Sunbeams: Two weeks of library celebrations

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 13, 2009 | by Harriet Ainsworth

THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY and Learning Center Foundation gala last Saturday, preceding the grand opening of the splendid new home of the Libe and the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium tomorrow, drew more than 600 good, smiling souls.

"The Novel Evening" highlighted the new main library, plaza, Community Hall and Pavilion for the occasion, replete with closed streets, at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and First Street.

Everyone gracing the gala was happy because they all have been working faithfully for the last decade to make it happen. And "the 600" were only a fraction of the more than 2,000 Lafayette families, from Girl and Boy Scout troops to seniors, who helped. You could feel a pervading sense of civic pride.

"I have never seen Lafayette come together as it has for this project," marveled Mayor Don Tatzin.

Altogether, the gala and the grand opening illustrate not "yes, we can," but rather "together we're doing it." These volunteers contributed more than 14 million as well as thousands of hours. I remember when popular Lafayette council member Anne Grodin, then Citizen of the Year, told new Orinda council member Amy Worth in 1998, "I'm not going to run again; I want to work for the Lafayette Library."

Library foundation President Kathy Merchant toasted the gala's co- chairs, Rhonda Andronico and Renee Rogers, with pink champagne, an enticing combination of champagne and pomegranate juice also greeted all at the party's guests at the entrance. Lafayette's Springloaf catered the feast, with treats from tempting crab cakes to irresistible confections.

Most women attending the gala wore festive black and white to the black-tie gathering, in tribute to the two "colors" it generally takes to r-e-a-d. Fashionistas were the Stanley Middle School lad musician who upped to white tie, and Lafayette's former Mayor Scott Talan, who flew from Manhattan for the gala, donning his colorful Thai silk shirt obtained on a recent business trip to Bangkok. Liz Rosenberg shepherded the talented musicians from Bob Athayde's company at Stanley Middle School. (The boys' brass combos and the 7th grade girls' flute trio were among the instrumental stars, hotly pursued by Acalanes and Campolindo choral singers, and later both high schools' jazz bands.)

Don O'Neal, impromptu auctioneer, made one lucky youngster between the ages of 8 and 16 happy with the exclusive opportunity to be a Golden State Warrior -- at least for an evening -- announced as captain and huddling in the locker room with the team. Four tickets to the game and a replica jersey to take home were part of the deal, too. Also, so many poignant, inspirational stories of loss determining family foundations' efforts to help.

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY: Don't miss the Libe and adjacent Community Hall official grand opening tomorrow, from 9 a.m. 'til 5 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and First Street.

"It's a day of free festivities," says Tony Eichers, chairman of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. "Start at 8 a.m. in a parade of farewell and fellowship as you follow Lafayette's beloved, original Model T fire engine, 'Old Betsy,' up from the old library to the new LLLC."

Co-chaired by Lafayette's Jerry and Barbara Schauffler, the day begins with Mayor Tatzin's official ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m., along with the unveiling of the commissioned sculpture, "Speechless."

"Then the fun truly begins," exulted Eichers.

All 12 members of the library consortium will be on hand during the day with demos and workshops, including a California Shakespeare Theater mini-performances of "Romeo and Juliet;" rocket-making with Chabot Space and Science Center; creek activities with Greenbelt Alliance; creatures from both the Oakland Zoo and Lindsay Wildlife Museum; mimes, clowns, magicians and plenty of music will offer even more pizazz, along with the folks of KKDV radio, giving away prizes from their popular party games. Docents will be on hand to introduce you to a place you're sure to call your second home. (For thirst and sustenance, the Bookmark Cafe will open soon.) For more info call 925-283-6513 or visit www.lafayettelib.com.

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FORTY YEARS OF HOSPICE CARE: Friends of Hospice Orinda celebrated their 40th anniversary via a reunion lunch at Orinda Country Club Nov. 4. First these volunteers aided the American Cancer Society, and then the burgeoning Hospice of the East Bay, which takes such comforting care of loved ones losing their lives to the scourge of cancer. This group of women has raised approximately $200,000, according to Holly Fitch Hogan, original president, via all sorts of benefits from bridge parties, book reviews, flower shows and eminent speakers to making and selling root beer floats outside the Orinda Safeway.

Event chairwomen for the reunion lunch were Holly and Carolyn Schiller of Lafayette, who located many of the 16 original members, such as Char Strong of Moraga, Lafayette's Helga DeMartini and Sally Lyding of Orinda. With membership having doubled and still growing today, current President Caroline Giers looks forward with new ideas of service.