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Art, Pancakes, ‘Hearts and Crafts’ Benefit Topanga’s Kids
"IMAGINE" STUDENT ART SHOW PHOTOS BY KATIE DALSEMER © Rhonda Conry, (r) with parent Mo Whelan and daughter Lily Doolin was once again the stellar curator of the show. Hat designer Debbie Lawrence (left) of Floradora found new fans in mom Donna De Lory and daughters Luci (front left), in “I’m a little teapot” pose, and Sophia. From left, the high bidder at the silent auction, Martin Rodriguez, with Clint and 2-year-old Grady Rockwell. Home school mom Jenni Klemp, with her daughter Mia, sold beautiful handmade beeswax luminary bowls. PHOTO BY ANNEMARIE DONKIN © From left, Ken Mazur and Pete Snell jam with the Topanga Howlin’ Hound Dogs at the Topanga Dads Pancake Breakfast. PHOTO BY ANNEMARIE DONKIN © From left, Spencer Sheps-Brown, 12, Lucy Lombardo, 7, and her brother, Lucas, 9, are comfy in their robes and pajamas at the Fifth Annual Topanga Dads Pancake Breakfast at the Topanga Community House. Samantha Miller crafted her “Oaxcan Dream Animal” in the authentic style for Mrs. Marianne Bordier’s fourth grade class. Sam Cummins stands with his multi-media canvas made in Ms. Linda Handler’s kindergarten class. This fabric “Prayer for the Future” piece, from Mrs. Sondra Tapper’s fifth grade class, was made by Madison Snow Oceana Runge wit her “Imagine Your Future” collage made in Mrs. Amy Weisberg’s transitional kindergarten class. Maya Demontreux stands behind her plaster alter ego that was part of the “Dreamers” project in Ms. Erin Saporta’s class. Alex Gage stands with his plaster and wire “Dreamers” sculpture from Ms. Erin Saporta’s fourth grade class. The sign reads, “A world that would be fun, is a world with only a moon and sun.” Ilan Kuhne, held by his dad, Marcus, made his “Imagine Your Future” collage in Mrs. Amy Weisberg’s transitional kindergarten class.
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” 
John Lennon’s words couldn’t have been more fitting for Topanga Charter Elementary School’s “Imagine” art show at Topanga Canyon Gallery. The exhibit, which ran from January 29 through February 3, featured not only a wonderful variety of art projects, but also the children’s writings about their work and more importantly their hopes for the future.
Many parents, relatives and art lovers from the community came to the February 1 reception to see the enlightened creativity and to show their support by buying pieces, the proceeds of which went to the Topanga Elementary Enrichment Program. —Katie Dalsemer
HEARTS AND CRAFTS" FOR EVERYONE
The Topanga Community Club hosted the inaugural Hearts and Crafts Faire on Feb. 2 as a fundraiser for the new Community House playground scheduled to be built in late August. 
More than 20 artisans and craftspeople participated in the event at the Topanga Community House to bring awareness to the playground effort.
Artists of all ages created handmade gifts from the heart. Crafts ranged from beeswax bowls and felted soaps to macramé and pottery. No one left the fair empty-handed. 
There were home-made cookies donated by The Angel in Your Kitchen and parents on the Playground Committee, as well as locally made raw organic chocolates from multi-talented songstress Mary Arden Collins.
Local landscape architecture firm Rodriguez and Satterthwaite brought hand-made yard sculptures made by Martin Rodriguez from discarded rebar and carved stone. He also made one-of-a kind concrete planters made from repurposed materials and fountains.
Scrap lumber came to life as hand-carved side tables and benches. Martin and his business partner Catherine McLaughlin have already generously offered to donate their crew’s skills and labor for two full days to demolish the old playground and prepare it for building in August. 
The fair raised nearly $2,500 for the new playground effort, including several generous donations made by shoppers.
If you would like to become involved in the new TCC playground, please contact Kelly Rockwell at (310) 455-9878, topangaplayground@gmail.com, or www.topangaplayground.blogspot.com. —Kelly Rockwell
TOPANGA DADS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
A cheerful group of Topanga Charter Elementary School kids lined up with their parents on a cool and cloudy morning on Sunday, February 10 to enjoy delicious homemade pancakes, sausages and bacon cooked up by the enthusiastic Topanga Dads. 
While the kids ran around in their pajamas and parents relaxed and visited with friends, the Topanga Howlin’ Hound Dogs played an outstanding set of rock, blues and jazz.
“We will serve about 550 breakfasts,” said Ernie Demontreux of Topanga Lumber and the organizer of the event, now in its fifth year. “We will raise about $6,000.”
All proceeds will go to fund the Topanga Enrichment Program at the elementary school and its many valuable programs. —Annemarie Donkin
