Bratton Online

Bruce Bratton hosts University Grapevine, linking local and campus issues, every Tuesday 7:30-8:30 p.m. on KZSC 88.1 fm.

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).

Highway 1 in Santa Cruz: The Widening Bucks Stop Here

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?” Since 2004, CalTrans widened the segment between the Fishhook and Morrissey, and now they are ready to continue expanding to Soquel Ave. The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is able to continue widening the highway in segments using state funds for County transportation projects. Highway widening consumes the lion's share of state dollars to the County, leaving little funding for developing the rail right of way, supporting transit, or repairing streets.

The Campaign's lawsuit seeks to require CalTrans to include the Morrissey-Soquel project in an environmental impact report for the entire 9-mile Santa Cruz-to-Aptos widening plan. CalTrans is ready to proceed on the 1-mile segment without completing an environmental impact report. The agency issued a “negative declaration” that claims the project has no significant environmental impacts. The Campaign's attorney, Stephan Volker, will argue that it is illegal to build a project in segments in order to avoid accountabilty for the environmental impact of the whole project.

If the lawsuit is successful, this project will be stopped until an environmental review of the entire 9-mile widening plan is completed. That review must consider alternatives to widening the highway, such as bus rapid transit, trip reduction strategies, and transit along the rail corridor. And just in time to affect this project, California law now requires that environmental review consider the impact on greenhouse gas emissions of highway widening.

This lawsuit could play a big part in shifting the priorities of the Regional Transportation Commission away from the dream of an 8-lane highway. With oil price surges around the corner (the Pentagon's prediction is 2012), the demand for investment in alternative transportation will only grow. Already the County has experienced a decline in vehicle miles traveled along Highway 1 every year since the peak in 2004. And people in this coastal community are taking the impact of climate change seriously.

The Campaign's lawsuit may be the watershed moment for a shift to sustainable transportation in Santa Cruz County. The Campaign has raised $30,000 and needs another $10,000 to meet its commitment to its legal. Please join the effort.

Campaign for Sensible Transportation
PO Box 7927
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
www.sensibletransportation.org

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.

ELERICK'S INPUT. Mountain Bikes and Pogonip hiking trails. Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted to solve the drug dealer/user problems in the Pogonip by opening up hiking trails to mountain bikers. That in essence was their justification for wanting to change the Pogonip Master Plan that was approved in 1998. The city council will need to approve a study that says this is all a good idea, but it appears to be on the fast track, pushed by the mountain biking community.

This proposal flies in the face of public opinion. Petitions submitted by the Sierra Club and Friends of the Pogonip in 1998, signed by nearly 600 people, took a direct position against any bicycles being permitted on the Pogonip. The City Council will be making a decision at their next meeting (August 3) on whether or not to proceed with the studying of this proposal. The concept of citizen bicyclists scaring away druggies needs to be thought through. First, any serious drug dealer would equip himself with a bike of some sort, dress in multi-colored tights with a crash-helmet, and continue to peddle his wares. Buyers would soon get a clue and do the same. And if that failed, the dealers/users would move on to another secluded area in town. And any bicyclist should know that most serious drug dealers are usually armed and dangerous, and only trained police officers should be accosting them. Looking at the proposed biking trail, it appears to run closely parallel to the railroad tracks. When the county gets the go-ahead to actually build a rail-trail, why are two trails needed so close together? Why not pool the costs of trail-building in favor of the longer county rail-trail?

We have had a similar issue here in mid-county when a lawsuit to prohibit bicycles on hiking trails in Nisene Marks State Park was decided in favor of keeping the bikes off most of the hiking trails. There are few places in the county where people can hike with their families without having to move aside for bicyclists, and Nisene Marks is one of those few places. Our Santa Cruz brothers and sisters deserve such a place too.

(Paul Elerick is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates, serves as the chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, and is a member of the Sierra Club's Santa Cruz Group's executive committee).

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).

Re: Item #19, Santa Cruz City Council Agenda July 27, 2010

Dear Mayor Rotkin and City Council members:

I am writing to request that the City Council not support the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks staff on Item #19 regarding initiating design and environmental review of a proposed Pogonip Multi-Use Trail Connection from Golf Club Drive to theU-Con Trail.

I will not be able to attend the July 27 City Council meeting.

My concerns are both with the process and the substance of the Parks Commission recommendation.

1. 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.

2. The P&R Commission recommendation was then fast-tracked in record time to the City Council's July 27 meeting despite statements at the July 12 P&R Commission meeting by the Parks Director that the matter would be on the City Council agenda in September or October. The request for fast-tracking was apparently initiated by members of the P&R Commission immediately after July 12.

3. Initiating citizen outreach should take place /before /the Parks staff receives direction from the Council to expend public funds on the trail design and a Pogonip Master Plan amendment, and undertakes the required environmental review under CEQA. In particular there needs to be, in my opinion, a full discussion of the public safety rationale for the new trail, and a consideration of all possible actions we might take in Santa Cruz to reduce drug dealing and the accumulation of trash on Pogonip. Focusing on one idea, a new multi-use trail on Pogonip, is not only premature, but will be controversial, time-consuming, and not result in the immediate action needed.

4. At this point there is no clear evidence that the new trail will either reduce or drive out drug dealing on Pogonip, especially since it is occurring on other Pogonip loca- tions already. In fact, there is a possibility that directly linking the river levees (where drug use/dealing already occurs), with the Pogonip via the new trail will make access to Pogonip for drug activity even easier. Furthermore, since Pogonip is closed at night, and much covert activity occurs in the evening hours, the new trail may facilitate nighttime use as well. It is obvious that public use of the river levees has not eliminated drug use there.

5. Certainly the Council also knows that drug dealing is a community wide problem, occurring all over the City, not just on Pogonip, and that it moves from place to place opportunistically. The public safety purpose for the trail will appear to be a cover for expanding mountain biking on Pogonip until the larger community drug problem is tackled, with a full and frank public discussion of the all the options and alternative courses of action.

6. Many aspects of the Pogonip Master Plan have not been implemented by the City, some of which would have brought more public use and activity into the portions of Pogonip accessed by Golf Club Drive. The Outdoor Recreation Camp has not been funded; the Pogonip Clubhouse (now surrounded by a chainlink fence and a visible sign of neglect) has not been rehabilitated, despite two large financial grants that the City has let lapse; the parking lot in the Lower Meadow Area has not been constructed, and the Homeless Garden Project has not been relocated to the Pogonip. The recommended bicycle and pedestrian improvements for Golf Club Drive have also not been carried out.

7. Under these circumstances, and given other dire budgetary needs in other recreational activities sponsored by the Parks Dept. (e.g., the closed swimming pool), is a new trail on Pogonip requiring amendment of the Pogonip Master Plan and extensive CEQA review, a priority for the City? I don't think so.

8. Extensive CEQA review for the proposed multi-use trail will be necessary due to the steep terrain in portions of the route, the possibility of habitat impacts, the real likelihood that introducing more bikes via the new trail will spread illegal bike use onto other parts of the Pogonip, the issue of consistency with the Master Plan itself, as well as a thorough review of all the project alternatives, and many other issues that must be addressed under CEQA. It would be un- acceptable for the City to try to fast track the CEQA process as well.

9. It is misleading to suggest that bicycle access to the University campus for commuters will be improved by the proposed trail. There is already a heavily- used bike route from High and Bay Streets to the campus, as well as both University vans and Metro buses that carry bikes. Street bikes will not be suitable for the proposed new multi-use trail on Pogonip.

10. In summary, I would urge the Council to resist the urge for hasty action, and not to approve the P&R Commission recommendation for the reasons stated above. Frankly, it is surprising to me that the City would want to under- take another controversial Bikes in the Greenbelt project at this time.The EIR for the long-overdue City General Plan update has been in limbo due to City focus on the LAFCO-UC water issues and EIR. It should have priority.

The drug and trash issues on Pogonip do require immediate attention. Those of us in the community who have devoted decades to preserving and protect- ing 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.

Thank you for your consideration of my views.

Sincerely,
Celia Scott

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.

Deep Cover

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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.

ELERICK'S INPUT. So what's happening with Nisene to the Sea hiking trail?

At the moment things are going the way of the developer, with the trail easement that was previously agreed upon between the County and the developers now looking to be in jeopardy. The land-owner/developer Steven Carmichael has started building his monster house on the hill, the permit was granted as part of the deal in return for a trail access to be used by the public. Cabrillo College and California State Parks have approved connection of the County Trail to their lands. However Steven C. is openly telling certain neighbors that the trail won't be built. He also has asserted his "property rights" by fencing in previous access points with board and barbed wire fences. The closing of open space that has been used respectfully by the public for over sixty years is difficult to watch, as are the "citizen's arrests" being inflicted on neighbors by the developer when as hikers they try to access the property.

It's important for people to remember that this property is co-owned by two development companies, the Carmichael's and Men-Chy Properties from over the hill. It's hard to believe the County planners expect that only one "McMansion" will be built on the 142 acre property. Even with all 142 acres being outside the urban services line, and much being unbuildable due to slope problems, their originally stated goal of a luxury home community is still the developer's openly stated intent. Nisene2Sea, the group of activists and their supporters will continue to push to make sure the trail connection from the upper campus of Cabrillo to the trail at the western entrance to Nisene Marks State Park happens. For those who want to help, call 688-7724.

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.