EARLY BIG CREEK POTTERY. (l to r.) Bruce McDougal, Marcia McDougal and yours truly May 18, 1970. The little goat’s name was Natoma and we had just created the Big Creek Chapter of the Natoma Street Tap Dancing Society (explanations later). The photo was taken by Candace Freeland , who is Jan Karon’s daughter. Jan wrote all the best selling Mitford Years and Father Tim novels. Candace is a photographer in Hawaii now. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

HILARY BRYANT MEETS SCRP. The Santa Cruzans for Responsible Planning invited City Councilperson Hillary Bryant to a “lets meet each other” session last Wednesday (March 23). She can tell you more specifically who was there. It was the usual collection of SCRP members. That means there were elected and appointed city officials, members of commissions, and representatives of lots of area organizations, all in all, about 14 of us. To cut right to it, I think everyone agreed, and we don’t always, that Hilary would make a much better Mayor than Scott Kennedy, Cynthia Mathews, Mike Rotkin and certainly Ryan Coonerty. We told her how sad it was that “Boardwalk Charley” and “Stucco Swenson” couldn’t have built their La Bahia according to existing codes and Coastal Commission rules because it would have been up and running and producing taxes years ago. SCRP also pointed out that IF the Coast Hotel development plan had gone through even against the 1000’s of voters signatures opposing it, that the City would be in even more serious debt right now. We told her too how other Council members like Katherine Beiers hold regular cabinet and public meetings and listen to the public instead of plotting and planning behind closed doors like Ryan, Mike, Cynthia and Scott do. Hilary and we agreed that there is an unfair amount of work for council members to do and that it’s a shame that instead of having individual staff help; everyone has to depend on City Staff and Barisone for advice and direction. We agreed too that one year as mayor isn’t enough to carry out significant projects.

MORE SCRP AND HILARY MATERIAL. Members agreed afterwards that Hilary Bryant voiced positive thoughts about bringing the extremely expensive de-salination plant to a public vote, that’s a huge plus right there. We all seemed to agree that the 2 minute time limit on trying to communicate with the City Council just isn’t fair. We also agreed that there isn’t any opportunity to openly discuss issues with the Council. It’s 2 minutes, then sit down…no feedback principle causes frustration on both sides. We agreed with her too on the creating of more livable spaces downtown. David Terrazas will be our guest at the next SCRP meeting, snicker, snicker, LOL. 🙂 & OMG and WTF?

SANTA CRUZ’S FIRST FREE MEDICAL CLINIC? Stan Stephens historian/researcher/editor sends this in…This may be the first Free Medical Clinic for Santa Cruz? Based on many other examples of the generosity of F. A. Hihn, I interpret this to mean that he donated the space. The Santa Cruz (branch) of the Society of California Pioneers used his building, free of charge, since he was the perpetual President, from the time of its founding in Santa Cruz, 1881, until his death in 1913, when the Society in Santa Cruz died with him.
(Source: Santa Cruz Surf 1893 Jul 19 2:3 Display Ad)
FREE DISPENSARY ——— OPPOSITE OPERA HOUSE, PARK STREET,
over F. A. Hihn Co’s. Offices in the rooms of the California Pioneer Society.
———
Hours for the Treatment of Patients.
———
Monday-10 A.M., Surgical Diseases; 11 A.M., Medical Diseases.
Tuesday-1 P.M., Diseases of Women; 2 P.M., Medical Diseases.
Wednesday-10 A.M., Surgical Diseases; 11 A.M., Medical Diseases.
Friday-1 P.M., Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat; 2 P.M., Medical Diseases.
PHYSICIANS and SURGEONS residing and practicing in this city will ALWAYS be in ATTENDANCE at the above hours.

NICK HERBERT CLAIMS JAPAN RADIOACTIVITY REACHED BERKELEY. It doesn’t seem like that puny little radioactivity is all that much but its good fun to visit Nick’s website anyways. http://quantumtantra.blogspot.com/2011/03/fukishima-fallout-reaches-berkeley.html

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary lays out the problems in the proposed CEQA rollbacks and the danger to the environment. Then he tells about plans to re-vitalize downtown Marina.( Bratton note…I know Marina’s downtown well, I shopped there a lot in 1955 when I was stationed at Fort Ord and again when KBOQ first started broadcasting and I had a weekly show there. Help Marina!!!)

Gary states an idea about De-Sal… “Desalination, in one way, raises a major philosophical issue. Must supply and demand imbalances always be “solved” by increasing supply, or could we achieve the necessary balance by working on the “demand” side of the equation? Historically, Americans have always increased supply when limits are reached, but a more efficient use of existing resources may be even better, and specifically where water supply is concerned”. Click here to read the rest of his broadcasts.

(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 )

Gary Patton also urges…

Take Action to Protect California’s Premiere Environmental Law

Exploiting the hardships caused by the economic climate and the state budget crisis, special interests are redoubling their efforts to pass legislation that would dismantle the Golden State’s premiere environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Individuals and organizations concerned about the public’s health and well-being, the environment and good government must push back this dangerous new wave of attacks on CEQA. We need your voice and action to help defend the rights of Californians and protect our environment. In February, Senator Canella introduced SB 241—a measure that would allow 125 projects to receive immunity from CEQA. Now he is working on a more sweeping proposal attempting to attack CEQA from all angles.

PLEASE DO THIS NOW:

Send a message TODAY and Email, write or call Speaker Perez and Governor Brown to oppose measures that rollback the public health and environmental protections in CEQA. Obviously, contact your local legislators, too. Use the sample letter below for your message.

Speaker John Perez: Telephone: 916-319-2046; FAX: 916-319-2146 or Email: speaker.perez@assembly.ca.gov

Governor Jerry Brown: Telephone: 916-445-2841; FAX: 916-558-3160 or Email: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php

For examples of how Californians have benefited from CEQA go to: www.calheroes.com

For more information or to receive regular updates about this campaign contact: Jena Price at the Planning and Conservation League at jprice@pcl.org or 916-313-4508.

Sample Letter:

Dear Governor Brown or Assembly Speaker Perez:

I am writing to express my opposition to SB 241 (Canella) as well as other similar and destructive measures attempting to rollback our fundamental environmental protections. These bills and proposals seek to undermine the ability of my community to participate in decisions that determine how our neighborhoods will grow. The legislation eliminates our ability to hold developers accountable for putting measures in place to reduce or avoid a development project’s negative environmental impacts.

For the past 40 years, community involvement in the environmental review process has improved proposed projects, reducing a project’s significant adverse impacts to public health and the environment, while improving our quality of life. These bills would allow a select number of projects to avoid public scrutiny. These bills erode California’s legacy of environmental protection. Therefore, I urge you to oppose these bills in the interest of your constituents and their health and well being.

Sincerely,

Your name here

MORTON MARCUS…(ANIMATED). Mort was just about the most animated human I’ve ever known but here’s something I don’t think I sent out before.

http://www.cruziocafe.com/angel11107-1.html

VINTAGE DE CINZO. Mr. DeCinzo looks at the positive side of Not widening Highway One….look below.

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim dares to go where no man has gone before…only politicians…scroll away.

LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul’s weekly article is “Systems Come Unglued”. He states, among other things, “The human mind doesn’t easily process catastrophe. As Libyan forces battled, tens of millions witnessed televised images of ocean water rising over barricades, picking up cars, trucks, houses and other edifices and carrying them away – to somewhere else. While TV news reporters told of trains gone missing in northern Japan, other urgent cables warned of the impending battle for Benghazi. Reporters ask: how many will die in this battle? Should the United States interfere militarily as “humanitarian” hawks demand? Read it all here

Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Sheesh, what next, a plague of locusts? While we’re waiting for everything to dry out, visit Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com/) this week to find out about the best book interview radio show you’ve never heard, a vibrant new screen version of Jane Eyre from an unlikely source, and a few more words on the Big Creek Pottery show at the MAH.

Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.

WATERS WEIGHS IN. Christina returns from Jersey full of pasta and more pasta. Watch her eat at http://christinawaters.com

JANE EYRE. IMDB lists 22 versions of Jane Eyre including an Italian one dating back to 1910. Many remember Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine and some Masterpiece versions…this new one equals and surpasses them all!! Mia Wasikowska is fabulous as Jane. Just because director Cory Fukunaga was born in Oakland, directed Sin Nombre and went to UCSC doesn’t men he’s all bad 🙂 . Definitely see this movie, like you’ve never seen it before.

THE TEMPEST. In the same vein, IMDB lists 20 versions of Shakespeare’s Tempest. And I’m guessing that any one of them is better than this over hyped Helen Mirren effort. So Prospero becomes Prospera…big deal, and what’s exciting about that? What new insight do we get, what creative depth is added…nada! Somebody must have said “This tempest is only a teapot”…forget it. Helen Mirren has been better in every film I’ve seen her in. Her Shakespeare delivery is miserable!!!

OF GODS AND MEN. Even Atheists should like this film. Monks in their monkery in Algiers during lots of Islamic violence is the plot. It’s a true story and it’s excellently well done. See it by all means.

SUCKER PUNCH. One of those special effects, alternate reality, Pan’s Labyrinth type films. I couldn’t figure out any sequence, dozed through lots of Nazi vs. dragon scenes, stared at steam punk machines, and then wondered how John Hamm and Scott Glenn got in it and how much they got paid to do their stupid parts.

WALLACE BAINE & SHMUEL THALER, together again. I’m repeating this for those folks who missed the other time. Their first jump into show biz was so successful that Snazzy Productions is bringing them back again…they say,…” Spend an evening with local media greats Wallace Baine, writer, and Shmuel Thaler, photographer, of the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Wallace and Shmuel will share excerpts from their work in Santa Cruz spanning several decades. Brought back by popular demand. Purchase Tickets online. It happens Saturday, 7:30 PM, April 2, Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

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 on “blog”) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. On Tuesday March 29 Sara Wilbourne administrator of the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre will discuss their latest plans and projects. Brian Spencer of See Productions will talk about “A Number” the play, opening April 8-23 also on March 29^th. Dan Haifley of O’Neill’s Sea Odyssey will discuss nautical and harbor changes on April 5^th followed by the New Director of the Santa Cruz City Museum Daniel Harder. Paul Johnston of Organizing for Santa Cruz will tell us about their many accomplishments on April 12, then journalist/photographer Peter McGettigan will discuss his views from behind the camera and reveal his new projects. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”, Sucker Punch (the film). “Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you what you are“, Jean Brillat-Savarin.

“It is a rather pleasant experience to be alone in a bank at night“, Willie Sutton

BEST OF VINTAGE DeCINZO.

Deep Cover

BARTCZAK’S BACKWASH. The majick of Karl Rove.

THE BOARDWALK SWENSON LA BAHIA.Ignore those fancy 3D dreamscapes that Jesse Nickell and Charlie Canfield claim represent their noveaux La Bahia. Here’s what it’ll look like straight on from Beach Street. When opponent/realists say it’ll look like Waikiki, this is what they refer to. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com

THE COASTAL COMMISSION IN SANTA CRUZ. I asked Don Webber, long time friend and long time opponent of the Canfield Swenson version of La Bahia to write his reactions to the California Coastal Commission’s visit here last week and bring us up to date on The La Bahia site, he wrote…

Coastal Commission in Santa Cruz

The three-day marathon that is the monthly meeting of the California Coastal Commission was held in Santa Cruz last week. This is the third time the Commission has met in our County Building in the recent past. And for the third time, the Commission did not hear the city’s application to permit development of a new hotel on the La Bahia site. The city submitted its application to the Commission in the summer of 2009.

La Bahia was on Thursday’s agenda, but city Mayor Ryan Coonerty decided to postpone the matter in the face of an impending defeat. The city is asking the Coastal Commission for authority to demolish the landmark La Bahia Apartments and to rezone the site, effectively doubling the allowable building height on that one parcel. The Commission’s staff was ready to recommend denial of the city’s request, and the Commission was set to deny it.

The city can’t credibly claim to be surprised by this outcome. Nearly three years ago, in May of 2008, the Commission’s staff wrote to city officials, clearly delineating the legal problems the city faced in reconciling its ambitious plans with the provisions of the state Coastal Act. But the city and the developer insist that the site needs its own zoning law, as well as the demolition of the old La Bahia complex, in order to properly transform the beach area. For three years, the city has been tinkering around the edges of its plan in hopes that Coastal Commission staffers would finally relent and issue a positive recommendation, but they didn’t, so as the day of reckoning approached, the city was forced to hit the brakes.

In rational world, the city might be expected to see a near-death experience like this as an opportunity to prevail upon La Bahia’s owners, Charles Canfield and Barry Swenson to step back and redraw plans as a smaller hotel, within existing site constraints, and to make an honest attempt to restore more of the historic building site. Alas, in a rational world, city leaders would have done that four years ago, and if they had, the La Bahia Hotel would have been built and operating by now, and the city would already be collecting hotel tax. But city leaders didn’t confront the developer then, and they show no signs of doing so now.

No, don’t hold your breath on that rationality thing.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 2.

Rather than think about changing their plan, the city is pinning its hopes on a changing Coastal Commission. The spin that the city is putting on its pullback from a Coastal Commission reckoning is that they want to wait until the governor appoints two additional members to the Commission to bring it up to its full complement of 12. Governor Brown fired two of the Commissioners that ex-Governor Schwarzenegger had appointed on his way out of office, so there are currently only 10 Commissioners. The two that Brown fired were probably the surest votes that the city and Swenson had on the Commission.

And instead of redrawing plans to conform to the Coastal Act, the city and the developer are putting their energy into lobbying Commissioner Mark Stone and the rest of the Coastal Commissioners to get them to approve Swenson’s plan, like the city approved it back in April 2009.

On the heels of removing La Bahia from Thursday’s agenda, the city and the developer whipped up another batch of local support for Swenson’s plan. The Sentinel did its usual pump job, and the Good Times literally gushed over it (after reporting that La Bahia is located in Beach Flats).

Along with the press blitz, they organized a big email dump on Commissioner Stone urging him to “take the lead” in getting his fellow Coastal Commissioners to okay Swenson’s plan. This is a serious misreading of the role of a Coastal Commissioner. Stone’s job is to enforce the protective provisions of the Coastal Act fairly on a statewide basis, not to act as a booster for local economic development. But since our city leaders are themselves business boosters, it’s not surprising that they’d expect a Coastal Commissioner to beat the drum along with them.

After the press blitz and that big email dump, the third shoe dropped: a parade of notables to speak directly to the Coastal Commissioners during the portion of their three-day meeting set aside to receive brief public comments on subjects that aren’t on the agenda. Since the city had pulled it from the agenda, La Bahia qualified for comment.

Bruce McPherson was content mostly to stick to the script that Swenson and the city developed for the event in an email to their supporters. The publisher of the Good Times made sure the Commissioners had a copy of his groundbreaking issue. Mike Rotkin, Lynn Robinson, David Terrazas and Cynthia Mathews eachdutifully stood in the three-minute line, and each dutifully touted the city’s plans for both the Arana Gulch bikeway and Swenson’s La Bahia, often conflating the two as part of one “big picture.”

Swenson’s point man, Jesse Nickell III, was on hand to observe the proceedings, and to his credit he persevered through almost the entire three-day meeting. He got a chance to observe the Commission in action, and it couldn’t have been an inspiring experience. The Commission routinely denies coastal development that runs afoul of the protective provisions of the Coastal Act, and Commissioners have the opportunity to prove that at nearly every meeting.

WHAT’S NEXT? CHISEL & HOPE

Of course the city and the developer hope that their lobbying and cheerleading will have the desired effect on the Coastal Commission. But, after the recent press blitz, the email dump, and the parade of notables, is there another shoe to drop?

It appears all that the city is willing to do to remedy its flawed position is to chisel away at the Commission’s staff in hopes of getting some kind of positive recommendation. And two, to hope for a better outcome from a different set of Coastal Commissioners. If that really is all, then Swenson’s plan for La Bahia hangs by a slender thread indeed, and may already be—despite the recent media hoopla—dead.

If it is, we can expect a campaign attempting to blame the plan’s demise on others: neighbors, unions, historic preservationists, the Coastal Commission, etc. Baloney. City leaders decided early on to sign on as members of the development team; they decided not to consider any feasible alternatives to demolition of historic structures; they decided to replace a Mediterranean hillside village with a modern hotel too big for its surroundings. They reckoned they could bulldoze their way through the protective provisions of our Local Coastal Program, and through the provisions of state laws designed to minimize adverse effects of development and protect coastal resources. For years they’ve known that their plan will likely fail to pass muster under the Coastal Act, and still they persist.

If their plan finally fails, it won’t be the fault of their critics. No, it will be theirs”. Thanks to people like Don Webber and The California Coastal Commission our coast is being protected.

LIBRARIES AND IDEAS. Two ideas voiced privately and in hushed tones about saving our Santa Cruz Library system from someone inside the system.

1. Get the current staff to stop fighting and fearing the allowing volunteers to help out in 100’s of problem areas of library operations.

2. Re-think the expenditure of big money on technology changes for awhile and spend that money on operations and books until the crisis passes.

EARTHQUAKE COMING ON MARCH 20^TH. Hina Pendle sent this saying that

There was an EARTHQUAKE WARNING FROM RUSSIAN INSTITUTE of PHYSICS of the EARTH. Posted by Real News Reporter on March 12th, 2011. Read it here.

LOIS LINFORD’S GONE. Brian Murtha, new President of the People’s Democratic Club sent this… “Our PDC member, Lois Linford, passed away on February 25, age 86. Lois is survived by her husband, Bill, (also a PDC member), her daughters, grand-children and great grand-children. She is well remembered for her work with Health Care for All, WILPF, DWC, League of Women Voters, etc. (From the Sentinel obit: “Friends and family are invited to gather to share stories and memories of Lois at the First Congregational Church on High Street, March 27, at 2:30 P.M., in the
lounge. Donations (may be made) in Lois’ name to Health Care for All, 280
Moore St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060”.She will be missed! Brian Murtha, Pres.

BOOK CARVING. You think you know art? Think you know about books? Think you know about carving? Look at what Book Carving can do…

KING’S SPEECH, A PROFESSIONAL VIEW. Paul Dragavon used to be a Santa Cruz County speech therapist for many years. (He was also on the City Parks and Rec. Board) That was before he retired and moved up to Paradise, California. For decades when he lived and taught here he and I would talk about speech problems. I asked him for his opinion on the King’s Speech movie because it didn’t seem like a very real very treatment to me. He replied, “I was disappointed in Colin Firth’s wimpy stuttering in the King’s Speech. I’d want to see some blocks with facial distortion and forcing that would be painful for the audience to watch. You know… eyes shut, mouth open, but lips pursed and tightly closed, and all facial muscles taut. Struggle for a full 45 seconds, until the audience is as tense as the King. Then his lips explode apart as he finally breaks thru the stutterer’s eternal conflict – to talk or not to talk. Now that performance would be remembered. What does anyone remember of his movie stuttering? Not much, just the embarrassment of the royalty. The Academy Award should have gone to Geoffrey Rush”.

PATTON’S PROGRAM. Click hereabouts to read Gary’s KUSP words on such issues as Boards of Supervisors in both Monterey and Santa Cruz County and what they’re up to. Read too about Land Use policies, about Vacation Rental actions, news about walkabouts and flood control and the “Zone 7” problems.
(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 )

EAGANS DEEP COVER. Tim delivers a swing at birds of a feather….view downwards near the bottom…

LANDAU’S PROGRES. Saul takes off on Talk radio..in his article, “Different Universes In One Country”. He says, “Listen to right wing talk radio – and tens of millions do – and you’ll hear about an alternative universe where bitter aliens describe a different reality than the one experienced by most (thank god) Americans.My friend scowls. “How can you listen to that crap?” “Limbaugh’s bombastic boasts are less painful than wearing scrapers between your thighs,” I explain, not daring to admit to the dolorous feelings in my ears and brain, “and how else does one learn about what the new Republican Party and some Tea Partiers — not all — propose in their political agendas. Fanatic right talk radio has become the oral parchment of this alternate world view.” Read all of it here.

Saul Landau is an Institute for Policy Studies fellow whose films are on DVD from roundworldproductions@gmail.com

VINTAGE DE CINZO SCROLL BELOW to see his version of “Love thy Neighbor”

LISA JENSEN LINKS. Step into the Way-back machine this week on Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com/) for some wonderful antique choral music (with a side trip to medieval Chartres), and a ’60s flashback at a recent Cultural Council event. Also, hot tips on a brief, but tasty, guerrilla art show (one week only!), and vintage Fellini on the big screen. Lisa Jensen has been writing film reviews and a column for Good Times since 1975.

EVEN THE RAIN. A Santa Cruz crowd pleaser if only because the film is dedicated to Howard Zinn. The rest is equally well aimed at newcomers exploiting the locals. Gael Garcia Bernal plays a film director working on a film about Columbus’ impact on the Indians. Set in Bolivia it’s a heavy handed (ie not subtle) show down of how the making of this film is related to how Columbus ruined what a beautiful culture there once was.Go see it, you’ll think about it for a few days after.

BATTLE : LA. Don’t go expecting to see big effects of the destruction of Santa Monica by alien space ships. This film is a mess of a copy of “9”. No plot, no depth of characters, more cliché’s than you can shake a stick at. Aaron Eckhart is the only reason to see this.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD. Amanda Seyfried’s eyes are the only reason to see this film. You think she and Anne Hathaway go to the same eye Beverly Hills eye doctor? It’s a werewolf, Brothers Grimm, cheap wolf effects type film. Julie Christie is the grandmother but you won’t know it until later. I wouldn’t go if I were you.

MARS NEEDS MOMS. An animated Disney creation that drew so few (0) people to the 3D version on Saturday at The Del Mar that they cancelled the first few showings. I liked it. Simple, great 3D effects, the love you Mom message got me crying at one point! It’s sort of dumb but has great moments and only see it in 3D

PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE. Poor Phil Ochs, performing the same era as Bob Dylan.This documentary proves he didn’t have 1/10^th of Dylans talent. Matter of fact you can’t tell one Och’s song from another…watch it and see. Och’s killed himself early on. He seemed like a nice guy, I met him a couple of times in Seattle with Dave Van Ronk. An odd film and I’m not sure what the director set out to prove. Let me know if you figure it out.

ANNOUNCING VIVIANA ALTHEA AVANI BURKE. Jennifer Brager and Don Burke formerly of Santa Cruz left a big hole in our political and social fabric when they moved outa here for Portland a while back. But they’ve been busy and just announced the birth of Viviana Althea Avani Burke, their new baby! Jennifer says, ” We expected her on March 4th, but Viviana Althea Avani Burke showed up early on March 1, 2011 after 41 hours of labor! At 2:19 pm Vivi weighed in happy and healthy at 7 lbs. and 7 oz. at the height of 20 and 3/4 inches. She contentedly traveled home with us bundled up in Great Aunt Janet’s homemade pink sweater, pink hat and green booties, and covered over in Great Grandma Helen’s homemade blanket. Just like our wedding, the sun came out for the drive home! Since we’ve been home Vivi’s favorite place is on the glider in her nursery. We can’t wait for you to all meet her soon. We’ll let you know when we feel recovered from delivery (it might take a while after that long push if you know what we mean)! Mommy, Daddy, and Vivi”. Unquote.

FUTZIE NUTZLE SHOW. Mr. Nutzle is mostly known for his ascetic, enigmatic, sparse, line drawings of comments on world affairs. A big show (the first in over ten years) of his more serious oil on canvas and drawings happens starting March 18-April 22 at The Cabrilho College gallery. There’s a reception this Saturday (3/19) 5-7. Directions and data at http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/artgallery

SHEILA MALONE SHOW. It’s already underway so don’t miss Sheila’s latest art renderings titled Loving Relationships now only through March 31^st at Nuevo’s Southwest Grill out on East Cliff Drive corner of 15^th. Always look a bit longer at Sheila’s paintings until the deeper message gets to you.

OF MICE AND MEN.I’d seen this play maybe 3 times but only when I saw The Jewel Theatre’s production last Saturday night did I realize just what a classic play this is. Done in togas and substituting city names Rome for Soledad or Athens for Weed, California you’d see how amazingly timeless this drama is. John Malkovich played Lennie in a 1992 film version, it was not a successful film. Of course Lon Chaney jr played Lennie in the first film. Go see it at the New Jewel Theatre (formerly Actors Theatre now through March 19^th IF you can get tickets. The Jewel folks have added curtains, new lighting and many needed touches to the theatre…congrats.

SANTA CRUZ CHAMBER PLAYERS. Present “OVER THE SEA” An Exploration of Aquatic Inspired Music with Lars Johannesson, flute/alto flute Amy Brodo, cello Susan Bruckner, piano Lydia Martin, marimba and Mesut Özgen, guitar. The program includes works by Toru Takemitsu, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Tsuneya Tanabe, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Carl Nielsen, Sarah Dubois, and Mesut Özgen, whose new piece Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Journey) for flute, cello, and guitar will receive its premiere at these concert. The concert program as a whole conveys a sweet, ethereal and lively look at nature, voyages, and life, celebrating the blue watery world around us. Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8:00 pm AND Sunday, March 20, 2011, 3:00 pm. Christ Lutheran Church 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos, California (Off Highway 1 at Freedom Blvd.) Tickets at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Box Office: Phone: 831.420.5260 Web: www.santacruztickets.com

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 on “blog”) at WWW.KZSC.ORG. Peggy Dolgenos and Westi Haughey from Cruzio will talk about their new location and their new lighting of “the fiber internet”, on March 15 followed by Julie James and director Bill Peters of Jewel Theater Company talking about “Of Mice and Men” (now playing).

The Museum of Art & History’s pottery show is the topic on March 22 with Paula Kenyon and Karen Massaro. Carolyn Burke will share views on her brand new Knopf book on Edith Piaf and her early death also on the 22^nd.

Then on March 29 Sara Wilbourne administrator of the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre will discuss their latest plans and projects. Brian Spencer of See Productions will talk about “A Number” the play, opening April 8-23 also on March 29^th. Dan Haifley of O’Neill’s Sea Odyssey will discuss nautical and harbor changes on April 5^th followed by the New Director of the Santa Cruz City Museum Daniel Harder. Any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome so tune in and keep listening.

QUOTES. ” I owe much; I have nothing; the rest I leave to the poor”, Rabelais. “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on”, Samuel Goldwyn. “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery”, Spike Milligan.