Song.Rap.Poem. Contest

Building Healthy Communities East Salinas is sponsoring a song/rap/poem contest. The contest is open to all Salinas youth ages 13 to 21. Youth are invited to submit a song/rap/poem/spoken word that will inform friends, students, and family members what a healthy community would look like in their eyes. Be creative and persuasive in your message. Please resist from using profanity and make it something that BHC will be able to use as a promotional tool.
How to Enter:

1. Submit a recorded rap or song as an MP3 file along with written lyrics to bhcalisal@gmail.com

2. Submit a link to a YouTube video of you performing your rap or song to bhcalisal@gmail.com

3. Make sure to include "BHC Contest" in the title of your song file or YouTube video.



If you need technical assistance in creating your video/recording please let us know how we can assist you.


Prizes:

(Teams of up to four members are welcome but please keep in mind that there will only be one prize awarded per winner).

1st prize winner will be awarded a Brand New Laptop.

2nd Prize winner will be awarded an IPod.

3rd Prize winner will be awarded $75 Gift Card.

Visual and Public Art Event

A social event aimed at addressing youth-related stress, personal growth and empowerment through various art activities led by CSUMB Visual and Public Art students.

Date: Friday, May 6, 2011, 5-8pm. Location: Vista Room, National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas, CA

MosDef and JayZ Deconstructed: Race, Politics, Music, and Justice

Free Your Imagination Teen Writing Workshops

Do you dream of being a writer? Do stories dance in your head? Then set your imagination free at a series of writing workshops for teens being held at the John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave. The free workshops are open to any teen ages 13-18. The series will begin on Saturday, March 19th and continue every Saturday through April 16th. Each session will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Salinas Teen Film Festival

What: The High School Film Festival
Where: Salinas Performing Arts Center
When: April 15, 2011
Time: 7:00PM

Students will have the opportunity to receive cash and prizes for original works submitted in any genre, including animation. Please send DVDs to Mike Roddy at the Salinas Union High School District at 431 West Alisal, 93901.

Alisal Students Making New Moves

"Alisal High School put its name on the wrestling map by winning the Central Coast Section in 1975.

It was the school's first CCS title in any sport. In 1996, the Trojan wrestling team enjoyed a runner-up finish. Through the years, dozens of athletes qualified for the State Championships.

Beginning today, three more Alisal grapplers will look to add their own piece of history and provide even more luster to this proud program.

Seniors Johnny Alonzo and Luis Cessa, and sophomore Jovan Villalobos, all qualified for the state by finishing in third place in their respective weight classes at the CCS Championships last weekend. This is Alonzo's second consecutive state appearance.

The only other wrestler in the county to qualify was Seaside sophomore Jonathan Tuiolosega who finished runner-up in the heavyweight division. The competition takes place today and Saturday at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Only the top three wrestlers in each weight class qualified for state.

"It feels great," Cessa said. "I mean it was only three years ago that nobody went to state. Last year Johnny made it and this year three of us made it. That should say a little bit about next year, that we're going to continue growing no matter what."

Alonzo, who wrestles at 103, said he's excited to be sharing this experience a second time around with his teammates.

"It's great having people to work out with," he said. "We push each other and we help each other and that's going to make a difference. As soon as my [CCS] match was finished I'd go and cheer for the next one, and when they won, I was as happy as them."

Villalobos said he's ecstatic to be a part of this revitalization, and is looking forward to his next two years.

"Coach J.J. [Jose Julio Garcia] is doing a good job with turning things around," Villalobos said. "We want to be a force in this section again. You know, be those rough and tough Alisal kids."

All three Alisal athletes persevered through consolation brackets after losing in the semifinals, and all three had to dig deep to earn wins in those decisive third-place matches.

Each of them had their own source of motivation that pulled them through."

For the rest of the article, visit the Salinas Californian Online Here.

California State Summer School for the Arts

The California State Summer School for the Arts - four weeks of exploration, discovery and hard work designed to unleash your creative power. From July 9 through August 5, 2011, a talented group of high school students will receive intensive training from professionals in music, theatre, video and film, visual arts, dance, creative writing, and animation. Held at CalArts in Valencia, California, The 2011 tuition will be $1,550 for California residents, and $5,000 for out-of-state residents. Full and partial scholarships are available for first-time California resident attendees only. Interested? You'll find complete program descriptions, answers to commonly asked questions, and the application forms and instructions on this Web site: http://www.csssa.ca.gov

SOMOS Media Punk Rock Art Show

Featuring artwork, punk flyers, and photos by:
Jimbo Phillips
One Stupid Punk
Scott MacDonald
Tiger

Acoustic punk rock music by:
Mad Town Mulligan
The King’s Kids

Location:
SOMOS Media
430 Salinas Street
831 422 9200

CSUMB Teen Film Festival

Young filmmakers eager to see their work on a screen bigger than YouTube will get the opportunity in April, when Cal State Monterey Bay holds its third annual Teen Film Festival.

The Teledramatic Arts and Technology Department is accepting applications for the festival, which will be held at CSUMB's World Theater on April 9. Entries can be submitted online at montereybayfilmfestival.com by Feb. 11.

Filmmakers between 13 and 19 years old are invited to submit films and videos up to five minutes in length. Entries may be in English or Spanish and there is no entry fee.

TAT students will organize the event and handle the judging, according to Professor Enid Baxter Blader.

"It's an educational experience for our students, who want to go out in the world and have their films screened in film festivals. A great way to understand that process is to curate a film festival," Blader said.

CSUMB also hopes the festival will serve as a way to interest local teens who might not have considered going to college. By inviting them to campus and showing them what the university offers, they may consider enrolling.

While local teenagers are encouraged to enter the competition, it's also open to teenagers from around the world.

Last year's event drew more than 200 entries; films were submitted from the Central Coast region as well as Great Britain, El Salvador and Armenia. Some of last year's entries can be viewed online at montereybayfilmfestival.com.

The teen festival is part of the larger Monterey Bay Film Festival. MBFF will also feature three programs curated by Mike Plante. Mike is an associate programmer of the Sundance Film Festival, and curates many other festivals internationally. This will be Mike's second year as the programmer of the Monterey Bay Film Festival.

Focused on independent short films with innovative technologies, the events and web festival introduce Monterey Bay’s unique opportunities for the film industry.

Jay Z... in the New York Library...

Jay-Z recently released his new book "Decoded" and was interviewed by the great Cornel West at the New York Public Library. From his life growing up, to the struggles he faces as a teen and young adult in a community of poverty, he highlights and strength and outlet he found in music. Although it's an hour, and it is in the library... Jay-Z explains song lyrics from his controversial "99 Problems" and discusses his relationships with everyone from the police to his Mom.

Check out the full video interview here.

Salinas Exposed Photograhy Show Opening Nov. 5th 7pm

SOMOS Media brings you:

Salinas Exposed Photography Show
First Friday November 5th 7pm

The photo show will showcase Salinas Locals shooting our city.
This show is about seeing our city through the eyes of our locals.
Also, we will be having some great beats and treats too.
Come out and support some great local artists!!!

Photographers:
Juan Espinoza
xBESTIAx
Scott Macdonald
Jason Martinez
Joey Payongayong
Imelda Suarez
Sarah Reinger
Mike Neilson
Lee Abellana

Djs:
Dj Moi
Mike J
Nova

Mcs:
eme7
Lombris

Treats by:
The Sweet Life Fine Cakes & Pastries
by Mariana Martinez

Film and Photo Classes

Final Cut Film Editing Classes
Tuesdays @ 3:00 at the Cesar Chavez Library
Saturdays @ 10:30 at the Steinbeck Library
Photoshop Classes
Tuesdays @ 1:00 at the Cesar Chavez Library
Saturdays @ 12:00 at the John Steinbeck Library

Learn the Drums

The Cesar Chavez Library will be hosting drum lessons and sessions beginning May 19th at 7:00pm. The classes are open to anyone under the age of 18 and all instruments will be provided by the Alisal Percussion Group in Salinas free of charge.


For more information visit the library website at www.salinaspubliclibrary.org or sign up with Carissa by calling 831-758-7345 or emailing her at carissap@ci.salinas.ca.us with your name, age, and phone number.

A Little Piece of Ground

Laird and Nimr's novel follows 12 year old Karim as he deals with his life in a war torn Palestine. With frustrations with restrictive curfews that start to harm his father's business and sister's heath, Karim finds refuge in day dreaming about escaping the occupation and becoming a soccer star. With friends he defies curfew to play soccer in an abandoned lot. Despite the escape on the field Karim and friends he finds himself injured after a confrontation with Israeli forces and lands in the hospital. Through the struggles Karim's journey highlights the struggles and chaos of war and its affect on growing up and family. The authors don't avoid rough areas, and the book is a good read for those willing to listen and recognize the strength's Karim and friends develop together throughout the occupation.

Madden 10 Super Bowl Tournament

Join us for the Super Bowl Tournament of Madden 10!

This Xbox gaming event is sponsored by Game Crazy.

• WHO: Gamers between the ages of 13 - 25

• WHERE: John Steinbeck Library (Young Adult Lounge)

• WHEN: Saturday, February 6, 2-5pm

• PRIZES: Provide by Game Crazy (Thank You!)

The Madden 10 gaming tournament is FREE!

However, space is limited!!!

Call Game Crazy today to reserve your space to play:

(831) 755-7718

Play Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Take advantage of this limited-time opportunity! Game Crazy has just loaned the John Steinbeck Library Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. Come down to the Young Adult Lounge and PLAY this classic game! We will have this game for the next three weeks only.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Growing up on a Spokane Indian Reservation, Junior struggles with everything from thick glasses and extra teeth to awful clothes because of his family's lack of money. Even though he admits his brain is a bit muddled and confused, he takes through his life as he moves to a school of the reservation. From struggling with confronting the white students and explaining his decision to parents, Junior's cartoons and humor pull him through his transitions...

Weetzie Bat

Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat is an alternative novel starring Weetzie... she wears taffeta dresses and likes things that sparkle. She is strange and bizarre, but so is the company she meets. Hanging out with Dirk they travel around the town in Dirk's Pontiac and decide to find love. Coincidentally they do and all move into Dirk's grandmother's home and work to live "happily ever after..."

This book is a perfect read for anyone who ever a little "weird" maybe a little different. It's OK to listen to dream about Marilyn Monroe and fall in love in the strangest of ways. If you're looking for a normal Twilight-y teen romance then this book isn't for you... If you listen to 1970's punk and think the rockabilly life might be for you, you need to read this...

Play FIFA Soccer

Game Crazy has loaned the library FIFA 08 Soccer. Join the FUN at the John Steinbeck Library and PLAY soccer on the XBox! This game will be available on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and the weekends.

We will have this game through December, so come on down and practice. There will be a FIFA tournament coming in January 2010. That's right, you heard it here first!

New Game Crazy Game

Game Crazy has just loaned the library Smackdown vs Raw 2009. Come down to the John Steinbeck Library and PLAY Smackdown vs Raw 2009! We will NOT have this game for long, so take advantage now.