At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, agents from the Federal Communications Commision attempted to gain entry into the studio of Free Radio Santa Cruz. Skidmark Bob approached the pair to ask if they had received complaints of interference. Both agents said the only problem was the station isn't licensed. As they left, Agent Hartshorn threatened to return with a warrant if FRSC did not shut down.

The all volunteer, collectively-run, community based radio station began broadcasting in the spring of 1995, providing Santa Cruz radio listeners with a diverse array of music, talk, and experimental programming unparalleled by anything on the local dial.

The FCC visit comes just five days after the 35 watt station relocated to a new home and new spot on the dial. After nine years of broadcasting at 96.3 FM, a previously unused frequency, FRSC operators moved to 101.1 FM. The switch comes as a good faith effort to avoid interference with Air 1. Last summer, the Christian rock station was granted a license for a ten watt repeater on 96.3 FM in Salinas, CA.

Thursday's visit to Free Radio Santa Cruz is yet another attempt at silencing the tiny station, despite strong community support. On September 3, 2003, the Santa Cruz City Council voted 7-0 in support of an emergency resolution calling on the FCC to leave the station alone.

[ Audio: FCC Visit at the New Location I FRSC vs FCC Skidmix I Coverage from DiyMedia.net ]

Just back from actions in Barcelona, Spain, Reverand Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping have fought Starbucks, Disney and Walmart in support of independent businesses and the survival of our neighborhoods.

The Church performed on Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, April 20. Church was held at Borders, the GAP, Starbucks, and Urban Outfitters.

Reverend Billy and the Stop Big Boxes Gospel Choir are on a singing and preaching tour from L.A. to Humboldt County April 16 to 24, performing for citizens, activist groups and union locals who are resisting the predatory influx of transnational chain stores.

Some performances take place in theaters, others are “retail interventions� – unannounced, unpermitted appearances that take place in “contested space� supercenter lobbies, sweatshop dressing rooms and strip mall parking lots. Throughout its seven year existence the OBIE-winning Church of Stop Shopping has fought Starbucks, Disney, Walmart (to name a few) promoting independent businesses and gift, thrift and barter economies; encouraging the survival of our neighborhoods; and giving a voice to countless sweatshop workers worldwide.

Photos: [ 1 - 2 - 3 ]

Audio: Rockin' the Boat: Reverend Billy Preaches in Santa Cruz

coverage of Reverend Billy in Los Angeles: Reverend Billy Challenges Corporatism

Downtown Santa Cruz was used to illustrate global economics in a satirical scene for the upcoming film "Planet USA." Fat cats and corporate swine moved sweatshop operations from Mexico to China, pursuing profits, assisted by Profit Man and Greed Girl and American military.

Large wads of oversized $100 bills sprinkled the streets of Santa Cruz on Saturday, March 6th, as corporate pigs celebrated their profits. With a curious public audience looking on, an independent film crew converged on downtown Santa Cruz to film the latest installment in the docudrama Planet USA. Part satirical theatre, part educational film, Planet USA examines the disastrous global effects of current American economic, cultural, and military imperialism.

Filming on the Planet USA project began July, 2003 when Director/Producer Marlene Winell organized 50 activists who participated in the Redwood City July 4th parade, the largest in Northern California. Under the auspices of "celebrating American contributions to world culture," the group utilized humor, satire and street theater in creating a float to "celebrate" Americas military, economic, and cultural domination around the globe.

Video: Download the Trailer of Planet USA

This year, the month of February has an extra day - Leap Day, Sunday the 29th. This unclaimed, extra day allows a window for us to jump out of the runaway train of modern society. Let this day be a blank canvas, which we can transform into anything our hearts and minds desire for the world we most want to live in. Let us tap into our own wild, fearless creativity to turn the everyday grind of war, capitalism and inequality into a new society based on mutual aid, cooperation, freedom and love. In short, let us use Leap Day as a no-holds-barred day of action to break out of the mold we as activists have been stuck in for far too long.

The call for a day of action on Leap Day is completely open-ended, with nothing off-limits in terms of tactics, goals, or strategies. Some of us have already begun planning a party of sorts, which will take place on Leap Day and will feature creative resistance, anarchist fun and games, and much more. And everyone who wishes Santa Cruz and our society as a whole to become greater, fairer, more equal and free is invited. Bring yourself, any costumes, toys, music, art, and anything else that helps you create the new world within the dying shell of this one.

Converge at 1 PM on Sunday (2/29) at San Lorenzo Park

Pirates Reclaim The Streets at Haight & Ashbury On Valentine's Day

[ Background on Reclaim The Streets I RTS, San Francisco I A Modality of Resistance I Organizing Suggestions ]

Local Folk Goddess Diane Patterson will be joining Skidmark Bob LIVE in the studios of Free Radio Santa Cruz 101fm this Tuesday 10:30am for a special radio performance/interview. TUNE IN!!

A special GDI event THIS Friday. We have the honor of co-hosting the Santa Cruz Bicycle Film Festival with People Power. The lack of easy and convenient public transportation this month is sending you a clear message: Get on your bike. Become part of bike culture and join us for this special event.

When: 7PM on Thursday, October 20
Where: Live Oak Grange - 1900 17th Avenue
Donation at the door: $5.
For More Information: 465 8272 or respond to this email

ALL AGES show!!!!
The bands on the bill are:
Millons of Dead Cops (MDC)
Instant Asshole
Blown to Bits
30 Years War
Good Neighbor Policy

In his politics a proponent of peace, and in his art a master of silence, Harold Pinter has received his just reward from the Swedish Academy with their announcement of the Nobel Prize in literature. It was Pinter's adaptation of "The French Lieutenant's Woman" in 1981 that helped launch the careers of Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons. Pinter also began his career as an actor, and in the 50 years since has become one of the world's most widely respected playwrights, winning accolades from Tom Stoppard and Vaclav Havel. The occassion was true to form, by his own account: "I was called 20 minutes before the official announcement. The chair of the Nobel committee phoned and said, 'You have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature'. I remained silent, and then said, 'I'm speechless.'"

In a report from ABC news, Nobel permanent secretary Horace Engdahl added to the academy's explanation for Pinter's win, saying the playwright "restored theatre to its basic elements - an enclosed space and unpredictable dialogue, where people are at the mercy of each other and pretence crumbles". His style even saw the word 'Pinteresque' added to the artistic lexicon, meaning "a work of drama full of atmospheric silences peppered with half-stated insights".