Goodwill Central Coast Brings Back ‘Where Is Koko?’ Contest Launching August 26th on National Dog Day Spot Koko at a Store, Win a Prize

In Honor of National Dog Day, Goodwill Central Coast’s 16 locations will donate the daily round up to Max’s Helping Paws Foundation

Salinas, CA. (August 21, 2020) — To help add fun and suspense to your summer, Goodwill Central Coast has resurrected its wildly popular “Where is Koko?” campaign launching August 26th – September 30th.

Salinas rescue dog Koko is Goodwill’s pet ambassador, and she will pop up from time to time at any one of the 16 locations including 14 Stores and 2 Outlet locations throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo. Spot Koko (or at least a lifesize cutout of her), notify the manager and earn $5 in Koko Bucks to use at Goodwill. Koko will also go viral on

Goodwill Central Coastt; social media. The first person to name the location of the Goodwill store she visits receives $5 in Koko Bucks.

Be sure to follow Goodwill Central Coast on Facebook (@goodwillcentralcoast) and Instagram (@coastgoodwill).

The campaign will kick off on August 26th National Dog Day. Goodwill Central Coast believes your change can change lives. On August 26th all of Goodwill locations on the Central Coast will donate the daily round up to Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation, a local nonprofit that believes Financial circumstance should never decide a companion pet’s fate. Because of that, Max’s Helping Paws Foundation reduces economic euthanasia, surrender and suffering of severely ill or injured pets by providing pet owners assistance with the costs of urgent medical care.

The Round Up Program is a way for shoppers to either “round up” your purchase to the nearest dollar OR donate a set amount ($1, $3 or $5). All of these options are displayed on the credit card terminal machine. All of the round up fund raised on August 26th will go to Max’s Helping Paws Foundation.

While you shop at Goodwill (with or without Koko Bucks), don’t forget that your support helps Goodwill organizations change lives by training unemployed or underemployed people for careers in fields such as automotive services, construction, health care, information technology, manufacturing, hospitality and retail as well as in other high-demand industries.

About Goodwill Central Coast

Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 non-profit 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 over 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 13,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Information: www.ccgoodwill.org.

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

Shop Goodwill Central Coast Stores On National Dog Day, August 26th, And Support Max’s Helping Paws Foundation

On August 26th all of Goodwill locations on the Central Coast will donate the daily round up to Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation, a local nonprofit that believes financial circumstance should never decide a companion pet’s fate.

Salinas, CA, August 21, 2020 - Goodwill Central Coast believes your change can change lives. On August 26th all of Goodwill locations on the Central Coast will donate the daily round up to Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation, a local nonprofit that believes financial circumstance should never decide a companion pet’s fate. Because of that, Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation reduces economic euthanasia, surrender and suffering of severely ill or injured pets by providing pet owners assistance with the costs of urgent medical care.

The Round Up Program is a way for shoppers to either “round up” your purchase to the nearest dollar OR donate a set amount ($1, $3 or $5). All of these options are displayed on the credit card terminal machine. All of the round up fund raised on August 26th will go to Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation.

While you shop at Goodwill Central Coast, don’t forget that your support helps Goodwill change lives by training unemployed or underemployed people for careers.

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

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Entices Remote workers to create Work-play balance with Month-long getaways

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals would like to help empower remote workers and students to begin thinking outside the home.

Monterey, CA, August 20, 2020 - During these unprecedented times, many Americans find themselves working from home — yet not embracing the fundamental freedom that comes with that term.

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals would like to help empower remote workers and students to begin thinking outside the home.

Why does “remote work” have to mean sequestering ourselves in our own homes? With kids underfoot, the dog barking during video conferences, and the overused Internet constantly buffering, families are finding themselves long past the point of cranky.

How about creating some work-play balance by securing a month-long vacation rental on the idyllic Monterey Peninsula? If you’re going to work or study remotely, why not do so in an area with expansive ocean views, fresh air and beautiful natural land and seascapes? Embrace the word “remote.”

Sanctuary Vacation Rentals provide safe, clean, gorgeous getaways that can brighten any mood — and increase productivity at the same time.

Eight great reasons to book a home on the Monterey Peninsula:

• Create a beautiful home base to create a balance of work and play.

• Pack and unpack just once.

• Enjoy extra room and the time to enjoy it.

• Choose the type of property, amenities and comforts you desire.

• Save money by shopping and cooking your own meals.

• Experience flexibility in your daily schedule.

• Enjoy high-speed wifi on multiple devices

• Create lifelong memories in the location of your dreams.

Find the perfect getaway home that will nurture your body, mind and spirit while you discover and savor all the delights of the scenic Monterey Peninsula. Sanctuary’s unique vacation homes, many with stunning ocean views, invoke a sense of peace and harmony, often awe, and in some inexplicable way allow people to relax and have fun, as well as to revitalize and reconnect with one another.

Find out more at www.sanctuaryvacationrentals.com.

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

Monterey Symphony Kicks Off Balcony Sessions on Friday, August 28th

The Monterey Symphony (MSO), after postponing its entire 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19, has scheduled a series of solo performances highlighting the talents of the orchestra.

Carmel, CA, August 19, 2020 – The Monterey Symphony (MSO), after postponing its entire 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19, has scheduled a series of solo performances highlighting the talents of the orchestra. These 30-minute performances will be live streamed and available to watch on the Symphony’s website and social media. E-news subscribers to the Symphony’s mailings will also have direct access.

The direct link can be found here: https://vimeo.com/448146767

The series kicks off Friday, August 28th at 4 PM with Principal Bass Trombone Will Baker and is sponsored by Monterey Private Wealth.

The first session will take place at Hampton Court (the Symphony’s new offices) at the corner of 7th and San Carlos in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mr. Baker will perform from a balcony, following all social distancing protocol. Three other solo performances will occur at Hampton, along with three at different venues in Carmel, including Golden Bough Theatre and the Winfield Gallery on Dolores and one in Monterey at MyMuseum. A total of seven solo performances will take place before the end of the year.

“The idea of the solo performer is a pretty spot-on image of the time we’re living in,” said Executive Director Nicola Reilly. “And, we so seldom have an opportunity to showcase our individual players, since we focus on the big orchestra. We really had to adapt and try and bring some music to our community. It’s great to use our office space, and we’re so grateful to the city of Carmel for getting involved and excited about this project. We also wanted to showcase our partner organization venues.”

The Symphony has also partnered with Manzoni Vineyards, also in Hampton Court, so sponsors can attend these sessions. Although no tickets will be sold, sponsorship opportunities are available.

“We wanted to find a way to support our artists, as well as the creative people behind the cameras – videographers, graphic designers, backstage crew,” says Reilly.

About the Artist:

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Will Baker is one of the most sought after young Bass Trombonists working today. He is the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Monterey Symphony and his musicianship has taken him all over the world, including stints with the San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, and Burning Man 2018 with the ArtHaus Collective. Before moving to Northern California, Will was the premier bass trombonist in the state of Iowa, performing as the tenured member of Orchestra Iowa from 2013-17 and the Des Moines Symphony since 2014-18. In 2016, while artist in residence with the Southeast Iowa Symphony (SEISO), Will commissioned and premiered a new bass trombone concerto by composer Robert Tindle titled At Sixty Miles An Hour. In 2018, Will premiered the Wind Ensemble arrangement with Travis Cross and the UCLA Wind Ensemble. He is a faculty member of Las Positas College and the Fredericksburg Brass Institute, and is a founding member of the Des Moines Low Brass Triumvirate (DMLBT).

Will earned a Masters Degree in Bass Trombone performance at Northwestern University where he studied with Michael Mulcahy, Randall Hawes, Peter Ellefson, and Tim Higgins. He graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a BA in music performance, studying Euphonium and Bass Trombone with Patrick Sheridan. It was Mr. Sheridan that inspired Will to forge a career in music, and for this Pat will always be one of his favorite people in the world.

The full schedule can be found below and on the Monterey Symphony website. People interested in learning more about sponsoring can contact Nicola Reilly directly, nreilly@montereysymphony.org

2020 Line Up:

August 28th - Will Baker, bass trombone @ Hampton Court

Sponsored by: Monterey Private Wealth


September 18th – Genie Wie, violin and Adele Kearns, cello @ Hampton Court

September 25th - Valerie Bengal and Vlad K., violas @ Golden Bough Theatre
Sponsored by: Gary and Carolyn Bjorklund

October 16th – Sarah Lee, violin @ Hampton Court

October 23rd - Saul Richmond-Rakerd, cello @ Hampton Court

November 20th - Isaac Pastor-Chernak, cello @ Winfield Gallery
Sponsored by: Beverly and Lyman Hamilton

December 18th - Alicia Mastromonaco, horn + singers + poetry @ MyMuseum

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

YMCA of the Central Coast Outside-of-School Program, Excel Beyond the Bell, Now at 45 Sites Across Central Coast

YMCA of the Central Coast’s curriculum-based outside-of-school Excel Beyond the Bell program now has 45 sites offering the program throughout the Central Coast.

Salinas, CA, August 18, 2020 — YMCA of the Central Coast’s curriculum-based outside-of-school Excel Beyond the Bell program now has 45 sites offering the program throughout the Central Coast. In the Excel Beyond the Bell program outside-of-school program, youth will do distance learning as part of this four-part curriculum that includes Character Development Learning Institute, Youth Fit 4 Life, Enrichment Activities, and Homework Time.

In addition to all five branches of Central Coast YMCA (Salinas, Watsonville, San Benito, South County and Monterey), YMCA is working with the following schools and school districts: Salinas Elementary School District, Spreckles Unified School District, Salinas Union High School, Santa Rita School District, Carmel Unified School District, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Monterey Bay Charter Schools, Hollister School District, Hollister Pre Navigator School, North County Joint Union School District, Watsonville prep school, and Aromas schools. More sites may be added as needed.

The Central Coast Y is offering Live Group Exercise classes and home workouts with demo on-line. Youth programming (Arts & Crafts, Story Time and STEAM projects) will be added to the schedule starting Monday, Aug. 17. YMCA also has access to Y360 library of workout videos, all of which are accessible through its website at www.centralcoastymca.org.

In addition, the Salinas YMCA pool is open for lap swim, swim lessons and water aerobics and exercise classes.

For more information call (831) 758-3811 or visit www.centralcoastymca.org.

About the Central Coast YMCA
Formed in 1989, the Central Coast YMCA began with the merger of two independent YMCAs; the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). Originally a USO built in 1941, with the purpose of supporting American troops during World War II, the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula joined the association in 1990. In 1998 the South County YMCA became the fourth branch in the association, extending its service area to the residents of south Monterey County. The YMCA of San Benito County became the fifth and most recent addition to the association in 1999.

CCYMCA is an independent, private, nonprofit corporation, a part of the YMCA of the USA, but responsible for its own policies, programs, and budgets. It employs 27 full-time employees, about 225 part-time employees, and 120 volunteers who impact approximately 40,000 people in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.

CCYMCA is located at 500 Lincoln Ave. in Salinas.

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

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay Offers Employers Drug Testing, Background Screening and Physical Exams for Employees

ARCpoint Labs’ network of experts can help ensure employers that they are staying compliant with federal and state drug testing regulations.

Monterey, CA, August 14, 2020 — While ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is the foremost local lab offering COVID-19, it also offers accurate, reliable and confidential testing for employers requiring drug & alcohol testing, background screening, health & wellness testing, and Department of Transportation compliance services.

ARCpoint Labs’ network of experts can help ensure employers that they are staying compliant with federal and state drug testing regulations. ARCpoint Labs can provide employers with secure, online technology that gives them quick access to their company's drug testing background check documentation. They can get the information they need, when they need it, with real-time updates on ARCpoint’s easy-to-use platform.

ARCpoint has a national network of industry experts can help employers, whether they have questions about marijuana or CBD and how they affect their company’s drug-testing policy or needing to manage the entire program.

As local industry experts, ARCpoint takes pride in providing the information employers need to feel comfortable with how they are leveraging ARCpoint Labs services to effectively serve their employees’ and candidates’ needs.

No matter the industry, background screening is a necessary part of pre-employment on-boarding process to ensure the safety and security of the workplace. Background screening is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Employers need to select the right type of background screen for the job, and then they need to know what you can do with that information. ARCpoint Labs partners with employers to help navigate the various types of background screens available, so they can determine the right screens for their company.

ARCpoint’s background screening services include the following types of employment considerations:

County vs. National Criminal Record
Credit Report (Including Bankruptcies)
Driving Record
Employment Verification
Education, Certifications, and Licenses
Sex Offender Registry List
Government Watch List

ARCpoint can also help employers develop a health and wellness program that fits their needs to keep their workplace and their employees healthy. corporate wellness program can be as simple or as complex as you would like.

Here are just some of the ways a strategically designed wellness program can benefit a company:

Decreases of up to 80% in lost work days
Decreases of up to 64% in modified duty days
Decreases of up to 50% in workers’ compensation premiums
Increases in on-the-job satisfaction and employee retention

ARCpoint also gives employers access to ARCpoint MD Telehealth, a trusted and timely medical service that saves employers money and time while improving employees’ health and common illnesses. Telehealth services provide employers with:

Convenience: 24/7/365: Why leave home to drive to your doctor’s office and waste time in a waiting room? Doctors are available by phone and online, whenever employees need them with an average call-back time of only 15 minutes!
Access: Whether you are at home, working, or traveling, ARCpoint’s U.S.-based and board certified physicians are only a click or call away.
Affordability: With only one low monthly cost and $0 copay/consultation fees, you and your entire household will have access to ARCpoint services. ARCpoint MD is the smart alternative to costly Urgent Care visits, while also helping to redirect non-emergency ER visits.

Companies that fall under the Department of Transportation’s rule 49 CFR Part 40 are subject to strict and often confusing regulations. Most companies need a partner who can help them navigate the complex regulations, ensure they are always compliant with federal regulations and allow them to focus on their business.

ARCpoint Labs has been an expert in DOT and federally mandated testing for more than 20 years. ARCpoint helps navigate the regulations that apply to employers so they don’t have to worry about DOT compliance.

ARCpoint’s DOT compliance team has the knowledge and experience to help break down what DOT changes mean for a company and help them develop an actionable plan so they remain compliant without worrying about penalties.

For more information, call (831) 324-0772. You always speak directly to a local testing expert at ARCpoint Labs.

ABOUT ARCPOINT LABS
ARCpoint Labs is a full-service national third-party provider and administrator of accurate, reliable, and confidential diagnostic testing for individuals, companies, and legal and healthcare professionals. ARCpoint Labs has been in the drug and alcohol testing business for over 18 years, and our staff has over 60 years of combined industry experience. ARCpoint Labs has over 100 locations across the country with an additional 18 locations slated to open within the next 12 months. For more information on ARCpoint Labs, visit www.arcpointlabs.com.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is an independently owned ARCpoint Labs business, part of a Greenville, South Carolina-based franchise. The Smith family of Monterey, brothers Spenser and Bryant and their parents Belle and Randy, established the company in 2018.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay
24560 Silver Cloud Court, #103 Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 324-0772
Email: monterey@arcpointlabs.com

Website: www.arcpointlabs.com

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

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay Expands Its COVID-19 Rapid Testing Capabilities

ARCpoint Labs has added 10 testing machines to its lab, with the long-term goal of offering businesses and schools on-site testing so they can get quicker results.

Monterey, CA, August 14, 2020 — ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay has expanded its rapid testing capabilities, adding new testing equipment, allowing 24-hour turnaround for test results, perfect for businesses, schools and individuals who need quick results.

ARCpoint Labs has added 10 testing machines to its lab, with the long-term goal of offering businesses and schools on-site testing so they can get quicker results.

ARCpoint has also expanded its staff to handle the increased workload, now with 10 people working in the lab alone. ARCpoint is also hiring now to meet demand.

ARCpoint will also be opening a branch in Salinas in the fall.

The 24-hour turnaround test is a live virus test, Antigen Rapid Test, which requires a nasal or other swab, a 94% true positive rate, 100% true negative rate, no doctor’s order is required, $130. A viral test identifies whether you have the current SARS-CoV-2 infection in your body.

If you have questions about ARCpoint Labs COVID-19 testing, go to www.labtestmonterey.com or call (831) 324-0772. You always speak directly to a local testing expert at ARCpoint Labs.

ABOUT ARCPOINT LABS
ARCpoint Labs is a full-service national third-party provider and administrator of accurate, reliable, and confidential diagnostic testing for individuals, companies, and legal and healthcare professionals. ARCpoint Labs has been in the drug and alcohol testing business for over 18 years, and our staff has over 60 years of combined industry experience. ARCpoint Labs has over 100 locations across the country with an additional 18 locations slated to open within the next 12 months. For more information on ARCpoint Labs, visit www.arcpointlabs.com.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is an independently owned ARCpoint Labs business, part of a Greenville, South Carolina-based franchise. The Smith family of Monterey, brothers Spenser and Bryant and their parents Belle and Randy, established the company in 2018.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay
24560 Silver Cloud Court, #103 Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 324-0772
Email: monterey@arcpointlabs.com

Website: www.arcpointlabs.com
COVID-19 Appointments: labtestmonterey.com

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