Issue 41 The Takeover Issue - Rick Mullen

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VICTORY! TEAM MALIBU WINS THREE

COVETED CITY COUNCIL SEATS

THE TAKEOVER ISSUE

RICK MULLEN MALIBU CITY COUNCIL TOP VOTE GETTER

FROM THE CREATORS OF

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THE TAKEOVER ISSUE

SAM HALL KAPLAN

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Editors

DAVID STANSFIELD MARIE MANVEL BRIAN TIELEMAN DANIEL BRALVER LORY MAYOTTE GUS JOHANSON ANNEMARIE STEIN

Contributing Photographers LYON HERRON TIM HORTON NICK CALAFATI JEN BEL EMILY SCHER JEFF HERRERA

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM: Top vote getter Rick Mullen and I were first on the scene election day ready to motivate voters heading to the polls.

Now that the grueling campaign season is behind us, there is no way to describe how overjoyed we are at The Local that the citizens of Malibu prevailed by showing up to the polls and electing the three candidates dedicated to protecting our beloved coastal utopia.

Voters turned out in record numbers to support Team Malibu 2016 - Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner - with the hope of securing a promising future for Malibu, and restoring faith that with this new pro-preservation majority Malibu’s Mission Statement will now become a priority.

Malibu High School Interns JOSEPHINE MARSHALL ABBY DROEGER

Coming out on top with a commanding 24% of the vote was Rick Mullen, a Marine Corps veteran and Malibu Fire Captain at Station 72, whose excellent ground game and leadership experience resonated with the community leading him to the first-place power position in the polls. Team Malibu 2016’s overall campaign strategy was without question exceptional and the overwhelming community support that followed resulted in a clear victory for all three candidates.

ON THE COVER:

RICK MULLEN RETIRED MARIN COLONEL MALIBU FIRE CAPTAIN

ISSUE 41 NOV./DEC.2016

From the moment Peak, Mullen and Wagner announced they were running as a team back in July, our commitment to promoting these candidates became a top priority - and thankfully the residents of Malibu responded...VICTORY! - Cece Woods, Editor in Chief

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LOCAL

V I C T O R Y

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY BY RICK MULLEN

We called our team of three candidates “Team Malibu” for a reason.

Skylar, Zuma Jay and I were running for Malibu, not ourselves. Our message to the voters was that we stand for Malibu. There is an overriding reason we all have come to Malibu. It is an anomaly of Southern California coastal towns. That reason comes from the natural world: the curve of the coastline, the mountains, the ocean, the beach, the wildlife, the weather…and fortunately for us, much of that natural beauty is still intact and relatively rural. That is not by accident but the result of the efforts of “those who went before us”. The Rindge family’s protection of Malibu in the early 20th Century, the noble stewardship of the Adamson family, the people who opposed the nuclear power plant in the 1960s, the coastal freeway plans and the successful fight to establish Cityhood 25 years ago.

In the Marine Corps, we celebrated our traditions, heritage and history while staying on the cutting edge of innovation and adaptation to the changing modern world. That embrace of our history gave us not only cohesion but a sense of responsibility to uphold the traditions and honor of our predecessors. During this campaign, it was our opportunity to repeat and reestablish the importance of the guiding Vision and Mission Statements of Malibu’s General Plan as a way to educate and remind us all that we have a collective responsibility to be the “custodians” of Malibu. That enhances our cohesion as a community. It also reinforces the idea that it is the primary mission of the City Council to “avoid suburbanization and commercialization of our natural and cultural resources”. Our campaign had at its heart the Mission Statement. Just as I pledged to “support and defend the Constitution” when I was in the military, I pledge to support and defend Malibu’s Mission Statement.

The forces of change on Malibu from over development come from two primary sources: the moneyed interests that either do not understand, or do not care what the Mission of Malibu is, and the unwitting residents that try to bring where they came from with them. They left a suburban or urban area for Malibu drawn by its natural beauty, then they want to bring the suburban conveniences from where they came from with them. For them the Vision Statement is instructive and alerts them to the fact that Malibu is the way it is because its residents have “historically evidenced a commitment to sacrifice urban and suburban conveniences in order to protect that environment and lifestyle”. Be careful of what you wish for, there are long term consequences to changing this town – a town that holds so much charm and character, it can alter you forever. As we said during our campaign: “Don’t Change Malibu, Let Malibu Change You”.

Rick Mullen was a squadron commander in Afghanistan in 2004 and was responsible for the lives of 120 Marines in a combat zone. During the eight-month deployment, he accomplished the squadron’s mission as part of a Coalition Joint Task Force and then brought everyone home safely.

Photo by Tim Horton

In talking to the residents of Malibu, I confirmed what I had always suspected - that the overwhelming majority of the residents want the same things: protect Malibu’s rural character and environment, avoid over-development, and look out for public safety. The result of this election is a clear and overwhelming mandate for preserving Malibu.

The people of Malibu have spoken - again. We have heard their message to us loud and clear.

Rick Mullen - Bagram, Afghanistan 2004

In our campaign, we did not seek endorsements from outside of Malibu. We sought the endorsement and the trust of the people of Malibu; the constituents that we will proudly represent the interests of. Our decision to do that was a deliberate one. Some of those people are world famous and some are very private, but all of them are residents dedicated to preserving our beautiful town. Our collective message rang true in Malibu: let’s protect our town. Let’s work to Keep it Malibu - and let’s do it together.

I thank every single person who placed their trust in me. I will honor that trust and dedicate myself to serving and protecting Malibu and its residents. Now it is time for action. I look forward to rallying the change that brings us together to preserve and improve the Malibu we love. Together, we will work to preserve our open spaces, resist over development, and reduce traffic and safety problems on PCH. We will celebrate our rich heritage and honor those who went before us.

We will work to fashion a future for Malibu that we can all be proud to leave our children and our grandchildren. We will be transparent and work to release the incredibly creative and resourceful potential energy of the people of Malibu to solve problems and define the road ahead.

But most of all, we will honor the Vision and Mission Statements this City fashioned in her spirit – we will “establish programs and policies that avoid suburbanization and commercialization of our natural and cultural resources.”

“Malibu is a unique land and marine environment and residential community whose citizens have historically evidenced a commitment to sacrifice urban and suburban conveniences in order to protect that environment and lifestyle, and to preserve unaltered natural resources and rural characteristics. The people of Malibu are a responsible custodian of the area’s natural resources for present and future generations.”

Malibu’s Vision Statement

“MALIBU WILL PLAN TO PRESERVE ITS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, WHICH INCLUDE THE OCEAN, MARINE LIFE, TIDE POOLS, BEACHES, CREEKS, CANYONS, HILLS, MOUNTAINS, RIDGES, VIEWS, WILDLIFE AND PLANT LIFE, OPEN SPACES, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, PALEONTOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC SITES, AS WELL AS OTHER RESOURCES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MALIBU’S SPECIAL NATURAL AND RURAL SETTING.” - FROM THE MALIBU MISSION STATEMENT

Point Dume, 1898

THE CITY OBSERVED

HIGH TIDE OF MALIBU VOTERS, BRINGS HIGH TIDE OF HOPE

BY SAM HALL KAPLAN

It might be another benign sunny day in my mellow Malibu, but there is a dark cloud on the horizon. It has been there since Election Day, and I am still in shock.

Call it PTMD, post-traumatic media disorder, or what, but the Trump triumph, and the Clinton collapse, still reverberates, and I expect it will for some time as the obnoxious TV personality, casino operator and debatable developer prepares to assume the Presidency of the United States.

Frightening, as I comment on public radio 97.5 KBU, radiomalibu.net, select websites, and here.

So take a deep breath, and get ready for a political roller coaster ride, through the peaks and valleys of rhetoric and reality. And watch out for those walls.

And yes, there was a local election, and in some respects it also was a populist referendum, a protest of sorts against business as usual in government. But unlike the national election, the vote count in Malibu was heartening.

The victory of the slate of Mullen, Wagner and Peak definitely was a repudiation of what has been characterized as Malibu’s persevering political machine.

However labeled, whether the friends of former mayors Barofsky, Rosenthal and Sibert, or what, they have been perceived as a tag team in serial elections empowered by a daisy chain of endorsements.

This is, of course, what small town politics is all about.

At City Hall, there were lots of self-aggrandizing, perks, such as expense paid trips, and wallowing in the fawning attention that comes from sitting on a dais. And let us not forget the $300 councilpersons receive monthly as compensation, though I suspect that doesn’t cover the phone bills or gas.

The problem for the machine is that it more and more was identified as pro-development, yielding to the entreaties of special interests, represented by lawyers and facilitators, (some call them fixers) with a major focus on the Civic Center.

In past elections, 1500 votes can win you the election.

This time, voter participation was much larger. The three top vote getters Mullen, Wagner, and Peak all got over 3,000 votes.

The Civic Center is not really is not really very civic, or a center, but has morphed into a fractured shopping mall with fewer and fewer hometown stores or services, and more pricey boutiques aimed at the tourist trade and Malibu’s increasing deep pocket part time residents.

Whether characterized as old timers, or the young couple that bought last year, residents who actually make Malibu their home did not like what they saw. And they especially did not like the traffic it generated on PCH, which because of the hundreds of thousands attracted to the beach on weekends, and the inexorable daily crush, has become the bane of Malibu.

Repeatedly over the last several years, one resolution followed another in Malibu addressing growth, with convincing votes in opposition to a succession of projects, no matter what mustache was put on the pig-of-the moment.

And while council members inevitably declared to be for slow or no development, they tended to vote otherwise, earning the ire of activist residents.

At the same time, there has been an explosion of sort of the social media, with residents increasingly communicating with neighbors their frustrations with City Hall. And immodestly no doubt raising the community consciousness was the establishment of a local radio station 97.5 KBU, featuring an informative daily local news report that tells it like it is.

Recognition also should be given to this newspaper, aptly bannered The Local, which took up the promotion of the slate and directed its cudgel against what it labeled the evil forces of rapacious development.

Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner celebrate the early returns on election night.

All this makes for a heartening and also challenging sense of community for a misanthropic Malibu. We await the seating of the new council with an enlightened majority, and will be watching.

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LOCAL

THE ROAD TO

CITY HALL

IT WAS A MOST MEMORABLE CAMPAIGN SEASON AND THE LOCAL WAS THERE TO REPORT - AND SUPPORT - TEAM MALIBU ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH LINE.

Theo Friesen preparing signs as guests arrive to celebrate the slate!

Don Richstone at the Campaign Kick-off party on Point Dume.

Cece Woods with Rick Mullen at the campaign kick-off party.

A powerful show of support on Point Dume at the Team Malibu 2016 Campaign Kick-Off Party.

Matt Rapf, Skylar Peak and Matt Palmieri celebrate the slate at the Team Malibu Campaign Kick-off Party.

“Where there is no vision, the people will perish.”

MEET & GREET at the Point Dume Club: Denise Peak, Jefferson Wagner, Cece Woods, Rick Mullen, Leslie Goldstein, Jae Flora Katz, Dru Ann Jacobsen.

Charlotte Louks and Tatiana Mullen spreading the word at the Malibu Kiwanis Club Chili Cook-Off.

LOCAL

Malibu activist Lori Jacobus and Tati Mullen rallying support on Election Day.

Malibu’s younger generation join John Mazza and Rick Mullen encourage voters to go to polls.

Jen and Tati Mullen motivate motorists on election day.

Malibu’s first mayor Walt Keller campaigns with Rick Mullen.

Long time Malibu resident Pierce Brosnan urged Malibu voters to support Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner.

Aviator Nation and Casa Escobar show their support for Peak, Mullen and Wagner.

The Enviros win! From left, co-chair of the NRDC Leadership council Janet Friesen, Preserve Malibu’s Jae Flora Katz and activist Patt Healy with Cece Woods and Rick Mullen.

We celebrated a victory for Team Malibu and... another year around the sun for John Mazza!

A ‘WIN’ was was in the air when the absentee ballots were in. Celebrating from left to right; Cece Woods, former Malibu Democratic Club president Ann Doneen, Rick Mullen, Leslie Goldstein, Jefferson Wagner and Jae Flora Katz.

Post campaign clean-up crew started the morning after the election. From left; Elisabeth Johnson, Kat Kloss, Chris Garcia, campaign manager for Rick Mullen and Skylar Peak, Cece Woods, Rick Mullen and Marshall Mullen.

The election may be over but the clean-up continues... #stopthemachine

Election night festivities began with great conversation and the hope of a pro-preservation majority on Malibu City Council. From left; Jae Katz, Cece Woods, philanthropist and Team Malibu 2016 supporter Cindy Landon and her sister Lori.

And the winner is...

Team Malibu 2016. Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner will be sworn in Dec. 12th, 2016.

THE CITY OBSERVED

SOUND THE ALARM!

If you live in Malibu, really live 24/7 and not just visit on weekends, you have to be alert to the city’s vulnerability to natural disasters: the fires, floods, rockslides, earthquakes and tsunamis.

BY SAM HALL KAPLAN

And if you do, you should be alert to the city’s emergency service coordinator, Brad Davis, being on medical leave, and City Hall’s make-do coverage, if that, under the recently appointed city manager Reva Feldman. Who said the job was going to be easy.

This has been of particular concern in Malibu, where there seems to be almost daily traffic congestion from accidents that plague PCH and the feeder cross-mountain roads.

But, because of the drought conditions, more worrisome to many have been the several red flag fire warnings that have gone up because of Santa Ana weather conditions of rising temperatures and high winds.

Indeed, a red flag went up the day Davis took leave, with apparently no one left in City Hall to monitor events.

And coincidentally, according to sources, this left the city without representation at the county’s Great Shakeout Earthquake Drills on October 20th. Some 3,526,672 people reportedly participated, none from Malibu.

According to The Local’s editor-in-chief, Cece Woods, who has been in contact with city manager Feldman regarding Davis’ leave of absence and her concerns as to who was managing Davis’ post, Feldman assured her “CERT believes they have it handled.”

Many missed opportunities to send out timely alerts regarding road closures and major accidents as well as no alert at all for the fire up Corral Canyon the day after the election, was definitely a signal to sound the alarm.

Woods again reached out to Councilman Skylar Peak regarding her concerns after Feldman assured reassured her that CERT was on top of their responsibilities.

Peak forwarded her concerns to Feldman. Only this time, the response from Feldman was not so warm “I understand your concern about the brief Corral fire last week. The fire was under control very quickly which is why a notification did not go out.”

“Brief?”

LACo Fire Department had the fire

Twenty minutes to get the fire out may be brief to some, but it seems like an eternity when there is a propensity for high fire danger during Santa Ana wind conditions, according to those who live in the canyons. This fire grew quickly and could have been potentially devastating had an unpredictable weather pattern kicked in, as it had in the canyon in the past.

Indeed, some disastrous blazes have raged through and down into Malibu. In 2007, over 50 homes were destroyed in the Corral Canyon fire. Residents are understandably uneasy, during this time of year especially.

It’s therefore reasonable to expect if you live in or near Malibu and smell smoke, you do like to know what is happening, or what happened.

As for whatever disaster strikes next time, we would think, hope, there will be an emergency service coordinator on duty or living nearby at the ready. And if not there, for whatever reason, a backup is.

This is Malibu, Reva, or Mayor Lou, where when it comes to natural disasters, excuses or explanations, don’t cut it, however coached in bureaucratic babble.

A Lost Hills deputy who was on scene investigating the fire told a staff member of The Local that he was “very disappointed an alert was not sent out by the city” when the fire was reported.

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ENVIRONMENT

MNI WICONI:WATER IS LIFE A CALL TO ACTION FOR STANDING ROCK

BY JANET FRIESEN

ROBERT KENNEDY, JR.

PRESIDENT, WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE

The call to action is for every concerned American to contact President Obama and ask him to require the Corps of Engineers to perform a full environmental impact statement on the Dakota access pipeline project. The Federal National Environmental Policy Act requires a full EIS (Environmental Impact Study) on every project that is over 1 acre or that will cause a significant environmental impact.

This project will disrupt 209 water bodies and cause more carbon pollution than 29 coal burning power plants, so the impacts are going to be significant. Under the law, the proponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) must do a full Environmental Impact Study (EIS), but the DAPL has skirted the law by taking an illegal shortcut. All we are asking President Obama to do, is to require this company to follow the law by doing a full EIS period. We are very confident that if the Dakota Access Pipeline completes the full EIS, it would produce a cost benefit analysis of this project that would speak for itself to the American people, because this project is not good for America. If you look at the true costs, they are: the pollution, the risks, the disruption to the American people and the destruction of our climate.

The benefits accrue only to a few billionaires including Donald Trump who has a $2M investment in the project. - Robert Kennedy, Jr.

We came in peace to the front lines and were blasted by sound weapons.

Lauren Taschen,Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Janet Friesen and Camp Oceti security. Photo by Lauren Taschen

ROSANNA ARQUETTE: I went to visit my sister, Patricia, who is at Standing Rock with her foundation Give Love. They are building composting toilets around the world. So far, Give Love has built 120 composting toilets at Standing Rock. Composting toilets are the way of the future, because we are running out of water. We stand with standing rock against this illegal destruction of people’s land, water and human rights.

We all must fight this black snake of greed and evil.

Patricia and I were fortunate enough to have two medicine women do a 2.5 hour ceremony with us at the Two Spirit Camp which is for transgender, gay and lesbians. We went there to honor our trans sister brother, Alexis Arquette who died on September 11th. We had the “Ceremony of Tears” to let go and grieve under the super moon.

This experience was magical and powerful beyond measure. Standing Rock is a lesson in how to be human without destructive reactivity.

We stand in peace and solidarity. - Rosanna Arquette

I THINK THE MOST TROUBLING PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WATCHING A COMPANY THAT IS BREAKING THE LAW. IT’S AN OUTLAW CORPORATION THAT IS VIOLATING AMERICAN LAWS AND THEN YOU HAVE PEACEFUL PROTESTERS WHO ARE SAYING ‘WE JUST WANT YOU TO OBEY THE LAW’ AND THE STATE, INSTEAD OF COMING DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE PEACEFUL PROTESTERS WHO ARE ADVOCATING LAW AND ORDER ARE INSTEAD DEPLOYING THE MILITARY POWER, THE AWESOME MILITARY POWER OF THE STATE, PLASTIC BULLETS, TEAR GAS AND THESE SOUND WEAPONS AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PEACEFULLY ASKING FOR LAW AND ORDER ON BEHALF OF THE CRIMINAL. -ROBERT KENNEDY, JR.

The proper name for the people commonly known as the Sioux is Oceti Sakowin, meaning Seven Council Fires. The original Great Sioux Nation was made up of Seven Council Fires.

ENVIRONMENT

THEO FRIESEN:

I’m Theo and I recently went to the pipeline resistance in North Dakota and as an eleven year old I am horrified by what is happening there. Various oil companies are putting in the Dakota Access Pipeline and in doing so are digging up ancient Sioux burial grounds and putting their water source in jeopardy. If they install this pipeline it will go through the Ogallala aquifer which irrigates twenty percent of farmland in the U.S. and is one of the biggest aquifers in the world and if there is a leak or spill there, grasslands will turn to deserts and plants will die. In addition, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of food and fiber rely on this aquifer. At first they proposed to run this pipeline under a predominantly white community, but that community easily re-routed it to where it is now which is completely unjust. This is the first time all of the Native Americans have united against something and before this they have been divided. A treaty was signed that basically gave them this land and now a pipeline is being run through it that will taint it’s water and disrupt ancient Native American land. It was an honor to meet the Native people and very sad to see what they are going through. - Theo Friesen Right: Theo Friesen standing on the front lines with the army vehicles that were parked to block the bridge over the Missouri River. Vehicles were burned by officials holding back the peaceful activists.

Photo: Teva Dexter

OUR LAND IS MORE VALUABLE THAN YOUR MONEY. IT WILL LAST FOREVER. IT WILL NOT EVEN PERISH BY THE FLAMES OF FIRE. AS LONG AS THE SUN SHINES AND THE WATERS FLOW, THIS LAND WILL BE HERE TO GIVE LIFE TO MEN AND ANIMALS. - CHIEF CROWFOOT, SIKSIKA (1825-1890)

TEVA DEXTER:

Our trip to North Dakota was a direct example of what happens when good people get behind a cause and attract the right energy. By good people I mean two of my brothers, Theo (Lorax) Friesen a natural born water protector, and Kamalei Alexander, a strong ambassador of Aloha. We were joined by the collective crew of Malibu locals with hearts of gold; Keegan Gibbs, Leo Harrington and John Hildebrand. All of us activating on 24 hour notice and literally “going with the flow.”

Our goal was to shed light on what exactly is happening on the front lines.To take part, you had to immerse yourself in the cause by camping out in the freezing cold and connecting with strangers who end up being your “water family.” The camp averages 2,500 water protectors from all over the world. The dedication of these supporters is unparalleled by the opposition they are up against. The true face of this cause are beautiful peaceful people who are purely acting in solidarity in the name of what is their birthright as natives of these lands, “water.”

When we arrived and saw the battle scene that looked like a war torn area of the Middle East. My first reaction was how did we get here? Riot squad, snipers, humvees, dump trucks set on fire. On the other side tepees, horses and a sacred fire circle where people pray for the health of humanity.

The Oceti camp water protectors have been portrayed as angry protestors with no respect for authority. That could not be further from the truth. Every morning, the camp is started with a morning prayer and song to give thanks to land and to give prayers to the opposition, that they wake up and realize they are poisoning our Mother Earth.

To see the people’s reaction when they saw Theo, “Wow you’re 11? Standing up for water out in the middle of nowhere?” Or “you came all the way from Hawaii?” was not only eye opening but heart warming. We were not the only ones who have come to show support. This pipeline represents the changing of the guard, you have peaceful warriors up against corporate greed a theme all to played out, but this time with little water warriors like the Lorax, I think we will be okay…

-Teva Dexter Left: For months the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been trying to hold back the construction of the pipeline on their land. “The best way to resolve this” says Dave Achambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux “is to reroute this pipeline.” Photo: Janet Friesen at the front lines with members of the Oceti Sakowin security team.

KAMALEI ALEXANDER

2016 will be remembered for a lot of different things; race,election and war. The war I write about is being fought by brothers and sisters born of the soil that is called America.

The resemblance to the past is all to familiar.

“Native American Indians” of 2016, the fight is no different from a hundred years ago.

Peace met with force, sharing met with greed - as of late the landscape just resembles war, weapons, huge military vehicles and men dressed for combat.

Not only do the water protectors have that to battle, there has also been a lot of misleading information seeding its way into the public ie; men dressed up as “protectors” brandishing weapons. We need to Help!!!

Last year at this time, Hawaiians were joined by Native Americans on Mauna Kea. Their presence there, those moments, and the stories they shared with us, resonated that many people came together for Hawaii. We, as a people, fought a fight against evil and together, we won!!!

The other day I called out the world on social media. The response was significant and the ripple was sent. It is only right I have been called back!

This week my brothers, Theo Friesen, Teva Dexter and I will make our defining moment in 2016 known as Journey to North Dakota in support of the Sioux Nation and all indigenous nations in their (peaceful) demonstrations for their rights, not only as the first people, but for people in general. - Kamalei Alexander

A peaceful water protector of the Missouri River. You must give to the water the kindness you would give to any brother.

Photo by Kamalei Alexander

ENVIRONMENT WHEN PEOPLE STAND UP PEACEFULLY AND ASK THAT THE LAW BE ENFORCED AND INSTEAD OF ALIGNING ITSELF WITH THE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY THE POWER OF THIS STATE AND OTHER STATES ARE ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH THE LAW BREAKING ENTITY. I SAY THEY ARE LAW BREAKING BECAUSE I’VE BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEY FOR 30 PLUS YEARS AND I’VE BEEN FIGHTING THESE BATTLES AND I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS ILLEGAL AND THAT WE WOULD WIN THIS BATTLE ULTIMATELY IN COURT. AND THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD THIS PIPELINE FAST SO THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO FACE THEIR DAY IN COURT. SO THAT THEY CAN SAY WELL IT’S ALREADY BUILT. YEAH WE TRAMPLED ON SOME OF THE LAWS BUT IT’S ALREADY BUILT.

PHOTO: Taliesin Gilkes-Bower

WHAT’S THE POINT OF STOPPING THEM NOW THEY’VE ALREADY BUILT MOST OF THE PIPELINE? IF YOU HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE ROBBING A BANK AND THEY CAME IN THE BANK WITH THEIR GUNS BLAZING AND THEY TIED UP PEOPLE AND THEY STARTED EMPTYING THE CASH REGISTER AND THE POLICE THEN CAME DO YOU THINK POLICE WOULD SAY, WELL THEY‘VE GOTTEN THIS FAR WE OUGHTA LET THEM JUST TAKE THE MONEY. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? WHAT THEY ARE DOING HERE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME AND THERE ARE REAL VICTIMS. -ROBERT KENNEDY, JR.

UPDATE AS OF PRESS TIME The day after Thanksgiving ACOE (Army Core of Engineers) issued an eviction notice to Oceti Sakowin to be out of camp by December 5.

Early Friday morning ACOE put razor wire on the shore of Turtle Mountain to keep water protectors from coming onto the land where their ancestors are buried, further desecrating ancient burial ground.

- Frances Fisher, Waterkeepers

The Black Snake captured by Myron Dewey. Visit his facebook page Digital Smoke Signals

ROBERT THURMAN

Mainstream media don’t really cover such things (though there was editorial in NY Times review section) since their main advertisers are the giant energy companies and/or their affiliates (like Gulf & Western used to own Paramount pictures, etc.). The fact-finding and analytic divisions of network news have been shattered since the beginning of Reagan’s time by corporation–directed changes in F.C.C. rules limiting monopolies in media ownership. We are actually governed by petro-industries via their media-ownership, congressperson, senator, governor, and state legislator–ownership through lobbyists, dark money floods of campaign money, super PACS etc.—and now perhaps white house ownership.

This merger of industrial corporations and government against the people, achieved by media brainwashing the people into thinking the government is their enemy, instead of recognizing it as their protector, fits the definition of “fascism” put forth by no less an expert than Mussolini, against which form of government in the three Axis powers we supposedly fought the last World War against. Amazing that we have arrived here again, we ourselves, in the “land of the free”.

-Robert Thurman, Professor and Chair of Indo-Tibetan Studies, Columbia University On November 21 a young water protector by the name of Sophia Wilansky has her left arm blown off. Members of the Oceti camp have said they witnessed the police launch a hand grenade into the crowd which exploded on her arm. The police are saying that a propane canister rigged by the activists exploded in her hand. Videos and photos of the scene showed water cannons fired by police into a crowd chanting “mni wiconi, water is life”. These were used due to the freezing weather and brought on a round of hypothermia on the protestors side. They also used tear gas, orange sparks, and rubber bullets amid cries for medical assistance. This war zone going on at Standing Rock is receiving very little media coverage.

Donate to Sophia’s GoFundMe: https://www.google.com/search?q=go- fundmesophiawalesky&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari To learn more about Oceti Sakowin Camp w: octisakowincamp.org fb: ocetisakwincamp e: ocetisakowincamp@gmail.com direct donations: paypal.me/OcetiSakowinCamp

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ENVIRONMENT

THE HISTORY AND THE FUTURE OF

ECO MALIBU

BY STEVE WOODS

ITS BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE THE COMPLETION AND SUCCESS OF THE MALIBU LAGOON RESTORATION PROJECT. ECOMALIBU HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL PART IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RESTORING THE HEALTH OF THE MALIBU CREEK WATERSHED AND ITS IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY AT SURFRIDER BEACH EcoMalibu, a non-profit organization, is charged with the restoration and stewardship of the Malibu Lagoon, and its surrounding environments. To that end, EcoMalibu has engaged a stellar roster of Board of Directors who have been intimately involved in the Malibu Lagoon Task Force, a body comprised of 88 stakeholders, including Malibu residents, homeowner’s associations, environmental groups, local business owners, surfing groups, developers and government agencies. The Task Force commissioned numerous scientific studies to determine: why the Malibu Creek and Lagoon, as well as Surfrider Beach (Surfrider), were polluted; why the wildlife populations were in decline; and, how to fix these problems. The water pollution at Surfrider was believed to be the cause of countless surfers getting sick, including three reported deaths.

These studies recommended a variety of solutions to clean up the polluted waters, and increase wildlife health. These recommendations were unanimously supported by the Task Force members and were divided into short-term and long-term plans charged with restoring the water quality and health of the watershed. The Lagoon restoration was listed as a high-priority, short-term objective. The Task Force also recommended long-term plans to acquire as many open-space properties as possible in the Civic Center area -- properties that were once part of the historic wetland -- and return the once-mighty wetland in the heart of Malibu closer to its original size and stature.

Biological monitor supervising Lagoon construction July 2012.

In 2010, EcoMalibu began promoting the upcoming Malibu Lagoon restoration and encouraged other water quality and wildlife habitat improvement projects in the historic wetland area.

EcoMalibu then formed a Board of Directors made up of academics, scientists, and local activists with decades of experience working in and around the Malibu area. They quickly crafted a mission statement: “To recover, restore, and protect the lower Malibu Creek watershed and the historical wetland in the heart of Malibu by educating the general public about wetland and riparian ecosystems, promoting restoration to ensure clean and safe water for purposes of recreation, habitat, and food sources”. EcoMalibu’s first order of business was to create a website to house and distribute the volumes of scientific studies which included recommendations on how to resolve the problems in Malibu Creek and Lagoon, and the historic wetlands.

In 2011, after decades of research and planning, design, engineering, and environmental review, and raising the requisite money, the Lagoon restoration project was finally set to break ground. Then, suddenly, several unscrupulous individuals, motivated by self-interest, launched a misinformation campaign in an attempt to stop the project. These opponents falsely claimed that the Lagoon was healthy, and didn’t need to be restored. They claimed that the public was never informed, and didn’t have an opportunity to provide input on the project; simply, this wasn’t true. The public was heavily involved in the creation of the Lagoon Restoration Plan, and was routinely informed about items related to the restoration project. The opposition claimed the project would cause massive traffic gridlock on Pacific Coast Highway, which never materialized. They also claimed that thousands of animals would be killed as a result of the restoration; another untruth. In fact, extraordinary efforts were implemented to protect fish and wildlife, and these safeguards had been part of the plan from the beginning. False accusations were leveled stating that the project would discharge polluted water into the ocean at Surfrider, increasing the risk of illness to surfers and beachgoers. The project had always planned to install a multimillion-dollar treatment plant to filter, clean, and disinfect any water leaving the construction area.

Also, the project foes claimed that the Lagoon restoration would ruin the shape of the wave at the world-famous Surfrider Beach. These, and many other false accusations, were made by the project opponents, yet all were eventually proven to be wrong.

As participants in the Task Force, EcoMalibu felt compelled to combat the many lies promoted by the project opponents. The EcoMalibu.org website was redesigned to make it easier for the public to understand the empirical studies, which established the need for the restoration. Videos were acquired and posted, showing the years of community input that shaped the Lagoon project. A video showing the Lagoon Restoration Plan being presented to the Malibu City Council in 2001 was also made available on the website. EcoMalibu also began videotaping and posting interviews with wetland experts discussing, in simple terms, the details of the restoration plan and addressing the many false statements being made by the opposition.

Student volunteers and interns planting native vegetation Malibu Lagoon June 2014.

Underground pipes, trash, and debris removed from Malibu Logon during construction phase of lagoon restoration.

September 2012.

Beyond the campaign of misinformation and scare tactics, the opponents also filed lawsuits to try to stop the project. While these tactics caused a two-year delay, they were ultimately unsuccessful. This was in large part due to EcoMalibu’s efforts to distribute the facts in a format that was easy for the populace to comprehend. Unfortunately, this two-year delay exposed millions of visitors at Surfrider Beach to dangerously polluted water, and caused countless animals to suffer in a degraded habitat. It was later learned that the opponents in the Malibu Colony believed that the proposed construction would decrease their summer rental income and increase the pedestrian traffic walking by their homes. Eventually, after numerous hearings, the Coastal Commission castigated the opponents for filing frivolous lawsuits and costing the State of California an inordinate amount of tax-payer money.

Following the completion of the Lagoon restoration, in May of 2013, EcoMalibu continued to document the progress of the restored Malibu Lagoon with their innovative use of underwater video and photography. EcoMalibu felt it was critical to show the community, who had been bombarded with negativity about the restoration, the benefits and value of the project; among the positive benefits are having a healthy natural wetland in the city’s center and maintaining the overall character of Malibu -- a California Gem -- as well as maintaining its inherent, and enviable, property values. EcoMalibu captured ongoing photographs and video of the Lagoon, as the more than 70,000 native plants took root and grew, and as the fish, birds, and other wildlife flourished over the following three years; videos of the increased water circulation as a result of the new Lagoon configuration were also recorded and posted (the increased water circulation minimized the excessive build-up of algae that had formerly starved the lagoon of oxygen). Furthermore, the magnificent wave quality that Surfrider is known for continued to be one of the world’s best point breaks as evidenced during the epic swell of Hurricane Marie. The post-construction videos and slideshows serve to promote future wetland restoration projects, both locally and throughout the world. EcoMalibu continues to compile information about the lagoon project, including the scientific monitoring used to track the project’s success.

Malibu Noseriding Invitational

PHOTO: TIM HORTON

EcoMalibu videotaped and photographed the construction process, showing the extraordinary measures that were used to protect the wildlife, surfers, and beachgoers. During construction, EcoMalibu photos documented more than a dozen non-permitted waste-discharge pipes hidden underground, along with hundreds of tons of trash, unnatural HWY construction fill and debris dumped in the swampy low-lying wetlands during the 1930’s in order to help Malibu’s first developers subdivide a Colony summer home beach community for the booming movie industry of Hollywood. All of these pollution sources were removed during construction.

One of the most visited State Park wildlife habitats in Southern California

ENVIRONMENT As the Lagoon project matures, EcoMalibu is working on the following four major programs:

A large flock migratory Terns Santa Monica Audubon Society bird surveys have reported increases of bird counts and the number of bird species since the restoration.

PHOTO: TIM HORTON

Second, EcoMalibu will continue advocating for the restoration of the historic wetland, promoting clean water and sensible development, and mitigating Malibu’s notorious traffic problems. EcoMalibu produced a short documentary, entitled “Decision Malibu,” in an effort to support “Measure R,” a ballot initiative that requires majority approval by the citizens of Malibu for developments larger than 20,000 square feet; “Measure R” was overwhelmingly passed by Malibu residents.

Currently, “Measure R” is being challenged in court by a consortium of commercial developers. Additionally, EcoMalibu has weighed-in on the Civic Center Wastewater Treatment plant, suggesting improved methods and techniques to ensure clean water for the Malibu Creek and Lagoon, as well as Surfrider Beach. EcoMalibu had previously published in The Local a vision for a “Central Park,” located in the civic center area, as an alternative to destroying the pristine coastal bluffs habitat next to Bluff’s Park. The alternative features a children’s park and recreational facilities that would reduce the massive traffic increases proposed by the commercial developers. As issues arise that may impact Malibu’s natural resources, EcoMalibu will continue to advocate on behalf of the environment.

PHOTO: TIM HORTON

First, the education of the public regarding the importance of wetlands, given the role that they play in cleaning water and protecting our coast against issues associated with climate change, is preeminent. EcoMalibu is developing programs for students, interns, and volunteers to engage in an extraordinary environmental experience through hands-on activities at the Lagoon. Students and volunteers will learn about the wetlands, using the Lagoon as a living laboratory. They will also participate in hands-on restoration by helping to remove invasive vegetation, and installing native plants for wildlife habitat. It is EcoMalibu’s hope that these opportunities will inspire future wetland scientists. As part of this effort, EcoMalibu will continue to document and highlight the Lagoon restoration project, to use as a model for encouraging increased and improved wetland restorations throughout California -- and the world.

Third, EcoMalibu is currently producing an educational, step-by-step, how-to video instructing homeowners how to construct and maintain a “Rain Garden.”

The rain garden video will teach the viewer how to convert their landscape into an eco-friendly environment, using native vegetation for the purpose of cleaning and conserving water. In action, rain gardens intercept polluted storm-water runoff from rooftops and driveways, and divert it into the landscape; this polluted runoff is cleaned and filtered as it passes through the soil, and pollutants are extracted by plant roots. Additionally, rain gardens are constructed with native plants and use 93% less water than a typical lawn. The rain garden video will also feature details on how to convert the water used for the laundry into a “gray-water” irrigation system. Promoting rain gardens, and using gray-water for irrigation, can dramatically cut water usage (and its inherent expense), and systematically reduce the pollutants that reach our rivers, creeks, streams, wetlands, and, ultimately, our life-giving ocean.

Improved tidal and wind driven circulation during open and closed berm seasons has more species staying year around.

PHOTO: TIM HORTON

To rally surfers around this cause, EcoMalibu has designed a unique surfing competition that will occur at the world-famous Malibu Surfrider Beach, when ideal wave conditions are forecast “On one perfect day” in October 2017. The contest, entitled the Malibu NoseRiding Invitational (MNI), is a timed noseriding contest (maneuvering the surfboard from the front end) designed for surfers to accumulate the most timed noserides on a series of waves. It’s a simple, objective judging system that appeals to a wide audience, one that even non-surfers will appreciate. It invites eight world-class women surfers to compete nose-to-nose with eight world-class men surfers for the first time in the history of professional surfing. The event will be streamed live over the internet, and edited for a one-hour television special. EcoMalibu will also produce a series of short, educational videos that will be incorporated into both the live webcast and the one-hour television program.

The audience will quickly learn about the issues of sea level rise, and the potential impacts to surf spots around the world (You can see a presentation of this program at MalibuNoseRiding.com).

EcoMalibu is currently raising funds to ensure our educational outreach, and advocacy efforts. Funds will be used to further promote the importance and need for wetland restoration, implementing EcoMalibu’s student and volunteer programs, video production, and website development. Further, EcoMalibu is seeking sponsors and donors to help launch the climate change initiative that couples a surf contest with targeted educational messages.

The Local Malibu hopes that you will consider supporting EcoMalibu programs for your end-of-year giving. EcoMalibu will treat your donations with the same respect that they would expect for their own contributions, which is why they adhere to a “Donor Bill of Rights.” Of course, your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent provided by the law. Thus, please visit the EcoMalibu.org website to learn more about their programs and the organization.

With improved water quality comes increases in fish populations and increased waterfowl populations that depend on a thriving fish community.

If you get a few minutes during this water fowl migration season, bring your binos and check out one the most visited State Parks wildlife habitats in Malibu.

Contact EcoMalibu via email at info@ecomalibu.org, or you can donate through the website at EcoMalibu.org, or via mail: EcoMalibu, P.O. Box 4064, Malibu, CA 90264

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SESSIONS A MAN WITH A MISSION SURFAID WAS BORN FROM ONE SURFER’S DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. JOIN THE TRIBE. SURFAID.ORG

Did you know that globally, one in ten people lack access to clean water? In isolated regions of Indonesia, the statistics are even more dire.

SurfAid recognizes that clean water is life. Clean water transforms a community with better health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, and economic status. And ultimately, it leads to lives saved.

With the help of SurfAid supporters, in the last three years we have helped to provide sustainable clean water sources for 591 communities.

SurfAid’s philosophy of a “hand up, not a hand out” means that we work alongside communities. While we provide technical expertise and materials like pipes that are not readily available in the communities, it is the communities that provide the labor and other necessary materials like rocks and sand.

Meet Gafar, an active member of his village water committee in Ramu, Sumbawa.

He was instrumental in leading his community’s water project. Together, they handdug the pipelines and installed more than 8 km of pipes in incredibly rough conditions. On steep rocky hills accessible only by foot and in incredibly hot and humid temperatures, the community worked to carry heavy materials such as pipes and cement up the hill.

“There are some people who said the water would never come. ‘It’s impossible’, they said. But not a day passed that I did not work on the water project,” Gafar said, carrying a dream of clean water for his village that he would not let go of. He was a role model to his community, showing his peers how to combine daily work with daily contributions to the water project.

Now that the water facility is running, Gafar is ready for his next responsibility: managing and maintaining it. As a dedicated member of his village water committee, he is confident in how the system works and how to fix it should there be any need for repairs in the future.

Together with SurfAid supporters, we celebrate inspiring community members like Gafar, who are enthusiastic and proud to help themselves and their communities access basic yet lifesaving necessities like clean water.

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SESSIONS

SURFAID WAS BORN FROM ONE SURFER’S DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. JOIN THE TRIBE. SURFAID.ORG

OPINION

ROOTS OF TERROR

BY DAVID STANSFIELD EDITED BY ALLEN WALDMAN

OPINION

6. MUSLIM WOMEN

7. THE FUTURE OF ISLAM

LIFESTYLE

GET CLEAN!

BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR HOLIDAY BINGES…

Falling off the healthy lifestyle wagon? Be prepared!

Now that the Holiday’s are upon us, a great cleanse or a detox will enable you to metabolize the sugars and fats better... The point is to ease the release of toxins from our fat storage cells to enhance the bodies natural ability to regenerate itself.

Signs of toxicity: Fatigue Headaches Joint pain Food sensitivities Mood swings Anxiety and depression High blood pressure Constipation Intolerance to caffeine Skin disorders Hormonal imbalances Weight gain There is a difference between a “cleanse” and a “detox.”

A cleanse will eliminate trigger foods that can cause allergies, sensitivities and digestive distress such as coffee.

Cleanse: A cleanse will eliminate trigger foods that can cause allergies, sensitivities and digestive distress, including dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, corn, nightshade vegetables, refined processed sugar, caffeine (coffee, soda), processed foods and alcohol. If you are interested in a no fuss, guided, delivered daily whole-foods-based cleanse that omits common trigger foods… http://sironacleanse.com/ is my personal favorite...love, love, love it! You won’t be subject to relentless hunger or rigid calorie counting. The Sirona Cleanse includes delicious nutritious organic whole foods, which are perfectly designed for weight loss and toxic elimination. I rate this cleanse a perfect 10!

Detox: The objective of a detox is to assist the release of toxins from fat cells. This enhances the body’s natural detoxification, particularly, the liver. A detox incorporates dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. It might be recommended to detox after chronic exposure to harmful chemicals, some medications, excessive alcohol consumption, personal care products, and any toxins in our food and water that adds to the accumulation of heavy metals or xenoestrogens (synthetic compounds with estrogen-like effects) in the body. A detox is a great choice pre-holiday or during spring cleaning. Stress and toxins take a toll on the body. One of my faves is the Metabolic Detox by Simply Young... a week-long advanced metabolic detox in a box designed to cleanse the colon, lymph, liver, kidneys, and blood using whole plant foods and herbs. I rate this one a definite 10!

The MasterCleanse.org is a 10-day program in which you drink six to 12 glasses a day of lemonade made with maple syrup, lemon juice, filtered water and cayenne pepper.

The Master Cleanse: A great choice and perhaps the most well-known detox, the MasterCleanse.org is a 10-day program in which you drink six to 12 glasses a day of lemonade made with maple syrup, lemon juice, filtered water and cayenne pepper. If all that sounds like a bit too much, the Master Cleanse comes with an option in which you can ease yourself in and out of the cleanse by eating veggies and drinking broths and juices.

A word of caution: Do not detox If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, a flood of toxins released during a detox could potentially be transferred from mother to baby through the placenta or through breast milk. Keep in mind no two bodies are the same so whether or not you have any health concerns it is always best to consult your doctor before implementing any of these programs.

BE GOOD - GET CLEAN! malibubeachpilates.com / @diananicholson_

Trained as a Health Coach at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition, Diana received her Pilate’s certification at Long Beach Dance and Conditioning. She enjoys sharing a holistic approach to health and wellness that achieves lasting results. Diana trains top models, actors, CEOs, and professional athletes that are dedicated to their complete body health.

PHOTO BY TIM HORTON

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LIFESTYLE

INTERVIEW OF LAURA RUBIN / FOUNDER OF ALLSWELL CREATIVE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO A CREATIVE RETREAT IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS

BY JOBI MANSON PHOTOS BY EMILY NATHAN OF TINY ATLAS QUARTERLY What do you do + How did you get here?

I wear a few hats. I have a bi-coastal marketing and communications consulting company (Left Left Right), I’m the Editor at Large of Montauk-based Whalebone Magazine and a couple of years ago I started AllSwell, a collection of blank notebooks. As a lifelong journal-keeper I write and draw and wanted one lightweight book where I could do both. So I designed it and got some printed on recycled materials up in Maine. Folks liked them so I printed some more, and so on. Then I started leading creative workshops with the notebooks, just casually for friends.

And now those have sort of caught on so I’m doing more of those, too. It’s all pretty organic and symbiotic.

You have seen some of wildest terrain in North America, tell me about an awe-inspired moment from your adventure.

As the advance team for the AllSwell trip, my friend (Tom Wearney of Earth Missions) and I arrived on Vancouver Island after a long drive -- after an even longer couple of flights -- in the middle of the night in the pelting rain, only to find out that the place that hands out keys where we were staying was shut up tight. So we had to “liberate” a yurt and figure out how to jump-start a generator for heat. All part of the adventure. The next morning we were up with the sun and ambled down to the ocean, pre-caffeine. The reveal was rocky, stunning natural terrain rung by dignified cedars, pale golden morning light, the smell and taste of the ocean air after a cleansing storm. It was enough to make me spontaneously pray in gratitude.

Why do you think Tofino is still an illusive secret in the surfing world?

I’m not sure it is? The Duct Tape Invitational was just held there this year, which is no stranger to social media. Surfing’s growing popularity has made a lot of warm water destinations more hectic than ever before. If you don’t like surfing with a crowd, you’re going to get creative and that might mean colder water destinations like Tofino.

There is something so magical about the forest, rain, and a crackling fire.

After you guys thawed out / post surf, where would you go to warm up and refuel?

On dry days we built bonfires on the beach for our crew, cooked up homemade soup and had thermoses of tea ready – some spiked with bourbon, if you’re keen.

On rainy days, we headed over to Shelter to warm up by their fire pits and toss back regional oysters washed down with pints of blond ale from the Tofino Brewing Company. No bad options.

Bears, hot springs, and whales… who guided this adventure and would you return tomorrow?

Our local “fixer” was photographer Jeremy Koreski. The man is a legend in the making. He hooked us up with the best ocean and surf guides, brought us to special spots that aren’t on the usual tourist checklists, generously shared his knowledge and love for the place. And hell yes, I’d go back tomorrow. We’re already planning our next group trip back to Tofino for Fall 2017. All of us fell for the spot pretty hard and want to support its local businesses with respectful tourism.

3 watering holes not to be missed: 1. Shelter. Whether it’s for lunch, cocktails or dinner, you cannot go wrong.

2. Kuma. Japanese comfort food for dinner, yes please.

3. Rhino. Great coffee and morning carbs, solid wifi (which is in short supply).

AUTUMN IN CALIFORNIA OR VANCOUVER? September in Montauk, October in Tofino, November in California.

How did you end up partnering with Earth Missions + Tiny Atlas Quarterly?

I like working with people I know and respect. That’s not unusual, I guess. It was natural to create a travel-theme AllSwell notebook since we all tend to use journals when we go on trips. I’d worked on a project out in Montauk with Tiny Atlas Quarterly and knew that their aesthetic and likeminded perspective made them the perfect partner. In talking with Emily Nathan, founder of Tiny Atlas, we dreamed up creating trips that were expressions of the notebook. I’ve known Tommy from Earth Missions for years and when I approached him about facilitating those experiences for us, we all put our heads together about locations. The fern print on the WRITE side correlates to Tofino and the palm print on the DRAW side correlates to Tahiti – which is a trip we have coming up in 2017.

LIFESTYLE Tell me about your perspective on creativity. Also, what was it like exploring your creative practice in such pristine terrain?

Each of us has an innate creative voice. You don’t need to be an artist in order to connect with it, exercise it. And doing so on paper – no judgments, no “likes” – is inherently good for you physiologically, mentally and emotionally. There’s just no downside.

Leading the creative workshop for our group, everyone posted-up on driftwood logs by the fire after a fun surf session, might be one of my favorite moments ever. It was beautiful to see how we all were inspired by the natural elements, and how stopping to reflect and write together gave us a chance to appreciate our surroundings that much more.

Up until this point, you have swam with the mermaid crew from Montauk to Venice and beyond. Created dual purpose notebooks that inspire. And now retreating into the wild. Why retreats?

Travel helps us drop into our senses, we are more present and receptive in a new place we’ve chosen to explore. We want to hold onto the memories we’re acquiring and interpreting them through a creative lens helps crystalize those moments.

Working with folks when they’re outside of their normal routine means they’re up for new experiences. They’re a little more pliable, willing to take risks. It can make the creative process more accessible when you’re already out of your comfort zone.

There’s also a sense of community that comes from group travel. I’m kind of a “social loner” -- I’m naturally social but I like a lot of alone time -- so it makes sense that our programming is really flexible. But being with a group of like-minded people that are basically strangers means that we’re all curious and learning about each other. By the end of day 2, there are new friendships made, a sense of community and support naturally emerges. Add in a beautiful, elemental setting as inspiration, and it’s a great way to spend some time.

If I wanted to join your next retreat, how would I find out more information?

Come join us! Right now we’re working on itineraries for Tahiti and Morea, a river surfing trip in central Oregon and a return trip to Tofino. You can email agent@earthmissions.com or call 1-888-416-1459 for more info.

Do you happen to have any local creative activation coming up for the holiday season?

Yes! Closer to home here in Malibu we have an ocean-themed workshop at your spot, Sefari Outpost, on December 3rd from 3-6 pm. To check out details and sign up go to www.sefarioutpost.com. And if you can’t make it but want to grab some AllSwell notebooks for your holiday gift list, you can get them at Sefari any time.

LOCAL

WATERIS

LIFE

It was an honor to host The Lakota-Sioux Tribe when they came through Malibu during their efforts to raise awareness and funds to help stop The Dakota Access Pipeline from being built across ancient burial grounds and their river of life in North Dakota.

Being a part of this awareness tour and getting to share the sacred waters of our Pacific Ocean was an incredible experience for local watermen and women. Although many of the young tribesman had never before seen the ocean and were shocked when they tasted the salty water, our strong common bond was felt during our paddle out prayer circle as we chanted together “Water is Life”. - Kelly Meyer Photos by Henrik Knudsen, henrikphoto.com

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LOCAL

VETERAN’S DAY

BY RICK MULLEN

Veteran’s Day was established by President Wilson in November 1919, one year after the physical cessation of hostilities in the First World War which took place on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The “Great War” or the ”War to end all Wars” was considered at the time to have been so horrific that it would serve as a lesson to humanity to never stray on the path of war again.

In all, 17 million people died in that war. 11 Million military personnel and 7 million civilians. Guihot Douhet an Italian General, the father of modern air warfare wrote the book “Command of the Air” which is the original masterwork about the use of air power and is still studied today. He crafted this book and his theories, in part, because of the horrors of the human carnage in the trench warfare of the First World War. He felt that the use of airpower would reduce human casualties. But he was wrong.

Just twenty years later, a larger sequel to the European War would break out, partially from the fallout of the First World War and the scale would dwarf the “Great War”. In the Second World War 60 million people, more than three times as many as in the First, would lose their lives. Air power increased the killing power while reducing the intimacy of battle.

Today, Veteran’s Day is still celebrated on the 11th hour of 11th day of the 11th month.

In some European countries, particularly in England, the “Armistice” is also celebrated often by a national moment of silence. You might be walking in a store, or in a public place, and all public activity will stop and an eerie minute of silence and stillness is observed.

Fire captain Rick Mullen and Battalion Chief Richard Stillwagon at the Legacy Park Veteran’s Day Celebration as a representative of Fire Department and as a veteran of the Marine Corps.

The “War to End all Wars’ did not end warfare, but it did give us the day of remembrance known as Veteran’s day. It did not end wars, but we can take some sobered solace that since the Second World War, where 3% of the world’s population lost their lives, the scale of death in war has diminished. Although the Korean and Vietnam Wars had many deaths they were nothing on the scale of what happened in the Second World War. Hopefully, that trend will continue into the future. On Veteran’s Day, our military veterans are honored for their service and sacrifice while in uniform.

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE

MARINE CORPS.

On November 10 of every year, Marines celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps. Whether in a formal event in evening finery, aboard a ship at sea or in a tent in a combat zone on a far-distant shore, the birthday is celebrated by all Marines past and present. During this event, there is a cake which is cut by the guest of honor and the first two pieces are presented to the oldest and the youngest Marines present. This celebration of tradition and heritage and the physical presence of the oldest and youngest Marines in this ritual cement the bond between the Marines of today and those who went before and fosters an intense esprit de corps and an obligation by all to uphold the honor and tradition of excellence of the Corps. The celebration of heritage and history is an important and integral part of the Marine Corps and is taught to new recruits in boot camp. Loyalty to fellow Marines and to the Marine Corps itself is exemplified by their motto “Semper Fidelis” (always faithful). There is probably no stronger bond between comrades in the world than that of being a Marine. It does not matter when you served, what your job specialty was, what your rank, officer or enlisted, if you earned the title Marine it is something seared into your soul that all Marines understand on a deep level.

John Sibert, the oldest Marine present, and Billy Birdzell, the young -est, get the first piece of the cake while Hasan Masri looks on.