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

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Defensible Space was Key to Quenching Cheney Fire

Topanga had a close call on Friday, July 26, when a vehicle fire on Topanga Canyon Blvd. put the Topanga Community Center and neighboring homes at risk. The fire quickly engulfed the…

The California Coastal Gnatcatcher Prevails

Developers beware! The California coastal gnatchatcher may be small but it has powerful friends.  A tiny bird has just scored a major victory in federal court. A federal court has dismissed a…

Reggae ‘Pon The Mountain Grows Up

Reggae on the Mountain turns 10 this year. The popular music festival has outgrown its original home at the Topanga Community Center and is moving to King Gillette Ranch, but it hasn’t…

The Topanga Film Festival is Back

Urs Baur has revived the Topanga Film Festival (TFF) to showcase a selection of short films and three award-winning features over three days, August 16, 17, and 18. The festival begins with…

DWP Bulldozes Endangered Plant in Topanga State Park

Incident raises awareness about the plight of rare species in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is under investigation for mowing down an endangered plant in…

Indictments Shed Light on Mountain Murder

On July 27, 2018, the body of 19-year-old Roger Eli Chavez-Barahona was discovered beside Piuma, near Schuren Road, just west of Topanga. The coroner determined that the cause of death was multiple…

New Reforestation Study

In the July 12 issue of the Messenger Mountain News we reported on how planting a trillion trees may be the best and simplest way to slow global warming. Now, a new…

Beware the Wild Wasps

Stings, especially from the annoying yellow jacket wasp vying for your lunch, are not only painful but can be dangerous as well. Entomologist Justin Orvel Schmidt, creator of the infamous Schmidt Sting…

8

Backbone Trail Now Open

Eight months after the largest fire to ever hit Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), all 67 miles of the park’s most famous trail have finally reopened to the public. The…

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Reaching for the Moon

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard,…