Andrea Leon started Baila Baila Studio this year to get everybody in Monterey County on the dance floor and out of their comfort zone. Listen to her story of growth, from a shy, introverted person who disliked attention to leading dance classes with dozens of people. She teaches at the Links in Carmel on Tuesdays and at 201 Main in Oldtown Salinas on Friday nights. Her classes are welcoming and open to all, and her patience with new dancers makes sure that everybody feels comfortable and learns something new every time. Grab your dancing shoes and come on out to one of her classes!

Ashley, Nancy, and Yari are three of the young Salinas residents who help put on the Ciclovia event coming up on October 12. This event closes off Alisal Street from Front Street to Sanborn Road to vehicles and lets pedestrians take over. Not only pedestrians but also people riding bikes, rollerblading, skateboarding, and most other forms of transportation that don't require an engine. This is an awesome event that is planned and executed by the youth and has been held annually for over 10 years. It is an opportunity to get outside and see the city from an angle that you usually only see from a car, and it's FREE!

The event is happening on October 12 from 10 AM to 2 PM. It will be on Alisal Street from Front Street to Sanborn.

Recently, some members of the city council asked for a financial request that turned out to be more controversial than they expected. They requested $100,000 for a Fourth of July event hosted by Compass Church that was open to the public. This raised questions not only about the amount going to one group but also whether this violated any law requiring the separation of church and state. Ultimately, the council decided to punt the vote down the road, but not before they heard plenty from members of the community. Additionally, the walls are being constructed on the new Amazon warehouse located on the edge of town, which promises to alter the landscape of Salinas.