LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?


Last year's Gala Photo Doug Kohen

Sharing a meal with celebrity authors doesn't happen every day, but organizers behind this year's Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Gala have something new and entirely different planned for their upcoming fundraiser, "A Literary Feast" on November 3.

The evening is all about "celebrating the work of two dozen authors from the San Francisco Bay Area who have contributed so much to our knowledge and enjoyment of the written word," explains Board President and Event Chair Michael Gilson.

"This dinner is our very first of what we hope will become an annual event to raise funds to support the ongoing work of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center." Unlike every other library in the county and the vast majority of libraries across the country, "more than 50 percent of the total annual cost of the hours and support for our library is provided through the generosity of our donors, so this upcoming Author Dinner is an important source of financial support," says Gilson.

The authors have been "absolutely wonderful and responsive," says Foundation Executive Director Kathy Merchant. Well known authors as well as first timers will be rubbing elbows with ticket holders at each table, from Annie Barrows who wrote The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to mystery writer John Lescroart, author of The Hunter and Damage and Gail Tsukiyama author of The Samurai's Garden along with other titles.

With a massive tent over the front plaza entrance of the Library - cocktails within the library and a sumptuous sit down dinner served in the Community Hall by local catering and event planning firm SpringLoaf, it will surely be a night to remember. Merchant adds with a grin, the evening will have library related themes, "It'll be black and white and read all over."

For those unable to make it to the dinner, but who would still like to support the Library, a silent auction will be available for online bidding from the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation website, www.lllcf.org. Individual tickets and a few table sponsorships are still available for the event scheduled for November 3, starting at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the programs, extended hours and building operations of the LLLC. Check the website for details and a complete listing of all 24 authors, or call (925) 283-6513 for information.