Thursday, February 25, 2021

Monterey County Fair Seeking Sponsors for 85th Annual Fair Set for Sept. 3-6, 2021

  The 85th Annual Monterey County Fair, set for Sept. 3-6, 2021, is looking for sponsors of the fair, which will also include sponsorship of the Monterey County Fair Livestock Show on Aug. 25-28, 2021. 

Monterey, CA, February 23, 2021 — The 85th Annual Monterey County Fair, set for Sept. 3-6, 2021, is looking for sponsors of the fair, which will also include sponsorship of the Monterey County Fair Livestock Show on Aug. 25-28, 2021.  



Sponsorships are available at these levels: $300, $500, $750, $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000, or Sponsor of the Day. Benefits of sponsorship depends on the level of sponsorship. For example, at the $5,000 level, benefits include inclusion of your company’s logo in the fair website, fair program, social media, e-newsletter, official poster and thank-you ad. It also includes a banner display, marquee message and admission passes to the fair. By comparison, the $500 level includes thank-you ad and banner display. 

The fair’s theme this year is “Fair Fun in 2021,” and will be held at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 85th Annual Monterey County Fair, please contact Kelly Violini at kelly@montereycountyfair.com or call (831) 372-8106. 

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
The Buzz PR LLC
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-7455
https://montereycountyfair.com/

Fuel Prices are Rising Fast! Save Fuel while Reducing Carbon Pollution – ECOFuelMax

  Experts predict the national average of gasoline and diesel fuel will reach or surpass $3.00 per gallon in the next few weeks/months. Everyone has heard our leaders say stop Fossil Fuels. 

Boca Raton, FL, February 25, 2021 - Experts predict the national average of gasoline and diesel fuel will reach or surpass $3.00 per gallon in the next few weeks/months. Everyone has heard our leaders say stop Fossil Fuels.  

Automobile and Truck owners can take action utilizing the proven technology of electrolysis. Over the last 15 years the ECO Fuel System a Guaranteed solution has shown to make fuel burn cleaner and more efficiently. No Chemicals, No maintenance and no Warranty issues. 

A cleaner burning fuel produces less Carbon Dioxide and Particulates that clog a diesel motor. Gasoline motors show increased power, fuel savings and increased sustainability. Vehicles that use the ECO Fuel System can reduce Carbon Pollution 40% to over 70%.         

Why do County Governments refuse to take action? In South Florida a select Democratic led County to be named later, has been testing the ECO Fuel System for over 4 years never imagining it would work. The County on 10 ECO Filters has reduced downtime and has saved thousands of dollars per year. The County Commissioners and Mayor, influenced by their Fleet Professionals selectively stated that unless a product is manufactured approved it cannot be used. They are aware that Homeland Security, NASA and the US Army as well as hundreds of School Districts have been successfully using the system for over 10 years. 

Products like batteries, brakes, windshields, hoses, tires and filters to name a few that are not Manufacture approved aftermarket products are purchased regularly by these same counties. The ECO System is CARB approved and will not affect any emission systems or affect any warranties. The County Commissioners and Mayor have  stated they are in favor of reducing Carbon Pollution, but refuse to implement a product proven by their own tests to reduce Carbon Pollution/Particulates (40%-70%+). Their refusal to act has cost their County a million dollars or more annually and tons or Carbon released into the air. On their 10 Transit Buses the ROI was less than 20 days.   

For personal or financial reasons, Politicians and Municipal Leaders intentionally neglect to take action to help reduce Pollution and save Taxpayers money for the benefit of manufactures and their donations. Is money more important than the future well being of our children? Untold millions if not Billions of Dollars have been spent and wasted on research and studies. Example: Medicare paid 35 million dollars to 118 medical clinics in the USA that do not exist. Where did the money go? 

Electric vehicles are not bad; they have limits and are not readily available for commercial needs. Can Electric cars and Trucks travel more than 300 miles without needing to stop and be recharged? How long does a recharge take? What happens if electricity becomes unavailable? Example: California during the wildfires or recently in Texas with the inclement weather had no electricity; it was blamed on Global Warming. Why do our Political leaders refuse to take action against Climate Change by using today’s existing proven technologies that pay for themselves? Studies are costly and may take years to complete, can we afford to wait. “The Time to Take Action is NOW” B. Obama. 

Our leaders love expensive studies and we the Taxpayers pay for it. Wouldn’t a planned step by step process be best? Let your political leaders, Congressmen and Senators know how you feel. 

A proven tested and guaranteed opportunity for those who want to reduce their operating expenses on their vehicles while reducing Carbon Pollution is available today. Government agencies and municipalities who have been using the ECO Fuel System are proof that it works. A LTL or Garbage Truck can reduce expenses +/-$5,000/yr.; a Municipal Transit Bus can reduce expenses $3,000+/yr. all for a low onetime expense of +/-$395 that can last 20+ years. 

Take action today! If you want to reduce fuel consumption and operating expenses go online ECOIFuelMax.com and see who uses it, test results and reviews. To do a No Risk Test email or call and speak with a human. GO GREEN Burn Clean! 


Contact:
Cary Nagdeman
ECO Fuel Systems, LLC
20920 Concord Green Drive
Boca Raton, Florida 33433
(866) 374-0002
info@ecofuelmax.com
http://ecofuelmax.com/

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Monterey County Fair & Event Center Sets Date & Theme for 2021 Fair, Sept. 3-6

  The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has set a date of Sept. 3-6, 2021, for the 2021 Monterey County Fair, with the theme, “Fair Fun in 2021!” 

Monterey, CA, February 18, 2021 — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has set a date of Sept. 3-6, 2021, for the 2021 Monterey County Fair, with the theme, “Fair Fun in 2021!” 

The theme was the winning entry in a theme contest by Cathy Meehan of Watsonville. A poster art contest using the theme, with both adult and youth divisions, is now underway. 

Fair poster entries must be submitted as either a “draft” sketch or full artwork to the Fair office no later than 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, and include the official entry form with entrant’s name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail. Entry forms and official rules are available at www.montereycountyfair.com. Entries can be hand delivered to the fair office from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or mailed to: 

Monterey County Fair – Poster Art Contest

2004 Fairground Road

Monterey, CA 93940 

E-Mail: entry@montereycountyfair.com 

The Monterey County Fair Board of Directors will select and announce the winning entrants and poster art on March 1, 2021. There will be an Adult and a Youth Division winner. One winning entry will be chosen as the official 2021 Fair Poster Art and one will be chosen as the 2021 Entry Guidebook Cover. 

The winner of the 2021 Fair Poster Art Contest Adult Division will receive a $100 cash prize and Youth Division winner will receive a $50 cash prize. Both winners will receive a family package of tickets to the fair, Sept. 3-6, 2021. 

For information, contact the Monterey County Fair & Event Center at (831) 372-5863 email: events@montereycountyfair.com , or go to www.montereycountyfair.com . 

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.


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

Monday, February 15, 2021

PG Museum of Natural History Launches Year-long Virtual Speaker series to Echo ‘Changes’ Exhibit

  The series begins on Feb. 25 with featured speaker Dr. Doug Smith, a professor in the Applied Environmental Science Department at CSU Monterey Bay. Dr. Smith teaches watershed science courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, including geology, geomorphology and hydrology. 

Pacific Grove, CA, February 16, 2021 - In support of its upcoming new exhibit “Changes,” the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has announced a year-long speaker series as part of its popular Hardcore Natural History program. 

“Changes” will offer layers of interpretation for those who want to dive deeper into a main message: change has occurred, and will continue to occur, in the ecosystems of Monterey County. 

The speaker series will echo those sentiments, focusing on changes in these habitats over time, the impact of humans in these landscapes, and the role of humans in protecting them for the future. Local researchers and advocates will address the science behind current issues facing the coastal, valley and mountain habitats of Monterey County. 

Hosted by the museum, the free webinar series will be held through Zoom on the last Thursday of each month from 6-7 p.m. Presenters will include local environmental scientists and activists making interactive presentations and a question-and-answer session. 

The series begins on Feb. 25 with featured speaker Dr. Doug Smith, a professor in the Applied Environmental Science Department at CSU Monterey Bay. Dr. Smith teaches watershed science courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, including geology, geomorphology and hydrology. His talk, titled Sea Level Rise in Southern Monterey Bay: Process, Protection, and Habitat Impact, will discuss how coastal erosion has impacted southern Monterey Bay and its inhabitants over time.  And will examine the impacts we might expect to see on beaches, structures, and endangered species in this coastal habitat in the future.  

Although admission is free, the currently-closed museum encourages audience members to make a contribution to help create future online programming during the pandemic. Audience members must register online prior to the event to receive a link to the webinar. 

For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org/lectures


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

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Virtual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit on March 18-19

 The Eighth Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit on March 18-19 will once again deliver in-depth and actionable insights on a range of topics vital to a thriving fresh produce industry – all presented in a virtual format. 

Salinas, CA, February 11, 2021 - The Eighth Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit on March 18-19 will once again deliver in-depth and actionable insights on a range of topics vital to a thriving fresh produce industry – all presented in a virtual format. 

Attendees will be able to view and participate in the online program at no charge. 


A President’s Reception will kick off the summit on the evening of March 18, featuring a 5:30 p.m. Fireside Chat with Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, moderated by Dennis Donohue, director of the Western Growers for Innovation and Technology. 

Dr. Raúl Rodríguez, interim superintendent/president of Hartnell College in Salinas, will open the reception at 5 p.m. with a welcome greeting and brief update on Hartnell’s Agriculture and Business Technology Institute. The college is presenting the Ag Tech Summit in partnership with the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. 

During the full-day program on March 19, morning business sessions will feature ag tech players and industry leaders presenting on key issues, including workforce challenges and the critical role of education. Afternoon sessions will spotlight “Ag Tech, the View From Mexico and the Americas,” providing a fresh focus on challenges and opportunities in Mexico and Latin America. 

For additional information about this year’s summit, including sponsorship and virtual exhibitor opportunities, please contact Clint Cowden at (831) 755-6702 or ccowden@hartnell.edu. 

For Media inquiries : Scott Faust, Director of Comm. & Marketing, (831) 755-6858, Cell (831) 206-9422, sfaust@hartnell.edu



Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
http://www.hartnell.edu

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Everyone’s Harvest sees dramatic increase in funds distributed through nonprofit’s Market Match program

 Strengthening its mission to provide equitable access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables, Everyone’s Harvest saw a 28-percent increase in funds distributed through its Market Match program in 2020. 

Marina, CA, February 10, 2021 - Strengthening its mission to provide equitable access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables, Everyone’s Harvest saw a 28-percent increase in funds distributed through its Market Match program in 2020. 

“We were thrilled to see that more families than ever took advantage of this program in 2020, and we are also able to double produce purchases for families who received the Pandemic (P-EBT) CalFresh allocation,” said executive director Reid Norris. 

Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program that matches customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits (like CalFresh and WIC) at farmers’ markets. The program empowers low-income customers to make healthy food choices and benefits hundreds of small and midsize California farmers.  

In the last 10 years, Everyone’s Harvest has coordinated more than $175,000 in CalFresh purchases for fresh fruits and vegetables. September 2020 was the best month in the history of the Market Match program, as more families than ever now rely on farmers’ markets for healthy, local produce. 

“Not only have we had our most successful year in distributed funds, we've also had great success in assisting those with EBT for the first time,” said Norris, who reported a 57 percent increase in first-time users. “With this increase, we are delighted to ensure food security for those who need it most.” 

For more information, visit www.everyonesharvest.org  or www.marketmatch.org


Contact
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
http://www.everyonesharvest.org

Monday, February 8, 2021

“Ganas - Leading from The Heart” February Podcasts

  Available at gilbasketballacademy.com/ganas-leading-from-the-heart 

Salinas, CA, February 08, 2021 - Episode 13 (Feb. 8, 2021): From the Fields of Salinas to the Youngest Latino General Counsel 

Guest: Francisco Silva, General Counsel, California Medical Association 

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President for CMA’s Centers for Legal Affairs, Economic Services and Health Policy, Francisco Silva represents more than 50,000 state physicians. 



The youngest of seven children, Francisco was born in Sonora, Mexico, with the family migrating to Salinas when he was 4 years old. Like his siblings, Francisco was expected to work in the agricultural fields alongside his parents, who taught their children the value of hard work and education. Francisco graduated from Santa Clara University and UCLA School of Law in the inaugural class of the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy. He has spent a distinguished career speaking up for the underserved. 

Calling himself a “proud immigrant,” Francisco Silva learned the value of hard work and education at an early age. The youngest of seven children, Francisco toiled in the fields in and around Salinas alongside his siblings and parents. Also expected to make it through college, Francisco attended nearby Santa Clara University before graduating from the prestigious UCLA School of Law, where he served as an editor on the UCLA Chicano/a Latino/a Law Review. Always focused on representing the underserved, Francisco is now the youngest Latino General Counsel for the California Medical Association. He serves on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, California Health Information Partnership & Services Organization and the Gil Basketball Academy

Episode 14 (Feb. 22, 2021): Empowering the underrepresented 

Guest: Alma Medina, providing free legal advice and representation to underserved communities 

Alma Medina is a pro-bono attorney in Bonita in Southern San Diego County, where she works to empower individuals in low-income and underserved communities. 

Over a 20-year-plus career as a pro-bono attorney, Alma has worked with La Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, served as an associate with the law firm Connerton, Ray, and Simon, and has served two terms as an alumni representative to Stanford’s El Centro Chicano Guiding Concilio. 

With a mission to empower the underprivileged, Alma has spent a distinguished career as a pro-bono attorney in Southern San Diego County. The Stanford University graduate was inducted into the Stanford Multicultural Hall of Fame during the 2019 reunion homecoming, honoring her work to empower individuals in low-income and underserved communities.



Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://gilbasketballacademy.com/

Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s Board appoints Two Physicians as New Trustees to Governing body

  Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s (MMHS) governing body has appointed two new members to its Board of Trustees, responsible for ensuring quality healthcare and financial wellbeing. 

King City, CA, February 08, 2021 - Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s (MMHS) governing body has appointed two new members to its Board of Trustees, responsible for ensuring quality healthcare and financial wellbeing.

 The new members include Dr. Moneesha Pinto, an Internist at the King City Clinic, and Dr. Noah Hawthorne, an Emergency Medicine physician at Mee Memorial.. The appointments add to the expertise, experience and diversity that make up the current board. Dr. Pinto will be named Chief of Staff. 

Dr. Pinto began working with MMHS in July 2017. Born in Mumbai, India, she had never been out of the country until moving to San Jose at age 16. Her grandaunt was one of India’s first female doctors. Having lost both her husband and child to Yellow Fever, she dedicated her life to treating women in distant villages without any healthcare options. 

Dr. Pinto did undergraduate work at Santa Clara University and went to medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. She prefers the quiet pace of rural life and likes to travel, cook, eat, garden and read. 

Dr. Hawthorne received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco’s School of Medicine in 2013. He completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco’s School of Medicine in 2017. He loves travel, photography, scuba diving, mountain biking and cooking. 

About Mee Memorial Healthcare System

Of highest priority for the Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) is keeping our community healthy. This includes offering an extensive array of medical and preventative services with a commitment to the highest possible standards, the best available technology, and the care of skilled professionals. 

The Mee network includes a hospital in King City including emergency services, 25 acute care beds and 48 skilled nursing beds, and three comprehensive outpatient clinics; two adjacent to the hospital (Adult Medicine and the King City Clinic, for Internal, Pain and Family Medicine) and the Albert and Donna Oliveira Clinic, a full-service, primary care facility in the city of Greenfield. 

MMHS is the primary healthcare organization serving the rural communities of Southern Monterey County. Overall, our healthcare professionals serve a population of nearly 80,000 within an area spanning over 55 miles between the agricultural communities of Soledad to Bradley 

Learn more at meememorial.com/ortho or call (831) 385-6000. 


Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.meememorial.com/

Saturday, February 6, 2021

San Lorenzo Valley Water District 2020 State of District Letter

  Over the last 40 years, I have seen the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (District) take on many difficult challenges, including drought, landslides, flooding, earthquakes, and fire. 

Boulder Creek, CA, February 05, 2021 - Over the last 40 years, I have seen the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (District) take on many difficult challenges, including drought, landslides, flooding, earthquakes, and fire. However, none of the previous years proved to be as difficult and challenging as 2020. Before August, the District was focused on its response to COVID-19 to ensure its staff and community’s safety. That included implementing new office and field protocols to improve sanitation, meeting all State and County orders, and separating workforces to ensure adequate staffing.  The District also met the challenge of two PG&E public safety power outages while dealing with changes in staffing and meeting new protocols. Then in August the CZU Lighting Complex Fire moved through the San Lorenzo Valley. The District saw more than 1,600 acres of its watershed properties burned, lost miles of raw water pipeline, and suffered damage to our water storage and surface water infrastructure. It was not only the District who grieved losses but the surrounding San Lorenzo Valley community as well, with many losing homes to the fire. Although these were difficult circumstances, I am beyond proud of our community’s, Board of Directors’ and staff’s response. The resiliency of the San Lorenzo Valley and surrounding areas to work together to rebuild and restore continues to impress me. 



I am looking forward to welcoming the new year and with it the productive track the District remains set on. In 2021 the District plans to continue to improve its infrastructure, restore post-fire damage, harden its facilities from future disasters, deliver high-quality water, provide outstanding customer service, and work with the community to create a stronger San Lorenzo Valley. 

There is no doubt 2021 will be a challenging year, as the District will have to work through new challenges while moving forward a multitude of previously established projects. The impacts from the CZU fire will be felt for many years to come and our community is still preparing for the potential of debris flows. The District completed a project on its watershed property to harden the stream channel in case of a debris-flow disaster, is working closely with the County of Santa Cruz in preparation for evacuations, and has allowed State and other agencies such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to complete debris-flow monitoring studies on our watershed land. 

Beyond the impacts of the fire, customers and the District are still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The District and its customers are in a reciprocal partnership – the District is a public utility and depends on its customers, while its customers depend on the District to receive high-quality water service. Many residents in our community are struggling with economic distress and unable to regularly pay their water bills. The District understands these circumstances and wants to extend help to anyone in need. Customers need to contact our customer service staff to start a payment plan or visit our website (SLVWD.com) to qualify for the District’s Rate Assistance Program. 

We look forward to working with the community, partner agencies, and our Board of Directors in the new year. I am honored to work for our community with such a dedicated Board of Directors and staff. 


Sincerely, 
Richard Rogers 
District Manager 

To learn more about the District’s water quality, fire response, upcoming projects, income assistance programs, and more, visit the full newsletter on our website here. https://www.slvwd.com/home/news/community-report-2019-2020  Our mailing address is: 13060 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, (831) 338-2153.

 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455] 
https://www.slvwd.com

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Monterey Symphony Announces Next Balcony Session Featuring Concertmaster Christina Mok

 The Monterey Symphony will present its next Balcony Session featuring concertmaster Christina Mok on Friday, February 5th at 4 PM. 

Carmel/Monterey, CA, February 04, 2021 – The Monterey Symphony will present its next Balcony Session featuring concertmaster Christina Mok on Friday, February 5th at 4 PM. The concert, filmed at Sunset Center, also features a world premiere from MSO Composer-in-Residence John Wineglass titled Alone.


Wineglass writes this about the piece, “Alone is comprised of two starkly contrasting movements. The first entitled "Frenzied Lives" explodes at a very rapid 144 bpm (beats per minute) pace indicative of humanity across the globe pre-COVID and then into the perils of a global pandemic - all voiced by a single violin with live electronics intermittently. 

There would be glimmers of hope - times of possible brilliance - yet brought back to a current dismal reality of isolation, loss, loneliness, suffering and even racial injustice. A longing for common ground but finding no footing... no continuity. Abrupt silences... alone. And while it is important to rise up again to survive, we must codify through art and music these moments - less we forget the lessons learned. With the advent of COVID-19, the second movement entitled, "Realms of Rest" exposes 'alone' time that most of the global community had not experienced in 100 years or so. 

It was a time to slow down, reconnect with family, losing time - not just in hours but in weeks and months. At one point, I personally couldn't even keep track of days with oftentimes its repetitive motion of just existing - my calendar remaining blank for months. Time during the pandemic for me was an odd ethereal feeling, hanging in the balance in this new normal. While in the first movement, you feel the rushed anguish of being alone in some pretty uncertain times, the second movement in contrast essentially has no tempo - again voiced by a single violin accompanied by electronica and live electronics throughout.” 

The complete program also includes works by Back and Piazzolla, with commentary from Mok: 

PROGRAM 

J.S. Bach

Violin Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gavotte en Rondeau 

Astor Piazzolla

Tango Etude No. 4 & 5 

Sergei Prokofiev

Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 115

I. Moderato

II. Andante dolce. Tema con variazioni

III. Con brio. Allegro precipitato 

John Wineglass 

Alone 

Bios for the artists can be found on the Symphony’s website. 

Lighting design was provided by Ken Smith, with Technical Direction and filming from local filmmaker Doug Mueller, with crew support from IATSE. Alone was sponsored by the William and Patricia Smith Family Foundation. The concert was sponsored by Gary and Carolyn Bjorklund, Bruce and Whiz Lindsey, and Lee and Shirley Rosen. 

The mission of the Monterey Symphony, founded in 1946 and incorporated in 1947, is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music. The Symphony is committed to bringing music to listeners during the time of COVID through Balcony Sessions, online content, and Music for Your Ears – a new series aimed at students in grades 3-8. 


Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.montereysymphony.org/

Twisted Roots Winery Pulling Out All the Stops for Valentine’s Day This YearTwisted Roots, Winery, Valentine’s Day, romantic, special bottle, gift card

  Launches “Share the Love Campaign,” 20% of all sales from Feb. 12–14 will benefit the nonprofit Partnership for Children 

Carmel Valley, CA, February 03, 2021 — What could be sweeter and more romantic for Valentine’s Day this year than a special bottle of wine from an award-winning winery, delicious cookies from an expert baker, a gift card to help kids with life-threatening conditions and bottles of sparkling rosé at discounted prices. 

And, you can get all that in one spot for some one-stop shopping for Valentine’s Day, at Twisted Roots Winery Tasting Room in Carmel Valley. The special package, offered only from Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, includes: 

For every six bottles of Twisted Roots wine you purchase, you will receive three special Valentine’s Day cookies made with love from Sweet Elena’s in Sand City. Offer valid Feb. 12–14, 2021. 

In the “Share the Love Campaign,” 20% of all sales from Feb. 12–14 will benefit the nonprofit Partnership for Children, which provides much-needed transportation to medical services for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. The money raised will be used by Partnership for Children to purchase gas cards for the children’s families. The families are in need of $25 gas cards. 

Rosé all day! Twisted Roots Sparkling Rosé will be 20% off the weekend of Feb. 12–14, so stock up now! 

The tasting room at 12 Del Fino Place in the Village, will open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For more information or to order, call (831) 594-8282 or email info@twistedrootsvineyard.com . The website is www.twistedrootsvineyard.com



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

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Team Building Scott Julian develops democracy as President of Lewis Builders

  Growing up, Scott Julian was motivated by the reach of his father’s real estate and property management businesses into the community, but he was inspired by his dad’s work ethic. 

Carmel by the Sea, CA, February 02, 2021 - Growing up, Scott Julian was motivated by the reach of his father’s real estate and property management businesses into the community, but he was inspired by his dad’s work ethic. It was he who introduced Julian to the tenets of motivational speaker, the late Zig Ziglar, who said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” 

It is this principle that has guided Julian’s actions in life and in business, whether he was running his own landscaping company during high school, for which he was bestowed the local chamber’s “Young Business Person Entrepreneur Award”, or today, as he takes the helm as President of Lewis Builders residential design/build firm in Carmel. 

“I've been fortunate to have several influential leaders invest in or inspire me,” said Julian, “which fuels my passion to create opportunities for others. In the past few years, we’ve hired college graduates and have grown them into managers. We’ve hired aspiring designers and helped develop them into award-winning designers. We’ve hired master builders who previously worked for themselves, and are now providing them with a team, proven processes, and a fulfilling career.” 

Julian’s own career development, from serving as COO for the past four years, to adding President to his role in the firm, is an example of the mentoring mentality on which Lewis Builders CEO John Lewis built the company, and has served as the foundation on which they’ve developed their team. 

Building a Business 

Within a year after graduating from high school, Scott Julian had his contractor’s license and had established the first of many businesses he would develop during the next 25 years. In 2016, he was working as an “Aging-in-Place” consultant, offering home-modification recommendations to enable residents to live safely in their homes for as long as possible. Seeking a qualified builder who understood and practiced the concept, he discovered John Lewis, an Aging-in-Place specialist, certified through the National Association of Home Builders. 

Lewis believes in “Change Your Space, Change Your Life.” He believes in possibility, in productivity, and in developing a democracy both within his business and in working with clients, enabling everyone to have a voice and a role in the process and the outcome. 

“I’ve always believed in attracting and retaining team players by focusing first on their goals and what they need,” said Lewis. “A mistake business owners often make is spending time attracting ‘A players’ and then not leaning into their intelligence and expertise. I’ve worked hard to create what I think is a true democracy, a safe place where intelligent people with different views come to table to express their ideas through healthy conflict, and then extract the most viable solutions, ideas, creativity, and inspiration.” 

In 2017, Lewis brought Julian and Kenny Boyd into partnership, starting with an invitation to join him in Florida, at a weeklong master course in business, with entrepreneur, business strategist and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. The trio went with two goals in mind: to get to know each other better, and to immerse themselves in the psychology and practices of “better business.” 

“We came back, business partners,” said Julian, “with a three-year plan and the goals and the strategies to successfully implement it. That John and Kenny saw the potential in me and thought enough of me to invite me on this journey with them has been life changing.” 

“John Lewis,” says Julian, “is a visionary and a leader. Kenny Boyd has the financial experience and acumen to put the guard rails around the entrepreneurial visions.” 

“I’m honored to have earned their trust to be promoted to President,” said Julian. “I am the process and people person, creating systems for what is a really complicated industry. Particularly now.” 

After four years of working with Lewis and Boyd to develop the Lewis Builders team, Julian is directing the daily business, enabling Lewis to focus on the future, watching for trends, and developing the highest level of building design. 

“I have every confidence that Scott Julian is in the best possible position to lead us,” Lewis said. “From an operational standpoint, no one is more well-suited, more capable, more deserving to lead our democracy than Scott.” 

Leading a Company During COVID

For Lewis Builders, the new decade dawned with a full docket of design and building projects, and the promise of a productive year, which didn’t plan for a pandemic. However, the company quickly put processes in place that, in many cases, enabled them to implement pandemic protocols and continue to provide services. When COVID shut down construction, they shifted to strategizing, so they were ready to roll once the order was lifted. 

“In Monterey County,” said Julian, “it is very difficult to get construction and remodeling projects properly designed and permitted, even when there isn’t a pandemic. But, having a clearly defined process that moves the project forward, executed by a team of talented engineers, designers, and contractors committed to our clients, often has resulted in finishing in record time. Even now.” 

In addition to working with a dynamic team as he deals with the day-to-day demands of business, Julian relies on the support of his biggest champions, his wife, Alicia Stirling-Julian, and their daughter, Alexa. 

An unprecedented year, 2020 proved a trying time for all, filled with unforeseen challenges. Against all hope, 2021 seems to have begun as a continuation of that. “Yet, because of this,” said Julian, “I have learned so much about resiliency and determination, and how essential it is to work as a team, always guided by our core values. If we can do that, we’ve got this.” 


Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.lewisbuilder.com/

Monday, February 1, 2021

Goodwill Central Coast’s Round-Up Program aids Max’s Helping Paws Foundation on Feb. 10

  Change for change: That’s the idea behind Goodwill Central Coast’s Round-Up Program, a way for shoppers already saving money to round-up purchases to the nearest dollar and donate that amount to charity. 

Salinas, CA, February 01, 2021 - Change for change: That’s the idea behind Goodwill Central Coast’s Round-Up Program, a way for shoppers already saving money to round-up purchases to the nearest dollar and donate that amount to charity. 

On Feb. 10, Goodwill shoppers can shop as usual while benefiting Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation, a local nonprofit that believes financial circumstances should never decide a companion pet’s fate. 

This special Round-Up day will take place at all Goodwill locations on the Central Coast. Shoppers can round-up to the nearest dollar.  All of these options are displayed on the credit card terminal machine. All proceeds go directly to the foundation, whose work helps reduces economic euthanasia, surrender and suffering of severely ill or injured pets by providing pet owners assistance with the costs of urgent medical care. 

It’s a double feel-good day for shoppers, whose purchases help Goodwill train unemployed or underemployed people for career opportunities. 

About Goodwill Central Coast

Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began in 1928 in the city of Santa Cruz and today has expanded into three counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Goodwill Central Coast now employs more than 600 people, including employment training professionals, sales personnel, donation center attendants, warehouse and distribution workers, and administrators. Its programs strengthen communities by improving job growth, the lives of individuals and families, and the health of our environment. Each year Goodwill assists more than 9,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work.


Contact
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.ccgoodwill.org/

Wayland Properties Launches ‘Giving Back, Building Hope’ Program

  Company Announces Partnership with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay 

Monterey, CA, February 1, 2021 — At Wayland Properties we are not only dedicated and working around the clock in bringing the highest quality real estate and property management services to our clients, we are committed to giving back to the community in which we live and work. 

Housing and shelter are basic human needs, and it’s not something we take for granted. We share the goals of Habitat for Humanity, which is dedicated to bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. 

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is an important and much-needed community-based organization that strives to make a positive impact on as many people as possible by helping to build decent, affordable homes and provide home ownership opportunities to qualified families who live and work in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. 

But Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program. Families purchase Habitat homes with a down payment, sweat equity, and an affordable mortgage. It relies on generous donations to keep the organization funded and operational. Every little bit has a real and lasting effect in the community. 

With that in mind, Wayland Properties will give 3% of each real estate sale and 3% of profits from its property management division to Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. 

"We are thrilled that Wayland Properties recognizes the shortage of affordable housing and has created a sustainable plan of giving back to this cause," said Satish Rishi, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. "We hope that other real estate brokerages follow this pioneering model and collaborate on creating more affordable housing units." 

Wayland Properties owners Ashley Wayland and her husband Nic Casas are passionate about the community and committed to social responsibility. Ashley has been part of the community since 2007, and Nic is a native, born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, so they know that a strong community with a high quality of life means safer, healthier lives for everyone. 

By supporting Habitat for Humanity, Wayland Properties can help build homes, build hope and make a positive impact in the community.


Contact
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://waylandproperties.co/