DATELINE July 18, 2016
SANTA CRUZ’S CANCEROUS GROWTH. In spite of the massive evidence surrounding us, cities do not get better, or expressly more prosperous when they get bigger. Yet the lure and promise of taxes imposed on new buildings and big out of town and state franchises still fool local officials into luring and encouraging growth. Can anyone possibly think that San Jose or Los Angeles or San Francisco city coffers are better off because they grew into gigantic metropolises? Santa Cruz is seeing this “greed above
|UC STEREOTYPES EXPLAINED. Odd, strange, but you probably haven’t seen this one!!!
|PGA GOLF TOUR MEETS ANIMALS
all common sense” attitude when we keep getting our elected politicos’ pitches pushing THE CORRIDOR PLAN. I’m willing to bet that never in Santa Cruz City history has there been such a rush to approve as much building as is happening right now. The Villa de Branciforte Society (go here to see their history) has been working for years to keep some semblance of livability and quality to our neighborhoods. They work hard to inform neighbors and elected officials of the enormity of pending development. (Go here to see their current “Developments on the Block”…) Just like widening highways encourages more traffic new housing doesn’t satisfy any local housing needs it encourages more folks moving here.
To make all this even more real check out the two full pages (below) of projects from April 30, 2016 of such projects as four hotels, 248 units on Delaware, 94 units on Pacific, 63 units on Pacific and numerous additions, second floors, ad infinitum. We need to keep asking our City Council and especially the new council candidates such questions as… where will the necessary water come from, how can our streets carry the added traffic, hos can the police and fire departments handle the extra problems. What kind of new jobs will be created, how much of the new business profits will stay in the County?
Follow this link to see a more or less complete list (2 full pages) of all the projects the City has given approval to build.
KROHN GOES TO CLEVELAND. Former Santa Cruz Mayor and political activist Chris Krohn is in Cleveland. He will be sending exclusive reports on the Republican Convention to BrattonOnline….here’s his first (dated Mon, 18 July, 2016 8:37 am)
“SURROUNDED BY REPUBLICANS”. by Chris Krohn.
I was surrounded by Republicans at SFO this past Saturday night. Having been able to score a press pass from the House of Representatives Periodical Press Gallery for the Republican National Convention in Cleveland—they obviously do not know me—I’m waiting for my red-eye flight when I hear a forty-something in a red tee shirt wearing Birkenstock’s and carrying a computer bag being introduced to a twenty-something woman who is seated near me. “I run data for Trump, that’s what I do. Nice to meet you,” he says. Then a guy about 30 in beige shorts and a white sport shirt chimes in. “Oh yeah, I was the youngest delegate for the Republicans back when I was 22…I’m a big fan of Donald Trump…I’m on the leadership committee for the state.”
I’m thinking, wow the convention starts here at SFO. So with notebook in hand I get up and approach the Republican gaggle. The man in shorts is clear he does not want to talk about the convention. He says he’s going but “doesn’t necessarily want people to know. Who do you work for?” he asks.
Christopher Krohn (Next week: What happens inside the convention hall never stays inside.)
The People’s Democratic Club (PDC) held their annual Retreat on Saturday, July 16. 24 PDC members plus several non-members attended. The minutes will be posted soon at www.pdclub.org, but here is a report from PDC’s initiatives Committee on what will be on the November 8th Ballot Good grief!!!! Seventeen propositions on the State Ballot!!!!
(Paul Elerick is a member of, and former co-chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation, http://sensibletransportation.org . He’s a current member of Nisene to Sea, a group of mid-county citizens committed to maintaining an open hiking trail from Cabrillo College to Nisene Marks State Park
“PG&E TREE REMOVAL HAS TO BE CHALLENGED!” (July 11, 2016)
The July 6th meeting with PG&E and city representatives was well attended thanks to community activism and little thanks to the city. At the council meeting in late April when this issue was on the council agenda as a presentation allowing no public comment, council stated that the July 6th meeting would be widely publicized. An Immediate Release item that appeared on the city’s website less than a week before the meeting, a hard to locate posting from Santa Cruz Neighbors on Next Door the day before the meeting and a Sentinel Coastlines entry the day of the meeting does not to me constitute a “widely publicized” meeting.
The posting from the city stated that the list of 38 public trees to be removed would be available at the meeting. The three copies available to look at but not take away suggest the city did not anticipate a large turnout. After the Mayor’s opening words, the city arborist introduced the meeting followed by the usual plethora of PG&E operatives dragged forward to respond to questions. It was a rather sorry affair. As one person shared, “I expected a slide show on the project with detailed explanations, scientific evidence and a comprehensive list of trees.” The poster boards with drawings of trees and pipelines did not pass muster for scientific evidence. The most energetic aspects of the meeting came from audience challenges and probing questions. At least questions were allowed in a group setting, a rare occurrence in today’s democratic process where consultants orchestrate small tables and post-it notes with no questions allowed.
(Gillian Greensite is a long time local activist, a member of Save Our Big Trees and the Santa Cruz chapter of IDA, International Dark Sky Association http://darksky.org Plus she’s an avid ocean swimmer, hiker and lover of all things wild).
PATTON’S PROGRAM. From Gary’s Two Worlds website… dated July 14, 2106
|UCSC TRAIL RIDE. Not sure exactly where near the campus this is..and it’s beautiful.
“GOOD ADVICE FROM JANE”
The City of Santa Cruz is in the middle of developing a so-called “Corridors Plan” for the main transportation corridors in the city. Affected would be Mission Street, Ocean Street, Water Street, and Soquel Avenue. In general, higher densities and increased building heights would be encouraged all along these city streets. I have been following the project from afar, and I have been encouraging local residents to get involved. There was a community meeting last night, for instance, on the East Side, highlighting the massive traffic, parking, and other impacts of what is being suggested. My suggestion? Pay attention. The stakes for the future of Santa Cruz are, actually, pretty high.
Gary is a former Santa Cruz County Supervisor (20 years) and an attorney who represents indivuduals and community groups on land use and environmental issues. The opinions expressed are Mr. Patton’s. Gary has his own website, Two Worlds at www.gapatton.net
CLASSICAL DeCINZO. Hear Steven DeCinzo on Universal Grapevine Tuesday July 19 th, 7-7:30 p.m. KZSC 88.1 fm. Scroll downwards to see his take on Santa Cruz Shakespeare
EAGAN’S DEEP COVER. Scroll down to see Eagan’s view of our views.
BLITZER GALLERY PRESENTS…The Fool’s Journey-An Exhibition of Paintings-Special Event-Gallery Talk: Sunday July 24th 2 pm. Pamela Eakins, Ph.D. “The Fool’s Journey”. Following in the tradition of the Tarot, with its 22 illustrations of life passages, gifts, and challenges, 18 women artists paint their experience of life’s journey. Based on a painting course developed and taught by Susan Heinz. Curated by Betsy Anderson and Susan Heinz. Featured artists are…Laurel Andres, Sharon Bosley, Maureen Davidson, Bonnie Friedmann, Ruth Garland, Susan Heinz, Aisha Hudson, Lynne McGolrick, Eileen Nazzaro, Christine Price, Kathy Pouls, Nora Sarkissian, Barbara Schatan, Karen Schembs, Peggy Snider, Berdell Spellman, Janet Trenchard, and Karen Zelin.
Exhibit dates now through July 30, 2016. Gallery hours -Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 5 pm. SPECIAL EVENT: Gallery Talk, Sunday July 24th, 2 pm-Scholar and author, Pamela Eakins, Ph.D., speaks on “The Fool’s Journey”
MUNCHING WITH MOZART & FRIENDS. Every third Thursday of the month Carol Panofsky presents a free concert. So Thursday, July 21st 12:10 – 12:50 at the Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown Branch – in the Meeting Room there’ll be ” Noontime with the Oldies – very Oldies” with Lynn Kidder at the piano. Lynn will play Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) Sonata in C, K. 560 and Sonata in C, K. 561. Then Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Preludes, from Well Tempered Clavier, vol. 2 No. 7 in Eb and No. 9 in E. After that, Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Romanze in F#, op. 28 #2 and Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Ballade in g, op. 23. Shell close with Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Sonata in Eb, op. 31 #3, “The Hunt” Presto con fuoco. Get there early seats go fast.
LISA JENSEN LINKS. Lisa writes: “How well has Santa Cruz Shakespeare transitioned to ther new performance space in DeLaveaga Park? Read about the new SCS production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this week at Lisa Jensen Online Express (http://ljo-express.blogspot.com). The set and costumes may be minimalist, but that they got the stage erected at all is no less a feat of magic than anything conjured by Puck and his fleet of fairies!” Lisa has been writing film reviews and columns for Good Times since 1975.
THAT IS THE QUESTION
(THE NEWEST FILMS IN ORDER OF PERFECTION)
HUNT FOR WILDERPEOPLE.An excellent movie that has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. I had a problem with the New Zealand or “Kiwi” accents, and missed a few poignant scenes. Go here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgWnQVfY3mE to get a quick tutorial. Also note it’s “WILDERpeople” as in WILDERNESS not WILDER as in State Park. It’s a scenic, sensitive, comedy about the adventures of a 13 year old misplaced orphan who meets up with grizzly, solitary Sam Neill. They escape authorities by existing in the wilderness of the New Zealand Bush Country. It’s also exciting, tight, creative, perfectly acted, and most importantly…ORIGINAL!!
GHOSTBUSTERS 2. As most movie fans know, they replaced the original male Ghostbusters….Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Sigourney Weaver , Eddie Hudson, Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis with an almost all woman cast ie…Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Plus adding Charles Dance and Chris Hemsworth. The sex change isn’t the important change even though that’s’ what everyone focusses on. The big difference is iin the amount of intelligence, cleverness,and sold humor in the script. These new jokes are dumber, clumsy, obvious, shallow and just not funny. The ghosts aren’t as clever either. Only go if you need to complete your ghostly experiences. Watch for cameos by most of the originals.
STILL PLAYING AT A THEATRE NEAR US
FROM BEST TO REALLY BAD
THE INNOCENTS. An 88 on Rotten Tomatoes!!! It ‘s worth even more than that!!!A French, subtitled , sad, threatening, well-acted, brilliant film that will wrench out your heart…and also your thoughts about faith. Set in Poland at the end of WW2, convent nuns have been raped by Soviet soldiers and 7 are pregnant. A young pretty French doctor stops her life to help them in spite of horrendous odds. It’s a well made film and should win awards…but it probably won’t. It’s too heavy for the awards, being so political and all.
WIENER-DOG. Four separate family stories woven around who owns the Weiner Dog As it passes from woner to owner. Danny DeVito is great to see back on-screen. Greta Gerwig is more or less boring and adds nothing (which is unusual for her). Kieran Culkin is in it and looks like an overly debauched Daniel Radcliffe. Julie Delpy and Ellen Burstyn also have dinky roles in this randomly constructed half funny mess but they should have stayed home, and so should you.
OUR KIND OF TRAITOR. Ewan McGregor and Stellan Skarsgard take the leads in this John Le Carre international money scheme thriller.It’ll remind you of James Bond and Alfred Hitchcock type chase films. Evil Russian Mafia spies, innocent British tourists, messy internal problems with British Government…all stuff that you’ve seen before. And it’s pretty good too.Paris, Bern, Marrakech, French Alps, and of course London are feature attractions. If you like espionage, foreign intrigue, not much blood, and good acting– go for it.
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. This sharp, wordy, comedy is from a little known Jane Austen book, “Lady Susan”. If you’re particular, it takes place in England 130 years before Downtown Abbey (1790). Plenty of Hayden, Cherubini and Cimarosa-type music. Daughter Hillary convinced me that I’d been slipping critic- wise and that Kate Beckensale is completely out of character, and phoney. It’s a desperate, wordy attempt to make still more money out of anything with Jane Austen’s name on it. The plot centers on what women had to do to survive back then. Go see it if you like Brit costume epics, with lots of scenery and furniture. 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, so go figure. It’s just not all that great a film.
THE BFG. A huge Steven Spielberg special effects version of Roald Dahl’s 1982 children’s book. It lacks charm, warmth, cleverness, and wonderment. It’s even just plain boring for long sections. The BFGiant’s big excitement is in fighting the even bigger giants. It isn’t thrilling either. The effects are very good and may be better in 3D. But you’d be better off waiting and renting it later. Oh yes, the Queen of England is in it too, and she’s also boring.
YO-YO MA’s WONDERFUL EGO or THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS-YO YO MA AND THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE. A mess of a documentary. Not one complete piece of music in it. It rambles all over the world showing how musicians continue selling their souls by selling out their true folk music to make a buck. Ther’s a lot of good music being written nowadays both serious and popular…this doesn’t give proper credit to either. Stay home and listen to some music you really like, you’ll be better off.
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN. Tarzan has left the jungle but politics and Christoph Waltz have begun enslaving Congo locals so Tarzan ( Alexander Skarsgard) returns back to the vines. He brings Samuel L. Jackson who plays a more intelligent black version of Gabby Hayes, and does it poorly. The joy of the jungle, Brenda Joyce, Maureen O’Sullivan , Cheetah and Boy are gone. Just war, blood, violence remain. It’s sad to see a tradition like Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan squeezed through this absolutley senseless waste.
SWISS ARMY MAN. This is easily the most bizarre film I’ve seen in ten years. Paul Dano almost always plays in odd, nearly insane movies and he’s just as nuts in this one. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) plays a dead corpse who farts so hard that Dano uses him as a jet ski!!! It isn’t funny, or even odd enough with any class or coherence to make it worth seeing. It’s listed as a comedy, no one was laughing when I saw it.
THE LOBSTER. Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly head the cast of this unfathomable, suposedly dystopian satire on our views and customs relating to sex. marriage, and it’s not nice to animals either. It’s heavy drama, with some laughs thrown in. Maybe you have to be young and distant to catch all the supposedly clever zingers. I missed 95 % of any meaning or purpose to this flick.
THE PURGE:ELECTION YEAR. What an idea…each year for just 24 hours it’s legal to kill anybody in this city. The city in this sequel is Washington, D.C. The first Purge movie had some sick but fascinating ideas in it this sequel is a very sick followup. A woman candidate for president who looks a lot like Elizabeth Warren is hunted by sort of Donald Trump type nazis. It gets bloody, racist, sexist and just plain putrid. They should purge this film, and forget the idea completely.
|UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE RADIO PROGRAM
KZSC 88.1 FM or live online at
www.KZSC.ORG TUESDAYS 7-8 P.M.
UNIVERSAL GRAPEVINE. Each and every Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. I host Universal Grapevine on KZSC 88.1 fm. or on your computer, (live only or archived for two weeks… (See next paragraph) and go to WWW.KZSC.ORG. Satirist, political cartoonist Steven DeCinzo guests first on July 19th. He’s followed by Becky Steinbruner and Ed Silviera discussing Villa Branciforte Preservation and the S.Cruz Transportation Corridor plans. Then on July 26 Michael Warren and Aimee Zygmonski discuss this year’s Santa Cruz Shakespeare season which opens July 12. After which, Michael G. Sullivan from The San Francisco Mime Troupe tells us about this year’s production. On August 2 Dr.Neil Sawhney (cardiologist) talks about heart health. Then Kathy McClure discusses the secrets of self publishing. Rick Gladstone opens on August 9th discussing Santa Cruz political history in the 1960’s. Do remember, any and all suggestions for future programs are more than welcome… so tune in, and keep listening. Email me always and only at email@example.com
I only knew Catherine Tate from her playing Donna Noble in Dr. Who opposite David Tennant as the Doctor. I found some gems from the Catherine Tate Show, and I’m going to binge watch all the Catherine Tate I can find.
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, UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal, Anita Monga, Mark Wainer, Judy Johnson, 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. Shakespeare’s dream quotes….
“A dream itself is but a shadow”, Hamlet.
“If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumber’d here, while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream”, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“When I waked, I cried to dream again“, The Tempest.
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BEST OF VINTAGE STEVEN DeCINZO.
Deep Cover by Tim Eagan.