CELEBRATION ’69, a Multimedia, Rock and Roll Experience Featuring Live music, Images and Storytelling, is back by Popular Demand

CELEBRATION ’69, a multimedia, rock and roll experience featuring live music, images and storytelling will hit the stage again July 12, 13 and 14 at Monterey Peninsula College as a benefit for the MPC Theatre Company.

Salinas, CA, May 27, 2019 - CELEBRATION ’69, a multimedia, rock and roll experience featuring live music, images and storytelling will hit the stage again July 12, 13 and 14 at Monterey Peninsula College as a benefit for the MPC Theatre Company.

ID for pictures:

Band with Hendrix - From L Justin Noseworthy, Mark Shilstone-Laurent, Dustin Carroll, Jeff Covell
"The Celebration '69 band rocks a Jimi Hendrix song."

Band plays zep - From L Justin Noseworthy, Rod Wilson, Mark Shilstone-Laurent, Dustin Carroll, Jeff Covell
"The Celebration '69 band rocks Led Zeppelin."

Credit: Richard Green

CELEBRATION ’69, a multimedia, rock and roll experience featuring live music, images and storytelling, is back by popular demand. The show will hit the stage again July 12, 13 and 14 in the Morgan Stock Theater at Monterey Peninsula College as a benefit for the MPC Theatre Company Charitable Trust. Performances start at 7:30 on the 12th and 13th, and at 2 pm on Sunday, the 14th. VIP Experience tickets are available for the Friday evening performance.

CELEBRATION ’69, which played to sold out audiences earlier this year at Hartnell College, celebrates the Golden Anniversary of 1969, the single most amazing year of the 20th century. The show focuses on stories about six of the year’s most iconic historical events, including, among others, Woodstock, the Apollo 11 moonwalk and the Manson family murders. As transitional links, a live band on stage plays medleys of songs released that year including hits from Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Cream, Santana and more. And all the while, visual images, both historical and musical, bring the era back to life.

Mark Shilstone-Laurent, the show’s creator and lead singer for the on stage band says of the show, “We try to recapture the essence of that crazy year by flooding the stage with music and images and stories. And although this thing may LOOK like a play, it’s definitely more of a party. We’ve chosen songs we think audiences will be familiar with and we encourage them to sing along whenever they like. And if the performances earlier in the year at Hartnell College are any indication, audiences aren’t the least bit shy about joining in!”

The show features photos from the collection of rock photographer/journalist Stephen Robert Caraway who passed away in 2015 but left a treasure chest of iconic images from rock and roll’s biggest stars dating all the way back to 1967. The show is a memorial to Mr. Caraway’s photos as well as his spirit that never really lost track of what the 60’s tried to be all about - peace and love.

Again, Shilstone-Laurent, “Although CELEBRATION ’69 plays right into the wheelhouse of the Boomers who lived it, it’s a show for anyone who may be curious as to why the 60’s and its music are considered such a big deal - or for history buffs that understand just how crazy unique 1969 was, and want to relive it both musically and historically.”

For reservations, go to mpctheatre.com. Or you can call the box office at 831-646-4213. For more information and to view photos from the Hartnell performance in February, go to celebration69.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.celebration69.com

Big Sur Foragers Festival Dates Announced: January 16 – 19, 2020

Foragers Festival Fungus Face Off to be Held at Big Sur River Inn Saturday, January 18, 2020

Big Sur, CA, May 24, 2019 - The historic Big Sur River Inn serves as the host and backdrop of one of the Big Sur Foragers Festival's most popular events, the "Fungus Face-Off," set for Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

Confirmed Partners

Wineries:
Bernardus Winery
Chappellet
Mesa Del Sol

Chefs:
Big Sur River Inn
Montrio Bistro
Rio Grill
Tarpy's Roadhouse

The Face-Off at the River Inn, set under the oaks overlooking the Big Sur River, features celebrated local chefs competing for the best foraged dish, and will include food tastings, fine wines, craft beers, raffles, a silent auction and more.

This event sells out early, and tickets will be on sale through EventBrite starting July 2019.

The River Inn has a significant presence in Big Sur history and lore. The inn's history goes back to 1888, when Jay Pheneger acquired a 160-acre parcel from the federal government and gave his name to the creek that bounds the River Inn on the south.

Homesteaders Barbara and Michael Pfeiffer bought the property, and in 1926, Michael, and Barbra's son John took over the land on which the Big Sur River Inn now stands. The inn was opened in 1934 by his daughter Ellen Brown. She opened her living and dining rooms to the public and began serving hot apple pie, which is still served today and gave the place its first name, Apple Pie Inn. Lodging units were built and Big Sur's first resort was established.

In 1943, Ellen's sister, Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldson and her husband, Hans, took over the operation. Esther replaced her mother as Big Sur Postmaster and the Post Office was moved to the River Inn, situated where the front office of the motel is now.

With a lot of help, Hans built the General Store and lodging units 10 through 15. He rebuilt the dining room and "fixed it up fancy."

The Pfeiffer and the Ewoldson families started a tradition at the Big Sur River Inn of fine food, excellent service, and warm hospitality. In 1988, the Perlmutter family, along with a small group of close friends, formed a partnership to carry on that tradition.

For the second year, the Big Sur River Inn extends its tradition of hospitality to host the Big Sur Foragers Festival.

The Foragers Festival has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center. The community's non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to continue to support the presence of local health care services in the Big Sur area.

The four-day festival affords Big Sur area restaurants the opportunity to host the culinary expertise of notable chefs, who will be preparing unique fare ranging from rustic to elegant, paired alongside the central coast region's amazing selection of wine and beer.

In addition to the Fungus Face-Off, events will include:

A Thursday Night Fundraiser at Lugano's Swiss Bistro. Details to come.
Friday night winemaker's dinners as locations around Monterey County include Il Grillo in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Saturday Foraging walk led by local experts. "Wild Mushroom Walks and Talk"
Sunday we are finalizing several brunch fundraisers around Monterey County.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon. For event details and venue information, visit www.bigsurforagersfestival.org.

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

Café Fina Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf will celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer!

One of the Monterey Peninsulas most renowned and cherished restaurants turns 30 this summer.

Salinas, CA, May 22, 2019 - One of the Monterey Peninsulas most renowned and cherished restaurants turns 30 this summer. Café Fina on Fisherman’s Wharf will celebrate its 30th anniversary this June 28th. Family recipes passed down from grandmother to mother are still used at Café Fina to provide an authentic Italian seafood experience right here in Monterey. In this Italian cuisine, fresh fish and homemade pasta has been the main course since 1989.

Owner Dominic Mercurio remembers playing and working on the wharf since he was just a child, “a bunch of us used to come down her every day in the summer time. We were 10 or 11 and would leave home in the morning and not go back until dark.” “My father Jean introduced my brother and I to the fishing industry and shared everything we knew. We are proud to continue his legacy.”

Some years later, Dominic opened his own Italian seafood restaurant in Monterey, naming it after his mother Josephina.

Dominic’s excellent cooking has enabled him to be the sole caterer for John Madden’s induction ceremony into the Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Dominic has earned visits from Rachel Ray, the Hillstrand Brothers of the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch and other TV, Movie and Sport stars including the great Joe DiMaggio. Dominic is also committed to his local community, donating on as regular basis to a number of organizations in the Monterey Area.

In the coming months Café Fina will be rolling back prices on specialty food items and drinks to 1989 prices. Special pricing will include spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and wine.

Join Café Fina as they celebrate 30 years this June and thank the many loyal local customers who have made the last 30 years so special!

Contact: Chris Chidlaw
Chidlaw Marketing
Chidlawmarketing@comcast.net
831-594-2962

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

Renowned Florist and Floral Designer Teresa Sabankaya of Bonny Doon Garden Company in California to Release First Book, Launch Book-Signing Tour

Renowned florist and floral designer Teresa Sabankaya, founder and owner of Bonny Doon Garden Company, will release her first book in May and hold several book-signings and events over the course of several months in 2019.

Bonny Doon, CA, May 21, 2019 — Renowned florist and floral designer Teresa Sabankaya, founder and owner of Bonny Doon Garden Company, will release her first book in May and hold several book-signings and events over the course of several months in 2019.

Sabankaya’s book, “The Posy Book,” which was released Tuesday, May 7 on the Countryman Press imprint, explores one of her favorite topic, posies, a garden-inspired flower arrangement that conveys a message in the language of flowers.

Her book-signing tour includes the following:

>Tuesday, May 28, Books, Inc., Campbell, California

>Wednesday, June 5, 7 p.m., Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St., Gilroy, California

>Friday, June 7, Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California

>Saturday, June 8, noon, Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House, California Pajarosa Floral, 133 Hughes Road, Watsonville

>Saturday, June 15, Book Passage at Ferry Building, San Francisco, California

>Thursday, June 27, A Garden Party Posy book-signing at Bachman’s Floral, Home & Garden; Minneapolis, Minnesota

>Monday-Wednesday, July 1-3, Slow Flowers Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota

>Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m., Blue Willow Books, 14532 Memorial Drive, Houston Texas

>Tuesday, Sept. 3, Central Texas Gardener Radio Show, Austin, Texas

>Tuesday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m., Slow North, Austin, Texas

>Wednesday, Sept. 4, Posy Workshop, book-signing at Slow North, Austin, Texas

In “The Posy Book,” Sabankaya, founder and creative director of Bonny Doon Garden Company, a full service floral design studio, Santa Cruz florist and botanical gift shop, shares what has become her signature — posies. Inspired by the Victorian-era language of flowers, a posy is a small, round bouquet of flowers, herbs, and plants meant to convey a message, such as dahlias for gratitude, sunflowers for adoration, or thyme for bravery; she shares her favorites for every occasion.

Sabankaya's trademarked creations, Bonny Doon Posies, have been a core part of her retail business from the beginning, and have been featured in such media as CBS Sunday Morning, Romantic Homes magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Cruz Sentinel and The New York Times.

Founded in 1999, Bonny Doon Garden Company is a full-service floral design studio, florist, and botanical gift shop located inside New Leaf Community market in west side Santa Cruz.

Sabankaya holds an influential position as one of the most innovative florists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her floral designs are highly desirable due to their unique style of arranging and elegant garden appeal. Her wedding florals have been featured in numerous wedding blogs and magazines including Smitten, Sweet Violet Bride, Style Me Pretty and Green Wedding Shoes.

She has been featured in Amy Stewart’s “Flower Confidential” book as well as her blog, and was featured “like a florist from 100 years ago” in the PBS documentary “Botany of Desire,” based on Michael Pollen’s bestseller “Botany of Desire.”

She is a Certified Green Gardener; a member of Slowflowers.com, an online directory of florists who source their materials locally; and Greatgardenspeakers.com.

The Countryman Press has a long history as an independent publisher. Now owned by W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., Countryman and its books continue to grow both in scope and number.

The Bonny Doon Garden Company
1101 Fair Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
www.bonnydoongardenco.com
http://www.teresasabankaya.com/
teresa@teresasabankaya.com
(831) 566-9925

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

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Extends Opening Hours to 7 Days a Week

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is now open seven days a week.

Pacific Grove, CA, May 15, 2019 — The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is now open seven days a week.

The hours for the Museum, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove, are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily, and on Mondays will remain open until 7 p.m., during the summertime farmer's market (Memorial Day to Labor Day).

The Museum is closed for major holidays. Please check the Museum’s event calendar (https://www.pgmuseum.org/museum-events?view=calendar&month=05-2019) for holiday information.

The Museum will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2019, in observance of Independence Day; at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, to prepare for the 135th Anniversary Gala; Thursday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday; Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday; and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. The Museum is ADA accessible and a wheelchair is available upon request.

The reason the Museum elected to open for seven days is, as a well-used free resource for Monterey County, there will be more chances to accommodate families and field trips, and allow out-of-town visitors an extra day to visit the Museum.

For more information on the museum, call (831) 648-5716, email admin@pgmuseum.org or go to the website at www.pgmuseum.org.

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

Monterey County Fair Seeking Home Goods, Art, Crafts, Livestock Entries to be Judged and Exhibited at 2019 Monterey County Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2

Are you a creative amateur photographer, love to bake, are an accomplished gardener, make your own wine or beer, sew your own clothes, adept at arts and crafts or raise livestock?

Monterey, CA, May 14, 2019 — Are you a creative amateur photographer, love to bake, are an accomplished gardener, make your own wine or beer, sew your own clothes, adept at arts and crafts or raise livestock? Then the Monterey County Fair is inviting you to enter your products or projects for judging and display at this year’s Fair, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2019.

The Fair’s exhibit program is an excellent way for you to show off your talents, earn bragging rights and, above all, have fun. A 2019 Entry Guide Book, which has all the information you need to enter, such as due dates, deadlines, rules and regulations, local rules and entry forms, is available at www.montereycountyfair.com starting May 24.

Printed entry guidebooks will be available in the Fair Administration Office at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, starting Monday, May 13 and at all Monterey County libraries. If you have questions, you can call the Entry Office at (831) 372-5863.

All of the divisions and classes will be judged under the American system and/or the Danish system. The American judging process ranks exhibits against one another and awards one first place, one second, etc. The Danish judging process compares each exhibit on its own merits against the scorecard or recognized standard and awards as many first places, etc. as merited.

All entries must be submitted to the Fair, either online, by mail or in person at Fair Administration office at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, with entry fees, by the due date.

New this year, 4-H and FFA non-livestock entries will win cash prizes.

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey. The theme of the 2019 fair is “High Tides and Carnival Rides.”

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
http://www.montereycountyfair.com

Central Coast YMCA Gears Up for Summer with Two Big Fitness Events in May and June, 2019

Central Coast YMCA is gearing up for summer by hosting two events, National Employee Health & Fitness Day on May 15, 2019, and the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson,” on June 20, 2019.

Salinas, CA, May 12, 2019 — Central Coast YMCA is gearing up for summer by hosting two events, National Employee Health & Fitness Day on May 15, 2019, and the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson,” on June 20, 2019.

National Employee Health and Fitness Day will be celebrated from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at Salinas YMCA Family Center, 117 Clay St., in Salinas.

National Employee Health and Fitness Day was created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health partnerships.

The Salinas YMCA will hold a health fair with vendors offering health information, free screenings, and exercise classes for all employees. Get a free guest pass and enter the raffle to win an on-site lunch & learn session for your company.

Free exhibits include:

Blood Pressure Screening
Lung Screening
Vision & Hearing Screenings
Dental Care Information
Nutritional Taste Testing
Body Composition Testing
Shoe Samples
Healthy Recipes
Freebies and Raffles

Free classes include:

7:30 a.m. Pilates
9:15 a.m. Zumba
12:10 p.m. Strength Train Together
4:00 p.m. Strength & Stretch Yoga
5:30 p.m. Cardio Pump
6:35 p.m. Zumba

The YMCA is teaming up with World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) to offer free swimming lessons on a large scale at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Salinas Aquatic Center, 1 East Bernal Derive, Salinas.

TEAM WLSL™ will celebrate its 10th anniversary by sending the message that swimming lessons save lives to millions of kids and adults. WLSL™ events will take place at hundreds of locations in more than 20 countries on five continents over the course of 24 hours.

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™, created by the World Waterpark Association in 2010, is a global public relations event supported by aquatic facilities, waterparks, pools, swim schools, YMCAs, among others. The WLSL™ event serves as a platform to help the global aquatics industry work together to build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning.

For more information on the swim event, contact Joey Barrera at 831-758-7301 or by email at jbarrera@ymcacentralcoast.org.

For more information, call the Central Coast YMCA at 831-758-3811 or go to www.centralcoastymca.org. CCYMCA is located at 500 Lincoln Ave. in Salinas.

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.

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