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December 2015 The Shabbateers
By Linda Summers Pirkle
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully everyone is blessed.” ~ Maya Angelou As 2015 winds down, holiday parties are in full swing. At one local home, sixteen people will be enjoying each other’s company, sharing good food, and enjoying fine wine. At some point during their merry making they will discuss what organizations they will be contributing to in 2016. For the past ten years this dinner group has donated thousands of dollars to charities and spent many hours giving their time and expertise to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Glide Memorial, and San Francisco Food Bank. Their first get together was held in 2005. “It was a memorable evening,” recalls Mark Belotz, long time Danville resident. “Seventeen bottles of wine were consumed by sixteen people, the food was delicious, and the party didn’t end until
Serving Danville Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley: Actively Serving Every Day By Jody Morgan
Although most visible to the general public on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV) actively contributes to the community 365 days a year. Originally conceived
Jerry Yahiro left and Ron Lowe right hold the banner announcing the 2016 VNVDV sponsored Wheelchair Foundation distribution in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of VNVDV.
Seated left to right: Barb Goldsmith, Silvia Belotz, Leila Friedenberg, and Renee “Spud” Wright. Standing left to right: Howard Gerber, Diane McClarty Miller, Lynn Bloch, Andy Stein, Nancy Orgel, Betty Lou Moglen, Linda Gerber, Tony Slimick, Ian Friedenberg, Les Bloch, Mark Belotz, and Dean Chapman. Not pictured: Karen Stein and Andy Orgel.
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A Super Bowl! By Linda Summers Pirkle
Charming and robust, John Zorich can be found at Danville Bowl every Thursday afternoon doing what he loves: visiting friends and bowling. Not a wrinkle on his handsome face and a full head of white hair, this Lafayette resident recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Always a strong man, he continues to exercise with his weights every day. A story he shared with his children when they were growing up described a time when he was at his grade school graduation. During the ceremony the principal gave a little comment about each graduate. In John’s case the principal said, “John, as we all know, you’re a tough guy, an John Zorich bowls on his 99th birthday. iron man, but we want you to keep in mind that iron eventually rusts.” Not showing any evidence of rust, 99 year old Zorich has been bowling for the past 80 years. He was 19 years old when he bowled his
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as a primarily social organization, VNVDV quickly became involved in a variety of outreach projects. The all-volunteer non-profit offers support to veterans and actively serving members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as their families and provides speakers presenting authentic, apolitical accounts of the Vietnam War. Describing how the group first came together, Past-President and now Treasurer, Michael Slattengren relates, “We began the organization in 1991 to promote camaraderie and networking and then moved into community service. A lot of Viet Nam veterans walked away from the service and wanted nothing to do with the military or veterans’ organizations.” Monthly meetings include good-humored teasing (reflecting what Slattengren refers to as the “sibling rivalry” between service branches) and informative, entertaining programs. The 160-170 members come from the entire East Bay and Tri-Valley area. The majority saw action in Vietnam, but a few are actually non-veterans. County Service officers are available at the monthly Chris Behring (center) receives meetings to discuss benefits veterans have congratulations on his Eagle Project earned through their honorable service. supporting East Bay Stand Down from December is a busy month for VNJerry Yahiro (left) and Maureen Morley (right). Photo courtesy of VNVDV. VDV. Members and guests will bring unwrapped toys to the Annual Holiday Appreciation and Recognition Dinner on December 3rd for Operation Santa Claus. Primary sponsor Tesora Martinez partners with Volume VII - Number 2 VNVDV to make this a memorable event for the 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, specially invited military families. The 2014 guest Alamo, CA 94507 list included 110 families of active duty, wounded, (925) 405-6397 and killed-in-action American military personnel Fax (925) 406-0547 all treated to a catered holiday meal. Typically 225-250 children of all ages are on hand to receive Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ stockings stuffed with gifts and a special present yourmonthlypaper.com from Santa’s Workshop as well as a visit and photo with the bearded gift-giver. Up to ten tons of The opinions expressed herein belong the writers, and do not necessarily manufactured snow are used to create a sledding toreflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not hill. The closing raffle features prizes from fully for the content of any of decorated trees to vacation get-aways and hand- responsible the advertising herein, nor does
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publication imply endorsement.