Blog Archives

July 30 – August 5, 2012

SANTA CRUZ VENETIAN WATER CARNIVAL JUNE 1895. Before people cared about fish and nature they dammed up the San Lorenzo River and as shown here had great fun at the bend where they want to erect that basketball arena. It was tried again in the 70’s by Paul Lee and others, but environmentalists and the fish won…it was cancelled.

photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection, click for bigger version.

Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

KITCHEN BROTHERS. Pity the poor old Kitchen Brothers… Kenneth and Raymond, we never hear about them anymore. It’s their name that gave Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson the inspiration to use The Kitchen Sisters title for all their projects. The Kitchen Brothers built the odd looking temple at 519 Fair Avenue, out on the Westside.. With spires, abalone shells, tons of trim this monument to building inspectors everywhere still stands and is well worth the drive out there to check it out. Ross Gibson wrote a piece on the house and the Brothers…check it out, first. http://www.santacruzpl.org/history/articles/27

SOLUTION TO THE UCSC HOUSING PROBLEM. My Republican cousin Dean Hagen who lives in Florida sent this…

OUR SANTA CRUZ. What’s unique about Santa Cruz? How many franchises before tourists stop coming here for our character? Look at the new Walgreen’s, look at the City Council candidates how many are pushing for any and all new businesses…any stated an anti-corporation stand?? Pacific Avenue is looking more and more like Fisherman’s Wharf; do we care? Fisherman’s Wharf sure draws the tourists, is that our goal? Is that why we moved here?

CHESTNUT STREET DIGGINGS.How many folks have wondered about the digging away of the cliffs on the west side of Chestnut Street between Mission and Locust Streets? Do we wonder about the Early Indian sites that used to be there? Are there any Archeologists on site to check and make sure no early artifacts, relics, sacred objects aren’t being destroyed? With that location being high above the flood plain and with easy water flowing downhill you know that a mere 10,000- 15, 000 years ago that was a densely populated area…anybody checking??

COASTAL COMMISSION MEETS HERE NEXT WEEK. Don Webber sent this reception and meeting reminder…” The Coastal Commission will meet in Santa Cruz for three consecutive days in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, August 8, 9 and 10 (Wed. Thurs. Fri.) Please publicize the Reception at the new Marine Sanctuary building on Wednesday evening, 6 pm, August 8. Should be a very nice affair. RSVP 454-3403. Here is the information: Coastal Commission Reception. Wednesday, August 8, 6pm

The City & County of Santa Cruz will host a reception for the California Coastal Commission at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, at the corner of Pacific and Beach Streets in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 beginning at 6:00 pm or at the conclusion of the Commission meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Space is limited. RSVP, contact Melody Serino, (831) 454-3403 for more details.

34TH ANNUAL MUSICAL SAW FESTIVAL. There’ll be guests from Japan this year and from around Europe, but none from Beijing where there’s a Musical Saw School with 200 students. The press release reads… “For great music that’s a cut above the rest, come to the 34th Annual International Musical Saw Festival, Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12th . The Festival starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11th with a free acoustic jam near the world’s only life-sized bronze statue of a saw player Mr. Tom Scribner, in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz (1520 Pacific Avenue). At 6 p.m. Saturday, the cutting-edge fun moves to the outer parking lot of Roaring Camp in Felton, just seven miles north of Santa Cruz, for a free potluck dinner and jam.

The Festival’s big events begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at Roaring Camp, when the world’s greatest saw players join other acoustic musicians in a variety of musical performances. You’ll hear bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, blues, classical works and show tunes (though, oddly enough, no heavy metal) throughout the day. The forecast also includes outbreaks of spontaneous acoustic jams at any time.

The International Musical Saw Contest (the Saw-Off) is held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Later that afternoon, around 3 p.m., is the Presentation of Awards, followed by the Chorus of the Saws, when up to 50 saw players attempt to play in unison. At 4 p.m., for those who want to learn to play music that really has some teeth in it, there’s a free Musical Saw Workshop. From beginning to end, the Saw Festival is free, and fun for the whole family. For more information, check out www.SawPlayers.org, or www.RoaringCamp.com. Produced by volunteers of the International Musical Saw Association, this event is sponsored in part by the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County and KUSP Public Radio. Come to the 33rd annual Musical Saw Festival, and say you saw it here first!

BRIAN MANN CEREMONY. Friends are invited to a CELEBRATION of the life of
BRIAN MANNto take place on SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2012 3-6 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Joyce Mann, her family, and friends wish you to join with them in an afternoon of remembrance for Brian. If you would like to share words and/or music, there will be opportunity to do so.

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary, in addition to items such as Water matters in Monterey County adds, ” By the way, I have an update on the removal of the La Fonda Bridge. Removal is now scheduled for August 6th and 7th, and August 13th and 14th. Traffic on Highway One will only be stopped in one direction at a time”. He also includes info about The Coastal Commission meeting and agenda… That’s clearly what the agenda for Thursday is all about, as the Commission considers the following items relevant to the Central Coast region:

  • · Consideration of storm water management standards in San Luis Obispo County.
  • · Consideration of changes to standards governing parking and changes of use for commercial structures in Santa Cruz County.
  • · Changes to Santa Cruz County geologic review procedures.
  • · Other “cleanup” changes to the Santa Cruz County Local Coastal Program.

Go here for the complete text of his KUSP broadcasts

(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. De Cinzo salutes the U.S. Post Office…sort of !!! scroll below

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Corporation people on the moon…you have to see it to believe it…scroll downwards about two pages.

LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul’s Progreso Weekly article is titled, «Drug War Produces Savages film”. In it he states,Curious teens will try pot. The less curious will only drink. The curious can get punished by the cops, the less curious boozers, after reaching 18 or 21, become legal. In the movie, a three-way romance, grown-up children seeking parents, druggie business ventures seeking to expand or limit risks, and lots of sex and violence, make a sure-fire combo for cinematic success. At the end – two endings actually – you might ask: “So who are the real savages?” And “what makes them uncivilized?” Read it entirely here

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

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes…”This week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com/), Shakespeare Santa Cruz’s summer season gets off to a rousing start with the return of the Musketeers to the Festival Glen in The Man In the Iron Mask, and an enchanted production of Twelfth Night fit for the royal revels. Also, check out the new poster for Chasing Mavericks, the movie about surfer Jay Moriarty shot on location right here in Santa Cruz last summer.” Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.

INTOUCHABLES. As you probably know this film was and is a huge hit in France, where it was made. Many American critics thought that the camaraderie that happens between the African and the Frenchman wouldn’t play well here. They said it was a “French thing”. I loved it. And even cried at the end, which is a sure sign of greatness (or gross manipulation). Great acting by both Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet. It’s a summer feel good flick, nothing heavy, no statements, just feel good stuff.

QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. This documentary of Orlando, Florida millionaires David and Jackie Siegel is almost beyond belief. The fact that Siegel is suing the filmmakers right now proves the film has guts. (Go here for the story about the lawsuit)

It’s also funny, and shows rich people exactly the way you always believed they are. David brags near the beginning that he got George W. Bush elected, when asked how by the filmmaker he says he can’t talk about it “because it was probably illegal!!!” (don’t you wonder what that was about?). Siegel made his millions conning middle class folks into buying his world’s largest time share scam. It centers on their building a 90,000 square foot Versailles rip off home…and how when the bottom fell out of the bank system they too are in deep money trouble. See it. It’s a lesson in economics and Republicans. Here’s the official website.

TRISHNA. Talk about your soap opera!!! Frieda Pinto who still can’t act,(but always looks very beautiful, meaningful and pitiable), takes the lead in this adaptation of either Tess of The d’Urbervilles or King Kong or The Bowery Boys go to India. A mish-mash of a plot, thrilling and well deserved conclusion, but you could rent it some foggy cold summer’s day 5 years from now and it wouldn’t make much difference.

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. On July 31st Ed Holmes from The San Francisco Mime Troupe. He’ll be acting intheir “For The Greater Good” in Santa Cruz Aug. 11, 12. After Ed Joann Rose Leonard, author of the new book, “The Healer of Fox Hollow” will discuss back stories of her book and notes on healing. Denice Macy from The Land of The Medicine Buddha will tell us what’s happening “Up there” on Aug. 7th. Followed by Joe Ferrara of Atlantis Fantasyworld divulging secrets of the comic-graphic universe. Grapevine on Sept. 4th will have Joan Van Antwerp whowill tell news about the Van Antwerp Theatre Company’s next play. “Crooked” opening Sept. 19. Right after Joan, Jack Bowers and Sayaka Yabuki from New Music Works will share thoughts about their John Cage tributes. Julie James from The Jewel Theatre Company will talk about their new season on Sept.11. Later, on September 25 Scott Griffin, Nickelodeon chief operating manager will discuss films, digital releases and local movie tastes. 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!!!

BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.

QUOTES. “She invariably was the first over the fence in the mad pursuit of culture“, George Ade. “I never met a kid I liked“, W.C. Fields. “Most women are not as young as they are painted”, Max Beerbohm.

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82 Blackburn Street, Suite 216
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.

Deep Cover by tim eagan.

Posted in Weekly Articles | Comments Off on July 30 – August 5, 2012