BOOK ‘EM!
It was a celebration of the written word as the Library Foundation of Los Angeles hosted its annual Literary Awards Gala at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Famed scholars and studious celebs like Ed Begley Jr. didn’t have any trouble reading between the lines at this best selling event. The actor and environmental activist joined Hollywood pals like Sidney Poitier, Laura Dern and Norman Lear for the bookish affair. Noted Journalist and “Boom!” author Tom Brokaw was honored for his many contributions as well as longtime library friend Veronique Peck and publisher Larry Kirshbaum. The honorees were all selected for their commitment to “The Los Angeles Public Library, literacy and lifelong learning.”
The Central Library and its 71 local branches serve more people than any library in the nation, offering more than six million books as well as state-of-the-art technology. Union Bank was also recognized for its citywide “Read to Me L.A.” kids program.
Since its creation in 1992, the Library Foundation has raised a whopping $80 million to promote the library as a center for literacy, culture and learning. Its programs have enriched millions of lives, and that’s something that speaks volumes.
THE GREEN MACHINE
The Fairmont hotel in Santa Monica was bopping with an eco-friendly crowd at this year’s Global Green Awards Gala. Local notables like “Californication” star David Duchovny and Adrian Grenier of “Entourage” joined Rosario Dawson, Billy Zane and Sharon Lawrence for the planet-saving soiree.
The bash raised money to support Green’s good deeds including the National Green Schools Initiative.
According to GG prez Matt Petersen there’s no time to spare in the quest for conservation and the fight against global warming. Petersen urged everyone to do their part, and said, “All Americans can do something about climate change. By responding to the call to create green schools and healthy classrooms we protect our most precious natural resource-our children.”
The annual awards ceremony recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions that “embody the mission of fostering a global value shift towards a sustainable and secure planet.”
Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation were honored for “ongoing efforts to improve the well being of the community for generations to come.”
Jeff Skoll received the Entertainment Industry Environmental Leadership Award. His Skoll Foundation and Urgent Threats Fund are aimed at helping a planet in peril. Water conservationist Marc Nathanson got the Green Building Award and board member Zem Joaquin was honored with the Founder’s Award.
The global get-together raised $500,000 to make the world a greener place.
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