Commitment to Operational Intelligence and Dynamic Case Management at the BPM Summit

According to AuraPortal, Operational Intelligence and Dynamic Case Management are crucial features for Process Management.

Woburn, MA, December 11, 2014 – AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of AuraPortal Business Process Management (BPM) software, actively participated in the BPM Summit 2014 by IT Latino in which renowned experts in the sector looked in great depth into the current state of Business Process Management with particular emphasis on the two trends that are breaking boundaries: Operational Intelligence and Dynamic Case Management.

AuraPortal has been distinguished with great advantage over its competitors by Ovum in its Decision Matrix report and by other renowned analyst firms.

AuraPortal's participation in the BPM Summit 2014 by IT Latino was focused on exhibiting, through conferences and customer case studies, the importance of these features that should be present in any BPM to manage any organization properly and to reach a level of excellence in business management.

Olivia Trilles, AuraPortal VP Operations Manager, took part in the round table moderated by Daniel Alguacil, Founder and Director of IT Latino, sharing over 8 years of experience in providing solutions for public and private enterprises that integrate a high level of Operational Intelligence and Dynamic Case Management in AuraPortal Business Process Management.

During the interview with Igna Almar, AuraPortal Sales Manager, he commented "When developing a Business Process Management Platform like AuraPortal, that encompasses all the activities of any organization, it is essential to have all the necessary features to perform the task: Mobility, Cloud, Operational Intelligence, Intranet and Extranet for the information, communication and collaboration between employees and external parties, Business Rules, Document Management , Web based Enterprise Content Management, Free Workflow, Distributed Treatments, eCommerce, etc. If the BPM lacks these features it will need to be complemented by integrating external tools or by programming the deficiencies, although this is costly in both time and money".

ABOUT IT-LATINO
IT-Latino is a network of technological innovation portals and one of the top online Spanish information networks with regard to ICT for professionals.

ABOUT AURA (http://www.auraportal.com)
AURA is a global BPM (Business Process Management) software provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AURA has a presence in 40 countries with more than 300 customers including, among others: Walmart, Toyota, General Motors, Pemex (Petroleos Mexicanos), Carrefour, ArcelorMittal, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Danone, INCAE, Kimberly-Clark, Yamaha, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries. All of these customers benefit from maintenance contracts.

It is headquartered in Europe and has an executive branch in North America (Florida). It also has offices in several countries and a vast network of partners who locally attend customers throughout the world.

Contact:
Cristina Siscar
Auraportal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
978-808-6340
pr@straightlinepr.com
http://www.auraportal.com

The Advantages of Managing an Organization with Cloud Business Process Management

AuraPortal Cloud Computing enables any entity to enjoy the benefits of the most powerful Business Process Management (BPM) software on the market and the most secure hardware, without any investment, paying only for usage, or a small monthly fee.

Woburn, MA, January 10, 2015 - AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) software, has announced the creation and launch of its structurally solid Cloud Computing.

This will enable any type of private or public organization to undertake BPM implementation projects through the AuraPortal suite without the usual structure and investment concerns inherent in such projects, and with the software licenses included in the service.

AuraPortal has been distinguished with great advantage over its competitors by Ovum in its Decision Matrix (2011) report and by other renowned analyst firms.

The idea of the Cloud is simple: It consists of adopting the same model for the computing services as the one used in public services, for example, in the supply of electricity.

In the same way that an electricity user simply plugs in a cable to obtain a power supply without worrying whatsoever about the cost and knowledge required to build and manage power plants and distribution grids, any company (whether public or private) will be able to manage its processes with AuraPortal BPM by simply connecting to the Internet from any browser without having to think about hardware or software requirements. Furthermore, this allows complete mobility as AuraPortal can be accessed from any Tablet or Smartphone.

After several years of development and fine tuning, Cloud Computing is rapidly becoming the latest and unstoppable trend for the use of software applications, now that the questions about access, security and reliability have clearly been answered.

Whatever the level of service, the user does not have to invest in hardware or software, AuraPortal handles all the necessary investments.

ABOUT AURA (http://www.auraportal.com)
AURA is a global BPM (Business Process Management) software provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AURA has a presence in 40 countries with more than 300 customers including, among others: Walmart, Toyota, General Motors, Pemex (Petroleos Mexicanos), Carrefour, ArcelorMittal, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Danone, INCAE, Kimberly-Clark, Yamaha, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries. All of these customers benefit from maintenance contracts.

It is headquartered in Europe and has an executive branch in North America (Florida). It also has offices in several countries and a vast network of partners who locally attend customers throughout the world.

Contact:
Cristina Siscar
Auraportal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
978-808-6340
pr@straightlinepr.com
http://www.auraportal.com

Special Celtic Concert on Friday, January 9, 2015 - Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer & Special Guests: An Evening of Scottish Music & Dance

Save the date for a not-to-be-missed concert with the fabulous internationally renowned Celtic performers

Pacific Grove, CA, January 07, 2015 - Save the date for a not-to-be-missed concert with the fabulous internationally renowned Celtic performers: Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer & Special Guests: An Evening of Scottish Music & Dance. This very special event will be held on Friday, January 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Pacific Grove, 915 Sunset, in Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Tickets are now available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1054041 and are $20 (general) $15 (seniors over age 65 military and students with ID). For more information, call (831) 633-4444 or email brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.

About Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer:
Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer are a high energy pure-drop Scottish music duo, with world class fiddling talent in combination with bagpipes, guitar, bodhran, and whistle. International Scottish Fiddle Champion, Rebecca Lomnicky, and David Brewer of the popular Celtic band Molly's Revenge, have each spent copious amounts of time delving into the traditions of their respective instruments, living and studying in both Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Together they perform captivating Scottish music which bridges the gap between the fiddle and bagpipe music of Scotland, two worlds united, into a heartfelt and rousing musical experience. Between their entertaining and informative stage banter, varied instrument combinations, and vast repertoire of tunes and songs, including everything from soaring slow airs to intricately arranged dance tunes, these charismatic performers will leave you on your feet with your hands together.

Together, Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer have headlined at Celtic festivals such as The Utah Scottish Association Highland Games, The Portland Highland Games, The Sedona Celtic Harvest Festival, The Seattle Folklife Festival, The Oregon Scottish Festival, The Yachats Celtic Music Festival, The Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival, The Payson Scottish Games, The Eugene Scottish Festival, and has performed at a variety of venues throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

The duo will be joined by several special guest highland dancers & singers, including Peter "the Admiral" Haworth, former vocalist of Molly's Revenge, from Blackburn, in the north of England.

About Rebecca Lomnicky:
Rebecca Lomnicky began playing classical violin and piano at age five, discovered Scottish fiddle music only a few years later, and in 2005 won the Junior Division of the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Competition. Following that victory, she recorded her first CD, The Call, praised by Dirty Linen magazine as "technically masterful, and wonderfully melodic." In 2009, Rebecca won the 20th Annual Glenfiddich International Scottish Fiddle Championship held at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland. The invitation only championship - seen as the Grammys of the fiddling world- is widely regarded as the most prestigious in Scottish fiddle. She has performed in Scotland, Ireland, Italy, China, and across the US, has been featured on the BBC radio show, Take the Floor, and in 2009, recorded her second CD, Inspired, with David Brewer. In 2014, Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a double major in Music and Sociocultural Anthropology. She was also awarded the 2013-2014 Ellen Gussman Adelson Prize for outstanding instrumental music performance. For more about Rebecca, please visit: www.rebeccalomnicky.com

About David Brewer:
David Brewer is a multi-instrumentalist who has toured with the Scottish super-group The Old Blind Dogs, and with Molly's Revenge across the US, the UK, Canada, China, and Australia. He has been a special guest of the six-time Grammy winning group The Chieftains, and was a key musician for the soundtrack of the PBS documentary, "Andrew Jackson, Good, Evil, and the Presidency". David, who is known for being animated and engaging on stage, compliments Rebecca's award winning fiddling with guitar, Irish penny-whistle, and bodhran frame-drum, but primarily the Scottish bagpipes, on which he is unarguably one of the most energetic and charismatic performers of the instrument in the world today. For more about David, please visit: www.davidbrewermusic.com

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.brownpapertickets.com

Test of Tyme, A Development and Construction Consulting Firm, To Hold Seminar at Gallery Sur in Carmel-by-the-Sea on Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Founded in 2008, Test of Tyme is an international real estate investment and development company that restores, builds, buys and sells estates in Carmel and Pebble Beach and beyond.

Pacific Grove, CA, January 04, 2015 - Founded in 2008, Test of Tyme is an international real estate investment and development company that restores, builds, buys and sells estates in Carmel and Pebble Beach and beyond. It will hold a free seminar, “Old World Construction Techniques Used in Carmel & Pebble Beach Estates” with a presentation by Don Whitaker of Test of Tyme and Justin Iles of Decorative Stone Works on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The seminar will be held at Gallery Sur located on 6th Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln (next door to the Little Swiss Café) in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Refreshments from the new Carmel restaurant, Affina, and beverages will be served. Space is very limited and RSVPs are mandatory by calling (831) 655-2008 or emailing tot@testoftyme.com.

See some beautiful examples of Old World Design Construction techniques used locally in Carmel and Pebble Beach estates. During their fascinating seminar,

Don Whitaker and Justin Iles will discuss:
- What is the Old World Design style?
- The adoption of Old World Design in the New World
- What tools and techniques are utilized in Old World Design?
- How Old World Design techniques bring authenticity and character to a home
- How to recognize quality craftsmanship in a home
- Wood and stone elements of Old World Design
- Examples of Old World Design ceilings, fireplaces, entryways and more
- Demo of an Old World Design technique by Don Whitaker
- Q and A

About Test of Tyme:
Known as two of the most sought-after artisans and consultants on the Monterey Peninsula, Don Whitaker and Scott Coulter and their hand-picked group of sub-contractors, have worked together to build or renovate many of the largest estates in the area. Due to their passion and talent, artistic vision and top craftsmanship, they have been honored to work on more than 350 of the largest and most beautiful homes and structures in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, including more than 20 homes on the ocean side of Seventeen Mile Drive in Pebble Beach as well as the Cypress Point Golf Course Club House and Pebble Beach and Tennis Club. Most recently, they have worked on a 28-room mansion near the Lone Cypress Tree. Their work, simply stated, is created to stand the Test of Tyme!

One of their specialties is in the replication and creation of Old World-inspired finishes (1680’s – 1740’s European style), as well as the creation of original pieces designed for a specific home or space. They also restore paintings and other works of art.

Since the establishment of Test of Tyme in 2008, Scott Coulter and Don Whitaker’s artistic work has been featured in the prestigious Perspectives on Design California, a publication on creative ideas shared by leading design professionals. This is a showcase of the state’s finest architects, artisans, homebuilders, landscape architects, interior designers, craftsmen, and other industry specialists, under whose creative direction the extraordinary is made possible. This publication is part of a popular series that spans the Southwest, Chicago, New England, Florida and other design-savvy regions in North America and Europe.

Test of Tyme consists of artisans whose passions lie in the transformation of a home into an embodiment of three-dimensional art. According to Scott Coulter, “We are a community of craftsman and artisans that transform dwellings into habitable works of art. From the hand laid tile individually treated to match flawlessly with one another to the revival of a damaged painting thought to be untreatable. Rustic furnishes, antique revitalization, old-world finishes, varnishes, and custom painting.”

Test of Tyme can transform every aspect of the average home into a marvelous homage to the old-world escapes captured off the pages of a European novella. The craftsmanship and artistic vision of every member of this team poured into the very foundation of each of their passionate projects. But the artistic skill of Test of Tyme extends beyond the palette of the metamorphosis. Their skills including restoring other art such as damaged sculptures, paintings, or manipulating unique pieces of art to fit with the motif of your home. Rejuvenating and recovering the vibrancy of art that was believed to be beyond saving, or modifying other pieces to synchronize fluidly to ambience of your living areas.

About Don Whitaker/Test of Tyme:
A partner in Test of Tyme, Monterey native Don Whitaker is also the owner of The Golden Hammer in Pacific Grove providing cabinetry and custom millwork, including furniture design. He earned local, state-wide and international awards for his carpentry work and has over 40 years of experience, primarily on the largest homes in the Carmel and Pebble Beach area. His passion for perfection is reflected in his wood artistry seen in doors, beams, cabinets, floors and more. Don is a graduate of Monterey High School and attended Monterey Peninsula College. He began work in his field at the cabinetry shop that his father managed.

About Scott Coulter/Test of Tyme:
A partner in Test of Tyme and also the owner of Time Honored Finishes, Scott is legendary for his custom painting and extraordinary “time honored finishes” that transform the interior and exterior of a home into a work of art for generations to come. Specializing in rustic furnishes, antique revitalization, Old World finishes, varnishes and custom painting. His surfaces are scraped, distressed, shaded, brushed, aged and inspired by Scott’s vision. Scott also skillfully restores damaged sculptures and paintings, as well as modifying other pieces to synchronize fluidly within a home. Together with Don Whitaker, surfaces featuring wood, paint, plaster, stone, effects and iron are perfectly finished to suit an estate’s unique character.

About Justin Iles/Decorative Stone Works:
Owner of Decorative Stone Works, Justin Iles apprenticed to become a stone carver and mason in England in 1985. He studied for 5 years and attended Stone Masons College at the city of Bath and also the Architectural Stone Carving College in Weymouth, Dorset. While training with a family run company, he worked on many churches and ancient buildings. Also, during his time of training, he worked at the famous Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire. He moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1999 and lived in Big Sur for many years before relocating to Carmel Valley in 2007. He has worked on over 100 homes in Carmel and Pebble Beach and frequently works with the Test of Tyme team. The masonry work Justin does can range from the foundation to finished work using hand carved Old World techniques. His projects encompass grand entryways, window and door surrounds, fireplaces, fountains and chimneys. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest and Stone World Magazine, among others.

About Gallery Sur:
Gallery Sur specializes in dramatic oversized color photography of Big Sur, Carmel and Pebble Beach along with a dynamic collection of color cityscapes and architectural abstracts. For the golfer, we have an impressive collection of memorable golf landscapes of Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and other courses around the world. Each piece is custom designed to suit your individual needs. Also now proudly representing the Nyanhongo family of sculptors, a stunning array of original African stone sculpture that touches your soul.

About Affina Restaurant:
Located at the corner of San Carlos and Sixth, Affina Restaurant offers farm fresh-to-table California-fusion cuisine. It also serves small sustainable wines from all over the world in its fun and friendly atmosphere.

For more information about Test of Tyme, go to www.testoftyme.com or call (831) 655-2008.

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.testoftyme.com

“How to Use Negotiation and Mediation Skills in Public Policy Advocacy” Symposium and Training at Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management featuring California State Senator Bill Monning and a Policy Maker Panel on Friday, January 23, 2015

The Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management will hold a valuable full day event, “How to Use Negotiation and Mediation Skills in Public Policy Advocacy” Symposium and Training featuring Bill Monning, California State Senator, 17th State Senate District, Lead Speaker and Facilitator, the Honorable Fred Keeley and a panel of policy makers.

Seaside, CA, January 04, 2015 - The Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management will hold a valuable full day event, “How to Use Negotiation and Mediation Skills in Public Policy Advocacy” Symposium and Training featuring Bill Monning, California State Senator, 17th State Senate District, Lead Speaker and Facilitator, the Honorable Fred Keeley and a panel of policy makers. The event will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., including lunch, at The Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management, located adjacent to the Monterey College of Law, 100 Col. Durham Street, Seaside, CA 93955, on the Former Fort Ord.

From local to national to international policy, a common skill set can be learned, developed, and practiced to advance policy objective related to environmental, land use, business, education, labor, healthcare, and other policies. This not-to-be-missed training program will include policy issue and advocacy planning and strategy development rooted in fundamental negotiation and mediation analysis and skills. Whether you work with a non-profit organization or represent stakeholders in the public policy arena, this important training will provide valuable tools for effective public policy development and advocacy.

The Symposium fee is $295 (private sector), $175 (non-profit organizations), $150 (students with ID), Discount for Groups of 5 or more. California State Bar attendees qualify for 6 hours of MCLE credit for participation in the Symposium. Space is limited so register early. For more information and to register for the Symposium, go to www.mandellgisnetcenter.org or call (831) 582-5234.

The distinguished group of speakers will include:
State Senator Bill Monning – Lead Speaker/Facilitator
Honorable Fred Keeley, County Treasurer of Santa Cruz/Former California State Assemblymember – Lunch Keynote Speaker

Policy Maker Panel:
Honorable Sue McCloud, Former Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea
David Stoldt, General Manager, Monterey Peninsula Regional Water District
Mary Claypool, President, NAACP/Monterey County Branch
Cesar Lara, Executive Director of both Monterey Bay Central Labor
Council and Central Coast Citizen Project
According to Senator Monning, “In my experience as an attorney, non-profit director, advocate, and elected official, I have seen a range of styles and techniques advanced in public policy advocacy. It is my belief, that we can all improve and hone our skills to be more effective and successful in the public policy arena. Our particular subject matter expertise does not always qualify us to be effective as advocates in the public policy arena and this Symposium will provide some important skills for all of us.”

Speaker Bios:
State Senator Bill Monning
Senator Monning was the founding Executive Director of the Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management and is a distinguished Professor of Law at the Monterey College of Law.

He also served as Professor of International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Bill has worked with the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as a trainer in trade dispute negotiation and is a co-founder of Global Majority, an international non-profit organization committed to education, training, and advocacy in the field of non-violent conflict resolution. Bill currently serves in the California State Senate, 17th Senate District representing Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties and parts of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.

The Honorable Fred Keeley
The Honorable Fred Keeley has served as Treasurer of the County of Santa Cruz since 2005.
Prior to his service as Treasurer, Fred served as Executive Director of the Planning & Conservation League, and the PCL Foundation, both environmental organizations that are established leaders in the research, development, and enactment of major environmental protection policy. From 1996 through 2002, Mr. Keeley represented the Monterey Bay area in the California State Assembly. As the highest-ranking member of the Speaker’s leadership team, Fred was responsible for analysis and management of the majority’s policy initiatives. His legislative leadership during the California Energy Crisis is credited with stabilizing electricity prices and electricity supply. Fred currently serves on the Chairman’s Task Force at the Fair Political Practices Commission. He also teaches at California State University, Monterey Bay, as is a frequent lecturer at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy

Mary Claypool
Mary Claypool is the current President & Board Member of the Monterey County Board of Education, Trustee Area 6, and is current President of the Monterey County Branch NAACP in 2013 & 2014; former Chair (3 1/2 yrs.) She also is currently a Board Member of the Central Coast Visiting Nurses' Association and Hospice. She received the 2014 Monterey County Woman of the Year Award and the 2014 Visiting Nurses' Association & Hospice Woman of the Year Award. Mary worked for the City of Seaside for 20 years in finance, redevelopment, community development and economic development. She also worked for the County of Monterey in economic development for 17 years and as Executive Director of the Monterey County Business Council for five years. While at the County of Monterey, in 2003, she developed the very successful Monterey County Competitive Clusters Project, bringing together over 300 business and community leaders across agriculture, tourism, education building and technology. The program is still active and continues today to provide cross-pollination of industries, job creation and workforce development programs. Mary was on the Seaside Planning Commission for six years, serving as Chair for 4 years and other numerous non-profits.

Honorable Sue McCloud
Sue McCloud was the longest serving Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea from 2000-2012. In 2013, she was appointed by city council to serve on the Planning Committee for City Centennial in 2016. Prior to her work in Monterey County she served as a member of the Senior Intelligence service of the Central Intelligence agency from 1964-1994. Upon retiring in 1994 she moved back to her roots, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and immediately got down to work. She was on the Board of Director of Monterey Institute of International Studies and chaired its Planning Committee, was a member of the Carmel Planning Commission and the Board of the Carmel Music Society. In 1998 Sue joined the Monterey Regional Waste Management District and also was elected to the Carmel City Council. She became Director of the MRWMD (Monterey Regional Waste Management District) and continues to this day as vice chair.

Cesar Lara
Cesar Lara has served as the Executive Director of both Monterey Bay Central Labor Council and Central Coast Citizen Project. He be began his service to the Central Coast Citizen’s Project in 2010 and MBCL since 2006. Mr. Lara has previously served at the State Director for La union del Pueblo Entero from 2004-2006 and worked Representative Sam Farr in US Congress from 2002-2004. For the past four years Cesar has also been the Treasurer Secretary for Teamsters 809.

David Stoldt
David Stoldt joined the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District as General Manager in September 2011. He has over 20 years of experience in the public infrastructure sector, including investment banking and consulting to public agencies. Dave has also served in various positions in the public sector, both appointed and elected, leading to an understanding of how to achieve results amidst the delicate balance of public and political interests. He served MPWMD as a consultant several times over past two decades, including the Regional Desalination Project proceedings at the CPUC in 2009, Carmel River Dam investigations in 1997, and he was lead investment banker for the public-private Water Reclamation Project benefitting Pebble Beach in 1992. He has worked on 40 other public agency projects totaling over $3 billion, including the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project, the Monterey Regional Waste Management District, and Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency.

The Symposium and Training will cover the following topics:
Review of fundamentals
- Identifying preferred outcomes and objectives
- Mapping stakeholder interests
- Identifying those who influence decision-making
- Stakeholder interests and constituencies
- Options for success
- Alternatives to Pursuit of policy reform or action
- Use of research, understanding history, objective criteria

Developing a Public Policy Blueprint
- Coalition Building
- Developing Your Message
- Negotiation touch points

Engaging Elected Officials and Staff
- Who has the authority?
- Is there a legislative solution? Other solution?
- Planning meetings
- Role of Staff
- Use of “leave behinds”
- Follow-up and negotiations

Simulation
(Small group planning session on a specific policy issue.)

Lunch with keynote speaker Fred Keeley

Policy Maker Panel
Mary Claypool, Monterey County Branch; Cesar Lara, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council; Sue McCloud, Former Mayor of Carmel; David Stoldt, General Manager, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

Q and A/Wrap-Up
About The Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management
The Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management (MGC), the non-profit alternative dispute resolution education and service arm of the Monterey College of Law, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is committed to providing mediation and training services.

The Mandell Gisnet Center, housed in remodeled LEED Platinum Ford Ord buildings in Monterey County, California, was founded with the vision that conflicts can be resolved in a peaceful, amicable manner and without expensive, protracted, and damaging legal battles.In 2005, Maurice Mandell and Rebekah Gisnet left a bequest to the Monterey College of Law as a result of their personal challenges related to the legal system. Their bequest was used to form MGC. Though they lived in a beautiful area and had significant resources at their disposal, Maurice and Rebekah spent the last years of their lives involved in a bitter legal battle over a property dispute with their neighbors. They spent many years fighting in court, but neither party ever found a satisfactory resolution. At the end of their lives, as they looked back on the wasted time, energy, and money spent on that dispute, they concluded that there had to be a better way. They resolved that a large portion of their estate would be given as a bequest for the creation and promotion of mediation and training services through Monterey College of Law. MGC has fulfilled this vision by offering a variety of ADR education and services, including mediation. The mission of the MGC is to:
- Promote and apply a mediative, empathetic, problem-solving approach to reduce and resolve conflict
- Train Monterey County and tri-county residents to resolve disputes collaboratively in their homes, workplaces and community
- Offer a variety mediation services to Monterey County residents regardless of their ability to pay
- Promote mediation as an alternative to hostility, court battles, and violence
- Educate law students and attorneys in mediation, and engage them in community service to resolve disputes

One popular MGC program involves their NEIGHBOR Project mediation services, a dispute resolution process in which an impartial panel of mediators facilitates a conversation in a safe and respectful environment. The mediators do not make decisions about the outcome and the participants themselves work towards a solution with which they are comfortable.

To donate, volunteer, access mediation services, sign up for mediation trainings or for more information about our programs, go to www.mandellgisnetcenter.org, email center@mandellgisnetcenter.org or call (831) 582-5234.

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.mandellgisnetcenter.org

GiftWorksPlus Offers Travel Tips for a Picture-Perfect Holiday

GiftWorksPlus offers holiday blog series with tips for taking better photographs and finding custom framing.

Waukesha, WI, December 31, 2014- For many, pulling together a picture-perfect holiday celebration is important. There is significant pressure to make sure food, décor, and family members all look good, because there are memorable moments to be made and photographs to be taken.

GiftWorksPlus’ business is built on memorable moments. This month, the personalized picture frames company offers customers valuable tips on holiday travel and all of the picturesque moments that will surely come up along the way. Visit the GiftWorksPlus blog at www.GiftWorksPlus.com to view the series.

Learn about taking photos of wintery landscapes, travel preparations, family groups, and more. Additionally, find great tips for packing and flying with gifts.

GiftWorksPlus encourages visitors to take a few moments to view the wide variety of affordable engraved picture frames and picture gifts exclusive to GiftWorksPlus. Perfect for displaying those holiday photographs or for giving as Christmas gifts, GiftWorksPlus offers a full line of Christmas picture frames and custom engraved picture frames.

Customized frames from GiftWorksPlus are available in multiple sizes and orientations, making it easy to find personalized gifts for everyone. Additionally, free personalization is standard on the alderwood frames at GiftWorksPlus. Simply choose the style, size, and orientation of a custom picture frame and include any special personalization requests.

Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, GiftWorksPlus offers an ever-increasing selection of engraved picture frames and picture gifts perfect for any occasion. All products are proudly made in the USA with each one crafted with care. Special requests and custom orders are always welcome at GiftWorksPlus. Personalization is free, shipping for orders over $50 is free, and customer satisfaction is guaranteed.

Contact:
Karla Jordan
GiftWorksPlus
N15 W22218 Watertown Rd. #5
Waukesha, WI 53186
888-456-9878
pr@brandography.mobi
http://www.giftworksplus.com

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Launches New Year Pin It To Win It Contest

On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast!

Monterey, CA, December 31, 2014 - On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast! From hiking and whale watching, to lazy days at the beach there is always something adventurous to do! We want to know….what activities would you love to do when visiting the area? Post your ideas in our new Pin-It-To-Win-It contest for the chance to win a two-night stay and a visit to Marilyn Monroe Spas at Hyatt Regency Monterey!

To enter the contest simply:

Pin It To Win It!

a. On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast! From hiking and whale watching, to lazy days at the beach there is always something adventurous to do! We want to know….what activities would you love to do when visiting the area?

b. Follow us on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/montereyhyatt/

c. Create A Board Titled: Fun On The Central Coast

d. Add a minimum of 5 pictures of fun Monterey County activities with the hashtag #FunStayAtHyattRegencyMonterey

e. Email a link your board to: marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

f. One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Monterey and a spa day at Marilyn Monroe Spas!

g. Winner will be announced February 5th!!

*Contest runs from January 1st- January 30th

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel& Spa on Del Monte Golf Course
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well known attractions. With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, personalized concierge service at the Regency Club, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com/.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Special Celtic Concert on Friday, January 9, 2015 - Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer & Special Guests: An Evening of Scottish Music & Dance

Save the date for a not-to-be-missed concert with the fabulous internationally renowned Celtic performers: Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer & Special Guests: An Evening of Scottish Music & Dance.

Pacific Grove, CA, December 29, 2014 - Save the date for a not-to-be-missed concert with the fabulous internationally renowned Celtic performers: Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer & Special Guests: An Evening of Scottish Music & Dance. This very special event will be held on Friday, January 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Pacific Grove, 915 Sunset, in Pacific Grove, CA 93950.

Tickets are now available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1054041 and are $20 (general) $15 (seniors over age 65 military and students with ID). For more information, call (831) 633-4444 or email brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.

About Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer:
Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer are a high energy pure-drop Scottish music duo, with world class fiddling talent in combination with bagpipes, guitar, bodhran, and whistle. International Scottish Fiddle Champion, Rebecca Lomnicky, and David Brewer of the popular Celtic band Molly's Revenge, have each spent copious amounts of time delving into the traditions of their respective instruments, living and studying in both Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Together they perform captivating Scottish music which bridges the gap between the fiddle and bagpipe music of Scotland, two worlds united, into a heartfelt and rousing musical experience. Between their entertaining and informative stage banter, varied instrument combinations, and vast repertoire of tunes and songs, including everything from soaring slow airs to intricately arranged dance tunes, these charismatic performers will leave you on your feet with your hands together.

Together, Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer have headlined at Celtic festivals such as The Utah Scottish Association Highland Games, The Portland Highland Games, The Sedona Celtic Harvest Festival, The Seattle Folklife Festival, The Oregon Scottish Festival, The Yachats Celtic Music Festival, The Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival, The Payson Scottish Games, The Eugene Scottish Festival, and has performed at a variety of venues throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

The duo will be joined by several special guest highland dancers & singers, including Peter "the Admiral" Haworth, former vocalist of Molly's Revenge, from Blackburn, in the north of England.

About Rebecca Lomnicky:
Rebecca Lomnicky began playing classical violin and piano at age five, discovered Scottish fiddle music only a few years later, and in 2005 won the Junior Division of the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Competition. Following that victory, she recorded her first CD, The Call, praised by Dirty Linen magazine as "technically masterful, and wonderfully melodic." In 2009, Rebecca won the 20th Annual Glenfiddich International Scottish Fiddle Championship held at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland. The invitation only championship - seen as the Grammys of the fiddling world- is widely regarded as the most prestigious in Scottish fiddle. She has performed in Scotland, Ireland, Italy, China, and across the US, has been featured on the BBC radio show, Take the Floor, and in 2009, recorded her second CD, Inspired, with David Brewer. In 2014, Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a double major in Music and Sociocultural Anthropology. She was also awarded the 2013-2014 Ellen Gussman Adelson Prize for outstanding instrumental music performance. For more about Rebecca, please visit: www.rebeccalomnicky.com

About David Brewer:
David Brewer is a multi-instrumentalist who has toured with the Scottish super-group The Old Blind Dogs, and with Molly's Revenge across the US, the UK, Canada, China, and Australia. He has been a special guest of the six-time Grammy winning group The Chieftains, and was a key musician for the soundtrack of the PBS documentary, "Andrew Jackson, Good, Evil, and the Presidency". David, who is known for being animated and engaging on stage, compliments Rebecca's award winning fiddling with guitar, Irish penny-whistle, and bodhran frame-drum, but primarily the Scottish bagpipes, on which he is unarguably one of the most energetic and charismatic performers of the instrument in the world today. For more about David, please visit: www.davidbrewermusic.com

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Announces Wine, Dine and Jazz 2015!

Enjoy Three Winemaker Dinners and One Finale Event With Palette-Enticing Small Bites, Award Winning Local Wines, Monterey Meringues and SWINGIN' jazz!

Monterey, CA, December 24, 2015 - "Wine, Dine and Jazz at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa" salutes the education program of the Monterey Jazz Festival – the oldest continuously running annual jazz festival in the world!

Throughout 2015, enjoy local wines, tasty bites, special jazz inspired desserts from Monterey Meringues and swingin' jazz as the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa showcases Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) traveling clinicians together with some of our "home grown" student musical protégés of all ages!

Save the dates for Wine, Dine and Jazz Winemakers Dinners:
• Wednesday, March 11th featuring Scheid Wines
• Thursday, May 14th featuring Twisted Roots Wines
• Thursday July 16th featuring Cima Collina Wines
• Support a great cause - music education for our youth - while enjoying a four course meal from our new TusCA Ristorante chef Steve Johnson paired with local wines! 20% of all ticket sales will benefit Monterey Jazz Festival a 501(c)(3)non-profit arts education organization. We celebrate the legacy of jazz and expand the boundaries of and opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs. To learn more about Monterey Jazz Festival please visit montereyjazzfestival.org.

• Join the team at the Hyatt Regency Monterey as well as our jazz director David Morwood to listen to the sounds of the best student musical protégés of all ages.
• Events begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and live jazz.
• 6:30 p.m. attendees will sit down for a four course dinner.
• Dessert is provided by Monterey Meringues and will be served during the live jazz performance. At each event meet the creators of Monterey Meringues, Leigh Zimmerman and Domenick Allen. Monterey Meringues has re-invented the Classic French Meringue and given them musically inspired names to shine a light on music education. They will be creating unique jazz inspired Meringues especially for Wine. Dine. Jazz. Monterey Meringues are hand crafted with the highest quality Natural Ingredients. They use no Additives or Preservatives, and they are Gluten, Dairy, Cholesterol, GMO, and Fat-Free.

• Events take place at TusCA Ristorante at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey.
• Cost is $85 per person inclusive.
• Space is limited to 50 attendees
Tickets are available on Eventbrite at https://hyattmontereywinedinejazz2015.eventbrite.com
Don’t miss out on our 2015 grand finale of Wine, Dine and Jazz!
• Saturday, October 22nd
• 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Sip wines from Scheid Vineyards, Twisted Roots Wines and Cima Collina Wines
• Savor small bites from the culinary team at TusCA Ristorante
• Dessert bar from Monterey Meringues.
• Listen to the sounds of the David Morwood jazz band featuring MJF clinicians, special guests, and "young phenoms" from the education program jamming and swinging' together!
• Support Monterey Jazz Festival a 501(c)(3)non-profit arts education organization. We celebrate the legacy of jazz and expand the boundaries of and opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs. To learn more about Monterey Jazz Festival please visit montereyjazzfestival.org.
• Event to take place at TusCA Ristorante at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey.
• Cost is $55.00 per person inclusive
• A portion of everything raised that evening will benefit the Monterey Jazz Festival
Tickets are available on https://hyattmontereywinedinejazz2015.eventbrite.com

Background on the weekly jazz program at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa:
Our newly designed Fireplace Lounge features live jazz every weekend, with many of the finest jazz musicians from far and wide. Bar menu, signature cocktails, drink and dinner specials, free parking, never a cover, adjacent TusCA Ristorante full menu restaurant featuring local, fresh organic produce and sustainable seafood as well as sizzling steaks; the Monterey Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa has been named the number one spot on the central coast to hear live jazz! Sit by our huge indoor fireplace, with a panoramic view of the old Del Monte golf course - said to be the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi - and enjoy jazz standards, swing, Bossa nova, samba, and BeBop - music for drinking, dining, dancing, and just plain relaxing and listening! Our jazz director and drummer-in-residence now going on 17 years is Dr. David Morwood (yes, it’s true, our house drummer is a board certified plastic surgeon!). Morwood has been honored by the world wide jazz writers association for hosting the late night Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa jazz jam sessions after the annual Jazz Festival, and for operating on children with cleft lips and palates in developing countries every year our guests that are able to grab a seat in the Fireplace Lounge during the late night jazz jam sessions have listened up close and personal to such jazz legends as Wynton Marsalis, Percy Heath, George Benson, Branford Marsalis, Roberta Gamborini, Ray Drummond, and members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Stop by and enjoy live jazz, a glass of award winning Monterey County wine and great appetizers and wood fired pizzas. Swing, Baby Swing!! All jazz events at the Fireplace Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey are complimentary. Jazz times are 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel& Spa on Del Monte Golf Course
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions. With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, personalized concierge service at the Regency Club, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com/.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Holman Ranch Launches its Inaugural Sip n Chat Series For 2015 at Holman Ranch Tasting Room

Do you love wine? Do you love learning new things? What would you think about learning more about wine? Holman Ranch Tasting Room launches its Inagural Sip n Chat Series for 2015.

Carmel Valley, CA, December 24, 2014 -- Do you love wine? Do you love learning new things? What would you think about learning more about wine? Holman Ranch Tasting Room launches its Inagural Sip n Chat Series for 2015.

Classes are structured to allow each person an opportunity to learn, taste, and enjoy. Holman Ranch will feature a different topic for each class. At each event, every guest will be greeted with glass of wine, enjoy a tasting of three to four additional wines, educational materials, and some light snacks. The class will be taught by a Holman Ranch expert and/or wine educator. At the end of each class, you will be able to order or purchase the featured wines at a 15% discount. Registration is required for each class.

2015 Sip n Chat Dates:
• February 26th
o Balance: The Elements of Wine (Components for Making a Premium Wine)acidity, body, fruit, oak, sweetness, tannin

• May 21st
o The History of Wine - An hour long journey through the origins of our favorite beverage

• September 24th
o From Vine to Glass: Path of wine from the vineyard through production, to bottling

• November 12th
o Detecting Flawed Wines - Learn What traits make great wine great and bad wine bad.

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Holman Ranch Tasting Room 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA

Reservations are required for all classes and the cost for each event is $25 per person.

Classes are $10 for wine club members. This includes the class, wine tasting, small bites, and meeting, learning from a Holman Ranch winemaker. A portion of the class proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer Association. To make reservations call 831-659-2640 or email info@holmanranch.com.

Wine Caves:
The winery at Holman Ranch, located in The Caves, is completely underground in order to take advantage of the natural cooling and humidity held below. The 3000 square foot area maintains a constant temperature of 58°F-60 °F and contains four 750 gallon tanks, four 1200 gallon tanks, and four open top tanks that can hold two tons each. One hundred (100) French oak barrels are maintained year round. Winery operations such as destemming, pressing, fermenting and aging take place within the cool environment of The Caves, while bottling is done directly outside using a mobile bottling line. During harvest, 6 to 8 tons of grapes a day are processed. This may seem low but it is due to the fact that harvesting hours are between 7am to noon on any given day. Grapes are hand picked and loaded into half ton bins, transferred to the winery by tractor and then moved by forklift to the destemmer. White wines take around three weeks to ferment at 50°F and are bottled in February, while red varietals ferment for two weeks and are bottled in early June. All skins, seeds and stems are composted and returned to the fields. Slow months for our winery are June, July and August with the busiest time being September. The winery will produce 3000-5000 cases annually.

Vineyard & Winery Background:
Located at the north eastern tip of the Carmel Valley Appellation, the family-owned Holman Ranch resides approximately 12 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Immersed in history and romance, the ranch has not only proven to be an excellent growing location for our vineyards but also for the Tuscan varietal olive trees which have flourished under the temperate climate.

• Our estate-grown wine varietals are planted on approximately 21 acres of undulating terrain.

• The wines produced are unfined and crafted to deliver the true varietal of the grape from harvest to bottle.

• The climate and terroir of the appellation has played a critical part in the success of our wines. The warmth of our inland valley coupled with the cooling marine layer has established itself as an ideal microclimate for the production of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Our Burgundy Clones have thrived from the perfect blend of ideal climate, southern exposure and thin rocky soils.

Holman Ranch Tasting Room:
Holman Ranch’s Carmel Valley tasting room offers the perfect backdrop to swirl, sip and savor the different complexities of Holman Ranch Vineyard and Winery wines. There is something for everyone (4 varietals in fact), from the full-bodied Pinot Noirs to the light, fruity flavors of our Pinot Gris and lightly oaked Chardonnay. Holman Ranch also offers estate grown and bottled Olive Oil available for tasting and purchase at the Tasting Room.

The Tasting Room showcases the estate wines of Holman Ranch which includes our Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé of Pinot Noir. Carefully hand-harvested, cold pressed and bottled, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced from the fruits of our Tuscan trees has a delightful spice followed by a buttery finish.

Three tasting flights of three wines each (White, Mountain and Pinot Noir) are available 7 days a week. The Tasting Room also holds a series of cooking demos called In Your Backyard. For more information, call (831) 659-2640.

Olive Grove:
Holman Ranch has its own distinctive olive grove located on a south facing hill of our vineyard. The grove is comprised of 100 trees with multiple cultivars planted. These cultivars consist of 25 Frantoio, 25 Leccino, 10 Mission, 25 Coratina, 5 Pendolino, and 10 Picholine, all of which were originally planted in 2194 in a Carmel Valley orchard then replanted at Holman Ranch in 2007. These mature olive trees allowed us to produce olive oil right away. They are planted in shale for the best production and harvesting results possible. We harvest our fruit by hand in December, which is then milled, producing a superb, high quality product. Although the Olive Grove is not certified organic, we do employ organic practices when farming our trees. Our mill, however, is certified organic. An interesting fact is that olive trees are alternate bearing, which means that one year they may produce 650, 375ml bottles worth of oil, while next year they may produce only 50, 375ml bottles.

Holman Ranch Background:
Holman Ranch: Where the Past is Always Present. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, Californian historic Holman Ranch provides a unique and memorable setting for weddings, special events, family gatherings, corporate retreats, and team-building events. With its charming gardens, stunning mountain views and serenity, this private estate affords old-world charm while providing modern day conveniences. This stunning Property includes a fully restored stone hacienda, overnight guest rooms, vineyards, olive grove, horse stables and more. www.holmanranch.com


Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.holmanranch.com

SAFE International Launches Ottawa Women’s Self Defense Parties – Ottawa, ON Self Defense

SAFE International ™ is the leading provider of mobile self-defense/personal protection training in Ottawa, Canada.

Ottawa, ON, December 21, 2014 (via Straight Line PR) — SAFE International ™ is the leading provider of mobile self-defense/personal protection training in Ottawa, Canada. SAFE International has taught more than 190,000 clients in the private, corporate and high school environments since 1994. SAFE International self defense Ottawa is expanding its seminar options to include women’s self defense parties in Ottawa, ON.

SAFE International quickly realized that women had completely different concerns, fears, and needs than males. Chris Roberts, Managing Director of SAFE International listened to their concerns and tailored something that was not only educational, but also met their personal fears. Men have no idea what women go through on an everyday basis from the stares and comments to the physical gestures and advances.

One of the reasons that SAFE International enjoys teaching women’s self defense Ottawa, is how receptive women are to the skills that the SAFE International instructors provide. SAFE International teaches self defense concepts, rather than techniques. This allows women to learn in a much shorter time.

SAFE International always covers Awareness and Avoidance strategies which are based on one’s daily routines. We examine what an attacker looks for, what an attacker wants and doesn’t want in confrontation. One of the biggest topics we explore is how most people are too polite, even when their intuition is telling them the complete opposite. We cover the most common distraction techniques an attacker will use to gain an advantage. We then move on to verbal strategies in the event that avoidance is no longer possible. Rather than just teaching to yell at a potential attacker, we cover a few verbal strategies based on the aggressor and the scenario. The third step is addressing the physical aspect of Ottawa women’s self defense. We begin with the advantages of adopting a passive stance rather than an aggressive stance. We only teach gross motor strikes due to the adrenal rush one gets when they are in a highly stressful state such as an attack scenario. We teach a philosophy of “Attack the Attacker” which reverses one from being the Prey, to that of being the Predator.

Another philosophy is to attack the head if all avoidance and verbal strategies have failed. This is only 30 minutes into the physical training and you can see how the self-defense concepts are very effective. The self defense drills increase with intensity as the participants gain more confidence. This is very important, as you don’t want to terrify your clients right from the start. It is important to build rapport with your students and the results will be seen as the drills progress. The following YouTube video shows how much can be learned in only 30 minutes of women’s self defense instruction.

Forget Tupperware Parties!
Invite 6 to 8 of your friends for a few hours of fun, education and potentially life- saving instruction. Plan a meal, bbq, snacks, maybe some dessert! Be prepared for a unique Ottawa Women’s Self Defense experience! What has made SAFE International so popular is their unique method of teaching with humour and sharing of anecdotes. Get to experience their simulated attacks in scenario specific situations such as at the front door, the kitchen, the car, etc.

About SAFE International:
SAFE International has taught more than 190,000 clients including mothers, fathers, daughters, police officers, seniors, and people with disabilities. To contact SAFE International and Chris Roberts to schedule your Women’s Self Defense party, you can visit their main site at www.ottawaselfdefense.biz

You can also reach Chris Roberts toll free at 1-800-465-5972 or by email at chrisroberts@safeinternational.biz

Contact:
Chris Roberts
SAFE International™
Ottawa, ON
1 800 465-5972
http://www.safeinternational.biz

SAFE International Self Defense Launches Ottawa Self Defense Website

Ottawa Self Defense, SAFE International Self Defense Experts launch Ottawa Self Defense at ottawaselfdefense.biz.

Ottawa, Canada, December 21, 2014 - (Straight Line PR) - Ottawa Self Defense, SAFE International Self Defense Experts launch Ottawa Self Defense at www.ottawaselfdefense.biz. SAFE International is the leading provider of mobile self-defense training in Ottawa, Canada and has expanded internationally with a goal to teach 500,000 people by 2020! SAFE International Self Defense Ottawa is a self-defense service for those living in the Ottawa, Canada area.

Twenty five percent of women will be assaulted during their lifetime and the highest risk group is teenage women. This is an alarming fact especially since over forty seven percent of crime is unreported. Women will know their attacker up to 75 percent of the time according to studies. Women lead busy lives and need easy to remember tactics that work in real-life situations. They also need training that fits into their busy schedules. SAFE International's instructors understand the challenges that women face and offer classes, group seminars and private lessons to fit into anyone's schedule.

Workplace violence is on the rise. Company and organizational leaders have become increasingly concerned about protecting themselves and their staff. SAFE International Ottawa can address these needs by providing seminars tailored to specific job needs in any service industry ranging from real estate to health care to sales employees. Self-protection is a necessity but it is now a form of insurance that will make your business more profitable and your employees more confident and secure.

SAFE International http://www.ottawaselfdefense.biz has traditionally focused on self-defense instruction for high school students across Canada. It offers 1, 3, 4 or 5 hour courses which can be taught over consecutive days or all in one day depending upon the school/ organization's needs. They offer high school seminars customized to the class needs and expectations. Each session may include, discussion, role-playing and a practical physical component. Their high school course covers the 3R's of Recognize, React, and Respond. These are real-world tactics that can be used by anyone against violent and stressful attacks.

SAFE International has become Canada's most popular high school course for both boys and girls due to the fact that they don't teach martial arts, but rather a practical approach to personal safety with an emphasis on detecting and defusing potentially dangerous situations. All our instructors are certified through SAFE International and have a unique ability to reach the students in an effective and memorable manner.

Contact SAFE International Self Defense Ottawa by going to their website at www.ottawaselfdefense.biz, by calling them toll free at 1-800-465-5972, or by email at info@safeinternational.biz

Contact:
Chris Roberts
SAFE International
22 Spruce St.
Ingleside, ON K0C 1M0
1-800-465-5972
http://www.safeinternational.biz

Subscriptions for the 2015 Season of Broadway By the Bay Now Available at the Golden State Theatre

Subscriptions for the 2015 Season of four musicals by the multi-award-winning Broadway By the Bay at the Golden State Theatre are now on sale.

Monterey, CA, December 20, 2014 - Subscriptions for the 2015 Season of four musicals by the multi-award-winning Broadway By the Bay at the Golden State Theatre are now on sale. A discounted subscription series is available for Les Miserables (March 28-April 5, 2015), My Fair Lady (June 27-July 5, 2015), West Side Story (September 5-13, 2015), and Kiss Me Kate (November 28-December 6, 2015) to be performed at the Golden State Theatre located at 417 Alvarado in Downtown Monterey.

These four outstanding musicals are produced by Broadway By the Bay, a theatrical non-profit 501(c)3 organization celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2015. Broadway By the Bay has been performing award-winning musicals since 1965 on the San Francisco Peninsula and now Monterey Peninsula residents can also enjoy their top theatre fare. As a preview of the high production quality of Broadway By the Bay’s shows, the musical, “Anything Goes” by Broadway By the Bay was performed on November 29th and 30th at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey and received standing ovations.

According to Lori Lochtefeld, co-owner of the Golden State Theatre with her husband, Eric Lochtefeld, “You don’t need to go to New York’s Times Square or London’s West End to now enjoy outstanding musical productions! Bring your friends and your family for a professionally produced live theatrical experience with great talent, dynamic music, elegant dancing, beautiful sets and magnificent costumes.These popular musicals provide great entertainment for all ages!”

Tickets may be purchased as a discounted subscription or individually on a per-show basis. Each show will be performed at 8:00 P.M. on Saturday with a 2:00 P.M. Sunday matinee performance. Season subscribers can save up to 39% including special discounts for seniors, military and youth. Subscription prices range from $154-$193 (adults), $134-$166 (military) and $111 - $153 for youth for the four-show subscription. Individual tickets are also now on sale.

For tickets and more information about each of the four productions, go to www.goldenstatetheatre.com or call (831) 649-1070. Group ticket discounts are available for also available for 10 or more. There is convenient nearby parking in several City of Monterey parking garages near the Golden State Theatre, in addition to street parking.

About Broadway By the Bay:
Broadway By the Bay, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, inspires, educates and engages the community and local talent through the power of musical theatre. Broadway By the Bay was established as San Mateo Community Theatre in 1965. They are the only major musical theatre company between San Francisco and Palo Alto producing large scale musical productions on par with those enjoyed in San Francisco, New York and London. They are committed to producing the highest quality shows while maintaining accessibility to the community through affordable ticket prices. In their 50-year history, they have received numerous awards and countless acclamations, but none as valued and important than the continued patronage by the community. They are the resident musical theatre company of the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Redwood City owned by Lori and Eric Lochtefeld and will now bring their productions to the Golden State Theatre in Monterey.

Broadway By the Bay was recently nominated for 21 prestigious Theatre Bay Area (TBA) Awards for three of their productions, “Evita”, “In The Heights” and “Dreamgirls” in 2014. On November 10, 2014 at the inaugural TBA Awards Celebration, they received 6 prestigious awards for Outstanding Production of a Musical (“In the Heights”), Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Feature Role (“In The Heights”), Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Principal Role (“Evita”), Outstanding Lighting Design (“In The Heights”), Oustanding Music Direction (“In the Heights”), and Outstanding Choreography (“In The Heights”).

The TBA Awards are designed to honor excellence in professionally oriented theatre through a peer-based, Bay Area-wide adjudication process and over 78 Bay Area production companies are evaluated and 183 submitted productions. More details can be found on http://www.theatrebayarea.org/?AwardsGala

About the Golden State Theatre:
In 1926, a 15,000 square-foot Moorish castle rose on Alvarado Street, to the amazement of locals and visitors alike. A new cinema and live performance venue to rival those in California's largest cities, the Golden State Theatre , which was built by the Reid Brothers, was the definition of an opulent movie palace.

After decades of deterioration, it was faithfully restored to its former glory, featuring an Old World grand lobby and mezzanine, one thousand plush velvet seats, state-of-the-art sound, and the indefinable magic of a truly historic setting. Dana Carvey, The Temptations, B.B. King, Bill Cosby, Willie Nelson, Yes, Patti Smith, Bob Weir and The Smothers Brothers — these are just some of the names that have graced the stage, contributing to the Theatre's new legacy since its renovation and exciting revival. The community is invited to attend a world-class concert or musical at the Golden State Theatre, or host their own special event here, and become part of its new chapter of history.

The Golden State Theatre is operated by husband and wife entrepreneurs, Eric and Lori Lochtefeld, along with a team of industry professionals from across the country. They are also co-owners of the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, also built by the Reid Brothers in 1929, where they hold nearly 200 events per year. Through their work with the Fox Theatre and the community, they have helped to revitalize downtown Redwood City. For more information, go to www.goldenstatetheatre.com or call (831) 649-1070.

Contact: Lori Lochtefeld (831) 649-1070 or Lori@FoxVenues.com

The Golden State Theatre is located at 417 Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey and has many outstanding events coming up in 2014/2015 including Lewis Black (February 5, 2015), Citizen Cope (February 12, 2015), Brian Regan (February 15, 2015), The Robert Cray Band (February 25, 2015) The Fab Four (March 14, 2015), In the Mood (March 22, 2015), Les Miserables (March 28-April 5, 2015), My Fair Lady (June 27-July 5, 2015), West Side Story (September 5-13, 2015), Kiss Me Kate (November 28-December 6), and more events will be announced. To arrange any interviews, please call Wendy Brickman at (831) 633-4444 or email Brickman@BrickmanMarketing.com. For more information and to be added to the Golden State Theatre newsletter list, go to www.goldenstatetheatre.com.

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.goldenstatetheatre.com

Powerful Child Abuse Prevention Tools are Just a Click Away

Local non-profit RAACE launches new website to help parents protect children from sexual abuse

Baltimore, MD, December 19, 2014 - The number of children and teens who are sexually abused in the U.S. remains at epidemic levels-- 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused by age 18. Even worse, over 90% of offenders are someone the child knows and trusts. To combat this epidemic, Maryland-based non-profit Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere (RAACE) has launched a new website that provides a wealth of information and educational materials to help families protect children against the often-silent epidemic of child sexual abuse.

RAACE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been working for more than 10 years to help educate families about the dangers of child sexual abuse and what they can do to prevent the victimization of their children. The new website provides families with quick, easy access to a wide range of free, age-appropriate educational materials, including the organization’s in-depth Power of Prevention Guide Book.

According to RAACE founder, Kenneth Smith, “Education and awareness are the first critical steps toward preventing child sexual abuse. Our new site is a great resource that anyone can use to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse, what signs to look for if you suspect your child is being abused, and what each of us can do to shine a light on the epidemic of abuse and help end it.”

In addition to all the education materials available, the new site also offers ways to connect with other RAACE supporters, including a special community site where people can ask questions, share experiences, and take part in forums focused on topics related to child sexual abuse prevention and the issues that abuse survivors may face. The site also makes it easy to find RAACE events that are part of the organization’s Prevention Tour. During the tour, RAACE staff travel around the state to family-friendly events and use RAACE’s two-story, carnival-style "Big Wheel" to catch the attention of event-goers and teach them how they can help prevent child sexual abuse.

“As a community, we have the potential to make a dramatic and positive impact on children and families,” adds Smith. “We’re able to do this work thanks to the support of our RAACE Fans. And it’s even easier to support RAACE now that we’re part of the Network for Good.”

Contact: Brad Brickel
410-893-1001
brad.brickel@raace.org

For more information about RAACE and its ongoing work to end the epidemic of child sexual abuse, visit www.raace.org.

Contact:
Dina Wasmer
Incite Creative, Inc.
P.O. Box 95
Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-366-9479

http://www.incitecreativeinc.com

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Includes 9 Wineries and Tasting Rooms on a 12-Mile Scenic Stretch of Carmel Valley Road in Monterey California

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Offers Cellar Passes Just in Time For the Holidays and New Year.

Carmel Valley, CA, December 18, 2014 - Compared to the sizeable California wine region in Napa, the Carmel Valley appellation is a mere pinprick on the state’s oenological map. Lacking the notoriety and sheer volume of the famous valley to the north, Carmel Valley has evolved into a destination hot spot of its own — only for different reasons.

California’s 13th oldest appellation (designated in 1983) the Carmel Valley boasts oak-studded hillsides bathed in sunlight, an abundance of open space split by a meandering river, and a charming village with character and characters. With just 300 acres under vine, the Carmel Valley AVA retains its charm and genuineness, deserving consideration from wine lovers who desire a less-hectic, more-hospitable wine tasting destination.

A tour along a 12-mile scenic stretch of Carmel Valley Road in Monterey County reveals wineries, tasting rooms, art galleries, amazing foods and thousands of acres of parkland. Absent is the traffic, crowds and expensive restaurants familiar to massive wine regions that find themselves dog-eared in travel guides. The Carmel Valley Wine Experience is a collective of Carmel Valley tasting rooms that offer resources and insight to travelers as well as unique access and member benefits to visitors that so wish it.

The Carmel Valley Wine Experience highlights the valley’s wine tasting opportunities, while embracing its slow pace of life, leisure activities such as hiking and golf, as well as the boutiques, galleries and bevy of fine restaurants and cafes. The special quality that allows Carmel Valley to transcend the ordinary is evident in the Carmel Valley wineries and tasting rooms. The rugged Carmel Valley begins at the mouth of the Carmel River and the dramatic valley runs in a southeastern direction along the river. Dominated by red Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Burgundian grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The tasting rooms also feature wines from throughout Monterey County, including the Arroyo Seco and famed Santa Lucia Highlands.

Most of the valley's tasting rooms are just a short stroll from each other, allowing visitors to take a wine tour on foot. For those who don’t want to drive at all, Monterey-Salinas Transit Bus 24, called the Grapevine Express, stops at many of the wineries. It departs from the Monterey Transit Plaza, located across from the Cooper-Molera Adobe in Old Monterey.

While often lively, Carmel Valley's tasting rooms provide a warm, personal interaction with tasting hosts and often the winemakers themselves. It’s all part of the Carmel Valley Wine Experience. Drink it all in soon.

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Cellar Pass:
· $50.00 per pass.
· A Cellar Pass gives its holder eight (8) tickets, each ticket good for the opportunity to taste at any member wineries.
· Good for a single standard flight per winery, the holder has 12 months (from purchase) to visit members' tasting rooms.
· Additional discounts of up to 10% applied to Cellar Pass holder's purchases.
· The Cellar Pass makes a perfect holiday gift.
· Available online and at www.cvwineexperience.com/purchasepass or at Carmel Valley Wine Experience members tasting rooms.
· Redeem your receipt for your Pass at member wineries - Bernardus or Holman Ranch)
· With your Cellar Pass enjoy complimentary corkage at Will’s Fargo Steakhouse + Bar on member bottles by showing the Cellar Pass.

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Background:
Organized by the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cvwineexperience.com to learn more about the collective of tasting rooms that make of the Carmel Valley Wine Experience as well as events, membership and general visitation information. Connect via facebook at /carmelvalleywineexperience

Wine Experience Members:
Bernardus
5 W Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.bernardus.com  |  831-298-8021  |   11am - 5pm, Daily

Chesebro Wines
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite D, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.chesebrowines.com  |  831-659-2125  |  2pm - 6pm, Thurs & Fri : 1pm - 6pm, Sat & Sun

Cima Collina
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite A, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.cimacollina.com  |  831-620-0645  |  Noon - 6pm, Daily

Coastview Vineyard
Opening Soon in the Carmel Valley

Holman Ranch
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.holmanranch.com  |  831-659-2640  |  11am - 6pm, Daily

Idle Hour
9 Del Fino Place, Ste 101 Carmel Valley, CA, 93924
www.idlehourwinery.com | 831-298-7526 | 11am - 5pm, Thurs-Sun

Joullian Vineyards
2 Village Drive, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.joullian.com  |  831-659-8100  |  11am - 5pm, Daily

Mercy Vineyards
40 W Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.mercywines.com  |  831-659-4321  |  1pm - 5pm, Thurs - Sun

Parsonage
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite B, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.parsonagewine.com  |  831-659-7322  |  11am - 5pm, Daily

Contact Info:
· www.cvwineexperience.com
· https://www.facebook.com/CarmelValleyWineExperience

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.cvwineexperience.com

KWAV Holiday Party at Cibo Restaurant on Wednesday, December 17th

‘Tis the season! Save the date for a great KWAV Holiday Party at Cibo Restaurant on Wednesday, December 17th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Monterey, CA, December 16, 2014 - ‘Tis the season! Save the date for a great KWAV Holiday Party at Cibo Restaurant on Wednesday, December 17th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Holiday After-Party festivities will continue that evening at Cibo until 1:30 a.m. Celebrate the holiday season and meet your favorite KWAV personalities! For those who contact KWAV to get on the KWAV VIP list, enjoy complimentary appetizers from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and enter to win great prizes! FAWK DJ (Temo Medina) will be on hand spinning great music all night long. Cibo is located at 301 Alvarado in Downtown Monterey (www.cibo.com) at the corner of Del Monte with ample parking in adjacent parking garage.

To be added to the VIP list to attend this special KWAV party at Cibo at no charge, go to www.kwav.com to add your name to the guest list.

The regular Cibo dinner menu will also be available from 5 p.m. to closing. To make a dinner reservation or for more information about Cibo Restaurant, please visit www.cibo.com or call 831.649.8151.

About Cibo Restaurant
Cibo Restaurant offers Italian cuisine, gourmet pizzas, cocktails, fine wines, cordials, and more. Cibo( pronounced chee-bo) means food in Italian, but it’s more of a feast for the senses. This beautiful, spacious and comfortable restaurant features an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere which is accentuated with expressive art in the form of photography, paintings, sculpture, hand-blown glass and live jazz. Fusing the best of old and new world Italian cuisine, Cibo offers an eclectic menu ranging from gourmet pizzas to multi-course dinners. Families are welcome and there is a special children’s menu. Cibo has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike since 1990.

Cibo is open every evening with dinner served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Cibo Bar is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is a popular “pre-event” and “after-party” destination. The bar features a $3 Happy Hour with special appetizers daily from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. They offer an extensive high quality local and international wine and beer list, cordials, microbrews, rare and small batch Bourbons, Scotches, Ports, Grappa and liqueurs, as well as espresso, coffee drinks and a full menu of cocktails.

Cibo also presents live music 6 nights a week. On Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the cool sound of Jazz accompanies dinner from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. The restaurant features a lively and fun atmosphere with Reggae, R&B, Rock or Salsa dance music on Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. with no cover charge. They also hold a special “House Blend Happy Hour” every Friday night from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. "Happy Hour Jazz Jam" from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. every first and third Sunday of the month which includes Happy Hour food and drink specials.

With 150 seats, including intimate booths for dining , and room for over 50 people in the attractive bar area, Cibo also accommodates large groups for business functions, wedding rehearsals and receptions, special group dining events, and customized private parties. Cibo is now “wired” with free Internet service.

Cibo Restaurant is the winner of numerous awards including California Writers Association Recommended Dining, Best Place to Meet Singles in Their 30's and 40's, Gold Key Award for Interior Design, Best Place to Enjoy a Martini, Best Place for Live Jazz, Best Italian Restaurant, Best Place to Dance, Best Martini and one of the Top 10 Happy Hours in Monterey.

For more information, go to www.cibo.com or call (831) 649-8151.

Contact:
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
831-633-4444
http://www.cibo.com