Word Puzzle Guru Will Shortz
New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz fills in the blanks in this interview.
Year: 2007
‘Caged Kids’ Case Nears End, Vasquez’s Fate in Judge’s Hands
When Judge Frank Ochoa goes behind closed doors later this week to decide the fate of Sylvia Vasquez-the Santa Barbara childcare provider who pleaded guilty to locking two adopted children in makeshift cages and a third in his room-he’ll decide whether she’s a modern-day Cruella De Vil or a heroically misguided fairy godmother struggling to cope with the insurmountable psychological problems suffered by three of her four adopted children.
Dick about the Future
There was once a time when science fiction films were about being in the future as opposed to traveling to it. Since the advent of Back to the Future and Groundhog Day, American films have been riddled with brief flights into Tomorrowland or the fixable past: Donny Darko, Premonition, The Lake House, Minority Report, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Meet the Robinsons, and Dej Vu to name a few.
Pick It Up
Hieroglyphics Imperium’s Over Time: The underground East Bay hip-hop collective-featuring Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual, and others-recently released this collection of b-sides, remixes, and hidden tracks to celebrate its 10-year anniversary.
Call for Berry Delicious Recipes
As the annual California Strawberry Festival approaches, festival organizers are on the hunt for the best no-bake (although use of a grill, fryer, or stovetop is A-okay) strawberry recipes around. Recipe submissions must be received by Friday, May 4, from which five finalists will be selected.
Sleeping with the Enemies
World War II ended more than 60 years ago, with plenty of dramatic global altercations and bellicose psychodramas in between, yet it still seizes our attentions and collective memory banks-as any trip to Europe will attest-and thus also the minds of artists.
Seafood Heaven
For those of you who enjoy food, two new ventures have just begun in Santa Barbara. First, the buzz is that the Hungry Cat, a seafood restaurant, opened downtown at the corner of Chapala and Anapamu streets in the last week of April. Chef/owner David Lentz has another successful Hungry Cat restaurant in Hollywood; he is married to Suzanne Goin, owner of the L.A. restaurants Lucques and AOC, and one of our country’s outstanding young female chefs.
Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. At UCSB’s Campbell Hall.
“Trumpet-playing band leader from New Orleans” must be one of the world’s most intimidating job descriptions. Who could possibly fill the giant shoes of Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis? Yet Irvin Mayfield-experienced and savvy at the young-for-jazz age of 30-steps up to the billing with style.
Citizens’ Alert
You Go, Girls: A luncheon held by Girls Inc. features an address by Santa Barbara activist Lynn Scarlett. 11:30am. Bella Vista, Montecito Ranch Estates. Call 963-4757.
Benefit for Christi’s Baby
The recent fire at Frameworks couldn’t have happened at a worse time for co-owner Christi Westerhouse, who’s currently pregnant. But her friend and neighbor Fatima Hallstrom, owner of Haggle at 7 East De la Guerra Street, is hosting a silent auction in conjunction with 1st Thursday tonight, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. So stop by and support Christi’s unborn daughter.
