Steve Mick

Do you want to save money on recreation programs?

April 5, 2010 by Steve Mick

At last! Spring is just around the corner. The birds are chirping and the trees are budding. Also just around the corner are recreation programs for all members of the family. If you live in the R-7A Alamo MAC Parks and Recreation area, you need to be aware of some special recreation prices available to you. The Town of Danville and the Alamo MAC have joint powers agreements in place for the administration of the Monte Vista Community Pool and Hap Magee Ranch Park. This means that under certain circumstances, Alamo R-7A residents pay the same price as Danville residents for recreation programs or facility use. Much of the following information is courtesy of Marcia Somers, Danville Assistant Town Manager.

Aquatics programs
Alamo R-7A residents are eligible to participate in any aquatics programs held at the Monte Vista Community Pool and they pay the resident rate as noted in the “Fees:” section in the aquatics program description in the Danville 2010 Spring Activity Guide (available on the Town of Danville website). Note that R-7A residents pay the non-resident rate for aquatics programs held at the San Ramon Valley High School pool.

Other Danville Programs
Alamo residents who live within the R-7A area are eligible to register for Town of Danville sponsored programs scheduled at Hap Magee Ranch Park during the resident registration period however, they pay the non-resident fees for these classes and programs.

Alamo R-7A residents also can register during the open registration period for all other classes and activities sponsored by the Town of Danville at locations other than Hap Magee Ranch Park and must pay the non-resident fees.

Town of Danville Facilities
Town facilities that are used by non-residents are assessed a 25% surcharge. Since Hap Magee Ranch Park is a facility jointly owned and operated by the Town and the County, Alamo R-7A residents may reserve facilities at this site in the appropriate category (nonprofit, private, or commercial) and pay the resident rate. All Alamo residents pay the non-resident surcharge when renting any other Town facility.

Please note that Alamo residents who live outside the R-7A area are considered to be non-residents and pay the non-resident fee for all Town programs and facilities.

Contact Steve Mick at steve@alamore.org
Comments are the author’s and do not represent the opinion of the Alamo MAC.

Alamo Community Council
Meets at 5:00 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House.

Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society
Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Danville Congregational’s Social Hall; 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville.

Alamo Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting
Meets at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Creekside Community Church.

Alamo Chamber of Commerce
Monthly Social & Networking Mixers are held the 4th Wednesday of every month, 5:30pm at various members locations. Visit www.alamochamberofcommerce.com for details!

Alamo Roads Advisory Committee
Meets at 3:30 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo Rotary
Meets Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Round Hill Golf and Country Club. For more information call (925) 820-6847.

Alamo Women’s Club
Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month, 1401 Danville Boulevard, For more information call Nancy P. Combs at (925) 351-6999.

Delta Nu Psi Service Sorority
Sends donated goods to our military people. For more information: deltanupsi@comcast.net

Hap Magee Ranch Park Joint Planning and Operations Committee (JPOC)
Meets at 5:00 p.m. – Please visit www.alamore.org for date; Hap Magee Ranch Park – The Cottage

The Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley

March 4, 2010 by Steve Mick

The Exchange Club is an energetic member of the Valley community with many members from Alamo. Exchange offers opportunities for residents to support a number of activities that promote citizenship, leadership and service.

The Exchange Club recently celebrated the dedication of new Freedom Shrines at Dougherty Valley High School and Diablo Vista Middle School. There are now 12 Freedom Shrines in the Valley, most of them prominently on display at area schools. Developed by the National Exchange Club, the Freedom Shrine project originated from the Freedom Train that toured the nation shortly after World War Two carrying an exhibit of historic documents. The purpose of the Freedom Shrine is twofold. It puts before young Americans proof that the freedom and greatness we enjoy today were not purchased easily and reminds them that these gifts must be cherished and protected. The Shrine consists of replicas of 30 historic documents which were carefully chosen to exemplify the beginnings of our nation and those subsequent turning points of importance which shaped our national character.

Exchange also promotes America’s history to our youth in other ways. We sponsor a Heritage Speaker’s Series each year which is combined with a scholarship essay competition. High school students attend a total of four presentations by local leaders over a period of few weeks. This year’s topic is “The Balance of Power: The Dynamic Tension between the Branches of Government.” Participants then submit an essay that demonstrates their understanding of how our government is affected by the balance of power. Freedom Shrine documents are referenced as part of the essay. The essays are evaluated and scholarships are awarded. 1st place receives a $1500 scholarship, 2nd place receives $1000 and 3rd place receives $500.

Each year, Exchange organizes a September 11 remembrance ceremony at Oak Hill Park. Last year, as part of this observance, students were encouraged to attend the ceremony and then submit an essay on the subject, “Tell Your Story – What if You Were There on 9-11?” Students were asked to imagine that they were news reporters on 9-11 and were covering the story. The response by our local students was immensely gratifying and a significant number of excellent essays were submitted.

Child abuse prevention is a commitment of the National Exchange Foundation and is an important project of the Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley. On April 17, Exchange will sponsor a child abuse prevention effort in the local area. Exchange Club members will distribute information at several locations. Recognition of child abuse as well as parenting tips such as KidCode and Time-out Teddy will be available. Please visit our website at www.SRVexchangeclub.org for details and locations. Exchange Club meeting information is also available there.

Contact Steve Mick at steve@alamore.org.
Comments are the author’s and do not represent the opinion of the Alamo MAC.

Alamo Community Council
Meets at 5:00 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society
Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month At Danville Congregational’s Social Hall, 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville

Alamo Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting
Meets at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Creekside Community Church

Alamo Chamber of Commerce Monthly Social & Networking Mixers
are held the 4th Wednesday of every month, 5:30pm at various members locations. Visit www.alamochamberofcommerce.com for details!

03/24, Wednesday, 5pm – 8pm: Alamo Chamber of Commerce presents “Business After Hours” Trade Show Mixer at the Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Rd. Alamo. Exhibitor applications are available at the chamber website www.AlamoChamberofCommerce.com. Questions? Call Sharon Schuyler 510.499.4229.

Alamo Roads Advisory Committee
Meets at 3:30 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo Rotary
Meets Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Round Hill Golf and Country Club. For more information call (925) 820-6847.

Alamo Women’s Club
Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month 1401 Danville Boulevard. For more information call Nancy P. Combs at (925) 351-6999.

Delta Nu Psi Service Sorority
Sends donated goods to our military people. For more information: deltanupsi@comcast.net

Hap Magee Ranch Park Joint Planning and Operations Committee (JPOC)
Meets at 5:00 p.m. – Please visit www.alamore.org for date; Hap Magee Ranch Park – The Cottage

Out with the Old Year and In with the New Year

January 8, 2010 by Steve Mick

Out with the old…
As one of the last events of each year, the Alamo Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Annual Alamo Tree Lighting Festival. Held at Andrew H. Young Park in downtown, the festival is considered the beginning of the Christmas holiday season. Spirits were slightly dampened this year when a light, but cold rain shower started the evening. However, the festival-goers were treated to coffee and hot chocolate, along with various snacks. Carolers and other entertainment soon brought the warmth of the season to everyone.

In with the new…
There are many exciting and entertaining events planned in Alamo for 2010. Beginning with the start of the year, the Alamo Parks and Recreation Advisory duties will be the responsibility of the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council. There are already a number of events planned.

The Alamo Multi-Cultural Festival
The Alamo MAC Recreation program will present the Alamo Multi-Cultural Festival scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The event will take place at Stone Valley Middle School in Alamo. The goal of the event is to bring people together to celebrate the cultural diversity of Alamo and its surrounding Bay Area communities.

The theme of the festival is A Journey Around the World. Our destinations will include Africa, Laos, China, and Mexico with performances from the West African Music and Dance Ensemble with CK and Betty Ladzekpo. Also, performing will be Mien Legends and Son de la Tierra with Artemio Posadas from the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, artists from the Culture to Culture Foundation and guest moderator and storyteller Nana-Dictta Graves.

This event is free to the public. However, space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. To RSVP please call Venus Zayas at (925) 313-2181. Stone Valley Middle School is located at 3001 Miranda Avenue, Alamo, CA.

Movie Night at Alamo School
An open-air movie night at Alamo Elementary School is scheduled for Friday, June 11. We expect this will be very popular. This event is still in the planning stage, so if you have suggestions for a family movie to be shown, please let me know.

Summer Concert Series
Of course, one of the best-attended summer activities is the concert series held in Livorna Park. This year may offer a surprise band, so keep up to date on Alamo events.

Contact Steve Mick at steve@alamore.org
Comments are the author’s and do not represent the opinion of the Alamo MAC.

Meets at 5:00 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House
Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Danville Congregational’s Social Hall, 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville
Alamo Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting meets at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Creekside Community Church
Alamo Chamber of Commerce – Monthly Social & Networking Mixers are held the 4th Wednesday of every month, 5:30pm at various members locations. Visit www.alamochamberofcommerce.com for details!
Alamo Roads Advisory Committee meets at 3:30 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House
Alamo Rotary meets Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m., , Round Hill Golf and Country Club; For more information call (925) 820-6847
Alamo Women’s Club meets the 4th Wednesday of the month, 1401 Danville Boulevard, For more information call Nancy P. Combs at (925) 351-6999
Delta Nu Psi Service Sorority sends donated goods to our military people. For more information: deltanupsi@comcast.net
Hap Magee Ranch Park Joint Planning and Operations Committee (JPOC) meets at 5:00 p.m. – Please visit www.alamore.org for date, Hap Magee Ranch Park – The Cottage

Alamo Demonstrates Its Generosity

December 10, 2009 by Steve Mick

By Steve Mick
Alamo residents can take pride not only in their abundant community spirit, but also in their generous response to neighbors’ needs. There are many examples of this and here are two recent ones.

A GOURMET BREAKFAST FOR JULIE
Julie Hawkins, a twenty-six year old, had been struggling with flu-like symptoms for several days. Blood tests indicated that she had a strain of hepatitis and was admitted to John Muir for treatment and close observation. Doctors soon diagnosed her with acute liver failure and she would need a liver transplant within a few days. She was flown by helicopter to Stanford Hospital to await a donor. Miraculously, a transplant donor was quickly located. The transplant was a success, but the emotional and financial toll on Julie and her family was overwhelming.

The Alamo Women’s Club heard of Julie’s situation and immediately wanted to do something to help. They organized a gourmet breakfast to benefit the Miss Julie Hawkins’ Medical Fund. Held at the Clubhouse in September, the event was an enormous success. Participation and donations far exceeded the organizers’ expectations. It truly was a gourmet breakfast that included juices, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and all the amenities. There was an almost constant flow of people from the very beginning. The Alamo Women’s Club and the many good people of Alamo and neighboring communities can take satisfaction in their outstanding response to Julie and her family.

TOGETHER WE GIVE
The new Juniorette group of the Alamo Women’s Club was started by San Ramon High School junior, Amy Corstorphine and a few friends. The goal of the group is to reach out in meaningful ways to those less fortunate. They organized Together We Give, a community-wide donation day held in November. They wanted to make it easy for people to donate and recycle specific items needed. Several philanthropic organizations were on hand to discuss the work that they are doing in local communities. Groups represented included the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, Animal Rescue Foundation, and Shepherd’s Gate, among many others. The community turned out in large numbers with donations of food, specific items of clothing, pet supplies, diapers, sports gear and many other items. The Juniorette Group reported that their first Together We Give event was a great success.

ALAMO MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Alamo MAC held its first meeting on November 11. Chaired by Supervisor Mary Piepho, this was an informal meeting for the new members to meet each other and the public. Supervisor Piepho and her staff discussed a number of procedural topics and requirements. The next Alamo MAC meeting will be on December 15 at 7:00 PM at Hap Magee Ranch Park. For more information please visit www.alamore.org.

Contact Steve Mick at steve@alamore.org

Alamo Community Council
Meets at 5:00 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society
Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Danville Congregational’s Social Hall, 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville

Alamo Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting
Meets at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Creekside Community Church

Alamo Chamber of Commerce
Monthly Social & Networking Mixers are held the 4th Wednesday of every month, 5:30pm at various members locations. Visit www.alamochamberofcommerce.com for details!

Alamo Roads Advisory Committee
Meets at 3:30 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo Rotary
Meets Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Round Hill Golf and Country Club, For more information call (925) 820-6847

Alamo Women’s Club
Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month 1401 Danville Boulevard, For more information call Nancy P. Combs at (925) 351-6999

Delta Nu Psi Service Sorority
Sends donated goods to our military people. For more information: deltanupsi@comcast.net

Hap Magee Ranch Park Joint Planning and Operations Committee (JPOC)
Meets at 5:00 p.m. – Please visit www.alamore.org for date, Hap Magee Ranch Park – The Cottage

The Alamo Municipal Advisory Council

November 8, 2009 by Steve Mick

Supervisor Mary Piepho has announced that the following Alamo residents have been nominated to serve on the Alamo MAC: David Barclay, Ed Best, David Bowlby, Nancy Dommes, Janet Evans, Michael McDonald and Steve Mick.

The Alamo MAC will be an important communications vehicle and will provide Supervisor Piepho as well as the other board members a focused voice on a number of issues and concerns that Alamo residents may have. The MAC responsibilities will include parks and recreation, lighting and landscaping, land-use and code enforcement, public safety, transportation and other county services. The MAC must conform to the requirements of both the Brown Act and the county’s Better Government Ordnance. The following information was provided by the Supervisor Piepho’s office:

Mr. David Barclay has served as President of numerous Homeowners Associations including Alamo Crest where he currently lives. He has been active in school fund-raising and served as the Chair of the Oversight Committee responsible for implementation of a school bond. He brings great experience in land and fiscal management to the MAC.

Mr. Ed Best has been an Alamo resident since 1973 and been involved in a variety of community activities. Most notably, as Committee Member and chair of the Alamo Parks and Recreation Committee R-7A, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Board of Trustees, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Board of Directors, and has served as a past Board Member
for the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. David Bowlby serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Contra Costa Council. He is a former Planning Commissioner for both Danville and the San Ramon Valley. He brings significant Land Use Planning experience and broad knowledge of the County.

Ms. Nancy Dommes is currently an R7A member. She has also served on the Alamo Beautification Committee Zone 36. Nancy is currently Treasurer for the Alamo Community Foundation as well as been involved in a variety of school activities.

Ms. Janet Evans currently the Principal of Growth Strategies Unlimited and a former IBM employee, Ms. Evan’s served on the Alamo Roads Advisory Committee and graduated from the Leadership San Ramon Valley Program. She has received an honorary service award for her work with the PTSA. She is also a Board Member of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Michael McDonald is a former City Manager and Chief Executive of a wholesale electricity services agency. He makes Roundhill Country Club his home and is a Contra Costa County Court Appointed Child Advocate. He loves golf and dogs.

Mr. Steve Mick has served on the Alamo Parks and Recreation Committee R-7A; the Alamo Beautification Committee Zone 36, Board of Directors for the Alamo Improvement Association, and is a current member of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley as well as being an active member on the Veteran’s Memorial Building Development Committee.

Contact Steve Mick at steve@alamore.org

Note: The Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will be assuming the duties of some of the county advisory committees over the next few months. Please visit www.alamore.org for up to date information on meetings.

Alamo Community Council Meets at 5:00 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo-Danville Artists’ Society Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Danville Congregational’s Social Hall, 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville

Alamo Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting meets at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Creekside Community Church

Alamo Chamber of Commerce meets 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the 2nd Wednesday of the month, Round Hill Golf and Country Club

Alamo Roads Advisory Committee meets at 3:30 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of the month at Hap Magee Ranch Park – Swain House

Alamo Rotary meets Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m., Round Hill Golf and Country Club, For more information call (925) 820-6847

Alamo Women’s Club meets the 4th Wednesday of the month, 1401 Danville Boulevard For more information call Nancy P. Combs at (925) 351-6999

Delta Nu Psi Service Sorority sends donated goods to our military people. For more information: deltanupsi@comcast.net

Hap Magee Ranch Park Joint Planning and Operations Committee (JPOC) meets at 5:00 p.m. – Please visit www.alamore.org for date, Hap Magee Ranch Park – The Cottage

Alamo Danville Newcomers Club, For ladies who are new to the area or long-time residents who are interested in making new friends. Welcome coffee 4th Thursday of each month. Info: (925) 775-3233 www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com

ALIVE IN ALAMO
STEVE MICK