MAGAZINE
MALIBU ICON
GINA MCCLOSKEY CALI COOL
JUICE SERVED HERE
GOOD & PROPER
VOL 2 ISSUE 2
PATSY PALM ER
THE ISSUE 10.2021
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Patsy PALMER
Fiercely popular actress and British gem Patsy Palmer talks about all things beauty and wellness in our Abundantly Autumn cover feature.
Gina MCCLOSKEY
Local icon Gina McCloskey, who is at the top of her game in the Malibu Equine community, is profiled by contributor Amelia Rose Simpson.
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Catalina GUIRADO Model and Designer Cataline Guirado chats with lifestyle Editor Tara Owens about her uber chich Equestrian designs and her collaboration with the Tracy Park Gallery to exhibit her late father, Juan Antonio Guirado’s art.
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EDITOR’S LETTER
bundantly
AUTUMN
As the temperatures start to dip into a west coast version of winter, locals begin to prepare for cozy long nights anticipating the holiday season - which as we know, will be wildly different from the holidays of seasons past. Our cover story, the fiercly popular actress and British gem Patsy Palmer, inspires us with her festive jewel toned hues and a dose of her daily wellness regimen - much needed advice during a hectic holiday season. The British beauty doesn’t stop there - our next feature, English model and designer, Catalina Guirado, is interviewed by our very own English rose, Beauty and Lifestyle Editor Tara Owens. Guirado talks about her incredibly chic equestrian scarves (no horse required to sport these beauties!) and her collaboration with the Tracy Park Gallery to exhibit her late father, Juan Antonio Guirado’s art. It is the first time the Guirado Estate is releasing paintings on the market with a gallery. Malibu is well-known for our horse loving community and no one is loved more in that circle than local icon Gina McCloskey. Contributor Amelia Rose Simpson profiles this beloved member of the community. Uber entrepeneur and longtime Malibuite, Greg Alterman, is back in the game after taking a hiatus from his next -evel cold pressed juice brand, Juice Served Here, which is now making its way back to a grocery-store-wellness-outlet near you in early 2022. Editor Tara Owens, who recently created the Stranger Flavours (spelled the British way) podcast as an alternative and more personable approach to her editorial skills, interviews iconic American actor - and of course a Malibu resident for decades - Michael Madsen, star of cult films Resevoir Dogs, Kill Bill and more.
And...who better to usher us into comfort food season than Malibu Seaside Chef Gina Clarke who shares her hearty Sausage, White Bean and Swiss Chard Autumn Soup recipe which features fresh local ingredients - always good for the soul. At world famous Taverna Tony’s with Malibu Seaside Chef, Gina Clarke, talking tequila and comfort food.
Cece Woods
FOUNDER, EDITOR IN CHIEF Twitter: @ceceswoods Instagram: @cecewoodsofficial
Speaking of good for the soul, the efforts of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homeless Outreach Team in collaboration with the Lost Hills Station, Malibu City officials and county officials has made a significant impact in our community as we approach Santa Ana wind season and the third anniversary of the Woolsey Fire. We are “Abundantly Autumn” Malibu. Good vibes all around.
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atsy
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CAWLEY
PALMER
Celebrated British actress turned wellness entrepeneur gives 9 0265 Magazine her Beauty Breakdown
LIFESTYLE By TARA OWENS Hailed as a British national treasure Patsy Palmer starred in the hit tv show EastEnders for over a decade. She played the role of Bianca Jackson a fiery redhead. The show was probably one of the most famous and long running shows ever to come out of England. Set in the East end of London. The actress and wellness guru now calls Malibu her home. After launching her line of holistic hair care called Good and Proper which is haircare with a statement. It’s more like a hair ritual with nourishing oils and mantras to go with it. Currently there are two products Mend Hair Oil which is soothing and centering blend to relax and unwind, with notes of lavender and woods, warming frankincense and myrrh, the other oil is called Intend Hair Oil a revitalizing blend of botanical oils to energize and refresh with notes of rosemary, bergamot and grapefruit. Patsy said Yoga and meditation has changed her life. She now practices yoga and meditation every day to keep her tranquil outlook on life which she would like share with those around her. While she not working on her holistic haircare line you can catch Patsy DJing at some of the hottest spots around town. T.O.: Which trends in beauty industry are you drawn to at the moment? P.P.: I'm drawn to the crystal face massagers & rollers; they feel so lovely, and I love scalp care as Good and Proper is all about it.
T.O.: What is the first thing you do when you wake up? P.P.: As soon as I wake up, I do 20 minutes gratitude meditation then get straight out of bed, make a coffee and convince myself it’s a healthy breakfast because its oat milk, shower and drive Bertie to school. I use an exfoliant natural sponge (have no idea what the brand is) then I apply Super Goop everyday sunscreen and done. If I wash my hair, I use my own brand Good and Proper Hair, I use the oils on my scalp and hair and use the guided meditation that comes with it whilst I’m massaging into my scalp. I’m very basic when I come to skincare and haircare. I believe less is best.
Le Labos 33 Santal $196, nordstrom.com
I wear Le Labos 33 Santal everyday its more than a perfume to me it’s a feeling of happiness. T.O.: What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine? P.P.: My fundamentals are food & meditation because beauty starts from within, Sometimes I don’t moisturize before bed as its natures time to let you & your skin breath and it sheds at night. I love Laneige Lip sleeping mask.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen $34, violetgrey.com
Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask $22, sephora.com
Always use cold water on your face after cleansing it. I love sleeping in my new Proper Mask by Good and Proper ™ Hair that I’ll be launching soon. It smells divine and my hair feels better than it has in years. T.O.: Which beauty products can you not live without? P.P: I have never had 1 particular product that I can’t live without I just love discovering new things. My Le Labo Perfume is the one thing I have used since way back when I discovered Le Labo in London. T.O.: If you could give one piece of beauty advice, what would it be? P.P.: Smile a lot.
Rose Quartz Roller by Beauty Bio $60, nordstrom.com Intend Hair Oil $72, goodandproperhair. com
Follow Patsy Palmer on instagram @patsypalmerofficial
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GUIRADO
Model and Designer Catalina Guirado in Caballo Design
By Tara Owens
British model Catalina Guirado shares with us some of her inspirations for starting Cabello designs, a fashion forward custom equsetrian clothing line, made from uv protective fabric. After leaving Ojai to move back to La, Catalina has been working on an exhibition of her late father’s work acclaimed Spanish artist Juan Antonio Guirado at The Tracey Park Gallery in Malibu. The exhibition will run until November 10th.
LIFESTYLE T.O.: What inspired you to start Cabello designs? C.G.: I came up with the idea for Caballo Design last fall when my friends horse had a freak accident and had to be put down. I made her a face mask gaiter with her horse as the design but as I studied textile design and art in the UK I created a very fashion colorful design inspired by Hermes scarves! She loved it and lots of people asked me to make them some as well. The concept has developed over the year into fashion equestrian sport style riding tops and accessories. I use a special UV protective moisture wicking fabric for the riding tops and being British I wanted to focus on creating street style road and trail safe tops in bright colors as I was fed up of nearly getting run over when crossing the road where we ride in Shadow Hills. The idea is you can ride and then go to lunch or for a drink as the tops look great, keep you feeling fresh, and they dry in minute if you wash your horse down. My quarter horse Gracie was put to sleep at 24 years old in March and the designs are all created from photos of her and my other horse SW Bill Jean ( AKA Farah) who is a show Arabian. I am adding a custom luxury art and silk scarf service where I will personally design a silk scarf using customers horses. They just need to upload the photo to the site, and I turn their horse into a design like the template. It’s a way to remember your horse forever and a really special gift.
During COVID the art world was hugely affected and as a result has changed dramatically. T.O.: You are based in Ojai, what are your favorite places there? C.G.: We actually moved back to LA before COVID which was a big mistake as everyone in LA moved to Ojai and now it’s gotten hugely expensive there. We still spend a lot of time there though and I love seeing friends for dinner at Nocciola, wine tasting at Ojai valley Brewery and Topa Topa Brewery and also olive oil tasting at the Ojai Olive Oil Company that has award winning olive oil. This also reminds me of Jaén in Andalucía as its the olive oil capital of the world, so I grew up around olives and trust me Ojai produces the best olive oil I’ve tasted outside of Andalucía. I think it’s to do with Ojai magic and the bees there are really special - Truth! Ojai has just started art studio walks as there are so many incredibly talented artists living there. It’s such an artistic community with fantastic internationally acclaimed musicians and lots of I’ve music that I really recommend people venture into town and make the most of enjoying all there is to offer, not just staying at the Ojai Valley Inn Spa (though it is hard to drag yourself away as it’s so tranquil there and yes - the Spa is fabulous!).
Caballo Design scarf, caballodesign.com
T.O.: Tell us about the exhibition you curated at the Tracey Park Gallery in Malibu? C.G: I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Tracy in this exhibition of my late father Juan Antonio Guirado’s art. It is the first time the Guirado Estate is releasing paintings on the market with a gallery. During COVID the art world was hugely affected and as a result has changed dramatically. I was about to open a Guirado Art Foundation in Andalucía Spain with the Mayor of the province of Jaén where my family are from, as Guirado is known as the Maestro artist of the region with works in major international collection including the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, but of course that has been put on hold.
I feel that Malibu, like Ojai, attracts a certain type of person that is very receptive to Guirado’s art of seeing through the third eye. I wanted to find a gallery here in the Los Angeles area who understood the visionary paintings by Guirado and appreciated the stylistic technique he invented of diluting oil paint and manipulating it on photographic paper to create kaleidoscopic visions of nature and spirituality. I’ve always been very connected to Malibu as it reminds me of Andalucía so it’s like bringing the art home by working with Tracy. The works in the gallery all reflect Guirado’s concern for the environment and man’s search for spirituality which were running themes of Guirado’s art across the decades from the 1970s way before it was a current concern. The exhibition has works from the 70s -00s and each painting comes with a unique twin animated NFT that I created with new British NFT platform Prove Anything. There are also 50 one-minute NFT’s available to buy for only $250 that come minted and certified that you can put on your TV or computer screen as a saver and just zen out to it! It’s the first time that Tracy has introduced NFT’s, and I am going to be working with her on this with other artists as well. I’m excited to be working in the gallery now as there are so many incredible artists and
LIFESTYLE
I feel that Malibu, like Ojai, attracts a certain type of person that is very receptive to Guirado’s art of seeing through the third eye. T.O.: How did your previous life as a model guide you to where you are today? C.G.: I have a huge love of fashion, design and photography and obviously learnt so much from being a fashion model. I actually wanted to be a designer or a fashion editor when I was young and got sent into VOGUE when I was 14 by my god mother for work experience as she knew the beauty editor. Next thing I know the booking editor Joe Matthews was on the phone to Models One and that was how I ended up modeling. I got to travel the world and meet some great people and let’s face it we had a fabulous life back in the 90s! I think I’ve come full circle and am finally back doing what I love and am good at, working in art and design. I also model half the outfits for Caballo Design as I started during COVID, so it made sense to isolate with my horse LOL and as Farah is a show horse, she works the camera like a pro. We’ve become a dab hand with the selfie stick and remote button but I would like to finally be able to get some other models so I can do the creative directing and style the shoots. It’s quite hard when you are doing it all especially when your horse decides to wonder off when you’re fiddling with your phone! guiradolegacygallery.com guiradoestate.com
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LIFESTYLE
bundantly
AUTUMN
Mali bu Seaside Chef G i n a C l a rk e’ s Sausage, White Bean and Swiss Chard Autumn Soup Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS 1 pound sweet raw Italian pork sausage 1 pound spicy raw Italian pork sausage 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 medium carrots, diced 1 medium brown onion, diced 1½ cups celery hearts, diced Coarse salt and ground pepper 4 cloves garlic, minced] 1 bunch rainbow Swiss chard, rinsed and chopped 1 can white beans, drained 8 cups chicken stock (homemade or store bought) PREPARATION
Chef Gina Clarke combines fresh fall flavors in this incredibly abundantly autumn dish. Coastal comfort food at its best.
Step 1 In a large soup pot over medium to medium-high heat, sauté pork sausages in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until golden brown, breaking up and rendering fat out. Transfer sausage to a bowl and return pan to stovetop. Over medium heat, add butter, diced carrot, onion, celery, 1 teaspoon
of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Sauté until soft, then add garlic and chopped chard. Add browned pork sausage and can of drained beans, stirring gently to combine. Add chicken stock and bring pot to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Let soup sit for at least 30 minutes before serving, garnishing with thyme leaves from earlier recipe. As always, soup is better the next day so it’s a great recipe to make ahead of time, too. Follow Gina on Instagram @malibuseasidechef
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ina
Ma l i b u Ic o n
MC CLOSKEY
By Amelia Rose Simpson Malibu icon Gina Merz-McCloskey started riding before she could walk. Gina and her husband Bruce McCloskey are the owners of Rancho Sea Air, the epicenter for Malibu’s equestrian culture for over 70 years. Most Malibu locals have learned how to ride or got their start in horse back riding from her, keeping her impressive family tradition going.
LIFESTYLE Gina’s father, Egon Merz, was an acclaimed German riding instructor. Her mother, Antonia Vidor, the daughter of famous silent movie director King Vidor, was considered Hollywood royalty. Gina’s parents moved to Malibu in 1941 when it was considered a faraway place with just a dirt-road called Pacific Coast Highway. The dynamic duo managed to talk their friends into coming out to their new home. They hosted Hollywood elite at Rancho Sea Air for trail rides and camp outs, outdoor movies and beach trips. Gina’s father was a classically trained dressage rider who, with her mother’s help, also promoted three-day eventing on the west coast in the 1930’s and 40’s.” It was said in the day if you want to learn to jump, you have to learn from Egon Merz”. Egon trained the young Elizabeth Taylor to ride for the film National Velvet. He also taught Ronald Reagan how to jump! Gina has ridden her whole life. She started out competing in small hunter shows then at the age of twenty-four she started competing in three-day eventing. Gina has a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Education from Pepperdine (Sadly the program is no longer available). For the last 35 years, Gina has been running Rancho Sea Air, hosting her famous summer camps, where children get to learn all things equestrian, and take memories away lasting a life- time. She also specializes in trail riding and teaching. ranchoseaairmalibu.com
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LIFESTYLE
uice
SERVED
Here
Mali bu Entrepeneur Greg Alterman to on the juice world i n t h e m o s t fa s h i o n fo r wa rd d i re c t i o n w i t h J u i c e S e r v e d He re . It’s no secret that everyone loves a comeback. Especially when it’s one of your own. Malibu-based uber entrepeneur Greg Alterman in back in the wellness game with his Juice Served Here brand after taking a four-year hiatus. In 2013, Alterman retired as CEO of his company Alternative Apparel (best known as the first eco-t shirt brand on the market) and transitioned his fashion-forward thinking into the cold-pressed juice industry. Juice Served Here established itself a cult following rather quickly and with the demands of a flourishing business, which included 14 retail stores opened in two years and over 7000 retail locations, Alterman decided to re-consider the long-term growth of the brand. And we’re so glad he did. Follow the journey on instagram: @juiceservedhere.
Juice Served Here is poised to re-appear on a shelf near you in early 2022.
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WOLF PEAK
Nestled high up in the Malibu Hills, WOLF PEAK is a contemporary hilltop oasis reflecting the natural beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains
LIFESTYLE
At first glance, the dramatic entrance of this modern A-Frame dwelling suggests the structure could have lived a past life as a chic mountain top chalet - and, in fact, it was. Originally built in 1971, the former Swiss-Chalet-style home, located on a four acre gated property, was reimagined in 2019 into a Malibu-meets--modern-glam masterpiece. Emerald green tones are throughout the home embrace the environment surrounding the home, while giving the interior a rich regal vibe.
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Ansa Balsam Green Velvet Bench $599, article.com
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omeless
OUTREACH
Hits Home
By CECE WOODS
The efforts of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homeless Outreach Team in collaboration with the Lost Hills Station, Malibu City officials and county officials and local activists has made a significant impact in our community as we enter Santa Ana wind
From left: Deputy Shai Sheklow, Deputy Sean Priestly, Captain Chuck Becerra, Joe the Barber cutting the hair of one of the attendees of Malibu Connect event, LAHSA representative Dan Ornelas, Lt Geoff Deedrick, Head of the LASD Homeless Task Force.
LIFESTYLE The efforts of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homeless Outreach Team in collaboration with the Lost Hills Station, Malibu City officials and county officials and local activists, has made a significant impact in our community as we enter Santa Ana wind season and the third anniversary of the Woolsey Fire. As the community braces for that fateful day the fire ravaged the area in 2018, residents can rest a little easier knowing LASD’s efforts to clear homeless encampments in high fire danger areas around Malibu picked up steam recently with the final clean-up in the area scheduled to be completed on the day of the anniversary, Tuesday, November 9th. Earlier this month, the collaborative efforts between the County, LASD, city officials and homeless advocates at the Malibu Connect event hosted by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s office, included vendors offering medical services, housing resources with the assistance of sponsors The Saint Joseph’s Center, People’s Concern and Malibu CART. The head of LASD HOST Team Lt. Geoff Deedrick and members of the North Division, Deputies Shai Sheklow and Sean Priestly, guided many of Malibu’s local homeless population to legal assistance, vaccines (even a barber!) and more available at the event.
SAND DOESN'T BURN On June 7th, shortly after the Palisades Fire and to the surprise of county officials (specifically first responders) given the on-going drought and catastrophic conditions in wildfire zones patrolled by LASD, Sheriff Alex Villanueva launched his Homeless Outreach efforts at the Venice Boardwalk. According to my sources, County fire officals were preplexed at the Sheriff’s strategy to prioritize the Venice Boardwalk given the critical conditions and increased fire danger in the Santa Mountains. One official expressed his concern stating “Sand doesn’t burn”. Shortly after the Sheriff launched LASD’s Venice homeless outreach efforts, City officials from contract cities serviced by the LASD, especially those in critical high fire danger
Scenes from the Palisades Fire (right) which burned approximately 1,325 acres through unseasonably dry vegetation that had not been burned in a significant fire for close to 50 to 60 years and caused the evacuation of approximately 1000 residents.
areas already experiencing a dramatic rise in encampment fires, immediately went into panic mode. The possibility of transients relocating from Venice into the extremely dense, dry hillsides above Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, Calabasas and Agoura was imminent and it was critical to get a strategy in place before Santa Ana Wind Season arrived. Malibu City council member Bruce Silverstein reached out to Lost Hills Station Captain Chuck Becerra inquiring about the station’s preparation in case an influx of transients migrated to the Santa Monica mountains after being forced out of Venice – especially under the threat of incarceration. “Much is being said about the potential of yet even more transients migrating to the beaches and community of Malibu. Let me assure the community that this station is ready and prepared to deal with the influx of humanity.” Captain Becerra told The Current Report. “The population in Malibu soars during the summer months to levels that test our limits. A byproduct of this summer phenomena is that this station has been in the practice of bolstering is summer deployment to meet these demands. We will be increasing our staffing levels to meet the new challenges. Your station shepherded this community through a historic pandemic and this new challenge is no different. Do not fear what “may” be. We are ready.” Scenes from the devastating Woolsey Fire, November 9th, 2018.
While the community has the highest level of confidence in the station since it became under the command of Becerra last year (which has also been scandal free since Sheriff Villanueva appointed him during the pandemic) you cannot always “see” what “may” be. Multiple transient related fires per month – even weekly at times – occured in our Santa Monica Mountains right up until and throughout Sheriff Villanueva’s high-profile Venice Homeless sweep. The Boardwalk clean-up sent an estimated 250 people searching for a new coastal location with the added threat by Sheriff Villanueva to arrest those who do not comply, made rural coastal areas more attractive to the unhoused as they have the ability to going virtually undetected.
LIFESTYLE Additionally, a drastically underfunded law enforcement, the hardest hit being county areas due to the Board of Supervisors defunding LASD in excess of $400 million, leaves the unincorporated areas of L.A. County – specificaly the canyons in the Santa Monica mountains, extremely vulnerable. At press time, Lt. Jim Braden informed me that the station is seeking additional funds to enforce and prevent encampments from establishing and potential crimes committed in the in the county areas that are in desperate need of additional patrols during high-fire danger season. At the beginning of July, the City of Malibu increased patrol levels in their contract with the Sheriff’s Department for the first time in over 15 years. The increase, largely due to local activism educating the community, in turn put pressure on city council to renegotiate their contract with the department to meet the growing needs of residents – which includes patrols designated solely for the homeless. The increased patrol levels within the city limits will give the deputies the ability to cite, and/or potentially arrest, however, the real issue will be the Los Angeles County District’s Attorney whose pro-criminal directives are allowing virtually no consequences for breaking the law.
Council Member Steve Uhring, Sheriff Alex Villanueva and council member Bruce Silverstein at the Sheriff’s office at the Hall of Justice.
Council members Steve Uhring and Bruce Silverstein visited the Sheriff shortly after the high-profile Venice clean-up began. The meeting took place at the Hall of Justice along with members of the LASD HOST team to discuss efforts to clear the encampments in our wildfire zones that border the five cities patrolled by the Lost Hills Station. The council members expressed fear to the Sheriff and the HOST Team at the meeting, that an influx of the Venice homeless population would relocate to our canyons. Additionally, Silverstein shared his progressive plan to tackle the homeless issue in our area with the Sheriff and the HOST Team.
WOOLSEY WOES The community, already suffering from PTSD due to the devastating Woolsey Fire in 2018 that destroyed thousands of acres and over 600 homes, was experiencing a heightened level of PTSD up until July of this year, with weekly fires occurring in dense brush areas due to encampments. The catastrophic conditions in our region led to Malibu City Council pushing forward with their efforts to tackle the homeless issue at the July 21st council meeting. “...We updated the city’s nuisance ordinance. If a nuisance is identified the city manager can make the call to have it removed and charge the cost of the removal to the property owner. Needs to come back for a second, reading but it is a step in the right direction... We also appointed a ten person homeless task force. Their charter is to take a clean look at everything, especially trying to find a location outside of Malibu where we can shelter the homeless.” I spoke with council member Uhring the day after the meeting who echoed the sentiments of concerned city officials and community members about the urgent need to clear encampments before Santa Ana wind season:
“I have not seen evidence that Sheriff Villanueva’s program to clear homeless encampments has begun, but when it does, I will join with other Malibu residents to thank him for his efforts to protect the community.” A few days later on July 24th, Malibu City Council Member Bruce Silverstein posted the following announcement on social media: “Malibu’s Formal Designation as a “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” by CalFire Provides a Legal Basis for Strict Enforcement of Malibu’s No Camping Ordinance. As shown by the… map published by CalFire, the entirety of the City of Malibu has designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. There are only a handful of cities in California that share this distinction. And few, if any, other cities in California have been ravaged by wildfire as often as Malibu”.
ABOVE: Lt. Geoff Deedrick gave me a tour of the successful outreach mission at the Venice Boardwalk, July 29th, 2021. This meeting led to scheduling a rountable with city and county officials on August 5th, 2021.
LIFESTYLE “In the past year, there have been numerous fires in Malibu caused by transient vagrants living on public land (and trespassing on private property) in Malibu. Any one of those fires could grown into a devastating wildfire if the winds had been blowing.” Silverstein continued.
ABOVE LEFT: Lt. Geoff Deedrick speaking, LACOFD’s Drew Smith at the August 5th meeting attended by Malibu and Calabasas city officials, L.A. County officials and city leaders to address the strategic planning to eliminate encampments in our region.
TICK TOCK As the days and weeks inched closer to Santa Ana Wind season and with what seemed like very little movement to start the clearing process in the Santa Monica Mountains, I contacted LASD Commander John Burcher about my concerns. Burcher immediately initiated communication between myself (as an activist in my community, which is separate from my role as a journalist) and the head of LASD HOST team Lt. Geoff Deedrick, to help me gain some insight on their strategy with a particularly treacherous time of year fast approaching. Additionally, Commander Burcher assured me the HOST team had been working in the area since January.
Despite the HOST Team’s efforts in Topanga since the beginning of the year, there was still a significant uptick in vagrant fires during the first six months of 2021 causing serious concerns. It was clear additional manpower and a more aggressive approach was critical to make headway before Santa Ana winds arrived. I met with Lt. Deedrick on July 29th in Venice and toured the area. Deedrick educated me on the HOST Teams mission, policies and procedures (in general) and with the poltically-charged, high-profile clean-up at the Boardwalk. Upon learning the complexities surrounding the Venice efforts – and even more so in our rural area – it was clear a roundtable needed to be scheduled to connect all the local players in public safety. On August 5th, members of LA County Fire, LASD HOST team, City officials from Malibu and Calabasas, county officials (including theL.A. County Housing Authority) and members of the community proactive in Public Safety met at Calabasas City Hall.
THE FRUITS OF LABOR The August 5th meeting proved fruitful in many ways. It led to expedited communication between agencies not before seen at this level in our region since the “Make our Mountains Safe Again” meeting hosted by Senator Henry Stern during the the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings in the summer of 2018. Previous interaction between LASD HOST team and local city officials was extremely limited due to a multitude of reasons, however, since the August 5th meeting, LASD HOST communication has not only improved dramatically with respect to strategy and planning for clean-ups, it has also been the catalyst inspiring collaborations between local
ABOVE: Members of the LASD HOST team, Lost Hills Station deputies Malibu City officials and LAHSA met in Topanga shortly after the August 5th meeting to assess encampments in the area. LEFT: LASD HOST Deputy Shai Sheklow and Lost Hills Deputy Cory Gaudet looking for reported encampments across from Moonshadows. The encampments have since been successfully cleared.
officials, agencies and activists in the area that previously did not exist. An important factor in navigating this extremely challenging issue plaguing L.A. County for years.
LIFESTYLE HOST’s presence in the area also inspired a swift clean-up by State Parks working with the City of Malibu to clean up encampments in the civic center area that has been plagues by encampment fires. The HOST Team performed outreach at the Lagoon on July 7th. At the end of August, I was notified of the clean-up and contacted Captain Darell Readyhoff, Superindent at State Parks, “The debris cleanup under the SR1 bridge at the Malibu Lagoon State Beach on August 26th was a joint effort between State Park Peace Officers and State Park Maintenance employees. Additionally, the City of Malibu was instrumental in connecting us with the shopping center management who allowed us to place a 40 yard dumpster on their property for the morning. We completed the work by noon”.
Top photo: LASD HOST posting their visit to the Malibu Lagoon July 7th. Below: A successful clean-up by State Parks in collaboration with the City of Malibu and stakeholders.
PROTOCOL, PROCEDURE & PROGRESS On September 2nd, almost three months after his homeless clean-up efforts in Venice began, Sheriff Villanueva hosted a town hall at Duke’s Malibu to address the community’s concern re: homeless encampments, crime and wildfires. Villanueva, no stranger to wildfire issues in our area, has been very proactive in our coastal community when it comes to emergency preparedness, which is why prioritizing the Venice sweep caught many in LASD patrolled contract cities, by surprise. In November 2018, the Woolsey Fire burned 97,000-acres, destroying more than 1,500 structures and responsible for three deaths, then Sheriff-elect Villanueva, took the initiative and made the trip from his La Habra Heights home to the Zuma Beach command post to talk to the troops.
A few weeks later and only days after his swearing in, Villanueva’s first town hall as Sheriff of L.A. County was in Malibu to address Woolsey Fire victims and their concerns. The Sheriff also came for a second town hall a few months later, in May of 2019, to discuss the emergency procedures and preparedness for upcoming fire season.
Sheriff-elect Alex Villanueva at the Zuma Beach Command Post after the Woolsey Fire. Photo: The Local Malibu
In October 2019, Sheriff Villanueva, after being made aware of the failures to post emergency updates during not one, but two significant fires occurring in the first wildfire season after the Woolsey Fire, the Sheriff ordered an overhaul of communication at the station – specifically social media and how the station distributes emergency communication. The result has been a robust social media presence tagging local media to ensure public safety alerts have wide distribution. At the August 5th meeting organized by myself and Lt. Deedrick addressing homeless encampments and wildfire dangers, Deedrick estimated 90 days to clear out most, if not all, homeless encampments in the Santa Monica Mountains, just in time for Santa Ana wind season. “It seems a little ambitious” I told KTLA News covering the meeting, “but they have a pretty solid team and I’m going to be hopeful”. On Monday, October 25th, the LASD HOST Team made their final posting notifying of the impending clean-up of the encampments in the Zuma lagoon area. What began as approximately 18 encampments, is now down
At the August 5th meeting with Lt. Geoff Deedrick. The meeting was covered by KTLA News.
LIFESTYLE to four after the HOST Team performed outreach efforts. The final clean-up is scheduled for November 9th, ironically the third anniversary of the Woolsey Fire, effectively meeting the 90 day deadline set at the August 5th meeting. As skeptical as I was that they would meet their deadline, it looks like I met my match. As the LASD HOST Team makes big moves around LA County superhero-style, we can rest easy knowing they not only successfully completed their mission in our canyons, they literally moved mountains to keep our community safe. Follow LASD HOST Team as they clean-up LA COUNTY. Twitter: @lasdhost Sgt. Ray Armstrong, head of Malibu Search and Rescue, HOST Deputy Shai Sheklow and Captain Chuck Becerra.
Final legal notices posted by LASD HOST Team in Zuma on Monday October 25th, 2021. Encampments were estimated at 18 and now are down to approximately four. Final cleanup in this area is scheduled for November 9th.
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NOVEMBER FORECAST
ASTRO MAMA
ARIES 21 March – 19 April Push through any internal resistance blocking your path between you and your goals. In fact, if someone’s in your grill around the 10th, see them as an outer manifestation of an emotional blockage. Is it fear of success? Failure? Or just other people’s judgement? The only validation you need is your own. It would be a pity to let self-doubt sabotage you seeing as you’re in one of the best cycles to make that big impression thanks to Venus in your sector of career and public image. You’re also being offered an opportunity to re-write your financial her/history. Look back to 2003/4 if you are old enough. No, history doesn’t have to repeat itself. Only if we fail to learn from it. Between now and January something could well be settled or paid out in your favour. Money has karma too. What goes around, flows around. That’s why it’s called ‘currency’. TAURUS 20 April – 20 May Hello from the other side. Or should I say other half? November is famously the time when your sign focusses on that person opposite you. That double act, duo or even duel as in opponent. Or even that empty space in your life. One particular connection or the need for it will command your attention. You’re either loved up or lacking in some way. An eclipse in your sign this month tells you that you can’t afford to ignore any warning signs. Nor those needs, Taurus if love has left the building. 2022 brings you big changes around the future of your relationship. Or the start of a brand new one. November merely shows you the focus for this. Love karma going back 19 years will come full circle for those of you old enough. Are you happily ever after or still once upon a time? You may not want to change a thing – lucky you. But if you do, only you can begin the process, Taurus.
GEMINI 21 May – 20 June The start of the month may see you firmly fixated on health matters. Doctors, dentists, diets, exercise, therapists, fitness instructors, complimentary healing. You’ll get that health check-up or start that exercise plan. The business of being in that avatar you call the human body and ensuring it is running properly takes on fresh importance. With positive long term effects in other areas. You’re also approaching the end of an extremely important cycle around past, present or potential partnerships. From the 24th, conversations revolve around you and another. This may be your spouse or live-in lover. But it could just as easily be a defining work union or long term friend. What’s important here is you feeling your best to get the most out of whatever form this union takes. So see any changes you make around wellbeing as simply getting fit for love. Worth working out for. CANCER 21 June – 22 July Eclipses affect you more than any other sign and the eclipsed full Moon on the 19th is no exception. What comes out of this will be whether something is going to live up to its potential – or not. Others may reveal a side to them you did not know they had. Now, this may not be negative but it will be defining in terms of where you go from here. Because this eclipse brings up intense feelings and takes place in your house of friends and social settings, you might want to choose your company carefully or even the places you go to at this time. However, this month’s new supermoon in your love zone on the 4th promises a mojo boost. It’s a time to conceive of new beginnings. Not just in love, but for singles this is the best time to start swiping. But also around creative ventures, children or turning that passion into a profession. Dare to put yourself out there.
LIFESTYLE LEO 23 July – 22 August From now until the end of January revisit what doesn’t work for you around your day job, diet, habits, routine and overall wellbeing. Time to give you daily life an extreme makeover. It needs to work and you need to work it, Leo. ‘Extreme self-care’ has become an over worked phrase lately. But anything that drains or simply doesn’t add to that vibe really does need a health or continued relevance check now. From the 22nd the focus is all on what makes you glow. All the more reason to ditch anything that tarnishes that. It’s time to open up and let in a heart-starting experience. As we head into December it’s time for new beginnings and to reboot those dreams. One word of warning – someone on the home front or connected to property matters seems to be the focus for domestic discontent. Just as it takes two to tango, it also takes two to argue. You don’t have to oblige, Leo. Remember that. LIBRA 23 September – 22 October Power money and moves are your focus this month now the Sun has left your sign and ruler Venus lands in your house of home and foundation. You also have a big line up of planets in your 2nd and a powerful new Supermoon in here on the 4th handing you the tools to build a new relationship to the material world. Yes, we are shards of stars having that human experience. But it is about more than money, Libra. Just watch out for impulse buys or emotional spending around the 10th. Or even arguments around money. This is a good day however to negotiate anything to do with income, cash or finances. But steer clear of entering into anything binding at the time of the eclipsed full Moon on the 19th if you can. Certainly pay attention to the fine print if you can’t. If something simply doesn’t add up – steer clear. After the 22nd you move into a fresh cycle of opportunity and solutions around communications, commerce, writing, ideas and the internet. It’s much better for agreements then. Get talking from that point.
VIRGO 23 August – 22 September Time to explore and leave that comfort zone, Virgo. This month’s new Moon on the 4th triggers the desire for something new. This could be linked to your money and how you earn it. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Ruler Mercury also reminds you of the power of your ideas. Or simply where they could end up taking you. Act on them now. One particular conversation you initiate or a piece of news has the potential to open up fresh paths to opportunity. Have that opening line or pitch ready. Just as you have to act on ideas to realise them, you have to get serious about what you want to get results. Whether this is around your search for a partner or your search for success. You’re in a key period between now and January where you can refine and redefine that search criteria. Getting
SCORPIO 23 October – 21 November It’s all about you, you, you right up until the 22nd when the Sun quits your sign. Having said that – it’s still about you while your ancient ruler Mars remains in residence. Best face forward, Scorpio. Next year brings a destiny driven emphasis on you and your opposite number (past, present and potential). So see this time as getting game ready. The 4th hands you the perfect opportunity for an image update or relaunch. Watch the 10th and if you are faced with criticism – consider the source. Sad to say not everyone may be happy about that new vibe you’re working. If you get the feeling something’s ‘off’ around the eclipse on the 19th, hold that thought. No matter what reassurance and/or denials your enquiries may elicit. Your ability to look beyond the obvious won’t let you down.
LIFESTYLE SAGITTARIUS 22 November – 21 December Happy birthday to all free-spirited Sagittarians out there. The Sun lands in your sign from the 22nd and you’re now on the cusp of closing one important cycle of experience and beginning another. 2022 will bring you major changes around home, property, family, where you live and also lovers, children and show stopping opportunities to shine and stand out. Your past, present or enticing potential partner is part of a big karmic infinity cycle stretching all the way back to 2003/4. Just know that as one door closes, another one opens. Use the next few weeks to focus on your image, appearance, brand, profile, style, look and what you want it to say about you. First impressions count now. Take it that any investment you make will pay off. Just don’t blow your budget. It’s time for a relaunch on some level this month. You’ve a bigger role to play. A starring one in fact. Make headlines. CAPRICORN 22 December – 19 January Friendships don’t grab the relationship headlines the way our love connections do. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as important. Or that they’re not every bit as complicated at times. Around the 10th you may be faced with a truth or consequences moment around one. Chances are this isn’t coming out of left-field and may have been brewing for some time. Look at it this way – if you wait for the perfect mate chances are you may remain mateless. Same goes for friends. However, you know when a line has been crossed and there’s no going back. At least friendship issues mean you have some. There are worse alternatives such as loneliness. Not that is likely to be you with Venus now in your sign. You’ve got a wonderful opportunity between now and the end of January to update your image and also decide once and for all what meets
AQUARIUS 20 January – 18 February Big decisions await you this month, Aquarius. Contracts and agreements of the long term variety may feature. Don’t see commitment as tying you down. In many cases it can hand us freedom. But it is important you future proof those plans and understand the long term implications of anything you get into. Setting a success strategy pays off if you are prepared to see it through. And rewards could find you this month for staying the course. Once the serious business is out of the way, you’ll feel lighter and in the mood to circulate, party and play from the 22nd when the Sun lands in your house of friendships and the future. Just don’t get drawn into gossip or conflicts at work this month. Keep your cool to preserve your reputation. Sometimes someone has to do that when others are losing theirs. That would be you, Aquarius. And if the path you’re on isn’t rewarding you as you hoped, there’s no better month to plan that exit strategy. PISCES 19 February – 20 March No more dreaming or procrastinating for you, Pisces. November tells you it’s time to take action. Not ‘someday’ because we all know ‘someday’ never comes. But in the moment. Now. Today. You have three weeks in which to do this. And if it all seems big and daunting, then chunk it down to one step at a time daily progress. Travel, learning, exploration and people and places overseas may feature. And even if you are in fact, not going anywhere right now, these themes may turn up on your doorstep or devices. You’re on the cusp of an exciting cycle of expansion which may require a ‘yes’ answer from you. November wants you to start participating in that process. Call it the beta version of what’s to come. You’re proceeding at impulse speed before you engage your warp engines to go boldly into something new and so much bigger. Not someday either, Pisces. So, no more excuses. Take that first step towards what you’re aiming for. The second one and the one after that are easy.
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FLAVOURS
9 0 2 6 5 M a g a z i n e e d i t o r Ta r a O w e n s b r a n c h e s out into a new form of media with her new lifestyle podcast, Strang er Flavours.
With a long history in beauty and fashion, former British born model Tara Owens spent her formative years traveling the globe working with the world’s most famous photographers and designers. During those formative years, Tara developed a unique perspective on global lifestyle and culture, eventually using that knowledge and experience working with multiple publications, including her current positions as Beauty and Lifestyle editor for Cali Mag and 90265 Magazine. Evolving in the world of media, Tara recently created the Stranger Flavours (spelled the British way) podcast as an alternative and more personable approach to her editorial skills. In each episode, she brings to life the unique experiences and people she encounters every day, whether it be in her professional or personal life – and always with a Stranger Flavours twist. In Tara’s second episode of Stranger Flavours, she has an in-depth conversation with iconic American actor - and of course a Malibu resident for decades - Michael Madsen, star of cult films Resevoir Dogs, Kill Bill and more. Strangerflavours.com
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