week from July 15-18 the festival will be in its 15th year and will run 4 really full days and nights!! Rick Hildreth, formerly of Good Times, will still be there doing research and writings on film history, and Santa Cruzan Stephen Salmons will be there too but he's pulled back a bit with Anita Monga now taking his former role as artistic director. They have a new longer version/recently discovered print of Metropolis, plus silents from all over the world and some of the worlds best silent film music players. All events are at The Castro Theatre and are too numerous to mention go to www.silentfilm.org and check it out. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'll even save you a seat!!

SWANTON ROAD CORN ROAST REDUX. For six years Joel Magen of Dark Horse Pottery has kept the old Swanton Road Corn Roast alive at his Davenport Pottery studio work place. This year the big sale (and he means Sale) will be Saturday and Sunday August 7th and 8th from 1:30-8 p.m. Jazz by Kopavi, all functional pottery, roasted corn, phone 425-5686 or 252-5686 for details...it's one of the counties finest traditions. go to http://darkhorsepottery.com or http://www.santacruzpottery.com .

HILLARY BRATTON TO SING AT LOS GATOS CLUB. Daughter Hillary will be singing just one set Friday night at Mountain Charley's in Los Gatos. She'll be on from 8-9 p.m. with her band. She sings modern cabaret songs and needless to say she does them beautifully. Seems like only yesterday she was singing all Shirley Temple hits. Yes, Mtn Charley's is an E Clampus Vitus Tavern but that has nothing to do with anything. Charley's is at 15 North Santa Cruz Avenue upstairs Los Gatos 95030-5916

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. Big area attractions such as E Clampus Vitus from Shakespeare Santa Cruz and Ellen Primack from The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will share the hour on July 13th. Tim Jackson will talk about this years Fest and past history of the Monterey Jazz Festival on July 20, and after Tim, Jim Funaro will bring us up to date with his 25 year project Contact and other spacey items. Wayne Boss will talk about his Muse and the program he's developed about creativity on July 27. Therapist Jane Dawson will talk about addiction, depression, marriage and intentional partnerships on August 10. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. Just because there's so many Plein Air showings these weeks here's a bunch of specific painting outdoor quotes. "If I were in the government I would have a brigade of policemen assigned to keeping an eye on people who paint landscapes outdoors. Oh, I wouldn't want anyone killed. I'd be satisfied with just a little buckshot to begin with", Edgar Degas "Out-of-doors, n. That part of one's environment upon which no government has been able to collect taxes. Chiefly useful to inspire poets", Ambrose Bierce "All pictures painted inside in the studio will never be as good as the things done outside", Paul Cezanne "Do console your poor friend, who is so troubled to see his paintings so miserable, so sad, next to the radiant nature he has before his eyes!" (Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot) "No one would have the courage to walk up to a writer and ask to look at the last few pages of his manuscript, but they feel perfectly comfortable staring over an artist's shoulder while he is trying to paint." (Robert Genn) "I prefer every time a picture composed and painted outdoors. The thing is done without your knowing it." (Winslow Homer) "The act of painting outdoors is like a dance to the tempo of the evolving day, following the lead of the wind, impelled by the measured meter of shadows moving in their eternal celestial rhythms." (Louisa McElwain) "Monet, Manet, Sisley, Renoir, Van Gogh and others went outside to paint for one simple reason – it looks different outside." (Mike Svob) "God, I've frozen my ass off painting snow scenes!", (Andrew Wyeth)

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

BUILDING THE COUNTY BUILDING JUNE 30, 1965. This must have been an exciting time in Santa Cruz. The University just moved in, a new County Building, The Cooperhouse was still there, nobody had thought up El Pollo Loco, there was plenty of parking and no one realized just how huge a victory the Army Corps of Engineers had won in their fight against beauty and nature. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

MORE ABOUT SCOTT KENNEDY. One word that stands out in all the responses from last week's critique of  Scott Kennedy's ideal City Council Candidate that I had here is "ARROGANT"...I think everyone used that exact word to describe him. One reader wrote, "Among the actions and positions that Scott Kennedy has taken in opposition to the will of many (if not most) Santa Cruzans and which wasn't mentioned in your article, was his fanatic support and promotion of the housing/shopping project out by Long's Marine Lab several years ago.  He even attempted to bring a lawsuit against the late great SCAN organization for its attempt to block the project and to oppose his spokesperson Michael Hernandez whom he'd talked into running for city council, no doubt at least partially to support that development.  I think his actions severely weakened SCAN and led to its demise or disappearance from the local political scene. The reader continues," My biggest personal objection to Kennedy is his generally arrogant attitude that tends to dismiss or trivialize the positions of those who disagree with him rather than to argue his opposition on the merits of the issues involved". People are catching on to Kennedy's power plays.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN ISSUES. Kennedy's candidates "tightrope walk piece" had many people thinking about questions for Council wannabees. Let's ask them the tough ones and get genuine answers. All too many times we hear cop-out answers like "I will definitely study that issue", or "We can't ignore that problem any longer", or "I'll take that issue right to the people", or "I won't rest until that problem is solved". Those are cop-outs, not answers as to where they stand. They've supposedly been studying the city problems for years...they should have answers, definite answers to questions like...save or destroy the La Bahia, Pave over Arana Gulch, Yes or no on de-sal, give UCSC 1/2 our city water or not? Widen Highway 1 or not? As Scott said in that Sentinel op-ed (scroll down to last week...)" When you vote listen to the ideology and examine which candidates will do the hard work required of constructing good public policy". He should have added "elect candidates who care more about preserving the delicate sustainable balance in our community are  strong enough to fight The Boardwalk and The University and their money".
I've also noted recently both Mike Rotkin and Kennedy and Cynthia using the old argument, "We voted on that issue twice or three times and it lost so let's never vote on it again". Would they have applied that same logic to Slavery and Womens right to vote? Ask them.

PARADE ATTENDEES CAN HELP WES MODES AND THE SUBROSA. Wes writes to ask," If you were in the 2009 DIY New Year's Parade and would like to help my case (I am being singled out as participating in the parade), there is something you could do to help and won't take very long at all. My lawyer is preparing a series of statements from people who were in the parade and did not receive tickets as a way of showing discriminatory prosecution.
So if you were in the parade and didn't receive a ticket, I need your brief statement about it.  I have a few questions to send you, so if you'd like to help, send me an email immediately. Thanks, Wes Modes thespoon@thespoon.com 

BILL MALONE WRITES ABOUT EMILY MALONEY.
Bill's the president of The Peoples Democratic Club and he wrote," Democrats and Activists have lost a giant.  I can't think of anybody that equaled Emily's passion and active support for a wide variety of progressive causes and issues.   Sometimes her fierce passion could be a bit disturbing, but it was always admired.  One always knew Emily's heart was in the right place. She was an inspiration to us all.  We will greatly miss her.
Rest in Peace, Emily.  You deserve it". Both he and Paul Elerick and good people from all over are missing Emily, very much.

PATTON'S PROGRAM. Gary tells us about and gives us links to how we can watch the Coastal Commission online on Wednesday when they deal with Pismo Beach, and San Lorenzo Valley issues. He gives us links on how to save $6,400 per year. He has words about Highway 68 in Monterey County and their Planning Commission. He also gives details on the PPIC (not Pupik!) it stands for Public Policy Institute of California. (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. See the largest, most colorful weekly version of Tim Eagan's  view of carrion by scrolling downwards.

LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau writes about "A Tale Of Two Extraditions" in this issue of Progreso Weekly. He states, among other things," Hubris with Jamaica over a druggie! The stalling game played with Venezuela over a terrorist! Wouldn't it be nice to live in a nation of law?".
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 27: "Lost and Found" Forced to choose between love and freedom, Tory grapples with an impossible decision that will change her life forever. Which would you choose?
Click here to read Chapter 27
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 takes on Toy Story 3, some new artwork on display and a light, crisp summer white wine by a local genius. All at http://christinawaters.com
(check her review of the new Joan Rivers biopic in this week's SCWeekly)

SOLITARY MAN. When you take Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon and Danny DeVito all together in a well scripted film you have some nearly sublime hours of drama. Douglas plays a big time thinker but loser, and Susan is his ex. Danny is his buddy and the plot goes from there. Like Edward Albee says "Most people don't want to art to be disturbing. They want it to be escapist. I don't think art should be escapist. That's a waste of time.". See this film if you like meaningful drama and think about how often Douglas looks like his dad.

AIRBENDER. The film was adapted from a kiddy cartoon TV series and it shouldn't have been. It's also advertised as a 3D film and it shouldn't have been, it was filmed in 2D and on four sound stages in Philadelphia. It may work for kids who watched it on TV but I doubt it. The acting is terrible, the plot is complete nonsense, and director M. Shyamalan really got zingers from Wikipedia who says, "The movie averaged around 8% on the Rotten Tomatoes movie review website on release date. Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 0–100 reviews from film critics, has given the film a rating score of 21 based on 29 reviews and has been rated as one of the worst directorial efforts in film history by a panel of 281 film critics.^"  Shyamalan has made one good film so far Sixth Sense, lets' hope he stops.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA; ECLIPSE. First you have to believe in vampires, after that you have to really believe in werewolves, but more importantly you have to have read the books or have seen the first movie to even sit through this teen age opus. It helps too if you believe in special effects in spite of how fake they look, like six foot tall wolves (on all fours). All the audience around you will laugh and sigh in places you can't possibly understand, it's like crashing a party where you weren't invited and don't know anybody. If that's your idea of fun, go see this one.

THEATRE AUDITIONS. This could be your big chance. Brian Spencer sent this in. S.E.E. (Spencer Entertainment Enterprises) Theatre seeks one (1) male actor to portray the sons in Caryl Churchill's brilliant and harrowing play, A Number.  Age range 35-40; strong, committed actor. Prepare one-minute monologue.

Auditions are: Thursday, August 26^th from 7-9 at Actors' Theatre, Saturday, August 28^th from 1-4 at Actors' Theatre
Callbacks:  Friday, September 3^rd from 7-9 (by appointment only) Reading script available at Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown. Contact Brian Spencer – seetheatre@sbcglobal.net or 662-0882

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? Mountain Community Theatre's production of Edward Albee's 2002 play was absolutely excellent. Albee now 82 has won 3 Pulitzers and has written 5 more plays since Goat. Albee's use of words, timing, and deeply universal plots make his plays nearly impossible to perform with meaning and the direction of MCT's Goat by Peter Gelblum was as good or better than any Albee play I've seen anywhere. The cast of John Robinson, Tara McMilin, Jeff Swan and Michael Wiggins nailed Albee just right. The play could have been titled "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, part 6" it's that familiar. It too is about a married couple dealing with deep undiscussed issues, yet the entire play hits us by bringing up and dealing with our unwanted and repressed sexual desires. If you know Gelblum or any of the cast, tell them to stick together and do more of Albee's 30 plays. And thank Mountain Community Theatre for making it all possible. The play closed last Saturday, I saw it closing night.

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL. In July 16^th 2006 BrattonOnline I wrote this review of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival..."In only 11 years this festival has become the worlds leading silent film festival. It draws scholars, stars, and audiences from around the world. Now three days long, it packs the 1400 seat Castro Theatre for almost every screening. The opening night's screening of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in Seventh Heaven was one of the finest cinematic artistic achievements I've ever seen, and I see a lot of films. Louise Brooks invented luminosity on the screen and if you've never seen her in Pandora's Box, you've missed a lot. The problem is that you can't enjoy silent films on your television set. It's like looking at postcards of the Grand Canyon, they just doesn't do it justice.

I saw some former Santa Cruzans such as Richard Hildreth, Paul Mehling and his Hot Club of San Francisco, Brian Staufenbiel and Nicole Paiement, and of course the inventor and artistic director of the Festival itself, Stephen Salmons, and we all had a good time. Next year you should go too". Now from July15-18 the festival will be in its 15^th year and will run 4 days!! Rick Hildreth will still be there, and Santa Cruzan Stephen Salmons has pulled back a bit with Anita Monga taking his role as director. They have a new longer version/recently discovered of Metropolis and events all at The Castro Theatre that are too numerous to mention go to www.silentfilm.org  and check it out. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'll even save you a seat!!

SANTA CRUZ JAZZ SOCIETY. Many folks wondered why the Jazz Society appeal for venues and bucks didn't include Kuumbwa and more. Bruce Engelhardt also sent in this piece," Don't forget that Hoffman's Bakery on Pacific Ave. near Cathcart St. is still booking local jazz groups in the evenings and Soif Wine Bar has also been booking some jazz acts, including the Hot Club Pacific.  Of course we certainly could use more venues.  Maybe we need to think about having our own Santa Cruz Jazz Festival to draw more attention to jazz, jazz musicians (local and touring) and Santa Cruz itself.  Perhaps it could be combined with an art festival of some sort.  I've often thought that Santa Cruz should promote itself more as a cultural center and destination.  With a week-long (or longer) art festival, for example, Santa Cruz could become the Laguna Beach of the North.  Laguna makes most of its annual tourist income during the summer's two or three Art festivals which have taken place there for decades.  Art is generally a clean industry and often includes recycling.  If the festival(s) are properly and adequately promoted, they could benefit many artists and musicians as well as people in the hospitality industry and peripheral businesses.  Something to consider. Best wishes, Bruce Engelhardt. Here's what Steve Newman chair person of the Jazz Society of Santa Cruz replied as to omissions..." Kuumbwa is a different kind of animal-  a concert hall kind of thing that presents world level names, as opposed to the kind of scene I was writing about-  no admission charge, often dancing, people sitting in, informal, ( think Warmth at the Cooper House) where the same groups play every week for years. We didn't mention the jazz classes at Cabrillo and UCSC, the Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Wharf, etc., etc. The editorial was not supposed to be a review of the current state of jazz in all its forms,  but rather a report on the changing club scene".

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 Paul Figueroa and Susan Hillhouse of the Museum of Art and History, MAH will be on July 6^th to tell everyone about their Plein Air Show next weekend. John Malkin anarchist and radio host on Free Radio Santa Cruz will discuss anarchy as he practices it during the second half hour. Big area attractions Shakespeare Santa Cruz and Ellen Primack from The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will share the hour on July 13^th. Tim Jackson will talk about this years and past history of the Monterey Jazz Festival on July 20. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. For the first time ever all of these quotes are from one person....Edward Albee. I was so impressed with his words and use of words in "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?" that I searched for these just to point out Albee's attitudes on life.

"Writing should be useful. If it can't instruct people a little bit more about the responsibilities of consciousness there's no point in doing it."
"All serious art is being destroyed by commerce. Most people don't want to art to be disturbing. They want it to be escapist. I don't think art should be escapist. That's a waste of time."
"That's what happens in plays, yes? The shit hits the fan."
"Creativity is magic. Don't examine it too closely." all from Edward Albee (1928 -)

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

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