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| GREAT PARODY OF PETER, PAUL AND MARY. Jennifer Bratton-Boulanger sent this, shes right, it’s really funny. |
| GARDEN OF EDEN SWIMMING HOLE. In case you missed KSBW coverage. |
| CONJOINED SISTERS NOW APART FOR 10 YEARS!! Just fascinating and great to see that it is possible!!! |
DATELINE July 24, 2017
SEMPERVIRENS FUND & THE CALIFORNIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION & SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS.
Betsy Herbert longtime forest activist, resigned from the Board of Directors of the Sempervirens Fund. Her environmental and community serving credentials are impressive
A PhD in environmental studies from UCSC, longtime local forest advocate, former watershed manager for San Lorenzo Valley Water District, currently President, Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregional Council and board member, Center for Farmworker Families. Most importantly now is that she served on the Sempervirens Fund board for 15 years until she resigned last week.
Historically, the Sempervirens Fund has used money from donors to provide permanent protection to the redwoods forests of the state. Now, over Betsy’s objection, the Board has put Rich Gordon, former Member of the Assembly, on the Sempervirens Board. What makes this exceptional is that Gordon has just been named as the President and Executive Director of the California Forestry Association, which is the states main lobbying group representing the timber industry. The CFA website tries to present itself as working for”sustainable forests.” In fact the CFA’s main mission in Sacramento is to make it easier to cut down more trees.
Here’s the California Forestry Association website: http://calforests.org
After Betsy sent in her resignation letter, the Sempervirens Fund, obviously, acted quickly to update the organizations website (https://sempervirens.org/about-us/board-staff/ and removed her name as a Board Member.
Another local angle: Fred Keeley is a member of the Sempervirens Board, and apparently didnt see any conflict in putting the timber industry’s chief lobbyist on the Board of the Sempervirens Fund.
The Sempervirens Fund did NOT update the website to give full information on Rich Gordon, however. Here is how the Sempervirens Fund presents him: RICH GORDON https://sempervirens.org/about-us/board-staff/#acc-597277dab548e Government Relations Officer, Caminar; former member, California State Assembly; former member, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors; former President, California State Association of Counties; a resident of Menlo Park.
Heres what the CFA has to say about Rich Gordon:
CALIFORNIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION HIRES FORMER ASSEMBLY MEMBER RICH GORDON AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO.Posted on June 7, 2017
California Forestry Association (Calforests) Chairman Arne Hultgren announced today that former Assemblyman Rich Gordon has been named its new President and CEO, effective July 17, 2017. “Weve worked with Rich for years and are pleased to have him join our Association. We are confident his leadership and policy experience will continue to create great policy results for California and for our membership”, said Chairman Hultgren.
Gordon brings more than 20 years of public service experience to Calforests https://i2.wp.com/calforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Rich-Gordon_Pic.jpg
Having most recently completed three terms in the State Assembly, where he served in leadership and successfully carried legislation supporting sustainable forestry. He also served as a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, during which time he sat on the Board of Directors of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). Gordon was president of CSAC in 2008. He has extensive nonprofit experience and was the founder of
Youth and Family Assistance, an agency in San Mateo County serving at-risk youth.
As President and CEO of Calforests, Gordon will be replacing retiring President David Bischel, and will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for the Association. In this capacity, Gordon will represent more than 4 million acres of private and family-owned forests; 95 percent of the States forest product manufacturers; producers of renewable biomass energy; and, forestry-related professionals.
“Healthy forests are crucial to the sustainability of our planet. It is an honor to have been chosen to lead an industry association that plays a key role in Californias environment and economy,” said Gordon. “I look forward to working on behalf of Calforests for the benefit of all
Californians”. Brattonotethis report was submitted by a trusted source, believe me.
DREAM ON AT CLIFF AND BAY. Id forgotten that amongst the Santa Cruz City Council campaigns that Miller Maxfield Inc. ran last election (ie. Mathews, Chase and J.M Brown) that J.M. Brown was an employee of Miller Maxfield Inc. As previously mentioned, thats the ad agency thats running the Ensemble Corp. Dream Inn sales job that hopes to build that 80 expensive unit monster building across from the Dream Inn with a connecting bridge over West Cliff Drive. Therell be much more to report after Ensembles heavily staged promotion meeting on Tuesday 7/25. With the old developers claims re our housing problems Fred Geiger adds “Without the housing demand from the U and airbnb we would have plenty of housing and at much lower prices to boot!”
LATTE BREAKING NEWS
CAMPUS CLEAR CUT? I definitely need more spies! I drove past some acreage on the south side of Heller Drive (near Meyer Drive) on the UCSC Campus last Friday. It had been recently clear cut except that they left three foot stumps standing there. Anyone know whats being built there? I can’t even figure out whom to askand get a quick answer! I’m trying to connect with Marlene Tromp the new Chief Academic Officer.
LOGOS WINE COLLECTION? While the news of John Livingston retiring and closing Logos, because no one was interested in buying it, is truly sad and a blow to downtown Santa Cruzsome friends are wondering how, when, and if he was successful in moving his huge and precious wine collection from that secret downstairs wine cellar?
REGAL 9 AND NO 3D FILMS!!! I’ve loved 3D films since about 1940! I even liked Bwana Devil in 1952!! VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is no award winner EXCEPT that it was fun and would be fantastic in 3D. Inside sources told me that our downtown Regal 9 stopped screening films in 3D as an experiment!
The city manager and city council have decided to put the Corridors Plan on the back burner. Facing sustained and mounting opposition to this proposed rezoning for dense, high-rise new developments along Water, Soquel, Ocean and Mission streets, the city made a wise decision. There are enough complex problems requiring creative council decision-making without the city embarking on an unpopular project that would change the character and livability of established neighborhoods especially on the Eastside. Similar to the proposed and then abandoned desalination project, what sounded good to the inner circle and selected “stake-holders” did not pass muster when scrutinized by the community. The pity is that public monies were wasted and the community forced to mount a campaign to get its voice heard.
There is another Plan wending its way through the public process that promises to be a similar boondoggle. The Wharf Master Plan (WMP) was quietly moving towards council approval in 2016 when members of the public successfully challenged the citys claim that it did not need an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the set of proposed major changes to the historic municipal wharf. Some of these changes include: increasing the width of the wharf by a third of the total area; 3 new public buildings of 45 feet in height for weddings and special events; increasing the commercial and retail space by infilling and increased heights; covering the current sea lion viewing holes with one of the 45 feet high buildings; significantly reduced public fishing areas; replacing the parking kiosks with 12 to 15 walk and pay stations such as in downtown parking lots; increasing parking by only 40 spaces achieved by realignment and narrowing the width of the current spaces; a widened walkway to the east and a lower than deck level new walkway to the west under the windows of the existing restaurants; a large boat docking area capable of handling 200 ton displacement boats.
Such changes will alter the character, feel and history of the wharf beyond recognition. Such changes also appear to be unpopular. A petition opposing the WMP and circulated for just two weeks gathered 2500 signatures prior to the 2016 council meeting at which the council backed down and agreed the Plan did need an EIR after all. The EIR is expected to be completed over the summer and then will be circulated for public comment. Many of the petition signers, including those from other states who had either grown up in Santa Cruz or who had visited the wharf added comments and all were vehement in their love for the wharf as is. Wharf regulars have strong feelings opposed to the WMP. Many say they will not keep coming to the wharf if this Plan is approved. Many worry about the future of the long-time restaurants. All have a special place in their hearts for the current wharf. They do not want an upscale San Francisco designed make over.
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~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 shes an avid ocean swimmer, hiker and lover of all things wild.
HOW DO YOU SPELL 5-2 ?
“A self-made man is about as likely as a self-laid egg”.
–Mark Twain
 You get what you pay for…campaign signs on the fence surrounding the development of 94 condos at 555 Pacific Avenue. |
City for Sale
There is something going on in Santa Cruz, not unlike what’s taken place before, but it is progressively more aggressive: the city is for sale and developers are having their way with us. Some of the “Five” on the current Santa Cruz City council can use the real estate, developer, and chamber of commerce rhetoric, often in creative ways. One line goes like this, Building affordable housing just does not pencil out for the developer. This bottom line policy-making, several years and running now, has placed our town on an auction block. You do not have to look very far: Broadway Hyatt’s 94 rooms; the newly-approved Hampton Inn’s 60 rooms on Mission Street; the tripling of the Hotel Lanai’s room count on Beach Hill; the approval of the La Bahia for 150-plus rooms; the 555 PACIFIC 90-some condos at the end of Pacific Avenue (with no permanent affordability), the proposed 40 market-rate condos on Ocean Street Ext. and 79 more condos are slated for Pacific Ave’s old Bookshop Santa Cruz site; and perhaps the Big Kahuna of hotel waves: a 151-room Marriot Courtyard in Beach Flats. Oh, there’s more. How about the recent Cliff and Bay Street shopping center-housing development proposed by the owners of the Dream Inn? Like traffic at that intersection now? Just wait.
Drip…Drip…Drip. Where does it end? These are all decisions that could have gone differently. The city council has great discretion over any commercial development. The buck truly does stop at the council, and the courts have ruled that way as well. If the trend continues, the current SC development blueprint has us ending pretty much in gridlocked traffic from Highway 17 down Ocean, over the Riverside Bridge right up to Charles Canfield’s, “Welcome to the Beach Boardwalk” sign. But really gridlocked traffic doesn’t end there because everybody who is not going to stay at a 151-room Marriot Courtyard, most will be hunting for a parking space. Currently, there is no “traffic demand management,” or real plan that I am aware, for the beach area. The Beach and South of Laurel plan does not speak to environmental and traffic concerns. Therefore, thousands of cars currently dripping onto Beach Street keep driving until they find one of those Boardwalk profit-margin-making $15 parking spaces that are white-lined onto one of Tío Carlos’ (Uncle Charlie Canfield) vast swaths of asphalt abutting the Beach Flats neighborhood. And they keep driving and driving on many summer days until someone leaves and a spot becomes available, but mostly if they arrive after one or two o’clock they cruise, they hunt and they hunt. Don’t forget too, there are some city planners dreaming of a boardwalk bridge to somewhere. It would extend from the bottom of Ocean Street over the San Lorenzo, and thus conveniently fill Seaside’s enormous Third Street parking lot below the Logger’s Revenge ride. Beware voter!
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Picture of the Week “We’re still at it!” 
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But, What If?
What if we went back to the future? What happened to parking cars at the county building like runners did for this past Sunday’s, Wharf to Wharf, and shuttling beach-goers to the shoreline? How about alerting car-drivers with flashing signs as they approach the end of Hwy. 17: “Parking Lots FULL in Beach Area, Use Alternate Lots and Routes”? What if buses carried day-trippers from over the hill at discount rates, partially subsidized by parking meter fees, a tax on each car parked in a boardwalk lot, and an increase in local hotel taxes? What if, Beach Street became a pedestrian street with moveable tables and chairs, umbrellas, planter boxes, and strolling musicians? What if, a pedestrian-bike taxi type mall connected the south end of Pacific Avenue with the wharf and Beach Street? What if… (you fill in your idea/dream/vision of OUR beach area and email it to me.)
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Bernie Quote of the Week:
“The most important thing we can do to fight Trumps destructive agenda is to elect strong progressive leaders at every level of government.” (July 13) Including city council!
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(Chris Krohn is a father, writer, activist, former Santa Cruz City Councilmember (1998-2002) and Mayor (2001-2002). He’s been running the Environmental Studies Internship program at UC Santa Cruz for the past 12 years. He was elected last November to another 4-year term on the Santa Cruz City Council).
220 YEAR VILLA DE BRANCIFORTE CELEBRATION WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
More than 60 people attended the free public celebration of the 220 year anniversary of the founding of Villa de Branciforte. Beyond a doubt, the presentation by State Archaeologist Mr. Mark Hylkema was a big hit, and also, the wonderful open house held at the Branciforte Adobe was a real treat as well. Many thanks to the adobe owners, Ms. Maria Caradonnas and Mr. Bruce Block for so generously sharing their home with the public, and to Mr. Hylkema for his amazing presentation. Watch for the YouTube link to that video recording. Many thanks go to Mr. Ed Silveira and the Villa de Branciforte Preservation Society for sponsoring the event. Finally, even more thanks to Alternative Family Education student Ms. Bria Steinbruner for the beautiful garden around the historic monument. It was made possible by the $500 grant from Ecology Action and the generous donations of Aladdin Nursery, Central Coast Wilds Nursery, Central Home Supply, Coast Paper and Supply, Ewing Irrigation, Far West Nursery and Orchard Supply Hardware. Stay tuned for the next event in the series to be held throughout the coming year.
RANCHO DEL MAR SHOPPING CENTER PROPOSALS MODIFIED BY COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
Last Friday, the County Zoning Administrator Ms. Wanda Williams agreed with the TRC Retail folks that they need four monumental sized signs to help businesses in the Center advertise but agreed with members of the public that those signs should not be 12′ tall and 5′ wide. Such monoliths would set a precedent for other businesses leading to Aptos Village, detracting from the charm of the Village. She also verified that the redwood tree and others would remain, with an estimated 12 trees total being removed. That is much better than the original plan to ax all existing vegetation.
I was happy to look through the hearing document binder and see quite a lot of public comment submitted regarding vegetation, drainage, signage and traffic concerns. More people are watching, and as a result, there were positive changes in the plans for Rancho del Mar Center. Now, if only the County will listen regarding the Aptos Village Project…
APTOS VILLAGE ROAD PROJECTS CONTINUE TO BE STALLED
For over a month, no work has progressed on the Trout Gulch / Soquel Drive road project, funded by the taxpayers to benefit the Aptos Village Developers. Existing Village merchants are suffering due to the disruption, diminished parking and congested roadways. So, why no progress to get the work done? No information has been made available to the public or business community until last Tuesday’s Soquel Creek Water District Board meeting agenda packet mentioned the project was on hold due to soil remediation work. Really?
I wrote to local government staff at Public Works, Board of Supervisors, and Environmental Health, asking for information. No response. Finally, in Saturday’s Santa Cruz Sentinel, Mr. Jason Hoppin announced that there was lead and arsenic soil contamination in the railroad bed soils that must be remediated before the work can resume. The Project includes removing 200′ of railroad track, excavating to 31″ and replacing the track and ballast. The contractor, John Madonna Construction, has been depositing all excavated soils onto the Aptos Village Project construction site. Well, there is already a lot of soil contamination over there as well and should also be shut down. Storm water runoff from the site tested high in lead, arsenic and phosphates.
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TAKE A WALK ON THE SILENT SIDE
I had the honor of joining a walk with local historian Mr. Norman Poitevan and visited the Holy Cross Cemetery on Capitola Road Extension. Norman did all the research to establish the names of over 2400 people whose bodies are in a mass grave, having been moved in 1885 from the old Santa Cruz Mission cemetery to make room for the existing Holy Cross Church to be built. It disturbed me to see all the names, over 2000 being Native Americans and half of the totals were children younger than 12 years of age. It amazed me to see also that there were names of very prominent families..bodies all loaded into wagons and dumped into a shallow hole at this Holy Cross Cemetery. It was only because of the stories that people had passed down to descendants over the years that anyone even remembered or knew. It was only because of new ground penetrating radar technology that their location was determined.
I am grateful to Norman for his amazing focused research to identify those bodies, having visited the mission records three times and working closely with a genealogist for peer review.. I am grateful to Bill and Brigid Simpkins and Bill Thoits for sponsoring the work and the placement of the three bronze plaques to mark the majority of the mass grave site.
I learned a great deal about local historic characters, some famous, some ordinary, but all with a story to tell. Such as the man who worked for Salz Tannery and dared to vote contrary to what his employer had instructed. Ballots were not secret back in the 1800’s, and the Tannery boss checked that all employees had voted as instructed. All who did not were fired. There is also the interesting headstone of a doctor, placed in the cemetery because someone found it in the ocean near San Francisco and brought it back to Santa Cruz. There it eventually got left with the cemetery staff in “lost and found”, and was positioned where there was space.
Norman Poitevan knows the stories of many of these people, Irish, Italian, Spanish and German…a glance back into the history of our County with lessons to be remembered for the future.
~Cheers, Becky Steinbruner (Becky Steinbruner is a 30+ year resident of Aptos. She has fought for water, fire, emergency preparedness, and for road repair. She ran for Second District County Supervisor in 2016 on a shoestring and got nearly 20% of the votes).
#204 / Notions About NIMBYS
CityLab, part of The Atlantic Monthly group, outlines its mission this way: “CityLab is committed to telling the story of the worlds cities: how they work, the challenges they face, and the solutions they need.”
A recent story on the CityLab website carried this title: “Oregon May Strip Portland of It’s NIMBY Powers.” The subhead elaborated: “A controversial bill before the state legislature [in Oregon] would preempt cities rights to prevent new affordable housing.” The article is worth reading, and Oregon is not the only state that is thinking about stripping local communities of their traditional land use and zoning powers, all in the name of “affordable housing.” It’s happening right here in California, too.
NIMBY stands for “Not In My Backyard.” Being called a NIMBY is not a term of endearment. In fact, there is a popular notion that NIMBYS, so-called, are probably racists, bigots, and most certainly selfish. Given this characterization, it’s no wonder that people of good will think it might be appropriate to deprive such NIMBYS of their right to have any control over their own local land use.
Let me, please, interject a cautionary word. Maybe we should be careful before we transfer control over the future of our local communities to politicians operating at the state level. Local residents are, generally, those who know best about their own “backyards.” The whole idea of “local control” over land use recognizes this fact. Local residents can also be pretty effective in making local officials do what the local residents want, if the residents will get active and get involved. This is what is normally called “self-government,” and it’s a value worth preserving. Local residents are pretty powerless when they have to deal with local issues in the arena of the state legislature.
And here’s another caution. The land use and zoning provisions that development interests claim are racist, exclusionary, and bigoted, may not be the product of such unworthy sentiments at all. Communities that care about water supply issues, traffic, and the ability of their local governments to provide necessary public services, adopt regulations to address those very legitimate issues, and the effort to do that does not, in fact, stem from base motives of selfishness and racism.
Here’s what is really going on, in my opinion: Development interests who always want to be able to do whatever they want, and to make as much money as they can, with the minimum amount of interference, are seizing upon an incredibly real and serious crisis – the affordable housing crisis – in an effort to eliminate perfectly responsible and appropriate local land use measures. Let’s keep in mind that it is very much easier to parlay money for votes in the State Legislature, where big money interests dominate, than it is to use money at the local level, to override involved and active residents concerned about their neighborhoods, public safety, water security, and the traffic clogging their local streets.
Great concern about “affordable housing,” when it comes from development interests pushing state legislation that overrides local land use powers, is quite likely insincere. How do you gauge whether or not this is true? Check out whether the “override” of local land use control will actually produce any significant amount of price-restricted, genuinely “affordable” housing, or whether it will just produce MORE housing.
Many people think “more” housing means lower-priced, and therefore more “affordable” housing, but that just isn’t true, and concerned people of good will should not let themselves be hoodwinked by notions about NIMBYS that are not founded on the facts.
(Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor (20 years) and an attorney for individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Pattons. You can read his blog at www.gapatton.net
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. DeCinzo looks back at local solutions to our “water problem” see below.
EAGANS DEEP COVER. See Eagans “White House Visit” down a few pages. As always, at TimEagan.com you will find his most recent Deep Cover, the latest installment from the archives of Subconscious Comics, and the ever entertaining Eaganblog.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Despite technical difficulties, love wins in Beauty and the Beast at Cabrillo Stage, this week at Lisa Jensen Online – Express. Also, take a look at this cool trailer for what might be shaping up as my (potentially) favorite movie of the year!” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
CITY OF GHOSTS. 100 on RT!!! When ISIS invaded the city of Raqqa in Syria a group of students, activists and journalists used cell phones and online social media like You Tube to get the news of the atrocities out to the world. This is a documentary that shows us what war is really like. Using children as suicide bombers, street battles, funerals, dead bodies, all filmed while it was happening. It proves the power of media in spite of what Trump says. It shows ISIS and the terrorist attacks in France, the USA, and they’re not stopping; in fact ISIS is growing. See this movie – you’ll learn a lot. ENDS THURSDAY 7/27
DUNKIRK. Acclaimed auteur Christopher Nolan directs this World War II thriller about the evacuation of Allied troops from the French city of Dunkirk before Nazi forces can take hold. Longtime Nolan collaborator Hans Zimmer provides the score.
Dunkirk is a city in France and during WWII the Nazis drove the allied troops to Dunkirks beaches. There were 400,000 troops stranded there with no ships to take them to safety. Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance are in the film briefly and do fine acting jobs. The film is all war and is well made and directed better than most war films. But with City Of Ghosts playing now thats the one to see IF you like genuine war films.
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS. (See above for the NO 3D at the Regal 9). This is an excellent example of a comic book film. Set in the 28th century it’s silly, preposterous, amazing, and it’s sort of like the first Marlon Brando Superman film. The cast actually includes Herbie Hancock, Ethan Hawke and Clive Owen but not very much! It’s full of stolen creatures from Star Wars, Avatar, yep even Jar Jar Binks, and long scenes looking like Blade Runner. Only if you like comic books.
MAUDIE. A 90 on Rotten Tomatoes and Sally Hawkins plus Ethan Hawke play a severly crippled arthritic and her cruel, stubborn husbandand it’s a true story. The film is sad, poignant, heart gripping and maybe even mawkish. Other than some fine acting by all involved I’m not sure why they made this film, or why you might enjoy it. Me? I’m not sure if I did.
WAR ON PLANET OF THE APES. This should really be classified as an animated saga. It’s all digital ape stuff with Woody Harrelson as an evil human. It has a plot that could make you think seriously; if you can take the computer apes seriously. It could be said to relate to the Democrats versus the Republicans. Republicans (Harrelson) want to build a wall among other plot devices and the more liberal apes just want to have peace. About 90% of the film is centered on wars between the two forces and who will rule in the future. Better to go to one of our museums or galleries instead.
THE LITTLE HOURS. It’s a combination of Monty Python, The Decameron, and Amy Poehler. Loony sex humor in a medieval nunnery. I’m not sure what the point or problems were in telling this story but it left me either napping or bored. John C. Reilly plays a priest, everybody says fuck a lot, and thats about all there is to it.
THE BIG SICK. Kumail Nanjiani the Pakistani jerk from the “Silicon Valley” tv sit com not only wrote this plot but he and his real wife lived it. The film is a bit long but it’s well worth seeing. Itll grab you when you least expect it. He’s a standup comic and falls in love with Zoe Kazan, a “white” girl. It’s heart rending, funny and a tale told of cultural differences between his traditional Pakistani family and her very contemporary Mom (Holly Hunter) and dad. Go see ititll surprise you.(and Ill predict some Awards around December-January).
BEATRIZ AT DINNER. Salma Hayek is a poor, hard working , talented, spiritual, immigrant from Mexico who ends up having an elegant dinner with John Lithgow and some ritzy friends. Lithgow plays Donald Trump…(the character is named Doug Strutt) really. It’s a clunking, heavy, poorly directed, blah of a movie. It could have been sensitive, real, poignant and even witty but it isnt. The ending is not only terrible but it is cruel, pointless and itll make you feel bad. Dont go. And it takes place in Newport Beach. ENDS THURSDAY 7/27
THE BEGUILED. Colin Farrell, Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Durst top the list in this Civil War hokey melodrama. For some reason the director Sophia Coppola is getting big publicity but I saw nothing that gave her any extra directing points. Farrell is a wounded Yankee who stumbles into this very southern girls school, and gets all the girls and their leaders to fall all over him. You could stay home and dream up the script. ENDS THURSDAY 7/27
SPIDERMAN:HOMECOMING. Michael Keaton completely steals every movie he’s ever made and he sure does playing an evil “Vulture” in this latest version of the web spinner (there have been at least 13 versions of Spidey on TV and the movies!!) Spidey is a high school student with Teresa Tomei as his mom. Robert Downey jr. is back as Iron Man. It doesnt matter much but Gwyneth Paltrow is in it too. It’s a little better than most of the Marvel Comics hero movies but not much. Id suggest you stay home and wait for Game of Thrones to start again this next Sunday!!
WONDER WOMAN. IF you like comic book heroes or heroines (hope it’s ok to use that term) Wonder woman is several cuts about the usual no brainer/ violent/monster filled box office smashes we keep seeing. Gal Gadot is a former Miss Israel and we keep hearing about that. She plays W. Woman. Robin Wright, is in it too and she is a long time favorite of mine. She is Sean Penns ex. Chris Pine just jumps around looking like the usual Hollywood cutie pie. If you remember that shes a comic book star and is supposed to battle, fight and pose in tight pants all the time you could enjoy this more than most of that ilk.
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. July 25 has Steve Kettmann co-director of the Wellstone Center in the Redwoods telling us about their programs and goals. After Steve, Willow Katz details some of the many serious problems of Solitary Confinement. August 1 Rick Longinotti speaks on the library garage issue, widening Hwy 1, and where to park. Then Shelley Hatch, Dawn Norris and Candace Brown follow up to talk about the Branciforte Action Committee (BAC). Their goals and accomplishments. Dr. Shawna Riddle (PAMF) guests on August 8th talking about staying healthy in Santa Cruz. On August 15 interventional cardiologist and Doctor Neil Sawhney (PAMF) brings us up to date on heart news. Then on August 29 The San Francisco Mime Troupe’s Marilet Martinez tells us about their 9/9, 9/10 performances here. 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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This is just amazing! The band Green Day was due to go on stage at a big concert in London. As usual, music is playing inbetween bands, and Bohemian Rhapsody comes on. Magic soon ensues – take this in! |
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 weeks 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 heres 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 theres 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 Juarezand thats just since January 2011.
QUOTES. AUGUST
“I just completed a long car trip on a Sunday in August with two small children, which believe me is enough to convince you that Samuel Beckett was right about everything.” Lev Grossman
“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.” Sylvia Plath
“Summer has no day,’ she said. ‘We can’t possibly have a summer love. So many people have tried that the name’s become proverbial. Summer is only the unfulfilled promise of spring, a charlatan in place of the warm balmy nights I dream of in April. It’s a sad season of life without growth…it has no day.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
