29th Annual Meeting is big success

The 29^th Annual Meeting of the Friends on May 5, 2013 was highlighted by an extraordinary presentation on the history of the Channel Islands Harbor (based on her soon to be published book, Shifting Sands) by local author Cherie Brant.  She’s a gifted speaker and her topic couldn’t have been more timely given the expected sand nourishment shortfall and the subsequent loss of beach, come the next big storm. Her speech was followed by a question-and-answer period hosted by Councilmember Jon Sharkey who has been lobbying Washington DC on behalf of the city and consulting with the Corps of Engineers who are obligated by law to keeping sand on the beach.  The city of Port Hueneme is expected to declare a state of emergency given the history of property loss, especially after the 1996 January storms.  In honor of Cinco de Mayo, guests were served guacamole, chili con queso and plenty of tortilla chips.  As a surprise, anybody who became a member of the Friends of the Port Hueneme Library, received a gift certificate to a local business.  John Donohue and Ellen Rosen were the big winners.  We are still carrying on our Nonmember Membership Drive in which current members present a friend, relative or neighbor with a 12-month membership.  Not only do the new members get the newsletter and invitations to all Friends special events but they also receive a gift certificate for a free book in the Lobby Shop.  It’s not to late to give the gift that keeps on giving. 

Despite the lousy economy, we made $173 dollars more than the $500 last year.  That’s probably because of Jonnie Lisman’s marketing ideas.  This year folks who bought 50-cent books could get three for a dollar while those who purchased 25-cent books received five for a dollar.  The discount didn’t apply to children’s books, however, which are already priced so that anybody with kids can stock up.

We experienced liquid sunshine most of the morning so when Steven Alcrantz and his crew (Steve Stanbrough and Julio Ramirez) weren’t carrying books out to cars, they were kept busy mopping up the moisture that collected on the tables.  The sun never did break through but we still hosted a steady crowd of motivated buyers.

The set up crew probably set some kind of record—they were finished well before our ten o’clock opening.  They had plenty of time to chow down on donuts and freshly picked strawberries. A specially shout out goes to everybody who pitched in and helped.  In addition to Board members (Jonnie Lisman, Paula Sullivan, Beverly Kelley, Cathy Penprase, Nancy Vasquez & Nana, Barbara Burnett) and Bookies (Carol Melugin and Nancy Robarge), some very dedicated hubbies (Jon Sharkey, Tom Fraser, Tom Melugin, Michael Decka) showed up with their handcarts and brought out at least one hundred boxes of books.

We even stayed open until 4:30 PM to accommodate the late shoppers who hauled away the last of the Atlases and reference books.  Now we can get started on a new year of collecting, cleaning, pricing and selling.  Don’t forget to visit the Lobby Shop, which is open the same hours as the Prueter Library.  There will always be plenty of subjects and titles to peruse for pocket change.

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THE BIG BOOK SALE

Tomorrow is the big day for the Friends Annual Book Sale.  Starts at 10 AM.  Get there early to get the best selection. 510 Park Ave in Port Hueneme.  Closes at 4:00 PM.

April, 2013 Newsletter is out.

You can now download the latest newsletter.  Find out all about  the Non-member Membership Drive, the Annual Book Sale, the Annual Meeting, the READ (adult literacy) Program, The Family Legacy Writing Workshop, the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile and the Banana Cookbook.

Just go to Pages, click on Newsletters and click again  on Friends News April 2013.

If there is somebody you would like to give a year’s membership to the Friends, please download this form.  Membership Form

Black History Month

Twenty people showed up for a fascinating presentation on February 16, 2013 by Mary Main and Cathy Thomason. They led us through the process of completing their book in 60 days. Both authors are from Ventura County and are dedicated volunteers: Mary at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and Cathy with the Port Hueneme Friends.

LATEST NEWSLETTER IS OUT

You can now download the latest newsletter.  Find out all about the High Victorian Tea, the Cristero Lecture by Sylvia Munos Schnopp, and the Holiday Book and Gift Boutique.  Just go to Pages and click on Newsletters.

LET’S MAKE THIS A ‘GREEN’ CHRISTMAS IN PORT HUENEME

Do your Christmas Shopping at the Fourth Annual Friends Holiday Book and Gift Boutique

 

Ray D. Prueter Library
510 Park Avenue   Port Hueneme, CA

                                      12:00 PM to 3:00 PM December 1, 2012


The Friends of the Ray D. Prueter Library have scoured their collection of gently-used books, magazines, audio books, and videos.  They have selected the very best in boxed sets, coffee table books, handsomely bound children’s stories and the most extensive collection of Christmas books—from classics to crafts to cookbooks.

They have also gathered a wide variety of previously-treasured holiday items for every member of the family.

 

Again this year, they promise to keep these articles—which include jewelry, art, scarves and decorative objects–affordably priced from 25 cents to $5.

 

For the past four years, the Friends of the Library helped Santa deliver a bounty of gifts even during the depths of a recession.

 

The Holiday Book and Gift Boutique will only be open for three short hours, so make your plans to attend now.

       

 For further information, please call Beverly (805 488-0363).