Tag Archives: Monterey County

Travel

Monterey County Tourism Makes Significant Strides Towards Destination Sustainability

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Addressing plastics and measuring sustainability progress are critical steps in the path

Monterey County, CA, December 18, 2018 – The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) has joined two initiatives that will further its goal of ensuring Monterey County is one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations by both setting ambitious goals and measuring long term impacts.

The first is with Positive Impact, a global not for profit which exists to provide education and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry – and a vision to address the role of plastics in this industry. MCCVB is the exclusive destination partner for Positive Impact on this project which has already included collaboration with a number of United Nations bodies and in Spring 2019 will see the launch of materials to help the global industry measure and understand the role of plastics.

“MCCVB is already resetting boundaries for responsible tourism and by partnering with our organization they are taking a leadership position for the entire meetings industry,” said Fiona Pelham, CEO for Positive Impacts. She added, “Certainly understanding the role of plastics which will lead to its elimination from the future meetings and conference landscape is a considerable goal, but it is critically important and partnerships such as this with Monterey County are the building blocks of collaboration necessary to achieve it.”

Meetings and events are big business in Monterey County, which is a destination known for inspiration and innovation. “This partnership is completely in line with that legacy,” says Tammy Blount-Canavan, President and CEO of MCCVB. “Our tourism economy owes everything to our ecosystem, and so taking this bold step ensures further protection of our environment and further demonstrates the innovation of our region.”

Measuring success is also critical to MCCVB’s mission. The organization joined the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) initiative, an alliance focused on helping destinations, convention bureaus, and businesses promote sustainable practices. The GDS-Index does this by measuring and comparing sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world.

GDS-Index recently released its yearly survey of global destinations at the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) annual meeting in Dubai in November. Monterey County scored 52% on the sustainability index just behind Geneva and ahead of U.S. cities like Washington, D.C. and Houston. The scoring allows MCCVB to set a benchmark and improve in the coming years.

“Ultimately, protecting our destination is every bit as important as promoting it,” said Rob O’Keefe, Chief Marketing Officer for MCCVB. “These initiatives contribute to our long term viability as a top tourism destination plus they are essential to the balance we seek to foster between visiting travelers and the residents who call our beautiful region home.”

These latest partnerships align with the MCCVB’s Sustainable Moments Collective. The purpose of the collective is to share best practices from concurrent sustainability initiatives and use the group’s collective influence to reach visitors and residents alike. More information on MCCVB’s Sustainable Moments initiative and collective can be found at SeeMonterey.com/Sustainable. For more information on Positive Impact, go to PositiveImpactEvents.com. For more on the GDS-Index, go to GDS-Index.com.

About Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is a 501c6 organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to our guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.85 billion in 2017, representing a 3.5 percent increase from 2016. This $2.85 billion in visitor spending supported 24,990 jobs, contributed $255 million in total taxes and generated $127 million local tax dollars that directly benefited the community.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.seemonterey.com/Sustainable

Business

Monterey County-Based Canna Safety Plus at the Forefront of Cannabis Safety, Compliance and Analytics

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Californians are rightfully concerned about the safety of consumer products they buy, from automobiles and children’s toys to their meat, produce and medicines.

Spreckels, CA, July 19, 2018 — Californians are rightfully concerned about the safety of consumer products they buy, from automobiles and children’s toys to their meat, produce and medicines. And with the legalization of recreational cannabis this year, consumers also want to be informed about the safety of cannabis products as well.

With that in mind, Monterey County-based Canna Safety Plus LLC is providing the state’s cannabis industry with the necessary testing, analytics and auditing to comply with state safety and quality standards.

With the company’s trained and experienced auditors, anchored by its user-friendly, cloud-based proprietary software, which has been engineered and designed by industry professionals to prepare companies for the state regulation of cannabis, Canna Safety Plus is at the forefront of cannabis compliance and analytics.

Canna Safety Plus, in partnership with food safety consultants GFSC Group and prominent testing lab Deibel Cannabis Labs, has the necessary expertise, depth of experience and partnerships to provide the cannabis industry with the proper food safety auditing and analytical resources to comply with state standards, including SQF (Safe Quality Food), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards, as well as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, product testing, and more.

“Our company partners have a depth of experience in food safety compliance, and food plant operations that are unsurpassed. We believe that the cannabis industry should have access to the same food safety compliance resources as any food manufacturing facility,” said Canna Safety’s Darryle Guarino. “We recognize there is no room for error when it comes to food safety compliance, and this passion comes through in everything we do.”

To meet state product testing regulations, Deibel Cannabis Labs analyzes a number of factors in cannabis, including:

* Cannabinoids

* Terpene Content

* Moisture

* Water Activity

* Yeast & Mold

* Mycotoxins

* Pesticides

* Solvents

* Microbial Hazards

* Foreign Materials

* Homogeneity

* Heavy Metals

“Deibel Cannabis Labs is excited to be in partnership with Canna Safety Plus and we’re looking forward to working with them to help our clients meet rigorous safety standards for the cannabis industry for years to come,” said Charles Deibel, Managing Partner of Deibel Cannabis Labs.

About Canna Safety Plus

At Canna Safety Plus Powered by GFSC Group, we have the necessary expertise, depth of experience and partnerships to provide the cannabis industry with the proper food safety auditing and analytical resources to comply with state standards, including SQF (Safe Quality Food), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards, as well as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, product testing, and more.

Don’t rely on guesswork or unreliable sources to determine the safety and regulatory compliance of your products to make sure you are audit ready. With our trained and experienced auditors anchored by our user-friendly, cloud-based proprietary software, which has been engineered and designed by industry professionals to prepare companies for the state regulation of cannabis, we are at the forefront of cannabis compliance and analytics.

About GFSC

GFSC Group is the exclusive combination of many services that could help a company enhance their food safety programs. GFSC Group brings a unique blend of consulting for the Field (GAPs) and Food Manufacturing (GMPs) industries. GFSC has worked with some of the largest packers and producers in the world, successfully creating and implementing multiple world-class food safety management systems. Their team has years of successful food safety and quality program implementations around the globe and in 25 high-risk food sector categories. GFSC has helped numerous companies implement SQF, and other GFSI related audit schemes.

About Deibel Cannabis Labs

Deibel Cannabis Labs is a new subsidiary of Deibel Laboratories, which has been providing diagnostic testing to the food industry for more than 30 years at 12 strategically placed labs across the country. This allows for fast turn-around times, backing by an established testing company, and extensive experience when it comes to testing. Deibel now offers all the necessary cannabis testing procedures and has made significant investments in cannabis testing equipment.

Darryle Guarino

Darryle has been managing food safety facility audit requirements for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to local food plants for more than 20 years. His background as an SQF Lead Auditor and Compliance Consultant was the foundation for GFSC Group when it was formed in 2010. Today, GFSC Group is one of the leading consulting groups for food safety compliance in the United States. Darryle’s ability to bring common sense solutions to a world often dominated by punitive reaction has put GFSC Group ahead as one of top choices for food safety compliance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Chemistry from the University of Maryland.

Canna Safety Plus, LLC

PO Box 7656

Spreckels, CA 92962

Email: sales@cannasafetyplus.com

Phone: 877-767-7487

Website: http://www.cannasafetyplus.com

Darryle Guarino, Principal

darryle@cannasafetyplus.com

404-859-7385

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.cannasafetyplus.com

Business

Dance Kids of Monterey County Will Present Fifth Annual Performances of ‘A Folklorico Nutcracker’ at South County Schools in November

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Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

Carmel, CA, June 18, 2018 — Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

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.

This year, 10 students each from elementary schools in San Ardo, San Lucas, Greenfield, and King City, will study a dance with two folkloric dancers and one musician for six weeks prior to the school performance. These students will then perform with the professional troupe in the assembly at their respective schools.

Ten mariachi musicians will perform Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece rewritten by Salinas-born Jalisco harpist, William Faulkner. The program includes the four divertissements from the second act and the much-loved “Sugar Plum Fairy” solo, performed by a Dance Kids’ ballerina in a traditional tutu. Folkloric dancers perform four traditional, and very different, dance styles from four Mexican states. Together the program bridges cultures and fosters growth and understanding of diversity through the art of dance.

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.

At least two of the schools invite other schools to their assemblies, allowing Dance Kids to impact more than seven schools in one tour date. In November 2017, there were more than 1,500 audience members in elementary through high school in attendance. The day culminated in a performance at Hartnell College in Salinas to a standing-room-only, 250-seat music hall setting.

Dance Kids of Monterey County, founded in 1993, is a non-profit group with the objective of bringing the art of the dance and theater experience to all youngsters in Monterey County. In 25 years, the organization has produced more than 50 productions, including month-long summer theater intensives, traditional and full-length story ballets.

Dance Kids now supports an ongoing afterschool learning program in a Monterey Peninsula Unified School District location, in addition to its popular annual performances of “Nutcracker” at Carmel’s Sunset Cultural Center and “Cascanueces.”

The two directors/choreographers for “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” husband-and-wife team Maria Luisa Colmenarez and Rudy Garcia, were consultants on the Academy Award-nominated Pixar animated film “Coco.”

About Dance Kids

With over 24 years of production history, Dance Kids, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Carol Richmond, is proud of its wide range of theatrical experiences that support kids to flourish. In the early days, productions at the Carmel Ballet Academy included “Nutcracker ”and original spring musicals. Dance Kids was known for fun-loving nostalgia surrounding the musicals 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 as the venue for the spring productions, until those too outgrew the dance studio.

Dance Kids has grown Dance Kids’ “Nutcracker” into a spectacular 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. The Founder, Executive Director and the Board of Directors are proud to carry the traditions of dance and theater to the Monterey Peninsula.

Dance Kids of Monterey County was created to provide ongoing performance opportunities in dance the theater arts to the youth of Monterey County. Its mission is to strengthen character and positively influence children’s lives through the performing arts.

iHeart Radio is the media sponsor of the Fifth Annual Performances of ‘A Folklorico Nutcracker.

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

Art

The 59th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Will Showcase Talents of Some of the Top Chefs in Monterey County

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Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Castroville, CA, May 04, 2018 — Some of the best chefs in Monterey County will be showcasing their culinary talents at the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday June 2-3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

All chef demonstrations will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

10:30 a.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC’s

11:15 a.m. Butch Francis — Cowboy Sausage

12 p.m. Estevan Jiminez — Rancho Cielo Culinary Arts

12:45 p.m. Dyon Foster — Chef’s Palette Spice Rubs

1:30 p.m. Chris Vacca — Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:15 p.m. Paul Blackerby — Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

3:00 p.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC’s

SUNDAY, JUNE 3

12:45 p.m. Dyon Foster — Chef’s Palette Spice Rubs

1:45 p.m. Chris Vacca — Hyatt Carmel Highlands

2:45 p.m. Estevan Jiminez — Rancho Cielo Culinary Arts

3:15 p.m. Pat Hopper — Artichoke ABC’s

In addition to the chef demos, festival attendees will enjoy fresh artichoke food delicacies, a beer, wine and spirits garden, live entertainment, field tours and more during the two-day event. The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is located at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey.

About the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

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

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.artichokefestival.org/

Art

Dance Kids of Monterey County Names Experienced Professional Dancer and Teacher as New Artistic Director

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Dance Kids of Monterey County has named veteran professional dancer and teacher Philip Pegler as its new Artistic Director.

Carmel, CA, April 19, 2018 — Dance Kids of Monterey County has 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 is the Ballet Director at Carmel Academy of Performing Arts and has been a Rehearsal Director for Dance Kids for the past four years.

Born in England in 1974, Pegler began his study of Classical Ballet at the age of 5. In 1986, he embarked on his professional training, firstly at the Bush Davies School, followed by The Vaganova Academy, The Legat School and The Harid Conservatory in Florida, where he graduated in 1992. Later that year, Philip was accepted into The Royal Ballet School where he completed his training both as a dancer and teacher.

Upon graduation, Philip became Ballet Master and Soloist Dancer with Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina and was subsequently appointed to the position of Artistic Director of the South Carolina Dance Theatre the following year.

In 1998 he became Director of the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance where he taught such notable students as Cameron Adams, Dusty Button, Brooklyn Mack, Sara Mearns, Joseph Phillips and Christian Tworzyanski.

In 2002 Philip was appointed Professor at the University of Florida where he created a new curriculum for the University’s Ballet program as well as serving as a pre-performance lecturer at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

From 2009-14 Philip taught at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham before returning to the United States. In April 2010, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Academy of Dance. Philip is an acclaimed international master-teacher and is a guest faculty member of several respected schools throughout the world.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.dancekids.org/

Business

Array of Informative Free Seminars Announced for the 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey to be held on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center

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Don’t miss the informative home, garden and cooking seminars and workshops coming up at the free 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Monterey, CA, April 10, 2018 – Don’t miss the informative home, garden and cooking seminars and workshops coming up at the free 2018 Spring Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey on April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Are you prepared for great home entertaining this Spring and Summer! Why not create a fabulous outdoor kitchen or back yard sanctuary, upgrade your dining room area or add a kitchen island for all of your cooking projects?

You will be able to ask an array of diverse experts on site all of your home improvement questions! This year’s event will feature useful Home and Garden Exhibits, Daily Seminars, Live Chef Demos, Shopping, and Charity Partners as well as Expo Sponsors.

Stop by for a few hours and discover the very best in home-improvement products, advice and inspiration. Home expo exhibitors include general contractors, flooring, landscapers, kitchen and bath, cabinets, closet organizers, landscape designers, painters, countertops, tile, granite, appliances, solar energy, fireplaces, and much more all from around Monterey County!

Spring is a great time to evaluate your home and initiate home renovation projects so you’ll be ready to enjoy visits from family and friends in your updated home.

It’s also a wonderful time to Get Inspired! Start by visiting the Inspired Home Expo to plan your home improvement and landscaping vision and meet trusted experts who can make it a great reality. Unleash your creativity and create a true sanctuary where you can relax and rejuvenate in your beautiful home.

At a Glance:

· Saturday, April 21, 2018 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Sunday, April 22, 2018 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Free to all attendees!

· The Spring 2018 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey will feature a full weekend of activities for homeowners plus the latest remodeling, landscaping and home accessory trends and tips.

· Educational home improvement seminars by local professionals, cooking demos, local charity partners and more.

· Additional informative and fun free seminars will be available both days during the Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey (full schedule coming soon on inspiredexpos.com)

· The Grand Prize for attendees of the event: $100 Home Depot Gift Certificate!

· Free parking!

· Location: Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd. Monterey, California. (Please enter at Gate 3)

· For more information, go to InspiredExpos.com or call (831) 222-0772.

During the Spring 2018 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey weekend, there will be an outstanding line-up of seminars in the home, food and garden areas that include many experts in their field. Attendees can plan their visit to the Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey around many valuable remodeling workshops and home improvement seminar presentations by local experts and live chef demos and some seminars are now listed below.

2018 Spring Home Expo Seminar Schedule

Saturday, April 21, 2018

12:00 pm

Easy Updates When Selling Your Home or Just to Enjoy It More

Presented by Amber Russell of Over the Moon Realty, Inc.

Join us as local real estate broker Amber Russell goes over quick fixes and changes for your home to make it a more attractive and impressive space. These updates can help with making your home more desirable when the potential buyers come through, or to just create a more enjoyable space for you and your family.

12:45 pm

Learn More About High Quality Olive Oil & Olive Oil Demo

Presented by RoseAnne Ruccello-Fischer of Ruccello Olive Oil

We know that olive oil is good for you, but there are a lot of myths about it out there. Many olive oils are for sale in the U.S. and are mislabeled or adulterated. As a new provider of high quality extra virgin olive oil from Italy and California, RoseAnne Ruccello will share olive oil facts and tips, health benefits of olive oil, and will discuss how to do olive oil tastings and food pairings.

1:30 pm

Cooking Demonstration

Spring Vegetable Farrotto Cooking Demonstration

Presented by Chef Scott “Paul” Blackerby of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel Spa TusCA Ristorante

Join Chef Paul as he makes a delectable dish of Spring Vegetable Farrotto, a dish much like risotto but with farro grains. We will make the quick and easy dish using ancient wheat grain farro, sauteed asparagus, peas, squash, baby tomatoes, herbs, vegetable broth, and finished with lemon olive oil!

2:15 pm

Homes for Heroes: Cash Back for Heroes who Buy or Sell a Home

Presented by Allison Chance of Homes for Heroes

Learn about the Homes for Heroes program where qualifying professions (Firefighters, Law Enforcement, Military (Active, Reserve & Veterans), Healthcare Professionals, EMS, Teachers) receive cash back when buying or selling a home. As a military spouse herself, Allison is pleased to offer this amazing program. Allison will also be doing a giveaway for a $50 Target gift card for those who attend the seminar!

3:00 pm

The ABC’s of Artichokes

Presented by Denice Amerison of Castroville Artichoke Festival Food & Wine

Join us to learn the ABC’s of Artichokes! We will cover basic preparation of artichokes, including how to microwave them, pressure cook them and other secrets of artichokes! Pat Hopper will also unveil the mystery and flavor of California’s official state vegetable!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

12:00 pm

Why Choose Metal Roofing

Presented by Mike Ruiz of Noble Pride Roofing

Watch a live demonstration showing how metal roofing panels are formed through a metal panel machine. Learn the advantages of metal roofing and see why today metal roofing is a popular alternative to traditional roofing products.

12:45 pm

Spring & Summer Painting Tips for Your Home

Presented by Jon Stuefloten of Jon Stuefloten Restoration Painting

Join us as Jon Stuefloten of Jon Stuefloten Restoration Painting discusses spring and summer painting tips for the exterior and interior of your home. He will be offering advice on the best colors for your home, techniques and much more.

1:30 pm

Hardscape Design & Opportunity

Presented by Steve McShane of McShane’s Landscape Supply

Too many landscapes go underutilized due to maintenance challenges. Join Steve McShane to dream up cost effective landscape solutions using stone, pavers, rocks and bark. Steve will highlight materials that last and require little or no upkeep. Steve will also walk through the design process so you can begin thinking about outside spaces you can enjoy.

And more seminars to be announced!

Corporate Sponsors:

· Noble Pride Roofing

Media Corporate Sponsors:

· Monterey County Herald

· KRML Radio 102.1 FM and 1410 AM

· Times Publishing Group

Exhibitor booth and Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com/Expos/Monterey.

Publicity Contacts:

Wendy Brickman (831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455 or marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

About Presenter RoseAnn Ruccello-Fischer

RoseAnne Ruccello-Fischer has a passion for premium olive oil and she’s turned that passion into a vocation, recently launching Ruccello Olive Oil, which specializes in Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Italy and California, hand-crafted olive wood items and handmade aprons.

Starting April 1st, Ruccello Olive Oil will offer on its website, ruccellooliveoil.com, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Tuscany region in Italy and California, handmade olive wood bowls and cutting boards, and aprons crafted by hand. In the future, she hopes to offer more varieties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from around the world. She also currently imports European antiques with her husband in partnership with a company in Carmel Valley.

Ruccello-Fischer may be passionate about olive oil, but she’s equally passionate about eating and living well. She’s been in the health care field for more than 30 years and is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, so she’s well acquainted with the many health benefits of olive oil. But it wasn’t until 2015, when she and her husband bought a small house in Tuscany nestled in the Chianti hills, with vineyards and olive groves everywhere you could see, that the idea of running her own olive oil business took seed.

A local business owner in their small Italian town suggested importing extra virgin olive oil to the U.S., an idea that appealed to her. She wanted to learn everything she could about olive oil, so signed up for an Olive Oil Sommelier class. The original business idea didn’t pan out, but she did learn quite a bit about olive oil, especially the fact that many olive oils for sale in the U.S. are mislabeled and adulterated and that customers were being duped into buying Extra Virgin Olive Oil that was either virgin olive oil or lampante oil, which is not fit for human consumption.

So she decided she wanted to educate American consumers and offer them the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil that the world has to offer. Ruccello Olive Oil was founded, the name taken from her maiden name. She’s already working with three olive oil producers in Italy and one in California, with another from Italy in the works.

More about the Expo:

Learn from and become “inspired” by top professionals in the field. Come meet the experts from the community who can help you create a more beautiful living environment, make a space more comfortable or fix an issue in your home. The event gives you the opportunity to build relationships with the people who can help you make your dreams become reality. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for ideas for Spring projects, inspiration or just browsing home improvements large too small. Talk with expert local home contractors that can create all your “inspired”, images from your clippings and Pinterest boards, meet your Google search list face to face, and make your home improvement dreams a reality.

The free, fun and informative Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 21st and 22nd at the Monterey Fair & Expo Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA. This not-to-be-missed event will feature about a hundred LOCAL home and garden professionals on site, many based in Monterey County, with all of your home project solutions. They will be available to answer all of your questions and provide expert advice for enhancing your indoor and outdoor living space.

The Spring 2018 Inspired Home & Garden Expo will feature displays and exhibits of the latest ideas in home improvement, remodeling, interior design, decorating and landscaping. In addition, it will provide educational and informative seminars and demonstrations designed to help you enhance the beauty and the value of your home. Quality contractors, expert craftsmen, premier designers and home improvement professionals are there both days to focus on all of your needs to make your home meet your vision.

About Simply Clear Marketing & Media:

Simply Clear Marketing & Media (SCMM) is a professional event management and marketing company based on the Central Coast. SCMI currently produces 7 successful INSPIRED trade show events per year and is expanding its events and services. The Inspired Home Expos are designed to create an environment for consumers to find the products and services they need to create the home of their dreams. The vision behind the home expos is to create a location for local residents to meet face to face with local companies who can help them to create a beautiful living environment and increase the value of their homes. The health expos provide a location for residents to meet face to face with a variety of health, wellness, and fitness providers in the area.

Simply Clear Marketing & Media’s mission is to help small businesses grow by connecting them with potential clients through events and marketing. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com or call (805) 222-0772.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.InspiredExpos.com

Art

Monterey County Fair & Event Center Hires Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative

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The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced the hiring of Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative.

Monterey, CA, April 04, 2018 — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced the hiring of Nicolette Aldrete as Facility Marketing Representative.

Born and raised in Monterey, Aldrete is a 2013 graduate of Salinas High School, where she played volleyball all four years. She attended Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park as a wine business/marketing major, graduating in December 2017.

In college she worked for Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association and Wine Spirits in Napa, where she planned and set up all of their special events and ran their social media. She also worked at Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley

Aldrete is the daughter of former San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s professional baseball player Mike Aldrete, who is currently the assistant hitting coach for the A’s. She has two older brothers, Michael and Blake, and her mother Gina helps run the family’s whale-watching and fishing business on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey with her grandparents.

About the Monterey County Fair & Event Center

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

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

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

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Dance Kids of Monterey County Will Present Fifth Annual Performances of ‘A Folklorico Nutcracker’ at South County Schools in November

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Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

Carmel, CA, March 24, 2018 — Now in its fifth year of touring Monterey County, Dance Kids of Monterey County will once again present performances of “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” in South County schools in November.

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.

This year, 10 students each from elementary schools in San Ardo, San Lucas, Greenfield, and King City, will study a dance with two folkloric dancers and one musician for six weeks prior to the school performance. These students will then perform with the professional troupe in the assembly at their respective schools.

Ten mariachi musicians will perform Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece rewritten by Salinas-born Jalisco harpist, William Faulkner. The program includes the four divertissements from the second act and the much-loved “Sugar Plum Fairy” solo, performed by a Dance Kids’ ballerina in a traditional tutu. Folkloric dancers perform four traditional, and very different, dance styles from four Mexican states. Together the program bridges cultures and fosters growth and understanding of diversity through the art of dance.

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.

At least two of the schools invite other schools to their assemblies, allowing Dance Kids to impact more than seven schools in one tour date. In November 2017, there were more than 1,500 audience members in elementary through high school in attendance. The day culminated in a performance at Hartnell College in Salinas to a standing-room-only, 250-seat music hall setting.

Dance Kids of Monterey County, founded in 1993, is a non-profit group with the objective of bringing the art of the dance and theater experience to all youngsters in Monterey County. In 25 years, the organization has produced more than 50 productions, including month-long summer theater intensives, traditional and full-length story ballets.

Dance Kids now supports an ongoing afterschool learning program in a Monterey Peninsula Unified School District location, in addition to its popular annual performances of “Nutcracker” at Carmel’s Sunset Cultural Center and “Cascanueces.”

The two directors/choreographers for “Cascanueces: A Folklorico Nutcracker,” husband-and-wife team Maria Luisa Colmenarez and Rudy Garcia, were consultants on the Academy Award-nominated Pixar animated film “Coco.”

About Dance Kids

With over 24 years of production history, Dance Kids, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Carol Richmond, is proud of its wide range of theatrical experiences that support kids to flourish. In the early days, productions at the Carmel Ballet Academy included “Nutcracker ”and original spring musicals. Dance Kids was known for fun-loving nostalgia surrounding the musicals 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 as the venue for the spring productions, until those too outgrew the dance studio.

Dance Kids has grown Dance Kids’ “Nutcracker” into a spectacular 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. The Founder, Executive Director and the Board of Directors are proud to carry the traditions of dance and theater to the Monterey Peninsula.

Dance Kids of Monterey County was created to provide ongoing performance opportunities in dance the theater arts to the youth of Monterey County. Its mission is to strengthen character and positively influence children’s lives through the performing arts.

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

Business

Monterey County, California Vineyard/Winery Owner Expresses Frustration with U.S. Government’s Blanket Freeze Holding up Wine Area Designation

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Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa Del Sol Vineyards in Greenfield, has written to President Donald Trump and various Congressional leaders expressing her deep frustration that a benign petition to expand the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area

Greenfield, CA, Dec 11, 2017 — Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa Del Sol Vineyards in Greenfield, has written to President Donald Trump and various Congressional leaders expressing her deep frustration that a benign petition to expand the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area, where her vineyard and winery are located, has been caught up in a Trump administration regulatory freeze that cuts across every level of government.

“I am writing as a small vineyard/winery owner frustrated over the lack of movement to lift the blanket ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review’ put in place as of January 2017 that is egregiously affecting my business,” writes Hougham in a letter dated Dec. 5. “How many other businesses are affected by this ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review?’ I am extremely frustrated, I can attest to that!”

Under the regulatory freeze, no rulings can be enacted until the freeze is lifted, even those that have been approved, such as Hougham’s.

The Arroyo Seco AVA is an up-and-coming region for wines of distinction. According to Hougham, wines made from grapes grown on her land have been garnering high honors, but she is not able to claim that the grapes grown on her land are in the Arroyo Seco AVA, nor can she label her wines as such.

Since December 2016, Hougham has had a “Petition to Expand the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area” signed and ready to go to public comment before publishing, just awaiting permission from the U.S. Treasury, but which is now stalled by the regulatory freeze.

“A ruling on this petition has absolutely no tax implications. Every person and entity is in favor of this ruling,” she writes. “In my case, a ruling in favor and the publishing of this petition is righting something that was previously thought to be fact. For me and the other wineries that purchase my grapes, however, it is taxing.”

Hougham’s petition has been “perfected” and meets the U.S. Alcohol and Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) regulatory requirements for expanding AVAs. She was told in December 2016, that the petition was on the desk of Amy Greenberg, Director of TTB’s Regulations and Rulings Division, awaiting her signature before heading to a 90-day public comment period.

A few weeks later, Hougham was told that there was a halt to the process because a new administration was coming in, which is customary. In January 2017, she was informed that the Treasury Department was waiting for positions to be filled by the new administration. Then the regulatory freeze occurred, halting the entire process.

“I have spoken out because this issue needs to be addressed, not just for me but for many others,” Hougham writes. “Our government has ground to a halt, freezing businesses from moving forward. I know there are bigger issues at hand however, please, do this important piece of housekeeping and let’s move forward.”

Hougham said that she joined the Monterey County Growers and Vintners Association (MCGVA) specifically to be placed on the Arroyo Seco AVA map. She discovered, however, that her vineyard in Arroyo Seco was not in the Arroyo Seco AVA, but was contiguous to it. But she points out that, since 2001, it has been designated such by TTB permits, California Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) permits, Monterey County permits, and numerous distinguished wine labels, including her own Mesa Del Sol label.

She then began the arduous task of petitioning the TTB to expand the Arroyo Seco AVA to prove that the name and the area’s distinguishing features applied to her lands as well.

It took her two months of research to compile the evidence necessary, write the petition and garner a slew of signatures in support of her petition and submit it to the TTB. On May 19, 2015, Greenberg wrote her informing her that her petition had been “perfected” and met TTB’s regulatory requirements for expanding AVAs.

Her petition then went to the bottom of the list of the TTB’s “List of Pending American Viticultural Area Petitions” and eventually began making the rounds of various government agencies for review and approval. Her petition is now at the top of the list, which continues to grow longer with no movement forward due to the freeze.

“A regulatory freeze sounds good in principle, however, it freezes movement forward for everything across the board,” Hougham said.

Ann Hougham, Owner

Mesa Del Sol Vineyards

45803 Arroyo Seco Road, Greenfield, CA 93927

Email: mesadelsol@aol.com

831-624-8527/ moblie: 831-320-8274

Website: mesadelsolvineyards.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.mesadelsolvineyards.com

Entertainment

Informative Seminars Announced for 2017 Fall Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey to be held on October 14 and 15, 2017 at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center

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Get ready for holiday entertaining! Create a beautiful living environment and hire an expert to get your home improvement projects started!

Learn great strategies for “Aging in Place” with John Lewis, owner of Lewis Builders

Monterey, CA, October 05, 2017 – Save the date for the free 2017 Fall Inspired Home & Garden Expo on Saturday and Sunday October 14 and 15, 2017, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center. Fall is a great time to evaluate your home and begin to initiate home renovation projects so you’ll be ready to enjoy holiday entertaining with family and friends. It’s also the perfect time to Get Inspired! Talk with hundreds of experts who can help you make both large and small changes to your home and garden area! Enjoy informative and entertaining seminars on both days which are now listed below.

Presenting at this year’s Fall Expo will be John Lewis of Lewis Builders providing valuable seminars about effective ways for Aging in Place!

Ask the experts! This year’s event will feature an array of fascinating and useful Home and Garden Exhibits, Daily Seminars, Live Chef Demos, Shopping, and Charity Partners as well as Expo Sponsors. Stop by for a few hours and discover the very best in home-improvement products, advice and inspiration.

Start by visiting the Inspired Home Expo to plan your home improvement and landscaping vision and meet trusted experts who can make it a great reality. Unleash your creativity and create a true sanctuary where you can relax and rejuvenate in your beautiful home.

Be sure to bring all of your home improvement ideas and remodeling projects to the Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey. Experts at the Monterey Home Expo are there to answer all of your questions and help you get started.

The Inspired Fall Home Expo exhibitors will include general contractors, flooring, landscapers, kitchen and bath, cabinets, closet organizers, landscape designers, painters, countertops, tile, granite, appliances, solar energy, fireplaces, and much more, most based in Monterey County!

At a Glance:

· Saturday, October 14, 2017 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

· Sunday, October 15, 2017 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Free to all attendees!

· The Fall 2017 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey will feature a full weekend of activities for homeowners plus the latest remodeling, landscaping and home accessory trends and tips.

· Educational home improvement seminars by local professionals, cooking demos, local charity partners and more.

· Special Guest Appearance by John Lewis, owner of Lewis Builders

Upcoming Inspired Home Expo Seminars:

Saturday, October 14th

12:00 pm – Aging in Place Renovations

Presented by John Lewis of Lewis Builders

John Lewis of Lewis Builders of Carmel, which specializes in designing and building custom homes, remodels and “Aging-in-Place” Renovations, is a credentialed expert in CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), a program of the National Association of Home Builders.

Born and raised in Monterey County, the youngest of five children and a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Lewis’s passion for the creative process of designing and building custom homes and remodels that started with small repair jobs in college, has now become his life’s work.

Lewis is the founder and CEO of Lewis Builders, which employs 15 people and is headquartered in The Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel.

John and Tammy were married six months later and they now have two sons, 2 1/2 years old and six months old. And, Tammy, in addition to her primary duties as a mother, is now also Lewis Builders’ Creative Director.

1:15 pm – Hardscape 101

Presented by McShane’s Landscape Supply

Wondering where to begin when it comes to your yard hardscape, paths and pavers? If you’re choosing materials or designing a path or walkway, start with our seminar!

Explore the pros and cons of different materials and design tips to maximize curb appeal with McShane’s Landscape Supply.

2:00 pm – Home Staging & Preparing Your Home for a Sale or Move In

Presented by Jason Montgomery of Shankle Real Estate

Join local Marina Real Estate Agent Jason Montgomery as he talks about home staging and preparing your home for a sale or move in. Montgomery will He will talk about tips and tricks to get your home in shape indoors and out for a beautiful and aesthetically appealing home!

Montgomery is passionate about both real estate and his local community of Marina, where has immersed himself in the community and local government. As a Marina resident, Jason understands the Marina market better than anybody. “I have completed numerous transactions in my home town. Recently, I represented a long-time client on a purchase of a home right down the street from mine!”, Montgomery proudly states. “My goal isn’t just to sell homes in my community, it’s to be a part of the community.”

Sunday, October 15th

12:00 pm – Aging-in-Place Renovations

Presented by John Lewis of Lewis Builders

John Lewis of Lewis Builders of Carmel, which specializes in designing and building custom homes, remodels and “Aging-in-Place” Renovations, is a credentialed expert in CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), a program of the National Association of Home Builders.

Born and raised in Monterey County, the youngest of five children and a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Lewis’s passion for the creative process of designing and building custom homes and remodels that started with small repair jobs in college, has now become his life’s work.

Lewis is the founder and CEO of Lewis Builders, which employs 15 people and is headquartered in The Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel.John and Tammy were married six months later and they now have two sons, 2 1/2 years old and six months old. And, Tammy, in addition to her primary duties as a mother, is now also Lewis Builders’ Creative Director.

1:15 pm – Tiny House Fever

Presented by Amber Russell, Broker/Owner, Over the Moon Realty, Inc.

Real Estate Broker/Owner Amber Russell appeared on HGTV Tiny House Hunters as a REALTOR® helping a couple purchase a tiny house. Amber talks about the real estate market and the interest in tiny homes among many buyers. She’ll also provide tips on how to reduce your carbon imprint no matter the size of your home.

About John Lewis

John Lewis found his calling as a college student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, though it wasn’t how you might expect a career path to unfold. Flash forward to 2017, as Lewis is now the founder of Lewis Builders, which specializes in designing and building custom homes, doing design/build remodels and “aging-in-place” renovations for retirees, older people and those with health concerns. His firm employs 15 people and moved into new offices in The Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel.

“We have a passion for helping those who are aging and just want to keep their dignity and independence in their own homes,” says Lewis. “We’re trying to educate the public on design/build and aging-in-place.”

Design/build, simply put, is the same company doing the design and construction, from conception to completion, of a custom home or remodel. Design/builders have a better conception of the real costs of a project and how to fit that into a client’s budget; it saves significant time in the overall project; and the construction team works collaboratively with the design team.

Aging-in-place is customizing homes with innovative, aesthetically pleasing solutions that alleviate the physical challenges of aging or injury.

It’s not just a specialty, Lewis Builders is a credentialed expert in CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist). A program of the National Association of Home Builders, the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.

“When people discover that cost of living in an assisted-living facility can be $10,000 or $20,000 a month, making modifications to their own homes becomes a no-brainer,” he says. “The ultimate result is that people are able to live comfortably and safely in their homes into their later years, rather than moving into costly assisted-living facilities.”

Born and raised in Monterey County, the youngest of five children, Lewis’s passion for the creative process of designing and building custom homes and remodels that started with small repair jobs in college, has now become his life’s work.

· Additional informative and fun free seminars will be available both days during the Fall 2017 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey (full final schedule will be coming soon on inspiredhomeexpos.com)

· The Grand Prize for attendees of the event: $100 Gift Card to Home Depot

· Free admission & parking!

· Location: Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd. Monterey, California. (Please enter at Gate 3 on Garden Road)

· For more information, go to InspiredExpos.com or call (831) 222-0772.

During the Fall 2017 Inspired Home Expo of Monterey weekend, there will be an outstanding line-up of seminars in the home, food and garden areas that include many experts in their field. Attendees can plan their visit to the Fall 2017 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey around many valuable remodeling workshops and home improvement seminar presentations by local experts and live chef demos and some seminars are now listed below. Updates about the seminars and the presenters will be posted on the website, InspiredExpos.com.

Corporate Sponsors:

· Noble Pride Roofing

Media Corporate Sponsors:

· Monterey County Herald

· KRML Radio 102.1 FM and 1410 AM

· Times Publishing Group

Exhibitor booth and Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com/Expos/Monterey.

More about the 2017 Fall Inspired Home Expo:

Learn from and become “inspired” by top professionals in the field. Come meet the experts from the community who can help you create a more beautiful living environment, make a space more comfortable or fix an issue in your home. The event gives you the opportunity to build relationships with the people who can help you make your dreams become reality. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for ideas for Fall projects, inspiration or just browsing home improvements large too small. Talk with expert local home contractors that can create all your “inspired”, images from your clippings and Pinterest boards, meet your Google search list face to face, and make your home improvement dreams a reality.

The free, fun and informative Fall 2017 Inspired Home & Garden Expo of Monterey will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, 2017 at the Monterey Fair & Expo Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA. This not-to-be-missed event will feature about a hundred LOCAL home and garden professionals on site, many based in Monterey County, with all of your home project solutions. They will be available to answer all of your questions and provide expert advice for enhancing your indoor and outdoor living space.

The Fall 2017 Inspired Home & Garden Expo will feature displays and exhibits of the latest ideas in home improvement, remodeling, interior design, decorating and landscaping. In addition, it will provide educational and informative seminars and demonstrations designed to help you enhance the beauty and the value of your home. Quality contractors, expert craftsmen, premier designers and home improvement professionals are there both days to focus on all of your needs to make your home meet your vision.

About Simply Clear Marketing & Media:

Simply Clear Marketing & Media (SCMM) is a professional event management and marketing company based on the Central Coast. SCMM currently produces 7 successful INSPIRED trade show events per year and is expanding its events and services. The Inspired Home Expos are designed to create an environment for consumers to find the products and services they need to create the home of their dreams. The vision behind the home expos is to create a location for local residents to meet face to face with local companies who can help them to create a beautiful living environment and increase the value of their homes. The health expo provides a location for residents to meet face to face with a variety of health, wellness, and fitness providers in the area.

Simply Clear Marketing & Media’s mission is to help small businesses grow by connecting them with potential clients through events and marketing. For more information, go to www.InspiredExpos.com or call (831) 222-0772.

Publicity Contacts:

Wendy Brickman (831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455 or marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.inspiredexpos.com/