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DATELINE July 6, 2015
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DATELINE July 13, 2015
| ADAM SCOTT ON THE LETTERMAN SHOW.
Our one and only Santa Cruz born film star guests on Letterman a few years back and now STARS in “The Overnight” an excellent well acted film that played quickly at the Nick. |
HALTING THE COAST DAIRIES NATIONAL MONUMENT. As the petition says, “National Monument status will not add any legal protections that do not already exist, and the resulting overuse could seriously harm the land’s unique and fragile eco-system, its resources, and public safety. We and the property need Development of a regional approach to manage the many preserved properties in northern Santa Cruz County and southern San Mateo County, which must include the various public agencies and private organizations that own and manage them, as well as the surrounding communities; and Completion and approval of a detailed environmental study conforming to National Environmental Protection Act specifications to determine the level and locations of public access that can be accommodated at Coast Dairies while minimizing impacts to the environment and neighboring communities. Some of the most important reasons for “halting” the Monument designation and Fred Keeley’s maneuvers are;
| RORY CALHOUN SINGS!!! Not born locally, but a Santa Cruz resident for a few years Rory duets here with Mary Costa. Trivia question…”Rory Calhoun was the only Hollywood star to make three films with Marilyn Monroe can you name them?” |
| WATCH THE PROTESTORS ON MAUNA KEA. This clip from June 25 shows how serious this native Hawaiian protest has become. Since this clip, the Government has broken up and stopped the blockade. |
| Zasu Pitts. Another great movie star who lived and went to school in Santa Cruz. This clip teaches us how to pronounce her name. |
| 911 NEW YORK CITY AND “BOATLIFT”…who knew??? Tom Hanks narrates this 12 minute video of the 9/11 boatlift that evacuated half a million people from the stricken piers and seawalls of Lower Manhattan the day of the attacks in 2001. 2996 people died that day. This video makes it very clear that Manhattan is an island and those folks felt trapped. To watch all the help from the boat owners is amazing. Now, ask yourself: how come this gigantic effort never became public knowledge? |
National Monument status could result in monumental overuse, impacting the fauna and flora of Coast Dairies, and the surrounding communities, because of the worldwide promotion that such status will surely bring, while additional funding for facilities and management is uncertain. Animals may no longer find suitable habitat, and creeks, lagoons, wetlands and special status plants could be seriously harmed.
The existing strong and irrevocable protections are all we need because the Deed Restrictions governing the federal Bureau of Land Management and the California Coastal Development Permit require The petition to delay the monument campaign is now available for signing, here. Spread the word! Ask everyone you know to sign it, too!
JADE HELM HAPPENING? THOSE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TANKS IN TEHACHAPI. Jeannine Bonstelle was kind enough to send us a link and what looks like an explanation for all the brand new tanks I saw being trucked east on the Tehacapis on June 17. My sister and her daughter also saw hundreds of brand new tanks being railroaded toward Las Vegas a few days before that. From all reports there is a huge military “exercise” happening right now July 15- September 15. Conspiracy theorys are going and growing like crazy. There are maps showing the seven western states that are involved. There are supposedly hostile states, friendly states….all sorts of plots like using closed down Wal Marts and their secret tunnels!!!!
The Washington Post says Jade Helm isn’t aimed at starting “martial Law” check here… I could link 20 sites like Wikipedia to give you more data and rumors…just Google “Jade Helm” and see for yourselves.
WAMM FEATURED IN/ON HUFFINGTON POST. Valerie Corral and WAMM
( Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana) have an excellent article in Huffington Post.It’s about their history, their battles, and the amazing amount of courage and patience its taken even to maintain the benefits and status they now have. Most importantly, it says why they are doing a very critical and timely Indie GoGo crowdfunding fund raiser. We should all chip in…as the article states WAMM is the heart of the medical marijuana movement. (p.s. Yes I know, when you see
the Huffington article, the photo says Santa Cruz City Hall, we all know it’s really the county building).
SACRED MAUNA KEA AND THE EIGHT ACRE, 18 STORIES HIGH TELESCOPE.
It’s great that The Santa Cruz Sentinel picked up on this Hawaiian protest(July 6). What their story didn’t tell you is that the proposed 30 meter telescope (TMT)is 18 stories high and will occupy eight (8) acres of land. Dan Ahuna the Vice Chair and trustee from Ni’ihau and Kaua’i makes it very clear in the May 2015 issue of Ka Wa Ola the official newspaper of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs that Hawaiians are not against science. They protest the process the telescope has been pushed through, and he also announced that Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has rescinded their 2009 support of this 30 meter telescope. He goes on to say that it’s the management and decommissioning processes of the 13 telescope site has been terrible and adds that the many nations operating telescopes there pay only $1 per year lease-rent to the University of Hawaii. Then Rowena Akana OHA Trustee says that the University subleases the lands for millions, perhaps billions of dollars. She then asks where does that money go? Is it going to science? She says there is no accountability for that money. Ahuna closes by saying that even the resulting jobs which have not been promised to Hawaiians would only be a few hundred temporary construction jobs and less than 150 permanent jobs.
NEW LEAF MARKETS NOT LOCALLY OWNED. The oft – mentioneds Jesse Nickell and Supervisor Zach Friend have both boasted and claimed that the reason New Leaf Markets are supposed to open in the APTOS VILLAGE PROJECT is because New Leaf is locally owned. It certainly is not locally owned. Even The Sentinel reported on Nov. 12 2013…
SANTA CRUZ — New Leaf Community Markets, a local leader in organic and natural foods, announced Tuesday its acquisition by New Seasons Market, a growing grocery chain based in Portland, Ore. The price was not disclosed. New Seasons, founded in 2000, has 13 stores and is one of the largest private employers in the Portland area with nearly 2,700 workers.
New Leaf, founded in 1985, has eight stores, including five in Santa Cruz County, and 600 employees. New Leaf’s founders will have an ownership share in New Seasons Market and Scott Roseman, founder and co-owner of New Leaf Community Markets, will join the New Seasons Market board of directors. The combined company will be based in Portland, Ore., with New Seasons operating from Portland and New Leaf operating from Santa Cruz as a wholly owned subsidiary with the current management team running New Leaf’s stores”.
LAND USE ISSUES IN ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN.
Just returned from two weeks in a small town in Michigan where I grew up, seeing friends from sixty years ago. That little town has prospered over the years, mostly by making smart decisions, getting rid of a polluting shoe factory and keeping a lid on dumb growth. But recently the citizens were put to the test again. First, by an unapproved sand mining operation on the outskirts of town, and then a 51-unit three story condo development proposed for the middle of a beautiful old residential community. Some of my less enlightened friends supported both of these projects with the reasons we know only too well. ” You can’t stand in the way of progress”, and “property rights must be upheld”, and “we must provide housing for those who want to move here”. We’ve heard all these pro-growth ramblings here in Santa Cruz County. Both of these projects were defeated in Rockford..
The message here is that we must stay on top of what our County leaders are proposing for changes in our General Plan. This issue will come back before the Board of Supervisors sometime before the end of the year in the form of a 200 page document for review. It’s extremely complicated, but is intended to “make the planning process easier'”. Plan on a full court press by developers, vineyard owners and business interests throughout the county to back the changes. Call your County Supervisor and ask to be kept in the loop on this issue”. “. (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).
CONTEMPLATING DRONES
We can learn a lot from elephants. When the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake struck, elephants went to the hills and humans went to the coast to look at the big waves. So it is with drones. Elephants fear the drones’ sound while humans embrace this new recreational technology with enthusiasm. The Santa Cruz Sentinel featured drones in an article on July 10th, with enticing drone photos of Lighthouse Point and Kenyan giraffe reserves by local photographer and drone enthusiast Steve Mandel. The only caution mentioned was that some can do evil and stupid things with drones so you have to keep an eye on them. Is this sufficient? On a recent birding trip to Point Pinos, we saw a drone fly over the offshore rocks scattering the resting sea birds. By the time the sheriff responded the drone operator was gone.
There has been little public debate about drones beyond their use for military purposes. What is the likely impact on our public lands and private spaces? On birds and other animals? What is the impact of commercial drones? What about firefighters who had to ground planes in recent fire-fighting efforts due to recreational drone use?
The advantages of drones are well promoted, whether for rescue purposes, for crop inspections or for combating elephant and rhinoceros poaching in African game reserves. There is little to argue against such advantages. Yet, despite embracing the drone’s ability to deter poachers, some African communities are already questioning the invasion of privacy by drones whose high tech cameras leave nothing to the imagination. In a longer time frame, poachers may arm themselves to destroy drones, thereby escalating the violence.
You can buy a drone with camera at a local electronics store for under one hundred dollars, putting it within reach of almost everybody. Have you had a drone within your range of view, knowing it’s taking pictures, perhaps of you and another in the privacy of your back yard? Have you had your tranquility in a place of natural beauty interrupted by a drone? Such impacts will become commonplace unless we demand a discussion and action on regulating this new technology. Just because we can build it doesn’t mean we should”. ( Gillian Greensite is a long time local activist, member of Save Our Big Trees and the Santa Cruz chapter of IDA, International Dark Sky Association. Plus she’s an avid ocean swimmer, hiker and lover of all things wild).
| WALTER REED. Another temporary Santa Cruzan. He too (along with Rory Calhoun) has a bronze-cement tribute square in the Nickelodeon’s Plaza. There’s no need to coment on this “Macumba Love” clip. It’s all I could find. |
GOODBYE CHARLIE PHILLIPS. Charlie Phillips of “Voices From The Village” and numerous good community battles died and all of us will miss his eternal energy and good spirits. Paul Elerick forwarded Tim Fitzmaurice’s statement about Charlie. “Charlie Phillips passed away. He was an unrelenting peaceful progressive and the host of Voices From The Village on Community TV, a good friend to me and to our community. He was very brave in his final struggle with illness but undaunted and continued to be present in our town, His devoted partner Betsy is in my thoughts and in our hearts”.
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ADAM SCOTT ON KIMMEL’S SHOW. This is a weird interview unless you saw “The Overnight”. The over night was smart, clever, and well worth seeing. |
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks more about his favorite topic Land Use…
I often use three different “P” words when I talk about land use. Land use “policy” is at the top of the list. Using the powers granted to local government, we have the ability to set “policies” in place that will govern future land use. Zoning ordinances, for instance, set policies that govern the details of future developments. “Project” is a second “P” word. “Projects” are proposals by individuals to use the land, and approval or rejection of these proposed ” projects” is supposed to conform to those “policies” established by the community. A community has “plenary” authority to make decisions about land use projects and policies. There is my third “P” word. “Plenary” means “full.” Local communities have full authority to make decisions about land use, and the decisions that the community makes can have a very significant impact on three “E” words I also frequently mention: the “Environment,” our “Economy,” and social “Equity.”
He says there are many cases in which a property owners with a project in mind don’t want to follow the policies that the County has set for a proposed development. Will “policy” or “politics” prevail? That “politics” “P” word has a lot to do with land use decision making. He talks about development of tall buildings in lower Pacific Avenue.Then he discusses Cal Am and the Monterey de-sal proposal. 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
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE AND OUR CITY COUNCIL. Mike Ryan talked about Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s possible move to De La Veaga Park for their next season on last week’s Universal Grapevine. He said it would be close to the former Stroke Center on a long rolling meadow. And he said it would be much closer to where we park!!! The main point is that the move isn’t a done deal yet. Our Santa Cruz City Council has to approve the move. So if you know anyone on the council tell them to support and approve Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s big move. Some wags who have noted the sex-changes and script changes in this year’s season have emailed to ask if in the future we’ll be seeing such plays as “Romeo and George”, “King Laura”, “Julia Caesar”, or “Hamletina” ??
LISA JENSEN LINKS…Lisa writes: “Break out the bubbly, this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com), as I finally sign the contract for my next book! Also, Wallace Baine fools around with history in his entertaining new collection of stories, and I bid a heartfelt farewell to one of my favorite actors, the wonderful Roger Rees.“ (Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975).
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. De Cinzo creates a subtle view of station KSCO. Scroll below.
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER. Tim Eagan clowns around with the G.O.P.see downwards a few pages.
THAT IS THE QUESTION
(IN ORDER OF PERFECTION)
INFINITELY POLAR BEAR. Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana do tremendous jobs of acting in this real-life story of one man’s bi-polar life. If you watch closely, and know he’s in it, Keir Dullea (2001) plays somebody’s father. It’s an “Interesting” film, which means not great, but you’ll watch it all the way through and won’t fall asleep.
AMY. I hardly knew who Amy Winehouse was before seeing this documentary. She was a genuine marvel. Great voice, vulnerable, had a terrible father and this is one excellent film. It’s the very bad side of fame and fortune. She drank and drugged herself to death at the very ripe age of 27. See this film quickly…it’s at the Nick.
SELF/LESS. A DULL BORING MESS OF A MOVIE. Director Tarsem Singh has little talent for making good films. This one stars Ryan Reynolds as the new body Ben Kingsley buys so he can live longer. For some reason, and it can really surprise you, Michelle Dockery the star of Downton Abbey has a dinky role that amounts to zero. If you remember the 1966 film “Seconds” which was shot partly in Santa Barbara and starred Rock Hudson…see it again, Self/Less is a cheap copy.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
FROM BEST TO REALLY BAD
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL.This film is clever, smart, bitter, heart rending, tearful, nicely acted, neatly directed and worth seeing…if you like a good cry now and then. It’s a teenage classic and it’s about a dying girl. Definitely worth seeing.
I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS. Blythe Danner who is now 72 years old carries this film all the way. Sam Elliott is only 71 (and who was born in Sacramento) plays one of Blythe’s boyfriends. It’s a sensitive, tearful, beautiful, emotion filled film. It’s about a woman who was a singer and lost her husband and gets back into the swing of things. Go see it. Yes, Blythe’s daughter Gwyneth Paltrow could take a few lessons from mom. Don’t miss this film.
LOVE AND MERCY. Definitely NOT your typical Hollywood star bio film. This Brain Wilson and The Beach Boys saga is one fine film. Both Paul Dano and John Cusack play Brian’s role and the plot is as interesting and complex as his past, present and future. Go see this film especially if you liked The Wrecking Crew (they’re in it too).
INSIDE OUT. I saw this in L.A. at one of those mega movie houses. We were in theatre #17 and there wre lots more down different hallways. My two grandsons (ages 15 and 11) didn’t seem to like it as muich as their mom and I did. It is a Pixar/Disney animated creation, and has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Lots of San Francisco footage and lots of half assed psychological muck that manages to be inventive, spot on, dumb, clever, inventive, cruel, and dopey, sleepy, plus grumpy with no doctors present. Wait and rent it.
JURASSIC WORLD. Speaking of “Dumbing Down”, Jurassic World became the world’s biggest box office opener. I’d never seen such lines on Friday mornings (when I usually go) at the Regal Cinema 9. It has nowhere near the class, dignity, fun or terror that the original had about 14 years ago. Remember Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum??? Well you won’t remember anybody in Jurassic World 5 minutes after you leave the theatre.
SPY. If you are a Melissa McCarthy fan, you’ll love this one. She gets to act, and not mug nearly as much as usual. It’s a James Bond SPY satire and co-stars Jason Stratham, Jude Law, Allison Janney, 50 Cent, and Bobby Carnavale….all of which add some class to a tired old attempt at being funny.
TERMINATOR GENISYS. As you probably know by now Arnold Schwartznegger is back (as in one of his dumber than dumb catch lines “I’ll be back”). He’s worse in this film than he was in Sacramento. The entire film is a mess. It’s a special effects series of 100’s of 15 second action shots, none of which add up to a plot. It’s another formula time-travel crapshoot. Arnie hasn’t progressed since his Conan days. Don’t even rent this insult of a movie.
| 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 July 14 Gillian Greensite talks about Vacation rentals and some water issues. Then activist, commentator John Malkin discusses his recent Good Times article about SC Policeman Steve Clark. Cartoonist, artist, and philosopher Tim Eagan talks about The Bonny Doon Art Tour on July 21. Ellen Primack executive director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music follows Tim on July 21st. Ann Lopez talks about the Center for Farmworker Families on July 28 then Chris Neklason of Cruzio relates their latest projects. Patrice Vecchione talks about her new book, “Step Into Nature” on August 11th. Environmentalist Grey Hayes returns on September 1st discussing new nature issues that need attention. . 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. “My life, I realize suddenly, is July. Childhood is June, and old age is August, but here it is, July, and my life, this year, is July inside of July”.Rick Bass.
“The Summer looks out from her brazen tower,
Through the flashing bars of July.” Francis Thompson, A Corymbus for Autumn
“Many public-school children seem to know only two dates: 1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don’t know what happened on either occasion.” Mark Twain
“An onion can make people cry but there’s never been a vegetable that can make people laugh.”Will Rogers.
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
