Artichoke Festival postpones event to Aug. 8-9 to comply with health and safety recommendations

The Artichoke Festival’s mission has always centered around connecting people through a unique, family-oriented celebration, while giving back to the communities it serves.

Monterey, CA, March 29, 2020 - The Artichoke Festival’s mission has always centered around connecting people through a unique, family-oriented celebration, while giving back to the communities it serves.

In these uncertain days, however, the idea of connecting people takes on new meaning. In light of the current crisis surrounding COVID-19, and in the interest of public health and safety, the Artichoke Festival has moved our annual summer celebration from May 30-31 to Aug. 8-9, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds & Event Center in Monterey.

The Artichoke Festival will honor any tickets purchased by patrons for the May event, and prices and ticket packages will remain the same for new guests.

Held continuously since 1959, the festival celebrates the harvest of California’s state vegetable and the region that has become known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” Over the years, the festival became a primary source of funding for local nonprofits that depend upon a successful event for their viability.

The festival has added Donate Now buttons to its website at www.artichokefestival.org, with 100 percent of all donations given to the following charity partners: Monterey County Food Bank; Manzanita Youth Playground; Monterey County PAL; Meals on Wheels Salinas; and Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc.

Moving forward, the Artichoke Festival will continue to follow recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with local health agencies, in planning the Aug. 8-9 event.

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

Max’s Helping Paws Foundation Launches Special Fund to Aid Pet Owners Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Though we’re all required to stay home, and activity has all but disappeared, community spirit and support has shown no signs of slowing down.

Monterey, CA, March 27, 2020 - Though we’re all required to stay home, and activity has all but disappeared, community spirit and support has shown no signs of slowing down. Max’s Helping Paws Foundation would like all of its friends and neighbors to know that — given Monterey County families and their pets need help during these trying times — the nonprofit continues in its ongoing mission to help pay for necessary treatments for pets in crisis.

“Max’s Helping Paws will continue to serve pet owners facing extreme financial hardship with a pet in a health crisis in this community, just as we always have,” said founder Dyana Klein, who co-founded Max’s Helping Paws with her husband, Dr. Jonathan Fradkin, a veterinary internist following the death of her 14-year-old Miniature Pinscher Max.

Toward that end, the nonprofit has created “Chestnut’s Crisis Fund” to help pet owners experiencing severe and immediate personal financial loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will run in tandem with the foundation’s regular financial support program, which remains unchanged. “We believe that, because of loss of employment, virtually overnight the pool of community members who will be in need of financial assistance to help keep their companion pet from suffering has multiplied,” Klein said. “This provides an additional resource to help those who, just a few short days ago, might not have needed support, but suddenly must decide between getting essential treatment for their pet or feeding their family.”

Under the Chestnut’s Fund program, Max’s will pay up to 75 percent up to a maximum of $2,500 for those impacted financially by COVID-19. The fund will operate as funds are available, during a critical time when businesses are shut down and jobs are lost. As with all MHPF programs, pet owners must apply through their treating veterinary practice.

During this time, Max’s also wants to shine a light on its veterinary partners, key components in the process. Still open for business during COVID-19 these practices stand ready to treat pets during this crisis. Many have special protocols in place regarding client interaction, pet care, sanitation and payment options. A complete list of Max’s veterinary partners, including contact information, hours and restrictions in treatments can be found HERE.

Believing financial circumstances should never decide a companion pet’s fate, Max’s relies on the generosity of the community to fund its mission. Donations are accepted through the nonprofit’s website www.maxshelpingpaws.org.

About Max’s Helping Paws
Financial circumstances 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. Through the years the foundation has assisted more than 200 Monterey County families in financial hardship by approving more than $170,000 in treatments for pets in crisis.

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

Lifelong Advocate for Children Everett Sivils named Newest Board Member for Partnership for Children

Growing up in Louisville, Ky., in the 1960s and ’70s, Everett Sivils faced poverty and prejudice each day with a sense of hope.

Salinas, CA, March 29, 2020 - Growing up in Louisville, Ky., in the 1960s and ’70s, Everett Sivils faced poverty and prejudice each day with a sense of hope.

“I was one of those kids that people never gave up on,” said Sivils, who has worked most of his adult life giving back to kids all over Monterey County.

Continuing in that theme, Sivils has become the latest board member for Partnership for Children, the Salinas-based nonprofit that supports families with children experiencing serious illness.

“I remember many times I couldn’t go to the doctor,” said Sivils, 55. “You would have to try to get a ride from someone in the neighborhood. People die when they don’t have accessibility to health care. The partnership provides some hope, versus no hope.”

Partnership for Children has provided transportation to medical care and family support services for children with life-threatening conditions since 2007. Its transportation and financial assistance programs increase access to compassionate care for children living in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

Jennifer Ramirez founded Partnership for Children as its own independent nonprofit, and is responsible for the vision, strategy and delivery of its services. As executive director, her passion for improving children’s access to medical care was born out of her personal experiences with her daughter, who has complex medical conditions. Jennifer became director in 2011 when PFC was a program of Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition.

Sivils first met Jennifer while serving on the board of Community Action Partnership, helping low income individuals become self-sufficient. He invited her to speak to members of the Monterey Pacific Rotary Club, where he served as president.

“The work is so critical,” said Sivils, who has spent the past 22 years as a behavioral specialist for Monterey County Office of Education, working with special education students (elementary to high school).

“When I was a kid I was bussed to suburban schools, and I remember all the riots and the derogatory signs directed to black folks,” he said. “One day they sent us to the auditorium, and a teacher said: ‘We all don’t feel the same way.’ Something inside me bubbled. It felt really good. People didn’t give up on me, so who am to give up on anyone? I couldn’t, so I turned it into my life’s purpose.”

Sivils served in the U.S. Army, arriving at Fort Ord in 1988. He and his wife Cardis Cruz-Sivils settled on the Monterey Peninsula with their daughter Domineque, who sadly passed away in May of last year.

About Partnership for Children
Partnership for Children (PFC) is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access to care for kids with life-threatening conditions and supporting their families. Partnership for Children's transportation and financial assistance programs increase access to compassionate care for children on the Central Coast. For more information visit www.partnershipforkids.org.

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

2020 Monterey County Fair Coloring Contest

Three Grand-Prize Winners Will Receive a $25 Fair Gift Card Valid for Fair Tickets

Monterey, CA, March 29, 2020 — Win tickets to the 2020 Monterey County Fair by entering the Fair’s Coloring Contest. The deadline for entry is Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.

Grand-Prize winners in each age group will receive a $25 Fair Gift Card valid for fair admission tickets. Redeem card at the fair office. Ten runners-up winners in each category will be given participation ribbons.

The three age categories are:

1. Up to 6 years old

2. 7 to 9 years old

3. 10 to 12 years old

Send your entry along with a self-addressed envelope — just in case you are one of the lucky grand prize winners or one of the 40 runner-up winners!

Deadline for entries is Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Runner-up winners will be sent ribbons in the mail. Grand-prize winners will be contacted by phone. Entries cannot be returned.

All entries will be displayed in the Junior Art building during the 84th annual Fair, Thursday, Sept. 3-Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. No purchase necessary. Employees and the immediate families of Monterey County Fair are not eligible to enter. Prize is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash, goods or services.

Entry to this contest constitutes the winner’s agreement for use of their name for publicity by any of the co-promotional partners. Winner is responsible for any applicable taxes.

Mail your drawing with your name, age, phone number and address to: Monterey County Fair ”Fiesta” Coloring Contest, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940.

Entry form and blank drawing to color can be found at: https://montereycountyfair.com/pdf/2020/2020-coloring-contest.pdf

In addition, the Monterey County Fair has available copies of the Monterey County Fair Coloring Book, which was inspired by Jo Mora’s children’s book “Chippie de Munk The Great Inventor.” Famed artist, author and illustrator Mora’s illustrations have been featuring in a number of Fair posters, including this year’s “Fiesta” theme poster.

If you’re interested in purchasing the book we will send for FREE while supplies last, they can be shipped to you by emailing info@montereycountyfair.com with your shipping information.

The Fair will be held Thursday, Sept. 3-Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. The Fair’s theme this year is “Fiesta.”

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

Acclaimed Percussionist Sheila E. One of Headline Acts to Perform at 2020 Monterey County Fair, Sept. 3-7

Chart-topping percussionist Sheila E, best known for playing with Prince and the hit single “The Glamorous Life,” will be one of the headliners at the 84th annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Sept. 3-7, 2020, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Monterey, CA, March 29, 2020 — Chart-topping percussionist Sheila E, best known for playing with Prince and the hit single “The Glamorous Life,” will be one of the headliners at the 84th annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Sept. 3-7, 2020, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.

Sheila E. will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 on the Payton Stage at the Fair. All live music is free with fair admission. A full schedule of entertainment will be released early this summer.

While she is best known for her stints with Prince — she recorded, toured, served as an opening act and even appeared in his films — she was a hit artist in her own right, releasing the hit single "The Glamorous Life" in 1984. The song hit #7 on the charts, topped the dance charts, received nominations for three MTV Video Awards and two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance Female.

Her others hits include "The Belle of St. Mark," "Sister Fate," and "A Love Bizarre," which became one of her signature songs. Because of her drumming talents, she’s often referred to as “The Queen of Percussion.”

In addition to Prince, she has performed and recorded with artists such as George Duke, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross.

Sheila E. comes from a musical family: her father Pete Escovedo is an acclaimed Latin jazz percussionist; another Latin jazz legend, Tito Puente is her godfather; one of her uncles, percussionist Coke Escovedo performed with Santana and founded the Latin rock band Azteca; another uncle is acclaimed Texas singer-songwriter and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo; two other uncles include Javier Escovedo, founder of seminal San Diego punk act The Zeros, and Mario Escovedo, front man for long-running indie rockers The Dragons.

She performed with Usher in January 2020, at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in a tribute to Prince.

The Monterey County Fair will run from Thursday, Sept. 3-Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, in Monterey. The theme of the 2020 fair is “Fiesta.”

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

Do you have Talent? Local Performers Sought for 84th Annual Monterey County Fair, Sept. 3-7, 2020

Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents!

Monterey, CA, March 29, 2020 — Attention Monterey County! Show off your talents! Local performers and those who wish to showcase their talents for free are being sought to appear on the Community Stage at the 84th Annual Monterey County Fair, which will be held Sept. 3-7, 2020.

Are you a dancer, musician, singer, kickboxer, gymnast or other type of performer? Come on out and dazzle Monterey County at the upcoming Monterey County Fair! This year's theme is “Fiesta.”

Interested individuals and organizations are invited to apply online no later than June 26, 2020, at www.montereycountyfair.com . There you will find a “Community Act Performance Request Form” to fill out with your pertinent data, type of group, equipment needed, when you would like to perform, etc.

The schedule of performances is determined on a first-come, first-served basis with the deadline for receiving request forms by either fax, email or postal mail no later than June 26. The fair cannot guarantee the times requested, but will make every effort to fill your request.

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

Monterey Symphony Announces Concert #4, March 14-15, 2020, In Its 2019-2020 Season, Ovation

The Monterey Symphony continues a season of orchestral “greatest hits” under the baton of Burning Man and Bay Area guest conductor for its March concerts.

Monterey, CA, March 27, 2020 — The Monterey Symphony continues a season of orchestral “greatest hits” under the baton of Burning Man and Bay Area guest conductor for its March concerts.

The Monterey Symphony’s March performances are Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at Sunset Center in Carmel. A pre-concert lecture is held one hour prior to the performance each day.

Guest conductor Brad Hogarth joins us for the very first time from the Bay Area where he is the Assistant Professor of Conducting at San Francisco State University, the music director and conductor of both the Contra Costa Wind Symphony and the Art Haus Collective. In August 2017, Brad conducted the Art Haus Collective’s ballet production of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at the Burning Man in 2017. An estimated 10,000 people were in attendance and photos from the event were featured in USA Today, Business Insider, as well as the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. Brad has also recently guest conducted a few of Grammy winning composer Mason Bates' Mercury Soul projects, the San Francisco Civic Symphony, the Diablo Symphony Orchestra, the ECHO Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Wind Ensemble, the Oakland Municipal Band, and regularly conducts various professions, educational, and community events all over the Bay Area.

Tchaikovsky’s 3rd Symphony, “Polish,” opens the program. This symphony is unique in that it is his only Symphony both in a major key, and containing five movements. Various instruments are showcased in this iconic work, including a lovely flute solo in the third movement.

The second half of the program contains Shostakovich’s 15th Symphony, written in 1971 and premiered in Moscow, which is full of references to other composer’s works. Shostakovich tips his hat to Rossini and Glinka, as well as featuring the “Fate” motif from Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

“The wealth of this (Russian) tradition has made a giant contribution to the history of music,” said Max Bragado-Darman, Monterey Symphony Music Director.

Prior to each concert is a pop-up art exhibit featuring portraits by local photographer Randy Tunnell. Facing Faith is a study of 20 local faith leaders taken over a six month period. The subjects of Tunnell’s works come from various religious backgrounds, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Greek Orthodox and more. Prints for this exhibit were sponsored by Pépe International. The exhibit will be available for viewing in the Sunset Center Lobby on Saturday night before the concert and during intermission and on Sunday before the concert.

For more information on the March concerts, the Facing Faith exhibit or to buy tickets, please visit www.montereysymphony.org or call 831-646-8511.

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