2007 - Page 379 of 521 - The Santa Barbara Independent

Books By Sam Kornell

Six Books That Will Boost Your Climate Change Awareness

After reading a truckload of books on climate change, I’ve come to view the subject much as I view aging: Sometimes I just don’t want to think about it. Unfortunately, climate change is a problem with a very high “procrastination penalty,” as scientists put it. That is, the longer we wait to act, the less chance we have of making a difference. To be sure, we cannot “stop” climate change-not only has global warming long since started, but the latest science says it will continue to gather momentum for thousands of years, even if we ceased all carbon emissions now. Nevertheless, we may still be able to mitigate some of its worst consequences.

Outdoors By Felicia M. Tomasko

Yoga on the Rocks

I bet you just did things you never thought you’d be able to do,” Earthworks climbing guide Matthew Fineup called up to me. That was an understatement-I was clinging onto a rock face 40 feet above solid ground, leaning off to the side, staring at tree branches, looking for my next hand-hold, and trying to gauge how long my fingers could maintain their grip. Fortunately, I was equipped with a harness, my rope anchored to the top of the rock and held by Matthew on the ground.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash

Warm Weather White Wines

I’m often asked to list my favorite wines, and my answer is always the same: It depends upon my mood, the food being served, and/or the weather at the time. I may love big, bold reds, but on a hot day, I crave a crisp white wine or a cold beer. I’m not saying you can’t have red wines during the spring or summer. In fact, I love a bold zinfandel with a backyard barbecued hamburger on a warm summer night, after the sun has gone down and the warm breezes mingle with cool ones coming off our coastline.

Events By Indy Staff

Give a Little

• Volunteers ages 13 and older are needed to help staff the Museum of Natural History‘s butterfly pavilion, filled with more than 1,000 butterflies. Help is needed from June 16 to September 30 and participants must take part in a training session on either June 9 or June 12. Call 682-4711 x107.

Film & TV By Indy Staff

Countdown to Entropy

As life gets tougher, our zombies get stronger. In an example of how real-world conditions will creep into our reel world experience, you may well notice a different response to 28 Weeks Later, a fine and edgy sequel to the nerve-chilling Danny Boyle film 28 Days Later.

Arts & Entertainment By Charles Donelan

Camerata Pacifica Premieres Wilson’s Messenger Concerto

If playing classical music in the talent-saturated Southern California market is a high-wire act of sorts, then composing original contemporary classical music for that same market is the ultimate thrill, a little like one of the side activities Camerata Pacifica Artistic Director Adrian Spence enjoys in the off-season-skydiving. On Friday, for the second time in three years, Camerata Pacifica will be premiering a major work commissioned by Montecito philanthropists and music aficionados Luci and Richard Janssen.

Living By Indy Staff

Quote of the Week

‘I have a long history of fighting Styrofoam.’

Visual Arts By Darian Bleecher

Plein Air, Updated

The paramount philosophy at the brand new Gallery Ocho-an intimate, sun-washed space in Victoria Court-is art should not only be collected but enjoyed, and pieces should be observant, relevant, and available even to the uninitiated. Husband-and-wife owners Anna and Casson Demmon are well versed in and passionate about art, yet eschew exclusivity.

Arts & Entertainment By Alyssa Perry

G¼nther and The Sunshine Girls at UCSB’s Storke Plaza.

Champagne, glamour, sex, and respect: With a motto like that, who wouldn’t want to be G¼nther, self-proclaimed global citizen? On Friday night at UCSB’s Storke Plaza, the Swedish performer arrived with his Sunshine Girls in tow to sexually arouse Isla Vistans with techno beats, dance rhythms, and sensuous lyrics. For a solid 90 minutes, G¼nther energized the crowd and managed to transform a campus hangout into a European nightclub without even much singing or dancing of his own.

Living By Virginia Hayes

Growing Bananas in Your Home Garden

The fourth-largest fruit crop in the world is (drum roll, please) : the banana. Its rise to fame in non-tropical countries is nothing short of stellar; it is now a year-round staple available in grocery stores throughout the U.S. Bananas are high in potassium and easily digested, making them healthful for almost everyone from babies to oldsters. Selective breeding has produced a very uniform and seedless fruit and thousands of acres are devoted to their culture.

Year: 2007