This could make for one odd family reunion: Barack Obama is a distant cousin of actor Brad Pitt, and Hillary Rodham Clinton is related to Pitt’s girlfriend, Angelina Jolie.

Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society found some remarkable family connections for the three presidential candidates _ Democratic rivals Obama and Clinton, and Republican John McCain.

Clinton, who is of French-Canadian descent on her mother’s side, is also a distant cousin of singers Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette. Obama, the son of a white woman from Kansas and a black man from Kenya, can call six U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush, his cousins. McCain is a sixth cousin of first lady Laura Bush.

“You’d think with all that singing talent in the family she’d be able to carry a tune,” Clinton’s senior adviser Philippe Reines said. “But now it makes much more sense how she snagged a Grammy.”

Clinton won for best spoken word Grammy in 1997 for “It Takes a Village.” Obama also won a Grammy in that category this year for the audio version of his book, “The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream.”

Genealogist Christopher Child said that while the candidates often focus on pointing out differences between them, their ancestry shows they are more alike than they think.

“It shows that lots of different people can be related, people you wouldn’t necessarily expect,” Child said.

Obama has a prolific presidential lineage that features Democrats and Republicans. His distant cousins include President George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Obama often jokes about his cousin Cheney at campaign appearances.

“His kinships are across the political spectrum,” Child said.

Child has spent the last three years tracing the candidates’ genealogy, along with senior research scholar Gary Boyd Roberts, author of the 1989 book, “Ancestors of American Presidents.”

Clinton’s distant cousins include beatnik author Jack Kerouac and Camilla Parker-Bowles, wife of Prince Charles of England.

McCain’s ancestry was more difficult to trace because records on his relatives were not as complete as records for the families of Obama and Clinton, Child said.

Obama and President Bush are 10th cousins, once removed, linked by Samuel Hinkley of Cape Cod, who died in 1662.

Pitt and Obama are ninth cousins, linked by Edwin Hickman, who died in Virginia in 1769. Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, declined to comment on the senator’s ancestry.

Clinton and Jolie are ninth cousins, twice removed, both related to Jean Cusson who died in St. Sulpice, Quebec, in 1718.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845, is the oldest and largest nonprofit genealogical organization in the country.

IMAGES VIA PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE

On Thursday, May 1st acclaimed radio and television host Ira Glass will bring the wildly popular show This American Life to the big screen for a one-night only event. Glass debuts never-before-seen extraordinary, funny and true stories from everyday life, shows outtakes, and answers audience questions. This exclusive theatre event will be broadcast LIVE from New York via satellite to select movie theatres nationwide. This one-night event features special guests and is presented in HD and Cinema Surround Sound. Tickets go on sale beginning April 4th. Don’t miss your chance to see “This American Life - Live!” on the big screen Thursday May 1, 2008 at 8PM EDT / 7 PM CDT / 6 PM MDT and time delayed to 8PM PDT. 

Drugging Our Drinking Water

3:21 pm - March 11, 2008

A five-month-long Associated Press investigationhas found pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas from Southern California to New York City, which provide water to 41 million Americans. In Philadelphia, the 56 drugs found in the drinking water included “medicines for pain, infection, high cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, mental illness and heart problems,” according to the AP coverage. Only Albuquerque, N.M., Austin, Texas, and Virginia Beach, Va. had clear results. That’s good news for them, although it’s unclear how many drugs they may have tested for.

And it’s not only medications given to people that are a concern. Cattle receive a slow-release anabolic steroid to help them bulk up like weightlifters. Ten percent of that steroid passes through the animal and can wind up in waterways where downstream fish, such as fathead minnows in Nebraska, show increased steroid levels and physical changes.

So what can you do? Bottled water isn’t the answer, because steps generally aren’t taken to remove pharmaceuticals from it either. Expensive reverse osmosis filters may help remove drugs, but given that this is a long-term rather than an immediate threat, working to keep pharmaceutical drugs from reaching waterways is our best bet. When disposing of drugs, avoid flushing them down the toilet unless specifically directed to by your physician. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association recommend the following disposal methods:

• Pour pills into a plastic bag before crushing to prevent airborne particles.
• Pour liquid medications into a plastic bag. (Birth control patches may be folded over and disposed of in the garbage.)
• Mix kitty litter or coffee grounds in the plastic bag containing the medication.
• Seal the plastic bag to reduce the risk of potential poisoning.
• Place sealed plastic bag in household trash for disposal.
• Remove and destroy all identifying personal information (on the prescription label) from the medication container.
• Recycle empty medication container as allowed in the local recycling area or throw it in the trash.

Remember: Don’t hold onto excess pills once you’re finished taking them.

 WASHINGTON (AP) – A chunk of Antarctic ice about seven times the size of Manhattan suddenly collapsed, putting an even greater portion of glacial ice at risk, scientists said Tuesday.

Satellite images show the runaway disintegration of a 160-square-mile chunk in western Antarctica, which started Feb. 28. It was the edge of the Wilkins ice shelf and has been there for hundreds, maybe 1,500 years.

This is the result of global warming, said British Antarctic Survey scientist David Vaughan.

Because scientists noticed satellite images within hours, they diverted satellite cameras and even flew an airplane over the ongoing collapse for rare pictures and video.

“It’s an event we don’t get to see very often,” said Ted Scambos, lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo. “The cracks fill with water and slice off and topple… That gets to be a runaway situation.”

While icebergs naturally break away from the mainland, collapses like this are unusual but are happening more frequently in recent decades, Vaughan said. The collapse is similar to what happens to hardened glass when it is smashed with a hammer, he said.

The rest of the Wilkins ice shelf, which is about the size of Connecticut, is holding on by a narrow beam of thin ice. Scientists worry that it too may collapse. Larger, more dramatic ice collapses occurred in 2002 and 1995.

Vaughan had predicted the Wilkins shelf would collapse about 15 years from now.

Scientists said they are not concerned about a rise in sea level from the latest event, but say it’s a sign of worsening global warming.

Such occurrences are “more indicative of a tipping point or trigger in the climate system,” said Sarah Das, a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

I must confess I am enamored with politicians. Whether the style of Gavin Newsome, (the modern male Grace Kelly) or the class of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Chicago to the pit bull brilliance of Senator Clinton or the pragmatic MENSA-esque mind of Wisconsin’s Russ Feingold.  These “idols” of mine are all obviously likeminded to me in their political views, so I want to go out on a limb here and give some props to the conservatives I admire. All I can think of is… Mary Matalin.  NOT arrogant blonde pundits in black cocktail dresses at 11 in the morning. That being said CONGRATS Hilary on Ohio and Texas… apparently Democrats are open to debate and Republican’s operate on a seniority system.  (Ironic, if you were to consider their distaste for the Railway Labor Act).

 One of the things about conservatives that I truly understand, because it will not take the world long to figure out that I might be a liberal— (it’s a blog/column– not The New York Times, and in a fashion/life/style magazine so relax people–) is that the one thing that truly angers them is the attitude that we as liberals will not simply and graciously disagree with them. I promise to and will always do so. Mostly because I was raised with manners, but also because I enjoy someone who can hold an intelligent conversation with ideals that differ from mine.

The Occupation of Iraq, and I refuse to use the word “War” as it implies we had a reason to send our troops there. I don’t recall any WMD’s being found. Please email me immediately if you know otherwise and have a security clearance. Does anyone even remember the WMD reasoning besides Valerie Plame? This “occupation” has created a public opinion that to question the motives of our government is to somehow disparage our troops. This is completely false. As a citizen of the United States that is not currently permitted the honor of serving my country I must tell you that the bait and switch PR spin on this subject irks me to the point that I want to honor a reality star and Hugh Hefner for their class and grace. Before you judge Hollywood and our liberal mentalities take a look at Bridget Marquardt. Yes, she is one of three beautiful women that are Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends. In my world that is a non-issue. In the very Middle America world in which this intelligent, sweet and honest woman might be judged, she out-classed you all. On reality television of all places she simply showed a non-political concern for the troops, her brother and our armed forces. So my question to politicians, media whores (black cocktail dress and chipped cheap lacquered nail polish conservative pundits), and columnists is this, at what point did you allow the very type of person for whom you would judge (unfairly)… to not only outshine you in sincerity and class, but to be a better American? Stop hijacking public debate away from the people, and for ratings. The questioning of our government is our obligation, because “We the people” is not a catchphrase for ratings, it is a serious responsibility to govern ourselves, by electing– not anointing—public officials that represent our concerns. I would like to meet the Washington lobbyist who enters the Russell Senate office building and takes a meeting on behalf of the citizens of The United States of America.

 Don’t have my opinion? Brilliant we can discuss…

Don’t have an opinion? Unlike the shirt off his or her back … someone will give you theirs.

 Looking forward to hearing from you.  Spencer.glitterati@yahoo.com

 The opinions presented herein are that wholly that of the author whether written or implied. They in no way represent those of Marani Spirits, its subsidiaries, its Officers, or employees.

 DISCLOSURE:  In the spirit of full disclosure, Mr. Seymour is a 2007 WEHO Award recipient, and is employed by Marani Spirits, maranivodka.com. He has written a pilot for television is shopping his completed novel, VODKA SEVEN. 

The great thing about living in the City of Angels is how fortunate one can be to socialize, intermingle, and party with the rich, powerful and famous. The important thing though is that you must always remember … “manners are free.”

This all may seem a little self centered to you, but as I get my groove on and my Hollywood peeps are more comfortable with the idea, I’ll get ya Moore. Maybe not Demi Moore but I’ll try. J

That being said … I am fortunate as a member of the Hollywood social community to attend many events. Some of which I am invited to and actually some of which I am an elegant party crasher. I attended another magazine’s event at Tokio in Hollywood celebrating the brilliant band Royal Heist. If I were a true professional I’d give you all the details but in this day and age just Google them and enjoy. Rocking cool music and the lead singer Colin, while straight and fabulous, he was born that way, is my great friend and supported me by attending the West Hollywood Awards at which I was a nominee. More on that later. Tokio is the kind of cool dark LA club that invites celebs in a discrete way that is not pretentious and caters to the crowd that is hip and cool enough to not be there looking solely for press. Loved being there and more importantly enjoyed my time in the VIP area chatting up the best business mind in fashion I know, Kendra Gratteri, looking fabulous as ever in what can only be described as Chanel street chic. I did miss the Marani Vodka sponsored birthday party for Wilmer Valderamma at Goa here in LA, and it was pretty amazing. Notable guests included Vannesa Minillo, Danny Masterson, and Cee-Lo. Another rocking cool party for young Hollywood. We can thank Greg Link and Fingerprint Communications for that.

At the 2007 West Hollywood Awards I was honored to be among the celebrated gentlemen in the category of best businessman of the year. Honestly, without an ounce of hubris I believe myself to be a smart individual, but I felt like Tara Reid nominated against Meryl Streep at the Oscars. The movers and shakers in LA impressed me by graciously not snickering when my name was called as the winner. David Cooley of the LA institution that is The Abbey, Michael Berman of the “ food is amazing!”

Obar or the fabulous restaurateur Chris Diamond, all kindly were congratulatory. My success at Marani Spirits (maranivodka.com) was apparently worthy of such a nod. I will say it now as I did in my short acceptance speech. I was honored to be included, but by a community and with the successful business leaders that I was — well that was priceless. (wehoawards.org)

I did hit up a Marani Spirits listening party with nada surf at the Gibson Showroom in Beverly Hills, and not only was the band cool as hell personally, their new music is beyond brilliant so check it out.

I attended the Marani Spirits sponsored birthday party for Paris Hilton at Area here in LA. Simon Rex, now a DJ/ Music guru? Was smoking hot on the older television show Jack and Jill a while back… and I have some very juicy news about him… he is even better looking now! (Cool guy!) I hear he and Paris date, and I know he is straight but he can call me at Glitterati anytime! (This event was flawless and mostly because of Channel at SBE and Drew at TAP). I was honored when MetroSource Magazine and east/west lounge threw a birthday party for me in West Hollywood. (Especially since that day the flowers that came to my office were not from a lover but from the public relations department at Macy’s. Thanks Martha!) Many old and new friends came and drank, and drank and drank! Janice Henson from ABC News, Anthony Turk the publicist who just nabbed Eva LaRue from CSI:Miami a cover on L.A. Direct Magazine, and a dear friend, was hanging out with Alyssa Jones from Team One for Lexus, she might have the roughest job in the world hanging out with Andy Roddick all the time. The amazing entertainer Ingenue was stunning, as always, the well known DJ from Tiger Heat, Ray Rhodes spun for me as my birthday gift, (that’s like having Madonna show up for your Methodist baby’s disco brisque — unheard of!), and my old friends the actor/model twins Jed and Wyatt Lorenzen (hmm had a martini but remember them in a Jewel > video and on New Year’s Eve) held court at a private table. Alas, my good pal Ken King from Royal Treatment Limousine couldn’t attend. But I adore him for offering me a car for my birthday. Not only do I live around the corner from east/west, in the end, I could have used it! I truly thank everyone for coming out, and especially Trip Wilmont from east/west.