The Canyon Chronicle- February 17, 2023 (Vol. 4, No. 3) -www.thecanyonchronicle.com

Mountain Top Modern Craftsman

COMPASS

Modern Mesa Craftsman. Live in a true work of art. In the exclusive area of The Mesa, up a gated drive, rests a heavenly new home, built by a master builder. Open the hand carved front door, to a spacious foyer with high beamed ceilings. A grand living room, with a huge fireplace has a wall of glass open to stunning vistas. This is the “grownup” end of the house, with a quiet office, a dining room to welcome a crowd. The open kitchen looks across a huge great room, out to canyon views. The bedroom wing has 4 Junior suites, all with en suites, and your sanctuary: A primary suite with a roaring fire, and a marble bathroom with a deep tub. A 1200 sq ft, lower bonus room is your gym, screening room, studio, or creative space! There is space for gardens, play, peace, all close to the canyon cafes, shops, the beach. Topanga is the perfect small town next to the big city. This is the perfect home.

Artfully Rugged Mountain Loft Pool Home

Artfully Rugged Mountain Loft Pool Home. Sophisticated home in the mountain air of Topanga Canyon. This audacious home nestled into the mountain, with panoramic sunset views, is the getaway you’ve dreamt of. Walls of glass look out to chaparral clad canyons. Step past a fountain into the spacious great room, with 20 foot high ceilings, designer cement floors, walls of glass on the views, and a statement staircase and catwalk to the upper floors. The sunken living room with Malm fireplace, sunken seating, and Noguchi style pendants, envelops. Upstairs a main suite, with high ceilings, walls of glass, and a zen-like main bath, sits across the catwalk from a junior suite. Outside, lounge on the decks, or plunge into the new pool. A Vintage Steel Mobile home hosts guests. Nearby, stunning trails entice. Meander to local shops and cafes, or to the nearby beach, but be home in time for the epic sunsets.

@thewrightwayteam

Adrian Wright

818.939.6415

adrian.wright@compass.com

DRE 00935559

Jordan Wright

818.746.6987

jordanwright@compass.com

DRE 01952694

1904 OAK DR, TOPANGA

2 BED | OFFICE | 2 1/2 BA | 2,985 SQ FT | .90 ACRE For Lease | $10,000

1608 WILL GEER RD, TOPANGA 5 BED | 5 BA | 1/2 BA | 6,716 SQ FT | For Lease | $15,000

Transitions

My little guy, Tippy, a Parti Poodle, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, January 9, after a long bout of metastatic cancer with ugly tumors erupting that were surgically removed.

I inherited him three years ago when he was seven. A friend’s mother had passed away and her daughter was looking for a home for him. Since I had lost my Papillion, Pip, earlier that year, of course I said yes. At Thanksgiving I discovered Tippy was a foodie and when dinner came, he jumped off my lap, working the room like a pro. Food and laps were his thing. He liked being close.

2022 was a year of adversity like no other that has carried into 2023 with Tippy’s suffering and passing being the latest. Big transitions like people close to me dying, an auto accident, learning to live without a car, and now, having to find another place to live are big transitions all happening at once.

So I sat in my grief and let the welcome rain keep me company. The music of the creek, like movements in a symphony, accompanied my rage as I watched Tippy struggle to live.

As the rain subsided, so did the creek doing its job of watering the parched earth deep below until it became a gentle flow with refrains of comfort and joy...yes, joy in the memories of Tippy with me, three cats and then Birdie the energetic Border Collie arriving to turn our lives upside down. Vet bills of $3000 later, I had to let nature take its course. Tippy never complained until the last day when he issued a resounding howl of complaint that would never bring the miracle we prayed for.

On Saturday, friends gathered and we gave Tippy a funeral, wrapped him in a flowery shroud, put him in the little red wagon and marched with him to his place of rest. We thanked him, shared memories and wished him peace.

Birdie has been very quiet now that Tippy is gone. She goes to the empty bed that he inhabited and died in. Sniffs around it, glances at me, then goes to one of her corners and curls up without an answer. The good thing about Border Collies is that they are irrepressible and soon she found a toy and shook it, inviting me to a tug of war and other frivolities in an explosion of joy.

Adversities are meant to be overcome; change is inevitable.

Life is still beautiful.

With that, I’ll leave it to you—the beautiful community of Topanga, that continues to nurture all those who live here—to discover what affirmations of life are waiting in the pages that follow.

Publisher / Editor

Flavia Potenza

Creative Director Nira Lichten

Senior Reporter

Annemarie Donkin

Advertising Manager

Jenise Blanc-Chance

Creative Consultant

Eiffel Nazaryan

Contributors

Linda Ballou

Joel Bellman

Pablo Capra

Kathie Gibboney

Sarah Spitz

Paula LaBrot

Kait Leonard

Amy Weisberg

Kim Zanti

Copy Editor / Distribution

Ellie Carroll

Contact US editor@thecanyonchronicle.com

General inquiries: info@thecanyonchronicle.com

Advertising inquiries: ads@thecanyonchronicle.com

P.O. Box 1101 Topanga, CA 90290

(310) 460-9786

Follow us on Instagram @thecanyonchronicle, & Facebook and twitter @CanyonChronicle

The Canyon Chronicle is an independent community newspaper published bi-weekly by Canyon Media, Inc.©2020. All rights reserved. thecanyonchronicle.com

Artist David Anson Russo anticipates spring with his extravagant rendition of “Hedgehog Hollow,” a true pick-me-up in difficult times. He is recognized as one of the world’s premier interactive artists, an innovator for over 35 years, whose newest brand is “What a Great Life.” We are grateful and privileged to present his art on our cover. @DavidAnsonRusso

—Flavia Potenza

PHOTOS BY FLAVIA POTENZA

(Left) Tippy before. We loved Tippy’s furry look but it was a foxtail magnet so during the pandemic my neighbor would tidy it up with scissors while he sat on my lap. (Right) Tippy after. You could only tell he was a poodle after his visits to the salon.

Meet Ben Allen—Topanga’s New State Senator

By Annemarie Donkin

Coming off his win for the state’s redrawn 24th Senate District, which includes Topanga, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Calabasas, Ben Allen is the author of a new law imposing first-inthe nation restrictions on single-use plastics and packaging.

Benjamin J. “Ben” Allen (D-Santa Monica) was first elected to the State Senate in 2014.

A dedicated environmentalist, Allen has authored crucial legislation in the areas of environmental protection, climate change, green transit, education funding, government transparency, electoral reform, economic development and access to housing.

Raised in Santa Monica, Allen is the son of teachers and holds degrees from Harvard, Cambridge, and a law degree from UC Berkeley.

Allen and his wife, Melanie, an attorney, live in Santa Monica and have a son, Ezra.

Senate District 24

Allen now represents the newly redrawn 24th State Senate District, which consists of the entire Westside, coastal South Bay, and the Santa Monica Mountains communities of Los Angeles County including Topanga, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Calabasas.

The Santa Monica native will continue to represent the 26th, a dog-leg coastal district that includes Rancho Palos Verdes to the south, Hollywood Hills to the north, Hollywood to the east, the Topanga State Park area to the west and Catalina Island, through the end of the year.

Due to the redistricting that overlaps in some areas, Allen will share district duties with State Sen. Henry Stern until 2024.

(Stern was elected to the California State Senate in November of 2016. He represents the diverse constituents of the 27th district that includes just under half of Ventura County and parts of Los Angeles County.)

Electoral districts statewide were redrawn by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, with each encompassing around a million people. The process is required under the Constitution every decade. The boundaries for local districts, like the county Board of Supervisors, are drawn by those entities.

In the race for the redrawn district, 44-year-old Allen, who has spent two terms representing the South Bay, Westside and Hollywood in District 26, was the only candidate.

Because his district lies within Los Angeles County and doesn’t cross county lines, Allen only gets one office and will likely keep it in Redondo Beach.

Allen said, however, that he would like to set up temporary headquarters in different areas such as Topanga, Westlake Village, Santa Monica, or “wherever I am visiting.”

Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains

When asked how he would govern within the new district, Allen said saving the Santa Monica Mountains is a major priority.

“I grew up in the district just over the mountains, and my dad and I went hiking there. Literally every day my dad and I would explore new trails and canyons,” Allen said. “It’s in my blood and in my bones.”

Allen added that he would be working with Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to obtain additional parcels of land to “keep the Santa Monica Mountains out of developers’ hands.”

The senator emphasized that the Santa Monica Mountains should be saved from overdevelopment, especially due to the risk of wildfire.

“We should not incentive new construction in very high fire hazard severity zones,” he said. “The Santa Monica Mountains is very special, an incredible asset for our region, we owe it to future generations to preserve the land.”

Allen further emphasized the need for preserving the State Parks in his district.

transparency on oil prices,” Allen said. “The gas markets are international markets and your club needs to continue to bang the drum on this. Suffice to say there are a lot of experts looking into this issue.”

Single-Use Plastics Law

Signed by Gov. Newsom on June 30, 2022, Allen’s SB 54 sets a statewide mandate of reducing the waste generated by single-use disposable packaging and food service ware by 65 percent by 2032 through source reduction, recycling, and composting.

This new law requires the creation of a Producer Responsibility Organization overseen by the state’s CalRecycle to ensure producers only

“Beyond that, we will work to get State Parks the resources they need,” he said. “What can I do for the major State Parks in our district, including Will Rogers and Topanga, [we can get] several million for both parks … we have to make sure that they have the resources they need to run effectively.”

Remarks to the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

Appearing in jeans and a blue sweater, Allen addressed an annual meeting of the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club on Sunday, Feb. 5, “Thank you!” he said walking up to the microphone at Palisades High. “You are still stuck with me,” he announced to cheers from the audience.

Allen spoke of the new state budget due to come out later this year.

“The State of California got a lot of money, although we are in a contraction now,” Allen said. “The Governor did a pretty good job of protecting the environment, working on homelessness, Metro, that’s all good. We’ll see how the next few months evolve [with a]rainy day fund mechanism. We passed the bill on plastics, I’m very proud of that. We have an historic climate package, climate policy, it really keeps California at the front of international leadership.”

Allen also addressed audience questions about gas prices, heating bills, and affordable housing.

“Gas has skyrocketed and we need to demand

offer recyclable or compostable packaging and food ware.

The law also mandates that materials be recyclable or compostable within 10 years and calls for a 25 percent reduction in the amount of plastic-covered material introduced to the market within the same timeframe.

In addition, the plastics industry will fund a new pollution mitigation fund, providing up to $500 million per year for the next decade toward cleaning up plastics pollution, primarily in disadvantaged, low-income and rural communities.

“It really was the product of very difficult and ultimately successful negotiations by a number of folks who are usually on the opposite sides of tough debates,” Allen said in an interview July 1. He said the outcome may have been different if not for backers of a ballot measure set for the November election who ultimately scrapped their plans and worked with him.

“This is a big step forward. I’m proud of it because not only is it going to put California in the forefront of the fight against plastic waste and plastic pollution,” Allen said. “It’s grounded in common sense.”

To contact Sen. Ben Allen’s office: District Office, 2512 Artesia Blvd., #320, Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3279. Phone: (310) 318-6994. Email: Senator.Allen@Senate.CA.gov or online at sd24.senate.ca.gov

A dedicated environmentalist, Sen. BenAllen authored a law restricting single-use plastics and packaging.

Tu Bishvat, a New Year for Trees

By Rabbi Mendy Piekarski

Oncethere was a man who was traveling through the desert, hungry, thirsty, and tired. He had been walking for days, with no food or water in sight. Just when he was about to give up hope, he came across a tree that bore luscious fruit and provided plenty of shade. A spring of water flowed beneath it. He ate the fruit, drank the water, and rested in the shade, feeling grateful for the gifts the tree had given him.

As he was about to leave, he turned to the tree and said, “Tree, O tree, what should I bless you with? Should I bless you with sweet fruit? Your fruit is already sweet. Should I bless you with plentiful shade? Your shade is plentiful. Should I bless you with a spring of water running beneath you? A spring of water already runs beneath you. The only thing I can bless you with is that all the trees planted from your seeds may be like you.”

This story is from the Talmud, and it reminds us of the beauty and generosity of nature. It also reminds us of the importance of being grateful for what we have, and the impact that our words can have. The man in the story realized that he couldn’t bless the tree with anything it didn’t already have, but he still chose to bless it in a way that would benefit others.

I often think of this story when I go on nature hikes, particularly in the canyon. The canyon area is home to at least nine different plant communities, each with their own unique combination of flora and fauna. There are only four other places in the world that have a similar type of plant community, making it a truly special place.

Despite all the beauty, there is something at the source of it all that often goes unnoticed—the tree

roots. While the flowers, fruit, and shade are what catch the eye and provide beauty, it is actually the roots that are crucial for a tree’s survival. The roots provide stability, absorb water and nutrients, and hold the tree in place during strong winds. The part of the tree that we don’t see is what contributes the most to its survival.

Similarly, in our lives, it is possible to pride ourselves and others by what we produce and

Serene Topanga Ranch Sprawling Over 10 Acres

blossom on the outside. Yet, what’s most important is actually what’s on the inside; our consciousness, faith, and our roots. Our consciousness and faith is what keeps us grounded, determined, and growing, no matter how the winds of life blow.

Recently, we celebrated the Festival of Tu Bishvat, a holiday that celebrates the “new year” for the trees. It’s a time of year to connect to nature and to the depth of nature, not just its beauty, but also its roots. It’s a time to reflect on our own roots, and to think about what truly matters to us.

I encourage you to put aside a few minutes of your day, and think about your roots. Take some time to reflect on the following questions:

• Where do my roots and convictions lie?

• What is truly important in my life?

• Am I living a life that aligns with my convictions?

• What can I do today to “water my roots” and live a life that is more true to who I am?

Answering these questions can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It can help us to live more authentic lives, and to be more grateful for the blessings we have.

Wishing you a Happy Tu Bishvat!

PHOTO BY RABBI MENDY PIEKARSKI

Children came to a spa resort at Chabad of Topanga on Tu Bishvat (The new year for trees). They decorated spa slippers, created their own herbal tea, granola trail mix and soaps. Afterwards, they did some yoga and meditation, and then enjoyed their snacks!

Topanga Canyon Gallery Closes its Doors

By Flavia Potenza

Just as it was gaining momentum as a contemporary art gallery worthy of note, Topanga Canyon Gallery (TCG) will close out its all-too-brief run at 137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. (formerly Abuelita’s restaurant) at the end of the month. The building has been sold and the new owner will be using the space for other purposes.

While it searches for another space— we hope in Topanga—TCG invites its patrons to attend its last two events at this location on Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m., when artists John Couch and

June Kim will be hosting an artists’ talk with a Q&A session; and on Saturday, February 25, the final weekend, for a closing reception from 1 to 4 p.m.

Following the lead of the first Topanga Artists’ Guild in the 1950s, the gallery was originally founded in the 1980s and opened at its first location in Pine Tree Circle. This is a stinging blow to what has been an intricate part of Topanga’s arts culture, a cooperative endeavor for more than 40 years, that provided space for local artists to present and sell their works. Its annual Studio Tour was a successful fundraiser that invited art lovers to meet the artists in

their studios and will be sorely missed.

“Our contribution to Topanga Canyon comes in many layers,” states member artist Idelle Okman Tyzbir. “Providing a beautiful gallery for artists to display and sell their works has been our constant priority. We’ve also encouraged an artists’ community within beautifully natural Topanga Canyon.

“The Topanga Artists’ Studio Tour is a much-anticipated event in Topanga and all of the surrounding communities. Every year hundreds of people flock to Topanga in search of great art, great restaurants and unique

The Impact of NEM 3.0 on Solar Owners

By Sam Wigness

On December 15, 2022, The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) passed Net Energy Metering (NEM 3.0) that will significantly alter the net billing rates for solar production and ultimately reduce the monthly energy bill savings for homeowners.

What is NEM 3.0? NEM 3.0 is a new version of net energy metering policy approved by the CPUC that is expected to take effect on April 14, 2023 after a 120-day grandfathering period. It’s important to note that NEM 3.0 is not retroactive. Solar systems installed under NEM 1 or NEM 2 will remain under their current policy.

Five Things to Know about NEM 3.0

• It features a major reduction in the net metering value of solar electricity

• There are no new charges or fees, commonly known as “solar taxes”

• Pairing solar with battery storage will be more beneficial under NEM 3.0

• Solar customers who submit their interconnection application before April 14, 2023 can be grandfathered

into NEM 2.0 for 20 years

• Solar owners who are grandfathered into NEM 2.0 will be able to add battery storage later and remain on NEM 2.0

How Net Metering works. If a customer’s solar system generates more energy than the home consumes (say, on a sunny day), then that excess energy is sent back to the grid and the homeowner earns credits for the excess energy. This is offset when a customer pulls energy from the grid (say, in the evening) and is charged for that energy. For customers who overproduce, and have remaining credit at the end of their year, the utility will pay the customer for those credits at a wholesale rate. If a customer consumes more energy than they produce, they’ll settle up with the utility at the end of the year for their remaining balance.

Proposed changes for NEM 3.0. The first and most critical point is the changing rate structure that will reduce the value of solar energy. The biggest change from NEM 2.0 to NEM 3.0 is the rate at which solar owners are compensated for the excess electricity they put on the grid. In this one-to-

A Prayer For Turkey and Syria

Our hearts are heavy as we send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Turkey and Syria, who have been affected by a devastating earthquake. The tragedy has taken thousands of lives, left many injured and homeless, and has caused immense damage to the infrastructure and buildings in the affected areas.

However, amidst the chaos, we are heartened by the outpouring of support from volunteers and first responders. Dozens of Los Angeles Department fire fighters have stepped up to help, traveling to Turkey and Syria to offer their aid and support. This act of bravery and compassion is truly inspiring, and is a testament to the human spirit and the desire to help those in need.

As a community, we can come together to support the people of Turkey during this difficult time. Firstly, we can pray for the recovery of the survivors, for their safety, and for G-d to comfort the mourners. Here is a prayer from King David’s Psalms that has been said by people throughout

one exchange, every kWh you put onto the grid (export) offsets a kWh that you pull off (import). Clearly, they are not the same, and the price of exports is much lower than the price for imports.

No new solar taxes. The new rate structure will substantially eat into solar savings and drag out the paypack period of going solar, but there is a shred of good news in the version of NEM 3.0 adopted by the CPUC. A series of charges and fees for solar owners—casually known as “solar taxes”—did not make it into the approved version of NEM 3.0. They are now off the table.

A push for pairing solar and battery. A major theme in the NEM 3.0 text is a push for pairing solar with battery storage. That’s because the issue isn’t generating solar electricity in California; it’s storing and using it since peak solar production doesn’t align with peak energy consumption. Export prices skyrocket from 7-8 p.m. because energy demand is peaking while solar generation is winding down for the night. In fact, the new export rates can be as high as $3.32 per kWh during peak demand hours

the generations in times of crisis:

“For the Conductor, a psalm by David. May the Lord answer you on the day of distress; may the Name of the God of Jacob fortify you. May He send your help from the Sanctuary, and support you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings, and always accept favorably your sacrifices. May He grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill your every counsel. We will rejoice in your deliverance, and raise our banners in the name of our God; may the Lord fulfill all your wishes. Now I know that the Lord has delivered His anointed one, answering him from His holy heavens with the mighty saving power of His right hand. Some [rely] upon chariots and some upon horses, but we [rely upon and] invoke the Name of the Lord our God. They bend and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, deliver us; may the King answer us on the day we call.”

small businesses. The Tour gives people the incentive to explore and has positively influenced home buyers & sellers.”

Sadly, there is no plan in place for a 2023 Studio Tour as it centers on a gallery location and requires the effort of a highly functioning group of volunteers.

Topanga Canyon Gallery, 137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290 through February 26. Hours are Fridays, 1-7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 12-6 p.m. through February 26. For information: info@ topangacanyongallery.com.

in September.

In addition to the 30% federal tax credit, there will be an additional $900 million in funding available for the Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which provides battery storage rebates for SCE, PG&E, SDG&E and SoCalGas customers, beginning on July 1, 2023.

The Utilities’ Perspective. Utilities are responsible for providing reliable, safe, and affordable energy to all users of the electric grid. They have been concerned with potential cost shifts from solar customers to non-solar customers including many low-income customers who are less financially capable of adopting onsite solar and energy storage. Further, utilities cite their proposal as an incentive for customers to pair storage with their home solar system.

When Will NEM 3.0 Take Effect? Your system does not need to be installed by the deadline to be grandfathered into NEM 2.0. You just need to submit complete and accurate interconnection paperwork.

Start a solar project today to be grandfathered into NEM 2.0.

*Article reprinted from solar.com, December 15, 2022

In addition to prayer, we can also show our support through charity. We have partnered with Chabad of Turkey, who are helping the people of Turkey, to provide essential resources such as food, shelter, and medical care to those in need. To make a donation that will go towards this fund: chabadoftopanga.com

In conclusion, we hope that you will join us in offering support and help to the people of Turkey during this difficult time. Whether through prayer or charity, we can make a difference and help to bring hope and comfort to those who are suffering.

Let us yearn for the coming of the era of Messiah, a time when there will be a world of peace, safety and comfort for all mankind.

Sincerely,

—Rabbi Dovid & Dina Weiss, —Rabbi Mendy & Chana (& baby Mira) Piekarski

Register Now For Free ‘Water Lab’

What West Basin is doing to meet future water needs, and how residents can get involved.

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced its schedule of 2023 offerings of Community Classes, Facility Tours and Q&A Sessions for its free community education program, “Water Lab.” Through classes, water recycling facility tours, and “chat” sessions with staff, Water Lab sheds light on our water supply conditions and available solutions to ensure water for tomorrow.

West Basin Board President and Division IV Director Scott Houston encouraged the service area community to stay informed and connected with the District. “We are facing real challenges to our water supplies, especially during a fourth year of drought,” said Houston. “The good news is we have solutions for securing our water future, and valuable resources to help our communities be resilient. Our Water Lab program is a great

way for individuals to get involved with West Basin.”

The 2023 Water Lab program includes: “Know Your H2O” Classes: Attendees will get an in-depth look at the water journey and local water issues. Classes will take place on Wednesday evenings every other month.

• Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – Maximizing Water Efficiency and Conservation in your Garden

• Wednesday, May 17, 2023 – The Politics of Flowing Water

• Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – Water Quality and Monitoring

• Wednesday, September 13, 2023 –Emerging Water Saving Technologies

Recycled Water Facility Tours: West Basin provides tours of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo for the general public to see the inner-workings of a water treatment facility firsthand. Tours will take place on Saturday mornings every other month.

• Saturday, April 22, 2023

• Saturday, June 17, 2023

• Saturday, August 19, 2023

West Basin Chats – Grass Replacement: These online 30-minute question and answer sessions will focus on the Grass Replacement Rebate Program application process. Attendees will have the chance to get their specific questions answered by a West Basin representative. They will take place online on Wednesday evenings, every other month.

• Wednesday, April 5

• Wednesday, June 7

• Wednesday, September 27

To view the full program schedule and register: westbasin.org/free-water-programs

In order to help protect our communities and staff from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), video conferencing may be possible for the above programs. For questions about virtual programs, please contact info@ westbasin.org

The First Forty

The land we call Topanga Canyon has been a sacred home for thousands of years. Most of that time, the human beings who gratefully enjoyed life in its scrub forests and abruptly rising mountains have been Chumash and Tongva peoples. Indeed, the name “Topanga” is often thought to have been learned from them.

By Karen Moran

About250 years ago, new cultures traveling from afar began appearing here, and Topanga was claimed by New Spain. In 1810, Mexico won independence from Spain, and the Canyon became part of “California.” A new system of laws imposed the idea of “ownership” on the communally shared lands, and the new “owners” steadily pushed out the ancient residents.

This cycle has been repeated several times since. Americans formed the state of California in 1848, and during the Gold Rush and after, they took over Mexico’s land grants and moved Indigenous people further out to the margins. Later generations using the more peaceful method of purchasing land rights have succeeded and moved out earlier claimants and settlers like waves from the sea.

One such wave poured into Topanga after World War II from the burgeoning city of Los Angeles. To escape its explosive growth, artists and individualists of many kinds sought and found refuge here. This included my parents, Cyril and Vera Wood, who were living in Santa Monica at the time. My mother’s family had immigrated from England in 1930, and eventually moved to the San Francisco area where she met my father, whose family had recently moved south from the Alaskan Territory.

My parents bought their first forty acres in Topanga in 1946, in partnership with my mother’s brother Keith Titmus and his wife Thelma. At that time, my oldest sister Lannis was two years old; Lynn, the second oldest, and I had not yet been born. A couple of years earlier my parents had started a jewelry and design business in Santa Monica called Cyvra. They planned to move their business and young family to Topanga. They had a dream.

The forty acres sat at the top of Red Rock Road, where the old fire-break road came into Red Rock from Stunt Road. The road up to Mt. Calabasas had not yet been constructed. Access to Red Rock was gated at the old Boy Scout camp near the current parking lot, and also where the fire road meets Stunt Road. When my father wanted to visit the property, he’d call the Fire Captain at the old fire station in Topanga and ask him to unlock the Boy Scout camp gate. He did, then asked my father to lock the gate again before sundown.

Dad and Uncle Keith had planned on each of them building a home for their families on the forty acres. But Keith and Thelma had not yet had their first child, and she had reservations about the idea. So did my mother.

The land did not have electricity or running water. Looking off toward Stunt Road and Mulholland there wasn’t even another resident in sight. Hard to imagine today! The Fire Department did have a water catchment and a hydrant at the top of Red Rock, but the rain water in the catchment was to be used for fire-related emergencies only.

Dad didn’t seem to mind the lack of power or water and began to drive up from Santa Monica on weekends for the next three years to start building. His first project was to cut a road up to the plateau. The next was to dig a hole with a backhoe and build a septic system lined with missionstyle adobe bricks. He’d dig clay out of the ground and use water he’d hauled in to make the bricks. Lannis, who was then about four, remembers mixing the clay and water with her bare feet.

Lynn was born in 1948, and I followed in 1949. My mother now had three children, two of them in diapers. She asked my father to find a more reasonable location to build on. She said she didn’t need much—electricity, running water, and a bathroom.

My father found the burned-out rock cabin at 649 Old Topanga Canyon. He purchased it and the 25 acres it sat on with no down payment and a balloon payment due in 10 years. When I was seven months old my family moved here from Santa Monica. We had electricity, running water, a well, and a septic system, but no roof or doors. (They were installed three years later.)

The forty acres up on Red Rock became our favorite family picnic ground. Mom would pack us a nice lunch and my sisters and I would jump into the back of our father’s ’56 Chevy truck. When we got to the old oak tree on the plateau, we’d lay down a blanket and then run off to play while Mom set the table. We were on top of the world and could see every surrounding mountain range. Dad would walk up the ridge and over to the waterfalls; we were not yet strong enough to join him. Upon his return, we’d all gather for the feast. As the sun began to set, we’d pack up the truck and bounce on down Red Rock Road, locking the gate behind us. Dad always called the Fire Captain to let him know we’d made it home safely and that the gate was locked.

Next issue: What happened to our forty acres?

Cy Wood holding two-year-old Lannis and wife, Vera looking

Forty Acres

After World War II artists and individualists of many kinds found refuge in Topanga from the burgeoning city of Los Angeles.

Around 1944, Cy and Vera started a jewelry and design business in Santa Monica called Cyvra with a plan to move their business and young family to Topanga.

Curtains Rising: Theatre Roundup

By Sara Spitz

Live theatre is back, big time, on stages large and small. Here’s a roundup of just a few of the many productions taking place this month and beyond across the LA basin.

The Secret Garden Center Theatre Group (downtown’s Ahmanson and Mark Taper Theatres and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City) has multiple openings. The big family-friendly draw at the Ahmanson is a newly-staged production of the Tony Awardwinning musical The Secret Garden, opening on Feb. 26. Based on the 1911 children’s book, it has been adapted for movies, TV and stage, and features Marsha Norman’s revival of her lyrics with the iconic score by the late Lucy Simon. Young, orphaned Mary Lennox is sent from her home in India to live with her reclusive uncle on his haunted English country estate. Mary’s unapologetic curiosity and the help of unlikely companions send her on a thrilling quest to untangle the pieces of her family’s past and, most importantly—discover herself.

Kristina Wong: Sweatshop Overlord

Meanwhile, at the Kirk Douglas

theatre, I’m looking forward to seeing Kristina Wong: Sweatshop Overlord, a one-woman show about how Wong began sewing COVID masks out of old bedsheets on her

Hello Kitty sewing machine. Soon she was leading the Auntie Sewing Squad, a work-from-home sweatshop of hundreds of volunteers, including children and her own mother. It’s a multiple award-winning play that invites the audience in on Wong’s work building community in isolation, while reflecting on what we’ve all been through and imagining what we want to become. This play made Wong a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama.

Cardenio

I’m speculating about what the wildly experimental City Garage will do with a reputed (and disputed) lost Shakespeare comedy called Cardenio Set in the sunny hills of Italy, it features three mismatched couples trying to sort themselves out after one man’s test of his partner’s love fails and things spin out of control. Noted Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt and award-winning playwright (and frequent City Garage collaborator) have remade this lost comedy into a contemporary romp. Of course, because it is City Garage, there will be nudity. City Garage is located at Santa Monica’s Bergamot Art Station.

And If I Don’t Behave Then What

A little farther afield, the Open Fist Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of the Eurdram English-language Committee Award-winning And If I Don’t Behave Then What , by Berlin-based

Serbian playwright Iva Brdar. It’s a provocative, explosively funny and moving exploration of how being polite, kind and well-behaved in the face of nameless, insidious forces, can shape our lives. It runs through March 4 at Atwater Village Theatre, on the uber-hip East side of town near the LA River, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Let

Me In

In North Hollywood at the Theatre 68 Arts Complex, Jorge Garcia—best known for his six-year run as Hugo on the hit show Lost—stars in Let Me In, alongside Rachael Meyers (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and St. Louis based actor/director Brian McKinley. Life takes an unpredictable turn for the bride’s best friend and the intended groom when a wedding becomes a funeral. Described as a “dark-ish comedy (most probably) based on true events,” it is written and directed by actor/director/writer Brynn Thayer, whose recent TV appearances have included 911, Suits and NCIS Let Me In opens Feb. 25 and runs through April 2 at the Rosalie in the Theatre 68 Complex.

Norwid’s Return

Lastly, there’s a truly unique show coming to the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles, two nights only, March 4 and 5. Polish-American actor Marek Probosz performs in and directs the award-winning monodrama, Norwid’s Return, about Cyprian Kamil Norwid. Considered a romantic, Norwid was born into nobility but orphaned at a young age and fell into a poverty-stricken life of ill health. He’d been exiled, lived in Paris and the U.S. for a few years. Many Poles consider him a symbol of the fate of emigrants.

This play, written by Kazimeirz Braun based on Norwid’s texts, is a minimalist contemporary dialogue between an actor and a pianist, based on real events. A keen thinker and fervent moralist, Norwid’s words and thoughts will be punctuated by live music by classical composers, such as his countryman Frederic Chopin. Norwid’s Return was the recipient of Best New York Premiere at New York’s 2022 United Solo Festival.

While Marek Probosz’s name may not be immediately familiar to you, he portrayed Roman Polanski in the film Helter Skelter. Opera lovers are accustomed to reading super titles, but that doesn’t happen too often in theatre. Norwid’s Return will be performed in Polish, with super titles.

Sarah A. Spitz is an award-winning public radio producer, retired from KCRW, where she also produced arts stories for NPR. She writes features and reviews for various print and online publications.

Photo by Miriam Geer.

PHOTO BY JENNA SHELBY

Kristina Wong’s one-woman play, Kristina Wong: Sweatship Overlord, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama. (La Jolla Playhouse)

Forward, Into the Past? RUDE INTERRUPTIONS

By Joel Bellman

Of all the unlikely new trends, I would not have expected to see the digital native generation— especially the younger Gen Z end of it—proudly embracing Luddism, that fleeting 19th century antitechnology social movement. For years, it’s been synonymous with a kind of reactionary primitivism based on ignorance and fear of the future, and a brutish, violent, and futile resistance to it. To be branded a “Luddite” marks you as blinkered and helpless, a horse and buggy trotting along a country road as the rest of the world streaks past on the information superhighway.

You might think that kids reared in such a knowledge-rich environment, with the wisdom of the world only a few clicks away in the palms of their hands, would most appreciate such miraculous devices. I remember when my high-school physics teacher proudly showed off his new HewlettPackard pocket calculator, at the time an unimaginable technological marvel. Hardly more than a glorified slide rule and adding machine, it cost the equivalent of $2800 in today’s dollars. And now, even the cheapest smart phones are more powerful than yesterday’s top-line desktop computers, with formerly undreamed-of capabilities that we now take for granted.

Yet familiarity breeds contempt, and it’s invariably the most privileged members of technologically advanced societies who are most eager to spurn their benefits in the name of higher ideals. Curbing use of pesticides, antibiotics, factory farming, and so on in favor of organic, artisanal, family-farmed small-batch products may reduce food production and render those items more expensive, but for those who can afford it, the taste—and more importantly, the moral provenance—is superior.

For another, far more destructive example, consider the progressive opposition to conventional Western medicine, including standard public health protocols. It’s not just red-state COVID craziness: Nearly a decade ago, the Hollywood Reporter’s Gary Baum bravely took dead aim at his own publication’s core readership— the affluent Westside entertainment industry elite—with an exposé on its response to a then-raging measles epidemic. The Atlantic magazine touted Baum’s reporting with a stunning headline: “Wealthy L.A. Schools’ Vaccination Rates Are as Low as South Sudan’s,” with the subhead, “Hollywood parents say not vaccinating makes ‘instinctive’ sense. Now their kids have whooping cough.”

So maybe it’s not so surprising that the story of Logan Lane has recently captured some outsized media attention, leading with a couple of high-profile New York Times follows on a story that originally ran on a local website back in September. It’s

not man-bites dog; it’s teen-bitesTikTok. She’s a Brooklyn high school senior—and daughter of an IT executive—who ditched her smartphone for an old-school flip-phone and formed a Luddite Club of likeminded kids who meet weekly at the local public library to read and discuss books. Her online footprint suggests she’s a bright and talented student who’s been worrying and even writing about the downside of social media since elementary school.

You have to admire any highschooler with both the intelligence and self-confidence to turn back the tide of click-scroll conformity engulfing her peers, and spend her time instead cultivating a life of the mind, rather than squandering it on endless distractions for the mindless. And there’s a long tradition of outliers finding, or creating, “in crowds” of their own. While her Luddite Club had barely a dozen members when the story broke nationally, it’s clear that it resonated deeply with Gen X and Millennial journalists navigating their own struggles with smartphone addiction, social media statusseeking, and the FOMO syndrome (Fear of Missing Out.)

What troubles me about the story, though—apart from the ubiquitous problem of reporters extrapolating from a few scraps of “anecdata” to conjure a scenario of sweeping social upheaval—is that it implicitly celebrates a self-defeating, virtuesignaling technophobia. Exhibit A would be the Kentucky writer and subsistence farmer Wendell Berry, hero to hippies and deep ecologists, who at the age of 88 still works from a one-room 12’x16’ cabin, lacking electricity or plumbing, and writes with a paper and pencil only during the daylight hours. Among his most widely known works, a 1987 Harper’s magazine essay, “Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer” (one reason is that he arguably doesn’t need to; his wife Tanya obligingly retypes all his handwritten manuscripts). “I do not see that computers are bringing us one step nearer to anything that does matter to me,” Berry wrote.

“Peace, economic justice, ecological

health, political honesty, family and community stability, good works.”

One hears echoes of Berry’s world-view in Ted Kaczynski, convicted Unabomber, huddled in his 10’x12’ Montana cabin, obsessively reworking his 1995 manifesto “Industrial Society and Its Future.” Kaczynski wrote, “The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race,” and is responsible for destabilizing society, making life unfulfilling, subjecting human beings to indignities, leading to widespread psychological and physical suffering, and inflicting severe damage on the natural world. And this from a time

when smart phones and the World Wide Web were still in their infancy!

By strange coincidence, the Unabomber manifesto emerged in between publication of the hardback and paperback editions of Kirkpatrick Sale’s Rebels Against the Future, a positive reappraisal of the original Luddite movement which, in the words of authorenvironmentalist Bill McKibben, rescued the movement from “the old caricature of head-in-the-sand machine breakers” and recast them as “prophets of what industrialism would mean for most men, women and communities.”

More power to Logan Lane and her club mates in their commitment to put down that smart phone and pick up a book, or hang out with flesh-and-blood friends, not just disembodied entities floating in cyberspace. But I’d caution them against a full-on revolt against modernity. Even Ted Kaczynski conceded that technology has greatly increased life expectancy in those advanced countries, no small achievement. And as Sale recounts, “Luddism lost… the industrial future was not abated, the dawn of modernism was not held back… industrialism triumphed everywhere. Indeed, it could be said to have conquered the world…”

The river of time flows in only one direction, and it isn’t backwards.

All things connected Education Evolving

By Paula LaBrot

My magical grand-daughter

Sidney comes to my house when she is too sick to go to school and her folks have to be at work. I can’t lie... I love those days. It gives me a chance to catch up with my heart-child.

This week, she took me on a tour of the computer programs used at her school as we tried to keep up with her schoolwork. It was an interesting glimpse into the life of the modern student. New technologies are embedded in the curriculum in all subjects, reminding us that the future of education is constantly undergoing significant transformations.

A few key trends are shaping the future learning platforms. These include an increased focus on personalized and self-directed learning, the growth of online and distance education and a new emphasis on soft skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

Personalized and Self-Directed Learning

With the advent of online learning platforms, students have greater access to customized educational experiences, tailored to their individual needs, interests and learning styles.

IXL is the world’s most popular

subscription-based learning site for K-12. Used by over 14 million students, IXL provides personalized learning in more than 9,000 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills. The platform provides all kinds of analytics to help teachers set their students up for success. Check it out at ixl.com.

If you want a young child to learn to read, you can try the phonicsbased Starfall program. You can even streamline the experience for special needs kids. Typing Club is a free program to teach kids

computer keyboard skills. Lexi is a literacy program used at Topanga Elementary as are Zearn, a top-rated math learning platform, and Seesaw which is similar to IXL.

According to the Brookings Institute, “online platforms offer the promise, through artificial intelligence (AI), of providing the optimal course pacing and content to fit each student’s needs and thereby improve educational quality and learning. The latest “intelligent” tutoring systems, for example, not only assess students’ current weaknesses, but also diagnose why students make the specific errors. These systems then adjust instructional materials to meet students’ needs.”

Online/Distance Education

Online education is expected to continue its rapid growth, making higher education more accessible to people around the world. Today, universities offer a cornucopia of courses for students to pursue online degrees or just the pleasure of learning. This shift has led to the creation of new and innovative educational models, such as microcredentials and competency-based programs. Learners can stack these credentials to gain degrees or certificates and tailor their learning to specific career needs, professional goals or personal interests.

Soft Skills

As automation, robots and artificial intelligence continue to disrupt traditional jobs, the demand for people trained for collaboration and critical thinking is expected to grow. Collaborative learning refers to an instruction method in which students at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. Collaborative learning creates a relationship among learners that fosters positive interdependence,

individual accountability, and interpersonal skills. Empathy is included in soft skills training, since research shows a measurable lack of empathy in children raised in the digital age.

Critical thinking programs teach reason and the recognition of fallacies. Beyond that, students can use programs like Plague Inc. that require critical thinking and strategy to solve problems presented in a gaming environment. Whoo’s Reading poses high-level questions that require depth of thinking while giving students a chance to show what they know. Mapping programs present a visual way to organize ideas for better clarity and recall.

Some Pitfalls

There is an elitist advantage for successful students. The negative effects of online course-taking are far stronger in students with lower prior GPA. According to Brookings, students in online courses perform substantially worse than students in traditional in-person courses. There is a higher likelihood of students dropping out of college as well. Even the globalists at TC Global, a oneworld education platform, say, “It takes away the ability of students to come together, engage, discuss and create bonds with one-another— forming friendships online is simply not the same as forging face-to-face bonds and understanding different kinds of people, contexts, and cultures.

“Digital learning also takes away the opportunity to find new interests and learn new skills by joining clubs and societies. Students sitting at home cannot participate in events like performances, competitions, fairs and mixers that allow them to explore new fields, and develop other aspects of their personalities.”

What’s Coming?

To give students the best start possible, schools are looking to help them develop a toolkit of skills such as problem-solving, coding and a good understanding of STEM subjects. The idea is that these will prepare them for future technologies and challenges we can’t even definitively predict yet.

I’m pretty sure we will be in a hybrid classroom/virtual model for a while yet. But, as often noted in this column, the pace of change is accelerating every day, so I will share one of the best pieces of advice anyone gave me when I was a new mother. “The best thing you can do for your child is help them to learn to be flexible.”

Vamos a ver!

Parent Volunteers—More Than a Fly on The Wall

By Amy Weisberg, M.Ed., NBCT

Assisting in a classroom provides an experience that enables parent volunteers to be more than just a fly on the wall.

“Topanga Elementary is a great example of how much can be accomplished when parents are engaged in their children’s education. I get to assist the wonderful teachers and staff who are committed to giving my daughter and her classmates a strong, supportive start to their elementary school education. I meet my daughter’s classmates and their parents, and watch my daughter and her friends grow and blossom. Childhood seems to go so quickly, and I don’t want to miss any of it.”

—Karine Tchakerian, parent

As a classroom volunteer, this is where parents and other family members can observe their own and other children, but more than that, they can directly engage and impact the educational program by assisting the teacher in implementing the curriculum, providing support for students needing extra help, and helping to prepare materials and maintain the classroom. They can also learn the dynamics of the classroom and gain an understanding of the teacher’s teaching style.

“I love volunteering in class because I see my child flourish in her own independent setting and get a glimpse of where she spends a huge part of her day. I also see the joy on her face learning new things and playing with her friends.”

—Natalie Kaldes, parent

Often, a teacher will ask a volunteer to work with a small group of children, facilitating a learning game, assisting with assignments, and providing more immediate feedback when children need support. This helps lower the adult-to-student ratio and gives more students the opportunity to work in proximity with an adult.

“I look forward to Tuesdays in my grandson’s TK classroom. Those mornings give me a unique perspective into his life and witness him confidently interacting with friends, teachers, and learning. I’ve gotten to know and love some of his classmates, too, and was touched when a few of them gave me a big hug after I read the class a story. While I like to think I’m helping Ms. Weisberg and facilitating her ability to have students work in small groups, the real beneficiary of this volunteering is me!”

—Joan Saffa, grandparent

Adult volunteers often are excited to help in the classroom and many enjoy activities such as reading aloud to groups of children and helping children in learning centers by encouraging oral language development related to the topic.

“Watching our kiddos’ special friendships, learning to problem solve, help each other, and figure out their place in this very special ecosystem of our TK class is a treat. I’m so glad I can be there every week and create these memories with our daughter.”

—Martina Paradiso, parent

In my classroom, we recently had a “bakery” in our dramatic play area. The children acted in different roles as bakers, assistant bakers, customers, cashiers, and servers. They wore name tags with their roles on them, and used props such as menus, play money and pretend food. The bakers prepared the cookies and baked goods and served ice cream in this special shop. The servers took orders from the customers seated at

the table and the cashier rang up the sales on the cash register using pretend money. This popular center was successful because the parent volunteer guided the children as they selected their role and learned about their job responsibilities. The volunteer had a page describing the activity with suggested vocabulary to introduce to the children to expand their vocabulary and lead to more content-related conversations. The parent volunteer also encouraged successful cleanup at the end of the play period. Having a volunteer turned the center from a simple play center to a play-based learning center related to our language-arts theme of bakery. It proved to be a very popular center!

“I love volunteering in Ms. Weisberg’s classroom! Not only have I gained a deeper understanding of my son’s life at school and the topics he’s learning about, but have

loved getting to know all the students, who are each so wonderful, funny, and quirky in their own five-year-old ways. It makes me feel connected to my community to watch these kids growing in the classroom or meet them and their families around town. I feel tremendous fondness for each and every one of them!”

—Lauren Saffa, parent

Classroom volunteers come to school with their own talents and skills and an experienced teacher welcomes other adults who bring their specialty to class. We have a farm stand garden and a parent in our class is a talented gardener. She enjoys tending to the plants and teaching the children about what we planted. She helps on the days we taste our crops, and helps the children harvest plants to take home. Having an enthusiastic garden helper allows the children to learn from another adult. The children are excited when they see our garden helper come to class because they relate it to a fun experience.

“Volunteering in my daughter’s classroom gives me the opportunity to observe her exploring her newfound independence without stopping its progress. It’s also a great way to build community. You really begin to feel like “we’re all in this together.” And, of course, getting to know all the cute kids and their personalities is fun.”

—Anthony Jackson, parent Classroom volunteers also benefit from observing techniques that teachers use when working with students and can replicate these techniques when helping their children at home. When volunteers have an opportunity to watch the teacher teach, see the materials and curriculum used for instruction, they gain an understanding into what is important, how their children are mastering concepts and how the teacher addresses State Education Standards. Parents then become informed participants in their children’s education.

“Volunteering in Room K is such a treat.

Not only do I get to see what my daughter is working on and how she operates in her classroom, I also have gotten to know Ms. Weisberg and it’s inspiring to watch her teach. I have learned some valuable tips on how to work with my daughter at home. I’ve also gotten to know all the kids in the classroom. When I walk in on Monday morning, it’s wonderful to get hugs and hellos from all the little friends.”

—Lara Hogan

I love teaching transitional kindergarten! The fourand five-year-old children in my class are excited to learn and are growing every day. We really are a classroom family and having family members in the classroom as part of our team makes learning more individualized and gives all the students more adult attention. I encourage family members to take an hour each week to take advantage of this opportunity.

You won’t regret it!

It’s the Law

In case you didn’t know, parents and caregivers can take time off from work to volunteer in their child’s classroom, thanks to a California law, the FamilySchool Partnership Act. Parents, grandparents and guardians can take time off to participate in their children’s school or childcare activities. This law (Labor Code Section 230.8) first took effect in 1995 and its provisions were expanded in 1997 to add licensed child daycare facilities for kindergarten through grade twelve levels included in the original legislation.

Jennifer Atkins with her daughter, Luca and friends Nico Aguillar Olveras and Evelyn Stone.

Lara Hogan with her daughter, Dakota and friend Liya Kaldes

PHOTOS BY BY AMY WEISBERG Anthony Jackson helps Gabe Long, Coco Roberts and Diego Cubria complete a puzzle.

February Events

Friday, February 24, 10 a.m. -4 p.m., TCC Blood Drive . The Topanga Community Center has become the biggest donation site in Los Angeles. TCC is located at 1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga CA 90290. Sign up now for a $10 Amazon gift card: (866) 236-3276

Saturday, February 25, Horticultural Yard Sale, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Southern California Horticultural Society will be hosting a seasonal selection of Bromeliads, Tillandsias, Gasterias and garden books, pots, decor, botanical art and more at Baker’s Acres: 18552 Erwin Street in Tarzana, For information: Carol at caronson222@gmail.com or (818) 746-7866. FREE outdoor event.

Sunday, February 26, 2 p.m. Crazy J Ranch Topanga

Down-home, old-time “roots music” local House Concert Series features Joe Newberry on clawhammer banjo and April Verch on fiddle. RSVP Required: crazyjtopanga@gmail.

com . Suggested donation: $25 for the artists. n

Wednesday, March 8. Topanga Historical Society Potluck Dinner, 7 p.m, Presentation, 8 p.m . “The Village at the Crossroads.” Find out what was discovered under Pine Tree Circle by Archaeologist Andrew York. Photo courtesy of Topanga Historical Society

n

Disco Fuchsia’s second single, “Follow Your Heart” is a dance love song to the ocean that was released on Valentine’s Day “Follow Your Heart” is Rufus du Sol meets Pet Shop Boys in this energetic love song written and recorded in Topanga Canyon and produced by Topanga local Bernie Penzias. Enjoy this feelgood anthem topped off with an unforgettable chorus, “You make the Earth turn around, Follow Your Heart To The Sea.” Look for Disco Fuchsia rocking the canyon once again this summer. Find the “Follow Your Heart” music video shot at El Matador Beach on Youtube. Search “DISCO FUCHSIA” on all platforms and go to DiscoFuchsia.com to keep up with the latest!

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCO FUCHSIA

PHOTO COURTESY TOPANGA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

SOLD

Exquisite Custom Mediterranean Oasis on Approx. 11 acres

baths in the main house, a spacious detached three car garage with separate office/gym/guest room and half bath below. All bedrooms are en suite with access to outdoor patios, large closet space and stone floors in bathrooms. There is a complete chef’s kitchen with oversized center island, quartz counters, custom cabinetry and Viking appliances. The modern open floor plan incorporates the kitchen, family and dining room with a separate living room great for entertaining. The home includes long plank oak floors, vaulted wood beam ceilings and Loewen windows which maximize your beautiful mountain and rock formation views. The outdoor patios are on opposite sides of the home, each with their own separate serene seating areas overlooking the property and mountain views

Offered at $3,295,000

Gayle Pritchett

(310) 748-1580

DRE# 00585628

Lacey Rose Gorden (310) 383-1848

DRE# 02122031

Voltaire Drive 6 Bed | 3 Bath $1,970,000

Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696

California Dreaming where Palm Springs meets Topanga. An elegant one story midcentury home in the Viewridge Estates with resort-like grounds. Close to shopping and dining and steps from the trails. Amazing views to the south and west.

Horseshoe Drive 4 Bed | 3 Bath $1,875,000

Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696

This mountain view home boasts floor to ceiling windows and captures Topanga State Park. Located at the end of the quiet cul-de-sac. The open floor plan has sliding glass doors from the living and dining room to the entertainer size decks to drink in nature.

Alta Drive 3 Bed | 3 Bath $1,830,000 SOLD

Chryssa Lightheart - (310) 663-3696

Enjoy the 3 bed + 3 bath home with open kitchen, breakfast area, center island & office (or 4th bdrm), vegetable garden, fruit trees, 5 beehives, and chickens. The property is surrounded by lots of walking, cycling and riding trails.