Alamo_Today_May_2015

editor@yourmonthlypaper.com

May 2015 It’s a Wonderful Life

Serving Alamo and Diablo History Day Winners Head to State By Jody Morgan

By Laura Altamirano

While there hasn’t been much rain or snow or sleet or hail in Alamo, residents have always known they could count on George Bailey to help deliver the mail. For 18 years, the affable Bailey has served as the face of the Alamo post office. His friendly demeanor has given many patrons reason to eagerly anticipate a postal visit – something ordinarily considered a tedious chore. He knows the names of most of his customers and considers many of them friends…friends whom he will miss upon his retirement at the end of May.

George Bailey greets a customer in the weeks before his retirement.

Bailey has seen many changes within the USPS over his 25-year career, and he has adapted well to the new technology and automation required by USPS to maintain profits. But one thing that has never changed is Bailey’s dedication to customer service. He truly enjoys meeting people and learning about their lives. He goes out of his way to make customers feel welcome and valued. “All you have to do is just look a customer in the eye, greet them, acknowledge that they are there, and be willing to help them as much and as quickly as you can,” he says. “I have been in some businesses where you feel like you’re not welcome and where you feel like you could not approach anyone; I like to be approachable.”

See George continued on page 25

An Evening with the Stars By Jim Scala

Drive up Mt. Diablo on May 23rd, and arrive at the lower summit parking lot by about 6:30PM for an inspiring evening with the stars. The program will begin at 7:30PM. You’ll see the universe as never before. Members of the Mt. Diablo Astronomical society (MDAS) will be standing by their telescopes to show you celestial objects. You’ll see craters of the Moon and the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Some deep sky objects including nebulae and star clusters should be viewable. The views will capture your imagination, and the night sky will never be the same again. Every visitor says, “Wow!” many times during a viewing. In twilight,

See Stars continued on page 24

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA

ECRWSS

From the moment research on the annual National History Day (NHD) theme begins to the culmination of competition at the week-long National Finals held in June, 500,000 students supported by 40,000 dedicated educators enthusiastically pursue the study and presentation of their topics. Participants come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools, American Samoa, International Schools of Asia, and Guam. California’s program involves 44,000 scholars in grades 4-12 in 34 counties with the top 1,000 selected to attend State Finals. This year 44 Contra Costa County finalists are preparing for state-level judging on May 8-9 at William Jessup University, just north of Sacramento. What begins for some students as a classroom assignment quickly evolves into a compelling adventure. Brenda Stutzman, co-coordinator for Contra Costa History Day, includes two-dimensional poster board projects in her 5th grade curriculum at Golden View Elementary. Broad NHD themes suggest a starting point for topic selection. This year’s theme is “Leadership and Legacy in History.” Initiated in the Academically Talented Program, NHD is expanding throughout the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) as teachers, parents, and pupils praise the skills NHD imparts. “The program sells itself,” Stutzman remarks. “The bar of excellence is being raised in California through National History Day.” Stutzman has been explaining the benefits to fellow academic professionals over the past three years, but her students are often the best ambassadors for NHD. She is pleased to report, “As our fourth and fifth graders have moved up into middle school, many students still want to compete. The middle school teachers have recognized the interest and been willing to sign on as sponsors for these students.” Among her former pupils now in middle school going on to State this year are Going on to State with their Group Documentary are SRVUSD school students Mike Finnessey and Shannon Zheng, Noah Tran, Shannon Zheng, middle who first experienced NHD at the Elementary Level. and Mike Finnessey. Tran says of producing his historical paper: “The actual process of writing and researching an in-depth essay was a great way to develop better research skills. The annual themes and judging have also helped improve my argumentative skills, as NHD is all about selling your point and how it relates to the theme. I’m motivated to keep participating in NHD because I get a chance to creatively express my knowledge of a topic.” Zheng and Finnessey are presenting a group documentary. Zheng writes: “The NHD project experience is an exciting and stimulating process that taught me the fundamentals of in-depth research and thinking through being able to explore and gain knowledge on topics in history that I am personally passionate about.” Preparing for each level of competition, students continuously add information and rework projects. Finnessey comments; “What motivates me to stay involved is that feeling that you know everything about your project, and then finding that new perspective, or obscure anecdote Volume XV - Number 5 which changes everything.” 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, NHD was founded in 1974. California Alamo, CA 94507 is one of a handful of states piloting poster Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 board competition for 4th and 5th graders who currently cannot advance beyond Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher the state level. Junior (grades 6-8) and Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Sharon Burke ~ Writer Senior (grades 9-12) participants may opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do write individual papers or work alone The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today or in groups on exhibits, performances, is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising

See History continued on page 26

herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook