PERSPECTIVES:
“What's a Kid to Do?”
Article and Photos by Colin Penno
 |
| Joe McNaughton |
Teenagers in Topanga
have a problem: There’s nothing to do. In our “Perspectives” this time ‘round
we explore that problem, make some suggestions, and invite some comment from
our soon-to-be adults.
The skateboard ramp on
our cover, dazzlingly skated by Joe McNaughton, is bootlegged. It’s a ramp
built by some resourceful, determined, and we think near-genius teenagers, who
refashioned any old wood they could scrounge up, into a challenge to suit their
abilities. We’re impressed.
*
For a 12- to 16-year-old kid (or thereabouts) who doesn’t
yet drive, Topanga can be a deadly bore... or just plain deadly.
When these kids want to see a movie, they must ask an adult
to drive them to the Valley... or they hitchhike.
When they want to skateboard, they put their lives on the
line by skating the roads. If not that, then they must again ask an adult to
drive them to a skateboard park in Agoura or Reseda... or hitchhike.
And, heaven forfend, should some kids show initiative and
build their own ramp, chances are that soon a sheriff will come to scold and
see that it’s torn down.
And what happens when budding musicians want to jam? They
find someone’s house, if they're lucky, and play music until their parents
scream it to a halt or neighbors call the sheriff.
And what about jobs... odd or otherwise?
We talked the idea through the Canyon somewhat and the
(admittedly) few people we spoke with agreed: there's just not a whole lot for
a teenager to do in Topanga.
The suggestions that came through were positive, although
what we’re talking about takes some long-term planning. Things like movies and
dances at the Community House or Legion Hall, a community organization
sponsoring a young musicians' competition, acting classes at the Theatricum,
volleyball in Bonnell Park, one-day playdays at Big Rock Ranch were among the
possibilities.
But one immediate realization that came out of the
suggestion is that Rainbow Realty is adding kids to their registry of trades.
So if you want to register for work, fill in the form and
mail it to them.
Registering babysitters poses a problem. Rainbow asks that
parents call only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No evenings. State how many children,
ages, sex, pay rate, and whether you have an age preference for the sitter.
Rainbow will give out three numbers. If there’s no response, call back for
three more.
Meanwhile, we think a meeting of our Canyon teens with some
of the interested adults is in order. Some of these adults are discussing the possibilities
of (kids) building a skateboard ramp (if the problem of insurance costs can
ever be solved).
So if any of you kids are interested, call the Messenger,
455-1303, or come see us. We’re three doors down from the Topanga Ice House,
135 So. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
And here’s the bottom line: A kid’s world should be on a
kid’s terms. Ideally, adults are around to guide them towards responsibility
for that world, not rule it.
Maybe all together we can make that ideal work
 |
| Joe McNaughton of Topanga before skating the bootlegged ramp made by Topanga teens. |
 |
| Larry Commans of Westlake at Aloha Skatetown, Agoura. |
