Art by Caitlin RoarkAfter the Borderline Shooting and the Woolsey Fire, the only thing I thought I needed was to get away. In my eyes, it was simple: To escape the trauma and aftermath from two enormously tragic events, I just needed to fly home.But, as I soon came to find, the answer wasn’t that simple. As comforting as it was to breathe in clean, humid air, I was … [Read more...] about Memorial Issue: Editor’s Note
Woolsey Fire
Woolsey Fire Art Exhibition at City Hall Unites and Strengthens the City of Malibu
Photo by Gianni Cocchella An array of artwork and photos influenced by the Woolsey Fire greet visitors as they walk into Malibu City Hall. Artwork ranging from sculptures, paintings and multimedia pieces cover the first and second floors of the building. Inspired by other works such as Robert Kerbeck’s LA Times op-ed and upcoming book “Malibu Burning,” the Malibu … [Read more...] about Woolsey Fire Art Exhibition at City Hall Unites and Strengthens the City of Malibu
Woolsey Scars Show Ecological Recovery, Even as Fire Frequency Rises
While fire may be a natural cycle of the Santa Monica Mountains, short-term plant life recovery is not. “If you’re interested in Mediterranean ecosystems, you’re interested in fire,” said Marti Witter, a fire ecologist with the National Park Service. The Santa Monica Mountains are part of California’s natural chaparral environment. Shrubs with large leaves dominate the … [Read more...] about Woolsey Scars Show Ecological Recovery, Even as Fire Frequency Rises
Pepperdine’s New Reality — Trauma Revisited
Stages of recovery from trauma as described by Judith Herman. Photo courtesy of Centers for Innovation in Health, Mental Health and Social Services. The one-year anniversary of the Borderline Shooting and Woolsey Fire will have an impact on not just victims but also students and others present during the traumatic events, once again reminding them of events they may have … [Read more...] about Pepperdine’s New Reality — Trauma Revisited
A Senior’s Side of the Story
Photo courtesy of Michael Kruel | Students sheltering in place in Payson Library look out the window at Pepperdine's Malibu campus on November 10, 2018, the morning after the Woolsey Fire surrounded the university. As I write this, I am sitting in the back corner of the library near the fireplace in one of the chairs where I slept during the shelter-in-place last year. Looking … [Read more...] about A Senior’s Side of the Story