By Kevin Osborne

There was once a time in the not too distant past when people listened to music on vinyl records. The round flat discs were physical objects that contained an album of songs, usually, but not always, from one specific musical group. People would often gather together to listen to an album in a group setting, passing the album cover around so everyone could look at the artwork, and maybe the lyrics, or a picture of the band or artist. There was something comforting about taking an album out of its sleeve and putting it on a turntable, and the music itself seemed to have a richer, deeper, warmer tone than what was to follow.

What was to follow, in order, was the eight-track tape, cassette tapes, and then the compact disc or CD. CDs revolutionized the music industry by digitizing music and storing it on a medium that could be read by a laser and converted to sound waves to be sent out of speakers. CDs had a very clean, pure sound that many found to be a revelation compared to albums, especially albums that had been played a lot and had worn.


But there were some quietly dissenting voices that still liked the rich tones of albums, and still enjoyed the larger graphic packages of albums compared to the quarter-sized CD cases. This quiet dissent slowly became louder as more people discovered or re-discovered the pleasure of album listening and collecting. Albums began to make a comeback as people started unpacking their old album collections or starting new collections, and enjoying the ritual of playing albums on turntables or record players.



An unlikely product of this new world was the reemergence of the record store. One of the agents of this album renaissance was Touch Vinyl, a special record store located at 1646 Sawtelle Boulevard, in Los Angeles. Touch Vinyl was founded with a mission to build community through music. They have achieved this mission by curating and recommending classic albums old and new, hosting DJ sets, live shows and listening parties, and getting vinyl virgins into the culture. They even carry some crafty local products like Ocean Park hats! Now preparing to celebrate their 5th anniversary on July 1st, Touch Vinyl has become a part of the local music community, and has created a cool space to collect and enjoy album music.

If you are an album aficionado, or want to learn more, be sure to drop by Touch Vinyl and check out the shop. And mark your calendar for the 50th Anniversary Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Listening Party, June 1st, at 8:00 P.M.

Touch Vinyl
1646 Sawtelle Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-933-5540

Instructors and their young passengers catch some of the great waves that came through on April 22 for the A Walk on Water surf outing at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach. A Walk on Water is a Newbury Park nonprofit that provides surf therapy clinics for special needs children. Check out the photos.











There's more photos on the A Walk On Water Facebook Page.

By Kevin Osborne

For over 60 years the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has been a winter-sports paradise for Californians, but the springtime brings its own particular joys that make a trip to the Eastern Sierras a special event.

Due to the nature of its geography, Mammoth Mountain has traditionally had good snow well into the summer months, and this year is no exception with over 50 feet of snowfall and still counting. And with the best winter in over seven years, the drive to the Sierras this season is especially beautiful with an abundance of green grass on the hillsides, and colorful wildflowers in bloom.

Founded in 1953 by Dave McCoy, Mammoth has grown into a world-class resort with 28 lifts and 150 named trails, plus countless unnamed tree, and backside runs--and all of these are currently open for skiing and snowboarding fun. This year’s plans are for the lifts to keep spinning until the Fourth of July, or later.


As the snowy, cloud-covered winter days start to give way to the sunny, bluebird days of spring, the snow softens a bit and the air warms up to create very pleasant conditions for snowboarding, skiing, and other alpine sports. The soft, granular California Corn snow develops, creating fast, harder snow in the mornings, and softer, more forgiving snow in the afternoons. And the fashions change as well with people skiing in short sleeves and shorts--or less! The scene is also set for excellent Pendant- and Apres-Ski activities, such as sunning slopeside and enjoying lunch on the mountain, to bar hopping before the sun has set. Mammoth’s new Village area is perfect for the latter with over 10 bars and restaurants to explore and enjoy. Besides the warm sunny weather, other springtime perks include smaller crowds, and reduced rates at many lodging facilities.


For those so inclined, the Volcom Brothers Skatepark is a great stop on the way into Mammoth, on Meridian Boulevard just before entering the town of Mammoth Lakes. This spacious and open skatepark was designed organically, matching the pre-existing form of the land, with large rocks and boulders sculpted into the ridable terrain. The free-flowing nature of the park makes for very enjoyable riding, with no two runs ever being exactly the same. This is definitely one of the funnest skateparks ever built, and it is also a great tune-up before hitting the slopes.

Other springtime activities in the Mammoth Lakes area include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, hiking, fishing, biking, or just enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the clean, fresh mountain air.

If you are lucky enough to live by the beach, start your trip off with a surf or swim before you hit the road, but either way, now is the time to treat yourself to some excellent springtime snowboarding, skiing, and alpine sports at the amazing Mammoth Mountain Ski Area!

Early Saturday morning before the predicted rain, there were some waves. These photos shot by Six12 Media.










There's more shots in the complete Venice Pier - Saturday 5-6-2017 Gallery.

Show support and honor of Nick Gabaldon by paddling with the Black Surfing Association July 8, 9:30 AM, Inkwell Beach, Santa Monica.

A Santa Monica surfer was convinced she was going to lose her leg in a surfing accident. A surgeon is convinced she was attacked by a great white shark. Robert Kovacik reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017.



What cut into a teenager in the ocean off Sunset Beach just south of the iconic restaurant Gladstones is still under debate.

But a marine biology major who became a surgeon says a great white shark is responsible even though lifeguards said there was no shark sighting before, during or after the incident.

Up until a few hours ago, Sophia Raab only knew she was severely injured surfing. The 18 year old from Santa Monica hit the water off Pacific Palisades Wednesday with a friend. But suddenly the shoreline around her turned red with blood. "I had no idea," she said. "I thought I was going to lose my leg."


Lifeguards, fellow surfers and a friend came to her aid. But it wasn't immediately clear what happened. Could she have been struck by the back fin of her surfboard? Raab Googled orthopedic surgeons and found Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, who is convinced it's a great white. "It's a shark bite by a great white or a mako," he said. "Probably three to four inches." Mandelbaum also happens to be a former lifeguard who frequently swims with the sharks. "I know my sharks," he said. "This is my first bite, but it's a bite."

Los Angeles County lifeguards say there was no shark sighting before, during or after the incident.

It's May the Fourth, Star Wars Day. So here's a couple Star Wars Surf edits by Six12 Media.

A few waves this morning at the Venice Breakwater. These photos shot by Six12 Media.






There's a few more shots in the complete Venice Breakwater - Thursday 5-4-2017 Gallery.

The high winds are gone and there were some waves this morning. These photos shot by Six12 Media.







There's a few more shots in the complete Venice Pier - Thursday 5-4-2017 Gallery.