One of the greatest treats to living in Topanga is the moments where Nature greets you in a special moment. I feel so privileged and blessed to call Topanga my home. This pair of magnificent hawks is were right outside my window this morning.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Topanga!  Enjoy the day! Tell everyone you love what a treasure they are!

If you are so inspired to pick up a little something for your sweetheart, we have lots of choices right here in town.  Take a stroll through one of our wonderful plant and gift shops for unique treasures. The Canyon Bistro has a special Valentine’s Dinner Menu for tonight.  Don’t forget your precious pets – Topanga Seed & Feed has great little goodies and toys.

For me, an extra special treat means a trip to Canyon Gourmet. With everything from chocolate to delicious cheeses to fine wine, there is something for every taste. I love the way they put together beautiful and imaginative gift baskets for any and every occasion.

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget a little pampering for a VIP – you!

With LAUSD making so many cuts to the arts and humanities, it was a pleasure to walk through the Topanga Canyon Gallery doors to see the youthful creations from our own Topanga Charter Elementary School students. “Lovefest” was the title of the school’s gallery art show fundraiser.  Each class used a different medium with which to express their visions of love.  From collage to lost wax casting to an actual stone maze, each piece was a beautiful, individual expression of a child’s idea, as well as a group project collaboration within the classroom.  Here are a few of the images. I can’t wait to see the next one.

This Sunday, October 16, there will be a full day of events here in Topanga!  Make a plan to get out and about our beautiful town.

First up, the Topanga Historical Society Picnic will take place under the sycamores at Bonnell Park.  Bring a dish to share and your own utensils and plates.  Always a great gathering, this quarter’s meeting subject is the history of Bonnell Park itself. The potluck begins at noon to be followed by a presentation on how Bonnell Park came to be preserved as an open space for the neighborhood.

Bonnell Park Gathering courtesy of the Liliedahl Family

After the potluck, stop in to the Topanga Canyon Gallery for the opening reception of the Browning Catterall exhibit, Natural Abstractions.  Kate Browning will exhibit an array of her of etchings and paintings.  Rebecca Catterall will highlight various styles and methods of her beautiful raku ceramic pieces.  The reception will run from 2-5 p.m.

Time to get hungry again and see more of our good Topanga folks up at the Community House for the kickoff of their new monthly event Steak Night.  Beginning at 4 p.m., you can bring whatever you want to cook on the grill – steak, chicken, veggies of your choice.  For the mere donation of $5, the Community Club will provide a baked potato, roll and salad.   Grill master Neil Shaw will be overseeing the bbq, while Arthur Nissman will be head chef in the kitchen.  Bring  your own utensils if you want to keep it green, but there will be some available there as well.  Sounds like a chance for some great conversations.  Call your neighbors and make it a party!

The IRS has released their latest Top Ten Tax Tips for Home Sellers.  The IRS periodically publishes information useful to consumers on their website.  It’s a good place to find tips to discuss with  your tax professional.

Top Ten Tax Tips for Home Sellers

For information on property taxes in Los Angeles County, you can visit the Assessors Website.  A particularly hot topic now is Decline-in-Value Reassessments on properties that are worth less now than they were at the time of purchse.  Check it out – you may be eligible to apply for a reassessment on your Topanga home.  I’ve found the website to be quite informative and easy to navigate.

Diving, climbing, slipping and sliding all round the creek, through the beautiful murkiness and the lovely mud, Topanga’s dedicated Stream Team keep tabs on the health and welfare of our delicate Topanga Creek ecosystem.  This team is celebrating 15 years of research and hard work this Saturday with a FUN raiser at the Community House. The evening will include a silent auction and the Worn Wetsuit Fashion Show.

Time:  5:00 – 10:00

Suggested Donation $5

Donations of wine and dessert are welcome!

Kids of all ages will delight in the interactive creek critter games.

PLUS  there will be a special guest appearance by the legendary MC Noel Rhodes, illustrious Stream Team member, who will be bringing his band, Fergus.  Steel Toed Slippers will round out the entertainment.

Find info on the Topanga Stream Team Fun Raiser page on Facebook.

Come support the Team!

This weekend, join the parade of art lovers taking the fabulous Topanga Canyon Gallery Studio Tour. Get your tickets at the gallery and follow the map to see your favorite artists in their home studios. It’s a great chance to see where they work and live. Many will have demonstrations of their craft. There are usually a few artists at each location.

Saturday, June 11th, 10am-5pm

Sunday, June 12th, 11am-5pm

Tickets at the door are $20.

Free reception with the incredible Silent Auction will be on Saturday at 5-8 pm.  Come take a little bit of art home with you.

For more information, go to Topanga Canyon Gallery

Topanga is a pretty progressive place when it comes to green thinking. How about Solar Electricity? If you have an interest, but don’t know where to ask your questions, Permacity is offering a Solar Open House tomorrow so you can come see how it all works.

Gracious Topangans, Robin & Jim, will have their solar electric home open tomorrow and invite you to come see how solar electricity powers their home. Lee Rhoads of Permacity is presenting this open house and can answer your questions about installation and how your home would be connected to the electrical grid.

Besides the fact that there will be great info, Jim & Robin’s home is a delightful place to visit. Colorful, artful and beautifully landscaped, you will enjoy your time sipping a cool drink and thinking green.

Gorgeous double lot in the highly Desirable Fernwood Area – Bring your contractor and get into Topanga!

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