MPA Watch, A Statewide Program That Collects Data on Human Uses of Marine Resources, Launches New Website, Social Media Sites

MPA Watch, a network of programs that collect human-use data in marine protected areas in order to keep our oceans clean and healthy, has launched a new, revamped website http://mpawatch.org and social media pages.

San Diego, CA, February 20, 2019 — MPA Watch, a network of programs that collect human-use data in marine protected areas in order to keep our oceans clean and healthy, has launched a new, revamped website http://mpawatch.org and social media pages.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are marine or estuarine waters set aside primarily to protect or conserve marine life and its associated habitat. Just as parks on land protect special lands and wildlife from overdevelopment and poaching, these ocean parks preserve California's stunning marine ecosystems for future generations to observe and enjoy.

MPA Watch is a community science program that trains volunteers to observe and collect data on human uses of coastal and marine resources both inside and outside of marine protected areas (MPAs). Volunteers use standardized methods to collect data.

The data collected are used to help the management, enforcement, and science of California's marine protected areas, and allows MPA Watch’s network of programs and organizations to track how the public uses coastal areas.

By involving local communities in this collection of data, MPA Watch programs inspire and empower stewardship, and educate the public about California’s ocean ecosystems.

People interested in learning more are encouraged to follow MPA Watch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpawatch/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MPAWatch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpawatchorg/

MPA Watch volunteers observe California's beaches and bluffs inside and outside MPAs, recording all offshore and onshore coastal activities from recreational activities such as swimming and surfing to commercial activities such as fishing. Volunteers are trained to recognize different types of activities, using binoculars to view activities offshore, and to record their observations on data sheets.

Volunteers record consumptive activities such as commercial fishing, shore fishing, and clamming, and non-consumptive activities such as swimming, SCUBA diving, and tide pooling.

All data collected by volunteers undergo rigorous quality assurance and quality control protocols by coordinating organizations before being accepted and shared with users such as state coastal managers and environmental researchers.

Data from community science projects like MPA Watch complements data collected by other monitoring groups, resource managers, scientists and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ecological, economic, and social factors are just a few types of data that will be collected to provide a comprehensive picture on how the MPAs are functioning. This data will also help us to understand where there may be a need for enhanced education and outreach, signage, and law enforcement. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is the agency charged with management and enforcement of MPA regulations.

You can help support MPAs by joining a MPA Watch program as a volunteer. Local volunteers have submitted more than 22,000 surveys to date. The groups of volunteer organizations below monitors the use of coastal and ocean MPAs, providing a valuable look at how people are using these conservation areas.

Heal the Bay - Los Angeles County

Grace Young, gyoung@healthebay.org

Los Angeles Waterkeeper - Los Angeles County
Michael Quill, mquill@lawaterkeeper.org

Orange County Coastkeeper - Orange County
Ray Hiemstra, ray@coastkeeper.org

West Marin Environmental Action Committee - Marin County
Morgan Patton, morgan@eacmarin.org

California Academy of Sciences

Rebecca Johnson, rjohnson@calacademy.org

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper - Santa Barbara County
Penny Owens, penny@sbck.org

WILDCOAST - San Diego County
Angela Kemsley, angela@wildcoast.org

Greater Farallones Association - San Francisco County
Kirsten Lindquist, klindquist@farallones.org

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History - Monterey County

Erika Delemarre, delemarre@pgmuseum.org

Eagle Eyes of False Klamath Cove - Del Norte County

Ruthie Maloney, ruthiemaloney@gmail.com

John Corbett, williammlpa@gmail.com

Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, Del Norte County

Rosa Laucci, rosa.laucci@tolowa.com

Outdoor Schools

Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)

Kat Montgomery, kat@aeoe.org

For more information on volunteering for MPA Watch, go to mpawatch.org or email angela@wildcoast.org. To access various resources, go the MPA Watch Resources page at http://www.mpawatch.org/site/startyourown.

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

Aromatherapist Cheryl Beller and Pet Therapist Adrienne Herman Join Forces to Open Joint Office in Downtown Carmel

Even though they run two distinct and separate businesses, aromatherapist Cheryl Beller and pet therapist Adrienne Herman have collaborated often when treating animals with physical, emotional and behavioral issues.

Carmel, CA, February 20, 2019 – Even though they run two distinct and separate businesses, aromatherapist Cheryl Beller and pet therapist Adrienne Herman have collaborated often when treating animals with physical, emotional and behavioral issues.

And, nine years after they first met, they’ve taken their collaboration to the next level by sharing an office space in Carmel, which will not only allow them to work closer together, but also allow Beller to hold educational sessions on the proper uses and dilutions of quality essential oils, as well as blending classes, personal consultations, and a weekly Aroma Bar, where one can go home with one’s own custom-blended therapeutic blend or create one for a special friend or fur baby-- blends for people, horses, dogs and cats!

“We’re both practitioners and both specialize in pets, “ says Beller, who describes herself as a holistic phyto-therapist and who runs Well Scents, which provides all-natural, toxin-free essential oil and hydrosol-based products. “So it made sense to join forces in a shared space and put our energy and synergy into a physical space together.”

“We both put out our shingles (as businesswomen) nine years ago and we’ve collaborated ever since,” adds Herman, who has been doing this and related work for most of her life. “It just made sense to join forces. I love sharing the space with Cheryl! Our joined energies make even more healing and balancing possible!”

Herman’s goals are two-fold:

--To see animals (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, goats, domestic rats… just about all mammals except humans, though humans benefit as a side effect) achieve as balanced a state of being as possible, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical well-being, and

--To optimize communication and understanding between species

She does this using a variety of modalities, including animal communications. She has been working with aromatherapy as a treatment since she started working with Beller, nine years ago, and, as a result, they have come up with a number of custom blends to suit the needs of her clients. These blends have generalized in usage to many animals with similar issues!

“More than 80% of Cheryl’s blends have been developed because of the needs of my clients, but the creating of the blends is 100% Cheryl’s doing,” says Herman. “Cheryl is an alchemist. I call her a miraculous alchemist! I tell her a pet’s issues and she comes up with a blend which addresses those issues exactly! Further, I know that what she creates is 200% safe for my clients to use, unlike many other blends on the market.”

Much of Herman’s work is done at a client’s home or by remote phone sessions, which frees up the office space for Beller to offer classes for people wishing to learn more about essential oils, and allowing them to create their own blends. Because she now has use of the very homey office space, Beller has added a weekly Aroma Bar to the menu of services, where, from noon to 4 p.m. on selected Saturdays, participants can have a simple custom blend created just for them on the spot, or they can consult with Beller to create a complex blend for physical, mental, or emotional challenges that they would like addressed, either for themselves, for another, or for the well-being of their special dog, cat, or horse.

The monthly Aroma Bar schedule and the class schedule can be found at cherylbeller.com. Classes and consultations are also available by appointment, so drop in by yourself or collect a few friends and try a brand new experience together.

As a pet therapist, Herman wants to be clear that she’s not a dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. “I am a listener, communicator, and therapist. This means I can help you to understand your four-legged better,” she says on her website. “I listen to other species, who share all sorts of information with me. I use what they say, and what I sense/feel in their bodies, to give you more information, and to help devise a plan if there are issues in need of addressing. I will always leave you with more information than before we met, and with a clear plan of action going forward.” Herman works with many local trainers and veterinarians as well.

The plan of action she devises could, and often does, include aromatherapy treatments, many specially formulated to treat the client’s individual pet. Sharing an office space now makes the collaboration between therapist and aromatherapist that much more efficient and convenient.

“Every client’s needs are different, but probably, when it comes to behavioral issues, I almost always use Cheryl’s blends, “ says Herman. She has been using aromatherapy in her practice since she opened her office in downtown Carmel 9 years ago. The two met at about the same time through a mutual friend. “A light bulb went off and we said, “We have to do this together,” says Beller.

About Adrienne Herman
Adrienne has lived in Carmel for about 20 years, 10 of those as a dog therapist (she worked for a year out of her home before opening her office in Carmel, though she did this work for about 30-plus years before making it official). A third-generation Californian, she grew up in the East Bay area in Northern California.

She got her first dog at age 5 and spent about half of her life at her grandparents’ chicken ranch in Petaluma, where she not only interacted with chickens, but also goats, rabbits, cats, dogs and cattle.

She always had an interest in going into the “helping professions,” graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in educational psychology from California State University East Bay (formerly California State University Hayward).

Her career path began by teaching children with developmental disabilities and other special needs to swim when she was in high school and college, then, post grad work, being Director of Community Services at a psychiatric hospital in Oakland, and taking health kinesiology courses. That’s where she met a veterinarian who applied the knowledge from those classes to the dogs she was treating. For Herman, that’s when her interest in treating animals began in earnest.

After moving to Carmel, Adrienne served as special needs coordinator for Temple Beth Israel, working with children pre-K through 10th grade. She took a year off and worked with her mentor, energy healer Hilary Nicholls, before opening her office space in downtown Carmel.

Adrienne spends her time divided between Carmel and the San Francisco Bay Area where she also sees clients, and visits with her adult children and grandchildren.

About Cheryl Beller
After spending more than two decades in the medical care and medical management group fields, Cheryl began exploring alternative healing modalities in the 1990’s. She was especially impressed with the many levels of positive effects that people and their pets experienced when exposed to essential oils and hydrosols in various delivery systems.

Cheryl’s other career experience include management and administrative positions in accounting and payroll firms, and in school district budget and business services.

Cheryl has had a lifelong interest in health and wellness and a lifelong love of animals, particularly dogs, horses and cats.

As her interest developed into a passion, Cheryl enlisted the expertise and insights of various animal practitioners, eventually developing properly diluted, targeted essential oil or hydrosol-based products that address most of the emotional, psychological, and behavioral needs of dogs, horses, and cats, specifically.

She also discovered that additional issues could be addressed with custom blends that are specifically formulated so that they can safely be used on a daily basis. These blends offer natural solutions to everyday concerns and challenges.

In 2010, she founded Well Scents, Aromatherapy for Pets and Their People (wellscents.com), all-natural, toxin-free essential oils and hydrosols, products to help both people and animals maintain and create wellness.

In January 2019, Cheryl began offering hands-on blending classes at the office that she shares with pet therapist Adrienne Herman. The classes assist people in creating blends that are safe and correctly diluted for themselves, their families, friends, and pets.

Also, in January 2019, Cheryl opened an Aroma Bar in the Carmel office, where simple custom blends can be created right on the spot or where one can consult with Cheryl to create a more complex custom blend for specific physical, mental, and emotional challenges that need to be addressed.

Cheryl and her husband Craig live on the Monterey Peninsula of California with their dogs, Henry and Mikki.

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

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Hosts One of Largest Wildflower Shows in Northern and Western Hemispheres April 19-21, at the Museum

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History hosts one of the largest and longest-running wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres featuring more than 600 species and varieties of wildflowers, April 19-21, 2019, at the museum.

Pacific Grove, CA, February 19, 2019 — The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History hosts one of the largest and longest-running wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres featuring more than 600 species and varieties of wildflowers, April 19-21, 2019, at the museum.

In addition, the Museum will host an evening to learn more about the tallest plants in the world as part of its Hardcore Natural History Series, “The State of Redwoods: From the Big Sur Coast to Southern Oregon,” with Dr. Emily Burns, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2019.

The Museum also reports that the Western monarch butterfly population is at an all-time low and offers suggestions for how the public can help their plight.

The 58th Annual Wildflower Show will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. April 19, 20 and 21. 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 in spring.

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

Admission to the Wildflower Show and Museum (tickets can be purchased at the Museum on the days of the show):

·$8.95 for adults who live outside of Monterey County

·$5.95 for youths ages 4-18, students with ID, military who live outside of Monterey County

·Free for 3 years old and under

·Free for Museum Members and CNPS Members w/membership cards

·$5 admission for Monterey County residents

Dr. Burns, lead scientist of the Save the Redwoods League, will be presenting an overview of the current status of the Coastal Redwood population. She will discuss the whole population, then focus on the population of redwoods in the Santa Lucia range. Using recent research, she will show how the current tree populations are responding to climate change along the central coast.

Tickets for the redwoods event will be available in March.

For more information on all events at the museum, call (831) 648-5716, email admin@pgmuseum.org or go to the website at www.pgmuseum.org.

In related news, the Monarch population is at an all-time low, according to the 2018 Xerces Society Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count, in which Pacific Grove is included.

The PG Museum has offered guidelines about what the public can do to help the plight of the Western Monarch:

>Do not plant milkweed if you live within 5-10 miles of an overwintering site. This “no-milkweed zone” includes all of Pacific Grove. These areas are not part of milkweed's historic range, and the introduction of the non-native plant can disrupt natural migratory patterns and introduce increased levels of monarch parasites.

>Instead, Pacific Grove residents who are interested in supporting monarchs should plant nectar-bearing (flowering) plants, specifically ones that will bloom in the fall, winter, and/or spring when monarchs are on the peninsula. These flowers will provide food for adult monarch butterflies, which is the only life cycle stage that would naturally occur here.

>Refrain from using pesticides around your home (herbicides and insecticides), as these can harm monarch butterflies when they visit your garden.

>Support legislation that protects habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Habitat loss is one of the leading causes of population decline of the western monarch butterfly.

>Volunteer. Educating the public about the importance of protecting these important overwintering sites is a great way to spread awareness for the plight of the monarch and its amazing migration. Inquire about volunteer opportunities at the pgmuseum.org/volunteer/ No experience necessary.

For more information on the Western Monarch, visit https://xerxes.org/save-wester-monarchs.

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

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.

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

SAVE THE DATE: Key for a Cure continues its fight against pediatric cancer by holding circus-themed fundraising gala Sept. 14 event at Corral de Tierra Country Club

Sept. 14 event at Corral de Tierra Country Club earmarks $10,000 for Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services

Salinas, CA, February 09, 2019 - Every child holds dreams and aspirations, but not every child has the chance to fulfill them due to the devastation of pediatric cancer.

Join Key for a Cure Foundation’s efforts by attending A Million Dreams Gala on Saturday, Sept. 14, 5:30-10 p.m. at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas.

Since its inception in 2015, Key for a Cure has given more than $500,000 toward St. Jude Children's Research Hospital’s T cell-based immunotherapy research. The 2019 Gala has earmarked $10,000 toward this year’s recipient, Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services, a nonprofit that provides family-centered care around emotional, practical and financial struggles.

This year’s gala features a circus theme, and will include some breathtaking performances with fire and acrobatics. Emceed by Dan Green, anchor KSBW Action News 8, the gala promises to be a memorable evening of amazing live performances, gourmet food, fine wine and warm hearts.

The black tie optional affair commences with a hosted cocktail reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with music from David Conley from the famous Sardine Factory, followed by an elegant dinner, spectacular live auction and award-winning entertainment.

Celebrity auctioneer Carla Gianolini Harrison will auction off the following items: luxurious Punta Mita, Mexico, Villa Beach House; Louis Vuitton travel tote bag and suitcase; Cartier watch; two VIP floor seats for the 2020 Golden State Warriors in the team’s new Chase Center in San Francisco; Memphis getaway/Peabody Hotel package; and more.

Premier sponsorships are available. Individual gala tickets are priced at $225 and can be purchased through Eventbrite (Key for a Cure Gala).

For more ticket and/or donation information, please call Anne Chisum (831-206-1357) or Liz Grijalva (831-241-3990), or visit the website at keyforacure.org.

About Key for a Cure Foundation: Formed in 2015, the nonprofit Key For A Cure raises funds to directly support research that will lead to more effective treatments for children with cancer. Managed by all volunteers, Key for a Cure is committed to effective philanthropy that produces tangible results. Not one penny is spent on excessive marketing costs, salaries, flights, meals, hotels, or other costs often associated with “mega-charities.”

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

“VNA & Hospice Hires Dwight Wilson as CEO/President”

The Board of Directors of the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice is proud to announce the hiring of Dwight Wilson, RN, MSN, as the Chief Executive Officer/President. Dwight will assume his duties on February 4, 2019.

Monterey, CA, February 08, 2019 - “Dwight has a long history of experience in home care, hospice, and eldercare and while at Mission Hospice and Home Care in San Mateo, CA, as Chief Executive Officer, he accomplished many things as his passion is for building programs and services” said Mary Claypool, Board President. For example, he built a licensed and accredited home care agency and led the way to implementing other services such as palliative care, all while at the same time growing revenue.

Dwight was with the Veterans Administration for 30 years prior to Mission where he was Deputy Associate Chief of Staff. During his time with the VA, he developed standards of practice and quality outcomes for Extended Care programs as well as serving as Chief Nurse for that program. He opened a 150-bed nursing home program and oversaw other multi-site facilities. He oversaw quality improvement programs as well as respite, hospice, dementia, and long-term care programs.

Overall Dwight has several Joint Commission accreditation survey initiatives. He is an advocate of engaging with the community to promote the mission of home care and hospice. In addition, at his Mission office they received the "Top Work Places" award in 2018 from the Bay Area News Group.

VNA & Hospice has been providing the highest quality care to residents of the Central Coast since 1951 and we will continue to be the premier community service provider in service and quality patient care. “The Board looks forward to working with Dwight as he takes the organization to the next level in home and hospice care,” said Claypool. Additional information on VNA & Hospice services can be found at ccvna.com.

Please join us in welcoming Dwight and his wife, Julia, to the area from the North Moss Beach, CA area.

From: Central Coast Community Health Care, Inc. www.ccvna.com
Media Contact: Mary Claypool, Board Chair

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

Castroville Celebrates the 60th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival in June 2019

In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

Castroville, CA, Feb 04, 2019 — In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

In June of this year, festival goers will gather again, this time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of what is now known as the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 1-2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

California’s artichoke history begins in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. Today, more than nine decades later, nearly 100 percent of America’s fresh artichoke supply is grown in California and nearly two-thirds is grown near the small town of Castroville.

The first Artichoke Festival was held in 1959 under the sponsorship of the Marinovich Marching Units, with the assistance of the Castroville Rod and Gun Club. In 1961 it was a joint venture of the Marinovich Marching Units and the Castroville Chamber of Commerce to produce a larger festival, and Sally DeSante was chosen as the first Artichoke Queen. In 1963 , 1964, and 1965 it was solely sponsored by the Castroville Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Artichoke Festival Board with Bill Price, one of the originators of the festival idea.

Advance tickets and discounted ticket packages are available online for the 60th annual festival at http://artichokefestival.org/.

General admission is $15 for those 13 and older; seniors 62 and older and military personnel with ID are $10; children ages 6-12 are $5; general admission for one adult, with wine tasting pass, is $40 (must be 21 years or older); wine tasting alone is $30; and field tours are $10 (daily tour schedules to be announced at the Festival), good for adult or child 5-12. Online purchases are available through 9 a.m. June 2, 2019. No refunds.

Two discounted packages are also available, the Arti-Family Pack and the It’s A Date package. The former is $30, a $10 saving over the regular price. It includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The It’s A Date package for 21 and older, $60, a savings of $20, includes two adult tickets and two wine and beer tasting tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount also ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The festival’s live entertainment lineup, free with festival admission and held on the Main Stage.

The Wine & Beer Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Must be 21 to enter.

Over the years, the Castoville Artichoke Festival has been dedicated to informing attendees about the unique properties of artichokes, showcasing dozens of delicious artichoke dishes, cooking demonstrations, and field tours. A wine and beer garden, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, and artichoke eating contests add to the festive atmosphere. As a 501c3 organization, the festival has become a primary source of funding for many local non-profit organizations that depend upon a successful event for their viability, such as:

Ag Against Hunger
Sun Street Center
North County Baseball
North County High School Golf
North Salinas Athletic Booster Club
Hope Horses & Kids
Marina Lions
Bikers for Bikes
Ashleigh Nicole Swain Memorial Scholarship
Ag History Project
Ord Terrace Elementary School
North County Wrestling Team
Monterey County Middle School
Golden State Elite
North County Recreation & Park
North County Bulldogs Cheer
North County Bulldogs
Monterey County Girls Basketball

Members of the current board of directors are:

Glenn Alameda
Stefani Cortopassi
David Delfino
Lynn Clark
Lionel Handel
Wes McClellan
Angie Micheli (Honorary Member)
Kathy Parish
Terry Bei Rohrs
Linda Scherer
Debbie Stadig
Ruben Torres
Kevin Tottino

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

Hyatt Carmel Highlands Announces Forks. Corks. Action! 2019 Winemaker Dinners

Next Dinner February 28 — Ian Brand Wines

Carmel, CA, January 29, 2019 - Hyatt Carmel Highlands announces the first quarter schedule for its popular Forks.Corks.Action! Winemaker Series for 2019 in the legendary Wine Room.

Learn, swirl, sip and enjoy! Meet the winemakers and enjoy a four-course dinner with wine paired with each course. During the series, winemakers will discuss the history, culture and qualities of the featured wines from Monterey and Santa Cruz County that will accompany Executive Chef Chris Vacca’s seasonal, locally sourced menus.

The Winemakers Series brings guests closer to the producers and personalities that craft the wines we love.

Dates for Winemakers Dinners in the first four months of 2019 are:

February 28 — Ian Brand Wines

March 21 — Coquerel Wines

April 18 — Saxon Brown Wines

The Details:

The California Market at Pacific’s Edge legendary Wine Room located at 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel Highlands

Start time 6 p.m.

Sip featured wines

Meet the winemakers

$130 per person inclusive

Reservations required

To purchase tickets go to:

February 28 — Ian Brand Wines
https://forkscorksactionfebruaryianbrandwines.eventbrite.com

March 21 — Coquerel Wines
https://forkscorksactionmarchcoquerelwines.eventbrite.com

April 18 — Saxon Brown Wines
https://forkscorksactionsaxonbrownwines.eventbrite.com

About Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Perched on the hillside of the Carmel Highlands with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Hyatt Carmel Highlands combines true Carmel luxury with an approachable and sophisticated spirit. A haven for artists and discerning travelers since its opening in 1917, Hyatt Carmel Highlands features 48 luxuriously renovated guestrooms, including 11 suites, 32 ocean view rooms and five garden view rooms.

Situated only 4 miles from downtown Carmel, Hyatt Carmel Highlands’ idyllic setting and personalized service has attracted families, bridal couples, honeymooners, and privileged travelers for a century. Hyatt Carmel Highlands has been recognized among the world’s finest hotels as part of Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List and Travel + Leisure’s “T+L 500” World’s Best Hotels.

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

Calling All Student Artists!

The Salinas Union High School District is Holding a Contest Open to All Students for a new Visual Identity (logo) for its Career Technical Education (CTE) Program

Salinas, CA, January 21, 2019 — The Salinas Union High School District needs a new visual identity (logo) and needs your help for its Career Technical Education (CTE) program.

The logo should be recognizable and help promote our organization’s mission, Mission Trails ROP/CTE prepares students to be career-ready by providing them with relevant skills.

The rest is up to you!

* Help create the vision for our future.
* Are you creative?
* Do you have an eye for design?
* WE WANT YOU!

THE RULES:
We want an eye-catching, legible and professional-looking logo. Don’t worry if you don’t have the latest software — rough sketches and illustrations will also be accepted. We’ll work with you to prepare a digital file if your logo is selected. You may submit the logo in any color options you wish but should be limited to no more than two singular colors. Be careful with the use of screens and gradients. The logo must also be legible as a single-color logo (preferably black). Submitted logos cannot contain copyrighted material —they must be completely original designs. This contest is limited only to students within the Salinas Union High School District.

Contest entry forms are available https://www.salinasuhsd.org/domain/91. Email entries to: mission.trails.rop.cte@gmail.com

Or mail entries to: Salinas Unified School District Mission Trails CTE Logo Design Contest 867 E. Laurel Dr.
Salinas, CA 93905

The winning artist will win bragging rights to all of their friends, family and fellow students as well as a $100 gift certificate to dinner at Portobello’s in Salinas and an Amazon Kindle e-reader.

For more information, call (831) 753-4209.

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

9th Annual Carmel Jewish Film Festival From Hollywood to Bollywood Award-Winning Movies, Speakers, Receptions March 2-17, 2019

The 9th Annual Carmel Jewish Film Festival (CJFF), featuring eight films from six countries, noted speakers, and panel discussions, will be held March 2-17, 2019.

Carmel, CA, January 17, 2019 - The 9th Annual Carmel Jewish Film Festival (CJFF), featuring eight films from six countries, noted speakers, and panel discussions, will be held March 2-17, 2019. Film information, dates, venues and times can be found on the CJFF website (www.carmeljff.org). Tickets are available either through the website or by calling (800) 838-3006.

Festival highlights include:

— Opening Night (March 2): Carl Laemmle, a documentary about the man who began the Hollywood film studio industry, followed by a Q &A with Greg Laemmle, President of Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles.

— The return to the CJFF of two notable film makers: Roberta Grossman and Dani Menkin.

Grossman (Hava Nagila: The Movie, Above & Beyond) will discuss her award-winning documentary Who Will Write Our History on Sunday afternoon, March 3. The film transports its viewers inside the Warsaw Ghetto, where a group of journalists, scholars, and community leaders secretly buried documents that are later discovered after WWII. She also will serve as Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation Beth Israel on Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2.

Dani Menkin (Dolphin Boy, On the Map) returns with his film Picture of His Life, a documentary about renowned underwater wildlife photographer and Pacific Grove resident Amos Nachoum. Both Menkin and Nachoum will participate in a Q & A following the film on Saturday evening, March 9.

— The CJFF will partner with the Center for Spiritual Awakening, Pacific Grove, on March 6 to present Itzhak, the Grammy Award-nominated (Best Music Film) documentary that explores the life of renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman.

— Partnering with The Village Project, Inc., Seaside, on Sunday, March 10, the CJFF will screen the Dutch film, An Act of Defiance, a nail-biting political thriller that explores the dark period in South Africa’s recent history, when 10 political activists, including Nelson Mandela, face a possible death sentence after being arrested by the apartheid government.

— The CJFF’s Second Annual Night of Shorts will feature five short films on Tuesday, March 12. Israeli film director Keren Hantman will discuss her film, Masks On, about Israeli families living under the threat of biological warfare.

— A reception with Indian food and dancing precedes Shalom Bollywood, a film about the role of Jewish women in the early Bollywood industry, on Closing Night, March 17.

As the only Jewish film festival in Monterey County, we serve all residents in efforts to promote understanding, respect, and cooperation through education using the medium of film. While informed by a uniquely Jewish sensibility, our films communicate themes and messages with universal appeal to a wide audience drawn from the Monterey Peninsula and beyond. Our festival’s accompanying programs further engage mind and heart through discussion and social interaction. We hope that our Festival will help bridge cultural and religious differences and contribute to community solidarity and peace.

Additional information about all films and events, including ticket prices, can be found on the Carmel Jewish Film Festival website (www.carmeljff.org).

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

Monterey County: The Ideal Place to find a New You in the New Year

Monterey County embodies the perfect backdrop to uncover a new, relaxed and inspired you in 2019.

Monterey, CA, January 16, 2019 – Monterey County embodies the perfect backdrop to uncover a new, relaxed and inspired you in 2019. The natural beauty of California’s Central Coast redwood forests, verdant valleys and sweeping, towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean will erase stress and inspires a new state of being.

“With plentiful offerings that will rejuvenate mind, body and soul, Monterey County is the ultimate destination for travelers to disconnect and focus on themselves in the New Year,” says Rob O’Keefe, Chief Marketing Officer for the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB). “From spas and meditation studios to hiking trails and literary sites, travelers will surely be relaxed and revitalizedafter a trip to Monterey County.”

Below are some ideas for the perfect new you escape to Monterey County:

The newest luxury resort in Marina, The Spa at Sanctuary Beach Resortleavesguests feeling refreshed and inspired with their range of custom treatments focusing on body care and total wellness. For ultimate pampering time, guests can indulge in the unique Salt Wood Spa RX treatment, a sea salt exfoliation using seasonally inspired salt blends to aid the body in releasing toxins while unveiling a healthy glow. For head to toe relaxation, The Spa at Sanctuary Beach Resort offersthe Pacific Ocean Body Treatment - a basalt stone face massage, mineral rich seaweed body mask and a full body massage.

To further cultivate and elevate well-being, consciousness and kindness, visit Monterey Bay Meditation Studio for a variety of movement, nature and relational meditation sessions, retreats and courses. Sessions are held on the beach, in the forest, by the river, and in meadows throughout Monterey County, as well as in their ocean-view studio in Pacific Grove. In 2019, the studio will be offering a Conscious Living Series, which includes several courses focusing on different aspects of incorporating mindfulness into daily life.

Among the rolling hills and sun-dappled vineyards of Carmel Valley, the Spa at Bernardus Lodge offers a variety of unique experiences for rejuvenation, inspiration and indulgence. With seasonal body treatments focusing on the solstices and equinoxes, the experiences integrate celestial reminders to take time for ourselves; reflect on the past, renew for the future and optimize balance.

Find inner peace at Refuge in Carmel – America’s first co-ed outdoor relaxation spa. This sanctuary is a wellness paradise offering the ultimate in relaxation through a three-step thermal cycle featuring a cedar sauna with Himalayan salt walls, eucalyptus infused steam rooms, cold plunges, and warm pools with thermal waterfalls. Repeated use of Refuge’s thermal cycle soothes aches and pains, speeds up metabolism, and enhances muscle recuperation– the perfect recipe for a new you.

More than 50 years ago, the Esalen Institute was founded as a retreat and educational center focused on creating a space where people could explore holistic approaches to wellness and personal transformation. Esalen attracts a worldwide network of teachers and seekers who look beyond dogma to explore deeper spiritual possibilities; forge new understandings of self and society; and pioneer new paths for change. Located in Big Sur, visitors can enjoy a plethora of experiences from moonlit baths in natural hot springs to unique forms of massage that focus on energy exchange and psychological well-being.

To expand the mind in the New Year, don't miss out on some of Monterey’s most notable literary sites including the National Steinbeck Center in downtown Salinas, Robinson Jeffers' Tor House in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Henry Miller Library in majestic Big Sur.

Visitors looking to reconnect with nature will discover the exquisite beauty of Monterey County’s great outdoors. Take a stroll or bike ride along the 18-mile scenic stretchof the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail from Castroville (also known as the "Artichoke Capital of the World") in the North, to Pacific Grove in the South. Picnic on the white sands of Carmel Beach, hike through Fort Ord National Monumentor explore Pebble Beach’s gentle tide pools.

Learn how to unplug and discover mindfulness in beautiful Monterey Countyby uncoveringincredible, life changing, and enriching experiences. Additionally, Monterey County has become one of the country’s leaders in sustainable travel while offering unforgettable moments. Visitors are asked to practice responsible travel that will help minimize negative impacts to the environment, and preserve the cultural and natural resources of the destination. Visit responsibly and preserve the wonder of Monterey County on the beautiful California Central Coast in the New Year, and for years to come.

CONTACT:
Jessica Lessard, Monterey County CVB
(831) 657-6413; JLessard@SeeMonterey.com

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is a 501c6 non-profit destination marketing organization that drives tourism for Monterey County as a premier destination to leisure and business travelers. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that drives business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to our guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.85 billion in 2017, representing a 3.5 percent increase from 2016. Visitor spending supported 24,990 jobs, contributed $255 million in total taxes and generated $127 million local tax dollars that directly benefited the community.

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

MPA Watch helps celebrate California Underwater Parks Day this January

STATEWIDE—California Underwater Parks Day arrives Saturday through Monday, January 19-21.

Salinas, CA, January 15, 2019 - STATEWIDE—California Underwater Parks Day arrives Saturday through Monday, January 19-21.

The annual event represents a special statewide celebration of a stunningly beautiful—and richly diverse—network of 124 marine protected areas (MPAs) that includes gems like Point Reyes State Marine Reserve, Elkhorn Slough State Marine Reserve and Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area.

MPAs have helped conserve and protect the ocean along the legendary West Coast—and that means defending fuzzy otters and spotted harbor seals, electric orange nudibranchs and garibaldi, regal egrets and gorgeous grey whales, as well as protecting the ecosystems that support them.

It also means preserving famous viewscapes, areas of cultural significance to indigenous communities, and boosting local economies with the power of the tourist dollar.

As outlets including the BBC and PBS reported in 2015, the recovery of over-taxed ecosystems like Monterey Bay has translated to billions in tourism.

BBC series producer Adam White called Monterey Bay's recovery “one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories on the planet…and all of this is happening between San Francisco and Los Angeles—two of the largest cities in the world. If it can work here, it should inspire the rest of the world to take care of their ocean."

That would not have happened without MPA Watch, which helps defend 58 different MPAs statewide.

The MPA Watch story is one of community heroism and tons of data. Legion volunteers use standardized methods to collect endless information on California's beaches and bluffs inside and outside MPAs, recording all offshore and onshore coastal activities, from swimming and surfing to fishing and harvesting.

All data collected by volunteers undergo rigorous quality assurance before being accepted and shared with users like state coastal managers and environmental researchers.

Those authorities then use that information to target the most important places for enhanced education and outreach, signage, and law enforcement. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) leads the management and enforcement of MPA regulations.

All told MPA Watch heroes monitor 187,917 acres of marine protected areas. They submitted 3,164 surveys in 2018.

With warming oceans, oil companies hoping to drill in all sorts of places, poachers and other bad actors all threatening the health of California’s coast, continuing to protect the state’s ocean ecosystems now—and for generations to come—is a perpetual priority.

It also makes California Underwater Parks Day an important holiday and a major public benefit.

There are many ways for everyday people to get involved, including 1) completing simple surveys on the MPA Watch website, 2) volunteering to help monitor the coast’s MPAs, 3) donating to local MPA Watch organizations, and 4) visiting MPAs to enjoy their beauty!

More information awaits at www.mpawatch.org.

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

Third Night's A Charm

Book 3 nights and the 3rd is 1/3 off. A getaway is always a wonderful break…

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, January 14, 2019 - Book 3 nights and the 3rd is 1/3 off. A getaway is always a wonderful break…they just don’t last long enough. At Hofsas House we know the 3rd nights a charm!

Subject to availability. Minimum of three (3)-night stay required. Savings reflected in rate at time of booking. If modifications to reservation are made during your hotel stay (e.g. early departure), the promotion is void and your rate will be adjusted to the rate of the day. Taxes and gratuities not included. Offer not applicable to groups, negotiated or third-party rates. Not combinable with any other offers. Not applicable to existing reservations. Blackout dates apply. Offer valid from February and March 2019 excluding holidays and AT&T golf week. Mention Code HHCHARM when booking.

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

Yeast of Eden’s Grand Opening on January 17th to Benefit Monterey County Food Bank

Yeast of Eden, the newly renovated restaurant & brewery that occupies the south end of the Carmel Plaza is announcing its grand opening on Thursday, January 17th.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, January 14, 2019 - Yeast of Eden, the newly renovated restaurant & brewery that occupies the south end of the Carmel Plaza is announcing its grand opening on Thursday, January 17th. After opening quietly last month, the hip, contemporary designed 120 seat restaurant (plus40 outdoor patio seats) is partnering with the Monterey County Food Bank by donating 100% of the proceeds from the evening’s sales.

“It’s a priority for us to align with a local, charitable cause in conjunction with announcing our opening to the community,” said J.C. Hill, Co-Owner. “We’re here not only as a community gathering place, but as a community partner,” he said. Hill and his father, John, are also the owners of Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey and Salinas. It was a “no brainer” for them to align with the Monterey County Food Bank, as the holiday season tends to place a strain on the organization’s resources as they head into the new year.

Yeast of Eden began as a side project of Alvarado Street Brewery starting in 2015, as Hill and (now) Head Brewer Andrew Rose were barrel aging beers with some of Rose’s experimental “mixed” cultures. “Mixed fermentation just refers to the variety of organisms used to metabolize sugars produced during the brewing process,” said Rose. “Our cultures contain multiple varieties of brewer’s yeast, but also native yeasts & lactic acid producing microflora, creating a sense of terroir in each of our beers.”

A common thread among all the Yeast of Eden beers is a crisp, dry profile that sets the stage for fruit forward, fermentation-derived flavors and assertive effervescence that creates an almost champagne-like finish. Each has a varying level of acidity, almost to the same degree as wine, which presented a food pairing opportunity that Hill was eager to pursue.

“We wanted bright, bold flavors to align with the soft acidity and layered flavors of Andrew’s beers. Sweet, spicy, savory & umami – combined with the beer, we wanted your entire palate to dance over the course the meal,” said Hill. The result was a global, street food-inspired menu with Southeast Asian & Latin American influence. Hill says he was lucky enough to bring on Chef Stephen Paulson, formerly of Ba Bar & Elysian Fields in Seattle, to curate a menu specifically designed to pair with mixed fermentation beers.

Some of the quickly adopted fan favorites in their short four weeks of existence are the crispy battered Saigon wings tossed in a spicy fish sauce caramel, as well as the miso creamed kale that features a mix of foraged & domestic mushrooms. The menu offers street tacos with hand made corn tortillas for both lunch and dinner, but also offers a range of share plates and large entrees. Customers so far have been emphatic about the Red Curry Duck, which is hot smoked & dry aged Peking duck breast served in a spicy red curry sauce with grilled pineapple. Burger lovers will find satisfaction in their kobe grind “Publican” burger with rosemary & sage frites.

Beyond the 26 beer taps and eclectic eats, Yeast of Eden offers a full bar where Assistant General Manager Adam Ono is slowly building out a promising cocktail program, and one that will eventually feature four on draft. Ono, formerly of Future Bars (SF), 1833, and most recently California Market at Pacific’s Edge, has created several promising libations already. “Thou Mayest” is another Steinbeck reference and an egg white cocktail with rye, Campari, fernet branca, amaro & lime.

Yeast of Eden is currently open from 11 am until 10 pm (kitchen until 9 pm), but after their Grand Opening on the 17th,hours will change. The restaurant brewery will be open from 11:30 am to 10 pm, Sunday through Wednesday, with kitchen hours extended until 11 pm Thursday through Saturday. The bar will stay open until midnight on those days. Reservations and more information is available online at yoebeer.com.

Yeast of Eden
Carmel Plaza Suite 112
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Contact: J.C. Hill, 831-747-0841
jc@alvaradostreetbrewery.com

Contact Co-Owner J.C. Hill for all press related inquiries.
Cell – 831-747-0841
Email – jc@alvaradostreetbrewery.com

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

Nicole Hollingsworth of Marina Appointed to Monterey County Fair Board of Directors

The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced that Nicole Hollingsworth, 32, of Marina, has been appointed to the 7th District Agricultural Association, Monterey County Fair Board of Directors.

Monterey, CA, January 13, 2019 — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced that Nicole Hollingsworth, 32, of Marina, has been appointed to the 7th District Agricultural Association, Monterey County Fair Board of Directors.

Hollingsworth has been district director for state Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning since 2013. She was field representative for then-state Assemblymember Monning from 2010 to 2013 and an administrative assistant for special projects at the Monterey Bay Aquarium from 2009 to 2010.

Hollingsworth, a Democrat, is a member of the Democratic Women of Monterey County, California State University Monterey Bay Foundation Board of Directors and the California State University Monterey Bay Alumni Association.

She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

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.

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

Sponsorships Now Available for Gala Event Celebrating Gavilan College’s Centennial, ‘Gavilan through the Decades,’ Set for Sept. 7, 2019

Sponsorships are now available for a gala event celebrating Gavilan College’s centennial, set for Sept. 7, 2019, on the college campus.

Gilroy, CA, January 13, 2019 — Sponsorships are now available for a gala event celebrating Gavilan College’s centennial, set for Sept. 7, 2019, on the college campus.

“Gavilan Through The Decades,” which looks back at the college’s 100-year history, will be held from 5:30–9:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the college at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy. Tickets are now available as are sponsorships, ranging from $500 to $50,000.

Sponsorships, which offer a number of benefits depending on level of sponsorship, including gala tickets, signage, promotion and advertising, social media and website promotion, and more, will go a long way in helping Gavilan students reach their career goals.

Go to https://www.gavilan.edu to find out more about sponsorship opportunities. To become a sponsor, contact 'Bobbi Jo Palmer' at bpalmer@gavilan.edu. Here are the sponsorship opportunities available now:

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Platinum Sponsor - $50,000

•Title Sponsor of all centennial events from September 2019 – August 2020. This includes the kick off Gala on September 7th, 2019

The college anticipates 10 – 15 additional smaller events throughout the centennial year

•Logo on all event title on all advertising, correspondence & promotional materials

•Major event signage

•Introduction of representatives at podium at event

•Website promotion

•Full-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala September 7th souvenir program

•Centennial Celebration Gala 20 event tickets ($2,500 Value)

•Two (2) VIP Presidential Reception tickets

•$5000 scholarship for centennial year in your name

•Enewsletter donor spotlight

•Featured in all public relations outreach

•Monthly spotlight on Gavilan College Social Media Channels for the entire year

•30 season passes to all athletic events

Diamond Sponsor - $25,000

•Co-Sponsor at Gala (featured under all title sponsors name)

•Logo on all event title on all advertising, correspondence & promotional materials

•Major event signage

•Introduction of representatives at podium at event

•Website promotion

•Full-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•10 event tickets ($1250 Value)

•Two (2) VIP Presidential Reception tickets

•$2,500 scholarship for centennial year in your name

•Mentioned in all public relations outreach

•Six spotlights on Gavilan College Social Media Channels for the entire year

•20 season passes to all athletic events

Gold Sponsor - $10,000

•Logo on all event advertising, correspondence & promotional materials

•Logo on event signage

•Introduction of representatives at podium at event

•Website promotion

•Half-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•10 event tickets ($1250 Value)

•Two (2) VIP Presidential Reception tickets

•Choice of $1,000 scholarship for centennial year in your name or 10 season passes to all athletic events

•Mentioned in all public relations

•Promoted on social media

Bronze Benefactor - $5,000

•Logo on all event advertising

•Website Promotion

•Half-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•6 event tickets ($750 value)

•Choice of $500 scholarship for centennial year in your name or 5 season passes to all athletic events

•Mentioned in all public relations

•Promoted on social media

Silver Sponsor - $2,500

•Sponsor signage

•Website promotion

•Half-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•$250 scholarship for centennial year in your name

•4 event tickets ($625)

•4 season passes to all athletic events

•Mentioned in all public relations

•Promoted on social media

Pewter Sponsor - $1,250

•Sponsor signage

•Website promotion

•1/4-page ad in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•2 event tickets ($625)

Chrome- $500

•Recognition in Centennial Celebration Gala souvenir program

•2 event tickets ($250)

Gala Celebration

Guests at the gala will take a nostalgic and informative stroll through the decades of Gavilan’s history from the 1920s to today. Each decade will feature areas of academia highlighted with education tables, as well as food stations with themed food from each decade, wine stations, live music, photo booths, students in period costume, formal portraits, live auction, silent auction, strolling card magician in a tuxedo, and a string quartet.

When guests check in, they will be given a commemorative wine glass and a program for the evening that contains a map that highlights where each decade is located and what is taking place in each decade’s area.

“We are really looking forward to this celebration, and look forward to welcoming the community to campus for the party of the century!” said Dr. Kathleen Rose, Superintendent / President of Gavilan College.

From 5:30-7:15 p.m., guests will stroll Sycamore Lane on campus to take in the Roaring ’20s through the Jazzy ’40s, which will be highlighted by three wine station, three themed food stations, three areas of academia, a student jazz band, and students in period costumes strolling and speaking to guests.

As guests continue to stroll through the ages on Sycamore Lane, they will enter the Rockin’ ’50s area, where they will be greeted by a fourth winery, adult milkshake bar, food station from the ’50s, and performers in poodle skirts and ducktail haircuts dancing away to the music of the ’50s.

At the end of Sycamore Lane, guests will enter the Student Center Courtyard, where they will savor the sights, sounds and flavors of the decades from the 1960s through the 1990s. There they will be greeted by four more winery stations and food stations with themed food from each decade, two areas of academia, a strolling card magician in a tuxedo, a photo booth with costumes and props from the ’60s to the ’90s. Guests will be able to take home a strip of photos from their photo shoot.

At 7:15 p.m. the outdoor reception areas close and the doors open to the Student Center, where the 2000s to the present will be highlighted and where the elegant evening gala takes place. Guests will be greeted by a string quartet and can get their formal portraits taken. Photos in a keepsake folder will be ready one hour after being taken. Guests will enjoy passed appetizers as well as gourmet themed food stations featuring the region’s bounty. They can bid on more than 70 items at the silent auction area, as well as an opportunity drawing with five prizes. There will also be a handful of live auction items.

At 7:50 p.m., the program will begin with a welcome from Superintendent/President Dr. Kathleen A. Rose, who will share the history of the college, acknowledge all sponsors and dignitaries, introduce all honorees from each decade and present them or their family representatives with a plaque, draw winners of opportunity drawing, conduct a live auction, and close the silent auction at 8:30 p.m.

At 8:45 p.m., guests can check out and pick up their formal portrait. The event will end at 9:00 p.m.

Gavilan College was established in 1919 as the San Benito County Junior College, operating under that name until 1963, when a new community college district was drawn that included both San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. The college moved to its present main campus in 1968.

In 1997, satellite sites were added in Hollister and Morgan Hill to augment offerings on the main campus. In 2008, land was purchased in Coyote Valley and San Benito County for the development of additional campuses. In 2017, Phase 1 of the Coyote Valley Center was completed, becoming Gavilan's newest instructional site and the home for South Bay Public Safety Training Consortium police and fire academies.

Gavilan College is one of 114 California community colleges, a part of the largest system of higher education in the world.

To purchase tickets to the gala, go to https://www.gavilan.edu.

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

2019 marks the Golden Anniversary of 1969, the single most amazing year of the 20th century

From the moonwalk to Woodstock, major cultural, political and musical turning points abounded. CELEBRATION ’69 is a multimedia presentation that tries to capture the essence of that crazy year through a combination of images, a live band, and storytelling.

Salinas, CA, January 13, 2019 - From the moonwalk to Woodstock, major cultural, political and musical turning points abounded. CELEBRATION ’69 is a multimedia presentation that tries to capture the essence of that crazy year through a combination of images, a live band, and storytelling. The show will open Hartnell’s annual SpringFEST, playing February 8th and 9th in the Studio Theater on the Hartnell campus in Salinas. The show starts at 7:30 with live pre-show music from the era starting at 7:00. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

CELEBRATION ’69 focuses on six iconic events from 1969: Nixon becomes president, man walks on the moon, Charles Manson masterminds a series of gruesome murders, The Woodstock Music Festival plays to half a million blissful hipsters, the Beatles record Abbey Road, their final album, and the peace and love sixties die a miserable death at a Rolling Stones concert outside the Altamont Speedway in northern California. Each event is explained with images and narration while a live band onstage plays medleys of songs released in 1969 as transitional links. And the audience is encouraged to join in, singing along with those classic tunes that remain popular fifty years later. There’s even a Beatles trivia contest!

In addition to the six iconic events, audiences will learn about countless other major happenings that made 1969 such a unique year: Edward Kennedy severely damages his political fortunes by driving off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island; a giant oil spill fouls the beaches of Santa Barbara and a polluted river in Cleveland literally catches fire, giving birth to the environmental activism movement; the largest anti-war protests in American history take place in November and December; police raid a gay bar in New York City - The Stonewall Inn - and for the first time meet fierce resistance, giving birth to the gay rights movement; Star Trek airs its final episode and Sesame Street its first, and on and on and on. Quite a year.

As well as a live band playing tunes from the year on stage, CELEBRATION ’69 also looks at the explosion of music that occurred that year - debut albums from Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Chicago, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and, believe it or not, that’s just a partial list!

CELEBRATION ’69 was created by Mark Shilstone-Laurent who acts as narrator and plays with the band. In addition to Shilstone-Laurent, the band is made up of talented local musicians, some of whom weren’t even alive in 1969, but, who love to play the songs from that era - just like many people still love hearing them. Special guest star Randall Thayer also makes an appearance.

The show features photos, many of which will be shown for the first time, from the collection of rock photographer/journalist Stephen Robert Caraway who passed away in 2015 but left a treasure chest of iconic images from rock and roll’s biggest stars that starts all the way back in 1967. The show is a memorial to Mr. Caraway’s photos as well as his spirit that never really lost track of what the 60’s tried to be all about - peace and love.

Although CELEBRATION ’69 plays right into the wheelhouse of the Boomers who lived it, it’s a show for anyone who may be curious as to why the 60’s and its music are considered such a big deal - or for history buffs that understand just how unique 1969 was.

Mark Shilstone
831-915-4550
mark@medialine.com

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

Superintendent Burns praises new ROP mission statement, says District is committed to expanding Career Education Opportunities

After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new mission statement.

Salinas, CA, January 8, 2019 — After about 18 months on the job, Salinas Union High School District Superintendent Dan Burns believes that his vision for the district is still strong and on track and aligns with the Mission Trails ROP/CTE new mission statement.

“The district’s mission aligns exactly with Mission Trails ROP/CTE’s mission statement, that all students will graduate college-ready and career-ready,” he said. “ROP has been doing a good job of aligning with the mission of the district, which is that the district develops educated learners to the highest standards, preparing them to achieve their life's aspirations and to be productive citizens in a global society.”

The new ROP mission statement is simple and to the point: “Mission Trails ROP/CTE prepares students to be career-ready by providing them with relevant skills.”

Part of fulfilling those missions is to improve and expand the district’s facilities. Currently, the district has begun construction on expanding its Continuation High School, adding a multi-purpose room and cafeteria; the new 6,240 square-foot CTE and Health & Public Service Laboratory is under construction; and the new Rancho San Juan High School, the fifth high school in the district, scheduled to open in August 2019.

Burns said the facilities expansion not only allows the district to expand its existing programs, but to introduce new programs.

“The board is committed to expand career education programs,” he said. “We’ve set the bar high to be an exemplary learning environment for both students and staff.”

Burns said one of the goals of the district now is “How do we refine and get better at what we do?”

“It’s a big school district, but we believe we’re a district on the move,” he says, pointing out the new high school and $50 million in bond funding for modernizing at all the district’s high school. “There’s a lot of positive energy to improving the learning conditions for students here in Salinas.”

The Board of Trustees of the Salinas Union High School District unanimously appointed Burns as the District’s new Superintendent, effective July 1, 2017.

Burns is entering his 27th year in the school district. He started in the district as a classified employee as a Guidance Technician at El Sausal Middle School. He was also a dropout prevention counselor, a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and an Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services. After one year as superintendent of the Jefferson Union High School District in 2016, Burns returned to the Salinas district.

Burns has been recognized for his contributions and leadership. He was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as the High School Principal of the Year in 2011 and as the Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent of the Year in 2016. Additionally, Burns has been a presenter for WestEd, the Central Coast Section (CCS) Sportsmanship Committee, and ACSA. He also has been a principal mentor for new principals through ACSA. Beyond his professional duties, he has been active in his community as well.

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

Austin Based Singer Songwriter Ferera Swan Announces Emotional Debut Single “Second Time” for Release on February 1, 2019!

Emerging singer- songwriter, Ferera Swan packs a compelling vocal laced with a ton of emotion. Swan is ready to introduce her artistry and heap of talent withherbrand new single “Second Time,” slated for debut on February 1, 2019.

Austin, TX, January 08, 2019 - Emerging singer- songwriter, Ferera Swan packs a compelling vocal laced with a ton of emotion. Swan is ready to introduce her artistry and heap of talent withherbrand new single “Second Time,” slated for debut on February 1, 2019.

Ferera describes the complexities to adoption in her deeply moving pop ballad. “Second Time” is a song intensely rooted from loss, grief, and love. The track was written for Ferera’s own birth mother after their reunion, where they experienced the loss for each other all over again. The song gently builds with delicate piano melodies that follow Ferera’s impassioned vocals. Swan sings: “how can you say you love someone, you don’t even want to know?” Her voice is layered with such range and texture that embraces this confusion, despair, and tenderness behind the song.

As Ferera discovers her own internal conflicts she anticipates for listeners to do the same, so they can uncover this ongoing journey of healing together. By opening up, she connects with others to encourage their own resolutions.

“By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we inspire others to be curious about their own pain, Ferera Swan notes. Together, we spread the kind of love & healing this world needs.”

“Second Time” was produced by former Seal drummer Ramy Antoun (A&F Drum Co.); the work of Jacob Hildebrand (Miranda Lambert), Jake Riley (The Spazmatics), Sergio Andrade (Lifehouse); and mixes/masters by the notable, multi GRAMMY award-winning Reid Shippen.

“Second Time” is the debut single from Ferera Swan’s planned upcoming EP.

About Ferera Swan:
Growing up in Houston, Texas, began piano lessons with music theory and ear training at age 3. Three years later she started violin lessons. After learning that she was adopted at age 10, Ferera poured unanswered questions into music, writing her first song at age 12, followed by her first cinematic score at age 14 titled 'Serenity', which was premiered by four orchestras for a turnout of over 2,ooo during her senior year of high school. Her original piece, 'Lighthouse', was featured as a soundtrack in the film documentary, Swim For The Reef, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France, 2016. Ferera has also played at notable venues in the South and West Coast including: Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Ferera plans to continue touring in support of her upcoming EP, set for a 2019 release.

Her upcoming record gives fans a brand-new perspective on this artist from the inside out: revealing an intimate collection of messages relevant to all of us, reaching the hearts of all listeners.By inspiring others with her story through music as an artist, adoptee, and a voice for adoptees, Ferera is passionate advocate for raising awareness in the areas of mental/emotional health, trauma education & research, victim abuse, and foster care & adoption.

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

Monterey Symphony Launches Search for New Music Director

The Monterey Symphony has launched a search for a new music director. The new position will commence June 2021.

Monterey, CA, January 04, 2019 — The Monterey Symphony has launched a search for a new music director. The new position will commence June 2021.

The two-year search will be conducted by a committee, established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Musician's Union, and stipulates a committee of nine — five members representing management, and four representing musicians.

The symphony hopes to announce a new music director in April 2021, with the first concert with the new music director in October 2021. Candidates for the post will be invited for interviews in May 2019, and will be invited to conduct during the 2020-2021 season.

The music director, among other things, will select music to be performed at classical and other symphonic programs, select soloists, serve as the principal conductor, and work within the limits established by the organization's budget, its bylaws and its internal policies.

The Music Director reports to the Board of Directors and works closely and cooperatively with them and the Executive Director in pursuing the organization's objectives.

“Monterey Symphony is seeking an exceptional conductor with significant experience leading professional ensembles at a high level, who has wide-ranging intellectual and cultural interests and excellent communication skills,” according to the symphony’s website. “They will be able to demonstrate the ability to inspire musicians, board members and staff and cultivate effective relationships with guest artists, composers and other artistic partners.”

The application procedure and more information on the duties and requirements of the position are available at: https://www.montereysymphony.org/employment.htm.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.montereysymphony.org/employment.htm

Pin It To Win It

Pin It To Win It! The beginning of the year is a great time to start planning the details of your #weddingday, and Pinterest is the perfect place to check out the latest trends

Monterey, CA, January 02, 2019 - Pin It To Win It! The beginning of the year is a great time to start planning the details of your #weddingday, and Pinterest is the perfect place to check out the latest trends — from wedding activities to finding your something blue!

The team at Hyatt Regency Monterey is here to make your dreams come true ... so pin your favorites for a chance to win! Happy posting

Enter Today

Follow us on Pinterest: pinterest.com/montereyhyatt
Create a board titled: Dream Wedding

Add a minimum of 5 pins with your favorite wedding inspo! From reception decor to bridesmaid pics there is no shortage of awesome wedding ideas on pinterest! Be sure to use the hashtag #WeddingsInAHyattWorld

Email a link your board to: marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Monterey as well as a romantic dinner at #TusCA! Winner will be announced February 5th.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/

Hofsas House Hotel Facebook Contest!

This month we are giving you the chance to win a two-night stay at Hofsas House by sharing your own sign!

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, January 01, 2019 - This month we are giving you the chance to win a two-night stay at Hofsas House by sharing your own sign! Simply create your sign telling us why you'd love to win, and our favorite post will win a two-night stay. We will also choose two other winners to receive a Hofsas House logo tote bag and water bottle, or our dog amenity package. Happy Posting!

It's simple:

1. Create your sign
2. Post it on our Facebook page using thehashtag #WinWithHofsasHouse
3. Don't do Facebook? Email your entry to marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
4. One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at our beautiful hotel in Carmel, and two other winners will receive a Hofsas House logo tote bag and water bottle, or our dog amenity package (water bowl, frisbee, dog shampoo and towel).
5. Contest runs January 1-30, 2019.

Winner announced February 5th.

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

Salinas-Based Beefy Boys Beef Jerky Co. contest to gift up to 20 Pounds of Locally Crafted Jerky to its Monterey County, California customers to celebrate the BEEFY BOYS® brand’s 20th Anniversary!

If you live in Monterey County, California, keep your eyes peeled for those “Golden Tickets” in 2019.

Salinas, CA, December 31, 2018 — If you live in Monterey County, California, keep your eyes peeled for those “Golden Tickets” in 2019. If you see a “Gold” Ingredient label on Beefy Boys Jerky in the year 2019, you just might be Gifted a pound of Beefy Boys Beef jerky!

The gifting of jerky is meant to celebrate Salinas-based Beefy Boys Beef Jerky’s 20th Anniversary in 2019. There will be 2,000 Golden Tickets (bags with a gold colored ingredient label and a unique lot number of 1 to 2000). For every 100 Golden Tickets, one lot number will be selected for its finder to be gifted a pound of Jerky, with the selected number being listed on the Beefy Boys jerky Facebook page BEFORE it is delivered to a local Monterey County, California store, subject to all Facebook Contest Rules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Numbers listed in advance at: https://www.facebook.com/LocaleJerky. One winner per ticket, with the FIRST person to name the 1) Store Name 2) Store Location and 3) Time and Date that they discovered the winning ticket to be gifted the pound of jerky. Call the number on the bag or post this information to our Facebook page, under the photo of the winning bag.

Beefy Boys jerky uses local ingredients, is locally owned, locally made, and locally distributed in Monterey County, California. Look for Beefy Boys Jerky in all Monterey County Safeway Stores, and nearly 200 other grocery stores, wineries, brewing companies & retails shops throughout Monterey County, CA.Questions should be emailed to info@Top10Produce.com.

No purchase is required, and the bags bearing the Golden Tickets can be discovered only in Monterey County retail stores that currently supply Beefy Boys brand beef jerky. One golden ticket number per 100 tickets (20 total potential winners) will be selected in advance of placement in the store. The tickets have no cash value and there will only be one winner per ticket.

Beefy Boys Beef Jerky Co.
https://www.ourlocale.org
Phone: 888-669-2010
Fax: 831-422-0180
1319 Burton Avenue - Suite C
Salinas, CA 93901

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You understand if you choose to post on the Facebook page for Beefy Boys Jerky Co. that you are providing your information to the owner of this Facebook page and not to Facebook.

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

Dream Team of Local Community Leaders Help Tenants Acquire Their Deteriorating Building From Absentee Owners

The story of the 665 LLC building and how it became owned and operated by the doctors and practitioners who worked within its walls is one of perseverance, frustration and teamwork. And a lot of “wrestling.”

Monterey, CA, December 31, 2018 — The story of the 665 LLC building and how it became owned and operated by the doctors and practitioners who worked within its walls is one of perseverance, frustration and teamwork. And a lot of “wrestling.”

“We started a wrestling match. We had to wrestle with them. And kick and scratch and fight,” says Dr. David Morwood, one of the tenants, and now one of the owner-occupants of 665 Munras Ave., about the epic battle with a Florida-based equity fund that owned the building.

The story goes back at least a decade, maybe more. The property, owned by Paul Verga at the time, had been a car dealership, bank and, currently, a suite of medical offices, including Morwood’s, a plastic surgeon. Morwood, in fact, at 13 years, was the longest-running tenant in the building, which houses medical offices, including a surgery center, allergist, radiology suites, hearing aid center, among others.

But since Verga’s death in 2002 and the 2008 real estate crash, when the building went into foreclosure and eventually ended up in the hands of the Florida equity fund, the building had fallen into serious disrepair. Morwood’s office experienced leaks and a partially collapsed ceiling. His entreaties to the absentee landlords went unheeded.

“I was sick of the out-of-state landlords ignoring us, so the only solution was to get ownership from the equity fund,” says Morwood. “We had to figure out how to get control of this amazing building and not allow this gem to be tarnished.”

Unfortunately, the building wasn’t on the market and the owners didn’t want to sell. So Morwood had to come up with a strategy to gain ownership. And since he wasn’t an expert in real estate, he consulted several friends and acquaintances who were. Folks like former City Councilman and developer Carl Outzen, renowned property owner Mike Marotta, commercial real estate professionals John Mahoney and Patrick Stafford, attorneys Andy Swartz and Mark Myers, bankers Clay Larson and Steve Keller. Morwood recalled it takes a team to win the Super Bowl.

With this Dream Team of experts and community leaders, Morwood set out to form a coalition of other tenants, business leaders, bankers and local businesses in the neighborhood to join in the effort. He called his long-term associate Dr. David Awerbuck, ENT surgeon, to add some "heavyweight expertise" and experience to the group. Not only is Dr. Awerbuck an expert ENT surgeon, he has an MBA from the University of Southern California.

“We started to get a lot of support, everybody was rooting for us,” he says. “It’s a great neighborhood and we got support from everybody.”

So this coalition made an unsolicited offer to the equity fund, which is when all the “kicking, scratching, maneuvering, negotiating” and yes, wrestling, began. It was a long, arduous process, but the equity fund relented and agreed to sell the building to the coalition. “I think they started to feel the pressure,” he says.

The deal closed in July, with most of the tenants on board as owner-operators and the whole effort was named 665 LLC, although Morwood said it would be renamed something along the lines of the Munras Medical Complex.

“The greatest feeling in the world is walking into the building knowing that we own it!” says Morwood, “it’s not a disinterested party from 2,400 miles away. We are the landlords. We did it, with a lot of help from some very hard-working pros.”

The building only has one space open now, the allergist has expanded operations and the Revitalessence Medical Spa & Laser Center has opened a branch.

And Morwood accomplished one other goal: “We fixed the roof! Now when it rains we don't have to worry and wonder if the ceiling will cave in on us!"

The Monterey Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate local ownership of the 665 Munras building on Thursday, 17 Jan. 17, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

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