February 1 – 7, 2012
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SENTINEL & FOES. It has become such a habit we hardly notice it anymore but think about what it means when The Sentinel refers to citizens as “FOES”. Wikipedia says foes mean adversary, enemy, opponent. Such as La Bahia Foes, Highway 1 widening Foes, Coast Hotel Foes, Now it’s anyone who opposes The Sentinel Editors, The City Council, Cynthia Mathews, Chamber of Commerce, Mike Rotkin, LOBA and other drum beaters for that damned De-Sal plant. The Sentinel has for decades labeled anyone holding any position that they don’t agree with as FOES. It denies that logically there are often two sides to a position, it denies that it would be fair to put it to a vote by the people, and denies The Sentinel another Pulitzer this year 
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RYAN’S NEW JOB? Ryan Coonerty is planning ahead. He and I were chatting the other day, I told him I’d written a song for his daughter that our band almost played at the Bookshop Santa Cruz Party in November. It was about his new daughter having to choose between a career in jewelry, selling books or politics; he laughed and said none of them seem too promising nowadays. What he didn’t mention was that he’s applied for the job of Economic Development Director, a job where he would guide economic development in the County. Did you say conflict of interest because his dad is a county supervisor and would be one of his bosses??? Yes, you guessed it he’ll be making more than $100,000 per year. Not as much as his boss Susan Mauriello and no, we aren’t sure yet whether he’ll work in the CAO’s office or in the planning department, but it will be awfully close to Papa Neal’s regardless. Some may wonder why, how, and whatever happened to the last guy who had that job. Others probably ponder if that job was eliminated so’s Ryan could squeeze in…no, no that wouldn’t happen here in our little County
| GROUCHO MARX SINGS WITH FRANK SINATRA!!! |
SIERRA CLUB AND NEW DIRECTIONS.Small bets are beingplaced around the County as to the future political direction that the newly electeds will have on the Sierra Club, Santa Cruz Chapter. Once upon a time the Sierra Club took strong positions on issues affecting our environment. The Club opposed development that wasn’t sustainable, and even took stands against allowing mountain bikes onto any land where they would create erosion and endanger hikers. Now those new board members it is wagered will turn the Sierra Club into a social club with cutesy parties and nary a strong voice for our Greenbelt or planet…we’ll see, we’ll see.
KENVILLE LOCKSMITHS STILL HERE!!! You know how for decades Kenville Locksmiths were right there on Center Street across from 101 Center Street where India Joze used to be and where the Center Street Theatre is in that funny building right on, and even surrounding the corner of Union and Center streets. Now they moved a full 50 (fifty) 50 feet away but everybody thinks they died. They are right across from The Cypress Lounge at 111 Union Street. Call them at 423-3252.or go to their addressless webpage (???) at http://kenvillelocks.com
ZACH FRIENDS SUITS. I was sitting at Octagon Lulu’s as I do a lot, this time talking with Zach Friend about why he’s running for County Supervisor. (for another opinion see what Paul Elerick, who’s on Zach’s campaign committee wrote below) Anyways Don Weber joined us for a minute, then Chip N. from the Downtown Association sat in. Zach left, so the three of us tried guessing where Zach bought his uniquely fitting suits. It ranged from Sears to Macy’s to less flattering locations…Chip N. then hit it….Men’s Warehouse on 41st!!! We’ll probably never know, but check out those duds when you see him.
| JIMMY STEWART TELLS HIS FUNNIEST JOKE EVER. |
FEBRUARY & COASTAL COMMISSION.I stated last week that the California Coastal Commission would be coming to Santa Cruz in March….nope, I got that wrong it’s apparently this month (February). They’ll meet in the Supervisors room, floor five…you know the place!!!
SANTA CRUZ OBSERVER ON “PAUSE”. Tom Honig told me while we stood reminiscing about Wally Trabing at his funeral/celebration last Sunday and in an email that he got sick of his own stupid opinions (and everyone else’s). Politically, it seems like everybody is commenting on everything, and I was as bad an offender as anyone else. I figured I’d just take some time to read, to listen and to actually learn stuff from smart people. It’s been a good break and I’ve actually been reading books instead of tweets and Facebook posts. It’s like eating “slow food” after going to McDonald’s for three meals a day”. I’m betting he’ll be back, who else can deliver those Chamber, LOBA, Business Council messages so clearly???
Zach’s Competition – Vic Marani drops out. There may be other candidates who have yet to surface in the 2nd District, but as for those that have already announced, they just don’t cut it. Word has it that his strongest challenger, Vic Marani, has pulled out. You’ll have to read the daily newspaper’s report later and get the details on this; it’ll be worth the price of the paper if you’re not a subscriber.
Meet ZACH, the Candidate. Campaign Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, 6-8 PM. Bittersweet Bistro…787 Rio Del Mar Blvd. (previously known as Deer Park Tavern). Please RSVP to friendforsupervisor@gmail.com, refreshments and light appetizers will be served. (Paul Elerick is thechair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.
LATTÉ BREAKING NEWS.Last Sunday, after reading Paul Elerick’s scoop about Vic Marani dropping out of the race for Ellen Pirie’s Supervisor seat I tried to find out more data. The only rumors as to why he dropped out were the same ones back when he dropped out of some other race maybe ten years ago, or more. There was talk about his teaching credentials not being quite right and something about his “staff” work for State Senator Sam Blakeslee. Other guesses came from Facebook sources… and you know how solid they are, said it was probably the Republican party who “suggested” Marani drop out to preserve party decency…more on this later.
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary tells us about the Eco Farm Conference at Asilomar. He informs us of the importance of Watsonville’s general plan and details a bit about the TV program “Transportation Café” on Community TV. He tells us he’s worked for folks fighting the High Speed rail system and closes with more news on the proposed shopping center on highway 68 in Monterey County. READ IT ALL 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. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365″ – www.gapatton.net)
I asked Micaela for her reaction to that woman’s solo skiing across Antarctica last week that got so much publicity. Micaela mails…” No one who comes to Antarctica fails to appreciate the view, but not everyone cares to get a closer look by actually traversing the glaciers or staying for a full summer– not to mention the winter! Those of us “ice folk” who do long for the mountains read about expeditions like Felicity Aston’s*
Not all expeditions merit the same respect, as one soon learns after a few seasons. Felicity Aston deserves full respect, as a mountaineer in general and as an Antarctican. She has years of experience in the Antarctic, first as a member of the British Antarctic Survey and then as the leader for an all-women expedition from Commonwealth countries. She wanted the all-women’s expedition to make a statement in favor of greater cross-cultural understanding, connection to nature, respect for women, and international cooperation in the Antarctic. Lofty goals for a skiing expedition, and perhaps not all were accomplished; still, she’s got the right spirit. I hope that her ideals receive as much attention as her fantastic achievement. If not, I don’t know that even she would call her crossing a complete success.
Other expeditions are less ambitious than Aston’s solo-traverse, physically and philosophically. Jason De Carteret’s team also set a world-record for Antarctic exploration this year: fastest overland speed to the South Pole in a “souped-up”** Toyota Tacoma-- in other words, he drove a truck. Read it here… They went on to describe the trip as an experiment in new “sustainable” polar travel because it ran on “bio-fuels” (whatever that means) and its roof had solar panels. De Carteret has the credentials, but not the vision.
And then you have the truly dismal examples of Antarctic exploration like the Berserk*** crew– three of whom died when the ship sank during an illegal (and very ill-advised) cruise last year. Two others returned by yacht (illegally, once again) to the Ross Sea in January, allegedly searching for signs of how their other crew members died. However, it’s notoriously difficult to see any sunken ships from the surface of the ocean. Maybe they intend to get a closer look by sinking themselves? Tourism and mountaineering in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is not regulated formally, mostly because tour operators voluntarily regulate themselves. I would like to see that remain true, but I wonder if we can cheer for expeditions like Aston’s without encouraging people like De Carteret. And how do we weed out the adventurous from the truly insane, as in the case of the Berserk? Questions to ponder while I pace around station for the next nine months”.
(Micaela Neus works for Raytheon Polar Services Company as a utilities technician and is currently living at Palmer Station, Antarctica until April 2012.
VINTAGE DE CINZO. Mr. D. develops another view of Paradise. Spin downwards.
| JACK LEMMON TELLS HIS FUNNIEST JOKE |
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Eagan creates « Anger World » scroll below and enter carefully!!!
LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul’s column this week, Cuba Looking Back and Ahead” says…” When Hugo Chavez became president of Venezuela, he provided Cuba with aid and political alliances. Additionally, Latin America accepted Havana as a full partner, ending Cuba’s isolation. Recently, Cuba’s Communist Party reviewed the economy. A new script began to emerge as a series of guidelines (lineamientos). Changes have begun to affect property rights, domestic trade, employment practices, and investments. In 2012, Cuban leaders could forge a new mission, to remake Cubans as the inspiration – if not saviors – of human life on the planet. Part of Cuba’s population still vibrates with desires to act on the world stage with a script the world’s people need. Imagine Cuba leading a green revolution for survival! They have the science, experience and organization. Will the leadership pass the torch to those who have the energy and will to carry it out? Next week: how Fidel Castro laid the groundwork for an environmental mission. Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com
SIRENA ANTIQUES MOVES CLOSER. Kim Kempke owner Sirena Antiques (formerly of Davenport) says, “I found a great space on the Westside on Ingalls St. in the old Bonny Doon Winery building between Fair Ave. (New Leaf Market) and Swift St. (Kelly’s Bakery). We just opened this past Thursday 1/26. As it says on their website We are located off Highway One on the West side of Santa Cruz, in the Bonny Doon Winery building between New Leaf Market and Kelly’s French Bakery. Go to http://lasirenaantiques.com and check out the most eclectic collection of charming collectibles almost anywhere. Its Davenports loss and the Westsides’ gain!!!
LISA JENSEN LINKS: This week, Lisa asks: “Seriously, can we talk about the Oscar nominations? Also this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express, a tip of the bowler hat to Albert Nobbs, a sneak preview of this month’s First Friday Art Tour, and more on the recent Nickelodeon/Del Mar digital upgrade.”(Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975).
DANGEROUS METHOD. Kiera Knightly looks like she’s imitating Jim Carrey or Jerry Lewis in this supposedly serious drama about Freud and Jung. Viggo Mortenson is always very good in the parts he plays; it’s just that as Sigmund Freud the script is so boring even he can’t save it. Michael Fassbender works hard at being Carl Jung. I kept falling asleep, thereby obeying my inner critic.
| GEORGE BURNS & I WISH I WERE 18 AGAIN. Billie Harris sent this one. Good exercise for those aging tear ducts. |
SHAME.I saw this film Friday January 20th and forgot to write or review it!!! Carey Mulligan sings in this sad sex filled saga and does it beautifully!!! Carey Mulligan does just about everything beautifully. Michael Fassbender who was in over 9000 films all made in 2011 does great acting here too. It’s about sex, all kinds of sex. More sex than a Wagner Opera even!!! There’s both frontal and backal nudity and it’s an excellent film to boot. Go see it…but only if you like sex of some kind.
MAN ON A LEDGE. Not quite the same story as Snakes On A Plane…but almost as predictable. Even Ed Harris sucks as an evil “Barry Swenson” type developer. If you do go, you’ll spend all you time looking at the special effects and checking out Elizabeth Banks hairdo. Don’t even rent it…it’s that bad.
TENNESSESE ERNIE FORD NEWS. Rik Jacobsen reacted to last week’s youtube clip of Tennessee Ernie and said, ” How’s this for unlikely. Wouldn’t you expect Tennessee Ernie Ford, with his aw-shucks down-home entertainment persona as America’s television country and gospel singer from the 40′s until his death in 1991, is buried where he was born and grew up, duh, in Tennessee ! Nope, you’ll never guess, he’s interred of all places right over the hill in Palo Alto .. in Alta Mesa cemetery, right near Steve Jobs of all people ! Go figure. Rik
HOSTETTER’S HOT STUFF. Paul H. states…”February is looking large, so here’s a bit of an update, more to be added soon, but at least look for Andy Irvine around these parts, and get tickets to the Great Gatsby Opera pronto, and find other good things as well at what I hope is a truly functional link now: http://www.lutherie.net/live.
A baroque koto concert? A barrage of tamburitzas? Look out! Remember there are numerous links to individual artists’ calendars, as well as many links to most venues, so be sure to click through them. best, ph.
SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER PLAYERS PRESENT…”BUILDING BLOCKS: WINDS AND PIANO IN COMBINATION”.H
That means music by Hindemith, Etler, Reinecke, Gordon Jacob, Villa-Lobos, and Hovhaness. The concert will be directed by oboist Peter Lemberg, withJeffrey Gallagher, Lars Johannessen, Jane Orzel, John Orzel, and Ivan Rosenblum.
Paul Hindemith’s masterpiece for wind quintet, “Kleine Kammermusik”opens the program. The ensemble then performs in smaller combinations (exposing the “building blocks”) both with and without piano. The beautifully matched oboe and clarinet will play composer and oboist Alvin Etler’s Duo from 1945. Then, Carl Reinecke’s Trio for Oboe, Horn and Piano (a rare combination of instruments deserving to be heard more often!) adds a late-romantic flourish. Finally, the smaller “building blocks” are then fully assembled for the concert finale, British composer Gordon Jacob’s magnum opus, the alternately elegiac and witty Sextet (1956).That’s SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 at 8:00 PM and repeated on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012, at 3:00 PM at the Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos (exit Hwy. 1 at Freedom Blvd). TICKETS: Available at the door 1/2 hour before performance and at www.santacruztickets.com (831) 420-5260 CONTACT: (831) 425-3149 or email m@scchamberplayers.org
CLASSICAL INDIAN VOCALIST SHWETA JHAVERI PERFORMS AT UCSC.
Shweta Jhaveri is one of the prominent Indian vocalists of her generation and one of the most innovative voices. Jhaveri performs the Indian vocal form Khayal and also Tappa, Thumri and Bhajan styles. Musically what sets Jhaveri apart is her unique mesmerizing voice, soulful vocal expression and remarkable innovative spontaneity. She has classical and semi-classical compositions as well as contemporary music scores to her credit.
Jhaveri composes music under her banner ‘Cosmic Khayals’ founded in 1998. She has sung for the award-winning film Dance of the Wind and also for television. She has performed widely in concert venues in India, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, and was the first Indian classical vocalist to perform in Argentina. Saturday, February 4, 2012 7:30 pm – Music Center Recital Hall, UC Santa Cruz. “Shweta Jhaveri is to the raga for voice what Ravi Shankar is to the raga for sitar.” –World Discoveries This concert is presented by the UCSC Music Department and is funded by the Ali Akbar Khan Endowment for Classical Indian Music and by the Kamil and Talat Hasan Endowed Chair for Classical Indian Music (UCSC).
For tickets santacruztickets.com and the UCSC Ticket Office (831-459-2159).
TRAVELLING LIGHT a new play by Nicholas Wright will be screened at The Del Mar presented by The National Theatre Live of Great Britain. It’s Thursday February 9th at 7:30 p.m. It stars Damien Molony (Motl Mendl), Antony Sher (Jabob Bindel) & Abigail McKern (Ida) (Live performances broadcast from the National Theatre in London at South Bank -and in state-of-the-art High Definition)
How had a twenty–two–year–old pretentious layabout made a discovery that would elude every other cinematic pioneer for years to come? In a remote village in Eastern Europe, around 1900, the young Motl Mendl is entranced by the flickering silent images on his father’s cinematograph. Bankrolled by Jacob, the ebullient local timber merchant, and inspired by Anna, the girl sent to help him make moving pictures of their village, he stumbles on a revolutionary way of story-telling. Forty years on, Motl – now a famed American film director – looks back on his early life and confronts the cost of fulfilling his dreams. Following Vincent in Brixton and The Reporter, Nicholas Wright‘s new play is a funny and fascinating tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in Hollywood’s golden age. To learn more visit: www.thenick.com www.ntlive.com www.byexperience.net
WOMENS CRISIS SUPPORT- DEFENSA DE MUJERES & JAZZERCISE are teaming up against violence!
On February 12th, World Class Instructors from Jazzercise will lead a one hour Jazzercise workout along with a Raffle to benefit survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault served by Women’s Crisis Support-Defensa de Mujeres. Did you know..?1 in 4 women report family violence in our community. 34% of women homicide victims over the age of 15 are killed by their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends. 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household. Date:February 12th Time:9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Location: Santa Cruz Roller Palladium, 1606 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. I host Universal Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only, or sometimes old programs are archived…(see next paragraph) and go to WWW.KZSC.ORG. Jan Karwin from The League Of Women Voters will be my guest on January 31 talking about the League and the Ballot measures they are backing. Celia and Peter Scott will talk about the dangers of allowing mountain bikes into the Pogonip on the second half hour. Gene Schaller will bring us up to date on the state of the unions in and around the Monterey Bay on February 7th followed by Brad Cava, who had his phone stolen and couldn’t make it to last week’s Grapevine. Lisa Jensen will guest on Valentine’s Night Feb 14th to talk about our choices for best films of 2011. (Wallace Baine can’t make Tuesday nights). Kirsten Brandt will discuss her music and upcoming UCSC Concert on February 23. Do remember, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in, and keep listening.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVES.In case you missed some of the great people I’ve interviewed in the last 5 years here’s a chronological list of just this year’s podcasts. Click herehttp://kzsc.org/blog/tag/
BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
QUOTES. “Life, man, is a gas,” Lou Rawls. “You Must Go On, I can’t go on, I’ll go on”, Samuel Beckett. “Row row, row your boat, gently down the stream, Merrilly merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream”, traditional.
BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by tim eagan.
January 25 – 31, 2012
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CITY COUNCIL CONUNDRUM.Our monarchs flutter by every year and like those wispy homeless creatures we also have our biannual City Council Candidates to keep track of. I love looking ahead and trying to ferret out whos going to run next time…that would be in the biggie November, 2012. So far we hear rumors of Rochelle Noroyan, Ron Pomerantz, Cynthia Mathews, Don Lane, Steve Pleich, and, were guessing Katherine Beiers and even Micah Posner. David Foster told me a month ago that hes figuring it will cost at least $30,000 to run in this City Council election. I never did get those figures on who gets how much in pensions City Council members receive, and how long they get it for, any figures or even facts on this out there???
LATTÉ BREAKING NEWS. Mark Stone tells me that The California Coastal Commission will be meeting here in our littlest County in March!!!
ABOUT “FUCK”, THE WORD.I couldnt forget Rooney Maras tee shirt after seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, (the American version) that read, “fuck you, you fucking fuck”. Looking it up, I learned of course that this memorable quote was from David Lynchs Blue Velvet in 1986.( Before he got involved with TM) Wikipedia has a great and long entry that makes the word more interesting than youve probably ever thought about.
| THAT CRUISE SHIP DISASTER. Tennessee Ernie Ford and Dean Martin give us another take on that tipped ship. |
SAVE THE POGONIP- KEEP IT BIKE FREE. Help keep the cyclists out of The Pogonip. From their website at http://pogonipwatch.org “The Pogonip, 640 acres of natural open space and wildlife habitat, is a treasured public common in Santa Cruz, California. With its variety of redwood and oak forests, coastal prairie, many streams flowing from springs down steep rugged slopes toward the San Lorenzo River, with miles of trails and a rich history, it is the jewel of the Santa Cruz Greenbelt, enjoyed by all”. Peter and Celia Scott write, “The Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 6 to consider the proposed East “Multi-Use” Trail (EMUT) on the Pogonip. They will likely act to make their recommendation to the Santa Cruz City Council, who will then consider the proposal at a future meeting (date yet to be determined). Here are the details: Date: Monday, February 6 Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Place: Santa Cruz City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz. The Commissioners will have before them the Final Draft of the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), which is set to be released by January 26, 2012. Please attend this meeting if you possibly can, to voice your opposition to this proposal. Further details are posted on our website at http://PogonipWatch.org/ Please also encourage others to sign our on-line petition, also available on our website. Peter and Celia Scott, for Friends of the Pogonip.
GROWING OPPOSITION TO GIRL SCOUT COOKIES. Lee Quarnstrom sent this in…The Washington Times says, “I worried that my “political” stand would cause uneasiness between us, but her response put me at ease: “Well,” she said, “they do use unpaid child labor to make their sales, and the troop only gets 10 percent of the revenues anyway.” True. According to the Girl Scouts website, the lions share of the money goes not to the troop but to bureaucrats up the chain of command in multicounty councils. The national office gets a piece of the pie, too, in the form of royalties based on gross annual sales volume – about 200 million boxes per year”. Be careful reading all of the article… much right wing anti-abortion junk in it.
| ACTUAL CAR LEVITATION!! |
SIERRA CLUB ESTABLISHES POINT BREAK PROTECTION IN SANTA CRUZ. OR COWELL BEACH MOST POLUTTED BEACH IN CALIFORNIA.
Pat Matecjek forwarded this from the Sierra Club Newsletter…
The site slated for dedication is on the coastline of Santa Cruz, a place credited as the birthplace of surfing in North America and home to the celebrated right-hand point breaks at Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point. It’s in the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where a diverse ecosystem flourishes. Mark H. Carr, a UC Santa Cruz professor of marine biology, explains that Monterey Bays northern section has a gyre, an ocean circulation pattern that traps water. “It tends to collect a lot of larvae,” he said, adding that it “may be sort of an important nursery habitat.” Carr also explained that giant kelp forests closer to the reserves northern boundaries stand on sandstone reef features, which support biological communities distinct from those in the granite-based forests farther south.
Save the Waves is working with local environmentalists, activists, and elected officials to draft a local stewardship plan to guide the preservation and education efforts after the dedication. The current decision in process is how to tackle water-quality issues along Cowell Beach, which has been called Californias most polluted beach
| TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD & HIS LITTLEST FAN. My Florida cousin sent this clip. Watch the little kid on Ernies right…fabulous. (I think it’s his son).
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GABRIELLAS NEW LITERARY SALON NIGHTS. Paul Cocking of Gabriellas says, ” On the first Tuesday of every month, join us for our regular menus good food and wine in the atmosphere of a Literary Salon hosted by various authors, poets and scholars.
A Salon “is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste.” Beginning Tuesday, February 7, and continuing the first Tuesday of every month, dinner will be offered with the speaker at 8:00 pm. Readings and discussion will start at 9:00 pm over desserts and beverages.
Literary Salon Series Calendar:
February 7 & March 6: John Dizikes & Dale Johnson
April 3: Stephen Kessler
May 1: Peter Kenez
June 5: Lisa Ortiz
July 3: Patrice Vecchione
call (831) 457-1677 to reserve your table now – limited seating!
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ASHWIN BATISH LIKES THIS ONE. From the land of Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, the poetry of Tagore, the Mahabharata, Ramayana theres also this… |
PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary tells of the Monterey and Santa Cruz Board of Supes agenda on Tuesday. He then says, “The Citys Draft Climate Action Plan outlines actions that the City will take to meet State requirements pertaining to climate change, to achieve the policies identified in the Draft General Plan 2030 update, and to accomplish the greenhouse gas reduction goals set by the City Council. One proposal is that the City Council establishes a Municipal Energy Office and a Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Planning Team. I applaud the Citys recognition that land use policy changes are absolutely necessary if we are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A compiled list of all of the actions that are recommended in the Draft Climate Action Plan is included in the Plan as Appendix A. I hope that listeners and readers will track down the draft document and get involved in helping to address the greatest environmental crisis of our times”. Then later he claims re the widening of Highway 1, “The result of the widening project, just about ready to get underway, will be to move that bottleneck down Highway One about a mile. The area on Highway One between Soquel Drive and 41st Avenue will then become the place where the massive “bottleneck” occurs. Moving that bottleneck down the road by a mile will cost us about $22 million dollars, and will ultimately provide no overall transportation advantages, except for those persons who regularly use Highway One between Morrissey and Soquel as a way to get to the Dominican Hospital area. That happens to include me, but even so, I am not personally delighted with the expenditure of $22 million dollars for this purpose, particularly since the highway in this area will shortly become more, rather than less frustrating while construction is underway”. Read it all 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. Pattons. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365″ – www.gapatton.net)
ANCHOR IN ANTARCTICA. When you live and work in Antarctica what do you miss….? Micaela misses cats!!! She says, “ The austral summer peaks in January, theoretically. This season started with a cold snap and continued on through snow, slush, hail, rain and fog without ever making its way to sunshine. Combined with the above-average level of sea ice and thick brash (chunks that fall off the glacier), the weather has limited our typical outdoor excursions to little more than a few trips to the Adelie penguin colony on Torgersen Island and some whale-watching in the harbor. On the other hand, bad weather for boats is good weather for readers.
A few highlights from my bookshelf:
Mawsons Will by Lennard Bickel (2000): The subtitle calls it “The Greatest Polar Survival Story Ever Told” and Im hard-pressed to argue. The tale of Douglas Mawsons struggle against the full host of Antarctic disasters: scurvy, crevasse, frost bite, insanity, and food poisoning. Lessons learned? Dont eat dog liver.
The Last Place on Earth by Roland Huntford (1999): A comparative biography of Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott, focused on their respective Antarctic careers in the broader context of early 20th-century Europe. Extraordinarily well-researched and delightfully written, this book revolutionized polar literature when first published and remains a landmark in the field. An absolute must-read for people willing to peek behind the curtain of these legendary adventures. Bonus: introduction by Paul Theroux.
The Storied Ice by Joan N. Boothe (2011): A new release from Berkeley Press that has done much to fill in my knowledge of exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula from the 1820s (when sailors first confirmed the existence of an actual continent) to the founding of the Antarctic Treaty System in the mid-1950s. Most polar literature focuses on the Australian/New Zealand side of the continent where the more famous explorers focused their attentions. The Peninsula has its own, possibly more varied history of exploration, conflict, disaster, and discovery that Boothe weaves together wonderfully. Best book for understanding the human history of the region around Palmer Station, where I live.
Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson (1999): One of only two works of fiction I will recommend. Robinson spent something like a month at McMurdo Station in 1995 as part of the National Science Foundations Artists and Writers Grant, and must have made good use of his brief time! His sci-fi novel may be a better insight into the politics, unique culture, and possible future of the continent than most non-fiction works published to date. This was the only book I read about Antarctica before my first deployment to McMurdo Station in 2007, and I couldnt have chosen better.
I still have a half dozen more books to read, but plenty of time to read them according to our forecast. If I manage to finish them before the end of winter, I will start downloading some of the explorers original log books, expedition accounts, and memoirs that are available–absolutely free!– from Project Gutenberg. At the moment, I’ve got the books, the couch, and the hot cocoa… if only we were allowed cats, life would be complete.
(Micaela Neus works for Raytheon Polar Services Company as a utilities technician and is currently living at Palmer Station, Antarctica until April 2012, or sometime after that!!)
VINTAGE DE CINZO. Dr. DeCinzo is right on top of our Mountain Lion scare…scroll below…
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim addresses some revolting historical developments…see down there.
LANDAUS PROGRES. Saul gets into Yiddish humor this week with “Republican Debates Comedy or Farce”. Check it and him out here
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa links in with the following…”
“This week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.
LOCAL CONNECTION. Joshua Leonard whose folks live in Corralitos and attend The Penny University has an unique Hollywood Star bio, especially in 2011. He had an excellent role in Higher Ground a fine film starring Vera Farmiga and also appeared in a real turkey which only a few brave souls (me) attended, Shark Night in 3D. With a range like that he has nowhere to go but up. He could even be another Rory Calhoun or Zasu Pitts, well, maybe Rory.
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE. This is that Tom Hanks 9/11 film. This film doesnt jerk your tears; it sucks your tear ducts dry in 2 or 3 places. Go see it and realize just how much of the 9/11 tragedy you are still carrying around…and the acting is excellent too. Max Von Sydow plays a non speaking role!!
RED TAILS. Hokey, trite, tacky and almost racist doesnt begin to describe this hollow tribute to the brave Black pilots of WWII. Apparently George Lucas created this film straight from his heart and wanted to make a statement…but wow did he miss.
UNDERWORLD; AWAKENING. Kate Beckinsale wears some kinda wetsuit, and kills the dreaded Lysols or some aptly named vampires who dont look any more cinematically advanced than King Kong and they have absolutely none of his charm or grace…avoid this mess. Besides that to save money its in black and white..or dull grey and 3D. As you can guess, it was #1 in last weeks box-office bucks.
HAYWIRE. I must be honest…I dreaded seeing these four films listed above, they all sounded miserable. I dreaded them so much I completely forgot that Haywire was directed by Steven Soderbergh. Yes, Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor. Antonio Banderas and actors like that are in it, but it reeked. The lead babe in tights Gina Carano is supposed to be a martial arts expert in real life but I dont think she can read any better than she can act. It was the worst and first Soderbergh I’ve ever seen part of.
HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. Omnipresent Paul wrote (last Tuesday 1/17)…. “A SECOND quick and last-minute reminder about the remarkable and rarely-seen-in-these-parts Dan Newton at the mysterious Backstage Lounge in Santa Cruz (and if you are over the hill somewhere and want to see him the next night, check his calendar link for a Thursday concert in Mountain View) and Linda Burman-Halls rainforest soundscapes from islands in Indonesia on Friday at UCSC. And a few other things soon coming, with all pertinent details here Cheers, ph”.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. I host Universal Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer (live only, or sometimes old programs are archived…(see next paragraph) and go to WWW.KZSC.ORG Jim Emdy of KUSP and other radio outlets and I will talk about Opera Seasons on Jan. 24. Brad Cava of Santa Cruz Patch fame will be on the second half hour that night. Jan Karwin from The League Of Women Voters will be my guest on January 31 talking about the League and the Ballot measures they are backing. Lisa Jensen will guest on Valentines Night Feb 14th to talk about our choices for best films of 2011. (Wallace Baine cant make Tuesday nights). Kirsten Brandt will discuss her music and upcoming UCSC Concert on February 23. Do remember, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in, and keep listening.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVES.In case you missed some of the great people Ive interviewed in the last 5 years heres a chronological list of just this years podcasts. Click herehttp://kzsc.org/blog/tag/
QUOTES. “She was one of those women who go through life demanding to see the manager”, G.Patrick. “I like children—fried” W.C Fields. “All a child can expect is that the father be present at the conception”, Joe Orton.
BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by tim eagan.
