What kind of nightlife does Salinas have to offer? Despite the arrival of several new restaurants, plenty of movies, some good theater, and the best performing arts center in the county, the overwhelming popular response seems to be "not much." Will we ever boogie ''til dawn on Main Street?

Rene Johnson

Resides: Salinas

Age: 28

Occupation: Homemaker

What''s there to do in Salinas? Basically I go to Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. I go to a meeting every day of the week except Sunday.

Do you go out much? Nope.

What does Salinas need to do to improve its nightlife? Salinas is all right to me.

Darlene Vernor

Resides: Gonzales

Age: 48

Occupation: Bail bond owner

Do you go out much? Never. When I do go out, we like to go out to dinner in Salinas. We like Casa Sorrento Pizza.

What does Salinas need to do to improve its nightlife? It needs more things for young people to do.

Is there any hope for Salinas nightlife? Yes. There''s always hope.

Richard McLaughlin

Resides: Prunedale

Age: 53

Occupation: Lawyer

Tell me about your last evening out. I went to the movies and saw Lost in Space. It wasn''t as good as the television series.

What does Salinas need to do improve its nightlife? Get activities downtown that are open. The perception is that everything is in Monterey.

Is there any hope for Salinas nightlife? No. Salinas is an area where people go to get away from nightlife. Here in Salinas, we''re people who are content to stay home with our kids.

Nicole Beebe

Resides: Salinas

Age: 16

Occupation: Student

What''s there to do in Salinas? Nothing. There''s really nothing to do for people under the age of 21.

Do you go out much? Yeah.

What do you do? I just hang out all day outside the Cherry Bean. My friends are there. There really nothing else to do.

What does Salinas need to improve its nightlife? Offer more stuff for younger people like 16-and-older clubs and concerts.

Jaime Gomez

Resides: Salinas

Age: 38

Occupation: Jeweler

What''s to do in Salinas? Nothing except go to the movies.

What can be done to improve the situation? They really need something for couples and for families. Maybe stuff like miniature golf, instead of just going to dinner.

When was the last time you went out? Last night. We went out to dinner at Gino''s. I had the Chardonnay rib-eye steak.