Ready for the Topanga Film Festival? The prestigious, creative and innovative festival is celebrating its nineteenth year. It’s become one of Topanga’s most eagerly anticipated arts events, and has made a name for itself in the international film festival circuit. TNT has all the details on this year’s festival. If things look a little different in this issue it’s because pages two and nineteen contain the complete schedule of events and screenings—take the cover off, fold it over, it’s the TFF program. Vive la révolution! Cover concept and design by Scott Bremner
An ancient visitor has returned to the neighborhood this month. The last time comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS passed this way was 80,000 years ago C/2023 A3 is named for the Tsuchinshan observatory in China (the name means Purple Mountain in Mandarin) and the ATLAS observatory in South Africa (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System), which simultaneously confirmed its existence in January of 2023.
The comet passed by Earth on October 12 and is already moving away, but eagle-eyed observers can still catch a glimpse of it in the northwestern night sky through October 26. It will be appearing later and higher in the sky each night. Although it is faint and hard to see from earth, this comet is enormous. The head is estimated to be two miles in diameter. The tail, made up of interstellar dust and tiny fragments of ice stretches out for a distance of around 18 million miles.
The last time C/2023 A3 visited Earth, Neanderthal people would have looked up and wondered at it. in what would one day be California, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, and other ice age megafauna dominated a landscape without humans in it. Who—or what—will be here to see C/2023 A3 when it visits again in 80,000 years?
It’s possible that a second comet will also be visible this week, too. C/2024 S1 ATLAS—spotted by the ATLAS telescope in Hawaii—was just discovered on September 27 of this year. It may be visible in the predawn sky on October 24. If it survives its trip around the sun, it may return around Halloween in the evening sky.
For astronomers, comets offer an opportunity to learn about the origins of the solar system, but for most of human history comets have been mysterious celestial envoys, portents of momentous things for good or ill. Let’s hope these long-distance voyagers are a good omen. The human race could use one.
The Biden Administration has officially designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on California’s Central Coast. It’s the first national marine sanctuary nominated by a sovereign tribal nation, and it promises to not only protect critically important natural resources but to finally recognize the importance of indigenous stewardship, not just as something that happened historically, but as something that is vitally important now and in the future.
Halloween is here. This holiday has still not fully recovered from changes imposed by the pandemic, but maybe change is OK. Trick-or-treaters have been scarce in many neighborhoods in recent years, but they still may be out and about on October 31. Please drive slowly and watch out. We are celebrating here at TNT with a look at legendary California highwayman Tiburcio Vasquez in our Discover section, TNT historian Jimmy P Morgan delves into the scary world of the House Freedom Caucus, and TNT contributor Claire Fordham, reflects on the masks we wear in a thoughtful essay on cosmetic surgery; and, don’t forget to visit TNT’s annual guide to Halloween activities and ideas on our website at www.topanganewtimes.com.
The really scary thing this fall isn’t Halloween, or even the elevated wildfire risk this year, it’s the November 4 election. Ballots have been mailed to all California voters, and many people have already voted. We have the luxury of voting in the comfort of our own homes, without lines or delays. Let’s take advantage of it! Rarely has there ever been so much at stake in a U.S. election.
Survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton need help. The recovery from this double disaster is going to be long and hard, and residents of Florida are already bracing for a potential third strike, tropical storm Nadine is showing signs of strengthening into another potentially powerful hurricane. This website has an excellent list of boots-on-the-ground organizations that are helping clean up in the aftermath of Milton and Helene, feed people, get them food and supplies, and help them get their lives back: https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/#resources
Los Angeles County animal shelters continue to face severe overcrowding. If you, dear reader, have been considering adopting a new, four-legged family member, now would be a great time. The Agoura Animals Shelter, and the West Valley Shelter will gratefully accept donations of food, clean towels and blankets and toys. You can also donate money or contribute items on the wishlist. Visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/donate to learn more
Stay safe, be well. Happy Halloween!
