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Rotary Club of Alamo Sponsors Annual Tree Lighting

The Alamo Rotary Club sponsored the annual Alamo Tree Lighting. This free event took place from 4:30-6:30PM on November 28th, at Oak Tree Plaza located at 3000 Danville Blvd. in Alamo. There were school choirs and jazz bands, and even Santa Claus made an appearance. It was a perfect way to begin the holiday season. The Rotary Club served hot chocolate and hot cider and the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis International Club was serving popcorn and other goodies.

The program was emceed by Kristy Yamaguchi, who started the event by introducing a demonstration by East West Martial Arts students. East West has been in Alamo since 1967 and boasts over 40 certified world class black belts. The school was founded by Richard Lee.

Kristy next introduced the Stone Valley Middle School Jazz Band, a music performance group where students can excel in learning jazz techniques and style. The group is led by Ms. Lindsey Ferreira, a music teacher at Stone Valley.

The Jazz Band was followed by the San Ramon Valley High School Chamber Singers. Under the direction of Michael Digiacinto, this group of 16 sophomores, juniors and seniors meets daily as part of the music curriculum at SRVHS. Taking part in community events has been a huge part of the Chamber Singers 20 plus year tradition.

Next were the Monte Vista High School Freshman Spirit Leaders who sang for Santa when he arrived and escorted him to his seat so he could great all of the children who had a chance to tell him what they would like for Christmas.

After Santa’s arrival Kristy introduced the Monte Vista High School Barbarshop/Beautyshop Quartet Singers. This is a group of nine talented singers who perform at various holiday parties and events within the community throughout the holiday season. Monte Vista Beauty Shop is an audition-only double quartet and brings holiday cheer from year to year.

Next came the countdown for the lighting of the tree in the Andrew Young Park next door to the event. 10,0,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, and the tree was lite!!

Next Kristy introduced the Contra Costa County Supervisor for District 2, which includes Alamo, Candace Anderson, who welcome the audience and wished them happy holidays. Candace was first elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in June 2012. In June 2016 and March 2020, she ran unopposed and was re-elected to four-year terms. She will be running again in 2024.
Previously, Candace was on the Danville Town Council from 2003 through June 2012, serving two terms as Mayor. In her role as County Supervisor, Candace currently sits on 29 local and regional boards and commissions addressing planning and land use, transportation, pensions, mental health, healthcare, reuse and recycling, economic development and public safety.

To close the Tree Lighting program was the Alamo Elementary School Chorus.

The Alamo Chorus includes any 3rd 4th and 5th graders who love to sing and can get out of bed really early once a week. Rehearsals are at 7:15am before school.
They love to perform, especially for Community events. In a normal year the chorus will have 8-10 performances. Their favorite concerts were the 2 times the chorus sang at Warriors games. Another favorite is this Tree Lighting event, and the Alamo Easter Egg Hunt at Livorna Park. They also love to sing at their Alamo School Hoe Down.

Nancy Raaum started directing the chorus 22 years ago with 13 singers. Usually there are around 50-60 singers. Last year during Covid, there were six Alamo kids singing masked, standing 6 feet apart at that Tree Lighting. Only Mrs. Raaum, their parents, their Principal Mrs. Salazar, and a few Rotary volunteers were able to attend. It was a performance they will remember forever.

The Rotary Club of Alamo would like to thank Kristy Yamaguchi, Candace Anderson, all of the musical groups, the Martial Arts Students, all of the volunteers, the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and especially Santa Claus, who came in from the North Pole to meet with all of the children, with his Elf, who handed out candy canes to the children.

We wish everyone Happy Holidays! ...