editor @ yourmonthlypaper.com
OCTOBER 2017 • ALAMO TODAY & DANVILLE TODAY NEWS • PAGE 1
& OCTOBER 2017
RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
By Linda Pirkle
Family History Center, located in Danville, offers a combination of cutting edge technology in genealogy research and old-fashioned customer service at a price that can’t be beat: it’s free!
HAP MAGEE LABYRINTH TO BE ENHANCED WITH LANDSCAPING, SEAT WALL
By Sharon Burke
Teresa Coons, Director Family History Center
The perimeter of the tidy Danville office is lined with work stations and computers that are linked to Salt Lake Family History Library, the leading genealogy resource of the world. Patrons can access images of hand-written census ledgers, marriage and death certificates, ship manifests, and many other historical documents that tell the story of our ancestors. Danville Family History Center(FHC) subscribes to a myriad of sites that assist with genealogy research and offers free access to subscription genealogical websites. And, most importantly, the Family History Center offers assistance and guidance from passionate and caring genealogy research volunteers. In a stunningly beautiful and richly filmed television ad that aired this past Independence Day, close-up and wide-angle shots of black, white, young, and old individuals of different ethnicities, ages, and gender are filmed in the historic Declaration Room as they individually and as a united voice recite the Declaration of Independence. Using science and facts, a leading DNA genetic testing company has pooled together this diverse group of people who all incredibly happen to be descendants of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is a poignant and moving work of cinematic art that should raise hairs on the back of your neck and cause you to swell with pride at being an American. Although not everyone has the luck to be descendants of our esteemed signers of the Declaration, many of us are interested in finding out about our past. Millions of people have signed up to have their DNA tested. The tests are inexpensive and
See Family continued on page 22 Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
Alamo and Danville residents have enjoyed an eleven circuit, Chartres-style labyrinth in Hap Magee Ranch Park since the labyrinth opened in April 2015. The labyrinth is located in a quiet corner of the park where San Ramon Creek can be heard rushing nearby. Meditative walking of the labyrinth has become a popular activity at Hap Magee. Several weddings have even occurred on the 42 foot diameter labyrinth, built with concrete pavers in two colors outlining the path.
See Labyrinth continued on page 6
T E CH T R E K : C A L I F O R N I A S E T S T H E STANDARD FOR NATIONWIDE CAMPS
By Jody Morgan
Founded in 1998 by Marie Wolbach, a California member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Tech Trek has expanded from a single California site to college campuses throughout the country. Currently eight college campuses within California host ten summer camps for young women entering eighth grade. Led by women Every dorm group of 10 campers participates in who are professors and profes- the paper creation project. sionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
See Tech continued on page 18
The Editors
Serving the combined communities of Alamo, Diablo, and Danville, Since October 2017
Volume XVII Number 8
Volume VIII Number 10
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.