Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 26, 2012

10

ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, May 26, 2012 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 


The Book Report

By Jeff Brown

Review By Sean Kayden

SUPERFUEL: THORIUM, THE GREEN ENERGY SOURCE FOR THE FUTURE by 
Richard Martin 

At the dawn of the atomic age, uranium and thorium were equally important as the element of choice 
in researching nuclear energy. Either one could have powered the world’s reactors. But it was uranium 
that won out, and thorium, which is far cleaner, safer, and more abundant than uranium, was relegated 
to the dustbin. So went the possibility of creating a low risk nuclear energy source to power our 
planet. What might have happened had our scientists and our government, and the nuclear power 
industry invested the resources to develop this little known yet abundant element? Would we face a 
global energy crisis and the prospect of catastrophic climate change today? Why are countries around 
the world, including rising economic superpowers India and China, rushing to develop electricity 
from thorium while the United States, which studied thorium reactors extensively in the 1960s, plays 
catch up? Now, as the world searches for cheap, non carbon emitting energy sources, thorium is reemerging 
as an overlooked solution. Richard Martin combines science, new historical research, and 
a gripping business narrative to tell the untold story of thorium power and show how we can wean 
ourselves off fossil fuels , deliver a safe energy source for a millennia, and avert the risk of nuclear 
meltdown. SuperFuel will change the discussion of our energy future.

THE HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE TO RENEWABLE ENERGY: ACHIEVING ENERGY 
INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SOLAR, WIND, BIOMASS, AND 

HYDROPOWER by Dan Chiras 

The Guide will show you how to slash your home energy costs while reducing your carbon footprint 
It describes the most practical and affordable methods for making significant improvements in home 
energy efficiency and tapping into clean, affordable, renewable energy resources. These measures will 
save the average homeowner tens of thousands of dollars over the coming decades. Focusing on the 
latest technological advances in residential renewable energy, this guide examines options available 
including: Solar hot water and solar hot air systems; Passive and active solar retrofits for heating and 
cooling; Electricity from solar, wind, and microhydro; Hydrogen, fuel cells, methane digesters, and 
biodiesel. Packed with practical tips and guidelines, it gives readers knowledge to hire and communicate 
effectively with contractors and is a must read for saving money and achieving energy 
independence. 

THE DOOR INTO SUMMER by Robert A. Heinlein 

Electronics engineer genius Dan Davis has finally made the invention of a lifetime: a household robot 
with extraordinary abilities, destined to dramatically change the landscape of everyday routine. Then, 
with wild success just within reach, Dan's greedy partner and greedier fiancée trick him into taking 
the long sleep, suspended animation for thirty years. They never imagine that the future time in 
which Dan will awaken has mastered time travel, giving him a way to get back to them, and at them 
plus many more amazing happenings. A wonderful science ficiton book. Heinlein lived from 1907 to 
1988 and is widely recognized as the most influential science fiction writer of the 20th century. Also 
fun is to see how one of our great science fiction writers saw the far distant future of 2000, from the 
vantage point of 1957. 

THE REST

 Relatively obscure Canadian indie rockers, The Rest, are poised to 
drop their third record, Seesaw on June 12th. The band has had a tumultuous 
path leading up to this release since their friend and producer (of their first two 
albums), Dan Achen passed away. Additionally, the band suffered a hard drive glitch of sorts 
that completely wiped out everything that was recorded. This led to a two-month delay, but 
despite dire circumstances, The Rest pulled through the pain and suffering. Unbeknownst to 
the band’s existence up until most recently, I’ve had the utmost privilege to discover one of 
the best under-the-radar indie acts in recent memory. “Seesaw” is a soaring, richly textured, 
emotive piece of art. To have been unaware of the existence of The Rest is a deep shame, 
but to those who read this and don’t seek them out, consider yourself foolish. “Seesaw” will 
awaken your eyes in midst of a shutdown in 
your own life. 

 Irrefutably charming, utterly serene, 
and continuously inspiring, the album is as 
deeply intelligent as it is mesmerizing. Without 
offending any fans, you can hear hints of 
Radiohead, The Antlers, and Sigur Ros, but 
at any rate, The Rest is completely special. 
Shifting from melodically driven tunes to swiftly paced ones, “Seesaw” proves to be a prime 
example of consistency and a well-balanced sounding album. Their exceptional ability to 
intrinsically develop tender pop songs is considerably effective. I don’t recall the last time I 
was truly excited to listen to an album all the way through immediately after already doing 
so. The Rest has without doubt crafted an incredible, powerhouse record that can stand toe-
to-toe with any album this year. 

Every song off the record deserves praise and recognition to the maximum degree. The Rest 
will probably never reach the status it rightfully warrants, but don’t let that stop you from 
listening to one of the best records this year will have to offer. It’s always a great feeling to 
discover new, exciting, and fresh music, but with this particular breakthrough, the emotion 
is at its highest peak. Sure, The Rest won’t be for everyone (as there is no such band ever 
to achieve such an accomplishment), however, if you’re a supporter of the genre or seeking 
something quite moving, look no further than “Seesaw.” It will abide as your go to record for 
anything that life throws your direction. 

Key Tracks: “Who Knows”, “Hey! For Horses”, “Laughing Yearning”, “John Huston”, “The 
Last Day”

Grade: 9.1 out of 10

Artist: The Rest 

Album: Seesaw 

Label: Auteur Recordings 

Release Date: June 12th, 2012


SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS:


“DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD OF OZ” AT 

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE BACK BY POPULAR 
DEMAND - OPENS JUNE 2

Join Dorothy, 
Toto and all 
of their new 
found friends 
in this lively, 
colorful, magical 
musical adventure 
based 
on L. Frank 
Baum’s much 
loved story. 
The interactive 
show permits 
the kids in the 
audience to be 
Munchkins. 
The show will 
be presented 
for Saturday 
daytime performances 
only.

June Chandler, 
long associated 
with Sierra Madre Playhouse, directs a cast that includes Donna Ieraci, Steve Cipriani, Hal Sweesy, 
Shirley McConnell, Lynda Rohrbacher, Ian Dawson, Dan Ellis, and Ron Johnston.

Written by Steve and Kathy Hotchner. Presented by June Chandler and The Sierra Madre Players. 
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company.

“Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz.” At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. Plenty of free parking behind the theatre. June 2- July 7, 2012. Saturdays at 11 
a.m. Adults, $18. Children 12 and under, $12. (626) 355-4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org


Shakespeare at Sunset: Midsummer Night's Dream

 

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and 

Botanical Gardens San Marino, CA

 

Fall under the spell of Shakespeare's most intoxicating 
comedy as the Independent Shakespeare Co. 
presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream," staged on 
the South Terrace of the Huntington Art Gallery. As 
the wedding of Duke Theseus approaches, a group of 
tradesmen rehearse a play to celebrate the nuptials. 
In the shadows alongside them, the king and queen 
of the fairies do battle, lovers succumb to magic (and 
each other), and forest spirits seek to unravel the 
mysteries of the human heart. 

Minimum Age: 10

Kid Friendly: Yes!

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: Yes!

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes!

Contact 626-405-2125

Email: publicinformation@huntington.org

Web: http://huntington.org


Sierra Madre Spring Art Exhibition: HILDA PITTMAN

The City of Sierra Madre Community Services Commission and Arts Advisory Committee is pleased 
to present an art exhibition by Sierra Madre resident Hilda Pittman. 

 The art work is now on display through Friday, June 8 in Sierra Madre City Hall, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. For more information please call the Sierra Madre Community & Personnel Services 
Department at (626) 355-5278.