Marina youngsters going to the World Series!

For the first time in the history of Marina Pony Baseball, the Shetland Division (6 and under) won the West Zone Coast Regional Championship and earned a berth to the NorCal World Series and Shetland SoCal World Series Finals in Simi Valley, California.

The fourteen players (all five and six years old) worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals both on the field and in the classroom. Early on these players bought into the goal and learned that they could achieve more together as a team than alone as individuals.

Now the team needs the community's help to pay for travel expenses and lodging during the Shetland World Series Finals in Simi Valley on July 15-18.

When the youngsters are not playing, Coach Alade is planning to take the children visit colleges in Southern California.

"Introducing our players to college campuses at a young age is important to their development as young men and women and will help them become excited about college at a young age," team organizers wrote in their GoFundMe page. "We emphasize the connection between the hard work on the baseball field and the commitment necessary to be equally successful in the classroom."

These youngsters's hard work deserves to be recognized! Help spread the word to help them on their journey! To donate to their cause, click here.

Marina students win big at the American Legion Auxiliary essay contest

Three Marina students earned top honors with their writings in an essay contest about patriotism sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Each year, the organization offers 270 units in California the opportunity to sponsor the Americanism Essay Contest. As it has for the last 20 years, Monterey Cypress Unit 694 of District 28 sponsored the contest again this year. Unit Americanism Chair, Elisabeth Billingsley, worked with the teaching staffs in Marina schools to promote and implement the essay contest in their respective classrooms. At their recent annual Convention, the Department of California American Legion Auxiliary awarded three Marina students the highest possible recognition for essays in their respective groups at the state level. The winning essays were selected from more than 4,000, written by students in grades 4 through 12 across California.

Alexis Williams, a student at Marina Vista Elementary School, was the First Place winner in Group I, Grades 4 and 5, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation and $100 cash award for her essay entitled, “Why Should I Show Respect for the American Flag?”

America Osornio, a student at Los Arboles Middle School, was the First Place winner in Group III, Grades 8 and 9, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation and $200 cash award for her essay entitled, “What Does the ‘Pledge of Allegiance Mean to Me?’ ”

Tatiana Youpa, a student at Marina High School was the First Place winner in Group IV, Grades 10, 11 and 12, earning a $2,500 Educational Grant. She received a Certificate of Appreciation and check for $500. The remaining $2000 grant balance will be credited to any accredited college or university located within the United States or its territories within two years following Tatiana’s graduation from high school.

JC Crumpton hosts family fair and Car show

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 17, at JC Crumpton, 460 Carmel Ave., Seaside.

Cars and motorcycles are invited for a vehicle show.  Registration fee: $15.00 cars/ $10.00 motorcycles, to benefit the school. Trophies awarded for best car and motorcycle.

There will also be live music, food, clowns, face painting, and many other activities.

This must be one of the events that's making JC Crumpton a star in Marina's firmament. I heard a lot about you recently, Mr. Morgan!

Come to JC Crumpton and check it out for yourself.

Marina to host town hall meeting about schools

Marina Councilman Frank O'Connell will be hosting a townhall meeting to discuss updates on Marina schools, recruitment process for new superintendent, and the joint use agreement between the city and Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for school facilities.

Speakers include: MPUSD Board members Diane Creasy and Tom Jennings, Mayor Bruce Delgado, MPUSD Executive Director Maintenance, Operations, Transportation, and Technology John Silvestrini and Recreation Director Terry Siegrist.  Refreshments will be provided.

The town hall meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Community Room of the Marina Library.

Monterey Peninsula College candidates set to debate

Marina in Motion, a non-partisan, no profit organization established to discuss local and regional issues, will host a candidates forum for the race to represent Marina on the board of trustees of Monterey Peninsula College.

MPC's President Walter Tribley announced recently he's seeking to cut $2.5 million from the college's budget, one of the many pressing issues the college will be facing in the upcoming months.

Three candidates are challenging incumbent Margaret-Anne Coppernoll:  Charles Fuller,  a translator and editor; former Mayor Gary Wilmot, and Attorney Leigh Rodriguez. At least three candidates will appear at the forum.

The forum will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest.

"A Night in Hollywood" benefits the Olson PTA

The Olson Elementary PTA will host a fundraiser party called "A Night in Hollywood" with a live and silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Olson students through the PTA's programs.

Tickets will be available at the door for $20, which include free hors d'ouevres, a chance to win door prizes, and a Hollywood photo strip.

Items included in the raffle and silent auction are restaurant gift cards, hot air balloon rides, Disneyland family pack, Great America tickets, Gilroy Gardens tickets, San Jose Giants family pack, two night stay in Reno, ski lift tickets, Mexico/Carribean vacations, tickets to the zoo in SF and Wild Things in Salinas, sporting events, massages, dinners, movie tickets, and more.

For questions or comments, email OlsonOrcasPTA@gmail.com or call Crystal Yates at (760)917.7254.

Only one person wants to be next MPUSD trustee for Marina

Trustees with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District will interview today the only candidate who filed to fill a vacancy on the board. Tom Jennings, a fire security technician, ran against Diane Creasey in the 2011 election, largely by attacking Creasey's record.

It seems like a foregone conclusion that he'll be appointed, seeing that no other candidates filed to be considered. Then again, these are strange times. Stay tuned.

Learning for Life Charter in Marina earns full accreditation

Learning for Life Charter School has just been notified by the Western Association of School and Colleges that it has received full accreditation through 2019.

 "The timing of the notification is extremely fortunate," said Cindy Dotson, the school's executive director. "It means that this year’s graduating seniors will have the WASC accreditation annotated on their transcripts and diplomas."

The tiny, alternative school in Marina had come under scrutiny in recent months by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, the chartering agency, and California Department of Education officials, who believed MPUSD was not keeping adequate tabs on it.

At a meeting in March, MPUSD officials heard a report that discussed possible charter revocation if things did not improve. MPUSD administrators presented trustees a plan to keep better tabs on the school and work with representatives to make sure it overcame obstacles.

The Matsiko Children’s Choir returning to Marina

The Matsiko Children’s Choir will be visiting the Marina area from March 30 through April 8. They are a group of 25 orphaned African children who sing and dance a hope-filled message about the power of education to transform their lives. Their tour is sponsored by the International Children’s Network, and when they go home they try to make a difference in their communities.

The community concert will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Marina High School Auditorium, 298 Patton Parkway. For more information, contact Darlena Ridler at 384-1968.

Or click here or here.

Marina High students spend their spring break doing service

Last month, Marina High students spent a Saturday planting native plants and beautifying the school all around. It was all part of a service learning component the school has been developing with CSUMB, and the stars and several community members have aligned to bring this project to the school.

The project continues this week when students devote their week off to more service learning in ecologically-oriented project. They've been to the MEEarth Campus in Carmel Valley, helped serve meals at Epiphany Church and renovate their garden, and tomorrow, they'll help build an organic garden that will provide food for the school's cafeteria.

What a thoughtful way to spend spring break! Mariners rock!

Marina, Seaside JROTC students, a casualty of secuestration

For the first time in years -- ever? -- Marina and Seaside JROTC students qualified to compete in the Army National Drill in Louisville, Kentucky. Twenty student cadets were going to compete with other teams from around the nation and stay in the barracks at Fort Knox.

Imagine the excitement. The first time Marina and Seaside students make it to the national competition. Out of town. All expenses paid. A chance to show your stuff.

Except sequestration happened, and the trip will be no more.

Ruben Zepeda, assistant superintendent of secondary education, made the announcement at Monday's board meeting. Apparently, not even Seaside High Principal Mary White had heard about it.

 I have a feeling there's some very disappointed students right now :(

Marina council to host townhall meeting on Marina schools

Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado and Councilman Frank O'Connell will be co-hosting a town hall meeting to discuss Marina Schools' facilities, the future plans for Marina High School and the concerns of the residents relating to the same. Additional time will be available for discussion on other city related matters.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m Tuesday, February 12 at the Community Room of the Marina Library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina.

Ramon Resa at Marina High

Pediatrician and inspirational speaker Ramon Resa will be talking to students at Marina High in two assemblies on Nov 30.

His visit is sponsored by Festival in the Schools, a branch of the Carmel Authors and Ideas Festival.

For more information about Dr. Resa, 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.

Sunday a day of painting for parents and students at Olson Elementary

The Olson PTA spent Sunday morning sprucing up the drab looking playground for kindergarteners. The results were so festive! Kudos not just to Tara Devlin, Hyacinth Schnute, and Dawn Aronson for cooking up the entire event, but to all the parents and students who lent a hand. What a way to start the school year!

Update: if you're interested in donating to Olson PTA (or just keep up with their work) find them here.

Where did Marina's John Schilling go?

Well, it could have been that John Schilling, the popular principal at Marina High, decided to take a very good offer at another district, but now that he's gone -- and another person appointed to replace him -- tongues are wagging.

One of the speculations: that the person appointed to replace him has not experience, therefore the school will be set to fail and then close, like many have been fearing will happen.

It's hard to believe that administrators want to set the school for failure, when so much work was invested into launching the SAILS academies. But stranger things have happened.

One thing's for sure, and for the record: MPUSD trustees appointed Alan Crawford on Monday as interim principal of Marina High. Crawford was until last school year the "college and career planning specialist" as you can read from the school's description in the SAILS website.

That clarified, there's still the mystery of John Schilling. Where did you go, Mr. Schilling? Inquiring minds want to know...

The Matsiko World Orphans Choir is coming to Marina

And organizers need host families for them.

The Matsiko choir will visit the Central Coast from Feb. 13 to 17, and organizers with the city of Marina are looking for families who can host three people each (two children and one adult) for five days and four nights. Contact Darlena Ridler, volunteer coordinator, at ridler_garth@msm.com or 384-1968. Deadline to apply is Wednesday.

What's the future of Marina High?

Rumors are running rampart that MPUSD wants to close Marina High. Although we don't have official word yet, the students have suffered for years from having to attend a campus that was designed for very different needs. The school was supposed to be greatly improved with funds obtained from development, but now that development has come to a halt in the area, so have the funds.

Superintendent Marilyn Shepherd is scheduled to talk tonight about two upcoming strategic planning meetings during the regularly scheduled board meeting. If you want to find out what's going to happen, drop by.

The strategic plan meetings are scheduled for this Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the multipurpose room in Marina High. Same hours, same place for the second meeting, which will take place Feb. 9.

Tonight, open session of the board of trustees begins at 7 p.m. at the Instructional Materials Center, 540 Canyon del Rey, Del Rey Oaks.