SANTA CRUZ SURF CLUB AT COWELL’S BEACH. This photo was taken on June 8, 1941. That’s before Pearl Harbor, Cowell Beach pollution, the Dream Inn, Jay Moriarity or almost everybody got here. Anyone know who these guys are?

Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

CLEAR AND FREE. This amazing 5 minute and 40 second short You Tube film says just about everything necessary about the ongoing De-Sal debate and why we need to vote YES on Measure P. Mathilde Rand and Russell Brutsche created and produced it…THIS is Santa Cruz at its finest and most creative and aware!!!

CALEDONIA…Van Johnson, Keenan Wynn and Sugar Chile Robinson. Sugar Chile was a force to be reckoned with…whatever happened to him???

AMY WINEHOUSE, AND THE ROLLING STONES

TINA TURNER & CHER & OPRAH!!!

YES ON P, AND NO ON DE-SAL. Rick Longinotti sent this email to folks last week, everybody should pay attention…Dear Neighbor,
There are some important voices among water professionals who have questioned the one-track pursuit of desalination to address our water challenges. One is James Bentley, who was Superintendent of Water Production for the City of Santa Cruz for fourteen years until his retirement in 2008. Bentley says “We should optimize existing resources for regional benefit before we consider desalination”.

In a guest editorial in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Bentley backs a Santa Cruz County plan for regional water sharing, whereby Santa Cruz would share river water during plentiful winter months with the water districts of Scotts Valley and Soquel Creek which are 100% dependent on groundwater pumping. Santa Cruz would receive water back from these districts during drought years. Bentley writes, “This is water capacity in excess of the amounts proposed to be provided by the desalination plan, sharing of which would provide an opportunity for a true conjunctive use arrangement.”

Gerald Weber, PhD, is a retired lecturer at UCSC, and expert on the hydro-geology of Santa Cruz County. He writes, “Studies show it would be cheaper and more environmentally sound to store water underground during the rainy season, so it can be used in drought years.” Weber also wrote a guest editorial in the Sentinel.

These professionals, as well as John McGuire, former Associate Director of the Santa Cruz Water Department, have endorsed Measure P, which would require that the City seek approval of the voters before authorizing a desalination project. (Measure P puts this requirement in the City Charter, so it cannot be revoked except by another vote of the people.) For more information on the County plan for water transfers between Santa Cruz and neighboring districts, click here.

Thanks for your consideration,

Rick Longinotti

UCSC’s 120 PESKY REDWOODS. Jodi Frediani reports in her October Forest Update…

USCS Merrill Timber Harvest Plan 1-12-075SCR under review

This plan, which includes a conversion permit, was filed on August 16, but the RPF, Vaughn, did not get his responses to the First RT questions in until September 26. The plan is still under review. Total acreages is .5 acres. The Timber Harvest Plan proposes removing 120 redwood trees, though I was unable to find this in the THP. The number was proposed in the earlier Draft Initial Study. Most trees will be removed by crane.

Operations are anticipated to take about 6 days to complete. Winter operations are proposed. It appears that they want to remove trees during Winter and/or Spring Break. This means they are proposing winter ops way past any cutoff date or rainfall amount seen on other timber harvest plans. Of course, this isn’t your usual forested landscape. While there are no streams in the plan area, a drainage system does direct surface runoff into ditches, and then into gullies, which technically are Class III streams that flow onto the Pogonip and to Redwood Creek, which is a tributary to the San Lorenzo River.

The plan proposes operating between 8 am and 6 pm Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays, in addition to week days, to “result in less disturbance because there will be fewer people on campus and thus fewer impacts from noise, traffic, and safety. Cal Fire may re-evaluate this exception if significant complaints are received during active operations.”

The plan is expected to ‘yield less than 10 short-log loads of logs, and hauling will involve less than 5 days.” “Should log hauling occur while UC Santa Cruz is in session…truck drivers and logging crew members will be asked to use extreme caution.” Logs may be hauled off campus using container trucks. Hmm. Is that for safety or so students don’t notice logs leaving campus? No notice was posted on campus, because such notice is only required if using a private road for hauling.

ftp://thp.fire.ca.gov/THPLibrary/North_Coast_Region/THPs2012/1-12-075SCR/

EXPOSING ROMNEY. Geoffrey Dunn’s work on the real Mitt Romney has become big deal news. Salon.Com printed it, The Santa Cruz Weekly did too, and so did Huffington Post

Folks are wondering when he’ll write his long-researched book on how developers really work in Santa Cruz.

(I REPEAT)…WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL. As a benefit for the Ventana Wilderness Alliance you should definitely see the eleven films (three hours total) at The Del Mar on Thursday October 25 from 7-10p.m. Protecting the environment, organizing, getting involved, saving the earth, cartoons, victory parties like saving Mono Lake…very inspirational. I’ve seen them all and rate them 5 stars. “Renowned conservationist” Gary Patton hosts the program…and every de-sal opponent should be there. Tickets at Patagonia Outlet or online at www.Ventanawild.org. or call 831-423 3191.

ELERICK’S INPUT. Paul lays it all out…

What may be really behind the big dollars being spent to elect McPherson?

With Mark Stone leaving the Coastal Commission after his term expires next May that opens up a need to replace him. Could that be the real reason McPherson wants to become an elected official again, one requirement for an appointment? Mark current serves as vice-chair of the Coastal Commission and is one of the four commissioners appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. It’s not possible to analyze the political intrigue involved with these appointments, but there are enough pro-development people involved to make a push for a McPherson-type commissioner. McPherson has raised over $170,000 to get him elected as of early October.

A drive through Santa Cruz looking at former progressive candidates signs displayed with a McPherson sign is very revealing. There are still a number of these people that blame Mark Stone for doing his job with the Coastal Commission’s rejection of the high-rise La Bahia project. All this makes it even more important to elect Eric Hammer as 5^th District Supervisor on November 6^th. A recent email from the Progressive Network says it all:

“If Santa Cruz County voters in the 5^th District put a man with a 6% legislative scorecard on environmental issues – not to mention 50% on women’s right to choose, 20% on equality issues and 12% on issues affecting working families – it will be a huge step backwards for progressive leadership in Santa Cruz County”. (Paul Elerick is co-chair, along with Peter Scott, of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org , and is a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates).

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about a Monterey Area De-Sal meeting, he gives details on the San Lorenzo Valley water issues and talks about Randall Brown and Margaret Bruce as candidates for that water board. Then he waxes profound and says, “Many different groups in our Central Coast Region are dedicated to the protection and defense of the Natural World that ultimately sustains all life – including our own. Our human powers are great, and we depend upon them greatly, and so it is easy to forget that no matter how great our powers, we are ultimately creatures here on an Earth that we did not create ourselves. Ultimately, we must learn to live within the limits of the Natural World. Many land use policy debates (debates about water policy come to mind) are really discussions about how we propose to confront (or perhaps attempt to defy) the limits of the natural resources that are essential for all life. The “desal” debate going on around the Monterey Bay is a great example. Do we live within the limits of the fresh water resources that Nature has provided, or do we seek to “manufacture” fresh water to support growth and development?” (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. Live fast and diet young deCinzo says, be careful !!! See downwards about three pages.

ANCHOR IN ANTARCTICA. Readers, I have no idea where Micaela Neus is at!!! The last word I received was from Chile where she was having huge computer problems. I’ll keep you posted… IF she does show up somewhere.

(Micaela Neus used to work for Raytheon Polar Services Company as a utilities technician and was living at Palmer Station, Antarctica until earlier this October 2012.

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Beeping his way to our future…scroll below…

SIMPLY STUNNING. This is from my cousin Dean Hagen who lives in Florida. He’s right about this clip, but other than that, he’s a Republican.

LANDAU’S PROGRES. We couldn’t link to Progreso Weekly this week. So Saul emailed his article directly to BrattonOnline

“Jesus’ wife?”
Details Published on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 19:32 By Saul Landau
“Despite all the evil that organized religion has done around the world, religions have also been a primary source of energy for better ways of doing things and thinking about them.” – Sam Smith, Undernews October 9, 2012

“Grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate.” The Dalai Lama, Huffington Post, October 9

Much of American religion revolves around the nature of Jesus Christ, God’s allegedly perfect son who perished for the sins of the rest of us and in whose name priests offer forgiveness to confessing offenders. From time to time, facts creep into the religious realm that challenges the established doctrine.

On September 18, at a conference in Rome, Harvard historian of early Christianity, Karen L. King, offered the audience a papyrus scrap she found, on which in Coptic script, there is reference to Jesus referring to his wife. Jesus said to them (his disciples), “My wife she will be able to be my disciple.”

In the Vatican, the keepers of the creed, reacted when they read of Karen King’s find. A lot of nuns and their supervisors, however, did some heavy thinking. After all, their Church claimed they were married to Jesus. That would make God’s son a polygamist. Catholics take the pure virgin (Mary and her son) as basic dogma. Indeed, some nuns claim they are “married to Jesus” and wear wedding rings to symbolize that unity.

Skepticism about Jesus having been married is warranted. But the Vatican quickly denounced the document as a fake, before even looking at it. Scholars debated the authenticity of the papyrus document, and discussed tests to prove or disprove its veracity. (See The Harvard Theological Review)

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told Fox News that this discovery should not change the teachings from the altar. “This changes nothing in the portrayal of Christ and the gospels. This is not an event that has any influence on Catholic doctrine,” he said. The Reverend Martk D. Roberts had previously noted that “virtually every Jewish man in Jesus’ day did marry, especially those who were considered to be Rabbis.” But no evidence Jesus ever did, said the reverend.

Instead of saying, “this note might bring into question the very foundations of Christian doctrine,” academics who study religion related their inquires to: “Who really wrote the note, when did he write it, and for what purpose?” Several fundamentalists, who still watch the Flintstones because it’s a documentary about early life on earth, dismissed the discovery of the note as yet another liberal plot.

Fox News commentators and conservative Christian clergy flew into fits of anger and denounced and dismissed the document as a phony. A married Jesus? The very notion disturbs the fundamentalists to the core – of their doctrine.

Why? Jesus married a human? “Jesus belongs to us.” How can he have shared his affections – including in bed – with a regular woman? Since much Christian doctrine defines Jesus as God’s son, who was designed to die for our sins, the emergence of a possibly married man hitched to some local Semite babe back in Century One causes ideological waves.

Ironically, the discoverer of the historical scrap stated that it “does not… provide evidence that the historical Jesus was married.” In a draft of her analysis of the article on destined for the January edition of Harvard Theological Review, she wrote that “This fragment, this new piece of papyrus evidence, does not prove Jesus was married, nor does it prove that he was not married,” King said in a conference call with reporters earlier in the month. “The earliest reliable historical tradition is completely silent on that.” (By Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, Septembr 28, 2012, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editors)

“So” concluded Karen King, “we’re in the same position we were before it was found,” she continued. “We don’t know if he was married or not.” The issue for the Church, which describes itself as Christ’s bride, is to show the papyrus was a fake. Even early Jesus worshippers represented their linkage as between Him and themselves – not Him with some flawed female.

In light of the importance of Jesus’ virginity has to many Christians, a document that would be otherwise exclusively for the world of scholars has taken on ideological if not theological significance. Facts and religion often don’t mix well. Start with the official beginning: The Big Guy in the sky made the world in six days and it came out perfect.

Look around, I challenge, and examine what you see: Perfect famines, wars, diseases, child suffering? Later, He gave Moses commandments for all to live by. If you disobey (sin) you go to Hell and suffer interminable and eternal pain. But not to worry, God loves you.

In the next presidential debate, will the candidates opine on the “wife of Jesus” issue? Imagine…

Romney: “President Obama has been weak on Jesus’ virginity and has not denounced the fakery of the wife and the papyrus scrap of Karen King.

Obama: “We are studying this issue carefully, and all options are on the table.”

Maintain your skepticism; I appeal, toward the document, religion in general, and the political system above all.

Saul Landau’s WILL THE REAL TERRORIST PLEASE STAND UP and his FIDEL are available at cinemalibrestore.com. Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

LISA JENSEN LINKS. “This week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com), get psyched to see the silent German Expressionist masterpiece, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, on a big screen with live music, courtesy of New Music Works. Also, find out what I think about my favorite pirate, Captain Hook, getting thrown into the mosh pit of the fairy tale mash-up TV series, Once Upon A Time ” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

FRANKENWEENIE in 3D. Director Tim Burton has made some of the most inventive, creative, fresh, good fun films of the last 20 + years. Edward Scissorhands, the good Batman films (“Forever” & “Return”), and of course Ed Wood. Frankenweenie has references to all those films, the main insane Doctor looks like Vincent Price and it’s all done in glorious black & white. It’s not a very important film , but it’s fun, especially in 3D go for it.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4. I just checked Rotten Tomatoes, and I’m just about the only human who likes the Paranormal Activity series. I continue to be impressed with the acting, editing, and just the inventing of an entire new scary film format. I can’t take my eyes off the screen, I am constantly searching every inch of the frame to spot any paranormals…but I will say that ending hint at the next “P.A. 5” looks awfully Hollywoodish…we’ll see. (well, I will anyways).

LADY GAGA & OPRAH INTERVIEW

NEW YEARS IN MAUI. Daughter Jennifer (Davenport Pacific school, Westlake Elementary, Santa Cruz High etc. has a place in Maui she wants to let everyone know about. She wants to rent it New Years Week (week 52) December 29^th – Jan 5^th. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. Swim with the turtles. Two bed room 2 bathroom lock off which is two units that can connect if desired. One bedroom unit on the corner with a full balcony that stretches from the master bed room to the living room.

Full kitchen with a real stove (most of the units have a cook top and micro wave) dining table for 6 with fully stocked kitchen. large bath with two sinks, Jacuzzi tub and large shower. washer/dryer, Nice living room that has a queen sleeper and you can call in full mattress roll-aways.

Then there is the studio side with a kitchenette washer/dryer, balcony, large shower. Last time I rented it for $7,000.00 you can see most of it on line at http://www.westinkaanapali.com/It is booked for 5th or 6th floor. This time of year is whale season and it’s amazing, you can watch them from the room, from the pool the beach. We have heard the whale calls snorkeling. Costco right by the airport on the way in. email me at bratton@cruzio.com and I’ll put you in touch.

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. Tuesday, October 23^rd means the Bi-annual KZSC Pledge Drive with County Supervisor John Leopold returning as special guest co-host. Professional political advisor Bruce Van Allen talks about the area’s politics and makes guesses on October 30. Celia and Peter Scott talk about the last 5 decades of local City and County politics on Election Night (November 6^th) followed by retiring City Council member Katherine Beiers who wraps up her political career. Linda Bixby and Jimmy Cook will discuss child placement and the local CASA organization on November 13.Bookshop Santa Cruz Young Writers Contest winners read their works for the full hour November 27. 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 here 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!!!

QUOTES. “I don’t believe in rocking the boat. I believe in sinking it“, Putney Swope. “Many persons pass for normal and indeed for highly valuable members of society, who are incurably mad”, Hermann Hesse. “Live ignorance rots us worse than any grave”, Philip Whalen

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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.

Blog Archives

October 25 – 31, 2012

BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.

Deep Cover by tim eagan.