Monthly Archives: May 2018

Business, Media, Technology

Cybersecurity Insights from Top Expert for CEOs in Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Sweden, HK and Mexico

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The Cybersecurity Workshop for Today’s Strategic Leaders will help CEOs gain a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity and its key aspects and discover how to establish or improve their cybersecurity programs in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Mexico City.

New York City, NY, USA — Despite the ongoing cyber threat that is witnessed through news reports almost on a daily basis, firms are still neglecting proper cybersecurity planning. As information technology becomes ever more complex and Internet of Things applications progressively widespread, cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important and business-critical field. Unfortunately, a recent study from security solutions provider Resilient Systems and market research firm Ponemon broke down key areas of continued failure for organizations.

The study found that 66% of IT and security professionals surveyed said their firms were unprepared to recover from a cyber attack, and 75% lacked a formal incident response plan. A key example of this unpreparedness is that fact that many of the companies impacted by the WannaCry ransomware attack had not installed patches in their Windows infrastructure that were released by Microsoft months before. Vulnerabilities in commercial software are common; the only solution is to stay abreast of manufacturer’s releases.

In order to help businesses in their cybersecurity planning, the Cybersecurity Framework released in February 2014 following a collaborative process involving industry, academia and government has been widely adopted by many types of organizations around the world, quickly becoming the de facto standard by which cyber security is going to be measured.

The Cybersecurity Workshop for Today’s Strategic Leaders (http://www.gldnacademy.com/the-cybersecurity-workshop-for-todays-strategic-leaders.html) will bring leaders up to speed on the most recent and battle-tested approaches to protect their companies’ valuable information and intellectual property from prying eyes of hackers and competitors. Attendees to the program will learn how to apply the Cybersecurity Framework in their organizations and erect strong defenses for their valuable customer and employee data and intellectual property.

Attendees to these 2-day workshops organized by GLDNAcademy.com (http://www.gldnacademy.com) in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, Stockholm, Hong Kong and Mexico City will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity and its key aspects
• Get to grips with various cybersecurity testing methods
• Master the cybersecurity framework and its five core functions
• Discover how to establish or improve your cybersecurity program
• Gain an overview of cyber network defense
• Transform the “weak human link” into the organization’s greatest strength
• Look at the four components of the cyber preparedness continuum

ABOUT GLDNACADEMY.COM
GLDNAcademy.com invites CEOs, board members, managers, leaders and professionals to expand their horizons:

• To meet fellow leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, managers, investors and regulators looking for the industry insights that will move the needle in their organizations
• To become part of the most engaging professional network of leaders in the world
• To engage with an experienced faculty that exhibits the deepest knowledge across the most practical and challenging matters that really matter for businesses today

GLDNAcademy.com offers seminars in dozens of industries and functional areas. Each and all of these programs incorporate the following:

• Relevant programs offered in the top business capitals of the world
• State-of-the-art workshops that incorporate hundreds of hours delivering the best
• Pre-program questionnaires that provide key information that permeates our offerings
• World-class faculty with access to the top echelons of the world’s most innovative organizations
• Thousands of satisfied attendees from all over the world

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR EDGAR PEREZ
Edgar Perez is a great business speaker, a confident communicator and a world class motivator. Global executives have come to appreciate his wide-ranging insights on how they can better position their organizations for success through strong leadership and a comprehensive approach that links business strategy and disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence and deep learning, quantum computing and cyber security. A published author, keynote speaker and business consultant for private equity and hedge funds, he is Council Member at the Gerson Lehrman Group, Guidepoint Global Advisors and Internal Consulting Group.

Mr. Perez is author of The AI Breakthrough, How Artificial Intelligence is Advancing Deep Learning and Revolutionizing Your World (2018), Knightmare on Wall Street, The Rise and Fall of Knight Capital and the Biggest Risk for Financial Markets (2013), and The Speed Traders, An Insider’s Look at the New High-Frequency Trading Phenomenon That is Transforming the Investing World, published in English by McGraw-Hill Inc. (2011), Published in Mandarin by China Financial Publishing House (2012), and Investasi Super Kilat, published in Bahasa Indonesia by Kompas Gramedia (2012).

Mr. Perez has been interviewed on CNN’s Quest Means Business, CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Worldwide Exchange, Cash Flow, Street Signs and Squawk Box, FOX BUSINESS’s Countdown to the Closing Bell and After the Bell, Bloomberg TV’s Market Makers, CNN en Español’s Dinero, Petersburg – Channel 5, Sina Finance, BNN’s Business Day, CCTV China, Bankier.pl, TheStreet.com, Leaderonomics, GPW Media, Channel NewsAsia’s Business Tonight and Cents & Sensibilities. In addition, Mr. Perez has been featured on Sohu, News.Sina.com, Caijing, ETF88.com, 360doc, AH Radio, CBNweek.com, Caixin, Futures Daily, Xinhua, CBN Newswire, Chinese Financial News, International Finance News, Finance.QQ.com, Finance.Sina.com, The Korea Times, The Korea Herald, The Star, The Malaysian Insider, BMF 89.9, iMoney Hong Kong, Bloomberg Hedge Fund Brief, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Valor Econômico, FIXGlobal Trading, TODAY Online, Oriental Daily News and Business Times.

Mr. Perez has addressed thousands of top executives around the world through keynote speeches and corporate training programs on quantum computing, artificial intelligence, deep learning, cybersecurity and financial trading. He has presented in Beijing, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, Kiev, Kuala Lumpur, Lima, London, Miami, Naples, New York, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Taipei and Warsaw, among other global capitals. He contributes to The New York Times and China’s Sina Finance.

Mr. Perez has presented to the Council on Foreign Relations, Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University (Kiev), Quant Investment & HFT Summit APAC (Shanghai), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington DC), CFA Singapore, Hong Kong Securities Institute, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, University of International Business and Economics (Beijing) and Hult International Business School (Shanghai), among other public and private institutions. In addition, Mr. Perez has spoken at a number of global conferences, including Cyber Security World Conference (New York), Inside Market Data (Chicago), Emerging Markets Investments Summit (Warsaw), CME Group’s Global Financial Leadership Conference (Naples Beach, FL), Harvard Business School’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Conference (Boston), High-Frequency Trading Leaders Forum (New York, Chicago), MIT Sloan Investment Management Conference (Cambridge), Institutional Investor’s Global Growth Markets Forum (London), TradeTech Asia (Singapore) and FIXGlobal Face2Face (Seoul).

Mr. Perez was a vice president at Citigroup, a senior consultant at IBM, and a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Co. in New York City. He managed Operations and Technology for Peruval Finance. Mr. Perez has an undergraduate degree in Systems Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima, Peru (1994), a Master of Administration from Universidad ESAN, Lima, Peru (1997) and an MBA from Columbia Business School, New York, majoring in Finance and Management (2002). He belongs to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Mr. Perez is an accomplished salsa and hustle dancer and resides in the New York City area with wife Olga, son Edgar Felipe and daughters Svetlana Sofia and Mary Olympia.

Media Contact:
Melania Pulitzer
Managing Director
GLDNAcademy.com
+1-414-FORUMS0
mjp@gldnacademy.com
http://www.gldnacademy.com

Art

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

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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

Welcome To The Monterey County Fairgrounds

Entertainment, Marketing

First Edition Design Publishing Releases New Book by Will Shelton

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Investing In Your Health… You’ll Love The Returns, by Will Shelton, is an insightful and innovative look at how we can improve our personal health.

Flushing, NY, USA — Will Shelton’s Investing In Your Health… You’ll Love The Returns examines current diets to help you make decisions about your eating style, as well as taking a look at sleep patterns in association with our overall health.

Health and physical education warrant a bigger role in our children’s overall health and well-being. One of the chapters is entitled: Games People Play, which focuses on games (like football, baseball, basketball, and soccer) you played growing up. Will Shelton is deeply concerned that some neighborhoods, including parks are too violent for youth to play in. He presents some innovative ideas that can help curtail violence in neighborhoods.

“We need to bring back pride as a core value in some neighborhoods, so youth have a vested interest in their respective neighborhoods. This can be done by creating jobs, safe parks, and recreation/academic centers. Some of our schools can have impactful improvements with better training of teachers, principals (including improved school curriculum), and better trained supportive school staff. There should be an emphasis on After-School Programs, like homework assistance programs, mentorship programs, violence prevention programs and sports programs. Sports can be a valuable link to children doing well academically. In addition, better training of police to dramatically stop how guns, other weapons, and drugs enter neighborhoods.” ~ Will Shelton

Will Shelton is a husband, father, grandfather, brother, relative and friend. He also is a powerful believer in God and His Magnificent Creations. Will Shelton is a cancer survivor of over ten years who feels God has work for him. Will Shelton feels part of that work is this book.

In his twenty five year career for the NY City Department of Education, he was a Health Teacher and Director of SPINS Program (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program). Today he is retired.

In his retirement, Will Shelton found time to develop his love for writing. Shelton states: “I always had a love for learning, which started with God planting the learning seed in me. My parents, family, friends, and teachers watered that learning seed.” Shelton has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health Education from York College, Jamaica NY, a Master’s Degree in Health Education from Hunter College, NY, a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, LIU-CW Post, Long Island, NY, and an Advanced Certificate in Administration and Supervision (Ed.S.) from City College, NY.

Will Shelton is the author of Inspiring Poems From My Soul, A Collection of Poems.

Visit Will at http://www.Will-Shelton.com.

Genre – Health, Healthcare, Nutrition, Diet, Physical Education, Exercise, Fitness

Investing In Your Health… You’ll Love The Returns ISBN 9781506904801, published by First Edition Design Publishing (http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com), is available on-line wherever ebooks are sold. The 134 page print book version, ISBN 9781506904795, is published by First Edition Design Publishing and distributed worldwide to online booksellers.

Media Contact:
Will Shelton
+1(941)921-2607
wilchy@aol.com

Education, Internet & Online, Kids & Teens, Sports

WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 TIPS FOR CHESS IMPROVEMENT?

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Adelaide, South Australia, 2018-May-29 — /REAL TIME PRESS RELEASE/ — Chess is a universal activity that many individuals of all ages love to play. Not only does it stimulate the brain cells, but it also helps improve necessary skills. This is why many parents let their children learn to play chess at an early age. However, it is not as easy as it sounds because chess entails techniques and strategies learned through the basics. Chess School SA provides chess coaching services to children in Adelaide, SA.

Chess School SA is a chess coaching service that also provides useful tips on how to improve playing chess. Their TOP 10 TIPS FOR CHESS IMPROVEMENT post explains in detail what to do and what not to do when trying to improve in chess.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR CHESS IMPROVEMENT

  1. Play often and play against opponents who are good enough to beat you at least half of the time. Free Chess training is available here: https://chessschool.com.au/freetraining1/
  2. Review the games of great players. When reviewing a game, pause for a little while and try to guess what the Grandmaster played.
  3. Read chess books. Find a book on the specific opening that you wish to play. We recommend: FROM CHESS NOVICE TO ADVANCED PLAYER IN 7 DAYS and THE KING HUNT.
  4. Study endings. Free endgame training: https://chessschool.com.au/chesstraining32.
  5. Work on tactics. One can use a chess book with tactics or one can do it online.
  6. After every game ask your opponent if he would like to go over the game with you. Try to determine critical moments and specific moves where the loser went wrong.
  7. Attend local chess tournaments.
  8. A chess coach will save one time in achieving their goal of rapid improvement. For private chess coaching visit this site: https://chessschool.com.au/privatelessons/
  9. Watch free online lectures on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MatoJelic
  10. Play, play, play.

Chess School SA can be contact by phone 0435062283, or via email at admin@chessschool.com.au.

For additional information, visit their website at https://chessschool.com.au/.

Contact-Details:
Chess School SA
0435062283
admin@chessschool.com.au

Art

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

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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

Entertainment, Marketing

FED Publishing Releases New eBook Edition of, “The DeValera Deception” by Michael McMenamin & Patrick McMenamin

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A new eBook edition of The DeValera Deception, by Michael McMenamin & Patrick McMenamin, begins the award-winning series of Winston Churchill Thrillers weaving history, intrigue, thrills and romance during the era leading up to World War II. It was a 2010 Grand Prize Winner-Fiction in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and named both 2010 Historical Fiction Book of the Year and 2010 Thriller/Suspense Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews.

Cleveland, OH, USA — In the summer of 1929, Weimar Germany’s secret military agreement with the USSR to develop new weapons systems beyond the Ural Mountains is coming to a critical point. Both countries want to dismember the newly revived Poland in a war of revenge To distract Britain from helping the Poles, the new Irish Free State is placed at risk by the arms dealers and financiers of the shadowy “Geneva Group” intent on fomenting an IRA coup d’état In Ireland with weapons and munitions purchased in America.

British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald gives Winston Churchill a secret assignment on his 3-month holiday in North America. Aided by agents from MI-6, Churchill is to persuade President Herbert Hoover to prevent the IRA weapons purchase from reaching Ireland. Suspicious of the anti-Irish bias of MI-6, Churchill assembles his own team to gather evidence.

One is Mattie McGary, Churchill’s goddaughter, an risk-taking photojournalist for William Randolph Hearst’s media empire. Another is Bourke Cockran Jr., a law professor, former military intelligence agent, and the son of Churchill’s old Irish American mentor. Attracted to each other, romance blooms, but their tempers often clash as the two follow a danger-filled trail from New York to Montreal, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles to discover who is funding the IRA and where the arms are being assembled. Along the way, they receive help from such colorful historical characters as Irish revolutionary leader John Devoy; Chicago gangster Frank Nitti; future head of the OSS, William J. “Wild Bill” Donovan; the legendary Jack Manion, head of San Francisco Police Department’s Chinatown Squad; William Randolph Hearst; and, of course, Winston Churchill himself.

Michael McMenamin is the author of the critically acclaimed Becoming Winston Churchill, The Untold Story of Young Winston and His American Mentor. His son Patrick McMenamin is an award-winning journalist who has produced stories for ABC News, Fox News, HuffPost and Buzzfeed.

Visit the authors at: http://www.winstonchurchillthrillers.com / http://www.facebook.com/WinstonChurchillThrillers.

Genre – Churchill, Hitler, Weimar Germany, Irish Free State, IRA, Poland, Anti-Semitism, Nazi

The ebook version of The DeValera Deception ISBN 9781506906058, published by First Edition Design Publishing (http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com), is available on-line wherever ebooks are sold.

Media Contact:
Michael McMenamin
+1(941)921-2607
wsc_mcmenamin13@yahoo.com

Entertainment, Marketing

First Edition Design Publishing Releases New Book, “Glory Days” by Art Bonus

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Glory Days, by Art Bonus, is an action/adventure fiction classic about battle-hardened Navy Seal, Master Chief Jay Johnson and lurking dangers in the Sea of Cortez.

Warren, MI, USA — Art Bonus’s Glory Days is about one highly decorated Navy Seal Master Chief who ‘thinks’ he is in for a relaxing time off sailing the Sea of Cortez. His old ex-commander is dying and bequeaths his classic yacht, ‘Glory Days’ to Jay and soon thereafter the high-seas adventures begin.

“I need an RPG on the bow right now,” ordered Commander Rob as he maneuvered the Glory Days to his starboard side. Mark was locked and loaded with another round as Commander Rob made the evasive maneuver. Jay slid over to the port side to help Mark bring down some lightning and thunder, death and destruction on the waiting blockade, now firing heavily into the Glory Days…

Johnson soon realizes that his yachting adventures on the high-seas provide him and his crew with more excitement than his military career. Death and destruction seem to follow in the wake of his yacht, ‘Glory Days’. Come along as part of the crew as they are plunged into a sea of chaos and carnage, battling smugglers and terrorists. Yet with just enough time to enjoy the serene waters of the Sea of Cortez for some diving and mini-subbing.

Author Art Bonus, a fine-art painter, photographer and poet has turned his creative talents to the literary world with his newest novel, ‘Glory Days’. Artist or Author he has painted a masterpiece with words for your reading enjoyment and hopes to inspire others to tell their stories with whatever creative process that works best for them.

Genre – Action, Adventure, Navy Seal, Military, Special Operations, Terrorists, Yachting, Drug-Smugglers, CIA, Homeland Security

Glory Days ISBN 9781506905884, published by First Edition Design Publishing (http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com), is available on-line wherever ebooks are sold. The 178 page print book version, ISBN 9781506905860, is published by First Edition Design Publishing and distributed worldwide to online booksellers.

Media Contact:
Art Bonus
+1(941)921-2607
artbonus@stage3.com

Art

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

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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/

Art

Twisted Roots Celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2018

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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

Art

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

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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