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November 2013 Horses Healing Hearts: Rescue, Rehabilitation, Education By Jody Morgan
Rescuing half-ton animals from abuse or neglect requires more than a willing heart. Undaunted by the task of assembling the network of caring professionals and dedicated volunteers essential to the success of a horse rescue operation, Danville native Melissa Austin founded Horses Healing Hearts (3H) in 2011. 3H has already placed 40 equines in suitable homes and initiated a diversified education program allowing community members of all ages to engage with horses.
Serving Danville Village Theatre 100th Anniversary Gala By Jody Morgan
On November 16th, the Town of Danville is hosting the Grand Engagement Celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the Village Theatre’s grand opening as the Danville Fraternal and Social Hall on November 28, 1913. This gala gathering is free and open to the community. Festivities begin at the Town Meeting Hall from 5pm-7pm with appetizers provided by Bridges, Norm’s, McGah’s, and Primo’s and wine poured by the Vine at Bridges. The first 200 attendees will be presented with a commemorative wine glass. The opening reception for Barn Dance: Celebrating Our Agricultural History occurs simultaneously next door at the Village Theatre Art Gallery. The exhibit includes sounds and scents as well as images playfully alluding to the structure’s long service as a social center for the community.
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Libraries Over the Years in the San Ramon Valley By Beverly Lane Hope, once afraid to be touched, now rushes to the fence to greet Melissa Austin and Carissa Manzo. Photo by Jody Morgan.
Melissa Austin found herself stuck in a personal spin cycle. Traditional therapy was keeping her focused on what she perceived as her inadequacies. A friend suggested she work with Dyane Golding, Life Coach and Equine Guided Educator. By interpreting the way horses interact with a particular person in an enclosed arena, the Equine Guided Educator is able to help that person confront problems he or she has previously been unable or unwilling to truthfully verbalize. Aided by the intuitive wisdom of horses, Golding helped Austin reengage with her personal strengths. Grateful to the horses responsible for revitalizing her life, Austin researched equine rescue programs extensively before founding 3H. Recently Melissa saved two sound horses whose owner decided to terminate his responsibility for their care by putting them down. The owner paid 3H the amount an unwilling veterinarian would have charged for euthanasia. Although adopters pay a modest fee, equine rescue is a money-losing proposition. Able-bodied horses have stress issues from neglect or abuse. Like injured equines, they often need months of rehabilitation involving veterinary care, food, shelter, and affection. After 18 years of service, retired barrel racer Norman was given away. The woman who took Norman and two other free horses from Craigslist left them tied to a tree for weeks before 3H rescued them. Norman has “choke” and needs a special diet of nutritious gruel. Cindy McLoughlin fostered Norman, getting him back to a healthy weight. When Austin arrived to take Norman for placement evaluation he slunk to the end of the pasture and turned his back on everyone. An expert rider judged Norman unsuitable as a saddle horse. His only speed seemed to be high gear. Cindy followed her instinct insisting, “Norman is a gentle soul and misunderstood.” Adopted by the McLoughlins, Norman moves sedately with twelve-year old Liam riding and basks in the affection of Liam’s younger siblings. McLoughlin also fostered Spirit. Injured after winning his last race on December 8, 2011, Spirit lost 400 pounds in three weeks before 3H saved him. Spotting Spirit in
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The County library system is celebrating its Centennial in 2013 with an exhibit and special events at the Danville Library this November. In the valley’s early years, the only existing IBRARY libraries were esLE tablished in private ANVIL homes, such as 1913 - 2013 the Hemme, Hall, C Efamilies. N T E NFor N Imany, AL C E LatEhomes B Rwere AT IaO N! Baldwin, Stone and Wood books rarity. Happy 100th birthday, Danville Library and Contra Costa County Library! From 1903-1911, California’s State Library had a Traveling Book Everyone is invited to help the Danville Library celebrate 100 years of bringing people and ideas together with many special all ages. Service which loaned 50 books to different communities forevents threeformonths. D a n v i l l e In L i b1909, r a r y C eSister n t e n n i a l Mary Event The Danville Grange applied for this service in 1906. S a t u r d a y, N o v e m b e r 9 , 11 a m t o 4 p m McPherson Podva was appointed to a committee of one to obtain these books for Grange members. Early in 1910, Mary More was appointed Assistant Librarian and took charge of the newly arrived books. “Dream Big” Family Story Time with Olympian and Best-selling Author, Kristi Yamaguchi Tuesday, October 8, at 4pm Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library Join Children’s Author, Olympic Figure Skating Champion, and winner of the sixth season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition, Kristi Yamaguchi, for special story time for the entire family to celebrate the Danville Library’s 100th birthday! The rst 100 families will receive a copy of Kristi’s rst book, Dream Big, Little Pig, to commemorate the library’s 100th Anniversary!
Busy Bee Dogs Tuesday, October 22, at 4pm Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library
Enjoy birthday refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Danville Library and a historical Danville Library Centennial display in partnership with the Museum of the San Ramon Valley along with special events throughout the day for all ages!
11am: Birthday Story Time – The Danville Library turns 100 and is kicking off the celebrations with a special family story time for readers of all ages with birthday stories, crafts, and treats. Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library
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Celebrate Danville Library’s 100th birthday and watch in amazement as these highly trained dogs perform silly comedy and amazing tricks. See how smart and friendly man’s best friend can be at the Danville Library!
1pm: Alex Ramon Magic – No birthday party is complete
Lighting of the Old Oak Tree Chocolate Chip Cookie School Tuesday, November 5, at 4pm Mt. Diablo Room, Danville Library
November 29, 5:15PM - 8PM
Happy 100th Birthday, Danville Library, with this special program for students in grades 2-5. Kids learn chemistry, math, English, health, geography, business, culture, cooking and our food system through an examination of the classic chocolate chip cookie recipe with Susie Wyshak, Co-Founder of Epicuring California and Co-chair of Good Food Awards. Discover and sample how different chocolate chip cookies can be delicious and educational! Spaces are limited and registration is required. Registration begins on September 3.
without a master of illusion! Alex Ramon, Magician, has mesmerized millions around the world with his magic touring as the star of Disney Live! and Ringling Bros.’ rst-ever magician ring-master. Children’s Reading Room, Danville Library
3pm: Richard Bolles, Best-selling Author of What Color is
Your Parachute? – Recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of today’s top twenty “Wealth Wizards,” international best-selling author, Richard Bolles, will do a special presentation and signing. Designated by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 All-TIME best non-ction books, the 14th edition of his book will be released in August. Valley Oak Room, Danville Community Center
Save the date and prepare to join an evening of fun and merriment at the Lighting of the Old Oak Tree, on the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29th, beginning at 5:15PM. The community will gather on Diablo Road around the town’s landmark oak tree to enjoy music provided by the Danville Girls Chorus and the San Ramon Valley High School Chorus. Around 6:15PM, Father Christmas and Volume V - Number 1 the Snow Angel will arrive, “fairy dust” will be 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 sprinkled and the Old Oak Tree will be illuminated. (925) 405-6397 Following the illumination of the tree downtown Fax (925) 406-0547 Danville will come alive with street-corner musicians. Restaurants and shops will be open to dine Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher and start working on your holiday gift-giving lists. editor@ For more information, call 925-837-4400 or yourmonthlypaper.com visit www.danvilleareachamber.com. The opinions expressed herein belong Please note that the oak tree is located on Diablo to the writers, and do not necessarily Road and surrounding roads will be closed. Park- reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not ing will be available at Danville municipal parking responsible for the content of any of lots and the Community Presbyterian Church, the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement. located at 222 W. El Pintado Road. Danville Library Centennial Celebration programs in partnership with the Town of Danville, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Friends of the Danville Library, and Danville Library Foundation