AltWeeklies Wire
Jason Isbell Goes it Alonenew
Former Drive-By Trucker hits the road in support of his soon-to-be-released sophomore album.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
11-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell
Enter the Allospherenew

Colorful and scientific, the $10-million machine at University of California-Santa Barbara gives glimpses into brain activity and atomic relationships, with much more promised for the future.
Santa Barbara Independent |
D.J. Palladino |
11-10-2008 |
Education
Linda Ronstadt's Heart Lies in the Dusty Expanses of the American Southwestnew
While it's rock 'n' roll that has elevated Ronstadt to the musical heights she has reached, she is also one of the industry's most versatile performers, having successfully embraced folk, country, big band, jazz, and even Cajun music.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
11-10-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Arizona, Linda Ronstadt
Global Warming in a Time of Economic Meltdownnew

The credit crisis threatens progress on the energy/global warming front, since the needed major research and development on renewable energies, as well as the needed new infrastructure, require credit which has become very scarce. But the world cannot afford a time out.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Walter Kohn, Alan Heeger and Herbert Kroemer |
10-27-2008 |
Environment
Is California's Solar and Clean Energy Act a Critical Tool or Critically Flawed?new

Two environmentalists face off on Proposition 7, which will be voted on by Californians in November.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Tam Hunt and Cliff Chen |
10-20-2008 |
Environment
Longtime California Congressmember Faces Challenge This Fallnew
To say Republican Matt Kokkonen is a long shot in his quest to unseat Lois Capps as the representative of California's 23rd U.S. Congressional District might be understating it.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Chris Meagher |
10-06-2008 |
Politics
Learning to Live with Fire in Santa Barbaranew

We love living right on the edge of one of the world's most scenic backdrops, but the privilege brings with it the potential for catastrophic disaster most any time the weather turns hot and the wind blows dry.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ray Ford |
09-30-2008 |
Disasters
The Dust Bowl Cometh to Californianew

Will we control climate change in time to save California's crops? "There's a lot of different speculation, and I don't think anybody fully knows what's going to happen," says vintner Richard Sanford.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Sam Kornell |
09-30-2008 |
Environment
How to Harvest Rainwater for the Futurenew

In many developing nations, the need for water and the lack of public supplies has forced the population to capture rainwater and save it for use throughout the year, both for irrigating and for drinking. Incredibly, some states in America prohibit such resourcefulness.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Alastair Bland |
09-15-2008 |
Environment
Thinking Twice About the Big Green Revolutionnew

The same corporate mindset that brought us Big Oil, Big Agriculture, Big Auto, and Big Water and Power is now at work to bring us "Big Green." The problem with "big" is that living large is what got us into this mess.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Patrick Veesart |
08-25-2008 |
Environment
How Jack Johnson is Making Musicians, Venues and Fans Rally 'Round the Earthnew

While playing mellow campfire rock to sold-out crowds worldwide, Jack has been fostering a message of environmental responsibility, giving support to regional and international nonprofits, and teaching the masses that small steps toward a healthier future make all the difference.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Matt Kettman |
08-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Are Sharks Really the Eating Machines We've Made Them Out to Be?new

For people like Dr. Chris Lowe and biologist Terry Lilley, the media's obsession with sharks -- specifically shark attacks -- and pop culture's general view of sharks as human-eating machines, is a grossly misinformed state of affairs.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ethan Stewart |
08-18-2008 |
Animal Issues
Selden Edwards' Debut Novel Was a 30-Year Journeynew

Although the writing process differs for everyone, a book taking 30 years to get published is outside the norm. But that's what it took to get Selden Edwards' The Little Book to the masses.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Charles Donelan |
08-11-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Selden Edwards, The Little Book
A Political Prediction: Presidential Candidates Won't Do What Gore Asksnew

Al Gore recently made a speech calling for an energy makeover for the U.S., claiming that within 10 years, we can go to 100 percent renewable electricity. While I'm glad that someone has finally asked this country to get some courage regarding climate change, I'm highly skeptical of the political will for this to actually happen.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Quentin Gee |
08-11-2008 |
Commentary
Burned by the Gap: Not Everyone Escaped Goleta Blaze Unscathednew

Much of the community breathed a sigh of relief when the Gap Fire entered its final days, having only claimed a few outbuildings and some lemon and avocado orchards. Not everybody was fortunate, however, as residents of the county's wilderness-adjacent communities can attest.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ben Preston and Kathleen Zaratzian |
08-05-2008 |
Disasters