Annual Cheney Canyon
Pancake Breakfast
The Mountain Mermaid and
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.“
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Topanga Elementary 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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Scheduled Garden Tours
With horticulture classes
from Santa Monica City College,
Palisades Garden Club,
and others
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“Topanga Tomorrow” with Local Biologist Rosi Dagit
Day-long workshop 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
Annual Picnic, 1992
Visitors tour The Mermaid
during renovations.
A Weekend with Poet David Whyte
Mountain AIDS Foundation Benefit
“Through the Eye of the Needle: Life, Work and
the Poetic Imagination”. Spell-binding stage
presence and transformational poetry, Whyte moves
listeners to rapture and tears.
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Bill Buerge Presented
Senate Certificate of Recognition
from Sheila Kuell, “...in honor of his indefatigable work on behalf of public safety, disaster relief and
cultural life in Topanga Canyon...".
January 2001.
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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, 1999
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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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“Decade Birthdays”
Many Mermaid neighbors have celebrated
ten-year anniversaries of the day of their birth.
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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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“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 2002 and July 2003
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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 hood for 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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“Reminiscences of Mozart by His Sister”
Staring actress, author, poet, (and neighbor)
Jane Marla Robbins. A T-CEP benefit.
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Annual T-CEP
Volunteer
Awards Brunch
Held at
The Mountain Mermaid
for the last
five years
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Topanga Coalition for Emergency
Preparedness Donation
To purchase equipment for the T-CEP
Emergency Operations Center.
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Topanga Historical
Society, “An Evening at The Mermaid”
Bill Buerge gives a tour, speaks and
shows pictures on history and progress with the restoration. July 21st, 1999.
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Mermaid Used for Winter Rehearsals
Should the actors be rained out at
Theatricum Botanicum, they have an open
invitation to use the Great Room.
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Topanga volunteers and county staff
co-create a cutting-edge emergency guide
that will serve as the prototype for other
areas of Los Angeles county.
Local citizens and personnel from fire, sheriff, and other departments meet for two years to write and design the unprecedented 150-page manual. Actor and Mermaid next-door neighbor, Kedric Wolfe, and many others in the hood are featured. Mermaid owner, Bill Buerge, volunteers as designer using photos of the locals, humor and colorful graphics to break through the wall of fear, denial and procrastination surrounding the subject of emergency preparedness.
Grin and wear it.
Topanga mom and attorney, Ally Acker, and her two
children pose with their family’s personal array
of preparedness gear. This is one of many pictures
for the Guide taken in the Mermaid Great Room.
Neighbors meet at the Mermaid
to put on the feed-bag, Dec.’99
Home Photo Shoots Community Weddings
The Great Room Kitchen Dining Room Parlour Billiard Room Blue Tower Room
Gardens Front Exterior Back Exterior & Pool Patios Fountains
Doors & Windows Arches & Balconies Light Color & Texture Fashion & Beauty
Props Clients Comments History Wildlife About Links
Contact : bill@themountainmermaid.com 310-455-3181
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Community House Presentation
Bill Buerge speaks with others at a Topanga
Historical Society evening program
in the Spring of 1989.
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Topanga Youth Services
Donation of kitchen clubhouse equipment.
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Bill Buerge is chosen
Topanga Citizen of the Year for 2000.
Topanga Chamber of Commerce.
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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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A nocturnal salon designed to indulge
the senses featuring succulent fare, rare
libations and spell-binding theatrics
staged in the phase of
the full moon, April 3rd, 2004.
Benefit
for Theatricum Botanicum
“Full Moon Soiree”
“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.
Wildworks Honored as Home-based
2005 Business of the Year
February 18th, 2006., at the Mermaid.
Mermaid Declaration
as a Point of Historical Interest
Nominated by Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors for registration, and confirmed by the
State Historical Resources Commission
on August 6th,1993.
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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.
