December 2011 - North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce

November/December, 2011
North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce
Hosts Annual La Posada
La Posada, cont., page 2
Castroville Celebrates
Thanksgiving, page 2
Halloween at the Rec.
Center, page 3
Recognitions: Castroville
Golden Seniors, page 4
Cardinale Receives
Award, page 4
Letter from Chamber
President, page 5
Upcoming Events, page 5
Board Members:
Polly and Joe Jimenez once again served as Mr. and Mrs. Claus
delighting children of all ages as they shared their Christmas wishes.
O
n Saturday, December 10th the annual La Posada hosted by the North
Monterey County Chamber was held at Castroville Middle School. “Las
Pasadas” is a nine-day celebration with origins in Spain, now celebrated
chiefly in Mexico, Guatemala and other parts of the Southwestern United
States. It typically begins December 16th ending December 24th. Las Posadas is Spanish for “lodging,” or “accommodation;” it is said in plural because it is celebrated more than one day in that period. The nine day novena
represents the nine months of pregnancy. The celebration also includes a
procession that has been a tradition in Mexico for over 400 years.
Approximately 1,000 celebrants were in attendance. The event also featured
Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a classic car show provided by the Castroville Midnighter’s Car Club, food, games, a raffle and wrapped gifts for all of the
children. The North County Christian Center performed a holiday program
and sang Christmas carols.
Judy Burditt, President
Polly Jimenez, Vice President
Shelia Rose, Secretary
Robert Mang, Treasurer
Richard Aiello
Nancy Ausonio
Rich Coffelt
Gary DeAmaral
David Delfino
Diane Franciscovich
Sergio Montenegro
Ron Stefani
Eric Tynan
Diane Franciscovich
Newsletter Editor
(831) 449-6869
Denice Amerison
Executive Director
(831) 633-2465
November/December, 2011—Page 2
Castroville Celebrates
Thanksgiving
T
hree years ago a young lady by the name of Jamieko
Lane took on a massive challenge. The Castroville
Thanksgiving Feast that had been held at the North Monterey County Recreation Center was coming to an end.
The Cava family, who had been hosting the event for
many, many years, found that cirsumstances beyond their
control would prevent them from overseeing the event.
(We will be forever grateful to the Cava family.)
Members of the Midnighter’s Car Club
show their spirit at the children’s gift center.
Once again the Midnighter’s Car Club held fundraisers to purchase the gifts that were distributed to the children. Club representatives were out in full force at the event, and we thank them
from the bottom of our hearts for their participation. The
Posada would not be possible without their support.
Recognition goes to the following: Judy Burditt and other representatives from North Monterey County Parks & Recreation,
Castroville Midnighter’s Car Club, the North County Middle
School PTG, Dr. Randal & Dr. Molly Jones, Principal Dave
Burke, Nancy Ausonio who assisted Mr. & Mrs. Claus, the
North Monterey County Chamber, and all others who once
again helped make this event a success.
Two weeks before the holiday, Jamieko decided that the
feast would continue. She began by contacting everyone
she could think of, and by the time Thanksgiving week
rolled around, donations, volunteers and food were in
abundance.
This year was as successful as the prior two. Once again
preparations began a few days before Thanksgiving. They
started cooking on Monday and didn’t stop until cleanup
Thursday night. Over 20 turkeys were cooked at the center and individuals also brought prepared birds the day of
the event. Total volunteers numbered 397, with 164
working Thanksgiving Day. Approximately 1,300 people
were served dinner. Almost 1,000 shared their thanks in
Castroville with the remainder of the meals being delivered to two churches and homeless encampments.
Jamieko asked me to pass on her appreciation to the following participants: Cardinale Volkswagon, Supervisor
Lou Calcagno, Americold of Watsonville, Curves Prunedale, Salinas Valley Community Church, Taylor Farms,
Ocean Mist, Claudio’s Bakery, Gino’s Italian Restaurant,
Unlimited Events, Carmel Print & Copy; and especially
all of those that worked the event.
This pretty much says it all!
The North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce
wishes your and yours a happy and healthy holiday season
and love and peace in the coming year!
(Photos by Kathy Stefani)
I asked Jamieko what Thanksgiving means to her. She
said she had to think about it and later said, “Thanksgiving is the only holiday that is celebrated more than one
day. We begin giving thanks several days before we share
the meal. Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to
come together and be thankful. No presents distract from
the occasion, just love and gratitude. Getting the community together to share in this experience is beyond amazing. For three years I have had the pleasure of seeing a
side of our community that many will never see. For this
I feel extremely blessed.”
No, Jamieko. It is we who are blessed by knowing you!
November/December, 2011—Page 3
Halloween...Another Scary
Night at the Rec. Center
W
ow, what a
night. I’ve never
seen so many
ghosts and goblins
in one place!
Over 2,00 people
attended this
year’s party which
was held from
6:00 to 9:00 PM
Bubbles takes a moment out
on Halloween
to pose for a picture.
night at the Recreation Center in Castroville. Bubbles the Clown was
once again on hand performing his magic tricks and creating balloon animals for youngsters to enjoy.
There were numerous carnival
games, a trick-ortreat lane for children 12 and under, jump houses,
a cake walk,
cookie and cupEveryone enjoyed carving pumpkins. cake decorating,
a pumpkin carvCreations were judged as follows:
ing contest, balScariest, Most Original
loon blowing
and Best Overall
contest, and a
candy eating contest.
I can’t forget the most
popular attraction of
all; the Haunted
House. The Haunted
House takes weeks to
put together and included some of the
most innovative creations I have ever witnessed. This year’s
Haunted House was
by far the scariest of
any prior year. Great
job!
What an angel!
My favorite part of the evening was judging the costume
contest. Children competed for prizes by gender and age
group, and selecting the winners was not an easy task.
There were just too many incredible creations as evidenced by these photos.
In some cases we just couldn’t decide.
In the above category we had a tie!
A HUGE thank you to all of the volunteers that made this
year’s party
another huge
success, while
creating a safe
environment
for the enjoyment of Halloween. It
wouldn’t be
possible withAnother Winner
out your help!
November/December, 2011—Page 4
Cardinale Moving & Storage Wins
Salute to Small Business Award—
Best Business Professional
Recognitions:
Castroville Golden Seniors…
Quilters
A
From left to right: Jody Silviera, Lupe Fernandez, Elaine
Partido, Margaret Mendoza, Karen Bohn, Rose Pardo, and
Bertha Camacho. Not pictured: Cornelia Gugale, Jovita
Cabatu, LucyJaurique, Pearl Salacup & Sara Solorio.
C
astroville Golden Seniors, consisting of 11 members,
was established in 1999 by instructor Jane Hewitt. They
create about 65 quilts per year which we give to charity.
They are donated to Crime Prevention Specialist Donna L.
Galletti with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department.
She distributes the quilts to various agencies, with most
going to women and children who have been the victims
of domestic violence. They call them “Comfort Quilts.”
They meet on Wednesdays and Fridays at the North Monterey County Recreation Center located at 11261 Crane
Street, Castroville. Donations and grants allow them to
continue their work. Their major fundraiser is a quilt raffle held every year at the Castroville Artichoke Festival.
All members participate in the cutting, piecing and sewing of this quilt. Raffle tickets are available NOW and
sell for $1.00 each. Please contact Cornelia Gugale at 831
-676-8908 to purchase tickets. In 2008 the Castroville
Golden Seniors received the Community Service Award
from the North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce.
They are always looking for new seniors to join their
group. Contact Cornelia at the phone number above if
you have any questions or if you are interested in joining
the Castroville Golden Seniors.
t a recent
awards reception,
Cardinale Moving &
Storage, Inc. of Castroville was recognized as the winner of
the 2011 Salute to
Small Business
Awards – Best Business Professional,
sponsored by local
TV station, KSBW
and Union Bank. The
company was nominated for the award
by one of their longtime employees, Sue
Sandholdt. The recepClockwise starting center front:
tion was attended by
Vince Cardinale, Sally Cardinale,
Sandholdt and several Adam Orlebeck, Roseann Orlebeck,
Sue Sandholt & Erin Clark
Cardinale family
members and the
award was accepted by company president, Vince Cardinale. This is the third separate award that Cardinale Moving & Storage has received this year! The Salute to Small
Business awards program recognizes the important contributions that businesses make to the county they live in as
well as surrounding communities.
Information about Cardinale Moving & Storage that was
highlighted during the ceremony included their 40 years
of being in business on the Monterey Peninsula, their
strong involvement with the community and their effort to
go green by becoming an Ecollective site for unwanted
and obsolete electronics.
The company’s goal is to develop and maintain permanent
relationships with their customers by providing outstanding service, move after move, with no exceptions –
something the employees refer to as “Cardinale Pride.”
The company was also the recipient of the 2010 UnitedMayflower Containers Dealer of the Year award and the
2011 Business in Excellence Award winner presented by
the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
November/December, 2011—Page 5
Letter from Judy Burditt,
NMC Chamber President
It has been my pleasure serving as
the North Monterey County Chamber President this year and I look
forward to serving in the upcoming
year.
2011 saw us into our new location,
the old Castroville School House, “La Scuola” on Merritt
Street in Castroville. If you haven’t dropped in to one of
the many mixers hosted at our new home, please take the
time to stop by and say hi to Denice Amerison our Executive Director and check out our new digs. I’m sure you’ll
be impressed.
The Chamber was presented with some new opportunities
in 2011 as well as some new goals set by your board.
Through an agreement with the Monterey County Redevelopment Agency, we administered a program to provide
assistance to local businesses within the redevelopment
area to paint business fronts and enhance their facades. The
program also included an employment opportunity and we
were able to put some local residents to work.
Rich Coffelt, one of our new board members, was busy
working on a neighborhood watch program and has been in
the process of initiating a business watch program as well.
Look for an upcoming Business Watch meeting with Sheriff Miller on the 9th of February.
One of our goals was to update our website and logo.
Committees were formed and we began the process of revamping our logo and website. Both will be unveiled in
early 2012.
Other Chamber goals put on the table in 2011 were to develop a policy for political endorsement requests, to develop an annual Chamber event to be held in Prunedale and
to develop an expansion plan to increase membership.
Committees have been formed and work is in process on
these projects. Just a reminder, committees are open to
members other than board members. If you are interested
in being an active member on any of our committees,
please contact us.
The chamber also offered a variety of mixers, hosted and
participated in community mixers and events, and volunteered in the community. Our hard working Executive
Director, Denice, and many of our board members were
sited at the following events: Crab Feed, Harvest Fest in
Carmel, Artichoke Festival, North County Relay for Life,
the Laguna Seca combined mixer, Country Stomp, Halloween Fun Night, Thanksgiving Feast, voting polls in
Moss Landing, and La Posada.
I’d like to thank my hard working board and staff for
making 2011 a successful year! I hope to see our membership at the Crab Feed and Installation of Officers on
February 4, 2011. (Auction items needed).
Happy Holidays!
Upcoming Events
Crab Feed & Installation of Officers
Saturday, February 4, 2012
6:00 PM—9:00 PM
North County Recreation Center
11261 Crane Street, Castroville
Live & Silent Auctions
All-you-can-eat crab with all the fixin’s
$40.00 per person
$450 for table
Table includes signage, wine, and
name listed in program.
For additional information or to
purchase tickets call
633-2465 or 633-3084.
********
Save the Date
53rd Annual Castroville
Artichoke Festival
Saturday, May 19 &
Sunday, May 20, 2012
For information contact Denice
at 831-633-2465.