Great books!
Anne Baber: Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-how for Business And Career Success
Diane Diresta: Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz
David Allen: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Seth Godin: The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
Great sites!
- Morrigan Media Photography
- Contact Lenses Online
- All Sites Directory
- www.healthierhappierlife.com
- My Facebook Site!
- June Sobel, Great Children's Author!
- Piper Pride!
- National Piping Centre
- Planet Pipe!
- June Sobel
- Pebble Beach Bagpiper
- Visual Chronicles and Journal Revolution
- Wildform
- Elegant Child
- Suzi Finer
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May 25, 2012
May 24, 2012
Frank Thomas, The "Big Hurt" to Debut His National Beer at 2012 Monterey Beer Fest
This is very exciting for Monterey...but especially for all of us "Big Hurt" fans! Looks like a great event! See you out there!
2012 Monterey Beer Festival Announces Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas Will Emcee and Debut His National Beer Brand Big Hurt Beer
The 2012 Monterey Beer Festival will be celebrating 11 years of great beer and be held on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Monterey County Fairgrounds located at 2004 Fairgrounds Road in Monterey.
The Festival recently announced that Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas, two-time American League MVP, .301 Career Average, 521 Home Runs, 1704 RBI will be the emcee of the 2012 Monterey Beer Festival. Thomas will not only be the Emcee but will be debuting his national beer brand call Big Hurt Beer (BHB). Festival attendees will be among the first to taste Big Hurt Beers. Big Hurt Beer — like its bat-wielding inspiration —promises to be a hard-hitting presence at the Monterey Beer Festival.
“I’m very picky when it comes to beer,” said Thomas, who described the brew as light and crisp. “It’s a very good-tasting beer.”
In addition to meeting Emcee Frank Thomas and tasting the debut of Big Hurt Beer attendees will:
·Sample varied styles of Ales, Lagers & Ciders from over eighty (80+) breweries with hundreds of beers to taste. On hand will be the best of beer from around the world, including America, Belgium, Germany, England, France, Australia, Thailand, Italy, Asia, Ireland, Russia, Mexico, Jamaica & California.
· What's beer without good food? Local food vendors from throughout the area will have booths at the Monterey Beer Festival. Whether you want Thai noodles, Korean or Southern barbecue, California cuisine, Cajun food, fried fish or just a plain old-fashioned bratwurst, there's a booth to feed your need.
· Live bands play throughout the day. Listen to "Tribute to Rock" Bands to perform including PETTY THEFT "Tom Petty & the Heart Breakers", Powerage "AC/DC" and Zoo Station "U2".
Ticket Prices:
· $40 - Main Event Ticket (Includes all your Beer for the Main Event).*Main Event is from 12:30pm to 5pm
· $60 - VIP Event Ticket (Includes all your beer for the One-Hour Special. Tasting before the Main Event and Beer. Snacks* during the One Hour VIP Session.) VIP Ticket also includes Early Admission into the Main Event. *VIP Tasting is from 11:30am to 12:30pm *Beer Snacks are meats, cheeses & crackers, chips, pretzels and nuts.
· A limited number of tickets are available for both the VIP Event & the Main Event, so get your tickets early*(7 oz. Recyclable Cups provided by the Monterey Beer Fest for your Tasting). · Only people certifiably over the age of 21 will be admitted this year - no exceptions.
Tickets can be purchased online (VIP tickets available online only) at http://www.nightthatneverends.com/brew_with_a_view.html or at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. If the event is not sold out, Tickets may be available the day of the event at: Monterey Fairgrounds, Gate 5 starting at 10am.
The 2012 Monterey Beer Festival is sponsored by Post No Bills, BevMo! and The Beer Geek.
Looking for a great place to stay while in Monterey? The Portola Hotel in downtown Monterey has a Special Rate of $149 a night for attendees of the Monterey Beer Festival. https://booking.ihotelier.com/istay/istay.jsp?hotelid=5085&prodid=314193&killcookie=1&languageid=1 For more information go to www.nightthatneverends.com/brew_with_a_view.html or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monterey-Beer-Festival-SHort-Pour-Film-Fest/461233245071. Press contact: Marci Bracco at (831) 747-7451.
May 22, 2012
Check out Andrew Loog Oldham's evening radio program on Sirius XM Radio
Anyone who loves the BEST music from the 60's...you will want to check out the outstanding radio program skillfully hosted by Andrew Loog Oldham, former manager of the Stones and Beatles, on Sirius XM Radio.His show is heard on the Underground Garage channel from 9 pm - Midnight nightly. He includes great musician tidbits and news filtered through his dry sense of humor plus shares terrific stories about the Beatles, Stones and much much more.
Free 7-da7 preview of all of the Sirius XM 140 stations at
http://www.siriusxm.com/freetrial
May 21, 2012
Jerrod Niemann to perform on Opening Day of the Monterey County Fair
COUNTRY STAR JERROD NIEMANN TO PERFORM
AT THE 76TH ANNUAL MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR
ON OPENING NIGHT, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012
May 21 2012. Monterey, CA. The Monterey County Fair is pleased to announce that country star, Jerrod Niemann, will be performing on Opening Night, Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the Monterey County Fair! The concert is free with paid admission and will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the Payton Garden Stage.
Academy of Country Music nominated country music artist Jerrod Niemann (Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville) grew up in Liberal, Kansas and experienced groundbreaking mainstream success with the release of his debut album, Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury. The critically-acclaimed release features No. 1 smash and platinum-selling hit “Lover, Lover,” Top 5 ballad “What Do You Want,” and latest Top 15 barroom anthem, “One More Drinkin’ Song.” His attention-grabbing lyrics, up-tempo cuts, heartache balladry and wicked wordplay all come together on the album with short comedic interludes to create a unique, progressive voyage into utterly unique territory in the country music landscape. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship and authenticity in his songwriting, Niemann draws from his own personal experiences in his songwriting and is also known for penning hits for Garth Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Julie Roberts and Blake Shelton. Currently, Jerrod is out on the road bringing his innovative, fun-filled show to fans across the nation while promoting his newly-released radio single, “Shinin’ On Me,” that is swiftly climbing up the Country Billboard chart. For more information on Jerrod Niemann, visit www.JerrodNiemannOfficial.com.
The Monterey County Fairgrounds is a premiere event center set on 22 oak-studded acres with ample parking. It is a state-owned multi-use facility that features 4 large banquet rooms, 3 smaller meeting rooms, 2 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. The Monterey County Fair is the 7th District Agricultural Association of the State of California and was recently featured on California’s Golden Fairs with Huell Howser that aired nationally on PBS Television.
The Monterey County Fair is the 7th District Agricultural Association of the State of California. The 2012 “Very Berry Extraordinary” Monterey County Fair will be held on August 29-September 3, 2012. For more information, to book an event or to become a sponsor of the 2012 Monterey County Fair, contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, by calling (831) 372-5863 or www.montereycountyfair.com.
May 18, 2012
Paolo Manca of PM Landscaping Featured in Off 68 Newspaper Today!
Paolo Manca sits at his desk at P.M. Landscaping Service. ROBERT WALCH/FOR OFF 68
Written by
Robert Walch
For Off 68
P.M. Landscaping Service, 437 Figueroa St., Suite 104, Monterey. Phone: 831-324-0637 (office) or 831-277-4280 (cell). Online: www.pmlandscapingmonterey.com.
When Paolo Manca started his Monterey landscaping business, he says, he knew exactly what he was doing. It was the second time in just a matter of years that he had launched such a firm.
The big difference between the two enterprises was that Manca had learned his trade and operated his first landscaping venture halfway around the world off the coast of Italy, on the island of Sardinia.
Speaking with a soft Italian accent, Manca explained that he got into gardening when he was in his teens. His mother was involved in property management and vacation rentals. During the summers, Manca worked for the maintenance companies that took care of vacation homes on the island.
After three years of learning the business and working for others, Manca opened his own landscaping firm. From maintenance, he expanded to landscaping design so he could provide a wide range of services for his clients, from simple maintenance to makeovers and the landscaping of new homes.
When Manca lived on the island, his hometown of San Teodoro had a year-round population of about 2,500 people, but with 12,000 vacation homes, the area was transformed during the summer months.
This meant that Manca was extremely busy during the vacation season and then business "tanked" the rest of the year.
"The vacation homeowners didn't care too much how their property looked in the off-season when they weren't here," he said.
Having met a person from Monterey who was working on the island and who told him that he should consider relocating to California, Manca decided that he would check out the Central Coast to see
if a move would be feasible.
Not only did he want to find a place where there would be a steady flow of business versus the "feast or famine" scenario he was living with, but housing had also become a problem.
"I realized that housing was so expensive in my village that I probably would not be able to afford a nice home and would have to keep renting," he said.
In 2006, Manca decided to visit Monterey, meet members of the Italian community and see what the area was like. While here, Manca also connected with a local landscaper and worked with him on a few small jobs.
Not only did he like the area, but Manca also met Angela Favoloro, the young woman who eventually became his wife.
Deciding that he was definitely ready for a move and Monterey definitely had possibilities, Manca decided to stay. He began studying to apply for his California contractor's license while working for local landscapers.
Early in 2008, after he had his license, Manca started P.M. Landscaping Service. He had just a small pickup and began by doing yard maintenance for his neighbors.
"Little by little, the business grew," he said. "People would see me working on a lawn in their neighborhood and they liked what they saw. Then they'd ask me to work for them."
Just as he did in Sardinia, Manca let his reputation bring in new clients. For two years, while he was growing the business, he worked out of his home. The fact that Angela had a job got the couple over the rough start-up period.
As P.M. Landscaping Service grew, its owner was able to move to an office on Figueroa Street in Monterey. The key to Manca's early success came not only from doing good work, but keeping his prices competitive at a time when the economy was faltering.
"I was willing to break even and plow what I made back into the business to grow," he said. "I wanted to show people what I could do and then let word of mouth take it from there."
Now handling both residential and commercial accounts, Manca said that when he started, he didn't have the right equipment to tackle the commercial jobs. But now P.M. Landscaping Service's yard in Sand City is filled with all the landscaping equipment he needs.
In fact, Manca recently took ownership of his 11th truck and employs a staff of 14.
Manca estimates that 30 percent of his business is commercial and the rest is residential. He has about 250 regular maintenance accounts and the rest of the business is devoted to new landscape projects or makeovers. Last month, P.M. Landscaping did a makeover of the entrance to the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
Because he is a "hands-on" owner and wants to oversee what his crews are doing, Manca works primarily in Monterey County.
"Most of our clients are on the Monterey Peninsula, in Pebble Beach and the Carmel Valley or along the Highway 68 corridor," he said.
Manca said what he finds most gratifying about his new business is that it's no longer seasonal as it was in Sardinia. He is able to keep his crews working year-round and his client base has steadily expanded.
"We do a lot of drought-resistant and Mediterranean-type landscaping because that's not only popular in this area, but it is obviously something I grew up with so I understand the design concepts," Manca said. "I think that's what makes our work distinctive, too. We also stand behind our landscaping projects with a two-year warranty."
May 17, 2012
New! La Marienda Para Los Ninos - June 2nd
NEW THIS YEAR! BRING YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO LA MERIENDA
Monterey History and Art’s popular historic annual La Merienda celebration on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. , to celebrate the City of Monterey’s 242nd Birthday. La Merienda is held at the Memory Garden in the patio of the Old Pacific House, a State Historic Monument, 20 Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey, CA 93940.
New this year is the EXCITING Para Los Ninos program where children between ages 5 - 12 will enjoy their own special La Merienda celebration with music and games. The cost is $10 per child with a paid adult admission and space is limited.Call Anne Burk at 375-1378.
AND, Be sure to "LIKE" the new Monterey History and Art Association Facebook page! For more information about La Merienda, call Eric Sand at (831) 372-7788. For more information about Monterey History and Art Association and the Museum of Monterey, go to www.montereyhistory.org.
HISTORY: La Merienda, Monterey’s birthday party, is a colorful fiesta of delicious foods, red wine, gallant dons, lovely senoritas, lively music and festive dance. La Merienda (the Spanish term for afternoon picnic or mid-day meal) re-enacts an elegant 18th century fiesta. It celebrates the founding of the town of Monterey on June 3, 1770 when Padre Junípero Serra, father of the California missions, and Captain Gaspar de Portola, a Spanish military leader, joined forces to establish the pueblo of Monterey, California’s first Capital. Their meeting also honored the founding of the “Royal Presidio Chapel”, which today is known as San Carlos Cathedral. After the ceremonies that day, everyone sat down for a picnic under a large oak tree near their ship, the San Antonio, which rested in the harbor. The first modern Merienda was celebrated in 1929, two years before the formation of the Monterey History and Art Association. A ceremony at Colton Hall and a small luncheon at the Memory Garden marked the occasion and now it's decades later!
“MONTEREY’S 1967 , POP FESTIVAL” WALKING TOURS AT THE MONTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
HISTORIAN TIM THOMAS TO CONDUCT “MONTEREY’S 1967 , POP FESTIVAL” WALKING TOURS AT THE MONTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012
Monterey’s 1967, Pop Festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, besides being the first rock festival of its size and scope, was the pinnacle of all the early rock festivals according to many of the artists who performed there. It was also the coming out party for several performers including The Who, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. On June 16, 2012, the 45th anniversary of the opening day the festival, Monterey historian Tim Thomas will lead a two-hour walking tour of the Monterey County Fairgrounds at both 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The tours will begin at the front entrance of the Monterey County Fairgrounds, near Gate 3, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA. The cost is $25 per person and $20 for locals with Monterey County ID.
Space is limited for this tour. Reservations are required. For reservations and/or more information please contact Tim Thomas at: 831.521.3304 or by email: timsardine@yahoo.com.
During this fascinating walking tour, attendees will learn how the Festival came about, how the musicians felt about it what the people of Monterey really thought about it and why there was never another one. They will also get the opportunity to stand near the very stage where this historic event took place.
Over the last 10 years, Tim has had the privilege to interview many of the participants who performed at Monterey Pop. He has also spoken to many people who worked at the festival or were members of the audience. In June of 2001, he organized a three day Monterey Pop symposium that included many of the performers which is considered by many to be a groundbreaking event.
During the tour, Tim will share historic photographs—some rarely seen - and will share oral histories from many of the participants of the original 1967 festival.
Tim Thomas, a fourth generation native of the Monterey area, is a fisheries Historian who has researched the fisheries of Monterey Bay for 25 years. He has researched, written and lectured extensively on Monterey’s fishing communities and for 16 years was the Historian/Curator at the Monterey Maritime Museum. Tim is the co-author (with Dennis Copeland) of “Monterey’s Waterfront” published in 2006, and the author of the recently published, “The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula. “ Tim is currently at work on a book about “Pop” Ernest Doelter—the original Monterey “Pop”-- for the History Press to be published in 2013. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Monterey Japanese American Citizens League and has traveled and lectured extensively on the Monterey Japanese community both here and in Japan. For more information, call Tim Thomas at 831.521.3304 or email timsardine@yahoo.com.
The Monterey County Fairgrounds is a premiere event center set on 22 oak-studded acres with ample parking. It is a state-owned multi-use facility that features 4 large banquet rooms, 3 smaller meeting rooms, 2 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. The Monterey County Fair is the 7th District Agricultural Association of the State of California. The 2012 “Very Berry Extraordinary” Monterey County Fair will be held on August 29-September 3, 2012. For more information, to book an event or to become a sponsor of the 2012 Monterey County Fair, contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, by calling (831) 372-5863 or www.montereycountyfair.com.
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