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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 25, 2015
Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown
SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS:
PASSION PIT – ‘KINDRED’
HEADSTRONG: 52 WOMEN WHO CHANGED
SCIENCE AND THE WORLD by Rachel Swaby
Fifty-two inspiring
and insightful
profiles of history’s
brightest female
scientists. In 2013,
the New York
Times published an
obituary for Yvonne
Brill. It began: “She
made a mean beef
stroganoff, followed
her husband from
job to job, and took
eight years off from
work to raise three
children.” It wasn’t
until the second
paragraph that
readers discovered
why the Times had
devoted several hundred words to her life: Brill was
a brilliant rocket scientist who invented a propulsion
system to keep communications satellites in orbit,
and had recently been awarded the National Medal
of Technology and Innovation. Among the questions
the obituary—and consequent outcry—prompted
were, Who are the role models for today’s female
scientists, and where can we find the stories that
cast them in their true light? Headstrong delivers a
powerful, global, and engaging response. Covering
Nobel Prize winners and major innovators, as well
as lesser-known but hugely significant scientists
who influence our every day, Rachel Swaby’s vibrant
profiles span centuries of courageous thinkers and
illustrate how each one’s ideas developed, from
their first moment of scientific engagement through
the research and discovery for which they’re best
known. This fascinating tour reveals these 52 women
at their best—while encouraging and inspiring a
new generation of girls to put on their lab coats
HISSING COUSINS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AND ALICE ROOSEVELT
LONGWORTH by Marc Peyser & Timothy Dwyer
A lively and provocative double biography of first
cousins Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt
Longworth, two extraordinary women whose tangled
lives provide a sweeping look at the twentieth century.
When Theodore Roosevelt became president in
1901, his beautiful and flamboyant daughter was
transformed into “Princess Alice,” arguably the
century’s first global celebrity. Thirty-two years later,
her first cousin Eleanor moved into the White House as
First Lady. Born eight months and twenty blocks apart
from each other in New York City, Eleanor and Alice
spent a large part of their childhoods together and were
far more alike than most historians acknowledge. But
their politics and temperaments couldn’t have been
more distinct. Do-gooder Eleanor was committed
to social justice but hated the limelight; acid-
tongued Alice, who became the wife of philandering
Republican congressman Nicholas Longworth, was
an opponent of big government who gained notoriety
for her cutting remarks (she famously quipped that
dour President Coolidge “looked like he was weaned
on a pickle”). While Eleanor revolutionized the role
of First Lady with her outspoken passion for human
rights, Alice made the most of her insider connections
to influence politics, including doing as much to defeat
the League of Nations as anyone in elective office.The
cousins themselves liked to play up their oil-and-water
relationship. “When I think of Frank and Eleanor in the
White House I could grind my teeth to powder and blow
them out my nose,” Alice once said. In the 1930s they
even wrote opposing syndicated newspaper columns
and embarked on competing nationwide speaking
tours. Blood may be
thicker than water,
but when the family
business is politics,
winning trumps
everything.Vivid,
intimate, and stylishly
written, Hissing
Cousins finally sets
this relationship
center stage, revealing
the contentious bond
between two political
trailblazers who short-
circuited the rules of
gender and power,
each in her own way.
By Sean Kayden
Passion Pit’s long awaited
third LP, ‘Kindred,’ is
exceptional on many
levels. It’s the more
optimistic counterpart to
2012’s sophomore release,
‘Gossamer’. The previous record covered a more
synthpop frantic vibrancy, but explored much darker
lyrics than ever before for the late twenty year old
musician. While Michael Angelakos, the mastermind
behind Passion Pit, still travels down his not-so-
halcyon days on occasion here, the overall theme
feels much less about his own personal plight. In fact,
it’s more of a reflective album with the pursuit of
happiness in its sight. Angelakos has always taken his
personal experiences and inject them into bubbly- pop
music. In 2012, he spoke candidly about depression,
suicide, and substance abuse. The sounds he creates as
a backdrop acts as mask for his lyrics, which get into
heavy subject matters. However, sometimes he pens
ambiguous lyrics for the listener, but you know they
are extremely close to home. Nonetheless, ‘Kindred’ is
blissfully intoxicating. ‘Gossamer’ may be considered
Angelakos opus, while being grander, ambitious,
and simply put, sadder. ‘Kindred’ is a toned down
version than previous efforts, but in 2015, it’s kind of
refreshing. While other acts try to mimic Passion Pit’s
past success, the former leader of snyth-pop shows he
has new tricks up his sleeves.
“Lifted Up (1985)” is directly about Angelakos’
wife. He’s been very open about his bi-polar disorder
and living through all the turmoil it has brought to his
relationship. However, as he poured out everything
he had on the last record, this time around he’s
apologetic. The same notion follows suit with “Whole
Life Story.” “Sorry darling, how could you forgive
me when our life’s some story out for them to buy?”
is emotionally sung by Angelakos in front of a wildly
electro-pop soundscape. “Where The Sky Hangs”
brings a slower tempo to the forefront. Angelakos’
angelic vocals have always been a strong selling
point for the band and he’s still at the top of his game
here with ‘Kindred.’ The sentimental mania, slick
productions, and intrinsically likeability to each and
every song is outstanding to the say the least. “Five
Foot Ten (I)” is one of the more chaotic tunes off the
album, but there’s a deep heartbeat underneath it all.
The saccharine melodies never come up too sugary or
syrupy, however just the perfect amount of infectious
sweetness. “Dancing on the Grave” paints a delicate
portrait of pensive inclinations. It’s a low-beat track
off the record, but in return may very well be the most
poignant.
“Until We Can’t (Lets Go)” is Passion Pit’s new
anthem. This will be the song to remember off
‘Kindred’. It’s unabashedly fun, but digs deeper
looking for a better future. “My Brother Taught Me
How To Swim” is utterly therapeutic in nature. There’s
just something so peaceful within Angelakos’ honeyed
vocals. The candy-colored works of ‘Kindred” are
delightful and addicting as hell. The closer “Ten Feet
Tall (II)” extends on the other track with the same
name, but Angelakos vocals are auto-tuned heavily
in some areas giving off a distorted delivery. It feels
like a rushed song and utterly filler (perhaps to make
the album full-length suitable at 10 tracks). Other
than that somewhat misguided attempt, ‘Kindred’ is
completely spectacular. Let’s not forget, Passion Pit’s
debut ‘Manners’ was a thing of absolute beauty. With
‘Kindred’, Angelakos features sprightly melodies and
sparking vocals. He may be older, he may be wiser, but
he’s clinging onto the idea eternal youth and frankly,
who isn’t in this day and age?
Grade: 8.5 out of 10
Key Tracks: “Lifted Up (1985),” “Whole Life Story,”
“All I Want,” “Five Foot Ten (I),
PASSION PIT – ‘KINDRED’
Artist: Passion Pit
Album: Kindred
Label: Columbia
Release Date: April 21st, 2015
FOOD & DRINK
BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS
FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett
Many of you remember Fess Parker as the actor who played Davy Crocket King of the wild Frontier
and Daniel Boone of the TV series in the 60’s , In fact 1954, Walt Disney personally signed Fess
Parker to a contract. His fame and fortune set up his second career as real estate developer. Fess
Parker died in 2010 but left his mark in the hospitality arena in Santa Barbara.
Parker built his first resort hotel in Santa Barbara in 1986. Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort. I’ve
stayed there a few times it has the prefect view of the Pacific Ocean.
In 1987, Parker purchased a 714 acre ranch thirty
five miles north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa
Ynez Valley, where he set up Fess Parker’s Winery
& Vineyard. Still operated by family members to this day. The winery produces many award winning
wines many that have received 90+ ratings, a true American success story you bet! Many of you know
that I have a radio show that airs live from Santa Barbara every Thursday and I have been introduced
to many wines from the Santa Barbara area
and I can say that the 2014 Fess Parker
Chardonnay is a true representation of the
emerging wine industry. The Chardonnay is
crisp, aromas of citrus, a touch of honey and
for you “oak fans”, you’ll love the fact that is
has been 100% barrel aged and fermented
in new French and Hungarian oak. . On
the palate, great texture with subtle tannins,
with a refreshing acidity a true balance
making this Chardonnay a great food
friendly wine. The price is right at less
then $15. I paired it up recently with my
signature home made crab cakes and what a
great combination.
TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills
thechefknows@yahoo.com
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE
NAMING BENEFICIARIES
Once you have decided whom you want to
receive your assets -- either from a will, trust, life
insurance policy, retirement account, or bank
account -- understanding how they will inherit
becomes important.
Here are five things you need to consider before
naming beneficiaries:
1. Beneficiaries of a will have to wait. Any assets
you bequeath to a beneficiary via a traditional
will have to wait for their money or property until
the probate process has been completed. In some
cases, this can take many months or even years
-- and if the estate is complex, the legal fees can
deplete that inheritance. If you want to make it
easier for your beneficiaries, consider creating a
Revocable Living Trust as part of your estate plan.
A trust does not go through probate; upon your
death, the successor trustee distributes the assets
to your beneficiaries.
2. Retirement plan and life insurance policy
benefits are paid directly. The assets in a life
insurance policy or retirement plan are not subject
to probate and pass to your (adult) beneficiaries
directly. These beneficiaries will receive the assets
after providing the account owner’s proof of
death and a proof of identity for the beneficiary.
Naming contingent beneficiaries is important;
if the primary beneficiary predeceases you, the
assets will likely go into your estate and will be
subject to taxes.
3. Minor children should not inherit directly.
Naming a minor child as the beneficiary of a
life insurance policy or other assets is never
recommended. Because minor children cannot
receive assets directly, the state could take over
the assets and name someone to manage those
assets on the child’s behalf. This can result in
additional expenses that eat into that inheritance,
and those assets may not be managed according to
your wishes. Instead, the wise move is to create a
trust to hold these assets for the benefit of a minor
child and name a successor trustee to oversee the
management and distribution of the funds in a
way that complies with your wishes.
4. Give careful consideration to naming
retirement plan beneficiaries. Studies have shown
that most beneficiaries of a retirement plan take
the cash immediately, which may not be your
intention. Naming your estate as beneficiary of
a retirement plan is also not recommended since
doing so would not allow your spouse or younger
beneficiary to take advantage of an IRA rollover
or the “stretch” IRA option that could allow your
IRA to grow tax-deferred over many years.
5. If there are multiple beneficiaries, name them
all. If there are multiple beneficiaries for an
insurance policy or retirement plan, don’t make
the mistake of just naming one person -- say,
the oldest child -- and assuming they will make
the proper distributions. Instead, designate a
separate share for each beneficiary. If one of your
beneficiaries has special needs, create a trust for
their share so any inherited assets don’t disqualify
them from important government benefits.
One of the main goals of my law practice is to
help families like yours plan for the safe, successful
transfer of wealth to the next generation. Naming
the correct beneficiaries, in the right way, is an
important part of that process. Please let me know
if you have any questions about this or if there’s
anything else I can do to help.
To your family’s health, wealth, and happiness,
A local attorney, father, and CASA volunteer
(Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children),
Marc Garlett is on a mission to help parents
protect what they love most. His office is located
at 49 S. Baldwin Ave., Ste. G, Sierra Madre, CA
91024. Schedule an appointment to sit down and
talk about ensuring a legacy of love and financial
security for your family by calling 626.355.4000 or
visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information.
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
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