The Canyon Chronicle- May 12, 2023 (Vol. 4, No. 9) -www.thecanyonchronicle.com

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A Lot of Existential ‘Whys’

Americans killing Americans? Mass murder in our streets?

Children gunned down in schools? Unbridled hate spewing forth on every line of communication 24/7?

Why do we have a twice-impeached, indicted, misogynistic, compulsive liar who was once our president running for office again?

Why have we allowed, indeed encouraged him and his sycophants to transform the Republican party into a misguided leadership of fools hellbent on destroying every virtue Americans and this troubled democracy once stood 2015 for? Have Americans become so comfortable, so complacent that they cannot recognize evil when it stares them in the face? And continues to kill our children?

Among those crying in the Maga wilderness is Joel Bellman whose column, “Rude Interruptions” is required reading for everyone who cares about preserving American democracy... but especially for those who don’t. (Page 10)

How many people do you know who say, “I’m not political.” Well, its damned hard to understand politics, but how can we, in good conscience, vote unless we know those whom we elected to live up to their oath of office? Learn to discern—right from wrong, truth from lies—and elect those who will wield power to the nation’s benefit. This is not the time to passively accept the enemies within terrorizing our country.

As Howard Zinn* said and wrote in his book, “You can’t be neutral on a moving train.”

Locally, we did elect some pretty awesome people to represent us. The Canyon Chronicle’s Sr. Reporter Annemarie Donkin caught up with County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to see what they’ve achieved in their first 100 days in office. (Pages 4-5)

Not all is doom and gloom though. To allay my political ranting, we also offer art to soothe the rattled mind and make you smile. Topanga Elementary Charter School’s TECS News Team fills us in with a photo montage of their Variety Show last month on Theatricum’s main stage. How priceless is that! (Page 6)

It’s also a privilege to promote ceramicist Mervat Elias of Magdalena Clay and her ceramic rendition of “The Last Supper,” (i.e., “The Passover Seder”). Photos cannot capture the passion of this display and we hope that Elias will find a studio to create her art and exhibit it for all to see “The Last Supper” and her other hand-built, hand-painted “Earth Art” in person. For now, see it here. (Pages 8-9)

Chronicle columnist Paula LaBrot asks, “To AI or Not to AI?” Where do we stand in relation to Artificial Intelligence? As I said, it’s not all doom and gloom but it is scary. “Don’t fear it, learn to use it,” La Brot advises.

Finally, we have another articlein the cannabis series by Chris Conway, “Hemp for Health,” about the rise in the popularity of CBD.

*Howard Zinn American historian, playwright, philosopher, socialist intellectual, World War II veteran, professor of history and political science and author of “You can’t be neutral on a moving train.”

—Flavia Potenza

Publisher / Editor

Flavia Potenza

Creative Director Nira Lichten

Senior Reporter

Annemarie Donkin

Advertising Manager

Jenise Blanc-Chance

Creative Consultant

Eiffel Nazaryan

Contributors

Linda Ballou

Joel Bellman

Pablo Capra

Kathie Gibboney

Sarah Spitz

Paula LaBrot

Kait Leonard

Amy Weisberg

Kim Zanti

Copy Editor / Distribution

Ellie Carroll

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P.O. Box 1101 Topanga, CA 90290 New Number: (310) 526-1203

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The Canyon Chronicle is an independent community newspaper published bi-weekly by Canyon Media, Inc.©2020. All rights reserved. thecanyonchronicle.com

Preparations for Topanga Days Country Fair, just two weeks away, are buzzing behind the scenes. We know that because the street signs like this one, are up, refreshed and ready thanks to artist Kelly Constantine, announcing Topanga’s biggest event of the year. Look for this year’s poster designed by Angie Winslow, on page 7 listing the band lineup. Time to put on your dancin’ shoes and get ready to party. Volunteer for a day and get in free!

Flavia Potenza, Birdie, Tom Cat

PHOTO BY HANNA ALIAS

Ceramic artist Mervat Elias is also a sculptor. Here she is sculpting a “monumental” artwork in stone entitled “The Miscarriage” as part of the 2015 International Sculpture Symposium in Yarka, Israel.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Celebrates Her First 100 Days!

By Annemarie Donkin

Young, bright and full of fresh ideas, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath was sworn in on Dec. 5, 2022, promising to fulfill her obligations to the constituents of the Third Supervisorial District of Los Angeles County, home to more than two million people.

Horvath’s district covers 446.08 square miles and stretches from the Ventura County line to West Hollywood and the city of San Fernando, including portions of 10 cities, 26 unincorporated communities and 49 neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles.

The Third District also counts among its unincorporated communities in the Santa Monica Mountains and Topanga. As such, the Supervisor is the de facto “Mayor” in Topanga and the main contact with county government.

During her first one hundred days, Horvath went straight to work and has visited many parts of her District. A partial list of her Board of Supervisors accomplishments includes:

• A motion declaring a state of emergency for homelessness in Los Angeles County and adopting the largest budget for the County’s Homelessness Initiative to date.

• Appointed herself to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Commission to be present where the decisions are made.

• Put forward a successful motion regarding gun safety.

• Approved a “Good Governance” motion to study the County’s governance structure, including campaign finance reforms and expanding the size of the Board of Supervisors.

• Motion to raise the Progress Pride flag at County facilities.

• Fighting hate through a Jewish Community Plan informed by Jewish community leaders based on hate crime data provided by the Sheriff’s Department.

LAHSA, Fire and Topanga

“So, we got right to work in a state of emergency on homelessness and how we can better restructure the services that people count on in the County,” Horvath said. “I put myself on the LAHSA

FOR THE RECORD

We apologize for misspelling eight-yearold Dashiel King Biehn’s last name when we spotlighted him as one of Topanga Elementary’s student performers in last month’s Topanga Youth Services Variety Show. We also thank “proud grandma” Jenise Blanc for blowing his cover of “Kid in Mask with Ukulele” with this photo. Look for more photos of Biehn’s fellow performers in the Variety Show. (Page 6)

commission to hold them accountable. It’s our number one issue, so I want to sit right at the table and continue to focus on how we need to have a better system to take care of our neighborhoods.”

Horvath addressed the question of the increase in LAHSA’s Executive compensation in light of an increasing level of homelessness since the organization was created.

“We will be taking a look at what LAHSA is doing as well on the executive committee,” “Horvath said. “I’m at the table to know exactly how LAHSA is governed. It’s a new approach, as they are not used to all the questions I ask. We want to make the organization better and help us to restructure LAHSA as needed.”

Horvath also addressed renter’s needs amid astronomic rent increases.

“We are focused on the street, homelessness prevention and investing in affordable housing

options,” she said. “People deserve to live in quality housing and have an opportunity to live in the community where they currently live. We need more affordable housing options; we need to help renters who may be falling into homelessness, and provide rental assistance as well as for landlords and property owners—we have made assistance available for both; it’s a state of emergency.”

Protecting the Santa Monica Mountains from Fires and Developers

“Protecting the Santa Monica Mountains from fires and over-development is one of my top priorities for the region,” Horvath wrote to The Canyon Chronicle. “It’s no secret that Los Angeles County needs to build more affordable housing, but we can do it responsibly, in the regions that make the most sense. That is not the Santa Monica Mountains.

We must not build in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, but we must also take proactive measures to ensure that a devastating fire never occurs in the region. This means investing in home hardening, fully funding our aerial arsenal for the L.A. County Fire Department and improving the lines of communication throughout the Santa Monica Mountains.”

As Supervisor, Horvath promised to listen to communities such as Topanga.

“I want to make sure that the policies we develop are informed by your experiences and rooted in local control, rather than implementing top-down rules and regulations,” Horvath said. She has visited Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains many times, to better know her new District.

“In my first 100 days, my dad, Bill Horvath and I toured Topanga,” she said. “We had a weekend brunch at Endless Color and we were impressed with the beauty and [the sense of] community. I am making sure that we keep Topanga as beautiful and special as it is.”

Contact Information: (213) 974-3333; (213) 6257360; lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov or: ThirdDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov ; facebook.com/ LindseyPHorvath; twitter.com/lindseyphorvath; instagram.com/lindseyphorvath

Black Bear Found and Tagged

The National Park Service announced that biologists captured and radio-collared a 210-pound black bear in a natural area of the western Santa Monica Mountains south of the 101 Freeway. The Santa Monica Mountains haven’t had a resident bear population since the late 1800s.

The male bear, dubbed BB-12, is estimated to be about 3-4 years old. Biologists performed a full workup on the bear, including collecting biological samples, taking various body measurements, attaching an ear tag, conducting a physical exam, and fitting a GPS radio-collar around its neck.

Though there have been bear sightings over the years, this is the first time biologists have captured and radio-collared a bear in the Santa Monica Mountains. The nearest population of black bears is in the Santa Susana Mountains, north of the 118 Freeway. Although bears have occasionally been documented in the Simi Hills, south of 118, and even in the Santa Monica Mountains, south of the 101 Freeway, there is no evidence of a breeding population in either area

In July 2021, a young black bear was spotted lumbering along Reino Road in Newbury Park. Since then, images of a bear have been seen on wildlife trail cameras in half of the Santa Monica

Mountains—from Malibu Creek State Park to the range’s western border in Point Mugu State Park. Biologists say BB-12 may be the same bear. Black bears rarely become aggressive when encountered, and attacks on people are uncommon. If you encounter a bear while hiking, keep a safe distance and slowly back away. Let the bear know you are there. Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving your arms and making noise by yelling, clapping your hands, using noisemakers, or whistling. DO NOT run and do not make eye contact. Let the bear leave the area on its own. If a bear makes contact, fight back. (nps.gov/samo/learn/news)

LINDSEY P. HORVATH OFFICIAL PHOTO

As Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath counts among its unincorporated communities the Santa Monica Mountains and Topanga. As such, she is the de facto “Mayor” in Topanga and our main contact with county government.

Meet Topanga’s New Assemblymember—Jacqui Irwin

By Annemarie Donkin

When Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was re-elected to a district that included the Santa Monica Mountains, she and her husband, Jon, embraced the opportunity by hiking the Backbone Trail.

“It is really stunning,” Irwin said. “There are times you can see the ocean, the valley, Agoura, the deep oak canyons and evidence from the Woolsey fire. It reminds you of how wild and vulnerable to fires they are but then see the resilience in the dark oak bark and green leaves sprouting.

“It’s a hard hike that starts at the ocean to Santo peak, the highest point in the mountains, then to Sycamore Canyon. It’s about 18 miles and definitely a challenge; but I enjoy a challenge.”

Governing a New District

Irwin is now in her fifth term as an Assemblymember.

After the 2020 redistricting, Irwin’s 42nd Assembly District now includes portions of both Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including all of Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Casa Conejo, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Lake Sherwood, Malibu, Moorpark, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Santa Susana, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, Westlake Village, and portions of Camarillo.

“We are definitely excited to represent this new area,” Irwin said. “I represented Ventura County to

Oxnard; we added Simi Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains to the 405, and the ridge of Bel Air. It’s a great area, really a jewel of Los Angeles to have such a wild area next to one of our metropolises.

The 42nd Assembly District also includes California Lutheran University, Cal State University Channel Islands, Mount Saint Mary’s University L. A., and Pepperdine University.

What Does the Assemblymember Do?

In the California Legislature, Irwin is currently the Chair of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee and sits on the following committees: Agriculture, Business and Professions, Higher Education and Privacy, and Consumer Protection.

In her third term in the Assembly, Irwin focused heavily on gun violence prevention legislation in response to the Borderline Shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA.

She strengthened legislation of Gun Violence Restraining Orders to extend up to five years.

She also required law enforcement agencies to have policies about using Gun Violence Restraining Orders. Irwin also secured $3 million to support local law enforcement efforts to recover firearms from individuals listed in the Armed and Prohibited Possessors System.

Regarding fire insurance, Irwin responded to homeowners’ associations (HOA’s) and residents of con-

dominium developments in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas who have difficulty obtaining insurance coverage due to the high risk of fire in their area.

To that end, Irwin authored a letter, signed by 26 of her Assembly colleagues, urging the Insurance Commissioner to increase coverage limits and allow for access to the CA FAIR Plan coverage per structure rather than the entire development.

Deer Creek Acquisition

Assemblymember Irwin also became aware of a rare opportunity that allowed for the purchase of the largest privately-owned parcel of property in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Deer Creek property consists of nearly 1,250 acres of open space and includes 2.2 miles of pristine coastline. Last year’s record budget

surplus allowed for her to make a $10 million-dollar state budget request toward the purchase of this property. The budget allocation was approved and the property was purchased and will be added to the thousands of acres of permanently protected open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Collaboration with First Responders

Regarding public and fire safety, Irwin has established a cooperative relationship with both LACoFD Assistant Chief Drew Smith and L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station Captain Jennifer Seetoo.

“This is going to be a completely different area,” Irwin said. “We are known as having extremely good public services and outreach; we have an open-door policy and great staff. I’m looking forward to meeting folks in person, and meeting with the community in Topanga.

Irwin also toured Topanga with Chief Smith and Captain Seetoo to learn first-hand the challenges of fire and public safety in the Canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains.

“For me, it’s just learning about the community,” Irwin said. “Yet, I need to hear back from the residents in ten cities and ask that folks reach out to me to be informed on certain issues.” For more Info; https://a42.asmdc.org; or contact the District Office at (805) 370-0542.

JACQUI IRWIN OFFICIAL PHOTO.

Jacqui Irwin is a mother, engineer and elected official who leads the 42nd Assembly District. She was formerly Mayor of Thousand Oaks.

Creativity Blooms Under the Oaks

By TECS News Team

Topanga Elementary Charter School (TECS) students showcased their blossoming talents under the magnificent oaks at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum last month.

The school’s third annual Variety Show displayed the creativity of students from Topanga Elementary, while raising funds to support enrichment education at the school. This year’s theme was the classic film, “The Wizard Of Oz,” and the show proved to be a huge source of joy for all involved and a real highlight of the school year.

Dozens of children had rehearsed for months ahead of their performances. And the event featured some grown-up special guests too, including several teachers and parents playing

their part, and witty commentary from emcee Stacie Burrows, a talented local comedian, who expertly held the audience’s attention between acts with her unique take on the beloved story.

“The show featured over 20 acts including singing, dancing, magic, comedy, aerial arts, piano, violin, science and so much more,” said Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) chair Stephanie Polansky.

“The stage was transformed into the land of Oz, and every student and parent clearly enjoyed each performance. They were all excited to see our principal, Kevin Kassebaum, come out as the Tin Man alongside our science teacher Jeffrey Esparza as the Scarecrow. From beginning to end, the show was a marathon of entertainment.”

The event sold out the entire iconic theater, with proceeds helping to fund the enrichment

education coordinated by the TECS booster club, Topanga Enrichment Programs (TEP), including the school’s specialist science and art teachers, class aides, and physical education and technology classes.

Polansky, who co-produced the event with fellow TECS mom Danita Menchell, added, “The show is a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together to support its local children’s education. The dedication, creativity, and talent of the students was truly inspiring, leaving the audience eager for next year’s show.

“Thank you to all the parents who donated, cheered from the audience, or volunteered their time and energy. You are the backbone of our school community and we could not have pulled off this incredible event without your help.”

Co-producers Stephanie Polansky (left) and Danita Menchell (right) with TECS principal Kevin Kassebaum (center).

First grader Stason Geer, the great grandson of Theatricum Botanicum’s founder, Will Geer, performed on the magical stage.

Darla Menchell opened the show with a beautiful performance of ‘Over the Rainbow’

Aerial silk artists Hayley Welch (L) and Zoe Tashjan (R) mesmerize the sold-out crowd.

First grader Mina Ronen was part of a glittering fashion show Griffin Nelson Thomas wowed the audience with his energetic Spiderman performance

Comedian Stacie Burrows emceed the show as the wicked — and very witty — witch

First grade twins Vicky and Sacha Mangul impressed with their musical recital

Science teacher Jeffrey Esparza brings some hair-raising excitement to the event

PHOTOS BY MARTINA PARADISO

Ceramic Artist Mervat Elias

By Flavia Potenza

It was a privilege to meet ceramicist Mervat Elias last month and view her exhibit in a modest gallery named Artist Matters in the Topanga Creek Courtyard.

Her hand-built ceramic sculptures, especially her depiction of “The Last Supper (i.e. The Passover Seder), compelled an introduction to the community. Faces—some indiscernible, others clearly representative of each of the 12 disciples—were arranged horizontally along the wall with a golden wreath in the middle depicting Jesus. Elias chooses not to name the disciples because, she says, “Each person sees them differently.” The disciple, Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is ignominiously placed below the others.

On the shelf below are the loaves of bread that Jesus broke at the Passover Seder the night before his cruifixion. That gesture became the ritual of Holy Communion in Christian worship. It is believed that Mary Magdalene was present at the seder so the scarves beneath manifest the alluring mystical presence of the feminine.

Elias was born and educated in Israel in the region between the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth, where, she says, “I often walked where Jesus walked.”

Her career began in 1992, where she was an art and ceramics teacher at Sakhnin College for Women, Upper Galilee, Israel. From 2006-2016, she was the Museum Curator at Yegal Alon Museum, Kibbutz Ginosar, Israel, and an instructor for “Spring Encounters,” a program that brought together Jewish and Arab youth and adults through art. She also facilitated and guided workshops for tolerance and respect for the “Other,” at Yegal Alon Museum, Sea Of Galilee, Kibbutz Ginosar. She is also a stone sculptor of “monumental” art. (See Page 3 for photo)

She was also a Sexual Abuse instructor and specialist who traveled throughout the villages of Galilee to provide rehabilitative clay workshops for teenage girls who experienced sexual abuse in the family.

Elias’ art draws its inspiration from her Christian faith, thus the name, Magdalena Clay, after Mary Magdalene, who according to Gospel accounts, was cleansed by Jesus of seven demons and became a disciple. Mary also witnessed the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus and, famously, was the first person to see him after the Resurrection, thus elevating women’s status and position in a subtle yet grand way.

Smaller works depict Elias’ other passion, Earth Art, such as small ceramic scarves glazed with muted earth tones are surprisingly trimmed with lace, while vessels and wall hangings depict horses, deer and other flora and fauna. All pieces are hand-built and hand-painted by the artist.

Elias’ works have been exhibited in many galleries and museums throughout Israel. She was invited five times to Israel’s prestigious Bi-Annual Ceramic festival in Tel Aviv, and won the 2003- 2004 America-Israel Foundation Award for solo exhibition. She has recently begun to exhibit in the United States.

She and her husband, Hanna, and their eight-year-old son live in Topanga. Mervat is seeking a permanent studio along TCB for her ceramic work, exhibition, and clay workshops for adults and children.

For information: Mervat Elias, (559) 586-1082; MervatHanna70@gmail.com; Instagram: @mervatelias.

The Last Supper (Passover Seder)

PHOTOS BY HANNA ELIAS

(L-R) Although the Artist Matters gallery is small, it provided enough space for a stunning representation of Mervat Elias’ works.

“The Last Supper (Passover Seder)” wall display is the pièce de résistance of the exhibit. The 12 disciples on each side of a golden wreath depicting Jesus are not named. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is ignominiously placed below the others.

(below, center) Elias adds some “living art” to her exhibit.

(Below) Two-time Oscar winner, director and Topanga resident Alexander Payne added another piece of Elias’ work to his collection.

(Bottom) “Veronica’s Veil.” Veronica was moved seeing Jesus carrying the cross to Calvary and gave him her veil so that he could wipe his forehead. Jesus accepted the offer, and when he returned the veil the image of his face was miraculously captured on it. It is said to be preserved in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Veronica’s Veil

It’s Biden, and It’s War

By Joel Bellman

“Asthe November election draws closer, progressives unhappy with Joe Biden and conservatives disappointed in Donald Trump may feel tempted to cast about for alternatives.”

That was the lede for my column of August 21, 2020, warning against the siren song of third parties. But they aren’t the major threat this election cycle, unless you think Andrew Yang’s “Forward Party” is going anywhere—a kind of Democratic Party centrist caucus dodging controversial issues for process-oriented technocratic incrementalism. They aren’t.

No, my big worries right now are the Democratic electorate and the political media regressing to the mean, a stasis of boredom, inattention, distractibility, and desperate noveltyseeking. And so the press has begun something of a Biden death-watch, with stories practically gloating over his underwater approval ratings, currently at 43.2%-52.4% nationally.

A recent AP-National Opinion Research Center poll found that among Democrats only 47% want to see a Biden re-election campaign, and even fewer Americans overall, 26%, support another run. Quick, hit the panic button! We need a new candidate!

It’s an old truism in politics that you can’t beat something with nothing, but this year, we actually have

something—a scandal-free president with an amazingly successful record of accomplishments and only one significant policy setback, the Afghanistan withdrawal. And the former guy set the table for that by committing us to a withdrawal date a year in advance, giving the Taliban plenty of time to prepare for their takeover. And even then, the Biden administration was able to improvise and mitigate the worst of it.

It’s the Republicans who have nothing: their leading candidate is widely considered the worst president in American history. Notable on his CV: he lost the popular vote for president twice; he was impeached twice; he helped incite a failed

insurrection to attack the U.S. Capitol and overturn a lawful election; he’s under criminal indictment in New York for faking financial disclosures to protect his 2016 presidential campaign by hiding his bribes to a porn star he slept with while his wife was home with their new baby; he’s facing additional criminal investigations for tax fraud, stealing and hiding classified documents, and pressuring Georgia election officials to corrupt that state’s vote count and thereby steal the 2020 election; and if all that is not enough, he’s the defendant in a defamation lawsuit brought by a prominent magazine columnist who has credibly testified under oath that he raped her in a department store dressing room.

Their only plausible alternative, running a distant second, is another “Florida man” whose policy priorities include banning books, bullying trans kids, punishing pregnant women, and launching a culture war against the Walt Disney company, the state’s second largest private employer, which draws millions of tourists to its theme parks and pays more than a $1 billion in taxes annually. So much for business-friendly, limitedgovernment, fiscally responsible free-speech Republicanism.

And yet—we hear voices among the chattering classes sounding warnings that Biden is too old and tired (he’s only three years older than his predecessor, and far more fit), even senile (despite any evidence, even as the former guy routinely spews unhinged rants at every opportunity), and that Democrats are headed for disaster unless they somehow draft some other candidate to challenge their own incumbent.

This is folly, of course. There is no precedent for a successful intra-party primary challenge to a sitting president actively seeking re-election—much less a victory

in November—a fact cynical Republican strategists surely know, even if some foolish Democrats and gullible reporters do not. Republicans would love nothing better than to drag Democrats into a hopeless fratricidal battle that undermines their main opponent, and shifts the news focus away from the travails and demagoguery of their incompetent, corrupt, sexual predator candidate and back to the evergreen media narrative of “Dems in disarray.”

The 2016 insurgency of Bernie Sanders—which we now know was exploited by Wikileaks and Russian intelligence to drive a wedge between Democrats and weaken nominee Hillary Clinton heading into the fall campaign—revealed the clear and present danger of such divisive tactics. But this time around, Dems seem to be smarter: the 81-year-old Sanders recently told the Associated Press, “The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism or homophobia,” adding, “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the president is reelected.”

The progressive grass-roots organization MoveOn.org announced that its member survey found 73% support for re-electing President Biden. And the AP-NORC poll I alluded to earlier found that 78% of Democrats approve of the job Biden is doing, and 81% of them will probably or definitely vote for him again. It’s no wonder that Republicans are trying to gaslight Democrats by casting Biden as doddering and demented at death’s door, and trying to turn the 2024 election into a referendum on V-P Kamala Harris, with all the racism, sexism, and xenophobia that implies.

As I also wrote in that 2020 column, “It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, that the paramount objective [next] November is defeating Donald Trump and roundly repudiating Trumpism and all its enablers.” It’s almost inconceivable that we are still talking about him as a live threat to American democracy, but we are and he is.

So it’s “once more into the breach, dear friends, once more,” in Shakespeare’s famous words,“when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood…set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide’’—for like King Henry’s Battle of Agincourt, this is mortal combat in a longer war.

We must not falter. We cannot fail.

ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES

From left, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, then-Vice-President Joe Biden, Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Poppas at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Nov. 15, 2016.

To AI or Not to AI

Not even their creators, can understand, predict, or reliably control Artificial Intelligence (AI).

By Paula Labrot

OnMarch 29, while I was teaching the brightest techies of the nation at IIT Mandi in India, an historical, international event occurred.

Along with the Future of Life Institute, Elon Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Skype co-founder Jaan Tallin, Microsoft and Google engineers and thousands of other prominent signatories, called for a moratorium on any further development for any AI (artificial intelligence) program past GPT-5.

That’s a lot of heavy weight making that declaration. There are enough concerns about the future that these high-rolling, high-tech leaders, some of them the actual founders of Open AI ChatGPT, want to call a halt, regroup and make a safe pathway for the future of humanity alongside the disruptive development of artificial intelligence programs.

The Future of Life Institute states, “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity, as shown by extensive research and acknowledged by top AI labs. As stated in the widely-endorsed Asilomar AI Principles, Advanced AI could represent a profound change in the history of life on Earth; it should be planned for and managed with commensurate care and resources. Unfortunately, this level of planning and management is not happening, even though recent months have seen AI labs locked in an outof-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one, not even their creators, can understand, predict, or control.

Contemporary AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks, and we must ask ourselves: Should we let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth? Should we automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones? Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization?

Such decisions must not be delegated to nonelected tech leaders. Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable. This confidence must be well justified and increase with the magnitude of a system’s potential effects.

OpenAI’s recent statement regarding artificial general intelligence, states, “At some point, it may be important to get independent review before starting to train future systems, and for the most advanced efforts to agree to limit the rate of growth of computers used for creating new models.” We agree. That point is now.

Therefore, we call on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least six months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. This pause should be public and verifiable, and include all key actors. If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.

AI labs and independent experts should use this pause to jointly develop and implement a set of shared safety protocols for advanced AI design and development that are rigorously audited and overseen by independent outside experts. These protocols should ensure that systems adhering to them are safe beyond a reasonable doubt.

This does not mean a pause on AI development

All things connected

in general, merely a stepping back from the dangerous race to ever-larger unpredictable blackbox models with emergent capabilities.

AI research and development should be refocused on making today’s powerful, state-ofthe-art systems more accurate, safe, interpretable, transparent, robust, aligned, trustworthy, and loyal.

In parallel, AI developers must work with policymakers to dramatically accelerate development of robust AI governance systems. These should, at a minimum, include: new and capable regulatory authorities dedicated to AI; oversight and tracking of highly capable AI systems and large pools of computational capability; provenance and watermarking systems to help distinguish real from synthetic and to track

has begun.… AI will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care, and communicate with each other,” he continued, claiming that the technology will help teach disadvantaged children, assist doctors working in poorer countries, and fight climate change, although he did not explain exactly how it would handle the latter task. He’s right about one thing. There is so much money invested in and to be made from AI, so much power to be consolidated that it’s hard to imagine everyone would agree to a moritorium.

Is It Really Dangerous?

Potentially... yes. Jason Koebler, reporting on vice.com, wrote, “A user of the new open-source, autonomous AI project, Auto-GPT, asked it to try to “destroy humanity,” “establish global dominance,” and “attain immortality.” The AI, called ChaosGPT, complied and tried to research nuclear weapons, recruit other AI agents to help it do research, and sent tweets trying to influence others. There are a lot of versions of the destructive power of AI, all leading to the question of whether this technology will serve us or enslave us or, ultimately, kill us.

model leaks; a robust auditing and certification ecosystem; liability for AI-caused harm; robust public funding for technical AI safety research; and well-resourced institutions for coping with the dramatic economic and political disruptions (especially to democracy) that AI will cause.

Humanity can enjoy a flourishing future with AI. Having succeeded in creating powerful AI systems, we can now enjoy an “AI summer” in which we reap the rewards, engineer these systems for the clear benefit of all, and give society a chance to adapt. Society has hit pause on other technologies with potentially catastrophic effects on society. We can do so here. Let’s enjoy a long AI summer, not rush unprepared into a fall.”

Sigal Samuel of the Future Perfect podcast, lays out a good case for the moritorium idea. She writes, “Should we let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth? Should we automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones? Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization? In other words: We don’t have to build robots that will steal our jobs and maybe kill us.”

About Future of Life Institute.

Established in 2015 to steer transformative technology towards benefiting life and away from extreme large-scale risks, the Future of Life Institute is made up of a core team, a Board, and a group of External Advisors. Collectively, they represent a diverse range of expertise that comes to the Institute from governance institutions, industry and academia, and a variety of disciplines, including behavioral sciences, medicine, machine learning, engineering, law, design, and the arts.

Bill Gates Dissents

Gates is a huge proponent of AI technology, believing it can help the world by reducing some of its glaring inequities. From climate change to reducing world wide malaria, Gates writes,“Clearly, there are huge benefits to these things…what we need to do is identify the tricky areas…. I don’t really understand who they’re saying could stop, and would every country in the world agree to stop, and why to stop,” Gates told Reuters. “The age of AI

And then, there is the greed factor and the kind of polluted individuals in Turkey and Russia who have already developed and sold personal drones that can be launched to target specifc individuals using facial recognition programs that really worry people at the Future of Life Institue.

Can AI Development be Controlled?

The genii is definitely out of the bottle. AI safety expert Roman Yamploysky and Otto Barten, director of the Existential Risk Observatory, agree that, “A sensible place to start would be for AI tech companies to increase the number of researchers investigating the topic beyond the roughly 100 people available today. Ways to make the technology safe, or to reliably and internationally regulate it, should both be looked into thoroughly and urgently by AI safety researchers, AI governance scholars, and other experts. As for the rest of us, reading up on the topic, starting with books such as “Human Compatible” by Stuart Russell and “Superintelligence” by Nick Bostrom, is something everyone, especially those in a position of responsibility, should find time for.

At the school where I just taught, IIT Mandi, I met the some of the brightest minds in India. There are twenty-three of these institutes in India. In a country of 1.4 billion people, one million students qualify to apply for a place each year. Ten-thousand students are admitted. Can you imagine the level of focus and ability I was privileged to work with? They are so bright and so tech-savvy. So, my guess about AI being able to be controlled is...no. Not with the kinds of young minds I’ve just dealt with. I don’t think there is any way of really controlling this. But I am with Elon on this issue. We need to put our best minds on this problem… and now!

We need to stop dicking around crappy tribal thinking and create good examples for our youth of humanity’s higher-level thinking and emotional behavior. We have to stop letting ourselves be jerked around by social media trolls, “influencers” and “trend-thinking.” We have to strengthen self reliance, independent thought and communication skills in ourselves and our children. We have to get our heads out of the sand and return to high standards of education and prepare our children for their amazing future. They are more than capable. We have to be and stay smarter than the machines. Now!

Vamos a ver!

48th Annual Topanga Days 2023

By Nonie Shore

It’s almost Topanga Days and the colorful Topanga Days Signs are decorating Topanga’s roadways to remind you to buy your tickets now before the event sells out.

Every year, the fabulous festival and fundraiser for the Topanga Community Center (TCC), held over the Memorial Day weekend, May 27th, 28th & 29th, brings new life to the canyon with its bohemian groove and the ever-lovin’ and whacky Topanga Days Memorial Day Parade held on Monday, May 29th from 8:30–10:30 a.m. This year’s Grand Marshals are the Topanga Trash Warriors led by co-founders Joseph Rosendo and Roger Pugliese.

The impressive parade of floats, cars, kids, firetrucks and more begin at Pine Tree Circle and ends at the Community Center, where Monday’s festivities will begin with Catherine McClenahan singing the National Anthem followed by a flag-raising ceremony honoring members of the military. All members of the armed forces, past and present, with military I.D. receive free entrance to Topanga Days. For information on the parade or register for a float, please visit topangadays.com/parade.

This year, the festival is back to three full days, featuring over 30 bands on two stages, along with great food favorites like The Green Truck, Robin’s BBQ and Rock n Roll Pizza, and wonderful vendors, games and

the kids’ Fun Zone is back!

T-Days Horseshoe Tournament needs someone to organize and run the tournament held the afternoon of Sunday, May 29th. Let the ompetition begin! Please!

With great bands on the main stage like Allah-Las, Main Squeeze, Young Dubliners, Venice and Forty Feet Tall on the mainstage, Topanga Days is well worth the price of admission to support your local community center. “Just consider

how much one spends to go see a two-hour movie at Cineopolis versus a full day of music, games, vendors, food and so much more for a good cause,” says a local resident.

The Corral stage features a wonderful local lineup of performers ranging from Americana and electronica to funk and blues bands and the Topanga Belly Dancers!

The entire 2023 lineup, information and tickets are available online at topangadays.com. Tickets are available Online Only, so don’t let what happened last year when the event sold out, happen this year.

Buy Tickets Now!

Become a TCC Member: Get more bang for your buck by joining TCC or renewing your membership and get 50% off on tickets: topangacommunitycenter.org/membership

Become a Volunteer: Earn a free pass for that day or sign up for two shifts for free lunch. topangadays. com/volunteer.

Festival Costs

Single Day Pass—Adults: $25 for TCC members/$50 for nonmembers; Kids (ages 6-12): $15 for TCC members/$20 for non-

members; Ages 5 & Under: Free

Three-Day Pass—Adults: $60 for TCC members/$135 for nonmembers; Kids (ages 6-12): $35 for TCC members/$50 non-members; 5 & Under: Free.

Parking There is no parking available on the grounds of the TCC, so shuttles will be running up and down Topanga Canyon Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Check the TCC website for updated information on Shuttle Stops, tickets and volunteer information: topangadays.com.

Sponsorship & Support

Topanga Days has always been a community favorite, run by a volunteer board, who put their blood, sweat and tears into making it a fun and safe event for all ages.

The TCC cannot do this alone, as the costs to put on Topanga Days and still raise enough money for it to be a viable fundraiser, simply do not add up. That is why the TCC asks for local sponsorships and Parade donations. This year, the Community Center has been very fortunate to secure sponsorships of all levels that help offset the mammoth costs of this event.

Support the Festival

“We are especially grateful to our Backbone Trail sponsors this year: the Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation, Adrian Wright and Jordan Wright of the Wright Way Team at Compass, Molson Coors, and Snyder Sutton Real Estate,” says Nonie Shore, TCC VP in charge of Events & Fundraising. “Every sponsor makes a difference!” topangadays.com/sponsors

Support the Parade

Join other local businesses, who have already generously stepped up to maintain the tradition of the parade as well. “Our community is so lucky to have generous contributors like Adrian Wright and Jordan Wright of the Wright Way Team at Compass; Endless Color; Exposition Studios; Suncoast Mortgage; Topanga Living Café; and William Preston Bowling, a Pritchett Rapf Realtor, who are financially supporting this beloved parade,” says Shore.

Hemp for Health

By Chris Conway

When American Farmers learned they could plant hemp thanks to changes in the 2018 farm bill, many of them were just discovering the nature of the plant and the crops it could produce. Without the processing infrastructure, however, most of the useful things made from hemp required much more than simply planting a field of hemp.

The domestic market for hemp at that point was relatively small, consisting of a few niche companies importing hemp from countries with established hemp industries. As farmers and investors researched the opportunity of hemp farming in America, they learned that growing for CBD was the most lucrative legal option available.When planting time came around over 500,000 acres of hemp were planted, mostly for CBD.

Similar to Tetrahydrocannabiniol (THC), the psychoactive plant, Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating plant, is a sticky resin that is secreted by glands (called trichomes) on the stems, leaves and the outside of some cannabis sativa (hemp) flowers. It’s primary purpose for the plant is protecting the flower and any developing seeds from insects and herbivores. CBD is useful for a wide range of conditions and has exploded in popularity. CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that’s been overshadowed by the stigma of psychoactive THC for generations.

As medical cannabis applications evolved, many people wanted to overcome the stigma of plant medicine. Developing a predictable, safe and effective product from a skunky green flower was a challenge but as laws changed and laboratories began to test and analyze the flowers, things changed a lot.

With non-intoxicating effects, plants producing CBD were practically bred out of existence by cannabis growers striving for a strong psychoactive effect. As analytical labs tested and reported their findings, some growers sought the rare CBD-producing varieties to diversify their options. CBD-rich plants were sampled for a wide range of conditions and many patients found relief that regular cannabis didn’t provide. Those who

saw its healing powers knew it had a high potential to benefit many people and a grassroots effort sprouted up to expand its availability.

Cannabidiol finally started to become a sought-after product in 2013 when CNN aired a documentary featuring Charlotte Figi and a syringe of CBD. Charlotte had a rare condition called dravet syndrome that resulted in multiple seizures and no medications were working. After exhausting other options, Charlotte’s mother tried CBD oil and reduced seizures from 300 per week

trying CBD and many found relief. Still mostly relegated to the shelves of marijuana dispensaries, CBD options usually contained at least a small amount of THC and those benefiting usually also had their weed stash nearby. Many people found that a small amount of CBD would help their cannabis provide a greater level of relief while using less.

With the passage of the 2018 Farm bill, the logistics of CBD production changed drastically. Moving from climate-controlled lighted warehouses to large sunny fields, production costs decreased dramatically. Instead of following all of the restrictive regulations designed for marijuana growers, hemp farmers growing for CBD just had to make sure their plants produced less than 3% THC. Finding strains with ultra-low THC was a challenge at first, but cannabis breeders with controlled environments quickly took advantage of the dioecious annual nature of cannabis sativa and re-created some of the most popular cannabis varieties rich in CBD instead of psychoactive THC.

After living in the shadows of the cannabis industry, CBD has created a place for itself on countless stores shelves. Depending on where you shop, CBD is available in capsules, gummies, tinctures, oils, flowers, and many other forms. It’s useful to help with pain, inflammation, digestion, anxiety, sleep, and countless other conditions. Some people find that a combination of CBD and THC are more effective than either by itself. With such a broad range of formulations and conditions, it can be a challenge to find the best way to benefit from CBD. As the hemp industry grows, other special cannabinoids like CBD will come along and countless people will be able to live a better life because of their benefits.

to two to three per month. In honor of Charlotte, the growers renamed their high-CBD strain “Charlotte’s Web,” and expanded their operations to help others in need with their high-CBD cannabis oil. With Charlotte’s help, Charlotte’s Web oil became more available and continues to be known as a safe, non-intoxicating alternative to typical cannabis, and a possible alternative to ineffective treatments.

As the supply grew, so did the known benefits. Patients with a wide range of conditions started

The story of CBD’s rapid rise in popularity is just a small preview of the potential of hemp and it’s ability to heal people, the earth, and the soil that it grows in.

Hemp is here to stay and is ready to be used in many many ways!

Chris Conway is a long-time Hemp advocate from Topanga. He has worked on reform campaigns, consulted farmers, and advised patients on the best ways to grow, process, and utilize hemp, CBD and cannabis. He is excited to see the expansion of the hemp industry to help heal humans and the planet.

Trichomes are a sticky resin that is secreted by glands on the stems, leaves and the outside of some cannabis sativa (hemp) flowers. It’s primary purpose is to protect the flower and any developing seeds from insects and herbivores.

Ongoing every Sunday, Bible Study with Michelle Klein, 10 a.m Topanga Christian Fellowship. Service with Pastor John Klein follows at 11 a.m. infor@ topangachristianfellowship.org. 269 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga CA 90290, (310) 455-1048.

Ongoing. Food Truck Fridays are back, 4:30-8:00 p.m.!

Ongoing. Four-week “Jewpernatural” ZOOM course with Rabbi Mendy Piekarski. Judaism’s answers regarding paranormal beliefs from the Jewish Learning Institute that unearths the Jewish perspective on dreams, astrology, spirits, demons, ghosts and other enduring mysteries. Chabad of Topanga, 1459 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, CA 90290. For information and times contact Rabbi Mendy Piekarski at (310) 455-1597 or RabbiMendyPiekarski@gmail.com

Saturday, May 13, Kidiwische Corner workshop. Mother’s Day coiled yarn baskets with Kat High. For information and location: KatCalls@ aol.com

Sunday May 14th, 2:00 p.m. Circle J Ranch presents John Reischman and the Jaybirds. Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman “one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the

Kidiwische Cor-er 2023

Come to a Spring workshop, or schedule one for your group

We are reopening at Kidiwische Corner with small, outdoor workshops to revive your connection with nature and spark your creativity!

Saturday, May 13 – Visionary Journaling w Sarah Irani

Sunday, May 14– Mother’s Day coiled yarn baskets – Kat High

Sunday, May 21 – Spirit vessel gourds –Nadiya Littlewarrior

Saturday, June 3 – Pueblo pottery with Rowan Harrison

Saturday, June 10 – Flintknapping with Chumash flintknapper Steven Saffold

Sunday, June 11 – Round reed baskets – Make Dad a special gift! - w Kat High

To be scheduled:

Book signings, storytelling events, Native kids’ games, dreamcatchers Acorn cooking and arts, Everything elderberry, dogbane and yucca cordage, kelp rattles, using earth pigments, a prickly pear party, and more!

For information: contact Kat at KatCalls@aol.com

mandolin. In 1999 John formed the Jaybirds and the group has put its own particular stamp on bluegrass, old time and roots music. RSVP: crazyjtopanga@gmail.com. Suggested $25 donation.

Sunday, May 14, Annual MOMentum Place, 2 p.m. Celebrate mothers and love for one another at the annual Mother’s Day extravaganza when Theatricum’s main stage hosts the circus and aerialists fly through the air, dancers embody music and jugglers, contortionists and special surprises create spectacles beyond imagination. Buy tickets now ($15$40)! Theatricum.com/momentumplace

Friday, May 19th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Blood Drive. Topanga Community Center,1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga CA 90290. Sign up now! Topangacommunitycenter.org

Sunday, May 21, Kidiwische Corner workshop. Spirit vessel gourds with Nadiya Littlewarrior. For information and location: KatCalls@aol.com.

May 27-29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Topanga Days . Tickets available now online only. Topangacommunitycenter.org/tickets The Topanga Community Center is located at 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga CA 90290.

Perfect combo of country living and business opportunity. Topanga’s original gem, this was one of the original homes in this corner of the canyon. Since 2005, it has hosted a successful private facility offering dog training, boarding, and daycare.

NEW LISTING

Fontaine Drive 2 Bed | 2 Bath $1,500,000

Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696

Into the mountains and through the woods, one finds a secluded cabin nestled among the oaks. Go back in time. Located in the mid-canyon area and minutes from creature comforts of beaches and world class shopping and dining.

You can see forever with 180-degree views of the Topanga Mountains, State Park, and Eagle Rock. This warm, contemporary Craftsman features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms starts at the leaded glass front door. Rich walnut floors, beam ceilings, and a wood-burning stove for cool mountain nights, remodeled kitchen, complete the open floor plan. It is easy to move in and enjoy this home immediately. Every room has a view, including the kitchen with a breakfast bar, dining area, great room, bedrooms, and studio. The wood-cased windows and sliders open onto a stunning tiled deck and Trex stairs leading to 2 more spaces below the main house and into its gardens. The master has an ensuite bathroom with a separate shower enclosure, bathtub, double vanity, a large walk-in closet, and a romantic built-in window seat along a wall of glass. The long driveway ends at the garage, which is designed for work, play, or living. Flex your gardening muscles with an in-ground bed for veggies or flowers, close to a detached storage shed to house your tools or use for overflow storage. Mature fruiting plum, orange, almond, apple, and nectarine trees, plus grapevines, are included in the drought-friendly landscaping, creating a lovely space for sunbathing or relaxing.

Offered at $1,599,000

Chrissa Lightheart (310) 663-3696

DRE# 01093433

Amazing 180 Degree Views Of Topanga Mountains SOLD

Gayle Pritchett & Lacey Rose Gorden - (310) 748-1580

Exquisite custom Mediterranean oasis on approx. 11 acres overlooking the majestic boulders of Red Rock Park and offering complete gated and fenced privacy with lush landscaping, fruit trees, vegetable garden, and large outdoor usable spaces.

Valley View Drive 2 Bed | 2 Bath $1,389,000

Kirsten Bohman - (310) 403-4818

This little Fernwood charmer is the perfect place to escape from it all. Currently set up as a single family 2 bed 2 bath, the upstairs and down can easily be separated to create 2 separate units. The possibilities and the views are endless.