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DATELINE August 22, 2016
| BARBARA DANE. Back in 1963 Arhoolie Records shot this session at Barbara Dane’s house in Berkeley. We had a band and played around the Bay Area just a few times. That’s me on the left playing jug. Wayne Pope on the right on washboard and Dick Oxtot comes later playing stand-up bass. Barbara (age 89) has a brand new album being released this week. Huge article about her in Sunday’s (8/20/16) San Francisco Chronicle. (Webmistress note: I couldn’t find that one, but here’s one from Wednesday August 17. Barbara plays a show at Yoshis at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24. $25-$55. Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero W., Oakland. (510) 238-9200. www.yoshis.com) |
CITY COUNCIL “FORUMS” CONTINUE. Wictionary says “Forum” means “discussion”. So far the two “forums” I’ve been to are just really, really short speeches by the candidates, which takes about two hours. The last one at the SEIU Hall (Aug. 18) had 9, not 11, of the candidates. SEIU talked to Nathaniel Kennedy and decided he wasn’t a serious candidate and didn’t invite him. Jim Davis the radio ad salesman got arrested the night before for drunk driving and was a no show!! It was mostly a Union audience so Cynthia Mathews was obviosly nervous and of course promised from now on everything would be all union in Santa Cruz. J.M Brown, Cynthia’s friend said about the same thing. Robert Singleton said he’s a Democrat and wants to bring all the businesses and people to Santa Cruz as soon as possible so the city will have more tax revenue!! He also wants more Section 8 housing…so does everybody. The tax measure D got us some idea of where the candidates are at. Martine Watkins, Robert Singleton, Jim Brown, Cynthia Mathews and Steve Pleitch all vote yes on Widening Highway One and the other covering -up benefits. Steve Schnaar, Sandy Brown, Chris Krohn and Drew Glover all say no to Measure D. Krohn’s idea is to put that $100 million into Metro and public transportation instead of Auxilliary Lanes. Sandy Brown also supports a minimum wage. Again on the issue of would you take developers money for your campaigns Cynthia Mathews, J.M Brown, Martine Watkins, and Robert Singleton all said yes. Krohn, Sandy Brown, Drew Glover, Steve Schnaar and Steve Pleitch all said no. There are many more “forums” coming up created by The Monterey Bay Labor Council, The People’s Democratic Club Forum (which will include the ACLU, The Sierra Club, The GLBT Alliance and others) , The Democratic Women’s Club, The Santa Cruz Downtown Association and probably a few more all within a few weeks. Go to one or more of them, see which candidates you believe will lead Santa Cruz in a progressive direction and end the the mess that the last few City Councils have gotten us into.
| AUTO MECHANICS MEET RENAISSANCE ART.
Ethan Summers found this absolute gem of a collection. Check it out. |
WIDENING WON’T WORK…VOTE NO ON MEASURE D.
The County claims that the November 8 Ballot Tax Measure D is “the solution” that will “ease traffic congestion on Highway 1″ by widening the Highway”. Why should voters agree to pay $100 million for something that even Caltrans own EIR study clearly says will not solve the problem it is intended to fix? Recent traffic studies conclude that highway widening does not solve the problem of highway traffic congestion. In fact, the opposite is true. Studies indicate that traffic actually increases with highway widening. That is why the state of California will no longer fund highway widening. There are faster, cheaper, more effective ways to improve travel. This ballot measure will cost us about a half billion dollars in new sales taxes. We need to invest in modern solutions that actually work. Other counties have improved travel without funding highway widening. A new Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program is drastically reducing single passenger car trips without raising taxes. We can do the same.
VOTE NO on Measure D to tell the decision makers that we want an improved transit system that actually works, doesn’t put more cars on the highway, doesn’t add to urban sprawl, and doesn’t add to climate change.
Concerned citizens have formed Widening Won’t Work to oppose the wasteful highway-widening plan. For more information visit: WideningWontWork.org. The campaign seeks volunteers and financial contributions. You are welcome to join the group. Attend our campaign Kickoff event on August 28th 3-5PM at Brommer Park (corner of Brommer & 30th Ave). Santa Cruz County can do better! Vote NO on Measure D.
Mr. Paul Elerick of Aptos writes…that he too is on vacation.
(Paul Elerick is a member of, and former co-chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org . He’s a current member of Nisene to Sea, a group of mid-county citizens committed to maintaining an open hiking trail from Cabrillo College to Nisene Marks State Park
GREENSITE’S INSIGHT. The deadline for this week’s piece and the expected delivery of Gillian’s first grandchild has aligned so no Greensite’s Insight this week. All being well, next week as usual.
(Gillian Greensite is a long time local activist, a member of Save Our Big Trees and the Santa Cruz chapter of IDA, International Dark Sky Association http://darksky.org Plus she’s an avid ocean swimmer, hiker and lover of all things wild).
According to The New York Times, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump differ on taxes. Click the link to read the article. Below, in a brief summary, is what The Times says about the candidates’ differing plans on tax reform at the federal level: “Hillary Clinton envisions a 4 percent tax surcharge for income over $5 million, meaning that the very highest earners would effectively have a nearly 44 percent top marginal rate. She also envisions implementing a rule so that those with income over $1 million pay at least 30 percent, aimed at preventing high earners from paying low overall rates thanks to the lower capital gains tax. She would also limit the value of tax deductions, and require longer holding periods to get the low long-term capital gains tax rate, among other steps that would make the tax code less favorable to the affluent.
click here to continue (link expands, click again to collapse)
~ (Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor (20 years) and an attorney who represents indivuduals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, Two Worlds at www.gapatton.net
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. DeCinzo looks out the window at the Regional Transportation Commission…see below.
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER. Eagan shows us how Trump takes on baggage…scroll downwards …and There are two new cartoons posted at TimEagan.com still more at Subconscious Comics and the latest EaganBlog, Win or Lose, You Decide:
| FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS. Go see the movie and do listen to Florence Foster Jenkins’ genuine recordings here. |
MERCHANT OF VENICE, once only. The Globe Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” starring Jonathan Pryce will be playing just once… this Sunday August 28 at the Del Mar theatre at 11am. Like all Globe productions it’ll be staged and costumed in the original Shakespeare tradition. As one Chicago Tribune critic said, “In some of his most highly-charged scenes, Shakespeare dramatizes the competing claims of tolerance and intolerance, justice and mercy, while in the character of Shylock he created one of the most memorable outsiders in all theatre. Article here: Many sides of Shylock from Jonathan Pryce in this ‘Merchant of Venice’
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “How cool was it to see my book, Alias Hook, performed live, onstage at Louden Nelson Center last weekend? Find out, this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). Special kudos to all the cast and crew at Santa Cruz Parks & Rec Teen Theatre for making the show so much fun!” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975
THAT IS THE QUESTION
(THE NEWEST FILMS IN ORDER OF PERFECTION)
INDIGNATION. If you liked Portnoy’s Complaint, Goodbye Columbus or any and all of Philip Roth’s novels you’ll love this film. In 1951 a very nice teen age Jewish boy from New Jersey starts college and goes through sexual, religious, moral, and very touching life evolving events (most of which you probably did too!). The acting has no flaws or weak points, the story is pure Philip Roth and you’ll be moved like no other film in the last year or two.
WAR DOGS. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller do some fine acting in this only half – serious drama about how much money shysters in the United States make when we are at war. You’ll wonder if the USA could even stay alive financially if we weren’t always at war or “Peace Keeping” as it’s called. Not a great film but it does get the message across.
HELL OR HIGH WATER. Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster and Chris Pine make this one wonderful, exciting, involving, and well acted film. Go see it ASAP. Cops and bank robbers in Texas, internal conflicts, evil bank laws and practices, and ethics and morals are all integrated. It’s hard to believe that “Hollywood” could still make a film this good after all these years of junk.
EQUITY. You can learn a lot about Wall Street from this film. Women both created and star in this adventure about how money is made and lost in the financial world. A lot of the money tricks went over my head, and still you’ll stay totally attached all the way through it. You might even get philosophical by the ending and ask yourself are women any different than men…even in this cutthroat money market? Go see it, and it’s only once per day this week.
BEN HUR. It’s got chariot chases instead of car chases and they even threw in the crucifixation with Jesus carrying the cross not too gladly…and it’s still a jerky movie. Listen for classic Roman dialogue such as “Are we having fun yet brother” during the big chariot fiasco. Charlton Heston’s 1959 movie is still the one to remember. Donald Trump voters will probably like this one. 28 on Rotten Tomatoes.Yes, Morgan Freeman is in it…but it doesn’t matter.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
FROM BEST TO REALLY BAD
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC. Viggo Mortensen, the lead in this family saga, has never been better, and he’s almost always excellent. The older you are the more you’ll appreciate this extension of our 1950 & 60’s belief system. A film that has Noam Chomsky’s philosophy as a driver, Jesse Jackson, Joy of Sex book, Lolita, Glen Gould’s Bach Variations and some non-christian beliefs added, has to take you back just a bit. And in a good way. Viggo raises his family in the total wilds and later they have to face modern life and society. It’s as much fun as it is moving, sensitive , and well made. Frank Langella and Steve Zahn add to this hit film. Go for/to it!!
CAFÉ SOCIETY.Woody Allen’s newest starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Parker Posey and Steve Carell. Woody narates the film and he’s older and his voice has lost that whiney, confused, contradictory warble that we’ve grown to love so much. This film doesn’t rank in his top 4 or 5 films. The story is original, the acting is perfunctory, Kristen Stewart is above reproach, but it’s no Midnight in Paris, Annie Hall, Blue Jasmine, Hannah and Her Sisters or Purple Rose of Cairo.
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS. The ever-popular, award winning Meryl Streep mugs , struts and acts her way through this odd portrait of an eccentric totally tone deaf New York socialite in the early 1940’s, Florence Foster Jenkins caught syphilis from her first husband, divorced him, kept his name and married another rich fellow socialite. She loved music, was friends with Arturo Toscanni but because of the tertiary stages of the disease, was unable to accurately hear her own singing voice. She gave concerts and recorded records and made millions laugh at her bizzarre off key voice. It’s a cute, somewhat serious comedy…and again Meryl Srreep has the lead with Hugh Grant playing a good older version of Hugh Grant, and you know what that means.
JASON BOURNE.The minute you leave the theatre this movie will seem like a dream you had. It’s fuzzy, unclear, random scenes in random order, no real meaning…just like a dream. The director tried to make some new kind of spy killing, car chase, fie, explosion movie. Edits, cuts, dialogue are all mixed up and mixed together…it makes little or no sense at all. Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassell, Alicia Vikander, and Riz Ahmed from “The Night Of” all do their best, but it’s all the director’s fault. Well, Matt Damon just phoned in his part and he’s terrible.
STAR TREK BEYOND. The third in the new Trek movie series this is a waste of eveyone’s time and money. They cop out and show a photo of Leonard Nimoy about half way through and show a snapshot of the entire Enterprise original 1966 crew. Mostly it’s just another throw bombs and shoot around corners (or curves on spaceships). Nothing near the humanity, intelligence, or real wit the original had, which made all of us such lifelong fans. The acting is terrible, the plot is meaningless. Go only if you need your periodic Star Trek Fix, and don’t care how “authentic” it is. ( I didn’t know Capt. James Kirk’s middle name was Tiberius and that Shatner is 85 years old and was born in Montreal).
DON’T THINK TWICE. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 99 % I give it about 4!!! I’ve always hated Improv Comedy, that’s why. This movie is totally about Improv Comedy and the internal combustion within a group calling them selves the Commune. I can’t tell you how many times I watched San Francisco’s The Committee throughout most of the 1960’s. A lot of the Nickelodeon audience laughed a lot when I watched it…go warned.
SUICIDE SQUAD. Will Smith, Jared Leto, and Viola Davis could never be accused of acting in this horrible Gotham City disaster. Yep, Gotham City and yes Batman is in it for a few seconds but he doesn’t save this Super Hero flick from being one of the very worst ever made. (read any other review!!!). I could try to tell you about the plot, but there really isn’t one…it’s all violence, weird effects, killing, and to save production money most of it is filmed extra dark so you can’t see what might be around the corner. Don’t let anybody go, except your worst enemy. 26 on Rotten Tomatoes!!
| UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE RADIO PROGRAM KZSC 88.1 FM or live online at www.KZSC.ORG TUESDAYS 7-8 P.M. |
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 archived for two weeks… (See next paragraph) and go to WWW.KZSC.ORG. On August 23 Jeffrey Smedberg talks about the Bernie Sanders event and revolution, he precedes Carol Panofsky talking about Munching with Mozart and The Raggazzi Boys Choir and other musics. Then on August 30 Artist and Doctor Mark Wainer talks about his forthcoming exhibit, after which Joan Martin discusses Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro and the MAH history book. Julie James speaks about the Jewel Theatre’s new season and “Streetcar Named Desire” on September 13, she’s followed by Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Paul Burdick. Angelo Grova unveils his Fashion Art Show on Sept.20. Michel Singher previews The Espressivo Orchestra’s next concert on September 27. Do remember, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in, and keep listening. Email me always and only at bratton@cruzio.com
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There aren’t words… 🙂
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NEW UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVE FEATURE. Stuff changes at KZSC a lot. If you missed either of the last two weeks of Universal Grapevine broadcasts go here… http://www.radiofreeamerica.com/dj/bruce-bratton You have to listen to about 4 minutes of that week’s KPFA news first, then Grapevine happens.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVES. In case you missed some of the great people I’ve interviewed in the last 9 years here’s a chronological list of some past broadcasts. Such a wide range of folks such as Nikki Silva, Michael Warren, Tom Noddy, UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal, Anita Monga, Mark Wainer, Judy Johnson, 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, and 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 Company. 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.
QUOTES. “SHARKS”
“We provoke a shark every time we enter the water where sharks happen to be, for we forget: The ocean is not our territory – it’s theirs”, Peter Benchley
“Sharks are beautiful animals, and if you’re lucky enough to see lots of them, that means that you’re in a healthy ocean. You should be afraid if you are in the ocean and don’t see sharks”, Sylvia Earle
“French fries kill more people than guns and sharks, yet nobody’s afraid of French fries”, Robert Kiyosaki
COLUMN COMMUNICATIONS. Subscriptions: Click and enter the box in the upper right hand corner of each Column. You’ll get a weekly email notice the instant the column goes online. (Anywhere from Monday afternoon through Thursday or sometimes as late as Friday!) Always free and confidential. Even I don’t know who subscribes!!
Snail Mail: Bratton Online
82 Blackburn Street, Suite 216
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Direct email: Bratton@Cruzio.com
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
