Come meet the first ever Salinas Youth Poet Laureate

As part of First Friday Art Walk, the city of Salinas will host a poetry reading for youth featuring Miguel Angel Frias, the first Salinas Youth Poet Laureate.

I'm sure he'll be signing autographs.

Come listen to his poems and meet some of the other inspiring youth poets in Salinas. These youth poets are between the ages of 13 and 19 years. They will be reciting their original art work.

The City Art Exhibit area also has the famous Lester D. Boronda paintings on display. The event is free.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4, at the Salinas City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave.

For more information call: 758-7476

Attention Salinas youth: become the first Youth Poet Laureate

Become the first Salinas Youth Poet Laureate for one year and receive $1000.00! The Salinas Youth Commission is inviting all Salinas residents aged 13-19 to compete for the honor at a live event at 7 p.m. Sept. 12.

The event will be held at the Salinas Performing Arts Center, 726 South Main St. Free

All styles of poetry are welcome-must be original art work.  The Poet Laureate will serve for one year. To register call 758-7217 or email sheilam@ci.salinas.ca.us.

Click in the Salinas Youth Poet Laureate Facebook page here for more information.

York Student Co-Authors Korean E-book Bestseller

John Lim, a junior at York School, worked in collaboration with his sister Minju Lim, a student at UC-Berkeley and York School alumna, to co-author a Korean e-book entitled "How to Survive in America as a Teenager". Although John was born in the states, his family is native to Korea with Korean being their first language.

"When my sister got up to Berkeley, she made friends with several Koreans who didn't speak English very well...It inspired her to write a book on contemporary English, specifically on how modern Americans phrase things. And she asked for my help," John said.

The goal of their e-book is to serve as a practical guide for international students studying in the U.S. Some chapters include: "Interesting Episodes of Foreign Students in the U.S.", "How to Survive in High Schools and Colleges", and "Communication Guide including Basics of Emoticons and Texting". It is available for purchase online through several Korean online bookstores. The book was on the Korean e-book bestseller list for a month and continues to sell pretty well, York officials said.

The tone of the e-book is light-hearted and fun, John said. The book not only provides useful tips on how to decipher text message abbreviations and emoticons, but also includes common misused phrases their Korean-speaking friends would endure that were "comical and sometimes awkward," John stated.

Story provided by Shanna Kesler, York communications manager.

Writing coaches needed for the Steinbeck Young Authors program

The National Steinbeck Center is looking for writing coaches for the 10th Annual Day of Writing on Monday, March 11, 2013, a portion of The Steinbeck Young Authors program.

Volunteer coaches are asked to commit about three hours. Coaches receive training and then they help their students improve their essays.

For more information, email Elizabeth Welden-Smith at Elizabeth@steinbeck.org