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January 2014 The Blackhawk Automotive Museum Guild: Sharing a Legacy of Invention By Jody Morgan
In 1991, three years after the Blackhawk Automotive Museum (the Museum) opened its doors to the public, Co-Founder Pat Behring organized the Blackhawk Automotive Museum Guild (the Guild). Since its inception, the Guild’s primary mission has been raising funds for the Children’s Education & Transportation Fund so that school groups can tour the Museum free of charge. Thanks to their efforts to reimburse student transportation costs, more than 175,500 school children have already enjoyed connecting with the Museum’s two-floor display of remarkable automobiles and learning how the invention of the automobile affected the course of history. Guild members include the Museum’s volunteers and docents as well as numerous additional individuals dedicated to keeping the Children’s Education & Transportation program adequately funded. Guild President Pat Behring laughs as she comments that her Gathering in the Museum foyer: Guild Members Dee husband Ken likes to tease her by Thompson, Jill Brennan, Pat Behring, Joyce Tucker and referring to the Guild as “the Girls’ Museum Programs Director Nora Wagner. Club.” Although many of the Guild members involved in fundraising are women, the majority of docents are men. Pat feels strongly that every child should have the opportunity to visit a museum. Dave Seabury brought his first group of students to the Museum from Pittsburg High School in November. Penning his thanks to the Guild he writes, “My students loved this trip. As you could imagine, the opportunities for trips like this are rare.” Two seniors in his auto-shop program had never previously been to a museum. His classes are still sharing photos and Joyce Tucker, Docent and Guild Event Chair, enjoys sharing her stories from their trip. Their knowledge of the Museum’s collection. only complaint is that they didn’t get to open up the hoods and hear the engines. A Monte Vista graduate, Seabury toured the Museum with his father when it opened in
See Guild continued on page 13
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Serving Danville Cowboys and Cattlemen: Ranching in the San Ramon Valley New Exhibit at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley
On January 28, an exhibit unique to the San Ramon Valley will open at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville. Its title is “Cowboys and Cattlemen, Ranching in the San Ramon Valley.” The exhibit will run through May 4. The exhibit focuses on cattle ranching from a historic perspective. Cattle first came to California with the Spanish in 1769, and ranching has been a part of the state’s economy since that time. In the San
Ramon Valley, cattle were raised by the first American settlers whose ranches covered both hill and valley land. Some of the ranches which focused on cattle include Blackhawk, Wiedemann, Rasmussen, and Elworthy. Many others had livestock and planted grains, hay and orchards, such as the Wood, Stone, and Glass Ranches.
See Ranching continued on page 22
The Matchmaker
The Role Players Ensemble presents The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder from January 17 to February 8, 2014 at the Village Theatre, located at 233 Front Street in Danville. The Matchmaker is a wild farce which tells the story of the crafty scheming of Dolly Levy who turns the world of Horace Vandergelder’s Hay and Feed store upside down. The show is full of slamming doors, ridiculous disguises, and mistaken identities. This comedy served as the inspiration for the musical Hello Dolly. The play celebrates Wilder’s belief in shaking things up, taking chances and living life to the fullest. Showtimes are at 8PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2PM on Sundays. Tickets costing $20-28 can be purchased at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com, at the Danville Community Center (420 Front St, Danville), or by calling (925) 312-3400.
Volume V - Number 3 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ yourmonthlypaper.com The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.