Bruce Bratton hosts University Grapevine, linking local and campus issues, every Thursday 4-5 p.m. on KZSC 88.1 fm.
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SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES BILL MONNING. I got this email direct from Monning headquarters and am delighted at the news.
Sierra Club Endorses Bill Monning
This week Sierra Club California made official its endorsement of Bill Monning for the 27th Assembly. Sierra Club California has 200,000 members, and is part of one of the nation's oldest and most respected grassroots environmental organizations. The national Sierra Club has 1.3 million members. The local Ventana Chapter of the Sierra
Club has also endorsed Bill. Upon hearing the exciting news of the endorsement, Bill Monning said, "I am honored to have won the endorsement of The Sierra Club. The Sierra Club stands as a giant in the field of environmental protection. As a long time member of The Sierra Club, I look forward to being a voice for the environment in Sacramento."
Bill Monning has a long history in California as an advocate for stricter pesticide regulations. His work with the Pesticide Coalition resulted in stronger safety measures for posting fields before spraying occurs. He also helped craft safety regulations for methyl bromide application. Rita Delessio, chair of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club commented on the endorsement, " Bill Monning's long history of environmental and social activism makes him the Sierra Club's clear choice in the 27th Assembly District. He will continue the excellent work of assembly members John Laird and Fred Keeley in advancing the Sierra Club's goals." Former Santa Cruz Mayor, Celia Scott, a long-time member of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, says, "I am delighted that Bill Monning has been endorsed by the Sierra Club for the 27th District Assembly seat. Bill's dedication to the protection of our regional and global environment is deep, strong and effective. He richly deserves the endorsement." As you must know by now...Bill Monning is a lawyer and professor of law at the Monterey Institute for International Studies and the Monterey College of Law.
"NANE" ALEJANDREZ FOR STEPHEN WRIGHT. "Nane" Alejandrez gave a very inspiring talk at the wonderfully successful North- South County dinner Saturday night at the Unitarian Fellowship in Aptos that was a benefit to buy another bus to send to Cuba. He was talking about his tough upbringing long before he helped create Barrios Unidos. At one point he spoke of his battles in court and trying to stay out of jail, he stopped and said that if it wasn't for one man defending and believing in him he wouldn't be here today...and pointed out Steve Wright who's running for Judge. Steve was there and got a huge round of applause. Check out his website at www.stevewrightforjudge.com you'll also see that Metro Santa Cruz gave him an award for best attorney.
JOHN LEOPOLD'S CAMPAIGN. John Leopold received a vote of 100% on May Day at the Democratic Central Committee. He was the only candidate interviewed because from what I hear Betty Danner tried to do what she has done a number of times and claim that she never got the questionnaire. Fortunately the DCC has a pretty formal process and after Fran Church sat through Betty's insistent chatter that she really wanted the endorsement and that she would have answered the questions if she had gotten the questionnaire, Fran told her that the DCC sends it out by certified mail and Fran had a receipt saying that Betty's campaign had signed for it! Betty called back a few minutes later to say that she had an inexperienced campaign manager and that she got the questionnaire but didn't know what to do with it so it was thrown away. Fran said no dice and Betty was excluded. Keep in mind that Betty has told the same story at the Labor Council, People Power and the GLBT Alliance (she did not fill out any of those questionnaires either!!!).
Word on the street is that Tom Honig (formerly of you know what paper) is running Betty's campaign so who knows what will happen next.
The Leopold campaign is having a major precinct walk to finish the last precincts in the district on Sunday, May 18th starting at 12:30 at the Live Oak Grange. They are working to have over 80 volunteers to blanket the district. The walk will end with a BBQ/party at Bonnie Keet's house in Soquel.
ROTKIN ENDORSES JOHN LEOPOLD. I lifted this from the Opinion page of Monday's Sentinel, it makes some interesting points. Mike Rotkin wrote "I have known and worked with John Leopold for two decades now and know his passion for participatory democracy. He's smart and by far the best-informed candidate in the 1st District race for county supervisor. But much more importantly, he really believes in grassroots democracy and will work with neighbors in Live Oak to make sure they know what is going on and that their voices are heard and concerns addressed. He will work to see that the whole county has the services we need and deserve, but most of all he will work with neighbors to defend their neighborhoods." Mike Rotkin, Santa Cruz.
SPAM NAMES, MORE OF. Finally I got a reaction to my collecting of dopey names in my SPAM file. Good old Tom " Bubbles" Noddy sent these in , Barrister Mark Anthony,
SANTA ALEXANDRA , Mr. Druv Matindale , Mary abem, Yours sincerely, Chief John Eze,
BEST REGARDS.
DRGODWILLOKEKE
DIRECTOR, FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Yours faithfully, Mr. Kalusha Bywayaya
Best regard,
Barrister Musa Justice
New additions to my collection are Alva Dick, Gordy Sang, Helma Pusch, Kito O'leary Milagrosa Feldman, and the ever popular Conroy Quoc. As previously mentioned I hate SPAM at least as much as you do, but we might as well make some lemonade while we're at it.
NEW ORANGE MAN ON PACIFIC!!! Minding my own business (between films) last Sunday @ 2:30 on Pacific what or who comes along?? An Orange Man. Nattily dressed in a spanking-neat–tailored-brilliant-orange suit and pants. Face covered with sunglasses and an orange hood and a broad brimmed orange hat with an orange boa trimming. He walks a lot faster than the Blue Umbrella Guy and has a definite jaunty step. He speaks to people and is a genuine traffic and conversation stopper. Now if get Morgani, the Blue Umbrella Guy and The Orange Man all together whaddya got?? I dunno, but it's worth asking. Only in Santa Cruz stuff.
MORE ON LA BAHIA. Lifting even more from today's Sentinel (May 5,2008) here's Don Webber's letter to the Opinion page." Build a better La Bahia project. Your La Bahia Hotel article mentions a "five-story building across from the Boardwalk." Wrong twice. It's a seven-story building, not five. And it's on Beach Hill, across from the homes on First Street, not the Boardwalk. Neighbors and community leaders have asked repeatedly for storey poles along First Street to demonstrate the location and height of this hotel. Powers that be have a bunch of excuses why they can't do such a thing. Baloney. Storey poles will demonstrate, including to Sentinel readers, exactly where and how high this construction would be. Neighbors and labor and other community leaders aren't looking for reasons to oppose the project. We recognize the benefit of development. But we want the benefits to reach those who build and operate the hotel and those who live in its shadow, as well as its owners. We want to build a better La Bahia than Swenson proposes. Don Webber, Santa Cruz. I would add that SCRP (Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning) doesn't oppose the development either just the illegal height. SCRP also has asked for storey poles but the damned City Council in their eagerness to approve this project at all costs has refused to back any requests for these poles that are required in many communities. There'll be an important chance for the public to see and witness what all the fuss is about, and why Storey poles would show us the true impacting height of this development. Go to the University Inn this Thursday night at 7 p.m. and lets see if we can convince stubborn developer Barry Swenson who continues to make millions from the backs of Santa Cruzans to be a little more open minded.
ELERICK'S INPUT. Paul tells about Mt. Madonna School and then gets into the No Child Left Behind program. Read it here.
Cinco De Mayo Celebrated in Downtown Watsonville. Over 5,000 people were estimated to have come to downtown Watsonville to celebrate Cinco De Mayo last Sunday despite the dreary weather. Don't get this celebration confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is actually on September 16. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla of May 5, 1862, when a group of about 400 mostly poor and indigenous Mexicans, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the powerful French Army. Cinco de Mayo has now actually become mostly celebrated in the United States rather than Mexico after Chicano activists began organizing more events in their communities to celebrate Mexican history, culture and activism since the 1960s. Sunday's popular event in Watsonville was organized by Fiestas Patrias led by Watsonville City Councilman Oscar Rios, and included several musical groups, dozens of food and drink stands of all types of Latino flavors, and numerous information stands from organizations and local businesses. The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club was there registering several dozen new voters as well.
Over 1,000 People March in Support of Immigrant Rights. If you missed the march in Watsonville on May 1st, you missed a grand sight of community unity in support of immigrant rights. Entire families, elected officials, teachers, workers, students and local artists came out in full force with over 1,000 people participating in the march. This was the third year local activists have organized the event. Back in 2006, over 10,000 local residents marched in the streets of Watsonville to support a legalization bill that would put millions of undocumented workers on the path to become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens. The march ran smoothly around several blocks in the downtown, and ended with live music by Watsonville-based musicians, Para La Gente. The event was certainly one of the most memorable of the year.
Cinco de Mayo Mixer with Bill Monning at Jalisco's. Watsonville activists and community leaders also celebrated Cinco de Mayo with 27th Assembly Candidate Bill Monning at the popular Jalisco's Restaurant on Monday, May 5th. Numerous city leaders are backing Monning including Mayor Kimberly Petersen and city council members Oscar Rios, Manuel Bersamin and Antonio Rivas. Past Watsonville city council members are also throwing their support behind Monning, including Todd McFarren, Ana Ventura Phares and Ramon Gomez, and current city planning commissioners Luis Alejo, Dobie Jenkins and Daniel Dodge. The event was well attended and demonstrated the strong ties Monning has established with Latinos and wide segments of the Monterey Bay area".
SEARLE'S SALVO. " The Senile reports last week that a combination of Barrios Unidos and the Resource Center for Non-violence is planning a development at Soquel and Trevethan. Both community organizations would have offices there and there will be condominiums. Complete with some low cost housing. One opponent was paraphrased as complaining that the neighborhood doesn't want the kind of shady characters that might be attracted. Scott Kennedy, do you get the message? Would that be long-haired, smelly peaceniks, anti-Zionists?? Or something else?"
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina's back from New York with a few choice dishes, a rant about serving wild children in restaurants and a brief review of the vivacious wine
release party up at Vine Hill. All at www.christinawaters.com
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau asks why NATO still exists in an article titled "NATO 2+2 = 5" read it here in the latest Progreso.
PATTONS PROGRAM. Click here to read Gary's discussion of LAFCO and how important it is. He then talks about new development and the use of Impact Fees. He reveals what John Garamendi said about the Pajaro River water use problems last week in Watsonville. There's more on eminent domain and Cal Am Water in Felton. And why we need to heed the Thursday night meeting of the Santa Cruz City Planning Commission and The General Plan.
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim exposes his and our remote interest in the current television programming. Scroll down a little later.
HOSTETTER'S HOT THINGS. As always you can click on the Lutherie panel on the right margin to see what Paul Hostetter ahs picked as great and memorable events to see and be part of. He also says, "Some thrilling things coming up - read all about them right here
IRON MAN. It's a big stretch to imagine Robert Downey jr. playing a role that used to be played by John Wayne, Jesus, and Superman, but he does a wonderful job in Iron Man. He makes the picture and must be on the way to doing a sequel as we speak (or read). This is an exceptionally well made film. It is almost the perfect definition of entertainment as in "I just go to movies to be entertained". Gwyneth Paltrow is equally perfect as Pepper Potts Downey's secretary and Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane (great name too) who will now have a brand new career with better parts in Hollywood. He too is perfect. All in all it's the most fun film I've seen in years...and see it only on the big screen...DO NOT WAIT AND RENT IT.
RED BELT. Warning...This is a David Mamet film. That means the driving force behind it is the dialogue. And this is 100% more Mamet dialogue than any of his other films (Glengarry Glen Ross etc.) The plot is not much more than an old movie cliché, the acting roles are taken by Mamet regulars such as Ricky Jay, Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's wife) Joe Mantegna, Alice Braga and Tim Allen who plays a movie star. It's about martial arts (because Mamet studies martial arts). Not easy to love or hate this film will keep you awake and involved. AND you could rent it and still enjoy it.
THEN SHE FOUND ME. I really dislike titles like this one. 1 minute after leaving the Nick a friend asked what I'd seen...I could not remember the title!! I remembered Bette Midler and you won't forget her either she makes the film worth seeing. She plays the mother who gave up her daughter then works hard and finds her...it's Helen Hunt!! Hunt also directed the film. Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick play husband and boyfriend roles. It's not an award winner because it lacks spirit or energy but go for it.
BLUEBERRY NIGHTS. Wong Kar Wei's films take some getting used to. His films are based on the emotions of his main characters not a tight plot. There is lots of brilliant color, much tenderness, sensitivity, complexity, and just the second to second interaction between the two leads. Blueberry Nights is not a Hollywood film, far from it. It stars Natalie Portman, Jason Strathairn, Jude Law and this was my second time seeing it. I'll probably go again, it's that complex and good.
OOPS...CHENEY'S NOT MOVING. Last week I had an article saying that Dick Cheney had bought a house in Carmel. Almost everyone I know said it couldn't be true because Cheney hates California (and vice versa). Well it wasn't true and lots of folks were fooled. Ron Clegg sent this in:
Carmel's Butterfly House sold, but not to Dick Cheney
Cheney not owner, as widely rumored
By LAITH AGHA
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 04/30/2008 09:20:52 AM PDT
Carmel's quail population can rest easy: A rumor that Vice President Dick Cheney bought the Butterfly House was a fluttering untruth. Escrow on the Butterfly House, one of only a handful of houses with oceanfront property in the Carmel area, closed last week. Originally listed for a tad less than $20 million, the house sold for $9.3 million.
The rumor about Cheney's involvement in the transaction began circulating around the Peninsula, and apparently emanated from the nation's capital. Mike Canning, the listing agent for the house, and Hallie Mitchell, the selling agent, both dispelled the Cheney rumor on Tuesday.
Mitchell said her phone rang nonstop on Tuesday, as people called to inquire about the rumor." It's just amazing," Mitchell said. "My phone has been ringing off the hook. Other than 50,000 phone calls, no one is any closer to figuring out the source of the rumor. All I can say is "not true." Mitchell said someone in the Carmel Rancho Sotheby's office — where Canning and Mitchell both do business — heard Carmel Mayor Sue McCloud being asked her thoughts on Cheney moving to Carmel by Magic 63 talk show personality Mike Cleary on Monday. (The Butterfly House is outside the Carmel city limits.) Cleary said a friend of his, whose name he declined to share, e-mailed him the information that Cheney would be taking up residence on Carmel Point. The friend, Cleary said, is well connected in the Washington political scene. Mitchell said she also heard from someone earlier this week — the wife of a former congressman who has homes in both Washington and on the Peninsula — who asked Mitchell if there was truth to the rumor.
The actual buyer of the house is Joseph Walter, a Seattle man who founded a successful telecommunications management consulting and project management firm. He owns several properties on the Peninsula, including one of the other oceanfront Carmel Point properties. The 56-year-old dwelling was put on the market in July for the first time in five decades after the death of its owner, Stephen Kahn. Kahn bought the house in 1956 from architect Frank Wynkoop, who built the house in 1952. Records show the house cost $135,000 to build, though Kahn bought it for $15,000. One of the most select properties in Monterey County, the house sits on Carmel's rocky shore midway between Carmel Bay's two points — Point Lobos State Reserve and Pescadero Point in Pebble Beach — and often in the path of crashing waves. The house received its moniker because its roof flares up like butterfly wings.
SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL. This is from their press release....May 11th Event: The Flame of Love: The Legend of Tristan and Iseult Patrick Ball (harp, narration) & the Medieval Beasts: Shira Kammen (vielle, medieval harp, and voice), and Tim Rayborn (harp, voice, lute, and psaltery).
Program Information: A legend of Celtic origin that predates the Arthurian tale of Lancelot and Guinevere, this medieval romance is filled with love, passion, magic, and death. The faithful knight Tristan is called upon to deliver Iseult, an Irish princess, to her future husband, the King of Cornwall. Yet, while traversing the waves of the Irish Sea, a mix-up involving a potion determines their joint but tragic fate.
For most modern music-listeners, the primary reference-point to this legend is undoubtedly Richard Wagner's prominent opera "Tristan and Isolde" (premiered 1865). Yet this tale from the Dark Ages has been retold across the centuries and artistic genres. Patrick Ball's discovery of the romance some 20 ago eventually inspired his own interpretation of the narrative: "We tell this magnificent story much as a medieval storyteller would have done. . . . In Medieval times a storyteller looked into the eyes of his audience and told a tale" - using neither props nor scenery, but only words and the limitless imagination of the engaged listener. "The instruments - the harp, the vielle, the lute, the psaltery, and percussion - were all carried and played by this storyteller and those who accompanied him." Indeed, the music performed features pieces well-known to medieval audiences at the time. This concert concludes our 2008 series of season concerts titled Musical Legends. A meet-the-Artist reception follows for subscribers and donors.
Day and Time: Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 7:30pm (evening of Mother's Day)
Location: UCSC Music Center Recital Hall (Heller & Meyer Drives, UC Santa Cruz campus)
Admission: $2 K-12 & UCSC students, $16 std/sen, $25 gen, $40-65 3-ticket Flex Passes
Ticket Outlets: SC Baroque Festival (www.scbaroque.org, 831-457-9693), UCSC Ticket Ofc (831-459-2159), SC Tickets (www.santacruztickets.com), Civic Center Box Ofc. More information on all events at our website:
www.scbaroque.org
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday from 4-5pm on KZSC 88.1 fm I host this interview program covering town and gown issues and events. This Thursday my guests will be Westi Haughey of Cruzio talking about the many events of The Santa Cruz Film Festival. Then Ellen Primack the executive director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will be discussing the many concerts and famous people coming here for the Festival that happens August 1-10.
QUOTES. "You never leave the bus. Nobody ever leaves the bus. The bus may spit you out for a while but nobody ever leaves the bus." -Ken Kesey. "A physicist is an atom's way of knowing about atoms." -George Wald. "A vote for mental health is a vote against Good Times" ( I probably shouldn't have capitalized that) -San Francisco Oracle.
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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MONNING PHONE-A-THON IN THE PARK. If you see a crowd of people in San Lorenzo Park sitting in lawn chairs talking on their cell phones this Sunday, May 4th, you'll know it's the Bill Monning Phone-a-thon, and not some strange cult gathering. (his press release says) Sunday at 1pm, supporters will gather to phone voters in a push to motivate turnout for the June 3rd Primary election. Monning supporters should meet on the grass next to the lawn bowling area by the County Building on Ocean St. in Santa Cruz. Participants can call (831) 239-7685 for information the day of the event. Bring cell phones and a blanket or lawn chair.
The weekend kicks off the final month of primary campaigning, which includes precinct walking and volunteer recruitment Saturday. Volunteers for Saturday will meet at 9:30 am at the Monning headquarters office at 501 Mission St. in Santa Cruz. Voting by mail begins May 4th, with in-person voting on June 3rd.
JOHN LEOPOLD FOR SUPERVISOR. Click and open http://www.friendsofjohnleopold.com/calendar.html to see the very busy schedule that John has in May. There are many great chances to hear his positions and learn why he has so many endorsements from important people who share his concerns especially about land use among other vital things.
MARILYN HUMMEL & HUBBY LEAVING THE COUNTY. Marilyn Hummel has been a member of the Planning Commission, Housing Authority, Rural Bonny Doon Association, and numerous land use organizations for many years. She is the person most responsible for saving the 55 acre Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve over a long eight year battle. Now Marilyn and Don are moving to Marin County to be near the kids. Don's working on finishing up writing two scholarly books. With their leaving and considering all that Marilyn did to save and protect so much in our county I could say "there goes the neighborhood" but I won't. She'll be missed.
DICK CHENEY BUYS HOUSE IN CARMEL. Scott MacClelland sent this email. It tells how Cheney paid 9.3 million for this 3 bedroom/4 bath scenic spot called the Butterfly House. Scott goes further and wants to bet that old Dickey won't ever set foot in the place.
Looks Like More of the Same From New PVUSD Superintendent. It's been over two years since PVUSD Superintendent Mary Anne Mays announced at a school board meeting that she was quitting and blamed three trustees for making her superintendentship unpleasant and "not worth it." During those two years, two different interim superintendents have taken the helm. The first was PVUSD' s business manager whose tenure was cut short when the board brought Mays out of retirement to take the job on a part-time basis. Since then, she has presided over a floundering district making costly mistake after costly mistake. Morale is at an all-time low, and money has been so mishandled that the district plans to borrow up to $30 million from the County to balance its budget!
Now, after an exhaustive statewide search, comes the announcement of a new, full-time superintendent. Tens-of-thousands were spent on a consultant to find just the right candidate. With all the problems the district has had over the past two years, and with the budget crisis dragging morale lower and lower, one might think the trustees would be looking for someone new. Someone who could bring change to the district—a unifier with some new ideas—would be welcome. Someone who wouldn't have to defend the district's Brown Act violations, its penchant for cronyism or its arrogant style of management. Perhaps they'd choose someone with curriculum experience and successful strategies to raise achievement. How about someone with a doctorate like past superintendents, or someone bilingual who scan make the most of cultural diversity? Maybe someone with experience managing a $175 million budget would be nice, since that's the problem de jour?
But no! They chose one of Mays's lieutenants, Dorma Baker, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. She isn't even one of those "someones." Her redeeming value? She can be expected to "stay the course." For her part, Mays has decided to hang around for a couple months to insure that Baker knows the "course" well. By the end of June, we can expect a complete and successful transition to "more of the same."
Watsonville to Host May 1st Activities for Immigrant Rights. Two years ago, millions of immigrants and supporters took to the streets throughout the country to protest a draconian, anti-immigrant measure (HR 4437) by Congressman James Sessenbrenner (R-WI). This piece of legislation would have made millions of immigrants instant felons, and would have subjected anyone who assists undocumented immigrants (including teachers, activists or church workers) to a 5-year prison term. Although organizers intentionally chose May Day (or International Workers' Day) for the May 1st actions, the pro-immigrant rights events have now become known as "El Primero de Mayo" within the Latino community. Since 2006, immigrant communities and advocates have continued to host marches and rallies to draw attention to lack of immigration reform, the current anti-immigrant hysteria, and pressing need for legalization legislation that could bring millions of immigrants out of the shadows and put them on a pathway to citizenship. Watsonville activists and immigrants are continuing the tradition this Thursday, May 1st starting at 5pm at the Watsonville City Plaza in downtown Watsonville with a march starting at 6pm. Activists say they will continue these efforts until congress approves a legalization measure that would also benefit thousands of local families in Santa Cruz County.
Churches Also Take Leadership to Help Immigrants in Watsonville. Several churches in Watsonville have also been taking a more proactive role in assisting local immigrants. The Lutheran Community Church and the Trinity Lutheran Church are leading the efforts by establishing a program called the Community Information Center for Migrant Assistance (CIMA). The program provides free assistance with legal documents, distributes immigration information, gives legal references, and informs residents how to become U.S. citizens or how to replace their "green cards." They are open on Fridays (6-8pm) and Sunday's (3-5pm) at the Lutheran Community Church on 95 Alta Vista Drive (near the DMV) and on Wednesdays (6-8pm) at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 175 Lawrence Avenue. CIMA works in collaboration with the Immigration Project of Santa Cruz County and COPA, a local alliance of churches in the Monterey Bay area committed to being part of the continued efforts to improve the lives of most vulnerable residents in our communities.
Labor Council to Hold Its Annual Dinner in Monterey on Friday. The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, which consists of nearly 60 labor unions of the Monterey Bay region, will hold its annual labor dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey (a union hotel, of course!) this Friday, May 2 (6pm). This is the place to be for anyone running for office, and it is the largest gathering of labor activists in the Monterey Bay. The food and refreshments are always excellent, you hear the classic and more contemporary labor tunes, and you hear about the latest organizing efforts of local workers. For more information or to get your tickets see: www.montereybaylabor.org (end of South County Report)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The ever thoughtful Judi sent this email, "There are several large vacant buildings around that could be turned into temporary art galleries until new tenants are found. These include Round Table Pizza on Mission, the former Senate Furniture place on Soquel Ave, and probably several others. Artists could exhibit large-scale sculpture or installations that don't fit in smaller gallery spaces. Maybe the Cultural Council could act as liaison. Other cities have similar "Phantom Gallery" programs". Judi has also suggested interesting uses for the old Sentinel building...check the BrattonOnline archives.
ELERICK'S INPUT The inimitable Mr. Elerick talks about Earth Day being celebrated...in a parking lot! Bill Monning is mentioned, and an idea or two about what to do with your economic stimulus check. Read it all here
EAGAN'S DEEP COVER. Mr. Eagan takes us inside Club Patriot, scroll downwards.
LANDAU'S PROGRES. Saul Landau has won Chile's top human rights award. Read about the award, read Saul's history and read what he says in response. click here
PATTONS PROGRAM. Read all about affordable housing in Monterey and about Santa Cruz's "housing strategies". Gary talks about Certificates of Compliance issue that happening in Aptos. There's a discussion of new parks and the requirement for an affordable housing provision. On May 1st Gary pays tribute to the community actions that saved Marks Ranch in Monterey County and how Lighthouse Field was saved back in 1974. He probably just forgot to mention our North Coast's Wilder Ranch and how folks saved that too by a lot of community action. Click here
SEARLES SALVO. (weekly revelations from Reed Searle) George Dondero, exec of the Regional Transportation Commission spoke at a Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce meeting last Tuesday. The news from the RTC is the same as always ...and is not good. Widening Highway 1 is still the RTC's top priority; they still do not have enough money; a sales tax is the best way to finance the widening. Another campaign for a sales tax increase awaits a propitious year, and that year is not imminent. Lots of roads need repair and there's no money for that either--- AND no state or federal money is likely to come to the rescue. The good news is that the purchase of the rail corridor is proceeding, but there are no plans at present for passenger service. Not to be too depressed, though---George thinks a sales tax proposition will pass when the time is right. After the talk, sub-groups discussed the matter and agreed that traffic is indeed a problem. At the beginning of the talk, George asked how many people drove to the meeting. Almost everyone raised their hand. So it's perhaps not surprising that all the discussions were about improving traffic and not a word about public transportation---except that an HOV lane might help.
WATERS WEIGHS IN. Well if the truth were known Christina is in New York with her mother. She'll be back when she's good and ready...or in two weeks, whichever is sooner.
SIERRA CLUB RESPONSE TO BUENA VISTA LANDFILL. Pat Matecjek sent this email "Last Sunday, April 20, Kurtis Alexander's byline appeared on the lead "above the fold" article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Here is the Sierra Club's response:
The AdaptiveARC website claims that "no hazardous emissions will be released into the atmosphere" and that "all toxic byproducts are eliminated". This is simply not true. Harmful toxins such as dioxins and furans are released from plasma incinerators that process municipal solid waste. A company that provides false information about the basic facts of their technology is a danger to community health. And don't be fooled, plasma is in fact defined as incineration by the U.S. EPA.
There is no safe level of additional exposure to dioxins. This is because the average daily dioxin intake for Americans [1] is already 200 times higher [2] than what the EPA defines as a safe dose for adults [3]. Known health impacts of dioxin include cancer, IQ deficits, disrupted sexual development, birth defects, immune system damage, behavioral disorders, diabetes and altered sex ratios. Emitting dioxins is also counter to the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty signed by the U.S., which calls for the elimination or reduction of dioxin and other particularly harmful persistent organic pollutants.
The adverse impact of plasma and other incineration technologies on community health and the environment, has led to the environmental community to be strongly opposed to incineration. Indeed, more than 130 organizations nationwide including the Sierra Club, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC),and Environment America have signed onto a statement against incentives for plasma and other incinerators.
When faced with a similar proposal from a company pushing plasma incineration, the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii, did their homework and came to the conclusion that this technology would have no business in their town. The Honolulu City Department of Environmental Services concluded, "After thorough evaluations, including intensive meetings with the proposers to review technical components of their plans, we concluded that utilizing plasma arc/torch would significantly increase the cost of waste disposal for Oahu and would not provide any environmental advantages to justify such cost."
Along with concerned residents of Santa Cruz, the Sierra Club and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives calls on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to give the county of Santa Cruz a real Earth Day gift: stand up for environmental health and say "no" to incineration.
SANTA CRUZ SWINGS: A HISTORY OF JAZZ IN SANTA CRUZ. It was originally planned as a once only "sneak preview" but the Nickelodeon was completely sold out last Saturday and had to turn people away.. Santa Cruz Swings paints a jumping and very hip portrait of how jazz influenced Santa Cruz...and vice versa. It pulls together eight decades of our local jazz history and makes an exciting evolving study of jazz itself... both past and future. This local jazz documentary by Ken Koenig of Roseking productions was great fun to watch and there will be another "once only" screening very soon at the Nick...so get there early next time.
THE VISITOR. Good old Richard Jenkins from HBO's "6 Feet Under" is wonderful in this film. Without meaning to this film is another deserved condemning of the United States policy on immigration...go see it.
BABY MAMA. It's not quite possible to dismiss Tina Fey's role in this next attempt at motherhood comedy. She's an excellent actor, but the film would be just as good watching it at home. Maybe two laughs but there's a bunch of bitterness and sad reality in it too...it's an odd film.
BLUEBERRY NIGHTS. Wong Kar-Wai is one of my favorite directors and this is his first English Language film. He's directed such masterpieces as Chung King Express, In the Mood for Love, 2046, Ashes Of Time, As Tears Go By and some more. His films are amazingly complex and subtle. They are also wildly colorful and develop at a pace and in a way we aren't used to. People overlook what's happening in his films, but days later you find yourself thinking and wondering about what you actually saw. Natalie Portman, David Strathairn, and Jude Law are all part of this film and it won't be at The Del Mar long, don't miss it. Blueberry by the way refers to pie not that phone thing.
THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES. This is another excellent film you shouldn't miss. Uma Thurman does one of best and most honest acting jobs ever, and it too is a complex film. Evan Rachel Wood as a confused rebelling high school student equals Thurman's acting ability and the two of them make this film a wonderfully told story, that is disturbing and haunting...and memorable.
DECEPTION. Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor make this another thriller that's well worth seeing. Tricky plot, never boring, go see it.
A COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS: NEW WORKS. The 17 artists in this show have been meeting together for 25 years to discuss each others works. Last year the Community of Artists was the most popular exhibit at Felix Kulpa Gallery at 107 Elm Street behind Streetlight Records. This year's show opens Friday night May 2 and runs through June 29. Paintings, photos, digital art, and other things will be on show. Reception – Friday, May 2nd from 5pm – 9pm - 408-373-2854
THE MUSIC OF SATYAJIT RAY:IMPACT OF TAGORE. On Friday, May 2, Satyajit Ray Film & Study Center presents "The Music of Satyajit Ray: Impact of Tagore" at 7 pm at the Humanities Lecture Hall, Cowell College UCSC campus. This is a Rare & Unique Performance by Sharmila Roy-Pommot (Vocal) Shewli Basu (Esraj) Rajnarayan Bhattacharya (Tabla) Roy-Pommot, based in Paris, is arguably the top exponent/expert on Tagore and Ray's music. Tickets are $10.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the show. For more information please call (831) 459-4012 or email jpalines@ucsc.edu or dayani@ucsc.edu
SANTA CRUZ CLAY 2008 is a two day show at the Bargetto Winery 3535 Main St. Soquel which brings together a unique gathering of Ceramic artists from Santa Cruz County. 23 artists will take part in the show and sale, Saturday and Sunday May 3 & 4 from 11 to 5pm where each artist will have a 10' x 10' display area to exhibit their own work and be available to explain to visitors some of the processes involved in the making of 'one–off' pieces of high quality ceramic art. Five years ago 7 Clay artists held a group show at Bargettos which started the tradition. Go to
www.firecatpottery.com and see who's there.
LA PENA: A CELEBRATION OF LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE. On Saturday May 3rd there's going to be a Cuban Dinner and Theatre fundraiser at the Unitarian Fellowship at 6401 Freedom Blvd. in Aptos. The dinner is from 5-7pm and the theatre happens 7-9pm. It's sponsored by: Barrios Unidos, the Cuba Study Group, Three Americas, Inc., and the Watsonville Brown Berets. The evening will feature a Cuban dinner cooked by Gina Val Leiva a former "Peter Pan" child - one of thousands of children exiled from Cuba after the Revolution. She is one of the people the dinner will benefit, enabling her to return to Cuba and re-connect with family left behind. A highlight of the evening's entertainment will be the Brown Beret's hip-hop and spoken word artists. Nane Alejandrez will speak about Barrios Unidos' international work with Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
The evening, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Action Committee, will honor the members, the common vision and work of Barrios Unidos, Cuba Study Group, Three Americas, Inc., Santa Cruz Cuba Caravans, and the Watsonville Brown Berets. For the past five years, Santa Cruz Cuba Caravans has traveled to Cuba with the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment to Cuba as a challenge to the illegal and immoral U.S. blockade. They have sent over 20 people on the Pastors Caravan and donated four buses loaded with material aid to Cuba. This gala event will raise funds for scholarships for students and low-income adults to travel as "Caravanistas" on this life-changing journey.
There will be music by Los Kombucheros, greetings from Rep. Sam Farr, a political skit by Students Informing Now, presentations by former Caravanistas, and other short acts. The evening will end with Lois and Bert Muhly leading the audience in original songs about Cuba. Contact for tickets and information – 427 0980.
SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER PLAYERS MUSIC IN MAY. From May 7th through May 11th The Santa Cruz Chamber Players is presenting FREE concerts in many locations around Santa Cruz County. The musicians and the choice of music is exciting and way too detailed to list here go to www.musicinmay.com and get the details. Composers such as Beethoven, Piazzolla, Dvorak, Schubert, Vaughan Williams plus some pop, and dance music. Check it out.
THREE PENNY OPERA MAY 9- 11TH . It's a great way to celebrate Mother's Day weekend. Kurt Weill's music and Bertolt Brecht's words. Mack the Knife is just one of the hits. The Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra is presenting this opera at The Pacific Cultural Center, Soquel and Seabright, and tickets are available at Streetlight Records or by calling 1 800-838-3006. It'll be fully staged and costumed and the rest of the details are at http://www.scmusic.org:80 click on "events".
UNIVERSITY GRAPEVINE. Every Thursday I host this radio program from 4-5 pm. on KZSC 88.1 fm. This week I'll be interviewing Lisa Rose and Tim Kelly from the Community Of Artists exhibit at the Felix Kulpa Gallery. In the second half hour I'll be talking with Paul Ortiz about The Reel Work Film Festival that's on now through May 11th.
QUOTES. "NOBODY CAN BE EXACTLY LIKE ME. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it," Tallulah Bankhead. "Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth", Alan Watts. "Everything I know I taught myself", Bo Diddley. "Your wig steers the gig", Lord Buckley.
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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