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MARK STONE & MY 3 MINUTE INTERVIEW.Almost everybody walks pastor steps into Lulu Carpenter’s at the Octagon at Front and Cooper Streets. That’s why I like to sit there. Last Tuesday (3/26) our happy looking Assemblyman Mark Stone stopped by just long enough for him to tell us…
a. He likes his new Assembly job.
b. He was able to find, and hire, a top notch staff to show him where the ropes are.
c. He misses the one to one contact he had with his constituents here on the County level.
It was good seeing him back downtown and assuring to hear him talk about his work in Sacramento, except that our Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors went straight to hell without him there (here)
LA BAHIA…SETTING IT STRAIGHT. Speaking of which, too many half-read Sentinel letter writers either forget, or never knew that the real reason we don’t have a fine new hotel La Bahia Conference Center instead of Charlie Canfield’s purposely neglected and deteriorating historical hovel is because…Barry Swenson wouldn’t adhere to The Coastal Commission’s regulations. (Like one floor too high) those are the same regulations that have preserved the coast of California for decades….and hopefully will continue to do so.
| Guantanamo prison |
THE SIZE OF GUANTANAMO & NYC continued. I’m still amazed at the size of Guantamo…here’s this.. Manhattan Island is 23 Square miles, making Guantanamo twice the size of New York City. (Repeating)…JUST LEARNING. According to Jill Lepore’s excellent torture article “The Dark Ages” in the March 18 New Yorker.. Guantanamo occupies forty-five square miles on the Southeastern end of Cuba. She says it isn’t part of Cuba, and it isn’t part of the United States”. I’ll just add, in comparison, San Quentin Prison is 427 acres and Guantanamo is one tenth the size of all of Santa Cruz County!!!.
DRONES NO MORE.On Friday April 5th, from 5-6PM join Women In Black of Santa Cruz and other peace groups, to say to the President of the United States and our government: Drones NO More! – Ground the Drones! STOP KILLING CHILDREN and OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE!! Under President Obama’s watch, and implemented by the CIA, hundreds of innocent children and other adults have been killed and maimed by the use of drones (robotic planes) in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia. JOIN US TO SAY Stop the Drone Program Now!
Help us hold over 150 individual placards with the names of just some of the children killed, or make a ‘no-drones’ sign to bring along, and please wear BLACK if you can.
In Downtown Santa Cruz, at the corner of Cooper St. and Pacific Ave., the large corner in front of O’Neil’s Surf Shop. Friday April 5th is also “First Friday” downtown, the night when many stores host art shows by local artists and the Museum of Art and History is open to the public for free. Let us bring our message to all the folks who will be out and about downtown! (*cosponsored by: CodePink Santa Cruz, People United for Peace of SC, Peace and Freedom Party SC, Resource Center for Nonviolence.
| Avner the Eccentric |
HISTORICAL QUESTION. Mike Hess asks, At Melrose and Morrissey there are matching concrete posts on each corner that look as though they had some sort of light on top at one time. There are also some further down Morrissey (I think at the very end). I was told by the couple who live on the SE corner that they were once the entrance to a grand estate that included horse track. Any historical info on these???….thanks. He’s got me, any info out there???
ATHEISTS HAPPY HOUR. Atheist Happy Hours are every second Friday of the month from 5 pm to 7 pm. Join them April 12th at Scott Hall in the Garfield Park Senior Village at 721 Bay Street. Scott Hall is the U-shaped building in the middle of the grounds farthest from Bay Street and is accessible from the patio and rear-facing sides. There is a bus stop: Route 19 buses from downtown or UCSC stop. Bring snacks and drinks, but most important, yourself. For more info, http://www.meetup.com/Santa-Cruz-Atheists/ (editors note… their website is way out of date, but it does have some data)
“An excellent piece of writing”
Here’s a message sent by my friend Bruce Van Allen to the GLBT Alliance and the Equality Action Project members, and others. It has such a strong and timely message, I asked Bruce V.A. if I could share it with readers of Bratton Online, and he said yes. Here it is:
Hi All,
Just wanted to speak up for the love and admiration I have for all the dedicated activists, for all who’ve endured pain and sacrifice, and for all the just plain folks whose hearts want to connect in freedom with society’s care. Of course we remind ourselves this morning: when you live through Big Moments in History close up, “history’s arc” seems more like the path of Zeno’s arrow, so close to the target, but still half-way to go, and then half of the rest of the way, and then half of the rest, and then …Despite the accelerating change, especially through the near-decade since Mayor Newsom’s marriages, actual steps forward have been accompanied by setbacks and disappointments. Seeming resolutions have just revealed deeper obstacles. So let’s not forget the huge momentum of change surging through the thoughts and hearts of our fellow citizens and people around the world.
Can there be an American patriotism without jingoism, without we’re-better-than-the-world exceptionalism, without basis in hatred and intolerance, indeed without one person’s American Dream imposing a nightmare on another?
Perhaps we can have that; perhaps that’s why I’m crying as I try to squeeze out this thought: the people of our country are making the best kind of history, establishing justice and freedom for those to whom it is denied.
No matter what happens this week, we are stronger, we have more allies, we are opening more doors; perhaps most significantly, we have brought love to the center stage.
It’s an honor to be here with everyone! Best Regards, – Bruce Van Allen (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).
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about LAFCO’s meeting…LAFCO Applications #928 and #929 ask the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission to permit the City of Santa Cruz to extend water service to the UCSC North Campus, which is outside the City’s current water service boundary. Approval would put increased demands on the City’s limited water supplies, and would facilitate the construction of over 3,000,000 square feet of new buildings. As I think listeners know, I practice environmental law with the law firm of Wittwer & Parkin. My interest in these LAFCO applications is directly related to my employment by the Community Water Coalition, or CWC. The CWC has been urging, as a general principle, that when water supplies are limited, it would be good policy to reserve that limited water for existing customers, before extending service to those not even within the water service area.
LAFCO meets Wednesday morning, at 9:00 o’clock, and the City and UCSC applications are not on the agenda. LAFCO Application #946, however, is on the agenda. This application is also requesting the Commission to allow the City of Santa Cruz to provide water service outside the current boundary of the City’s water service area. In this case, that would facilitate the development of a new commercial use at 3939 Soquel Drive. There are links in today’s transcript”. Read all of above at Gary’s KUSP Land Use scripts (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)
| ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT SILENT PHYSICAL COMEDY. This is just about pure Beckett and reminds me of Waiting For Godot. It’s an hour long but, take a trip and check it out.
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VINTAGE DE CINZO. Mr. Twister lives on…and comes back once in a while..see below..
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim addresses GUN ENVY scroll down just a bit.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “I’d love to give an extra star to the sci-fi romance Upside Down for sheer audacity and good intentions, but I just can’t. Find out why this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). Also, tag along as I share my favorite children’s book of all time, and join me in the countdown to publication of my new novel on May 1.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE. A very tender, sensitive carefully made masterpiece by Iranian film maker Abbas Kiarostami. It’s filmed entirely in Japan and is not at all like the trailers. It’s about the relationship between a young student and an elderly author, professor. Subtitled, intelligent, non Hollywood, don’t go if you don’t like subtle films. Otherwise, be sure to take in this new classic.
UPSIDE DOWN. Kirsten Dunst is in some other space again in this sci-fi fantasy. Earth has a neighbor planet …this planet is so close they almost share gravity, but not quite. One half of the screen is upside down throughout almost all the film. It’s great fun and a little tense because storm troopers shoot and kill anyone who tries to jump on to the other upside down planet. The film has some plot problems, but it’s one of my favorite films to think about and what it would really be like, and watch it unfold. The effects are perfect.
THE HOST.I couldn’t take the boredom, lousy plot, poor acting, and walked out of this aliens taking over the earth stupefier. Geez, maybe if aliens took over we’d have better movies than this one!!!
ROOM 423.This is truly a conspiracy theory collector’s dream film. It’s a documentary featuring some real life jerks taking apart Stanley Kubrick’s classic film from Stephen King’s book “The Shining” and saying Kubrick hid messages all through the film. Messages such as “truths” about the holocaust, about the USA Apollo never going to the moon, American Indian blood battles, and you name it. These conspirators are either so clever at creating a parody of paranoiacs or they are nuts. Don’t go anyways.
MORE HOT CINEMA ROLES. “Jolene” is a new DVD release of a hardly ever (2008) seen film debut of Jessica Chastain. It’s from E.L. Doctorow’s short story, and has a really creative, inventive plot. Not a great film, but Chastain plays a naked pole stripper, a bar maid, and remains a pawn in many men’s hands as she tries to survive. Chazz Palmentiri, Dermot Mulroney, and Denise Richards are in it too. Rent it locally at Cedar Street Video Chastain is excellent.
APRIL IN S.C FEST OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC @UCSC. The UCSC Music Department presents the critically acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet, one of America’s leading string quartets, and star performers of traditional Korean instruments will perform a program featuring Andrew Imbrie’s Clarinet Quintet, Hi Kyung Kim’s Thousand Gates with images by Korea’s renowned photographer Bohnchang Koo, and Kim’s new work for string quartet, Han San.It’s the opening concert of UCSC’s “April in Santa Cruz” festival of contemporary music. Tickets will go on sale on Feb 27 at santacruztickets.com. In person or by phone at the UCSC Ticket Office (459-2159) and the Santa Cruz Civic (831-420-5260).
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. Alexandra Kennedy discussesissues attached to grief followed by Sarah Leonard from the Mental Health Client Action Network on April 2nd. April 9 has Dr. Paul Ware talking about the field of Physiatry., after which Michael Tierra talks about The Contemporary Chamber Music concert happening 4/14. April 16 Sarah Albertson talks about the Cabrilho Theatre Festival 2013, followed by Cecile Andrews author of “Living Room Revolution“(secrets of local organizing). The Reel Work Film Festival folk appear on April 23. Julie James talks about Harold Pinter One Act plays at The Jewel Theatre on April 30.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
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 here 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.
“April is the cruellest month”, T. S. Eliot “Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever”, Charles Lamb. “Oh, to be in England now that April’s there”, Robert Browning. “Men are April when they woo, December when they wed. Maids are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives”,William Shakespeare.
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
