PACIFIC AND CHURCH STREETS. January 1952, 11:10 am. Good old Leask’s Department store, which they sold just before the 1989 earthquake. It’s now Urban Outfitters and Regal’s Cinema 9. And of course, it was before Pacific Avenue was beautified into The Abbott Garden Mall. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection.

DATELINE MARCH 24, 2014

CITY COUNCIL CAROUSEL CONTINUED. So Steve Pleich emailed wondering why his name wasn’t on the “Council Carousel” of candidates last week. It’s because no one talks much about Pleich, but he said he’s running. Bruce Van Allen confirmed that he indeed is “still mulling it over”. Van Allen and Leonie Sherman were at the California Sierra Club fundraiser at Katherine Beiers last Sunday. Assemblyman Mark Stone spoke and gave a ringing statement about how Jim Hart has the right kind of approach in his campaign for Sheriff. Mary Jo Walker who is our County Auditor-Controller and I had a fine talk. She told me she’s “running” for Fred Keeley’s old job of County Treasurer. Nobody’s running against her, so it’s not really a campaign per se. She said 11 other counties in California had voted to combine the treasurer and auditor’s offices. So that’s a good thing and so far no one knows or would guess just what Fred Keeley will do.

ON OUR BACKS BUT THEIR DIME. An involved reader says…”Always good to see who is taking our legislators out to dinner. Western States Petroleum Association took Assemblymember Luis Alejo out for a $323.25 dinner”. On the other hand amazingly good as well as so-so reports keep coming in about Alejo.

OIL WELLS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. Most folks seem pretty complacent about ever having to fight against oil drilling and fracking in our county.The ususal starement is let Aromas handle it, our section of Monterey Shale has no oil. I linked last week to Sandy Lydon’s website where he details the history of oil wells in this County. Lots of them. On Universal Grapevine last week he warned that just because the technology “back in the day” wasn’t as perfected as it is today, doesn’t mean that oil companies can’t or won’t go back to those deserted oil deposits and try again. Here’s urging you to check out his brief history of Oil in Santa Cruz County…and think again. http://www.sandylydon.com/sec_23.html Be sure to note the photo of the oil drilling derrick in De Laveaga Park c. 1926.

RT CHANNEL. It must have been me, but I just found out that channel 103 on our Comcast network is Russian Television !!! Wikipedia says, “RT, previously known as Russia Today, is an international multilingual Russian-based television network. It is registered as an autonomous nonprofit organization funded by the federal budget of Russia through the Federal Agency on Press and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation. Then Wiki says, “RT presents round-the-clock news bulletins, documentaries, talk shows, and debates, as well as sports news and cultural programs on Russia aimed at the overseas news market. The network’s signal is carried by 22 satellites and over 230 operators, which allows some 644 million people to watch the channel in more than 100 countries. RT America is available to 85 million people in the United States. In 2011 it was the second most-watched foreign news channel in the U.S. after BBC World News, and the number one foreign station in five major U.S. urban areas in 2012. It is also very popular among younger American people, U.S. college students, and in U.S. inner city neighborhoods. In 2013 RT has become the first TV news channel in history to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. According to the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board between 2.25–2.5 million Britons tuned their televisions to RT during the second half of 2012, making it the third-most watched rolling news channel in Britain, behind BBC News and Sky News. The channel is often criticized for its lack of impartiality and use of propaganda”. I wouldn’t recommend anyone switching to Comcast ever, but if you already have it, listen and watch RT Channel…it’s a different world.

SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE IN THE GLEN!!! Lots of us were not sure about whether or not this resurrected season will actually be back in the Stanley-Sinsheimer Glen. Mike Ryan’s video clip now showing at the Nick Theatres said it would be. On Monday (3/24) I asked Bill Richter chair of the board of Santa Cruz Shakespeare, he said, “Thanks for seeking clarification. Important issue. UCSC and Shakespeare Play On have signed a term sheet that sets forth all of the key terms for the use of the Glen for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The term sheet is now being turned into a “lease” (which when signed is the binding legal contract). We expect to receive a draft of the lease for review in the next 24-48 hours. All is on track and I am not worried. We will be in the Glen.

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary opens this week’s broadcasts explaining LAFCO and why we need it. He talks about CONSENT AGENDAS mostly in Monterey County. If you have forgotten about the Santa Cruz County Commission on The Environment it meets on Wednesday (3/26) and will deal with the RTP and our future. Re-using Fort Ord or FORA (Fort Ord Reuse Authority) faces problems in saving their environment and open space. It’s all here, check it out. Read all of above scripts at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse. Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, and an attorney who represents individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365? – www.gapatton.net

CLASSICAL DE CINZO. From the mouths of babes…via DeCinzo. See downwards.

EAGANS DEEP COVER. It’s about Putin on the Ritz…check it out a few pages below…

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa just got a fabulous review in Publisher’s Weekly (3/24) and was still able to send this…she writes: “My novel, Alias Hook, gets a great review in Publisher’s Weekly! Tune in for this and other fun stuff this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com).” Publisher’s Weekly said, “Jensen’s second novel, a twist on the Peter Pan story which reconceives of Captain Hook as a tragic hero, shows how she’s matured as a writer since her excellent debut, A Witch from the Sea. Jensen’s wonderful imagination and devotion to history and myth allow the reader to fly with her through this outstanding adventure—no fairy dust required. (July)” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

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…. Aletta deWal guests on March 25 to discuss art and marketing, followed by Gunilla Leavitt talking about Yarn and her Golden Fleece Yarn Shop. 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, 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.” An intellectual is someone who has found something more interesting than sex”, Edgar Wallace. “I don’t hold with bi-lingualism. English was good enough for Jesus Christ”, Ralph Melnyk. “Violence is the repartee of the illiterate“, Alan Brien.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BUILDING BEING BUILT. Proof that real people built this mess not demons. The photo was taken June 30, 1965. Then look across the mighty San Lorenzo River, which appears totally dry and see Pacific Avenue, the old jail, The Cooperhouse, the Civic…what stupendous changes this entire area has gone through. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection.

DATELINE MARCH 17, 2014

LA BAHIA UPDATE. Don Webber active member of the Beach Hill Neighbors and Friends of La Bahia spends more time studying the La Bahia proposals than anyone I know. I asked him what’s new with Craig French’s and Boardwalk Charlie Canfield’s latest plans for La Bahia. He has three areas of concern and that need modification. They are (in brief) 1. The extent of demolition. 2. The interface with residences. and 3. Parking and traffic. If you care about the demolition of one of our most obvious historical landmarks, and if you care about how the Bahia will look from the First street face and if you care about the eternal parking problem in the entire Beach Area. read all of Don Webber’s analysis RIGHT HERE

CITY COUNCIL CAROUSEL. With Tim Goncharoff cancelling his campaign kickoff, most folks think he and his campaign are toast. Too bad too, I think he’s a good candidate…naive, foolish, stubborn, but still a good candidate. Hillary Bryant told me last Thursday about her running , “I don’t know, it’s so hard on the kids”. Rochelle Naroyan is running, no body knows about David Terrazas, and only a few even care. Cynthia Chase is going to wait a campaign or two, Steve Schnaar changed his mind too and he’s not going for it. Bruce Van Allen is mulling it over and so is Leonie Sherman.

E.C RITTENHOUSE’S MAUSOLEUM. Jacob Pierce of the Santa Cruz Weekly wrote an article on the Rittenhouse Mausoleum at the corner of Church and Pacific. He didn’t understand an important part of our concept of having a plaza there. I wrote a letter to the Weekly, they didn’t print it last week…so here it is, just in case.

My letter to the weekly…re plaza

Re: “What Happened To The E.C. Rittenhouse Building” (Cover, Mar. 4):

Jacob’s article on the Rittenhouse Building was great. Though one little item needs clarification, it wasn’t “environmentalists” or even what you might call “activists” who were pushing for years to create a plaza on the notorious Pacific-Church Corner. The pro-plaza group was made up of many Performing Artists and their organizations. Audrey Stanley of Shakespeare Santa Cruz and Tandy Beal and the Cabrillo Music Festival and The Santa Cruz Symphony and I all appeared before the City Council asking the Council and then Mayor Tim Fitzmaurice to build the plaza. It would have been a well designed combination of small businesses on the perimeter including a large second floor restaurant overlooking the large grassy performing space. There would have been benches, and a park like ambiance plus those performance and business spaces. But the merchants shot it down and convinced the City Council, some of whom who had researched plazas and even established an official Plaza Advisory Panel that “it would attract the wrong element”.

Frank Lima “The Great Morgani” asks “When is Doctors on Duty, next to Hotel Paradox, going to change their marquee to read “PAIR O DOCS” ? A burning and deep question.

WHAT WHARF PLAN??? In case you aren’t a lifetime subscriber to the Sentinel (I am) Gillian Greensite wrote an amazing story in last Sundays (3/16) Sentinel titled

Wharf plan lacks community input

That which draws the most ire in Santa Cruz is large-scale development projects on the fast track to the City Council about which the community is largely unaware. The latest example is the Wharf Master Plan, a million ­dollar blueprint that transforms the Municipal Wharf into an almost unrecognizable tourist draw. I caught the consultant’s presentation by chance at the most recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The funds to develop the Wharf Master Plan by San Francisco consultant firm ROMA, is a combination of $850,000 secured by the city from the U.S. Commerce Department under a grant covering tsunami impacted areas (the wharf was not tsunami affected) plus $170,000 from city monies. One conclusion confirmed that the 100-year-old wharf is, “in good serviceable condition” with, “very few structural problems.”

Some of the plan’s aspects might appeal, such as a new 28-foot-wide walking, jogging, bike riding, fishing, wheel-chair accessible path on the eastern side, projected seaward from the current walkway. Other aspects suggest an appearance of willful disregard for local maritime conditions; for public appreciation of the wharf as a non-Disney icon and for the value of the historic family wharf restaurants. Gilda’s name was mispronounced by the ROMA consultant and singled out as an example of “ugly,” and, “not the kind of thing that creates an experience,” and, “we can do better.” The end of the wharf would be transformed with large buildings, relocated sea lion viewing haulouts and capacity for 100-ton vessels. Read all of Gillian’s story here…

What is with the City Council secrecy on this? What’s with the spending of all this money and not letting the people know?? That is our BUSINESS DEMOCRATS vs. LABOR DEMOCRATS in a nutshell.

BURNING CORPSES NEXT DOOR??? As some concerned neighbor of the Santa Cruz Memorial Incinerator said, “how’d you like to have a daily fire next to your house when they burn flesh, wood, bone, metal, and mercury??” Remember when we used to have plain old bonfires?

And why does SC Memorial not want to add more scrubbing to their incinerator chimney?

GROCERY OUTLET…AGAIN, STILL. A concerned reader hoped I hadn’t “crossed over” in supporting Grocery Outlet’s moving into the Morrissey Post Office space. Yep, I did and I told her I liked the old Lucky Store, I told her none of us gets to choose which franchise goes in there, maybe a Quicky Lube, a MacDonalds, some Coffins R Us, it’s about the money and zoning.

I figure it’s only the Morrissey Safeway that will suffer, and with the recent sale of the Safeway chain, who can guess what Albertson’s will do with that property (I’ll bet they close it). We don’t want to get into the complaints from Staff of Life neighbors, which I did last week.

BUSINESS DEMOCRATS or LABOR DEMOCRATS. That’s one nationalidentification that’s been poping up lately. Then there’s labels like POLICE Democrats or PEOPLE Democrats that work equally well. Applied locally that would mean people like Cynthia Mathews, the Coonertys, Zach Friend, The Democratic Women’s Club, Mike Rotkin, Hilary Bryant, those folks are BUSINESS or POLICE Democrats. Then there’s the People’s Democratic Club and…Send in your suggestions.

GOODBYE BUZ BEZORE. You can tell by the amount of coverage on Buz Bezore that he was an important figure in our local print media history. All of us who were involved with Buz could easily write stories about our relationships just about nearly forever. What is almost funny is that in the last few days many of us have been franticaly trying to put together dates, facts and memories…and it’s all a mess of tears, laughs, politics, egos, and not much accuracy. I quit Good Times at least twice to join Buz in starting weekly papers, and those sure were the great old days. Tony Russomano sent this aerticle by Mike Connor in the May 5, 2004 issue of Metro Santa Cruz. Mike interviewed and collected what I’ve found to be the most accurate account of those days and what we were up to.

Check out Lisa Jensens blog for March 12, where she tells about Buz and the two of them at UCSC, his free-lancing at Good Times and their long friendship. Somewhere in all of this there’s high praise for The Santa Cruz Express. Sometime, someone should write a book just about how Buz and our small happy band of sisters and brothers created that paper, how great a paper it was and sadly, how it fell apart. There’ll never be another Buz.

SANDY LYDON’S NEWSLETTER. Go hereto get a sampling of what Sandy and friends are up to. Go visit places like Siberia, Croatian Watsonville, Mongolia, and Big Sur. Equally important is Sandy’s historical look at our local droughts. We should memorize that part.

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary reports a meeting re the Pajaro River and flood control, nad tells how serious that situation is. He warns of possible law changes that could allow easier development on rural parts of our county. Monterey County will be dealing with so-called affordable housing and a new development. The Carmel Valley Association will be handling their version of their own water problem next Sunday. He ends the week detailing the Mobile Home Owners League meeting next Saturday at the Live Oak Grange. There are details and questions about property rights vs. the trailer owners rights. Read all of above scripts at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse. Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, and an attorney who represents individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365? – www.gapatton.net

CLASSICAL DE CINZO. UCSC students rate the rents…see downwards

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim takes another stand…scroll below.

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Join me in bidding a fond farewell to Buz Bezore, legendary editor and agent provocateur of the Santa Cruz alternative journalism scene, this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com).” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

THE TEMPEST. Christopher Plummer leads the cast in this Stratford Festival “live” telecast from 2011. It’s Thursday night 3/20 at the Del Mar and it starts at 6:00 p.m. !!! there’ll be an encore showing Sunday 3/23 at 11am. The New Yorker loved this production…check it out at…http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/09/a-terrific-tempest.html

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…. Patricia Castagnola will bring us up to date on The Santa Cruz Aids Project on March 18, and historian, author, tour guide Sandy Lydon returns to relate history and talk about droughts. Aletta deWal guests on March 25 to discuss art and marketing. 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 the chicken, the egg demands involvement, but for the pig, bacon demands total commitment”, John A. Price. “I am not a vegetarian because I love animals: I’m a vegetarian because I hate plants”, A.W. Brown. “I love Chinese food. My favorite dish is number 27”, Clement Atlee.

THE ORIGINAL EASTSIDE SANTA CRUZ POST OFFICE. There was a high school band, a squad of soldiers, and some unnamed dignataries speaking at the actual dedication of the Post office on Februay 3, 1951. Most residents can tell that this is now the Hart Fabrics Store at 1601 Seabright Avenue. Looks like we’ll have another East Side Post Office dedication in 2015. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection.

DATELINE March 10, 2014

TOM NODDY REACTS TO THE MORGANI AFFAIR.There are miles of type being spent on “The Morgani Affair”, and it’s important from many angles. No resolution has been announced, we’re all wondering what the outcome will be and when and where Morgani will be allowed to play again. Frank Morgani Lima has doubts that there really are the 50 “legal” spaces to play…we’ll see. In the meantime Bubble Man Tom Noddy who assumed the role of protector of the street performers decades ago in Santa Cruz sent me the following letter. It’s long, but if you care about the ambiance, friendliness, and attraction of Downtown Santa Cruz you’ll want to read every word…

“Bruce,
I was glad to see you write about the insults offered to The Great Morgani that resulted in him leaving Pacific Avenue. He said, clearly, that the officers were polite in informing him that what he had done successfully for 17 years was illegal and that they would now enforce the law against him as well. The music crime that he committed all of that time was to sensibly stand with his back to the building while performing.

The idea of outlawing that activity use to come up over and over at the Downtown Association meetings that I attended in my capacity as spokesperson for the Santa Cruz Street Performers’ Guild. It got to a point where one or another of the long time merchants would alert me to the fact that yet another newcomer was going to propose it at the next meeting and he or she would ask me to attend “… and remind us why we rejected this idea the last time”.

I’m not sure what the appeal was to the idea … put all the performers out on the curb … what? like trash? But the thing that had them reject it over and over was my reminder that that would mean that good acts (like Morgani) would then stand at the curb, turn their back to the traffic play while a crowd gathers in front of some shop’s show window. If they are conscious (as crowds are noted for being) they will not lean against the glass or block access to the entryway.

“But, Tom …” one or another merchant was sure to mention, “not all of the performers are great musicians, they don’t gather crowds and I, for one, do not appreciate their sound.” THAT, of course, is a valid point. I would readily concede it but then ask them where the want such an individual to perform (his/her 1st Amendment rights allow the activity). I would ask if they wanted them to stand with their back to that little piece of building between two show windows?? OR would they prefer that the police and hosts enforce an ordinance that would put these less talented musicians out on the curb and singing in toward their OPEN DOOR?

They would all go “oh …” and the matter would be dropped for a while again … until some new shop opened downtown and some new merchant got the grand idea of putting all of the performers out on the curb. (This was a constant problem for me after coming to agreement with one Downtown Association and City Council after another … some newcomer would get this bright idea … I often got a laugh at those meetings by complaining “You Santa Cruz merchants are so damn transient”.)

But when my back was turned they pushed this curbside-only provision on to the law books and then promptly failed to enforce it when they found that it had certain … um … “unforeseen consequences”. Then a new couple of council members came on in 2002 and they demanded that the downtown police enforce all laws on the books plus some new ones that they thought up. It was a mess and no one understood where performers were allowed to perform so after a while it settled down into what it was always intended to be … Selective Enforcement. They liked Frank Lima (The Great Morgani) so they let him stand where it made sense for him to stand and they cited this ordinance or that ordinance to move any performer who garnered any complaint from anybody anywhere. If they didn’t get a complaint but wanted someone moved, the police or hosts would contact a particular law office upstairs and they would reliably issue the needed complaint that was then promptly enforced as though there is no right to free expression when someone else objects to it. This was going to, someday, lead to a legal case that went higher than the municipal court judges who routinely ignored such claims of constitutional protection. Eventually, I assumed, Frank would be called as a witness in someone’s case and he would be a good one. Even the downtown hosts would make great witnesses before being coached by the City Attorney to not say what they regularly told performer’s downtown … that any complaint is sufficient cause to move them … even a complaint by a host on duty.

But, instead, this Council and City Attorney have decided to “send a message” (Barisone called it that in a KSBW interview) by finally stopping the most popular performer downtown. There is a big reaction to this right now. Even the Sentinel editorial told the Council that “street performing is not and never has been a downtown problem”. But when the reaction dies down or when Frank agrees to go back to Pacific Avenue under some special exemption … the other shoe will drop and the real sweep will begin in earnest.
Unless, of course, alert citizens like yourself and former Arts Commission member Linda Bixby continue to raise a ruckus and stand up, not only for Morgani but for the right of street performers to share their art with us for free and to let them do so before, during and while they are creating art that this or that critic or merchant appreciates.
Tom Noddy

PS You are mistaken about Tom Scribner’s performances going on without donations. Tom had a bowl that he set down on the planter edge where he played and he spent that small but regular income mostly at Lulu Carpenters when they use to serve alcohol.

(from Bratton) PPS. Tom, you too are sort of “mistaken”, Scribner bragged all of his early years playing in front of his “home” in The Saint George Hotel about not “passing the hat”. It was only near his last days he would collect enough for “one more” Brandy Manhattan when Lulu’s wouldn’t front a freebie for him.

CALIFORNIA SIERRA CLUB PARTY. Unlike the local chapter of the Sierra Club that has been neutered and morphed into a pro growth & business fan club this is the California State Chapter which has sent this party invite to believers…
Gary Patton & Katherine Beiers Invite You To A House Party For Sierra Club California. Assembly Member Mark Stone, Former Assembly Member John Laird, County Supervisor John Leopold will attend. And we can meet Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips. Mark Stone will talk about important environmental legislation pending in the State Legislature. Kathryn Phillips will provide an in-depth look at what the Sierra Club is doing to achieve a fracking moratorium, and to address critical water issues facing California. Please plan to attend! There will be music, food, wine and all those good things! Plus great company! Plus a wonderful chance to help support the critically important work of Sierra Club California!! It’ll be at Katherine’s House – 135 Gharkey Street, Santa Cruz Sunday, March 23, 2014 / 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. RSVP to gapatton@mac.com If you can’t attend, please send a donation to Sierra Club California, 909 12th Street, Suite 202, Sacramento, CA 95814. You can donate online at http://sierraclubcalifornia.org

MOBILE HOME RESIDENCY LAW FORUM. Manufactured/Mobile Home residents: Understand your rights as homeowners, and be empowered with the tools to enforce your rights! All Santa Cruz County manufactured/mobile homeowners are invited to join in, be informed and help out. 1pm – 4 pm Saturday March 22 Live Oak Grange 1900 17th Ave. Santa Cruz http://sccmmha.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/gsmol-roadshow.pdf Click here to download event flier! Get On Our Email List For SCCMMHA Updates And Notices. Just Ask! sccmmha@gmail.com Tell your neighbors about the SCCMMHA. See you soon!

STOP SEAWORLD PETITION. Ron Clegg sent this page and it’s worth reading and signing!! Find it here!

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary describes a “Consent Agenda” and why it’s important. He tells why burning corpses can cause problems, even though the Santa Cruz City Staff thinks it’s ok!!! He talks about the Santa Cruz Puma Project night at the Rio Theatre on Wednesday night 3/12, and about Pumas crossing Highway 17. He suggests that we all sign up for County Supervisors periodic newsletters from John Leopold and Zach Friend. He ends his broadcast week by telling us about The Regional Transportation Plan and its revision. Read all of above scripts at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse. Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, and an attorney who represents individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365? – www.gapatton.net

CLASSICAL DE CINZO. DeCinzo show us the only real value in Girl Scout Cookies. Scroll downwards.

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Reap the grim rewards of Obama Care check out Eagan…just below.

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “Secrets of the world of book-publishing revealed this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). (Hint: if you’re looking for instant gratification, better find yourself another gig.) Also, catch up with a forgotten chapter in American musical history—female jazz instrumentalists—in the excellent doc, “The Girls in the Band.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.

SC BAROQUE FESTIVAL TO PERFORM MUSIC BY COMPOSER ROBERT STRIZICH AND FRENCH BAROQUE MASTERWORKS. The concert titled “Baroque Inspirations” to be performed by Lux Musica, presents opulent French Music from the court of Louis XIV by Marin Marais,which will be played on the following Baroque instruments: flute, violin, cello and harpsichord. In addition, Artistic Director Linda Burman-Hall and Lars Johannesson will perform featured composer Robert Strizich’s work “Tombeau” for harpsichord and baroque flute. At the start of the concert, the Ninth Annual ‘Youth Chamber Music Contest’ awards will be presented to the following young artists:The Grand Prize Winners for “Classical Piano Trio” are Stanley Wang, Violin; Marc Picard, Cello; and Derek Hamersly, Piano. Location: UCSC Recital Hall Date & time: Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at www.scbaroque.com or by calling 831-457-9693; Civic Center box office: 831-420-5260; and UCSC box office: 831-456-2159. Tickets will also be available at the door.

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. Kathleen Crocetti guests on March 11 to talk about her art programs in Santa Cruz City schools.Then Barry and Shelley Phillips tell us about their musical lives. Patricia Castagnola will bring us up to date on The Santa Cruz Aids Project on March 18, and historian, author tour guide Sandy Lydon returns to relate history. Aletta deWal guests on March 25 to discuss art and marketing. 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!!!

BEST OF CLASSICAL STEVEN DeCINZO.

QUOTES. “They really got Morgani by the Barisones“, anonymous. “This is the sixth book I’ve written, which isn’t bad for a guy who has only read two”, George Burns. “I’ve given up reading books, it takes my mind off myself”, Oscar Wilde.

CAFÉ PERGOLESI BACK IN THE DAY. This as we all know was Dr. Miller Dentist’s office at the corner of Cedar and Elm Streets in Santa Cruz. At least it was on January 20, 1954 when this photo was taken. Dentist Miller lived and operated here “around the turn of the last century”. Do note the classic Studebaker. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection.

DATELINE MARCH 3, 2014

ABOUT GROCERY OUTLET. After curing the jerks in my knees and calculating how many meetings it would take to oppose this “evil chain market” operation from opening up in our East Side Morrissey Post Office, I decided to look up Grocery Outlet on-line just to see how big an operation it is. In the first place, the Post Office will be there until the end of December, 2014. A couple who live in Berkeley own the entire Grocery Outlet operation. Some combined quotes from my internet search: “The Grocery Outlet chain of stores currently encompasses more than 200 independently operated stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. The premise of the market is to provide name-brand products at low prices, 40 percent to 60 percent below conventional retail prices. A variety of products will consistently be offered at Grocery Outlet, including: seasonal products, health and beauty, housewares, apparel, organic produce, fresh meats, dairy and frozen goods”.

So when you think about it Grocery Outlet will NOT be competition to Staff Of Life or Shoppers Corner. Those customers are so loyal they’ll die before shopping at Grocery Outlet. The real competition will be and is the old Safeway across the street. I looked up Safeway in Wikipedia it says, “Safeway is an American supermarket chain; it is the second largest supermarket chain in North America, after The Kroger Company, and has 1,335 stores located throughout the western and central United States and 195 in northwestern Mexico, as of January 2014. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern Seaboard. The company is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Supermarket News ranked Safeway No. 4 in the 2011 “Top 75 North American Food Retailers” based on 2010 fiscal year estimated sales of $41 billion. Based on 2009 revenue, Safeway is the 11th largest retailer in the United States.”

More than not hurting Staff Of Life or Shopper’s Corner, Grocery Outlet doesn’t sell dented cans or rejects, they buy direct from manufacturers and “have special deals on healthy and specialty foods”. The Morrissey store will be more like their store in Seaside, one informed friend tells me, not like the old one in Watsonville. Remember too that Lucky Market was at the post office location so was that Liquor Barn. So the streets have handled the traffic for generations, and the number of trucks delivering to Grocery Outlet??? How many deliveries and exits happen at the present Post Office??? Think about that. AND think about having a source for better prices than Safeway…that’s good too. Besides that, Safeway isn’t doing so well financially. Sure, it’s miserable to lose that post office, but that’s their business and all the meetings in the world wouldn’t effect that.

More to follow. Such as the amount of traffic that is a City Council problem because the site is zoned exactly for that grocery business. The Grocery Outlet will be exactly the same size as the present building, and if Grocery Outlet doesn’t go in, somebody else will!!! Here’s a link to this month’s Grocery Outlet opening in Yreka.

GREAT MORGANI NOT HARRASSED. I ran into The Great Morgani at East Cliff’s Dollar Store last week (the in-group store). He had a few things to say, the main one was that “the Police didn’t harrass me, they were polite and we had a very civil discussion”, unquote. The other item was that “Robert Norse called me an anarchist, I’m no anarchist”. He also told me that his parents owned a chicken farm out on Soquel Avenue back in the day. Frank Morgani also liked last week’s historical photo of the original Hindquarter corner. So did I.

Former member of the Santa Cruz City Arts Commission and former member of the Benicia City Council Linda Bixby adds to the ruckus and says, “I am crushed, CRUSHED at the prospect of losing Morgani downtown. What an amazing, uplifting, enormously talented and creative artist he is and what a boon to the community. Would it seriously not be possible to create a niche for him in some way? This is an enormously sad – and I would say embarrassing – reflection on our governance. It is so hard as a citizen and former arts commissioner to see the creative spirit being sapped out of our town in service to what? Public safety? I suggest the council re-read the Arts element of the General Plan, to be reminded that the plan calls for our community to reflect in every way possible – including in our streetscapes – the fact that this is an arts community. No one is a more revered, celebrated part of our streetscape than Morgani. When the city puts out an economic development brochure trying to lure businesses here, do they put pictures of a clean sidewalk or a new water pipe on the cover? Of course not; they tout our public art. Can’t have it both ways, folks”. Thanks Linda.

One other thing that’s come up in our media a lot this last week or so, is Tom Scribner. We should remember that Tom never played for money, or passed the hat. He just liked to play the saw once in a while. The other thing is that the Scribner statue didn’t appear easily on Pacific Avenue. The City Council, mostly council member Larry Edler fought placing that “Wobbly Commie” statue in public. So it stood for quite a while in SCOPE PARK. I think it was Neal Coonerty that so thoughtfully and graciously had it placed in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz.

CLUB ZAYANTE HISTORY. Nealry legendary Club Zayante owner Tom Louagie is writing a book about the club…and it’ll be a never to be forgotten saga. He sent me a few pages last week. Names such as Pig Heart, Sol of Sirocco, Clifton Chenier, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Chambers Brothers and on and on it goes with great stories attached to all of them. No press date yet, but I’ll let you know.

SECRETARY OF STATE CAMPAIGNERS STOP. Nancy Abbey president of The People’s Democratic Committee emailed to say, “The Democratic Central Committee’s forum for the three Democratic candidates for Secretary of State Wednesday night (2/26) was very interesting. All three are thoughtful men who’ve done good work, so meeting them and hearing their views was exciting, but, for my money, Derek Cressman was a clear winner and I plan to work for his campaign. But, my main point is that I was startled to hear Alex Padilla say he didn’t support public financing of elections “because there are so many other important things to spend the money on”. A Secretary of State who doesn’t think public financing is important!?!? And sees it as a waste of money!!!! Full disclosure: I am a big supporter of getting corporate and billionaire money out of politics and have been very involved in the issue so my ears really perked up at that one. She continues, “But also, the California Democratic Party supports public financing. Both Derek Cressman and Sen Yee made strong statements in support of it. Yee stressed the importance of voting to maintain democracy and Cressman stressed the success of public financing in other states and in San Francisco and Los Angeles in particular (Cressman, as Vice President of State Operations for Common Cause, was very instrumental in its success). She adds, “Check it out yourself:
The exact same language on public financing and disclosure is in the 2014 draft party platform:

EL SALVADOR ELECTION NIGHT PARTY. Les Gardner invites us all…”Join in as we watch Sanchez Cerén become the new President of El Salvador. Viewing will be at the Santa Cruz County Democratic Headquarters, 740 Front Street, Suite 165, Santa Cruz on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 6:30-9pm. Special Guests; Assembly Member Luis Alejo, Assembly Member Mark Stone, Hector Perla plus Community Activists And people from the Salvadorian Community. Refreshments will be served along with good companionship. There is a strong possibility that either the President or Vice-President elect will be calling that evening. There will also be a special surprise presentation to Assembly Member Luis Alejo. Vice President Cerén, at this moment has over a 10 point lead with 8 days to go. P.S. If you have a photo of yourself and Vice President Cerén, please bring a copy. Les Gardner is going to El Salvador later in the week and would be happy to ask Cerén to sign your photo.

ALVAH BESSIE’S “THE SYMBOL”. Dan Bessie is afilmaker and former long time Santa Cruzan who now lives and communicates from France. In “way back” when I was at KCBS in S.F. I met and interviewed his father Alvah Bessie who had written a novel based on Marilyn Monroe. On later visits to Dan in Santa Cruz Alvah and I learned we shared the same birthday (June 4). Alvah was not only a great guy but was also one of the Blacklisted and nearly nortorious Hollywood Ten.

Dan writes….”My father’s THE SYMBOL has just been republished as an e-book, by UNTREEDREADS. So if you’re used to reading via a PDF, or on a KINDLE or other digital device, and have never read this (in my view) wonderfully perceptive novel, I urge you to invest the $5.99 for an Untreedreads copy (My siblings and I share a bit higher royalty that way).* The UNTREED website:

Published originally in 1965 by Random House and then in a 1 million copy release by Dell paperbacks, reviews for THE SYMBOL included blurbs that damned it for “Its sex escapades, parade of four-letter words and its star-studded who’s-who game.” and praised it as “. . . a triumph of storytelling . . . Alvah Bessie gives us a full length, absolutely convincing portrait. He has in an uncanny way, entered [his character’s] mind and heart, so that we know and feel what it must be like to be famous and so haunted.”

Dan adds, “THE SYMBOL’S most accurate review, I believe, came from Martha Gellhorn, widely regarded as one of the greatest of war correspondents, and (incidentally), third wife of Ernest Hemingway:

“The Symbol is remarkable because it is written by a man and is the story of an entirely believable woman. Men have always written about women without hesitation or doubt, and have turned out curious effigies—bitches, nymphs, goddesses, little dream wives—all man-made. Bessie has accomplished a superb feat of the imagination by inventing a woman who is not a man-made puppet, she is a breathing female, alive on her own. That is a magical achievement and cannot be explained. It has happened”. So if you have a Kindle or some such contraption…

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary talks about some possibly illegal meetings of The Monterey County Bd. Of Supes (on water issues). He tells of the exciting possibilities of the San Lorenzo River Forum on 3/04, and another held by the Soquel Creek Water District. UCSC’s Earth Summit happens Thursday 3/6, and some positive ideas such issue forth from it. Gary adds stuff about a sustainable Farmland Strategy…which is part of the ongoing theme of “Land Use” He closes by telling us of a Friday night UCSC meeting dealing with City Repair and neighborhood communication and nurturing our local culture. Read all of above scripts at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse. Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor, and an attorney who represents individuals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, “Two Worlds / 365? – www.gapatton.net

CLASSICAL DE CINZO. DeCinzo deals with power, not his usual power issues, but our most current power problem !!

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Speaking of predicting Oscar winners.Ms. Jensen got it exactly right on 12 out of 13 predictions !!! She goes on to say, ” And I was 12 for 13 in my Oscar predictions this year—maybe a personal best! Of the 13 categories I called, the only one I flubbed was Production Design; I guessed Gravity, but the gold went to The Great Gatsby. (However, I DID correctly predict that Gravity would win for Cinematography and Gatsby would win for Costumes!) I swept all the big categories— for once!’ She adds “It’s not every day you meet someone who paints his own Vermeer painting. Find out how a San Antonio engineer does it—and discover the sweet spot where art and science intersect—in the fascinating doc Tim’s Vermeer, this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). Also, get set for a downpour of family mysteries in the Jewel Theatre Company’s Three Days of Rain.” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.