Salinas youth ages 13 to 18: this one is for you

The City of Salinas is seeking applications from teens who are interested in serving on the Youth Commission.

The Youth Commission is comprised of twenty-eight members, ages 13to 18, who help identify and promote concerns of the youth in Salinas. The commissioners make recommendation to the city council regarding recreation programs and activities affecting youth and give opportunities to young adults to learn about and participate in local government.

The commission generally meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30pm. Term of office commences at time of appointment. Applicants need to be a resident of Salinas and between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age.

Interested parties may obtain additional information or an application at the Salinas City Clerk’s office or the Library and Community Services Department, 200 Lincoln Ave. Salinas; or by calling  758-7381 or 758- 7217, Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Or you can download an application from here.

Monterey County Office of Education gets nearly $3 million to address youth violence

A day after it was announced that, once again, Monterey County leads California in youth violence, the Monterey County Office of Education says it's received $2.8 million to tackle the problem.

The money comes from three grants. A $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's School Climate Transformation Grant to implement Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support -- PBIS -- in several schools. PBIS is a method that reinforces positive behavior as a way to decrease disruptions in the classroom, and therefore, student suspensions and expulsions. The funding will also address better understanding and response to the underlying causes for youth to act out and engage in violent behaviors (i.e., mental health and trauma).

A $100,000 grant comes from the National Forum to Prevent Youth Violence, also to support PBIS.

A $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Mental Health Services to offer a Youth Mental Health First Aid Program to train adults to identify and address the mental health problems and issues of Salinas’ students aged 12 to 18.

A cadre of politicians, educators and law enforcement officials will have an official announcement next week, with details about how it'll all work out.

Stay tuned.

Salinas Youth: become a city commissioner

The City of Salinas is looking for students between 13 and 18 years old to serve on the Youth Commission.

The Youth Commission is comprised of twenty-eight members selected by the Mayor and City Council members to make recommendation regarding recreational programs and activities affecting youth. The Commission generally meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30pm.

Interested persons may obtain additional information or an application by contacting Library and Community Services Department 758-7217 or the Salinas City Clerk’s office, 200 Lincoln Ave. Salinas, 93901, 758-7381, Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Return completed applications to the City Clerk’s Office.

Ciclovía: the price to pay for peace. Is it worth it?

For a few months now, all I hear coming from youth circles in Salinas is the efforts being made to put together this free, fun day for the entire family. In a city with few options for youth to have outdoor recreational activities, Ciclovía has been the shining beacon on a foggy Central Coast day.

Since I knew all about it, I'm sure SUBA folks also knew about it. And as my colleague at The Californian Jeff Mitchell wrote in his column, the organization heartily endorsed it a few months ago.

Now they want to backpedal. Business owners along East Alisal Street, one of the most congested in Salinas, fear they'll lose money because Sundays are their busiest days.

To make sure you all know what I'm talking about: Ciclovía Salinas will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  this Sunday. To make it a safe event for everyone to walk, skate, and bike along East Alisal Street, the busy thoroughfare will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This has riled some businesses along the corridor, who say they'll lose customers in one of their most profitable days.

I'm thinking they're not the same business owners who complain about violence in the streets. Or those who say nobody comes to Salinas to patronize them because the city's bad reputation is keeping potential customers away.

Let's get one thing straight folks: desperate problems demand desperate measures, and if violence is to be eradicated from Salinas, everyone needs to do his or her part.

And be willing to sacrifice a little.

No, Ciclovía won't be the magic solution that will suddenly wipe out crime from Salinas. But magic solutions don't exist. It will take a lot of tiny efforts and creative ideas to combat this scourge.

I applaud the young people of Salinas for putting this effort together. They've done their due diligence, asked permission from the proper authorities, and now you want to shut them down?

No wonder sometimes young people in this town find no hope. There's little to do, they come up with a solution, they take the proper steps, and now you want to tell them "Never mind."??????

Really?????

How much is peace worth to you, guys?????

Let's us all do our part to make this a better place to live. I for one will volunteer this Sunday to help control traffic and make it a safe event.

And if you want to volunteer, you still can. Contact Irma Guerrero at the Monterey County Health Department, 831-386-6890 or email: guerreroi@co.monterey.ca.us. You can also contact Natalie Oliver, 831-262-1110 or Andrea Manzo, 831-717-1384.


What are you willing to do to make Salinas a better place to live?

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

Happy birthday, Boys & Girls Club Salinas Clubhouse

 The Salinas clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday with a star-studded breakfast.

There they were, politicians and donors, admiring the fabulous voice of Carlota Ciandro, a club member who sang God Bless America. And the story of Erik Zamora, a former club member who now works for the Boys & Girls Club in the accounting department and is a real state investor.

The club is just full of success stories.

There was the urgent plea from Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin, who encouraged people to get involved with Salinas youth to help curb gang violence.




Then there was Donna Ferraro, proud mama of Carlotta, Erik, and thousands more, promising more help to 30,000 children in Monterey County who need after-school type of services, if folks dig deep and contribute to the worthy cause.

So dig deep.

Ciclovía: an opportunity for YOU to make Salinas safer

Mark your calendars: Oct. 6

Those of you who want to help make Salinas a safer place, here's your chance to do it.

Volunteer for Ciclovía, a morning full of wheels and fun through the streets of Salinas. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Alisal Street, beginning on Sanborn and ending on Salinas St. Alisal will be closed to through traffic, and enough adults are needed to make sure bicyclists, skaters and pedestrians can safely walk through the streets.

Here's further incentive. If there's not enough volunteers show up to help monitor traffic and close the streets, the event WILL NOT take place.

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin told me this morning that he needs enough volunteers to make sure the streets are safe, but that, if not enough people show up on Oct. 6, he will cancel the event.

Thirty percent of people who say they'll volunteer usually don't show up, he said.

Now, it would be a shame, wouldn't it? Dozens of Salinas youth have been organizing for this event. They envision retaking the streets with an exercise zone, dancing, a bike decorating contest, and who knows what more. It's a way for the youth to say: we own these streets. And for people to have a fun day and build community.

Yes, I'll volunteer to close the streets. Will you join me?

For more information, check Ciclovía's Facebook page here

Salinas has a youth poet laureate

Miguel Angel Frias, "the Poet", is Salinas inaugural youth poet laureate.

Way to go, Miguel Angel!  I like your name for a character in my novel ;)

Salinas held its first competition ever to choose its youth poet laureate on Thursday, and sounds like it was quite an event. 

Eduardo Vasquez, a student of Alisal High School, was named runner up.

Read all about it on Mari Lynch's blog. Thank heavens for community journalists!

And expect a profile about the event by yours truly soon enough.

Ciclovía Salinas: coming your way, volunteers wanted

This is a late notice, but Ciclovía Salinas needs many volunteers for an event that will close many  streets on Oct. 6 to make them safe for bicyclists. The event is being organized by Salinas youth to promote healthy activities that will foster community and spread a message of peace.

In order to volunteer for the closure of streets, you need to be trained. And it just so happens, the Salinas Police Department will hold a volunteer training meeting at 6 p.m.  today. The training will last about two hours, and will be held  in the field and street area directly in front of the Salinas Airport on Airport Blvd.

For more information, check Mari Lynch's informative blog post here. 

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.

Salinas teens: become a youth commissioner!

The City of Salinas is looking for students between thirteen and eighteen years of age to serve on the Youth Commission.

The Youth Commission is comprised of twenty-eight members selected by the Mayor and City Council members to make recommendation regarding recreational programs and activities affecting youth. The Commission generally meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30pm.

Interested persons may obtain additional information or an application here or by contacting the Salinas City Clerk’s office, 200 Lincoln Ave. Salinas, 93901, 758-7381, Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Return completed applications to the City Clerk’s Office.

Local soccer champions heading to Hawaii

Members of the Salinas Pumas Soccer Team are heading to Honolulu to compete as Northern California representatives in the 2013 US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championship Series.

The team of boys ages 13 and 14, who have been playing together for about five years, are scheduled to compete starting June 17. They’re actively fundraising for the trip, which is expected to cost $25,000.

And they’re taking donations! Call Alex Reynoso at 831-235 9569 for details, or send your checks to El Camino Real FL, PO Box 4384, Salinas, CA 93912.

Support our local youth!

Advocates for foster children needed

Voices for Children (formerly known as CASA) has an urgent need for more advocates.

Voices for Children-- CASA which has been serving foster children in Monterey County for 15 years. Its mission is to train and support community volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children placed in foster care, upholding the children's rights while pursuing a safe and permanent home. CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) speak up for the children’s best interests and build relationships that help restore a child’s trust. CASAs also mentor youth over age 18 as they transition out of foster care into independent living.

Voices for Children - CASA is looking for adults, 21 years and older, in particular men and bi-lingual volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system. Meet the staff and current advocates to learn how you can make a difference in a child's life.

Attend an information session at the Voices for Children office at 945 S. Main Street at Romie in Salinas on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

RSVP here or call 831-455-6800. For more information click here.

Tonight: Teen Talent Extravaganza in Salinas

It's not to late to plan to attend Salinas Teen Talent Extravaganza. Come watch what our amazing youth are up to.

Starting at 7 p.m. Friday Feb 1 (TODAY!) at the Steinbeck Institute of Art and Culture (formally Sherwood Hall) 940 N. Main St, Salinas

Entrance is free, but bring cans or nonperishable items for our local food banks

For more information call: Salinas Recreation Center 758-7476

Send me photos!

Youth voting, civing engagement and knowledge

Perhaps because of the presidential election, civic engagement among youth emerged as one of the topics that piqued my interest. So I was happy to learn that CIRCLE, a center for the study of youth engagement at Tufts University, has formed a nonpartisan commission to analyze data on young Americans’ civic knowledge and voting, then issue recommendations for how to improve both.

The commission was formed in response to controversies about recent voting laws (for instance, new state photo ID laws in several states) as well as debates about civic education in schools and colleges.

The commission begins with no position on the existing or proposed policies; its deliberations will be influenced by new data collected during and immediately after the 2012 election.

The commission will be comprised of a bipartisan group of 14 scholars and experts from across the country and will conclude its work in the spring of 2013 with a comprehensive report outlining recommendations on how to strengthen the civic participation of America’s youth.

For more information about the commission, click here.

I can hardly wait for the report!

November is national adoption month

and there's tons of teenager out there waiting to join a family.

I've been meaning to write about adoption for a while for two reasons: one, November is adoption month, and we get bombarded with messages about opening our homes to children less fortunate.

Two, a good friend of mine, mother of two gorgeous adopted boys, began blogging recently. Naturally, she's been blogging about adoption. You can read her blog here.

For those of you with children out there, you'll know how hard it gets when they hit the teenage years. Their hormonal levels spike through the roof, and previously lovable boys and girls become aliens from Planet What's the Matter with You Today.

Not surprisingly, children in their teenage years have the most difficulty finding permanent homes. And it's at this time when they most need it: it's the time when they'll be making decisions that will affect them their whole lives: whether to drop out or finish high school; give into the drugs temptation. If they set out on the wrong path, the chances for them to re-chart it will be slim.

Adoption is not for everyone, but if you're curious, here you can find more information.

Monterey youth: apply for the Immigrant Youth Achievement Award

Here's one of my favorite dreams: that one of the young, talented immigrants I've profiled wins the American Immigration Council’s annual Immigrant Achievement Awards.

José Hernández, I'm looking at you! ;-)

But anyone else from the Central Coast would make me happy.

The Immigrant Youth Achievement Award celebrates high-achieving young immigrants, whose personal accomplishments and contributions demonstrate the impact young immigrants are having on our nation every day.

Here's the requirements:

• Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 25 years of age on April 11, 2013;
• They must be an immigrant to the United States, including those who have become naturalized citizens.
• His or her accomplishments must reflect more than personal success and should have evidence of a commitment to making a positive impact in their community or the world around them;

For more information and submit a nomination, click here. Only emailed submissions are accepted. Deadline: February 1, 2013.

Young innovators wanted: earn a $20,000 prize

Are you a high school student? Do you have a solution to a community problem (for example in education, health care, or the environment)? If your idea is brilliant, you could earn up to $20,000.

The Westly Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on empowering California youth, sponsors the Westly Prize, which recognizes young innovators in California with creative solutions to community problems. 

 Up to four $20,000 prizes will be awarded through a competitive selection process.Two of the prizes will be given to high school students. Two other prizes will be awarded to university students or professionals 28 years old or younger. To be considered, the ideas of young innovators living in California need to have the potential to improve the lives of people in their communities.

Candidates are evaluated based on several criteria, such as whether their innovation is an advancement over existing solutions to a community problem.  The innovation can range from a new technology (like a software app) to a new service or process (like an innovative literacy program). Candidates must also show that they have prototyped and tested their innovation with some success and that there is potential for broader impact.

 “We want to empower the best and brightest young minds in California to be entrepreneurs for their communities,” said in a statement Steve Westly, Chairman of the Westly Foundation and former California state controller.  “Our goal is to help bring their ideas to life and encourage them to start non-profits and companies that will benefit California and beyond.”

Applications are due by November 2, 2012. Candidates must submit an application and a short YouTube video showcasing their innovation. Westly Prize winners will be announced in December or January. For more information about the Westly Prize or to submit a nomination or application, click here. 

Marina does it again!

For the second year in a row, Marina has been named among the best 100 communities for young people.

Marina is recognized for its efforts in supporting young people and in improving graduation rates.

Marina will receive a $2,500 grant, signage identifying the community as one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People, and access to America’s Promise Alliance’s community development resources.

The community will host a celebration at Teen Center from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept 16.

Marina, one of the best cities for young people again?

Marina residents and cheerleaders are crossing their fingers they are once again named one of the "best 100 cities" for young people in the United States.

You may recall they received the honor last year, so expectations are high. The award will be announced nationally on Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. eastern time. Stay tuned.