Yeast of Eden Welcomes their New Executive Chef Steven Patlan

Our new chef Steven Patlan will be rolling out his new menu on March 1st and we would like to introduce him to the community! Additional food photos available.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, March 13, 2020 - Yeast of Eden welcomes their new Executive Chef Steven Patlan, kicking off 2020 with an exciting new menu and specials rolling out March 1st. At age 10 on a kitchen stool next to his mother, Steven discovered that he was always going to cook, and has gained a wealth of culinary knowledge and experience since then. He attended culinary school at the Institute of Technology in Clovis before moving to Las Vegas, sharpening his skills under Alex Strata at Marche Bacchus, and joining the banquet team at Silverton Casino preparing specialty dinners on a private yacht. Following Las Vegas, Steven returned to California as sous chef at Solaire Restaurant in the Hotel Paradox alongside Executive Chef, Ross McKee. In 2012, the Monterey Peninsula beckoned him home to The Inn at Spanish Bay with Executive Chef Todd Fischer, Quail Lodge & Golf Club, the Sardine Factory, Ventana Inn Big Sur, and recently as the Executive Chef at Wild Fish in Pacific Grove.

Steven’s goal at Yeast of Eden is to curate a locally sourced menu from a collection of flavors, spices, and fresh ingredients that inspire him. He is intrigued by global culinary destinations that utilize unique ingredients, flavors, and spices including Jerusalem, Turkey, Morocco, and Cambodia. Steven has a passion for pickling and fermenting which will be frequently incorporated into his dishes. He also plans to work closely with head brewer Andrew Rose to synchronize the beer and food offerings by creating dishes that both compliment and utilize beer as an ingredient in their preparation. Steven wants to establish close relationships and source ingredients from local farmers and fishermen, bringing more seafood and fresh, local produce onto the menu. He is an advocate of locally sourced, aquarium approved, and sustainably farmed products and enjoys participating in community events like Meals on Wheels, Rancho Cielo, and the Prevedelli Farm Dinner in Watsonville each September.

In addition to the new menu rolling out on March 1st, Chef Steven will be frequently offering locally sourced specials in our dining room, bar, and dog-friendly courtyard terrace at Carmel Plaza in downtown Carmel. Hours are 11:30am-9:00pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:30am-10:00pm on Friday and Saturdays.

Contact:
Wendy Walker
Yeast of Eden
General Manager
831.293.8621
Mission St & Ocean Avenue, Suite 112 Carmel Plaza
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Descriptions for dish pictured:

Five Spiced Smoked Duck Breast
forbidden black rice with coconut milk | cauliflower | watercress | fermented cabbage with crispy chili relish | hot pepper chili oil

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

Mission Days Event to be Held at Mission San Antonio on April 4, 2020

Come to the pristine Valley of the Oaks and enjoy a step backward in time to the mission era.

San Antonio, CA, March 10, 2020 - Come to the pristine Valley of the Oaks and enjoy a step backward in time to the mission era. Attend Mission San Antonio’s annual Mission Days event on Saturday April 4, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking and Admission is $10/car. Authentic mission era food will be offered for $10/plate with water and soft drinks also available.

There will be historical re-enactors in costume portraying soldiers, artisans, a vaquero on horseback, musicians and dancers. Mission crafts and activities will be demonstrated, including weaving, blacksmithing, candle making, tortilla making, and much more. Members of Los Arribeños de San Francisco will be performing historical Californio music and dance from the Mission period. Artists will be present to display and offer for sale their original artwork.

Mission San Antonio de Padua, the third oldest Spanish mission in California, was founded by Junipero Serra in 1771. The Mission is a state historical landmark and is on the national register of historic places. The Mission remains an active Catholic parish and retreat center. Mission San Antonio is surrounded by Fort Hunter Liggett, and is conveniently reached by publicly accessible roads. The Mission is located off Jolon Road, at 1 Mission Road, Jolon, CA 93928. For more information visit our website at www.missionsanantonio.net or call 831-385-4478 ext.17.

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

On March 25, Goodwill Central Coast will team up with The ALS Association Golden West Chapter to raise Money, Awareness

On Wednesday, March 25, every Goodwill Central Coast store location will donate and match (up to $1,000 total) all round-up dollar proceeds.

Agoura Hills, CA, March 10, 2020 - Although the past few years have seen exciting research advancements, there is still no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

To help further this important cause, Goodwill Central Coast will team up with The ALS Association Golden West Chapter to raise both funds and awareness.

On Wednesday, March 25, every Goodwill Central Coast store location will donate and match (up to $1,000 total) all round-up dollar proceeds. Money raised will benefit the Golden West Chapter's Walk to Defeat ALS, with upcoming local events on Saturday, April 4 in San Luis Obispo and Saturday, October 3 in Monterey. These annual community outreach events are critical awareness and fundraising components that fuel the Chapter’s efforts in research, care services, and public policy initiatives to benefit the ALS community of the Central Coast.

On Wednesday, March 25, The ALS Association Golden West Chapter will have representatives at the Capitola, Salinas and San Luis Obispo Higuera locations from 5-7 p.m. For more information about ALS or how you can get involved, visit www.alsagoldenwest.org, or email info@alsagoldenwest.org. You can also sign up or donate to the Walk to Defeat ALS at walks.alsagoldenwest.org.

About Goodwill Central Coast
Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit 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 more than 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 9,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work.

About The ALS Association Golden West Chapter
The mission of The ALS Association is to discover treatments and cures for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. Our vision is to create a world without ALS. The Golden West Chapter serves people with ALS and their families in 31 counties throughout California and in the state of Hawaii. Everything we do advances the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. For more information about ALS and The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, please visit our website at www.alsagoldenwest.org or email us at info@alsagoldenwest.org. You can also find us across social media channels at @alsagoldenwest.

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

VNA Accredited for its Home Care, Hospice Services and Certified for Palliative Care by National Standards-Setting Organization

VNA has received The Gold Seal of Approval® accreditation for home care and hospice services

Monterey, CA, March 09, 2020 — VNA has received The Gold Seal of Approval® accreditation for home care and hospice services as well as certification for palliative care by the independent, nonprofit Joint Commission by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards..

CCVNA President and CEO Dwight Wilson made the announcement after receiving the Gold Seal of Approval accreditation and certification letters from Joint Commission Chief Operating Officer Mark G. Pelletier.

The Joint Commission, the oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, accredits and certifies more than 22,000 organizations and programs in the United States.

“The Joint Commission accreditation and certification means our organization complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and is committed to continually improving patient care,” said Wilson. “The success of the VNA programs are a result of the outstanding care everyone within the agency makes happen every day.”

For more information, please visit https://ccvna.com/ or The Joint Commission website.

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

VNA Names Salinas Resident Mary Ann Franscioni to New Position of Associate Director of Wellness Services

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) & Hospice has announced the appointment of Mary Ann Franscioni as Associate Director of Wellness Services.

Monterey, CA, March 05, 2020 — The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) & Hospice has announced the appointment of Mary Ann Franscioni as Associate Director of Wellness Services.

Franscioni has worked for VNA as a part-time Workplace Wellness Specialist since 2017. She was recruited for the new position by Andrea Zoodsma, Director of VNA Community Services. Franscioni describes her job in terms of community awareness: “I will be getting the word out about VNA programs and why they matter. Her intent is “to expand the program with existing clients and bring wellness to new corporate clients.”

Franscioni said she’s excited about the challenges ahead, and the opportunity to focus on outreach to the community with existing programs and introduction of new programs such as Kitchen Talks, in which she visits organizations to teach healthy cooking and nutrition. CPR certification classes are also a new addition to the list of wellness services VNA brings to the community. Supporting the work of The Blue Zone Project is an exciting prospect for the coming year.

“I’m motivated differently now,” she said, reflecting on her 25-year career as a teacher in the Washington Union School District. She said her interest in health and nutrition began with elementary school students and now has “grown and evolved” to include adults, especially the agricultural workforce, and their families. “It’s a different challenge now.”

Franscioni holds a BA from The Catholic University of America, an MA in Curriculum Development from Chapman University and, most recently, an MS in Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Originally from New York City, she has been a Monterey County resident since she moved to California in 1987.

About VNA & Hospice
Since 1951, the not-for-profit VNA has provided a wide range of home health care, serving Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and South Santa Clara counties. VNA places an emphasis on individual patient needs and goals, providing care in an ethical, effective, compassionate and fiscally responsible manner.

VNA Community Services brings wellness to our community. Well known as the community immunizers; experienced, professional registered nurses provide on- site flu and vaccine services.

As the only travel health clinic, VNA provides comprehensive consultation and immunizations for international travelers. Health screenings and education are offered to corporate business, in the field or in the board room. Nurses provide services to local schools to meet state-mandated screenings, vaccines and staff education.

VNA provides intermittent care, covered primarily by insurance, through the expert skills of our trained and certified clinicians, to assist patients, families, and caregivers in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. The home health division offers key specialty program, including cardiac, connections, diabetic, orthopedic, and palliative care. These individual programs have advanced practice clinicians and program expertise.

VNA Hospice is specialized type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their caregiver. The care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. A key component to the team is VNA Volunteers who give their time to improve the lives of others. For the community, grief and loss support are offered to individuals or groups.

VNA & Hospice
PO Box 2480
Monterey, CA 93942-2480
Phone:831-372-6668
Fax: 831-648-7726
Email: vnainfo@ccvna.com
https://ccvna.com/

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

Gil Basketball Academy Celebrates the Women of Basketball Meet Gabby Godinez

Gabriela “Gabby” Godinez, 18, has been playing basketball since she was 10 years old, and would do so after graduating high school this summer if they were more opportunities afforded her.

Salinas, CA, March 04, 2020 - A senior at Alisal High School, she has been playing organized basketball since the eighth grade and currently plays both basketball and tennis at Alisal, as well as after-school basketball at the Gil Basketball Academy run by Jose Gil, who is also Alisal’s athletic director.

Gabby hopes to attend Sacramento State in the fall, but doesn’t expect to play basketball for the college. At 5-foot-71/2 inches, Gabby plays either strong forward or center and has a strong defensive game.

She says playing basketball has taught her discipline, teamwork, communication, leadership, and, now that she’s older, becoming a role model and helping the younger girls.

“I like helping out with kids, help them become better,” she says. “I even asked my coach how I could become an assistant coach.”

She says she cried when Alisal’s regular season ended because she knew that would most likely be one of the last times she would play with her teammates.

“I really liked interacting with my teammates, it’s like a family. We’ve been together for three years.”

In the future, while she may not play as much basketball as she has during her school years, she hopes she may still be involved in the sport as a coach, to teach and encourage younger girl players.

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

Gil Basketball Academy Celebrates the Women of Basketball Meet Mikaela Arista

In addition to her school work, basketball is everything for 17-year-old Mikaela Arista.

Salinas, CA, March 03, 2020 - It’s everything to me, it’s my passion in my life,” says the Alisal High School junior. “It’s been a huge support system for me and has helped me in all aspects of my life.”

Mikael started playing basketball when she was only 5 years old, encouraged by her basketball-loving parents. She’s been playing with the Gil Basketball Academy since the second grade and made the Alisal varsity team as a freshman.

She says GBA taught her all the fundamentals of the game, but also helped her develop her basketball IQ — the game play, strategy and other aspects beyond passing and dribbling.

Playing basketball also helped her develop life skills, confidence, communication, the importance of discipline and teamwork.

“It really helped me succeed in school and do well socially,” says Mikaela, who won the Alisal team MVP award as both a freshman and sophomore.

She hopes to continue playing basketball after high school and hopes her high level of play her senior year will draw the attention of some college coaches.

“That’s the goal right now, to expose myself to schools and open up opportunities after high school,” she says, adding, to keep honing her skills, “I try to get on court as much as I can.”

At 5-foot-8-inches tall, she plays small forward on her teams and considers herself an offensive force as well as a good defender. She also plays tennis and swims competitively at Alisal.

“I consider myself a versatile player, I do a little bit of everything,” she says. She likes the excitement of being on the basketball court, working as a team and the intensity of the game.

In college she hopes to study biology and other sciences with the goal of becoming a physician’s assistant and perhaps one day, after her playing days are over, to come back to the community as a coach.

“I’ve spent so many years playing basketball, I don’t know where I’d be without it.”

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