Los Gatos Under 21 Club Revived

What happens when a town supports its youth? What happens when a town applauds its youth’s innovative idea to express creativity and promote healthy lifestyles?

A visionary team of Los Gatos High School students, backed by the town of Los Gatos, is doing exactly that.

They call it the “Under 21 Club,” and their first event is coming up at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W Main St.

There's a $5 cover charge, which will include a slice of pizza, a non-alcoholic drink and a chance to win a raffle prize, a Silvertone electric guitar, donated by Community Against Substance Abuse, or CASA.

What does “Under 21 Club” do?

Under 21 Club is an open mic night held once a month on a Saturday at LGCRC. It features anyone: singers, musicians, comedians, etc. and everyone is welcome to attend, according to its description on its Facebook page.

It also provides a safe place where young people can gather without alcohol or drugs.

Who is it for?

• high school students who are Los Gatos residents, and their guests, up to and including age 20

Where?

• Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St. in  Los Gatos, courtesy of Teri Hope, owner.

Youth organizing the “Under 21 Club” have stepped up from:

• Los Gatos Youth Commission;
• Stephanie Pearson’s Leadership class at Los Gatos High School; and
• performance oriented programs

“W-w-what, no adults?”

Joan Y. Cross, the current “mentor” of the program, says that this was exactly her question when she first heard about the program. “That’s what everybody says.”

Cross, who is also the CASA chair emeritus, enthusiastically explains, “Yes, The Under 21 Club is youth-organized, youth-run. Of course, there will be an adult accessible at the venue, ‘in case an adult is needed.’ There will also be two Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company staff, both adults, behind the counter, to serve coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks.”

The following organizations are currently supporting or planning to support the “Under 21 Club”:

• CASA to disseminate information, provide funds and provide a "mentor” for the program;
• KCAT-TV, to store and maintain sound equipment;
• Los Gatos Music & Arts; and
• Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman and Jackie D. Rose,  community outreach coordinator for Los Gatos, to provide security training for youth

The amount of community support has Cross enthusiastic. She encourages anyone interested in the project to contact CASA. In particular, CASA is looking for a mentor for 2013-14. Anyone?

To volunteer, or details, check out “Under 21 Club” on Facebook, or casalg.org. 

About this column: Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts, headed by moms Dyan Chan, Maaliea Wilbur, Jennifer Croll, Tamara Archer and Grace Flemming take your questions, give advice and share solutions.