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JANUARY 2017 • ALAMO TODAY • PAGE 1
JANUARY
2017
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY: HEALING THE WHOLE PERSON By Jody Morgan
REMEMBERING JOHN BELLANDI
OWNER OF ALAMO HAY AND GRAIN By Sharon Burke
Alamo residents were saddened to learn of the passing mid-November of John Bellandi, aged 74, owner of Alamo’s iconic business, Alamo Hay and Grain. For almost 40 years, John endeared himself to generations of Alamo residents, ever-ready with a grin and a hug and expert animal advice. Situated in a quonset hut left over from World War II at the corner of Alamo’s two main streets, the hay and grain store with its iconic life size horse mounted on the shoe store in front is widely known as John Bellandi the symbol for Alamo throughout the county. John took over the business in 1979 and watched it evolve from a horse supply store where customers sometimes rode a horse down Danville Boulevard to the shop, to mainly a small animal and pet food supply store today, selling chicks, bunnies, ducklings, and everything needed to raise them. It was John’s idea to purchase a fiberglass horse in 1980 and place it on top of the shoe store in front of Alamo Hay and Grain. He was fond of decorating the horse for various holidays. Terri Delfosse, Alamo resident and long time owner of Richard’s Crafts in Alamo Plaza, remembers John coming into Richard’s every year just before Thanksgiving. “He would get a big red bow to decorate the horse for the Christmas season, and then stay for an hour and a half to visit and give me a hug.” She continued: “Truly, my heart aches with his loss. He was a good man and will be greatly missed.”
Modern medicine offers many cancer treatment options, but healing requires more than attacking the physical causes of the disease. Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area located in Walnut Creek (CSC) offers free services to cancer patients, their caregivers and loved ones to address all the aspects of battling cancer that promote living better as well as longer. Backed by research confirming their efficacy, the extensive selection of programs includes educational presentations, healthy lifestyle classes, support groups and counseling. Everyone seeking support with cancer-related concerns is welcome to come for as long as they want. Founded in 1990 as Wellness Community San Francisco East Bay, CSC is a licensed affiliate of the international Cancer Community Support organization that includes over 200 locations worldwide. However, as an independent non-profit corporation, the Walnut Creek center is able to channel the contributions from generous donors that make their programs possible directly into free services for over 2,000 local individuals annually. CSC’s mission is: “To ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.” Volunteers staffing the reception desk are CSC members who understand immediately how stressed newcomers feel. Patty Koepke explains, “When the ‘C’ word pertains to you, you go into a deep black hole. The
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Enjoying a CSC group hug reminds members they are part of a caring community. Photo courtesy of CSC.
The Valley Sheriff's Station in Alamo sponsored the 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off to benefit the Contra Costa Food Bank. Seven pots of chili competed for the coveted bragging rights as Alamo residents stopped by the station to taste and vote. First prize honors went to Deputy Dan Buergi, the Diablo resident deputy. Pictured above enjoying chili from left to right are Alamo resident Joe Rubay, Dep. Brian Carey (Round Hill Deputy), Lindy Lavender and Anne O of Sup. Karen Mitchoff's office, Dep. Brandon Robb and Dep. Tyler Hart. Give them a hand - the deputies raised over $300 to help feed the hungry for the holidays!
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Cancer Support Community is a wonderful place for a person to come for some peace and understanding.” Koepke’s husband discovered CSC (then Wellness Community) when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. As a survivor, with five years of volunteering experience as well as firsthand knowledge of what it takes to walk through the door as a recently diagnosed cancer patient, she affirms, “I can always spot someone entering for the first time by the look Volume XVII - Number 1 of fear and confusion in their eyes. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Once that person realizes that the indiAlamo, CA 94507 vidual greeting them has faced cancer, Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 it seems to soften the blow. I will ask Fax (925) 406-0547 them to sit down with me and gradually Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher their anxiety level drops.” Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Newcomers are encouraged to Sharon Burke ~ Writer attend orientation meetings held weekly The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today on Mondays at 7pm and Fridays at 11am so not is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising
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