Chatting with a longtime Malibuite mom at a local market, she reminded me that being involved in Malibu politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it is important.

The absurdity of our time in Malibu’s history is that we have bigger dreams but shorter tempers, a wider Pacific Coast Highway, but narrower viewpoints. We have bigger dwelling and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. Malibuites drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too annoyed when someone differs with them, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have amplified our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new Malibu neighbor who we didn’t want to build there in the first place. We talk of cleaning up the MOSS (emphasis added) in Trancas Creek, but pollute our souls. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We read more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We invented the telephone, but can’t get open space conservative Mona Loo to stop ringing it at dinnertime. No, Mona, I won’t vote to give the City Council a $15,000,000 Blank Check–so stop calling.

The politics of articulating your opinion against Malibu Tax Increase Measure K should resemble the second oldest Malibu profession. I have, however, come to realize that it bears a very close similarity to the first.

And that is all I have to say.

Tom Fakehany

Indigo is one shade above blue in the color spectrum. It is also the name of Indigo Ranch recording studio run by veteran recording engineer and record producer, Richard Kaplan and his wife, Julie Kaplan. The two recently celebrated the 25th year anniversary of the studio, nestled high in the mountains of Malibu.

Kaplan says the name Indigo was inspired by his first partner, the British band The Moody Blues.

“There’s a lot of history to Indigo Ranch,” Kaplan says. “We first opened our doors in the 1970s and have been booked since then. Artists are drawn to come here and they keep coming back.”

Along with a string of gold and platinum records that have been engineered and produced at Indigo Ranch comes a diverse client list that includes artists and bands such as Limp Biskit, Korn, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Neil Diamond, Marvin Gaye, Motley Crue, Kenny G, Neil Young and Slipnot–to name a few.

Artists make the drive through the thin windy road leading up to the ranch to use Kaplan’s extensive variety of vintage equipment, which includes the world’s largest collection of guitar effect pedals, an original Beatle’s microphone and a 1931 Steinway model B piano.

Whether it’s the equipment or the expert engineering that attracts artists to the ranch, it’s the chemistry of the land and the comfort of working in an “at home atmosphere” that really intrigues them. “Artists seem to discover a musical freedom here that stretches their talent,” says Kaplan.

Kaplan explains that the “Chumash used this land to hold music ceremonies and celebrations. It could be fate that we chose to continue to use the property as musical grounds.”

The past year included projects such as the completion of Machine Head’s latest album, with engineer assistance by Kaplan, and Wasp’s “Unholy Terror” album, engineered by Kaplan. This year brought international acts. Latin group A.N.I.M.A.L recorded at the studio.

Julie Kaplan and 15-year client and friend Charlie Sheen collaborated as guest artists contributing background vocals to Norwegian heavy rock group Far Out Fishing. Martin Sheen has also recorded voice-overs in the studio for the movie “JFK,” the additional 41-minute dialogue for the new release of “Apocalypse Now, Redux” as well as National Geographic and Discovery Channel projects.

Many bands also recorded music videos at the ranch.

With a record that passed the platinum mark, rap core group Limp Biskit found it irresistible to include Kaplan’s old cars parked out on the ranch in their music video. Alternative-metal band Korn, with a double-platinum record, also filmed their music video “Blind” on the grounds.

Kaplan also assisted the band Machines of Loving Grace in rigging an extension cord to a portable recorder to record the sound of a guitar as it fell off the mountain. Kaplan explains the band wanted “to capture the ‘realness of the sound.”

That video also incorporated special lighting effects that reflected the silhouettes of band members over the mountain that surrounds the ranch. “It was a pretty cool effect,” says Kaplan.

Kaplan says it always fascinates him to recall past experiences he and Julie have shared with artists during recording sessions at the studio.

“For a long time Neil Young would have three days out of every month booked out to him so he could use the studio during the ‘Full Moon Cycle.’ Sometimes he didn’t even use those days, but he liked to have them reserved,” says Kaplan.

During Korn’s early recording sessions, band members signed a cardboard pizza box shaped as a record album. The band members pretended they were signing a platinum album. “Julie and I realized the band’s potential, so we saved that pizza cardboard and we now have it framed in the office next to Korn’s platinum record–the real one.”

Assistant recording engineer, Kevin Bosley says Indigo Recording Studio is like “Band Camp. People come here and feel like they’re walking into a home instead of a business, because they don’t leave after recording each day,” he explains. “They stay overnight, sometimes for weeks. They take over.”

Despite the long, rich history of the couple’s experiences at Indigo Ranch, the two are giving up their mountain recording retreat. The property is for sale.

With an interesting 25 years at Indigo, Kaplan says, “Future plans will include greater focus on producing.”

My husband and I recently visited Malibu. After hearing how beautiful your community was, we were not disappointed with your views, homes and hospitality. One of our stops included Michael Landon Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This was such a pretty park. However, it had the filthiest public restrooms I’ve ever been in. The facilities were strewn with garbage, the toilets were clogged and the smell was unbearable. My husband noticed the same conditions in the men’s restroom. I’m sure many visitors stop there and encounter the same mess we did. Hopefully this will notify the proper departments to maintain their restrooms more regularly and thoroughly, then the image of Malibu and Michael Landon can be kept intact.

C. Stockwell

Colorado

SCORE!

Kelsey Grammer presided over a celebration of classics at this year’s Mancini Musicale at Paramount Studios. The dinner concert showcased the talents of dozens of young musicians who participated in The Henry Mancini Institute’s summer program at UCLA.

A variety of Mancini hits was performed and were followed with a tribute to Quincy Jones, as well as additional performances by Dianne Reeves and Herbie Hancock.

Grammer broke out in a little scat as he was welcomed on stage to the music of “Fraiser.” “I feel like Bob Hope now,” he quipped. “I even have my own theme song.”

Grammer became acquainted with Mancini eight years ago when he spoke with the legendary composer about launching his own television series. “On the very first episode of ‘Fraiser,’ one of the call-in guests was Henry Mancini,” he said. “It was a collect call, and I am so happy to repay the kindness and the charges.” That they did, raising $450,000 for the Mancini Institute.

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

The show goes on at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as the Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrated the music of Duke Ellington Wednesday evening. With the nation continuing to grieve and mourn, many organizations have canceled, scaled back or postponed their cultural and social festivities. The philharmonic considered making such a move, but not for long.

Malibu’s Robert I. Weingarten is passionate about the decision. “We’re going forward. It’s our duty.” The chairman of the Los Angeles Philharmonic says programs like these are vital to keeping the American spirit alive. “It’s part of waging this war,” he maintains. “If we pull in our horns and run, we lose. We need to conduct our lives as they should be conducted, only then can we win.”

For Weingarten, staying the course has never been more important. “I told our board that we always examine the relevance of what we do during times like these. But you must remember that music touches us like no other art form. It celebrates our greatest joys and comforts us in times of sorrow. It is unique among the arts in that it has the power to heal. That is what we can do to bring the community together. We have a responsibility to go on and it is more relevant than ever.” Bravo!

Malibu’s John Raitt was on the celebrity roster at the opening night of “Kiss Me, Kate” at the Shubert Theatre on Aug. 22, and the grand gala that followed at the St. Regis Hotel. The event was “too darn hot” as Raitt joined Blake Edwards, Carl Reiner, Sally Kirkland, Michael York, James Farentino and Jimmy Smits for an evening of song and celebration. It was a nostalgic night for theater lovers that also reunited Broadway vets Patricia Morison, who played the original role of Kate on Broadway, Ann Miller, who played Lois Lane in the MGM film, and James Whitmore.

The production, which features the toe-tapping tunes of Cole Porter, picked up five Tony Awards and opened to rave reviews. It’s not too late to catch Kate. They’ll be singing up a storm until Oct. 13. What else can you say but Wunderbar!

DA, DA, DA

Sherry Lansing, meantime, had her eyes and ears on the opera. Lansing joined pals Nancy Daly Riordan and Placido Domingo at the Russian-themed opening night gala for the L.A. Opera’s “Queen of Spades.” After a standing ovation, the black tie clan made its way to the Music Center Plaza, which was turned into a whimsical “winter palace” fit for a czar.

Once inside, 600 guests admired ice sculptures that had been artfully carved into Russia’s most famous landmarks, including the onion-domed St. Basil Cathedral. They roamed around sipping their Stolichnaya while enjoying background music provided by the Moscow Strings.

Among the minglers were Maximillian Schell, who directs the upcoming production of “Lohengrin,” heavy hitters Barbara and Marvin Davis as well as celebs Michael York, David Hyde Pierce and Diane Lane. The menu, but of course, was Russian in flavor. Celebrity chef Joaquim Splichal was on hand with platters of smoked salmon bilinis and savory beef stroganoff. After dinner, they danced till the midnight hour. Zdorovye!

THE STAGE IS SET

Pleasant diversions seem more welcome than ever these days, and theater and music lovers have lots to choose from. The racy production of “The Car Man,” an auto-erotic thriller, takes off at the Ahmanson through the end of the month, “Sa Ve En Rose” holds its magnifique world premiere at the Court Theater, “Spine” taps into the woes of well-to-do women at the Coast Playhouse, and due to overwhelming demand, the one and only Elvis Costello teams up with the Charles Mingus Orchestra at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

It might be a good time to just sit back, take a break and enjoy.

I recently attended the 50th high school class reunion for Santa Monica High School. I would like to share some of my fond memories from the past.

At the reunion, I was reunited with two longtime Malibu friends, Lin Franklin and Don Donaldson. Lin lived at Escondido Beach in the 1940s and 1950s . Don lived in Point Dume during the same era. I lived in Paradise Cove with my father, Bill Swanson, and sister, Margie Swanson. My father was the original developer of Paradise Cove and pier. Being a typical 13-year-old in the summer, I would watch the beach daily, for boys. Don, Lin and the Rindge boys would gather at The Cove to swim, hunt grunion and build beach fires. Often, we would raid the watermelon patch up Ramirez Canyon.

During the school year, the bus would pick up Don and his brother from one of the few houses on Point Dume. I remember Don bounding out of the garage where he lived to the bus each morning while his parents were building the family home nearby. I shared a 35-foot mobile home (trailer) with my sister. Power outages were frequent. We shared common phone lines and also drove to Santa Monica for groceries.

We shared many memories at the reunion. Somehow, things don’t change much. We had a very special life in Malibu, free from politics, traffic and pollution. We were so lucky! My 50 years in Malibu will always be remembered.

Gloria Swanson Hayes

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in Malibu are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It’s the other lousy two percent that I voted for that get all the publicity. But then I voted for them. Land conservative Dan Wallace has asked me in his letter to The Malibu Times on 9/13/01, questions that indicate I am against open space and his friends. Councilman Ken Kearsley sermonizes that I am against kids and I don’t want to pay more taxes (Measure K taxes Malibuites under Proposition 13 considerably less than newer residents of Malibu) and that I am a curmudgeon who steals from the open-space community. Next, I will be accused of being a snitch for the Malibu Code Enforcement officer.

Oh, well! I have never affirmed anything other than that the Lily’s Caf Malibu Steering Committee and I are cohesive in that Measure K, a $15,000,000 bond issue, must be defeated as written. We believe that the proposed general bond is in fact, general, all-purpose, and broad-spectrum and does not reflect the wishes of Malibuites. We believe that the desire of the citizens of Malibu is not to give the City Council an unbound hand in the spending of this general bond money based upon local politics and political influence. Finally, we question the availability of the Malibu City Council to use eminent domain in purchasing private property from an unwilling seller anywhere in Malibu.

I have publicly stated (Taki Talks) that we are in favor of a bond measure being placed on the ballot in which the Malibu Council does not have blank check authority and the measure is line itemed as is traditional with 99 percent of all bond measures in the United States of America. We want to understand what Malibuites are voting for. Where is the bond tax money going?

Mr. Wallace, since I asked for Measure K to be traditionally worded, your co-committee associates complain that I’m a wet blanket, my house has been paint-bombed, egged and wine bottles have been thrown against its front door. I am now awaiting the traditional cross burning on my front lawn for being incompatible with the Malibu Open-Space Conservatives over simply the wording of Bond Measure K. Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. God bless Malibu.

And that is all I have to say.

Tom Fakehany