10

FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views News Saturday, May 24, 2025


SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE,IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SILENTS 
SYNCED,MERGES VINTAGE CINEMA AND MODERN ROCK,

PAIRING BUSTER KEATON’S 1924 SILENT COMEDY SHERLOCK 
JR. WITHTHE ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDS OF R.E.M.’S 

"NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI"

 

Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:00 PM, at Sierra Madre Playhouse

 

 

(Sierra Madre, CA – May 21, 2025) Sierra Madre Playhouse, in partnership with Silents 
Synced, pairs Buster Keaton’s hilarious 1924 silent comedy Sherlock Jr. with the atmospheric 
sounds of R.E.M.’s 1996 hit album "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” merging vintage cinema and 
modern rock to create a compelling fusion of past and present. The one-night only screening 
takes place on Friday, June 13, 2025, 8:00 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse.

 

“This innovative and immersive experience reimagines Buster Keaton’s masterful comedy 
through a contemporary musical lens,” says Matt Cook, Artistic and Executive Director of 
Sierra Madre Playhouse. “Mash ups of music and silent film breathe new life into classic motion 
pictures and also build upon Sierra Madre Playhouse’s roots as a silent film house.”

 

Sherlock Jr. stars Buster Keaton as a well-intentioned film projectionist and would-be detective 
who plies his negligeable skills when he gets framed for stealing a pocketwatch from his 
sweetheart’s father. The Hollywood Reporter declares Keaton “the greatest of all silent film 
comedian-auteurs.” Sherlock Jr. was selected in 1991 by the Library of Congress for preservation 
in the National Film Registry for its historical and cultural significance.

 

R.E.M.’s "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” released in 1996, was named it among the best albums 
of the year by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Spin. Recorded after the bands’ 
challenging 1995 world tour, the evocative album reflects the ephemeral aspect of life on the 
road.

 

For tickets ($20) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024.

 

ABOUT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning 
a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions 
and captivating live performances. Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark 
theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), the performing arts center has garnered tremendous 
accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs 
curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from 
the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad 
spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-
friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured 
artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. The intimate 99-seat Sierra 
Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate 
deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice 
honors. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a 
charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Retaining its distinctive movie 
theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous 
transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to 
the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural 
legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark 
dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit 
of shared understanding.

LEGEND IN OUR BACKYARD: A RIDE THROUGH LIFE WITH 
HALL OF FAME JOCKEY MIKE SMITH

By Peter Dills, Special to Mountain Views News

In the quiet calm of the 
foothills, where horses 
train just a stone’s throw 
from where we sip our 
morning coffee, lives one 
of the greatest jockeys in 
the history of horse racing 
— Mike Smith. With 
over 5,600 career wins and 
mounts on champions 
like Zenyatta and Justify, 
Smith is a legend not just 
at the track, but right here 
in our own backyard.

At 59 and closing in on 60, 
Mike still brings the energy 
and focus of a rider half 
his age. I caught up with 
him for a conversation 
about fitness, food, and 
what keeps him grounded 
— both in the saddle and 
around town.

Staying Fit, Staying Sharp

“I still feel great,” Smith says. “I stay active, stretch a lot, and try to eat smart.” He’s not riding 
horses every day, but when he does, he makes it count. “The key is keeping the weight 
down without losing strength.”

The work ethic and discipline that took him to the top of the sport are still intact. “There’s 
no shortcut. You put in the work — day in, day out.”

Where Mike Eats — From Arcadia to Del Mar

Mike’s career has taken him everywhere from Del Mar to Lexington, but when it comes to 
favorite meals, his local picks say a lot about his roots.

“Arroyo Chop House is one of my favorites. Smitty’s is solid, and I’ve always liked Houston’s,” 
he says. “And The Derby in Arcadia — that’s a classic. Great food, great vibe.”

On a cheat day? “Sierra Donuts,” he grins. “That’s my treat spot.”

In Del Mar, where the coastal air meets racetrack tradition, Mike doesn’t miss. “Tracton’s 
is great, and I love Pamplemousse — both are special places.”

Grateful, Always

With all he’s accomplished, Mike keeps it in perspective. “I never take it for granted. I still 
love being around the horses, the people, the fans.”

And yes, he still gets a thrill on race day. “Walking into the paddock before a big race — the 
butterflies are still there. That’s when you know it still matters.”

In Summary

Whether he’s dining at Arroyo Chop House or riding into the winner’s circle, Mike Smith 
is a rare blend of world-class talent and neighborly humility. We’re lucky to call him a local 
— and lucky he still takes the time to talk horses, donuts, and life with fans who admire 
the ride.

Email me your thoughts at the chefknows@yahoo.com


ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 


AMERICAN HEROES BY JAMES PATTERSON 
& MATT EVERSMANN 2024

From the authors of Walk in My Combat Boots, bravery and 
selflessness are literally defined in these riveting first-person 
tales from our nation’s greatest heroes.

U.S. soldiers who served in overseas conflicts—from World 
War II, Korea, and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan—share 
true stories of the actions that earned them some of America’s 
most distinguished military medals, up to and including 
the Medal of Honor.

They never acted alone, but always in the spirit of camaraderie, 
patriotism, and for the good of our beloved country.

There has never been a better time for all of us to think about duty, sacrifice, and what it 
means to be an American hero.

“James Patterson's American Heroes is a compelling work of nonfiction that should not be 
missed. A riveting chronicle of valor, humanity, and sacrifice, the diverse stories within the 
book's pages represent the very threads that hold our flag together.”

—Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Chaos Agent, a Gray Man 
novel

“America at its best: ordinary Americans who found extraordinary courage and helped 
write our proud history in the process.”

—Congressman Seth Moulton, Captain, US Marine Corps (Ret.)

“American Heroes delivers compelling accounts of men and women at war. You can almost 
hear the bullets as you read these powerful stories told by and about selfless warriors. It’s a 
striking reminder that America’s highest awards for valor are more often earned by saving 
lives than by taking them.”

—ADM E. T. Olson, USN, former CDR


EASY - GROWN 
UP HOMEMADE 
STRAWBERRY ICE 
CREAM

INGREDIENTS

1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved (about 
3 cups), plus 8 ounces more, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup low-fat milk

1 cup heavy cream

⅔ cup sugar, plus ½ cup more for macerating

½ cup light corn syrup

¼ cup vodka or silver tequila

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, puree halved strawberries with 
lemon juice and salt. Strain through a fine-
mesh sieve. (You should have 1 1/2 cups of 
puree; reserve any excess for another use.)

Combine milk, cream, 2/3 cup sugar, and corn 
syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, 
then reduce heat to low and simmer 2 minutes. 

Strain mixture into a bowl set in an ice bath 
and let stand, stirring occasionally, until cold, 
about 5 minutes. Stir in strawberry puree. 
Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours and up to 
overnight.

Stir together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 
vodka. Add chopped strawberries and macerate 
at room temperature at least 2 hours, or in the 
refrigerator, covered, up to 12 hours.

Process puree mixture in an ice cream maker 
according to manufacturer's instructions. 
When it has the texture of soft serve, drain 
macerated berries (reserving syrup for another 
use) and fold into ice cream. Transfer to a loaf 
pan and freeze, wrapped in plastic, at least 
4 hours and up to 1 week. Let stand at room 
temperature 10 minutes before serving.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, 
June 2018

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