Do you Have Talent? Local Performers Sought for 82nd Annual Monterey County Fair, Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018

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 82nd Annual Monterey County Fair

Monterey, CA, May 30, 2018 - 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 82nd Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018.

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 “Shake Your Tail Feathers.”

Interested individuals and organizations are invited to apply online no later than Friday, June 29, 2018, 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 29th. The fair cannot guarantee the times you have 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

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is Ideal Venue for All Events Surrounding Nuptials, as Well as Anniversaries, Reunions, Graduations, Meetings, Workshops, Holiday Parties, and More

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History serves as the perfect wedding venue for all of the events surrounding your special day

Pacific Grove, CA, May 29, 2018 — The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History serves as the perfect wedding venue for all of the events surrounding your special day — engagement parties, showers, rehearsal dinners, elopements, ceremonies and receptions — all in the heart of Pacific Grove.

Steps from Lovers Point and the Pacific coastline, the museum provides an aesthetically interesting backdrop. The central coast Native Plant Garden bursts with more than 100 species of wildflowers, herbs, and trees. Take your vows under the iconic Buckeye tree and then meander indoors for cocktails and reception. And, it’s all ADA accessible.

Enjoy this non-traditional venue for other events with family, friends or associates. With a variety of options, both outdoor and indoor, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History will make your occasions memorable and unique. The museum can host receptions, dinners, cocktail parties, corporate events and meetings, birthday parties, bridal/ baby showers, and more. Contact the museum’s event specialist to schedule a site visit and begin planning the perfect event.

Facility options available for weddings and events include:

Entire Facility Rental: Rent the entire museum, including the galleries, garden and kitchen preparation areas for a large party or celebration. Up to 150 capacities. $3,500 for weddings, $3,000 for other events.

Bird Gallery: Large auditorium, audio/visual with large screen available. Up to 150 guests. $1,400 for weddings, $900 for other events.

Main Gallery Wing: The main gallery boasts beautiful hardwood floors with an upper mezzanine and includes side galleries. Up to 150 guests. $1,700 for weddings, $1,300 for other events.

Native Plant Garden with Education Room: The central coast Native Plant Garden is an ideal setting for small weddings or outdoor gatherings. Includes the use of the adjacent Education Room. Up to 75 guests. $1,400 for weddings, $900 for other events.

Fee for kitchen use for catering is $200, and cleaning fee, for dining or over 50 guests, is $250.

Additional rental items include; 6-foot tables, chairs, water pitchers, water dispensers, outdoor heaters, and some A/V equipment.

Current members of the museum are entitled to 10% off the total price of a rental. Current members and new members who book an event during the month of June, will receive 20% off rentals.

Contact Event Coordinator Maya Freedman at the museum at (831) 648-5716 ext. 16 or freedman@pgmuseum.org for more information, to schedule a site visit to discuss the many options, or submit a booking request to get started. Request forms can also be filled out at www.pgmuseum.org.

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

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
(831) 648-5716 ex 16
services@pgmuseum.org
www.pgmuseum.org

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

Model for Iconic ‘Artichoke Woman’ Poster Will Be in Attendance, Sign Posters, at 2018 Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival June 2-3, in Monterey

Joanne Gallaher, model for the iconic “Artichoke Woman” poster for the 1988 Castroville Artichoke Festival, will attend and sign posters at the 2018 Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

Castroville, CA, May 24, 2018 — Joanne Gallaher, model for the iconic “Artichoke Woman” poster for the 1988 Castroville Artichoke Festival, will attend and sign posters at the 2018 Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

The image was inspired by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz’s 1979 photo of Bette Midler for Rolling Stone magazine to promote her film “The Rose,” as well as Marilyn Monroe’s 1948 status as Castroville’s first-ever honorary Artichoke Queen and later Monroe’s first Playboy centerfold image in 1953.

In 1986, photographer Sue Bennett and long-time friend Gallaher collaborated on the image, which shows Gallaher, much like Midler and in a similar pose, lying on a “bed” of artichokes. Bennett and Gallaher combined their mutual love for artichokes into both an homage and a creative project. The image first appeared on a postcard in 1987 and sold at the Giant Artichoke restaurant and store in Castroville and in 1988 became the image for that year’s Artichoke Festival official poster.

Bennett was close friends with both Gallaher and her husband Bill Mueller, first meeting in 1977. An architect, Mueller designed Bennett’s studio space in Flagstaff’s Babbitt building in the early 1990s. After Mueller passed away in 1999, Bennett spoke at his memorial and regaled the gatherers with amusing stories involving the three of them.

Festival attendees will enjoy dozens of fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day festival.

General admission is $15 for those 13 and older; seniors 62 and older and military personnel with ID are $10; children ages 6-12 are $5; general admission for one adult, with wine tasting pass, is $45 (must be 21 years or older); wine tasting alone is $30; and field tours are $10 (daily tour schedules to be announced at the Festival), good for adult or child 5-12. Online purchases are available through 9 a.m. June 3, 2018. No refunds.

Two discounted packages are also available, the Arti-Family Pack and the It’s A Date package. The former is $30, a $10 saving over the regular price. It includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount ends May 19, 2018, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The It’s A Date package for 21 and older only, is $70, a savings of $20, includes two adult tickets and two wine and beer tasting tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday.

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

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

Twisted Roots Celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2018

Tasting Room Renovation Completed, Expanded Hours, Music Series Announced and More!

Salinas, CA, May 22, 2018 - The Schmiedt family vineyard, was first planted with wine grapes in the rich soil of Lodi in 1918. But it took the family 87 years to decide to use those grapes to make their own wines in addition to selling the grapes to winemakers around the state.

That was 2005, when Twisted Roots Vineyards was born and Ross Schmiedt produced a Petite Sirah because of an overabundance of the grape. In 2009, production was expanded to include other varietals on the estate, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Old Vine Zinfandel.

The winemaking operation was moved from an old farmhouse to their partners at Estate Crush in Lodi, a dedicated custom crush facility for premium wine production that continues to produce Twisted Roots wines from grapes grown at the Schmiedt Vineyards.

In 2010, Josh Ruiz partnered with Mike Hodge and Ross Schmiedt to create Twisted Roots Wine LLC. Schmiedt passed away in March of 2014 and his place in the partnership was filled by his wife Susan Schmiedt.

Twisted Roots raised a few eyebrows when it opened a tasting room in Carmel Valley in 2013. “At first, some of the other winemakers were leery about having a Lodi winery here,” Ruiz told Carmel magazine,“ but they’ve accepted us.”

New Ownership

In January of 2016, Ruiz and his wife Julie, who is Schmiedt's niece and Hodge's daughter, bought Twisted Roots from the family. A few months later, the Ruizes brought on board a few college friends to help expand the business.

“My wife Julie and I bought the family business in January and in June we brought in three of our college friends, who live in different locations in the state, to help us grow the business,” said Ruiz. “I knew that with a full-time job in the Salinas Valley Produce business, I needed help. These are all trusted friends, who have become like family, and it's all about growing the business. I can't do it myself.”

Ruiz, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with both a bachelor's and master's degree in Agribusiness, asked his college friends Andy Gulley of Fresno, Matt Brem of Salinas and Neil Amarante of Paso Robles (and Andy and Matt's wives, both named Laura), to join Twisted Roots.

Ruiz said the three new partners' skill sets would be invaluable in reaching the company's goals. Gulley is an agricultural pest control advisor, Brem owns Produce West, a Salinas produce brokerage, and Amarante is an agricultural lender.

Also joining Twisted Roots as a partner is Matt and Whitney Pridey, who are currently managing Twisted Roots' wine club, events, and general business development. Whitney is also the sister of new partner Matt Brem.

Grapes Planted in 1918

According to Ruiz, the founders of the vineyards, planted grapes on their new property in 1918 because their neighbors were growing grapes. The original Schmiedt vineyard was planted to over 100 acres in what is known as the Dairy Vineyard, and later expanded to include the CLR Vineyards, named after the three sons, Carl, Leland and Ross, of Gust and Dorothy Schmiedt (The original visionaries).

The eventual name was conceived by Ross, who came across a tangle of old rootstock and mused, “Twisted Roots would make a good name for the vineyards and winery,” and it stuck. The appellation in a general sense is Lodi, but the specific appellation is the “Mokelumne River”, which Ruiz believes makes the grapes and wines produced completely different from the rest of the Lodi AVA’s. The corner stone of the Mokelumne River AVA is the river itself, which help to keep the Schmiedt vineyard temps just a bit cooler, in the hot Lodi summer days.

Ruiz said 2017 has been the winery's biggest year yet, producing 1,000 cases of four varietals, including its signature “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel, created from vines planted in 1918. The other three varietals are the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 Petite Sirah and the 2015 Chardonnay.

He said Twisted Roots is looking at a “steady growth” of 10 to 20 percent per year, with the new partners on board to reach those goals.

“It's still a family operation with roots in Lodi,” says Ruiz. “They really are my family, that's why they're partnering with me. We're bringing it all into the Twisted Roots family.”

Tasting Room Renovation:
“When developing the design concept for Twisted Roots, it was important for us to deliver a comfortable space where guests feel at home to not just taste wine, but to grab a glass of wine, or two, and relax for a while. Craft Design-Build partnered with several local artisans to deliver custom solutions using elements that represent our unique Central Coast Vibe (Santa Cruz redwood, leather, seagrass, stone, hot rolled steel and glass).

“Our goal was to design a space that was visually appealing, but not overwhelming. The monochromatic colors and textures offer subtle interest without taking away from your wine-tasting experience.

“A highlight of the space is the 1918 room, honoring Twisted Roots 100-year-old vines. As you slide open the custom steel barn door, you will enter a space with two sophisticated chandeliers hovering above a rustic 10-foot long farmhouse table . This space was created to host many different types of events from intimate tastings, to dinner parties, to viewing sporting events.

“It was a true honor to work with the Twisted Roots team to make their dream a reality.”

— Jon and Meryl DeYoung Rasmussen, Craft Design-Build Inc.

Craft Design-Build is a full-service design/build firm specializing in both commercial and residential construction throughout Monterey County.

High Resolution Photos Available For Download

To view the gallery click on this link, http://www.richardgreenphotography.com/Chatterbox-Public-Relations/Twisted-Roots-Interior-Shots-4-8-18/, enter password, chatter, lowercase.

100th Anniversary Celebration
In 2018, Twisted Roots plans to celebrate 100 years since the vines were planted in Lodi. The festivities will include special events, wine deals, and wine club giveaways, culminating in a glitzy, black-tie, 1920s-style Hollywood party at their tasting room in Carmel Valley, which use to be the Lyons Head Art Gallery, next to Café Rustica.

Save the Date for:
Twisted Roots Announces Its Summer Concert Series at its newly renovated Tasting Room from June – August 2018!
June-Concert
-June 10, 4-6PM
-No food, Guests can bring snacks
-$15 gets entrance, a free glass, live music, FREE FOR MEMBERS
-Music: Wild Turkeys (https://www.facebook.com/Wild-Turkeys-166319330279/)

July-Concert
-July 8, 4-6
-No food, Guests can bring snacks

-$15 gets entrance, a free glass, live music, FREE FOR MEMBERS
-Music- Rise Up (http://riseupreggae.com)

August-Concert
-August 12, 4-6PM
-No food, Guests can bring snacks

-$15 gets entrance, a free glass, live music, FREE FOR MEMBERS
Taylor Rae (http://www.taylorraemusic.com)-

Twisted Roots will be the wine partner for Peace of Mind Dog Rescue Local’s Wine Night Out at the Hofsas House September 21st.

Celebrate National Pumpkin Day on the Twisted Roots Patio. Paint a pumpkin, sip Twisted Roots Wine and support Animal Friends Rescue Project October 24th.

Don’t miss out on Twisted Roots Special 100-year Anniversary Winemakers Dinner exclusively at the Whaling Station Restaurant in Monterey November 8th.

Twisted Roots will at the Hofsas House Hotel Annual Gingerbread House Fundraiser supporting the Carmel Library Foundation December 8th. Build a house for a cause while sipping bubbles from Twisted Roots.

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

Weatherby Consulting Celebrates Its Fifth Year as Preeminent Provider of Vacation Rental Consulting Services

In the $100 billion vacation rental industry, Florida-based Weatherby Consulting holds a unique position as the preeminent provider of consulting services in the industry.

Miramar Beach, FL, May 19, 2018 — In the $100 billion vacation rental industry, Florida-based Weatherby Consulting holds a unique position as the preeminent provider of consulting services in the industry.

Weatherby Consulting, with more than 100 buy-and-sell transactions and more than $200 million in sales of vacation rental companies in its first five years, is a rarity in the market, a company that not only provides buy-and-sell services, but vacation rental consulting, expert-level accounting services, and even partnership opportunities, where they partner with vacation rental companies to manage and increase the value of the business.

“We’re really blessed to work with the industry’s best management companies,” admits Weatherby Consulting founder and CEO Ben Edwards. “There isn’t a vacation rental management company out there we couldn’t help in a meaningful fashion. It boils down to experience and we’ve operated in hundreds of resort destinations, from Key West to Whistler, Maui to Maine, Costa Rica to Cabo. You name a market and we have worked with someone there.”

Weatherby, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, has more than 19 years of direct industry experience purchasing and selling vacation rental management companies, managing operations, finance and accounting, Weatherby Consulting can provide rapid, strategic advice to assist their clients.

A respected, innovative and experienced leader in the vacation rental industry, Edwards has worked with a number of companies and associations, including as President of Vacation Rental Management Association; President of Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, Inc.; Vice President of Royal Shell Vacations; Advisory Board Committee member of HomeAway; President of Waterstone Resorts and Vacation Homes; Board of Directors, Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association; General Manager of ResortQuest SW Florida; and member of the Board of Directors of VRMA.

The vacation rental industry is a growing and increasingly competitive market with a multitude of players at many levels. Not all are scrupulous or on the client’s side, something Edwards hopes to counter with Weatherby’s mission as an industry leader.

“There are a lot of vultures out there now, so we want each transaction to follow an organized process in line with market rate terms, we ensure the transaction is fair and reasonable for both parties,” says Edwards. “We’ve made meaningful changes in the lives of many companies. We’re really proud of our work.”

In 2015 Greg Herr joined Edwards bringing additional resources to the Weatherby team. Herr has over 25 years of vacation rental specific operations, marketing, management and financial expertise. “Although Ben and I have worked together in different capacities for over 18 years the opportunity to join Weatherby Consulting was simply too good to pass up. It has been an exciting and busy three years and the work we do pulls from every bit of my vacation rental experience, but I absolutely love working with our clients to help improve their businesses.”

In addition to consulting Mr. Herr assists Edwards in providing transaction advisory services. “It is very rewarding to help a business successfully execute a sale. Often times the seller of a vacation rental business has poured a significant portion of their career into the creation and growth of the business. Helping them get maximum value for the business is incredibly important and rewarding.” Says Herr.

Leading Weatherby’s Accounting Services Division is vacation rental accountancy expert Stacey Herr. With Stacey’s over 25 years of vacation rental accounting experience, Edwards, and team, have been able to shore up an area of consulting that many vacation rental companies overlook, the accountancy of owning and managing a vacation rental business.

“We’ve ramped up the accounting side of our business in the last 16-24 months,” says Stacey Herr, of Weatherby. “Weatherby, accounting service dovetail into the profitability consulting we provide. In numerous cases, we were trying to provide consultative advice based upon bad information and so the accounting service division was born. Currently, we provide routine accounting services and prepare actionable financial statements for a number of clients in many markets.”

The monthly financial package prepared for their accounting clients is a fundamental component to understanding a company’s key drivers of profitability. It also provides actionable data allowing companies to increase profits, reduce operational expenses, implement new technologies and target new sources of revenue.

Weatherby now provides comprehensive consulting and transaction advisor services, plus accounting services to more than 30 companies across the U.S. and internationally.

About Weatherby Consulting
Weatherby Consulting provides strategic transaction advisory services, vacation rental consulting and expert accounting services to create opportunities and solutions in the highly competitive vacation rental and resort management industries.

Founded in 2013 by vacation rental industry veteran Ben Edwards, Weatherby Consulting is the preeminent provider of consulting services in the vacation rental industry with more than 100 buy-and-sell transactions and more than $200 million in sales of vacation rental companies throughout his career.

Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, Weatherby Consulting delivers high-impact results, provides partner-level attention and implements solutions tailored to address every client’s unique goals and objectives.

Weatherby Consulting has worked with industry leading clients in more than 200 resort markets across North America and beyond. With more than 19 years of industry and accounting knowledge, Weatherby Consulting provides rapid, strategic advice to assist our clients with purchase-and-sale transactions, profitability consulting and vacation rental specific financial reporting.

With an unwavering dedication to both the short- and long-term interests of your company, our services are designed to identify underlying issues, provide straightforward answers, and create solutions that will achieve the maximum financial benefit and a competitive advantage for your organization.

Their services include:

1. Transaction Advisory Services — This service line includes the purchase and sale of Vacation Rental Companies, our primary service line.

2. Vacation Rental Consulting — We provide consulting services focused creating sustainability, efficiencies and increased profits.

3. Accounting Services — We provide expert-level accounting services and financial reporting to more than 30 companies across the U.S.

4. Partnership Opportunities — Weatherby Consulting is willing to partner with Vacation Rental Companies to more effectively manage certain business operations and substantially increase the value of the business.

Weatherby Consulting, LLC
755 Grand Boulevard
Suite 105-275
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Toll-Free: (888) 304-1405
Fax: (888) 304-1405
Email: info@weatherbyconsulting.com

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

December Dates Set for Dance Kids’ 25th Anniversary Full-Length 'Nutcracker: A Monterey Peninsula Tradition,’ Featuring 39-Member Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Choir, at Carmel’s Sunset Center

Dance Kids of Monterey County, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, announced that its popular “Nutcracker: A Monterey Peninsula Tradition

Carmel, CA, May 18, 2018 — Dance Kids of Monterey County, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, announced that its popular “Nutcracker: A Monterey Peninsula Tradition,” will be performed Dec. 7-9 at the Sunset Center in Carmel.

Once again, the annual ballet will feature the 39-member Monterey County Pops! symphony orchestra conducted by Dr. Carl Christensen. And, for the first time, the production will feature a children’s choir performing onstage during Act I’s “Dance of the Snowflakes.”

“We are so honored and excited to be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year,” says Dance Kids founder and artistic director, Carol Richmond. “It’s so heartening to know that the community continues to support our mission to strengthen character and positively influence children’s lives through the performing arts. We will continue to grow and improve and bring on new talent to carry on that legacy.”

With that in mind, Dance Kids also announced they have 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 was most recently Dance Kids’ Ballet Director.

The performance weekend begins Dec. 7, 2018, with another tradition and a gift to the community; a free 10 a.m. Friday morning show given each year to the school children of the Monterey Peninsula. Dance Kids gifts the 700-seat theater to the underserved youth in the community.

There will be a 7 p.m. Friday night show, a Gala fundraiser on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2018, at 5 p.m. and show at 7, and the much-anticipated “Sugar Plum Fairy Champagne and Tea Party” at 12:15 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, followed by the show at 2 p.m.

The full-length ballet features more than 100 dancers ranging in age from 4 to adult; over 400 costumes and countless numbers of accessories, including headpieces, hats and gloves. This production requires countless hours of volunteer time and elaborate set design featuring local scenes and landmarks. The previous budget of $75,000 has grown to over $125,000 with the inclusion of the symphony. The funds were raised by the Dance Kids Board of Directors and Friends of Dance Kids.

A new addition to the production this year will be a children’s choir under the direction of Dance Kids vocal and drama instructor Stacy Meheen. The choir of children ages 6-14 will perform a wordless vocalization during Act I’s finale, “Waltz of the Snowflakes.”

“It’s an angelic sound, it’s quite lovely,” says Meheen, who is the executive director of the Wharf Theatre and voice and drama teacher at Carmel River School. “It will be very special and very spectacular.”

Meheen is seeking singers for the choir and has scheduled vocal auditions for children 6-14, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, Mission Street and Eighth Avenue, in Carmel. For more information, call (831) 624-3729.

The entire production is open to all dancers from the community and boasts a spirit of inclusion to all that audition. Auditions and rehearsal begin in September. Andrea Paris Gutierrez, of the Los Angeles Ballet Academy, returns as choreographer, with five local rehearsal directors coordinating the production. Three of the five directors are Royal Academy of Dance, London, certified instructors.

Three years ago, Dance Kids rebranded “Nutcracker; A Monterey Peninsula Tradition” and incorporated the Old Del Monte Hotel as the setting for the first act party scene and introduced famous characters associated with the Peninsula, such as Salvador Dali and John Steinbeck.

Richmond says, "The story line and choreography remain the same yet reflect the tradition of the heyday of the Peninsula in the early ’20s and ’30s."

In the near future, the production will announce the guest artists performing in December's productions.

Set designer for the production is Nicole Bryant-Stephans of Bottega Design, and costumes are by Joanne Phelps.

In addition, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

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

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

Sponsorships are now available for “Cascanueces” as well as in June for December’s “Nutcracker” performances. Call (831) 622-9008 for more information.

Monterey County Pops! was founded in 1985 and not only provides to the community free, public pops-and-patriotic concerts on holidays, but is the only orchestra in Monterey County that provides a tuition-free, professional performance experience for disadvantaged students in their own communities.

Their audience has grown to approximately 6,700 and 175 young, underserved performers created six professional-quality performances in collaboration with the orchestra last year.

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

Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Now Available for Rent for Special Events

Twisted Roots Wine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of growing grapes and fifth year in its tasting room in Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley, CA, May 17, 2018 — Twisted Roots Wine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of growing grapes and fifth year in its tasting room in Carmel Valley, is now available for rent for parties, graduations, wedding receptions, anniversaries and other celebratory events.

Rentals are available in 2-hour, half-day (up to 5 hours), and full-day increments and can be made between the hours of 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The venue can hold a maximum of 75 people for a stand-up reception or sit-down dinner. The venue is not available on weekends from May to October, except after 5:30 p.m. The 1918 Room has no rental restrictions and is available anytime.

Staff is provided for wine pouring only. If you would like assistance with other items surrounding your event, staff can be provided at $50 per hour. Please note this when booking the space. Rentals for up to 20 people will include staff to pour wine only. Rentals over 20 people will be assessed a $50 charge for assistance with pouring.

Live music is allowed until 8:30 p.m. and caterers must be licensed. A signed contract and date-hold deposit (amount based off 50% of rental request) must be received to reserve the date and time of the event. The balance of the space rental fee is due five business days prior to the event.

The general public will receive a 15% discount on wine purchases with all rentals of the Tasting Room and Patio. Wine Club Members will receive a 15% discount on all wine purchases and rental fees.

Date-hold deposit is refundable up to five days prior to the event. No space-rental payments will be refunded. The tasting room is located at 12 Del Fino Place in Carmel Valley.

For more information or custom rental package requests, call (831) 594-8282 or email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com.

Twisted Roots Wine
12 Del Fino Place
Carmel Valley, Ca 93924
info@twistedrootsvineyard.com
(831) 594-8282
www.twistedrootsvineyard.com

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

Seven Area Students to be Awarded Scholarships June 2, at 59th Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival in Monterey

Seven Central Coast students will be awarded Ocean Mist Farms Academic Scholarships at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the 59th annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

Castroville, CA, May 17, 2018 — Seven Central Coast students will be awarded Ocean Mist Farms Academic Scholarships at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the 59th annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

This is the third year that the scholarships will be awarded. This year, 39 students applied for the scholarship. Each recipient will receive $1,000 at the awards ceremony June 2.

The following are the scholarship winners, with name, high school, field of study and college they plan to attend, respectively.

>Ariel Sampson, Aptos High School, Engineering Management, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

>Akemi Ito, St. Francis High School, Biology, University San Diego

>Prashant Pranay Naidu, Salinas High School, General Education, Hartnell College

>Mark Kragh, Quail Hill High School, Computer Science & Engineering, UC San Diego

>Ella Dolores Tyler, Oasis High School, Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley

Dependent Scholarship Winners

>Nicole Taluban, San Benito High School, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno

>Ryan Percy, Desert Christian Academy, Agricultural Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

The mission of the awards are “to recognize students who demonstrate the guiding values of integrity, quality, passion and success in their daily decisions and in their pursuit of higher education.” Ocean Mist Farms’ 94-year legacy is represented in its strong belief in these guiding values.

The Ocean Mist Farms Academic Scholarship Program awards a total of seven $1,000 academic scholarships each year to deserving students. Two $1,000 scholarships are available exclusively to a dependent of an Ocean Mist Farms Affiliate Company employee.

Successful candidates demonstrate the use of the four guiding values in their daily decisions and in their pursuit of education. Applicants must be high school graduates with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Application requirements included an essay, letters of reference, a completed scholarship application and proof of higher education acceptance. The Ocean Mist Farms Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and awards scholarships based on the applicant's demonstrated potential for academic success.

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

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

Lifespan Launches a New Service: Well Being Program

In celebration of Lifespan’s 35th anniversary, a free class called “Where is the Joy? Putting Joy Back in your Life as you Age” will be presented on Thursday, June 28th.

Santa Cruz, CA, May 16, 2018 - Lifespan, a specialized aging care agency founded in Santa Cruz County 35 years ago, announces a new service. The Well Being Program recognizes that as people age many become socially isolated, losing the ability to pursue past or new activities that might bring them joy. Often they become disconnected from their community, family, and friends.

Too often social isolation, reduced mobility, or relocation to a new community can diminish access to activities which have brought enjoyment and fulfillment to a person’s life. Lifespan hopes to help local elders reengage and find joy again through its new Well Being Program.

The intent of this program is to increase engagement, sense of fulfillment, connection, and joy in life regardless of age or perceived changes in ability. At the outset a Lifespan professional meets with the elder to explore her or his desires which may include renewing or exploring a creative outlet, connecting with family members or old friends, pursuing a spiritual path, or participating in outings into the community. Once personal goals are identified, a specialized Personal Assistant from Lifespan is matched with the individual and the two can embark on planning activities.

In celebration of Lifespan’s 35th anniversary, a free class called “Where is the Joy? Putting Joy Back in your Life as you Age” will be presented on Thursday, June 28th from 5 pm– 6:30 pm at La Posada Senior Residence, 609 Frederick St., Santa Cruz. Attendees will learn how to create a richer life as they age through reengaging with old passions, exploring new interests, and reconnecting with old friends, family, or new experiences. To attend the class, RSVP to Marci@Chatterboxpublicrelations.com.

The featured speaker will be Cathy Cress, MSW, who is a leading national expert in aging life and geriatric care management. Cress is a well-known authority on the baby boomer generation and the aging family. Her book, Handbook in Geriatric Care Management is in its 4th edition. She earned her MSW from UC Berkeley and now consultants on aging issues, including life enrichment.

About Lifespan
Lifespan is a comprehensive aging care management agency dedicated to providing the highest quality of care in the home or setting of one’s choice.

Lifespan’s goal is to maximize the health, safety, comfort, and independence of its clients through compassionate person-centered care. Since 1983 Lifespan has provided all-inclusive home care and professional geriatric care management services to adults in need of assistance. A leader in aging care services, Lifespan is one of the very first organizations to provide this combination of care on the West Coast, and still the only agency of its kind in Santa Cruz County.

Lifespan’s professional care management is provided by registered nurses and master’s level social workers who conduct assessments of client strengths and unmet needs then help the client and family decide on a plan of care. In addition, care managers can coordinate a variety of resources and work with health care providers, fiduciary agents, and other professionals to make sure that all needs are met as conditions change. Lifespan also offers medication set-up and managements by RNs.

Home care aides provide the important support with activities of daily living such as light housekeeping, shopping, laundry, meal preparation and clean up, personal hygiene, mobility, and medication reminders. They also provide protective supervision for persons with cognitive impairment. Care up to 24/hours per day is offered based on staffing availability. All home care aide services are supervised by the professional care manager RNs and social workers to ensure optimal care.

Lifespan is in full compliance with the 2015 California Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, under the auspices of the California Department of Social Services, which specifies that all employees meet criteria as registered home care aides. This includes thorough screening, criminal background clearance (fingerprinting) by both the Department of Justice and FBI in addition to verifying initial and ongoing professional training. Employees of all levels are covered by Lifespan’s general liability bond and worker’s compensation policies.

There are more than 2 million professional home care workers in the U.S. providing care and support to aging adults and persons with disabilities in home and community-based settings. The home care workforce has doubled in the past 10 years and the population of those 65 and older is expected to double to 88 million by 2050, making the role of professional aging care professionals that much more critical.

Lifespan
600 Frederick St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
lifespancare.com
(831) 469-4900
info@lifespancare.com

State of California Home Care Organization License # 444700001.

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

MPA Watch in Need of Volunteers

Learn How to Support Today

Monterey, CA, May 15, 2018 — California’s scenic and spectacular 840-mile coastline and ocean are among the country’s most treasured resources and is central to the state’s identity, heritage and economy. California also leads the nation and the world in ocean protection, ensuring the preservation of important ecosystems along its coastline.

Volunteers are often the lifeblood of the many and varied organizations, both public and private, that help preserve and protect the coast and ocean. One of those organizations is MPA Watch, a citizen science monitoring program that trains volunteers to observe and collect unbiased data on human uses of coastal and marine resources both inside and outside of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

By involving local communities in this important work, MPA Watch programs inspire and empower stewardship of the coast and ocean, and educate community members about California’s ocean ecosystems.

MPA Watch programs across the state of California are continually training a network of volunteers to monitor resource use inside and outside these protected areas. Volunteers use standardized protocols to collect relevant, scientifically rigorous, and broadly accessible data.

Not only do local volunteers learn about their coastal environment and become "citizen scientists" and stewards of the area, but they generate large quantities of monitoring data that would not be possible under the current state budget.

Citizen-science, also known as community science, is research conducted by trained volunteers from the general public who are interested in science, monitoring, and conservation of the marine environment. But, you do not need any scientific background to collect data for these surveys.

Volunteers will be trained to collect valuable data on ocean users and their activities, such as surfing, kayaking, fishing, boating, running, etc. Specifically, the MPA Watch volunteers will observe and record both consumptive and non-consumptive offshore and onshore activities in and around MPAs, which will improve our understanding of how people are using these new MPAs.

Data are meant to inform the management, enforcement, and science of California' MPAs and allow us to see how human uses are changing as a result of implementation of these MPAs.

From 2010 to 2015, more than 850 MPA Watch volunteers were actively engaged in surveying MPAs from Mendocino County to San Diego County, resulting in more than 10,000 surveys.

Organizations in your community are always looking for volunteers to do this important work. To get involved, contact organizations that are operating MPA Watch programs in your area. Current organizations and their contact persons include:

Heal the Bay - Los Angeles County (Land-Based)
Jenna Segal, jsegal@healthebay.org

Los Angeles Waterkeeper - Los Angeles County (Boat-Based)
Michael Quill, mquill@lawaterkeeper.org

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

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) - Marin County
Morgan Patton, morgan@eacmarin.org

California Academy of Sciences
Rebecca Johnson, rjohnson@calacademy.org

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

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

Greater Farallones Association - San Francisco and Surrounding Counties
Kirsten Lindquist, klindquist@farallones.org

Eagle Eyes of False Klamath Cove – Del Norte County
Ruthie Maloney, ruthiemaloney@gmail.com

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

Have you ever thought about a career in Hospitality?

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel is looking for talented people to become part of one of the most dynamic hotel teams in Monterey.

Monterey, CA, May 15, 2018 - We are nestled within 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pine on Del Monte Golf Course. We are a destination hotel providing the most discerning traveler with an experience that is second to none.

We work hard but believe that we should enjoy where we work.
We know that relationships are key to our success, so we value them.
We love what we do, and it shows.
We strive for greatness because mediocre is not okay.

Hospitality isn’t just our job, it’s our way of life.

Are you ready?

Current
Career Opportunities

MANAGEMENT
Assistant Front Office Manager
Asst. Banquet Manager
Event Planning Manager
Sales Manager
Remote Sales Manager (Sacramento Area)
Executive Sous Chef
Sous Chef

FULL-TIME

Bellperson/Valet
Housekeeper/Room Attendant
Front Desk Agent
Bus Staff - Tusca
Barista – The Market
Bartender - Fireplace Lounge
Servers – Knuckles
Servers - Fireplace Lounge
Stewards
Cook
Operations Trainee

Apply online at: www.hyattregencymonterey.com

Click “careers at this hotel” link Scroll to bottom of page and search Monterey CA

AA/EOE M/FD/V

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

Palo Alto’s Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Clement Palo Alto, Adds Ridge Vineyards Experience to its Special Packages for Guests

The Clement Palo Alto All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel has partnered with an acclaimed Central Coast winery to offer the Ridge Vineyards Experience package for its guests.

Palo Alto, CA, May 12, 2018 — The Clement Palo Alto All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel has partnered with an acclaimed Central Coast winery to offer the Ridge Vineyards Experience package for its guests.

Guests can experience the number one winery in America with an exclusive private tasting and tour for two at Ridge Vineyards’ Monte Bello Estate. Nestled high in the northern reaches of the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by historic vineyards, Monte Bello offers guests an unparalleled opportunity to experience exceptional single-vineyard wines, including the celebrated Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Ridge Vineyards Experience includes:

>Overnight accommodations at The Clement Palo Alto
>Reservations for an exclusive two-hour private tasting for two at Monte Bello Estate, any day of the week
>Daily breakfast for two in the comfort of your guestroom or in The Clement dining room
>Overnight valet parking and resort fee

The two-hour private tasting experience includes a tour of the vineyard, where guests will see the petite verdot, merlot, and cabernet vines, as well as the historic knoll covered with 66-year-old cabernet sauvignon vines. A dedicated host will present a customized five-wine flight and library pour of Monte Bello, which also includes the most current vintage. A cheese-and-tapenade plate completes the experience.

The Concierge can assist in customizing the experience and would be happy to arrange transportation of the guest’s choice for their convenience for an extra fee. Options range from a Town Car, Stretch Limo, and Passenger Van to an SUV or a Stretch SUV Limo.

To book this special wine package, call (650) 322-7111 and ask for the “Ridge Vineyards Experience” package. Valid through Dec. 31, 2018.

Package is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Seven-day advance reservations are required. Rates do not apply to groups. Rates listed are per room, per night, single or double occupancy, and exclusive of taxes, gratuities, and other charges unless otherwise noted. Hotel and resort credits cannot be used toward room rate, tax, resort fee, or gratuities.

Reservations must be cancelled at least five days prior to arrival to avoid a cancellation charge (one night’s room rate, plus tax).

About The Clement Palo Alto
When the Clement Palo Alto opened its doors March 2016 it was one of the most innovative, personalized and unique luxury hotels in the country. With its all-inclusive services and amenities and 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, The Clement Palo Alto set a new standard for personalized luxury accommodations in a contemporary residential-style atmosphere.

The Clement Palo Alto's all-inclusive services and amenities include:

·All-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
·All-inclusive wine, beer and cocktails (charges apply for premium brands)
·All-inclusive in-room dining
·All-inclusive mini-bar
·All-inclusive fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock
·All-inclusive Business Center
·All-inclusive valet parking
·All-inclusive twice-daily housekeeping services
·All-inclusive overnight shoe shine services
·All-inclusive high-speed Internet
·All-inclusive personal concierges
·All-inclusive gratuities

“With a focus on hands-on management and exclusive luxury features rarely found elsewhere, The Clement is a very unusual hotel,” writes travel writer Emma Krasov of realtraveladventures.com. “It offers all-Inclusive resort-like stays in one of the most business-oriented locations in the nation, and provides highly personalized service by anticipating and meeting the guests’ every request.”

The Clement Palo Alto Hotel
711 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94301
650.322.7111
www.theclementpaloalto.com

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

Advance Tickets, Discounted Ticket Packages Available for 59th Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival June 2-3, in Monterey

Advance tickets and discounted ticket packages are available online for the 59th annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

Castroville, CA, May 11, 2018 — Advance tickets and discounted ticket packages are available online for the 59th annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

Festival attendees will enjoy dozens of fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day festival.

General admission is $15 for those 13 and older; seniors 62 and older and military personnel with ID are $10; children ages 6-12 are $5; general admission for one adult, with wine tasting pass, is $45 (must be 21 years or older); wine tasting alone is $30; and field tours are $10 (daily tour schedules to be announced at the Festival), good for adult or child 5-12. Online purchases are available through 9 a.m. June 3, 2018. No refunds.

Two discounted packages are also available, the Arti-Family Pack and the It’s A Date package. The former is $30, a $10 saving over the regular price. It includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount ends May 19, 2018, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The It’s A Date package for 21 and older only, is $70, a savings of $20, includes two adult tickets and two wine and beer tasting tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount also ends May 19, 2018, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The festival’s live entertainment lineup, free with festival admission and held on the Main Stage, includes Uptown Funk, Lady Gaga Tribute Band, Wild Turkeys, Chicano All Star Band, Sasha’s Money, and West Coast World Martial Arts, whose members have won 30 championship titles.

Sasha’s Money rocks the Main Stage at noon Saturday; local favorites Wild Turkeys take the stage at 2 p.m. Saturday; Lady Gaga Tribute Band plays 4:30 p.m. Saturday; West Coast World Martial Arts 11:30 a.m. Sunday; Chicano All Star Band plays at 1 p.m. Sunday; and Uptown Funk plays 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Main Stage will also host the Ocean Mist Farms Scholarship Presentation at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Artichoke Canasta Contest at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, and an Artichoke Eating Contest at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

In addition, singer-songwriter Bridget Marie will perform from noon-4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Wet Your Thistle Saloon.

The Family Stage features Absolute Magic (11 a.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday), Monterey Zoo (noon Saturday), Samz School of Rock Youth Band 2018 (1 p.m. Saturday), NCA Dance Studio (11 a.m. Sunday), and Estelar Mariachi (noon Sunday).

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

In addition to live entertainment, there will also be live chef demonstrations. All chef demos 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

Live Entertainment Bios:

Uptown Funk
Uptown Funk offers a unique experience that will exceed your expectations! This tribute includes a high stepping male vocalist and a group of very talented musicians, who together provide an exciting mix of the Funk and R&B sound of Bruno Mars. Uptown Funk will guarantee to keep an audience on their feet!

Lady Gaga Tribute Band
Erika Moul, and The Lady Gaga Tribute Band, created her Lady Gaga act out of passion and connection to Lady Gaga’s message of love, freedom and acceptance. Her alias as “Baby Gaga” made Erika a small town celebrity that eventually caught the eyes of Vegas before she even graduated from high school. After meeting Gaga’s parents and opening up for her best friend Lady Starlight, she began performing all over the world, including Jakarta, Indonesia where Lady Gaga’s concert had been banned. Erika has since then been recognized by her ͚Mother Monster͛ via social media regularly. Singing and performing 100% LIVE, Erika proves that true talent is the ability to transform. Erika will always actively support the Born This Way Foundation as well as her own little monsters worldwide.

Wild Turkeys
An old-school rock sound with an energetic, youthful vibe; that’s what characterizes the Wild Turkeys’ live performance. Covering classic rock standards from the 60’s to the 90’s, Rolling Stones to Judas Priest, the Wild Turkeys are less interested in breaking new ground as they are in treading familiar territory in a brand new pair of snakeskin boots. This is fun dancin’ music for the fun-loving crowd, nothing pretentious or artsy, just goodtime tunes that appeal to music fans spanning several decades.

Chicano All Star Band
The Chicano All Stars Band is an extremely talented, dynamic and energetic all pro-musician band that plays Latin Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Old School and danceable Reggae. Lead vocalist Sam Martinez and lead guitarist and vocalist John Mallare, along with the polished horn section, create a sound that has made it one of the top Latin Rock bands in the area.This dance band’s music appeals to a wide variety of audiences and will keep everyone dancing ‘til the music stops.

Sasha’s Money
This hot, cover band from Santa Cruz, includes Michelle Kraft (Sasha) (lead vocals, percussion), Mike Kelly (bass, lead vocals), Bill McBride (guitar), and Randy Solomon (drums) and legendary local guitarist, Johnny McCullough. Starting in 2015, they play an eclectic mix of dance songs from several decades, including covers of The Police, Sublime, Elle King and No Doubt. In October 2016, Sasha’s Money had the honor of opening for James Durbin at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Inspired by the music of Amy Winehouse, The Pretenders, and Blondie, Sasha’s Money will get everyone out to the dance floor and leave wanting more.

Bridget Marie
Bridget Marie has consistently Ranked #1 On ReverbNation Music Charts for the last few years and may be one of the best undiscovered singer-songwriter talents on the planet. And though many have seen her beautiful exterior, it is not until one hears her soulful voice that her complete, vulnerable beauty is revealed.

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/.

Additional Media Details:

Entertainer images https://spaces.hightail.com/space/IJrYgqqdwo
For Additional Information http://artichokefestival.org/entertainment-events/live-entertainment/; http://artichokefestival.org/entertainment-events/family-stage/
And we have great ticket packages available: http://artichokefestival.org/tickets/

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

Hartnell Community Choir Directed by Robin McKee Williams Announces 2018 Spring Concert on June 10, in Carmel

The Hartnell Community Choir will present their spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel.

Salinas, CA, May 10, 2018 — The Hartnell Community Choir will present their spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel.

The choir, conducted by Robin McKee Williams, will perform “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen, “Dark Night of the Soul” and “Evening Prayer” by Ola Gjeilo, “Even When He is Silent” by Kim Arnesen and “Alleluia Tropus” by Arvo Part.

The program includes soloists from the east coast, San Francisco Bay area and Monterey Peninsula. The Gabrielle Ensemble from the Monterey Peninsula will be the guest orchestra for the performance. The choir is comprised of professional and volunteer singers.

The Hartnell Community Choir was originally affiliated with Hartnell Community College and is now an independent organization that has performed at Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, Steinbeck Center, Hartnell College and local churches.

Building upon the solid backbone of a small ensemble, McKee Williams includes soloists and instrumentalists to fulfill her goal of enriching the community with beautiful music, while showcasing local talent and other world-class musicians she has met through her participation in the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) mentoring program for conducting.

This summer, the Hartnell Community Choir will sing at the Ely Cathedral under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop, formerly of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choir was invited to sing in the Great Britain Choral Festival in Cambridgeshire, England commemorating the 100th anniversary of the armistice of World War 1. And, the choir will sing at the Vatican in June 2019 in the Rome Choral Festival.

Baritone Krassen Karigiozov will open the program singing “Nemicco della patria” by Andrea Chenier accompanied by pianist Marina Thomas. Professor Karigiozov has sung operatic roles with New York City Opera, San Jose Opera, and the Spoleto Opera Festival. Born in Bulgaria, he has participated in and won international competitions in voice and piano.

Kiril Havezov will sing “En Sourdine” by Gabriel Faure. Havezov is from Bulgaria and has sung roles on the stages of the most prestigious opera houses in Bulgaria. He has sung as a permanent guest soloist at the Sofia National Opera as well as sung operatic roles in the United States and China.

Mezzo-soprano Veronica Jense is one of the featured soloists as well. She recently premiered the “Tale of Lady Thi Kinh” by PQ Phan and sang roles with Peoria Symphony’s production of “Cosi fan tutte.” Soprano Jody Lee, originally from Canada and now a resident of the Monterey Peninsula, is the featured soloist for “Song of the Angel” by John Tavenor.

Soprano Cora Franz, from Baltimore, Maryland, is the soloist for “The Dark Night of the Soul” by Ola Gjeilo. Anna Yelizarova, an international opera singer will, sing “Amour! Viens Aider” by C. Saint-Saens.

The Gabrielle Ensemble and is led by violinist Eldar Hudiev, and includes Astrid Huala, violin, John Wineglass, viola, Amy Anderson, cello and Alesksey Klyusknik, bass. Stewart Reynolds will play saxophone in the “Evening Prayer” by Ola Gjeilo. Marina Thomas and George Peterson are the featured pianists.

There is a suggested donation of $25. For more information, call 831-649-0992.

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

Monterey County Fair Seeking Home Goods, Art, Crafts, Livestock Entries to be Judged and Exhibited at 2018 Monterey County Fair, Aug. 30-Sept. 3

Are you a creative amateur photographer, love to bake, are an accomplished gardener, make your own wine and beer, sew your own clothes, adept at arts and crafts or raise livestock?

Monterey, CA, May 08, 2018 — Are you a creative amateur photographer, love to bake, are an accomplished gardener, make your own wine and beer, sew your own clothes, adept at arts and crafts or raise livestock? Then the Monterey County Fair is inviting you to enter your products or projects for judging and display at this year’s Fair, Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018.

The Fair’s exhibit program is an excellent way for you to show off your talents, earn bragging rights and, above all, have fun. A 2018 Entry Guide Book, which has all the information you need to enter, such as due dates, deadlines, rules and regulations, local rules and entry forms, is available at www.montereycountyfair.com. If you have questions, you can call the Entry Office at (831) 372-5863.

All of the divisions and classes will be judged under the American system and/or the Danish system. The American judging process ranks exhibits against one another and awards one first place, one second, etc. The Danish judging process compares each exhibit on its own merits against the scorecard or recognized standard and awards as many first places, etc. as merited.

All entries must be submitted to the Fair, either online, by mail or in person at Fair Administration office at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, with entry fees, by the due date.

The Fair will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. The Fair’s theme this year is “Shake Your Tail Feathers.”

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

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/

Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel Announces its Tail Wagging Package

The Hofsas House Hotel, a 38-room boutique family-owned inn in the heart of Carmel, is pleased to announce the launch of its Tail Wagging Package.

Carmel, CA, May 03, 2018 - The Hofsas House Hotel, a 38-room boutique family-owned inn in the heart of Carmel, is pleased to announce the launch of its Tail Wagging Package. To book this package during your stay, call (831) 624-2745 or email info@hofsashouse.com.

Hofsas House Tail Wagging Package

Tail-Wagging Package
Hofsas House is one of the most dog-friendly hotels in Carmel. Guests receive a complimentary “Doggie Welcome Package” upon arrival that includes:
Hofsas House dog Frisbee
Hofsas House collapsible dog bowl
Special dog bed
Letter from Tank, our onsite Pet Concierge
Special dog amenities package
Tips and recommendations for your four-legged friend’s stay
Walking trail and hiking guide
A package of treats
Coastal Canine Magazine — offering the best four-legged options for visiting Carmel

This package requires a minimum two-night stay, $30 fee per night for one dog and $50 per night for two dogs.

About Hofsas House
The Hofsas House Hotel is a boutique family-owned inn with 38 uniquely decorated, spacious rooms, many with ocean views overlooking the pines in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Dutch doors appoint each room allowing our guests to enjoy the fresh ocean air. Our guests watch glorious sunsets over the Pacific Ocean from the privacy of the inn's decks or rooms. Some rooms and most suites have fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars or kitchens.

The Hofsas House is located three blocks north of Ocean Avenue, eight blocks from the picturesque white sand Carmel beach and one block from a child-friendly City park. There is plenty of off-street parking and guests delight in walking everywhere in Carmel from the inn. Enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning with French roast coffee, tea, fresh pastries delivered from a local bakery, juice, yogurt and fruit.

Other amenities include a heated swimming pool, dry saunas, view deck areas and free wireless Internet access. Some rooms are dog friendly. Casual elegance, personal service and traditional family hospitality are the trademarks of Hofsas House Hotel.

Hofsas House Hotel
Between 3rd & 4th Ave on San Carlos Street.
P.O. Box 1195
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
Phone: (831) 624-2745
info@hofsashouse.com
HofsasHouse.com

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