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March 2011
Serving Alamo and Diablo East Bay Children’s Theatre By Fran Miller
How might a group of retired teachers and actors motivate legions of disadvantaged students to explore new ideas that ignite their interests and imaginations? How might this same group promote academic achievement in literacy through multi-dimensional learning? By putting on a play, of course. Since 1933, the volunteers of East Bay Children’s Theatre (EBCT) have been delivering the heritage of traditional folk tales via musical theater to economically disadvantaged elementary school children in Oakland and surrounding areas. EBCT is the oldest continuously performing theatre group in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through their non-profit productions, EBCT volunteers strive to highlight important moral lessons that promote positive values and strengthen self-esteem. Approximately 9,000 elementary school children (pre-K through grade 5) each year are inspired and entertained during EBCT school visits. “Our fractured fairy tale plays are filled with music, dancing, singing, and fun, fun, fun,” says Judy Rosenberg, president of EBCT’s board of directors. “We hit the road in mid-February and go until mid-April, performing every Tuesday and Thursday morning at schools where students rarely ever see a live performance. With so much of the arts being removed from our schools, this is one way we can help to put it back.” EBCT auditions begin in early October, and rehearsals start in January. The majority of participants are 65 plus, and many have been involved with EBCT for decades. This year’s play is Beauty and the Beasty, by EBCT’s own
Pedal to the Metal By Alec Tappin
Alamo Rotary Sponsors New RotaCare Clinic
Volunteer pharmacist Ron Grady, R.Ph. of San Ramon, and Alamo resident and volunteer nurse Ann Spafford, BSN, RN, discuss the pharmacy medications inventory for the RotaCare Clinic.
RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul, 2210 Gladstone Drive, Pittsburg, opened on Wednesday, February 9th. RotaCare Pittsburg’s mission is to bring free medical care for relief of pain and suffering to those who have the most need and the least access to medical care. See EBCT continued on page 20 The clinic, developed by St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County, is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Alamo and Pittsburg and co-sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Antioch, Brentwood, Danville, Danville-Sycamore, Delta-Antioch, Dougherty Valley, San Ramon, and San Ramon Valley. As
When you first meet the calm and collect Monte Vista High School sophomore, you don’t notice it. And then, you mention race car driving, and the passion in his face comes alive. At the age of nine, Daniel Langon went with his Photo by On Track Promotions soccer teammate Hunter Pickett to the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma to test out kart racing for the first time. From that moment onwards he was hooked. “I loved the adrenaline of being in the car, the feel of the motor, and the atmosphere from all of the drivers,” said Langon. “There’s nothing else like it.” Kart racing consists of small, four-wheeled vehicles with scaled-down motors. It can be perceived as the stepping stone to professional motorsports such as NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing). After his first test drive Langon joined the Jim Russel Racing School based at Infineon. The “Arrive and Drive” program provided everything necessary for a beginning driver: a kart, racing suit, helmet, and instruction. By the age of 11, after two years at the racing school, Langon, purchased his own kart to begin racing on his own in the Cadet division. From there he moved up to the Junior division and this past year to the Junior Shifter Kart division
See Daniel continued on page 26 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
See RotaCare continued on page 26
Meet New Alamo Deputy Kevin Lee By Sharon Burke
Deputy Sheriff Kevin Lee is currently assigned as the Alamo Resident Deputy. He has been assigned to the position since January 3, 2011. After working as an Emergency Medical Technician for several years, Deputy Lee was hired by a small municipal police department and attended the prestigious Sacramento Police Academy. In 1990, he was hired by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. He has worked in the Detention Division, Court Security and the Patrol Division. Deputy Kevin Lee While working at the Detention Division, Deputy Lee’s assignments included the Martinez Detention Facility and Custody Alternative Volume XI - Number 3 Facility which involves monitor- 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 ing inmates on Electronic Home Fax (925) 406-0547 Detention. While working in Court Security, he worked at Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher all of the courthouses in the Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Sharon Burke ~ Writer county. His longest and most sburke@alamotoday.com rewarding assignment in Court opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do Security was as a bailiff for The not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor Judge Barbara Zuniga.
See Lee cont. on page 25
does publication imply endorsement.