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CITY COUNCIL CONUNDRUM.Our monarchs flutter by every year and like those wispy homeless creatures we also have our biannual City Council Candidates to keep track of. I love looking ahead and trying to ferret out whos going to run next time…that would be in the biggie November, 2012. So far we hear rumors of Rochelle Noroyan, Ron Pomerantz, Cynthia Mathews, Don Lane, Steve Pleich, and, were guessing Katherine Beiers and even Micah Posner. David Foster told me a month ago that hes figuring it will cost at least $30,000 to run in this City Council election. I never did get those figures on who gets how much in pensions City Council members receive, and how long they get it for, any figures or even facts on this out there???
LATTÉ BREAKING NEWS. Mark Stone tells me that The California Coastal Commission will be meeting here in our littlest County in March!!!
ABOUT “FUCK”, THE WORD.I couldnt forget Rooney Maras tee shirt after seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, (the American version) that read, “fuck you, you fucking fuck”. Looking it up, I learned of course that this memorable quote was from David Lynchs Blue Velvet in 1986.( Before he got involved with TM) Wikipedia has a great and long entry that makes the word more interesting than youve probably ever thought about.
| THAT CRUISE SHIP DISASTER. Tennessee Ernie Ford and Dean Martin give us another take on that tipped ship. |
SAVE THE POGONIP– KEEP IT BIKE FREE. Help keep the cyclists out of The Pogonip. From their website at http://pogonipwatch.org “The Pogonip, 640 acres of natural open space and wildlife habitat, is a treasured public common in Santa Cruz, California. With its variety of redwood and oak forests, coastal prairie, many streams flowing from springs down steep rugged slopes toward the San Lorenzo River, with miles of trails and a rich history, it is the jewel of the Santa Cruz Greenbelt, enjoyed by all”. Peter and Celia Scott write, “The Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 6 to consider the proposed East “Multi-Use” Trail (EMUT) on the Pogonip. They will likely act to make their recommendation to the Santa Cruz City Council, who will then consider the proposal at a future meeting (date yet to be determined). Here are the details: Date: Monday, February 6 Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Place: Santa Cruz City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz. The Commissioners will have before them the Final Draft of the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), which is set to be released by January 26, 2012. Please attend this meeting if you possibly can, to voice your opposition to this proposal. Further details are posted on our website at http://PogonipWatch.org/ Please also encourage others to sign our on-line petition, also available on our website. Peter and Celia Scott, for Friends of the Pogonip.
GROWING OPPOSITION TO GIRL SCOUT COOKIES. Lee Quarnstrom sent this in…The Washington Times says, “I worried that my “political” stand would cause uneasiness between us, but her response put me at ease: “Well,” she said, “they do use unpaid child labor to make their sales, and the troop only gets 10 percent of the revenues anyway.” True. According to the Girl Scouts website, the lions share of the money goes not to the troop but to bureaucrats up the chain of command in multicounty councils. The national office gets a piece of the pie, too, in the form of royalties based on gross annual sales volume – about 200 million boxes per year”. Be careful reading all of the article… much right wing anti-abortion junk in it.
| ACTUAL CAR LEVITATION!! |
SIERRA CLUB ESTABLISHES POINT BREAK PROTECTION IN SANTA CRUZ. OR COWELL BEACH MOST POLUTTED BEACH IN CALIFORNIA.
Pat Matecjek forwarded this from the Sierra Club Newsletter…
The site slated for dedication is on the coastline of Santa Cruz, a place credited as the birthplace of surfing in North America and home to the celebrated right-hand point breaks at Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point. It’s in the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where a diverse ecosystem flourishes. Mark H. Carr, a UC Santa Cruz professor of marine biology, explains that Monterey Bays northern section has a gyre, an ocean circulation pattern that traps water. “It tends to collect a lot of larvae,” he said, adding that it “may be sort of an important nursery habitat.” Carr also explained that giant kelp forests closer to the reserves northern boundaries stand on sandstone reef features, which support biological communities distinct from those in the granite-based forests farther south.
Save the Waves is working with local environmentalists, activists, and elected officials to draft a local stewardship plan to guide the preservation and education efforts after the dedication. The current decision in process is how to tackle water-quality issues along Cowell Beach, which has been called Californias most polluted beach
| TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD & HIS LITTLEST FAN. My Florida cousin sent this clip. Watch the little kid on Ernies right…fabulous. (I think it’s his son).
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GABRIELLAS NEW LITERARY SALON NIGHTS. Paul Cocking of Gabriellas says, ” On the first Tuesday of every month, join us for our regular menus good food and wine in the atmosphere of a Literary Salon hosted by various authors, poets and scholars.
A Salon “is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste.” Beginning Tuesday, February 7, and continuing the first Tuesday of every month, dinner will be offered with the speaker at 8:00 pm. Readings and discussion will start at 9:00 pm over desserts and beverages.
Literary Salon Series Calendar:
February 7 & March 6: John Dizikes & Dale Johnson
April 3: Stephen Kessler
May 1: Peter Kenez
June 5: Lisa Ortiz
July 3: Patrice Vecchione
call (831) 457-1677 to reserve your table now – limited seating!
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ASHWIN BATISH LIKES THIS ONE. From the land of Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, the poetry of Tagore, the Mahabharata, Ramayana theres also this… |
PATTONS PROGRAM. Gary tells of the Monterey and Santa Cruz Board of Supes agenda on Tuesday. He then says, “The Citys Draft Climate Action Plan outlines actions that the City will take to meet State requirements pertaining to climate change, to achieve the policies identified in the Draft General Plan 2030 update, and to accomplish the greenhouse gas reduction goals set by the City Council. One proposal is that the City Council establishes a Municipal Energy Office and a Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Planning Team. I applaud the Citys recognition that land use policy changes are absolutely necessary if we are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A compiled list of all of the actions that are recommended in the Draft Climate Action Plan is included in the Plan as Appendix A. I hope that listeners and readers will track down the draft document and get involved in helping to address the greatest environmental crisis of our times”. Then later he claims re the widening of Highway 1, “The result of the widening project, just about ready to get underway, will be to move that bottleneck down Highway One about a mile. The area on Highway One between Soquel Drive and 41st Avenue will then become the place where the massive “bottleneck” occurs. Moving that bottleneck down the road by a mile will cost us about $22 million dollars, and will ultimately provide no overall transportation advantages, except for those persons who regularly use Highway One between Morrissey and Soquel as a way to get to the Dominican Hospital area. That happens to include me, but even so, I am not personally delighted with the expenditure of $22 million dollars for this purpose, particularly since the highway in this area will shortly become more, rather than less frustrating while construction is underway”. 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. Pattons. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365” – www.gapatton.net)
ANCHOR IN ANTARCTICA. When you live and work in Antarctica what do you miss….? Micaela misses cats!!! She says, “ The austral summer peaks in January, theoretically. This season started with a cold snap and continued on through snow, slush, hail, rain and fog without ever making its way to sunshine. Combined with the above-average level of sea ice and thick brash (chunks that fall off the glacier), the weather has limited our typical outdoor excursions to little more than a few trips to the Adelie penguin colony on Torgersen Island and some whale-watching in the harbor. On the other hand, bad weather for boats is good weather for readers.
A few highlights from my bookshelf:
Mawsons Will by Lennard Bickel (2000): The subtitle calls it “The Greatest Polar Survival Story Ever Told” and Im hard-pressed to argue. The tale of Douglas Mawsons struggle against the full host of Antarctic disasters: scurvy, crevasse, frost bite, insanity, and food poisoning. Lessons learned? Dont eat dog liver.
The Last Place on Earth by Roland Huntford (1999): A comparative biography of Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott, focused on their respective Antarctic careers in the broader context of early 20th-century Europe. Extraordinarily well-researched and delightfully written, this book revolutionized polar literature when first published and remains a landmark in the field. An absolute must-read for people willing to peek behind the curtain of these legendary adventures. Bonus: introduction by Paul Theroux.
The Storied Ice by Joan N. Boothe (2011): A new release from Berkeley Press that has done much to fill in my knowledge of exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula from the 1820s (when sailors first confirmed the existence of an actual continent) to the founding of the Antarctic Treaty System in the mid-1950s. Most polar literature focuses on the Australian/New Zealand side of the continent where the more famous explorers focused their attentions. The Peninsula has its own, possibly more varied history of exploration, conflict, disaster, and discovery that Boothe weaves together wonderfully. Best book for understanding the human history of the region around Palmer Station, where I live.
Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson (1999): One of only two works of fiction I will recommend. Robinson spent something like a month at McMurdo Station in 1995 as part of the National Science Foundations Artists and Writers Grant, and must have made good use of his brief time! His sci-fi novel may be a better insight into the politics, unique culture, and possible future of the continent than most non-fiction works published to date. This was the only book I read about Antarctica before my first deployment to McMurdo Station in 2007, and I couldnt have chosen better.
I still have a half dozen more books to read, but plenty of time to read them according to our forecast. If I manage to finish them before the end of winter, I will start downloading some of the explorers original log books, expedition accounts, and memoirs that are available–absolutely free!– from Project Gutenberg. At the moment, I’ve got the books, the couch, and the hot cocoa… if only we were allowed cats, life would be complete.
(Micaela Neus works for Raytheon Polar Services Company as a utilities technician and is currently living at Palmer Station, Antarctica until April 2012, or sometime after that!!)
VINTAGE DE CINZO. Dr. DeCinzo is right on top of our Mountain Lion scare…scroll below…
EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim addresses some revolting historical developments…see down there.
LANDAUS PROGRES. Saul gets into Yiddish humor this week with “Republican Debates Comedy or Farce”. Check it and him out here
Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa links in with the following…”
“This week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.
LOCAL CONNECTION. Joshua Leonard whose folks live in Corralitos and attend The Penny University has an unique Hollywood Star bio, especially in 2011. He had an excellent role in Higher Ground a fine film starring Vera Farmiga and also appeared in a real turkey which only a few brave souls (me) attended, Shark Night in 3D. With a range like that he has nowhere to go but up. He could even be another Rory Calhoun or Zasu Pitts, well, maybe Rory.
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE. This is that Tom Hanks 9/11 film. This film doesnt jerk your tears; it sucks your tear ducts dry in 2 or 3 places. Go see it and realize just how much of the 9/11 tragedy you are still carrying around…and the acting is excellent too. Max Von Sydow plays a non speaking role!!
RED TAILS. Hokey, trite, tacky and almost racist doesnt begin to describe this hollow tribute to the brave Black pilots of WWII. Apparently George Lucas created this film straight from his heart and wanted to make a statement…but wow did he miss.
UNDERWORLD; AWAKENING. Kate Beckinsale wears some kinda wetsuit, and kills the dreaded Lysols or some aptly named vampires who dont look any more cinematically advanced than King Kong and they have absolutely none of his charm or grace…avoid this mess. Besides that to save money its in black and white..or dull grey and 3D. As you can guess, it was #1 in last weeks box-office bucks.
HAYWIRE. I must be honest…I dreaded seeing these four films listed above, they all sounded miserable. I dreaded them so much I completely forgot that Haywire was directed by Steven Soderbergh. Yes, Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor. Antonio Banderas and actors like that are in it, but it reeked. The lead babe in tights Gina Carano is supposed to be a martial arts expert in real life but I dont think she can read any better than she can act. It was the worst and first Soderbergh I’ve ever seen part of.
HOSTETTERS HOT STUFF. Omnipresent Paul wrote (last Tuesday 1/17)…. “A SECOND quick and last-minute reminder about the remarkable and rarely-seen-in-these-parts Dan Newton at the mysterious Backstage Lounge in Santa Cruz (and if you are over the hill somewhere and want to see him the next night, check his calendar link for a Thursday concert in Mountain View) and Linda Burman-Halls rainforest soundscapes from islands in Indonesia on Friday at UCSC. And a few other things soon coming, with all pertinent details here Cheers, ph”.
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 Jim Emdy of KUSP and other radio outlets and I will talk about Opera Seasons on Jan. 24. Brad Cava of Santa Cruz Patch fame will be on the second half hour that night. 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. Lisa Jensen will guest on Valentines Night Feb 14th to talk about our choices for best films of 2011. (Wallace Baine cant make Tuesday nights). Kirsten Brandt will discuss her music and upcoming UCSC Concert on February 23. 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 Ive interviewed in the last 5 years heres a chronological list of just this years podcasts. Click herehttp://kzsc.org/blog/tag/
QUOTES. “She was one of those women who go through life demanding to see the manager”, G.Patrick. “I like children—fried” W.C Fields. “All a child can expect is that the father be present at the conception”, Joe Orton.
BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by tim eagan.
