We’ve taken our theme for our Earth Day issue from nineteenth century English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “Pied Beauty,” a hymn of praise for all of creation, strange and beautiful, plain and ordinary. With so many environmental protections and policy under threat it is easy to feel overwhelmed, but nature is adaptable and enduring. There are amazing, resilient, beautiful, strange, and incredible things all around us, even in our back yards. Protecting and cherishing the wildlife that makes its homes among us is a small way to make a big difference. Happy Earth Day, Topanga! Cover design by Urs Baur
Topangans are getting ready for the Topanga Evacuation Drill on Saturday, April 18. This community-wide emergency preparedness event offers residents and first responders an opportunity to assess and refine wildfire response.
The heavily wooded, rugged, and deep canyon that makes this community such a special place to live also makes it one of the most challenging areas in Los Angeles County for fire fighters to defend. Getting thousands of residents down impossibly narrow, steep and winding residential streets and safely out of the canyon during an emergency is a massive logistics challenge. This event is a stress-free way to test the process. The more people who participate, the more effective the drill will be. The drill begins at 9 AM with a test message from Alert LA County. All residents are invited to visit the check-in station at King Gillette Ranch.
Fire is on everyone’s mind this weekend, but the hazards of living here are as varied and numerous as the joys.Topanga’s surfers and beachgoers have had a rough year of it. Beach closures from the fire and its aftermath, road closures from the flooding that followed the fire, water quality issues from the heavy rains, and now an influx of stinging jellyfish. They aren’t really jelly or fish, but they are here on the local coast in large enough numbers to warrant a warning from the Department of Beaches and Harbors. Surfers, swimmers, and even beachcombers and walkers are advised to stay away from these translucent beauties, or risk receiving painful stings, but “staying away” can be a challenge, because jellies can be extremely difficult to spot in the water, and the stinging tentacles can be several feet long, depending on the species and its size.
The venom present in the jellies’ tentacles is a powerful neurotoxin used by the organism to paralyze prey and to discourage predators. In humans that venom can cause burning pain, followed by skin irritation. It can also trigger allergic responses ranging from a painful, itchy rash that can last for days, to hives and even anaphylaxis.
These stinging cells—officially called nematocysts—can remain viable even after the jelly has washed up on the shore. The best way to prevent stings is to keep out of the water and away from stranded jellies.
If stung, wash the area thoroughly with sea water, making sure that all of the thread-like nematocysts are removed. Hot water and vinegar are the best remedies when they are available. We know some ocean swimmers who keep a bottle of vinegar in their beach bag for times like this. If lifeguards are on duty they can help with first aid treatment. If any of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction begin to manifest this becomes a serious emergency that requires a 911 call. Jelly-related fatalities are extremely uncommon in this area, but severe reactions can occur and require medical intervention.
The fire drill and the jellyfish warning are reminders that the Santa Monica Mountains and coastline are wild, unpredictable, and full of both beauty and dangers. We live alongside incredible beauty but it comes with challenges. Being aware of the hazards is just as essential as appreciating the beauty, for all of us.
Longtime former Topanga resident, photographer, and musician Frank Lamonea knew that better than most. Frank was the news photographer for the original Malibu Surfside News for many years, covering every kind of news story, including some of this area’s worst natural disasters. No matter how many terrible things he witnessed, he always had a keen and appreciative eye for the wild beauty of our mountains and coastline, and his sensitive nature photography was often featured on the front cover of the paper.
Frank was also a singer and songwriter who loved music and poetry. He had many wonderful stories about Malibu and about life in Lower Topanga Canyon. When the Lower Canyon was acquired by State Parks and the houses there were condemned, Frank made a new life in Seminole Springs.
We were saddened to learn that Frank died last month. Frank’s daughter Hannah was his primary caregiver during his final illness. She lost her dad while recovering from her own serious medical crisis. There is a Go-Fund-Me to help her and her three children get through this difficult time: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-hannah-s-recovery-after-lifealtering-medical-event
Stay safe, be well.
