MY TOWN

 
- Liane Weintraub, Editor-in-Chief

 When I first came to California, I thought I would only stay a year.  The plan was to take a well-deserved “year off” from life in New York City, between college and grad school.  Since I had already spent some time living in Europe, I decided to head west.  A year in LA sounded like the perfect diversion.  Now, more than 15 years later, I’m still here, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

I’ll never forget the first time I glimpsed Malibu.  My then-boyfriend (now husband) took me for a ride up the coast.  We were well into Malibu’s border when I asked when we’d get to the fabled resort town.  I was literally shocked when he told me, “this is it!”  It was truly nothing like I imagined it would be …

Because the name “Malibu” has always been synonymous with glitz and glamour, I was unprepared for the unassuming town I entered.  Somehow I had expected a movie star-filled, non-stop beach party, like an updated version of “Gidget” or “Beach Blanket Bingo.”  To be sure, Malibu has its glam side, and we get our fair share of celebrities, but other than the few who are stalked by paparazzi, most people (famous and non-famous) go about their lives in Malibu in a pretty under-the-radar way.  The “small town feeling” that all of Tastybaby’s featured Malibu residents have referred to actually exists!

I consider myself incredibly lucky that I absolutely LOVE where I live.  I mean, lots of people are proud of their hometowns, but not many people actively revel in the place where they live … I do, and I am grateful for it every day.  In fact, my guess is that most people who live here have a love-affair with Malibu.

Malibu is a truly amazing place.  It’s a special community of people who are united in their commitment to living in a somewhat precarious balance with nature.  Our town is little more than a sliver of land between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean – some may not consider it reasonably habitable.  To be sure, Mother Nature has run a fair number of people out of Malibu … she almost had us!  In 1993 a massive wildfire claimed our first home.  It was a tragic incident, to be sure, but we stuck it out … my husband and I simply couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.  We’ve weathered fires, mudslides and almost every imaginable force of nature, but it’s all worthwhile.

There have been a lot of changes in Malibu since we moved here – some for the better, and some less positive.  All in all, the place has managed to hold onto its unique quality since many residents are so protective of it.  We are all very resistant to change!

When we founded Tastybaby, we were adamant that the company should be based here.  So much of what our Tastybaby stands for – family, health, vibrancy, nature, being a good neighbor & citizen, fun & recreation – are all embodied by this place.

When anyone from Malibu drives into another part of LA – be it Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood – we refer to our journey as “going into town,” as if we are country folk making a major pilgrimage. It’s pretty funny since Malibu is really only half an hour (unless PCH is clogged … but that’s another story!), and yet it feels like a world away from anywhere else.  From time to time I’m asked why I live so “far from everything,” and whether the commute bothers me.  I just smile contentedly; because if you have to ask that question, chances are you don’t really know Malibu.