SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.1967.Contrary to popular opinion, they must have had plans or even blueprints when they built this mess. It doesn’t seem like anybody would have approved it had they known. But at least we can look around at Ocean Street and the neighbors on Water Coloma and Leonard Streets and see what could have been. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC CLUB RE-VISITED. Paul Elerick adds a lot more news from this January meeting of THE PDC that happened last Thursday (1/24), scroll down for his take on it. More than 40 avid, progressive Democrats attended and gave committed, enthusiastic life and support to re-creating genuine Progressive changes to our County. Issues including, Immigrant Rights, replacing both our Sheriff and District Attorney Bob Lee, control of our City Council by groups like The Chamber of Commerce, concentrating on local campaign finance limits and reform, encouraging the growth of businesses that don’t pay fair wages, gun control measures, and the creating a strong Blue-Green Alliance. It was an exciting evening. The present City Council and their dreams of making Santa Cruz into a Big City earned lots of talk and future work. PDC President and Democrat of the year Brian Murtha presided.

EARLY JAZZ CARTOON. Best guess here is that this orchestra is a great imitation of early great jazz artists.

OUTRIGHT PLUGS.Some may remember that I found a great ’98Honda Accord through the kindness of you readers (especially Ralph Davila). I needed two important items to make the car perfect. One was a special new ignition key that has special codes and secret gimmicks built into it. I went to Kenville Locksmiths now in their “new” location at 111 Union Street (423-3252). They’re across the street from Cypress lounge.. They got me the proper key; it worked neatly, and were many dollars cheaper than the other key places I tried, who didn’t even have the right “blanks”.

PLUGS, PART TWO. My “new” Honda Accord came with near black tinting on the rear three windows. I had the growing suspicion that there may be cars behind me, and to the left and right as well, but I couldn’t see them. I literally called eight car window places and got prices well over (like $100) the price that Classic Glass did the job for. Both of these locally owned, generations-run businesses, were kind, quick, and actually fun to do business with. I told them I’d send all of you there, and I am. Classic Glass is at 917 Water Street, 423-5054. Tell them I sent you. Plus, they sell antique glasses, mirrors, frames and related items.

FILM CRITICS NICK OSCAR TALK CANCELLED. It’s very disheartening but our annual Critics Oscar gathering at the Nick won’t be happening this year. Morton Marcus started these Critics gatherings in 1998 – 15 years ago – and Lisa Jensen, Wallace Baine and I carried it onward in recent years. First, Wallace cancelled this year because he doesn’t get a chance to see films anymore, and Christina Waters gamely joined our plans for this year. Then scheduling problems arose and it just couldn’t happen. “Crowds” of 100 or more film fans added lively, fun discussions of dozens of Oscar contending films each year. Maybe next year…send me, Lisa, and the Nick any and all feedback about reviving it in 2014.

CARTOON JAZZ ORCHESTRA. Listen to and watch Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra. See them live next Friday…free!! (read next paragraph)

THE CARTOON JAZZ ORCHESTRA THIS FRIDAY NIGHT. As their press release says, “Yikes! Foiled again! If you were among the millions of little and big kids who grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra (CJO) will bring back memories by the truckload. The music that accompanied Mickey, Minnie, Bugs, Daffy, Woody, Rocky, Bullwinkle, and their fine-feathered friends provided a special soundtrack for our young lives.
The Cartoon Jazz Orchestra is a sixteen-member jazz ensemble made up of some of the Bay Area’s top professional musicians, who play a veritable children’s zoo of instruments. Much of the CJO repertoire was composed by the great 20th-century composer Raymond Scott. Lenny Carlson’s Aluminum Sunset: A Tribute to the Music of Raymond Scott is a three-movement suite written in honor of Scott’s innovative and fun music, which also happens to be very difficult to execute. DETAILS???

When: Friday, February 1, 2013. 7:30 PM.
Where: Oak Lounge, Tresidder Student Union (Second Floor)
Admission: Free and open to public.

Contact: 725-2650 continuingstudies@stanford.edu

Permalink: http://events.stanford.edu/events/350/35003

What’s almost as exciting is that Jeff Sanford and Lenny Carlson have asked me to lead the Q & A session that follows. Don’t worry, I’ll save you! So, fasten your seat belts, beep-beep, we’re off on a grand adventure. th-th-th – That’s all, folks!

LATTÉ BREAKING NEWS. Deborah Whizin is out as Publisher at The Santa Cruz Weekly. I can’t remember the woman’s name who’s replacing her, but she worked at the Weekly/Metro years ago. I think she was there before they fired DeCinzo, then they fired me, later on they canned Traci Huikill, now Deborah. They must have really, really big plans!!!

EARLY MICKEY MOUSE JAZZ.Before Disney created the “Firehouse 5 plus 1” as a house band to add jazz to their cartoons.

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about The Santa Cruz Supervisors making committee appointments this week. (I’d add, lets all watch McPherson and Zach Friend’s handiwork on these). Patton goes on to talk about De-sal in Carmel. An AgKnowledge class that’s starting up and he adds comments about Guv Brown’s big, big plan for two tunnels. 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)

VINTAGE DE CINZO. Coming of Age in Santa Cruz…according to DeCinzo. (Scroll Down)

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Professor Eagan defines Liberal and Progressive…see below and pay attention.

THE INGENIOUS ALL GIRL JAZZ ORCHESTRA OF 1929

LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul Landau writes about Celia Sanchez, a major figure in Fidel’s life. He says, “Fidel, without Celia at his side, and still missing his friend and doctor Rene Vallejo, understood the depths of his personal loss. He made Celia into a national hero, which she richly deserved. Thanks to this biography, not heavy on critical characteristics, readers can understand some of the elements and people in the underground and the mountains, that put the Cuban revolution together, and how the word “commitment” resonated through the life of Celia Sanchez Manduley. This heroic woman’s body and brain throbbed with vital energy that she transmitted to her revolutionary work and to her comrades”. Read the rest of the article here…

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

LISA JENSEN LINKS. This week on Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com), we’ll take a fresh look at a classic Diana Gabaldon novel, consider the depth of the Oscar-nominated Amour, and listen to three little words from the great Neil Gaiman that should become the Mantra for every creative artist.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

QUARTET. Dustin Hoffman (age 75) directed thiscutesy geezer movie about has been Opera singers living in a British Old folks home. Maggie Smith steals every frame of the film she appears in (and she always will!). It’s mostly corny, heartfelt, and very predictable. I liked it better than Exotic Marigold Hotel because the characters are smarter, and not as mean. Go see it, you’ll cry a few times…that’s if you ever cry over movies.

HANSEL AND GRETEL. This film is “Grimm” in more ways than one. Maybe they were trying to make a parody of fairy tales. That would explain why they have Hansel using automatic weapons, wearing a wrist watch, playing a Flintstones phonograph, stabbing foes with a taser and junk like that. The language is like, “ok you guys, let’s go get them witches”. It was of course the weekend box office’s biggest money maker. Don’t go even though Famke Jensen is in it, so’s Jeremy Renner, but never mind, Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 17 (out of 100)

PARKER.There is one, and just one reason to see this film, Jennifer Lopez has never been better!!! Jason Stratham does about the best he can with a script and editing job that makes little plot sense. It’s a gang hoist gone bad-revenge-Florida-stab-shoot-blood-January-action movie that no one should ever watch.

THE WASHBOARD SERANADERS 1934.Some of the best orchestra washboarding ever caught on film.

CELEBRATE PIANO ENSEMBLE! – in Concert!!! Come hear and see Celebrate Piano Ensemble’s annual concert at the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall on Sunday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. Twelve well-known Santa Cruz pianists will again flex their fingers (120 in total) in a concert that has become a tradition for duo-piano music lovers. The duo-pianists performing are: Josephine Alvarado, Karen Cole, Thomas Cole, Chris Dennis, Ray Fernando, Laureen Herr, Nicki Kerns, Lynn Kidder, Lavinia Livingston, Zack Myers, Ivan Rosenblum and Vlada Volkova-Moran.

They will be joined by renowned tango dancers John and Nancy Lingemann. The Lingemann‘s are well known for their Tango classes and many performances in Santa Cruz, and the Carmel area. Experience the thrill of Tango dancing at its best, along with masterful performances of the music of composers from the 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st century, music that is seldom heard, explicitly written for duo-pianists. The music will be played on UCSC’s beautiful matched Steinway grand pianos. This event is a benefit for Talent Bank Awards Festival, a scholarship program of the Music Teachers Association of California, Santa Cruz branch. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, $10 for students/seniors.

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. Betsy Herbert opens the Jan. 29 Grapevine talking about Fracking and proven results. Sky-Power specialist Joe Jordan returns to Grapevine in the second half hour to talk about some great comets heading our way, and about renewable energy. Kerry Kriger opens with “Save the Frogs” on Feb. 5^th. Lisa Jensen, Christina Waters, and I talk about the Oscars and who needs them on Feb. 12. Kimberly Jannarone and Nancy Carlin discuss the huge Peer Gynt Project about to happen at UCSC. They’re followed by Sandra Nicols and her topic of Santa Cruz’s Board of Education. 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. “I love children. Especially when they cry – for then someone takes them away”, Nancy Mitford. “Why should we do anything for prosperity? What has prosperity ever done for us?”, Joseph Addison. “Some mornings it just doesn’t seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps“, Emo Phillips.