Topanga days 2023 It’s Good to have you Back!

By Kathie Gibboney

In addition to the daunting task of choosing the right celebratory outfit for Topanga Days 2023, there is another challenge: walking up that long hill to the Fair. I forgot how steep it is and not being as spry as in my halcyon days, pacing is the key to a successful climb. Slow and steady may not exactly win the race, for there were many swifter of foot who passed us by, but we arrived at last, like pilgrims to our sacred Mountain Mecca, the gem that is The Topanga Community Center and long may she wave.

A tip of the Unicorn Horn to all who participated in the parade and honored this year’s Grand Marshals, the Topanga Trash Warriors.

After the fun and frivolity of our homegrown parade, the last day of the Fair officially began with the solemn raising of the flag for Memorial Day as Catherine McClenahan sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem, a fitting tribute to all those who have served our country.

Standing under that raised flag, the honorable ceremony invites a question, perhaps shared by many. Can you imagine, someday, a world without war? I think in Topanga we can.

All around, people were greeting neighbors and friends. Longtime Topangan Peter Zeiler called it “A trip into the past! Times they are a changin’ and there’s so much gentrification, but this is part of our heritage, and it keeps on tickin’.”

Local musician Ken Mazur and his wife, Susan Clark of Topanga Animal Rescue and Active First Responders, observed, “Surprisingly it’s still Topanga after all these years. Topanga Rocks! Topanga Days is where we reconnect with old friends and meet new locals. Topanga is still a Village and it takes a Village!”

Soon the village is filling up fast, unlike last year, a Topanga Days post-COVID Lite. More and more celebrants arrive, music and bubbles float through the air, along with an aroma of something else carried on the breeze; maybe it’s incense? Our son grew up attending Topanga Days and he is here somewhere in the crowd amongst his friends, no longer kids at Children’s Corner. He’s 30 now. How did that happen?

Strolling around the circle of colorful booths offering jewelry, tie-dyed clothing, handmade gypsy scarves, genuine TCC merchandise, (thank

Topanga Days. Were you there?

By Rabbi Mendy Piekarski

you volunteer Shannan Thomas for being on the job) and hipster hats. I’m tempted to stock up for next year’s Topanga Days.

Suddenly, excitement is building around the stage. The popular, Animal Impression Contest is starting. It seems to be a real crowd pleaser with a long line of entrants on stage hoping for winning glory. Emcee Adam Silbar, looking like the best Boy-Scout leader ever, is again on the job and keeps things running smoothly. Although no longer living in Topanga, I feel the presence of our past grand master, Billy Portman. But there, on the side of the stage I see a familiar figure, the man who gave us Pine Tree Circle, Snow Night, a restaurant with a liquor license and much more, Steve Carlson, who instead of ageing, seems younger each time I see him. He imitates an elephant with appropriate majesty. Yet the winner is a young lad, Lukas Mackey, who captured a wild and winsome bird. Win or lose, the old classic games are such fun with Limbo, Pie Eating, and the ever-popular Seed Spiting contest.

At The Corral Stage inside the Community House with its chill, intimate vibe, bands present eclectic offerings, including traditional, funk, fun, and the blues from, Graywolf Blues Band to the renowned Corral Stage Band. Thanks always to Tom Mitchell, an ever-young Topanga champion, with technical skills, a Hippie heart and a blazing harmonica. The Topanga Belly Dancers, originated by Melanie Kareem, brought down the house.

The food court is cranking. Local dad, Greg Thomas, in attendance all three days with his three children, appreciated the Children’s Fun Zone and food from Robin’s BBQ, Pacifico Charbroiled Fish Truck, Rock and Roll Pizza, and the deep-fried corn dog. The Green Truck offered vegetarian selections with its motto, “Healing our planet, one meal at a time.”

F irstly, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who joined us at the Chabad booth during the vibrant Topanga Days event. It was truly an amazing experience, filled with warmth, joy, and meaningful connections. We had the pleasure of meeting numerous members of our community and sharing the spirit of togetherness.

During the event, we organized an engaging activity called the “Challah Guessing Challenge.” Chana baked a remarkable giant Challah. Participants were invited to guess the weight of the Challah, and the person with the closest estimate would win the colossal creation to take home.

After sifting through approximately 400 guesses, we are delighted to announce that the Schneider family accurately guessed the weight of the Challah. It weighed an impressive 8 pounds, 8.0 ounces! Congratulations to the Schneider family for their keen intuition and a well-deserved victory.

Now, let’s delve into the deeper meaning behind Challah and its significance in our Shabbat observance. Challah serves as a powerful symbol, representing the Manna, the miraculous sustenance provided to the Jewish people during their 40-year journey through the desert after leaving Egypt. Each Friday, a double portion of Manna would descend from heaven, ensuring an ample supply for Shabbat.

Although we no longer receive the heavenly Manna, the tradition of Challah remains a cherished reminder of our dependence on the

Divine. It symbolizes our recognition that everything we possess ultimately comes from the benevolence of G-D. Much like the Jews in the desert who relied entirely on G-D’s provisions, Challah teaches us humility and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us. If you would like to bake your own Challah for Shabbat, visit chabad.org for a delicious recipe!

Wishing you all the best, and Shabbat Shalom,

On the Main Stage, The Spazmatics filled the air with music and good vibes. Over the weekend the old stage was also graced by the revered Venice, Allah-Las and The Main Squeeze. The day ended with a Keltic combo, the Young Dubliners, who blended their Irish rock and soul with Topanga’s rock and roll; kind of a mash-up of Irishanga or Topangrish. Top-o’-Topanga Days to ya!

I queried some young girls about the Topanga experience. Hilary Herbert waxed philosophical. “After living in Topanga, I feel I can be messy and grow, change and be seen. Topanga will always be there for me. I love you Topanga.”

Her friend, Katie Witt, was more direct and in tune with the Hippie vibe. “I love the feeling of living in a psychedelic mushroom. Therefore, I love living in Topanga.”

There is something that always strikes me about Topanga Days. In the middle of all the wacky festivity are children, and for a moment, I see through their eyes. They wander freely and happily, perhaps just briefly separated from their parents, not frightened or afraid. They are home. They happily toddle on licking a popsicle, ensconced in their own Topanga bubble. God bless the child that has Topanga.

How do we thank all of the volunteers?

All the members and TCC staff led by TCC President Kelly Rockwell, Nonie Shore VP of events, and the indomitable Rick Provisor, always available with a skilled helping hand. How do we thank the generous sponsors who made the parade possible and bolstered this festive fundraiser that would never be possible without you.

How, too, do we thank the stalwart women from Topanga of the 1940s and ’50s who left us the legacy of the Community House? Would they ever have imagined that it would have grown into such a celebration of community and love? I hope they are proud.

I asked two such volunteers, long-time Topanga gals in their official vests, what they thought about this Topanga Days 2023. Lisa Zook replied, “Lovin’ it! Feels like the old days!”

Her daughter, Lindsay added, “This is what a small town is all about, community, love and joy.”

This Unicorn is happy to have them on the job!

Top: “Uncle Albert,” changes its name each year for Topanga Days to “The Corral Stage Band” to pay tribute to the iconic Topanga Corral, reviving tunes from Canned Heat, Spirit, Lowell George/ LittleFeat, Neil Young, Tom Petty and others who lived and played in Topanga Canyon in the early days of Rock ‘n’ Roll. (l-r) Al Johnson, guitar, back-up vocals; Joe Stanley in background, drums; Tom Mitchell wailing on the harmonica; Stevie Re, bass guitar, back-up vocals; Randy Chance, in black, lead guitar, almost disappears into the black background; Alison FreebairnSmith, back-up vocals.

Left: This year’s Grand Marshals, the Topanga Trash Warriors, were led by co-founders Joseph Rosendo , left, and Roger Pugliese, right. Below: The Tattooed Man at the Fair.

Right: Will Geer at the groundbreaking for Theatricum Botanicum’s Shakespeare garden. He created his first garden in the 1950s when he performed at the American Shakespere Theatre in Stratford, CT. As a botanist, he preferred the term “herbarium” because many of the plants in Shakespeare’s Day were favored for purposes, in addition to their beauty, of food, medicine… and poisons.

Far right: Melora Marshall as Queen Margaret in War of the Roses, the third offering of the season.