Topanga Messenger

 When the kids return from vacation to Topanga Elementary on Tuesday, August 12, a new principal will be there to greet them. Steve Gediman was chosen to replace Principal Nicole Sheard, who moved to a school closer to her home, Canyon Charter Elementary, in Santa Monica. But Topanga kids will be in very good hands, with an experienced and caring administrator. Most recently, Gediman, 52, was principal at Pinewood Elem… [Read More...]

 Our new Community Library Manager speaks of growing up as an immigrant in America, books and his passion for all things library, especially the people. When people visit the Topanga Library, they should take time to extend a hearty welcome to its new Community ­Library Manager, Oleg Kagan. He comes well prepared for the job, having earned a Masters in Library and Information Science from UCLA and with considerable experience… [Read More...]

 On May 24, Alyson Nicole Stack and Douglass Neil Albano were married at the Armstrong Manor in Pasadena, CA. The reformed Jewish wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful rustic-chic-themed setting in front of nearly 200 of their closest family and friends. Aly is a native “Topanga Kid” born and raised on Entrada Road. She studied Spanish and Journalism, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and becoming a… [Read More...]

 Local craftsman, musician and all-around technical consultant Scott King will be providing artisan knife sharpening services at the Topanga Farmers’ Market on August 1, and every first Friday of the month thereafter (September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5). Using six progressively finer grades of stones and strop grits, Scott sharpens all kinds of knives, except serrated ones, by hand, to a very fine edge. Some say he gets them scary shar… [Read More...]

 The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) conducted a hoist operation on the trail between Los Liones and Topanga just north of the Getty Villa near the dam. Two female victims in their twenties were transported by air ambulance on July 16 to Marquez Elementary School for further evaluation by LAFD rescue ambulance and Engine 19. Both victims were treated and released on scene. —Sr. RTO Delgado Palisades Patrol (310) 454-7741 … [Read More...]

 Wednesdays and Fridays starting August 20 at 10:15 a.m.—Toddler Storytime. Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more! Playtime immediately follows storytime. Saturday, August 9 at 11 a.m.—Russian Literature Group. Join our welcoming group as we explore Russia's long and fascinating literary culture. And don't worry, the reading load will be manageable, we promise! Open to adults. Pick up this month's readings at the Library. T… [Read More...]

 AGOURA, CA—The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to attend the Summer Star Festival on Saturday, August 2, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Paramount Ranch in Agoura. The free event will feature star-gazing, constellation tours, music and children’s activities. "We share a dark sky oasis with those who want to escape the glow of city lights," said Robert Cromwell, park ranger for the NPS. "We invite the public to c… [Read More...]

 “Movement is what we are, not something we do.” ~ Emilie Conrad (1934 - 2014) Starting August 6, there will be a Continuum Movement class on Wednesday evenings at Yoga Desa in Pine Tree Circle, taught by Malcolm Groome, a certified Continuum teacher. Groome has been teaching this gentle movement practice throughout the United States and Europe since 2006, and teaches at the Continuum Studio in Santa Moni… [Read More...]

 THOUSAND OAKS, CA—A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 633,000 visitors to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in 2013 spent $26 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 332 jobs in the local area. “This report shows that conservation of places like the Santa Monica Mountains not only offers tangible quality of life benefits, but also helps support the local economy,” said David Szym… [Read More...]

 CALABASAS—Ancient neighbors of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Tataviam, are the subject of a free lecture by archeologist, author and professor Dr. Laurie Solis at two local venues Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17. Visitors are invited to join Solis as she explores the history of Tataviam people, the Native American group who occupied the upper San Fernando, Santa Clarita and lower Antelope Valleys, and traded with t… [Read More...]

 The 703-acre Cameron Nature Preserve in Puerco Canyon will connect coastal parklands and link trails from Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu Creek State Park. MALIBU, CA—The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) closed escrow on July 24, for one of the largest public parkland acquisitions in the coastal Santa Monica Mountains in recent years. The Cameron Nature Preserve in Puerco Canyon, purchased from film director James Camero… [Read More...]

 This week, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) forecast scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms for the Antelope Valley, Catalina Island, Los Angeles County Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley areas. To help prepare residents and businesses for thunderstorms and lightning, the following are some safety tips: No place outside is safe in or near a thunderstorm.… [Read More...]