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valleysentinel.com
January 2011
VOL 16, NO 2
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SPOTLIGHT
New Novel Gives Rare Glimpse of Life on Destroyer Escort
Happy New Year!
By Staff Writer
“In Dangerous Waters,” the debut novel by Alamo author Jack Russ, is set during the Korean War. Deployed to serve as communications officer aboard a ship bound for service along the Korean coast, Mike Kincaid also learns to navigate the treacherous waters of relationships with hostile senior officers and to stand his ground on what he believes to be true. His father’s World Wa r I I t r a g e d y creates problems and threatens to undermine his dream to fly for the Navy. The story is written in such a way as to provide even non-military readers the sights,
Best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous 2011 from all of us at the Valley Sentinel
ECRWSS
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See DANGEROUS page 2
Wildflowers on Mt. Diablo. Photo courtesy of Lucille Meinhardt.
Nature’s Beloved Son
Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy Bedford Gallery, January 9 - March 27, 2011
Postmaster: Dated Material
By Staff Writer
John Muir was a botanist throughout his life and his fondness for the nature, and beauty of plants contributed significantly to his understanding of the need to preserve wilderness. Yet this aspect of the well-known conservationist’s passions is little known. In the spirit which John Muir embraced the botanical world, the traveling exhibition “Nature’s Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy” traces his travels to Canada, Indiana, the American southeast, California and Alaska. It presents vivid images and specimens of the actual plants that Muir held in his hands, carried in his pockets and preserved for all time.
Several hundred of these plant specimens were scanned at herbaria throughout North America, digitally enhanced by Pleasant Hill photographer Stephen J. Joseph and studied under the direction of Muir scholar and curator Bonnie Gisel. Having collaborated to create an exquisite and informative book published by Heyday Books (2008) they now pour their talents into this traveling exhibition.
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The Bedford Gallery was selected as the opening venue for this international tour because of its prominence in Contra Costa County as the premier art gallery. Contra Costa County is significant to the story of John Muir’s life, as he lived in the Alhambra Va l l e y i n Martinez on the family ranch from 1890 until his death in 1914. “Nature’s Beloved Son” includes high-resolution images of Muir’s plant specimens on large format canvas and paper prints, allowing the exploration of the structures,
patterns and anatomies of the plant world. Historic images, pages and drawings from Muir’s journals set the context for his plant collecting, and a set of original plant specimens shows visitors the real thing! To further inspire, the exhibition includes several quotes from Muir about his fascination with nature and devotion to plants. A film shown in the gallery and narrated by the curator and Muir reenactor Frank Helling features additional plant specimens and historic images. “Nature’s Beloved Son” is traveling to museums, botanical gardens and parks throughout North America and will appeal to a wide range of visitors ;0including people interested in botany, history, ecology,
A New Year... A New You! pages 7 - 9 Community Banking and Personal Finance pages 10-11
See JOHN MUIR page 4