Do You Have Talent? Local Performers Sought for 85th Annual Monterey County Fair, Sept. 3-6, 2021

  Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! 

Monterey, CA, May 03, 2021 - Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! Local performers and those who wish to showcase their talents for free are being sought to appear on the Community Stage at the 85th Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Sept. 3-6, 2021. 

Are you a dancer, musician, singer, magician, gymnast or other type of performer? Come on out and dazzle Monterey County at the upcoming Monterey County Fair! This year's theme is “Fair Fun in 2021.” The fair will be held at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. 

Interested individuals and organizations are invited to apply online no later than June 25th, 2021, at www.montereycountyfair.com . There you will find a “Community Act Performance Request Form” to fill out with your pertinent data, type of group, equipment needed, when you would like to perform, etc. 

The schedule of performances is determined on a first-come, first-served basis with the deadline for receiving request forms by either fax, email or postal mail no later than June 25th, 2021. The fair cannot guarantee the times requested, but will make every effort to fill your request. 

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. 

Download Entertainers Form (https://montereycountyfair.com/vendors-entertainers/ ) 

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR, LLC.
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-74555
https://www.montereycountyfair.com

Fire Safe Council For Monterey County presents Wildfire and You

 An online workshop, to help seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfire.

Monterey, CA, October 13, 2020 - The Fire Safe Council For Monterey County and Wanda Vollmer of Peace of Mind Preparedness have developed a free workshop, Wildfire and You, to help inform everyone in Monterey County, including the County's seniors and those with disabilities and their relatives, friends, and caregivers, how they can prepare for wildfires before they start, to help protect lives and homes.

Wildfires have become an increasingly unnerving fact of life in California, and can pose great risks to anyone — however, recent wildfires have disproportionately taken the lives of seniors and those with disabilities. 

The Wildfire and You workshop takes about 30 minutes to complete and can be taken at any time at no cost by going to this web page and following the simple instructions  www.firesafemonterey.org/workshops.html. 

Over 100,000 of Monterey County's residents live in the county's rural areas, which encompass about 1.6 million acres in County jurisdiction, largely covered with hazardous accumulations of wildfire fuels. 

Fortunately, the recent wildfires in Monterey County have taken place during relatively benign weather conditions, without the unprecedented high winds experienced during recent wildfires in other counties.  As bad as the losses and destruction were from recent wildfires in Monterey County, it could have been much worse.

There is still an opportunity to work to prepare Monterey County for wildfire, but that opportunity could end on any summer day with hot windy conditions.  Best is to work to prepare now, without delay. 

Development of the Wildfire and You workshop was funded with a generous grant from Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula (CERV) and Listos California. 

The focus of the Wildfire and You workshop is to help Monterey County residents prepare their property for wildfire by creating effective defensible space, reducing wildfire fuels, and by home hardening, helping homes and communities withstand the impacts of wildfires and safely evacuate when needed.

About the Fire Safe Council For Monterey CountyFire Safe Council For Monterey County is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to protecting lives and property from harm by wildfires, and to educating the public on wildfire dangers and how to reduce them. It supports projects that help make homes, neighborhoods, and communities fire safe by management of natural and man-made resources. Learn more at www.firesafemonterey.org 

About Peace of Mind Preparedness

Wanda Vollmer's company, Peace of Mind Preparedness makes the point that, "… our comfortable world is not a given, nor a right, and our responsibility to ourselves, our loved ones, and our employees is to anticipate and prepare," and helps teach you how to do that.  Learn more at https://peaceofmindpreparedness.com/. 

About Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula 

CERV of the Monterey Peninsula is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support local CERT programs, build public awareness about emergency preparedness, and promote the community's capacity to respond to natural disasters and man-made emergencies.  Learn more at www.cerv501c3.org/. 

About Listos California

Listos California says, "Be Ready to Protect Your Loved Ones in Case of Emergencies and Natural Disasters. Stay Informed and Save Lives."  Learn more at www.listoscalifornia.org/.

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

Monterey County Nonprofit Max’s Helping Paws Foundation Announces Hiring of New Assistant Executive Director

Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF), which provides a financial lifeline for pet owners with a pet in a health crisis, has announced Shelley Wise as its new Assistant Executive Director.

Del Rey Oaks, CA, November 19, 2019 — Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF), which provides a financial lifeline for pet owners with a pet in a health crisis, has announced Shelley Wise as its new Assistant Executive Director.

Wise has 20-plus years as a healthcare professional and two years nonprofit management experience. Her last position was as full-time Assistant Director at Valley Health Associates in Salinas, California from 2017-2018.

“I am excited to find an organization that shares the same values that I do — helping families care for and protect their animals,” she wrote in applying for the position. “I am a passionate animal advocate with a mission to serve, which is why I returned to school. I have worked in both the private sector and non-profit settings, and have participated in all aspects of running a non- profit including budgeting and fundraising, which will enable me to support your mission and growth.”

Prior to Valley Health she was co-owner and chiropractor at Carmel Orthopedic and Sports Therapy, in Carmel, California from 1990 to 2017. She received her bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Kaplan University in Chicago, Illinois, and doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa. She received a master’s degree in Health Policy and Law from UC San Francisco and UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, California in 2018.

Wise’s hobbies include therapy dogs, paddle-boarding, working out, and volunteering for Gathering for Women. She is also a board member for Power Over Parkinson’s in Carmel.

About Max's Helping Paws Foundation
Max's Helping Paws Foundation was founded in 2016 to provide a financial lifeline for responsible Monterey County pet owners with a pet in a health crisis. Since it first started providing financial assistance in mid-2017, Max’s Helping Paws has approved more than $135,000 in financial assistance to pet families dealing with financial hardship.

https://www.maxshelpingpaws.org
(831) 704-6473
info@maxshelpingpaws.org
451 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940

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

Etats-Unis Bistro in Carmel to Host ‘Howliday Fundraiser’ Featuring Special Doggie Menu With Monterey County Nonprofit Max’s Helping Paws Foundation

Etats-Unis French-American Bistro in Carmel will host a “Howliday Fundraiser” lunch featuring a special doggie menu, Dec. 7, 2019, to benefit Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF), which provides a financial lifeline for pet owners with a pet in a health crisis.

Carmel, CA, November 14, 2019 - Etats-Unis French-American Bistro in Carmel will host a “Howliday Fundraiser” lunch featuring a special doggie menu, Dec. 7, 2019, to benefit Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF), which provides a financial lifeline for pet owners with a pet in a health crisis.

From 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, 25% of all sales will go to MHPF. Etats-Unis has a dog-friendly patio with heat lamps and a special doggie menu, which includes a Puppuccino — fresh, steamed organic milk.

In addition, with the purchase of a meal you get a complimentary howliday pet photo by Richard Green Photography. Get your photos in time for your holiday cards! The photo will be emailed to within 72 hours of the event.

Dress you pet in their favorite outfit that day and the best-dressed pet will win a prize. The winner will receive either:

Wine tasting for six with the winemaker on the dog-friendly patio at Twisted Roots Winery in Carmel Valley.
One-night stay at Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel in a dog-friendly room.
A dog goodie basket.

Reservations Recommended. Space is limited. Email Amy astouffer88@gmail.com for your reservation.

About Etats-Unis
Located in Carmel, California, Etats-Unis pronounced (eh-taz-oo-nee) means United States, which represents Chef Soerke Peters’ menu choices and cooking techniques. Incorporating local ingredients into traditional French cooking from the Old World has always been a passion of his. Going back to basics is bringing back memories of his grandmother cooking in the kitchen in Germany. Experience traditional French comfort food prepared with an emphasis on taste, not theatrics. Savor favorites like Bouillabaisse, Escargot, Ratatouille, Charcuterie and much more. Chef Peters is a leader in sustainability on the Monterey Peninsula. Sourcing only the freshest local ingredients. Organic and farm to fork are not just words in his kitchen. He was just awarded the Ocean Hero Award from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey for his responsible sourcing of seafood and preserving our oceans for generations to come.

Etats-Unis Bistro
Address: Dolores between Fifth & Sixth avenues, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Menu: etatsuniscarmel.com
Phone: (831) 238-6010

About Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF)
Max's Helping Paws Foundation was founded in 2016 to provide a financial lifeline for responsible Monterey County pet owners with a pet in a health crisis. Since it first started providing financial assistance in mid-2017, Max’s Helping Paws has approved more than $135,000 in financial assistance to pet families dealing with financial hardship.

https://www.maxshelpingpaws.org
(831) 704-6473
info@maxshelpingpaws.org
451 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940

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

Monterey County-Based Balance Physical Therapy Joins Sneaker Drive to Help Create Business Opportunities in Developing Countries

Your gently used athletic shoes can help create sustainable job opportunities in developing countries and Monterey County-based Balance Physical Therapy is helping the cause by joining in on a sneaker drive to collect shoes at its Monterey and Salinas locations.

Monterey, CA, September 23, 2019 — Your gently used athletic shoes can help create sustainable job opportunities in developing countries and Monterey County-based Balance Physical Therapy is helping the cause by joining in on a sneaker drive to collect shoes at its Monterey and Salinas locations.

The sneaker drive is being held in conjunction with Tri-State Physical Therapy Conference, PT Day of Service (Oct. 12) and Be the Rippl, an organization that collects new and used shoes to create sustainable job opportunities, creating inventory for family businesses and merchants in developing countries to improve and build sustainable business opportunities and help impoverished, underserved, and third world communities prosper.

Shoes can be dropped off at both Balance PT locations, 2260 N. Fremont St., in Monterey, and 143 John St., in Salinas. These include:

>Tennis shoes, athletic shoes, including cleats.

​>Converse brand (only type of canvas that works as a "sneaker").

​>Men's, women's and children sizes.

>Gently worn, no holes or tears.

>No dress shoes, canvas shoes, boots, or flip flops.

Rippl collects these shoes in partnership with Soles4Souls, which processes the shoes for partners such as the Haitian American Caucus. These partners distribute them for wholesale to merchants in developing areas. Shoes are sold locally in open-air markets. The business empowers others and stimulate the local economy. Then comes the so-called “Rippl Effect,” which lifts communities out of poverty by creating sustainable opportunities.

PT Day of Service, Oct. 12, is an annual event that is geared toward having PTs, PTAs, and students across the world engage in outreach and connect with their communities.

For more information on Rippl and its shoe drive, go to betherippl.com.

About PT Day of Service
In February of 2012 while serving as a health volunteer in Peru, PT Day of Service (PTDOS) Co-Founder, Efosa Guobadia, had this bold and inspirational idea “What if, on the same day, clinicians, students and associated staff of the Physical Therapy profession volunteered in different communities around the world?” Efosa then sought out his colleague, Josh D’Angelo (PTDOS Co-Founder), who describes his immediate response to this initiative. “I had a visceral response, one that told me this is something we not only should do, but something we need to do; a chance for the profession to show what we can do when we all work together.”

Since its inception PTDOS has grown exponential with service projects occurring each year in countries all over the world, and in all 50 states across the United States. To our knowledge, PTDOS is the first global Day of Service coordinated by a whole profession. It gives us the chance to lead and serve at the same time.

Alongside the growth of PTDOS has been the development our parent non-profit organization, Move Together. Move Together’s mission is to increase access to quality rehabilitation medicine around the corner and around the world. Move Together aims to achieve this by increasing the quality and quantity of physical therapy clinics worldwide, empowering clinicians, and catalyzing servant leaders. PT Day of Service directly contributes to Move Togethers goals by empowering leaders with a platform to serve, providing mentorship to those interested in creating sustainable service projects in their area, and providing the opportunity to financially contribute through sponsorships. ptdayofservice.com.

ABOUT BALANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY®
Founded in June 2002, by Dr. John Farahmand, who grew up in the Salinas Valley and attended local schools, Balance Physical Therapy® and Human Performance Center is dedicated to being the most patient-focused, result-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. Farahmand, there are 12 physical therapists at Balance Physical Therapy®, all tops in their field. 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

Artists, Dancers Join Together to Create Artwork to Benefit Dance Kids of Monterey County

Visual art meets the performing arts on Sept. 21, when 23 local artists are paired with 23 local dancers to create unique, collectable artwork to benefit Dance Kids of Monterey County.

Carmel, CA, June 03, 2019 — Visual art meets the performing arts on Sept. 21, when 23 local artists are paired with 23 local dancers to create unique, collectable artwork to benefit Dance Kids of Monterey County.

The Carmel Sunset Rotary Club presents “The Pointe of Art,” a benefit for Dance Kids of Monterey County hosted by Bennett Sculpture Carmel, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Bennett Sculpture Carmel, San Carlos and Sixth, Carmel.

For more information, call Dance Kids at (831) 622-9008.

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

For the Love of Monterey Peninsula

Monterey, CA, June 26, 2019 - The Thomas Kinkade galleries has joined in supporting Dance Kids of Monterey County and brings Master Highlighter Carol Van Tol in gallery to embellish newly acquired art.

Saturday July 27th

Thomas Kinkade Carmel Studio in the Garden

Ocean Avenue

Between Delores and Lincoln  | 831-624-3363

Sunday July 28th

Thomas Kinkade Studio Monterey 381 Cannery Row, Suite Q

Monterey Plaza | 831-747-2834

Event Starts: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Reception 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Music | Refreshments | Fun

The Thomas Kinkade galleries has joined in supporting Dance Kids of Monterey County and brings Master Highlighter Carol Van Tol in gallery to embellish newly acquired art. Carol who was trained by Thom in the late 90’s and has been a frequented artist to the Thomas Kinkade galleries for many years.

Your purchase of a Thomas Kinkade, numbered painting will directly support the Dance Kids Nutcracker 2019 Performance featuring the  Monterey Pops! orchestra.

The Dance Kids Nutcracker benefits the youth of Monterey County.  Performed at Sunset Cultural Center, Carmel in December, the magical holiday celebration, Nutcracker; A Monterey Peninsula Tradition, creates family memories lasting a lifetime.

Your generous support, either directly or through your purchase of a Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light painting, will create scholarship opportunities for those children most in need.

Auditioning is a requirement and your generous support either directly or through your purchase of a Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light painting will help a child earn a scholarship to be the next sugar plum fairy. 

Dance Kids, Shaping Strong Minds, Strong Bodies and Strong Leaders through the Discipline and Creativity of Dance.

Dance Kids of Monterey County, a 501c(3), founded in 1993, is a non-profit organization that gives children a better understanding of their community and the world through the arts with dance, music and theatre opportunities. Our performing arts programs allow our participants to discover their own voice, to grow in confidence, and to develop empathy and ethical insight-to aspire, accept disappointments, to sometimes fail, and to always keep trying.

Featured Limited Edition

Carmel Sunset On Ocean Avenue

Location: On Ocean Avenue at San Carlos

Publish Date: February 1999

In Gallery ~ Master Highlighter, Carol Van Tol

Click here to R.S.V.P

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

https://thomaskinkadeca.com

The 60th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival June 1-2, 2019, Will Showcase Talents of Some of the Top Chefs in Monterey County

Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 60th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival.

Castroville, CA, May 07, 2019 — Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 60th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday June 1-2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

All chef demonstrations will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

11:00 a.m. Pat Hopper, Artichoke ABC’s, Artichoke Advisory Board

12:15 p.m. Chef Dan Elinan, Hyatt Regency Monterey

1:30 p.m. Chef Chris Vacca, Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:30 p.m. Chef Tony Baker, Baker’s Bacon/Montrio Bistro

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

10:15 a.m. Pat Hopper, Artichoke ABC’s, Artichoke Advisory Board

12:15 p.m. Chef Luz, Main Street Bakery & Cafe

1:30 p.m. Chef Chris Vacca, Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:30 p.m. Chef Tony Baker, Baker’s Bacon/Montrio Bistro

3:30 p.m. Chef Giuseppe Panzuto, Il Tegamino

In addition to the chef demos, festival attendees will enjoy fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day event. The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is located at 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/.

Links:

https://artichokefestival.org/general-info/media/

https://artichokefestival.org/blog/castroville-celebrates-the-60th-annual-artichoke-food-wine-festival-in-june-2019/

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

Do you have Talent? Local Performers Sought for 83rd Annual Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019

Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! Local performers and those who wish to showcase their talents for free are being sought to appear on the Community Stage at the 83rd Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

Monterey, CA, April 02, 2019 — Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! Local performers and those who wish to showcase their talents for free are being sought to appear on the Community Stage at the 83rd Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

Are you a dancer, musician, singer, kickboxer, gymnast or other type of performer? Come on out and dazzle Monterey County at the upcoming Monterey County Fair! This year's theme is “High Tides and Carnival Rides.”

Interested individuals and organizations are invited to apply online no later than Friday, June 28, 2019, at www.montereycountyfair.com. There you will find a “Community Act Performance Request Form” to fill out with your pertinent data, type of group, equipment needed, when you would like to perform, etc.

The schedule of performances is determined on a first-come, first-served basis with the deadline for receiving request forms by either fax, email or postal mail no later than June 28. The fair cannot guarantee the times requested, but will make every effort to fill your request.

The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is a premier event center set on 22 oak-studded acres. It is home of the annual Monterey County Fair, host to many major public and private events on the Central Coast, and the site of the Monterey Bay Race Place, a satellite wagering facility.

The Monterey County Fair is the 7th District Agricultural Association of the State of California. For more information, call (831) 372-5863 or check out the website, www.montereycountyfair.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schipper Design Grant Program Now Open to Monterey County, Santa Cruz County and San Benito County Nonprofit Agencies

San Juan Bautista-based Schipper Design is inviting nonprofit agencies in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties to apply for Creatives for Community grants.

San Juan Bautista, CA, December 25, 2018 — San Juan Bautista-based Schipper Design is inviting nonprofit agencies in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties to apply for Creatives for Community grants.

“As we approach our third year of Creatives for Community, we are excited by the response we have had in the past and the overall success of the program,” said Kathy Schipper, Creative Director of Schipper Design. “We want to encourage any and all non-profits to bring us your marketing or design opportunity for 2019. We look forward to the engagement year after year.”

Creatives for Community is the brainchild of Schipper and stems from years of collaboration with nonprofits and her firm belief that nonprofits are an essential part of a healthy community, and deserve to have marketing materials equal to their for-profit counterparts.

“Here at Schipper Design, when we set out to give back to the community, we play to our strengths,” said Schipper. “The Creatives for Community grant program is one way of helping our local communities by doing what we do best — design. I want to invite other creative agencies around the county to participate and offer grants as well.”

Over the past two years, 20+ nonprofits from Monterey County, Santa Cruz County and San Benito County applied for the grant. One nonprofit from each county was chosen — Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, Homeless Services Center, and R.E.A.C.H. San Benito Parks Foundation were among some of the organizations selected.

In this yearly program, each nonprofit receives 30 hours of graphic design time and personalized attention from the design and account management staffs. Schipper takes the lead in creative direction, but otherwise steps aside, thus promoting leadership-building among the account managers and allowing for unique relationships to form between designers and the clients.

To apply for the Creatives for Community grant, applications open on Jan. 1, 2019, and closes Feb. 28. Send an email to info@schipperdesign.com to receive an application.

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

Monterey County Nonprofit Max’s Helping Paws Gives Holiday Hope to Families Who Can’t Afford Treatment for Pets Who Become Ill

To Heather, her dog Trigger is more than a companion, he’s her “gift from God” and a certified Emotional Support Animal (E.S.A). But even more than that, he’s a member of her family along with her husband and three kids.

Del Rey Oaks, CA, December 23, 2018 — To Heather, her dog Trigger is more than a companion, he’s her “gift from God” and a certified Emotional Support Animal (E.S.A). But even more than that, he’s a member of her family along with her husband and three kids.

Heather is a U.S. Navy veteran, a former mineman used to dealing with high explosives, and suffers from PTSD. Trigger helps her deal with everyday life as a PTSD sufferer. So when Trigger fell ill, with blood and vomiting, he was diagnosed with a multitude of conditions that needed to be addressed right away, Heather’s heart sank.

Heather and her family were faced with a very difficult decision. The family was not able to afford the necessary medical treatment for Trigger. Without treatment and surgery, he would surely die.

“It’s hard to imagine that you could lose a member of your family over not being able to afford a simple test that we as humans take for granted,” said Heather. “I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t have him in my life.”

Luckily, Pet Specialists of Monterey, one of 20 partners, graciously arranged to have Trigger receive assistance from Max’s Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF). Max's Helping Paws Foundation is a Monterey County-based animal welfare organization that has actively given back to the community by helping more than 100 senior, low-income, veteran, disabled, disadvantaged and in-need responsible pet owners in the past 18 months.

Since its inception in mid-2017 it has awarded $75,000 in financial assistance to those needing it. Max’s Helping Paws is a financial lifeline for those desperate to save their dogs and cats from unexpected circumstance.

“We cannot express how much we appreciate all those that chipped in and came together to help him and us,” said Heather about Trigger’s last-minute reprieve. “I am so grateful for all the help we received. There was a point where I really felt we may have to say goodbye to Trigger. When I count my blessings at night, Max’s is at the top of the list.”

Today, Trigger is continuing a smooth and steady recovery. His gastro-intestinal complications have almost completely resolved and his skin improved just in a few days of medication. Trigger is also back to climbing up on his owners bed to snuggle with his best friend, the family’s 8-month-old son Wesley and even getting back into the habit of begging for a ride in the car when he hears anyone grab the car keys.”

But other dogs and cats may not be so lucky, their owners are constantly faced with decisions that no pet owner wants to face.

“These are my babies, I don’t have kids. I think about their own happiness before my own. I'd go homeless before I'd get rid of her,” said one, Sarah. “We wouldn’t amputate his arm — he’s so young. I considered putting him up for adoption,” said another.

“To see pets suffer, or to see pet owners consider euthanasia or surrender because of financial circumstance is heartbreaking,” said Dyana Klein, executive director and co-founder of Max’s Helping Paws Foundation with her husband, a veterinary internist. “With your help, we can keep families together and keep giving deserving Monterey County pets an incredible gift."

This year, Max’s is also part of Monterey County Gives fundraising campaign.

For every dollar given to Max’s Helping Paws through MC Gives!, a prorated match is applied to the first $75,000 the organization raises during the MC Gives! campaign, which runs through Dec. 31. And every dollar counts:

>$100 can provide medications for a pet in need.

>$300 can pay for critical blood/lab work.

>$500 can pay for biopsies and diagnostics to determine if a pet has a chance.

>$1,000 can provide initial treatment of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, Cushing’s, Addison’s, asthma and some cancers.

>$2,000 can provide a life-saving amputation or surgery.

A generous donation to Max’s through MC Gives! allows Max’s to continue to help families from having to make difficult decisions and save their pets from an awful fate.

To donate, go to the MC Gives! website at www.montereycountygives.com/PAWS. To be accepted as part of Monterey County Gives!, all checks from donors must be made payable to CFMC/MCGives!, and include instructions that it is a donation for Max’s Helping Paws Foundation, either in the memo line or on a separate piece of paper.

About Max’s Helping Paws Foundation
Maximillian was co-founder Dyana Klein's 14-year old Miniature Pinscher, who passed away on May 27, 2016, from a rare kidney cancer. While grieving the loss, she and her husband found comfort in knowing they did everything medically possible to try to save Max's life, though ultimately the war was lost. What they realized was just how important it was to know that no stone was left unturned, and they imagined the guilt and heartbreak for those who might have to allow their pets to suffer, or may need to euthanize or surrender them because of financial circumstances. Wanting to do something meaningful, and honor Max's memory in a way that would help them heal while helping others, Max's Helping Paws was born. Max's Helping Paws provides a financial lifeline for responsible Monterey County pet owners with a pet in a health crisis.ll

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

Hofsas House Hotel family celebrates spring with its Ninth Annual Fundraiser for the Food Bank For Monterey County on Thursday, March 28th, 2019

Savor appetizers from local chefs including La Balena/Il Grillo, Chef Annie Hobbs from A Taste of Elegance, Chef Soerke Peters from Etats-Unis, and Terry Teplitzky from Michael’s Catering/Wild Thyme Deli & Cafe!

Carmel, CA, December 21, 2018 - Savor appetizers from local chefs including La Balena/Il Grillo, Chef Annie Hobbs from A Taste of Elegance, Chef Soerke Peters from Etats-Unis, and Terry Teplitzky from Michael’s Catering/Wild Thyme Deli & Cafe! Enjoy a sweet treat from Lula’s Chocolates and Sweet Elena’s. Sip a glass of award winning wine from Scheid Vineyards, or some of Carmel Craft Brewing Company’s signature beer. Listen to the sounds of stringed instruments of Terrence Farrell. Support the Food Bank For Monterey County!

Where: Hofsas House at San Carlos & 4th Ave.,Carmel-by-the-Sea poolside!

When: Thursday, March 28th, 2019 Time:5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cost:$55 per person,

100% of the money raised will go to the Food Bank For Monterey County. Reservations: Limited reservations available. Call Carrie at the Hofsas House (831) 624-2745 to make a reservation.

All proceeds benefit the Food Bank For Monterey County. Donations allowed without your presence. The Food Bank for Monterey County, a certified Feeding America food bank, is the largest supplier of emergency food in Monterey County. We distribute 6 million pounds of food annually. The national image of our area is one of wealth and beauty. Yet poverty and food insecurity exist in the "Salad Bowl of the World." The challenge is great and we strive to meet it on a daily basis.

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

Monterey County Tourism Makes Significant Strides Towards Destination Sustainability

Addressing plastics and measuring sustainability progress are critical steps in the path

Monterey County, CA, December 18, 2018 – The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) has joined two initiatives that will further its goal of ensuring Monterey County is one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations by both setting ambitious goals and measuring long term impacts.

The first is with Positive Impact, a global not for profit which exists to provide education and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry – and a vision to address the role of plastics in this industry. MCCVB is the exclusive destination partner for Positive Impact on this project which has already included collaboration with a number of United Nations bodies and in Spring 2019 will see the launch of materials to help the global industry measure and understand the role of plastics.

“MCCVB is already resetting boundaries for responsible tourism and by partnering with our organization they are taking a leadership position for the entire meetings industry,” said Fiona Pelham, CEO for Positive Impacts. She added, “Certainly understanding the role of plastics which will lead to its elimination from the future meetings and conference landscape is a considerable goal, but it is critically important and partnerships such as this with Monterey County are the building blocks of collaboration necessary to achieve it.”

Meetings and events are big business in Monterey County, which is a destination known for inspiration and innovation. “This partnership is completely in line with that legacy,” says Tammy Blount-Canavan, President and CEO of MCCVB. “Our tourism economy owes everything to our ecosystem, and so taking this bold step ensures further protection of our environment and further demonstrates the innovation of our region.”

Measuring success is also critical to MCCVB’s mission. The organization joined the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) initiative, an alliance focused on helping destinations, convention bureaus, and businesses promote sustainable practices. The GDS-Index does this by measuring and comparing sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world.

GDS-Index recently released its yearly survey of global destinations at the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) annual meeting in Dubai in November. Monterey County scored 52% on the sustainability index just behind Geneva and ahead of U.S. cities like Washington, D.C. and Houston. The scoring allows MCCVB to set a benchmark and improve in the coming years.

“Ultimately, protecting our destination is every bit as important as promoting it,” said Rob O’Keefe, Chief Marketing Officer for MCCVB. “These initiatives contribute to our long term viability as a top tourism destination plus they are essential to the balance we seek to foster between visiting travelers and the residents who call our beautiful region home.”

These latest partnerships align with the MCCVB’s Sustainable Moments Collective. The purpose of the collective is to share best practices from concurrent sustainability initiatives and use the group’s collective influence to reach visitors and residents alike. More information on MCCVB’s Sustainable Moments initiative and collective can be found at SeeMonterey.com/Sustainable. For more information on Positive Impact, go to PositiveImpactEvents.com. For more on the GDS-Index, go to GDS-Index.com.

About Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is a 501c6 organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to our guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.85 billion in 2017, representing a 3.5 percent increase from 2016. This $2.85 billion in visitor spending supported 24,990 jobs, contributed $255 million in total taxes and generated $127 million local tax dollars that directly benefited the community.

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

Monterey County-Based Canna Safety Plus at the Forefront of Cannabis Safety, Compliance and Analytics

Californians are rightfully concerned about the safety of consumer products they buy, from automobiles and children’s toys to their meat, produce and medicines.

Spreckels, CA, July 19, 2018 — Californians are rightfully concerned about the safety of consumer products they buy, from automobiles and children’s toys to their meat, produce and medicines. And with the legalization of recreational cannabis this year, consumers also want to be informed about the safety of cannabis products as well.

With that in mind, Monterey County-based Canna Safety Plus LLC is providing the state’s cannabis industry with the necessary testing, analytics and auditing to comply with state safety and quality standards.

With the company’s trained and experienced auditors, anchored by its user-friendly, cloud-based proprietary software, which has been engineered and designed by industry professionals to prepare companies for the state regulation of cannabis, Canna Safety Plus is at the forefront of cannabis compliance and analytics.

Canna Safety Plus, in partnership with food safety consultants GFSC Group and prominent testing lab Deibel Cannabis Labs, has the necessary expertise, depth of experience and partnerships to provide the cannabis industry with the proper food safety auditing and analytical resources to comply with state standards, including SQF (Safe Quality Food), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards, as well as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, product testing, and more.

“Our company partners have a depth of experience in food safety compliance, and food plant operations that are unsurpassed. We believe that the cannabis industry should have access to the same food safety compliance resources as any food manufacturing facility,” said Canna Safety’s Darryle Guarino. “We recognize there is no room for error when it comes to food safety compliance, and this passion comes through in everything we do.”

To meet state product testing regulations, Deibel Cannabis Labs analyzes a number of factors in cannabis, including:

* Cannabinoids
* Terpene Content
* Moisture
* Water Activity
* Yeast & Mold
* Mycotoxins
* Pesticides
* Solvents
* Microbial Hazards
* Foreign Materials
* Homogeneity
* Heavy Metals

“Deibel Cannabis Labs is excited to be in partnership with Canna Safety Plus and we’re looking forward to working with them to help our clients meet rigorous safety standards for the cannabis industry for years to come,” said Charles Deibel, Managing Partner of Deibel Cannabis Labs.

About Canna Safety Plus
At Canna Safety Plus Powered by GFSC Group, we have the necessary expertise, depth of experience and partnerships to provide the cannabis industry with the proper food safety auditing and analytical resources to comply with state standards, including SQF (Safe Quality Food), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards, as well as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, product testing, and more.

Don’t rely on guesswork or unreliable sources to determine the safety and regulatory compliance of your products to make sure you are audit ready. With our trained and experienced auditors anchored by our user-friendly, cloud-based proprietary software, which has been engineered and designed by industry professionals to prepare companies for the state regulation of cannabis, we are at the forefront of cannabis compliance and analytics.

About GFSC
GFSC Group is the exclusive combination of many services that could help a company enhance their food safety programs. GFSC Group brings a unique blend of consulting for the Field (GAPs) and Food Manufacturing (GMPs) industries. GFSC has worked with some of the largest packers and producers in the world, successfully creating and implementing multiple world-class food safety management systems. Their team has years of successful food safety and quality program implementations around the globe and in 25 high-risk food sector categories. GFSC has helped numerous companies implement SQF, and other GFSI related audit schemes.

About Deibel Cannabis Labs
Deibel Cannabis Labs is a new subsidiary of Deibel Laboratories, which has been providing diagnostic testing to the food industry for more than 30 years at 12 strategically placed labs across the country. This allows for fast turn-around times, backing by an established testing company, and extensive experience when it comes to testing. Deibel now offers all the necessary cannabis testing procedures and has made significant investments in cannabis testing equipment.

Darryle Guarino
Darryle has been managing food safety facility audit requirements for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to local food plants for more than 20 years. His background as an SQF Lead Auditor and Compliance Consultant was the foundation for GFSC Group when it was formed in 2010. Today, GFSC Group is one of the leading consulting groups for food safety compliance in the United States. Darryle’s ability to bring common sense solutions to a world often dominated by punitive reaction has put GFSC Group ahead as one of top choices for food safety compliance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Chemistry from the University of Maryland.

Canna Safety Plus, LLC
PO Box 7656
Spreckels, CA 92962
Email: sales@cannasafetyplus.com
Phone: 877-767-7487
Website: http://www.cannasafetyplus.com

Darryle Guarino, Principal
darryle@cannasafetyplus.com
404-859-7385

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

The 59th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Will Showcase Talents of Some of the Top Chefs in Monterey County

Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Castroville, CA, May 04, 2018 — Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

All chef demonstrations will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

10:30 a.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC's

11:15 a.m. Butch Francis — Cowboy Sausage

12 p.m. Estevan Jiminez — Rancho Cielo Culinary Arts

12:45 p.m. Dyon Foster — Chef's Palette Spice Rubs

1:30 p.m. Chris Vacca — Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:15 p.m. Paul Blackerby — Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

3:00 p.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC's


SUNDAY, JUNE 3

12:45 p.m. Dyon Foster — Chef's Palette Spice Rubs

1:45 p.m. Chris Vacca — Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:45 p.m. Estevan Jiminez — Rancho Cielo Culinary Arts

3:15 p.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC’s

In addition to the chef demos, festival attendees will enjoy fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day event. The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is located at 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://www.artichokefestival.org/

Dance Kids of Monterey County Names Experienced Professional Dancer and Teacher as New Artistic Director

Dance Kids of Monterey County has named veteran professional dancer and teacher Philip Pegler as its new Artistic Director.

Carmel, CA, April 19, 2018 — Dance Kids of Monterey County has named veteran professional dancer and teacher Philip Pegler as its new Artistic Director.

Pegler has more than 30 years of experience in Classical Ballet as a professional dancer and teacher. He is the Ballet Director at Carmel Academy of Performing Arts and has been a Rehearsal Director for Dance Kids for the past four years.

Born in England in 1974, Pegler began his study of Classical Ballet at the age of 5. In 1986, he embarked on his professional training, firstly at the Bush Davies School, followed by The Vaganova Academy, The Legat School and The Harid Conservatory in Florida, where he graduated in 1992. Later that year, Philip was accepted into The Royal Ballet School where he completed his training both as a dancer and teacher.

Upon graduation, Philip became Ballet Master and Soloist Dancer with Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina and was subsequently appointed to the position of Artistic Director of the South Carolina Dance Theatre the following year.

In 1998 he became Director of the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance where he taught such notable students as Cameron Adams, Dusty Button, Brooklyn Mack, Sara Mearns, Joseph Phillips and Christian Tworzyanski.

In 2002 Philip was appointed Professor at the University of Florida where he created a new curriculum for the University's Ballet program as well as serving as a pre-performance lecturer at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

From 2009-14 Philip taught at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham before returning to the United States. In April 2010, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Academy of Dance. Philip is an acclaimed international master-teacher and is a guest faculty member of several respected schools throughout the world.

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

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

Don’t miss the informative home, garden and cooking seminars and workshops coming up at the free 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Monterey, CA, April 10, 2018 - Don’t miss the informative home, garden and cooking seminars and workshops coming up at the free 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Are you prepared for great 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 cooking projects?

You will be able to ask an array of diverse experts on site all of your home improvement questions! This year’s event will feature 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 visits from family and friends in your updated home.

It’s also a wonderful time to 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

Saturday, April 21, 2018

12:00 pm

Easy Updates When Selling Your Home or Just to Enjoy It More

Presented by Amber Russell of Over the Moon Realty, Inc.

Join us as local real estate broker Amber Russell goes over quick fixes and changes for your home to make it a more attractive and impressive space. These updates can help with making your home more desirable when the potential buyers come through, or to just create a more enjoyable space for you and your family.

12:45 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

Cooking Demonstration

Spring Vegetable Farrotto Cooking Demonstration

Presented by Chef Scott “Paul” Blackerby of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel Spa TusCA Ristorante

Join Chef Paul as he makes a delectable dish of Spring Vegetable Farrotto, a dish much like risotto but with farro grains. We will make the quick and easy dish using ancient wheat grain farro, sauteed asparagus, peas, squash, baby tomatoes, herbs, vegetable broth, and finished with lemon olive oil!

2:15 pm
Homes for Heroes: Cash Back for Heroes who Buy or Sell a Home

Presented by Allison Chance of Homes for Heroes

Learn about the Homes for Heroes program where qualifying professions (Firefighters, Law Enforcement, Military (Active, Reserve & Veterans), Healthcare Professionals, EMS, Teachers) receive cash back when buying or selling a home. As a military spouse herself, Allison is pleased to offer this amazing program. Allison will also be doing a giveaway for a $50 Target gift card for those who attend the seminar!

3:00 pm

The ABC’s of Artichokes

Presented by Denice Amerison of Castroville Artichoke Festival Food & Wine

Join us to learn the ABC’s of Artichokes! We will cover basic preparation of artichokes, including how to microwave them, pressure cook them and other secrets of artichokes! Pat Hopper will also unveil the mystery and flavor of California’s official state vegetable!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

12:00 pm

Why Choose Metal Roofing

Presented by Mike Ruiz of Noble Pride Roofing

Watch a live demonstration showing how metal roofing panels are formed through a metal panel machine. Learn the advantages of metal roofing and see why today metal roofing is a popular alternative to traditional roofing products.

12:45 pm

Spring & Summer Painting Tips for Your Home

Presented by Jon Stuefloten of Jon Stuefloten Restoration Painting

Join us as Jon Stuefloten of Jon Stuefloten Restoration Painting discusses spring and summer painting tips for the exterior and interior of your home. He will be offering advice on the best colors for your home, techniques and much more.

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!

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.

Publicity Contacts:
Wendy Brickman (831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com
Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455 or marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

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

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