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FEBRUARY 2017 • ALAMO TODAY • PAGE 1
FEBRUARY
2017
LETTERS FROM THE HEART: AMERICA’S WARS ALAMO RESIDENT JIM NOE RECEIVES MLK HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
By Jody Morgan
From January 29-April 9, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley focuses on the impact of war on individuals – soldiers separated from their lovedones, loved-ones longing for news and fearful of the news they will receive, and non-combatants caught in the crossfire. Uniforms, love-tokens and personal items loaned from both private and public collections add local
(Left to right), Supervisor John Gioia, Jim Noe, Supervisor Federal Glover, Supervisor Candace Andersen, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, and Supervisor Diane Burgis.
James (Jim) Noe, a St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) volunteer for over 30 years, was honored for his lasting impact as an advocate for the underprivileged and named the 2017 MLK Humanitarian of Year by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on January 17th. Much like the work of Dr. King, Noe’s volunteerism is rooted in his deep-held spiritual belief in the dignity of every human being. Noe began by helping the poverty-stricken and underprivileged members of his local community. As a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul and other non-profits,
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Steven Burchik (C) shows his latest book to Bill Green (L), President of VNVDV and John Schafgan (R), VNVDV Director following a January talk for the VNVDV. photo courtesy of Steven Burchik
interest to the traveling exhibit forming the core of the presentation, War Comes Home: The Legacy. Letters chronicle the concerns of individuals involved in all of America’s wars from the Civil War to the present. Many of Contra Costa County’s veterans’ organizations have contributed to creating an exhibit so comprehensive it extends to displays at the Veterans’ Memorial Building as well as the Museum. A series of free programs brings home the personal cost of war from a variety of perspectives. San Ramon resident Steven Burchik’s photographs immediately immerse visitors in the daily duties of an infantryman serving in Vietnam 1968-69. While many other servicemen brought basic point-and-shoot cameras with them, Burchik took time to practice with his new Kodak Retina S1, a 35mm camera, before deployment. In Compass and a Camera: A Year in Vietnam, he writes: “I felt that this would be one of the most unique experiences of my life, and I wanted to capture as much as possible without endangering myself or others.” Eight themes organize the display entitled “An Ordinary Year, An Extraordinary Time”: River Patrols, Children, Villagers, Aerial Views, Helicopters, Patrols and Medevac, Nighttime Pyrotechnics, and Rice Harvest. Burchik never filmed a combat mission, but he perfected capturing
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Local Postal Customer
IF YOU WANT TO SING OUT, SING OUT
By Linda Summers Pirkle
As I step inside a local salon, “Ooh Baby Baby,” one of Ms. Ronstadt’s many hits from the 70’s, is playing and images from my twenties pop into my head. I use every ounce of self-restraint not to burst out in a duet with Linda. It can happen anywhere: the gym, in an elevator, and frequently in the car. Hearing a favorite tune or a special song from your past can transport you to another time and place, and singing Open Mic singer Carol Luckenbach with Gary along (loudly and with all your heart) Neuman on keyboard. Photo by Brett Zamora is compulsory. According to the article “Does Singing Make You Happy?,” (Julia Layton, Howstuffhappens.com, 4 Oct.2016) Volume XVII - Number 2 singing can help with mood, outlook, and 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, general psychological health. Who doesn’t Alamo, CA 94507 continued on page 19 need a bit of song therapy these days? Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 There are folks in the Bay Area who take Fax (925) 406-0547 PRSRT STD singing to the next level; they sing in front Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher U.S. Postage of a real live audience! As the line from the Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com PAID 1994 film Forrest Gump goes, “Life is like Permit 263 Sharon Burke ~ Writer a box of chocolates… you never know The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do Alamo CA what you’re gonna get,” you never know not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising ECRWSS
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herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.