Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Hosts 57th Annual Wildflower Show April 20-22

One of the largest wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres returns April 20 through April 22 to The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

Pacific Grove, CA, March 24, 2018 — One of the largest wildflower shows in the Northern and Western Hemispheres returns April 20 through April 22 to The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

The 57th Annual Wildflower Show will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 20-22 at the Museum, 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, and will feature more than 600 species and varieties of wildflowers, truly an event that generations of families can recall fondly.

The Museum partners with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to hold this cherished annual event. More than 30 members of the Native Plant Society spend over a week scouring Monterey County and beyond, collecting the finest specimens of wildflowers blooming this spring.

Botanists, flower and garden enthusiasts, and people just looking for flowers they would like to plant in their gardens, will all appreciate this comprehensive and spectacular array of wildflowers.

Tickets can be purchased at the door on the days of the event. Admission prices are as follows:
>$8.95 for adults who live outside of Monterey County
>$5.95 for youth ages 4-18, students with ID, and military who live outside of Monterey County
>Free for 3 years old and under.
>Free for Museum members and CNPS members
>$5 admission for Monterey County residents

About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
In 1883, our museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era, such as John Muir And Louis Aggasiz, began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation. The museum has continued this tradition for 130 years. The museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. It envisions a community of curious minds, engaged in discovering the natural heritage and cultural legacy that exist today on the Central California Coast. The Museum is a catalyst for conservation and a valued learning resource in this region, facilitating active inquiry for all ages.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
(831) 648-5716
Fax: (831) 648-5755
admin@pgmuseum.org
www.pgmuseum.org

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

Dates and Theme of 2018 Monterey County Fair Announced “Shake Your Tail Feathers,” and official poster unveiled

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.

Monterey, CA, March 23, 2018 — The Monterey County Fair announced that the theme for the Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2018, event will be “Shake Your Tail Feathers.”

The fair also unveiled its official poster for this year's event, featuring chickens in Mardi Gras-style beads, masks and hats and two chickens enjoying a Ferris wheel ride.

“We are very excited about the 2018 Monterey County Fair theme and dedicate it to our feathered friends at the Fair,” says Kelly Violini, Monterey County Fair CEO. “We hope that everyone can come out and join us in ‘Shaking a Tail Feather’!”

The artists and graphic designers who collaborated on the poster are Olivia Trinidad and Arnold Ramos of OT Graphic Design of Monterey, which has been doing graphic art and design work for the Monterey County Fair since 2008, including all official posters for the fair since then.

“They just wanted it to be colorful and fun, with chickens and roosters having fun at the Fair,” says Trinidad, who has 20 years of experience in graphic design, about the poster assignment. “It’s great to be able to do a poster on our own. Usually we work with art we are given, but this time it was my artwork, so we were able to play with it. It was fun and easy.”

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey.

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

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

Monterey County Fair & Event Center
2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940
www.montereycountyfair.com
montereyfairpr@gmail.com
(831) 372-5863

OT Graphic Design
PO Box 2454
Monterey CA 93942
Phone: (831) 402-7946
E-mail: olivia@otgraphicdesign.com
otgraphicdesign.com

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

Dancer With Carmel Academy of Performing Arts Invited to Compete in Finals of Prestigious Dance Competition in New York City in April

Annabel De Luca, a dancer at The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, has been invited to compete at the finals of the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City, April 13-20.

Carmel, CA, March 20, 2018 — Annabel De Luca, a dancer at The Carmel Academy of Performing Arts, has been invited to compete at the finals of the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York City, April 13-20.

De Luca, 14, was chosen by audition and after a performance in San Francisco at the Youth America Grand Prix competition to compete in the finals in New York City.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Annabel and her instructors, a real stepping stone to the potential of creating a professional career,” said Carol Richmond, owner of CAPA. “This is a highly prestigious honor where she will perform and compete with dancers from the world over.”

She will also be attending the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Bellevue, Washington, this summer for their Summer Intensive Program. She was also accepted into Paris Opera Ballet in Paris, The Kirov Academy in Washington D.C and the Los Angeles Ballet Academy.

De Luca’s teachers at CAPA are Sandra Burnham and Philip Pegler, CAPA Ballet Director.

Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest global network of dance. Dancers worldwide, ages 9-19, of all economic, ethnic and geographic backgrounds are provided scholarship opportunities, master classes and audition classes in 25 U.S. cities and eight international locations. YAGP awards more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Each season culminates in the week-long New York Finals, where more than 1,200 of the world’s most promising dancers receive in-depth mentoring and greater scholarship, professional, and performance opportunities. The New York Finals closing night “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” Gala features the students showing the most potential alongside the stars of today’s leading dance companies.

Some of Youth America Grand Prix’s significant achievements include: More than 450 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 80 companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Washington Ballet, among many others.

To identify promising young dance talent, YAGP conducts auditions in 22 cities in the United States and in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, and China among others.

Carmel Academy of Performing Arts
Mission Street & 8th Avenue
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-3729
www.carmelacademyofperformingarts.com

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

Area’s Pre eminent Event and Party Rental Company Celebrates 15 Years in Business

It took a long and winding road to get to this lofty point, but Unlimited Events Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has become the foremost event and party rental company in Central California.

Salinas, CA, March 19, 2018 — It took a long and winding road to get to this lofty point, but Unlimited Events Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has become the foremost event and party rental company in Central California.

Unlimited Events provides tables, chairs, linens, silverware, lighting, dance floors, tents, glassware, and catering equipment, in short, just about anything someone would need to put on an event, everything from weddings and corporate events to charity events and galas.

But what sets Unlimited Events apart from similar companies is that they are fully equipped with sewing and fabrication facilities. So, Unlimited can not only create linens and other fabric items for clients, but also create custom items, including custom designing and producing wrought iron and wood pieces, such as centerpieces, easels, barstools, and custom bars.

But according to Lisa Clark, one of the company’s principals (when asked her title and what she does, she simply says “a little bit of everything.”), that’s not even what makes Unlimited unique and why they’re the go-to company in the area.

“I think what really makes us unique is our customer service — we’re willing to go above and beyond,” says Clark, who began with her family’s company in 2005. “If I don’t have it, I’ll get it or I can make it. I can make it happen. That’s what we’re known for. My staff can make it happen. No matter what, we’ll make things right. The last thing we want is an unhappy client.”

That’s why she says her brother Jonathan, who founded the company in 2003, named it Unlimited Events.

“My brother named it that because for us, the sky’s the limit. We’ve got that mentality,” she says.

The company has its roots in her father’s welding and metal-working business, West Coast Manufacturing Company, in 1988. He often worked with local agriculture companies making customized ag equipment. Before long, the ag companies asked him if he could provide portable toilets for their workers.

That’s when her father and brother created a new company, Salinas Sanitation, to provide portable toilets. That in turn led to questions about if they could supply events with tables, chairs, tents and other items.

That aspect of the business got so big that they created Unlimited Events in 2003 and then sold Salinas Sanitation. Her brother, in addition to being an expert welder and metal worker, was also an accomplished wood worker. He would make items such as rustic farm tables and other furniture for Unlimited, which became popular items to rent for clients.

Her brother then founded Misa Bella Designs, which specializes in furniture for hospitality, from desks and benches to bars, tables and chairs. Both her brother and father are still involved in Unlimited Events.

“It’s interesting to see how each one (company) played a role in what we do now,” says Clark.

When asked how it feels to celebrate 15 years in business, Clark sounded bemused.

“I never really thought about it, we’re so busy here,” she says, laughing. “When I was told this year was our 15th year, I had to think about it. Wow, that’s pretty good. That’s amazing.”

The largest event her company has done was the 100th anniversary event for the California Rodeo Salinas, an event that drew almost 700 people and took Unlimited a whole week to set up. Unlimited also donates its time to non-profits, such as Meals on Wheels – Culinary Classique and the Kinship Center.

The bottom line for her and Unlimited is making the customer happy.

“As long as we know we went the extra mile and the client is happy, that’s what we strive for,” she says. “I treat our clients the way I would want to be treated.”

Unlimited Events Inc.
P.O. Box 4460
Salinas, CA 93912
Ph. (831) 422-8300
Fax. (831) 754-9300

Salinas Location:
546 Brunken Ave
Salinas, CA 93901
sales@uei-rentals.com
fax. 831.250.6956

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

Ashley J, Dance Pop Sensation to Release Anticipated Debut EP Satisfied 3/23

On March 23, 2018, dance pop sensation Ashley Jis set to release her debut EP, Satisfied.

Los Angeles, CA, March 19, 2018 - On March 23, 2018, dance pop sensation Ashley Jis set to release her debut EP, Satisfied. On the EP, Ashley combinesher hit singles with unheard releases that she’s sure her fans will love. Ashley’s vocals swirl amidst innovative hooks and slick dance beats. Satisfied is fresh, modern, addictive, and meant to be devoured in one sitting – but it willstick in your head for the rest of the day.

Ashley’s talents for songwriting shine on Satisfied. She’s come a long way since the days of writing lyrics on her parents’ bathroom walls. In those days, the words would be painted over. Now, they linger in your mind. They’re thoughtful, resonant, and get stuck in your head just as much as the earworm hooks. From the triumphant “Unbreakable,” in which Ashley finds the courage to pursue her inner strength following heartbreak, to the soaring love song,“Satisfied” – the EP covers a vast array of human emotions. It’s mostly explosive, but when Ashley wants you to feel something quietly, just for a moment, she draws you in – then drops the beat.

Satisfied is almost constant energy, filled with dance anthems, and its premiere track in particular, “Trapped,” enjoyed four consecutive weeks at #1 on the European Independent Music Charts. Previous releases made it on the Billboard Top 10 Dance Charts, and given the sheer triumph that is Satisfied, a similar destiny awaits this new music from Ashley J, the Orlando native who started her own production company, then steadily conquered the world.

The five-track Satisfied starts with the already massively successful “Trapped,” and also includes “Unbreakable,” “Satisfied,” “Like You Used To,” and “When I Come Home To You.” Though the songs may differ in the level of party they bring (particularly the bookend tracks), throughout the entire EP, Ashley J’s powerhouse voice dazzles. She is a true talent, from the pen to the page, to her voice in the studio.
About Ashley J

Three-time Billboard charting artist Ashley J has a fascinatingly diverse background: artistically and musically. She packs a wallop of a voice that fuses an infectious blend of vocal dexterity, moods and range. Ashley tempers her vocal prowess with poignant lyrics and a kindred soul as an emerging songwriter/singer. And it’s all aptly and full exposed on her new pop EP, Satisfied, released through her own production company imprint, Bombshell Music, Inc. The EP features five tracks self-penned by the emergent Ashley J, incollaboration with many established producers, including Lucas & Adrian Rezza, Jamie Sellers, and Warwick Matthews.

On the title track “Satisfied,” Ashley worked with the multi-platinum, Grammy & Emmy-winning Narada Michael Walde, who called Ashley “a real American sweetheart with a big voice and lots of energy! She has soul and her beautiful smile lights up the room.”

Multiple singles off the EP have topped the European Independent Music Charts, particularly “Trapped,” which nabbed #1 for four weeks in a row. Her remixed singles of “One and One,” “Cali”and “Dare Ya” each made it to Billboard’s Top 10 Dance Charts in 2014 - 2016. The jubilant pop queen enjoys broad global appeal, with many drawn to her stellar, buoyant music. Step by step, Ashley continues her journey to become a revered figure in the world of pop music.

For more information on Ashley J, please visit:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud

Press Inquiries:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
Chip@mileshighproductions.com

For More Information Please Visit:ashleyj.net

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157
Hollywood CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com

Monterey-Based Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc. Celebrates its 10th Year in Business, Announces its Four Charity Partners

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc., the premier vacation home rental agency on the Monterey Peninsula, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is inviting the news media to an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony April 5 at Sanctuary’s Monterey office.

Monterey, CA, March 17, 2018 — Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Inc., the premier vacation home rental agency on the Monterey Peninsula, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is inviting the news media to an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony April 5 at Sanctuary’s Monterey office.

The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Carmel Chamber Commerce, at Sanctuary’s office at 888 Munras Avenue in Monterey.

The ribbon-cutting is invite-only and will kick off Sanctuary’s 10-year anniversary campaign. Sanctuary will also announce its four charity partners, including Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP), The Fund for Homeless Women, Dorothy’s Kitchen and The Food Bank for Monterey County.

Animal Friends Rescue Project
From April 5 to December 31, Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will donate $5 per pet-friendly rental up to $2,500 to AFRP. Gracee is a 6-month-old shelter puppy that owners Annee and David adopted from AFRP after she was found wandering the streets of Salinas in pretty bad condition. She was given a tremendous amount of attention, love and care from her foster parent family and their five dogs, so much so that she has no fear of anyone or any dog and wags her tail at everyone she meets. Gracee has been proclaimed the Sanctuary ambassador of goodwill and joy because everyone she touches is left feeling better. animalfriendsrescue.com

The Fund for Homeless Women
Sanctuary will be supporting The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s The Fund for Homeless Women by donating blankets, towels, linens and more on an ongoing basis. The company will work to ensure that Homeless Women are given as many supplies as possible from vacation rentals. The Fund supports programs and services for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula. In its initial years, the Fund supported both emergency assistance (e.g., temporary motel lodging, transportation expenses, laundry, etc.) and innovative ideas that expanded temporary and permanent housing options and case management services. cfmco.org.

Dorothy’s Place
Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will be supporting Dorothy’s Place by bringing food and supplies from each rental weekly to Dorothy’s Place in Salinas to help feed those in need.

Dorothy's Place Hospitality Center in Chinatown, run by Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra, includes Dorothy’s Kitchen, a Drop-In Center, Women Alive! Emergency Shelter for street women in Salinas, and a community of formerly broken and abandoned lives now living together in mutual support in House of Peace transitional living program.

dorothysplace.org

Food Bank for Monterey County
Sanctuary will be donating food throughout the year to the Food Bank for Monterey County and encouraging their guests and clients to donate as well. On December 5, there will be a food drive fundraiser for the Food Bank. Details to come. As the largest and most comprehensive provider of emergency supplemental food and a key proponent of anti-hunger and healthy eating education and advocacy in Monterey County, the Food Bank feeds more than 100,000 residents of Monterey County each year. http://www.foodbankformontereycounty.org.

In addition to the above actions, the entire team at Sanctuary Vacation Rentals will be donating their time and talents to each charity.

Founded in 2008 by Annee Martin, Sanctuary Vacation Rentals boasts a team of 20 professionals and represents almost 100 homes across the Monterey Peninsula, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel proper, Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Marina, Seaside, Carmel Valley and the Highway 68 corridor near the airport and Laguna Seca.

Sanctuary’s roster of homes includes everything from cozy two-bedroom cottages in Carmel and Pacific Grove to larger four- to six-bedroom homes that can accommodate up to 12 people and luxurious Pebble Beach homes with ocean views. Many of the homes are within walking distance to the area’s beaches, restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions.

Sanctuary homes all invoke a sense of peace and harmony, allowing guests to relax, revitalize their lives, reconnect with one another, and above all, have fun. Sanctuary’s goal is to provide guests with a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its vision is to inspire and nurture the hearts and souls of guests with the beauty and magic of the Monterey Peninsula while staying in one of its vacation homes.

“What drives me in this business is my love for people and wanting to give them the best experience they can have when they’re here,” says Martin. “We’re all travelers and we’ve all been strangers at one point. I just want people to feel welcome when they come here.”

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals started just after the housing market crash in 2008, which forced Martin and her husband David, an architect, to rent out their own home. Martin was amazed at how many people wanted to come to the Monterey Peninsula. She was soon able to help many of their friends who found themselves in a similar situation.

Before long, she had half a dozen homes, all through word of mouth. She quickly found out she found joy and a creative outlet for her talents in staging and maintaining homes for vacation rentals.

Her goal was to offer a warm and welcoming environment in each Sanctuary rental, with small welcoming touches such as fresh flowers and a bottle of Monterey County wine. All the homes are fully equipped and furnished with everything a visitor may need. In fact, guests need not bring anything with them but their suitcases.

Or as Martin likes to say, “We provide all the amenities and services of a 5-star resort with all the comforts of home.”

Martin says that a lot of Sanctuary’s success is owed to its Florida-based CFO Ben Edwards.

“Ben is one of the most respected leaders and consultants in the industry, president of the VRMA (Vacation Rental Management Association) the past three years,” says Martin. “I really consider him as responsible for my success as my own efforts. He keeps Sanctuary on the leading edge of marketing, technology and keeps us financially solvent. I am so blessed to have him.”

Martin has also become a strong advocate for the vacation rental industry, which has recently come under fire from local communities hoping to curtail the growing practice. She is now one of the leading voices for the vacation home rental industry, something she believes she was “called to do.”

She believes that neighborhoods can be protected with fair and reasonable regulation as opposed to bans and that more good comes from them than bad. She believes that vacation rentals provide affordable options for families that would not otherwise choose to stay in hotels and that they are good for the overall business community. She believes that there are plenty of visitors that want to come and stay on the Monterey Peninsula. It is her hope that hotels, inns and B&Bs can find a way to work together with the vacation rental companies and encourage visitors to visit Monterey as opposed to another city or coastal town.

She loves to network and refer businesses to her guests, and that includes the hotels and inns and B&Bs. Vacation rental homes are not always the best option for guests and many people do prefer the hotel or bed and breakfast experience. She believes being able to meet the needs of the traveler should be the highest priority and we can all work together to provide this.

The bottom line is the satisfaction she derives from making people happy.

“What drives me in this business is my love for people and wanting to give them the best experience they can have when they’re here,” she says. “We’re all travelers and we’ve all been strangers at one point. I just want people to feel welcome when they come here.”

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals
888 Munras Ave., Suite 100
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 233-6340
Toll-Free: (800) 614-6706
https://www.sanctuaryvacationrentals.com

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

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Celebrates Earth Day with a Pin-It-To-Win-It Contest

Did you know this year Earth Day is celebrating its 48th anniversary? In 2020 it will be 50 years!

Salinas, CA, March 16, 2018 - Did you know this year Earth Day is celebrating its 48th anniversary? In 2020 it will be 50 years! Each year we learn more about sustainability and Pinterest is an excellent place to share tips from green construction to composting and quotes! Share your favorite pins that represent what Earth Day means to you in our new Pin-It-To-Win-It contest!

Simply:
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Create a board titled: Earth Day 2018
• Pin your favorite Earth Day images, from trends to beautiful photos

(minimum 5 pins)
• Use the hashtag #EarthDayHyattRegencyMonterey on all the pins
• EMAIL a link to your board
• One lucky winner will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Regency Monterey
• Contest runs March 25th – April 22nd. Winner will be announced April 22nd in
honor of Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey is offering the following promotions:

Guests checking in on April 22nd will receive a sprouting pencil that can be planted at home to grow basil! #TravelGreen #InAHyattWorld

Happy Earth Day
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa shows their commitment to the environment and their local communities with programs that ranged from a naturalist-led beach clean-up to shutting the lights off in all unoccupied rooms, and employees turned out to volunteer at dozens of local green efforts. These activities take place throughout the year.

Enjoy this green-inspired cocktail:
“Green Garden”

1.5 oz of Organic Blanco Tequila
½ oz of Cucumber-infused Organic Simple Syrup
¼ oz of freshly squeezed Organic Lime Juice
1 oz of Sparkling Cava

Build and Shake in cocktail shaker. Strain into Martini Glass – Cucumber Garnish

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://monterey.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html