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.

-------------------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------













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.

--------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------











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 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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------


Scheduled Garden Tours


With horticulture classes

from Santa Monica City College,

Palisades Garden Club,

and others


-----------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------

Fundraiser for The Animal Guardian Society

“Joy & Jazz in the Garden”,

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

------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

Donation of an Emergency Radio

to Arson Watch, August, 1999

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------







“Decade Birthdays”

   Many Mermaid neighbors have celebrated

ten-year anniversaries of the day of their birth.

-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------

Tango Nights at The Mermaid

   Topangans dance instructors, Joanna Gunst

and Paul Grymkowski teach locals how to get down,

south of the border style.

-------------------------------------

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!

-------------------------------------











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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

“Joe's Night”

In recognition of neighbor Jordan Levine's

17 years in the hood. April 27th, 2003.

-------------------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------















-------------------------------------

“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.

------------------------------------------------------------

Pacific Palisades Historical Society

Buffet Luncheon and Annual Installation of

Officers at The Mermaid held in 2003.

------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

“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

-------------------------------------

Vision Quests

For The Topanga Community House

and Theatricum Botanicum, with professional

facilitators to co-create a future vision

and craft a mission statement.

-------------------------------------

Donation of Scholarships

for Theatricum Youth Drama Camp

Allowing disadvantaged students to participate in

the acclaimed summer program at the theatre.

-------------------------------------

T-CEP Fundraiser at The Mermaid

Gala dinner and silent auction for

Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness,

December, 1999.

-------------------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------

“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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

“Reminiscences of Mozart by His Sister”

Staring actress, author, poet, (and neighbor)

Jane Marla Robbins. A T-CEP benefit.

-------------------------------------

Annual T-CEP

Volunteer

Awards Brunch


Held at

The Mountain Mermaid

for the last

five years


--------------

Topanga Coalition for Emergency

Preparedness Donation

To purchase equipment for the T-CEP

Emergency Operations Center.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

Mermaid Used for Winter Rehearsals

Should the actors be rained out at

Theatricum Botanicum, they have an open

invitation to use the Great Room.

-------------------------------------

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.

Check it out at:
www.topangasurvival.org http://www.topangasurvival.orghttp://livepage.apple.com/http://www.topangasurvival.orgshapeimage_18_link_0shapeimage_18_link_1

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

-------------------------------------

Community House Presentation

Bill Buerge speaks with others at a Topanga

Historical Society evening program

in the Spring of 1989.

-------------------------------------

Topanga Youth Services

Donation of kitchen clubhouse equipment.

-------------------------------------

Bill Buerge is chosen

Topanga Citizen of the Year for 2000.

Topanga Chamber of Commerce.

-------------------------------------

“Get Wild About Wildlife”

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

and educational center on June 9th, 2002.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

Dracula

Stops by The Mermaid for a quick

bite at Theatricum’s 2007 dinner and show.