Grape Expectations 2023 was an evening to remember with a lavish gourmet dinner, incredible wines, and exciting auctions!
On behalf of our entire team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the remarkable generosity and unwavering support of our 20th Annual Grape Expectations gala sponsors and guests this past Sunday. Together, we achieved an extraordinary milestone, raising over a half million dollars to advance the vital work of the Library Foundation.
Click below to view and download the photos from our 2023 Grape Expectations gala.
Please tag @TurnerAcrePhoto and the Long Beach Public Library Foundation (@LBPLfoundation) when sharing.
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View the evening’s program below:
20th Annual Grape Expectations Program
Meet our 20th Annual Grape Expectations Honorees:
Library Leadership Award: Billie Jean King
The Library Leadership Award recognizes those who have demonstrated longstanding financial support for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. Billie Jean King has been a community champion, not just in literacy for her namesake Main Library, but for the people of Long Beach.
Durnin Family Award: Skip Keesal, Keesal, Young & Logan
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, our public libraries, and the community. Skip Keesal is a renowned community leader, generous supporter of our gala and library programs.
Gala Committee:
Barbara Long, Chair
Diane Anglin
Cheryl Avirom
Ryan Ballard
Charlyn Bender
Celine Cordero
Cindy Costello
Tina Cox Mary
Hancock-Hinds
Jessica Kober
Mary Lamo-Putnam
John Mathews
Elizabeth Munzer
Carmen O. Perez
Sean Reilly
Jeff Toelsin
Elizabeth Warren
Sharon L. Weissman
Greg Zinberg
Honorary Committee:
United States House of Representatives Congressman Dr. Robert Garcia, 42nd District
California State Senator Lena Gonzalez, 33rd District
California State Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, 69th District
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, 4th District
Long Beach City Mayor Rex Richardson
Long Beach City Councilmember Mary Zendejas, District 1
Long Beach City Vice Mayor Cindy Allen, District 2
Long Beach City Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, District 4
Long Beach City Councilmember Megan Kerr, District 5
Long Beach City Councilmember Dr. Suely Saro, District 6
Long Beach City Councilmember Roberto Uranga, District 7
Long Beach City Councilmember Al Austin II, District 8
Long Beach City Attorney Dawn McIntosh
Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud
Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert
Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education Member Maria Isabel López, District 1
Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education Member Erik Miller, District 2
Long Beach City College Board Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Area 1
Long Beach City College Board Trustee Vice President Vivian Malauulu, Area 2
Long Beach City College Board Trustee Sunny Zia, Area 3
Long Beach City College Board Trustee President Herlinda Chico, Area 4
Long Beach City College Board Trustee Virginia Baxter, Area 5
Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica
Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Sharon Weissman
Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal
Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Officer Mario Cordero
California State University Long Beach President Dr. Jane Close Conoley
Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Magnum Sponsor
Champagne Sponsors
Margaret & Charles Durnin
Cabernet Sponsors
Lloyd and Lauretta Dyer Family Foundation
Pinot Sponsors
AES
Archstone Foundation
BPM, LLP
California State University, Long Beach
City National Bank
Edison International
Farmers and Merchants Bank
Ginny’s Getaways
Jack and Barbara Irvin, Coldwell Banker Realty
Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
P2S Inc.
James A. Reep Family Foundation
The Shadden Group at Morgan Stanley
Chardonnay Sponsors
Honorable Cindy Allen, City of Long Beach Vice Mayor
Charlyn Bender and Hakim Chambers
Sheryl Bender
Downtown Long Beach Alliance
Donita Van Horik and John Fielder
Honorable Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor, 4th District
Alain Hirsch Construction Corp.
Barbara Long and Bill Waterhouse
Long Beach Transit
John and Dianne McGinnis
Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation
Mitsubishi Cement Coporation
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
The Munzer Family
Frank and Margie Newell
Kim and Larry neipling
Oxbow Energy Solutions
Abha and Anil Pandya
Sean Reilly and Jeff Toelsin
Studio One Eleven
World Oil
