Category Archives: Entertainment

Mumbai to Host the 3rd Edition of “World Tea & Coffee Expo” ™ 2015

* International destination Mumbai ensures substantial participation of Indian & International companies. * Global Market for RTD Tea & Coffee growing at a healthy rate annually. * Buying delegations from Iran, Dubai, Nepal, Russia & UK planned.

Mumbai, India, January 16, 2015 — Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, shall host the 3rd World Tea & Coffee Expo 2015, India’s only International trade show dedicated to the Tea & Coffee Sectors. With over 100 exhibitors from 10 countries and dedicated country pavilions, this International Tea Coffee show in India promises an even bigger presence to provide the perfect environment for the hot beverage industry to meet face-to-face and develop real business opportunities. The 2015 edition is to be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai INDIA from 1st Oct to 3rd Oct 2015 and shall cater to a prospective visitor base of over 6000 buyers from across India and abroad – up from the visitor count of 4100 witnessed during the second edition held in Sept 2014.

In addition to a display of innovative and exotic products, machineries, accessories, technologies, vending machines and certifications from the entire gamut of the Hot beverage sector, additional activities planned at the Expo include: B2B match-making, Workshops & Championships, a High Level 2-day Conference by Industry leaders, academicians and policy makers, export/import guidance kiosks, Knowledge zone etc.

Says Priti M Kapadia, Director, Sentinel Exhibitions Asia P Ltd, the organizer of the show, “Mumbai is a city where the best and the most serious converge for doing business. Mumbai attracts the serious players from the length & breadth of India and also from aboard which results in high value deals and alliances. The 2015 edition of this unique trade fair will also see buying delegations from Iran, Nepal, Dubai, and Russia.

The stupendous success of the 2nd World Tea & Coffee Expo 2014 @ Mumbai, INDIA in September 2014, has established this Expo as the official Industry show with just two editions under its belt. This is India’s only International Trade Show dedicated to Tea & Coffee and is supported by Ministry of Commerce through Tea Board of India and leading associations and chambers from across the world have pledged their support to this important industry initiative.

The Expo offers huge potential for appointing Distributors, Bulk orders, joint ventures, franchising, networking, knowledge-sharing, meeting government officials, marketing alliances, and overall branding. WTCE has become the platform for the launch of new and exotic tea & coffee products. For a visitor, Workshops and seminars are the other important part of the event, which will help them to understand the depth of this industry, gain knowledge, understand benefits and also to taste the products on the spot. Skill development shall be the main theme of the workshops which will be conducted by experts in the field. Adds Kapadia, “For the International Tea & Coffee conference, we are in touch with a number of international speakers and some of them have already confirmed.”

The global market for RTD (Ready-to-Drink) Tea and Coffee is expected to reach $125 billion by 2017 with an annual growth rate of 11%. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market and also showing maximum growth. To capitalize on the growth trend in the RTD Tea & Coffee, companies are investing heavily on modernization of machineries, Quality Up-gradation & Product Diversification as also branding, innovations and market expansion. The Upscale café culture has contributed significantly to the growth of both Coffee & Tea in India with exotic branding and packaging coupled with a dynamic product mix are driving the demand. Drinking habits and lifestyles have changed in the last 8 – 10 years and people are now willing to pay more for quality. India is the 2nd largest producer, 2nd largest consumer and 4th largest exporter of tea with a 23% share in global production, a 12% share in world tea exports and a per capita consumption of about 725 grams (2013-14 figures). The 6th largest producer of the coffee in the world, India exports more than 80% of its coffee presently but a rising domestic demand at 7% annually may change this scenario completely over the next decade or so. The trend towards health consciousness, coupled with increased competitive pressure, will further push new product development in the next five years, which will in turn boost industry demand. Most International companies which have entered India are doing brisk business and expanding their operations. The World Tea & Coffee Expo is the catalyst for International companies to target this huge market.

WTCE will determine trends, create awareness on optimization of product lines, enable networking with peers, industry stalwarts, academia and government officials. The vision of the World Tea & Coffee Expo is to facilitate and expand the Indian Beverage business by providing all sourcing requirements under one roof. Organized by Sentinel Exhibitions Asia P Ltd [SEA], a part of the Mumbai-headquartered Sentinel media group, WTCE is established as the VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY and as the Gateway to Indian markets. For further information please log onto www.worldteacoffeeexpo.com or call on +91 22 28625133 or email to info@worldteacoffeeexpo.com

Press & Media Contact:
Mitesh M Kapadia
Sentinel Public Relations Pvt Ltd / Sentinel Advertising Services
B-603, Samajdeep, Near Bhanu Park/Seasons Restaurant
Adukia Road, Off S V Road
Kandivli (W), Mumbai 400 067 India
Mob: +91 98205 03876
Tel: (022) 28625131/32
Fax: (022) 28625133
mitesh@publicrelationindia.com
http://www.publicrelationindia.com
http://www.worldteacoffeeexpo.com

Online Ticket Marketplace Ticketgallery.com Receives New Owner and Enhances Advertising Strategy

Ticketgallery.com is now under the ownership and operation of Pennsylvania-based Ticket Gallery LLC, which was founded by business industry veteran Marneen Zahavi. The company also recently revised its approach to advertising to enhance its ability to direct buyers to the vast number of authentic event tickets that are listed on its website.

East Stroudsburg, PA (USA), Jan 16, 2015 — Ticketgallery.com is pleased to announced that it is now owned and operated by Ticket Gallery LLC of Pennsylvania.

As part of the change in ownership—which took effect Jan. 1, 2015—Ticket Gallery has also adjusted some of its internal policies and procedures to improve its operations. A major modification involves the company’s advertising model. In the past, Ticket Gallery depended on affiliate marketers to promote and advertise its services, according to Managing Member Marneen Zahavi. While the affiliates were obligated to adhere to certain guidelines, the company had no control over their specific advertising tactics. Sometimes the affiliates’ methods for attracting visitors to various affiliate websites were not as clear-cut as they could have been. Unfortunately, this led to some confusion and dissatisfaction over orders that came from the affiliate websites directly to Ticket Gallery. However, the issue did not involve any orders made directly on Ticketgallery.com.

Now, Ticket Gallery has assumed complete control over its own advertising to ensure consumers have more appropriate expectations from the company’s promotional messages. “Today, Ticket Gallery LLC of Pennsylvania operates strictly on its own marketing campaigns and strategies,” said Zahavi, who has more than 25 years of customer service and logistics expertise. “Therefore, the manner with which the end user arrives to our website will be completely transparent and informative.”

Ticketgallery.com is confident the new approach to marketing will not only result in better-informed buyers of tickets, but also enhance the company’s corporate identity. The Ticketgallery.com brand has established itself as a reputable online marketplace for individuals who are selling and/or buying legitimate events tickets. The site features tickets for a variety of events, including major Broadway shows, music concerts, sporting events and family-friendly entertainment. Buyers who purchase tickets through Ticketgallery.com will never be charged a service fee.

In addition, buyers can obtain tickets through Ticketgallery.com with the full confidence of knowing that they are offered by reputable sellers. In many cases, the tickets are sold by independent ticket-selling agencies that obtain them directly from venues or from a primary ticketing source authorized by the venue or the event promoter. Other sellers acquire tickets through special memberships in fan clubs, special business promotions, or even through event promoters, venues, teams, or performers directly. Regardless of the original source, buyers can always trust the authenticity of the tickets they purchase through Ticketgallery.com. For more information, please visit www.Ticketgallery.com.

About Ticketgallery.com:
Ticketgallery.com is an innovative online ticket marketplace owned and operated by Ticket Gallery LLC of Pennsylvania. The website connects sports enthusiasts, music lovers, theatergoers and others with sellers of event tickets from a variety of sources. All of the tickets listed on the site are guaranteed to be genuine and valid for event entry. The website allows only ticket-selling companies and trusted individuals to list tickets, which ensures that customers are dealing with professionals who make a living at fulfilling ticket orders. Ticket Gallery LLC is a privately-held company based in East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Press & Media Contact:
Marneen Zahavi, Managing Member
Ticket Gallery LLC
East Stroudsburg, PA – USA
+1 570-213-4954
media@marneen.com
http://www.ticketgallery.com

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Launches New Year Pin It To Win It Contest

On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast!

Monterey, CA, December 31, 2014 – On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast! From hiking and whale watching, to lazy days at the beach there is always something adventurous to do! We want to know….what activities would you love to do when visiting the area? Post your ideas in our new Pin-It-To-Win-It contest for the chance to win a two-night stay and a visit to Marilyn Monroe Spas at Hyatt Regency Monterey!

To enter the contest simply:

Pin It To Win It!

a. On our to-do list for the New Year is to enjoy more of the beauty available to us on the central coast! From hiking and whale watching, to lazy days at the beach there is always something adventurous to do! We want to know….what activities would you love to do when visiting the area?

b. Follow us on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/montereyhyatt/

c. Create A Board Titled: Fun On The Central Coast

d. Add a minimum of 5 pictures of fun Monterey County activities with the hashtag #FunStayAtHyattRegencyMonterey

e. Email a link your board to: marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

f. One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Monterey and a spa day at Marilyn Monroe Spas!

g. Winner will be announced February 5th!!

*Contest runs from January 1st- January 30th

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel& Spa on Del Monte Golf Course
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well known attractions. With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, personalized concierge service at the Regency Club, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com/.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
Marci@ChatterboxPublicRelations.com
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Announces Wine, Dine and Jazz 2015!

Enjoy Three Winemaker Dinners and One Finale Event With Palette-Enticing Small Bites, Award Winning Local Wines, Monterey Meringues and SWINGIN’ jazz!

Monterey, CA, December 28, 2015 – “Wine, Dine and Jazz at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa” salutes the education program of the Monterey Jazz Festival – the oldest continuously running annual jazz festival in the world!

Throughout 2015, enjoy local wines, tasty bites, special jazz inspired desserts from Monterey Meringues and swingin’ jazz as the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa showcases Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) traveling clinicians together with some of our “home grown” student musical protégés of all ages!

Save the dates for Wine, Dine and Jazz Winemakers Dinners:
• Wednesday, March 11th featuring Scheid Wines
• Thursday, May 14th featuring Twisted Roots Wines
• Thursday July 16th featuring Cima Collina Wines
• Support a great cause – music education for our youth – while enjoying a four course meal from our new TusCA Ristorante chef Steve Johnson paired with local wines! 20% of all ticket sales will benefit Monterey Jazz Festival a 501(c)(3)non-profit arts education organization. We celebrate the legacy of jazz and expand the boundaries of and opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs. To learn more about Monterey Jazz Festival please visit montereyjazzfestival.org.

• Join the team at the Hyatt Regency Monterey as well as our jazz director David Morwood to listen to the sounds of the best student musical protégés of all ages.
• Events begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and live jazz.
• 6:30 p.m. attendees will sit down for a four course dinner.
• Dessert is provided by Monterey Meringues and will be served during the live jazz performance. At each event meet the creators of Monterey Meringues, Leigh Zimmerman and Domenick Allen. Monterey Meringues has re-invented the Classic French Meringue and given them musically inspired names to shine a light on music education. They will be creating unique jazz inspired Meringues especially for Wine. Dine. Jazz. Monterey Meringues are hand crafted with the highest quality Natural Ingredients. They use no Additives or Preservatives, and they are Gluten, Dairy, Cholesterol, GMO, and Fat-Free.

• Events take place at TusCA Ristorante at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey.
• Cost is $85 per person inclusive.
• Space is limited to 50 attendees
Tickets are available on Eventbrite at https://hyattmontereywinedinejazz2015.eventbrite.com
Don’t miss out on our 2015 grand finale of Wine, Dine and Jazz!
• Saturday, October 22nd
• 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Sip wines from Scheid Vineyards, Twisted Roots Wines and Cima Collina Wines
• Savor small bites from the culinary team at TusCA Ristorante
• Dessert bar from Monterey Meringues.
• Listen to the sounds of the David Morwood jazz band featuring MJF clinicians, special guests, and “young phenoms” from the education program jamming and swinging’ together!
• Support Monterey Jazz Festival a 501(c)(3)non-profit arts education organization. We celebrate the legacy of jazz and expand the boundaries of and opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs. To learn more about Monterey Jazz Festival please visit montereyjazzfestival.org.
• Event to take place at TusCA Ristorante at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey.
• Cost is $55.00 per person inclusive
• A portion of everything raised that evening will benefit the Monterey Jazz Festival
Tickets are available on https://hyattmontereywinedinejazz2015.eventbrite.com

Background on the weekly jazz program at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa:
Our newly designed Fireplace Lounge features live jazz every weekend, with many of the finest jazz musicians from far and wide. Bar menu, signature cocktails, drink and dinner specials, free parking, never a cover, adjacent TusCA Ristorante full menu restaurant featuring local, fresh organic produce and sustainable seafood as well as sizzling steaks; the Monterey Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa has been named the number one spot on the central coast to hear live jazz! Sit by our huge indoor fireplace, with a panoramic view of the old Del Monte golf course – said to be the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi – and enjoy jazz standards, swing, Bossa nova, samba, and BeBop – music for drinking, dining, dancing, and just plain relaxing and listening! Our jazz director and drummer-in-residence now going on 17 years is Dr. David Morwood (yes, it’s true, our house drummer is a board certified plastic surgeon!). Morwood has been honored by the world wide jazz writers association for hosting the late night Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa jazz jam sessions after the annual Jazz Festival, and for operating on children with cleft lips and palates in developing countries every year our guests that are able to grab a seat in the Fireplace Lounge during the late night jazz jam sessions have listened up close and personal to such jazz legends as Wynton Marsalis, Percy Heath, George Benson, Branford Marsalis, Roberta Gamborini, Ray Drummond, and members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Stop by and enjoy live jazz, a glass of award winning Monterey County wine and great appetizers and wood fired pizzas. Swing, Baby Swing!! All jazz events at the Fireplace Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey are complimentary. Jazz times are 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel& Spa on Del Monte Golf Course
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions. With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, personalized concierge service at the Regency Club, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com/.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com/

Pustaka Offers Indian Vernacular Books Online

Pustaka Digital Media, recently announced the launch of its website – Pustaka.co.in, a website for the e-book lovers who wish to read vernacular language books. This is India’s first e-book selling and a lending portal for vernacular language books.

Bangalore, India, December 24th, 2014 — Pustaka Digital Media, recently announced the launch of its website – www.pustaka.co.in, a website for the e-book lovers who wish to read vernacular language books. This is India’s first e-book selling and a lending portal for vernacular language books.

In the initial days, readers can choose to rent or purchase from a collection of 250 titles from Tamil, Kannada and Telugu language authors. The company plans to soon digitize Indian language books by the year 2020.

Nivetha Padmanaban, CEO of Pustaka Digital Media said in one of her statements “Most native language books are not available as e-books, which is preferred by the younger generation. We aim to bridge this gap. Also this platform is a big boon for the Non Resident Indian community who don’t have access to such books easily.”

Nivetha Padmanaban went one to say “Pustaka will provide a whole new experience to the Indian language book readers with rich mobile content. We often complain that the young generation does not read native language books. Unfortunately, most of the native language books are not available as eBooks and they slowly migrate to English. Pustaka’s goal is to bridge this gap by publishing regional language books as eBooks.”

Certain popular books which are on the site includes books like Tulasi, Pallikondapuram, Khajurao and Aindhu Vazhi Moondru Vaasal. Authors like Indira Soundarrajan, Pattukottai Prabhakar, Yandamoori Veerendranath, Neela Padmanabhan, Rajesh Kumar, K T Gatti, and many more are also featured on the site.

”Pustaka’s goal is to connect authors and readers of regional language books using technology. The new age readers are techno savvy and read on the go. This trend has been driving the eBook market. Along with the English language books, Indian readers want to read their native language books of their favorite authors. Our plan is to target the readers of all age groups across India and other parts of world who desires to read their own language books”, said, Padmanaban, Director of Pustaka Digital Media.

Delighted by this initiative Mr. Indira Soundarrajan (a prominent author in Tamil), said, “Nowadays, the way people read has changed and I feel it is necessary to adapt to that change. I would like to congratulate the team of Pustaka Digital Media for this great initiative. This will be able to bond the new age readers with our rich Indian literature and culture.”

You can access the website at http://www.pustaka.co.in

Press & Media Contact:
Mrs. Nivetha Padmanaban
Pustaka Digital Media Pvt. Ltd
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
+91 98807 17518
nivetha@pustaka.co.in
http://www.pustaka.co.in

“The Glow of Paris is a Spectacular Collection of Photos” Ross Rojek, San Francisco Book Review

Accompanied by a fascinating historical portrayal, the book presents a unique and aesthetic vision of Paris because no one else has ever photographed and written about the bridges that cross the Seine in this way.

New York, NY, USA (December 22, 2014) — Most Parisians will be shocked by the unnoticed and unheralded beauty of the bridges across the Seine River that they cross over in the city every day.

That’s because very few Paris residents have witnessed the stunning beauty of the bridges at night as displayed in a one-of-a-kind book of black and white photos of the 35 bridges crossing the Seine in city limits as captured by Gary Zuercher.

Zuercher spent five years photographing the 35 bridges at night during the winter months and another year researching the history of the bridges, gathering anecdotes, printing and assembling the prints to put to press the recently published The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night (ISBN 978-0-9906309-0-6, Marcorp Editions, 2014, 208 pages, $49.95, available on Amazon and at: http://www.marcorp-editions.com.

The Glow of Paris is an eclectic collection of extraordinary gelatin-silver photographic prints of the bridges of Paris – nighttime images that are breathtaking. Accompanied by a fascinating historical portrayal, the book presents a unique and aesthetic vision of Paris because no one else has ever photographed and written about the bridges that cross the Seine in this way.

“For the most part Parisians take these architectural wonders for granted, relying on their functionality to get them where they want to go each day,” says author Zuercher. “They don’t appreciate the beauty because most don’t see the glow of the bridges at night. And most have forgotten that from Julius Caesar to Princess Diana, the bridges of Paris have played in important role in history.”

The fascinating narrative that accompanies the artistic black and white photos includes historical facts and little known tidbits about the bridge, such as:

• The history of these bridges precede the birth of Christ. In 52 BC Julius Caesar conquered Paris; the earliest recorded mention of the bridges is found in Caesar’s Gallic War commentaries. Most of the later history evolves from around the time of the Middle Ages and thereafter.

• On the morning of October 3, 1943, an aircraft hit the Pont de Tolbiac Bridge and crashed into the Seine, killing the four Frenchmen on board. The four were members of the Free French Air Force who had flown from an airfield in England to participate in the allied bombing of a power station outside of Paris.

• Bridges constructed prior to the late eighteenth century normally had houses and shops built directly on them. Floods, ice floes, fires, boat collisions, and structural failures frequently destroyed the bridges. The collapsing bridges took the houses and shops down with them, and often their occupants as well. In 1769 Louis XV finally outlawed the construction of houses on the bridges, but it took until 1808 for the last building to be removed.

• The Pont des Arts seems to have the densest proliferation of locks, perhaps because of the French adage that roughly translates as “a lock on the Pont des Arts is your commitment for life and a lock on the Pont de l’Archevêché is your commitment to your lover.” It is estimated that more than 250,000 are attached to the Pont des Arts. According to the newspaper Le Figaro, the weight of the locks is 300 kilos per lineal meter. That equals 205,207 pounds, a considerable weight for the bridge to bear. From time to time the guardrail fence starts to fail under the weight and has to be replaced, at which point the locks are simply thrown away.

• The name of the Pont au Change Bridge comes from the time of Louis VII (1137-1180), who in 1141 ordered the moneychangers to locate on the bridge. This allowed visitors entering the city to change money there. In 1304 Philippe le Bel (1268-1314) authorized gold and silver dealers to join the moneychangers on the bridge.

• Early on, the Pont Neuf was the center of a permanent fair, a meeting point for all the sophisticated as well as the vulgar pleasures of the capital. At any moment you would find street performers-acrobats, fire-eaters, and musicians- charlatans and quacks, as well as hustlers and pickpockets, not to mention a lively trade in prostitution. Among the many businesses were several famous “tooth pullers.”

“This information will be of great interest to not only tourists and historians but also to Parisians who have limited knowledge of the 35 bridges in their city and are surprised at the number of islands in the Seine, (three not two)” says Zuercher. “There is a great deal of truth in the words of author Monique Marty who wrote of the bridges – ‘They are the extension of the streets, the hyphens between the two river banks. We cross them on foot, by car, by Metro. We see them without looking at them and that’s a shame’.”

Zuercher, an artist in the darkroom as well as behind the lens, lives half a year in Paris and the other half in Washington, D.C. He develops the film into negatives in Paris and then makes the prints in the D.C. darkroom. Often he would make 20 to 30 prints before coming up with just the right photo for his book. The results of his work prove what was written by Ansel Adams, “The negative is like the score of the music and the print is like the performance”.

The stories related to the project are rich enough to fill another book, such as the time he was refused access to a church roof to photograph an aerial shot because he could not be there while the nuns were sleeping. Or when he had to use mountain climbing equipment and the aid of city firefighters to climb to the top of city hall to shoot seven bridges from the air. Or when young thugs threatened him while Zuercher was working at night but were defused when he offered to take their pictures and email it to them.

Limited Edition: Along with a signed copy of the book, a gelatin silver photographic print of the “Seven Bridges” featured on the book’s cover, hand made to museum archival standards, will be available in limited quantity, signed by Gary Zuercher, mounted on 16″ x 20″ acid free mat board and ready for framing. For more information visit http://www.marcorp-editions.com.

About Gary Zuercher
In addition to being a professional photographer and successful businessman, Zuercher is a commercial pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flight time. He held the patent for wave pools and his equipment was used in hundreds of wave pools in the U.S. He also was a pioneer in spraygrounds at public recreation sites and for both accomplishments he was elected to the Waterpark Association Hall of Fame. Zuercher spent five years photographing the bridges of Paris at night and another year in historical research for his book. He divides his time between homes in Paris and Washington, DC with his wife Dominique who is French.

Media Contact: For a review copy of The Glow of Paris or to arrange an interview with Gary Zuercher contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz[at]westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090 or http://www.book-marketing-expert.com.

Powerful Child Abuse Prevention Tools are Just a Click Away

Local non-profit RAACE launches new website to help parents protect children from sexual abuse

Baltimore, MD, December 19, 2014 – The number of children and teens who are sexually abused in the U.S. remains at epidemic levels– 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused by age 18. Even worse, over 90% of offenders are someone the child knows and trusts. To combat this epidemic, Maryland-based non-profit Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere (RAACE) has launched a new website that provides a wealth of information and educational materials to help families protect children against the often-silent epidemic of child sexual abuse.

RAACE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been working for more than 10 years to help educate families about the dangers of child sexual abuse and what they can do to prevent the victimization of their children. The new website provides families with quick, easy access to a wide range of free, age-appropriate educational materials, including the organization’s in-depth Power of Prevention Guide Book.

According to RAACE founder, Kenneth Smith, “Education and awareness are the first critical steps toward preventing child sexual abuse. Our new site is a great resource that anyone can use to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse, what signs to look for if you suspect your child is being abused, and what each of us can do to shine a light on the epidemic of abuse and help end it.”

In addition to all the education materials available, the new site also offers ways to connect with other RAACE supporters, including a special community site where people can ask questions, share experiences, and take part in forums focused on topics related to child sexual abuse prevention and the issues that abuse survivors may face. The site also makes it easy to find RAACE events that are part of the organization’s Prevention Tour. During the tour, RAACE staff travel around the state to family-friendly events and use RAACE’s two-story, carnival-style “Big Wheel” to catch the attention of event-goers and teach them how they can help prevent child sexual abuse.

“As a community, we have the potential to make a dramatic and positive impact on children and families,” adds Smith. “We’re able to do this work thanks to the support of our RAACE Fans. And it’s even easier to support RAACE now that we’re part of the Network for Good.”

Contact: Brad Brickel
410-893-1001
brad.brickel@raace.org

For more information about RAACE and its ongoing work to end the epidemic of child sexual abuse, visit www.raace.org.

Contact:
Dina Wasmer
Incite Creative, Inc.
P.O. Box 95
Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-366-9479
info@incitecreativeinc.com
http://www.incitecreativeinc.com

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Includes 9 Wineries and Tasting Rooms on a 12-Mile Scenic Stretch of Carmel Valley Road in Monterey California

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Offers Cellar Passes Just in Time For the Holidays and New Year.

Carmel Valley, CA, December 18, 2014 – Compared to the sizeable California wine region in Napa, the Carmel Valley appellation is a mere pinprick on the state’s oenological map. Lacking the notoriety and sheer volume of the famous valley to the north, Carmel Valley has evolved into a destination hot spot of its own — only for different reasons.

California’s 13th oldest appellation (designated in 1983) the Carmel Valley boasts oak-studded hillsides bathed in sunlight, an abundance of open space split by a meandering river, and a charming village with character and characters. With just 300 acres under vine, the Carmel Valley AVA retains its charm and genuineness, deserving consideration from wine lovers who desire a less-hectic, more-hospitable wine tasting destination.

A tour along a 12-mile scenic stretch of Carmel Valley Road in Monterey County reveals wineries, tasting rooms, art galleries, amazing foods and thousands of acres of parkland. Absent is the traffic, crowds and expensive restaurants familiar to massive wine regions that find themselves dog-eared in travel guides. The Carmel Valley Wine Experience is a collective of Carmel Valley tasting rooms that offer resources and insight to travelers as well as unique access and member benefits to visitors that so wish it.

The Carmel Valley Wine Experience highlights the valley’s wine tasting opportunities, while embracing its slow pace of life, leisure activities such as hiking and golf, as well as the boutiques, galleries and bevy of fine restaurants and cafes. The special quality that allows Carmel Valley to transcend the ordinary is evident in the Carmel Valley wineries and tasting rooms. The rugged Carmel Valley begins at the mouth of the Carmel River and the dramatic valley runs in a southeastern direction along the river. Dominated by red Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Burgundian grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The tasting rooms also feature wines from throughout Monterey County, including the Arroyo Seco and famed Santa Lucia Highlands.

Most of the valley’s tasting rooms are just a short stroll from each other, allowing visitors to take a wine tour on foot. For those who don’t want to drive at all, Monterey-Salinas Transit Bus 24, called the Grapevine Express, stops at many of the wineries. It departs from the Monterey Transit Plaza, located across from the Cooper-Molera Adobe in Old Monterey.

While often lively, Carmel Valley’s tasting rooms provide a warm, personal interaction with tasting hosts and often the winemakers themselves. It’s all part of the Carmel Valley Wine Experience. Drink it all in soon.

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Cellar Pass:
· $50.00 per pass.
· A Cellar Pass gives its holder eight (8) tickets, each ticket good for the opportunity to taste at any member wineries.
· Good for a single standard flight per winery, the holder has 12 months (from purchase) to visit members’ tasting rooms.
· Additional discounts of up to 10% applied to Cellar Pass holder’s purchases.
· The Cellar Pass makes a perfect holiday gift.
· Available online and at www.cvwineexperience.com/purchasepass or at Carmel Valley Wine Experience members tasting rooms.
· Redeem your receipt for your Pass at member wineries – Bernardus or Holman Ranch)
· With your Cellar Pass enjoy complimentary corkage at Will’s Fargo Steakhouse + Bar on member bottles by showing the Cellar Pass.

Carmel Valley Wine Experience Background:
Organized by the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cvwineexperience.com to learn more about the collective of tasting rooms that make of the Carmel Valley Wine Experience as well as events, membership and general visitation information. Connect via facebook at /carmelvalleywineexperience

Wine Experience Members:
Bernardus
5 W Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.bernardus.com  |  831-298-8021  |   11am – 5pm, Daily

Chesebro Wines
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite D, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.chesebrowines.com  |  831-659-2125  |  2pm – 6pm, Thurs & Fri : 1pm – 6pm, Sat & Sun

Cima Collina
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite A, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.cimacollina.com  |  831-620-0645  |  Noon – 6pm, Daily

Coastview Vineyard
Opening Soon in the Carmel Valley

Holman Ranch
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite C, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.holmanranch.com  |  831-659-2640  |  11am – 6pm, Daily

Idle Hour
9 Del Fino Place, Ste 101 Carmel Valley, CA, 93924
www.idlehourwinery.com | 831-298-7526 | 11am – 5pm, Thurs-Sun

Joullian Vineyards
2 Village Drive, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.joullian.com  |  831-659-8100  |  11am – 5pm, Daily

Mercy Vineyards
40 W Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.mercywines.com  |  831-659-4321  |  1pm – 5pm, Thurs – Sun

Parsonage
19 E Carmel Valley Road, Suite B, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
www.parsonagewine.com  |  831-659-7322  |  11am – 5pm, Daily

Contact Info:
· www.cvwineexperience.com
· https://www.facebook.com/CarmelValleyWineExperience

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
Carmel, CA 93923
831-747-7455
http://www.cvwineexperience.com

Monterey Symphony Announces Spring 2015 Concerts

Tickets on Sale for Charismatic Glow: February 20-22, 2015

Monterey, CA, December 15, 2014 — The 69th season of the Monterey Symphony continues into Spring 2015 with a brilliant range of classical performances sure to astound you! International guest artists will perform colorful works with the Monterey Symphony orchestra on the stages of Sherwood Hall in Salinas and Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mini-series subscriptions are still available for the remaining four concerts in Spring 2015, along with a three-concert FlexPass that allows you to choose concerts up to the day of the event subject to availability.

Mini-series subscribers are assured the best seats available, free ticket exchanges, and VIP privileges. Celebrate this colorful season with the Monterey Symphony, along with the 10th Anniversary of Music Director and Conductor Max Bragado-Darman.

The Spring 2015 repertoire blooms with Spanish pianist, Joaquin Achúcarro, in February, and Icelandic violinist, Judith Ingolfsson, in March. The fifth concert in April, Majestic Realm, alludes to the nostalgia felt for our homeland, with what is certain to be a spectacular performance by violist Roberto Díaz, President of the Curtis Institute of Music and former principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The season closes in May with a flamboyant, all orchestral grand finale, Invitation to Dance. Without question, The Colors of Music has something for everyone. (Schedule and details below)

Photo of Joaquin Achúcarro, guest pianist of February concert “Charismatic Glow”
Concert III: Charismatic Glow

* February 20, 21, 22, 2015
* Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody is an immensely popular work, featuring the acclaimed talents of Achúcarro, and promises to be a performance not to miss. Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7 is considered by many to be one of the finest examples from the golden age of the symphony.

* Max Bragado-Darman, conductor
* Joaquin Achúcarro, piano
* Giménez: Prelude to La Boda de Luis Alonso
* Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 featuring Joaquin Achúcarro, internationally acclaimed pianist from Spain
* Dvorák: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70
* Concert Sponsored By:

Joaquin Achúcarro, guest pianist:
Described as “one of the greats” by ABC in Madrid and “the consummate artist” by the Chicago Sun-Times, internationally acclaimed Spanish pianist Joaquín Achúcarro has performed recitals in 60 countries and has played with over 200 orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, La Scala of Milan, London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Philarmonia, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, RIAS Berlin, Sydney Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony, National de France, Hallé, City of Birmingham, Royal Scottish, RTA Ireland, Western Australia, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Sta Cecilia Roma, RAI, Arena de Verona, Orchestra Verdi, and the National Orchestras of Spain, Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, among many others. He has performed under an impressive list of 342 of the world´s greatest conductors, such as Abbado, Boult, Chailly, Mehta, Menuhin, Ozawa and Rattle.

Born in Bilbao, Spain, Achúcarro studied in Madrid, Paris, Vienna, and Salzburg.

His international career was launched with his victory in England at the 1959 Liverpool International Competition and subsequent debut with the London Symphony, and from that time, he has maintained an uninterrupted concert schedule. Since 1989, Achúcarro has held the specially endowed Joel Estes Tate Chair in piano at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, adjusting his teaching periods to his busy performance schedule. He is also a Professor at the Summer International Courses of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.

He has received Spain’s highest honors in the arts including the Premio Nacional de Música, the Gold Medal of Fine Arts, and the Great Cross of Civil Merit honoring his lifetime achievement. He was also named “Artist for Peace 2000” by UNESCO and “Beloved Son” by the city of Bilbao, and received the “Universal Basque” awarded by the Basque Government.
Source: http://joaquinachucarro.wordpress.com

The Facts:
Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ($20; all seats general admission) at Sherwood Hall, 940 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906

Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($29-$79) and Sundays at 3 p.m. ($29-$79) at Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Pre-Concert Lecture Series: All concerts will feature a free pre-concert lecture at the concert hall one hour prior to the performance. These lectures, provided by Dr. Todd Samra, offer intriguing facts and historical context about the composers and the pieces to be performed, which greatly enhance the concert-going experience. To learn more about Dr. Samra, visit: http://www.montereysymphony.org/?attachment_id=3832

To purchase tickets or a mini-series subscription, call 831-646-8511 or visit http://www.montereysymphony.org/current-season/ for season details.

Enjoy the best of harmony for your ears, and flavor for your palate, with the Monterey Symphony Supper Club! Share your love of classical music with fellow patrons over three-course dinners and hand-selected wines. Local restaurants that are hosting the Monterey Symphony Supper Club this season include: Vesuvio, Portobello’s, Andre’s Bouchée, Il Fornaio, La Dolce Vita, Gino’s, and Anton & Michel. For reservations, call 831.646.8511 or visit http://www.montereysymphony.org/special-events
Upcoming Spring 2015 Concerts:

Concert IV: Ethereal Skies
* March 20, 21, 22, 2015
* Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto will be spectacular with Ingolfsson and Maestro Max interpreting one of the most romantically beautiful violin concertos. Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 is a challenging work from one of history’s finest symphonic composers, and Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture is simply delightful.
* Max Bragado-Darman, conductor
* Judith Ingolfsson, violin
* Weber: Abu Hassan Overture
* Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 featuring Judith Ingolfsson, internationally acclaimed violinist from Iceland
* Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82
* Concert Sponsored By:

Concert V: Majestic Realm
* April 17, 18, 19, 2015
* William Walton was a master British composer whose works reflect a level of complexity in melody, meter, and form that enthralls both listeners and musicians alike. Johann Strauss, the Viennese waltz king, and Prokofiev, the Russian master, are also featured.
* Max Bragado-Darman, conductor
* Roberto Díaz, viola
* J. Strauss: Overture to the Gypsy Baron
* Walton: Concerto for Viola featuring Roberto Díaz, President of the Curtis Institute of Music
* Prokofiev: Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131
* Concert Sponsored By:

Concert VI: Invitation to Dance
*  May 15, 16, 17, 2015
*  The work on this program that will surprise and thrill is the Ginastera, which may incline our audiences to not sit still…with encore appearances by Weber, Dvorák, and Rachmaninoff, featuring stylized dances of immense beauty and energy.

* Max Bragado-Darman, conductor
* Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65
* Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
* Dvorák: Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, Nos. 1, 3, 8
* Ginastera: Four Dances from Estancia, Op. 8a
* Concert Sponsored By:

Contact the Monterey Symphony Box Office at 831-646-8511 or email ticketing@montereysymphony.org to purchase tickets or for more information regarding discounted group, student and military rates.

Monterey Symphony, Photo by DMT Imaging

The mission of the Monterey Symphony is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.

The Monterey Symphony, under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor Max Bragado-Darman, is the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County. It provides triple performances of a six-concert subscription series at Carmel’s Sunset Theater and Salinas’s Sherwood Hall, as well as youth education programs that include visits to classrooms by musicians and culminate in full-orchestra concerts for schoolchildren.

The Monterey Symphony is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supported in part through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, and through grants from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Harden Foundation, The Robert and Virginia Stanton Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Todd Lueders Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Berkshire Foundation, The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Arts Council of Monterey County, The S.T.A.R. Foundation, The Hind Foundation, Upjohn California Fund, and many other generous foundations and individual donors.

For additional information, please call 831-646-8511 or visit our web site: www.montereysymphony.org.

Contact:
Lindsey Little
Monterey Symphony
2560 Garden Road, Suite 101
Monterey, CA 93940
831-646-8511
llittle@montereysymphony.org
http://www.montereysymphony.org

School Counselor Teaches Resiliency to Combat Future School Shootings

Releases third book called, “Relax”.

Westlake, OH (USA), December 12, 2014 — Middle School Counselor Kasey Kellem says about 50% of the students she works with have problems with anxiety. That’s one of the reasons why she wrote the book “Relax.” Recently released through Halo Publishing International, it’s the third book in a three-part series called “Mind Over Matter” or M.O.M. Geared toward pre-school students, each book teaches a certain characteristic of becoming resilient.

“Everybody faces adversity at some point in life,” says Kellem. “The earlier children learn how to become resilient, the easier it will be for them to deal with the challenges and obstacles that come with life.”

Through her research, Kellem found that teens and young adults are not prepared to handle adversities such as bullying, conflict, divorce, abuse, death and disease, which may occur in their lives.

“This lack of resiliency, I feel, has been the cause of increased school violence and shootings,” says Kellem.

She studied 9 school shootings along with the most recent one at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Almost two years ago to the day, on Dec. 12, 2012, Adam Lanza fatally killed his mother and then shot 20 children and six adult staff members before he took his own life. The troubled boy was a target of relentless bullying who also dealt with disease and divorce.

Kellem’s books teach on the five characteristics of resiliency: 1.Believe that you can get through adversity; 2. Surround yourself with those who love and support you; 3. Take time and find ways to relax; 4. Set goals and follow your dreams; 5. Maintain a sense of humor. She says these characteristics help kids develop social competence, problem-solving skills, critical consciousness, autonomy and a sense of purpose. Kellem says all the students responsible for school shootings dealing back to Columbine in 1999 were missing one or more of these factors.

Kellem says she and her husband both practice the five characteristics of becoming and staying resilient. Currently, she lives with Multiple Sclerosis, while her husband is fighting metastic cancer.

“We live with hope and a positive attitude despite the stressors in our life,” says Kellem. “We are surrounded with loving and supportive people and we look for humor in everyday situations. We still keep busy but find ways to relax each day. Finally, we still believe in our dreams and that we will overcome our challenges. This is what gets us through life.”

You can purchase The Mind Over Matter (M.O.M) books including “Relax” through Halo Publishing. Each sells for $16.95

“These books are also designed to be decorations on bookshelves, nightstands, or desks in a child ´s bedroom or playroom which will serve as constant resiliency reinforcement,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

Biography:
Kasey Kellem is a middle school counselor and a former special education teacher, who has devoted her life to help children who are facing adversity to become resilient. She has earned a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Special Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling. She is a devoted wife, stepmother, sister, daughter and friend.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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