Mark your calenders for Tuesday, July 16th, the date of the Friends of the Library's turn to sponsor the Tuesday Evening Chamber BBQ at the Atascadero Lake Park. The time is from 5:00-7:00 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for children. Tickets will be available at the library.

On February 4th the Atascadero High School Interact Club sponsored a 5K Fun Run at the Lake Park to raise money for the new library. Thank you to Ellen Davis and the other AHS Interact Club members for raising $1800 for the new library.

The photo on the right shows Ellen Davis with Friends of the Library President Grenda Ernst.

The third annual Atascadero: Dancing with Our Stars on March 10 was a huge success, earning $70,000 for the campaign to "Open the Doors." Fifth District County Supervisor Jim Patterson and Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Board President Jeannie Malik took first place (photo on left). They also won the People's Choice award for receiving the most votes during the event. Their routine was choreographed by their tap instructor, Judie Magonacelaya.

In second place with a delightful samba were Kelly Long and Dan Davis; Bill Vail and Sharon Davis took third place with an energetic mambo.

All of our stars were winners— Christina Lefevre, Mike Latner, Brian Sturtevant, Molly and Giovanni Comin, Rev. Rich Kurrasch, Chris Balogh, Nancy Cohn, Josh Burke, Zoey Bond, Debora De Stefano, and Bohdan Nikiporets. They gave outstanding performances, and they worked hard to raise money for the library before and during the event.

Many thanks to Dena Kaigel (on the right in photo) of Total Look Salon who organized and hosted a lovely reception on April 13. Dena's event, which included a very successful raffle, raised $1300, and all the proceeds were donated to the library. Local artist Mandy Weathers (on the left in photo) was featured. Mandy donated 30% of her sales that night, and 25% through the end of May.

The Central Coast Children's Classic, held in June at Peggy and Tom O'Malley's Portola Inn, has received rave reviews. There were numerous hands-on activities and many families stayed for hours, exploring Pirate's Cove at Treasure Island, Zoo To You, the Chumash Indian Village, The Twin Cities First Aid Tent, the Little House on the Prairie, Mr. McGregor's Garden, the Blacksmith's Shop, and watching the Paddock Players Puppeteers and the SLO Ballet dancing the Velveteen Rabbit. Attendees also enjoyed a picnic lunch and ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. The CCCC is an event focused on children and we found that adults had as much fun as the children. Thank you to everyone that helped in making this event a big hit.

Our Chamber of Commerce BBQ in the Park netted $3,000 in August. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce, the Atascadero Elks, and the many FOL volunteers. Thanks also to FOL President Grenda Ernst for organizing the volunteers and selling many tickets herself.

On November 10th we celebrated the season with a Giving Tree party at the library with Jan Grigsby and John Rouillard, musicians and storytellers (top photo on the left).

Also attending was Captain, the library dog (bottom photo on the left). Refreshments were served. The event concluded with the lighting of the library's Giving Tree (photo on the right), decorated with ornaments that represent items needed in the new Children's Library. Thank you to all the library patrons who selected an ornament from the tree and made a donation to help furnish the new Children's Library.

Photo on the left shows our top three winners (from the left)--Bill White (1st place), partner and instructor Sharon Davis, John Webster (3rd place), Jeannie Malik (2nd place) and Dan Davis (partner and instructor).

Photo on the right shows Dan Davis and Jeannie Malik in action. Close to $50,000 was netted by the event, twice as much as the previous year's total. Thank you to everyone who helped in making this event a huge success!

On April 30, 100 children and adults enjoyed the first ever Central Coast Children's Classic on the lovely grounds of the Portola Inn, owned by Tom and Peggy O'Malley. This event organized by Liz Helgerson and Leigh Livick, with assistance from a host of volunteers, netted $1800 for the expansion and earned enthusiastic appreciation from all who attended. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and sponsors that helped make this event a big hit.

Nine homeowners on the San Marcos Ridge opened their beautiful gardens to visitors from throughout the county—and beyond. We thank all those who volunteered, and especially organizers Anne Harris and Sue Sly, who shared their lovely gardens, along with their neighbors: Tom and Darlene Sherwood, John and Bonnie McCabe, Wyatt and Deborah Cash, Don and Carol Sauressig, Ed and Lorene Cabrera, Bill and Linda McFarlen, and Tom and Iris Thompson. The tour netted $6000 for the library campaign.

Leigh Livick coordinated the FOL benefit performance at the Brickyard Theatre which netted $1900. Thanks to Leigh and to Anet and Charley Carlin for a wonderful production of Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House.

The theme of the 2011 Colony Days Parade was "Parade of Books". The FOL entered a float entitled "The Magic of Books…Find Your Magic At The Library" and used a theme of Harry Potter. Thank you to our FOL parade coordinator Linda Zirk.

The Richard Summers concerts were a resounding success! Ticket sales and the live auction netted close to $20,000 for the new library campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, especially Rex and Betty Hendrix and Richard Summers. In left photo, Kristie Dart and Richard Summers perform at the November library benefit concerts. In right photo, Friends of the Library presents certificates of appreciation to Rex Hendrix and Richard Summers. From left are Grenda Ernst, Rex Hendrix, Eileen O'Grady, Richard Summers, Anne Harris, and Sue Sly.