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The Trump Administration is taking aim at the California Coastal Commission, and according to a recent New York Times article, the President may have an ally in California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Times headline states “Trump and Newsom Find...
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The Malibu stretch of Pacific Coast Highway turns 100 next year. It’s strange to know its centennial will begin with a third of the houses, businesses, landmarks that have built up along this road over the past century almost...
Prince Zapata Fine Art Photographer and Ashley Norris Small Business Owner of Canyon Oils. Both their businesses have been affected by covid-19. They find respite in the evenings by taking time to get some fresh air. Photos by Saori WallLocal woodworker and friendly neighbor Teeg stands outside his home before a Little Free Library he built for the community.Essential workers Rian and Joe at Canyon Gourmet restock organic produce. Customers are allowed inside with protective coverings, three at a time.Essential worker, Crystal June Storey a high school math and special education science teacher with her pup Mahalo Moon. Crystal has pivoted to online teaching, misses her students and hopes to see them in September.Anand Brian a musican from local band Hello Forever spends evenings doing yoga at home during stay at home orders. He has been socially distancing with a few members of the band whom all are roommates.Sam Birdy, Anand Brian and Andy Jimenez of local band Hello Forever have all been self quarantining at their home in Topanga. Not being able to practice with their entire band has been difficult, and their upcoming tour has been postponed but they remain optimistic and continue to play music together every evening.Flower Power Topanga, founded by Abigail ‘Gidget’ Zapata, offers essential oils, herb remedies, teas and bouquets among any other offerings to brighten up someone’s day. Her shop is closed temporarily but locals can order any of her shop offerings for pickup. She is preparing for Mother’s Day.Real Estate is an essential business and local realtor Olga Crawford at Sotheby’s prepares one of her Topanga listings for a contactless walk through. She equips the home and wears a face mask and gloves. She has also pivoted to live walkthroughs on IGTV.Real Estate is an essential business and local realtor Olga Crawford at Sotheby’s prepares one of her Topanga listings for a contactless walk through. She equips the home and wears a face mask and gloves. She has also pivoted to live walkthroughs on IGTV.Dani Fine and Jordan Wainer are both musicians, artists and special education therapists. Here they are at home in their garden, where they are working on growing food and creating a children’s show that responds to the social emotional needs of children during this time.Dane Sandborg and his fiancee Amanda meet me near their home for a portrait 6ft away. Dane is a musician and works in the restaurant industry. Amanda is a scholar of Jungian studies and has her MA in psychology. Dane is focusing his time on music and Amanda on her jewelry business Ritual Gold. Both look forward to being able to celebrate their wedding with friends and family.The Topanga post office adapts to new protocols for remaining open safely. Locals are not permitted inside without a face cover.The postmaster at Topanga’s post office is doing her best to pivot their usual protocol to help locals get their essential packages to family and friends. One man shipped his father some hand sanitizer, because they ran out in his community.At the post office essential workers are toiling around the clock to keep up with shipments. This package contained hand sanitizer for a customer’s father whose community ran out.Michele and Brennan support local business Waterlily Cafe with a take out order.Essential workers Jacobo and Ricardo are equipping themselves with face masks in order to better serve the community.Alexandra Danks of Thimbleberry Pastry and her daughter Jojo, meet in front of their home for a quick portrait from 6 ft away, while her newborn sleeps inside. Alexandra is baking pastries and offers delivery throughout the canyon.
Saori Wall is a first-generation immigrant of Mexican and Japanese descent She is a writer and photographer for Topanga New Times. Documentary Film Producer, and Co-Founder of @PoisonFreeTopanga