Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 9, 2015

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 9, 2015 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEW

MUSIC PLAYLIST FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown


REVOLUTIONARY 
MOTHERS: WOMEN 
IN THE STRUGGLE 
FOR AMERICA’S 
INDEPENDENCE 

by Carol Berkin 

 The American Revolution was 
a home-front war that brought 
scarcity, bloodshed, and danger 
into the life of every American. 
In this groundbreaking history, 
Carol Berkin shows us how 
women played a vital role 
throughout the conflict.The 
women of the Revolution were 
most active at home, organizing 
boycotts of British goods, 
raising funds for the fledgling 
nation, and managing the family 
business while struggling to 
maintain a modicum of normalcy 
as husbands, brothers and fathers died. Yet 
Berkin also reveals that it was not just the men 
who fought on the front lines, as in the story of 
Margaret Corbin, who was crippled for life when 
she took her husband’s place beside a cannon at 
Fort Monmouth. This incisive and comprehensive 
history illuminates a fascinating and unknown 
side of the struggle for American independence.


OUR MOTHERS’ WAR: AMERICAN 
WOMEN AT HOME AND AT THE 
FRONT DURING WORLD WAR II 

by Emily Yellin 

 Our Mothers’ War is an eye-opening and moving 
portrait of women during World War II, a war that 
forever transformed the way women participate in 
American society. Never before has the vast range 
of women’s experiences during this pivotal era 
been brought together in one book. Now, this book 
re-creates what American women from all walks 
of life were doing and thinking, on the home front 
and abroad. These heartwarming and sometimes 
heartbreaking accounts of the women we have 
known as mothers, aunts, and 
grandmothers reveal facets of 
their lives that have usually 
remained unmentioned and 
unappreciated. Our Mothers’ 
War gives center stage to one of 
WWII’s most essential fighting 
forces: the women of America, 
whose extraordinary bravery, 
strength, and humanity shine 
through on every page.


MOM & ME & MOM 

by Maya Angelou 

 The story of Maya Angelou’s 
extraordinary life has been 
chronicled in her multiple 
bestselling autobiographies. But 
now, at last, the legendary author 
shares the deepest personal story 
of her life: her relationship with 
her mother. For the first time, Angelou reveals 
the triumphs and struggles of being the daughter 
of Vivian Baxter, an indomitable spirit whose 
petite size belied her larger-than-life presence—a 
presence absent during much of Angelou’s early 
life. When her marriage began to crumble, Vivian 
famously sent three-year-old Maya and her older 
brother away from their California home to live 
with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. The 
subsequent feelings of abandonment stayed with 
Angelou for years, but their reunion, a decade later, 
began a story that has never before been told. In this 
book, Angelou dramatizes her years reconciling 
with the mother she preferred to simply call “Lady,” 
revealing the profound moments that shifted the 
balance of love and respect between them. Delving 
into one of her life’s most rich, rewarding, and 
fraught relationships, Mom & Me & Mom explores 
the healing and love that evolved between the two 
women over the course of their lives, the love that 
fostered Maya Angelou’s rise from immeasurable 
depths to reach impossible heights.

By Sean Kayden


Best Coast – “Feeling 
Ok” – Best Coast, the 
musical duo of Bethany 
Cosentino and Bobb 
Bruno, are aspiring for 
something a bit more 
ambitious with their third LP, ‘California Nights.’ 
The first track off the recently released album (May 
4th via Harvest Records) is “Feeling Ok.” While 
it still has that basement feel and do it yourself 
kind of production value, it features their most 
published sound ever. This year, several bands 
are trying to change their signature formula, as 
they get further into their respective careers. As 
for Best Coast, this new cut off their new record 
is a winner with a 90s rock feel going for it. Over 
the past few years a 80s sound was coming back, 
but now many bands are bringing back the 90s 
rock (more or less a better era for rock music). 
Best Coast shines with this laidback California 
tune that’s surely the opening track for one’s 
summertime adventure or simply just heading to 
the beach. 

Mumford & Sons – “Tompkins Square Park” 
– Here we go again with another opening track 
worth mention that’s off the third LP from British 
folk rockers, Mumford & Sons. However, they 
aren’t doing the folk thing any longer. This is a 
pure melodic rock song that pushes the band into 
new heights. Many fans and critics were surprised 
by the band’s change of foot, but honestly I dig the 
new resonance. After two albums (‘Sigh No More’ 
and ‘Babel’) that sound nearly identical, the last 
one taking home the Album of the Year Grammy 
in 2013, the quartet decided it’s time to shift gears 
and boy did they ever veer off the folk road. The 
new record, ‘Wilder Mind’ is complete departure 
to their trademark sound as they seep into full-
blown stadium driven rock tunes. These Brits 
are finally rocking out and “Tompkins Square 
Park” is impressive on all accounts. It is the ideal 
song to start off with to settle in with the band’s 
latest transformation. I will admit, I never was an 
avid fan of their style, but with ‘Wilder Mind,’ I 
am a believer in the power of Mumford & Sons. 
Mumford & Sons’ ‘Wilder Mind’ was released 
May 4th via Island Records.

Turnover – “Cutting My Fingers Off” - To keep 
this trend alive, the opening track, “Cutting 
My Fingers Off,” from Virginia Beach indie-
rock act Turnover is a stunner. It opens with 
solid songwriting and sonically alluring. While 
the lyrics from Austin Getz go for a somber 
approach, musically the song is upheld by swelling 
instruments. The melancholy feel brings up deep 
nostalgia in this wistful and gorgeous guitar jam. 
Turnover have always worn their influences on 
their sleeves, but remain faithful in shaping their 
own creative style. They are honing their melodic 
rock tendencies on their sophomore record, 
‘Peripheral Vision,’ which came out on May 4th 
via Run For Cover Records. For this go around, 
the young band have shifted gears by slowing 
down their pop-punk focused tempo. The 90s 
emo/alternative approach is clearly apparent on 
the band’s sophomore endeavor. A deep sense of 
maturity has developed that’s abundantly evident 
with the follow-up to their pop-punk debut 
record, ‘Magnolia’. Turnover’s calmer demeanor 
in both structure and songwriting is an enormous 
leap forward, which should secure them more 
universal appeal than ever before. 

On the Marquee: 

Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse

PUTTING IT IN CONTEXT

By Artistic Director, Christian Lebano

 When I became Artistic Director, part of my 
vision for SMP was to contextualize the work on 
stage. By that I hoped to have supporting lobby 
exhibits, a speaking series, readings of plays by 
the same author, music of the period, etc. all 
working to deepen our audiences’ understanding 
of the work and its place in our culture. We have 
managed to make some of that happen for each 
show – when we get a bigger staff we might be 
able to handle taking on more.

 I was lucky to think of a friend whom I knew from 
my time working at the Museum of Television & 
Radio in Beverly Hills. Diane Siegel (a 5-time 
Jeopardy Champion!) agreed to come on board 
and help us with our first Field Trip Series play 
Battledrum, and when we launched the new 
season this year with 6 Rms Riv Vu I talked her 
into taking a more active role in helping us curate 
the lobby and other events surrounding each play. 
She has been extraordinary.

 “As a curious person, it has been great fun to 
dig into the possibilities for adding value to 
the audience experience,” Diane told me. “My 
work in museum education has left me with a 
strong commitment to audience engagement 
and starting conversations about big ideas and 
interesting objects and photographs.”

 She is also endlessly creative – she created a 
“What chair are you?” wall based on characters in 
6 Rms Riv Vu likening themselves with different 
styles of chairs. It proved immensely popular with 
our patrons. For A Walk in the Woods she created 
a wonderful timeline that visually explained the 
arms race. “Timelines are invaluable in helping 
people place themselves and the events of a play 
in context,” Diane explained. “The hardest part 
was illustrating the story of the negotiators from 
the US and Soviet Union. Sometimes I needed 
to create photo-shopped images with flags and 
chairs and a table to illustrate a crucial meeting 
on the time-line.”

 For The Odd Couple, Diane has divided our 
lobby into a “Felix” side and an “Oscar” side – 
inviting the audience to decide whose personality 
(and neatness) they are more like! “We create 
our exhibits on a shoestring. The current lobby 
reflects the usefulness of the 99 Cent store. We 
are using dustpans and ping pong balls to give the 
exhibit a playful ‘pop’,” she said. Wait until you 
see it. Great fun for a funny play!

 “Now that I have worked on five lobby exhibits 
for the Playhouse it is interesting to reflect back 
on the process. Each time I have begun with the 
task of ‘telling people something they don’t know 
already.’ I start with a research checklist that 
helps me understand things from the play,” she 
explained. “Even in big blockbuster exhibitions 
in world famous museums, the typical visitor will 
spend no more than 20 minutes looking at the 
objects and text. In our lobby, the time people 
will typically spend is less than five minutes. 
What will help them understand and enjoy the 
experience are strong visuals, simple text, large 
font – hey I read with glasses, too! - and a simple 
time line.”

 I am so grateful to the wonderfully talented 
people who have joined us at SMP in our quest 
to make the Playhouse a thoroughly enjoyable 
experience from start to finish. As we mature 
over the next years, I hope, with the talents 
of people like Diane to be able to incorporate 
more events surrounding each play, but in the 
meantime our audiences have our wonderful 
lobby exhibits to pass the time during the pre-
show and intermissions. 

 Come see The Odd Couple which opened 
Friday. Remember we give 20% discounts for 
groups of 10 or more who purchase their tickets 
ahead of their attendance date. Please call Mary 
Baville at 626.355.4318 to arrange your purchase. 
This is one play you won’t want to miss.

 As always we do it for you – our SMP family – 
whose support and loyalty mean so much to us 
and for whom we hope we bring pleasure and joy 
and moving experiences in the theater. Please let 
me know how you think we are doing. Reach me 
at ArtisticDirector@SierraMadrePlayhouse.org

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ODD 
COUPLE PERFORMANCES, PLEASE SEE OUR 
AD ON PAGE 4.

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


IS IT POSSIBLE TO 

INHERIT DEBT?

In general, when a loved one passes, his or her debts fall 
to the estate to be paid. However, in situations where 
debt is shared -- for example, jointly owned credit 
cards or shared student loans -- the debt can pass to the 
account co-owner, even if he or she was unaware of the 
debt. 

 This is why it is important to consider debt planning 
as part of your overall estate planning process. Here are 
some tips on dealing with the debt of a deceased loved 
one:

 Get informed. By law, everyone is entitled to one 
free credit report every year from the three major credit 
reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. 
Spouses should obtain and share their credit reports 
with each other so they are informed about any debt 
issues that could impact their estates. If debt will 
potentially impact adult children, be honest with them 
about your financial situation as well.

 Get advice. Seek the counsel of trusted attorney or 
other financial professional on your debt issues and 
learn how to resolve them. Deal with personal debt 
before it spirals out of control and becomes a potential 
issue for your family.

 Get organized. Ideally, all of your estate and financial 
planning documents should be kept together in one 
place where your family knows where to find them. 
Among these documents should be an updated list of 
current assets and debts, including financial institution 
information, account numbers and passwords.

Get educated. Heirs should educate themselves about 
what types of debt will need to be repaid and what types 
may be cancelled or forgiven. Generally, any unsecured 
debt held in the deceased person’s name alone (such as 
credit cards, student loans, etc.) will be discharged. Be 
aware, however, debt collectors do have the right to 
attempt to collect on these kinds of debt -- and may 
contact survivors to try to “guilt” them into paying. 
Being educated about liability for debts after the death 
of a loved one will arm you with the knowledge you 
need to respond to each situation appropriately.

 If you’d like to learn about protecting yourself and 
your family, call us to schedule a Family Estate Planning 
Session so we can help you identify the best strategies 
to provide for and protect the financial security of your 
loved ones.

 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.


FOOD & DRINK


Award-winning wines are plentiful. As I peruse the aisles of my local supermarket on a weekly basis, I 
notice many ways for the wineries to let you know that their wines are the “chosen” ones - stickers on 
the bottles, shelf talkers, neck hangers, and if the wine is lucky enough to have a floor stack, there might 
be a full review taped on the box for you to read. Just like TV awards there are so many awards given 
out to wines your wine is sure to get some kind of medal. Notables include Wine Spectator and Robert 
Parker. As far as competition in California, we have the San Francisco International Wine Fest, the 
California State Fair, and locally, the LA County Fair in Pomona. Many newspapers have long since had 
their own awards, notably the San Francisco Chronicle and the Dallas Morning News. My point is that 
you look hard enough your favorite wine is most 
likely been given some type of an award. Are these 
awards bought for? In some cases, yes. A few 
years ago I interviewed George Millitos, a fourth 
degree sommelier (take note there are more brain 
surgeons in the world than there are fourth degree sommeliers) who stands by the adage “if you like it 
drink it”. 

This week I enjoyed a Robert Hall 2012 
Cabernet from Paso Robles. Robert Winery 
has been around for 40 years and produces 
some solid wines with prices ranging from 
$10 to $40. I’d consider 2012 a perfect 
picnic wine - something you could share 
while passing around the garlic bread 
and pasta. This wine is easy drinking and 
far less complex then other Paso Robles 
cabernets that I have tried, thus proving 
that soil does matter even in an area the 
size of Paso Robles. I liked the solid fruit 
flavor and a hint of cider, and that there was 
no real spiciness to the finish. No need to 
store, ready to drink. Award winning? The 
winery has a ton of them.

Retail $13, easily found for $10. Corkage: Closed

Dills Score: Each week I will give you my Dills Score. Starting with a base of 50 points, I have added 8 
points for color, 9 points for aroma or “nose”, 8 points for taste, 8 points for finish, and 9 points for my 
overall impression, which includes my value rating. Total Score 90

Save the Date: Taste of South Pasadena is on Wednesday April 22nd from 5 PM to 9 PM. Starts on Fair 
Oaks

Listen to Dining with Dills this Sunday at 6 PM on KLAA AM 830 and watch the TV version Saturday 
and Sundays at 7 PM on Charter Channel 188 

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


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