Topanga Community Center
In the wake of the devastating Palisades fires, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible first responders, firefighters, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect our community. Your bravery, dedication, and teamwork have been nothing short of heroic.
We also want to acknowledge our amazing groundskeeper, Jerry Simer, whose coordination with Cal Fire ensured the seamless use of the community center as a base of operations, as well as Henry Simer, Rick Provisor, and Erle Eddy who assisted. This emergency response truly showcased the strength and spirit of our community, and we are so proud to call ourselves Topangans!
As a reminder, the Topanga Community Center (TCC) is currently serving as a base for the firefighters and will remain closed until they vacate the property. We will share updates about reopening as soon as they become available.
While we are working with the emergency personnel Cal Fire Public Information Officer William White felt this link was important to send out to the community: https://emergency.lacity.gov/recovery#return. He also encourages everyone to download the Genasys app http://project.genasys.com/
Support for victims of recent wildfires
In the wake of the devastating Palisades fires, many of our community members have experienced significant loss and are facing challenging times. As part of our commitment to fostering community support, we are sharing links to GoFundMe campaigns created by those affected. If you, or someone you know, has a campaign that is not included, please feel free to send it to webmaster@topangacommunitycenter.org.
While the Topanga Community Center does not endorse any specific campaign (campaigns are listed in alphabetical order), we aim to provide a platform where neighbors can access this information and contribute in whatever way feels right to them. Together, we can show the strength and compassion of our community.
- Help Carly Jo, Jay, their 4 children & their community
- Help Gabby, Luke, & Family get back on their feet
- Help the Fitzer-Geiger Family Recover After Fire
- Please support Grace Flowers & Family after these fires
- Please support the Parkhurst-Wear family
- Rebuild Philozoia Rescue After Palisades Fire
- Rocco’s Palisades Fire Recovery Fund
- Support Topanga Canyon and Saddle Peak Fire
Editor’s Note: The links above are best accessed by going to the GoFundMe.com website and search using the titles above
- FREE Skate Night at the TCC, Saturday, January 25th @ 5:30pm
- TCC understands that people have spent a lot of money securing housing during the evacuation so Skate Night at the TCC this Friday is now a free event!
- First responders get a free TCC T-shirt while supplies last.
- NOTE – if Cal Fire is still in our area and utilizing the TCC, this event will be canceled. There will be another email on Thursday to confirm. See updates here for events and membership. https: topangacommunitycenter.org
Topanga Town Council
The Town Council understands the unique challenges you face during this unprecedented crisis and we are hard at work gathering the most useful information available at this time, to help you survive this disaster,
FEMA DISASTER AID—As we try to guide folks to the resources and agencies they need to effectively overcome the challenges they are facing in obtaining assistance, we encourage people in the Topanga area to begin by filing a FEMA application online-if they have access to a computer and internet. The County of LA has posted a preliminary map of the impacted areas with color coding to indicate homes that have been damaged/destroyed. Please note that there may be a delay between the time of damage and when it is reflected on the map. https://recovery.lacounty.gov/palisades-fire/
They can also obtain help in person at the following locations
Phone: General Disaster Q&A: 1-800-621-3362 | Region 9 (California) Phone: 510-627-7100
CA Wildfires FEMA Website: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856
In person: UCLA Research Park and Pasadena City College. For more information: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/
INSURANCE—Note that everyone located in a mandatory Evacuation Order Zone, regardless of the level of damage to your home or property, will potentially be eligible for some level of disaster assistance to support you in obtaining food, shelter, and other necessities.
In terms of insurance coverage, that will be contingent on your specific policy and the benefits that it offers. *If you have any challenges or questions about your specific insurance policy or provider, please reach out to the carrier directly, and/or also reach out to the California Department of Insurance (CDI) — who regulates the insurance industry in our state and actively works with individuals who face challenges (or denials) when filing claims for assistance.
CA Department of Insurance (“CDI”) 800-927-4357 https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm
FAIR PLAN WORKSHOP—In addition, The Topanga Town Council is currently working with State Senator Ben Allen’s office, Sam Liu; and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin’s staff, Anthony Avila, to hold a FAIR Plan workshop in Topanga in early February to assist residents with their insurance questions, needs and claims.
We are currently delving into some of the questions and issues facing our residents as they try to obtain emergency FEMA assistance and insurance help so that any challenges or impediments that residents or small businesses encounter can be both specifically and broadly addressed by regulators, policymakers, and legislators over the coming days, weeks and months.
Please remember, we have spent the last two weeks evacuated like all of you.
Topanga Actors Company
Topanga Actors Company’s production of Farm Hall at the Promenade Playhouse (10931 West Pico Boulevard has been rescheduled for three weekends starting Jan. 17—the remaining new performance dates are January 24, 25, 31 and February 1 at 7:30 pm. Matinees January 26 and February 2 at 2 pm.
www.promenadeplayhouse.com and topangaactorscompany@theatercompany.org
