SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS CIRCA 1957.As you can see this was before they built the J.J. Crosetti building. As we should always remember, this isn’t a County Fairgrounds it’s the State of California 14th Agricultural District show grounds. In the old days when J.J. was alive and I was treasurer each Governor would throw out any Fair Board member who didn’t belong to the ruling state party. I don’t know why Jerry Brown hasn’t dumped the Republicans off the board…look what a mess they’ve made of the fair. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

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 :-).

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

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 41^st!!! We’ll probably never know, but check out those duds when you see him.

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???

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* with a mixture of admiration and envy. Life on Palmer Station does not allow us to leave our safe operating area often, especially when our only purpose is pleasure, and that gives a special shine to people who visit the places we mainly see through binoculars.

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.

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.

SHAME.I saw this film Friday January 20^th 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.music.html
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 9^th 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 12^th, 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 12^th 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 7^th 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 14^th to talk about our choices for best films of 2011. (Wallace Baine can’t make Tuesday nights). Kirsten Brandtwill discuss her play “The Thinning Veil” opening March 2,3,4. followed by UCSC students Kimberly Schneider and Krysta Thornton talking about a water/de-sal discussion event happening on campus Feb.22 (see above). 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/universal-grapevine then tap on “listen here” to hear any or all of them… all over again. The Great Morgani on Street performing, Paul Whitworth on Krapps Last Tape. Jodi McGraw on Sandhills, Bruce Daniels on area water problems. Mike Pappas on the Olive Connection, Sandy Lydon on County History. Paul Johnston on political organizing, Rick Longinotti on De-Sal. Dan Haifley on Monterey Bay Sanctuary, Dan Harder on Santa Cruz City Museum. Sara Wilbourne on Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre. Brian Spencer on SEE Theatre Co. Paula Kenyon and Karen Massaro on MAH and Big Creek Pottery. Carolyn Burke on Edith Piaf. Peggy Dolgenos on Cruzio. Julie James on Jewel Theatre Conpany. Then there’s Pat Matejcek on environment, Nancy Abrams and Joel Primack on the Universe plus Nina Simon from MAH, Rob Slawinski, Gary Bascou, Judge Paul Burdick, John Brown Childs, Ellen Kimmel, Don Williams, Kinan Valdez, Ellen Murtha, John Leopold, Karen Kefauver, Chip Lord, Judy Bouley, Rob Sean Wilson, Ann Simonton, Lori Rivera, Sayaka Yabuki, Chris Kinney, Celia and Peter Scott, Chris Krohn, David Swanger, Chelsea Juarez…and that’s just since January 2011. Hear them all!!!

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.