Taste of 'Dena logo. This even is the Altadena Library Foundation's annual fundraiser.Get ready for an unforgettable evening of culinary delights, soulful melodies, and community spirit as the Altadena Library Foundation proudly presents the Taste of ‘Dena on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Back for its seventh year, Taste of ‘Dena is the foundation’s annual fundraising event to celebrate the Altadena Library District. Guests will enjoy delicious regional fare, wine tasting, live music from local jazz band Kira & The Major 3, and a silent auction. This year, the foundation also honors the lifetime achievements of William “Bill” J. and Brenda L. Galloway for service to the community.

“We are so excited to give Altadena residents an opportunity to pay tribute to the Galloway family at this year’s Taste of ‘Dena,” says Veronica Jones, community activist and chair of the event. “We are forever grateful for Bill and Brenda, who spent decades improving educational opportunities and literacy rates in our community.”

Longtime residents of Pasadena, Calif., the Galloways are widely respected for their involvement in countless organizations and their unwavering commitment to education. They endowed the beautiful Galloway Plaza at Pasadena City College (PCC) and established the Bill & Brenda Galloway Endowment for Education with the Pasadena Community Foundation. Both Galloways served on the boards of community groups, including the PCC Foundation, Pasadena Playhouse, and Pasadena YMCA. They were also honored by local and national organizations. Together, they have made an indelible impact on their community and the people around them.

The Altadena Library District provides the community with a vast array of library services, innovative resources, and engaging programs. Last year, the district hosted more than 675 events attended by 18,000 people. It circulated almost 207,000 physical items and welcomed over 123,000 visitors to its two libraries. And in April, it started a new phase of its commitment, expanding and renovating the Bob Lucas Memorial Library. The project will take about a year. Once the branch reopens, the district will move forward with its renovation of the Main Library. Both building projects will help ensure both facilities are updated, upgraded, accessible, and inspiring for future generations of Altadena residents.

“Our past events have been really fun gatherings of like-minded people who support our two local libraries,” says Mark Mariscal, president of the Altadena Library Foundation Board of Directors. “Given how much our libraries partner with community businesses and nonprofits, people are amazed to find out that our district is totally independent from the L.A. County library system. We invite anyone who’s been to a program or worked with our libraries to join us for this year’s Taste of ‘Dena.”

The Altadena Library Foundation has supported and strengthened the mission and resources of the Altadena Libraries through fundraising and advocacy since 2009. This is the annual fundraiser to support the district and its efforts to bring people and ideas together.

Join the Altadena Library Foundation in supporting and celebrating the Altadena Libraries on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. Become an event sponsor or purchase tickets at www.AltadenaLibraryFoundation.org.