community

“Citizens of the Year” Group Portrait

Taken at The Mermaid on August 7th, 2004

for the second edition of 'The Topanga Story', now being updated and expanded to be published by

The Topanga Historical Society.

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“Mermaid Tavern Revisited“

Guests go back in time three decades

to relive the bohemian elegance of The Mermaid Tavern, the legendary Topanga concert hall

that exuded quintessential classical music, fine wine and unmitigated conviviality. Tax deductible donations go to save Linda Hendrich's

Children's Corner. August 15, 2004.

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Bonnie Wallace Memorial

Hundreds turn out to celebrate the life of this

deeply loved Topangan who taught at the local elementary school for 25 years.

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Theatricum Botanicum Land

Meetings are held at The Mermaid where

board votes to acquire acreage along Topanga Blvd. to add to existing theater property. Land purchased with grants from foundations and small donations from Bill Buerge and others.

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“The Mara Fund”

A three-year campaign organized by

The Mermaid to sustain neighbor, Mara Marken, when she had cancer and was no longer able to work through monthly pledges from friends, neighbors, and family. One production company filming at The Mermaid gives $5,000.

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Theatricum Botanicum's 2005 Spring Gala

With Annette Bening

On Saturday, the 15th of April, the stars

came out to benefit Topanga's beloved oak-studded theatrical institution.“

Topanga Elementary School Teacher's Retreat at The Mermaid

Principal Liam Joyce and teachers meet

to get away, share ideas and shape the future of

this nationally acclaimed educational

institution. Summer, 2003.

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2000 Annual Benefit for Theatricum

Special guests Ed Asner and Wendie Malick host a superb sit-down supper and “Summer 2000 Season Preview’, on February 26, 2000.

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Topanga citizens and Los Angeles county employees worked together for over

two years to co-create “The Topanga Disaster Survival Guide”,

a relevant and cutting-edge emergency guide that folks would actually read.

Two guides and mailed to every home in Topanga. Mermaid owner and graphic designer, Bill Buerge,

served as volunteer designer of the guide using photos of neighbors, humor and colorful

graphics to break through the wall of fear, denial and procrastination around the topic of disaster preparedness.

The guide will be used as a model for similar publications in other areas of Los Angeles County.

Check it out at: www.topangasurvival.org

Mermaid Garden Tours

Horticulture classes from Santa Monica City

College, the Pacific Palisades Garden Club, (and others,) stop by for a tour of the gardens.

“Topanga Tomorrow”

with Local Biologist Rosi Dagit

Day-long workshop at The Mermaid to brain-storm ways to preserve the canyon in the face of

constant change and population pressures. Under auspices of the Topanga Watershed Committee of

the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. September 30th, 2000.

----------------------------- Topanga Historical Society

1992 Annual Picnic

Topangans congregate at The Mermaid

while it is undergoing renovations

for a tour and a talk by the owner, Bill Buerge.

Bill Buerge selected

Topanga Citizen of the Year for 2000

By The Topanga Chamber of Commerce.

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Topanga Alumni

Stage “Rashomon” at The Mermaid

Directed by Patricia Tackett for the benefit of Topanga Elementary School and Topanga Youth

Service, November 23, 1996.

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Dracula

Stops by The Mermaid for a quick

bite at Theatricum’s 2007 dinner and show.

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Cheney Canyon Pancake Breakfast

Annual Christmas get-together held at The Mountain Mermaid on December 19th,1999.

Poet David Whyte

Benefit for Mountain AIDS Foundation

“Through the Eye of the Needle: Life, Work and the Poetic Imagination”. With spell-binding stage presence and transformational poetry, Whyte moves

listeners to rapture and tears.

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Bill Buerge Presented California Senate Certificate of Recognition

From Senator Sheila Kuehl, 23rd District,

on January 27, 2001, “...in honor of his indefatigable work on behalf of public safety, disaster relief and cultural life in Topanga Canyon...".

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Neighborhood Children's Birthday Party

Local little one, Makata Bullock-Floyd, celebrates

with friends and family.

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Fundraiser for The Animal Guardian Society

“Joy & Jazz in the Garden”,

a benefit for animals in trouble. May 6, 2001.

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The Lark Quartet

The Mermaid, with its own rich musical history, welcomes an ensemble of "dynamic, accomplished, and imaginative musicians" (Boston Globe). A presentation of the Da Camera Society.

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'Neighborhood Gathering”

Neighbors are invited over celebrate

the bright new generation of Topangans

moving into the hood. Guests receive survival kits

as “mer-mentos” , Catered by local Mexican restaurant, Abuelita's. Nov. 9th, 2003.

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A Midwinter's Night's Feast”

Gala benefit for The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum with Nan Martin and John Randolph and hosted by David Sheehan. January 24th, 1998.

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Donation of an Emergency Radio

to Arson Watch

August of 1999.

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Community House Presentation

Bill Buerge and others speak at a Topanga Historical Society evening program in the Spring of 1989.

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Topanga Youth Services

Donation of kitchen equipment for their clubhouse.

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Memorials at The Mermaid

Friends and family come together to process their loss and celebrate the lifetimes of loved ones.

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YMCA Staff Retreat

Led by Topanga’s own, Dr. Larry Shaw, head of the Hollywood Wilshire YMCA's cutting-edge counseling center. Spring of 2003.

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Neighborhood “Decade Birthdays”

Many Mermaid neighbors have celebrated

ten-year anniversaries of the day of their birth.

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“A Night at The Oasis”

The Topanga Chamber of Commerce and Topangan Melanie Kareem’s Middle Eastern Dance School mesmerize guests with an ancient Mesopotamian extravaganza.

November 18th, 2000.

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Tango Nights at The Mermaid

Topangans dance instructors, Joanna Gunst

and Paul Grymkowski teach locals how to get down,

south of the border style.

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Fran Pavely Fundraiser

Topangans turn out big time to support

a local environmentalist and school teacher in candidacy for 41st Assembly District.

A limited edition Mermaid Tile is produced for event designed by Bill Buerge and made by Topanga ceramicist, Bob Harris.

Footnote: Fran wins!

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Violinist Chee-Yun at The Mermaid

Young Korean musician recognized as one of the most gifted violinists of the time. Part of the popular “Chamber Music in Historic Sites Series'” from the Da Camera Society

of Mt. St.Mary's College. April 1st, 2000.

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University of Santa Monica Benefit

with Poet David Whyte

USM, a west side graduate school that

specializes in Spiritual Psychology, is under the inspired direction of Topanga residents Ron and Mary Hulnick. Spring, 2002

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'Joe's Night'

In recognition of neighbor Jordan Levine's 17 years in the hood. April 27th, 2003.

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“The Mara Marken Benefit'”

Friends and neighbors gather to support this special Canyon lady with swimming, live music, food and a silent auction. Sept. 28th, 1996.

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Theatricum Benefit, “Full Moon Soiree”

Nocturnal salon designed to indulge

the senses featuring succulent fare, rare libations and spell-binding theatrics

staged in the phase of the full moon.

“Mass Ensemble” strums 100-foot long stringed instrument erected on the property. Master juggler Robin Spehar, stilt-walkers and live creatures

of the night from Topanga's

Wildworks mesmerize the crowd.

Master of ceremonies, Beau Bridges, presides

over the spectacle. Event grosses

$30,000. for the theatre. April 3, 2004.

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“Expedition Inspiration --

Take-a-Hike for Breast Cancer Research”

An intimate evening of torch songs and cabaret benefiting cancer research centers at USC and UCLA. October 20th, 1996.

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Pacific Palisades Historical Society

Buffet Luncheon and Annual Installation of

Officers at The Mermaid held in 2003.

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County of Los Angeles Commendation

To Bill Buerge, "...for his exceptional leadership

in the community and his extraordinary commitment to the well-being of its citizens..."

Signed, Zev Yaroslavski, Supervisor, 3rd District,

Los Angeles County, January 27th, 2001.

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“Salons on The Spiritually Creative Life”

Sunday morning presentations by Bill Buerge and Gail McDonald-Tune at The Mermaid

with the Institute of Philosophy and the Arts.

August 11, 2002 and July.2003

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“Get Wild About Wildlife”

Benefit for “The Nature of Wildworks”, the wonderful Topanga wild animal care

and educational center on June 9th, 2002.

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Vision Quests

For The Topanga Community House

and Theatricum Botanicum, with professional facilitators to co-create a future vision

and craft a mission statement.

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Donation of Scholarships

for Theatricum Youth Drama Camp

Allowing disadvantaged students to participate in the acclaimed summer program at the theatre.

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T-CEP Fundraiser at The Mermaid

Gala dinner and silent auction for

Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness,

December, 1999.

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“Colin Spect-tacular!”

Fund raiser for young Topanga burn victim,

Colin Spect. Colin was saved from certain death

when rescued from his burning vehicle by actor

Mark Harmon. March 24th,1995.

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“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”

Topanga residents meet at The Mermaid to hear

Pat McNeil of the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness explain how to organize the neighborhood in case of a disaster. Neighbors break up into groups by street and strategize.

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“Mara Marken Memorial”

Dr. Marken, who lived across the street from

The Mermaid, had requested that upon her passing, to have a celebration of her life at The Mermaid.

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