Newport Library Group’s Program Wins Award

The Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library received the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award for its entry “Friends Rising,” a series of programs to increase membership through activities in the professional community.

The award is given annually by the New York-based W. Wilson Publishing Co. for exceptional library public relations efforts, according to Newport Beach city librarian LaDonna Kienitz.

A letter to Kienitz from the judging committee stated: “We realize that successful public relations programs rely upon team efforts. The entire judging committee joins me in applauding your winning entry. Winning entries such as yours set the standard for excellence in library promotion.”

M. Roy Knauft Jr. of Yorba Linda was honored by the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors for 15 years of service as a representative of the Municipal Water District of Orange County. He currently serves as chairman of the board’s finance and insurance committee.

Westminster attorney Michael J. Ponce, 36, a Corona del Mar resident, has been appointed to the new state Extended Opportunity Program, a community college advisory committee, aimed at helping qualified low-income students to meet their educational goals.

Cal Poly Pomona student Evelyn Diane Flores of Anaheim has been named a President’s Council Scholar for 1992-93, the highest merit scholarship available to students at the university.

Flores, who earlier attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and Fullerton College, is majoring in accounting.

Flores, also a tutor in the Office of Disabled Student Services, received a $1,000 award and will participate in several special events at the college throughout the academic year.

Orange Coast College students Roberto Aguirre and Veronica Osequera of Santa Ana, Andrew L. Allison of Lake Forest and Ray Solis of Costa Mesa each received $500 scholarships from the Southern California Edison Co.

Jon Niedermier, a Garden Grove resident and a package delivery driver for United Parcel Service in the Cypress area, was honored by the company for completing five years of safe driving.

A female Explorer Post member, three Boy Scouts and two leaders from Anaheim Temple Beth Emet Troop 581 walked to the top of Mt. Whitney on a four-day expedition.

The group included Alon Attal, 15, and Mike Capell, 16, both Anaheim residents and Loara High School students; Ira Pulverman, 16, and Rachel Pulverman, 14, both Buena Park residents and Savanna High School students; Scoutmaster Bart Pulverman, 47, of Buena Park, and Assistant Scoutmaster Dan Capell, 46, of Anaheim.

Carrying 40-pound backpacks, the group walked 21.4 miles on a zigzag course that culminated in reaching the peak at 14,900 feet.

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