Topanga 2007 Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off

This Saturday, November 10, Topanga's best chili wranglers will be setting up their stoves and assembling their secret ingredients to create some of the best chili you've ever tasted. And while the spicy smells waft through the air, you can browse among the wonders of the swap meet. There will be many booths set up, full of the very best "maybe you can use this cause I'm done with it" treasures. Over the years, I've scored some great stuff!

There is always good food and good music and good neighbors.

The swap meet is at the Topanga Community House, 1440 N. Topanga Cyn. Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you'd like to see if you can still get a booth for your stuff, contact Holly Alsop at 310-883-3755.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Topanga Days Country Fair

Come on up, Memorial Day Weekend for our annual celebration of Topanga Days. What began as the meek and mild Strawberry Festival has grown over the decades to be a weekend of music, food and fun. The event is the main fundraiser for the maintenance and operation of the Topanga Community House.

This year, the music line-up is really great. Veruca Salt is Saturday's headliner for Indie Day. I'm looking forward to seeing John Doe playing songs from his new solo album on Sunday. Monday is always one big party with all the Topanga favorites like Venice. This Monday will close with the Young Dubliners. There's lots of beautiful space on the grass to park and listen, and always room for one more in the dust bowl to dance.

Along with the music comes good food and fine art. Only handcrafted goods will grace the art fair booths this year. There will be some of my favorite local artists such as Bungalow Art by Robyn Feeley and Topanga Art Tile by the Doolin Family. Make sure to stop by the amazing jewelry created by Sage Knight for Generations of Women.

There is a TERRIFIC kids area. More about that later!

Topanga Rockstars, Roadies and Fans

Pull those KISS boots, Hendrix headbands or Duran Duran puffy shirts out of the bottom of your closet....you knew you would use them again! Saturday night, April 28th, is The Topanga Enrichment Program Silent Auction. This event always brings out the fun in fundraiser. The creative minds in the canyon go nuts over the themed decor. Will you hang out in the hippie haven, the leather lounge or maybe the eighties lounge? There will be something for everyone in the items up for bid -- from vacations to musical equipment. My favorite items are the beautiful works donated by our canyon artists.
Tickets are $50 in advance at Cafe Mimosa, Lobal Orning Bookstore, Water Lily Cafe and Topanga Elementary Charter School. Tickets at the door will be $60.
If you would like to donate an item to the auction, contact gerwegirlie@yahoo.com or wiegand@sbcglobal.net.
All proceeds benefit the Topanga Enrichment Programs at the elementary school which help fund the teacher assistants, library, p.e., art and much more.

Topanga Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off

Clean out your closets, gather up your wares and take them to the Community House this Saturday for our annual Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off. There will be great local music and hot food. After the judging, the chili competitors sell off their culinary creations. It's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- come early to get the good stuff! For booth space call 310-455-1980.