The Canyon Sages, under the sponsorship of the Topanga Community Club (TCC), offers one of the best community services around with a variety of free and low-cost classes and events. All calendar events, unless otherwise stated, take place at the Community House. Seniors are welcome and membership is free. Unless otherwise indicated, classes are open to everyone regardless of age. Some scholarships are available. Some classes may be canceled or relocated due to occasional conflicts with TCC programs. Check with the instructors ahead of scheduled classes.
Friday, August 25, 9 a.m., Track Walk—TCC Ball Field Track. Walk at your own pace around outer edge of the field. Free, ongoing, open to all ages.
Sunday, August 27, 9:30-11 a.m., Buff Bones—with Lisa Levinson, $6 – Sages only, ongoing, bring mat & weights, lisablevinson@gmail.com.
Monday, August 28, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tai Chi/Yang Style 24—with Jackie Safonov ongoing Mondays. Class returns to Community House on September 11, $6. Sages sponsored. topangataichi@gmail.com.
Spanish for Intermediates—With Bill Flaxman, 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. For fees, details and to confirm meeting place: william.flaxmanphd@mac.com.
Tuesday, August 29, Meditation—At various private homes, often led by Ron Sharrin via SKYPE. Will move to Thursdays. For information: Joan Hoch: topanga90290@live.com; Jared Cook: chiaricook@earthlink.net; or Frank Harper at fharper@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, August 30, 9:30-10:30a.m., QiGong—With Jackie Safonov. Class returns to Community House on September 11, $6. Sages sponsored. topangataichi@gmail.com.
Thursday, August 31, 9:30-10:30a.m., Beginning Tai Chi/Yang Style 24—With Tina Michel. Open to all ages at the Community House. Sages sponsored. $6. tinammichel4@gmail.com@gmail.com.
Saturday, September 2, 2–4 p.m., Stress Management Workshop—For Sages and others conducted by Joan Hoch, MA, MS, Ph.D. at Topanga Library Community Room. Contact: topanga90290@live.com to sign up, Drop-ins welcome. Bring something to write with.
Wednesday, September 6, 1–3 p.m., Live Sketch & Paint Class—Six-week class with Velvet Marshall. For information on class, fees, materials and reservations: velvetmarshall@gmail.com.
Friday, September 8, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Topanga Knitting & Fiber Arts Group—Meets Fridays at the Topanga Library, Free class led by Karen Dannenbaum for adults. Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery, macramé or other fiber art project and enjoy the company of other creative people. Basic knitting instruction provided. Contact: karen.dannenbaum@gmail.com.
Thursday, September 14, 12-1:30 p.m., Book Club—Meets at Topanga Library, Community Room. Bring a lunch if you like. Read or be reading “The Indifferent Starts Above” by Daniel James Brown. Class meets on second Thursday of the month. Free. Contact: Janice at bojanice@verizon.net.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m., Argentine Tango Lessons—Free for seniors at Oscar’s house in Sylvia Park (near Mermaid). No experience or partner needed. Contact: BarbaraWebb@mac.com.
Fridays, 7-9 p.m., The Sages Singing Salon—Meets once a month in private homes. A $5 donation for accompanist is requested. Space is limited. Contact: Michele, (310) 455-1319.
Computer Club—Resumes in September. John Coffer will help you with your computer and/or other electronic gadgets free of charge, your place or his. For details: jgcoffer@gmail.com.
Tai Chi & Qigong—Moves back to the Community House the second week in September, at their usual meeting time.
Senior Resources
Need a Ride?—Call Uber for Seniors at (800) 522-1516 to set up a service agreement, then call that number when you need a ride. The company (24HrHomeCare) calls Uber and lets you know the driver’s name and arrival time. Clients’ credit or debit card is billed the normal Uber fee plus $5 for set-up and billing services.
County Services for Seniors—Contact LA County Area Agency on Aging for available services: http://css.lacounty.gov/progra.m.s/area-agency-on-aging; or (800) 510-2020. For the Elder Abuse hotline: (877) 477-3646.
The Calabasas Senior Center—Has many activities of interest to Sages. For activities and fees: calabasasseniorcenter.com; or (818) 880-6461 for catalog.
Daytrips and Travel for Seniors—Contact Simi Valley Senior Center: (805) 583-6363; the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks: (805) 381-2744; ONEgeneration: (818) 708-6604: Calabasas Savvy Seniors: (818) 880-6461; Malibu Senior Center: (310) 456-2489, X357; City of Agoura Hills Community Services: (818) 597-7361.
Canyon Sages, Topanga’s organization for seniors of any age, is under the sponsorship of the Topanga Community Club.
The Community House is located at 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290. For more information on classes, calendar and free membership: (310) 455-1319; www.canyonsages.com.
By Joan Hoch