Peninsula Friends of the Library

“What a spectacular evening was had by all of the attendees at the “Magical Evening” February 6 celebrating the 80^th anniversary of the Palos Verdes Library District,” reports Board of Trustees member Connie Davenport, who was also the Publicity Chair for the event. Below is a link to a slide show consisting of photos taken by PFL Communications Chair Fran Pullara and some from Volunteer Coordinator, Dori Medina. Can you help to identify anyone? Do you have any photos you took to share?

PFL at Flickr’s A Magical Evening

The after-event press release reported the following:

The event was sold out, and more than 500 people filled the Peninsula Center Library with enthusiasm and good cheer.  The rain stopped just in time for the guests to enter on a red carpet.

The Social Hour with cocktails and silent auction was a time for Library Supporters to meet and greet and enjoy the sparkling ambiance.  The library area was polished to perfection and was beautifully set off with the black and antique gold color scheme of the event.  Masses of black, gold and clear balloons added to the fun of the evening as did the strolling magicians.  The sit-down dinner, catered by Restaurant Christine, on the roof of the library (under an amazing tent) continued the evening.

Many of the guests had not been in the library for years or only used limited services.  Having the event in the library and then showing a short film developed to introduce the modern Palos Verdes Library District to the community really brought home how much the library enriches life for all ages on the Hill.  Library supporters strengthened their commitment and other guests became library supporters.  This was one of the huge successes of the evening.

The live auction introduced the District’s new naming rights program and the first room was named—another success of the evening.

The numbers are still being added up, but the event seems to have been a substantial financial success also.

Months of hard work by the 80^th Event Committee paid off in a smooth and flowing evening for 500 people.   The 80^th Event Committee was a team made up of library supporters from the Friend’s Board, Library staff, Board of Library Trustees, the Library Advisory Committees and community members of all age groups.  Art students did tablescapes, and teens from Assisteens, TickTockers, Key Club, and Los Hermanos helped the day of the event.  Over 85 volunteers in all produced this amazing event.

The dedicated the 80^th Anniversary Celebration Committee chairs are:  Cc Yu, Chair;  Linda Sun, Co-Chair ; Glenous Absmeier, Food Chair;  Mary Bavafa, Decorations Chair;  Connie Davenport, Publicity Chair;  Pat Foltz, RSVP Chair;  Jennifer King, Auction Chair;  Robert Medawar, Sponsorship Solicitation Chair;  Roy Medawar, Video Production Chair;  Jim and Lois Moore, Invitation Chairs;  Ted Paulson, Site Set-up Chair;  Bill Roberts Treasurer; Linda Sun, Programming Chair;  Teresa Sun, Ticket Representatives Coordinator;  Gail Tierney, Transportation Chair;  Fran Wielin, Souvenir Booklet Chair.  Staff members on the committee are Kathy Gould, Director; Charles Crouse, Julie Mattix, Merna Marshall, Lasz Latkoczy, David Campbell, and many other staff members supported the event in different capacities.

The Peninsula Friends of the Library and the Palos Verdes Library District extend heartfelt thanks to the generous guests, donors, volunteers, advertisers and sponsors who came together and made this celebration a wonderful success.