Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa Adds Two Dog Suites with Pet Fees Benefitting Local Non-Profit, Max’s Helping Paw’s Foundation

  Unique for every visitor, Hyatt Regency Monterey is a destination to discover your passions, the outdoors and each other—a place where you escape to connect. 

Monterey, CA, October 14, 2020 - WHO: Nestled in the Monterey Pines minutes from scenic Route 1 awaits Hyatt Regency Monterey. Here, guests will uncover an authentic Monterey experience: energized and inspired by the area’s coastal beauty, 22-acres of grounds yearning to be discovered and an abundance of on-site experiences to keep everyone entertained. Unique for every visitor, Hyatt Regency Monterey is a destination to discover your passions, the outdoors and each other—a place where you escape to connect. Features include 560 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, Knuckles Sports Bar, Central Coast Provisions, a 3,000 square foot fitness facility, spa, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools.  The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-regency-monterey-hotel-and-spa-on-del-monte-golf-course/mrydm 

WHAT: Embracing a “have dog, will travel” philosophy, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa encourages dog-loving guests to forgo the pet sitter and point the car toward Monterey.  

Special touches aren’t restricted to just people. Here, our furry friends are welcomed and spoiled with the Monterey Mutts program. 

The hotel announces the addition of two new dog suites. What’s more, the hotel will donate all of the $100 per-pet fee to Max’s Helping Paws Foundation, a Monterey County 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 promotion is valid through December 2021. 

A reservation for either pet suite includes special “suite treats” for furry friends to live it up in the lap of luxury. Guests can expect a cozy pet bed, a bowl and local organic treats. What’s more, pampered pooches have access to The Barking Lot, an exclusive Hyatt play zone for dogs and their well-behaved owners. 

Whether unwinding poolside, sharing a round of golf on a legacy course or greeting the sunrise in downward dog pose, Hyatt Regency Monterey invites guests to take a timeout from their normal lives. To appreciate the beauty all around them. To savor the small things. To cherish the company of others. 

It’s in these moments that guests find the space to reconnect — to nature, to relationships, to the rich history of Monterey and to their passions. It’s where guests escape to connect. 

WHEN: Launch Date Tuesday, October 13th 

CHARITY PARTNER: Max's Helping Paws Foundation (MHPF) was co-founded in 2016 by Dyana Klein and her husband and veterinary internist, Dr. Jonathan Fradkin, in memory of their pet, Maximillian. 

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports all Monterey County veterinary practices to provide financial assistance to clients with pets in need of both critical short-term or longer-term care for chronic illness.  Since it first started providing financial assistance in mid-2017, MHPF has approved more than $300,000 in financial assistance, and has helped hundreds of pet families give their pets a second chance. MHFP is based in Monterey County and serves only Monterey County. Max’s Helping Paws Foundation (831) 704-6473  info@maxshelpingpaws.org 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
Chatterbox PR 
Salinas, CA 93901 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-regency-monterey-hotel-and-spa-on-del-monte-golf-course/mrydm

 

Fire Safe Council For Monterey County presents Wildfire and You

 An online workshop, to help seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfire.

Monterey, CA, October 13, 2020 - The Fire Safe Council For Monterey County and Wanda Vollmer of Peace of Mind Preparedness have developed a free workshop, Wildfire and You, to help inform everyone in Monterey County, including the County's seniors and those with disabilities and their relatives, friends, and caregivers, how they can prepare for wildfires before they start, to help protect lives and homes.

Wildfires have become an increasingly unnerving fact of life in California, and can pose great risks to anyone — however, recent wildfires have disproportionately taken the lives of seniors and those with disabilities. 

The Wildfire and You workshop takes about 30 minutes to complete and can be taken at any time at no cost by going to this web page and following the simple instructions  www.firesafemonterey.org/workshops.html. 

Over 100,000 of Monterey County's residents live in the county's rural areas, which encompass about 1.6 million acres in County jurisdiction, largely covered with hazardous accumulations of wildfire fuels. 

Fortunately, the recent wildfires in Monterey County have taken place during relatively benign weather conditions, without the unprecedented high winds experienced during recent wildfires in other counties.  As bad as the losses and destruction were from recent wildfires in Monterey County, it could have been much worse.

There is still an opportunity to work to prepare Monterey County for wildfire, but that opportunity could end on any summer day with hot windy conditions.  Best is to work to prepare now, without delay. 

Development of the Wildfire and You workshop was funded with a generous grant from Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula (CERV) and Listos California. 

The focus of the Wildfire and You workshop is to help Monterey County residents prepare their property for wildfire by creating effective defensible space, reducing wildfire fuels, and by home hardening, helping homes and communities withstand the impacts of wildfires and safely evacuate when needed.

About the Fire Safe Council For Monterey CountyFire Safe Council For Monterey County is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to protecting lives and property from harm by wildfires, and to educating the public on wildfire dangers and how to reduce them. It supports projects that help make homes, neighborhoods, and communities fire safe by management of natural and man-made resources. Learn more at www.firesafemonterey.org 

About Peace of Mind Preparedness

Wanda Vollmer's company, Peace of Mind Preparedness makes the point that, "… our comfortable world is not a given, nor a right, and our responsibility to ourselves, our loved ones, and our employees is to anticipate and prepare," and helps teach you how to do that.  Learn more at https://peaceofmindpreparedness.com/. 

About Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula 

CERV of the Monterey Peninsula is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support local CERT programs, build public awareness about emergency preparedness, and promote the community's capacity to respond to natural disasters and man-made emergencies.  Learn more at www.cerv501c3.org/. 

About Listos California

Listos California says, "Be Ready to Protect Your Loved Ones in Case of Emergencies and Natural Disasters. Stay Informed and Save Lives."  Learn more at www.listoscalifornia.org/.

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

Humbled: How California’s Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin

  Readers can learn more about Humbled in a series of online book talks hosted by the Monterey County Historical Society. 

Nonfiction, 348 pages, 47 photos and illustrations

Vista Verde Publishing, September 2020, $28.00

ISBN 9781735109206

(eBook planned for release in the near future)

————————————————————————————————————

Readers can learn more about Humbled in a series of online book talks hosted by the Monterey County Historical Society. Church and McKenzie will discuss the book, their research, and why they wrote it on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., and on other dates yet to be determined. During these talks, the authors will donate to MCHS 25 percent of the proceeds from every book ordered from vista-verde-publishing.com. To be included in the Zoom event, email mchs@redshift.com.

For author interviews: gwchurch@gmail.com or (831) 722-0819

Review copies of the book available on request; to read Chapter 1, go to

vista-verde-publishing.com 

About the book

Today, Monterey Bay is a place of beauty and natural splendor, and is protected by federal law as a national marine sanctuary. It’s hard to believe that in the 1960s, plans called for a major industrial complex to be developed at the midpoint of the bay, starting with a refinery that Humble Oil intended as a linchpin of its West Coast operations.

The building permit sought by the powerful company became the focus of a bitter and protracted conflict that divided the region. Most people in Monterey County wanted the jobs and economic stability that big industry would bring. But a vocal minority fought back hard against the industrialization of the bay. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved the permit, but ultimately Humble would never start construction.

The controversy was one of the first major battles of the modern environmental movement, and garnered state and national attention, including coverage in the New York Times. It was a critical turning point for the Monterey Bay, home to hundreds of species of sea life, marine mammals and birds.

This slice of Central Coast history is examined in detail in the new nonfiction book Humbled: How California’s Monterey Bay Escaped Industrial Ruin, by Glenn Church and Kathryn McKenzie (Vista Verde Publishing, 2020).

Church and McKenzie chronicle the Humble affair, starting with plans in the 1950s designating the tiny fishing village of Moss Landing as an industrial center, through the events of 1965-1966 when Humble applied for a permit to build a refinery. The project was turned aside through a concerted effort by environmentalists, farmers, and other residents who felt a refinery would irreparably damage the region’s air and water quality. It also documents the political wiliness of local politicians who simply outfoxed Humble, one of the world’s biggest corporations. Just how this was accomplished makes a fascinating read that is like a textbook for environmental activism.

The book recalls some of the personalities who wrangled over the issue, such as Monterey County Supervisor Tom Hudson, known for his flamboyant antics and love of back-room deals; State Senator Fred Farr, who rose above personal tragedy to fight for the bay that he loved; and famed photographer Ansel Adams, who became a public and outspoken opponent of Humble Oil.

The book began when Church and McKenzie began reading through notes and papers of the late Warren Church, a former Monterey County Supervisor and Glenn’s father, who played a prominent role in the controversy. That led to more than a year of research that revealed the entire picture of exactly what made Humble turn away from Moss Landing.

Humbled can be ordered from vista-verde-publishing.com, at local bookstores, and from major online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Authors’ bios

Glenn Church and Kathryn McKenzie both grew up in the Monterey Bay area and have a deep love and appreciation for the land and the environment. Church, a farmer and businessman, has written extensively about politics and has been active in environmental and international human rights issues. McKenzie, a Monterey Bay area journalist and environmental writer, has been working for newspapers and magazines for more than 35 years, most recently Voices of Monterey Bay, Health Matters and Edible Monterey Bay.

They have been married since 2017, and make their home in North Monterey County on California’s Central Coast. This is their first book. 

Advance praise for Humbled

 The Humble Oil incident was the most consequential political battle in our area’s modern history, and people need to know how these events saved local agriculture and preserved the natural beauty of the Monterey Bay for generations to come.

                       —  Congressman Sam Farr (Retired)

 A sweeping epic chronicling circumstances and events that would have ruined the ecology of our region, were it not for the concern and vigilance of those who cared.

                      — James Perry, Monterey County Historical Society executive director

 It’s hard to imagine what the Monterey Bay — now a national marine sanctuary — would look like today if locals hadn’t taken a stand against Humble Oil in the 1960s. It was a time before “environmental activism” was a term, but the until-now unsung heroes in this story were prescient enough to see disaster looming if they didn’t take action. Humbled shows how a few determined souls changed the course of history, and it should inspire all of us to keep fighting for environmental justice today.

                      — Julia Reynolds, author of Blood in the Fields: Ten Years Inside California’s Nuestra Familia Gang

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

Goodwill Central Coast Awarded Grant From Santa Cruz County to Help Underserved With Training and Transitioning to Full Employment

 Goodwill Central Coast has been awarded a substantial grant from Santa Cruz County to help in its efforts to find employment for individuals who have identified mental health and/or substance use disorder after they leave the criminal justice system. 

Salinas, CA, October 10, 2020 —  Goodwill Central Coast has ben awarded a substantial grant from Santa Cruz County to help in its efforts to find employment for individuals who have identified mental health and/or substance use disorder after they leave the criminal justice system.

Shelby Mason, Director of Workforce Development Services of Goodwill Central Coast in Santa Cruz County, was informed by the Santa Cruz County Probation Department that Goodwill was awarded the $400,000, 2.5-year grant that would fund a position at Goodwill that would help those individuals in employment training and transitioning to full employment.

“It’s very exciting. It’s going to have a pretty big impact,” said Mason, who has been working with Goodwill employment re-entry programs since she joined Goodwill of Silicon Valley in 2013. “I was excited (to hear of the grant) because working with re-entry is my passion. It’s so rewarding to see success happening every day.”

According to the Santa Cruz County Probation Department, the focus of the grant for the CAFES (Coordinated Access for Empowering Success) program “is on those with first-time and low-level offenses who have traditionally been underserved and who don’t qualify under other programs and initiatives. CAFES will include diversion opportunities; restorative justice engagement; clinical assessment and access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment; assertive case management; housing and stability support; and coordinated staff training for evidence-based practice.”

CAFES includes a Court Case Manager to provide coordination and support for collaborative court participants (Behavioral Health Court, Veterans Court, PACT Court, Re-entry Court). Mason and her staff will work under the day-to-day direction of the Collaborative Court Manager.

 Mason said Sara Jamison of the Probation Department knew of her re-entry work with AB109 and Prop 47 at Goodwill, so when the grant opportunity came up, she informed Mason of the grant and encouraged her to apply for it. 

The grant is coming at an opportune time for Goodwill, because of the coronavirus pandemic, operations have been disrupted and positions have been lost. Mason said the grant is a “foot in the door” to help keep re-entry services alive. 

Ironically, it was Goodwill that put Mason on her career path and into work that was rewarding for her. 

“It’s funny because all through college I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do for my career,” she said. “It was hard for me to find a job and career in 2013. And the interview I had with Goodwill was the hardest I had ever been in. I got to a point where I told the interviewer, ‘Listen, I just need an opportunity.’ I ended up getting the job and helped develop and design the New Opportunity Work Program, a subsidized work program for folks returning from jail or prison. Thanks to Goodwill and someone giving me a chance, I found my passion.” 

Mason was Director of Re-Entry Programs at Goodwill of Silicon Valley from 2013 until 2018 before moving to a similar position with Goodwill Central Coast. A resident of Monterey, where she lives with her partner Katelyn and two children, Mason is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but grew up in the San Jose area. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and just received her MBA from CSU Monterey Bay this summer. 

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.org

New book ‘The Good, the Bad, the Mother-in-Law’ Explores Emotion-packed Family dynamics of Age-Old Relationship

 Not quite family but rarely ever friends, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship has tension built into it from the start. 

Monterey, CA, October 06, 2020 — Not quite family but rarely ever friends, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship has tension built into it from the start. In her book “The Good, the Bad, the Mother-in-Law,” Monterey author Kenis Dunne offers funny, quirky, real-world accounts from this age-old battleground. 

Detailing a collection of stories ranging from dastardly and outlandish to humorous and loving, Dunne covers the mother-in-law journey from engagement and wedding to the pitter-patter of grandchildren. 

Described by one reviewer as “a must-read for mothers and daughters-in-law who wish to learn the value of communication, respect and seeing things from one another’s perspective,” the book blends real life lessons with guest commentary. The book’s themes touch on generational communication, taming the need to control, and pitfalls to avoid. 

Purchase the book directly through the author’s website at www.kenisdunne.com, online through Amazon or through select local bookstores. 

Media Interviews Available : Books Available for Review

Contact Marci Bracco Cain Marci@ChatterboxPublicRelations.com or call (831) 747-7455 

About the author

Kenis Dunne has spent her career working with words, starting as a journalist writing for community newspapers and then moving into various forms of communication for Bay Area high-tech companies, including Cisco and Micron Technology. Along the way, she and her husband raised three children in Los Gatos. She is a mother-in-law twice over, and a grandmother of three. Kenis and her husband Rob now live in Monterey. 

MIL Book Testimonies

"Have you ever wondered if you are the only daughter-in-law with mother-in-law issues? This funny, quirky book is a must read. Daughter-in-law commentators hold nothing back in Mirror Mirror, Mother-In-Law. You will laugh and grimace, and discover you are not alone." —Moryt Milo, former editor of the Silicon Valley Business Journal 

“Solidly entertaining and poignantly sweet, this book had me gasping at the bad mothers-in-law, laughing with the insightful daughters-in-law, and reminiscing about my own late mother-in-law with warmth and affection.” —Cady McCowin, experienced daughter-in-law 

“I loved this book. It is a combination of lessons, humor, and the best and worst mother-in-law examples. The Wisdom from a MIL Virtuoso story reminded me to forgive, forget and lead with love and maybe sometimes you just have to get out of the way.” —Cindy Small, mother-in-law and grandmother of three 

“This is a book that reminds us to communicate, told in straightforward voices. The grandparenting part particularly resonated with me. I don’t know a new grandparent who wouldn’t benefit from reading this, myself included.  What a great wedding shower or new grandparent gift this would make!!” —Maxine Granadino, mother-in-law and grandmother of three 

“These stories range from downright shocking to surprisingly heartwarming. I was sad to see each chapter end. A must-read for mothers and daughters-in-law who wish to learn the value of communication, respect, and seeing things from one another’s perspective.” —Amanda P., daughter-in-law and mother 

“This book is such a fun read!  I most appreciate the “life lessons” after each story.  They suggest a how-to for each scenario which I found to be quite helpful.” —Jennie B., wife, teacher and mother of one 

“An excellent read, filled with fun ah-ha moments for anyone navigating the trials and joys of marriage, family, becoming a DIL or MIL, and all that it entails.” —Kris Penner, mother-in-law and grandmother of six. 

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.kenisdunne.com/

 

 

Mee Memorial Healthcare System to Hold Flu Clinics in King City and Greenfield

 There’s never been a more important time to get a flu shot, so King City’s Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) is hosting free, drive-through flu vaccinations for the community as well as by-appointment (fees may apply) in clinics located in King City and Greenfield. 

King City, CA, October 02, 2020 — There’s never been a more important time to get a flu shot, so King City’s Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) is hosting free, drive-through flu vaccinations for the community as well as by-appointment (fees may apply) in clinics located in King City and Greenfield. 

DRIVE THRU FLU SHOTS

KING CITY 

Mee Memorial Hospital 

Sunday, Oct 18, 300 Canal Street, Main parking lot, King City 

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

GREENFIELD 

Thursday, Oct 29 - Location and time to be announced soon. 

In - clinic flu vaccinations are available by appointment from 2-5 p.m., Fridays, Oct. 2, 16 and 30, as well as Friday, Nov. 13. The King City Clinic is located at 210 Canal St. (831-385-7100). The Albert & Donna Oliveira Greenfield Clinic is at 467 El Camino Real (831-674-0112). Fees may apply. 

It’s likely that flu viruses and the coronavirus will both spread this fall and winter as people begin to move indoors. A flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, but there are many important benefits, such as: 

• Reducing the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and more 

• Saving precious healthcare resources for patients with COVID-19 

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. 

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

https://www.meememorial.com/

     

'From Farms to Incubators' Exhibition honors Women who merge AG and Tech to Solve Modern Problems

 Multimedia exhibition premiers Nov. 12 at National Steinbeck Center 

Salinas, CA, October 01, 2020 - The modern intersection of agriculture and technology has brought to the forefront a diverse generation of women working to overcome rising challenges through new perspectives and solutions. 

A new special exhibition at the Steinbeck Center in Salinas lifts up stories of these innovators to help inspire and encourage young women to consider careers in agtech. 

"From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators in California Agtech" uses multimedia and digital storytelling - including video, documentary and still photography - to honor these groundbreaking pioneers. The exhibition is the brainchild of Amy Wu an award-winning journalist for women’s ag and agtech movement and the creator of “From Farms to Incubators.” 

“My passion to unearth underreported stories and amplify new voices is what led me to highlight the stories of emerging communities in agriculture,” says Wu. “Ultimately, I hope the exhibition, film series and book serves as vehicles to inspire youth – especially those from rural or underserved communities - to consider that agriculture extends far beyond tractors and overalls and it is a sector that offers an amazing range of opportunities that involve innovation.” 

Michele Speich the Executive Director National Steinbeck Center says: 

“Women for centuries have played a vital role in farm operations across the country and globally. We are thrilled that Amy Wu has chosen to tell the stories of minority women entrepreneurs in Agtech in the Salinas Valley and beyond in a book and in an exhibition at the National Steinbeck Center,” says Speich. 

Presented by the group From Farms to Incubators, the exhibition kicks off Thursday, Nov. 12 with a virtual opening event from 4-6 p.m. PACIFIC TIME, with viewing available through Jan. 12. 

The virtual opening will include special speakers including California Senator Anna Caballero, Dennis Donohue the head of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology and Karen Caplan the president and CEO of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, a panel discussion led by leading women innovators in ag and agtech, and a sneak preview of the exhibition and films. 

Attendees have the opportunity to win prizes, including a copy of the forthcoming book "From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators in California Agtech," telling the stories of women entrepreneurs who use technology to help solve problems ranging from climate change and limited water to uncertainties in immigration policy.  The book will be published in April 2021 under Linden Publishing's Craven Street Books division, specializing in titles on California and the history of the western United States. 

Many of those portrayed are women of color who come from diverse backgrounds, the first in their families to complete higher education. What drew them into the nascent but fast-growing sector of agtech? What caused them to uproot themselves to pursue a start-up dream in an industry that continues to be dominated by men? How are they getting their innovation into the hands of growers? 

The exhibition and the book attempt to answer these questions and create awareness of women leaders and entrepreneurs. 

The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., is dedicated to Steinbeck's creative legacy: to participate, to inspire, to educate, and to understand one another. Find out more at www.steinbeck.org. 

“From Farms to Incubators” is a multimedia platform that uses digital storytelling to increase awareness of women leaders and entrepreneurs and their contribution using technology through the agriculture sector, and encourage women to pursue careers in agtech. Find out more at www.farmstoincubators.com 

For more information email Amy Wu at amy@farmstoincubators.com  or call 914-771-1275.

 

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.farmstoincubators.com