|
DATELINE October 20. 2014
“NO” ON TERRAZAS CONTINUED. Last week I printed a few of Santa Cruz City council member and candidate David Terrazas votes while on our city council. Here are some more of his votes and more reasons we should let him return to his wife and children and his well paying job over the hill. What I said last week was… “I like Terazzas, everybody likes Terrazas…he’s a nice guy. Family Man, works over the hill and why in hell was he on the City Council? What did he ever take a strong stand on, what did he ever introduce, when was he ever strong enough to be on the minority side? When did he ever disagree with Cynthia Mathews or Hilary Bryant?”
On Sept.10, 2013 Terrazas and the unanimous City Council failed to inform the public about their approval of the Justice Assistance grant to purchase license plate readers. Many of us including the ACLU believe license plate readers are a threat to our civil rights.
Terrazas again voted against the ACLU’s not wanting to place a curfew on Cowell Beach. Terrazas voted to destroy the heritage tree ordinance by adding an economic hardship clause.
More than all of above in June/July 2014 Terrazas voted to give 2 million dollar subsidies for large new hotels. Still more…September 23 Terrazas voted to allow the relocation of the crematorium on Ocean Street extension to make way for a development without an EIR.,and inspite of the mercury emmissions and the frightened neighbors concerns. After Terrazas filed his papers to run again in this campaign he voted to increase the campaign spending limit from $28,000 to $38,000. Of course as we now know, Terrazas has the most money in the canpaign. There’s more, but hopefully by now you can see that Terrazas voting history is amazingly obvious. Take this (and your wits) to the polls or mailbox…and vote only for Van Allen and Sherman.
HISTORIC CAMPAIGN SIGN THEFT. Following the Sentinel’s “Pulitzer Prize” history of the destruction of the Cooper House we must never forget the tradition of stealing your enemny’s campaign signs. Here’s an edited and updated version of what I’ve printed here since 1998.
POLITICAL SIGNAGE. The big and expensive campaign signs on Louis Rittenhouse’s lot at Almar and Mission Street says more than a lot. Yes, that’s the same lot that former mayor Mike Rotkin and the late also mayor and co-founder of the Resource Center for Non-Violence, Scott Kennedy, were caught ripping down the campaign signs back in 1998. I’ve printed the late Jerry Kaufmann’s and my version of that story many times over the years. Now, just to give us another accurate picture of both Rotkin and Kennedy, here is an article from the October 28, Metro Santa Cruz written by then reporter, John Yewell….
|
Union Square Jazz and starting off your day, courtesy of Ralph Davila. The band is “Too Many Zooz”
|
| LILA DOWNS, IGUANAS AND GREAT HARP MUSIC. Another gem from Ralph Davila and if this is your first exposure to Lila Downs….enjoy!!!! |
| LOLA BELTRAN SINGS “CUCURRUCUCU” with the Pulido Mariachis. |
Where’s Your Sign?(Oct. 28 1998)
Jerry Kaufman is not a man who minces words.” What are you rotten stinking bastards doing?” he screamed as he hurtled himself across Almar Street hobbling on his cane. “You’re the lowest bums I ever laid eyes on.” From inside The Parish Publick House Tavern last Saturday evening with his partner, Elaine Herman, Kaufman says he had spotted council members Michael Rotkin and Scott Kennedy tearing down campaign signs belonging to Timothy Fitzmaurice, Keith Sugar and Christopher Krohn – the Santa Cruz Action Network (SCAN) slate of City Council candidates. Kaufman, who supports the SCAN slate, swung a verbal left hook at Rotkin. “You give socialism a bad name,” he said to the leftist UCSC lecturer. He followed with a jab at Kennedy, who is a co-founder of the Resource Center for Nonviolence. “You’re about as nonviolent as Mussolini,” Kaufman barked, “you disgusting fat galoots.”
Kaufman says he saw Kennedy throw a Fitzmaurice sign into the street, and produces a tire-marked sign to back up his story. Kennedy denies this. In fact, Rotkin says, they delivered the three removed signs to nearby Democratic Party headquarters on Swift Street. But longtime Democratic Party activist and ex-high school teacher Ed Porter, who was in the office when Kennedy and Rotkin arrived, says he saw no signs delivered. Welcome to this year’s election week sign wars”.
Now in 2014 at that Almar/Mission corner, you’ll see which ones are Rittenhouse Mathews-Coonerty-Bryant developer approved signs for this years campaign. Stay tuned on this one.
WILDER RANCH . All to often The Santa Cruz Sentinel fails to give credit to where credit is due. For example in reporting on the 40 th anniversary of Wildre ranch becoming a State Park they said, “In 1972, 10,000 houses were slated for development on the property, which would have doubled the size of Santa Cruz. After people rallied against the proposal, the state acquired the ranch in 1974′. They failed to mention a few items such as 19 attorneys volunteering to save Wilder Ranch. Marine World, Hollywood Turf Club, and the mysterious maybe mafia corporation (Moroto Investment Corporation) in the Bermudas being the developers. They didn’t mention our local attorney firm Bob Bosso representing that group and suing ME personally and 10 “John Does” for $121,00,000 that’s one hundred and twenty One Million Dollars for what they said was libel. (We won!!!). That was the largest environmental law suit ever filed in the USA at that time. There’s pages more to tell how a group of 10 active citizens pooled their hard earned money and hired Shirley Zimmerman an organizer from the Saul Alinsky school in Chicago to provide us with solidarity. As we all now celebrate that 40 the anniversary think about our current poltical scene. The Wilder Ranch is in Ryan Coonerty’s North Coast District…would he or our other County Supervisors turn down a development of 10,000 homes that would bring in 30,000 new people???
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Ground Water Legislation in Monterey County is Gary’s opening broadcast. He talks about Assemblyman Mark Stone reporting on issues to our County Board of Supes on Tuesday. He talks about sustainable communities and affordable housing and why it’s worth fighting for, and a webcast that’s worth watching. He closes by teling us to visit the building of the 32 mile rail corridor and the La Selva Beach trestle, that’s; being built in Arizona!!! 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
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. An oldie-but-goodie which seems timely right about now… you know the drill – scroll down a ways.
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER. Tim creates one of the biggest Halloween scares ever… see below a page or three.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Who’s suddenly making a comeback in pop culture? That would be Hook, Captain Hook, to you! Read all about it this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
THAT IS THE QUESTION
(IN ORDER OF PERFECTION)
FURY. Do not confuse or compare this Brad Pitt war movie with Inglorious Bastards. I. Bastards was a near classic and original piece of art… Fury is just another fairly good war movie. It’s tense at times, nicely acted, but has nothing you haven’t seen before. It does however make you think that maybe humans killing humans must be political and I’ve concluded, more than likely….genetic!!!
AWAKE. Paramahansa Yogananda was one of India’s first yogis to come to America he was born in 1893 and died in Los Angeles. This film is really a near hard sell for the Self Realization Fellowship that P.Y. started. It’s full of Phillip Glass music (a clue right there). If, and only if, you’re into yoga, meditation, bliss, go see this “documentary”- forward slash- promotion.
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. It’s about how the internet has mucked up three families. It tries to make some statement about social issues, Facebook, Instagram, and texting in general. It’s boring, repetitive, very confusing and not worth your paying to see it.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
FROM BEST TO REALLY BAD
GONE GIRL.David Fincher has directed some intelligent films and has a style which is more than most movies have nowadays. Gone Girl starring Rosamund Pike (who is genuinely great) and Ben Affleck who is generally pretty good is a fine film. One friend who requires definite, obvious,conclusive endings hated Gone Girl,,,for that reason. Neil Patrick Harris is in it too, but not much. It’s tricky, you have to think, you’ll be puzzled, it’s more complex than a Hitchcock mystery and well worth seeing. What’s hard to believe is that Gone Girl is #1 at the boxoffice with an 87% at Rotten Tomatoes.
KILL THE MESSENGER. Jeremy Renner is the main reason to see this almost true story about a San Jose Mercury reporter who uncovered thestory of The CIA smuggling cocaine and supporting Nicaraguan rebels. Renner liked the true story so much that he’s part of the producing group. But the film gets dull and full of old timey movie cliches. It could have been much better, and will make you very mad at our government, if you’re not already.
TRACKS. Mia Wasikowska plays a real life girl who treks 2000 miles across the Australian outback. The odd part is that most of the trek is along a road that has (we are told) “only 6-8 cars per day”. She has an affair with a Frans Lanting type National Geographic photographer (Adam Driver). She has lots of trouble with Driver, tourists, Aborigines, the media, and camels. Somehow we don’t get too involved with all this, and just watch with deserved interest.
JUDGE. Robert Downey jr. gets another chance to act and he proves that he’s really, really good. AND he’s not wearing any Marvel Comic costume. Robert Duvall can only play Robert Duvall but he’s good at it. My favorite part of this film was to watch Vera Farmiga one of my favorite and most versatile actors. Billy Bob Thornton is another favorite but he doesn’t get to do much in this cliched movie. Go if you’ve seen the other good films.
PRIDE. What a cast….Bill Nighy, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton together in this almost true story of how the Lesbians and Gays joined together to support the striking miners in Wales. You’ll laugh, cry and be inspired by this feel good film.It happened 30 years ago and is well worth watching, but hurry.
THE SKELETON TWINS. Even though Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are SNL veterans and even though the trailer has laughs…this is NOT a funny feel-good film. It’s a wonderful, touching, perfectly acted and directed film. It’s sad, loving, sensitive, suicide attempts, and oddly enough like “The Notebook” it’s about twins struggling to survive on their own. See it asap.
MY OLD LADY.Usually I’d bet big money that any movie starring Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas would be the most enjoyable, touching, funny and thoughtful film ever filmed. It isn’t!!! Kline plays a sad loser, Maggie plays a dull old maid with a sad past, and Scott Thomas is her sad daughter who’s never left their Paris apartments. Don’t rush to see it. Rent it, then you can turn it off a few times and take breaks as you watch it. Kristin Scott Thomas by the way, is giving up films. She’s 54 now and is tired of playing middle age women. She doesn’t want to do any more TV series either. Read her statements here
THE MAZE RUNNER. More #1. definition “Dystopian” (opposite of Utopia) stuff. No big star names and not much excitement here either. This is a teenager film from a book. All bad future, kid survival, sci-fi puzzle with a dumb ending that makes strong hints that there’s more to come.
DRACULA UNTOLD. Do we, or you, really want to know the back-story of Vlad the Impaler?? I walked out about 10 minutes BEFORE the ending. It’s all special effects even the impaling of 1500 victims. Good old Bram Stoker is probably spinning in his grave. We should dig him up and check!!!
| 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. On October 21st Ted Benhari and Tom Hearn from the Rural Bonny Doon Association talk about North Coast area issues, followed by Ted Burke co-owner of the Shadowbrook and Crows Nest restaurants. Oct. 28 has Tim Kelly and Judy Johnson from the Community Of Artists discuss their Felix Kulpa Gallery Show then California State Assemblyman Mark Stone brings us up to date on Sacramento politics. On Nov.4th Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold returns to assist with our bi-annual KZSC Pledge Drive. November 11 noted historian and author Carolyn Swift co-hosts our second week of Pledge Drive time. Bookshop Santa Cruz’s Young Writers Contest winners return on Nov. 18 for the full hour. On November 25 Ashlyn Adams owner of Westside Video tells film and video rental secrets then Social Media strategist Lydia Snider gives hints on Nov. 25. 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. “For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It’s always our self we find in the sea“, e.e. Cummings. “The cure for anything is salt water – tears, sweat, or the sea,” Isak Dinesen. “Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container”, Wallace Stevens.
Subscriptions: Click and enter the box in the upper right hand corner of each Column. You’ll get a weekly email notice the instant the column goes online. (Anywhere from Monday afternoon through Thursday or sometimes as late as Friday!) Always free and confidential. Even I don’t know who subscribes!!
Snail Mail: Bratton Online
82 Blackburn Street, Suite 216
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Direct email: Bratton@Cruzio.com
Direct phone: 831 423-2468
All Technical & Web details: Gunilla Leavitt @ gunilla@thegoldenfleece.com
BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
