DOWNTOWN SOQUEL circa 1900. Carolyn swift in her book “Soquel Landing to Capitola~ by~the~Sea” says that’s the Congregational Church in the foreground, and Daubenbiss house on the hill in distance, center of photograph. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

Reverse psychology at its finest. Maybe we could do this with the city council on the de-sal issue?

THE ON-GOING DE SAL ISSUE, BILL KOCHER AND CAL-DESAL.. I was present at a recent presentation by Rick Longinotti of the reasons de-sal hasn’t worked and won’t work in Santa Cruz. I was surprised at the end of Rick’s excellent presentation that nearly no-one in the room knew was that Bill Kocher, Santa Cruz’s Water Department Director was a founding member and now sits on the executive board of CalDesal. Their own online definition is, “CalDesal is the only advocacy group in California solely dedicated to advancing the use of desalination. Other organizations choose not to engage, or address desalination as part of broader policy platforms. CalDesal’s narrow focus allows for the most targeted, credible and persistent support for this important technology”. Check their website at http://www.caldesal.org . Since that and other well done Good Times de-sal articles, many questions have been asked. John Aird asked a few …”If this organization is exactly as reported here, it seems unbelievable that the City of Santa Cruz would have its Water Director participating in such an obviously single-industry advocacy group. This raises many questions, a few of which to start with might be:

1. Who paid the $5000 membership fee?
2. If funded by The City, what’s the public interest that’s being served and warrants it?
3. How objective could the SC Water Department be relative to the water issues Santa Cruz has with membership in such an organization?

More than that, how can our City Council even pretend to be objective on our water issue and still pay Bill Kocher’s expenses? That’s like the City paying Charlie Canfield to advise the city on which car dealer to buy their police cars from when he owns the Toyota dealership.

SANTA CRUZ WEEKLY ON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. In a much needed report on just how far removed our current city council is the Santa Cruz Weekly’s Georgia Peery wrote, “Controversial shake ups on Locals Boards”. Of course she talks about Supervisor Neal Coonerty booting John Leopold off the LAFCO board so Coonerty could continue his unrelenting drive to kiss ass with UCSC’s expansion. She also wrote about how the city council led by Mayor Hilary Bryant (read Cynthia Mathews) gave significant appointments to Pamela Comstock and next to nothing to the bigger vote getter Micah Posner. Read all her details here…

Wasn’t there an idea once that our elected officials are supposed to represent us…and not use the power and authority we give them to sell us De-Sal and not listen to who and what we support?

JACK KEROUAC ON THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW (1959).Just a few memories.

POLICE CEREMONY IN SAN JOSE. I keep getting reports that the crowd size was embarrassingly small in the HP San Jose for our fallen police. Word has it that the decision to have it over there was a police idea that was forced on the family. Terrible if true.

SPIVEY’S RESTAURANT, THE BACK STORIES. Please scroll down to last week’s column and see the historical photo of Spivey’s Restaurant that stood on the corner of Ocean and Water Streets. I asked for any information folks might have on Spiveys. I was amazed, surprised, grateful, and humbled by the number of responses. Nancy Sharmer, Steve Homan, Page Brownton, David Yule, Alyce Vestal Caudill, Frank Perry, Bruce Holloway, Mike Hess, Bruce Gabriel (call him Bettie), Katherine Evatt and Cap Pennell all sent in pages of info and color all about Spiveys. I’ve edited their contributions, and hope you enjoy the people’s history as much as I do.

Page Brownton emailed, “I attended Willow Glen High School in San Jose from 1955 to 1958, and Spivey’s was one of the favorite hangouts for kids from all over the
town: a place to see and be seen, hot rods and hair cuts, cherry cokes and the Everly Brothers on the radio. Truly iconic and archetypal, that way. I think it was on the Alameda about a block from the SP Depot, and it must have been a small family chain. There was a girl named Glenda Spivey who attended my school, if I remember correctly.

David Yule adds…” There was another Spivey’s in Mountain View on corner of El Camino and Grant Road. It had a similar design, and the interior was very 60’s/space age. The restaurants were owned by a Mr. Spivey, and I don’t know if there were more than two locations”.

Alyce Vestal Caudill says, “Spivey’s was bought out by the Bosley Family in the very early 50’s. It became “Bosley’s” for a few years, and then it became “The Five Spot“. It was the only drive-in in town at that time, and EVERYBODY hung out there! Santa Cruz was still a small retirement town with one High School, and everyone knew everyone. Every Saturday night we all would go to the Del Mar, and then cruise the drag, and end up at the Five Spot. And then go neck on the cliffs”.

Frank Perry contributes, “When I was a kid we used to eat at the Spivey’s off of Portola Drive near 17th Avenue. The thing I remember was that the cake they served for dessert was almost a quarter of a cake! It was a local chain, I think started in San Jose. A neighbor once said that the children of the founders got into drugs and bankrupted the family. Don’t know if that is really true”.

Steve Homan adds, “After it was no longer Spivey’s, it was Jay’s Restaurant, before it was purchased for a bank site. I forget Jay’s last name, but he was a Santa Cruz City Police Officer, perhaps even a motorcycle officer. He hired his family and locals to work there. Just down the street on Ocean, closer to the Jury Room, was Perry Boys’ Smorgy, which was also demolished, and is now the site of some sort of office building.

Nancy Sharmer says, “I’m not sure when Spivey’s started, but my first, and now deceased husband, Jay Sharmer bought it in 1970, and the name was changed to Jay’s Restaurant. In 1973 he sold it to the people who wanted to build a bank there – I believe it was Home Savings – and in the meantime, another restaurant opened there called The Amalgamation. Jay went on to work for the Santa Cruz Police Department and worked there until he retired from on the job injuries in 1985 or 1986″. Nancy Sharmer

Bruce R. Holloway adds, “As I recall, there was also a Spivey’s in the shopping mall across Embarcadero Road from Palo Alto High School. My memory might be faulty, and I also don’t know if it might still be there”. Holloway sent a link to a photo of a Spivey’s in Mountain View…take a look..

Bruce Gabriel relates, “I remember Spivey’s! in the early 70’s when I went to SCHS it was a cop coffee shop. Many of my high school friends who wanted to be cops (and later became one, like Lee Sepulvida) used to hang-out and have coffee with their heroes”, from the other Bruce(now also known as Bettie).

Cap Pennell also sent a link to the legal history (see next paragraph) and excerpts and closes with, “.. Frank Spivey Jr. remembers his uncle boasting that “he had a restaurant on a road to just about everywhere” (Spivey 2000). By 1960, the operation consisted of seven restaurants carrying the Spivey name, including ones located in Mountain View, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Campbell and Cupertino. The first Spivey-owned restaurant, the 5 Spot at 869 South First Street, never had its name changed. Just as the Spivey’s expansion was on the fast track, Thomas Spivey died of a heart attack at age 55 (San José Mercury
10/3/1962). The surviving members of the family carried on the restaurant business, and by 1965, his son Richard was the president of the Spivey chain. ..”

KEN KESEY TALKS ABOUT NEAL CASSADY

THE HISTORICAL & LEGAL SPIVEY RESTAURANT HISTORY. Mike Hess sent a link and stated, “Found this article regarding Spivey’s (which was indeed a small local chain of 6 restaurants). Drop down to the middle of page 6″. http://archivesandarchitecture.com/ProjectRepository/5SpotDriveIn020800.pdf
This legal document dated 2000 has the origins and Spivey Family history…it completes the picture.

IF ANIMALS COULD TALK.One of the funniest You Tube’s I’ve ever seen. It’s been around a while…but enjoy it again…

MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS CHEATING ON TAXES. Pat Matecjek sent this Truthdig piece. It tells of Microsoft, Oracle, Johnson & Johnson and General Electric all cheating our government byworking overseas.

(SIDE NOTE…the article is written by Robert Scheer who along with Saul Landau, and Ronnie Davis and me too, were members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe (circa 1964).

ELERICK’S INPUT. Paul elerick states,

IT’S TIME TO TAKE ON THE NRA!

What if every municipality in Santa Cruz County passed a law that prohibited “gun shows”, stopped large capacity ammunition clips, and required background checks on gun buyers? And after that, other counties followed suit throughout California? Right now, many municipalities have stayed away from these issues for fear the NRA will sue them.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Education, as well as school districts have already started in this direction of speaking out against the gun lobby, and I’m sure other agencies in the County have either done the same or are considering it. What if hundreds of others throughout the state followed their lead? Consider the possibility of bankrupting the NRA who would be challenging each of these with lawsuits!

However, I read with dismay that the Capitola City Council couldn’t muster a majority to do the same, taking out provisions in a gun ordinance that would have banned gun shows and limiting gun dealers to the two they already have. Not exactly what you’d call a courageous stand, citing the possibility of being sued by the NRA among other reasons. This is the time to put the heat on the NRA, not back down. (Paul Elerick is co-chair, along with Peter Scott, of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org , and is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates).

WILLIAM BUCKLEY, JACK KEROUAC AND WILLIAM BURROUGHS

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about “TACS” and what’s happening in Monterey and Cal-Am & water details. He gives heads up on our Board of Supes setting policies for you next door neighbor when they build a new garage. More rules and regs on Fort Ord Land plans. New policies dealing with the loss of prime farmland and using AMBAG. Org to learn about our water sharing future. Read all of above at Gary’s KUSP Land Use scripts http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse (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)

VINTAGE DE CINZO. DeCinzo points out some of the catholic churches unholy affairs….scroll down a ways.

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Mr. Eagan addresses one of the many hazards facing the new Pope Frank. See below….

LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul talks about Hugo Chavez and how he changed history. He writes, I met Chavez in Caracas in 2010 with other Latin American and U.S. activists and intellectuals in an exchange of ideas. His lack of dogma, his enthusiasm about a new kind of socialism, charmed and stimulated the group. He did not show disrespect toward those who disagreed with him or criticized certain of his programs. He also explicitly espoused Christianity as his religion and then invited everyone to visit his new projects in and near Caracas. We saw the public’s approval of Chavez. His charismatic behavior never denied the worth of the person with whom he was conversing. He impressed the entire group.

He insisted that Venezuela had become the Bolivarian Republic, keeping the tradition of the man who first began the liberation of the continent and drove the march for independence from Spain, a march that evolved in Chavez’ mind to independence from the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Chavez changed history for the better. He enriched his people and helped millions of others. The White House’s sour note contradicts the support Chavez had from millions around the world who adored his courage and will, qualities Obama could use. Hugo Chavez stood proud and left no stench of sulfur when he spoke in public. Viva Hugo Chavez! Read all of his article here…

Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Is the new film of the classic beat odyssey On the Road headed in the right direction? Find out this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com), and learn how you can meet members of the family of beat icon Neal Cassady right here in Santa Cruz.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

TOOTHPASTE COLLECTION. My ever growing toothpaste collection is back on my shelves having appeared at MAH recently. It grew in the last few weeks by colorful additions from Skip Walton who collected two from his trip to Bhutan and India. Legal Document Services (para-legal) expert Tamara Parker brought me a very rare tube from Cuba a while ago and just last week contributed my first tube from Burma.. I never properly thanked Christina Waters for her tube from Italy, or Sheila Malone when she brought back a tube from Saudi Arabia. Thanks to all…it’s great fun and as I always like to say, almost 100% of the nearly 100 tubes all have fluoride in them, That’s because those countries are civilized.

STOKER. Park Chan-wook has directed some absolutely excellentfilms in his home country of Korea such as Sympathy For Mr.Vengeance and Old Boy but with an “American” cast and an American background in Stoker, he lost all his charm and uniqueness. Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Delmont Mulroney act nicely, but the plot, the surprises, the scares, the sex sickness, just don’t work for either Korean or American audiences.

NO. Gael Garcia Bernal always is good in every film he’s in and NO is no exception.

It’s about Pinochet and his dictatorship in ruling Chile and the people overthrow his government by 15 minute television ads. Well, that’s a simplified plot, but see it and think of every protest you’ve been in…and WON! It’s how to reach the people, how to get them to move and act and think. It won’t be on the big screens for long, so hurry.

ON THE ROAD.Just because of the San Francisco-Monterey Bay area connections I was eager to see this film. Kerouac was one hell of a writer, and we envied his writing and his life. Neither of these ingredients are in the film. And there’s only about 5 minutes of San Francisco in it. Go see it especially if you’ve never read Kerouac, but be sure to read his stuff as soon after as possible.

THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE.Because I’ve loved and performed magic tricks just about all my life I couldn’t wait to see this Steve Carrell comedy. It’s an awful movie and even Jim Carrey as a David Blaine-street magician is gross, sadistic and sick. Alan Arkin isn’t any better as a retired Illusionist. There’s nothing clever or laughable in this film factory product, and don’t rent it either.

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. Joop Rubens is first on March 19^th talking about the work that the local Firelight Foundation does. After Joop, Neal Swanson and Tom Jacobs, photographers from the Six Views Show at the Leeds Gallery (2/15-3/25) talk about photography. March 26 has UCSC’s assoc. Prof. Ben Leeds Carson talking about the annual April in Santa Cruz Festival followed by Cabrilho College’s John Orlando and the concerts in the Distinguished Artists Series. Alexandra Kennedy discussesissues attached to grief followed by Sarah Leonard from the Mental Health Client Action Network on April 2^nd. Do remember, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in, and keep listening. Email me always at bratton@cruzio.com

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 update includes Nikki Silva, Michael Warren, Tom Noddy, Anita Monga, Mark Wainer, Judy Johnson-Darrow, Wendy Mayer-Lochtefeld, Rachel Goodman, George Newell, Tubten Pende, Gina Marie Hayes, Rebecca Ronay-Hazleton, Miriam Ellis, Deb Mc Arthur, 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!!!

QUOTES.
This week’s quotes are all from Jack Kerouac:
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”

“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.”

“I realized these were all the snapshots which our children would look at someday with wonder, thinking their parents had lived smooth, well-ordered lives and got up in the morning to walk proudly on the sidewalks of life, never dreaming the raggedy madness and riot of our actual lives, our actual night, the hell of it, the senseless emptiness.”