🎥 Folklore: Signal Lost Episode Two | Receiving. You. Topanga Canyon
Leaving the city behind, moving from Topanga’s hidden trails toward Malibu’s coastline, and “hunting the ghosts” of the Topanga Canyon rock scene. It’s part local landscape, part throwback, with little glimpses of the past sprinkled throughout.
🎭 Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
🎬 Classical Monologues and Scenes (with Ellen Geer)
Work on classical monologues and scenes (Sunday and Wednesday sessions).
📅 Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📅 Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
🗣️ Scansion/Rhetoric and Monologues (with Susan Angelo)
Four-week class (Monday and Wednesday sessions).
📅 Mondays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2026 • 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📅 Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2026 • 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM 📍 via Zoom
✍️ Spring Playwriting (with Bernardo Cubría)
Playwriting sessions (two Mondays in February).
📅 Mondays, February 2 & 16, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 The Shelter (Theatricum)
🎭 Improv (with Dylan Booth)
Two February sessions.
📅 Tuesday, February 24, 2026 • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📅 Thursday, February 26, 2026 • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
⚔️ Stage Fighting & Fencing (Ages 8–18)
Stage combat and fencing training for young performers.
📅 Saturdays, February 21 & 28, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
🧠 Smarty Pants Storytime
Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2 - 5 with their parent or caregiver.
📅 Mondays, February 2 & 23, 2026 • 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
📖 Book Club for Kids: Star Child
Read about the life and work of Octavia Butler and create a zine inspired by Octavia Butler's idea that stories grow like seeds, kids pick a "story seed" and turn it into a unique mini-zine full of imagination. For ages 9 - 12.
📅 Friday, February 6, 2026 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
🌿 Thrive & Shine 2026: Your SELFcare Master Plan
Join us for a day of SELFcare and rejuvenation! Discover tips and tricks to create your own SELFcare master plan for a healthier, happier you.
📅 Saturday, February 7, 2026 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 Topanga Library
🎥 Lights, Camera, Access
Want to reach new audiences with your small business or personal brand? LA County Library is offering a free 6-week course to teach you the basics.
📅 Tuesdays, February 10, 17 & 24, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 Topanga Library
🎨 Sensory Paint & Play
Build your toddler's pre-literacy, sensory, and motor skills while enjoying fingerpainting, art stamps, and other sensory-based activities. For ages 1 - 4 and caregivers.
📅 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
👶 New Parent Engagement: Learn About Library Programs & Services
New parents, join us at a special program designed for you. Bring your new baby and learn about all the great programs and services we have for parents, caregivers, and children, and connect with other new parents/families in the community.
📅 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
👨👧 Daddy & Me Storytime
Enjoy special storytimes, arts & crafts, music, and playtimes designed to help children ages 0 - 5 build early learning skills and create unforgettable memories together. For children ages 0 - 5 and their dads or male caregivers.
📅 Fridays, February 13 & 27, 2026 • 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM 📍 Topanga Library
🏛️ Topanga Town Council Community Meeting
Monthly public meeting (third Wednesday).
📅 Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Community Room
🪇 Music Together for Babies & Toddlers
Families will sing, move, and play child-friendly instruments together. Early childhood music education specialist Cheryl Lev will bring her guitar and fun musical props for everyone to enjoy. For children ages 0 - 36 months and caregivers.
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026 • 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
🎸 Music Time with Mr. Michael
A fun-filled, interactive concert that introduces children to the joy of live music that showcases artists like The Beatles, David Bowie, and more! Children are encouraged to sing, clap, and dance along. For ages 5 - 12 with caregiver.
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 📍 Topanga Library – Meeting Room
Watercolor meets music in a relaxed Topanga series. Each week highlights a different artist or genre to spark creativity, with light guidance and room to explore. Outdoors when weather allows. All supplies provided. Space is limited; reserve a spot.
📅 Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 • 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM
📍 Endless Color, 123 S Topanga Canyon Blvd
🔗 Details HERE
🥾 Footsteps into Poetry: A Topanga Canyon Haiku Walk
Join us for a slow, mindful walk through Topanga Canyon, blending nature, walking meditation, and haiku writing. Gentle pace, all walking levels welcome. No meditation or writing experience required. Come dressed for the weather and comfortable walking. Bring water, snacks will be provided.
📅 Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 • 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM 📍 Pine Tree Circle (meet here and carpool to the starting point)
The Canyon Sages is a Topanga-based community for older adults. They host regular meetups, classes, and groups designed to keep seniors connected, active, and supported, with offerings like gentle movement, meditation, music, learning, and other social gatherings.
🧘 Meditation 📅 Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2026 • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM 📍 via Zoom 👤 Leader: Frank Harper • f.harper@yahoo.com
💃 Learn Argentine Tango 📅 Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM 📍 Barbara Webb’s house 📞 RSVP: (213) 448-8330
💪 Balance and Strength 📅 Mondays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Sages Room 👤 Leader: Kat High • katcalls@aol.com
🎸 Introduction to Ukulele 📅 Mondays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2026 • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 📍 via Zoom 👤 Contact: melanie@getstartedplayingukelele.com
🧘 Gentle Yoga 📅 Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Topanga Community Center 👤 Leader: Justine Lewis • jlewis@visibleleadership.com
🧘 Restorative Yoga 📅 Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 • 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM 📍 Sage Studio 👤 Leader: Justine Lewis • jlewis@visibleleadership.com
🎶 Song Circle 📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026 • 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM 📍 Topanga Community Center 👤 Leader: Linnea Richards • linric10@hotmail.com 📞 Call (818) 818-3004 for information
🍽️ Sages Senior Dinners 📅 Friday, February 6, 2026 • Begins 3:30 PM (dinner served around 4:30 PM) 📍 Topanga Community Center 📞 Contact: Karen Dannenbaum • 310-738-0100
🎨 Introduction to Acrylic Painting 📅 Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2026 • 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Canyon Sage Studio 👤 Contact: Velvet Marshall • velvetmarshall@gmail.com
Join the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains to restore oak woodlands impacted by the Palisades Fire. Help water, weed, mulch, and plant acorns while contributing to a long-running reforestation project; expect up to 0.5–2 miles of uneven hiking, wear work clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water.
📅 Saturday, February 7, 2026 • 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Dance to your favorite 80’s hits and support the Topanga Community Center. Tickets available online or at the door. Members $10.60/$15, non-members $21.20/$30.
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026 • 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
📍 Topanga Community Center
🔗 Details HERE 🔞 21+ only
🎭 Topanga Actors Company:
Playhouse Creatures (Staged Reading)
Free, open-seating reading at the Topanga Library with easy library parking. Five accomplished actresses portray the trailblazing Restoration women who dazzled audiences in 1670. If you haven’t been to a TAC reading yet, this is a great place to start.
📅Saturday, February 21, 2026 • 2:00 PM
📍 Topanga Library
🔗 Details HERE
🎰 Casino Night
Fundraiser for the Topanga Community Center. Try your luck at Texas Hold’em, Let It Ride, Pai Gow, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, and Baccarat. Starter chips and hors d’oeuvres included. Extra chips and unlimited drink tickets available for purchase. Casino attire.
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
📍 Topanga Community Center
🔗 Details HERE 🔞 21+ only
👨🌾 Topanga Farmers Market
Certified market with local, often organic producers and makers. Expect peak-season produce, fresh bread and pastries, flowers, pantry staples, small-batch foods, and occasional live music.
Topanga local chef offering bespoke catering and personal-chef menus that match your vision, with warm, seamless service for you and your guests.
• Services: Personal chef and catering for family gatherings, birthdays, and small events • Serving: Topanga, Malibu, and nearby communities ✉️ rashidlugoff@yahoo.com 📞 Call/Text: (310) 424-8486 🔗 Facebook
🌮 La Chingona Tacos
Handmade organic corn tortillas with tacos, bowls, and salads, plus vegan and gluten-free options. Casual, community vibe with house salsas and from-scratch prep.
🌄 The Harry Gesner Signature From Canyon to Coast 🌊
Harry Gesner’s work is woven into Topanga and the surrounding hills, with homes that feel built for the land instead of forced onto it. His designs are sculptural, warm, and highly personal, often tucked into steep sites with dramatic views and a real sense of privacy. Because he created a relatively small number of custom homes, true Gesner properties are rare, and even rarer to see available to purchase, which is why they tend to draw attention quickly when they come to market. If you want to go deeper, my blog has a ton of great information and photos, including the Jimi Hendrix house in Topanga, the Wave House in Malibu, and the Condor Crag house in Calabasas, which show how far his influence reaches across these areas.
🧪 Support Crystal Storey’s Classroom(AdoptAClassroom)
Crystal Storey is a Topanga local who teaches biology and environmental engineering in special education at Palisades Charter High School. She’s a former college math and physics professor who moved into special education to work closely with students who learn differently. After the January fire, the school is in a temporary location and she has no lab equipment. Your gift replaces the essentials so her students can do hands-on science again.
Cholada Thai was where you stopped after the beach, met friends for lunch, and saw the same faces behind the counter for over 25 years. In January, it burned down in the Palisades Fire. The owner wants to rebuild, and a GoFundMe is live to help make it happen. If you’ve eaten at Cholada, you know why this matters. If you haven’t, ask someone who has.
A small, independent rescue with adoptable cats and dogs, including puppies, kittens, seniors, and special needs pets. They specialize in giving second chances to animals who need them most.
❓ What nickname did local surfers use for Topanga Beach in the late 1960s to keep the spot more secret?
Hint: The name shortened the beach to one initial and a word surfers use for a rocky headland, so it wouldn't show up as “Topanga Beach” on surf reports.
Last month’s question: What other name, besides “Topanga,” was submitted to postal officials in 1908 when the community applied for its first official post office?
Answer: Residents also proposed the name Garapatos for the new post office, a name taken from a Spanish word for a tick. Postal officials ultimately chose Topanga.
🥔 Eat With the Season:
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Ingredients:
12 slices bacon (about 12 oz), diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
About 2 1/2 lb russet potatoes (about 5 large)
4 1/2 cups whole milk
1 tbsp kosher salt (use less if you cook with table salt)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream, plus more for topping
For Serving:
Finely chopped chives
Extra-sharp cheddar, finely grated
Salt and vinegar potato chips (or your favorite)
Extra sour cream
The reserved crispy bacon
Instructions:
Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. Microwave on high, turning once, until a knife slides in easily. Let cool just enough to handle, then peel. Rice the potatoes using a potato ricer into a bowl, or mash with a potato masher tool in a bowl, and set aside.
While the potatoes cook, crisp the diced bacon in a large pot over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and crunchy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Pour off most of the fat, leaving about 3 tbsp in the pot.
Add onion and garlic to the pot and cook over medium heat until very soft but not browned. Add the milk, season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, then lower to a gentle simmer for a few minutes.
Blend the onion, garlic, and milk until smooth with an immersion blender. Stir in the riced or mashed potatoes and sour cream until silky and hot. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Ladle into bowls and top with bacon, chives, cheddar, extra sour cream, and a crunchy handful of potato chips.
Serving Suggestions: 🥓 Extra bacon on top, no one complains 🧀 Finely grated sharp cheddar melts fast and tastes the most “loaded baked potato” 🥔 Salt and vinegar chips add crunch and a little tang 🌿 Chives keep it fresh 🥣 Add a simple green salad if you want something bright on the side 🥛 Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream if you want the same tang with a lighter feel
Tip: Ricing (or mashing) the potatoes separately keeps the soup creamy without overworking them. If you blend potatoes too aggressively, they can turn a little gluey, so let the ricer or masher do the heavy lifting.
📰 Want to be included in next month’s newsletter?
If you have a local event, class, concert, recipe, or anything Topanga-worthy coming up, we’d love to feature it in next month’s issue.
📨 Please send it at least one week before the end of the month. The newsletter goes out the morning of the 1st each month.
