alan marker:  

Alan is from Washington, District Of Columbia. Alan's schools include Wheaton High School. Alan later attended Towson University (Avoiding the draft) . Alan owns Alans Affordable Computers & Repairs, After Promoting Music From Abba To Zappa Over A 30 Year Span. Music Alan likes includes Prof. Louie & the Crowmatix(which over the years included most members of ,THE BAND(Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, and others, Amy Helm, Emily Sanders. Books alan likes include 8 VERSES FOR TRAINGING THE MIND, WAYS TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE. Movies alan likes include Fahrenheit 9/11, Cinderella Man, Invictus. TV shows alan likes include Democracy Now, The Rachel Maddow Show. One of Alan's favorite quotes is:"AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND THE WHOLE WORLD GOES BLIND. THIS IS MY SIMPLE RELIGION. THERE IS NO NEED FOR TEMPLES; NO NEED FOR COMPLICATED PHILOSOPHY, OUR OWN BRAIN, OUR OWN HEART IS OUR TEMPLE, THE PHILOSOPHY IS KINDNESS. DALAI LAMA.". More about Alan:"ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. SO I TRY EACH DAY TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE, AND HELP THE UNFORTUNATE.". With its warm, welcoming atmosphere, Alan’s Affordable Computers in Stone Ridge feels like an antidote to the big, corporate-run technology stores. Computers of all shapes and sizes sit along the large wooden counters, encouraging people to browse and ask lots of questions. “I love owning a local computer store,” said Alan Marker, the Alan of Alan's Affordable Computers. “We make it a point to get to know our clientele, and to help individuals with their particular issues. Lots of people feel uncomfortable with technology, and we try to help them through that.” But Alan's Affordable Computers is not just a store. At the heart of Marker's work is his foundation, Computers for the Needy. He refurbishes old computers and donates them to people in need locally and throughout the world. "At first my goal was to donate computers to vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, because a lot of vets come home traumatized and with very little money," he said. "But then my mission evolved to help others who are also struggling. Computers help people gain an education, find a job, start a business, connect to the world, and make their voices heard. If people are interested in donating, please call. It makes a very big difference and we can use all the help we can get." Indeed, getting computers into the hands of those in need is Marker’s latest mission in a life filled with compassionate and adventure. Born in 1949 in Washington DC, Marker’s father worked as a sportswriter for the Army Times, while his mom was a nurse at Walter Reed. He was a good student and liked sports, but there were also a lot of family problems. “My childhood was not easy, but it’s made me a lot stronger person,” said Marker. “I grew up quicker than most people, and it helped me to learn to be vulnerable and care about others.” Marker graduated high school in ‘67 and went to Towson University in Maryland. Although he majored in psychology, he found himself getting more and more politically involved. “It was the height of the Vietnam War,” he said. “I figured out a way to flunk my physical. It is my belief that killing, for whatever reason, is wrong." Marker participated in numerous anti-war activities. He joined the Students for a Democratic Society and marched with the Berrigan brothers, the Catholic priests who gained renown for their peace activism. "I really became socially conscious during those years,” said Marker. “Although I was very politically active, my first love was always music.” Marker loved music so much that while in college, he worked in a music store in the summers to support himself. “One day one of our distributors came in and asked if I’d like a job in his company," said Marker. "I said I’d love one” Marker took the job and ended up employed in the music industry for thirty years. Throughout his tenure he worked in all areas of the business, including buying, distribution and promotion. “I sold all kinds of music—from classics to the blues—all over the world," he said. "I loved all of it. My joke is that I promoted Abba to Zappa. I thought I knew so much about music at first, but there was so much more. I really learned how to appreciate the artists and their works.” In 1984 one of Marker’s employers said he could live anywhere in the Northeast, so Marker chose the beacon of musical expression: Woodstock. He fell in love with the Hudson Valley and has been living here ever since. "I love the beauty and the openness of the area," he said. Marker now lives in Stone Ridge with his wife, Ronnee. Together for 16 years, they got married on September 11, 2006. "We had a wonderful wedding celebration in our backyard with all our friends," he said. "We picked September 11th in order to create something peaceful and happy about that day." Although Marker had lots of fun and met numerous stars while working in the recording industry, after thirty years he decided it was time to start something new. "The music industry just became more and more corporate, so I decided to try expand myself," he said. "I needed to make a living, but I also wanted to give back in some way." In 2007, Marker opened Alan’s Affordable Computers, and along with that, the foundation for those in need. "The foundation is at the heart of my life right now," he said. "My goal is to help everyone have access to a computer, wherever they live." Part of Marker's motivation came when he met the Dalai Lama in 2006 at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Woodstock. "Hearing the Dalai Lama speak about compassion and the connection of all of humanity inspired me to do more," said Marker. "Giving to others is really just giving to yourself, because we're all one." New Windsor resident Rebecca Castellanos received a donated computer from Marker for her son’s sixth birthday. “My son was born with spina bifida and has some difficulties with writing and painting pictures,” she said. “Since he's not able to do certain things, we like to give him other things that are educational.” After hearing about Marker’s mission to get computers to those in need, Castellanos reached out. “My son loves technology,” she said. “We thought it would be a good idea if he had a computer, but unfortunately, we couldn’t afford to buy it for him. Alan was very...Expand for more