During this past holiday season I had the great privilege, on behalf of the Town of Danville, of welcoming home two active duty servicemen at an Operation Welcome Home ceremony hosted by the Town of Danville on December 27 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Operation Welcome Home was started in March 2004 as a way to thank and recognize those in the armed forces for their service to our Country. I was honored, along with Mayor Abram Wilson from the City of San Ramon, District 3 Supervisor Mary Piepho, and Vice-Mayor Doug Horner from Livermore, to present proclamations expressing appreciation for the sacrifices these young men are making on our behalf.
Honorees included United States Army First Lieutenant Eliot Proctor, a 2003 graduate of San Ramon Valley High School, and a 2007 graduate of the Military Academy at West Point. Eliot returned home this past November, after having served one year in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. United States Air Force Senior Airman Brian Fuchs was also recognized. Brian returned home this past October after completing an assignment at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam to support the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron training mission. I want to also thank our Blue Star Moms who hosted the reception following this ceremony, and express the Town’s appreciation for all they do for our young men and women serving in the military.
In December, I was delighted to attend the Courts of Honor of seven Boy Scouts. Kyle Murray, Jonathan Stewart, Alexander Giampaoli, Ashley Betts, Tanner Kirk, Tanner Newsom, and Mark Talley all obtained their Eagle Scout Awards after completing community projects, which also involved hundreds of service hours.
At our regular Council meeting on December 15, the Council held a public hearing on our update of the 2007-2014 General Plan Housing Element. Since this discussion included 25 potential “opportunity sites” to study, we had a room full of interested people. After a great deal of discussion and public comment, we made changes to the sites, but did approve the Housing Element. In 2010, we will be moving forward with a complete General Plan update, with more public meetings and citizen input.
It was a joyful occasion for the Town last month, when Congressman McNerney delivered $200,000 of federal funding to be used toward the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Building on Hartz Avenue. Site preparation for the building began last month, with construction planned for this coming June. When completed, the building will better meet the needs of our veterans and seniors as well as community organizations and private user groups.
One of my goals as Mayor is to hear from more of the citizens of Danville. Please e-mail me with comments, questions, or concerns at mdoyle@ci.danville.ca.us. or join me at “Mornings with the Mayor,” the First Friday of each month at 7:30 am at Father Nature’s, 172 E. Prospect Avenue. This is an opportunity for Danville residents to get an update on what is happening in the Town and to meet with me informally to discuss any concerns or issues. I hope to see you there.
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.
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.
San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month except June-August at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville at 11:30am – 1:30p.m. Lunches are $23. Please join us to hear informative speakers on important issues! Info: Sonali @ (925) 314-9194.
Vietnam Vets of Diablo Valley Meetings will be held on the first Thursday of each month at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr, Danville, Ca 94526, Social 5.30 pm , Dinner 6:00 pm, $ 25.00. Website: www.vnvdv.com
Danville Tennis Club (DTC): Tue/Wed/Thurs Nights. Sat/Sun AM. 3.5 – 5.0 level players. Adults. Coed http://groups.yahoo.com/group/danvilletennisclub
02/20, Saturday, 11am – 2pm: Recreation Expo 2010 at the Danville Community Center 420 Front Street. Get a jump-start on planning your summer. Day Camps o Facility Rentals o Picnics o Special Events o Swim Lessons & Aquatics o Visual & Performing Arts. Info: 925-314-3400
03/04 -03/28: 33rd Annual ADAS Spring Art Show featuring works by exceptional artists in the East Bay. Judge’s and People’ Choice awards will be announced at the Opening Reception on Saturday March 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm.
Blackhawk Gallery, 3461 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. Gallery hours are Monday -Saturday 10 to 8 PM, Sunday 11 to 6 PM. The art show is free and open to the public.
03/13, Saturday, 10:00am: The Always Provocative Martin Swig presents a Talk: The State of the Automobile Industry – After the Crunch of Last Year, Who Came Out Ahead? Who Lost? And What Does the Future Hold? Martin Swig is a San Francisco Bay Area-based car collector, vintage racer, founder and chief organizer of the California Mille, La Carrera Nevada, and other notable U.S. vintage car rallies and events.
Info: 925.736.2277; www.blackhawkmuseum.org