Mission Statement

The mission of the Friends of the Atascadero Library is to support, promote and expand the library's resources and programs. 


  NEWSLETTER 
April - May
2017

In This Issue...

President's Message
Linda Zirk 
 
Volunteer Breakfast Invitation

2017  Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars- A Grand Success!
 
Jeannie Malik

Library Art Programs
Eileen O'Grady

2017-2018 FOAL Board Elections 

Librarian's Message
Jackie Kinsey

Upcoming Events...

President Linda Zirk

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

WOW! What a busy three months we have had ... culminating in a successful fundraiser  "Dancing With Our Stars" on March 23, March 24, and March 25.  We hope you had fun if you attended this fabulous event.  You can find more information below on the turnout of this great community event! 
 
Our February/March art installation focused on artists from Atascadero High School.  They are very talented young people, and we hope they will continue to share their artistic views. Our next Art In The Library project will focus on the subject of Discovery - and since April is National Poetry Month, we will highlight poetry from local authors alongside the artwork.
 
In April the Library staff and FOAL Board Members will host a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on April 15th from 9am-10am.  All volunteers should have received an invite by  now...so let us know if you are a volunteer and can attend this event. Call the Library - 461-6161 to RSVP.
 
We are pleased to let you know that our Bookstore is once again in full operation.  We had to close it for a couple of weeks due to repair work needed to the door system.  Thanks go to Sharon Turner and Atascadero Glass for making sure we keep the doors open and welcoming.  We hope to see you at the Bookstore soon!  All members of FOAL recently received a coupon for a free book at the Bookstore...this is an ideal opportunity for you to come down and redeem that coupon and choose a wonderful book for yourself or someone in your family.
 
Our Annual Meeting and Election of Officers will be coming up very soon.   Full details will be sent out to all Members  and we hope to have a special guest in attendance. 
 
The Library is always full of people ... we hope you count among those numbers, and enjoy not only the reading materials but also the audio/visual materials and the many programs offered for children, teens and adults throughout the months.  We're here to help with any questions you may have so don't be shy about contacting us through our website:  http://www.friendsoftheatascaderolibrary.org/contact.htm
 
Signing off til next time....

Linda Zirk, President, Friends of the Atascadero Library


2017  "Atascadero's Dancing with our Stars"- A Grand Success!

Submitted by 
DWOS Event Coordinator,
Jeannie Malik
Winners of the 2017 Atascadero's Dancing With Our Stars. From left, Brian Reeves with second place winner Aurora William, first place winners, E.J. and Tobi Rossi, and third place winner, Susan Poteet with Chris Harmon. The three night event raised over $171,000 benefiting Atascadero Library plus six local non-profits. 

Thanks to all who collaborated in making our 8th Annual Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars, "Show Stoppers" an enormous success. Artistic Director Frank Sanchez knocked it out of the park this year! The three night event raised over $171,000 benefiting Atascadero Library plus six local non-profits. The additional non-profits were invited last June to raise funds for their own causes from the highly successful Friends of the Atascadero Library DWOS fundraising platform. It was a wonderful collaborative effort making a positive difference in our community as a whole.
 
The participating non-profits for this year's event were- Atascadero Library, Atascadero American Association of University Women, Atascadero Kiwanis, Atascadero Land Preservation Society, Boys & Girls Club of North SLO County, El Camino Homeless Organization and Atascadero Greyhound Foundation. The organizations received 100% of funds raised to support their causes in the community!
 
Pete and Sue Sly, "People's Choice" winner for Saturday night, and "People's Choice" winner and "Grand Championship"  raising $53,682 for the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation, E.J. Rossi and daughter Tobi.
Community Stars E.J. Rossi and daughter Tobi performed a "Country Swing" and garnered a clean sweep of "People's Choice" every show and "Grand Championship" Saturday night with $53,682 raised for the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation.  Funds will benefit Atascadero's Middle School Drug Mentoring program.
 
On Saturday night, the "People's Choice" award was only one vote apart. When Emcee Steve Martin announced that Community Stars Sue and Pete Sly were the close competitors, Tobi Rossi presented her "People's Choice" trophy to them. This act of kindness provided heartwarming closure for DWOS 2017. Thank you Tobi!
                       
Second place was awarded to Community Star Aurora William performing a "Viennese Waltz" with her choreographer Brian Reeves. Aurora raised $35,338 for El Camino Homeless Organization. (ECHO)
 
Third place was awarded to Community Star Dancer Susan Poteet performing a "West Coast Swing" with her choreographer Chris Harmon. Susan raised $19,378 for Atascadero Library.
 
Community Stars E.J. Rossi and daughter Tobi performing a "Country Swing;" Star Aurora William performing a "Viennese Waltz" with her choreographer Brian Reeves; Star Dancer Susan Poteet performing a "West Coast Swing" with her choreographer Chris Harmon. 


"Good Sport" trophy was awarded to Christina Troxel, Assistant to the Director and choreographer for Community Star Mark Glenesk.
 
All Community Stars were champions for the Atascadero Library. Rounding out the all star cast were Bruce Boniface, Sarah Cardinali and Angela Ramsey.
 
This wonderful event exists because our dance professionals donate their time and talents: Artistic   Director, Frank Sanchez and Community Star professional choreographers: Chris Harmon, Brian Reeves, Eddie Rodriguez, Tracy Rossi, Laura Slania, and Christina Troxel.
 
Artistic Director Frank Sanchez.
Artistic Director Frank Sanchez scripted 
 "Show Stoppers" as if it was a novel, weaving in characters, music, theatrics, and numerous vignettes featuring 32 professional dancers and past community stars. Two of the many highlights in the show were Special Guests- Grace Shirley and Koby Wescom who performed an award winning dance routine choreographed by Doriana Sanchez, Frank's daughter. Another highlight was professional choreographer Molly Comin performing with Oscar Gutierrez and Koby Wescom. Oscar and Koby are recipients of the Mercer-Sanchez dance scholarship.
 
T he scholarship honors Bud Mercer and Frank Sanchez. The North County Dance and Performing Arts Foundation raises funds to provide dance tuition for talented young boys. For more information on the Mercer-Sanchez dance scholarship please email-  [email protected]
 
Master of Ceremonies Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin fulfilled his duties seamlessly with class, charm, and unmatched wit while donning a tuxedo and oversized sparkly red bow tie. We are so fortunate to have Steve secured again for next year!
 
The DWOS committee is 100% volunteer based. This event would not be possible without the dedicated support of these individuals. Special thanks to Sharon Turner for handling Eventbrite ticket sales, Leigh Livick-registration, Carol Collins- treasurer, Shirley Summers and Joanne Peters for organizing a group of 40+ community volunteers to assist with each evening performance, Grenda Ernst and Heather Moreno-vote recording and Yvonne Campbell for her time and talents transforming the Pavilion with her decor skills. Thank you Susan Poteet for handling our huge inventory of linens and custom rosing nearly 700 napkins for the dinner shows. Special kudos  to Tom Thompson for managing our DWOS website and Linda Zirk for her amazing efforts and organization of  the highly successful silent auction held all three nights. Linda and her mini, but mighty team gathered and assembled 108 auction items donated from local businesses. Special thanks to Mary Kay Mills who coordinated and created several of the dancer costumes worn in the show. The costumes were beyond amazing!! Thanks to Brian Reeves for his many hours professionally editing music for the show. Kudos to technical director Brent Keast, lighting operator Scott Sebby, stage manager John Webster and DJ Jerry Craig. Special applause for our new professional photographer Cheryl Strahl who took hundreds of fabulous photos at the event. The photos shared on this site are compliments of Cheryl! Thanks Cheryl!
 
One of the most popular event additions this year was a raised stage and custom constructed wood dance floor. Special thanks to Jim Patterson, Louis Hruska and Atascadero Kiwanis crew who built the dance floor the week prior to the event.
 
We are grateful to our 55 event sponsors, especially Opolo Vineyards for providing all the wine at every show. Thank you Opolo attendants Anne and Lisa for pouring wine, always with a smile.
 
Thanks to Frank Sanchez, "Show Stoppers!" was the best production yet, increasing the momentum for DWOS in the future!
 
Please mark your calendars for next year's event. March 22, 23 and 24, 2018!
 
Thank you for your continued support!
 
Jeannie Malik
Event Coordinator- Atascadero's Dancing with our Stars  

LIBRARY ART NEWS

Submitted by  Eileen O'Grady

Discovery in Art and Poetry at the Atascadero Library

 
Have you checked out the Atascadero Library rotating art exhibits yet? Every two months, the adult area of the library offers a new exhibit and hosts an artist's reception to feature the selected artist or a thematic display which will include the work of several artists. All are welcome to attend the bimonthly art receptions at the library to meet the artists.

This month the Library will celebrate spring with a special exhibit of art and poetry, beginning April 3 and continuing through May 31. 

The work of several well-known local artists will be included: Pat Cairns, Jim Carlisle, Sheri DeBro, Dennis Dillow, Sandi Heller, Sue McKee, Sandra Rude, Joe Schwartz, and Cheryl Strahl. The exhibit features art created with oil, pastel, photography, watercolor, graphite, tapestry, and collage. 

To commemorate National Poetry Month, poems written by twenty local poets on the theme of discovery will be exhibited as well. This month Myra Lathrop read her poem to the poets, artists, and library patrons who attended the library art reception on April 6th. This exhibit will be on display through May 31st.

Our next exhibit, beginning in June, will display the work of artist Mandy Weathers. A reception is planned for June 8th at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Contact [email protected] for more information regarding events or submissions.

2017-2018 FOAL BOARD ELECTIONS


The following nominations have been made for the FOAL 2017 - 2018  Board. They are as follows:

President                                      Linda Zirk
Vice President
Treasurer                                     Shirley Summers
Recording Secretary                  Carol Gobler
Corresponding Secretary          Sharon Turner
 
Please join us for the election which will be held during our annual meeting. Watch your email for news of the date and time of the election to come. We look forward to seeing you there!

LIBRARIAN'S MESSAGE 

Submitted by Jackie Kinsey
Regional Librarian, North County

The PEEPs and their story dioramas are
 "flying" into the Atascadero Library!  Come
 in and vote for your favorite ones the week of April 3-7.
                   
Collaboration has been the action word in 2017 for the County of San Luis Obispo Libraries and other County departments. The following program arrangements work well with the library mission statement "...to provide materials and services to people seeking knowledge, lifelong learning, and
 recreation,..." and are of course free services.
The tutors volunteering through the Literacy for Life program now 
have the 2 nd floor conference room
 available to use during their tutoring hours.  Please review their
website if t
his is a volunteer opportunity you are interested in, http://www.literacyforlife.org/tutors/.

On March 30 th, infant specialist teachers from the San Luis Office of Education (SLOCOE) Infant-Toddler program began a 6 week program in the 2 nd floor program room. With certificated staff, developmentally appropriate learning opportunities are provided for children 18 months to 3 years of age in the public library setting. Parents participate with their child in a variety of structured learning activities. An emphasis is placed on early literacy, language and socialization. Parents register and participate in the full 6 week program. Space is limited and the classes filled up fast for this session, but I hope to host more classes with SLOCOE in Fall 2017.

We hope to see you at the library soon! - Jackie Kinsey, Atascadero Librarian


PROGRAMS FOR APRIL | MAY

April is National Poetry Month.   
"Discovery Themed Poetry and Art Exhibit."  April 1st-May 31st.
Local poetry and art will be on exhibit and available to view during library hours. A reception with refreshments will be held on Thursday, April 6, 5:30-7:00 pm. All ages are invited. 

National Library Week and Food-4-Fines week. April 10th - 15th .
This week only, a ny packaged item may be exchanged for up to $1.00 off existing fines, except for lost or damaged fines/fees nor collections charges.

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May
The month of May we will celebrate the heritage of the Asian/Pacific Cultures with book displays and a few special program still being scheduled. Please check the online calendar for events at  www.slolibrary.org  .


For more information, call the Atascadero Library at (805) 461-6161 
or visit us online at http://www.slolibrary.org 

NEW MEMBERS, DONORS AND DWOS CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to the many people who have joined FOAL, sponsored or participated in events and helped FOAL continue to deliver programs to Library patrons!

The Book Odyssey
Cathi Casebolt
Sue Gibler, donation in memory of Chuck Mascolo.
Annette Hatzman
John Lehman
Christopher Neary, undesignated donation
Duane Sanger, undesignated donation
Philip Soenen



FRIENDS OF THE ATASCADERO LIBRARY 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

President--Linda Zirk

Vice President--Jeannie Malik

Recording Secretary- Carol Gobler

Corresponding Secretary--Sharon Turner

Treasurer--Shirley Summers

Members-- Carol Collins, Grenda Ernst, Liz Helgerson, Christina Lefevre Latner, Leigh Livick, Jeanne Nealy, Jim Patterson, Linda Persons, Marguerite Kelly-Pulley, Alice Rew

Webmaster--Tom Thompson  [email protected]

Newsletter/Social Media Coordinator--Christina Lefevre Latner [email protected] 
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Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 561, 
 Atascadero, CA  93423