“Hi Barbie, Hi Ken”
As I sit here on this fine sunny day in Carmel amidst the full thrust of Car Week, I can’t help but think about the recent tragic fires that destroyed the town of Lahaina. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy, and I hope that those who can will chip in to help the thousands of families and businesses that have lost everything get back on their feet. I have spent so much time there on vacations, and Maui is my favorite place to be. Lahaina was always our day trip spot, whether we stayed in Wailea or Kaanapali. Our two youngest kids spent a week or more of their lives on Maui and in Lahaina every year until 2021. Now, sadly, all we have is memories of what was once there. I sincerely hope Lahaina can recover from this tragedy and become the great town it was, and that the people can rebuild both the city and their spirit.
The fall brings a change in weather that, in these current times, seems to be extremely unpredictable. We had a wet winter followed by a cool wet spring and just today the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for parts of Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the first time in history that this warning has been issued for Southern California. Hurricane Hilary could bring some heavy winds, rain and flooding. Let’s hope not.
It is in times like these that a happy and upbeat movie like Margot Robbie’s “Barbie” is a much-welcomed diversion, and for me it was a highly entertaining visual treat with lots of silliness and some thought-provoking twists and turns along the way. That movie has created a cultural phenomenon—we are likely to see many Barbies this Halloween. Robbie portrays “Stereotypical Barbie” to perfection. The film pokes fun at some of those not-so-successful Barbies like Midge, the pregnant Barbie, and Sugar Daddy Ken, among others. “Barbie” just broke the record set by “The Dark Knight,” becoming the highest grossing movie in Warner Bros. Entertainment’s history. Perhaps, as in Barbieland, we will one day have a woman as president. That would be a great thing.
Robbie is not only a great actress, she’s also a producer and an incredibly successful entrepreneur. She cofounded LuckyChap Entertainment in 2014, the production company that produced “Barbie” as well as other female-focused films and television shows. This movie will serve her well. Robbie is also well known for her generosity. Over the years, she has donated a ton of money to a wide variety of charities and has been a strong supporter of causes like gender equality, human rights and more. She was cast perfectly in the role of Stereotypical Barbie, playing the part so well. And each time I think of her delivering the line “I am Stereotypical Barbie,” it makes me smile. She nailed it.
A highly anticipated kickoff to our fall season is the 66th annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Artistic Director Tim Jackson has pulled out all the stops by creating a tremendous lineup for this year, which is his last year as artistic director. Tim is stepping away after 32 years with the festival. His lineup for this year consists of a diverse crowd of male and female performers who all have something in common. They are all playing music at a high level and can connect with people in an art form that is wide open to interpretation and forever evolving. Music is good for the soul and this year at the Monterey Jazz Festival, there are many genres represented by some of the greatest artists of our time.
With the holidays just around the corner it’s a great time to enjoy life in good health and help others where you can. Financial or emotional support goes a long way to enrich lives and I believe anything—from a kind gesture to a contribution to someone in need or to a cause you believe in—is worthwhile. There are a lot of people less fortunate than most of us. Through giving, we can help make the world a better place and, by doing so, also help ourselves.
Wishing a happy and healthy fall to all!