Citizens’ Alert
Obamarama: Santa Barbarans for Barack Obama meet to discuss their presidential candidate of choice. 6:45pm. Democratic Headquarters, 402 E. Gutierrez St. Email susan@epstein.net.
Year: 2007
Transformers
Director Michael Bay resurrects an ’80s cartoon franchise created solely to sell toys and delivers a $150-million summer blockbuster that is, itself, a commercial for plenty of other things besides toys. Think General Motors, the United States military, and Mountain Dew, to name a few. And yet, Transformers will appear cynical only to the most earnest viewer. This is a film astutely aware of its own reason for existence.
Hot Hot Heat Opens for Snow Patrol at the Bowl
One of the privileges of attending the big summer rock shows at the Bowl is getting a look at some of the hardest-working people in the music business-opening acts. Typically they are young, ambitious, and riding some considerable early success. The opening slot gigs are a chance to practice for the big day-coming soon-when everybody in the audience is there to see them. And, in the best cases, the urgency of the situation comes across in the performance, and you get the feeling that, for now at least, everything counts.
Kayaking the Salton Sea
Since kayaking is a favorite mode of travel of mine, I was curious about exploring Salton Sea, California’s largest inland lake, which sits 228 feet below sea level in the Colorado Desert. Not dissuaded by its occasional piercing sulphuric stench, schools of dead fish, or stinging sandstorms, I drove up to its eastern shore and unloaded my gear, before paddling six miles southeast to a sparsely advertised kayak camp known as Salt Creek.
The Lives Of Others- And Us?
It’s startling to think that fewer than 20 years ago, a supposedly civilized country called the German Democratic Republic (aka East Germany) was actively spying on its own citizens with the sort of invasive technology usually reserved for James Bond.
Quiz: Ladies’ Night
Quiz: Ladies’ Night
Harry Potter Release Party
The folks at Borders Books are throwing a Harry Potter-themed release party like no other this Friday, July 20. Beginning at 8 p.m., fans can participate in the Harry Potter Spelling Bee, listen to the Great Snape Debate, go on scavenger hunts throughout the store, get their fortune told by the Divination Teacher, and enjoy snacks from the Leaky Cauldron cafe.
Pick it Up
Playful piano and serious strings are the sonic canvas for the pleasing vocals of Shana Levy, who left L.A. indie stars Irving five years ago. A mix of slow songs with uppity pop hits that have been on Grey’s Anatomy, it’s sunny music for a foggy day. They play Velvet Jones with Oh No! Oh My! on Tuesday, July 17.
Meet the Indy-Sponsored Athletes Training for the S.B. Triathlon
Last spring, The Indy, first-time sponsor of the Santa Barbara Triathlon, issued a challenge to S.B. desk jockeys and jock wannabes: Tell us why we should pick you as one of our Independent-sponsored triathletes. If you do, you’ll be entered to win free registration and-more notably-the services of a personal trainer who’ll whip you into tip-top shape for this race of a lifetime. We recruited Peter Park, of Platinum Fitness Performance, to play the role of sadistic drill sergeant, aka trainer.
2003
2003
