The last time The Canyon Chronicle referred to the adage, “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness,� was during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more than two years, a universal gloom prevailed. But recently, when the virus was declared endemic rather than pandemic, the silver lining changed to a bright sunrise...but only briefly. Soon after, the dark clouds gathered and here we are again, 24/7 witnesses to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war to exterminate Ukraine, watching in real time, a genocide televised in gory detail. But what we also see inside the travesty that is war, are bright candles of bravery, generosity, and sheer determination not to succumb to the evils of the world. In our small way, we hope what you read here and in the following pages brightens your day and inspires you, in your own way, to shine. We start with another photo of five-year-old Tycho Hendry, who was acknowledged in the last issue as an honorary Topanga Canyon Trash Warrior (“One Day I Will be a Trash Warrior!�, Vol. 3, No. 4, March 4, 2022, The Canyon Chronicle). At least one person read it and immediately joined the group. (See her letter, page 4) In recognition of International Women’s Day and of Ukraine, the cover is a collage designed by our Creative Director, Nira Lichten, featuring the art of Maria Prymachenko, Ukraine’s Folk Art Heroine. Read a bit about her in the cover box on page 3 then explore her extraordinary life on your own. I can’t help but smile when I look at her art. Much of the rest in our lineup should make you smile, too: The Swap Meet has returned (Page 4); Music opinions are welcome from those who know: Miles Erickson continues with his Long Distance Listening Party playlist (Page 6); and JP Spence returns with his take on Superchunk’s new album, “Wild Loneliness� (Page 7). Pablo Capra’s series, “The Stone House, Part 4, An Artist in the Family,� continues (Pages 8-9; Mamas and kids created Lemon-AID for Ukraine to raise money for Ukraine (Page 10); and TECS students did a Beach Cleanup (Page 11). Columnists Joel Bellman and Paula LaBrot, rightly remind us there’s a war going on (pages 12 and 13)and that we need to ration our 24-hour news cycle intake. R.I.P. Bill McCutchen, whose daughter, Alice, remembers and pays loving tribute to the extraordinary life of her father who passed in January (Page 14). He was laid to rest at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. On Sunday March 6, a memorial was held at Pine Tree Circle. If you couldn’t make it: SEND US YOUR MEMORIES! We invite anyone who knew Bill to send us a (brief) memory of him for the April 1st issue, deadline is March 25. Send to: editor@thecanyonchronicle.com. SEND US YOUR POEMS! April 1st begins Poetry Month. We invite poets to submit “Haiku for Ukraine� poems by April 4 to be published in the April 15th issue and by April 18 for April 29th. Send to: editor@thecanyonchronicle.com.