Castroville Gears up for The 59th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

As the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival approaches, the Castroville community is excited to come together to support the local community with entertainment and artichoke education this summer.

Castroville, CA, March 28, 2018 – As the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival approaches, the Castroville community is excited to come together to support the local community with entertainment and artichoke education this summer. The festival will take place June 2-3, 2018 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and will continue the legacy of celebrating the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

For many years, the Artichoke Festival has been dedicated to informing and exciting festival attendees about the unique qualities of artichokes including farming, harvest, and preparation to demonstrate how the artichoke industry has influenced the history of Monterey County. Now as a 501c3 organization, the purpose remains the same with an emphasis on giving back to the local community.

“We look forward to the Artichoke Festival each year because the event paints a clear picture of how this community comes together to support one another,” said Diana McClean, senior director of marketing at Ocean Mist Farms and board member for the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival. “The purpose of this organization aligns directly with Ocean Mist Farms’ values which is part of the reason we enjoy sponsoring this annual event.”

Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festivals mission. The following are the 2017 Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Donation Recipient Organizations:

Ashley Nicole Memorial Scholarship Fund
Bikers for Bikes
North Monterey County Baseball
North County Golf
Marina Lions
Ord Terrace Elementary School
Ag History Project
Peacock Acres
North County Bulldogs

Festival attendees enjoy several fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day festival. To support these events, the Artichoke Festival is encouraging individuals and organizations to volunteer their time to ensure another successful year.

For more information about giving back to the community through volunteering, please visit http://artichokefestival.org/general-info/volunteers/.

For more information contact:
Diana McClean
dmcclean@oceanmist.com
(831) 770-6435

About The Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival
The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival began in 1959 and has since development to become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” The festival features family-fun events for all ages and has been a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups for many years. For more information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://artichokefestival.org/

Dance Kids of Monterey County Will Present Fifth Annual Performances of ‘A Folklorico Nutcracker’ at South County Schools in November

Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

Carmel, CA, March 24, 2018 — Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

The annual holiday tradition in story and dance celebrates the rich culture of Mexico and countries south of the border. The idea of melding European music and music from Spanish-speaking countries to create a “Cascanueces” has brought together mariachi musicians, folkloric choreographers and local ballet dancers.

This year, 10 students each from elementary schools in San Ardo, San Lucas, Greenfield, and King City, will study a dance with two folkloric dancers and one musician for six weeks prior to the school performance. These students will then perform with the professional troupe in the assembly at their respective schools.

Ten mariachi musicians will perform Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece rewritten by Salinas-born Jalisco harpist, William Faulkner. The program includes the four divertissements from the second act and the much-loved “Sugar Plum Fairy” solo, performed by a Dance Kids' ballerina in a traditional tutu. Folkloric dancers perform four traditional, and very different, dance styles from four Mexican states. Together the program bridges cultures and fosters growth and understanding of diversity through the art of dance.

The November 2018 tour date of “Cascanueces” is reserved by South County schools early each school year in the anticipation of a colorful and educational assembly. The tour begins in San Ardo with performances in San Lucas, King City, Greenfield and Salinas.

At least two of the schools invite other schools to their assemblies, allowing Dance Kids to impact more than seven schools in one tour date. In November 2017, there were more than 1,500 audience members in elementary through high school in attendance. The day culminated in a performance at Hartnell College in Salinas to a standing-room-only, 250-seat music hall setting.

Dance Kids of Monterey County, founded in 1993, is a non-profit group with the objective of bringing the art of the dance and theater experience to all youngsters in Monterey County. In 25 years, the organization has produced more than 50 productions, including month-long summer theater intensives, traditional and full-length story ballets.

Dance Kids now supports an ongoing afterschool learning program in a Monterey Peninsula Unified School District location, in addition to its popular annual performances of “Nutcracker” at Carmel’s Sunset Cultural Center and “Cascanueces.”

The two directors/choreographers for “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” husband-and-wife team Maria Luisa Colmenarez and Rudy Garcia, were consultants on the Academy Award-nominated Pixar animated film “Coco.”

About Dance Kids
With over 24 years of production history, Dance Kids, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Carol Richmond, is proud of its wide range of theatrical experiences that support kids to flourish. In the early days, productions at the Carmel Ballet Academy included “Nutcracker ”and original spring musicals. Dance Kids was known for fun-loving nostalgia surrounding the musicals and drew from the community a range of young people and their families committed to theater. As it grew, its little venue could not handle the “Nutcracker” any longer, but continued as the venue for the spring productions, until those too outgrew the dance studio.

Dance Kids has grown Dance Kids’ “Nutcracker” into a spectacular production eagerly awaited by cast and community. The original vision of Dance Kids of Monterey County has been honored as well as surpassed in the ensuing years. The Founder, Executive Director and the Board of Directors are proud to carry the traditions of dance and theater to the Monterey Peninsula.

Dance Kids of Monterey County was created to provide ongoing performance opportunities in dance the theater arts to the youth of Monterey County. Its mission is to strengthen character and positively influence children’s lives through the performing arts.

Street Address:
Sunset Center, Cottage #17
San Carlos Street at 10th Ave.,
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6225
Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: (831) 622-9008
Fax: (831) 218-1293
Email: info@dancekids.org
Website: dancekids.org

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.dancekids.org

2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey to be held on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center

Get ready for home entertaining this Spring and Summer!

Monterey, CA, March 24, 2018 - Get ready for home entertaining this Spring and Summer! Why not create a fabulous outdoor kitchen or back yard sanctuary, upgrade your dining room area or add a kitchen island for all of your great cooking projects.

Be sure to save the date! Don’t miss the free 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey on April 21st and 22nd, 2018 that will be held at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Be ready to ask the experts on site all of your home improvement questions! This year’s event will have many great surprises and feature an array of fascinating and useful Home and Garden Exhibits, Daily Seminars, Live Chef Demos, Shopping, and Charity Partners as well as Expo Sponsors.

Stop by for a few hours and discover the very best in home-improvement products, advice and inspiration. Home expo exhibitors include general contractors, flooring, landscapers, kitchen and bath, cabinets, closet organizers, landscape designers, painters, countertops, tile, granite, appliances, solar energy, fireplaces, and much more all from around Monterey County!

Spring is a great time to evaluate your home and initiate home renovation projects so you’ll be ready to enjoy comfortably visiting with family and friends in your enhanced home.

It’s also definitely a great time Get Inspired! Start by visiting the Inspired Home Expo to plan your home improvement and landscaping vision and meet trusted experts who can make it a great reality. Unleash your creativity and create a true sanctuary where you can relax and rejuvenate in your beautiful home.

At a Glance:

· Saturday, April 21, 2018 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Sunday, April 22, 2018 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Free to all attendees!

· The Spring 2018 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey will feature a full weekend of activities for homeowners plus the latest remodeling, landscaping and home accessory trends and tips.

· Educational home improvement seminars by local professionals, cooking demos, local charity partners and more.

· Additional informative and fun free seminars will be available both days during the Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey (full schedule coming soon on inspiredexpos.com)

· The Grand Prize for attendees of the event: $100 Home Depot Gift Certificate!

· Free parking!

· Location: Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd. Monterey, California. (Please enter at Gate 3)

· For more information, go to InspiredExpos.com or call (831) 222-0772.

During the Spring 2018 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey weekend, there will be an outstanding line-up of seminars in the home, food and garden areas that include many experts in their field. Attendees can plan their visit to the Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey around many valuable remodeling workshops and home improvement seminar presentations by local experts and live chef demos and some seminars are now listed below.

2018 Spring Home Expo Seminar Schedule

Seminars to include:

Saturday, April 21, 2018

12:30 pm

Learn More About High Quality Olive Oil & Olive Oil Demo

Presented by RoseAnne Ruccello-Fischer of Ruccello Olive Oil

We know that olive oil is good for you, but there are a lot of myths about it out there. Many olive oils are for sale in the U.S. and are mislabeled or adulterated. As a new provider of high quality extra virgin olive oil from Italy and California, RoseAnne Ruccello will share olive oil facts and tips, health benefits of olive oil, and will discuss how to do olive oil tastings and food pairings.

1:30 pm

Hardscape Design & Opportunity

Presented by Steve McShane of McShane’s Landscape Supply

Too many landscapes go underutilized due to maintenance challenges. Join Steve McShane to dream up cost effective landscape solutions using stone, pavers, rocks and bark. Steve will highlight materials that last and require little or no upkeep. Steve will also walk through the design process so you can begin thinking about outside spaces you can enjoy.

And more seminars to be announced soon

Sunday, April 22, 2018

To be announced soon

Corporate Sponsors:

· Noble Pride Roofing

Media Corporate Sponsors:

· Monterey County Herald

· KRML Radio 102.1 FM and 1410 AM

· Times Publishing Group

Exhibitor booth and Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com/Expos/Monterey.

About Presenter RoseAnn Ruccello-Fischer

RoseAnne Ruccello-Fischer has a passion for premium olive oil and she’s turned that passion into a vocation, recently launching Ruccello Olive Oil, which specializes in Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Italy and California, hand-crafted olive wood items and handmade aprons.

Starting April 1st, Ruccello Olive Oil will offer on its website, ruccellooliveoil.com, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Tuscany region in Italy and California, handmade olive wood bowls and cutting boards, and aprons crafted by hand. In the future, she hopes to offer more varieties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from around the world. She also currently imports European antiques with her husband in partnership with a company in Carmel Valley.

Ruccello-Fischer may be passionate about olive oil, but she’s equally passionate about eating and living well. She’s been in the health care field for more than 30 years and is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, so she’s well acquainted with the many health benefits of olive oil. But it wasn’t until 2015, when she and her husband bought a small house in Tuscany nestled in the Chianti hills, with vineyards and olive groves everywhere you could see, that the idea of running her own olive oil business took seed.

A local business owner in their small Italian town suggested importing extra virgin olive oil to the U.S., an idea that appealed to her. She wanted to learn everything she could about olive oil, so signed up for an Olive Oil Sommelier class. The original business idea didn’t pan out, but she did learn quite a bit about olive oil, especially the fact that many olive oils for sale in the U.S. are mislabeled and adulterated and that customers were being duped into buying Extra Virgin Olive Oil that was either virgin olive oil or lampante oil, which is not fit for human consumption.

So she decided she wanted to educate American consumers and offer them the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil that the world has to offer. Ruccello Olive Oil was founded, the name taken from her maiden name. She’s already working with three olive oil producers in Italy and one in California, with another from Italy in the works.

More about the Expo:
Learn from and become “inspired” by top professionals in the field. Come meet the experts from the community who can help you create a more beautiful living environment, make a space more comfortable or fix an issue in your home. The event gives you the opportunity to build relationships with the people who can help you make your dreams become reality. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for ideas for Spring projects, inspiration or just browsing home improvements large too small. Talk with expert local home contractors that can create all your “inspired”, images from your clippings and Pinterest boards, meet your Google search list face to face, and make your home improvement dreams a reality.

The free, fun and informative Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey Fair & Expo Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA. This not-to-be-missed event will feature about a hundred LOCAL home and garden professionals on site, many based in Monterey County, with all of your home project solutions. They will be available to answer all of your questions and provide expert advice for enhancing your indoor and outdoor living space.

The Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo will feature displays and exhibits of the latest ideas in home improvement, remodeling, interior design, decorating and landscaping. In addition, it will provide educational and informative seminars and demonstrations designed to help you enhance the beauty and the value of your home. Quality contractors, expert craftsmen, premier designers and home improvement professionals are there both days to focus on all of your needs to make your home meet your vision.

About Simply Clear Marketing & Media:
Simply Clear Marketing & Media (SCMM) is a professional event management and marketing company based on the Central Coast. SCMI currently produces 7 successful INSPIRED trade show events per year and is expanding its events and services. The Inspired Home Expos are designed to create an environment for consumers to find the products and services they need to create the home of their dreams. The vision behind the home expos is to create a location for local residents to meet face to face with local companies who can help them to create a beautiful living environment and increase the value of their homes. The health expos provide a location for residents to meet face to face with a variety of health, wellness, and fitness providers in the area.

Simply Clear Marketing & Media’s mission is to help small businesses grow by connecting them with potential clients through events and marketing. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com or call (805) 222-0772.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.InspiredExpos.com

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Hosts 57th Annual Wildflower Show April 20-22

One of the largest wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres returns April 20 through April 22 to The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

Pacific Grove, CA, March 24, 2018 — One of the largest wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres returns April 20 through April 22 to The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

The 57th Annual Wildflower Show will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 20-22 at the Museum, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, and will feature more than 600 species and varieties of wildflowers, truly an event that generations of families can recall fondly.

The Museum partners with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to hold this cherished annual event. More than 30 members of the Native Plant Society spend over a week scouring Monterey County and beyond, collecting the finest specimens of wildflowers blooming this spring.

Botanists, flower and garden enthusiasts, and people just looking for flowers they would like to plant in their gardens, will all appreciate this comprehensive and spectacular array of wildflowers.

Tickets can be purchased at the door on the days of the event. Admission prices are as follows:
>$8.95 for adults who live outside of Monterey County
>$5.95 for youth ages 4-18, students with ID, and military who live outside of Monterey County
>Free for 3 years old and under.
>Free for Museum members and CNPS members
>$5 admission for Monterey County residents

About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
In 1883, our museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era, such as John Muir And Louis Aggasiz, began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation. The museum has continued this tradition for 130 years. The museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. It envisions a community of curious minds, engaged in discovering the natural heritage and cultural legacy that exist today on the Central California Coast. The Museum is a catalyst for conservation and a valued learning resource in this region, facilitating active inquiry for all ages.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
(831) 648-5716
Fax: (831) 648-5755
admin@pgmuseum.org
www.pgmuseum.org

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org

Dates and Theme of 2018 Monterey County Fair Announced “Shake Your Tail Feathers,” and official poster unveiled

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.

Monterey, CA, March 23, 2018 — The Monterey County Fair announced that the theme for the Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018, event will be “Shake Your Tail Feathers.”

The fair also unveiled its official poster for this year's event, featuring chickens in Mardi Gras-style beads, masks and hats and two chickens enjoying a Ferris wheel ride.

“We are very excited about the 2018 Monterey County Fair theme and dedicate it to our feathered friends at the Fair,” says Kelly Violini, Monterey County Fair CEO. “We hope that everyone can come out and join us in ‘Shaking a Tail Feather’!”

The artists and graphic designers who collaborated on the poster are Olivia Trinidad and Arnold Ramos of OT Graphic Design of Monterey, which has been doing graphic art and design work for the Monterey County Fair since 2008, including all official posters for the fair since then.

“They just wanted it to be colorful and fun, with chickens and roosters having fun at the Fair,” says Trinidad, who has 20 years of experience in graphic design, about the poster assignment. “It’s great to be able to do a poster on our own. Usually we work with art we are given, but this time it was my artwork, so we were able to play with it. It was fun and easy.”

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey.

About the Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is a premier event center set on 22 oak-studded acres with ample parking. It is a state-owned multi-use facility that features four large banquet rooms, two outdoor concert venues, and a variety of outdoor and indoor cost-effective sites ideal for all types of events. It is home of the annual award-winning Monterey County Fair, host to many major and private events on the Central Coast, and the site of the Monterey Bay Race Place, a Satellite Wagering Facility.

For more information, contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, by calling (831) 372-5863 or go to www.montereycountyfair.com for more information.

Monterey County Fair & Event Center
2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940
www.montereycountyfair.com
montereyfairpr@gmail.com
(831) 372-5863

OT Graphic Design
PO Box 2454
Monterey CA 93942
Phone: (831) 402-7946
E-mail: olivia@otgraphicdesign.com
otgraphicdesign.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereycountyfair.com

Dancer With Carmel Academy of Performing Arts Invited to Compete in Finals of Prestigious Dance Competition in New York City in April

Annabel De Luca, a dancer at The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, has been invited to compete at the finals of the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City, April 13-20.

Carmel, CA, March 20, 2018 — Annabel De Luca, a dancer at The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, has been invited to compete at the finals of the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City, April 13-20.

De Luca, 14, was chosen by audition and after a performance in San Francisco at the Youth America Grand Prix competition to compete in the finals in New York City.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Annabel and her instructors, a real stepping stone to the potential of creating a professional career,” said Carol Richmond, owner of CAPA. “This is a highly prestigious honor where she will perform and compete with dancers from the world over.”

She will also be attending the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Bellevue, Washington, this summer for their Summer Intensive Program. She was also accepted into Paris Opera Ballet in Paris, The Kirov Academy in Washington D.C and the Los Angeles Ballet Academy.

De Luca’s teachers at CAPA are Sandra Burnham and Philip Pegler, CAPA Ballet Director.

Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest global network of dance. Dancers worldwide, ages 9-19, of all economic, ethnic and geographic backgrounds are provided scholarship opportunities, master classes and audition classes in 25 U.S. cities and eight international locations. YAGP awards more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Each season culminates in the week-long New York Finals, where more than 1,200 of the world’s most promising dancers receive in-depth mentoring and greater scholarship, professional, and performance opportunities. The New York Finals closing night “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala features the students showing the most potential alongside the stars of today’s leading dance companies.

Some of Youth America Grand Prix’s significant achievements include: More than 450 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 80 companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Washington Ballet, among many others.

To identify promising young dance talent, YAGP conducts auditions in 22 cities in the United States and in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, and China among others.

Carmel Academy of Performing Arts
Mission Street & 8th Avenue
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-3729
www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com

Area’s Pre eminent Event and Party Rental Company Celebrates 15 Years in Business

It took a long and winding road to get to this lofty point, but Unlimited Events Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has become the foremost event and party rental company in Central California.

Salinas, CA, March 19, 2018 — It took a long and winding road to get to this lofty point, but Unlimited Events Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has become the foremost event and party rental company in Central California.

Unlimited Events provides tables, chairs, linens, silverware, lighting, dance floors, tents, glassware, and catering equipment, in short, just about anything someone would need to put on an event, everything from weddings and corporate events to charity events and galas.

But what sets Unlimited Events apart from similar companies is that they are fully equipped with sewing and fabrication facilities. So, Unlimited can not only create linens and other fabric items for clients, but also create custom items, including custom designing and producing wrought iron and wood pieces, such as centerpieces, easels, barstools, and custom bars.

But according to Lisa Clark, one of the company’s principals (when asked her title and what she does, she simply says “a little bit of everything.”), that’s not even what makes Unlimited unique and why they’re the go-to company in the area.

“I think what really makes us unique is our customer service — we’re willing to go above and beyond,” says Clark, who began with her family’s company in 2005. “If I don’t have it, I’ll get it or I can make it. I can make it happen. That’s what we’re known for. My staff can make it happen. No matter what, we’ll make things right. The last thing we want is an unhappy client.”

That’s why she says her brother Jonathan, who founded the company in 2003, named it Unlimited Events.

“My brother named it that because for us, the sky’s the limit. We’ve got that mentality,” she says.

The company has its roots in her father’s welding and metal-working business, West Coast Manufacturing Company, in 1988. He often worked with local agriculture companies making customized ag equipment. Before long, the ag companies asked him if he could provide portable toilets for their workers.

That’s when her father and brother created a new company, Salinas Sanitation, to provide portable toilets. That in turn led to questions about if they could supply events with tables, chairs, tents and other items.

That aspect of the business got so big that they created Unlimited Events in 2003 and then sold Salinas Sanitation. Her brother, in addition to being an expert welder and metal worker, was also an accomplished wood worker. He would make items such as rustic farm tables and other furniture for Unlimited, which became popular items to rent for clients.

Her brother then founded Misa Bella Designs, which specializes in furniture for hospitality, from desks and benches to bars, tables and chairs. Both her brother and father are still involved in Unlimited Events.

“It’s interesting to see how each one (company) played a role in what we do now,” says Clark.

When asked how it feels to celebrate 15 years in business, Clark sounded bemused.

“I never really thought about it, we’re so busy here,” she says, laughing. “When I was told this year was our 15th year, I had to think about it. Wow, that’s pretty good. That’s amazing.”

The largest event her company has done was the 100th anniversary event for the California Rodeo Salinas, an event that drew almost 700 people and took Unlimited a whole week to set up. Unlimited also donates its time to non-profits, such as Meals on Wheels – Culinary Classique and the Kinship Center.

The bottom line for her and Unlimited is making the customer happy.

“As long as we know we went the extra mile and the client is happy, that’s what we strive for,” she says. “I treat our clients the way I would want to be treated.”

Unlimited Events Inc.
P.O. Box 4460
Salinas, CA 93912
Ph. (831) 422-8300
Fax. (831) 754-9300

Salinas Location:
546 Brunken Ave
Salinas, CA 93901
sales@uei-rentals.com
fax. 831.250.6956

Contact:
Marci Bracco
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.uei-rentals.com

Ashley J, Dance Pop Sensation to Release Anticipated Debut EP Satisfied 3/23

On March 23, 2018, dance pop sensation Ashley Jis set to release her debut EP, Satisfied.

Los Angeles, CA, March 19, 2018 - On March 23, 2018, dance pop sensation Ashley Jis set to release her debut EP, Satisfied. On the EP, Ashley combinesher hit singles with unheard releases that she’s sure her fans will love. Ashley’s vocals swirl amidst innovative hooks and slick dance beats. Satisfied is fresh, modern, addictive, and meant to be devoured in one sitting – but it willstick in your head for the rest of the day.

Ashley’s talents for songwriting shine on Satisfied. She’s come a long way since the days of writing lyrics on her parents’ bathroom walls. In those days, the words would be painted over. Now, they linger in your mind. They’re thoughtful, resonant, and get stuck in your head just as much as the earworm hooks. From the triumphant “Unbreakable,” in which Ashley finds the courage to pursue her inner strength following heartbreak, to the soaring love song,“Satisfied” – the EP covers a vast array of human emotions. It’s mostly explosive, but when Ashley wants you to feel something quietly, just for a moment, she draws you in – then drops the beat.

Satisfied is almost constant energy, filled with dance anthems, and its premiere track in particular, “Trapped,” enjoyed four consecutive weeks at #1 on the European Independent Music Charts. Previous releases made it on the Billboard Top 10 Dance Charts, and given the sheer triumph that is Satisfied, a similar destiny awaits this new music from Ashley J, the Orlando native who started her own production company, then steadily conquered the world.

The five-track Satisfied starts with the already massively successful “Trapped,” and also includes “Unbreakable,” “Satisfied,” “Like You Used To,” and “When I Come Home To You.” Though the songs may differ in the level of party they bring (particularly the bookend tracks), throughout the entire EP, Ashley J’s powerhouse voice dazzles. She is a true talent, from the pen to the page, to her voice in the studio.
About Ashley J

Three-time Billboard charting artist Ashley J has a fascinatingly diverse background: artistically and musically. She packs a wallop of a voice that fuses an infectious blend of vocal dexterity, moods and range. Ashley tempers her vocal prowess with poignant lyrics and a kindred soul as an emerging songwriter/singer. And it’s all aptly and full exposed on her new pop EP, Satisfied, released through her own production company imprint, Bombshell Music, Inc. The EP features five tracks self-penned by the emergent Ashley J, incollaboration with many established producers, including Lucas & Adrian Rezza, Jamie Sellers, and Warwick Matthews.

On the title track “Satisfied,” Ashley worked with the multi-platinum, Grammy & Emmy-winning Narada Michael Walde, who called Ashley “a real American sweetheart with a big voice and lots of energy! She has soul and her beautiful smile lights up the room.”

Multiple singles off the EP have topped the European Independent Music Charts, particularly “Trapped,” which nabbed #1 for four weeks in a row. Her remixed singles of “One and One,” “Cali”and “Dare Ya” each made it to Billboard’s Top 10 Dance Charts in 2014 - 2016. The jubilant pop queen enjoys broad global appeal, with many drawn to her stellar, buoyant music. Step by step, Ashley continues her journey to become a revered figure in the world of pop music.

For more information on Ashley J, please visit:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud

Press Inquiries:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
Chip@mileshighproductions.com

For More Information Please Visit:ashleyj.net

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157
Hollywood CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com

Monterey-Based Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc. Celebrates its 10th Year in Business, Announces its Four Charity Partners

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc., the premier vacation home rental agency on the Monterey Peninsula, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is inviting the news media to an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony April 5 at Sanctuary’s Monterey office.

Monterey, CA, March 17, 2018 — Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc., the premier vacation home rental agency on the Monterey Peninsula, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is inviting the news media to an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony April 5 at Sanctuary’s Monterey office.

The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Carmel Chamber Commerce, at Sanctuary’s office at 888 Munras Avenue in Monterey.

The ribbon-cutting is invite-only and will kick off Sanctuary’s 10-year anniversary campaign. Sanctuary will also announce its four charity partners, including Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP), The Fund for Homeless Women, Dorothy’s Kitchen and The Food Bank for Monterey County.

Animal Friends Rescue Project
From April 5 to December 31, Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will donate $5 per pet-friendly rental up to $2,500 to AFRP. Gracee is a 6-month-old shelter puppy that owners Annee and David adopted from AFRP after she was found wandering the streets of Salinas in pretty bad condition. She was given a tremendous amount of attention, love and care from her foster parent family and their five dogs, so much so that she has no fear of anyone or any dog and wags her tail at everyone she meets. Gracee has been proclaimed the Sanctuary ambassador of goodwill and joy because everyone she touches is left feeling better. animalfriendsrescue.com

The Fund for Homeless Women
Sanctuary will be supporting The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s The Fund for Homeless Women by donating blankets, towels, linens and more on an ongoing basis. The company will work to ensure that Homeless Women are given as many supplies as possible from vacation rentals. The Fund supports programs and services for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula. In its initial years, the Fund supported both emergency assistance (e.g., temporary motel lodging, transportation expenses, laundry, etc.) and innovative ideas that expanded temporary and permanent housing options and case management services. cfmco.org.

Dorothy’s Place
Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will be supporting Dorothy’s Place by bringing food and supplies from each rental weekly to Dorothy’s Place in Salinas to help feed those in need.

Dorothy's Place Hospitality Center in Chinatown, run by Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra, includes Dorothy’s Kitchen, a Drop-In Center, Women Alive! Emergency Shelter for street women in Salinas, and a community of formerly broken and abandoned lives now living together in mutual support in House of Peace transitional living program.

dorothysplace.org

Food Bank for Monterey County
Sanctuary will be donating food throughout the year to the Food Bank for Monterey County and encouraging their guests and clients to donate as well. On December 5, there will be a food drive fundraiser for the Food Bank. Details to come. As the largest and most comprehensive provider of emergency supplemental food and a key proponent of anti-hunger and healthy eating education and advocacy in Monterey County, the Food Bank feeds more than 100,000 residents of Monterey County each year. http://www.foodbankformontereycounty.org.

In addition to the above actions, the entire team at Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will be donating their time and talents to each charity.

Founded in 2008 by Annee Martin, Sanctuary Vacation Rentals boasts a team of 20 professionals and represents almost 100 homes across the Monterey Peninsula, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel proper, Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Marina, Seaside, Carmel Valley and the Highway 68 corridor near the airport and Laguna Seca.

Sanctuary’s roster of homes includes everything from cozy two-bedroom cottages in Carmel and Pacific Grove to larger four- to six-bedroom homes that can accommodate up to 12 people and luxurious Pebble Beach homes with ocean views. Many of the homes are within walking distance to the area’s beaches, restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions.

Sanctuary homes all invoke a sense of peace and harmony, allowing guests to relax, revitalize their lives, reconnect with one another, and above all, have fun. Sanctuary’s goal is to provide guests with a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its vision is to inspire and nurture the hearts and souls of guests with the beauty and magic of the Monterey Peninsula while staying in one of its vacation homes.

“What drives me in this business is my love for people and wanting to give them the best experience they can have when they’re here,” says Martin. “We’re all travelers and we’ve all been strangers at one point. I just want people to feel welcome when they come here.”

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals started just after the housing market crash in 2008, which forced Martin and her husband David, an architect, to rent out their own home. Martin was amazed at how many people wanted to come to the Monterey Peninsula. She was soon able to help many of their friends who found themselves in a similar situation.

Before long, she had half a dozen homes, all through word of mouth. She quickly found out she found joy and a creative outlet for her talents in staging and maintaining homes for vacation rentals.

Her goal was to offer a warm and welcoming environment in each Sanctuary rental, with small welcoming touches such as fresh flowers and a bottle of Monterey County wine. All the homes are fully equipped and furnished with everything a visitor may need. In fact, guests need not bring anything with them but their suitcases.

Or as Martin likes to say, “We provide all the amenities and services of a 5-star resort with all the comforts of home.”

Martin says that a lot of Sanctuary’s success is owed to its Florida-based CFO Ben Edwards.

“Ben is one of the most respected leaders and consultants in the industry, president of the VRMA (Vacation Rental Management Association) the past three years,” says Martin. “I really consider him as responsible for my success as my own efforts. He keeps Sanctuary on the leading edge of marketing, technology and keeps us financially solvent. I am so blessed to have him.”

Martin has also become a strong advocate for the vacation rental industry, which has recently come under fire from local communities hoping to curtail the growing practice. She is now one of the leading voices for the vacation home rental industry, something she believes she was “called to do.”

She believes that neighborhoods can be protected with fair and reasonable regulation as opposed to bans and that more good comes from them than bad. She believes that vacation rentals provide affordable options for families that would not otherwise choose to stay in hotels and that they are good for the overall business community. She believes that there are plenty of visitors that want to come and stay on the Monterey Peninsula. It is her hope that hotels, inns and B&Bs can find a way to work together with the vacation rental companies and encourage visitors to visit Monterey as opposed to another city or coastal town.

She loves to network and refer businesses to her guests, and that includes the hotels and inns and B&Bs. Vacation rental homes are not always the best option for guests and many people do prefer the hotel or bed and breakfast experience. She believes being able to meet the needs of the traveler should be the highest priority and we can all work together to provide this.

The bottom line is the satisfaction she derives from making people happy.

“What drives me in this business is my love for people and wanting to give them the best experience they can have when they’re here,” she says. “We’re all travelers and we’ve all been strangers at one point. I just want people to feel welcome when they come here.”

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals
888 Munras Ave., Suite 100
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 233-6340
Toll-Free: (800) 614-6706
https://www.sanctuaryvacationrentals.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.sanctuaryvacationrentals.com

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Celebrates Earth Day with a Pin-It-To-Win-It Contest

Did you know this year Earth Day is celebrating its 48th anniversary? In 2020 it will be 50 years!

Salinas, CA, March 16, 2018 - Did you know this year Earth Day is celebrating its 48th anniversary? In 2020 it will be 50 years! Each year we learn more about sustainability and Pinterest is an excellent place to share tips from green construction to composting and quotes! Share your favorite pins that represent what Earth Day means to you in our new Pin-It-To-Win-It contest!

Simply:
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Create a board titled: Earth Day 2018
• Pin your favorite Earth Day images, from trends to beautiful photos

(minimum 5 pins)
• Use the hashtag #EarthDayHyattRegencyMonterey on all the pins
• EMAIL a link to your board
• One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Monterey
• Contest runs March 25th – April 22nd. Winner will be announced April 22nd in
honor of Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey is offering the following promotions:

Guests checking in on April 22nd will receive a sprouting pencil that can be planted at home to grow basil! #TravelGreen #InAHyattWorld

Happy Earth Day
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa shows their commitment to the environment and their local communities with programs that ranged from a naturalist-led beach clean-up to shutting the lights off in all unoccupied rooms, and employees turned out to volunteer at dozens of local green efforts. These activities take place throughout the year.

Enjoy this green-inspired cocktail:
“Green Garden”

1.5 oz of Organic Blanco Tequila
½ oz of Cucumber-infused Organic Simple Syrup
¼ oz of freshly squeezed Organic Lime Juice
1 oz of Sparkling Cava

Build and Shake in cocktail shaker. Strain into Martini Glass – Cucumber Garnish

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://monterey.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Parasite Zapping and the Zapper

Due to a recent upswing in interest in electro-healing modalities, a new updated version of this book has been released as a 115 page ebook from either Amazon or from Barnes and Noble Nook. There is also a paperback version for those who prefer hard copy.

Pinson, AL, March 08, 2018 - Due to a recent upswing in interest in electro-healing modalities, a new updated version of this book has been released as a 115 page ebook from either Amazon or from Barnes and Noble Nook. There is also a paperback version for those who prefer hard copy.

Written on topics about the use of electricity in fighting disease and illness as well as healing, this book offers insights to this growing technology and the potential of health improvements through the use of mild, safe, electric pulses. There has been a number of new sections added to the book and several areas have had recent updates made. The book discusses a history of electro-medicine and the suppression that has been put in place for over 260 years. It also provides a brief discussion of various alternative therapies and various choices that may influence health.

The E-book sells at $9.99 US while the Paperback copy will sell for $17.95 plus shipping and handling cost. The paperback version is expected to be available about the end of March 2018.

More information available at Parasite Zapping and the Zapper

Contact:
David Etheredge
Para Systems, Inc
5537 Balboa Ct.
Lower Entrance
Pinson, AL 35126
1-866-765-5116
http://www.paradevices.com

Carmel Academy of Performing Arts Elevates Its Dance Training With Continuing Affiliation With Highly Regarded Royal Academy of Dance Program

The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, which has been providing unmatched dance, acting and vocal music training in the area for almost 65 years

CARMEL, CA, March 04, 2018 - The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, which has been providing unmatched dance, acting and vocal music training in the area for almost 65 years, improved even more with its ongoing association with the highly regarded Royal Academy of Dance training program.

“Four years ago we became a Royal Academy of Dance-certified training facility, the only training facility of its type between Los Angeles and San Jose,” says Carol Richmond, owner of CAPA. “RAD sets standards in classical ballet and we now have three teachers who are trained in the RAD system. It’s solid, current technical training that is age-appropriate.”

Initially founded in 1920 to reinvigorate dance teaching in the United Kingdom, RAD has expanded its influence and activities worldwide with more than 1,000 students in its teacher training programs. The RAD examination syllabus is taught to more than a quarter million students in 79 countries, helping teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass their knowledge on to their students. RAD has about 14,000 members worldwide and is considered one of the world's most influential dance education and training organizations in the world.

According to its website, “The RAD promotes the knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. We seek to accomplish this through promoting dance, educating and training students and teachers and providing examinations to set standards and reward achievement.”

To Richmond, affiliating with RAD strengthens and elevates the training programs already in place at CAPA. What she stresses is that affiliating with RAD does not make CAPA a training facility for professional dancers.

“There’s this misunderstanding that this is pre-professional training. It’s not about launching a pro career,” says Richmond. “This is solid, proper training that all classical ballet should be. It’s a method taught by syllabus for both boys and girls where you know the child is ready to commence to the next level because they know the work. Standardization is vital with technical training and also allows a high level of artistic ability.”

CAPA currently has three RAD-certified dance teachers: Sandra Burnham, Philip Pegler and Kelly Pegler (detailed bios below). Burnham has 50 years experience as a dancer and teacher and was an international ballet examiner for RAD in London. Philip Pegler first took classical ballet when he was 5 and was a teacher at Elmhurst School for Dance and director of the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance, among others. Kelly Pegler is a certified Pilates teacher, has a bachelor’s degree from RAD and was a teacher at The Royal Ballet School.

Richmond believes 2018 is a “tipping point year” for CAPA. She wants to continue to educate the public about the value of their affiliation with RAD, but also shed some light on CAPA’s upcoming summer programs, which also involves RAD-certified dance classes.

Registration begins Feb. 26 for the seven-week summer camps, June 11-Aug. 3, including sewing camp, aerial silks camp, vocal camp, contemporary jazz dance camp, competitive dance camp, classical ballet, and more.

For more information on RAD and CAPA’s summer programs, call (831) 624-3729.

CAPA Royal Academy of Dance Teachers:

Sandra Burnham
British born Sandra Burnham has 50 years' experience as a professional dancer, teacher and examiner of classical ballet. She opened and ran her own highly successful ballet school in beautiful North Yorkshire for 20 years, during which time she became an international ballet examiner for London's Royal Academy of Dance.

She has taught and examined in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the Carribean, Canada and the United States. She teaches summer schools, intensives, and coaches dancers for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).

Her teaching is noted for its careful combination of technique with interpretation, and for her disciplined care for and compassion with her students.

Philip Pegler
Born in England in 1974, Philip Pegler began his study of Classical Ballet at age five. In 1986, he embarked on his professional training, at the Bush Davies School, followed by The Vaganova Academy, The Legat School, and The Harid Conservatory in Florida, where he graduated in 1992. Later that year, Philip was accepted into The Royal Ballet School where he completed his training as a dancer and teacher.

After graduating, Philip became Ballet Master and Soloist Dancer with Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina, appointed the following year as Artistic Director of the South Carolina Dance Theatre. In 1998, he became Director of the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance where he taught notable students such as Cameron Adams, Dusty Button, Brooklyn Mack, Sara Mearns, Joseph Phillips and Joy and Christian Tworzyanski.

In 2002, Philip was appointed Professor at the University of Florida where he created a new curriculum for the University's Ballet program as well as serving as a pre-performance lecturer at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. From 2009-14 Philip taught at Elmhurst School for Dance before returning to the U.S. He is currently the Ballet Director of the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts and a faculty member of Los Angeles Ballet Academy.

Kelly Pegler
Kelly was born in Palos Heights, Illinois and as a young child moved south with her family to live on Florida’s Gulf Coast. She began dancing soon after, and at the age of 12 decided to focus on training in Classical Ballet. From 2004-2007, Kelly was a student at the American Academy of Ballet in New York where she studied under many respected teachers and former dancers including, Olga Dvorovenko, Jay Jolley, Sara Knight, Stephanie Saland and Violette Verdy.

During her time in England, Kelly gained her bachelor’s degree from the Royal Academy of Dance and taught at many schools throughout London. She was also chosen to partake in the making of BBC film “Margot” and relished in the experience of working alongside actress Ann-Marie Duff and theater legend Sir Derek Jacobi.

From an early stage in her dance training, Kelly used Pilates as a form of body conditioning. Her love of Pilates led her to train with Master Pilates Teacher Alan Herdman in London, where she became certified as a comprehensive Pilates teacher. While on the course, Kelly was fortunate to study with physiotherapist Shirley Hancock, gaining an invaluable insight on rehabilitation for clients of all ages.

After completing her Pilates certification, Kelly was invited to teach the girls Body Conditioning at The Royal Ballet School. Through this position at the school, Kelly was able to observe and work with dancers from The Royal Ballet. Whether it be for rehabilitation or maintaining a well-balanced, healthy body, Kelly is eager to continue developing her practice and sharing her love of the life changing way of Pilates.

Carmel Academy of Performing Arts
Mission Street & 8th Avenue
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-3729
www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com

Palo Alto Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Clement Palo Alto, Celebrates its Two-Year Anniversary With ‘Two to Tango’ Complimentary Guest Package for March and April

The Clement Palo Alto All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel celebrates its second anniversary by offering a complimentary guest stay by booking a room on a weekend.

Palo Alto, CA, Feb 28, 2018 — The Clement Palo Alto All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel celebrates its second anniversary by offering a complimentary guest stay by booking a room on a weekend.

The “Two to Tango” package, stay at The Clement on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and receive one complimentary guest ($150.00 value), will be available in March and April in honor of The Clement’s second anniversary at the end of March.

When The Clement Palo Alto opened its doors March 2016 it was one of the most innovative, personalized and unique luxury hotels in the country. With its all-inclusive services and amenities and 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, The Clement Palo Alto set a new standard for personalized luxury accommodations in a contemporary residential-style atmosphere.

To book this special two-for-one package, call (650) 322-7111 and ask for the “Two to Tango” package.

The Clement Palo Alto's all-inclusive services and amenities include:

·All-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
·All-inclusive wine, beer and cocktails (charges apply for premium brands)
·All-inclusive in-room dining
·All-inclusive mini-bar
·All-inclusive fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock
·All-inclusive Business Center
·All-inclusive valet parking
·All-inclusive twice-daily housekeeping services
·All-inclusive overnight shoe shine services
·All-inclusive high-speed Internet
·All-inclusive personal concierges
·All-inclusive gratuities

“With a focus on hands-on management and exclusive luxury features rarely found elsewhere, The Clement is a very unusual hotel,” writes travel writer Emma Krasov of realtraveladventures.com. “It offers all-Inclusive resort-like stays in one of the most business-oriented locations in the nation, and provides highly personalized service by anticipating and meeting the guests’ every request.”

The Clement Palo Alto Hotel
711 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94301
650.322.7111
www.theclementpaloalto.com

About The Clement Palo Alto
While unparalleled service is key to any great luxury hotel, The Clement Palo Alto takes its impeccable service to another level with an all-inclusive concept, including personalized concierge services, breakfast, lunch and dinner in an on-premise location of the guest's choice.

All wine, beer and cocktails, in-room mini-refrigerator (stocked with the guest's favorites), and fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock, are just a few of the amenities included in this all-inclusive experience.

In fact, The Clement Palo Alto is more than all-inclusive, it is all-exclusive, catering exclusively to the guest's personal tastes and desires.

The Clement Palo Alto is ideally located across from Stanford University and next to downtown Palo Alto, with its award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping and upscale spas. It is just 45 minutes south of San Francisco and only 30 minutes north of San Jose, not only making it convenient, but easily accessible to the world-famous sights and myriad activities of both cities.

Overall, The Clement Palo Alto offers a unique, one-of-a-kind 6-star experience in the heart of Silicon Valley with unparalleled personal service, all-inclusive luxury and privacy in a warm, inviting and luxurious residential environment.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.theclementpaloalto.com