By Sophia Pilot

April 7th, 2021

Every Sunday between 9 am and 2 pm, the Malibu Farmers Market can be counted on to feature fresh fruits, vegetables, and prepared food. 

The Malibu Farmers Market was founded in 1998 as a fundraiser for the Cornucopia Foundation, a hands-on environmental education program for schools. Many students have visited the Cornucopia gardens near the Malibu High School tennis courts for onsite ecological instruction. Manager and Co-President of the Cornucopia Foundation, Debra Bianco, has always had a passion for food and bringing people together. She admires the community drive behind the market, which ultimately keeps her going through the challenges.

The Market has not only faced the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, but also the construction of the Santa Monica College Malibu extension campus behind the Farmers Market location. The new campus will include the construction of a 27,500 square foot educational facility, projected to be completed in 2022.

Most vendors travel from all over Southern California to attend the Market each Sunday. There have been vendors who have remained for several years, and others who have come and gone. One favorite that disappeared was the Thai Street Food vendor, GaiGan. The reason for the turnover is unknown, but from speaking with the vendors, it could be the long drives, limited sales, or issues with the management.

Arrive at the Market early to ensure that you can get the best selection of foods and parking spots. On one end of the Market, you will find prepared food, ready to take to the beach. The prepared food vendors are always changing, but you can count on freshly cracked coconuts from Mingle’s Coconuts, A&J sweet and savory crepes, and pita chips and hummus from Aliki’s Greek Taverna. 

The colorful sign will draw you to Viva Mexico Foods, where you will taste the best spicy guacamole ever. Across from the salsas, you will find Livia’s, a family-owned gluten-free, vegan cookie business. The most popular cookie is the peanut butter chocolate chip, and it sells out quickly so make sure you’re in the line early. Other favorites include fresh pasta, fresh squeezed juices, olive oils, and baked goods. 

Denny’s Organic Farms, Alcantar Organics, Gourmet Specialties, and Etheridge Organics Farms make up a majority of the Market’s fresh fruits and vegetables. Pick up the delicious Sumo, Cara Cara, and blood oranges from Etheridge Organic Farms before they go out of season in a few weeks. 

At the other end of the Market, you will find art and clothing boutiques selling masks, jewelry, and clothes. The unique, handmade-goods are a great gift to buy to bring a piece of the Market home with you.  

The Market is doing well but most vendors are anxious for the summer season for the tourist sales, but for now, the locals are enjoying the community aspect of the Market. 

By Ian Klane

April 7th, 2021

A non-fungible token or NFT for short is a unit of data on a digital ledger called a blockchain. On these blockchains, each NFT can represent a unique digital item such as a piece of art, audio recording, photograph, or other types of creative work. NFTs are not interchangeable, so while one could easily screenshot and duplicate the item, the NFT helps track the original item and provide proof of ownership. This is the reason some of these NFTs are selling for millions of dollars and I simply do not understand.

3.  Kevin Abosch, Forever Rose

     The NFT that was dropped by artist Kevin Abosch on Valentine’s day, 2018, was purchased by a collective of investors for cryptocurrencies for one million dollars. This was not the first time Kevin Abosch had made headlines as he had previously made a sale of one million dollars for a photograph of a dirty potato.    

2. Beeple, Crossroads

     The digital image sold in February of 2021 has two sides. One marking the victory of Donald Trump in the election, and the other marking his defeat. The image was ultimately designed in order to change based on the outcome of the Presidential election. The item ended up selling for $6.6 million, revealing the rotting, bloated, and graffitied naked corpse of Donald Trump face down on the ground.

1. Beeple, Everydays—The First 5000 Days

    On February 16, Christie’s, one of the first major auction houses to sell NFTs, announced that it would offer its first-ever purely digital blockchain artwork. The First 5000 days is a mosaic consisting of every single image that artist Mike Winkelmann, who goes by the name Beeple, has created since 2013. Bids began at $100 but only began to skyrocket higher and higher before reaching a whopping $69 million making Beeple’s creation one of the most expensive NFT artworks of all time.

   The amount of money purchased for all of these digital items is simply unfathomable to me. Especially in regards to the Abosch piece as not only could one just easily take a screenshot of these two photos and drop them into, for example, a simple article. But somebody could as well just as easily go out and pick a rose or buy a dirty potato. In regards to the other two items on this list, I’ve noticed that one of the reasons that they are so expensive is because people just want bragging rights, just like with all art. They want to have the original piece so they can say that they own it, however, it still doesnt explain the insane prices. I find the whole NFT craze mind-boggling and truly can not begin to understand why somebody would spend so much money on something that seems as simple as a dirty potato.  

By Joesph Kurtz

March 16th, 2021

According to the Farmers Almanac “In 2021, the spring equinox occurs on Saturday, March 20,” which means that spring is coming in less than a month. Spring is a great time of year with the abundance of plant life and uplifting holidays that will hopefully take our mind off of the pandemic.

  Spring is notorious for its abundance of life. According to House Beautiful.com, flowers such as crocus, daffodils, and tulips will bloom this spring. It’s the equivalent of Christmas lights on houses, except  it’s the beautiful planted flowers that shine. Many animals like bears, chipmunks, and other woodland creatures will be born this spring.  This means that during spring parks are filled with the most amount of wildlife and new life.

  Unfortunately, some parts of “new life” are not always pretty, and insects like ticks are now in abundance. In fact, PestWorld.org states that “ this season, in fields, forests and yards across the country, as we head into what is expected to be an extremely heavy tick season.” The extremely heavy tick season was created this year becauwse of the mild winter and abundance of acorns, which produce more mice. After going to the park, make sure to inspect yourself for ticks as they   usually latch on with causing you to feel it.  The Global Lyme Alliance states that “For most effective tick bite prevention, products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)*, or Permethrin are most effective.” You can also use some garlic oil. 

 Tick season is not the only yearly event that takes place in spring.  Saint Patrick’s Day is coming up on March 17th, so don’t forget to wear green. Besides wearing green, another St. Patrick’s Day tradition, according to History.com is to “share a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage”. According to Kiro 7.com “foods were less expensive for immigrants who came to America’’. The original dish used pork and potatoes.  Easter will also be on April 12th and Mothers day is on May 10th. All of these holidays sound amazing, but for students, spring break probably sounds the best. In fact, spring break for MHS starts on March 29th and ends April 9th.Thats two weeks (with weekend included) of non-Zoom days. No more staring at the computer for five to seven hours a day. 

  To add to the student holiday a pink moon will rise on April 7th. It’s also a super moon so it will be bright for those who drive at night. According to Farmers Almanac “April’s full Moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a certain wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata—commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox—which also went by the name “moss pink.” This means that another species of flower will be blooming this spring. The Spring equinox will bring new life and new holidays this spring, so let’s enjoy it.  

By Isabella Howe

March 8th, 2021

Sleep is a fascinating phenomenon. According to sleepfoundation.org, as human beings, it is required that the body obtains at least 7-9 hours of sleep if over the age of 18, and 8-11 if one is under the age of 18, with an increase in the amount the younger a person is.

When calculated, the average person spends a total of 26 years sleeping and seven years attempting to fall asleep (dreams.co.uk). Sleep is essential as it permits the body to accomplish a set array of tasks that the organ system would not be able to complete in any other state. 

In a state of sleep, the brain interchanges between REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. In most cases, the body begins the process of sleep in a non-REM state. The brain starts to lose its responsiveness to the outside world as bodily processes begin to slow; this is a transition from the stage of sleep known as N1 to the stage of sleep known as N2. The N2 stage is the phase that the brain spends the majority of a night’s sleep in as it lasts about 30-60 minutes which is the longest phase in the cycle. During the N2 phase, the body decreases its overall temperature and begins to form what are known as “sleep spindles” which are “bursts of coherent brain activity” (sciencedirect.com). 

  The body eventually transitions to the N3 stage, which is a “deep sleep” that only lasts from 20-40 minutes. During this stage of sleep, the brain is characterized by its production of delta wave signals. If one is to be awoken at this stage,  it is common to experience a mental fog known as “sleep inertia” (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). During the N3, the body performs the most crucial and essential task of sleep: it enacts a series of tissue, bone, and muscle regrowth as well as immune system strengthening. 

 Finally, the brain will enter REM sleep characterized by its erratic eye movement as well as fast tempo breathing. Only at this stage does a person experience what most would believe to be the only purpose of sleep, dreaming. The brain achieves this phase about 90 minutes into rest. The first REM period may only last about ten minutes, but during its last periods, it has the potential to last up to a full hour according to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

  During the sleep stage REM, in which the body actively dreams, it is possible to experience an occurrence known as “Lucid Dreaming”. Lucid dreaming was recognized and named by a Dutch psychiatrist named Frederik van Eeden in the early 1900s. Eeden is also responsible for recognizing the nine types of dreams that naturally take place (science.howstuffworks.com). Lucid dreaming is a term assigned to a form of sleep in which the dreamer is actively aware they are dreaming, which can then allow such dreamer to enact control over their dream. While lucid dreaming, the sleeper’s consciousness of the fact that they are in a dream does not take away or diminish the vivid experience dreams are characterized by. Some may not be able to control their actions while others may. As stated by webmd.com, lucid dreaming is a rare marvel that only occurs a handful of times in a year by around half the population. 

  Through a study looking into the science of lucid dreaming, researchers arrived to the conclusion that there is a bias in which people are more likely to observe a lucid dream. It was concluded that those with a more highly developed prefrontal cortex are shown to have a greater chance. The prefrontal cortex is a part of the human brain developed through evolution that allowed prehistoric humans to excel and reach a state of brain development that diverged from any other species (Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari). It is here where the cognitive ability to make decisions and recall memories occurs. Those who spend time contemplating decisions and deep thought evidently have a higher chance of lucid dreaming. It has also been discovered that lucid dreaming can not be distinguished as being either asleep or awake but rather in an in-between state. 

  Even though lucid dreaming is shown to be a more likely occurrence for those with highly developed prefrontal cortexes, ultimately, there are ways to manipulate and artificially cause the brain to produce a lucid dream. There are a selection of methods to do so. Keeping a journal in which you record any memory of a dream you had has shown to increase the chances of having lucid dreams as it allows the mind to focus on the process of dreaming and fundamentally become more aware of it. Another method is to wake up, after a suggested five hours of sleep, stay awake for a short period of time, attempting to hold on to the drowsiness, and then allow your body to fall back asleep and reenter the REM stage. This creates a passageway into the state of neither sleep nor consciousness where the lucid dreaming is suspended. Another method is to simply repeat to yourself in a series of repetitions that “I am going to lucid dream”. This creates a mentality focused and determined on the concept of lucid dreaming that can then translate into your rest. Lastly, it has been shown that drugs can also induce lucid dreaming yet this is the method least recommended as the repercussions and ramifications are at times drastic (webmd.com).

 The complete complexities and abilities of the human body and mind can leave one in awe. The ability to now direct and control one’s dreams is quite a discovery. The number of creative experiences that one might design through the process of rest are endless. Sleep does not have to be looked at as something to dread, as proven through factual evidence, it is possible to be highly productive in a state of physical idleness. 

By Logan Epstein

February 23, 2021

Knowing that Joseph R. Biden was soon to be inaugurated on January 20th, the Delaware Humane Association (DHA) decided to throw a virtual “indoguration” for Major Biden, the Biden family’s dog since November of 2018. Major is the first shelter dog to ever live in the White House, so the DHA, the shelter where the Bidens adopted Major, wanted to commemorate the occasion.  According to an article from People.com, “The virtual fundraiser, powered by Zoom, recounted Major’s rise from former shelter pup to future First Dog and was emceed by Today’s Jill Martin.”  This event was touted as the “largest virtual party for dogs’’ and was covered by national news outlets, such as CNN and NPR. 

The indoguration was held on January 17th, and was open to the public. It was sponsored by the DHA and Pumpkin Pet Insurance.  “Overall, over 7,400 animal lovers attended the event, which raised awareness about what shelter pets are capable of and raised over $200,000 for DHA.” Unfortunately, Major and his family were unable to attend the event, as they were preparing for their big move into the White House.  However, the event was filled with many loving and heartwarming photos and videos of dogs of all breeds and sizes.  The event itself was approximately 20 minutes long, and a couple of special guests joined to welcome the first pups into the White House. One of the first things done during the event was an attempt at breaking a world record, the most users in a pet video hangout.  Shortly after, Patrick Carroll of the DHA expressed his gratitude to all who joined the event, and showed a heartwarming video of some pets at the DHA, waiting to be adopted.  

Next on the agenda was a montage of some baby pictures of Major as well as some clips from his adoption.  The next item on the to-do list was to find a new secretary of rescue dogs, a contest which was won by Harper, a border collie.  The winner of the contest was determined by Darius Brown, who makes matching bow ties for humans and dogs.  This contest was followed by a short explanation of the goal of Pumpkin Pet Insurance.  Next up was a performance from singer and actor Josh Groban.  Unfortunately, the event had to be cut a little bit short as the site crashed because of the thousands of people attending the virtual event.  But it was, overall, a very loving and heartwarming event.  The video of the event can be viewed using this link.

  There have been so many pets in the White House over the years, there are almost too many to count.  In fact, there have only been three presidents who have not had a single pet while in office.  One of them was Donald Trump, and the others were James Polk and Andrew Johnson, according to this website.  During his campaign, Biden appealed to animal lovers by saying that he would bring animals, particularly dogs, back into the White House.  However, Major isn’t the only First Dog in the White House.  Champ Biden, the Biden family’s other German Shepherd, also took office in January.  The Bidens got Champ in 2008, and both dogs participated in the Biden campaign.

  Champ and Major have shared many cute moments on their very own Twitter page, which you can access by clicking on The Oval Pawffice.  Major and Champ wasted no time in filling the White House with their happy noises, and some of these adorable sounds can be heard in this press conference.  In an interview with NPR, Patrick Carrol, executive director of the DHA, summed it up best, saying, “If Major is good enough for the White House, a shelter dog is good enough for your house.”

By Maya Mellberg

February 19, 2021

The purge, 24 hours of pure freedom, the dystopian fictional story that could only exist in a horror film; but what if it existed in America? Known as the Death Zone, this portion of Yellowstone National Park is theoretically lawless. 

The 50 square miles of Yellowstone National Park in Idaho was the topic of interest in Michigan State Law Professor Brian C. Kalt’s essay, “The Perfect Crime”. Published in 2005, it revealed his discovery of the constitutional loophole that would make this portion of America a criminal’s heaven. 

While researching the technicalities of the sixth amendment, Kalt attempted to find a location that did not have enough eligible citizens to form a jury. To try someone for a federal crime, the jury would need to consist of people from the same district and state where the crime took place. Kalt was shocked to find that such a place existed, the Idaho portion of Yellowstone National Park fits perfectly. This part of Yellowstone is so remote (there are no inhabitants or courthouses) that it would be impossible to form a jury, no matter the crime. 

 Once Kalt discovered this Death Zone, he focused his essay on fixing the loophole. One  would assume a horrifying discovery like Kalt’s would draw the government’s attention, but shockingly it was ignored. 

In 2007 another piece was published to help gain attention from lawmakers, author C.J Box wrote Free Fire, a novel that featured the Death Zone. This novel sparked the interest of Mike Enzi, a senator in Wyoming who attempted to convince congress to discuss it, but the issue was left unresolved.

One would expect such an area to have skyrocketing crime rates because of this loophole. Shockingly the only known crime to have been committed was the illegal killing of an elk. Lawmakers have failed to address this issue and this section of Yellowstone remains “lawless”. Because of the government’s neglect on this issue, it continues to remain the Death Zone, with the inability to try someone in front of a jury these 50 square miles are America’s own patch of the purge.

By Elle Baker

February 19, 2021

January 27th, 1945, the day Auschwitz was liberated by the Red Army, now known as International Holocaust Remebrance Day. On the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust, the United Nations came together to commemorate a day for international remembrance, some choosing to following the January 27th tradition or other dates more meaningful to the nation, as with Israel’s Yom HaShoah observed on the 27th of May or April depending on the Jewish calendar. 

  Many are unaware there is such a thing as a Holocaust Remembrance Day since it is not widely reported on new outlets or practiced on social media. This goes hand in hand with the upsetting growth of Anti-Semetic and Holocaust denials across the globe. Only 16 out of the 50 states have a curriculum that require teachings of the genocide of 6 million Jews and 11 million others. The remaining states are often hot spots for Anti-Semetism and naivete to the reality of the Holocaust because they are uneducated. Even if they are taught some of the events, there is reason to believe that their lessons are neither extensive nor thought-provoking for the students. Some teachers feel it is too graphic of a topic or something of the past that will not be repeated, so why bother teaching the students and reminding the teachers of something that simply could not happen again? 

  Some educators do not even believe the Holocaust was a real event in history. This horrifying fact was proven in 2018, when a Floridian Principal exchanged emails with a parent regarding their student’s education on the Holocaust. The principal went on to say, “I can’t say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event because I am not in a position to do so as a school district employee. You have your thoughts, but we are a public school, and not all of our parents have the same beliefs,” according to USA Today. 

  This occurred over three years ago. Since then, various surveys have been conducted to record how many people are actually familiar with the events of the Holocaust, even just familiar with the name Auschwitz. More than half of Austrians surveyed didn’t know six million Jewish people were killed in the Holocaust, with nearly 60% of millennials and Generation Z not knowing the death toll, either. Furthermore, a quarter of Austrians and almost a third of its millennials and Gen Z-ers thought one million or fewer Jews were killed. 

  All of this comes down to education. By not implementing rigorous and extensive lessons in the curriculum, not only in America but across the globe, has shown that people are forgetting or not even being aware of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. It is even sadder to hear that people within the countries were not only victims to Hitler’s regime, but took part in its actions, do not know nor believe that they actually transpired. It is safe to say that there is a large amount of work to be done to ensure future generations are educated on the past, as it slips further and further into history, so that it may stay just that: in the past. 

  As technology advances, it is critical that we find more ways to engage the younger generations in self-education if they are not receiving one from their schools, utilizing the platforms that are often taken advantage of. In honor of this Remembrance Day, please take some time to educate yourself so that you can take part in the betterment of society to guarantee history does not repeat itself.

By Sophia Pilot

February 19, 2021

For Malibu High students, this will be the second Spring Break during a pandemic, but this time we are not confined to the borders of our own home. On January 25th, California Governor Gavin Newson lifted the Stay At Home Order, which allowed popular travel destinations to reopen under strict safety protocols. Here are a few COVID-compliant day trips to get you off your computer and outdoors this Spring Break. 

Under normal circumstances, Malibu High’s marine biology classes would take a field trip to one of the Channel Islands to apply their studies. Last year, the trip was postponed, and then canceled. Unfortunately, this year looks no different for marine biology students. Spring Break is the perfect opportunity to take your newfound knowledge to the field. The Island Packers that transport you to and from the islands are now operating with strict safety protocols; masks are required, capacity is limited, sanitation is enforced, and eating or drinking is prohibited. Tickets are available for reservation on https://islandpackers.com/, where you will find more information about the available tours. 

Located 22 miles off Long Beach, Catalina Island is a popular tourist destination, welcoming over 1,000,000 visitors a year – prior to the pandemic. Catalina Island Company has announced that most hotels, tours, and restaurants are back in business after the Stay at Home Order was lifted. Health requirements and travel restrictions can change, but for now, the Catalina Island Company is accepting reservations starting February 10th, 2021. Boats leave from Dana Point and San Pedro to the island. For more information regarding the reopening, visit https://www.lovecatalina.com/covid-19/whats-open/. 

If you’re prone to sea-sickness and prefer a quick road trip, Ojai, a quaint town with organic farmers markets, outdoor trials, and farm-to-table cuisine, is just an hour’s drive north of Malibu. The landmark, Ojai Valley Inn, a luxury resort is a five-minute drive from Nordhoff High School, one of Malibu High’s rivals in the Citrus Coast League.  Ojai is home to some of the best hiking trails in California, with levels ranging from easy to extreme, you’re bound to find a perfect trail to immerse yourself in nature during Spring Break. 

 If traveling is not an option, or you just want to stay home and study for the AP Tests, there are lots to do in your own backyard. Malibu is a popular vacation destination to people across the globe as evident by the beachgoers and traffic galore. If you want to join the crowd, the beach is a free and socially distant option. If you need some relaxation amidst this crazy time, start your day with a socially distant meditation class at the Mindry in the Malibu Country Mart. Grab lunch at one of your favorite restaurants, and then watch the sun go down at the beach.

 Traveling may look a little different during a pandemic, but there are still ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Be mindful and stay up to date with the various health protocols when traveling. All you need is a mask and gas in your car to take a socially distant day trip this Spring Break.

By Claire Buran

February 12, 2021

The Flaming Lips, a psych-rock band from Oklahoma, pulled off their first full-length space bubble concert in Oklahoma City, with both the band and crowd members sequestered in their own sped up air pockets. 

     The band played out a few sold-out shows to promote their 2020 album “American Head,” with the 100 inflatable audience bubbles with enough room for 2-3 people inside. Frontman Wayne Coyne, who has been crowd surfing in these bubbles for years, held a trial in October after debuting the concept on an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” in June. 

     Initially planned for December, the “Space Bubble” shows were deferred after COVID-19 cases started to rise in Oklahoma City. During the exhibitions, the band brought out huge balloons spelling out “F—You COVID-19.” 

     Is the idea feasible for different acts? Maybe — if venues take the precautions the band executed and if there is sufficient staff for bubble maintenance. To begin with, as Coyne told TMZ in November, you need a great deal of open space around the primary show floor to make it easier to keep the masked ticket holders separated while they get into the bubbles, a process that requires around 45 minutes. The bubbles, Coyne said, hold enough oxygen for three individuals to relax for roughly an hour and 10 minutes before they should be topped off or unfastened. 

     Inside the air pockets, as described in an instructional video on Coyne’s Instagram feed, are “high-frequency supplement speakers” for each concertgoer to wear around the neck like a behind the stage pass. This helps prevent the muffling of the sound through the plastic, particularly for those in the back of the venue.  

     The bubbles are additionally fitted with singular battery-worked fans, also worn around the neck, as well as water bottles and a towel to wipe down the condensation within your bubble  It can get quite hot inside, which is the reason each bubble also has a sign that says, “It’s hot in here.” The audience can then show the sign to an attendant who will refresh your bubble with new, cooler air. On the opposite side of the sign is the message, “I need to pee.” This message will prompt the attendants to assist you with getting and out without disturbing other audience members

     Toward the finish of the show, crowd individuals are told to roll their air pockets to the exit. A process that is sure to be as interesting as the actual show for that sure-to-be exhausted attendants. Once outside the venue, they are to unzip their bubble and get out.