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December 2019 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& DECEMBER 2019
SAN RAMON VALLEY CHORALE
By Fran Miller
The sounds that emanate from the San Ramon Valley Chorale (SRVC) are impressive, but perhaps even more striking are the stories behind those donning the formal black and white performance garb. A true community choral group, SRVC pulls from every segment of the community – from Trader Joe's team members, to local business owners, to past and current educators within the local schools. “Our group has a very interesting story to tell, with a significant percentage of our members being alums from San Ramon Valley Unified School District choral music programs See
Chorale continued on page 24
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONIES
DANVILLE 43 LIGHTING OF THE OLD OAK TREE RD
Danville Area Chamber and the Town of Danville presents....
It’s the most wonderful time of year when the Snow Angel and Father Christmas come to town to light the Old Oak Tree. The “happiest season of all” will begin on Diablo Road, Friday night, November 29th at 5:15pm. Hosted by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and Town of Danville, the event has something for all ages. The amazing San Ramon Valley High School Choir and Danville Girls’ Choir, directed by Ken Abrams, will perform your holiday classics before the Old Oak Tree is lit by the Snow Angel & Father Christmas. This will be followed by a special treat of snow! The kids from Next Step Dance Studio will lead the procession of festive dancing down Diablo and Hartz Avenue. Along Hartz and Prospect Avenues, you’ll discover holiday treats and live local entertainment from several local church choirs. Zae Perrin, Danville Area Chamber President says, “It is our goal to bring the community together for family fun and encourage attendees to shop local and take advantage of big savings for their holiday gift giving.” For a complete list of activities, please visit danvilleareachamber.com. Friday, November 29
Diablo Road Danville 5:15-8PM
5:15PM SRVHS & Danville Girls’ Choruses, directed by Ken Abrams, will delight the crowd in singing holiday classics
6:15PM The ‘Old Oak Tree’ on Diablo Road will be lit by our special guests, Father Christmas and the Snow Angel 6:30PM Holiday entertainment, and refreshments at Downtown Danville merchants
VIET NAM VETERANS OF DIABLO VALLEY: GOING BACK/GIVING BACK By Jody Morgan
The Wheelchair Foundation recently completed a third distribution trip to Vietnam with several members of the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV) taking the opportunity to return for the first time to places where they served during the Vietnam War. The mission brought the gift of mobility to 500 individuals of all ages and renewed hope to their caregivers and families. The journey enabled veterans to deliver tangible measures of good to a country where they once were tasked with disseminating destruction. Dennis Giacovelli served in the Mekong Delta region in 1970 on Navy gunboats called PBR and STABs. During a reunion with his boat group, he described his plans to go back to Vietnam with the Wheelchair Foundation. He reports, “Their reaction was of surprise, shock, and disbelief that I would
ALAMO TREE LIGHTING
Join Alamo Rotary Club in supporting our local school’s music programs at the annual Alamo Tree Lighting. This free event will take place from 4:30-6:30PM on December 8th at Oak Tree Plaza, located at 3000 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. School choirs, jazz bands, and Santa Claus will all be making an appearance! These performances are a highlight of the year for the school music groups who perform for their parents, friends, and community. The event is a fitting way to begin the holiday season. Scheduled participants and events include the Stone Valley Jazz Sunday, Dec 8 4:30 pm - 6:30pm Band, the Alamo School Chorus, the San Ramon Valley High School Chamber Singers, the Monte Vista Barbershop/Beautyshop Quartet Singers, Monte Vista Freshman Cheerleaders, County Supervisor Candace Andersen, the Tree Lighting, and of course Santa’s visit. Alamo Rotary needs your help to offset the costs of staging this event. Donations can be made to the Alamo Rotary Foundation (Tax ID#77-0600752), 1005 McCauley Road, Danville, CA 94526. Thanks for your support.
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Wheelchair distribution in Hue City. Photo courtesy of Jon Robbins.
even consider returning.” Their response dampened his enthusiasm, but prior to embarking he says, “Hopefully, I will see this as a wonderful vacation with a heavy dose of giving back to those in need. I am sure the idea that we were the ones who caused these ailments and that the wheelchairs are a ‘drop in the bucket’ will be ever present.” Gary Pforr served in the Northern I Corps 1969, 1970, and 1971. Before
See Veterans continued on page 22
The Editors Serving the communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville
Volume XIX Number 12
Volume X Number 12
3000F Danville Blvd. #117 Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of The Editors. The Editors is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.