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January 2013 Meet the Friends of the Danville Library
Serving Danville
By Jody Morgan The Friends of the Danville Library (FODL) has been providing support for purchases and programs that would otherwise be unaffordable since the organization’s inception in 1958. Rising to the challenge of recent public spending cuts, this all-volunteer non-profit group doubled the funding for new acquisitions available from Contra Costa County this year. FODL also finances free programs at the library for members of the community of all ages and helps secure grant money for many additional educational events. Used book donations are the main source of income for Melody Trapp and Marge Taylor teak a break from stocking FODL. Careful sorting gives the the shelves at the Friends Bookstore library first refusal on current year’s offerings. High value books are culled for Internet sales. Books from the past three years as well as certain notably saleable titles are sold in the Friends Bookstore at the library. Older books in good condition are boxed by category and stored for the big quarterly Book Sales. When multiple copies of a particular volume are donated, overstock goes on the “Free Book” carts in the library lobby. Volunteers encourage donors to provide contact information so personal property can be promptly returned. Bookstore Co-Manager Lynne Elizondo has found family photographs and cash left between the leaves, though nothing as substantial as the $20,000 a Massachusetts man discovered at a recent Wellesley book swap. Elizondo loves having a discerning buyer immediately purchase books she has identified as highly desirable. Bookstore sales provide 62% of FODL income. Quarterly Book Sales bring in another 22% of FODL funds. Elizabeth Johnson, Vice-President for Large Book Sales, has perfected the process over the past 15 years. Johnson Helen Pearlstein (left) FODL Endowment Liaison and Amazon-on-line was horrified after Sales Specialist chats with FODL Board Member Margaret Forster (right). her first Book Sale to find that unsold books were being thrown in the recycle bin. Now all unsold books go to local charities, hospitals, jails, schools, and community groups. What keeps her involved? “The chance to work with the volunteers I have is a huge motivation, but the real ‘fun’ comes with customers. Many look for me when they come in, and we talk about the book they bought last time and what they liked.”
See Friends continued on page 22 Local Postal Customer
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Monte Vista musicians. Photo courtesy of Perry Lentine
Jazz in the Moonlight Monte Vista High School’s award-winning instrumental music department includes String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and two Jazz Bands. In addition, Monte Vista has a Marching Band that was wildly successful in this past season’s Northern California competitions, at one point earning the highest score in their division in the State. Monte Vista musicians are routinely chosen by audition to participate in County and Northern California Honor Bands, and they have gone on to participate in music programs in college. Music students are clear about the benefits of studying music in high school. Monte Vista’s 2012-13 Drum Major, senior Nick Loey, reports, “Practicing music and leading marching band has helped me develop time management skills, and the music program has introduced me to some of my best friends.” Despite the success and popularity of Monte Vista’s Instrumental Music Program, they receive no school or district financial support beyond teacher
See Music continued on page 22
Residents of Aptos Place in Danville found their cul-de-sac flooded due to recent rains. The “lake” at the end of the street grew quickly, and homeowners could not leave their homes. The Danville Maintenance department had many storm drains on their schedule to unclog. Before the Maintenance workers arrive, two neighbors donned rain gear, rakes, brooms, and sticks and unplugged the clogged storm drain. Pictured at left is Darcy Geshel, and Loni Aurelius is on the right.
Volume IV - Number 3 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.