Every year when the New Year begins to loom large on the final calendar page everyone is all about losing weight, exercising more, quitting their respective vices and resolving to make the upcoming year the one that will be the best ever. Sometimes, the resolutions stick like the floor of a movie theater, while others…
Dear Editor, “How low can you go, how low can you go?” You have probably heard that song being sung while playing Limbo at one of those awkward work parties or maybe that wedding from hell; typically used as an icebreaker. Unfortunately for the LGBT community and the nation at large it seems to be…
Marston House is one of California’s finest examples of the Arts and Crafts movement and was constructed in 1905 for George Marston and his wife, Anna. The property was designed and built by the internationally renowned architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill. Surrounded by five acres of rolling lawns, manicured formal gardens, and rustic…
Shame, Steve McQueen’s dystopian tale of compulsion and sibling conflict, is the most sexually explicit movie I’ve seen since John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus but it is not nearly as interesting, inventive or sexy as Mitchell’s movie. In fact, Shame is about as sexy as taking a cold shower, clothed, while your grandmother sits on the…
Some birthdays, when I was growing up, I would beg for a present that was a tad too expensive. On occasions when I received that too-dear birthday gift, my mother would declare it part of that year’s Christmas bounty. Unfortunately, early Christmas presents just didn’t satisfy once yuletide arrived – even if rewrapped in paper…
Babette’s feast It’s that time again; time to haul out the holly and the Dolly and the Cher and the Celine and a sleigh full of sequins and heels for A Very Babette Christmas. It’s Babette’s 18th outing, this time at Urban Mo’s. There will be two shows this season. The first, Friday, Dec. 16…
India is one of the largest and most populous countries in the world. Not surprisingly, it boasts an immense diversity of cuisines. India is larger than the whole of Europe, excluding Russia, and consists of 17 different states; five major faiths; and 15 major languages. An astonishing 1,500 dialects exist throughout the continent. For epicurious…
Many restaurants will try and boast their food is authentic and that the flavors will transport you to far away lands; many of them, however, will fall short upon critical analysis. However, there are some that can accomplish this seeming impossible task. There is nothing more special than going out for a night of dining…
insider scoop 1 tsp olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 tbs minced peeled fresh ginger 1 tsp each of mustard seeds and coriander 1/2 tsp each of cumin, turmeric 1 13 1/2-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk 12 uncooked large shrimp, peeled 2 tbs chopped fresh cilantro 2 serrano chilies (optional) Heat oil in heavy…
insider scoop 1 1/2 cups ripe mango cubes 1 cup curd/yogurt 1 tbs sugar or 2 tbs honey 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup crushed ice cubes mint leaves for garnish Whip together in a blender for one minute. Serve chilled, garnish with mint leaves.
