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DATELINE July 7, 2014
CITY COUNCIL CUT UPS. This is that curious, tense, funny, deadly serious time of the year that happens just before anybody can take out papers and legally say that they are running for Santa Cruz City Council. Hilary Bryant’s strategy of waiting and saying she hasn’t made up her mind to run again creates the most buzz and is a very clever tactic. (She’ll run!!!) Bruce Van Allen and Leonie Sherman are in it for sure and are out there pushing hard and have active websites with plenty of endorsements. Richelle Noroyan’s City Council website shows how serious she is. Steve Pleich is running for a third time according to his little page on Facebook. Cynthia Chase of Gemma apparentlyhas Cynthia Mathews support which can and has turned elections either way in the past Peter Kennedy (Scott Kennedy’s son) has created rumors about running but no confirmations about his candidacy. Like the Mathews name, Scott Kennedy’s reputation still makes heads turn almost 360 degrees.Yes, David Terrazas is definitely runing for re-election and has his nearly vacant website up and running, right now.
MARK STONE AND THE COASTAL COMMISSION’S NEW POWER. There’s a new law that went into effect last Tuesday that gives The California Coastal Commission authority to impose fines on property owners who do anythinmg to keep the public away from the beaches. It’s the heaviest authority ever given the Commission since it began back in 1972. They can impose fines up to $11,250 per day for each violation (according to the LA Times Article) and the fines go to the commission to pay for Coastal access improvement projects. Assemblyman Mark Stone did a great deal of the work on getting this passed and didn’t get much credit. Thank him when you see him.
| DRONE MEETS FIREWORKS. Photographer Carolyn Klein Lagattuta found this brilliant and even creative use of a drone on July 4th. |
ARANA GULCH UPDATE. Despite all of Micah Posner’s pleas and pitches about how wonderful and plant sensetive and nature loving his bicycle highway through Arana Gulch was going to be…take a look at how it’s going so far. It’s a lot of destruction for a handfull of bicycles per day. https://www.flickr.com/photos/85798589@N04/sets/72157644670432057 . Then read up on the entire project at Friends of Arana Gulch by checking this out. http://members.cruzio.com/~arana/project.html . Jean Brocklebank says it even going to get worse!!
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FRANKIE VALLI SINGS ON JULY 4TH. In case you forgot what he sounds like, and yes, he sings Can’t take my Eyes off of you. Try to calm down. I think he sang as a tribute to all the Mafiosa who died in their ongoing battle to take over Washington . (p.s. note that there’s only 160 views so far!!! As of 7/6)
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SPLITTING WOOD BOOK. The Museum of Art & History just published their latest Santa Cruz County History Journal (#7) it’s full title is “Redwood Logging and Conservation in the Santa Cruz Mountains” A SPLIT HISTORY”. It is an excellent collection of articles by historians and lumber people detailing the history of our local trees, timber and lumber. It’s full of valuable maps and photos and is for sale at Bookshop Santa Cruz and MAH. Don’t miss it, it could easily sell out and it could be years before it is re-printed.
BILL REYNOLDS, HARRIET DECK & ANN BENNETT. I hope that some of the new people moving into Santa Cruz are even half as vital, friendly and great neighbors as these three long time friends were. Bill Reynolds and Harriet Deck were good friends and it’ll be impossible to forget those wild and crazy Friday Night parties at Bill’s Dancing Man Galleries. Harriet had a way of melding into any organization or group and becoming an intergral part of whatever was going on. Ann Bennett was an excellent theatre critic and wrote ’em as she saw ’em. She wrote for the Watsonville Register Pajaronian, and The Sentinel since the mid 80’s. It was a treat to read her insights.
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DACHSHUND MEETS CRAB!!! Lorraine Valdez spotted this day at the beach. |
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Anthony Hopkins wrote a waltz 50 years ago, Alyce Cadwallder forwards it to us.
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MUNICIPAL WHARF HISTORY. With all the talk about”modernizing” our Municipal Wharf we really need to be more familiar with the very rich and near legendary history of all of our seven wharves. Go here to read what Frank Perry, Barry Brown, Rick Hyman and Stan Stevens wrote and so carefully researched. It’s 14 pages long and well worth reading.
THE GHARKY WHARF AND PROPER SPELLING. Last week on my Universal Grapevine program Frank Perry (historian and Capitola Museum director) talked about how many different ways (about 7) everybody spelled David Gharky’s name. Santa Cruz street signs all spell it GharkEy which simply isn’t correct. Read that link above, especially the second page and think about how easy it would be to right that wrong.
CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC & HOUSING DOWNTOWN.
It’s been a tradition since forever that as many locals as possible house Cabrillo Fest musicians. The festival wins out, the musicians have a good time and the folks that house them learn a lot about music. The Festival runs July 27-August 10. If you have a spare room, couch, or something and hopefully live anywhere near the Civic auditorium call asap 831-426-6966. They still needed 7 locations as of July 7. You’ll be glad you did.
3RD ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ FRINGE FESTIVAL JULY 10-19. An amazing collection of talent both local and visiting will be happening right here at six different venues. Check them all 150 performances by 32 different artist/groups in Santa Cruz during the 10 day festival from July 10–19. Check it all out go to www.scfringe.comfor details.
DOLPHINS AND BUBBLES. Gena Foucek Sinopoli shares this bubble magic from the sea. Here’s the link!
CUBA PEACE CARAVAN. This is the 25 th anniversary of the Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba. It happens Monday, July 14 at the Resource Center for Non-Violence at 6:30 p.m. You’ll meet Judy Geer and her three grandchildren who are some of the 2014 Santa Cruz Caravanistas. Hear the latest on the Cuban five, see Saul Landau’s film about Cuba’s GLBTQ movement, and also hear Bill Hackwell, noted photographer and long time Caravan supporter. Sandino Gomez will talk about his views on Cuban youth and what damage the USA blockade has caused Cuba. There’ll be food: Bread, Cheese, Crackers, Coffee, Tea, Brocolli, Carrots, plus Melon and Entertainment: For more information go tomwadzuka@cruzio.com or call 427-0980
LATTE BREAKING THEATRE NEWS. Last Sunday the crew at the Cinelux 41st movie theatre told me that no definite dates yet but that phase one of the new addition of FIVE (5) new screens at the old Capitola Bookstore would be around Christmas time. That makes 8 movie screens on 41st avenue. Nicole at Regal Cinema Nine on Pacific says the first phase of all new recliner seats in the nine theatres will be starting up this month. And that progress is slow as to getting permits for the wine and beer bar in the theatre. The Del Mar lobby has an example of their new lounging type seats which are scheduled for insertion pretty soon. Let’s just hope with all this new comfort in our local theatres that the films will also get better.
“MORNING AFTER” BEACH CLEANUP
“We participated in the county-wide beach cleanup on July 5th that was coordinated by Save Our Shores. The energy of volunteers was amazing to watch; people just out for a stroll on the beach came up to ask if they could help. “Our” assignment was at the foot of the stairs leading to Beer Can beach. Four urns of hot coffee donated by Pacific Roasting Company in Aptos, got people going starting at 9AM.
The Sentinel reported that some 2000 pounds of trash was collected by volunteers at all beaches combined throughout the county. That’s a lot of bottles, cans, spent fireworks, cigarette butts, and just plain junk that people are too lazy to take care of. We found trash within a few yards of half-empty trash cans at Beer Can beach.
It’s amazing based on all of the hoopla by the “Take Backs”, that there were zero reported used syringes found on any of these beaches. Could it be that some of these needle findings that make the KSBW evening news are staged? Think about it”..
(Paul Elerick is co-chair with Peter Scott of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org , and he’s a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates).
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary Patton broadcasts the following on KUSP this week Check out the Ferrini Ranch Development. It aims for 212 residential lotson 866 arces. Land Watch is looking into it. Then he talks about a Monterey County public hearing on an ordinance to make it easier for the County to terminate inactive land use applications. If adopted, the ordinance should allow the County better to deploy its scarce planning resources. As we read everywhere lately de-sal plants are being proposed everywhere. Gary states,” The State Water Resources Control Board, which has authority over both water supply and water quality, is now considering some new rules for ocean desalination“.He ends the week saying, “I encourage listeners who care about desalination and its land use implications to join forces with those whose major focus is on the need to protect our marine environment. It’s important that the State Board get it right. Our Sanctuary is always at risk”. Read the complete scripts of the above at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse . Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor (20 years) and an attorney who represents indivuduals and community groups on land use and environmenatl issues. The opions expressed are Mr. Patton’s \. Gary has his own website, Two Worlds/365” – www.gapatton.net
WESTSIDE VIDEO. Stop by Westside Video and meet Ashlyn Adams owner of this video rental store. It’s right next to Donnelly’s Chocolates and Sylvan Music at Bay and Mission. She tells me that they have 200, 000 titles. That includes many, many VHS tapes, Blu-Ray and DVD’s. They keep them in a card catalog system and are easy to file through to find your hits. Now that Cedar Street Video is closed Westside Video is the last place on the west side to rent local. Besides that Ashlyn knows her films.
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. From deep in the “Classic” files comes this week’s Peep at DeCinzo’s take on X ratings. See below a few pages.
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER. Existentialist Eagan creates another view of how IT really is. Scroll below.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Lend an ear, this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com) as I take to the radio waves to yak about Alias Hook. I’ll be chatting with Bruce Bratton on his Universal Grapevine program, Tuesday, July 15, 7 pm. Then, on Wednesday, July 16, I’ll be talking to Rosemary Chalmers on KSCO at (gah!) 8:30 in the morning! Also, check out the cover of the new Alias Hook audiobook. And please do come by and say ‘hello’ at my book signing at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Wednesday, July 16, at 7:30 pm.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
That is the question
(in order of perfection)
REPEAT PLUG!!! SNEAK PREVIEW. Roman Polanski’s Venus in Fur opens July 18. I saw an advance preview. This is Polanski’s masterpiece, a genuine master work of cinema, a genuine artistic statement and one hell of a good movie. Save that date. The film stars Emmanuelle Seigner Polanski’s wife. The plot is from an original novel by Sacher-Masoch which is where we get the word masochism!!! (hint, hint)
SNOWPIERCER. It’s the future again but no aliens are attacking, for once. South Korean director Bong Joon Ho made this one fascinating , tight, fast moving, well-directed movie.. Tilda Swinton plays her silliest role in her career, John Hurt is always the same and he plays “Gilliam” (remember that IF you go see this thriller). It’s about a train that runs forever with all the 1000 survivors left on earth. Ed Harris is the supreme & majestic conductor. It’s a great escape film…go for it.
DELIVER US FROM EVIL.It’s got elements of good scary old time films like “The Exorcist” and “The Blair Witch” plus “don’t go down those cellar stairs” stuff but the direction is all over the place. Eric Bana and Olivia Munn lead the cast. Nothing in the entire film could make you believe that the events are as real life as the previews claim.
BEGIN AGAIN. Mark Ruffalo is getting tiresome onscreen, he’s always the same guy, and he’s no different in this sad music business saga. Kiera Knightly is supposed to be a singer and James Corden (brilliant star of One Man, Two Guvnor’s is just about an invisible zero in his good buddy role here. It’s like a new copy of an old Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movie.
EARTH TO ECHO. Kids find a cute tiny, little space robot and it’s just like all the rest of the cutesy, summertime, kids & robots movies. Not one new twist, you don’t even see the robot until 45 minutes later and it’s very poorly directed and miserable editing, with lousy camera angles. Don’t go. Or at least SEND the kids, don’t go with them.
TAMMY. What a line-up of stars in this very sad movie. Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Dan Aykroyd, Sandra Oh, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Mark Duplass and Melissa McCarthy who co-authored and produced it with her husband Ben Falcone. It cedrtainly isn’t a comedy, because Melissa ans Susan Sarandon play such loser roles. It’s not a tragedy because you’ll laugh at the stupid, and vulgar scenes. It’s a waste of time, your money and their talents.
Still playing at a theatre near us
from best to really bad
IDA. A very serious and wonderful film about an 18 year old girl in 1960’s Poland who
is about to become a nun. Her mother dies and the girl learns she is Jewish. It’s a beautiful story of Poland, the Nazi’s, love, tradition…and should remain the “best film of the year”, if there is any real criteria in the choosing. See it asap, it’ll probably leave town quickly.
GORE VIDAL. The United States of Amnesia. You need to see this documentary/hymn to a real American hero. Vidal always stood up for the America he believed in and if you’ve forgotten or arent aware of hoe strong and resolute and correct in his life long attempt to make sense of hwta wqas and IS happening in the USA see this film. Read his books. And memorize his statements about our ridiculous government. Especially what he says about J.F.K. and Obama. It lasted less than one week here…BUT rent it as soon as possible.
OBVIOUS CHILD. It’s listed as a comedy…it isn’t. It’s a gut wrenching well done portrait of a young woman coming of age in NYC. Jenny Slate plays a stand-up comic with a life that isn’t funny and Gaby Hoffman from Crystal Fairy is her buddy. You might not like Jenny’s character but you’ll face the fact that even tougher- than- shit people have feelings.
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. You’ll tear up more than laugh in this nicely made piece of cinema. Oscars, best film of the year, stuff like that is being said by audiences over and over again. Shailene Woodley (Goerge Clooney’s tean age daughter in The Descendents” takes the lead role and keeps it. Newcomer Ansel Elgort plays her teen age boyfriend, and they are both dying from cancer. Weepy, emotional and great like Greek tragedies. Go see it.
CHEF. Now, check out this cast Jon Favreau, Dustin Hoffman, John Leguizamo, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., and Oliver Platt.It’s an original comedy all centering around food. It’s funny, touching, fast moving, and even educational!!! If you enjoy preparing food, and relish eating good food this is your movie! Chefs, food critics, restaurant owners, and normal people should see this well made film.
JERSEY BOYS. Like most of Clint Eastwood- directed films, Jersey Boys is about as deep as a 45 rpm disc. The same plot could have been afixed to any pop group. The acting is about as good as you can expect from such a hackneyed show biz story. Even if you’re still a Frankie Valli fan, this movie is boring.
MALEFICENT. As we all know know this is “Sleeping Beauty” gone bad. Curses, spells, special effects and Angelina Jolie’s fake jawbones plus horns make this an almost silly and phony saga. Elle Fanning who is now 16 years old is still cute as all get out. And you should get out and see some more meaningful movie.
TRANSFORMERS: Age of Extinction. Mark Wahlberg and his “Autobots” fight off the “Decepticons” or something like that. In case you care (and you shouldn’t ) The Transformers now have personalities like the fat robot who smokes metal cigars and has a metal beard. There’s a Japanese Samurai robot, a southren red-neck robot, it’s just awful and it’s 2 hours and 37 minutes long. You could knit a scarf in that same amount of time. Peter Cullen is the voice of Opitmus Prime (not our Peter Cullen) one of those special effect thingees.
22 JUMP STREET. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are back again doing their dumb undercover cop thing. The film took in $111.5 million dollars the opening weekend, and what else is new??? It’s stupid, mean, crotch focussed, anti-gay, and will probably make many more millions before thet finish 23 JUMP STREET. If you do go and see this pierce of junk don’t tell me about it!
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE RADIO PROGRAM
KZSC 88.1 FM or live online at
www.KZSC.ORG TUESDAYS 7-8 P.M.
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. Michael Warren and Aimee Zygmonski from Santa Cruz Shakespeare will guest on the July 8 program then Karen Egan from Bridging Warriors talks about their aims and goals. Lisa Jensen film critic and author of her new book “Alias Hook” will open the July 15 program and Ellen Primack will then talk about this year’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Becca King Reed will talk about heart disease and raw food benefits on July 22 then Executive director of The Grey Bears Tim Brattan (no relation) tells all about their latest achievements. On July 29th Julie Callahan talks about the “March for Elephants” program. 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!!!
QUOTES. “She is so unreadable that people will finally believe her to be a classic“, Ernest Hemingway. “It is a mean thief or a successful author who plunders the dead“, Austin O’Malley. “Nature, not content with denying him the art of thinking, conferred on him the gift of writing”, George Bernard Shaw.
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Snail Mail: Bratton Online
82 Blackburn Street, Suite 216
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Direct email: Bratton@Cruzio.com
Direct phone: 831 423-2468
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
