editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
January 2015 Alamo Danville Artists’ Society
By Jody Morgan
Founded in 1977 by Beth Batchelor and Ida Farese, the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) welcomes as members not only professional and amateur artists, but also anyone who appreciates art and wants to foster art education. In addition to providing opportunities for artists to hone their skills and exhibit and sell their work, the non-profit organization sup-
Winter Nights Shelter: Good News in Bad Times
Serving Danville
By Jody Morgan
Winter Nights Shelter, in its 11 year of providing temporary shelter for homeless families with dependent children, is a project of the Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Winter Nights accommodates up to nine families (about 30 individuals) in rotating sites throughout Central Contra Costa County from October to May. Over 50 faith communities share in welcoming shelter guests with nightly dinner, daily breakfast and food to pack bag lunches for midday Melissa Emerson reads to a child at Winter Nights meals. Seventeen churches and Shelter. synagogues each take two-week turns housing clients with 18 co-hosts providing food and additional congregations supplying funds and donations. Saint Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg offers a daytime Oasis for adults searching for work. Initially concerned citizens trying to establish emergency shelter for homeless Contra Costa families received nothing but bad news. In many California counties, National Guard Armories provide space. After being quoted a price for use of the Concord Armory, the group was denied access to the facility because Concord Council Members noted there were already two county homeless shelters in their city. Orinda’s new library made the vacant old library available, but negotiations with a willing City Council failed when a few vocal residents railed against the proposal because they misunderstood the population being served. Rather than intact families who only wanted a chance to rebuild their lives, they envisioned hard-core drug addicts and perverts flowing into Orinda. th
Vicky Richardson, ADAS Secretary, (foreground) and fellow artists enjoy an ADAS members’ mixer at the Blackhawk Gallery. Photo courtesy of ADAS
ports art instruction in local schools. Art for the Schools, an ADAS grant program for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD), has to date presented over $145,000 to elementary and middle school art teachers for special classroom projects. The Blackhawk Gallery, open daily, gives community members an opportunity to experience how much ADAS has to offer year round. Located at 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, the co-operative operated by members of ADAS features work by over 40 artists in each of the consecutive 10week exhibits. The range of work displayed for sale by member and guest artists from the San Francisco Bay Area includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, and note cards. A jury process as well as willingness to staff the all-volunteer gallery qualifies artists to participate. The Blackhawk Gallery gives back to the community in many ways. Megan Parks-Haller, ADAS Vice President, with her “Art of the “The Gallery is a Escape” entry at Danville’s Village Gallery. break-even proposition,” explains Tom Lemmer, ADAS Treasurer and Blackhawk Gallery Business Manager. “Any profits we make go into the Art for Schools Fund benefiting the SRVUSD schools.” Retailers and plaza management are pleased to have the rotating art exhibits as an attraction. “Our ADAS Gallery helps market the plaza,” Lemmer continues. “In re-
See ADAS continued on page 17
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
See Winter Nights continued on page 21 Mustang Soccer U10 Boys white plus Grass Rats were undefeated in the regular season and won multiple tournaments. Back row - Coaches Carlos Romo, Scott Oswalt, Dayton Keane; Middle - Tiago Swallow, Ethan Weiss (kneeling), Joshua Leinenweaver, Nick VonderAhe, Scotty Oswalt, Tyler Clark; Bottom- - Dayton Keane, Will Garrigan, JonCarlo Romo, Nikolas Gabel, Tucker Barth, Brendan Kiley, Cooper Kennedy.
Volume VI - 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.