Topanga Messenger

 On May 30, Topanga Animal Rescue founder Susan Clark was midwife for this baby chick. “After many hours of struggling to push out of his eggshell,” said Clark, “he got into trouble so I had to remove him from the egg and revive him somewhat (no mouth to mouth!). It was more a goose version of a C-section and not for the faint hearted! Isn't he just the cutest thing? A ball of fluff!” Here he is sleeping after a very long, hard day! Welc… [Read More...]

 The Topanga Canyon Sages and the Topanga Library will cosponsor a presentation of the CHP's Age Well/Drive Smart program on Wednesday, June 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. CHP West Valley Area Public Information Officer Leland Tang will lead the discussion on how increased awareness of particular driving skills can help us all be safer drivers. Sage member Jackie Benoit and attorney Sharon Morris will explain how to protect the behind-the-wheel rights of olde… [Read More...]

 The Everlasting Smiles Foundation will host “Surfing 4A Cure” at Torrance Beach, CA. for a six-hour surf relay beginning at 6 a.m. to raise money for pediatric cancer research. The event honors 10-year-old Abella Wyss who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor when she was four. For the last few years she had been fighting a Stage 4 adrenal tumor that metastasized to her lungs. “I am not only a captain for a team of 12, but I am going to surf and we a… [Read More...]

  SACRAMENTO, CA—The California State Assembly voted 42-21 on May 30 to approve legislation by Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) to provide protections for bobcats from unlimited commercial trapping. Rising international demand for bobcat pelts in China, Russia and Greece has recently led to a massive spike in pelt prices from $79 in 2009 to more than $700 today. As a result, trapping of bobcats in California has skyrocketed. In fac… [Read More...]

 The Pet Care Foundation (AKA Pets 90210) is sponsoring its third annual Cat-A-Pallooza event at all six Los Angeles City Animal Shelters June 15 and 16, in order to promote cat adoptions. Last year, this event found homes for more than 150 cats and kittens Cats are prolific breeders and out number dogs in the shelters four to one. This is the primary inspiration for the Cat-a-Pallooza. Spring is also known as kitten season in the animal world because … [Read More...]

 LOS ANGELES, CA—Best Friends Animal Society Adoption Center, in collaboration with the No Kill Los Angeles (NKLA) initiative, are encouraging people to adopt a cat or kitten during their “9 Lives for $9” promotion throughout June. Aptly named Cherry is as sweet as pie. The pretty two-year-old, tortoise shell cat loves to play with people through the slots in her tower, hoping the next hand she touches becomes a connection to… [Read More...]

 The Springs Fire in May that burned more than 24,000 acres in Camarillo, followed by the Powerhouse fire in Santa Clarita, was a big surprise. Rarely do we get wind-driven Santa Ana wildfires in the spring. Closer to home, the structure fire on Sischo in May with the biblical “tower of flame,” was a big wake-up call. Our neighborhood network directory had last been updated in 2006, so we had a difficult time telling the fir… [Read More...]

 WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today that the agency will begin night helicopter wildfire suppression operations this season in Southern California. “California has already experienced challenging wildfires this season and is projected to continue to have a severe summer. Night-flying operations will provide an aggressive agency initial attack while better ensuring public safety, minimizing overall fire costs and… [Read More...]

 For the sixth consecutive year, T-CEP’s (Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness) Disaster Radio Team (DRT) and Disaster Communications Service - 22 (DCS-22) of the Lost Hills Sheriff Station will join with more than 35,000 Amateur Radio operators in North America to practice and refine their emergency communication capabilities in the annual Field Day Exercise coordinated by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). “Beginning on June 22 at 11 a.m… [Read More...]

 SACRAMENTO,CA—In a move to protect California against huge potential costs, the California State Senate voted 27-11 to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The Senate approved SB 4 by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), which would require public notice before fracking can take place, permits, disclosure of chemicals and an independent scientific study of fracking and its risks to California, among other provisions.  “I am pleased my c… [Read More...]