On February 20, 2008, members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council recorded a U Booze U Looze commercial at Q97.9 radio station in Portland, Maine. Written by LYAC member Ashley Morgan, the commercial has sound effects from the group's SMASHED underage drinking awareness film that has been approved for driver's education statewide. The commercial encourages youth to "listen to the voice within" when faced with the decision of drinking and driving or riding with a driver who has been drinking. The commercial is scheduled to air within the next couple weeks.

Listen to the SMASHED Public Service Announcement
(976 KB MP3 Audio File - Length: 1:02 minutes)

At a February 19, 2008, Lewiston Youth Advisory Council meeting, representatives of the "Cool Communities" initiative shared with the youth about ways to save energy within the state. LYAC heard about several efforts underway to include a "Green Team" at Martel elementary school. A two-way conversation occurred, as youth strived to learn more about Cool Communities' goals. LYAC will talk more about Cool Communities, amongst themselves, as to ways they might contribute to the effort.

At their February 12, 2008, meeting, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) accepted a $2,000 donation from the Towing & Recovery Association of Maine, enabling the group to mass produce SMASHED, LYAC's U Booze U Looze underage drinking awareness film. In addition to assisting with mass production of the DVD, the donation will also cover the start-up cost of an Internet order website, facilitated by Via-Vision of Lewiston, where individuals may purchase the DVD. Via-Vision professionally filmed the project through a Maine Bureau of Highway Safety grant that LYAC received in 2007. The Towing Association funding will also ensure that every Maine public high school receives a copy of SMASHED.

At LYAC's February 12, 2008, meeting, Lewiston firefighter Pvt. Michael Albert presented the group with a $150 donation on behalf of the International Association of Firefighters. The funding is designated for LYAC's efforts to site an electronic message board at the entrance of Lewiston High School. The project is an ongoing partnership with the Lewiston School Department that recently received a large boost from 08-09 Lewiston City Councilors who privately raised funds for the project and presented a check to LYAC at the January 2008 Inaugural.

On January 29, 2008, LYAC members Tim Stretton, Athena Andoniades,  Veronica Irish and LYAC Co-Advisor Dottie Perham-Whittier spoke before teens and adults at the South Portland Community Center in regards to the start-up of a South Portland youth council.

Left: South Portland Officials, Right: Tim Stretton, Athena Andoniades & Veronica Irish

Attendees included Mayor James Soule; Councilor - District One Claude Morgan; City Clerk Sue Mooney; and Chanda Sinclair of the Communities Promoting Health Coalition.

Following the LYAC presentation, the group received the following four e-mails:

'We sincerely look forward to working with the YAC of Lewiston and continue to build bridges with our neighbors from Lewiston/Auburn. Thank you again for taking the time to educate us and put us on a path for increased collaboration. Best of luck.'
South Portland Mayor, Jim Soule

'I'm very impressed with the work you've done at the Youth Advisory Council. You've been very busy and very successful. Bravo. Athena, Tim, and Veronica, thank you for sharing your experience with us. You inspire us.'
South Portland District One Councilor, Claude Morgan

'Wow...these young people never cease to blow me away! I have such high expectations of that generation and feel secure that the future of this Country is going to be in very good hands!!'
South Portland City Clerk, Sue Mooney

Above L-R: Clarissa Smith, Luke Jensen & Devin Bergeron

Above Left: Ashley Morgan -- Above Right: Holly Lavorgna and Veroncia Irish

LYAC Chair Luke Jensen receives pledges from the new City Councilors.

L-R Back Row: LYAC Members - Clarissa Smith, Devin Bergeron, Athena Andoniades, Tim Stretton, and Luke Jensen L-R Front Row: Louise Field & Douglas Field

On a frosty New Year's Eve 2007, five (5) members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council presented a certificate to resident Douglas Field outside his decorated Old Bloody Hill Road property in Lewiston. He was the winner of the group's Holiday Home Decorating Contest that was undertaken as a fundraiser for LYAC's ongoing pursuit to site an electronic message board at the entrance of Lewiston High School (in partnership with the Lewiston School Department).

A nomination fee was required to enter the contest, and Mrs. Louise Field nominated her son. Not only was Mr. Field's home, lawn, and barn decorated with colorful lights and props, holiday music could be heard as well. Mr. Field gestured to his mother & said, "I do it for her."