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After a rainy Saturday morning, the clouds cleared and the sun shone brightly on the 2009 Alamo Wine and Music Festival sponsored by Alamo Rotary to raise money for music in the schools.
“The highlight of the evening was the announcement that Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy Elmer Glasser was named as the Rotary Club of Alamo’s Citizen of the Year,” said Don Morton of Alamo Rotary.
“In 2009 we were fortunate to have many exceptional nominees who were very deserving of this recognition and Elmer was the one who stood out among the very best.”
Glasser heads the S.A.V.E. program that has volunteers who keep the Valley Sheriff’s Office in Alamo Plaza open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; the Diversion Program for youths who have done a misdeed instead of sending them to Juvenile Hall; a program called Character Counts. He also spearheads safety and security for Alamo events.
“He is always there for Alamo,” said Morton. “Over the years Elmer has received praise from prominent community volunteers, school principals and teachers, businesses and many, many members of community groups.”
One resident who nominated Glasser said that he is “someone who has had a tremendous impact on our community.” Another noted: “Today, he was here organizing the watch for vandalism in our neighborhoods, ready to help neighbors with insured damage to their cars, and diverting these youth vandals to a program where they learn community service through local community work programs.”
“Elmer is truly a worthy person,” said Morton. “Elmer does so much for the community, the Alamo schools, and the Sheriff’s Alamo sub station.”
“The Alamo Music Festival was a great success,” said Morton. “I must admit that when I awoke to thunder and lightning and some sizeable rain drops I was a bit concerned about the success of the festival. However, it all came together and the weather actually during the afternoon couldn’t have been better and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.”
“It is especially gratifying to see the children participating in the music program,” he added. “We raised a great deal of moneys for the music programs at our schools and this year it seems that they will need more help than at any other time in the past.”
Organizers said it will be several days before they determine how much money was raised for the music programs. But Morton said that based on the sponsorship this year, he is expecting it to be the most successful ever.
“We are most appreciative of our many generous sponsors: Jean and James Taylor Foundation, John Muir Health System, Jack and Linda Thompson, Tidewater, Bach Group – Morgan Stanley, San Ramon Regional Hospital, Alamo Improvement Association, Alamo Plaza, A1 Party Rentals, SkylarHaley, Empire Realty Associates, East Bay BMW, Alamo Chamber of Commerce, Allied Waste Services, Morgan Bonanno Paving & Grading, Rina Accountancy Corporation, Stone Valley Center, Oak Tree Plaza, United Site Services, San Ramon Valley Fire District, & The Sign Center,” said Morton.
“I would also like to thank the many members of the Rotary Club of Alamo, the Rotary Interact Club of Monte Vista High School and Ken Abrams Chorus Group from San Ramon Valley High who worked very hard and the many musical groups from our local schools who shared their talents with us and who made this event possible,” he added.
The citizen of the year is selected, said Morton, due to “citizenship, service, and integrity and who has demonstrated a unique commitment to the Alamo community that places him/her in a special place deserving this singular recognition.”
Read about Deputy Glasser’s Juvenile Diversion Program in the Aug. 29, 2008, issue of the Danville Weekly.
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School music groups perform at the Music and Wine Festival in Alamo Plaza. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Alamo Rotary members sell wine at the Festival, which benefits music programs in the schools. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Sheriff’s Deputy Elmer Glasser was named Alamo Rotary’s 2009 Citizen of the Year. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
The Alamo Rotary tree lighting co-chairwomen for 2009 are (l-r) Terri Delfosse and Nancy Combs; at right is Janice Byer, who designed the wreathes. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
The festival was all about music and wine. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
The climbing wall was a big hit with kids. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Face painting transformed some fresh young faces. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
The food was delicious! Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Whoa! That’s a long way down. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Ron Waggener (left) and Robin Lamont man the Sheriff’s booth. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Citizen of the Year Deputy Elmer Glasser is congratulated by (l-r) Bill Barley, Diane Barley and Don Morton. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
Happy guitarist. Photo by Barbara Lindsey. -
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District let children sit in the driver’s seat. Photo by Barbara Lindsey.
Great Choice…let me be the first to congratulate Deputy Glasser for achieving Alamo Citizen of the Year. Alamo respects and appreciates all your dedicated service.
Thank you,
Julia
Congratulations again Elmer. As one of the S.A.V.E.S. volunteers on duty at the Alamo Wine Festival I witnessed first hand how deserving people felt regarding you receiving this award. I’m very happy for you and to be a part of your team.
And congratulations again from me too, Elmer. As another S.A.V.E.S. Volunteer, “the committee couldn’t have made a better choice.”
Dear Dolores,
Neighborhoods are celebrating Rotary’s recognition of Elmer. Hundreds of comments on e-exchanges simply define the breadth of contribution by Elmer, volunteers and community groups that support Elmer’s efforts.
Elmer is the definition of community and an invitation among the broadest collection of groups in Alamo.
We have learned from his contributions,
Hal
What a great guy!
Elmer is a first class guy. I can’t think of anyone who could deserve this more. His dedication to the community and it’s kids is unreprochable.
Well done, Elmer.
Dear Dolores,
Much has been made of the volume of support for Elmer’s recognition. I would certainly join that reality as neighborhoods understood Elmer as an organizer and contributor to the broad spectrum of our community and region.
I enjoyed being “clerk” for neighborhood and community groups who wanted Elmer recognized, so like many that joined me, Elmer was given nomination for Citizen of the YEAR. And the most interesting point to observe is the number of Alamo volunteers that agreed that Elmer was exceptional this year in his broad-based contribution.
Many more deserve our recognition including Roger Smith, Brad Waite, Grace Schmidt, Bill Nelson and more. This year, with the county transition of voice for Alamo and the public emergence of neighborhoods, we can expect these exceptional candidates to be awarded recognition as more than one citizen of the year, September 2010.
I would applaud that result as only a fellow citizen.
Hal
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