MARIJUANA & OUR YOUTH PRESENTATION

On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, the Fort Bragg Coalition for Gang Awareness and Prevention will host guest speaker Ralph Cantor, from the Alameda County Office of Education.  Mr. Cantor will speak to our community about the effects of marijuana on adolescents and share ideas on how parents can talk to their children about marijuana use.  The presentation, “Marijuana & Our Youth: A Nonjudgmental Look at the Effects of Marijuana on Adolescents and How Parents Can Talk About It” will be held at Cotton Auditorium in Fort Bragg on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. 

Winner of the California School Board Association’s Award of Excellence, Ralph Cantor is the renowned author of Days of Respect, a program developed by students, parents and teachers working to end verbal, emotional, sexual and physical harassment and abuse in the school community.  Mr. Cantor has worked in public education for 40 years as a Math and Science teacher, school counselor and administrator.  He has been with the Alameda County Office of Education for the last 13 years coordinating drug, tobacco and violence prevention programs.  He regularly meets with high school and middle school classrooms to discuss drugs and alcohol and their effects on the brain.  He also conducts trainings for adults and provides consultations on drug education and school safety strategies.  We are excited to bring his expertise to our community!

The Coalition for Gang Awareness and Prevention (CGAP) was started four years ago by individuals and agencies interested in addressing potential gang issues in Fort Bragg. Since its start, this group has held several informational community forums and implemented multiple new programs.  Grant funding directly related to the Coalition has provided our community with a School Resource Officer, Teen Court program, expanded after-school programs, implementation of the Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP) curriculum in local classrooms, and a resource and referral system for parents of coastal teenagers.  Please join the Coalition for Gang Awareness and Prevention as we welcome Ralph Cantor to Fort Bragg!

FORT BRAGG WHALE FESTIVAL

Microbrew Tasting and Whale Watching will be the featured attractions of the 26th Annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 21st and 22nd.

Along with dozens of microbrews organized by the Fort Bragg Rotary Club, the area’s top chefs will produce their favorite chowders. A marine mammal art exhibit and crafts fair are also part of the two-day festival.

With some 20,000 gray whales migrating north from birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska, there will be plenty of whales to view from the Pomo Bluffs Park in Fort Bragg and miles of beaches in MacKerricher State Park just north of the city.