6 5 0 368-2660 Corr<strong>in</strong> Rank<strong>in</strong> 234 Marshall Street #100 • Redwood City, CA 94063 Se Habla Español CA Insurance Lic. #1842835 Proudly serv<strong>in</strong>g Redwood City and surround<strong>in</strong>g communities A cleaner, greener environment ... one stop at a time! (650) 595-3900 Visit RecologySanMateoCounty.com RSMC_RWC_AD.<strong>in</strong>dd 1 6/24/2011 11:11:52 AM
As I Was Say<strong>in</strong>g… (Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from p6) supporters and friends the opportunity to make the election night rounds and meet others who support the same candidates and also meet their families, etc. It is just awkward go<strong>in</strong>g to an event where you want to congratulate someone and have to do so with those you don’t want to congratulate or have not supported. It just creates a false scene of acceptance and support that <strong>in</strong> reality is not there. In case you have not heard, Redwood City has a new police chief. Although I was secretly hop<strong>in</strong>g one of the <strong>in</strong>ternal candidates (Capta<strong>in</strong>s Chris Cesena and Ed Hernandez, who both applied and served as <strong>in</strong>terim chiefs) would get the appo<strong>in</strong>tment, I must say that after meet<strong>in</strong>g J.R. Gamez, I am impressed with City Manager Bob Bell’s decision. It would have been so much easier for Bell to appo<strong>in</strong>t one of the <strong>in</strong>ternal candidates, but s<strong>in</strong>ce tak<strong>in</strong>g over, he has not been too <strong>in</strong>timidated to make decisions he feels are <strong>in</strong> the best <strong>in</strong>terest of our community. <strong>The</strong> council, the Police Officers Association and the Police Sergeants Association have all come out publicly and stated their support for Bell and his decision. I don’t th<strong>in</strong>k it is just standard public relations either, as I feel both associations would have expressed their displeasure had it been there. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the process of select<strong>in</strong>g a new chief, I had the pleasure of gett<strong>in</strong>g to know both the <strong>in</strong>ternal candidates better as they were out <strong>in</strong> our community attend<strong>in</strong>g meet<strong>in</strong>gs and events. We are not always given that opportunity because our officers are so busy and can’t be out do<strong>in</strong>g public relations all the time. But the positivity it br<strong>in</strong>gs should be considered and cont<strong>in</strong>ued. I hope that they both cont<strong>in</strong>ue to do so, as they represent our officers <strong>in</strong> such a positive and professional manner. Happy Holidays to everyone. As I was say<strong>in</strong>g… .… .… Advertise with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> Call Us Today 650.368.2434 <strong>Angels</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Community</strong> striv<strong>in</strong>g to understand reality and understand their world from a spiritual perspective, that there is someth<strong>in</strong>g greater and bigger and that they were created with a purpose. And what I experience <strong>in</strong> the classroom is supernatural as I watch how these kids process their lives.” <strong>The</strong> Adobe Youth Voices Peapod Academy is a jo<strong>in</strong>t alliance between the Adobe Foundation, pop group the Black Eyed Peas and the Enterta<strong>in</strong>ment Industry Foundation, which has academies stationed <strong>in</strong> Redwood City, San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles and New York City. All academies are year-round and specifically designed to empower and endow youths from underserved communities with extensive tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the arts by way of state-of-the-art digital technology and coach<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>in</strong>dustry professionals. “This is a very powerful experience for these young people,” said Miguel Sal<strong>in</strong>as, senior manager of Adobe Youth Voices. “ ‘Angel <strong>in</strong> [My] Sky’ is an example of the magic you see that can happen when you connect young people with the tools, encouragement, mentorship and the technology to be able to creatively express themselves and tell their stories. <strong>The</strong>se young people are keep<strong>in</strong>g a positive attitude while stay<strong>in</strong>g focused on pursu<strong>in</strong>g their dreams despite their circumstances. That’s <strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g and what Adobe Youth Voices is all about. I have the best job <strong>in</strong> the world because I work for a great company that has a commitment to educat<strong>in</strong>g younger people and I am able to help Adobe and their foundation accomplish this.” In return, these up-and-com<strong>in</strong>g gifted youths are do<strong>in</strong>g the best job ever <strong>in</strong> redef<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g their own dest<strong>in</strong>y and eloquently impact<strong>in</strong>g their community through their collaborative, creative projects <strong>in</strong> music and filmmak<strong>in</strong>g at the same time. <strong>The</strong>y have found their niche and voice with<strong>in</strong> the arts and “Angel <strong>in</strong> My Sky” is a phenomenally expressive example of this. “I do really feel this short film will impact our community,” said Gaspar<strong>in</strong>i. “I hope the community listens to the message of hope and change and overcom<strong>in</strong>g adversity. [And] I hope the community will see these high school students and know we must support our schools and youth-serv<strong>in</strong>g organizations like Boys & Girls Club of the Pen<strong>in</strong>sula. I am so proud of the staff and leaders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pen<strong>in</strong>sula. <strong>The</strong>y have such amaz<strong>in</strong>g staff, and to mentor these kids as they do each day is amaz<strong>in</strong>g to me. I just can’t describe how impactful this staff is. <strong>The</strong>y hold the members of BGCP to a high standard. <strong>The</strong>y have high expectations of these kids and hold them accountable. I feel very strongly about one of their mantras: ‘graduate with a plan.’ So programs like the Peapod Adobe Youth Voices help youths f<strong>in</strong>d their passion, stay <strong>in</strong> school and map out their future.” And “Angel <strong>in</strong> My Sky” is already responsible for mapp<strong>in</strong>g out a promis<strong>in</strong>g future for all of the remarkable teens who worked on this short film. It’s a very well-written and well-made film abound<strong>in</strong>g (Cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 13) with powerful scenes that embody layers of deep, compell<strong>in</strong>g messages of hav<strong>in</strong>g hope, keep<strong>in</strong>g the faith and trust<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> God, especially dur<strong>in</strong>g very dark and try<strong>in</strong>g times. <strong>The</strong> most universal, profound affirmation <strong>in</strong> this short film was made by Angelo (played by Kaho): “Everyone can hear what the heart says to them, but not everyone has the courage to follow it. Sometimes you have to risk everyth<strong>in</strong>g to ga<strong>in</strong> everyth<strong>in</strong>g.” Perhaps that’s someth<strong>in</strong>g an angel would say as well! Viewers of all ages can visit the Adobe Youth Voices Peapod Academy media gallery onl<strong>in</strong>e, where they can watch “Angel <strong>in</strong> My Sky” along with an archive of many other artistic projects from all of the exist<strong>in</strong>g academies, at youthvoices.adobe.com/ youth-media-gallery. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 25
Change language