The Topanga Chamber of Commerce (TCoC) presents its 70th Annual Awards Dinner, on Saturday, May 4, 6:30-10 p.m., at the Topanga Community Center. Tickets and event details are available at topangachamber.org.
“The Chamber invites you to a wonderful evening of honoring our community and enjoying great company,” Topanga Chamber of Commerce Events Chair Brooks Ellis told the Messenger Mountain News.
The event will include the awards ceremony, a silent auction, live music, and a keynote speech given by the Caltrans District 7 director John Bulinski. Apart from the festivities there will also be a delicious catered dinner along with a variety of beverages, all of which is included in the ticket price.
This year’s honorees include the Topanga Mercantile (Business of the Year), Tam Taylor (Citizen of the Year), and the Topanga Symphony (Nonprofit of the Year).
Topanga Mercantile, owned and operated by Tom Vogel and Dinah Englund, is a must-see shop in the heart of the canyon. The shop distills the essence of Topanga’s spirit, with a beautifully curated selection of merchandise that features local artisans, stunning crystals, and handmade candles which are crafted onsite. Topanga Mercantile is the ideal place to find a handcrafted one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one, a treat for oneself, or to simply enjoy the ambiance, the smell of fresh made candles, the beautiful displays. “The friendly presence of Dinah and Tom makes for an exceptional experience.”
“Tam Taylor is one of our many local Topanga heros,” Ellis said. “She has tirelessly given back to the community and is deeply committed to helping many vital local organizations. Tam has volunteered at both the elementary school and the Topanga public library, has been active with the Theatricum, the Canyon Sages, and the Topanga Town Council. Currently, she is the vice president of the Canyon Sages, as well as a board member of the Topanga Chamber of Commerce. She also holds positions on the Messenger’s Advisory and Editorial boards. We are so lucky to have her in our community!
The Topanga Symphony is a community treasure. Since its inception in 1982, the program has continuously presented high-quality free concerts. “Consisting of a mix of professional and amateur musicians, the Symphony is truly a community organization where musicians and music aficionados alike are able to mingle and produce experiences which are uniquely Topanga,” Ellis said.
“It is an honor and a privilege for the Topanga Chamber of Commerce to be able to host 70 consecutive years of awards and recognize the incredible community of Topanga,” Ellis said. This is an amazing milestone and we are grateful to Topanga for making it happen! Thank you to all of our wonderful small businesses, the dedicated residents, the tireless nonprofits, and our visionary legislators.”