Year: 2007

By Virginia Hayes

Opuntia ficus-indica

The Prickly Pear

Humans have been eating parts of this plant for about 12,000 years and began cultivating it about 9,000 years ago. It has been moved around the world in so many directions, its exact origins are somewhat obscure. Most surely it originated somewhere in Mexico, but it diffused throughout South America and Columbus surely took it home with him on his first visit. It spread quickly from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean in the 1400s to 1500s. It is the most economically important cactus and is known as the prickly pear, or Opuntia ficus-indica.

By James Hanley Donelan

Highbrow Humor

The Peabody Trio in a Residency Concert. Lotte Lehmann Hall, Thursday, January 25.

Lotte Lehmann Hall at the Music Academy of the West is just like your living room-if it were 1925, you were J.D. Rockefeller, and you had invited your friends over to hear some of the finest chamber musicians in the world. The Peabody Trio, with Violaine Melan§on, violin, Natasha Brofsky, cello, and Seth Knopp, piano, gave us a thoughtful, beautiful, and, at times, very funny performance on Thursday night in these elegant surroundings.

First King of the Festival
Uncategorized By Indy Staff

First King of the Festival

Forest Whitaker Talks Acting, Uganda, and Why Idi Amin Wasn’t All Bad

The Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker becomes the notorious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. To deliver the performance of a lifetime-and one that’s likely to land him the Oscar after already netting the Golden Globe-Whitaker spent months researching Amin’s life and legacy, learned to speak Swahili, and mastered the distinct Ugandan accent. And I would know because, last year, I spent nearly a month in Uganda, covering their presidential elections and reporting on the country’s 20-year war against crazed northern rebels. Whitaker comes to the Arlington Theatre on Saturday, February 3 at 8 p.m. to accept SBIFF’s Riviera Award. We spoke a couple weeks ago about his role, Ugandan politics, and Santa Barbara.

Food & Drink By D.J. Palladino

Celebrity Nosh-a-Rama

Way back in 2006, George Clooney couldn’t take the heat, so he found a great kitchen. The Modern Master awardee at last year’s film fest, Clooney gamely made his way through a tribute, red carpet, and press grillings, but then ditched his own after-party and snuck off to nurse his privacy in public. Where?

By Indy Staff

BIKE FILMS NEEDED

In anticipation of bike month, the HopeDance Bike Film Festival is looking for amateur filmmakers to submit 10-minute bike-related films. This year’s festival theme, Shift Gears, aims to motivate people away from cars and bring more attention to bicycles. Awards will also be given. Deadline to receive submissions is Friday, April 20. Call HopeDance at 544-9663.

Before and After the Bomb
Uncategorized By Alissa J. Anderson

Before and After the Bomb

The New Modern: Pre- and Post-War Japanese Photography

At the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Shows through April 1.
The New Modern, currently on view at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, takes an expansive look at art photography in Japan before and after World War II. Spanning from the 1920s to the ’90s, the exhibition displays 21 photographs from the museum’s permanent collection.

Bottles & Barrels By Sao Anash

Touchdown Wines

It’s been damn cold lately. The other night, it got down to 14 degrees here in Santa Ynez. It’s the kind of cold that chills one’s blood and bones. Whenever there’s a real cold snap, I reach for a good vintage port. Now, I’m not suggesting this will keep you warm and safe throughout winter. Blankets, healthful food, and heat are the best remedy for that. But, on those wintry nights when a hot chocolate just won’t cut it, try a vintage-or even ruby-port, and it should add some warmth to your hearth.

By Indy Staff

MEDIA MADNESS

Freelance reporter Susan Paterno filed an anti-SLAPP motion against the parent company of the Santa Barbara News-Press, Ampersand Publishing, complaining

Voices By John Gostovich

Change Is in the Wind

There’s a new agricultural crop coming to Santa Barbara County: Wind.
A wind development corporation is planning to erect 60 to 80 large wind turbines on a windy ridge south of Lompoc. These turbines would produce between 80 million and 120 million watts of peak power.

By Indy Staff

LAW AND DISORDER

It took little more than a day for Santa Maria jurors to find a 16-year-old Goleta resident guilty of the

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