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EARLY PACIFIC AVENUE. Car collectors should inform me exactly when in the 1960’s this photo was taken. It’s just before Chuck and Esther Abbott changed the Avenue so completely with their “Mall” ideas. This is of course Pacific and Cooper Streets with Leask’s Deaprtment store on the left where The Regal Cinema 9 now sits. This is, as you’ll read, what the Santa Cruz police refer to as “The Los Gatos” end of Pacific Avenue.
DATELINE AUGUST 31, 2015
AND DATELINE SEPTEMBER 7, 2015
AND DATELINE SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
Dear Readers,
Yes, three columns worth of stuff this week. Sorry about the delays and missed events. Gunilla is doing all she can to get us back on a regular schedule. Stop by her “Golden Fleece Emporium of Wonderment and Yarn” over at 317 Potrero Street by the Sashmill and say hello, and check out the latest yarn bargains.
PACIFIC AVENUE’S DIVIDING LINE. It isn’t too widely known but our Santa Cruz Police have for many years divided Pacific Avenue when they refer to incidents needing attention. From Lincoln Street going north it’s called, “LOS GATOS”. From Lincoln Street going south it’s known as “OAKLAND”. We should just reflect on that a minute or two. For any and all newcomers trying to determine North and South in this bay- surrounded County…just remember that both Pacific Avenue and Forty-First avenue in Capitola run almost perfectly North and South. Check your compasses.
PACIFIC AVENUE – CLOSING IT TO CARS. In a New York Times article today, (August 31) it tells how Retail Space values went up after Times Square was closed to vehicles. …among other relevant ideas it says, “The kneejerk reaction of some city officials — to tackle the issue by returning Times Square to its old car-centric, traffic-first self — is unsurprising: We know how to manage traffic, with curbs, signals, crosswalks and signposting. But the answer to this topless crisis is not to act in haste and go back to a Times Square gridlocked with yellow cabs and black S.U.V.s. Instead, the lesson is that painting the pavement blue and closing it to cars is a start, but reclaiming space alone is not sufficient to create the sort of vibrant public plaza we’d all like. That requires real stewardship. Civic culture needs cultivating and curating. Unless we do so, public space can become a public nuisance. Urban space develops organically and in sync with a city’s communities if it’s nurtured properly, but we’ve learned that this requires cities to keep reviewing how that space is designed and regulated. There must be mechanisms for maintaining a balance of activities, to avoid one particular group of users, like panhandling performers, dominating. Sometimes, that means regulating activities that are a nuisance or offensive. But imposing conditions or constraints is only part of the solution”.
FIGHTING CHAIN STORES LIKE HAYES VALLEY (San Francisco). The San Francisco Chronicle (Friday, August 28) tells how the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association lost out in their fight to stopping more chain stores opening in their neighborhood. Our Pacific Avenue with Jamba Juice at one end The Los Gatos end and Taco Bell at The Oakland end and Rip Curl, Urban Outfitters, Gap and Forever 21in the middle, our Pacific Avenue is almost the perfect version of any tourist trap in the world. (Think Fisherman’s Wharf). More than a tourist trap it’s becoming just another anonymous shopping mall experience. As that Chron article quotes, “local merchants can’t afford to pay the type of rent those chain guys can pay”. When was the last time we heard anything from our Downtown Neighborhood Association???
| TANGO DANCING ON A VERY SMALL TABLE. Ever watchful Ralph Davila spotted this amazing “non-Lingemann” tango technique. |
THE BEARCAT’S LOCATION??? When will Mayor Don Lane be rolling out his pride and joyride??? We are taking all bets on just where that pride of the City Council be parked during Halloween (just weeks from now). Many times our cops park such vehicles across from the Vet’s Hall on Front street…until needed.
TEEN AGE BOY’S BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.In the New Yorker (Aug. 31st) there’s an article titled “The Terrible Teens” (no links allowed from the New Yorker). It’s another piece of the Tannery Tragedy puzzle. The article tells and gives scientific proof that there’s somethhing wrong with teen age boy’s brains. “They are not quite firing on all cylinders when it comes to the frontal lobes”. The frontal lobes are where planning, self-awareness and judgement happen. Parents need to be ever protective and watchful. They do crazy, insane things with little or no thought of any consequences. Those seemingly insane thoughts include what seems to us like planning, plotting for seconds, days or months according to professionals who have studied recent teen age behavior. More information is out there on the unknown effects of various tranquilizers and behavior modifers that have been prescribed for teen agers. Those effects are often monstrous and yet subtle…and largely unexplored. Who is the guilty party when prescribed medicines are given teen agers who then act spontaneously or carry out “evil” plans???
NO EL NINO …AGAIN??? Grey Hayes, ecologist and teacher at Elkhorn Slough told me last week that we really shoudn’t get too excited about all the predictions of El Nino coming this year. He reminded me that exactly one year ago (last August) weather people were jumping crazily about the big rains and a huge El Grande heading our way. Then a few weeks later nope, no such rains/water. All predictions were off. Grey says he’s betting it’ll happen again….be warned!!!
COTONI NATIONAL MONUMENT. Some of author Ed Abbey’s quotes really ring true when we’re facing the wilderness- killing involved with the Cotoni National Monument proposal. One especially…”The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.” Then, when we look at the politicians who support this money making destruction there’s “Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.” Looking at the much lauded and hyped development of our city by the Chamber and its types there’s “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” I miss Ed and his wisdom and his foresight.
| APTOS “Wreckage”. Local Drones sure are a mixed message, but take a look at this. |
PYNCHON MYSTERY LINGERS ON. There’s a new novel on the market, “Cow Country”. The author is listed as Adrian Jones Pearson. Many folks are saying it’s none other than our one-time Aptos resident Thomas Pynchon. Now someone has to figure out if the bizarre and dysfunctional Cow Eye Community College (the focus of the book) is none other than our Cabrillo Community College!!! Some literary “experts” are claiming it’s not Pynchon, but others like of the New York Times say it’s another trick by Pynchon, who seldom misses a chance to mess up, fool, baffle and hide from the public. Here’s a link to Alexandra Alter’s New York Times piece from Sept.11, 2015.
As I’ve mentioned a few times I actually did meet Thomas Pynchon while he lived here. A long time friend of mine visited with Pynchon frequently and introduced us.
APTOS VILLAGE PLAN FACES MORE TRAFFIC ISSUES.
Aptos residents continue to speak out about the traffic bottlenecks currently existing in and around the proposed Aptos Village development. There is a new website, There is a new website, http://www.weareaptos.com that is now online and current. Check it out.
School has now started with all the increase in automobile and pedestrian traffic that always happens. However this year brings even more congestion on the way to Valencia School.. Parents have been holding signs at the corner of Trout Gulch and Cathedral Drive protesting the lack of safe sidewalks to the school, an amenity that was at one time planned as part of the Village Project approval.
We’re now hearing that Aptos Village Plan will actually begin construction in February, 2016, Right in the middle of El Nino, with a traffic study that is now another year older? When does a traffic study become out of date? Construction permits are being based on the 2009 study. (Paul Elerick is co-chair with Peter Scott of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org , and he’s a member of Nisene 2 Sea, a group of open space advocates).
OF DEVELOPMENT AND DOUBLESPEAK.
When it comes to development issues it is wise to pay attention to language. There is nothing new in the manipulation of language for political purposes. George Orwell alerted us seventy years ago. While we tend to associate it with dictators and repressive regimes, such exploitation of language is alive and well in the city and county of Santa Cruz.
This particular use of language in local politics first struck me in the 1980’s and 1990’s when Western Drive was being developed from small homes and open space into the large-scale, dense development of today. Trees were cut and killed, meadows graded, sidewalks and streetlights installed, all under the name of “improvements.” Those beautiful meadows sure didn’t look improved to me!
Recent examples of using language to obscure the truth are imbedded in the city and county’s current rezoning campaigns. The city’s Corridor Planning and Zoning Code Updates singles out Mission and Bay, Branciforte and Soquel and other “nodes” along the four corridors (Mission, Water, Ocean, Soquel) to be transformed into high density, multi-story, mixed-use developments. Such re-zonings are described by the city as, “contributing to the corridors increased intensity and vibrancy,” which sanitizes and obscures the more likely negative impacts of increased human density. Rather than admit that they will be forcing out long-time local small businesses, the study says it may require, “incentives if property owners are reluctant to change their properties.” All of this will be achieved they say, “while retaining the city’s small town character and unique neighborhoods.” How reassuring!
The county’s Zoning and General Plan proposed changes contain similarly coded language. Their euphemism is to “modernize” and “update” the zoning code rather than the more accurate description of changing the zoning to favor development over open space and rural character. Their public notices imply that commercial uses such as weddings are already permitted and this process is all about regulating and limiting them. Nothing sinister with that except that it is deliberately misleading.
At the meeting where these changes were first presented, Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, in defending the need for zoning changes argued, “the nature of how we use space has changed.” His is a more subtle manipulation of language. Implied is the assumption that laws should change to accommodate the current pressure for maximized profits rather than the pressure for maximized profits should be tempered to respect the laws in place to protect and preserve our rural lands. These issues will be presented at upcoming public meetings. It is up to us to ensure the discussions are more meaningful than the usual doublespeak. There are meetings on the city and county websites. ( Gillian Greensite is a long time local activist, member of Save Our Big Trees and the Santa Cruz chapter of IDA, International Dark Sky Association. Plus she’s an avid ocean swimmer, hiker and lover of all things wild).
FREEDOM FROM FIREWORKS. Jean Brocklebank long time activist, environmentalist and neighbor of Arana Gulch writes…
“Residents all over the County of Santa Cruz have had it with fireworks explosions, not just on July 4th but throughout the year. They are fed up with the problems caused to people, pets and wildlife. A new campaign has been formed, appropriately called Freedom From Fireworks. “The FFF campaign was introduced to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors during oral communications at their August 18 meeting. Six of us stood at the podium, representing 83 others who could not be there. The supervisors listened carefully. There was some applause from the audience after I finished reading our statement. Now the big work begins, to educate the BOSupes, so that we can get their help in making enforcement of the existing ordinance prohibiting all fireworks a priority health & safety issue. This will take some specific policies and we are going to share our ideas for said policies with the BOS in the coming months. We’ll be meeting the County Sheriff, the Santa Cruz Police, Veterans, Animal Services, Native Animal Rescue, City and County Fire Chiefs, CalFire and NOAA officials (Monterey Bay Sanctuary), to name a few.
“Meanwhile, if anyone wants to add their name as Supporters of what we are doing, they can use the Contact Us form at the web site. They can also add the name of their neighborhood by using the same form found on the Neighborhoods page. The more names the better to show supervisors that this is an issue of concern all over Santa Cruz! We also have a Facebook page.” http://freedomfromfireworks.weebly.com
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DEAN MARTIN AND FOSTER BROOKS. Kim Luke and I got laughing last week about Foster Brooks…a near genius.Watch this one… |
PATTON’S PROGRAM. Gary reports Mon-Fri on his KUSP program…
There are definitely two schools of thought about the proposal to ask President Obama to establish the Coast Dairies land on the Santa Cruz County North Coast as a National Monument. Supporters say that this will confer a status and recognition for these and other lands on the North Coast that can’t help but be positive. Skeptics point out that the lands are already protected and preserved, and that the main impact of the Monument designation, if such a designation is made, will likely be to bring hundreds of thousands of additional tourists to the North Coast, causing environmental damage to the very lands that all agree are worthy of protection. Monument skeptics also point out that there are already significant parking, traffic, littering, and law enforcement problems on the North Coast, and that a Monument designation would probably make the existing bad situation even worse. You can get more information on both sides of the controversy at kusp.org/landuse, and if you’d like to register your personal feelings, consider attending a Town Hall Meeting to be conducted by Congress Member Anna Eshoo and Congress Member Sam Farr. That meeting will take place on Monday, September 21st, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Davenport Volunteer Fire Department. The purpose of the meeting is to address North Coast concerns regarding the National Monument proposal.
If you live in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, and if you care about the future of your community, please get involved in the so-called “Code Modernization” project. It will have a major impact. By the way, the “unincorporated area” means any area in Santa Cruz County that is not located in the City of Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville, the City of Capitola, or the City of Scotts Valley. The zoning ordinance is the set of rules that restricts what you (and maybe more important, what your neighbors) can do. Don’t underestimate its importance!
As a matter of pure logic, and basic economics, if our communities want affordable housing, they must either use public funds to build it, and/or find a mechanism to impose price controls. Just to say it again, if maintaining a “free market” in real estate is our society’s highest priority, then prices will be set by those with the most money. In Monterey County, huge numbers of homes formerly available for residential use by local residents are now second homes, the owners living elsewhere and only using the homes infrequently. They have the money to do that, and that’s what they do. In Santa Cruz County, higher-paid people who work in the Silicon Valley buy up homes that are then not available for local workers. Then he talks about a proposed evelopment in Live Oak… The Board is probably going to set Tuesday, September 29th, at 1:30 p.m., as the time to make a decision on a 20-unit residential subdivision proposed at 1000 Rodriguez Street, at the corner of Jose Avenue. If you care about this proposed development, you should plan to attend the hearing. Originally, the developer, City Ventures, wanted to build more units, and there is an argument, of course, that developments within designated urban areas should be “dense” developments, to help prevent future urban sprawl. To me, one of the issues of most significance is that the developer will not produce ANY affordable units. That’s because the Board changed its policies within the last year to allow developers the right to pay fees instead. Significant neighborhood impacts; no affordable units. You decide!
He closes with a huge development named The Monterey Downs…
LandWatch Monterey County has announced some guided hikes, to show the public the proposed Monterey Downs development site.Participants will be able to see the size of the one mile race track, the 6,500-seat arena, the grandstands proposed, and all the area that will be developed into homes and commercial areas if the Monterey Downs project is approved. There are also coastal oak trees covering the land, many of which would be cut down to carry out the project.
I want to mention another federal agency with a hugely important environmental assignment; this is an agency that I bet listeners and readers may think about quite frequently. I mean the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Again, this federal agency has oversight responsibilities for natural resources that are critically important to our Central Coast Region
I want to alert all of you to the Sanctuary’s pending review of its management plan. There will be a meeting on this topic on September 23rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Louden Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz. This is a “scoping meeting” for the Environmental Impact Statement that will accompany the management plan revision. My comment is that the health of our marine environment depends on good land use practices. If you want to make a comment, visit kusp.org/landuse to find out how you can do that! (Read the complete scripts of the above at Gary Patton’s KUSP Land Use site http://blogs.kusp.org/landuse . Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor (20 years) and an attorney who represents indivuduals and community groups on land use and environmenatl issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, Two Worlds/365” – www.gapatton.net
| CLASSICAL DON RICKLES. Just in case you’ve forgotten the unique and brilliant humor of Don Rickles, watch him with David Letterman and Johnny Carson |
SANDY LYDON’S SANTA CRUZ HISTORY CLASS & CENTRAL COAST SECRETS.
This is the guaranteed last time forever and ever that Sandy will teach his much respected and community changing Santa Cruz History class. It began September 11 and goes through December 18. Go here.. http://www.sandylydon.com to see how to enroll and check out his newest travel and tour news. There’s new news and data on the past and very present anti-Chinese sentiment in San Francisco now!!!
EXEUNT PETER DEMMA. Peter Demma died a couple of weeks ago…on August 28. He added greatly to the color of our county. He was part owner with Ron Bevert of the Hip Pocket Bookstore once located in the older St. George Hotel. He ran for sheriff and walked naked down the street to draw attention to his cause. He was born in Oakland and grew up in Berkeley and in various towns like Menlo Park and Atherton. His daughter Melyssa sends this…Please join his life celebration ceremonies as follows: Sunday, September 27th, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Veterans Hall, Front Street, Santa Cruz. The ceremony will Include; photos, stand up speeches (please feel free to contribute), Honored Guards, Taps performance and a 21 gun salute.
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. The Best of Times, the Worst of Times and Good Times too…scroll a few pages downward.
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER.
Look below a page or two..see Eagan’s newest target..
ARTHUR MILLERS “THE PRICE”. One of Arthur Miller’s finest and most rarely performed plays runs now through October 4 at The Jewel Theatre at 1001 Center Street Downtown Santa Cruz. Joy Carlin directs it, and Nancy Carlin stars in it. It was the absolute hit of their theatre season. The complete cast of four actors was probably the finest ensemble I’ve seen in years. The touching, demending, family disecting plot is excellent Arthur Miller. (Death of A Salesman, All My Sons, The Crucible, After The Fall) This’ll be the Jewel’s last show in the Center Stage. Artistic Director Julie James tells me the Tannery’s Colligan Theatre will open on time and that the Jewel Theatre will open with Guys and Dolls in November!!! Tickets at www.JewelTheatre.net or call 425-7506
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “All quiet on the blog this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com), while I hunker down to hammer out the final revision on my next novel. But you never know when something cool is going to pop up, so keep checking back!” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
WRENCHED, THE FILM. Join the Ventana Wilderness Alliance at the Del Mar Theatre (10/01) for a special screening of “Wrenched: how Edward Abbey lit the flame of environmental activism and gave the movement its soul”. This film captures the passing of the monkey wrench from the pioneers of eco-activism to a new generation carrying Edward Abbey’s legacy into the 21st century. How far are you willing to go in defense of wilderness? At 7pm there’ll be a special live introduction by Edward Abbey’s sister, activist and educator Nancy Abbey. This will be a night to remember but sell-out of the small upstairs venue is almost guaranteed. Advance tickets are strongly advised. Thursday, October 1: Doors open at 6:00 pm and show starts at 7:00 pm.Location Address: 1124 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz
Ticket Prices: $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased here For more information: Call 831-423-3191 or go to ventanawild.org http://wrenched-themovie.com/
THAT IS THE QUESTION
THIS WEEK’S NEW FILMS
(IN ORDER OF PERFECTION)
LISTEN TO ME MARLON. If you’ve ever wondered what Marlon Brando was really like this is your chance to find out. The film consists almost entirely of private tapes Marlon recorded about his views of life, and show biz. There are many film clips too. He was a deep fellow. You’ll learn about his life in Tahiti about his son and the murder…and most importantly you’ll see how his acting changed film acting forever. See it quickly.
DYING TO KNOW. LSD, Harvard, enlightment and the whole mystique around Timothy Leary and his friendship with Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) make this a very complete documentary. Ram Dass is gay and that’s talked about a lot here in their relationship. There’s a focus on Leary’s death and how Ram Dass still relates as a friend. Be Here Now, Richard Nixon, the oft told hippie stories…if this was part of your life, go see this well done epic.
QUEEN OF EARTH. Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men fame takes about 100% of the lead in this weird, depressing, and mostly boring movie. Why it has been getting such good reviews is beyond me. (95% on Rotten Tomatoes!!!) Katherine Waterston plays Moss’ girlfriend who spends most of the film trying to cheer Moss up. Both women constantly argue bitch, and fight each other…and we have to watch. Many critics want to give Moss some awards right now for her acting, I don’t.
GRANDMA. It must be some of the same critics that liked Queen Of Earth think that Lili Tomlin is great and that this is a good movie. Not me. I thought that every line Tomlin spoke was fake and poorly delivered. I liked her much better as Ernestine at the switchboard on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In tv show.
STEVE JOBS: MAN IN THE MACHINE. You gotta be careful here, there’s at least two Steve Jobs films out and around. This one is excellent and is a documentary. It certainly doesn’t canonize Jobs, or Apple for that matter. There doesn’t seem to be much more to learn about Jobs. He was spiritual, driven, merciless, nutty, crafty, and screwed many, many people. He also created the iPhone which to most of the world is far more than a telephone or a marketable product it’s an integral part of our lives and half of the world cried when Steve Jobs died!!!
You need to figure why that happened. The next Jobs movie stars Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen and Katherine Waterston.
IRRATIONAL MAN. It’s back again, and I don’t know why. You take Woody Allen, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and the seldom seen Parker Posey, put them together and whatcha got??? A confused, pointless, humorless Woody Allen repeat mess!!! How Woody can make so many good films then do a bomb like this, will never be known. IF you do go, see if you don’t thnk about Woody and Mia Farrow’s love life, you’ll remember too about: Soon-Yi Previn (m. 1997-present), Louise Lasser (m. 1966-1970), Harlene Rosen (m. 1956-1962). Is Woody trying to work out those past loves, who knows??? Go here if you want to remember even more about his love life.
Z FOR ZACHARIAH. Another “last- woman- on- earth” movie. Then of course around the bend comes Chiwetel Ejiofor and a lot of religion thrown in, along with the predicatable racial hinting. That’s almost settled then Chris Pine enters the scene along with jealousy, honor, more religion, future of the human race stuff, and at least a thousand plot holes about gasoline, water, K Mart stores and inconsequential stupidities. A vey disappointing movie and onev that could have been great…given the still unexplored future theories. Margot Robbie is the last woman!! She was in About Time and The Wolf of Wall Street, but is largely forgettable.
A WALK IN THE WOODS. This is an unbelievably dopey failure of a movie. Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson and Mary Steenburgen are almost always good actors…not in this goof-ball flick. Robert Redford has had good moments onscreen, but he too comes out covered with poop in this one. All I could think of whilst watching it was the old Bob Hope and Bing Crosby “Road Movies”only those films were really funny. This flop makes cornball jokes of old age, bear attacks, will we fall, will we fail, ad infinitum. The film is beneath everyone involved in the making of it….do NOT go.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
FROM BEST TO REALLY BAD
MERU. This is much more than a mountain climbing documentary, it’s a no-holds barred examination of the human psyche. Three men climb an un-climable mountain peak in the Himalayas. The photography is bowel grabbing, the beauty is awesome, and these guys personalities and humanness is truly one for the books. The film forces you to also go deep inside and ask your own self many questions. Go se it, by all means…if you care!!
PHOENIX. It was hard work figuring out the complex plot. It’s full of flashbacks, historical incidents, Nazi’s, Jews, and a 99 % on Rotten Tomatoes!!! A Berlin cabaret singer was shot in the face , gets a thoroughly new face and tries to determine if her husband betrayed her to the Nazis.It’s a sad and well made film except for the hard to follow plot. Go see it quickly.
MISTRESS AMERICA. The women characters in this movie are like Sex and The City stars but they aren’t as likable. In fact these “Mistress” women are nasty, greedy, self centered, rich, and like most Noah Baumbach directed films they talk too much. Greta Gerwig is her usual quick, well acted self but you won’t like her either. Save your money.
THE GIFT. Jason Batemen tops this “near Hitchcock” thrill/murder movie. Joel Edgerton plays his long lost”buddy” and wrote and directed it. You’ll stay awake and thank about the movie long after you leave the theatre. There are a few plot holes, but go see it IF you like thrillers with lots of suspense.
TRAINWRECK. This entire film (if you can call it a film) hangs on Amy Schumer. I had and have no idea who she is and care less. The film being a Judd Apatow production is gross, vulgar, mean-spirited, and full of “miss-directed” sex. Liking this film is probably a generational thing, for which I’m grateful.
ANT-MAN. Another Marvel Comic Book bloody, violent hero movie and just as idiotic as all the rest. But try to remember that we’re talking comic books here not great literature. Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas give half-hearted attempts at playing cartoon characters. The film is full of age-old tricks, way over used plots and about zero imagination involved in any 5 seconds of this bore.
MAN FROM UNCLE. Napoleon Solo and Ilya what’s his name are back buit no where near as clever as Robert Vaughn and David MCallum in the original 1968 TV series. Those same guys made a movie-copy of the same plot in 1983 which bombed. This “new” flick is just another insanely ridiculous, hard to follow plot, about atomic bombs, and much blood. Don’t go. I’ve forgotten who the “stars” are in this cheap new copy (after a lot of work).
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ROGUE NATION. Tom Cruise again.This sure isn’t of Mad Max quality but it beats the hell out of the Marvel Comic film industry and 99% of the dumber action films. Like the title and most of this ilk, no one could follow the absolutely useless plot. Like all other big selling films for kids it’s about how you have to kill people to save the world. And we wonder what drives kids to kill!!!
NO ESCAPE. Owen Wilson and his odd nose and Pierce Brosnan in a small part can’t save this very poor idea for an action movie. Owen works for a foreign water company with secret government plans. That’s probably much like Cal-Am and Monterey!!! Anyways, after all the killing, jumping, brutality, and huge veins of blood flowing, the escape that Owen of course manages to make just before the movie ends is totally mindless. Do NOT see this movie, no matter what!!!
AMERICAN ULTRA. Why anyone would want to take Kristin Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Pullman and John Leguizamo and keep them stoned for as long as it took to make this “stoner” movie is beyond me. Even if I had been stoned at 10:25 am on Friday morning when I went, I couldn’t have enjoyed this sump of a film.( I mean SUMP). Save your money and your stash and don’t go. It may have had a plot but I couldn’t figure it out.
| UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE RADIO PROGRAM KZSC 88.1 FM or live online at www.KZSC.ORG TUESDAYS 7-8 P.M. |
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. I host Universal Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer, (live only and we now have two weeks worth of archives!!!)… Composer, teacher Joseph Sekon guests on September 15 to talk about an upcoming concert. After Joseph, Jewel Theatre’s Julie James returns to reveal their 2015-16 season. September 22 has emcee and Santa Cruz Voice Kim Luke discussing this years FashionArt Show happening September 26. Then Rachel Kippen program director of Save Our Shores talks about their Beach Clean-up program. Jinx Deruisa from The Santa Cruz Chamber Players and Rebecca Jackson take the stage on Sept. 29, after which Robert Stayton will talk about solar energy and his new book “Power Shift” On October 6 Patrice Vecchione returns with news of her newest workshop. After which Amber Duncan and Courtney Castanos from the Ramblin’ Adventure Club talk about their kid’s programs. 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 .
NEW UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVE FEATURE. Stuff changes at KZSC a lot. If you missed either of the last two weeks of Universal Grapevine broadcasts go here… http://www.radiofreeamerica.com/dj/bruce-bratton You have to listen to about 4 minutes of that week’s KPFA news first, then Grapevine happens.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE ARCHIVES. In case you missed some of the great people I’ve interviewed in the last 9 years here’s a chronological list of some past broadcasts. Such a wide range of folks such as 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.
QUOTES. “I could never trust a man unless I’ve got his pecker in my pocket“, Lyndon Baynes Johnson. “Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance”, H.L.Mencken. “I never vote for anyone—I always vote against“, W.C. Fields.
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Snail Mail: Bratton Online
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.
