CENTRAL COAST YMCA Youth and Government Delegation of Distinction 2019 for the State of California

The CENTRAL COAST YMCA announces our Youth and Government delegation earned Delegation of Distinction for the state of California and advisor Lori Caldeira voted Outstanding Advisor.

Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz Counties, CA, March 17, 2019 - The CENTRAL COAST YMCA announces our Youth and Government delegation earned Delegation of Distinction for the state of California and advisor Lori Caldeira voted Outstanding Advisor.

For the second year in a row, the Central Coast Salinas Valley delegation earned the prestigious title of Delegation of Distinction. This title is awarded to those delegations who show excellent commitment to the Y core values and who complete their program year with high levels of delegate engagement and success.

The 2019 Central Coast YMCA Youth and Government Delegation consists of 28 delegation members and 4 Adult advisors. This year our Delegation had 6 students who achieved statewide level leadership positions in which there were over 3,500 program participants. Rising to statewide leadership implies exceptional demonstration of leadership skills within the program.

Bill Topic for Central Coast Salinas Valley (CCSV) - An act to amend California Education Code regarding the body composition requirement of the Fitness Gram Physical Fitness test as it pertains to California Public School students. Our own local delegate: Xitlaali C. was asked to speak at the opening Joint Session event (attended by almost 4,000 people) to explain her role and our local delegation’s role in a Youth Voter Pre-Registration Drive. Our local delegation helped to register over 600 high school students to be able to vote when they turn 18.

Program Year Highlights: Students attended two training conferences in Fresno before the culminating event in Sacramento. Students participated in social initiative programs to aid Veteran’s organizations and local homeless shelters.

Students also participated in local community services efforts by:

● Helping at the Salinas Family YMCA Spooktacular Event
● Participating in a hygiene/diaper drive to support local shelters
● Participating in two separate beach clean-ups on the peninsula
● Cleaning/organizing projects at Buena Vista Middle School

While our program year has ended for the season, we will start up again in August.

Anyone interested in receiving more information about Youth & Government should send a request to be added to our email at centralcoastymcayouthandgovt@gmail.com. Or contact Amy Grames, Executive Vice President at 831-757-4633 or agrames@ymcacentralcoast.org.

About the Y
The Central Coast YMCA was formed in 1989 with the merger of two independent YMCAs: the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). The YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula, which began as a USO in 1941, merged with the Central Coast YMCA in 1990. The South County YMCA became the fourth branch of the Central Coast YMCA in 1998 and the YMCA of San Benito County followed as the fifth branch in 1999. Today, the Central Coast YMCA employs 30 full-time and about 375 part-time employees whose goal is to serve approximately 30,000 people within Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties.

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

Central Coast YMCA Diabetes Alert Day March 26, 2019

The CENTRAL COAST YMCA announces Diabetes Alert Day 2019. Together we can Build a better us.

Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz Counties, CA, March 17, 2019 - Tuesday, March 26, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day®. According to current CDC statistics, 1 out of 3 U.S. adults has prediabetes and only 10% know they have it. The CENTRAL COAST YMCA is encouraging people in our community to learn the risks of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and steps they can take to prevent the disease.

Starting March 25 through March 28, each of our branch locations will host an informational booth on Diabetes and Prediabetes. Learn about our Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) which helps participants reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes that include healthy eating and physical activity. Anyone age 18 and over with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes is eligible for this year-long program with approval from their physician. DPP is a nationally recognized program, originated by the CDC. Research by the National Institute of Health has shown that programs like the YMCA’s DPP can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent, and 71 percent in adults over the age of 60.

South County YMCA Monday,         March 25th 10:30am – 11:30am
Salinas YMCA Tuesday         March 26th 9:00am – 11:00am
                  Tuesday         March 26th 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Watsonville YMCA Wednesday, March 27th 9:00am – 11:30am
San Benito YMCA Wednesday, March 27th 10:30am – 11:30am
Monterey YMCA Thursday, March 28th 10:30am – 11:30am

More details are available at each of our branch locations and on-line at www.centralcoastymca.org. Or contact Bill Proulx at 831-757-4633 or bproulx@centralcoastymca.org.

About the Y
The CENTRAL COAST YMCA was formed in 1989 with the merger of two independent YMCAs: the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). The YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula, which began as a USO in 1941, merged with the Central Coast YMCA in 1990. The South County YMCA became the fourth branch of the Central Coast YMCA in 1998 and the YMCA of San Benito County followed as the fifth branch in 1999. Today, the Central Coast YMCA employs 30 full-time and about 375 part-time employees whose goal is to serve approximately 30,000 people within Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties.

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

Natividad Celebrates 59 Years of Volunteerism

National Volunteer Week is April 7-13

Salinas, CA, March 15, 2019 — Natividad is celebrating National Volunteer Week from April 7-13 and honoring all of its volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon April 10.

“For 59 years, Natividad’s Auxiliary volunteers have been the familiar and friendly faces for all of our patients and visitors,” said Natividad’s CEO Dr. Gary Gray. “Whether they’re helping hospital staff, selling get-well cards in the Gift Shop or assisting patients and visitors at the information desks, volunteers are essential to our hospital.”

In 2018, the 375-member Auxiliary provided 40,917 hours of service to Natividad. These volunteers include young adults seeking work experience in a professional environment, college and high school students who have medical careers in mind, and retired seniors who wish to remain active and be of service to the community.

“More than half of our volunteers are fluent in both English and Spanish, which is a plus in our multilingual community,” said Natividad’s Human Resources Administrator Janine Bouyea. “They perform a wide range of essential, non-medical activities that help visitors and patients access the hospital and our services.”

In addition to welcoming guests at the front desk, volunteers oversee and coordinate other important activities and services. Volunteers provide concierge service to families in waiting rooms, Pet Therapy Service, assistance with patient portal sign up, spiritual care, Infant Cuddler Program, patient and specimen transport, staffing for the Gift Shop, clerical support for administrative offices, meal delivery to patients, guide hospital tours and support courier service within the facility.

“Volunteers can be a friendly face to patients and family members,” Bouyea said. “Sometimes just a smile or warm greeting can help our guests who are anxious or worried. Our Pet Therapy dogs, Bobo and Beah, also help distract patients and can be very calming for animal lovers. ”

Natividad is hosting a recognition luncheon for volunteers and auxiliary staff on April 10. Natividad Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Williams is scheduled as keynote speaker.

“Volunteering is vital in helping to create a healthy community and providing valuable services to Natividad,” Dr. Gray said. “Our dedicated volunteers provide thousands of hours of essential services to our hospital. We are extremely grateful and proud to honor our team of volunteers in tribute to National Volunteer Week and the Volunteer Auxiliary’s service to Natividad.”

For more information or to join Natividad’s Volunteer Auxiliary, please call (831) 755-4215 or email Sylvia Guzman at guzmans@natividad.com

About Natividad
Natividad is an acute care hospital and Trauma Center providing high-quality health care to everyone in Monterey County, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 10,000 admissions and 52,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital’s specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad’s Baby-Friendly® facility delivered more than 2,200 babies last year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies — some as small as one pound — the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSF-accredited Family Medicine Residency Training Program, Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast. For more information, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco
Chatterbox PR
831-747-7455
Salinas, CA
marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com
http://www.natividad.com

Carmel Student Nelly Kohlgrüber Felt a Sense of Urgency When it Comes to the Environment, so she Did Something About it

Carmel High School senior Nelly Kohlgrüber felt the need to take action and bring the issue of climate change and environmental damage to young people as well as the community at large.

Carmel, CA, March 11, 2019 — Carmel High School senior Nelly Kohlgrüber felt the need to take action and bring the issue of climate change and environmental damage to young people as well as the community at large.

Kohlgrüber was feeling an increasing sense of anxiety in her science courses, combined with the current state of ambivalence in our nation towards science and fact, not to mention the drought, fires and flooding California has experienced over the past few years, and she wanted to do something, but she wasn’t sure what.

“Many of us can’t vote and we don’t have millions of dollars to pour into issues. We’ve barely made it through calculus, and yet I had to do something,” says Kohlgrüber. “I decided to enlist the help of young people and to teach them about how to incorporate change in their lives in the only way I knew how: art. This was my chance to bring my passion for art and the environment together and raise awareness.”

That idea became The Great Wave of Change, a 12-by-8 foot outdoor mural made entirely from plastic waste. Working sometimes weekly, afterschool and through holiday breaks, students began collecting, cleaning and sorting single-use plastics for materials.

Kohlgrüber had pitched local elementary schools and found enthusiasm with Seaside’s Highland School principal Hecate Rosewood. Rosewood was instrumental in encouraging the project and applauded Nelly’s courage to take on such an endeavor. She then recruited the help of after-care leader, Alejandrina Poole, and those with enthusiasm (and who had finished their homework), to work on the project.

“Students are becoming aware of the amount of plastic in our lives and how much they throw away every day through constructing our mural and exchanging stories,” she says. “We talk about alternatives to dumping plastic in landfills and how to shop smarter. All the while they show me firsthand the positive effects of learning through doing. As my preschool teacher taught us, if it’s not in the hand, it’s not in the head.”

Kohlgrüber says this is an issue where the young can and should take the lead.

“Climate change epitomizes an issue where the young can teach the old. Those in power now will be long gone by the time the worst consequences of climate change occur, and young people will be left to bear the brunt of the chaos,” says Kohlgrüber. “My hope is that through this brief exposure to environmental issues at such a young age, the students might become ocean advocates and use their newfound knowledge to educate others. Hopefully, this project also shows how individuals and grassroots efforts, combined with education, can have a positive impact. In other words, it’s not hopeless.”

Even now, she says, young people are making a difference when it comes to fighting the effects of climate change:

* December 2018, 25-year-old Dutch inventor Boyan Slat’s tests his ocean boom intended to clean the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic debris twice the size of Texas.

* 16-year-old Greta Thunberg took the train from Sweden to Davos, Switzerland to deliver a fiery speech to world leaders at last month's U.N. climate talks in Poland.

* In February, environmental activists, aged 10 to 16, stormed California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office warning about the looming threats of climate change.

The project has taken approximately 9 months from inception to completion. Installation of the wall is planned for March 31, 2019.

Nelly Kohlgrüber
Senior, Carmel High School
Carmel, CA
831-620-2710
nellykohlgruber@gmail.com
https://nelllery.wixsite.com/mysite

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

Registration for Carmel Academy of Performing Arts Summer Camps Now Open

Registration is now open for Carmel Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) summer camps, which feature ballet intensive, super hero camp, circus and aerial silks, jazz, contemporary and hip hop lab camps and Royal Princess Academy.

Carmel, CA, March 13, 2019 - Registration is now open for Carmel Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) summer camps, which feature ballet intensive, super hero camp, circus and aerial silks, jazz, contemporary and hip hop lab camps and Royal Princess Academy.

The eight-week summer season runs from June 10-Aug. 3. Philip Pegler and Matthew Dibble will be teaching. To register, call (831) 624-3729, or go online at www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com. Here are the camps available this summer:

Week 1. Ballet Intensive for Intermediate & Advanced Dancers, June 10-14, 9:30-3:00 p.m., cost: $435

Week 2. Royal Princess Academy, June 17-21, ages 3-6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., cost: $300.

Week 3. Super Hero Camp June 24-28, ages 3-7, 9:30-11:30 a.m., cost: $300.

Week 4. July 4th week, no camp.

Week 5. Ballerina Camp, July 8-12, ages 3-6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., cost: $250.

Week 6. Circus, Circus Camp, July 15-19, ages 3-6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., cost: $250.

Week 6. Circus & Silks, July 15-19, ages 7-16, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., cost: $300.

Week 7. Mini Jazz & Contemporary Camp, July 22-26, ages 4-8 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., cost: $300.

Week 8. Contemporary And Hip Hop Lab, July 29-8/3, ages 9-18, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., cost: $400.

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

Young Dancer Chooses to Pay it Forward on her Birthday, In Lieu of Gifts, Making A Donation to Dance Kids of Monterey County

Dancer Alexa Julian could have chosen personal birthday gifts, which for a dancer usually means new leotards or tights, a dance bag or a new pair of pointe shoes.

Carmel, CA, March 12, 2019 — Dancer Alexa Julian could have chosen personal birthday gifts, which for a dancer usually means new leotards or tights, a dance bag or a new pair of pointe shoes. Instead, she chose to honor her birthday by honoring her first passion, dance.

Through personal notes and social media posts to friends and family, for her birthday, Julian requested donations to Dance Kids of Monterey County, a nonprofit youth theatrical organization that the 15-year-old has been dancing with for six years.

She was able to donate a check for $231 to Dance Kids. She has danced in Dance Kids’ renowned “Nutcracker” ballet since she was 9 years old. Her instructors/coaches have included Philip Pegler, Sandra Burnham, Ashley Rutherford and Amanda Casas.

Julian excels in jazz and contemporary styles of movement, yet her emphasis on classical ballet finds this otherwise typical teenager in the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts dance studios, seven days a week and often more than five hours a day.

One week before her birthday, Alexa placed second overall in her performance of classical ballet variation from the ballet, “Giselle” and the variation called the “third shade” from “La Bayadere,” a ballet first performed in 1877 in St. Petersburg, Russia with choreography by Marius Petipa. She placed in the top 12 for her contemporary dance “McQueen,” an homage to Alexander McQueen, the late British fashion designer and couturier in the House of Givenchy, at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Competition.

She has been invited to participate in the final competition of YAGP in New York City. As many gifted young people must learn, life is a series of choices. Alexa also garnered a coveted space in the summer intensive at the Paris Opera Ballet as well as the International Ballet Master Classes, held at the Czech National Ballet in Prague. Paris and Prague have taken precedence over New York. She leaves midsummer for the dance intensives many only can dream of attending.

Although only 15 and a pre-professional dancer on her first steps to a career, she chose to honor an organization promoting the arts to young people and to help others, even on her special day!

About Dance Kids
With over 24 years of production history, Dance Kids of Monterey County, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by Richmond, is proud of its wide range of theatrical experience that support the youth of the Monterey Peninsula. In the early days, productions at the Carmel Ballet Academy included “Nutcracker” and original spring musicals written by Walt de Faria and a full-length spring ballet, produced at Sunset Center.

Dance Kids was known for fun-loving nostalgia surrounding the musical and drew from the community a range of young people and their families committed to theater. As it grew, its little venue could not handle the “Nutcracker” any longer, but continued at the venue for the spring musicals, until those too, outgrew the dance studio. “Nutcracker” moved to Sunset Center in 1995 and has remained there as its home venue except for the years the center was being remodeled.

Dance Kids “Nutcracker” has grown into a premier production eagerly awaited by cast and community. The original vision of Dance Kids of Monterey County has been honored as well as surpassed in the ensuing years. This year is one of pivotal change and growth.

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

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

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

Mission Days Event to be Held at Mission San Antonio on April 6, 2019

Come to the pristine Valley of the Oaks and enjoy a step backward in time to the mission era.

Jolon, CA, March 12, 2019 - Come to the pristine Valley of the Oaks and enjoy a step backward in time to the mission era. Attend Mission San Antonio’s annual Mission Days event on Saturday April 6, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking and Admission is $10/car. Authentic mission era food will be offered for $10/plate with water and soft drinks also available.

There will be historical re-enactors in costume portraying soldiers, artisans, vaqueros, musicians and dancers. Mission crafts and activities will be demonstrated, including weaving, blacksmithing, candle making, tortilla making, and much more. Members of Los Arribeños de San Francisco will be performing historical Californio music and dance from the Mission period. Artists will be present to display and offer for sale their original artwork.

Mission San Antonio de Padua, the third oldest Spanish mission in California, was founded by Junipero Serra in 1771. The Mission is a state historical landmark and is on the national register of historic places. The Mission remains an active Catholic parish and retreat center. Mission San Antonio is surrounded by Fort Hunter Liggett, and is conveniently reached by publically accessible roads. The Mission is located off Jolon Road, at 1 Mission Road, Jolon, CA 93928. For more information visit our website at www.missionsanantonio.net or call 831-385-4478 ext.17.

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

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Hosts Exciting, Informative Events for Both Children and Adults From April Through June 2019

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has a number of fun and informative events for both children and adults on tap for April through June 2019.

Pacific Grove, CA, March 11, 2019 — The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has a number of fun and informative events for both children and adults on tap for April through June 2019.

Here are the events scheduled so far for April-June 2019. Events are held at the Museum, except where noted, at 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove.

Steelhead Trout Monterey Public Library Program

3:30 - 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Learn about the story of local steelhead trout, a threatened fish that has had to struggle to survive in a changing environment. Discover the amazing journey of the steelhead from stream to sea and back again and explore some ways to help protect steelhead and the water resources they depend on for survival in a river near you. FREE

Junior Naturalist Excursion

11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019

The Junior Naturalist Club will explore the world of seaweeds. The club will welcome Dr. Jeffrey Hughey (Biology Professor at Hartnell College) as members embark on a seaweed excursion. Learn about seaweeds in the Museum's classroom, search for specimens at nearby Lover's Point Beach, experiment with seaweed pressing, and finish by tasting one of the delicious products of these fascinating algae. Interested in becoming a Junior Naturalist? Visit https://www.pgmuseum.org/junior-naturalist/

Northridge Science Saturday: Day of the Dino

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019

Location: Northridge Mall

Join museum educators at Northridge Mall as they share the wonders of our local natural history. This month return to the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth. There will be fun hands-on activities for learners of all ages. FREE

Hardcore Natural History Series — The State of Redwoods

6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2019

This event features “From The Big Sur Coast To Southern Oregon” with Dr. Emily 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 explore not only the whole population, but focus on our 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 our central coast.

58th Annual Wildflower Show

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 19-Sunday, April 21, 2019

For over half a century this Wildflower Show has been one of the largest on the Northern and Western Hemispheres with over 600 species and varieties of wildflowers. This is truly an event that generations of families can remember.

The Museum partners with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to hold this cherished annual event. Over 30 members of the Native Plant Society spend over a week scouring Monterey County and beyond collecting the finest specimens of wildflowers blooming that spring. Botanists, garden enthusiasts, and people just looking for flowers they would like to plant in their gardens will all appreciate this comprehensive and spectacular array of wildflowers.

Day of the Dinosaur — Science Saturday

10 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019

Prepare for time-travel during this prehistoric Science Saturday, and set your sights on the age of the dinosaurs. Explore fossils, footprints, and more as participants learn what made the dinosaurs so successful, and also what led to their extinction. Admission to Science Saturday is free.

Walk of Remembrance

1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019

The 2019 Walk of Remembrance will begin with introductions at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and include light refreshments. Museum Executive Director Jeanette Kihs, and 5th generation Chinese Fishing Village descendant Gerry Low-Sabado will be among those greeting visitors to the event. Low-Sabado will speak about her quest to tell her ancestor’s Chinese American story. There will be a facilitated discussion to discover connections about how our own experiences impacts and influences history. The Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team will lead the walk to Lover’s Point, then along the bike trail, to the site where the village once stood. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the half-mile trek.

With the shared goal of honoring the lives of early Chinese-American settlers, the Walk of Remembrance is made possible by a partnership between The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, The City of Pacific Grove, The Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, and The Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team.

Be sure to visit the Chinese Fishing Village exhibit when you visit the Museum. The exhibit tells the story of the residents of the Pt. Almejas / Pt. Alones Chinese Fishing Village.

Rocks and Minerals Monterey Public Library Program

3:30 - 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Join this program for a hands-on geology lesson as participants explore the three main rock types and learn about how each is formed. Students will learn the difference between a rock and a mineral, and will also have a chance to view museum specimens under a microscope. FREE

Member Event — Hummingbird Day at UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019

Hummingbirds just can’t resist the temptation of the plentiful supply of nectar at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. During the event, nature lovers will see and learn about these amazing birds and the gardens that host and support them. On this VIP tour for PG Museum members only, explore the arboretum with an expert-led tour through the garden to learn more about nature’s vibrant aerial acrobats, the hummingbird.

Northridge Science Saturday: Water Wild

Location: Northridge Mall

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019

Join museum educators at Northridge Mall as they share the wonders of our local natural history. This month we will be getting wild with water — rivers, lakes, oceans, oh my! There will be fun hands-on activities for learners of all ages. FREE

Member Appreciation Night!

6-8 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2019

As a thank-you to museum members and their continued support, the museum welcomes members to join the museum for a night of hospitality to show their appreciation! The museum opens its doors to museum members of all ages for beverages, refreshments, and crafts to celebrate the wonderful people who help make the museum’s mission possible.

Water Wild — Science Saturday

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019

The museum is making a splash during the last Science Saturday of the school year, taking a deep dive into the wonderful world of water. What is a watershed? Where can you find a steelhead? Find out while participants explore all-things aquatic while completing a craft, activities, and more. Admission to Science Saturday is free.

2nd Annual Monterey Bay Jade Festival

Friday, June 7 - Sunday, June 9, 2019

The Monterey Bay Jade Festival is an annual gathering of jade vendors, enthusiasts, artisans and collectors with a common interest for the world of jade. This year’s event will take place at Monterey Bay Custom House Plaza, in Monterey.

Friday, June 7 from 1:00-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 8 from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 9 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

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

Sweets of Eden — Homemade Caramels Still Being Made the Old-Fashioned Way — Slow Cooked Small Batch, Hand-Wrapped, and Made in Spreckles, California

Susanne McBride admits she’s not much of a cook, but when it comes to caramels, she’s a regular Mary See. A micro-confectioner, if you will, one batch at a time.

Spreckels, CA, March 11, 2019 — Susanne McBride admits she’s not much of a cook, but when it comes to caramels, she’s a regular Mary See. A micro-confectioner, if you will, one batch at a time.

While not an expert in the kitchen, making caramels is what she could do and her friends and family agreed. McBride, along with her daughter Kate Brown and their combined families, are owners of Sweets of Eden, Homemade Caramels and More, a business they began in 2016.

McBride began making the creamy treats 30 years ago after remembering her mother’s caramels, a family recipe that was lost a decade before. She found a new recipe, and while not exactly the same as her mother’s, it was a hit and brought back fond memories.

The caramels are all made by hand, slow cooked, small batch and individually wrapped. Currently they are being sold at pop-up locations at festivals and fairs in Monterey County as well as Downtown Gift Shop in Oldtown Salinas. Making up to 20 pounds per week and recently permitted to sell wholesale, they are in the process of creating packages for local stores throughout Monterey County, with a different flavor featured monthly.

Starting with vanilla caramels, they soon expanded and now produce up to more than 15 flavors seasonally, including sea salt, apple pie, coffee, pumpkin, peppermint, raspberry, root beer, green apple, orange creamsicle, passionfruit, lemon, cinnamon and licorice. All are gluten and dye-free. The family is testing out several new flavors, such as bacon caramel, a hot spicy caramel and sugar-free and never lack for volunteers for the taste testing. The maker’s favorite? McBride says, “The last batch made is always the favorite until the next batch is made.”

McBride is a third-generation Monterey County resident — her family has been in the area since the 1870s. Both McBride and Brown have full-time jobs, but love to step into the kitchen and stir the pot. As for how the name of the company was created, well, it just made sense. “We are surrounded by Steinbeck and it clicked. There is a sweet history here and we are going to include it.”

So far the only way to get the caramels is at one of the pop-ups, at select stores and by contacting the family direct.

Sweets of Eden
(831) 783-5566
sweetsofeden831@gmail.com
https://sweetsofeden.net
https://www.facebook.com/pg/sweetsofeden/

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

Two Celebrated Local Authors of Flower Books to Hold Joint Event May 8 at Bookshop Santa Cruz

Two celebrated local authors known for their knowledge and celebration of flowers will join forces for a dual event celebrating the release of their new books, May 8 at the Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz, CA, March 10, 2019 — Two celebrated local authors known for their knowledge and celebration of flowers will join forces for a dual event celebrating the release of their new books, May 8 at the Bookshop Santa Cruz.

The event, “Cassie Winslow and Teresa Sabankaya — The Power of Flowers: A Floral Adventure” will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at the bookshop, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

In “Floral Libations,” Winslow, founder and curator of Deco Tartelette, a celebration of color, taste, and resplendence, has curated a collection of 41 delightful recipes that combine the playful creativity of fashion, the deliciousness of food, and the beauty of flowers in one gorgeous glass. Whether you’re throwing a baby shower, hosting a Mother’s Day brunch, celebrating a wedding, or simply entertaining guests, there’s something for everyone in “Floral Llibations.”

In “The Posy Book,” Sabankaya, founder and creative director of Bonny Doon Garden Company, a full service floral design studio, Santa Cruz florist and botanical gift shop, shares what has become her signature — posies. Inspired by the Victorian-era language of flowers, a posy is a small, round bouquet of flowers, herbs, and plants meant to convey a message, such as dahlias for gratitude, sunflowers for adoration, or thyme for bravery; she shares her favorites for every occasion.

Sabankaya holds a greatly influential position as one of the most innovative florists in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has exhibited her floral art at the “Bouquets to Art” exhibition at De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the National Trust Filoli’s Estate in Woodside, and various floral design and garden shows. Her floral designs have become highly desirable due to their unique style of arranging and elegant garden appeal. Her designs carry a chic and nostalgic feel, like a just gathered from the garden bouquet of exquisite high-end blooms.

Both authors will share their expertise, hold a demonstration, and display samples. For more information, call (831) 423-0900 or go to www.bookshopsantacruz.com.

Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Store: (831) 423-0900
Office: (831) 460-3232
bookshopevents@gmail.com
www.bookshopsantacruz.com

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

National Volunteer Week is April 7th – 13th . How Will You Give Back?

Help Interim Inc. Celebrate National Volunteer Week By Offering Your Time and Talents

Monterey, CA, March 07, 2019 — National Volunteer Week is April 7th – 13th , and Interim Inc. is seeking volunteers from the community to pitch in to help support their valuable services.

Interim is a Monterey-based private nonprofit organization that provides support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County.

Volunteering has long been a popular activity in the U.S. Each year millions of people give their time and talents without any compensation. While people volunteer to help others, they also get something in return.

A growing body of research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.”

Interim has a number of volunteer opportunities available to members of the community, for example, group cooking projects. Many of our clients benefit from having prepared frozen meals accessible, so it’s nice to have a group of volunteers to prepare and package individual entrees. You can schedule a weekend cooking project with your club, congregation or co-workers.

If you are a gardener and would like to donate your time, the garden and greenhouse at Shelter Cove need tending during the spring and summer months. Volunteers who can help Interim clients with planting, weeding and harvesting are greatly appreciated!

Our Voices and OMNI Resource Center would love to offer a wider range of classes. If you can teach a four-to eight-week class in yoga, art, Spanish, or cooking, we’d love to hear from you.

To inquire about volunteer opportunities with Interim Inc., contact the Development Office at (831) 649-4522, ext. 205.

About Interim Inc.
Interim, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that provides a unique combination of support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Services provided include affordable supportive housing, residential treatment, mental health and dual-recovery services, case coordination, therapeutic services, outreach and intensive support for homeless adults, supported education and employment, day treatment and peer support.

Interim Inc.
P.O. Box 3222
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 649-4522
www.interiminc.org

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

Balance Physical Therapy Adds Two Highly Advanced Anti-Gravity Treadmills to its Monterey and Salinas Locations

Balance Physical Therapy and Human Performance Center further cemented its reputation as being the most patient-focused and results-oriented rehabilitation facility in Monterey County by adding two highly advanced anti-gravity treadmills to its Monterey and Salinas locations.

Salinas, CA, March 04, 2019 - Balance Physical Therapy and Human Performance Center further cemented its reputation as being the most patient-focused and results-oriented rehabilitation facility in Monterey County by adding two highly advanced anti-gravity treadmills to its Monterey and Salinas locations.

The AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill™ is a space-age treadmill that uses a pressurized air chamber to reduce the gravitational load on the body, so those recovering from post-operative injuries can exercise unrestricted and pain-free.

According to the company’s website, the AlterG® “integrates patented, NASA Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology, a precise air calibration system, and real-time information to change what’s possible in rehab and training. Using a pressurized air chamber to uniformly reduce gravitational load and body weight in precise 1% increments, AlterG enables patients and athletes to move unrestricted and pain-free — restoring and building muscle strength, range of motion, balance, function, and fitness. No other unweighting technology offers as much freedom, control, and versatility.”

Adding the two high-tech machines is in line with Balance Physical Therapy’s goals when it was established in June 2002 by Dr. John Farahmand, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, when he opened his first facility in Salinas. His goal was to be dedicated to being the most patient-focused, results-oriented rehabilitation facility in Monterey County.

“With ten physical therapists and three athletic trainers on our team, we're one of the largest private physical therapy clinics in Monterey County and the only one with clinics in both Monterey and Salinas,” said Farahmand, a native of Salinas who attended local schools. “And we’re one of the only clinics here that successfully bridges the gap between rehabilitation and wellness by offering programs like post-discharge gym memberships, fitness classes, personal training, Pilates for bone health, and massage therapy to our patients. We build relationships with our patients that stand the test of time.”

Balance currently has six physical therapists in Salinas and four in Monterey, all with doctorates and many who have also pursued even more education in the form of Board Certification in Orthopedics, Manual Therapy Certification, Certification as Strength and Conditioning Specialists, Lymphedema Specialists, and experts to help with Dizziness, Imbalance, and Vertigo. They'll also be adding Pelvic Health Specialists shortly!

All of Balance’s physical therapists frequently attend continuing education courses, serve as mentors and clinical instructors for graduate students, and speak on a variety of topics in the local community. In fact, the therapists hold a “journal club” every two weeks to go over medical journals to hone their skills and techniques and research new developments in physical therapy.

In addition to physical therapy, Balance also offers 18 group classes per week to patients, including Pilates for Bone Health, balance and fall prevention, high-intensity circuit training and massage therapy. Classes range from 10 to 30 people each.

Expansion is definitely in the future, with new clinics and strategic partnerships planned. "Growth is important," says Farahmand, "It not only gives us the opportunity to serve more patients, it gives our therapists opportunities for growth as professionals."

Even with all the physical therapists, high-tech equipment and administrative duties running involved with operating Balance Physical Therapy, Farahmand enjoys getting in the trenches, as it were.

“It’s what I love the most, to get in and work with patients, and to see them make progress” said Farahmand. “The heart and soul of our practice is hands-on patient care and the relationships that we develop along the way.”

ABOUT BALANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY®
Founded in June 2002, by Dr. John Farahmand, who grew up in Monterey and attended local schools, Balance Physical Therapy® and Human Performance Center is dedicated to being the most patient-focused, results-oriented rehabilitation facility in Monterey County.

Balance Physical Therapy® achieves that goal by the application of highly skilled manual therapy, prescribed therapeutic exercise, and patient education, forming a team with its patients that is committed to returning them to an active lifestyle.

Dr. Farahmand graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with degrees in Psychobiology and Business Administration before pursuing his Doctorate in physical Therapy at the University of Southern California.

In addition to Dr. Farahmend, there are 10 physical therapists at Balance Physical Therapy®, all tops in their field. Dr. Joseph Melo and Dr. Miguel Vargas, both local, are the Directors of the Monterey and Salinas clinics, respectively. All of the physical therapists are committed to constant improvement in the areas of their clinical expertise, exercise interventions, advanced rehabilitation techniques, and the latest in research and science.

In order to maintain the highest standards of professional excellence, all of the physical therapists frequently attend continuing education courses, serve as mentors and clinical instructors for graduate students, and speak on a variety of topics in the local community.

Balance Physical Therapy now has two locations, in Monterey and in Salinas, to better serve the community’s needs.

Balance Physical Therapy Monterey
2260 N. Fremont St., Monterey, CA 93940
831-372-4782
monica@balancept.com
https://www.balancept.com

Balance Physical Therapy Salinas
143 John St., Salinas, CA 93901
831-422-4782
jessica@balancept.com
https://www.balancept.com

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

Noted Monterey Plastic Surgeon Offers Patients a Comforting Carmel Cottage to Recover, Recuperate and Rejuvenate After a Surgical Procedure

Prominent plastic surgeon Dr. David Morwood has had a thriving practice on the Monterey Peninsula for more than 20 years.

Monterey, CA, February 27, 2019 — Prominent plastic surgeon Dr. David Morwood has had a thriving practice on the Monterey Peninsula for more than 20 years. Now he can offer his patients the added inducement of recovering and recuperating in the world-famous vacation destination of Carmel with the Bonne Chance After-Care Cottage, just steps away from the city’s famous beaches, views and restaurants and shopping.

With five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, 3,600 square feet of space, plus a full chef's kitchen, two-car garage, two fireplaces, a baby grand piano, scenic ocean views of Pebble Beach and Carmel Bay, a theater that is a mini-replica of the famed Graumman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, a lovely garden, and a two-minute walk to Carmel's famed beaches, Bonne Chance ("Good Luck" in French) is a comfortable and comforting place to escape the hustle and bustle, recover in peace and quiet, and breathe the pristine ocean air where the redwoods meet the sea.

“From start to finish, we provide Old World customer service combined with cutting-edge surgical technology. So, after any plastic surgery procedure, your recovery and after-care is important to me and my staff,” said Morwood. “That's why I built Bonne Chance After-Care Cottage in Carmel. It's the ideal location to recover, recuperate and rejuvenate after a surgical procedure.”

Built in the 1920s with a Cape Cod/New England feel, recently fully remodeled and rebuilt by international designer J. H. Drum, complete with white picket fence, Bonne Chance is available for the individual and their families as well as a vacation getaway when not being used by patients. Nurses, attendants, and caretakers are available upon request.

For inquiries about price and availability and for any other questions about this unique property located in one of the Monterey Peninsula's most charming neighborhoods, call 831-646-8661 or go to www.drmorwood.com.

About Dr. David Morwood
David T. Morwood has been in private practice on the Central Coast since 1991. Dr. Morwood is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Morwood earned his medical degree at the University of Vermont, and has trained at such prestigious institutions as the University of Southern California and Beth Israel Medical Center. In addition to completing chief residency in plastic surgery, Dr. Morwood has completed formal fellowships in aesthetic and cosmetic surgery as well as microsurgery and hand surgery. He has served for years as the chairman or vice chairman of the Plastic Surgery division at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

Dr Morwood produced an educational DVD for women diagnosed with Breast Cancer that is hosted by Dina Eastwood, "Breast Reconstruction, Know Your Options, a Guide for the Woman with Breast Cancer." He is known for using both a scientific and an artistic approach to custom design his patient's procedures such as "The Natural Neck Lift."

For over 20 years, Dr. Morwood has been participating in humanitarian missions to developing countries such as Columbia, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Vietnam, West Africa, and China to operate on children with cleft lips and palates.

Dr. Morwood is also an accomplished musician and an active jazz drummer. He has performed at the White House and during a nationally televised NFL football game.

• Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

• Fellow, American College of Surgeons

• Chief of the Plastic Surgery Division of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

Member of:

• American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

• American Society of Plastic Surgery

• California Society of Plastic Surgeons

• American Society for Surgery of the Hand

• American Association for Hand Surgery

• Medical Board of California Expert Examiner

• Breast Care Committee and Cancer Care Committee of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

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

Goodwill Central Coast completes renovation of Seaside store, announces grand reopening March 22

As part of its strategic plan toward modernizing retail stores and other facilities, Goodwill Central Coast has announced a March 22 grand reopening of its Seaside store.

Seaside, CA, February 22, 2019 — As part of its strategic plan toward modernizing retail stores and other facilities, Goodwill Central Coast has announced a March 22 grand reopening of its Seaside store.

Festivities begin with a ribbon-cutting celebration featuring the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Seaside/Sand City Chamber of Commerce and city officials.

Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby will be the first to shop in the renovated Goodwill store and donation center at 729 Broadway Ave. At 11 a.m., following all the festivities, shoppers will an assortment of interesting items, and huge discounts on merchandise some merchandise . Those entered into a drawing have a chance to win a $200 Goodwill certificate.

On Day 2 (March 23) of the grand opening, Goodwill partners with Everyone’s Harvest Farmers Market. The first 200 shoppers will receive a Goodwill tote bag and specials throughout the day, both at the nearby farmers market and the Seaside Goodwill store.

“We’re really happy with the renovation of our store in Seaside,” said Ed Durkee, president/CEO of Goodwill Central Coast. “The investment has created a much better environment for both our shopper and our employees. And we’re delighted to match the investment that community has made in the Broadway (Avenue) corridor. The whole street looks just great. Goodwill is proud to be part of a community with a vision of progress.”

As outlined in a strategic direction approved in 2016 by Goodwill Central Coast’s board of directors, the organization invested roughly $25 million toward enhancing efficiency and worker safety, renovating retail stores and relocating the organization’s headquarters and central donation processing facility to Salinas.

The plan is designed to sustain the organization’s social enterprise while building the capacity for growth. A key objective is to ensure all facilities are clean, modern, free of barriers and characterized by efficiency and respect for human dignity.

Seaside Goodwill
Donation Center and Store
729 Broadway Ave., Seaside CA
(831) 394-1212
https://www.ccgoodwill.org

Store hours:
9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday

About Goodwill Central Coast
Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began in 1928 in the city of Santa Cruz and today has expanded into three counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Goodwill Central Coast now employs more than 600 people, including employment training professionals, sales personnel, donation center attendants, warehouse and distribution workers, and administrators. Its programs strengthen communities by improving job growth, the lives of individuals and families, and the health of our environment. Each year Goodwill assists more than 9,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work.

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

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