editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
December 2016
Serving Alamo and Diablo 1850s Russell Barn Coming Down for Restoration By Jody Morgan
PTH Monte Vista High Ambassadors with one of the blankets they made blankets for foster kids. Photo courtesy of PTH.
Pledge to Humanity
By Jody Morgan
Pledge to Humanity demonstrates daily that every child has the innate ability to improve the life of someone less fortunate. Projects matched to their interests and skills engage Pledge to Humanity Ambassadors in hands-on experiences serving other people both locally and globally. Since Alamo resident Gaby Ghorbani founded PTH in 2009, the organization has grown exponentially as young people share with friends the delight they discover in opening their hearts to awareness of the need for their compassion and their eyes to the incredible impact of each small act of kindness they perform. “The greatest gift we can give our children is helping them understand their power to improve the lives of others,” Ghorbani explains. “The sense of selfworth they gain from helping others out of kindness rather than charity gives them an amazing feeling of empowerment and belief in their ability to make a difference in someone else’s life.” Recipient of the 2015 Diablo Magazine Threads of Hope Award and recognized as a Hometown Hero by Contra Costa Times, Ghorbani insists Pledge to Humanity kids deserve the credit for PTH success. “The kids are making the difference,” she says. “They’ve told me time and time again that their lives will never be the same.” Parent Advisor to San Ramon Valley High School’s 375-member PTH Club Beth McKnight concurs with Ghorbani. “Club members aren’t signing up just because they need service hours. These kids love this club. This year our club more than doubled in size, and it has mostly been because of word of mouth.” McKnight’s favorite part of a PTH trip is the drive home. “I love hearing the stories and hearing Gaby Ghorbani connects with children in India during the 2015 PTH school building project. the teens tell me how much they got Photo courtesy of PTH. out of the opportunity. They are always blown away by how grateful the people are that they serve. They are shocked that people who have so little can be so appreciative. I truly believe that these experiences change these kids from the inside out.”
Local Postal Customer
The barn built in the early 1850s by Samuel Russell is one of the oldest extant structures in the area. Still standing at Forest Home Farms Historic Park after surviving major earthquakes in 1861, 1906, and 1989, the barn is now deemed seismically unsafe. Although later repairs were done with nails, the original mortise and tenon construction utilizing pegs remains largely in tact. Following a 2014 structural assessment conducted by Robert Desautels of ATI Architects and Engineers, the San Ramon Historic Foundation (SRHF) recognized the urgency of preventing further damage to this irreplaceable piece of the valley’s agricultural past. In order to aid the City of San Ramon to expedite the project, SRHF entered into an agreement with the City to fund $250,000 of the estimated reconstruction cost of $756,000. SRHF, a nonprofit volunteer organization, works in partnership with the City of San Ramon to preserve and share the agricultural history and pioneer life of the San Ramon Valley. To date, the Foundation has raised close to half of its $250,000 Eleanor and Travis Boone at play in the early 20th century in front pledge for restoration of the 1850s Russell Barn. (photo courtesy of SRHF). of the Russell Barn. Each year virtually every third grader in SRVUSD spends time on the farm learning about the tools and techniques used by “Grandma” and “Grandma.” Among the 3,000 students participating annually in the Farm Life and Victorian Life Programs at Forest Home Farms are pupils from private schools, home schools, and other public school districts. Reopening the 1850s barn will enhance school programs as well as visits by scout groups, adult groups, and individuals.
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Jazz Vespers By Linda Summers Pirkle
We can all relate to the ambivalent feeling we have when faced with a trek through the Caldecott Tunnel or across the Bay Bridge either by car or public transportation to reach the mecca of cultural activities in our area. The dilemma is a regular occurrence especially with our busy schedules. For jazz enthusiasts, there is a solution to long commutes, and it occurs every first Sunday of the month right here in Danville. John Coltrane, legendary American jazz saxophonist and composer (19261967) said, “We need to get jazz back Volume XVI - Number 12 in the sanctuary where it came from.” 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Reverend Steve Harms, pastor at Peace CA 94507 See PTH continued on page 20 Lutheran Church in Danville, could not Telephone Alamo, (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 agree more with “the Trane.” Pastor Fax (925) 406-0547 PRSRT STD Harms is responsible for bringing top Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher U.S. Postage jazz talents from all over the nation to Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com PAID Danville on Sunday evenings where Permit 263 Sharon Burke ~ Writer “Jazz Church West,” an interfaith cel- The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do Alamo CA necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today ebration, wows audiences as they sway not is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising ECRWSS
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herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.