Views Of A New Library

WHILE HUMMING THE JEOPARDY! THEME...
While we're marking time, awaiting word from our emissaries to Sacramento to report the results of their trip, I thought I'd give you a little view of a very positive event from last Saturday.


MANY VIEWS OF A NEW LIBRARY
At a forum hosted by the Costa Mesa Library Foundation, architecture students from Orange Coast College displayed their individual views of how a new Costa Mesa Main Library might look on that chunk of grass dedicated to the facility on Fair Drive near City Hall. More than 20 presentations were made, each one accompanied by a video presentation, and were very impressive.

PHOTOS
I've included a few photos of some of the displays, to give you a feel for what these bright young people turned out.





















CMTV CAPTURED THE EVENT
Brad Long from Costa Mesa TV was there to capture the event for a future item on Channel 24 (99 on U-Verse).





CITY REPRESENTATIVES
Local dignitaries were in attendance - Wendy Leece, Tom Hatch, Bruce Garlich, Larry Weichman and many others.
















POSITIVE PROGRAM
It was a terrific, positive program and gives you an idea of what we might expect if the Costa Mesa Library Foundation. I'm hoping we might see some progress made on a new library, but suspect I won't see it in my lifetime. Unless we find a generous donor to launch this effort in these troubled financial times it's hard to see how enough money will be accumulated soon enough to make this effort a reality.

Fairgrounds Radio, Library Forum and Civil War

THE HOME STRETCH
Back to the Fairgrounds issue. We now have less than one week until our elected leaders will wing off to Sacramento again to present the City's proposal for the acquisition of the Orange County Fair and Events Center to State representatives. They will be working night and day to get the proposal finalized and approved at their council meeting on Tuesday.

KOCI 101.5 FM HOSTING ROUNDTABLE SATURDAY
To be brought up to speed on this whole issue, Saturday - tomorrow - local radio station KOCI, 101.5 FM will host a roundtable on the subject. Moderator Troy Davis will preside over the event that, as of this writing, will include City Manager Allan Roeder and Councilman Gary Monahan. Other participants are pending.
NOTE: Former mayor Sandra Genis, President of the Orange County Fairgrounds Preservation Society, has been added to the panel. This should make for lively discussion.

LIVE AUDIO STREAM, TOO
You can also hear this event on your computer via a live audio stream at www.kociradio.com (you may have to click that link twice) starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. No video stream will be available. This program will be archived for later listening. I'll provide you with that link when I receive it.

LATEST INFO AVAILABLE
Roeder and Monahan have been up to their eyeballs in the negotiations on the Fairgrounds sale, so the information they provide on Saturday should be the most up-to-date available anywhere. Thanks for the good folks at KOCI 101.5 FM for this important public service.

VENEZIA ON FAIRGROUNDS DRAMA
Also on the Fairgrounds Sale subject, today Barbara Venezia had an interesting column in the Orange County Register on this issue, HERE. You can see her short video interview with a clearly weary Roeder below.

BARBARA VENEZIA WITH ALLAN ROEDER

***

CENTRAL LIBRARY VISIONS ON DISPLAY
Later Saturday, at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park), the Costa Mesa Library Foundation hosts a Community Forum at which architectural students from Orange Coast College will present their visions for a new central library with conceptual drawings and models.

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY
This event runs from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and there is no charge.

***

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT AT FAIRVIEW PARK
And, if that's not enough fun, the Civil War is going to be re-enacted at Fairview Park on Saturday and Sunday. If you're in the mood to see battles re-fought, smell black powder and mingle with folks in 150 year-old garb, Fairview Park is the place for you this weekend. Good luck with parking... I can think of at least one local resident who will probably feel right at home there this weekend.

Bookfair Reminder

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Just a reminder.... Tomorrow, Thursday, November 5th, is the first day of the Barnes & Noble Bookfair, benefiting the Costa Mesa Library Foundation in it's efforts to build a new Costa Mesa Main Library. I wrote about it in a post last week, which included a copy of the flier and samples of the vouchers - neither of which are necessary to participate in this wonderful fund raising effort.

BOOKFAIR THURSDAY - SUNDAY
The Bookfair takes place from the 5th through the 8th, with special events at the Barnes & Noble store at Metro Pointe. You can make purchases at ANY Barnes & Noble store, though, and get credit applied to the fund raising effort by simply giving the clerk the ID number, 10008878, at the time of purchase.

INFORMATIVE EMAIL FOLLOWS
I've attached a copy of a recent email sent by the Library Foundation that explains the program in detail. Please take advantage of this opportunity to help a very worthy cause and buy some of your Christmas presents this weekend.

To all Costa Mesa Library Foundation Friends, Family, & Supporters:

The CMLF is having our 1^st Annual Barnes & Noble Book Fair fundraiser this Thursday through Sunday at the Metro Pointe B&N location. Please join us for one or all of our events and make sure to do some shopping!

How it works:

Visit the Costa Mesa B&N (or any other B&N location) between November 5 and November 8 and almost anything you buy will support our efforts to build a new central library in Costa Mesa. All you need to do is show them a flyer, voucher, or give them our ID # (10008878) to make sure we get credit. As a bonus, if you show your receipt to the CMLF staff after your purchase, you will be entered to win a basket with $200 worth of books, audiobooks, and gift cards!

What counts:

You can buy magazines, books, calendars, food, sandwiches, coffee, DVDs, music, and just about any other tangible item for yourself or as a holiday gift. If you usually use the library to check out books, support the CMLF by grabbing your morning coffee and a pastry and or stop by later for a sandwich and some holiday shopping. As long you supply a flyer/voucher or our ID #, we will get credit for your purchases.

Events at the Metro Pointe location:

November 5-8th:

Members of the CMLF will be staffing a table at the top of the escalator and will be handing out free wristbands, bookmarks, and pamphlets about our foundation and discussing the need for a new library.

November 7th, 12:00pm:

Peter Rabbit story time with characters in costume!

November 7th, 2:00pm:

Notable children’s author, Gillian Lee Hutshing, will read and sign copies of Sparky the Wonder Fish. If you have kids or grandkids in the area, bring them in for this special treat and they can take part in a free coloring session. More info: http://sparky-events.blogspot.com/

November 8th, 1:00pm:

Award-winning audiobook narrator, Rosalyn Landor, will talk about her recent recordings and shed some light on the audiobook profession. A half-dozen of her titles will be on hand should you want to have your copy signed.

If you’ve already done your holiday shopping or will be out of town, please forward this message to any friends or family who can attend. We are really hoping for a great turnout!

As always, your support is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Costa Mesa Library Foundation Board

P.O. Box 2864

Costa Mesa, CA 92628
info@costamesalibraryfoundation.org

Costa Mesa Library Foundation Fund Raiser

My friends at the Costa Mesa Library Foundation recently announced the 1st annual Barnes & Noble Bookfair!

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HELP
The event will be held at Barnes & Noble Metro Point from Thursday, November 5th through Sunday, November 8th. Store hours are from 9a.m.-11.p.m. I've attached a flier with all the details, but basically the Costa Mesa Library Foundation gets a percentage of any purchases of books, CD/DVDs and even snacks and coffee at the Starbucks Cafe'. All you have to do is tell the cashier that you are with the Costa Mesa Library Foundation when paying your tab.

EXCLUDED ITEMS
Unfortunately, purchases of gift cards, Barnes & Noble memberships, text books and magazine subscriptions are not included in Bookfair totals.

VOUCHERS ATTACHED
I've also attached a sheet of vouchers with the event number, Bookfair I.D. #10008878, on them, although the presentation of a voucher is not necessary for the CMLF to receive credit.

SHOP AT ANY BARNES & NOBLE
I'm also reminded that purchases can be made at ANY Barnes & Noble location during the established times for this very worthwhile event.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING
So, get a jump on your Christmas shopping and contribute to the Costa Mesa Library Foundation at the same time. Tell your friends...