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Holiday Highlights:Topanga Chamber Knows How to Party!
PHOTOS BY DJ NELLIS Chryssa Lightheart and her husband Curtis Cadell with Chamber Mixer Chair Dianne Porchia. Doron & Yorit Tal, owners of Oak Creek Ranch, the Chamber party venue, with Urs Baur of the Topanga Film Festival as they enjoy the night. Bill and Geraldine Flaxman and Chamber President Joseph Rosendo celebrate the season at the Chamber’s Holiday Celebration.
The Katarina Gleicher band entertains at the Topanga Chamber Holiday Celebration on December 16 at the Oak Creek Ranch in Topanga. Kirby Ingram of Topanga Spiritual Arts and her husband make a choice at the Silent Auction Table. Chamber Treasurer Ron Kramer of Kramer Insurance and his wife Tobi, celebrate at the Chamber holiday party with President Joseph Rosendo and his cigar.
The Topanga Chamber of Commerce wrapped up 2012 in style with their annual Holiday Celebration at a new venue—Yorit and Doron Tal's stunning Oak Creek Ranch, located on Alta Road with spectacular views of the Canyon. 
On a wet winter evening guests were comfortably and safely shuttled to the party from Topanga Canyon Boulevard by Canyon Car Service, a long-time Chamber member. A beautiful evening of food, drinks, music and dancing awaited them at the end of a short ride into the hills.
Chamber Event Chair April Hinkle coordinated a spectacular celebration that featured delicious food catered by Chef Elisa of Elisa Hinkle Catering and the varied services of many of the Chamber's rich resource of business talents. 
The colorful signs that greeted attendees to the party were hand-painted by artist Tommy Tucker; wine was supplied by Rosenthal Winery; Claire Cohn of Mimosa Café provided the caffeinated drinks which kept the dancers hopping; and Chocoboast offered up decadent mini-spoonfuls of dark and milk chocolate, as well as chocolate shots spiked with tequila or vodka.
Partiers swayed to the dulcet tones and jazz rhythms of Katarina Gleicher and Friends, while Cascio's Bartending kept the wine and water flowing.
Most of the valuable items and services for the Silent Auction table were donated by Chamber members, among them a Holistic Stress Reduction session from Porchia's Wish; destination DVDs and a “Where To Go When” coffee-table travel book from Travelscope Productions; Craig Phelps of Searchlight Insurance donated a vintage rock ‘n' roll poster; Yorit Tal offered four sculpting classes; Oak Creek Ranch provided a private wine tasting for two to the auction; and Chef Elisa chipped in with a catered dinner for two. 
At the height of the festivities, Chamber President Joseph Rosendo put the non-stop fun on pause just long enough to welcome the attendees and "express his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation" to Chamber board members Ron Kramer, Dianne Porchia, DJ Nellis, Kimberlie Nitti, Chantal Benedict and Bruce Royer for their service to the Chamber and contributions to the party. 
Singled out for special recognition were the tireless efforts of the Chamber's extraordinary event chair, April Hinkle, whose next big affair will be the Chamber's Annual Topanga Citizen of the Year and Business Awards dinner which is set for March.
For tickets to the Awards Dinner and information on the Topanga Chamber of Commerce and its member services, go to www.TopangaChamber.org or call (310) 455-0790. 
The Chamber Guide and Topanga Map are available for free at eateries and other popular gathering spots throughout the Canyon.
