Topanga’s Independent Voice Since 1976
July 23, 2021 • Vol. 2, No. 14
PERMIT NO. 40 NO. PERMIT
GARDENA CA GARDENA
P A I D I A P
POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL US POSTAGE US
ECRWSS EDDM EDDM ECRWSS PRESORTED STD PRESORTED Welcome To Your Peaceful Creekside Hideaway
Tucked behind gates, this garden set home will tug at your heart. Walls of windows, a sleek new deck, towering trees, a sun dappled year-round creek, and massive boulders soothe you. Fragrant gardens, splashing fountains, a large, mostly usable lot, total privacy, and a brookside hot tub add to the magic! A well means you can keep the yard lush! Ducklings paddle by in the spring. Updated interiors, bright new baths, skylights, high ceilings, and oak floors set a peaceful vibe.
204 S TOPANGA CANYON BLVD. 1 BED | 2 BATH | 1,350 SQFT | 16,855 LOT $1,199,000
Ready to see how different the curated white glove Compass approach is to selling real estate? Utilizing the Wright Way Team and our access to Compass Private Exclusives, Compass Concierge, Compass Bridge Loans, and many other amazing services, will change how you have ever experienced the real estate process. There is a reason why Compass has been the #1 Brokerage in Topanga 3 years running and why the Wright Way Team is currently the #1 team in Topanga. We are a local family team powered by a forward thinking, fast moving, high touch and high technology company, changing the industry for the better, leading from the heart, and delivering exceptional results for our clients!
@thewrightwayteam
NUMBER ONE 2021 TOPANGA TEAM. PASSIONATE LOCAL AGENTS. UNPARALLELED MARKETING REACH. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY. RESULTS DELIVERED. AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER. Adrian Wright Jordan Wright 818.939.6415 818.746.6987 [email protected] [email protected] DRE 00935559 DRE 01952694
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Thinking Out Loud
Publisher / Editor Flavia Potenza
Creative Director Nira Lichten
Senior Reporter Annemarie Donkin
Multimedia Director Jennifer Babcock
Creative Consultant Eiffel Nazaryan
Contributors Linda Ballou Joel Bellman Kathie Gibboney Paula LaBrot Amy Weisberg
Copy Editor / Distribution Ellie Carroll
Contact US [email protected] General inquiries: [email protected] Advertising inquiries: [email protected] P.O. Box 1101 Topanga, CA 90290
PHOTO BY FLAVIA POTENZA (310) 460-9786 This moonflower has been growing for years under the stop sign in front of my house. When it blooms it has Follow us on Instagram @thecanyonchronicle, the softest lemony fragrance. It’s a resilient plant that is constantly run over by visiting trucks and cars that park & Facebook and twitter @CanyonChronicle there. In fact, last spring it was completely gone and I thought it could never appear again. But here it is in full bloom every morning.
The Canyon Chronicle is an independent community newspaper Ups & Downs published bi-weekly by Canyon Media, Since our last issue, we’ve had some excitement, some good, some not so much. Inc.©2020. All rights reserved. For those who follow those things, space flight took off—Sir Richard Branson on July 13, with two thecanyonchronicle.com pilots and a crew of three, followed by the Bezos brothers and a crew of two on July 20. Columnist Paula LaBrot shares her passion about space flight since 1981 when the Columbia space shuttle landed at Edwards Air Force base (Page 9). I’m grateful for television so I could claim my little piece of the excitement without leaving home. And, hey! One of the crew on New Shepard was Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk, an 82-year-old aviation pioneer. Dontcha just love it! Topanga’s Independent Voice Since 1976 Excitement in our back yard, so to speak, was less welcome and out of our control, e.g. two fires in July 23, 2021 • Vol. 2, No. 14 and around Tuna Canyon within 10 days of each other. After the Tuna fire on July 9, on July 18, about 20 concerned residents of Tuna Canyon got together to develop an action plan to protect not just their homes but Topanga in general. The next day, July 20, the Flores Incident broke out around 3:30 p.m., between Tuna Canyon and Las Flores Road. Ground crews, air-dropped into the steep terrain, were soon supported by aerial helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft that dropped retardant and 30,000 gallons of water from Helistop 69 Bravo. It was contained at 15 acres around 8 p.m. and crews remained overnight. Senior Reporter Annemarie Donkin attended the meeting and followed the fires. (Page 5) Everyone—and I mean everyone—must attend the evacuation drill on August 12. The virtual live drill follows a realistic fire scenario that progresses, resulting in the evacuation of residents by zones. Do you know your zone? You must register to receive the Zoom link: http://bit.ly/Virtual EvacDrill. (Page 4) So... What do moonflowers have to do with all this? Maybe it’s simply a reminder to keep doing what you do and appreciate the tranquility of where you live (the upside), but with the caveat that you live in a Severe High Fire Danger Area and you need to be prepared for that kind of emergency (the
downside). Knowing that, what —, must you do? Join your concerned neighbors on Tuna Canyon,
PERMIT NO. 40 NO. PERMIT
sign on to their Letter of Concern, make an evacuation plan, take a CERT class, learn first aid, take CA GARDENA
P A I D I A P
US POSTAGE US POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL
PRESORTED STD PRESORTED HAM radio training, create or join a Neighborhood Network, become a volunteer. EDDM ECRWSS Most of all, get to know and care about your neighbors, because, when the bad thing happens and first responders are busy with the big things like a firestorm, you may need each other more than you The Perseid meteor shower is due to peak around August 12-13. It is the most beloved know. cosmic event of the year with its swift, bright Then stop and smell the roses...if the critters haven’t eaten them. meteors radiating from the constellation Meanwhile, here’s another happy tip: the Perseid Meteor Shower is due to arrive in August with the Perseus, the Hero. Best time to watch? In the peak August 12-13. Turn out the lights and enjoy the dark skies, Topanga. (Page 14) wee hours before dawn. —Flavia Potenza
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 3 NEWS August 12, Save The Date! Fire Department Virtual as possible participate in this event Evacuation Drill because our safety is interdependent on each other. This is an opportunity By Annemarie Donkin to ask questions and receive feedback directly from Fire Department and As most residents know, Topanga Law Enforcement officials. is especially prone to fires that are To register: http://bit.ly/Virtual increasing in number and severity EvacDrill. A Zoom link will be emailed in recent years, as evidenced by the to registrants closer to the event date. 2018 Woolsey Fire, spot fires along If you have questions prior to Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Pacific the event, please contact: Megan Coast Highway, and more recently, Currier, Community Services the Palisades Fire and the Tuna Fire Liaison, LACoFD–Division VII; incident. (310) 456-7923; megan.currier@ To help residents and businesses fire.lacounty.gov. better prepare for these events, importance of being ready. This progresses during the event, resulting This event is jointly sponsored there will be a Virtual Fire Drill online, drill will provide information in the “evacuation” of residents by by: LA County Fire Dept., LA for Topanga and Sunset Mesa on about preparing before an incident zones. It will feature active instruction County Sheriff’s Dept., Topanga Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 6 to occurs and how to evacuate if by LA County Fire Department Town Council, CHP, Office of 7:30 p.m. necessary. To help residents better (LACoFD), Law Enforcement, Office Emergency Management (OEM), MARK YOUR CALENDAR and prepare for evacuation, this first- of Emergency Management (OEM), LA County Animal Care & Control, join your neighbors! time online drill will be in response and Animal Care & Control. TCEP, Sunset Mesa, and the office of The recent fires highlight the to a realistic fire scenario which It is critical that as many Topangans Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. n
letters TCC Named as 2021 Non-Profit of the Year Finalist The Topanga Community Center (TCC) has been TCC leadership and volunteers worked tirelessly named as a finalist in the 27th District’s 2021 Non- in 2020 to keep our canyon connected in creative Fire concerns Profit of the Year. Award. new ways. Thanks to strong partnerships, our from homeless In an email to TCC President Kelly Rockwell, groups like Canyon Sages and Topanga Youth encampments State Senator Henry Stern congratulated the TCC, Services were able to offer programming despite saying, “I wanted to reach out to you personally to our limitations. We’ll keep striving to build our Recently, when I was hiking thank you for your service and for the work that community no matter what, but we are sure the back trail to Café 27 from you do for the 27th District. Your efforts in creating happy someone has noticed how hard we’ve been my house off Artique, I came community and supporting those in our District working!” across a homeless encampment is greatly appreciated. The Topanga community Stern announced they will hold a Non-Profit underneath the big magic oak benefits greatly from your community events and of the Year Recognition Awards Summit on July tree located off the trail leading your tireless efforts to keep the community united 28, at 4 p..m to honor and share the stories of our down to Topanga Canyon even during the toughest times.” community leaders who strengthen and support Boulevard from the Ridgeline “It’s an honor to be recognized by State our community. Field of Dreams location. The Senator Stern’s office for the work we have been Senator Henry Stern ([email protected]) hiking trail is on the east side doing for the community,” Rockwell said. “The represents CA District 27. of the Boulevard office at 1901 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, CA. Earlier this week I also spotted a homeless California Highway Patrol – West Valley Area person staging their stuff at the entrance to Edelmann State June 2021 Incident Report for SR-27 collision and one was a property Park. With so many fires in damage only collision, due to our hot weather, should we all For Topanga Canyon Boulevard “unsafe speed” (22350 VC) and be concerned about potential from two-mile bridge to LA city “crossing double yellow lines” fires inadvertently started by limits (Cezanne Avenue), the (21460 VC). In comparison, there homeless encampments? I CHP responded to one traffic Safety, Service, and Security were eight traffic collisions for the reported this to Lost Hills sheriff collision with property damage same reporting period in 2020. station but I do not know if they only. The primary factor was To report unsafe driving will go out and take a look. “unsafe turning” (22107 VC). In For Topanga Canyon Boulevard behaviors in Topanga and the — Dianne Porchia comparison, there were four traffic from two-mile bridge to PCH, Santa Monica Mountains, please collisions for the same reporting the CHP responded to two traffic call CHP dispatch at (323) 259- period in 2020. collisions, one was an injury 3200.
Vaccinate! Its Not Too Late! ADVERTISE WITH US! On Wednesday, July 28, 1-3 p.m., persons regardless of immigrations To register for an appointment: Topanga library is hosting a pop- status. Insurance is not required. VaccinateLACounty.com up vaccine clinic for the general Medical information is protected email ads@ public hosted by the LA County by law. All three vaccines have The Topanga Library is located thecanyonchronicle.com Department of Public Health. The been proven to be effective in at 122 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, COVID-19 vaccine is free to all protecting you from COVID-19. Topanga, CA 90290
4 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 news Tuna Canyon Residents Organize in Response to Multiple Fires Two brush fires broke out in Tuna Canyon within one week and concerned Topanga residents seek some answers.
By Annemarie Donkin
A second-alarm vegetation fire started at the intersection of Las Flores Heights Road and Tuna Canyon Road on Monday, July 19 at about 3 p.m. Dubbed the “Las Flores Incident,” the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) reported that the blaze threatened multiple structures in the area. Crews were airdropped onto the steep hillside and dense brush, according to the Emergency Status Report on the T-CEP website (www.tcep. org). Four helicopters and a fixed wing Aero Commander dropped water and retardant on the fire. As of 4 p.m., the helicopters had pulled more then 30,000 gallons of water from the Topanga Helispot 69 Bravo. Forward progress was halted around 5 p.m. and the fire was held at 15 acres. PHOTO BY CARL GROOMS Firefighter ground crews maneuvered a 2,000-foot hose up steep terrain to fight the Tuna Fire incident on The Tuna Fire early Friday morning on July 16. They kept the fire at bay until aerial support arrived. This was the CH-47 Chinook’s first call since arriving on June 15. Just one week earlier, residents of the Tuna, Las Flores, and Big Rock neighborhoods were rudely enforcement is the responsibility of the Sheriff’s awakened just before 1 a.m. on July 9 to the terrifying Department in the County unincorporated areas roar of water-dropping helicopters in response to a of Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains, as six-acre brush fire just below their homes. well as in the City of Malibu. Known as the Tuna Fire, five engines and While Captain Lovers acknowledged the 150 firefighters, hauling 2,000 feet of fire hose, presence of many encampments along PCH responded to the fire burning in dense brush, that could potentially cause a fire, he stated that again on the steep hillsides of Tuna Canyon about irresponsible, but not necessarily malicious, a mile north of PCH between Topanga Canyon human activity was primarily responsible for most Blvd. and Malibu. fires in the area, including weed whackers on “Red Filling up at 69 Bravo Helispot in Topanga, a Flag” days, sparks from vehicles, and camping fires. Chinook helitanker (CH47) and Sikorsky S70 He also said that there have been no permitted Firehawk were able to quickly suppress the Tuna fires in Topanga or the Santa Monica Mountains Fire, dropping thousands of gallons of water for the past year and a half. throughout the night and into the morning. By 10 He was also asked what the criteria is for a.m., the LACoFD reported that containment was a response to fires, including the deployment more than 50 percent and forward progress had of Chinooks and other water- and retardant- been stopped as fire crews mopped up hotspots. dropping aircraft. LACoFD also posted on Twitter that no homes “Each agency is responsible for its own response or structures were threatened by the fire and in relation to the specific incident,” Captain Lovers no evacuation orders were issued. They further said. “It is all dependent on the situation.” He posted that the cause of the fire remains under suggested that Topangans and residents of L.A. investigation. County sign up for PulsePoint, an app to receive The official cause of the Tuna Fire has not been fire alerts via land lines, cell phones, text, or email released, but a series of recent fires in the same in the case of a fire emergency. PulsePoint Respond general location caused LACoFD Battalion Chief is a 911-connected app that can immediately Drew Smith to remark at a July 12 Malibu City inform residents of emergencies in the community. Council meeting that the Tuna Fire was started by PHOTO BY ANNEMARIE DONKIN (Download PulsePoint at pulsepoint.org/download) a campfire in an encampment in the area. Representing the LA County Fire Department, Captain Also, in attendance at the July 18 meeting was Corey Lovers of Station 69 met with Tuna Canyon residents to discuss the roles that the fire department James Grasso of TCEP and Co-Chair of the Topanga The T.U.N.A Group plays in preventing and protecting the public. Emergency Management Task Force, who attended Terrified by the Tuna Fire, the residents of Tuna, as a concerned resident, not as a representative Las Flores and Big Rock felt that enough was of either of those organizations. He advised the enough and saw an urgent need to organize and this puts our community at great jeopardy.” group about an effective way of appealing to elected develop an action plan to protect Topanga. A second strategy meeting was held on July officials regarding the fire threat. Calling themselves the T.U.N.A. Group, their 18 to discuss a letter addressed to L.A. County “Send a certified ‘Letter of Concern’ to the first meeting was held on July 11 at Sabine and Sheriff Alex Villanueva; L.A. County Supervisor Board of Supervisors and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Malcolm Lesavoy’s home and, with approximately Sheila Kuehl; the L.A. County Fire Department; Department,” Grasso suggested. “Put those elected 28 neighbors, agreed to draft a letter to elected and the City of Malibu City Council to express the officials on notice about the problem.’” officials expressing their concern. neighbors’ extreme concern over the proliferation He also suggested that concerned Tuna residents “The flames could have easily jumped the ridge, of fires over the past 18 months. install infrared cameras on a high peak in the area incinerating the canyon” the letter stated. “The The letter’s request stated that “We, the to allow a 365-degree view of Lower Topanga and heroic response of the fire department, helicopter residents of Topanga, respectively request you take Tuna Canyon. support, including the use of the Chinook, worked preventative action to prevent camping fires in the “There has been a spike [in fires] in Lower tirelessly to contain the flames.” area and similar high-risk human behaviors to Topanga in the past 6-8 months,” Grasso said. According to the minutes of the meeting, protect our lives, homes and community.” “Topanga is a high-fire risk area.” “Everyone who attended contributed excellent ideas pertaining to public safety and prevention A Fire Captain Responds Attend the Evacuation Drill on August 12 of fires that have devastated our area on numerous In attendance at the July 18 meeting was Fire Join your neighbors in Topanga Canyon and Sunset occasions in the past, with the most recent one Captain Corey Lovers, who addressed the group of Mesa for a Virtual Evacuation Drill on Thursday, a week ago, the ‘Tuna Fire.’ It had not been about 30 people and took questions. August 12 at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To Register: determined whether this was an accident by the “While firefighters can put out illegal fires eventbrite.com/e/virtual-evacuation-drill-topanga- homeless population in lower Tuna Canyon Road in encampments, we do not engage in law canyonsunset-mesa-tickets-157701560613?aff=ebds (on public or private property) or arson. Eitherway, enforcement,” he said. Captain Lovers said oporgprofile
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 5 Science news
Hyundai Introduces Three EVs Under IONIQ Brand Through 2024 Electric cars vs. gasoline cars: Which is better for climate change?
Electric cars already have a smaller do depend on where the electricity comes and burning fossil fuels. carbon footprint than gasoline from,” says David Reichmuth of the Union of He says the results are clear. Even with the vehicles, and the grid is getting cleaner Concerned Scientists. “What I’ve been doing in current electricity mix in the United States, all the time. my research (blog.ucsusa.org/dave-reichmuth) is driving using electricity is cleaner than gasoline. comparing the global warming emissions from Reichmuth also says that as the country using an electric vehicle to that of a gasoline transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy, By Yale Climate Connections Team vehicle.” electric cars will have lower emissions in each In addition to the tailpipe emissions from year that goes by. lectric vehicles (EVs) can be an effective way gas-powered cars, Reichmuth considered “So effectively, electric cars already on the Eto reduce pollution from transportation the impacts of extracting oil, getting it to a road are going to get cleaner over time as we and limit global warming, but in most parts of refinery, making gas, and transporting it to gas clean up the grid,” he says. (July 8, 2021 https:// the U.S. electricity used to charge EVs is still stations. He compared that to the climate cost yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/07/electric- dominated by fossil fuels. of generating the electricity used to charge EVs, cars-vs-gasoline-cars-which-is-better-for- “The total emissions from electric vehicles which still primarily comes from producing climate-change). n
Wildfire Smoke More GET VACCINATED! Anyone 12 and older is now eligible for the Toxic Than We thought FREE COVID-19 Vaccine
During a wildfire, hospital smoke events, hospitals had a admissions for respiratory 10% increase in admissions for
illnesses in Southern respiratory conditions such as California increase, according asthma and COPD. All three vaccines are very effective in protecting you from COVID-19. Their findings suggest that to a recent study. Location/Hours: wildfire smoke may be even Topanga Library By Yale Climate more toxic than previously
Connections Team thought. Wed, July 28 | 1-3 pm The extent of the danger may 122 N Topanga Cyn Blvd Wildfires are dangerous. And vary depending on the fire’s Topanga, CA 90290 310.455.3480 some of the threats come not intensity and what burned, for from the flames themselves but example, which tree species and from inhaling the tiny toxic if buildings were in the fire’s path. To be vaccinated you should particles in wildfire smoke. “There are other chemicals bring: “They are small enough that and compounds found in those 1. Proof that you are age 12 or older. they can penetrate deep into the buildings, so all those chemicals Examples of documents you can bring: respiratory system, so they can are released,” she says. • Driver's license, California ID card, get to the lungs, and then from Aguilera says that when or REAL ID card there to the bloodstream, and smoke levels are high, people • Consular id/passport/birth certificate affect other organs,” says Rosana should stay inside and put on a
Aguilera, a post-doctoral scholar mask if they need to go outdoors, • Vehicle Registration or insurance at the University of California, so they can breathe as little of the • Rent receipt or lease San Diego. dangerous smoke as possible. If you have no form of ID, a self-attestation In a recent study, her team form will be given to you at the location. looked at 14 years’ worth of Source: July 14, 2021 https:// All 12 -17 year olds will need to be accompanied hospital records across a large yaleclimateconnections.org; by a parent/guardian to get vaccinated. area of Southern California. Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ They found that during wildfire ChavoBart Digital Media For a full list of documents visit VaccinateLACounty.com
TheCanyonChronicle.com Visit VaccinateLACounty.com to register for your appointment today.
6 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 Sotheby’s Reopening Included Fundraiser for TCEP It is one thing for the Topanga office of Sotheby’s International to hold a party to announce their reopening Wildlife Crossing but another to turn it into a fundraiser for one of our essential non-profit organizations, the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness (TCEP). “With things moving toward a little more normalcy, we decided we wanted to give back to the wonderful community by raising money for one of our own,” said realtor Catherine Campbell. “We What’s Happened to Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall? appreciate our community that stood up [during the pandemic] and series of phenomena such the changes will be amplified adjustment accordingly. The helped one another.” as early flowering of plants in the future. In the 59 years changing seasonal clock A PHOTO BY FLAVIA POTENZA Sotheby’s agents were able to and early migratory birds are studied, the length of summer signifies disturbed agriculture help clients reach their goals in suggesting that the traditional increased from 78 to 95 days seasons and rhythm of species a safe, protective, and inclusive four seasons may have and that of spring, autumn activities, more frequent heat environment, despite the lockdown, changed. A recent research and winter decreased from waves, storms and wildfires, still making American dreams come study, “Changing Lengths of 124 to 115, 87 to 82, and 76 amounting to increased risks to true. the Four Seasons by Global to 73 days, respectively. In humanity. The seasonal-related The team also knows how to Warming” focuses on how the addition, summer is projected topics involving ecology, the throw an elegant potluck party, with four seasons changed during to last nearly half a year, but ocean, and the atmosphere also a cultural variety of finger foods, 1952–2011 and will change winter less than two months need to be revisited. desserts, and a great music mix by the end of this century by 2100. Such changes can This research letter was first playing in the background. in the warming Northern trigger a chain of reactions in published February 19, 2021: Happy to see you back in the Hemisphere mid-latitudes. agriculture, policy-making for agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com; mix, yourselves, Sotheby’s. The study finds that the agricultural management, and doi.org/10.1029/2020GL091753; four seasons have changed and disaster prevention that require agu.org.
NEW LISTING 3130 Voltaire | $1,199,950
Lisa Saver CalBre Lic.#01203202
310.455.2540 Mobile 310.804.8607 TopangaHomesOnline.com
Beautiful single story 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a quiet cul de sac street in desirable Viewridge. This unique home features a bright open floorplan with high vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors. The formal living room contains a cozy fireplace and large windows that capture the front gardens. The family room leads to a large covered patio overlooking a generous yard with fragrant colorful landscaping. Perfect for entertaining! The bright sunny eat in kitchen has sweet garden windows, custom tile and ample cabinetry. Enjoy restful nights in the luxurious master suite with his and hers walk in closets and an incredible spa bath with a dual sink vanity, oversized custom
shower and jetted tub. A large bonus room and loft add over 500 sq. ft. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) and a separate Art Studio complete this fantastic property. Located in the service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. If your property is listed with a Santa Monica Mountains with access to miles of hiking and biking trails just real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to minutes to restaurants, shopping and beautiful Malibu beaches. solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 7 Education
Ditchschool in the Canyon By Haille Trimboli AA degrees, and ready to transfer as juniors to and program design. Learn more about our four year Universities. offerings so we can be of service to your family. hile many local high school juniors were Mimosa Cafe’s Mia Mahoney is also Quillin School is a CA registered private Wfinishing up their AP exams and readying graduating high school early and has nearly school since 2010. See the curriculum tab for to apply for college, there is a group of local two years of college already done. Luka Booth more information. quillineducation.com Topanga teens who are skipping high school will continue his third year of college and PETALS Unschooling Learning Cooperative altogether (a decision their families made even likely transfer to a UK university, something he is is a Learning Community in Topanga, CA, before COVID-19 school closures). qualifies for without having taken any AP exams where a group of youth, their parents, and This group is known as Ditchschoolers. They thanks to his two years of tertiary studies. educators choose to “homeschool” as a collective intentionally made the decision to begin college Ditchschool also works with middle school- inspired by the learning philosophies of Reggio early and find they do less busy work and experience aged learners and currently has 11-, 12-, and Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, Tinkering, deeper learning. They study with professors who 13-year olds beginning their third college course Democratic, Big Picture, and Forest Schools. hold doctorates in their content areas and engage this summer. The unschooling cooperative Petals petalslearningcommunity.org/home. with focused and engaged classmates. Learning Community for children ages 5 to 10, PETALS is an acronym for the learning priorities Typically, grade six is when students are taught works closely with the Ditchschoolers either of the families. We operate as an Agile Learning how to write a proper five paragraph academic virtually or at a family home in Old Canyon. Center which practices self-directed education. essay with a thesis statement and supporting Other Ditchschoolers work remotely and check Academics are offered and encouraged but never evidence. This skill is taught again in seventh in with one another at Zoom meetings that they imposed or presented coercively. (Please see through twelfth grades and then again in college schedule on their own. This allows students to relevant links for more information.) English 101. Local teacher, Sage Spencer, thought work on passion projects. Some projects the P for Play since children are happiest and learn it would be smarter to learn that skill just once Ditchschoolers are working to include farm-to- best while playing. and well. Sage took English 101 at age 11 and table business plans, film editing, childcare, work E for Earth because we are committed to graduated from UC Berkeley with his BA at age experience, equine therapy, gardening, innocence learning about, being connected to, and 16. His now 16-year-old brother, Kaien Orion, legal studies, arts and crafts, and more The local protecting our habitat. is in his senior year at UC San Diego earning a teens work with art and music specialists as well T for Tinkering. Children love to build, create, degree in Psychoanthropology while training as five regular educator-mentors with multiple and experiment while working with tools, elite level gymnastics and working at Topanga’s teaching credentials and advanced degrees. wood, metal, electronics, and their hands to Canyon Gourmet. Another dozen Topanga teens Ditchschool is a full-service educational learn how things work or are made. are following in their footsteps. consulting firm offering transcript evaluation A for Arts as we encourage the youth to express Odin Saric, previously struggling at a local and composition, alternative schooling support, themselves artistically, though music, visual high school, is now one class away from his private school entrance advising, test preparation, arts, crafts, and performing arts. Associate’s degree and has graduated high school and proctoring, college application guidance, L for Language. We want children to be able to a full year early. With all of the extra time on his student advocacy, essay editing, studio teaching, communicate in writing, enjoy reading, and hands, Odin is often found on his skateboard or and one-on-one tutoring. speak a second language. teaching lessons to children. Our unique blend of unschooling and advanced S for Strength since we prioritize strength Ditchschool “sophomores,” Gabe Garcia, scholarship is successfully challenging and of mind and body, encouraging healthy Asha Perry-Datt, and Oceana Bender are all on surpassing the mainstream schooling paradigm. eating, physical fitness, and mindfulness track to finish high school a year early, with their Please reach out for a personal learner consultation practices. n
Jennifer deSpain, CPA, CFP® Business/Personal Tax & Financial Services Tel. 818.883.4800
Photo by Miriam Geer. Photo by CanyonOakFinancial.com
8 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 ALL THINGS CONNECTED Space for All!
By Paula LaBrot
will never, ever forget being in the desert Iat Edwards Air Force Base to welcome the Columbia Space Shuttle home in 1981. G and I took Mom, Dad, my very old aunt Becky, my newborn Sky, young Ben and my beloved dog Blue. What a moment! We arrived in the dark before dawn and became one family among thousands. The valley was covered with every kind of RV possible, from pick-up truck tents to massive mobile homes with satellite TV antennae on their roofs. It was a festival of everyone! Citizen shareholders from all walks of life, a melting pot of humanity. The crowd was joyful, positive and filled with good will. Flags fluttered in the breeze, vendors hawked their souvenirs, breakfasts were shared with strangers, and Columbia space shuttle landing in 1981 then! Oh, that moment when the sonic boom announced her arrival! Thousands of faces simultaneously turned up to the heavens. Rich, poor, young, old, hippie, soldier, nerds, cheerleaders, all colors, all cultures, all humanity. It was suddenly silent, a huge, collective holding of breath, waiting for a ship to land from outer space. Expectant hope, despite all the pundits all year before showing us diagrams and models of how Columbia and her crew would burn up in the atmospheric interface during re-entry. No, naysayers! Not that magnificent bird! How gracefully she circled the valley, the early morning sun glinting off her white wings. She was a glider and was silent as she descended. The only sound in the valley was the flags flapping in the breeze. When her back wheels touched down, the iconic dust plumes streaked out behind her, the front wheel came softly down, and that Richard Branson’s VSS Unity glides to a landing on July 11 magnificent marvel came to a full stop with her front wheel on the exact line laid out for her. little bit of an excuse to get me on it. It wasn’t. It’s you to be in orbit, you have to be going around Awed silence. Then a ROAR, people hugging, so great to get out there and test the customer the planet continually, moving fast enough crying, laughing and cheering that great victory experience. You get lists and lists of the little that you will keep circling it forever. On the of imagination, optimism and hope over all the things, and it’s the little details that matter.” other hand, if you blast off and make a huge dark negativity humanity drowns its soul with. Space travel has entered a new era! Already, arc, eventually falling back to hit the earth, One of the greatest days of my life. at least 22 seats have been sold for future flight you never made it into orbit. Your flight was at $250,000 per ticket! Now, don’t succumb suborbital. No matter how far off into space FAST FORWARD to that venal sin, Envy. Remember when flat you go, if your path causes you to fall back On July 11, in Truth or Consequences, New screen TVs were only for the very rich, priced down to earth, then it is a suborbital flight. Mexico, the VSS Unity was launched into space at $20,000? Thanks tocompetition , it did How does this relate to space tourism? from its mother ship, known as White Knight not take long for prices to plummet so the Well, let’s say that your spaceflight takes you Two or VMSEve. Eve is the name of billionaire general public could easily access that “new” to an altitude of 100 km above the earth. If you entrepreneur and commercial space travel technology. You have to start somewhere, wanted to make it into orbit, you would have to developer Richard Branson’s mother (hence, folks! When private companies compete to reach a speed of almost 8000 miles per second. mother ship). From this double fuselage outdo each other for our business, think of the But if you just want to reach 100 km and fall carrier plane, the VSS Unity rocket plane ramifications. You could fly up, let the Earth back down to Earth, you would only need to would be launched into space. The mother turn on its axis below and come down on the go at a speed of about 1000 miles per second. ship carried the rocket plane. They climbed other side of the world in an hour and a half!! That takes far less energy and therefore, is together to an altitude just below 50,000 feet. How great would that be?! When I think of much less expensive (and safer). This is how The rocket plane was released and its engine the many slogs my brother, David, has made space tourism could become a reality.” ignited, sending the craft up a little over Mach between here and India, I just hope he gets to 3 to approximately 300,000 feet above Earth. travel there by space one day. GIANT STEPS FOR MANKIND The crew on board included Richard Just like the experience of being at the early Branson, himself, along with three crew SUBORBITAL AND ORBITAL SPACE landings of the Space Shuttle, so these new and two pilots. Branson labeled himself as a EXPLAINED flights of private spacecraft destined to carry mission specialist, which he sure is. He has A lot of space news will be coming at you, dear ordinary people to extraordinary places, fills a been working on developing commercial space readers, so I want you to know the difference world-weary soul. There will be setbacks, there travel for 17 years. He is one of the pioneers of between suborbital and orbital space travel. will be tragedies like the Challenger and even public space travel. Jackie Salo, writing for the Physics teacher David Woods explains, “It my beloved Columbia. But the pioneering NY Post, reports, Branson had joined the flight sounds like suborbital flight is just lower down spirit of special human beings, of independent to test the customer experience for future space than orbital, not as deep into space, but that seekers, will never be extinguished. tourists and was quoted as saying,“Initially, I isn’t true at all. It’s about your trajectory, a We are going to the stars! We really are! thought testing the customer experience was a path that your rocket or spaceship takes. For Vamos a ver.
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 9 Theater A Dream Come True
By Kelly Radinsky
hat magical place had I Wstumbled into, here in Topanga Canyon? IRL couples, families, friends, milling about with drinks in their hands, smiling from ear to ear, gazing at their fellow humans. I felt it
too. Anticipation. Joy. Excitement for PHOTOS BY IAN FLANDERS the world of possibilities that exist again and the promise of live theater! It was almost too good to believe. Like every dream I had in 2020 was coming true in mid-summer! I was here to see the acclaimed repertory company, Theatricum Joey Major as Lysander and Julia Lisa as Lisa Wolpe as Oberon, King of the Sara Mountjoy-Pepka’s Helena is in love Botanicum’s opening night Hermia plot to run away to escape her Fairies, dukes it out with Melora with Demetrius (Ethan Haslam), who is performance of Shakespeare’s father’s insistance she marry Demetrius. Marshall’s Titania, Queen of the Fairies, determined to marry Hermia. over possession of a changling boy. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The theater is set in an enchanted forest intervals). The songs that were great physical humor and charm. is battling over a human child with under the canopy of Coastal Live performed by all the cast members Meanwhile, Hermia’s best friend his Queen, Titania (Melora Marshall). Oaks, the perfect place for this were such a breath of fresh air. The Helena, portrayed by the hilarious and Marshall, who, from the theater’s captivating story to unfold. play has been expertly shortened physically adept Sara Mountjoy-Pepka, inception, has probably played I was curious if, like me, this was to 80 minutes (no intermission), has unrequited love for Demetrius, almost every role in A Midsummer the first theater outing for other making it even more accessible to who also wants Hermia. Farcical Night’s Dream, is inimitable in her people, since the plague that shall children. It did not detract from the mayhem ensues as the four star- sultry, unyielding royal-ness, while not be named and I asked the two show, with the pace and the laughs crossed lovers escape into the forest. committing fully to the serious silliness women sitting behind me. Libby has rolling along seamlessly. The second world is a group of of being in love with an ass, while been seeing shows at Theatricum for The play alternates between three dramatically challenged actors who under a fairy spell). Marshall is at once 40 years. She was thrilled to finally different worlds. First is the court are planning to perform a theatrical sweet and dangerous. You cannot take bring her long-time friend Susan, of Duke Theseus (Jose Donado) piece at the royal wedding. They are your eyes off of her. for the first time because…they had and his betrothed, Hippolyta, (the played by veteran actors who eat up Oberon, with his loyal sidekick, been in a production of this very play fierce Jordan Tyler Kessler). The the stage, causing our smile muscles Puck, use magical flowers and spells to at their all-girls school, in 1964. They Patriarchy is in full force, with a to get sore. Thad Geer as Bottom can unleash chaos and hilarity on all three promised they would try and not say father, Egeus (Tim Halligan) insisting do no wrong. He gets bewitched, worlds. Jackie Nicole is all you could their lines aloud during the show. on the arranged marriage of his turns into an ass, and every child ever want in a Puck. Mischievous, They were ready. daughter, Hermia (Julia Lisa)—funny, and grownup in the audience is impish, with kinetic energy, So was the cast. effervescent and head-strong, proving enthralled. Peter Quince leads the commanding rapt attention from With all the artists finally getting that one should never underestimate troupe, played by Earnestine Phillips, the audience of children and adults to show up and give their hearts to a woman because of her diminutive a mistress of finding the richness alike. The whole show is beautifully the audience after an entire year size—to the boy she does not love, of the comedy and sweet nuance in choreographed by Max Lawrence. away, it was clear they were energized Demetrius (Ethan Haslam). who every line she speaks. The rest of the Throughout, the fairies, who serve and full of merriment. demonstrated an amusing mix of troupe are all delightfully committed their mighty Queen, flutter about This year, under the brilliant comedy and callousness. to their “craft” while constantly mirthfully, enchanting us with their and innovative directing of Melora It is Lysander (Joey Major) she tickling us with the absurdity and songs, poetry and beautiful costumes. Marshall, with original music by wants and he, her, but the entire devotion to their own play. From the moment the fairies came Ellen Geer and Marshall McDaniel, court is forbidding the union because The fairy kingdom, ruled by King onstage, they mesmerized us and we more music was added (with of the wishes of her father. Major’s Oberon, played by Lisa Wolpe with a knew we were in for an evening of Shakespeare’s prose sung at perfect Lysander is earnestly played with magnetic presence, power and energy, magic. n
Julius Caesar continues Saturdays at 7:30;. A Midsummer Night’s Catching Up with Topanga Actors Company Dream continues at 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Last, Best Small Starting July 23, Topanga Actors Town opens on July 31. Other Company (TAC) begins streaming six dates continue through November plays from its 2020-21 season on Facebook 7. Tickets are $10-$60; ages 4 beginning with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and younger are free; Friday and Morocco by Allan Havis, through July 29. nights are pay what you will. John Kassir is The Creature inFrankenstein . theatricum.com July 30 to August 5, TAC presents NOTE: Pandemic precautions Mary Jane by Amy Herzog, and remain in place at Will Geer’s Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. Theatricum Botanicum with August 6 to August 12, features distanced seating in the outdoor Middletown by Will Eno; and The Children amphitheater. As of July 17, 2021 by Lucy Kirkwood. masks are required by all regardless Above: Frankenstein See your favorite plays once again or catch up with the ones you missed. Plays stay of immunization status when in Right: Mary Jane the amphitheater. Thank you for on for one week. Look for cast information, helping us support the safety of our etc., at the time of streaming. Do join us and artists and community. share with your friends. Exclusively on Facebook: facebook.com/ Theatricum is located at 1419 TopangaActorsCompany. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga To all our supporters, thank you for CA 90290. For information: joining us during a year like no other! We’re theatricum.com; (310) 455-3723. actively planning our 2021-22 season, so The outdoor amphitheater is you can expect to see the same fine acting terraced into the hillside of rustic and stimulating choices of plays in months Topanga Canyon, so dress casually. to come. Bring a sweater for evenings, —Judith Hendra, Paula LaBrot sunscreen and hat for matinees. BY AMY HERZOG
10 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 Theatricum Reopens with Julius Caesar Topanga’s Theatricum Later that morning, Caesar’s wife, Botanicum triumphantly Calpurnia (a loving, sympathetic Cindy Kania-Guastaferro*) warns returns with a chilling him of the dangers of going into the production of the Bard’s Senate. Fearing that he might stay timeless tragedy of blood, home, one of the conspirators arrives murder, death, war, and to escort him and convinces Caesar that Calpurnia has misinterpreted revenge. her dreams and the recent omens. By Annemarie Donkin Caesar departs for the Senate where, after some phony petitions eneath the ancient oaks of the to distract him, he is stabbed by the BTheatricum Botanicum there is a conspirators, including Brutus and tale told of men who disagree with the Cassius. political ambitions of their leader. As co-Director with Willow Rome, 44 B.C. or the United Geer, Ellen Geer’s hand is seen in States, 2021? Who knows—for the the dramatic tension sustained politics are the same. throughout the play to the final, PHOTO BY IAN FLANDERS “As we face the changing world The Soothsayer (Gerald Rivers) warns Caesar (Mark Lewis), “Beware the Ides of March.” brutal scenes; it’s not often that you of 2021, we find by observing the can see this level of action and sword mistakes of history, and feel the ever- lost a war, fixed the calendar, and to the headstrong “lean and hungry” fighting onstage and up close. changing forces that tore down the created the first newssheet,Acta Gaius Cassius (portrayed by the This is the joy of seeing Republic of Rome,” writes the Artistic Diurna, which was posted on the magnificent Melora Marshall*). Shakespeare live; to witness how the Director, Ellen Geer, in the program. Forum to let everyone know what During the ceremony, after three times actors handle such a story in such “We can become better stewards and the Assembly and Senate were doing. refusing the crown of Emperor from heroic fashion while speaking some caretakers of our world today.” Yet fear, envy and jealousy brought Marc Antony, Caesar re-enters as if of the most iconic language in theater. As a full house found its way to about Caesar’s demise as his generals he were a demigod. After Caesar exits, The strong cast includes standouts their seats in the beautifully renovated conspired against him. Brutus and Cassius step aside and Max Lawrence* as Marcellus; Eric amphitheater, we were introduced to As Shakespeare’s haunting play summon their loyal comrade Casca Flores* as Octavius, and Matthew the Roman world of the play through opens, Tribunes find Roman citizens (a soulful Franc Ross*) to recount the Domenico as Martellus Cimber. the splendid oratory of the “Narrator,” neglecting their work in order to watch events leading to Caesar’s refusal of the Rounding out the ensemble are Gerald Rivers, who warns us against Caesar’s triumphal parade during crown of Emperor. Casca’s story drives Gabrielle Beauvais as Lucius; Joseph the rise of tyranny and the dangers of the Feast of Lupercal. The Tribunes Brutus and Cassius to madness, as Bricker, Tim Frangos, Steven C. Fisher, a politically divided Republic. reprimand them and disperse the crowd. Caesar’s tyrannical rule has polarized Steven Gordon, Frank Gress, Colin What exactly is a Republic and Then, Caesar (Mark Lewis*) enters the city and his generals are at odds. Guthrie, Nicholas Jordan, Joey Major, why does it matter? with his entourage, including his loyal Indeed, the play comes alive when Jacob Salazar, Lawrence Sonderling, “Democracy—A republic, with general Marc Antony (well played by an enraged Cassius declares there is Sky Wahl, Grace Hawthorne, Leesa equal liberty and justice for all. How to Michael McFall*, who later gives a much discord in Rome. Marshall Kim, and Alexandria Kunin. find it, tend it, gently evolve it,” asks the brilliant and affecting funeral speech). endows Cassius with such red-hot Also worthy of mention is the program notes. “How to keep it for the The parade is interrupted by passion that she nearly eclipses creative team: Fight Choreographer, people,” and away from the rule of one? an ominous Soothsayer (Gerald the cast and, as always, makes Cavin “CR” Mohrhardt; Stage By disallowing inequality, dictatorship, Rivers*) who warns him to “Beware a strong case for women taking Manager, Kim Cameron;* Assistant skewed ambition within politics to the Ides of March,” but Caesar leading roles in the Bard’s plays. Stage Manager, JP Pollinger; Costume flourish. These very things can steal ignores him and proceeds with his Designer, Tracy Wahl; Properties the magnificence of democracy from a victory celebration. The Ides of March Master, Alexander Sheldon; Original world, a nation, a people.” Lewis plays Caesar as a During a violent storm on the night Music by Marshall McDaniel; Sound powerful yet sardonic modern- before March 15, the Ides of March, Designers, Marshall McDaniel & Julius Caesar day CEO who can smile at you Brutus cannot sleep. His loving and Grant Escandón; Lighting Designer, According to historians, Julius Caesar while stabbing you in the back. loyal wife, Portia (poignantly played Zachary Moore; Associate Lighting was a general, statesman, lawgiver, an Members of Caesar’s entourage by Willow Geer*) entreats him to Designer, Bri Pattillo; and Wardrobe orator, historian and a mathematician. include Senators Decimus Brutus (a reveal what is troubling him so. He Supervisor Beth Eslick. His government (with modifications) confident yet humble Christopher W. cannot do so and instead, meets in *Member of Actors Equity endured for centuries; he never Jones*) who is a steady counterpart secret with the conspirators. Association. n Theatricum’s Third Offering, The Last, Best Small Town, Opens July 31 n addition to Julius Caesar and A Los Angeles” by Buzz magazine, Guthrie joined him on the dirt stage IMidsummer Night’s Dream, a third “One of Southern California’s most for vigorous performances and production—the world premiere of beguiling theater experiences” by inspired grassroots activism, while The Last, Best Small Town by Latine Sunset magazine, and “Best Theater the audiences sat on railroad ties. playwright John Guerra—will join in the Woods” by the LA Weekly. Today, two outdoor amphitheaters the repertory on July 31. This is a “The enchantment of a are situated in the natural canyon tale of small town America set in the midsummer night at Theatricum ravine, where audiences are able nearby town of Fillmore, the self- Botanicum [makes it] crystal clear to relax and enjoy the wilderness proclaimed “Last, Best Small Town why audiences have been driving during an afternoon or evening in Southern California.” up into the hills since Theatricum’s performance. Theatricum’s main Unlike most theaters in the L.A. maiden season way back in 1973. of the best outdoor theaters around stage amphitheater sports a new and area that stage continuous runs of Summer Shakespeare doesn’t the world” by the Daily Beast. improved sun shade for increased a single play, Theatricum, using a get any better than this,” writes Theatricum’s beginnings can be audience comfort, installed with company of actors, will perform StageSceneLA. Says Los Angeles traced to the early 1950s when Will support from the Los Angeles each of the plays in repertory, magazine, “The amphitheater feels Geer, a victim of the McCarthy- County Board of Supervisors and making it possible to see all three like a Lilliputian Hollywood Bowl, era Hollywood blacklist (before the Ralph M. Parson’s Foundation. plays in a single summer weekend. with pre-show picnics and puffy seat he became known as the beloved Theatricum is the recipient Will Geer’s Theatricum cushions, yet we were close enough Grandpa on The Waltons), opened of multiple awards, including Botanicum’s 2021 Repertory Season to see the stitching on the performers a theater for blacklisted actors the Margaret Harford Award for is sponsored by the S. Mark Taper costumes. Grab a blanket and a and folk singers on his property “sustained excellence,” which is the Foundation. It has been named bottle and head for the hills.” In in Topanga. Friends such as Ford Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s “One of the 50 Coolest Places in 2017, Theatricum was named “one Rainey, John Randolph and Woody highest honor. n
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 11 Topanga Historical Society Topanga Before Today As Archivist for the Topanga Historical Society, Pablo Capra saw an opportunity to compile historical vignettes lifted from bygone newspapers that capture the times when they were written. Read more at topangahistoricalsociety.org, and support the Topanga Historical Society by becoming a member and checking out their catalog of books reflecting the history of Topanga, available for sale.
‘In the Fifties: The Folk Singers of Topanga’ by Mary “Mickey” Miller There was Odetta with her rocking baritone, and later (those who cut their teeth merican folk music legend Peter Seeger performing at McCabe’s or the Ashgrove), Ais seen here in a rare photo taken during Frank Hamilton and Bob Baxter who lived an early Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest. here for many years; Eric Darling who hung The annual affair attracted musicians of many out at the Moonfire Inn; and Taj Mahal who persuasions, and became so popular that by caught on at the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle the 1970s it outgrew its Canyon location and Contest (MC’d by Bess Hawes). moved to Northridge, where it is held to this Even Linda Ronstadt, before she became day. Photo courtesy of McCabe’s Guitar Shop. a star, partied in Old Canyon. And then there were the bluegrass groups, Congo January 12, 1984, Topanga Messenger—In drummers (yes), and assorted guitar and 1949, after a year of collecting folk songs in banjo pickers. The ambiance was right, and North Carolina, I moved to Topanga. Folk Topanga became a sub-mecca for musicians music was beginning to come into its own of all persuasions. again (after a long period of disdain as being Through the Hawes, I had the opportunity “countrified”) largely due to the efforts of to swap songs with Pete Seeger and Woody some folk singers who centered around New Guthrie. Woody decided to stay in the York’s Greenwich Village. Canyon for a while, and someone arranged a Among these were Bess Lomax (daughter live-radio performance with Rich and myself of John, the dean of American folk music as backup. collectors), her husband-to-be, Baldwin Woody had burned his arm throwing gas “Butch” Hawes, and friends, Woody Guthrie on a camp-fire, and he was also beginning and Pete Seeger. Early in the 50s, the Hawes to show symptoms of Huntington’s Chorea moved to Topanga, as did the Dehr family who which killed him several years later. He were a part of the L.A. folk music crowd. Rich medicated himself with a few too many and Dehr and I sang together for various benefits, passed out. I don’t remember what happened and performed in some of the local “Canyon Pete Seeger was one of the regulars at Topanga to the broadcast, but Woody retired from Capers.” The era of folk-pop was beginning, musical venues performing, in a tent up on some rocks across and Rich formed a group, the “Easy Riders.” Topanga Creek. As the disease worsened, he They had several big hits—“Marianne,” returned East to a hospital, and son, Arlo. “Memories Are Made of This” (which they After he died, his ex-wife and friends started wrote, and performed with Dean Martin), a foundation for Huntington’s disease. “Greenfields,” and “Kari Waits for Me,” after I had become close friends with the daughter Kari, who’s now grown up and is Hawes—getting together just for the fun of proprietress of their rebirthed “Discovery making music. We decided to practice up on Inn.” Rich and I recorded on several square-dance tunes. We played informally “Hootenany” records at the time, but let’s get at square dances which would usually end back to Topanga. in a “hoot” when everyone got exhausted. I met Bess and Butch through Bob Dewitt, Butch played fiddle, my ex-husband Matt an artist, real-estate salesman, former milker, was “caller,” or played banjo, Bess was on first Canyon hippie, and collector of people. mandolin, and myself on guitar. He and wife, Doreen turned their art shop/ Bess urged me to record the songs I had tea house into a “salon.” They began holding collected in North Carolina, and by way of spontaneous showings and performances persuasion, offered to back me on an album. of all sorts. Lord Buckley showed up with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee She set it up with Moe Asch, the recording entourage, and did orations. Jimmy Guifry guru of folk musicians, and our album was (jazz clarinet and saxophone) jammed with produced in 1959 or ‘60 on Folkways Records: one or two sidemen and a monkey. The shop “Mickey Miller Sings American Folk Songs,” provided a background of Bob’s drawings accompanied by Bess Hawes. and pottery, and others’ paintings, sculpture, Postscript: The Hawes’ daughter was assemblages etc. Afterwards there was tea, badly burned and the family moved away. honey and home-baked bread. The tradition Butch died and Bess turned to teaching folk has been carried on in the Canyon, elsewhere music at Northridge University, and later and by others—it drew people. Berkeley. Pete Seeger still gives concerts, and Because Bess and Butch lived in the Canyon, sometimes performs with Woody’s son, Arlo many folk musicians were drawn here. They Guthrie. Mickey Miller returned to school to passed the hat at Dewitt’s to help pay for their study psychology, and is now a counselor with travels. Among those who performed here were the Topanga Community Counseling Service. Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, his sound-alike Special thanks are due to Richard Dehr, Jack Elliot who has done the memorial concerts Donnie Curry, Robert Riskin, McCabe’s, Rare at the Theatricum; Brownie McGee and blind Records, and Ray Avery for their help in the Sonny Terry, side-kick of Leadbelly before he production of this article.
died, and one of the greats on the harmonica; PHOTOS FROM THE TOPANGA MESSENGER ARCHIVES, CIRCA 1984 old Mance Lipscomb, a country-blues singer Part II of “The Folk Singers of Topanga, In the Top left-right: Odetta, The Easy Riders, Woody who played slides on his guitar with a finger- Guthrie, Linda Ronstadt, Taj Mahal, Lord Buckley. Sixties,” will appear sometime this decade. ring made of a broken pop bottle.
12 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 MY CORNER OF THE CANYON Of Tarot Cards And Crows
By Kathie Gibboney sixties when the classic Waite Rider Deck, along with incense, became popular. Whereas Bacardi h, the Tarot cards. That mystical channel to and I are in no way schooled professionals, we do Alifting the veil, tapping into hidden answers, respect the cards and process some intuition and a future possibilities, maybe meeting your own certain flare. In fact, I recall being quite insightful doom or higher self. when working the Fortune Telling booth at Sometimes I forget about the cards, along the Topanga Elementary School Carnival, (yes, with one of my favorite alternative personalities, Madam Bacardi rocked a turban). I advised one a certain wacky psychic known as Madam second-grade boy to pursue a career as a baker Bacardi. I am, however, freshly inspired for I and he responded, “But how did you know? That’s have a surprising new deck of Tarot Cards! I was exactly what I want to be.” presented a gift certificate for our own Topanga When a rather small boy drew the Five of Homegrown and while browsing through the Wands, a card depicting a group of rowdy youths many charming treasures therein, my eyes lit upon brandishing long sticks at each other, it came to an intriguing dark box, upon which was pictured a me to suggest that when he is a bit older he join a noble magical black bird, draped in a diaphanous debating team. A group of fifth-grade girls came vail. Across the top was printed, Crow Tarot. My in and stayed for an hour, sitting on pillows, just heart leapt. talking to me about their futures, sharing their As of late I have become quite infatuated with hopes and dreams. If the cards can open such my corvid friends, much to the consternation of communication between those young, shining the Beleaguered Husband who questions his wife’s spirits and this old soul, bless them indeed. sanity as she stands outside cawing aloud to a trio Inspired by my new deck I drew my own cards, of ravens who come to visit daily. The cards were choosing the simple three-card spread, past, designed by a talented award winning, Seattle it gets harder not to notice the open-mouthed present, future. It was an amazing and accurate artist, Margaux Jones Cuillinane, who is likewise crocodiles gathered under the rolling log heading spread. The Six of Cups represented being fascinated by the mythical winged species. Each rapidly down river, on which you are precariously anchored in my joyous and supported past; the of the 78 cards she has created are magnificent, balanced while singing, “Row, Row Row, Your Three of Pentacles acknowledged my present state combining whimsy, nature, secrets, loss, humor, Boat” or perhaps, “Jimmy Crack Corn And I Don’t of teamwork; and lastly, a card ushering in a future struggle, death, rebirth, wisdom, joy, and of course, Care.” At least the crow has wings to fly away but that will include contact with and guidance from foolishness. Now, I may not be an expert on reading my fellow fools and I are in store for a wet and the High Priestess herself. the cards, but I know enough about humans to rude awakening. Now, not all cards tell you something you like. appreciate, as did Shakespeare, that we are all fools. Tarot cards in one form or another have been The other day I randomly drew a card on a whim And that’s a good place to start. around for centuries, appearing in Italy in the and pulled the worst card in the deck and I’m not The Fool card asks that you have faith fourteen hundreds, and emerging in France in talking about Temperance or The Hanged Man, or in the universe and live fearlessly. You the seventeen hundreds where a first deck was The Devil. I can just hear, the wise and knowing will come through the storm! If you published. Alesister Crowley, of the Order of The Madam Bacardi advising, “Ah, my dear, one should allow hope to replace fear, imagine the Golden Dawn, claimed the origin of Tarot came never be random when dealing with the cards.” adventures you have waiting. from Ancient Egypt which even predates Madam How right she is for I held in my shaking Unfortunately, it takes true, pure innocence to Bacardi. Now and then, over the years I have hand, The Tower, a card of complete destruction, remain a fool. After living in this wicked world, thrown a few cards, having discovered them in the Continued on page 14
Come celebrate with us. When: Our Topanga Sunday, July 11th, 4pm - 6pm Brokerage is Where: now open again. Topanga Brokerage Sotheby’s International Realty 369 S. Topanga Blvd. Music provided by: Let’s Party LA LetsPartyLA.com This party will also benefit The Topanga Coalition for Emergency Perparedness. Contributions of any size will be greatly appreciated. Nothing Compares SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM
TOPANGA BROKERAGE | CRISTIAN DAVID - SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/BROKERAGE MANAGER 310.455.3200 © 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice DRE#: 899496
July 23• Vol. 2 No. 14 13 environment Of Tarot Cards And Crows Reduce Light Pollution and Discover the Night Continued from page 13 loss, upheaval, and devastation. Its hen LAX altered its flight path to a narrower Through the International Dark Sky Association meaning is so bleak that each day that Wroute and lower altitude a few years ago, (IDA), communities across the nation, like Monte passes without my being surrounded planes taking off and landing shook the ground and Nido, are taking it into their own hands to become and pulled down by total destruction rattled the nerves of Monte Nido residents. That Dark Sky Communities. and calamity feels like a gift. I can was when activist Alicia Gonzalez created Quiet It may seem harmless, but light pollution has handle the dentist, the hundred- Skies Santa Monica Mountains (ag.mnvca@icloud. far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all degree heat, the vacuum cleaner com) that became a committee of the Las Virgenes living things. Effective outdoor lighting reduces light bags we ordered that don’t fit, the Homeowners Federation. pollution, leading to a better quality of life for all. gophers that destroyed our yard, the Gonzalez not only advocates for Quiet Skies to Any artificial light that is not needed is a pollutant money that was supposed to be in my fight air traffic noise, she also lives in a community that has serious and harmful consequences. account, even the disappointment of that is a “Dark Sky Community.” Every night from Light pollution is increasing at twice the rate of the mirror. What care I? The house dusk to dawn, residents turn off their lights so they population growth and 83% of the global population still stands, we have our health, can go outside and look up! They admire the Milky lives under a light-polluted sky. Light pollution family and friends, the cat sleeps near Way, the constellations, the waning and waxing of disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, wastes the door and outside the crows fly. the moon and our nearest planets. money and energy, contributes to climate change, Calling in an expert, I channel LA.. County does have a dark skies ordinance, and blocks our view of the universe. Madam Bacardi to pull a card for No. 2012-0047, to curtail excessive lighting. The Its effects on wildlife and ecosystems depend on Topanga. One card for all of us. A little ordinance was “established as a supplemental district Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark rhythm to govern guidance from the High Priestess. The for the rural areas of the County to promote and life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, Seven of Wands appears. It depicts a maintain dark skies for the health and enjoyment of nourishment, sleep and protection from predators. warrior or ruler on top of a mountain. individuals and wildlife...” Enforcement, however, It’s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. The card warns that although we’ve seems to be at the bottom of the list if it’s on the list Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by made it to this elevated place, we at all. lighting up the night. must not be complacent. The Seven of Wands asks that we remain self- confident, stand up for our beliefs and have courage when facing challenge, Next Best Opportunity: The Perseids then states, It won’t always be easy at The Perseid meteor shower is perhaps the crescent moon will set at early evening, providing the top, but you’ve earned most beloved meteor shower of the year for dark skies for this year’s Perseid meteor shower. the right to be there. the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a rich meteor Predicted peak in 2021: the night of August 11- And so, each one of us here, varied shower, and it’s steady. These swift and bright 12, but try the nights before and after, too, from and diverged, mixed and mottled, meteors radiate from a point in the constellation late night until dawn. jerks and angels, aged, newborn, and Perseus the Hero. As with all meteor shower everything in between is somehow radiant points, you don’t need to know Perseus For more information on the Dark Sky movement: deemed worthy of standing on this to watch the shower; instead, the meteors appear darksky.org; or to join: darksky.org/get-involved sacred, hardscrabble ground, of in all parts of the sky. These meteors frequently feeling Topanga’s breeze, walking its leave persistent trains. Perseid meteors tend to For more information on the LA County Rural trails, of blessing its roadkill, wishing strengthen in number as late night deepens into Outdoor Lighting District, Ordinance No. 2012-0047, on its stars, and sharing this place, at midnight, and typically produce the most meteors revised in 2012: planning.lacounty.gov/assets/upl/data/ this time, with each other. in the wee hours before dawn. In 2021, the waxing ord_outdoor-lighting. Well done, all of you. Don’t fall off the mountain! n
THE MARKETPLACE Serving Your Business through Ours
BODY • MIND • HEART • SOUL Holistic Wellness Installing solar in Topanga for over 12 years! ot Really M & Healing N agi IS YOUR HOUSE SUNNY t’s c! Dianne Porchia, MA, DMBM I Barbara Allen E.A. 310.455.2851 ENOUGH FOR SOLAR? 310-455-2375 [email protected] porchiaswish.com Free Survey! Tax Preparation & Audit Representation SmartSolar, your local installer for LEE RHOADS SunPower solar & residential storage! w 310.455.2958 For Individuals, Small Businesses, SunVault is the most advanced home Estates, Trusts and Tax-Exempt Entities battery available (powers more c 310.487.5750 Featured in appliances than a Tesla). smartsolarcorp.com www.barbaraalleneataxservices.com LIFE IN BALANCE HEAL Documentary CSLB #998255 [email protected]
THE MARKETPLACE Philip D’Arbanville Serving Your Business through Ours Real Estate Financing Specialist Sales, Purchase & Refinance | Residential & Commercial • Small Ads for Big Ideas • Affordable — $60/month JENNIFER BABCOCK 310.663.5007 • We will design for you DESIGN LLC [email protected] Contact us: Full-Service Graphic Design Firm Real Estate Agent, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer [email protected] 818.222.7576 [email protected] DRE # 01902357 NMLS# 1124693 310.460.9786
California Home Solution, California Commercial The Canyon Chronicle 20301 Ventura Blvd. Suite302, Woodland Hills, CA. 91326 | 818-999-6070 X 309 P.O. Box 1101, Topanga CA 90290
14 July 23 • Vol. 2 No. 14 Pritchett-Rapf Realtors Offices in Malibu & Topanga TOPANGA (310) 455-4363 • PRTopanga.com Call for more information!
Entrada Road - 3 Bed | 1 Bath Contact for more information: Listed at $1,995,000 Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696 Come home to your horses. Dappled sunlight from a canopy of trees line the gated driveway. The private house sits on an impeccable property located across the street from Topanga State Park, 36 miles of trails for riders, cyclists and hikers. Gleaming wood floors, a craftsman restored truss ceiling, modern stainless appliances. A screened in porch outside the kitchen sits in the treetops, an oasis built to enjoy the symphony of sounds and cool breezes, could easily be enclosed for an additional room. A 4-hole putting green adds outdoor pleasure, nestled in a fully fenced rose garden with fruit trees. A Castlebrook Barn, built to last a lifetime, sits proudly next to the house.
SOLD
THE MARKETPLACE
Bowers Drive 3 Bed | 3 Bath $1,199,000 Topanga Skyline Dr. 2 Bed | 2 Bath $950,000 Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696 William Preston Bowling - (310) 428-5085 This vintage Topanga Charmer on a quiet tree-lined, dead end street has Unique Topanga Canyon investment opportunity with rental income. plenty of birds to serenade you. Large flat fenced yard in cool Fernwood Located on a private road, this magical property set among the trees and on a corner lot comprising of three parcels. a seasonal creek is waiting for you! Vacant Land
AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS AND BOULDER OUTCROPPINGS BEAUTIFUL CANYON VIEWS OUTSIDE COASTAL HUGE BUILDING SITE WITH OCEAN VIEWS Everding Motorway $650,000 Zuniga Road $625,000 Hawks Nest Trail $420,000 William Preston Bowling 2.53 acres William Preston Bowling 1.5 acres William Preston Bowling 2.5 acre (310) 428-5085 (310) 428-5085 (310) 428-5085 LOCAL & GLOBAL Pritchett-Rapf Realtors CalBRE 00528707 21044Waveview.com 3 BD 3 BA | LIVING ROOM, GUESTQUARTERS, ART STUDIO, WINE ROOM | $2,900,000 An exceptionally rare treasure nestled in the heart of Topanga Canyon’s highly desirable Post Office Tract is this original mid-century architectur- al masterpiece, custom-designed and built by Los Angeles architect Matthew Leizer.
Catherine Campbell DRE: 01164030 | 310.663.9039 [email protected]
Voted: Best of the Best - 2020 America’s Best Real Estate Professionals REALTRENDS TOM FERRY.
My Go-To Team
Hugo Will Trip Young Antwone & Marcus Kavala Rose Home Design Videography Marketing Landscaping, Cleaning, Home Staging, Interior Decorating, hugowill.com and Hauling Landscape Design.
Local referrals for you, at my fingertips.
© 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty. Certain services advertised are provided by third parties.