Janice Pezzoli, Keith Pezzoli and the rest of the Global ARC crew came into West Point on Friday, 20 Aug. as part of their west coast sustainable communities tour. ARC stands for Art of Regional Change. Here is the web sight http://theglobalarc.org/ . Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families is proud and honored to have been a part of this project as we move toward collaborations for success. ARC is working hard to document the stories of many communities and get those stories to the rest of the world. For us it was an opportunity not only to host Global ARC but to once again bring together representatives of county agencies, local organizations and active citizens to reaffirm our commitment to making our community a better place through communicating, creating projects, and producing effective results.
We had a good time looking over ARCs biodiesel RV equipped with solar hot water, photovoltaic, rain water catchment, composting toilet and their very own herb garden. The camper also doubles as sag wagon for the bicycle component of this expedition with a number of the participants biking from Canada to Mexico.
Catherine orchestrated an outstanding event with wonderful food by our very own Gloria and service from our great kids watched over by our ever capable Juanita. Terra was there helping to coordinate along with Alan, John and a host of dedicated volunteers who have become part of our BMCY&F family. Sean Kriletich of Paloma Pollinators spoke of organic farming and connecting to community. Keith Pezzoli spoke of their goal and their trip so far. Steve Wilensky reminded us that our community oriented general plan process is under assault and the need for us to remain committed to guiding that process. It was all toped of with many a fruitful conversation and a terrific performance by our great friends Clan Dyken helping us dance the pleasant moon lit evening away. It’s wonderful to make new friends and rejoin with the old!
Filed under: Uncategorized on August 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
Our community garden is a bit difficult to name. The Spink Rd. property which is now the garden was owned by Beth Childs and Genna Hurst. So it could be the Beth & Genna Memorial Garden. They donated that down town ground to a local non-profit called West Point Revive & Re-leaf, an organization dedicated to making West Point a more attractive place, bringing us The Revive & Re-leaf Community Garden. Revive & Re-leaf temporarily fell on some hard times and needed help as an organization so Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth & Families stepped up and agreed to take responsibility for the Spink Rd property and Revive & Re-leaf became a part of BMCY&F. BMCY&F has some ambitious plans for the community garden property and when that comes to fruition it may also be known as the BMCY&F Community Garden and Green House Project. In addition to all these potential names there are many people who have put a lot of sweat and time into this project. There are a few original R&R members still dedicated to the success of a community garden. There are also some new people becoming involved, some as R&R members others like Paloma Pollinators (a local, family run organic farm) who have fallen in love with both the youth center and the the garden. Many families involved with the youth center and R&R have benefited for our garden, appreciate it’s beauty and abundance. To see community building in action take a walk through our multifaceted youth canter and community garden.
Filed under: Uncategorized on August 19th, 2010 | No Comments »
Summer is in full swing, and so is the West Point Community Garden on Spink Road! Our garden boxes are full of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and other plants which will soon be ready to pick and enjoy. Laurel has worked hard to start this wonderful garden, but now it is time for the community to pitch in. We need volunteers to water, weed, and care for the crop. And soon, we will need families to help us eat the food we are growing.
Remember, community gardens can grow more than fresh, delicious produce- they can also provide new friendships, family time, learning opportunities for kids, and so much more! Community Garden Parties will be held Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7pm, beginning July 27th.
If you are interested in getting hands-on in our community garden, please call 293 4500, an feel free to visit the garden any time!
Filed under: Uncategorized on July 16th, 2010 | No Comments »
It is difficult to put an article or letter to the editor in the paper. There is a word count limit and what there is to be said on behalf of the center simply takes too many words. Bear in mind this is being written by a board member, not a staff member. Enough can’t be said for our staff. Loving, caring, dedicated, resourceful, each one worthy of full time, well payed jobs with full benefits. Doing what they do under those conditions would transform this end of Calaveras County. You want a solution to homeless and nearly homeless youth in our area? We have it. You want a full power community radio station? Stay tuned. You want free, organic, home cooked meals for those who need it? We have it. You want art and creativity for every youth who wants it? We have it. We attract all kinds of terrific artists! Did you notice we have an out door stage? We put on and host all kinds of performances free to the community. You want community gardens with organic farmers to teach you more about how to grow food? We have it. How about a farmers market? Check us out toward the end of June and shop at our farmers market. Want to learn about green, sustainable building? It’s in the works. You want work shops on a variety of subjects? We can do that. Is there someone in your family in trouble and you need help navigating the system? We can do that. Do you want to get involved in a wide range of issues having to do with our community? We are here for you. Learn more about our arts program. Learn more about our community Radio. Learn more about our free Tues. and Thurs. meals. (more if we had the money) Find out about the Green House project. (Look at “pages” to the right) Talk to us and learn what it takes to become a vender at the BMCY&F farmers market. Get involved in the senior exercise program or the yoga session. Are you an aspiring writer? We have writers workshops for youth and adults. Find out what ECHO is. What the heck is a “Peace Storm”? (pages) Need to get your blood pressure and weight checked by a qualified practitioner? Come see us. This is just some of it. You have to see the interaction between the kids and the family of people (staff) working at the center. You have to hear the board planing the next “impossible” project to benefit our youth and the rest of our community. You have to experience working with guest artists who have the ability to bring out your creativity, the creativity you didn’t know you had. Sit down and have a meal with people young and old alike and see how community can work. What we do and how we do it has attracted the attention of more than one university.
So if all this great stuff is happening what’s the problem? BMCY&F is dependent on grants and grant writing for our funding. If I had a million bucks it would go in an endowment for the support of this youth center. It is that important, what BMCY&F does can help support our community you and me included.
Alan R. Willard
Filed under: Uncategorized on May 21st, 2010 | No Comments »
Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth&Families and the Green Party of Calaveras sponsored another successful Earth Day Celebration in Angels Camp. On the beautiful spring day of May the second Utica Park once again swayed to the sounds of joy, music and dance that are hall marks of Earth Day. Local musicians Stan Emmons and friend opened the day followed by Jens Jarvie and friend and Somer Moon. We were wowed by the West Coast Dance Project tap dancers. Between entertainment sets local candidates for public office introduced themselves, and made their pitch. There were many community service booths along with venders including spring garden plant starts, leather work, planter boxes and especially Aimee’s Kitchen organic and vegetarian food. The day continued with the Sonora Community Drum Circle, Planet Pulse, Clan Dyken, and Thick Soup. The BMCY&F kids zone created art and it was all a terrific, fun beautiful day!
BMCY&F kids zone art creation
Filed under: Uncategorized on May 9th, 2010 | No Comments »
Janice Pezzoli, Keith Pezzoli and the rest of the Global ARC crew came into West Point on Friday, 20 Aug. as part of their west coast sustainable communities tour. ARC stands for Art of Regional Change. Here is the web sight http://theglobalarc.org/ . Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families is proud and honored to have been a part of this project as we move toward collaborations for success. ARC is working hard to document the stories of many communities and get those stories to the rest of the world. For us it was an opportunity not only to host Global ARC but to once again bring together representatives of county agencies, local organizations and active citizens to reaffirm our commitment to making our community a better place through communicating, creating projects, and producing effective results.
