On Traffic, Construction | City Council Meetings Live | About Youth
Volunteers Assist with City Projects, Activities | Dare to Care Day, April 22
Body & Mind - Let Kids Run | Trash Talk | City Council Meetings Live on TV

ON TRAFFIC, CONSTRUCTION...
Traffic Flow, Safety Improvement Project Tackled Simultaneously
Construction…construction…it’s everywhere.
Since last summer, we have managed some 30 infrastructure improvement projects ranging from $5,000 to $1 million that have, unfortunately, disrupted traffic routes citywide.
Many of these upgrades were being worked on within the same time
period because fall is our “construction time,” just after our busy summer season, before the rains come. Also, some projects were funded with grants that dictated project timing.
Thank you again for your patience and cooperation as our roadways and drivers were challenged by these facelifts and safety upgrades.

Following is a list of some of the major projects:

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New, Improved Del Monte Opens
Drive with ease on the east end of Del Monte Avenue and enjoy the new roadway and safety improvements that are just being completed.
We’d like to thank our residents, visitors and especially area merchants for your patience and cooperation during the re-construction of the street from Sloat to Palo Verde avenues.
In October, the City’s contractor began work on more than $1 million in operational and safety improvements for this major artery. A mix of local, state and federal tax dollars funded the project.
A problem with the new pavement on the south lanes delayed construction in December; however investigations into the issue and testing of the road material pinpointed the problem.
All four lanes were expected to open in March. Lighting and other amenity improvements are
still underway.

Impacts of Holman Highway/Hwy 68 Widening Project Being Evaluated
Preliminary plans to widen Holman Highway/ Hwy 68 from two to four lanes west of Highway 1 to just past the entrance to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) are still
under evaluation. The City continues to analyze traffic data and environmental impacts in order
to seek out community partners and potential grant opportunities for funding the project.
An environmental report should be out for review this fall.
The proposed project would help relieve existing and future traffic congestion; improve safety and flow; facilitate emergency vehicle access to the hospital; and reduce traffic through residential neighborhoods.
It would also improve access to Pebble Beach, CHOMP and a convalescent home.
As part of this project, we have analyzed the amount of traffic going through the Skyline Forest and Monterey Vista neighborhoods. The study data can be found at www.monterey.org/publicworks/holman_hwy/index.html
For more info, call the City Traffic Engineer at 646.3740.  

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ABOUT YOUTH...
Services Geared for Teens
Drop-in counseling services, ping-pong tournaments and concerts are all part of the programs and activities available for young people at the City.
Staff has been working in concert with students and school faculty as well as with service agencies to develop safe and engaging activities.
Some programs and activities include:
Colton Middle School dances draw some 200 students each time. Fifth Quarter events for Monterey High School students offer food and dancing to some 200 teens after Friday night football games.
Bingville Battle of the Bands brings musical groups from throughout California to perform live and compete for cash prizes. The next Battle is set for May 28.
The Battle of the Bands Showdown, featuring the winners of all previous events dueling for the top spot, is scheduled for July 30 at the Monterey Youth Center!
Drop-in services are provided for teens in need and homeless youth at the Youth Center, through a partnership with Community Human Services. Young people have access to refreshments, counseling, restrooms, recreation amenities, information and referrals.
For more info, call 646.3996 or send an email calzada@ci.monterey.ca.us.

Teens Create Fun Place for Peers to Hang Out
Say hi to Helen Cosentino and Jessica Velasquez.
In the past year, these teen volunteers have helped produce several events for other teens at “Bingville” in the Monterey Youth Center. From a movie night and ping-pong and pool tournaments to the most popular ongoing Bingville Battle of the Bands (when teens come together for a large dose of live music), these teens make it work.
Best friends Helen and Jessica, working closely with the City’s Youth Task Force and Youth Center staff, are committed to creating fun and exciting programs/events for local teens.
Helen says, “Our small group has grown together to accomplish a lot.
“Every second I volunteer is to help teens have something to do here in Monterey.”
Jessica is also happy with the efforts, “The Monterey Youth Center has finally come alive, and the adults we work with are open to our ideas to keep the teens coming.”
And the fun doesn’t end there. Helen, Jessica and City staff continue to work on special events just for teens, and we could use more support and input.
Call and let us know that you want to be involved; see contact info in article below.

Volunteers Assist with City Projects, Activities

• Clerical/Admin – Interested in learning about day-to-day operations in City Hall?
  Lend an extra hand to busy office staff as a clerical volunteer, either on call or
  on a specific assignment.
• Marine Research – Work as a certified diver or dockside worker; volunteers are
  needed to help rid the harbor of Undaria, a non-native invasive plant.
• Greeter – Meet, greet and guide Monterey Public 
  Library patrons to various areas and services. Volunteers also
  assist customers with the self check-out machine and catalog stations.
• Museum Support – History buffs can join our museum volunteer
  program and discover opportunities at the Presidio of Monterey
  Museum, Colton Hall Museum and other venues.
• NERT – Be prepared for any disaster, join the team! The next
  Neighborhood Emergency Response Team training starts on
  May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
• Teens – Applications are now available for the summer volunteen
  program! For teens 13-16, this is a chance to learn about the City,
  gain experience and prepare for a work environment.
• Adopt a Storm Drain – A pilot program in New Monterey encourages
  residents to keep area storm drains clear throughout the year. Become
  an environmental steward while helping to prevent clogged drains and
  reduce the potential for flooding. For more info, call 646.3729.

To learn more or volunteer, go online at www.monterey.org/volunteer or call the City’s Community Resources Coordinator Tish Sammon at 646.3719 (sammon@ci.monterey.ca.us).

Dare to Care Day, April 22
The challenge is on. How many caring and kind acts can take place in one day?
Community of Caring Monterey Peninsula is sponsoring Dare to Care Day on April 22 to
encourage individuals to take care of their community and be counted. Whether at work, school or home, or with a group or on your own, make a difference in the lives of others and/or the environment. The event is being held in memory of Ruth Vreeland, see article on page 12.
Make your actions count. To learn more or to get activity ideas, check communityofcaringmp.org  

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BODY & MIND
Let Kids Run
Kids need to run, play, swim and be active. Kids are less active now than at any time in the history of our country. More than half are overweight, and the number of obese kids has increased by 400% since 1960.
Our children are at great risk for diabetes and many other diseases that threaten to shorten their lives and make their lives considerably less productive.
The good news is, you can promote a healthy lifestyle for your child!
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) published its top 10 reasons why kids need to exercise:

• Develop a healthy, lifetime habit – Kids who exercise are more likely to keep exercising.
• Maintain a healthy body – Exercise helps children achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Maintain a strong body – Regular physical activity helps build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, bones and joints.
• Team sports develop other skills – Exercise aids in the development of important interpersonal skills. This is especially true for kids who participate in team sports.
• Feel better and sleep better – Exercise improves the quantity and quality of sleep.
• Perform better in school – Exercise promotes improved school attendance and enhances academic performance.
• Develop a strong image – Kids who exercise have greater self-esteem and better self-images.
• Reduce the risk of certain diseases – Participating in regular physical activity promotes health and prevents or delays the development of many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension).
• Reduce anxiety and stress – Children who are active report a better overall mood and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Improve motor skills – Exercise helps improve motor coordination and enhances the development of various motor performance skills.

As important as it is for children to learn to read and write, it is also important for them to have time to run. The Monterey Sports Center has many opportunities for kids to exercise, including sports camps and leagues, recreational play and swimming programs. For more info, call the Sports Center hotline at 646.3700 or visit www.monterey.org/sportscenter.

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TRASH TALK
Find Ways to Reduce and Reuse
Reduce waste by not creating it in the first place and save valuable resources. Reusing products and materials can reduce the massive amounts of material thrown into our landfills.

Here are some ideas:

• When they say, “Paper or plastic?” You say, “Neither, I brought my own bag!” Use cloth bags. Store them in your car so you don’t forget them.
• Need more stuff, like clothes, children’s toys, furniture? Instead of buying new, shop at used furniture and clothing stores. What to do with the old stuff? Have a garage sale
  or take them to the second hand stores such as Last Chance Mercantile in Marina. Call 384.5313 for more info.
• Remodeling? Take old cabinets or excess wood to the Last Chance Mercantile. They take material at no charge.
• Buy a product that you know will last. If something does break, find some way to repair it. An example might be a broken wheel on a suitcase, which is very similar to the wheels on a skateboard. You can take your suitcase to a local business for repair advice, save money and reduce waste by not having to buy a new case.
• Start composting. Instead of throwing food scraps away, place them in a composting bin. The rich and fertile soil produced is well worth the time and effort.

For more info or suggestions, visit the City’s Web site at www.monterey.org/recycle or call the City’s Solid Waste Program Manager Angela Brantley at 646.5662 (brantley@ci.monterey.ca.us).

Community Project Keeps Garbage, Debris Out of Monterey Bay
Pollutants were controlled and bacteria spread thwarted this past fall as storm drains in New Monterey were cleaned before the first rain of the season.
Thanks to some dedicated City volunteers participating in America Recycles Day, more than 160 storm drains were cleaned of debris such as cigarette butts, drinking containers, pine needles, paper and trash.
The New Monterey Neighborhood Assoc., Monterey City Disposal Service (MDS) and local businesses joined the City in supporting the community clean-up project. MDS supplied recycling containers, the neighborhood association coordinated marketing, local businesses assisted with lunch and prizes and volunteers braved the rain. Organizations that provided
a group of volunteers qualified for a stipend through MDS.
More than 200 gallons of pine needles and four garbage bags of trash were cleared from the storm drains, keeping them from flowing into Monterey Bay.
If you have an idea for a project, call the City’s Solid Waste Program Manager Angela Brantley at 646.5662 or send an email to brantley@ci.monterey.ca.us.

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Missed the LIVE City Council meeting on cable Ch. 25?
Catch rebroadcasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 and 7 p.m. between meetings. Or check out a VHS tape copy from the Monterey Public Library.

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