Dance Student From Carmel Academy of Performing Arts Accepts Apprenticeship at Prestigious Spanish Ballet Company

A student of the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, Alexandra Huffman (Wen Wen), has been accepted for a ballet apprenticeship with the prestigious Ballet de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

Carmel, CA, June 25, 2019 — A student of the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, Alexandra Huffman (Wen Wen), has been accepted for a ballet apprenticeship with the prestigious Ballet de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

With two full scholarships awarded, Wen Wen leaves the Monterey Peninsula in late June for La Scala, Milan and IB Stage, Barcelona, continuing her passion and study before entering the trainee position in Barcelona and company rehearsals in August.

“I am looking forward to my apprenticeship with Ballet de Catalunya as it gives me the opportunity to dance in what I consider the center of dance, Europe, yet I know CAPA will always be here and my special dance home,” Huffman told Carol Richmond, her first teacher, when she was home in Monterey this week and back at CAPA for the ballet intensive with her teacher Philip Pegler and Twyla Tharp dancer Matthew Dibble.

Huffman, who was adopted in China by Andra Aeslyn and Al Huffman of Carmel, began dance lessons at CAPA when she was age 3. Her summers have been filled with intensive ballet programs; four years with Paris Opera Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, San Francisco Ballet School and Prague Masterclasses. She recently graduated after two years at the year-round program in Washington D.C., Kirov Academy of Ballet.

The Huffmans made valiant attempts to adopt a daughter for six long years. Those years were spent applying for adoptions in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and various other countries, only to be turned away with governmental twists and turns, a failed match and many promises heartbreakingly crushed.

Andra Huffman’s sister had adopted a child from China, so with a final monumental push to realize their dream, they went to meet their new daughter. The second morning the 17-month-old toddler awakened in the United States, Andra was called Momma, and the new family never looked back.

“We will watch in awe of Wen Wen’s dedication to the performing arts, welcome her home at every opportunity and follow her progress and performances,” said Richmond, founder and director of CAPA.

About BNC — The Catalunya Ballet
The Catalunya Ballet was created with the objective of filling a void that has existed for decades in Catalunya. The company will be able to represent and identify Catalunya as a production center of dance with its own personality and capability to present the greatest dance classics of all time while also bringing new and avant-guard works to the stage.

With the constitution of this new company, based on classical dance as its axis and precursor of any other type of modality, especially neoclassical and contemporary dance, young talented dancers from our country finally have the opportunity to be part of a national ballet company rather than join the continuous flight of Catalan and Spanish dancers to international companies.

The BNC will have the presence of internationally renowned dancers, teachers and choreographers with an original artistic program of classical, neoclassical and contemporary repertoire. The company will present works by internationally recognized choreographers as well as some of the greatest Catalan choreographers in the history of dance.

The BNC is the resident company at the Cultural Center of Terrassa (CCT, which is recognized as the theater with the most extensive dance program in Catalunya. Opening in 1980, the CCT is a center that offers a diverse program of activities directed at all types of audiences.

http://catalunyaballet.com/

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

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

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

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

Monterey, CA, June 21, 2019 — Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! Local performers and those who wish to showcase their talents for free are being sought to appear on the Community Stage at the 83rd Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For upcoming “Negroni Week” Yeast of Eden will Host a Negroni Competition Featuring Local Bartenders

On June 27th, Yeast of Eden will host a Negroni Competition for Imbibe Magazine’s Negroni Week, June 24th to June 30th.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, June 19, 2019 - On June 27th, Yeast of Eden will host a Negroni Competition for Imbibe Magazine’s Negroni Week, June 24th to June 30th. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation as part of the Negroni Week charitable initiative.

The friendly competition will be sponsored by Campari, and feature 5 local bartenders each mixing two cocktails, one of which will be their variation on the classic. The ticketed event will take place on the Yeast of Eden patio from 6 - 9 pm, and $20 gets you entry, tastings of all competitors’ negroni cocktails and passed appetizers.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. Here is the link to imbed:

Negroni Week competition at Yeast Of Eden (Here is the browser link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/negroni-week-competition-at-yeast-of-eden-tickets-6340740726
)

For the competitors/judges:
Negroni Competition Sponsored by Campari and Imbibe Magazine’s Negroni Week

When: Thursday, June 27th

Where: Yeast Of Eden, Carmel Plaza, Carmel-By-The-Sea Time: 6PM – 9PM
Prizes: Industry Swag, Refuge Passes, Alvarado Street Beer, Fernet Branca Bike, more to be announced the day of competition

Emcee: Aaron Shields

Judges: Kelly Waters (Campari USA), Chef Chris Vacca (Pacific’s Edge at Highlands Inn), Jane Hurley (83 Proof, San Francisco)

Competitors: Joshua Perry (Cultura, Nick & Nora), Alice South (Hula’s Island Grill), Bijan Emadi (Jennini Kitchen + Wine Bar), Kelly Kuhn (Alvarado Street Brewery), Cesar Osuna (Montrio Bistro)

Tickets: $20 which includes light appetizers on the patio plus tastes of all the cocktails involved.

Competition:

1st Round: Original cocktail using Campari or Aperol. No restrictions on style or presentation. Judgement weighted on the following criteria: Originality (weighted 25%), Balance/Overall Flavor (25%), Presentation (25%), Technique (20%), Best/Funniest/Most Clever Cocktail Name (5%). Only one cocktail per competitor needs to be produced for the judges. Approximately sixty 1oz samples will need to be provided for the spectators.

2nd Round: Best Negroni or Negroni Variant based on the following criteria: Originality (weighted 25%), Balance/Overall Flavor (25%), Technique (20%), Presentation (15%), Use of Campari brands (10%), Use of traditional Negroni ingredients (5%). Only one cocktail per competitor needs to be produced for the judges. Approximately sixty 1oz samples will need to be provided for the spectators.

In case of a 1st place tie in either round, a speed round of two cocktails will be declared. All competitors involved in the tie breaker will be given two classic cocktails and judged based on time and quality of the cocktails. These cocktails will only need to be made for the judges and only one of each will need to be produced by each competitor. Any additional glassware or ingredients for the tie-breaker will be provided by Yeast Of Eden.

A winner for each round will be awarded as well as an Overall Champion for the combination of the scores from each round. Prizes will be awarded to each of the individual round winners with the grand prize going to the Overall Champion.

General Rules:

• Campari will provide any ingredients that are part of the Campari portfolio. See below for a full list of approximately 50 applicable brands. It is highly encouraged to use Campari products as this will help keep your costs down and a small portion of the judges weighting is based on the use of Campari brands. www.campariamerica.com

• Additional alcoholic ingredients will be provided by Yeast Of Eden, up to $50 (wholesale) per competitor as long as drink recipes are submitted by the submission deadline.

• Individually infused spirits, individually made bitters, tinctures, syrups and any other modifiers not available to be purchased as-is from a vendor or distributor must be provided by the competitor.

• Common fruit, herbs and vegetables for garnishes and juices will be provided by Yeast Of Eden. This includes but is not limited to oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, mint, black cherries, olives, etc. If other fruit, herbs and vegetable components are needed and readily available, the restaurant will review the competitors needs and will let the competitor know if it is possible to procure these items for the individual. If it is not within reason to provide said products, it will be the responsibility of the competitor to supply them themselves.

• Basic glassware will be provided for the judges cocktails. This includes: 7oz rocks buckets, 12oz rocks buckets, collins glasses, coupes, Nick & Noras, pint glasses and white and red wine glasses. Any other glassware will need to be provided by the competitor for the judges cocktails. Small taster glasses for the spectators will be provided by Yeast Of Eden.

• Basic ice for shaking and chilling will be provided by Yeast Of Eden. Shaved, crushed or any specialized ice will need to be provided by the competitor. A small manual ice crusher can be provided by the restaurant for the competitors.

• Competitors should bring their own shakers, beakers, spoons, strainers, etc. Ice scoops, mats and towels will be provided by Yeast Of Eden.

• The competitors will have 30 minutes before the competition begins to prep their station and ingredients/garnishes, if needed.

• Cocktail recipes with exact proportions stated in oz and/or ml should be submitted to Adam Ono at adam@yoebeer.com by 6/21 so that any additional products may be obtained in time for the competition.

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

Natividad Farmers’ Market on July 10 Features Plant-Based Chef Sherrie Ransom

The Everyone’s Harvest Market held Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 3:30.p.m. Cooking Demonstration Starts at Noon.

Salinas, CA, June 18, 2019 — Chef Sherrie Ransom of Green Being Cuisine is the featured chef at Natividad’s weekly Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, July 10.

Ransom’s cooking demonstration at noon features a no-sugar-added Fruit and Chia Pudding Parfait (see recipe below).

The California Certified Farmers' Market, run by Everyone’s Harvest, is held every Wednesday from May 15 through October. The market is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside of Building 200, Outpatient Services, located at 1441 Constitution Blvd.

“We are excited to have Chef Sherrie join us again on July 10 to help us continue to promote wellness and healthy eating,” said Natividad Assistant Administrator Andrea Rosenberg. “Sherrie is one of the top chefs in Monterey County when it comes to plant-based dishes and healthy eating, so it’s a great opportunity for the community to learn from her.”

Natividad’s Farmers’ Market features fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables, many of which are certified organic. The market also features a wide selection of food, coffee, flowers, live plants, and unique gifts and services from small-scale family farmers and local independent businesses. Shoppers support local California growers and entrepreneurs in the Salinas community, Rosenberg said.

Vendors participating this year include Stackhouse Brothers, Rodriguez Ranch, Golden Flowers, Gallardo’s Organics, Mai Thai Cuisine, Mix of Flavors, Chava’s Corn, Fruitas Fresca Barajas, Perfect Crumb, The Bearded Bean, Castellano Organic Farm, Hummus Heaven, and Luke’s Mobile Massage.

The Farmers’ Market 2019 lineup also features regular cooking demos and tastings from local chefs, Everyone's Harvest team members and hospital staff members. Attendees of these demos enjoy a sample of the featured recipe and take home a recipe card. The cooking demonstration dates and chefs are posted at Everyone's Harvest's webpage at everyonesharvest.org.

Ransom is a plant-based chef in Monterey County, providing personal chef services, classes, recipe development and consultation.

“I’m very particular about what I eat and know it can be a challenge to find the time and resources to prepare nutritious meals, especially when traveling,” she said. “I’m delighted to be able to provide fresh options for locals and visitors to the Monterey area.”

Ransom earned her degree in biology and went on to complete certification as a Gourmet Raw Food Chef, Culinary Instructor and Nutrition Educator. She was an Instructor for Living Light Culinary Institute before founding Green Being Cuisine. Her dishes and classes highlight fresh, whole foods with a playful appreciation of flavor and texture.

“I’m grateful to live on the central coast. Every week my local farmers offer a wide variety of fresh, organic produce,” she said. “I strive to feature these beautiful ingredients in all their glory as well as share how simple and delicious healthy foods can be.”

No-Sugar-Added Fruit and Chia Pudding Parfait

By Chef Sherrie Ransom, Owner and Executive Chef of Green Being Cuisine

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped

1 cup fresh blueberries

6 tablespoons chia seeds

2 cups coconut milk (or other liquid)

1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Seeds or nuts (optional)

Whipped Topping:

½ cup coconut cream

2 tablespoons cashew cream

1 tablespoon honey (optional)

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoons psyllium powder

Directions:

For whipped topping, blend all ingredients until smooth, adding psyllium last. Chill 30 minutes or more.
In a small bowl, blend 1/2 cup strawberries with 1/2 cup coconut milk until smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons chia seeds.
In a small bowl, blend 1/2 cup blueberries with 1/2 cup coconut milk until smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons chia seeds.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup coconut milk with vanilla. Stir in 4 tablespoons chia seeds. Set aside.
Allow all three mixtures to thicken for 30 minutes or more, or in the fridge overnight.
In individual parfait glasses or mason jars, begin to build your parfait in layers, starting with the strawberry chia, then coconut chia, then blueberry chia, and finally another layer of coconut chia. Top with remaining fruit and a dollop of the whipped cream topping. Optional: sprinkle with nuts or seeds.

Variations:

Use any seasonal fruit.
Layer fresh fruit between the chia layers.
Create a chocolate layer by blending until smooth: 1 cup coconut milk, 1/2 blended avocado, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons cacao powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup. Stir in 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Chill 30 minutes or more.

Tips:

If adding blended fruit (including avocado) to the chia, use less chia or more liquid. Fruit has natural pectin and will act as a thickener.
Prepare in serving size dishes or jars the night before. The next day: grab and go.
The chia pudding can be prepared with any liquid. Try it with juices, teas, nut or seed milks, water.
Chia seeds absorb 10 -12x their volume of liquid. If you garnish a dish with dry seeds, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Soaked seeds can offer extra hydration because of the liquid they hold.
Soaked chia seeds can be used replace eggs in a recipe; 1/2 tablespoon soaked seeds per egg.
Ground chia seeds can be used as a flour and binder in a recipe.

Media Contact:
Marci Bracco, Chatterbox PR
marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com, 831-747-7455

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

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

Monterey County Fair & Event Center May Be the Perfect Location for Quinceañeras New Event Options Include Bringing Your Own Food or Caterer and Hosted Keg Prices Have Been Lowered

Don’t Forget to Refer a Friend to for an Event Rental and Receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and 10% Off Your Referral!

Monterey, CA, June 17, 2019 — Finding and booking a venue for a Quinceañera, the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, has never been easier thanks to the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, which can make this special day as fun and easy as possible.

Whether it is a small private affair or a large grand event, the event center offers magnificent landscapes, both indoor and outdoor venues, lowered prices and flexible terms, and a variety of amenities, making it the perfect location for your event.

For example, hosted keg prices have been lowered to $325 domestic and $375 imported, which is almost $100 lower than previously. Also, clients do not have to use a preferred caterer and can bring their own food and/or utilize their own caterer.

Packages can include tables and chairs, power pedestal, insurance, event staffing, janitorial services, and security services for events up to 400 guests. For various room rental packages, go to https://montereycountyfair.com/pdf/events/room_packages_2019.pdf.

Partnering with the Butterfly Boutique (http://www.butterflyboutique11.com/index.html) the team at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center is committed to helping you create the most special day of your life by bringing to reality your vision and dreams.

And now, when you refer a friend to an event, you will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card once the contract is signed and your referral will receive 10% off as well.

The event center’s Quinceañera expert, Nicolette Aldrete, can help you coordinate the details. Call her at 831-372-5863, ext. 304.

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

World’s Top Sand-Sculpting Company to Create Giant Sand Sculpture for 2019 Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2

The world’s foremost sand-sculpting company, Sandscapes, will create a giant sand sculpture reflecting the theme of this year’s Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

Monterey, CA, June 14, 2019 — The world’s foremost sand-sculpting company, Sandcapes, will create a giant sand sculpture reflecting the theme of this year’s Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

The sand sculpture will feature sea otters on a roller coaster, reflecting the fair’s theme, “High Tides and Carnival Rides.”

Sandcapes emerged in the mid-’80s from the competitive sand sculpture scene on the beaches of Southern California. Originally performing at corporate events and summer beach festivals, demand soon exploded as Sandscapes' sculptors formed the leading edge as the world's first full-time professional sand sculptors.

In addition to numerous national, international, and regional sand sculpture titles, Sandcapes holds 12 separate World Sand Sculpting Championships titles. Averaging 40 sculptures annually, their sculptors have created over 1,000 sculptures at major venues around the world.

For more information on Sandscapes, go to http://www.sandscapes.com/.

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey.

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

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

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

Entries Open Online for Home Goods, Art, Crafts, Livestock Entries at 2019 Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2

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

Monterey, CA, June 13, 2019 — Are you a creative amateur photographer, love to bake, make your own beer, sew your own clothes, adept at arts and crafts or raise livestock? You can now enter your products or projects for judging and display online for this year’s Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

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 2019 Entry Guide Book, which has all the information you need to enter, such as due dates, deadlines, rules and regulations, and local rules is available at www.montereycountyfair.com.

All entries must be entered online only, with the exception of the wool department. To enter online, go to https://montereycountyfair.com/exhibits-junior-livestock-auction/.

Printed entry guidebooks will be available in the Fair Administration Office at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, at all Monterey County libraries, and at Beverly’s Fabric & Crafts (Monterey), Joann Fabrics & Crafts (Salinas) and Michaels Arts & Crafts (Marina and Salinas). If you have questions, you can call the Entry Office at (831) 372-1000.

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.

New this year, 4-H and FFA non-livestock entries will win cash prizes.

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey. The theme of the 2019 fair is “High Tides and Carnival Rides.”

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