Alex Velasquez of Salinas gathers balloons during Monday’s candlelight vigil in Closter Park in Salinas, organized by A Time For Grieving and Community Building Circles to remember the year’s homicide victims. The balloons, with messages attached, were released in memory of loved ones.

Christina McKnew, greenhouse manager for the Watershed Institute at California State University Monterey Bay, pictured Nov. 2 with native plants inside one of the institute’s greenhouses.

Salinas Police Chief Louis Fetherolf is interviewed Tuesday during the Measure K election night party at Casa Sorrento in Salinas.

A window washer works outside a second-story window Thursday at the California State University Monterey Bay library.

Dancers perform Friday night at Sherwood Hall in Salinas during the Colors of the Rainbow Team match dance competition. The dancers were 132 fifth grade students from 10 schools in the Alisal School district who completed a 10-week program called “Teaching Children to Take a Bow.” The Dancing Classrooms program uses ballroom dancing as a tool to teach social development and cooperation. Judges were dance instructor Galvin Calkins, Gail Higginbotham of Ariel Theatrical and Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hulsey, a dance enthusiast.

Alisal’s Taylor Tomas celebrates blocking an extra-point kick during the first quarter of Friday’s game at Alvarez High.

Palma’s Max Gibbons (78) celebrates his third-quarter touchdown with teammates Bruce Taylor, left, and Blair Gardiner during Friday’s game against Hollister at the Salinas Sports Complex. Gibbon scored after recovering a fumble, starting Palma’s comeback from a 17-point deficit to win the TCAL league title 24-23.

Ehab Youssef, CEO of Green Vehicles, pictured Friday in his company’s new 80,000 square-foot space at the Firestone Business Park in Salinas. He’s sitting in a TRIAC, one of three electric vehicles his company produces.

Rachel Osias, a student at California State University Monterey Bay, is pictured Thursday on campus. She’ll be honored during the National Philanthropy Day Awards.

Competitors watch Friday’s air band competition at Buena Vista Middle School.

Santa Claus greets children during his grand entrance for the holiday season Friday at the Northridge Mall in Salinas. Families waiting for Santa were entertained by a puppet and magic show, and later participated in an arts and crafts supplied by the Northridge Mall. To check the times Santa Claus will be at the mall, see the Northridge Mall’s website at www.shop-northridge-mall.com.

Seaside’s Brian Serra runs in the second quarter of Friday’s first-round Central Coast Section playoff against visiting Hillsdale.

Salinas Police officer Raul Rosales works the seventh annual Turkey & DUI checkpoint Tuesday night on East Alisal Street near Towt Street. The Salinas Police Department bought 188 turkeys to give out to sober drivers. The checkpoint is held by the Safe Teens Empowerment Project in Salinas (S.T.E.P.S.) in conjunction with the Salinas Police Department.

Salinas’ Sarah Reams makes a save during Tuesday night’s NorCal volleyball playoffs against Granada at Salinas High School.

Warren Church, pictured Wednesday among trees at his business, Warren Church Christmas Tree Farm in Royal Oaks. Church planted his first trees on the property 50 years ago.

Seaside’s David Williams avoids a tackle by Saratoga’s Marcus Hoffman as he runs into the endzone to score in the third quarter of Friday’s Central Coast Section Division III Semifinals at Westmont High in Campbell.

Seaside’s Brian Serra, left, pursues Saratoga’s Vinnie Carstens in the fourth quarter of Friday’s Central Coast Section Division III Semifinals at Westmont High in Campbell.

Salinas’ Gary Carranza, right, breaks up a pass intended for Hollister’s Dustin Franco during the second quarter of Saturday’s Central Coast Section Div. I Semifinal at San Jose City College.

Salinas’ Christian Ruelas pauses as the clock runs out on Saturday’s Central Coast Section Div. I Semifinal at San Jose City College. Salinas lost by one point to Hollister.

Salinas’ Austen Heitz (23) and Zach Moore leave the field after Saturday’s loss to Hollister in the Central Coast Section Div. I Semifinal at San Jose City College.