October 2011
An Event Like No Other - The New Library Opens!
Special guests included lead donors Simon, Daniel and Joe Mani, Stuart Feigin, Chad Goldman and Brian Pendleton, Rick Jacobs and Deborah Kallick of Cedars-Sinai Health System, as well as representatives from county and local government such as Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran and the West Hollywood City Council, and library artists Shepard Fairey and David Wiseman. Celebrities Breckin Meyer and Rose McGowan were also in attendance. On September 24, 2011, over 250 guests, prominent supporters and community leaders from across the Los Angeles region attended the West Hollywood Library Fund (WHLF) opening event at the new West Hollywood Library to celebrate the completion of construction and get a first look at West Hollywood's new civic landmark. The event was made possible by several sponsors, including: Wells Fargo, Athens Services, California Teachers Association, Clear Channel, Heery International, Bill Resnick, Stone & Youngberg and Union Bank.
Guests were able to tour the building and see all that the new library offers while enjoying fine refreshments and music, with tours conducted by Los Angeles County Public Library staff, WHLF board members, contractors and architects for the library.
The evening's entertainment included live readings in the Children's theater, tours of the new Wells Fargo Career Center, painting demonstrations by artists courtesy of Maximillian Gallery, an engaging discussion on design in the West Hollywood Room with Rocky LaFleur of Kneedler Fauchere and viewing of a time-lapse video of the two years of library construction.
Outside the library, guests participated in the silent auction, bidding on unique experiences and luxury items including high tea with author Anne Rice, a Custom Comfort Mattress, certificates from The Palm and other West Hollywood restaurants, travel packages, spa certificates, a helicopter ride and signed books by the Local Literary Lions.
During the program, Mayor John Duran welcomed guests to the new library and introduced WHLF Board Chair Chris Bonbright, who thanked the event's co-chairs, Lindsay Berger Sacks and Phil Mercado, sponsors, host committee, donors and volunteers, then presented the city with a check for $7.2 million, representing the total amount of funds raised to date. Later in the evening, lead donor Stuart Feigin presented LA County Librarian Margaret Todd with a copy of the very book that he checked out when he was a West Hollywood resident that got him started in computer programing.
Councilmember John Heilman stated “The new library will be a tremendous resource for our community for many years to come. The architects have created an amazing facility. It wouldn't have happened without the hard work of so many people over the years. We are very lucky to have so many dedicated people in our City.” Councilmember Abbe Land added: “The library is a library like 'no other'. It is an amazing civic building that reflects the values, the ideals and the heart of the West Hollywood community. Residents, West Hollywood residents adjacent, business owners, property owners, educators, designers and government all came together in partnership to create the vision of the library and then make it a reality. I am so proud of West Hollywood.”
The West Hollywood Library Fund would like to thank our guests, event co-hosts, sponsors and volunteers who spent many hours working to make this opening event for the new library an event like no other!
Pictured Top Left: WHLF Board Chair Chris Bonbright presents a $7.2 million check to the West Hollywood City Council
Pictured Top Right: Guests viewing the library donor wall
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Arman Gabay Pledges $500,000 to the Fund
Local developer Arman Gabay has pledged $500,000 to support the West Hollywood Library Fund to name the community meeting room. "I'm so proud of the City of West Hollywood and the great work that they have done in creating a new cultural center for the community,” said Mr. Gabay. “I am delighted to be a part of it."
Mr. Gabay is the president of The Charles Company, a real estate development and investment partnership founded in 1979, specializing in commercial properties. Its expertise encompasses all areas needed to transform raw land or existing under-improved property to successful income-producing assets. To date, the Charles Company has successfully developed projects throughout California. The Charles Company currently owns and operates over 3 million square feet.
The West Hollywood Library Fund thanks Mr. Gabay for his generous pledge and for his support in helping make the new West Hollywood Library a place like no other.
City of West Hollywood Library Dedication and Book Fair
On October 1, 2011, the City of West Hollywood officially dedicated and opened the new West Hollywood library, with a celebration attended by hundreds of members of the community. Special guests included: author Jackie Collins, LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Congressman Adam Schiff, LA County Librarian Margaret Donnellan Todd and WHLF Board Member Christopher Rice.
Hundreds of community members turned out for the celebration and were able to enjoy free refreshments and tour the new library. During the program, Mayor John Duran described the library as a place where “Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities meets Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, which is just another day in the city of West Hollywood.” Special guest, author Jackie Collins, talked about her tour of the library and about the importance of having a library like this available to children as an investment in the future.
Councilmember John Heilman described the new library as an example of West Hollywood coming of age as a community. “When we dare to dream great dreams for our city, when we dare to work hard and stay positive, we can accomplish a great deal,” Heilman said.
Congressman Adam Schiff also had praise for the new library. “At a time when most communities are either shutting their libraries or reducing their hours, here in West Hollywood, you could not only expand but build this magnificent new facility,” Schiff said. “It's an incredible tribute to the whole community and to the leadership of your city council.”
Over 500 new library cards were issued and the new library was immediately put to use, with community members learning about the new self-checkout system for books and using the library's computer terminals.
On Sunday, October 2, the celebration continued as the city held its 10th Annual Book Fair, which was also free to public and saw over 5,000 people attend the readings, seminars, panels and book sales throughout the library and West Hollywood Park.
The weekend was a great success for the city and for the new Library. The library was open during the book fair and signed up an additional 700 community members for new library cards, bringing total for the weekend to 1,200 new cards. It's clear to see that the community has embraced its new library and that it is off to a roaring start.
Pictured Top Left: Mayor John Duran cuts the ribbon to the new Library
Pictured Middle Right: Author Jackie Collins
Pictured Bottom Left: The community gets its first glance at their new landmark.
Mendocino Farms Fundraising Event
Mendocino Farms, a new sandwich restaurant opening in the West Hollywood Gateway, has selected the West Hollywood Library Fund as a charity partner for its Grand Opening event. With four locations in the Los Angeles area, Mendocino Farms reconstructs “Fine Dining” entrees to the sandwich level and takes classic regional sandwiches and gives them a modern interpretation.
The event takes place on November 2, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and you're invited! Stop by to experience the menu and help raise funds for the new West Hollywood Library. A suggested donation of $10 - $20 at the door covers your food and drink and all proceeds of the go to Fund. You can even enter a raffle for a free catered lunch or dinner for up to 20 people, a $500 value! To RSVP, please email or call us at: rsvp@weholibraryfund.org or (424) 888-2613.
Soho House Pledges $25,000 to Support the Fund
Soho House of West Hollywood has pledged $25,000 to support the West Hollywood Library Fund. Soho House West Hollywood has previously been the location of several events for the fund and in addition to this new pledge, will host a fundraising event at their West Hollywood location. "Soho House is delighted to be a part of the cultural fabric of West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip,” said Shelly Armistead, General Manager of Soho House West Hollywood. “We are supporting the library as a way to give back to the community and help to build its future."
The West Hollywood Library Fund thanks Soho House, Shelly Armistead and Nick Jones for their generous and continued support in making the new West Hollywood Library a place like no other.
Only $2.7 Million to Go - Naming Opportunities Still Available!
To date, the West Hollywood Library Fund has raised $7.3 million for the new West Hollywood library! Even though the library is now open, our campaign continues and we still have to raise $2.7 million to complete our $10 million goal.
Donating to the West Hollywood Library Fund is a great way to show your support for the community and ensure the legacy of free access to information for all.
Many naming opportunities for the new West Hollywood Library are still available, including:
To secure your permanent recognition in West Hollywood's new civic landmark, visit our website http://www.weholibraryfund.org or call us at (323) 469-1871 to make your donation.
Thank You to Our Opening Event Sponsors and Hosts
The West Hollywood Library Fund is grateful to the sponsors and co-hosts of the opening event for their support. Sponsors for the event were: Wells Fargo, Athens Services, California Teachers Association, Clear Channel, Heery International, Bill Resnick, Stone & Youngberg, Union Bank, The Roxy, Rare Bird Lit, Southern Wine and Spirits, Monsieur Marcel and Veggie Grill.
The event was co-chaired by Lindsay Berger Sacks and Phil Mercado and the host committee included: Nic Adler, Michael Beckson & Robert Gregory, Andrea Borda Stanford & Steve Stanford, Reveta Bowers, Jessica & Myles Bowman, Jane & Marcus Buckingham, Trisha Cardoso, Jenny Crystal Foley & Michael Foley, Ellen Goldsmith Vein & Jon Vein, Julie Hermelin, Vince Klaseus & Todd Gertschen, Matt & Ashley Kline, Jack Koll & Carter Bravmann, Sue Naegle & Dana Gould, Viveca Paulin Ferrell & Will Ferrell, Jackie Robbins Smith & Dennis Smith, Lizzie Rosman Schwartz & Mitchell Schwartz, Danielle & Gene Salomon, Eve Somer Gerber & Billy Gerber and Katie & Matt Tarses.
Thank you for making the event for the new library an event like no other!
Upcoming Events
Mendocino Farms Grand Opening and Library Fundraiser - Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm - 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 - Stop by the new Mendocino Farms at the West Hollywood Gateway to experience the menu and help raise funds for the new West Hollywood Library. Enter to win a raffle for a free catered lunch or dinner for up to 20 people, a $500 value! Suggested donation of $10 - $20 at the door. All proceeds go to the West Hollywood Library Fund.
To RSVP, please email or call us at: rsvp@weholibraryfund.org or (424) 888-2613
Join Us
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To find out how you can help, contact Campaign Manager LouAnne Greenwald at lgreenwald@weholibraryfund.org.
The West Hollywood Library Fund is grateful to the following corporate sponsors for their support of LibraryPark:
Additional support has been provided by:
Andaz West Hollywood - Arthouse Marketing Group - Marco Pelusi Hair Studio
Sponsorship is vital to the success of our campaign.
Go to www.weholibraryfund.org/getinvolved/corporate-sponsorship or contact Campaign Manager LouAnne Greenwald at lgreenwald@weholibraryfund.org to learn how your business can become a sponsor of the campaign for LibraryPark.