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DATELINE February 24, 2014
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THIS SPACE SHAMELESSLY HIJACKED BY THE WEBMISTRESS I quote from The Great Morgani’s facebook page: “THE NEXT STEP……. The city council meeting, tomorrow, Tuesday, February 25th @ 5pm, during oral communications to voice your concerns. Let’s do all of this in a calm and respectful manner, to all of those involved. Thank you.”
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HANDS OFF MORGANI !!! Minutes after Frank “Morgani” Lima announced his City Council enforced banishment from performing he and I emailed each other…he writes… “After 17 years of entertaining/performing, in downtown Santa Cruz, “THE GREAT MORGANI”, has lost his “GREATNESS’ status. Due to the recent strict enforcement of current ordinances, i am considered in violation of where i have performed for the past 10 years, even with written permission from the business owners. During that time, i was never confronted by the police, downtown association, downtown hosts, business owners, or even city council members and mayors. The alternative performance areas, are so constrained & rigid, that they are not compatible to any type of performance. Rather than accept a hefty $300 ticket, or worse yet, spend a night in jail (in one of my costumes???), i will be quietly leaving the downtown scene. Thank you, EVERYONE, for your support and smiles, along the years. I will miss you all. THE “GREAT ONE” HAS LEFT THE AVENUE.
After that I emailed him again asking who is doing the enforcing Morgani replied, ”
“hi bruce…….. it is the police…..they are just tightening up on the ordinances, that were enacted, in september/october of last year……. first of all….. THERE ARE REALLY NO BAD GUYS in this whole mess. I had a very nice respectful conversation with the police today, and with the city attorney, and ……. it is, just what it is……. i’m really not mad or upset, but just disillusioned, of what is happening to our creative, and unique town.
i was approached by two police officers, sunday afternoon, while performing in front of verizon……. they were very nice, and so was i. it is just, that it seems, that my 10 year permission slips from the businesses where i perform, are not legal…….none of this was strictly enforced for 10 years, and then BOOM!!!!!….. interesting, when the officers asked me to move, i thought……. here is my chance to create some major drama……. give me a ticket, i tear it up, they put me in cuffs, haul my ass into a police cruizer, and take me to jail, all in front of an adoring audience, while being filmed by a friend who was doing a video on my performance., AND END UP ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE SENTINEL………. and then…… and then….. finally, there would be some truth in that bumper sticker……..”USE AN ACCORDION, GO TO JAIL”….NO THANKS……..I WOULDN’T PUT THE POLICE OFFICERS, OR THE COMMUNITY, OR ME, FOR THAT MATTER THROUGH THE EMBARRASSMENT, AND MAKE SANTA CRUZ ANOTHER WHACKY JOKE.
in any case……. i want to keep this all in perspective, and respectful to all parties involved…. it will just play out, as it does…….i hope you understand. thanks. frank, aka……STILL, that other guy THE GREAT MORGANI, ACCORDIONIST”. End of Quotes.
With that damned 5 to 2 Santa Cruz City Council, the most right winged, inhuman council I’ve ever lived through, its lucky Mayor Lynn Robinson and friends didn’t have Morgani’s hands cut off.!!!
| OLYMPIC STYLE LAUGHS. I swiped this link from Eric Mendelson. |
SPEAKING OF WHICH, The Flying Karamazov Brothers (as UCSC students) started off performing in 1973 in the very same places on Pacific Avenue where Morgani was busted and went on to world fame will be back here performing at The Rio Theatre Friday, March 7th. (tickets are available at Tomboy, Streetlight Records and online at www.pulseproductions.netWhat else is cool is that The Great Morgani will be playing live from 7-8 p.m. in front of the Rio in their “harassment free zone” that night!! Get over there and cheer Morgani and the Karamazov’s on…and if by any chance any of those 5 to 2 Santa Cruz City Council members show up be sure to boo them!!! Or at least throw rotten vegetables (an appropriate tradition).
LATTÉ BREAKING NEWS…STOP MASTURBATING!!! We know that no one in Santa Cruz would do such things, but if you have a friend etc. etc…
This just in from the Daily Kos
Mormons Declare War on Masturbation
Bettrer check out such Mormon approved hints as… thinking of bathing in worms instead of masturbating, or wear very tight pajamas, reduce the amount of spoices you eat. Tie your hands to the bed frame at night. Warning…don’t read too far because it goes into a section about Negroes owning Cadillacs. Unbelievable, and isn’t Marriotts owned by Mormons???
SUSPICIOUS SAFEWAY ACTIVITY. Jenny Heth sent this news regarding Safeway’s future plans. Safeway isn’t doing too well according to this article. Walmart is hurting them so Safeway may sell out!!! What that news will do to the planned and postponed Aptos Mega plans and the oft mentioned Morrissey Mega will be either our guess…or tomorrow’s news!! Check it out.
Ted Burke weighs in suggesting we call it “Grocery Gulch. Ron Sandidge says, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a Winco store instead of Safeway or Grocery Outlet? Employee owned.
CHP SENIORS SAFE DRIVING CLASSES. CHP officer Brad Sadek began teaching Senior Safe Driving Classes two months ago. I attended one earlier this month. They are free, they last two hours and a half, AND I just found out AAA gives you a 5% discount on your premium. He held the classes at The Community Foundation buiilding in Aptos but will probably move them to the Aptos Library. The classes fill up fast, and are a little boring so call 831 662-0511 to enroll, which is a must.
SOME HARD DATA ON HIGHWAY 1 DRIVE TIMES
Our Regional Transportation Commission has moved Highway 1 traffic data collection to the next level. The latest data recorded (with 20 sensors) on Highway 1 between August 2012 and August 2013 revealed the following:
Northbound Highway 1 from Highway 129 to Ocean St. which was measured at the worst (highest traffic) time 08:00 A.M. showed that 95% of all trips took less than 31 minutes. (Travel time with no traffic @ 65MPG is 15 MIN) Average trip time at 08:00 was 24 minutes.
This data should make the RTC Commissioners ask why Highway 1 is still the 2nd priority for “roads money” in Santa Cruz County. We consistently hear about South County trips to Santa Cruz taking an hour or more. This could be true if people are counting how long it takes to get from home to the Highway 129 onramp, and to their jobs once they hit Ocean Street. Is pouring more money into Highway 1 widening (Auxiliary Lanes) going to make a big difference in commute times? Is cutting 15 minutes off the trip from Highway 129 to Ocean Street at the busiest commute hour worth $300 million dollars or more to add more lanes to Highway 1?
(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).
| SLIM GAILLARD’S CEMENT MIXER. I just have to mention that I had the honor of hearing Slim Gaillaird in person play the Oakland Song that I co-wrote !!! (available on iTunes) |
SILHOUETTE MAN BREAKS IT DOWN Click the link to see the comic. The One Comic That Explains Just How Screwed America Is
| GENUINE TOILET HUMOR. |
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about important land use meetings around our Bay. Our Supes will look at a proposal to increase a tax for Parks and Recreation purposes.. He deals with the Sierra Club and fracking legislation. He then discusses the Aptos Safeway and their reconfiguring Rancho Del Mar. Read all of above scripts at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse. Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, and an attorney who represents individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365? – www.gapatton.net
CLASSICAL DE CINZO. Books ? what books ? DeCinzo asked this question years ago.see below about 4 pages.
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim Eagan doesn’t JOKE around in his loaded epistle of the week…scroll below.
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE’S WARHORSE. Most of the best acting I’ve seen in the last two plus years has been the Thursday nights (or Sunday mornings) at the Del Mar and the screening of the live telecasts from London’s National Theatre. This week Thursday (2/27) is Warhorse. Check it out http://www.thenick.com/#nowplaying_WarHorse
UCSC’S MACHINAL. “UCSC Faculty director Kirsten Brandt and a student cast present this ground-breaking 1928 drama inspired by the infamous murder trial of Ruth Snyder, a New York housewife accused with her lover of killing her husband. The pair were convicted and executed by electric chair in January 1928, with Snyder becoming the first woman executed in New York State in the twentieth century. “Machinal” was first produced on Broadway in the fall of 1928 and starred a young Clark Gable. It is currently back on Broadway this month”. Details at http://arts.ucsc.edu/news_events/theater-machinal It opens this Friday 2/28 through March 9.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Butter your popcorn and turn off your cell phones—we’re talking movies this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). Find out who I predict to win—and who’s been criminally overlooked—in this year’s Oscar race. And brace yourself for the Return of the Oscar Barbies!” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
THAT IS THE QUESTION
……In order of perfection……
IN SECRET.I believe this is what we call an authentic “bodice ripper”. It’s from Emile Zola’s novel and takes place in Paris @1860. Jessica Lange (with plastic facial help now)is great in her role as what we’d have to call an obsessive mother. Oscar Issac (from Inside Llewn Davis and isn’t from either Chicago or Paris but Guatemala and has a Cuban father and a Guatemalan mother!!) Good happy sex and lots of suffering and murder and greed and deceit…it’s great, see it immediately.
WINTERS TALE. Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, William Hurt and even Eva Marie Saint do all they can in this tale that’s driven by changes that FATE or destiny does to us. It’s mystical, time switching, confusing and set in New York City. A winged horse and believing in miracles makes it a mite more confusing. What’s extra odd is that Will James plays the devil ot “the judge” and isn’t even mentioned in the main rolling credits. (I don’t blame him). If you read the 1983 novel it would be fun to see this attempt at putting it onscreen but otherwise, go do your exercises or something beneficial.
WALKING THE CAMINO. (SEE SOON) This is about a 500 mile trek/hike/pilgrimage in Northern Spain that has been continuing for centuries. Martin Sheen likes this documentary even though he and his son Emilio Estevez made their film “The Way” about the same trek. A few years ago. Kathy Bisbee, executive director of Santa Cruz Community Television went on the Camino walk a few months ago and is going back pretty soon. She said Walking the Camino movie isn’t as deep or touching or as human as The Way.
3 DAYS TO KILL. Kevin Costner not only has daughter bonding issues and major family problems but a huge number of spies and nasties keep trying to kill him for 1 hour and 40 minutes. It’s got some intentional laughs, and a few special effects, mostly it’s a dopey film and not worth any admission price…even if you go alone and you shouldn’t.
POMPEII IN 3D. Pompeii was just like Santa Cruz is today.They are a seaside resort town, have a few earthquakes, a 5 to 2 City Council, theybuild a new stadium, and then Mt. Vesuvius erupts and the movie’s over. You really, really hope that Vesiuvius erupts about 10 minutes after the film starts but you have to wade through a cockamamie story about gladiators becoming friends, and an Angelina Jolie look- a- like love affair that turns to solid lava. It’s a boring mess and Kiefer Sutherland must have needed the money.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
(from BEST 2 worst)
THE PAST. (SEE SOON) Berenice Bejo who co-starred in “The Artist” gives another perfect performance as a mother of two daughters who is divorcing her husband and has taken another man into her life. It’s her kids vs.the new guy and his son, while living in working class Paris. It will be here only a few more days, hurry.
GLORIA. (SEE SOON) This “foreign” film from Chile should sweep the Oscars. Paulina Garcia (age 54) creates a performance that goes far beyond words and images as she show us the deep insides of a mid life, courageous, gutsy approach to the world. It’s one of the finest women’s roles I’ve ever seen on screen. Do not miss it.
HER. “Her” got the Golden Globe award for screenplay, it deserved it and many, many more.
Joaquin Phoenix’s brilliance and Scarlett Johansson as the voice in his computer make an unsettling and endlessly fascinating team. Amy Adams plays exactly the opposite role from her American Hustle babe and is still great. It may unnerve some folks because it hits closer to home than is comfortable…it’s one of the most original films of the decade, go see it.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. I have to say that finally, finally, finally Leonardo Di Caprio and Martin Scorsese paired tocreate a superb and excellent film that fully utilizes their talents. Di Caprio proves that his brief moments in earlier films was no accident…he is awesome in this lewd, vulgar, cocaine extravaganza. Based on the book by the films supreme con artist hero, you’ll sit on the edge of your seat for the full three plus hours. It’s what we all believed goes on behind Wall Street’s doors and even more than that.The action never stops and it is as completely breathtaking in every sense of the word. Go see it, unless you have scruples or a vestige of decency or get jealous easily.
12 YEARS A SLAVE. This film has received dozens of nominations for Awards, and well deserved. It’s a hard hitting, brutal, honest, surprising film. It is also beautifully acted, well cast, and a film you won’t forget for a very long time. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a magnificient actor and carries the film. Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti add the unnecessary Hollywood element and do good jobs but it’s Ejiofor you’ll think about a lot. It’s a true story written by the central character in the pre-civil war days. Just see this film…now.
NEBRASKA. Bruce Dern plays an almost 80 year old geezer who gets suckered by a million dollar Publishers Warehouse type con and goes on this father/son road movie through Nebraska to collect it. It’s funny at times but it’s also mean, ageist, and cruel. Alexander Payne makes films like that. Dern plays a character named Woody Grant, that’s Grant Wood spelled differently. See it but be prepared.
PHILOMENA. I saw this beautifully touching film again a few weeks ago just to make sure it was/is that good…it is. Judi Dench is never less than wonderful in her wide ranging roles. How she pulls off this true story of a human, less than brilliant mother looking for her orphaned son is magnificient. In case you wonder…Steve Coogan does NOT turn out to be her son. Go see it asap.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. No doubt about it Mathew McConaughey stars in and steals most, but not all of this film. What’s odd is that I ended up thinking more about and reacting to Jared Leto’s superb job inplaying the transvestite role. Jennifer Garner and Steve Zahn are perfect in their roles too. It’s a fine film, but it is such a tour de force , so completely laid out, so perfectly designed that I never “got into” the film. It’s a spectacle, so in your face, no subtlety. And it’s an award winner for sure.
THE AMERICAN HUSTLE. Clever, smart, twisted, greatly acted, and even more clever. What more can you ask from a film?Seeing Amy Adams as a very sexy babe is a long ways from her princess role in Enchanted. Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and even Robert DeNiro keep the level of who’s conning whom at a fever and funny pitch. It’s a circus version of the real ABSCAM scandal that took down a bunch of politicians. I really meant the word clever. See it asap, and if you get a chance read the plot before you go!!!
MONUMENTS MEN. As mentioned above this movie is boring. It is terribly miscast with George Clooney, Bill Murray, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville (from Downton Abbey) Jean Dujardin and Cate Blanchett. This is spupposed to be about art experts seeking masterpieces of art that Hitler’s troops had hidden. What’s funny about that?? Yet, the music, those funny actors, just weird that’s all. No continuity, little empathy, a few killings…not a bit of cleverness in it. Absolutely no reason to see this film.I didn’t know that there were more than 300 troops involved as Monument Men not just the 5 or 6 that Clooney created. You might get something out of renting it..like for a rainy night!!
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. It’s an over the top version of the stage play and deals with so much nastiness, hatred, jealousy, fear and miserable people that you’ll leave the theatre feeling a lot better about your own life…whatever it is!!! Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts battle it out for Queen of Suffering, and the rest of the cast is perfect. See it only if you like great, but melodramatic, films.
ROBO COP. I liked the earlier original Robo Cop (Peter Weller 1987) and was almost reluctant to see this version. I was way wrong. This is one fine super-hero type film. Set in 2028 this nice, efficient, loving husband cop is turned into a machine and shows us where all this security issue we face today could lead. Exciting, nearly believable, nicely acted. Go see it if you like Batman, Superman, Iron Man and things like that.
THE LEGO MOVIE. Check it out Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 95 % (Monuments Men got 34%!!!). It’s notTHAT great but its clever, sort of Pixar clever. Yes it’s all animated with those little Lego people doing all the acting”. Voices like Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks, and Chris Pratt are just fine, but there are dozens of almost secret throwaway lines that will really grab you. Many product take offs, huge slaps at our commercial lives, and it ends up with what you might even call a moral lesson!!! The 3D version is extra cute…but you could rent it in a year and still enjoy!!
OSCAR NOMINATED ANIMATED SHORTS. Someday, somehow I’ll find outwhere and when these animated and live action short films are shown throughout the year. As always some are stunning and have touches of cinematic greatness and some are boring, bad and pointless. Mr. Hublot is one of the great ones and opens the animated program. The digitally animated giraffe and duck who act as emcees for all this animated program are vulgar, gross, unfunny…and require enormous patience just to sit through their miserable bits. Possessions is a Japanese meditation on keeping possessions and isn’t worth mentioning. Feral is supposed to be profound but fails. However Room on The Broom is cute, traditional, and doesn’t set any new artistic standards. Get a Horse is a Disney product and combines 1930’s style animation with current talent, but it’s also sort of brutal, go warned.
OSCAR NOMINATED LIVE ACTION SHORTS. Helium is touching, poignant, and deals with a young boy dying in a hospital. The Voorman Problem is also well worth watching, and centers on a guy who claims to be God (maybe he is!!!) An African short That Wasn’t Me is brutal, anti-war and mystifying. Just Before Losing Everything tells us about a battered woman and her kids who are trying to get away from her husband. It’s fast, nervous, and well done but I’m not sure of the point it tries to make. Do I Have to Take Care of Everything is sort of funny but to spend that much time filming, directing, financing it just for a one line joke was way beyond my understanding.
LONE SURVIVOR. It’s actually an old time “War Movie” only it’s based on fact and a book all about Navy Seals fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Mark Wahlberg financed it and is of course the Lone Survivor. I kept thinking of John Wayne in the Sands of Iwo Jima (1949). It’s an excellent war movie, if you like them.
JACK RYAN, SHADOW RECRUIT.. Just another film and another actor in the Jack Ryan franchise. Chris Pine is very cute as Ryan and he does as agood a job as you can expect. The plot isn’t from a Tom Clancy book this time. It’s about Russia destroying our financial system and somehow Kiera Knightly is Jack Ryan’s love partner. She shouldn’t have been because she just doesn’t fit in somehow. You keep thinking gee, that’s Keira Knightly playing that role. Kevin Costner plays Jack’s boss and he’s ok, just ok. BUT the plot is tight and complex enough that it will hold you all the way through. Go if you like spy type thrillers.
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 On February 25 Anastasia Torres-Gil will inform us about the status of local foster parenting. She’s followed by David Wright, owner of The Hidden Peak Teahouse talking aboutthe world of tea. The bi-annual KZSC Pledge drive has been postponed due to a planned campus strike. So my guest on March 4th so far is Jayme Kelly Curtis talking about the Art Of The Guitar exhibition. Kathleen Crocetti guests on March 11 to talk about developments of art in public schools.Then Barry and Shelley Phillips tell us about their musical lives. Patricia Castagnola will bring us up to date on The Santa Cruz Aids Project on March 18. 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, 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. Hear them all!!!
BEST OF CLASSICAL STEVEN DeCINZO.
QUOTES.”It’s not enough to suceed—others must fail”, Gore Vidal. “Yesterday was the first day of the rest of your life and you messed it up again”, Patrick Murray. “If it weren’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck at all”, Dick Gregory.
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Snail Mail: Bratton Online
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
