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Ethics in Environmentalism, Citizenship and Stewardship

A new wave is breaking. There has been a lot of change afoot for me, and there were a few things I had been avoiding acting on. Those subjects called for much research and thought. They have been on my plate repeatedly lately. In one circumstance, I had to take a close look at an environmental group which some friends had created many years ago, for the purpose of preserving beach and ocean access. The group, Surfrider Foundation, has done an amazing amount of good work, and I have assisted it by various means, since its inception in the mid

Fact of the Matter: Inconvenient Truths

I got in a lively discussion on Global Warming the other day. More specifically Anthropogenic Global Warming. It is a “given” that we humans have the capacity to foul the Earth. It is also a given that the Earth by it’s architecture will cleanse itself. In the civilized and educated Western world we typically endeavor to keep a clean house. Look around. PZEV vehicles are standard fare in our world and have contributed to a massive decline in hydrocarbon emissions from Automobiles. That is just one example in a huge list of things Western Culture embraces as a means of

High Art

There is a friend of mine, Joe Cardella, who has coined a phrase: “Art Saves Lives” When looked at sideways you can truly understand that statement. However, approach it with logical pragmatism and you will in fact, experience NO magical transformation in your life at all. The reason for this is because the human heart establishes parameters that allow for a daily experiential flow that keeps everything in a predictable array of experience. What this does is to allow for order. It has long been said that genius borders on madness. Well, high Art endeavors to lift Man into the

Friends and Heroes

I got to have lunch with a friend of mine this week, who I follow pretty closely, but due to our busy schedules, I rarely actually get to sit down with. As he and I shared our passions, pains, frustrations, joys and aspirations over a light meal at our favorite Taqueria, I told him how inspired I was by his knowledge and persistence in the living of his life and what to me is one of the strongest examples of selflessness I have experienced in my Community. Paul thanked me, and to my surprise told me that I was one

Perceptive Kindness

There are many ways one can approach a project and the people who will be involved. I learned early in life, that it is always best to be kind, and accord respect to people, and that frequently, the ones whose appearance may not betray it, are really the ones in charge. But beyond that, it really is just the right thing to do. Seth Godin has this to say, in his blogpost entitled: “Getting Smart About The Hierarchy of Smart” A classic example of something appearing unassuming, would be Donna Von Hoesslin’s little Ventura storefront, which goes by the name

Gaviota Muse

Robb Havassy is up visiting right now. Yesterday, I got to introduce the publisher of the culturally iconic book Surf Story, to Joe Cardella, who among a long list of artistic accomplishments, was also the creator and publisher of Art Life, a leading collectible monthly publication. Joe’s stint at the helm was twenty five years long. I smiled on the inside, as both of these amazing men, were people that Mary Osborne insisted that I meet. Mary rarely does that: insists. So, when she calls me, and then follows up, I know I had better pay attention. For over twenty

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