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March 2011 Profile on SF Giants, Nate Schierholtz
Serving Danville East Bay Children’s Theatre
By Alec Tappin
The San Francisco Giants finally end a 56year drought, bringing along one of Danville's finest. In 1958, the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco and have come-up short for many generations. In 1962 my grandpa watched as the Giants lost in the World Series to the New York Yankees, in 1989 my father watched as they fell short again in the World Series against Nate Schierholtz and Tim Lincecum after winning the World Series. the Oakland A’s, and the torture continued as I witnessed the 2002 World Series loss to the Anaheim Angles. This pattern has been the life of San Francisco Giants' fans since their 1958 relocation. The superstitious talked about a curse, but Danville knew that all the team needed was one our very own, Nate Schierholtz. Schierholtz, was born in Reno, Nevada and moved to Danville for the start of kindergarten. By the age of two, Schierholtz was swinging a bat and has not stopped since. Working out with his father, Vai, and major league pitcher, Don Rowe, Schierholtz swung left handed but threw right handed. Batting left handed gave Schierholtz the advantage on the majority-right handed pitchers. “I don't know if I was a natural left handed batter or if that is how I was taught, but it is an advantage for hitters,” said Schierholtz. Beginning his career here in the Danville Little League, he played games at Osage park and made the all-star team every season. Schierholtz attended San Ramon Valley High School and graduated in 2002. While at SRVHS he was the most valuable player of each team he played for, captain of the varsity team, and recently a SRVHS Hall of Famer. One of his most memorable moments in high school was when he went 5 for 5 in one game, hitting a grand slam, and the completing for the cycle. By the end of his high school career, Schierholtz was offered a full-ride scholarship to play baseball at the University of Utah. With the intentions of increasing his chances to make it to the big leagues, he turned down the offer to instead play third-base at Chabot Junior College. At Chabot he was
Orville Shick and CPC
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,
See EBCT continued on page 18
Danville Rotary Groups Sponsor 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 Nate continued on page 14
February 1, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of Orville Shick’s coming to be pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (CPC), Danville in 1961. Orville celebrated another milestone in December 2010, reaching his 95th birthday. His 24 year tenure as Senior Pastor began a period of growth for this pioneer church, and many of the programs envisioned by Orville are still bearing fruit today. His retirement, beginning in 1985, has been unique in that he chose and was given permis-
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.
See Shick continued on page 23
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
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, DanvilleSycamore, Delta-Antioch, DoughVolume II - Number 5 erty Valley, San Ramon, and San 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 Ramon Valley. As an Urgent Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Care/Primary Care Clinic, it will Fax (925) 406-0547 be providing quality, all-volunAlisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher teer non-emergency medical care editor@yourmonthlypaper.com for adults with acute or chronic The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do conditions who are uninsured or not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville
See RotaCare cont. on pg. 20
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