The great Danville tradition, the Lighting of the Tree on the day after Thanksgiving, signals the beginning of our local holiday season. We can all enjoy our holiday shopping right here in Danville because of the fine array of shopping environments and specialty stores, perfect for every need. Danville has an extraordinary selection of fine shops, fashionable men’s and women’s clothing stores, fine jewelry stores and, of course, the finest award-winning restaurants and wine bars around. By shopping and dining locally, not only do our businesses succeed, but our schools and charities benefit from the local prosperity.

The Danville Town Council held its annual Community Awards Recognition and Mayor’s installation on December 1st. The Council recognized many community volunteers and leaders including: the Valley Youth Council for their work in implementing an online Needs Assessment Survey to help teens; Kevin Chen, Arts Commission Volunteer of the Year, for his volunteer work for the Museum of the San Ramon Valley; Volunteer of the Year, Richard Schumm, for his dedication and commitment to coaching youth basketball; Melony Newman, CEO/President of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce for her extraordinary commitment to the Danville community; Community Presbyterian Church for their Jobs Connections Program; Tony Carnemolla for his dedication and leadership for veterans’ activities and for his support of the new Veterans Memorial Building; Danville Police Reserves were recognized for their volunteer efforts as Reserve Officers helping keep Danville safe; Colette Ankenman, a sixteen-year-old high school student, for her Baragwanath Blessings Project creating blankets and hats for newborns in South Africa; Robyn Kelly for her volunteer efforts with EPIC Healthy Choices Program at San Ramon Valley High School; Sports Alliance for the long-term commitment of many individuals representing youth and adult sports leagues in coordinating service to over 10,000 participants annually. In addition, the Council presented an Award of Special Recognition to Police Chief Chris Wenzel for his outstanding leadership for the past six years in Danville. The Chief is being called back to work with the Sheriff in Martinez.

Lastly, the Council presented the prestigious Danville Award posthumously to the Shimansky family in honor of long-term Councilmember Mike Shimansky for his nearly 25 years of service to the Danville community. The award was accepted by his wife Sue and their daughter Cyndi. The Shimansky family also presented their first annual financial award in Mike’s honor recognizing a Danville youth for outstanding community service in helping others. The Council concluded the evening event by unanimously electing Mike Doyle to serve as Danville’s new Mayor for 2010.

On behalf of the entire Council, I wish you a safe, joyous and prosperous New Year! Happy holidays to everyone.
You can reach the Mayor at arnerich@ci.danville.ca.us.
Visit www.danvilleinstyle.com to view what Danville has to offer.

Exchange Club San Ramon Valley Luncheon every 2nd Wednesday, 12:00 – 1.00 pm, $16 Faz, 600 Hartz, Danville. Info: 925-275-2412 / coachstepper@yahoo.com.

Danville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.

Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville, 12.15-1.30pm. Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally.

12/08/09, Tuesday, 6.pm – 9.pm: The Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) Holiday Party & Community Art and Education Program (CAEP) Awards.
The highlight of this evening comes after dinner when we present donation checks to local schools’ art education departments. Free admission. 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd (Danville Congregational Social Hall). www.adas4art.org.

12/12, Saturday, 9.30am – 1pm: Elf Workshop at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall. Goodies will be served while children create hands-on holiday crafts and get a chance to visit and take a photo with Santa. 2 sessions available 9:30-11:00 am or 11:30-1:00 pm. Pre-registration required at www.danvillerecguide.com. Info: (925) 314-3477.

12/27, Sunday, 1-4pm: Sentinels of Freedom Annual Holiday Welcome Home Ceremony & Reception The event will honor members of all Armed Forces who are home on holiday leave and who reside in Danville, Dublin, San Ramon, Blackhawk and Alamo. Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. If you know a member of the Armed Forces home for the holidays, please notify your city contact for more information: Town of Danville, Rochelle Flotten (925) 314-3328; City of Dublin: Dora Ramirez (925) 833-6656; City of San Ramon: Karen McHenry-Smith at 925-973-2532; Alamo/Blackhawk: Jennifer Quallick at (925) 820-8683

Danville’s tradition of honoring veterans who served in the military in war-time would not be complete without our annual Veterans Day Celebration. All of our local veteran organizations participate in this capacity crowd event on November 11 at 11:00 AM. The event will be held at San Ramon Valley High School’s Performing Arts Auditorium.

Discover Danville’s “Spirit of Danville Shopping” will take place in downtown Danville, The Livery, and The Rose Garden on Thursday evening, November 12th. Purchase charity tickets ahead of the event, which will benefit San Ramon Valley Education Foundation (SRVEF) from your favorite school. Tickets to this great event are five dollars with one dollar going to SRVEF and four dollars going to your school. Enjoy shopping, discounts, and giveaways, wine tasting and free trolley rides between all locations. Parents can check out the Kids Night Drop Off service while enjoying the event. Check out www.discoverdanvilleca.com.

Make memories with your loved ones at Danville’s Lighting of the Oak Tree ceremony. Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Warm feelings will quickly quell the cool air as local choral groups provide musical accompaniment and neighborhood businesses pass out hot beverages. Want to keep the magic going? Stroll downtown and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and holiday shopping on the festively decorated streets.

Autumn signals a change in seasons and the Danville Council has a new addition. Last month, on October 13th, the Danville Town Council unanimously appointed Robert Storer to fulfill the remainder of the term of Councilman Mike Shimansky, who passed away on September 15. Robert, his wife Sandra, and two sons have lived in Danville for 20 years. In addition to serving as the President of a small corporation for the past 25 years, Robert is a property manager and builder. Robert has a great deal of experience in local government, having served on Danville’s Planning Commission since 2001, as well as service on the Heritage Resource Commission and Design Review Board, and as Danville’s representative on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee. For the past 16 years, Robert has volunteered on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Search, Rescue and Recovery Team and has actively participated on many local Boards and Committees. Please join us in welcoming Robert as the newest member of the Danville Town Council.

You can reach the Mayor at arnerich@ci.danville.ca.us. Visit www.danvilleinstyle.com to view what Danville has to offer.

American Legion Noon Lunch Meets 1st Wednesday, Vets Hall, Corner of Hartz & Prospect. Info: Doris Sidwell, 925-443-2085

Danville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9am – 1pm; Year-Round, Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm May10 – Aug 16. Corner of Railroad & Prospect St.

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30a.m.
to 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.

Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville, 12.15-1.30pm. Soroptimist’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally.

11/12, Thursday, 5pm – 9pm: Spirit of Danville Shopping in Downtown Danville, The Livery, & The Rose Garden, benefiting local charities & schools. Shopping,
discounts, giveaways, wine tasting. Includes free trolley rides between all locations. Info: 925-339-8330. www.discoverdanvilleca.com

11/27, Friday, 5.15pm – 8.30pm: Lighting of the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road Downtown Danville. Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Local choral groups will provide musical accompaniment while neighborhood businesses pass out hot beverages. Stroll downtown to keep the magic going and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and holiday shopping through the festively decorated streets. www.danvilleareachamber.com.

12/09, Tuesday, 6pm – 9pm: The Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society (ADAS) Holiday Party & Community Art and Education Program (CAEP) Awards. The highlight of this evening comes after dinner when we present donation checks to local schools’ art educators. Free admission. 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd (Danville Congregational’s Social Hall). www.adas4art.org

12/10, Wednesday, 11am – 1pm: Senior Holiday Luncheon at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall. Enjoy a fine catered lunch with entertainment, and socialize with friends old and new. Pre-registration required. www.ci.danville.ca.us

12/12, Saturday, 9.30am – 1pm: Elf Workshop at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall. Goodies will be served while children create hands-on holiday crafts and get a chance to visit and take a photo with Santa. 2 sessions available 9:30-11:00 am or 11:30-1:00 pm. Pre-registration required at www.danvillerecguide.com. Info: (925) 314-3477.

ALIVE IN DANVILLE
NEWELL ARNERICH, Mayor of Danville