Suzanne Guldimann

Suzanne Guldimann is an author, artist, and musician who lives in Malibu and loves the Santa Monica Mountains. She has worked as a journalist reporting on local news and issues for more than a decade, and is the author of nine books of music for the harp. Suzanne's newest book, "Life in Malibu", explores local history and nature. She can be reached at suzanne@messengermountainnews.com

SAMO Fund Celebration

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund’s Spring Celebration and fundraiser was unexpectedly wet, but the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants at the outdoor event at King Gillette Ranch in the…

Everyone Needs Water

IN THE STAR WARS MOVIE UNIVERSE, SPACE HERO LUKE SKYWALKER’S FAMILY SURVIVED ON THE INHOSPITABLE DESERT WORLD OF TATOOINE BY HARVESTING WATER FROM THE ATMOSPHERE. THAT TECHNOLOGY IS NO LONGER SCIENCE FICTION.…

Household Rat Poison is Killing Our Wildlife

A bill to ban toxic rodenticides began making its way to a state Assembly vote later this year. That vote can’t come soon enough for local wildlife advocates. Is P-54 (above) next?Photo…

CA Gets a Dinosaur

It’s only taken around 66 million years, but California may soon have an official dinosaur. Assemblymember Richard Bloom, who represents Topanga and the Westside, has introduced legislation that would add Augustynolophus morissi,…

Earth Day More Important than Ever

Earth Day is turning 47 this year, and activists say the annual day to honor the earth has never been more relevant. “The goal is to champion robustly funded and publicly communicated science…

It’s Rattlesnake Season

“What kind of snake is that?” a visitor to Topanga State Park was heard to ask. She was pointing at an elegantly coiled reptile resting on a fallen tree less than a…

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Topanga’s Rocks–A Time-Traveling Adventure

In popular culture, time machines turn up disguised as police call boxes, sports cars, pocket watches and pendants, but in the Santa Monica Mountains you don’t need a DeLorean or a TARDIS…

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Backyard Birds

Bird nesting season officially began March. Time to think of your back yard as a bird sanctuary. The National Wildlife Federation can help you plan that out. One robin may not make…

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A History of Rain

THIS YEARS’ RAINSTORMS ARE A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE. LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDS SHOW THAT TEN “100-YEAR STORMS” DURING THE 20TH CENTURY ADDED UP TO MORE THAN…

Why Rim of the Valley Park Plan is Worth Fighting For

A Rim of the Valley park plan was first proposed in the 1920s. In 1930, the Olmsted Report was issued by the firm founded by the sons of landscape architect Frederick Law…