Monday, April 9, 2018

Carmel Honey Company Gives Back to the Community with the Product that Gives Back — Honey

At the heart of the corporate philosophy of Jake Reisdorf and his Carmel Honey Company is giving back to the community — both human and honey bees.

Carmel, CA, April 10, 2018 — At the heart of the corporate philosophy of Jake Reisdorf and his Carmel Honey Company is giving back to the community — both human and honey bees.

Reisdorf, who founded Carmel Honey Company when he was only 11years old (he’s now 15), is so passionate about honey and especially the need to save honey bees and endangered bee habitat, that he also founded the “Jake Gives Back” program.

The “Jake Gives Back” program not only makes financial donations to honey bee research and education organizations, it involves Reisdorf sharing his honey bee knowledge by speaking to students, service groups, civic organizations, businesses and corporations.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Reisdorf also does pop-up events where he can offer honey tastings, a presentation about bees and honey, as well as Q&A sessions.

Honey bees are a critical to the production of many of the fruits and vegetables we love to eat. In fact, about 90% of US crops depend on honey bees. These social insects also pollinate clover and alfalfa, which are fed to cattle, so they actually support the dairy and meat industry too. In addition, honey bees are also important to cotton and flax crops.

And yet the bees are dying. Pollination beekeepers lost an alarming 44% of their colonies last year due to Colony Collapse Disorder.

With his “Jake Gives Back” program, Reisdorf hopes to raise awareness about this crucial problem and identify solutions to how to reverse the trend.

And now, with the opening of Carmel Honey Company’s first brick-and-mortar store last August at the lower level of the Carmel Plaza in Carmel, Reisdorf is further able to support honey and bee research. When someone purchases a jar of honey or any honey-related product from Carmel Honey Company, either online or at the store, they just contributed to future honey and bee research and education.

In that sense, it’s one of the few products that consumers buy that actually gives back to the community and to the world at large in tangible ways. It can’t be understated how important honey bees are to sustain our global food system.

The Carmel Honey Company store is stocked not just with honey, but hive-related merchandise, including apparel, unique gifts, bath and body items and specialty edibles. Carmel Honey Company products also make for great gift items, including custom-made gift boxes that can be shipped directly to the recipient.

And of course, there is also an educational component to the store. Since most people haven’t tasted real, raw, premium honey, guests will be able to sample honeys from all over the country, discover beekeeping practices from around the world, and learn about the importance of pollinators to the ecosystem and the human race.

For more information on how you can buy “the gift that gives back,” please contact Carmel Honey Company at: (831) 687-8511 or at www.CarmelHoneyCompany.com.

More information is also available at:
www.Facebook.com/CarmelHoneyCompany
www.Instagram.com/CarmelHoneyCompany
www.Twitter.com/CarmelHoneyCo

Carmel Honey Company store
Carmel Plaza, Suite 118,
Ocean Avenue & Mission Street
Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: 831.687.8511
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Quilters Sought for First Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Quilt Challenge at 59th Annual Festival June 2-3

Are you handy with needle and thread or sewing machine? Then you’re invited to join the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

Castroville, CA, April 09, 2018 — Are you handy with needle and thread or sewing machine? Then you’re invited to join the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Quilt Challenge, which will be awarding first, second and third-place People’s Choice prizes at the June 2-3 festival at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

The theme is anything you want it to be, but your quilt must depict at least one artichoke on the front. Contestants must also use “some” of the fabric provided by the festival and can add as much other fabric as well as any embellishments.

Each quilt must be 20 inches by 20 inches have three layers and a 4-inch sleeve. Quilts should be labeled on the back with your name, the quilt’s name, and “2018 Quilt Challenge.”

Quilts must be received by May 25, at The Artichoke Festival Office, 11402 Merritt St., Castroville, CA 95012.

If interested in this contest, mail $5 to Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Quilt Challenge, 11402 Merritt St., Castroville, CA 95012, and you will receive the rules and fabric.

Quilts can be viewed both Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3, in the Salinas Room at the south end of the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey.

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

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

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Dynamos Comes Out Blazing With New Single “Stainless” Available 4/20!

“Stainless” Performance Video Out 4/13

Los Angeles, CA, April 09, 2018 - The unstoppable rockers Dynamos are thrilled to release their next single, “Stainless,” on April 20, 2018 to all online retail outlets worldwide. Their previous singles “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “Knowledge” have amassed thousands of views each across social media platforms, with fans clamoring for more from the California-based group. Needless to say, the hype is higher than ever for the emerging band.


“Stainless” is rock and roll that’s both timeless and forward-looking. It is Dynamos at their strongest, with a steely bassline running through the song that truly emphasizes the power behind Nadia E’s voice.Wasting no time, “Stainless” opens with Ian Nakazawa delivering a jolting drum performance. The rest of the band joins in on the antics, and crackling guitar licks build toward a crescendo, while Nadia demands a partner that can keep up with her. “Don’t run,” she sings, “Come on, son. Don’t fill me with disgust,” further riding the electricity while spinning a wicked tale with the moral, “Learn not to rust.”

On 4/20, “Stainless” invites rockers to join Nadia in Dixieland. Throughout the song, a pulsating drum is a pounding heart, counting down the beats left to accept her offer.

“Get a grip, take a hit,” she sings. On one condition:

“Don’t smoke it all.”

The track’s accompanying music video will be released on April 13, one week ahead of the single release. Much like Dynamos’ previous videos, this is a unique performance video, as the studio version of “Stainless” is replaced with the version recorded live during the video shoot.

For All Press Inquiries Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Founder, Miles High Productions
Chip@mileshighproductions.com
323.806.0400

About Dynamos:
Introducing a contemporary blend of traditional and modern rock music, Dynamos burst into the scene earlier this year with their debut single, “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” With their vibrant, striking instrumentals and passionate call and response, this American rock band intends to share their knowledge and love of music to the masses.

Dynamos is led by front woman and lead vocalist, Nadia E. She is accompanied by Nick Schaadt (music director, bass), Jacob Mayeda (lead guitar), Ian Nakazawa (drums), and Carlos Barrera (lead guitar). Nadia is known to rock the house with her soul-shaking voice and visual storytelling. Together, Dynamos combine technical expertise with pure raw energy to deliver a unique and captivating listening experience.

For More about Dynamos visit:
http://dynamosmusic.com
http://facebook.com/dynamosmusic
http://twitter.com/dynamosmusic
http://instagram.com/dynamosmusic

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157
Hollywood CA 90093
323-871-4821
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com

Support Your Community by Becoming a Sponsor or Volunteer for The 59th Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, June 2-3, 2018

Community festivals stay vibrant because of the people who attend every year, but they stay alive through the support of their sponsors and volunteers.

Castroville, Calif, April 08, 2018 - Community festivals stay vibrant because of the people who attend every year, but they stay alive through the support of their sponsors and volunteers.

It’s no different for the 59th Annual Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival, which relies on its many sponsors and hundreds of volunteers to continue its legacy of not only entertaining and educating the community, but directly benefiting charitable and educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Monterey County.

The 59th Annual Artichoke Food and Wine Festival will be held at the Monterey County Fair and Event Center in Monterey on June 2 and 3, 2018. Festival attendees will enjoy many fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day festival.

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

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

Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festival’s mission.

Organizations supported by the festival include:
• Local School Sports and Education Programs
• Animal Rehabilitation and Community Education Programs
• Cancer Support Services
• Community Programs that serve Seniors and At-Risk Youth
• Food Insecurity in our Local Community
• Health and Nutrition Education Programs

Sponsorship levels include Heart of Gold, Purple Bloom, Elegant Thistle, Green Thistle, Green Bud, and Friends of the Thistle, ranging from $500 to $20,000. To become a sponsor, please contact Kathryn Parish at Kathryn.parish@gmail.com or download the sponsorship packet online at http://artichokefestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018_CAF-SponsorshipPackage.pdf.

June 2 & 3, 2018. Please join us in celebrating

artichokefestival.org

Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Sponsor Form CATEGORY SPONSOR LEVEL Heart of Gold $50,000 Crowning $20,000 Event $10,000 Purple Bloom $7,500

By volunteering, individuals and community organizations and clubs can also support the 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations throughout the California Central Coast that benefit from festival proceeds.

Consider sharing your, or your organization’s, time and talents and join the generations of families and groups who have been a part of the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival’s history. Those wishing to volunteer must complete a Volunteer Application and will be contacted by the Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. office about next steps and placement for working on committees.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact the festival at:

Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc.
P.O. Box 1041, Castroville, California 95012
(831) 633-2465
artifest@att.net

Or download a volunteer application and release or fill out a release at:

http://artichokefestival.org/general-info/volunteers/

Volunteers | Castroville Artichoke Festival
artichokefestival.org

Be a Volunteer. Please consider sharing your, or your clubs’, time and talents at The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival. Your volunteer time supports the ...

This is a tremendous opportunity to participate in this one-of-a kind event that combines a long-standing community tradition at a legendary venue, and a world-renowned travel destination.

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

Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival June 2 - 3, 2018

artichokefestival.org

Join us for a weekend of fun at Monterey County Fair Grounds. Don't miss Chef Demos, Wine & Beer, Live Music, Farmers Market. Tickets available now!

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

Friday, April 6, 2018

Monterey Symphony 73rd Season

A spectacular lineup of guest performers are poised to make the 73rd season of the Monterey Symphony a special one for local music aficionados who, from October to May, will be treated to a series of six concerts, featuring some of the most-iconic compositions of all time.

Salinas, CA, April 07, 2018 - A spectacular lineup of guest performers are poised to make the 73rd season of the Monterey Symphony a special one for local music aficionados who, from October to May, will be treated to a series of six concerts, featuring some of the most-iconic compositions of all time.

Tickets (priced from $10-$84, with student and military discounts available) and additional information can be obtained online by visiting the website at www.montereysymphony.org, or by calling 831-646-8511. Tickets also will be sold at the box office on performance days.


Here's a preview of a season entitled Sound Waves, which promises to be a memorable series of shows, which will include Saturday-evening performances at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m., at the fabulous Sunset Center (Ninth Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel).

Program 1 -- Oct. 20-21

The 2018-19 season debuts with a program showcasing conductor Max Bragado-Darman and the Monterey Symphony performing a new work from compose Alex Berko commissioned with the Big Sur Land Trust, plus Franz Shubert's Symphony No. 9, "The Great."

Berko, an exceptional student at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, drew his inspiration for his new orchestral work, Among Waves, from the deep beauty of the landscape during a week in residence at Glen Deven Ranch in Big Sur.

Glen Deven Ranch also played a role in the first commission with the Big Sur Land Trust, resulting in Big Sur, the Night Sun, by esteemed composer John Wineglass, performed by the Monterey Symphony on the opening weekend of last year's concert series.

Program 2 -- Nov. 17-18

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, Op. 36 (often referred to as the "Fate" symphony because of its dark undertones) headlines the second concert of the series.

Written in the shadow of Beethoven's masterful Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky echoes the great master's melancholy in this hallmark orchestral work.

Celebrated American flautist Carol Wincenc, a professor at The Julliard School, will be spotlighted during this same program, joining the orchestra for Carl Nielsen's Flute Concerto, composed in 1926 for legendary flautist M. Holger-Gilbert Jespersen. This concert also will feature members of the Youth Music Monterey County Honors Orchestra, playing side-by-side on Hector Berlioz's Overture, Le corsair, Op. 21, which, like the Tchaikovsky symphony, was also composed during a period of great despair.

Program 3 -- Feb. 16-17

The third weekend of the "Sound Waves" season comes alive with four works, each of which is dedicated to the sea.

Claude Debussy, the father of Impressionism in music, composed La Mer in the mold of a symphony, but eschewed the traditional title for one more authentic to the sound of the music.

French composer Jacques Ibert, director of French opera in Rome, wrote Escales -- a suite for orchestra that perfectly resembles postcards from three Mediterranean ports -- after finding his obsession with the sea.

This concert also features "Four Sea Interludes" from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a, by Benjamin Britten, England's finest modern opera composer. Composed in 1945, the piece launched the career of Grimes in the new postwar era. The gorgeous tone-poem Oceanides, Op. 73, by Jean Sibelius, was inspired by the haunting and tempting sea nymphs referenced in Greek mythology.

Program 4 -- March 16-17

Jung-Ho Pak will be guest conductor for the fourth concert of the season, featuring the works of Tan Dun, Shostakovich, and Alan Hovhaness.

The revolutionary experimental composer Tan Dun transposes the sounds of water -- at play and at work -- into the textures of his music, most literally in Water Concerto for water percussion and orchestra.

Hovhaness' symphonic poem, And God Created Great Whales (commissioned in 1976 by the New York Philharmonic), featuring prerecorded humpback whale vocalizations, was credited with early efforts to save whales from extinction.

And Dmitri Shostakovich was commissioned to write Symphony No. 9 -- described by Leonard Bernstein as a series of musical jokes (including purposeful mistakes) -- to celebrate the Soviet victory over Germany.

Program 5 -- April 13-14

Three Romantic German composers are featured in the fifth concert of the season, a program that opens with Mendelssohn's concert overture, Calm Sea, and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27, inspired by Beethoven's work of the same name.

Solo artist Elmar Oliveira returns with the Monterey Symphony to perform Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26, by Jewish composer Max Bruch.

And Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4, Op. 120, originally from his unpublished second symphony, underwent massive revisions in 1851 (five years before his death), proving his mastery over orchestration and increased expression in the final edition of this emotional Romantic symphony.

Program 6 -- May 18-19

The sixth and final concert of the season will conclude in grand fashion with music by Wagner, Chopin, and Beethoven.

Richard Wagner composed brilliant overtures throughout his many German operas, including the overture from The Flying Dutchman, which will be showcased as the opening work in the season finale.

Chopin's stunning Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21 -- composed before he completed his formal education at age 20 -- follows, will be performed by magnificent Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal.

And the season ends with one of the all-time greatest compositions for the concert hall, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Op. 67. A favorite among experienced and new audiences, musicians, and conductors, the fifth endeavor in the symphony genre struck a chord for Beethoven as he discovered his true forte. It is the "Stairway to Heaven" of classical music!

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

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Bay Area Folk Singer and Her Group to Perform Interactive Children’s Concert on June 22, in Palo Alto

Bay Area Folk Singer and Her Group to Perform Interactive Children’s Concert on June 22, in Palo Alto

Los Altos, CA, April 06, 2018 — Folk musician Kathy Sherman and her band Hey Mom! will perform a free, family-friendly interactive concert Friday, June 22, at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto.

Part of the Friday night summer concert series at the Magical Bridge Playground, located at Mitchell Park, 3700 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, Sherman and Hey Mom! will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m.


Sherman has been a professional folk musician for 44 years and a music teacher for nine. She performs in three different folk bands and has released six recordings.

Her latest release is an 18-song children’s singalong album, “Let’s Sing!” which features such all-time favorite sing-alongs such as “The Hokey Pokey,” “She’ll Be Comin’ ’Round the Mountain,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” “How Much is That Doggie in the Window,” and “Teddy Bear’s Picnic.”

The album also has an accompanying “Let’s Sing!” songbook, which includes all of the songs on “Let’s Sing!,” as well as selected songs from Hey Mom!’s “Listen to Your Mama” and “Singing on a Star.”

In addition to Hey Mom!, Sherman is also member of the Good Folk Collective, the Greek folk duo The Plaka Band. She has recorded and released six albums with the three groups.

Media Interviews Available
Additional Photography Available
To request a CD for media review, please email Marci@ChatterboxPublicRelations.com.

Send the following information:
Name
Publication
Mailing Address

About Kathy Sherman
Kathy Sherman started her professional music career at age 15, playing Greek music in clubs, restaurants, festivals , and concerts. She put down her bouzouki, the mandolin-like instrument central to modern Greek music, long enough to earn a BMus in classical guitar performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She was a member of the Electric Guitar Quartet, a classical / comedy group that opened for such guitar luminaries as Leo Kottke, Jorma Kaukonen, John Hartford, The Great Guitars (Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis) and Free Flight.

Kathy’s current music experiences include Greek folk music with long-time friend and fellow musician, Notis Contoplianos in their group, The Plaka Band. Notis and Kathy have two extraordinary CDs, New Songs of Old Athens (selected for Grammy consideration for best World Music Album), and A Time to Sing, A Time to Dance, a rollicking collection of favorite Greek dance music. For more information about The Plaka Band, please check out their website, ThePlakaBand.com. Kathy also plays classical mandolin for orchestras who have the occasional need for one.

http://www.goodfolksongs.com
https://www.instagram.com/goodfolksongs/
https://store.cdbaby.com/m/cd/kathyshermanandthegoodfo
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.sherman.folk.singer.123829?hc_ref=ARSxYil_PqqCjfBQih1NEnvBFJnE2ogdDAYvxKRTFspGrq8hCv1gsf9bPo36UpZdfUU&fref=nf
http://www.goodfolksongs.com

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Interim Inc. and its Grateful Residents Believe in the Healing Power of Canine Therapy

There are four special unpaid employees at Interim Inc. that are known for their calm, gentle manner and ability to provide emotional therapeutic support that aids in the healing process for Interim’s residents.

Monterey, CA, April 05, 2018 — There are four special unpaid employees at Interim Inc. that are known for their calm, gentle manner and ability to provide emotional therapeutic support that aids in the healing process for Interim’s residents.

They are four therapy dogs that work directly in programs at Interim, a Monterey-based private nonprofit organization that provides support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County.


All four are trained to provide emotional therapeutic support and assisting in the healing process. These four-legged companions help decrease feelings of anxiety, increase feelings of comfort and safety, and reduce loneliness in residents.

Here’s the story of three of the canines, Angel, Rufus and Juno:

Angel

About twice a month, and sometimes more, Manzanita House has a visiting “Angel.” Manzanita House is Interim’s crisis residential program, where residents are recovering from a mental health crisis. The emotional support that a therapy dog can provide to clients at this juncture is much needed.

Sometimes you will find Angel hanging out in the Living Room, sometimes in the Dining Room or Day Room. She has been known to calmly sit next to residents on the couch or enthusiastically greet them with a big kiss. She is always accompanied by her chauffer, friend and personal human, Grace Rider.

Angel is a registered therapy dog. Her black and tan sausage shape wiggles with happiness as she greets you.

“I was told Dachshunds could be hard to train, but Angel wasn’t that way,” says Rider. “The International Therapy Dog trainer in Salinas says Angel’s got the perfect therapy dog personality. She’s very vocal for a dachshund and will greet with you with a gurgle. She loves everyone she meets.”

Angel has been visiting Manzanita House regularly for about four years. Rider says Angel seems to understand the residents — whether they need a quiet canine friend to sit next to them for a while, or if someone needs full-on doggy kisses. As the residents interact with Angel, sometimes they share their journey with Rider. They both listen without judgment.

When she is not at Manzanita House, Angel visits the Hospice at CHOMP and other rehabilitation centers in the area, spreading doggy joy with every visit.

Rufus

Manzanita House has another regular visitor who comes to play with residents. Rufus is a Black Lab and his owner Carla stopped in at the Interim offices recently to meet the administrative staff.

“Rufus came from the Monterey County SPCA. He was part of a program called ‘Take the Lead’ where young people who are part of the juvenile probation program work with dogs in the shelter to train them,” says Carla, Rufus’ human. Rufus was taught basic commands, how to walk on a leash and basic obedience. (Unfortunately, this program has been discontinued.)

“We got Rufus when he was 4 months old — he’s 9 years old now — and had him evaluated and trained at the Zoom Room (now California Canine Training) in Pacific Grove, with the idea that he could be a therapy dog,” said Carla. “Part of the training was for me, on how to handle him. Rufus passed with flying colors and went on to receive specialized therapy training from Therapy Dogs International.”

Rufus especially likes to play ball with the residents in the back yard at Manzanita House. Sometimes he can be found rolling on the floor in the living room, nuzzling a resident. He loves to play and loves meeting new people.

“When we stop in to visit, the staff at Manzanita makes an announcement over the intercom that Rufus is here, and the residents, and sometimes staff, come out to see him,” Carla said.

When not “working,” Rufus lives at home with his humans, Carla and Tony and “sister” Cammie, a white lab who is a hospital therapy dog.

Juno

The homelike setting of Interim’s Bridge House program in Monterey provides a structured, non-institutional therapeutic community where residents with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychiatric disabilities learn to rebuild their lives.

At Bridge House, Juno, a St. Bernard, works the night shift as a therapy dog. Juno’s human is Leah Mahar, who incidentally also works the night shift at Bridge House. Leah has been on staff for eight years, six of which she has been accompanied by Juno.

“I had been working here a couple of years, and knew about therapy dogs and how they could help people with stress,” said Mahar. “I started looking for a dog that would make a good therapy dog, and saw Juno advertised on Craigslist. I called her owner who had Juno and her mother — they had originally thought to breed Juno. I told the owner that I was looking for a dog to be a therapy dog, and she said she thought Juno’s temperament was perfect for that kind of job.”

Juno’s training began with regular canine obedience classes. But to become a therapy dog, she had to be able to pass additional tests, such as not jumping on people, not reacting to other dogs, and not eating food dropped on the ground. She had to remain calm in situations where other people and animals around her might be agitated. Juno passed with flying colors!

For residents of Bridge House who are learning to cope with mental illness while also dealing with substance use disorders, Juno’s gentle acceptance can be as healing as medication.

A typical shift for Juno and Leah begins about 10:45 p.m., and some residents will wait up to visit with Juno before they go to bed.

“Sometimes it’s hard for our residents to settle into their new routine,” said Mahar. “They are away from home and may be missing their families and pets. Juno is just there for them, unconditionally.”

Often, a few minutes petting and talking to Juno helps residents relax before bed. Since Juno and Leah’s shift continues until 8 a.m., residents often visit with Juno when they first get up in the morning. She provides a comforting presence that settles them at the start of their day.

Interim believes in the healing power of our four-legged friends, and the results are evident by the many smiles at Manzanita House and Bridge House.

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

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.

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

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Monterey County Fair & Event Center Hires Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative

The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced the hiring of Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative.

Monterey, CA, April 04, 2018 — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced the hiring of Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative.

Born and raised in Monterey, Aldrete is a 2013 graduate of Salinas High School, where she played volleyball all four years. She attended Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park as a wine business/marketing major, graduating in December 2017.


In college she worked for Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association and Wine Spirits in Napa, where she planned and set up all of their special events and ran their social media. She also worked at Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley

Aldrete is the daughter of former San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s professional baseball player Mike Aldrete, who is currently the assistant hitting coach for the A’s. She has two older brothers, Michael and Blake, and her mother Gina helps run the family’s whale-watching and fishing business on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey with her grandparents.

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

Welcome to the 57th Annual Wildflower Show

APRIL 20th, 21st, 22nd from10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Salinas, CA, April 03, 2018 - 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.

Wildflower Show and Museum Admission (tickets can be purchased when you arrive at the Museum):

· $8.95 adults who live outside of Monterey County
· $5.95 youth 4-18, students with ID, military who live outside of Monterey County
· Free for 3 y.o. and under
· Free for Museum Members and CNPS Members
· $5 admission for Monterey County residents

Wildflower Month Fun Continues!

Classes Open To Kids From Kinder To 5th Grade

Flower Power

SOMETHING GIANT FROM SOMETHING TINY

APRIL 7TH, 9:00-10:30AM

$25: Non-member, $20: Member

Artists will take our tiny flowers and and draw and paint giant wild flower paintings with oil pastels and tempera paint.

FLOWER CHALK

APRIL 14TH, 9:00-10:30AM

$25: Non-member, $20: Member

Artists will combine skills in drawing wildflowers using chalk pastels.

WILDFLOWER NOTEBOOKS

APRIL 21ST, 9:00-10:30AM

$25: Non-member, $20: Member

Artists will take advantage of the Native Plant Show by creating a mini wildflower book with pen and paper. Artists will visit the show and draw what they see.

STITCHING STUFFIES

APRIL 28TH 9:00-10:30AM

$25: Non-member, $20: Member

Artists will learn to stitch and create felt wildflowers. Add them to clothing, bags, coats, hair ties, or even make a stuffy!

Adult Art Classes

INTRODUCTION TO SKETCHING FLOWERS

April 14th, 3-5 PM $30: Non-member, $25: Member

Spend an afternoon with a science illustrator learning basic botanical drawing techniques. We'll go over some botanical anatomy and spend time closely observing native California wildflowers, then practice observational drawing using these blooms as our inspiration. All skill levels welcome.

BEERS AND BOUQUETS

April 8th and April 29th

$40: Non-member, $35: Member

Join us over a drink as we explore the Museum’s native plant garden. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our local flora and the skills to draw them. Instructor Liana Vitousak will guide you through the basics of plant identification and recording what you see through field sketches and notes. Registration includes lesson and two pints of beer.

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

Sunday, April 1, 2018

How to prepare for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for Google Drive

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires businesses conducting operations within the European Union (EU) to protect identifiable information of consumers.

San Jose, CA, April 02, 2018 - The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires businesses conducting operations within the European Union (EU) to protect identifiable information of consumers. In the tech sphere, this entails protecting the data of any EU citizen, no matter where their data travels. Under the GDPR, citizens’ social security numbers and addresses will be given the same priority as name and IP addresses.


Adopted April 2016 by the European Parliament in hopes of upgrading an outdated data protection directive, the GDPR is forecasted to carry massive impacts to businesses catering to European clientele. Breaches of privacy will be extremely costly for companies, costing up to 4% of annual global turnover. Meeting the standards of the GDPR will require most companies to make heavy investments and administrations. Moreover, most U.S. companies believe the GDPR will place them at a competitive disadvantage with European companies, requiring them to rethink corporate strategies.

In a recent survey, over 92% of American companies consider GDPR to be a top data protection priority. Among these companies is Google—the company is working to restructure G Suite to meet GDPR criteria and to protect users. Through G Suite’s information processing lifecycle, service deployment, data storage, and communication must be conducted securely. Additionally, administrators must be able to export and delete data effectively.

Collavate DLP is prepared to help your business meet GDPR requirements. With our secure integration with G Suite, users can log in to G Suite accounts without saving any personal information within Collavate. Moreover, Collavate provides numerous data loss prevention (DLP) functionalities that protect your data, such as keyword detection and usage trends.

Collavate’s keyword detection functionality allows administrators to customize sensitive keywords. For example, administrators can specify social security numbers as critical data, preventing any files with such data from being shared publicly. In terms of the GDPR, this functionality allows businesses to place stronger sharing restrictions extending to any form of client data.

Another key feature Collavate provides is usage trend charts and statistics, which highlights all critical files and allows administrators to identify publicly shared files. This feature provides an overview of all files as well as user activity. Administrators can easily filter files by privacy status, allowing them to focus on publicly shared files.

As businesses continue their digital transformations, data privacy remains at the forefront of consumer concerns. Collavate is prepared to equip businesses with tools to reinforce client security, such as keyword detection functionality and usage statistics.

Contact:
Harry Jung
Collavate Inc
San Jose, CA 95129
+1 (650) 515-3733
hjung@collavate.com
http://www.collavate.com

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa Announces Hiring of New Director of EventsHyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa Announces Hiring of New Director of Events

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa has announced the hiring of Jenny Lopez as Director of Events.

Monterey, CA, April 04, 2018 — The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa has announced the hiring of Jenny Lopez as Director of Events.

Just prior to joining the Hyatt, Lopez was part of the management team at Hilton San Jose, and before that, at the DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose.


Lopez started her hospitality career at the luxurious Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Tower in Los Angeles. In the 10 years she worked at the property she gained a well-rounded experience in the areas of Housekeeping, PBX, Reservations and Catering/Event Service. She assisted and serviced some of the most prestigious gala events the property was well known for hosting.

To expand her career growth, Lopez relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she worked at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels in the Disney World area. She spent seven years in the Orlando area working for Westin, Starwood, independent hotel chains such as Adam’s Mark and IHG.

She returned to Los Angeles to be closer to family and joined Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Burbank. Her career came full circle in 2008 when she returned to the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, by then part of the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts family. Lopez says it was great to see familiar faces and to go back to where it all had started for her.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions.

With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000-square-foot full-service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com.

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

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, March 24, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get ready for home entertaining this Spring and Summer!

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

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

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

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

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

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

At a Glance:

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

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

· Free to all attendees!

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

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

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

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

· Free parking!

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

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

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

2018 Spring Home Expo Seminar Schedule

Seminars to include:

Saturday, April 21, 2018

12:30 pm

Learn More About High Quality Olive Oil & Olive Oil Demo

Presented by RoseAnne Ruccello-Fischer of Ruccello Olive Oil

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

1:30 pm

Hardscape Design & Opportunity

Presented by Steve McShane of McShane’s Landscape Supply

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

And more seminars to be announced soon

Sunday, April 22, 2018

To be announced soon

Corporate Sponsors:

· Noble Pride Roofing

Media Corporate Sponsors:

· Monterey County Herald

· KRML Radio 102.1 FM and 1410 AM

· Times Publishing Group

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

About Presenter RoseAnn Ruccello-Fischer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, March 22, 2018

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, March 18, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For More Information Please Visit:ashleyj.net

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

Saturday, March 17, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

dorothysplace.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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