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November 2016 Serving Danville Blue Star Moms – Proud Parents Providing Support Holiday Lighting of the Old By Jody Morgan Oak Tree Blue Star Moms (BSM), Chapter 101, was established in 2001 shortly after the Twin Towers fell. The Moms honor the achievements of their own offspring who are serving in the United States Military, Veterans, or Fallen Heroes through an ever-increasing variety of missions from carefully coordinated care packages to programs for Gold Star Parents and events supporting Veterans as well as active duty military personnel. Once a month members from across the East Bay gather at Danville’s Veterans Memorial Building to commune with others who understand what it means to spend every day with their hearts on the line.
Friday, November 25, 5:15 to 8:30PM
Join with your friends, neighbors, and the Danville community for the 40th Lighting of the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road on Friday, November 25th. The magical evening will have something for everyone. For questions contact the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce at www.danvilleareachamber.com.
If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out By Linda Summers Pirkle
At Danville’s 4th of July Parade Blue Star Moms hold photos of sons and daughters serving our country. (Photo courtesy of BSM)
The Blue Star emblem originated with a service flag designed by Army Captain Robert L. Queisser to display his pride in his two sons engaged at the front during World War I. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson approved the request by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war be permitted to wear a gold star on their black mourning armband. Eventually, the gold star was also placed over the blue on banners displayed by parents across the nation whose children had died in combat. Blue Star Mothers of America, of which BSM is an official chapter, was founded during World War II. Care packages from home are always appreciated by those with boots on the ground around the globe. BSM assembles and ships at least 1,500 boxes each year. Travel-size toiletries are packed in quart bags. Snack size treats and similarly sized protein products are also separately bagged. Socks are important, especially in areas where sand and grit chew through fibers and can’t be washed out. Warm hats are good in cold climates. Asked by an embarrassed Captain with all women under his command if they did special packages for ladies, the Moms answered, “Absolutely!” The next major shipment, Holiday Hugs, will be sorted and sent December 3rd. Other major shipments are made for Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July. Better Homes and Gardens Realty, 630 Danville Boulevard in Danville, offers space year round for collection of appropriate items. Special requests are honored as they are received. Jana Clark, 1st Vice President, says, “As Moms we can’t hear about a soldier who’s cold or hasn’t had a package from home without doing something about it.” Responding to a call from a Special Forces unit serving in Afghanistan, BSM vacuum-sealed two blankets to a care package. Seventy-two boxes were air dropped to the unit. Jana has spoken to some of the grateful recipients who still cherish their blankets. Christine McCracken, Recording Secretary and Care Package Co-Chair, relates: “While my son was at boot camp, there was one young man whose family did not approve of his choice in serving our country. They refused to provide him support through letters, so a few BSMs stepped up to write to him and show our support and appreciation of his service.”
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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 along (loudly and with all your heart) is compulsory. According to the article “Does Singing Make You Happy?,” (Julia Layton, Howstuffhappens. com, 4 Oct.2016) singing can help with mood, outlook, and general psychological health. Who doesn’t need a bit of song therapy these days? There are folks in the Bay Area who take singing to the next level; they sing in front of a real live audience! As the line from the 1994 film Forrest Gump goes, “Life is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get,” you never know what you are going to hear at open mic sessions. Singers from all walks of life and levels of expertise and talent perform at open mic venues where audiences are wowed, charmed, and surprised with country, Elvis, opera, torch, and everything in between. You never Open Mic singer Eileen Zamora with Gary Neuman on know what song style Keyboard. Photo by Brett Zamora you will hear, but you will be entertained with this eclectic group of singers who participate in the vibrant open mic scene in the Bay Area. Local resident, Gordon Douglass has been singing with the open mic or piano bar scene for years. After his daughters left for college, he decided to pursue a long held love of music and took singing lessons. His teacher at the time encouraged him to go to piano bars for the experience and Volume VIII - Number 1 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, to exercise his voice. In hindsight, Douglass Alamo, CA 94507 says, “It was one of the best decisions I ever (925) 405-6397 made.” When Marcello’s, a piano bar in DanFax (925) 406-0547 ville, closed down, the singers had nowhere to Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher go. “About two years ago our group of open editor@ mic singers approached the manager at Faz in yourmonthlypaper.com Danville, Majer Karjawally, and now we meet opinions expressed herein belong there twice a month, and our piano bar evenings The to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. continue to be very successful.” Danville Today News is not Brett and Eileen Zamora are also open mic responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does singers and actively promote the local piano bar
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publication imply endorsement.