Salinas Valley Comic Con Returns December 16-18

The National Steinbeck Center’s annual celebration of zines, comic books, and pop culture, Salinas Valley Comic Con, returns December 16-18 at the Hartnell College Student Center.

Salinas, CA, November 15, 2016 - The National Steinbeck Center’s annual celebration of zines, comic books, and pop culture, Salinas Valley Comic Con, returns December 16-18 at the Hartnell College Student Center.

Salinas Valley Comic Con begins on Friday, December 16 with a kick off party where vendors, exhibitors, panelists, and guests will have an opportunity to mingle before the convention floor opens on Saturday, December 17. Guests will be treated to over 22 vendors, interesting panel discussions, cosplay contests, and more on December 17 and December 18. Special treats include the popular 501st Legion, a photo spot with custom Salinas Valley Comic Con backdrops, and an exhibit of comic books from UC Santa Cruz’s collection.

Brigget Spicer, a local artist and volunteer coordinator for Salinas Valley Comic Con, stresses the need for programs like SVCC in the Salinas area. “People were just so excited when the Salinas Valley Comic Con came onto the scene.” Spicer said. “ Usually comic conventions happen in larger cities like San Francisco or San Jose. SVCC was happening HERE, in Salinas. I’ve been a vendor at both prior events. I saw families showing up with their kids, all ages cosplay, and local talent being spot-lighted. They all shared an enthusiasm for comics. This is what needs to happen here in our community: people coming together over comics.”

Tickets are available online through EventBrite and range from $5 for a one day children’s ticket to $25 for a two-day pass. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salinas-valley-comic-con-2016-tickets-28343027759#tickets

About the National Steinbeck Center
The National Steinbeck Center opened in 1998 as the only museum in the world solely dedicated to the life, works, and legacy of John Steinbeck. Located in Salinas, California the National Steinbeck Center is situated in the heart of Steinbeck Country and the sites and sounds immortalized in dozens of Steinbeck's novels.

Contact:
Eric Mora
Marketing Coordinator
National Steinbeck Center
Salinas, CA 93901
831-775-4729
eric@steinbeck.org
http://www.steinbeck.org

Indie Folk/Rock Band Cranky George Featuring Actor Dermot Mulroney to Release Latest Video, Single “Misery Road”

“Misery Road”will be released November 18 and is the second single from the band’s debut full length album Fat Lot of Good, available now!

Los Angeles, CA, November 15, 2016 – “Misery Road,” the latest video and single from Los Angeles-based indie folk/rock band Cranky George, will be released on November 18. The song is the second single from the groups debut full-length album ‘Fat Lot of Good,’ following September’s release of the first single “Nighttime.” “Misery Road” features co-founder and actor Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding, current CBS series Pure Genius) on vocals and co-founder of both Cranky George and The Pogues, James Fearnley on accordion.

Watch the Video for “Misery Road” Here (Pass: miseryroad2016)

Cranky George describes “Misery Road” as “a song with a country flair” and says the song wears its “emotions on the sleeve.” The lyrics, sung by Dermot Mulroney, center around “a love affair gone wrong and a man leaving town to find answers” and the music video continues to explore this theme with a narrative following a man struggling with his love life and jumping in his car to escape. All of this action – including the band performing in a junkyard – is “set against a toe-tapping beat, led by a hooky accordion line.”

Recorded over a span of five years at bassist/producer Brad Wood’s Seagrass Studio, Cranky George’s debut full-length album Fat Lot of Good tips music from the bucket that dredges the confluence of the Danube, the Shannon and the Missouri. The album embraces fourteen songs, individually divergent, but which together ply a course from haven, round horn and back to harbor, by means of lullaby, torch song, sea shanty and murder ballad – an album which, with compassion, irony, humor and sometimes horror, tells stories of desire, love, loss, cruelty, ruination and pity. The music on the record, while diverse, features common threads such as Cranky George’s signature folk-inspired instrumentation – including accordion, violin, mandolin, acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Fat Lot of Good is available now via major digital outlets, on CD, and in a 450-copy limited edition double vinyl.

About Cranky George:
Los Angeles based Cranky George has brought together members and musical styles from both sides of the Atlantic to create a unique take on folk-influenced indie rock that is as special and diverse as the members themselves.

James Fearnley, co- founder and accordionist for the London-Irish folk-punk band, The Pogues, and the Mulroney brothers, Kieran and Dermot, siblings from a large, Irish-American family from Alexandria, VA, first came together as neighbors in Hollywood, California. While both of the Mulroney siblings are known for their work on and behind the screen with movies, they are both classically trained musicians; Dermot on the cello, mandolin, and guitar and Kieran on violin, ukulele, and tenor guitar. In 1994, they formed the LA based band, The Low and Sweet Orchestra, which released an acclaimed record, Goodbye to All That, on Interscope Records in 1996. After The Low and Sweet Orchestra split, both Mulroney brothers and Fearnley formed the Cranky George Trio.

During this time, Brad Wood, who has produced records for artist from the likes of The Bangles, Ben Lee, Pete Yorn, and Veruca Salt, was added on bass. To round out the new line up of Cranky George, Sebastian Sheehan Visconti, a sound designer and sound effects editor who notably worked on the television series The Muppets and The Flash, joined on percussion. After five years of work, Cranky George’s full-length debut – Fat Lot of Good – is available now. Dermot Mulroney and other band members are available for interviews about the group.

Follow Cranky George:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

See Cranky George Live:
November 19 – Molly Malone’s – Los Angeles
December 3 – Molly Malone’s – Los Angeles

For more information, to request an interview, or for a review copy of ‘Fat Lot of Good’ or “Misery Road”

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

Souleye Returns with a Brand New Stimulating Hip Hop Single, “Follow Your Heart” – Out 11/11/16

With exhilarating and inspirational hooks, indie rapper Souleye showcases to the world his brand new single entitled “Follow Your Heart,” the debut single off of the upcoming album Wild Man, due out Spring 2017.

Los Angeles, CA, November 10, 2016 - With exhilarating and inspirational hooks, indie rapper Souleye showcases to the world his brand new single entitled “Follow Your Heart,” the debut single off of the upcoming album Wild Man, due out Spring 2017. “Follow Your Heart” debuts on major digital outlets November 11, with a music video set to release later this month.

“Follow Your Heart” highlights overcoming difficulties and hesitations with self-awareness, self-motivation and interdependence. Beneath the surface, softly-filtered recurring synths lend an uplifting tone to the track. Souleye freely flows through his verses while encouraging listeners to celebrate life, meditate and follow their passions. Each verse ends with an affirmative analogy that evokes transforming desires into reality. “Make it simple when things seem difficult, remove some syllables watch your fingers, run across the water like a miracle” says Souleye.

“I wrote ‘Follow Your Heart’ while looking out at the ocean feeling inspired by the gorgeous waves and expansiveness,” says Souleye. “The lyrics are grounded to humanity while being mystically poetic. I always weave in things that are personal to me while still leaving the lyrics open enough so that the listener can identify in some way.”

Because of his positive energy and conscious songwriting, audiences across genres look to Souleye for guidance, inspiration and profound entertainment. Souleye’s music attracts hip-hop followers and electronic fans in addition to listeners in search of an enlightening message. His singles “The Victim,” “Labeled,” and the recently released “Labeled” (ill-esha remix) earned reviews on a variety of multi-genre based sites such as Tracks For Days, Daily Dose of Bass, Underground Hip Hop, This Is 50 and many more. With his approachable sound and stimulating lyrical messages, Souleye continues grow his audience as he continues to probe the boundaries of hip-hop, electronic and beyond.

About Souleye
Souleye’s musical journey began when he was a teenager in rural Massachusetts, freestyling around a camp fire to entertain his friends. Blending traditional elements of hip-hop, EDM and numerous other styles; Souleye’s music crosses the boundaries of genre, defies convention and inspires listeners with uplifting, positive lyrics coupled with traditional hip-hop beats and samples. His first album, Soul Sessions was released in 2002. Since then, Souleye has released eight studio albums and numerous singles. Souleye has toured extensively with Bassnectar, BLVD and his wife, Alanis Morissette, with whom he has two children. For more information, visit souleye.net.

Souleye Discography
Shapeshifting (2015)
Identified Time (2014)
Iron Horse Running (2013)
Music For People – with BLVD (2008)
Intergalactic Vibes (2005)
UniverSoul Alchemy (2004)
Flexible Morality (2003)
Soul Sessions (2002)

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

Other Inquiries: Kevan Schwartz, kevanschwartz@me.com

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

Netkiller promotes G Suite upgrade with 6 Months Free Extension Offer

Netkiller Inc, based in San Jose, California— an authorized G Suite reseller— has introduced an extended contract offer with Google for companies upgrading from G Suite Basic to G Suite Business.

San Jose, CA, November 10, 2016 - Netkiller Inc, based in San Jose, California— an authorized G Suite reseller— has introduced an extended contract offer with Google for companies upgrading from G Suite Basic to G Suite Business. The limited-time promotion offers an extended term of 18 months for the price of 12 months, and includes unlimited storage for all users that are upgraded to G Suite Business. The extended 6 months are discounted on a monthly basis. After 18 months, users have the choice to return to G Suite Basic or continue with G Suite Business.

Formerly known as Google Apps for Work, G Suite has received a new name and new features implementing increased security and greater storage space. G Suite includes a set of intelligent apps such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, and Calendar to keep companies organized and connected anywhere around the world. Google announced that on top of the tools offered before, they have added their most advanced security features including email retention, enhanced admin controls, and account-wide search capabilities for G Suite. It has 30GB of storage in Google Drive with email, online messaging, and real-time collaboration tools for Google Docs.

The promotion offer is offered for accounts currently on G Suite Basic (formerly known as Google Apps for Work) with 10-99 seats looking to upgrade to G Suite Business (formerly known as Google Apps for Work Unlimited). The regular price for G Suite Business is $120 per user, per year. With this offer, upgraders receive a $60 discount for each user that is upgraded and unlimited storage for accounts that are upgraded, receiving G Suite Business for the full term of 18 months— an extended 6 month contract— priced at $120 per user. The promotion is valid until December 15, 2016.

Contact:
Harry Jung
Netkiller Inc.
4320 Stevens Creek Blvd., Ste 211
San Jose, CA 95129, USA
(408) 641-0114
info@netkiller.com
http://www.netkiller.com

2017 Big Sur Foragers Festival Announces Fungus Face-off on January 14 and Grand Chef Dinner on January 15

Chef-host Tim Wood joins forces with Bay Area chef/restaurateur Rodney Worth

Big Sur, CA, November 05, 2016 - The Big Sur Foragers Festival may have changed the location of its annual Grand Chef Dinner for 2017, but the event’s culinary star power remains intact.

With a resort enhancement project in development at Ventana Big Sur, the festival moved its spectacular wine dinner to sister resort Carmel Valley Ranch, which was just named the No. 1 resort in Northern California in the Conde Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. Tim Wood, executive chef of Carmel Valley Ranch and the driving force behind its award-winning Valley Kitchen Restaurant, will co-host the January 15 event along with high-profile chef and restaurateur Rodney Worth, who owns six restaurants in the San Francisco East Bay and The Pear Southern Bistro in downtown Napa. These two culinary contemporaries have much in common, as Wood and Worth each carry out a farm-to-table approach using local, sustainable ingredients, and are passionate supporters of sustainability initiatives including the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.

An intimate forage-inspired feast paired with incredible wines, the multi-course dinner from Chefs Wood and Worth begins at 6 p.m., and seating is extremely limited. Early-bird tickets on Eventbrite cost $150 if purchased before November 30 ($175 beginning December 1).

Carmel Valley Ranch will also host the Foragers Festival’s popular Fungus Face-Off on Saturday, January 14, in a beautiful tented setting on the resort’s Pete Dye-designed golf course. This popular event sells out early. There are 250 available tickets, priced at $65 per person. The price includes samples of foraged foods prepared by local chefs, award winning local wines to taste and samplings of local craft beers. A selection of handcrafted items will also be available for purchase from local artisan vendors.

Fungus Face-Off Winery and Brewery Partners Include:

● Holman Ranch

● Mesa Del Sol

● Bernardus

● McIntyre Vineyards

● Chappellet

● Twisted Roots

● Chesebro Wines

● De Tierra Vineyards

● Morgan Winery

● Bonny Doon Vineyards

● Filipponi Ranch Cellars

● Firestone Walker Brewing Company

● Belgian Pacific

● Blair Winery

● Alvarado Street Brewery

● Mad Otter Ale

Fungus Face-Off Chef and Restaurant Partners Include:

● Chef Tim Wood, Valley Kitchen, Carmel Valley Ranch

● Chef Matt Glazer, Glazer Food and Beverage

● Chef Chad Minton, Hyatt Carmel Highlands

● Chef Soerke Peters, Basil Seasonal Dining

● Chef Angela Tamura, Peppoli

● Chef Cy Yontz, Rio Grill

● Chef Todd Fisher, Tarpy’s Roadhouse

● Pastry Chef Ben Spungin, Sierra Mar

● The Culinary Team at Alvarado Street Brewery

● Quail and Olive

● Carmel Honey Company

● Big Sur Sea Salt

● Salt Roots Soap Company

The nonprofit Big Sur Health Center will receive proceeds from all foraging events to help support the continued presence of local healthcare services in the Big Sur area. For Foragers Festival details visit www.bigsurforagersfestival.org. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sur-foragers-festival-2017-tickets-26923723582

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

Vietnam is shaping up as one of the Most Attractive Destinations in Asia

New cruises and resorts bump up luxury travel in Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam, November 03, 2016 - Luxury travel on the rise, Vietnam adds luxury cruises, seaplane, helicopter, hotels and experiential travel. Luxury Travel Ltd. (luxurytravels.asia) promotes world’s most authentic experiences in Vietnam and Southeast Asia countries in the upcoming WTM London from 7 to 9 Nov 2016.

Many British travel experts say Vietnam is now one of the top ten destinations in Asia, with luxury the fastest-growing segment. The beauty of Vietnam is that it continues to evolve without diluting its cultural heritage, achieving that delicate balance between modernity and the past.

Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravels.asia), one of the country’s first luxury travel and tour operators said, “Today’s luxury travelers want to be entertained and stimulated, rather than simply pampered, and Vietnam offers a magical mix of tropical beaches, post-colonial charm, a string of World Heritage Sites, stunning inland scenery, world-renowned cuisine and a home-grown flair for hospitality. Britons look for authentic experiences, Vietnam has all to offer.”

The luxury traveler is being tempted with new cruises in Nha Trang, hotels such as Le Meridien Saigon and the Reverie Hotel Saigon, experiences and tours, such as flying to Halong Bay from Hanoi by sea plane or helicopter service in Danang to Son Dong Cave or Nha Trang. Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh makes adventurious travelers crazy to explore it.

Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure has improved dramatically, a fast-growing list of modern luxury and spa destinations and recently opened golf courses, the launch of luxury yacht and river cruise services ensure stress-free journeys away from the busy roads. More airlines fly to Danang and Nha Trang and other hubs such Hanoi and Saigon, such improvements account for the the country’s recent growth in popularity especially with visa wavers for 6 European countries.

So what are some of Ha’s top hotels and activities in Vietnam? He says his personal favorites are Amano’i Ninh Thuan, near Nha Trang and an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, one of the country’s highlights and his favorite authentic cruising experiences in Nha Trang.

Luxury travelers now have the opportunity to cruise in Nha Trang Bay, not just in Halong Bay and along the Mekong. Being recognized as the pearl of the South Central Coast of Vietnam, Nha Trang has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam because of its natural beauty and superb climate with 300 days of sunshine.

According to this travel guru, the all-inclusive Emperor Cruises Bai Tu Long Bay is the most authentic new cruising experience in Vietnam in 2017. Being treated as kings and queens, indulging in services such as music, fine arts, architecture, culture, cuisines, history, and outdoor activities where everything is all included on the overnight 8 all suite cabin.

“The top ten that seem to leave travelers in awe are the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel, La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa, Banyan Tree Lang Co, InterContiental Sun Peninsular Danang, the Nam Hai in Hoi An, the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Nha Trang, Princess d’Annam Phan Thiet, Six Senses Con Dao and Amano’i Ninh Thuan,” he said.

Pham Ha and his Luxury Travel team attend the upcoming WTM London to promote the authentic travel experiences in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Discover more at www.luxurytravels.asia

Contact:
Nguyen Huyen
Luxury Travel Co., Ltd (Vietnam)
Hanoi Head office
05 Nguyen Truong To Street
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
84.4. 3927 4120. Ext 113
marketing1@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://luxurytravels.asia

2017 Big Sur Foragers Festival Tickets on Sale and Fungus Face off Participants Announced

Big Sur Health Center announces January 13–15, 2017, as the dates for its annual Big Sur Foragers Festival.

Salinas, CA, November 02, 2016 - Big Sur Health Center announces January 13–15, 2017, as the dates for its annual Big Sur Foragers Festival. This year’s partners include Carmel Valley Ranch, the sister property of longtime host Ventana Big Sur that was just named the No. 1 resort in Northern California in the Conde Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. With a resort enhancement project underway at Ventana Big Sur, the Fungus Face-Off and Grand Chef dinner will take place this year at Carmel Valley Ranch, a summer-camp-inspired resort that sprawls across 500 acres and celebrates a deep connection to the land of Carmel Valley.

The event has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center. The community’s non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to help support the continued presence of local healthcare services in the Big Sur area.

New events for 2017 include:

● A Friday night winemaker dinner series will be held at select restaurants throughout Monterey County. La Balena in Carmel will participate, donating 20 percent of the proceeds to the Health Center. Will’s Fargo Restaurant + Bar in Carmel Valley and Alvarado Street Brewery and Grill in Monterey will each donate 10 percent. The Big Sur River Inn will hold a forager-themed brunch, also donating a percentage of profits to the event.

● A vendor’s market will take place following the Fungus Face Off Saturday, January 14th from 1-4 p.m. Meet the local artisans during the Face Off, then shop at the market from 4-5:30 p.m. Each vendor-partner will donate a portion of their sales to the Big Sur Health Center.
Participants include:

● Carmel Honey Company: Jake Reisdorf’s fifth-grade report on bees developed into a successful business model with a non-profit component. Meet young Jake and his mom Becky as they detail the wonders of honeybees.

● The Quail and Olive: Board-certified cardiologist Dr. Stephen Brabeck long recognized the health benefits of olive oil so he started a successful local business centered around a California olive oil experience.

● Salt Roots Soap Company: Meet Stephanie Wise, who started this unique artisan company with her friend Shani Fridrich. Their soaps are handmade in small batches, which creates unique beauty in the variations of design, texture and color.

● Big Sur Sea Salt: Anna Linden runs this new startup, taking advantage of the natural bounty that comes from pristine seawater along the Big Sur Coast.

● Join us for a special evening at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Executive chef Chad Minton and the culinary team will create a three-course meal paired with wines from Bonny Doon Vineyard. The evening will begin with a reception of passed appetizers, wines from Bonny Doon and live music from Dino Vera from 6:30–7 p.m. At 7 p.m. enjoy a three-course dinner in the legendary wine room. Meet the culinary team and representatives from Bonny Doon Vineyard! There are only 24 seats available. Tickets are $175 per person and can be purchased through https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sur-foragers-festival-2017-tickets-26923723582

Back by Popular Demand:
● An exclusive Friday night dinner at Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn with a special menu and a unique opportunity to enjoy wines from their award-winning wine cellar. This event is limited to 14 people.

● The “Fungus Face-Off” will take place in a beautiful tented setting on the Pete Dye-designed golf course at Carmel Valley Ranch. This popular event sells out early. There are 250 available tickets, priced at $65 per person.

Fungus Face Off Winery and Brewery Partners Include:

● Holman Ranch

● Mesa Del Sol

● Bernardus

● McIntyre Vineyards

● Chappellet

● Twisted Roots

● Chesebro Wines

● De Tierra Vineyards

● Morgan Winery

● Bonny Doon Vineyards

● Filipponi Ranch Cellars

● Firestone Walker Brewing Company

● Belgian Pacific

● Blair Winery

● Alvarado Street Brewery

● Mad Otter Ale

Fungus Face Off Chef and Restaurant Partners Include:

● Chef Tim Wood, Valley Kitchen, Carmel Valley Ranch

● Chef Matt Glazer, Glazer Food and Beverage

● Chef Chad Minton, Hyatt Carmel Highlands

● Chef Soerke Peters, Basil Seasonal Dining

● Chef Angela Tamura, Peppoli

● Chef Cy Yontz, Rio Grill

● Chef Todd Fisher, Tarpy’s Roadhouse

● Pastry Chef Ben Spungin, Sierra Mar

● The Culinary Team at Alvarado Street Brewery

● Quail and Olive

● Carmel Honey Company

● Big Sur Sea Salt

● Salt Roots Soap Company

Grand Chef Dinner at Carmel Valley Ranch — details to be announced soon.

Two foraging walks led by Steve Copeland and his expert team from Big Sur Guides. An easy “Wild Mushroom Walk and Talk” at Pfeiffer State Park and a nearby intermediate walk. This year, both hikes will be held on Sunday. There are 30 spaces available per walk. Tickets are $60 per person.

For event details visit www.bigsurforagersfestival.org. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sur-foragers-festival-2017-tickets-26923723582.

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