2013 Holiday Edition - North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce

 NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY imes
By Diane Franciscovich
Holiday Edition, 2013 What’s Inside….
Chamber & Castroville Rotary
Co-Host First Annual Bingo Night
Bingo Night cont., Page 2
Ribbon Cutting, Crazy Horse
Canyon/Echo Valley Rd., Page 3
Welcome New Chamber
Members, Pages 4 & 5
Chamber Board Member Shares
Travel to Ireland, Page 5
CHISPA Celebrates Completion
of Sea Garden Apts., Page 6
North County High Turns
35! Page 6
Three Chamber Travel
Opportunities in 2014, Pages 7 & 8
Upcoming Events, Page 8
Castroville Rotary to Celebrate
9th Annual Bocci Fundraiser,
Page 9
Board Members:
Our Illustrious Chefs: Jeff Vezzolo, DL Grier, Mark Del Piero
(moral support), Paul Cortopassi and Randall Amerison
W
ith a sold-out crowd, Saturday, October 19th marked the first annual
Bingo Night co-hosted by the North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce
and Castroville Rotary. Held at La Scuola in Castroville, the evening kicked
off at 6:00 PM and featured an array of appetizers, no-host bar, a raffle, and a
sumptuous tri-tip dinner complete with all the fixings. Dessert consisted of a
milk chocolate fountain with sweets and local strawberries for dipping. After
dinner tickets were drawn for the lucky raffle winners. Raffle items included a
Keurig Coffee Maker with an assortment of coffee, Elkhorn Safari package including a tour of the slough and dinner at the Whole Enchilada, a Sweet Tooth
Basket, Nancy’s homemade Biscotti, a knit hat with matching gloves, an electric toothbrush, and a gift basket containing mugs, books and other items donated by the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries.
PO Box 744, Castroville, CA 95012
Eric Tynan, President
Diane Franciscovich, Vice
President/Newsletter
Shelia Rose, Secretary
Lorena Miranda, Treasurer
Nancy Ausonio
Judy Burditt
Greg East
Karina Escutia
Robert Mang
Rosann Orlebeck
Chris Orman
Ron Stefani
Jeff Vezzolo
Denice Amerison, Exec. Director
Phone (831) 633-2465 - Fax (831) 633-0485
Holiday Edition, 2013
Page 2
Elysha, daughter of
Cecilia Kennedy,
President of Salinas
Valley Business
Women’s Network,
was obviously enjoying the fountain as
you can see by the
chocolate smears
around her mouth!
Following the raffle an announcement was made and the
games began. Most of those in attendance got down and
dirty, playing several Bingo cards per game. Prizes ranged
from serious items such as passes to Swank Farms, movie
theaters, Roaring Camp Railroad and restaurant gift certificates, to silly offerings such as a roll of duct tape, a bag of
pork rinds and a rubber duckie. Rotary President Dr. Linden Ishii was on a roll. You can tell he was a man on a mission by his expression in the following photo:
I am thrilled to report that the majority of the food, raffle items and Bingo prizes were donated. Please join
me in thanking the following:
My right-hand partner in crime and coordinator extraordinaire, Chamber Executive Director Denice
Amerison. We couldn’t have pulled this off without
your help!
Food: Pacific Meats, Driscoll’s Berries, Castroville
Artichoke Festival, Claudio’s Bakery, Sylvia & John
Barrientos, DL Grier, Diane & Bill Franciscovich.
Our cooks: Jeff Vezzolo and Paul Cortopassi
(barbeque), D.L. Grief (chili), Randall Amerison (fried
artichoke hearts), Denice Amerison (salad).
Appetizers provided by: Henry Gowin, Roseann Orlebeck, Cindy & John Winslow, Lorena Miranda, and
Catherine Escobar.
Cash Donations: Don Chapin and Diane & Bill Franciscovich.
Raffle Items: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
(GMCR), Whole Enchilada, Moss Landing Harbor District, Diane Franciscovich, Henry Gowin, Beth Vezzolo,
FMCFL Dr. Linden Ishii and Nancy Ausonio.
Bingo Prizes: North County Fire District, Sylvia Barrientos, Mapleton Radio Stations, Cardinale Moving &
Storage, Comcast Cable, Denice Amerison, Diane Franciscovich, North County Recreation and Park District.
Flanked by his wife, Janice Ishii on the left, and
Castroville Rabobank Manager Lorena Miranda on
the right, Linden simply couldn’t lose!
The competition began to wind down around 10:00 p.m.
Everyone seemed to have a great time, and we are hoping
that it will be the first of many annual Bingo Nights to
come.
A very special thank you goes to Our Lady of Refuge
Church for the use of their Bingo machine and to
Stephanie Cortopassi (left) and Amber Souza for overseeing the games.
Holiday Edition, 2013
Cal Trans, TAMC and
Residents of North Monterey County
Celebrate Completion of Overpass
TAMC and CalTrans Celebrate Opening
Of New Crazy Horse Canyon/Echo
Valley Road Interchange in Prunedale
O
ctober 14th marked the date of the ribbon cutting for
the long-awaited Crazy Horse Canyon/Echo Valley Road
interchange on U.S. Highway 101 in Prunedale. The
Transportation agency for Monterey County (TAMC)
joined CalTrans (California Transportation Agency), Supervisor Lou Calcagno and North Monterey County residents to celebrate the opening.
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(Children of
CalTrans employee join in
the celebration
of the completion of the
Crazy Horse
Canyon/Echo
Valley Road
interchange.)
Road. Additionally, improvements are being made to the
San Miguel Canyon overpass, as well as to many local
roads throughout the area to improve accessibility and
local traffic flow.
When completed, the $209 million Prunedale Improvement Project will eliminate left turns across a 9-mile section of Highway 101 from Prunedale to Salinas. The improved Road conditions will reduce not only the number
of accidents, but also delays on U.S. 101 providing much
needed congestion relief for approximately 100,000 drivers every day. The project is expected to be completed in
2014.
The new interchange opened to the public on Tuesday,
October 15th and was a milestone for the Prunedale Improvement Project (PIP). Motorists traveling on Highway
101 will be able to exit on to Crazy Horse Canyon Road
and Echo Valley Road without having to make a left turn
across Highway 101 traffic. The interchange will increase
safety and ease traffic flow throughout the Prunedale corridor.
The Prunedale Improvement Project began construction in
February 2011. The project includes three new interchanges along U.S. 101 in North Monterey County located at Russell and Espinosa Roads, Blackie Road and
Reese Circle, and Crazy Horse Canyon and Echo Valley
Roads. The project will also provide a solid concrete median barrier from Crazy Horse Canyon Road to Espinosa
From left to right: Supervisor Lou Calcagno, Debbie
Hale (TAMC), Dee Matt, Chris Orman (North County
Fire District), Pat Connelly (CalTrans), Jerry
Edelen (Del Rey Oaks Mayor, TAMC Board),
and Peter Mututwa (CalTrans)
Holiday Edition, 2013
Welcome New Chamber Members
Page 4
Community Housing Improvement Systems and
Planning Association (CHISPA)
T
he North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce is
proud to welcome our newest members:
Lemon Grass Restaurant
CHISPA’s mission is to improve people’s lives and create
healthy neighborhoods by developing, selling, owning and
managing affordable homes.
Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Monterey County
is Lemon Grass Restaurant located at 413 Moss Landing
Road, Moss Landing. They offer a generous assortment
of appetizers, soups, salads, and traditional Thai dishes
such as Green Curry, Thai Basil, Drunken Noodles, Pad
Thai and Fish of the Day. Chef’s Specialties include Evil
Jungle Princess (boldly spiced chicken sautéed with vegetable medley and exotic spices), Chu Chee Duck (crispy
roasted half duck served in a creamy red sauce), and Eggplant Stinger (eggplant sautéed until golden brown and
then braised with chicken, garlic, hot chili peppers and
fresh basil); just to name a few. A variety of desserts are
also featured. Lemon Grass also offers a full bar with flat
screen TV and Happy Hour.
One on line review described Lemon Grass as “a hidden
in plain sight gem of a place.”
Hours of operation are:
Tues through Fri 11 am to 3 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm
Sat and Sun 11 am to 9 pm
Closed Monday
Reservations are recommended. Why not give them a
call today at 831-633-0700. You’ll be glad you did!
CHISPA is the largest non-profit housing developer in
Monterey County, having built more than 2,300 affordable single family homes and multi-family and senior
apartments since they incorporated in 1980. Their philosophy is that high quality housing should be available to
all people, not just those with high incomes. They have
several different programs to provide housing for lowincome families.
What is affordable housing? Housing is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the monthly
household income for rent or mortgage and utilities.
CHISPA integrates community service programs at its
family and rental developments. These educational opportunities help their residents improve their lives and
become more informed and active members of the community. Literacy classes, parenting programs, and health
screening programs improve the lives of their adult residents. After-school programs and music classes keep
their residents’ children active and focused. Free on-site
computer centers are used by adults and children.
For additional information regarding rentals, ownership
and the application process, you will find them on line at
CHISPA HOUSING. Or feel free to call their office at
831-757-6251. CHISPA is located at 295 Main Street,
Salinas, CA 93901.
Holiday Edition, 2013
Page 5
California Traditions Realty,
Connie Jo Stubblefield, Owner
Chamber Board Member Travels
To Ireland With Chamber Discoveries
C
onnie Stubblefield, owner of
California Traditions Realty, offers her clients a friendly, professional and forward-focused vision
in real estate. Her personal service, combined with new technologies and marketing give her
buyers and sellers the competitive
edge in the world of real estate.
She is a master at the art of negotiating and internet marketing.
Mrs. Stubblefield is passionate about the real estate business, and she continues her education as well as teaching
others. Her memberships include the National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors and
the San Benito County Association of Realtors. Connie
uses video tours, as well as the internet and social media
to market her real estate listings. Her listings are featured
at the top of many internet searches. Connie’s list of investor clients is extensive, and includes Bank of America,
Titanium Solutions, Corporate Asset Management, Wachovia, Wells Fargo, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, it’s the professional personal service that her clients
appreciate the most and that continues to drive her business.
Connie is a California native raised on a rural farm in
North Monterey County. As an avid horsewoman and
livestock rancher, she understands the value of the land.
Active in the community, Connie loves the unique qualities and diversity of both North Monterey County and San
Benito County.
As a seasoned realtor, Connie has assisted many clients
glide through the real estate process. She opened her first
office in Hollister in 2007, and is now located in Aromas—at the edge of both counties. Connie’s desire is to
combine old fashioned service with state-of-the-art technology.
Feel free to call Connie at 831-682-0438 (office), or
visit her real estate boutique located at 377 Blohm,
Suite C, Aromas, CA 95004.
Roseann & Bruce Orlebeck
I
n October North Monterey County Chamber Board
member Roseann Orlebeck and her husband Bruce traveled to Ireland on a tour organized by Chamber Discoveries. I asked her what she thought of the adventure, and
here is what she had to say:
Slainte! We shouted that Irish toast more times than we
could count on the recent trip my husband and I took to
Ireland. Ireland had been on our “bucket list” for years,
so when we heard the trip was being offered through our
local chamber, we decided to take advantage of a really
good deal. Everything was planned ahead of time from
our airline tickets, to hotel lodging, meals and numerous
excursions.
Ireland is everything you hear about and more. The countryside is breathtaking with its green rolling hills dotted
with sheep. The area we visited is known as the Ring of
Kerry, and is very similar to our very own Big Sur coastline. We visited the Cliffs of Moher, enjoyed a pint of
brew at the local Guiness factory in Dublin, and even
kissed the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. We also visited the dock where the Titantic departed on its fatal voyage. While there I was selected to learn how to prepare a
traditional Irish Coffee. I am now certified in Irish Coffee
making and have the certificate to prove it.
What’s in store for us next? Bruce and I are already looking into the 2014 trips being offered through the Chamber.
Perhaps we will see you on a future excursion!
(See pages 7 & 8 for tours being offered through the
Chamber in 2014.)
Holiday Edition, 2013
CHISPA Celebrates the
Completion of Sea Garden Apartments
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North County High
Turns 35!
High school
Principal Caroline Calero
proudly displays
a county resolution celebrating
North County
High School’s
35th anniversary.
From left to right: Alfred Diaz-Infante, CHISPA
President & CEO; Cosme Padilla, Monterey County
Planning Department’ Aurelio Gonzales, CHISPA Board
Member; Kate Chavez, Enterprise Community
Investment, Inc.; Lou Calcagno, Supervisor
District 2; Kalah Renwick Bumba, CHISPA
Board Chair; John Kuati, Wells Fargo Bank;
Rodney Evans, CHISPA Board Member; Eric Tynan,
Castroville Community Services District; and
Paul Davis, The Paul Davis Partnership
On Friday, October 18th CHISPA was joined by county
employees and members of the financial community for a
ribbon cutting celebrating Castroville’s newest low income development. The complex, known as Sea Garden
Apartments, consists of 58 family units as well as a community center. For information send e-mails to Jessica at
[email protected], or call 831-757-6251.
On October 25th Supervisor Lou Calcagno, District 2, presented North County High, home of the Condors, with a
county resolution to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the
school. Accepting the award on behalf of North County
High was high school Principal Caroline Calero. The
resolution by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors
was in appreciation of their outstanding public service and
recognition of their contributions to the lives of the children entrusted to them.
Come November North County had another reason to
celebrate with the passage of General Obligation School
Bond Measure H. Voters approved Measure H by 61 percent, which signifies the dedication and commitment of
parents and community members of our local schools.
There are seven schools in our school district, with the
average age of the schools being 53. Measure H will provide funding to upgrade and improve the aging facilities.
Projects that will be addressed immediately include replacing and repairing roofs and heating systems, updating
their wireless infrastructure and improving the high school
track and field. Castroville Rotary raised enough money
over a two year period to provide the much anticipated
marquee for the high school grounds. Our congratulations
goes to the voters and to Castroville Rotary for their continued support of our schools!
Holiday Edition, 2013
Page 7
Travel with the North Monterey County
Chamber to Beautiful Eastern Europe
O
nce again your Chamber of Commerce is offering an amazing getaway at what are sure to be incredible prices. This time your travels take you to
the enchanting medieval towns of Eastern Europe
that include the vibrant and cultural cities of Prague
and Vienna . Three tours are being planned; two in
the spring and one in the fall. This spring tour departs March 24, 2014.
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he North Monterey County Chamber of Commerce
has two additional trips scheduled for 2014. If you have
ever wanted to experience the magic that Tuscany has to
offer, now is your chance. This nine day excursion will
be departing on April 8, 2014.
Highlights:
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 Round trip airfare
 Airline fuel surcharges
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T
 Round trip
Highlights:
and taxes and fees
6 Nights First Class Hotel
8 Meals (6B, 2D)
Sightseeing per itinerary
Admissions per itinerary
Professional Tour Manager
Baggage Handling
Hotel Transfers
Vienna City Tour
Old TownPrague
Cesky-Krumlov
Prague Castle/City Tour
Royal Palace
St. Vitus Cathedral
Strahov Library
Kutna Hora (optional)
Discover & Explore
the Magic of Tuscany
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Schoennbrun Palace
Vienna
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Old Town Prague
All this can be yours for only $2,999 per person
double occupancy. Single supplement, add
$450. A deposit of $450 per person is required to
reserve your space(s). Final payment is due 90
days prior to departure.
Questions? Call Denice Amerison at (831) 6332465.
airfare
Round trip
transfers
between airports and
hotel
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
7-nights first
class hotel
Superb cuisine, daily breakfast and four dinners.
City tour of Florence; see the Cathedral Baptistery
and the famous Gates of Paradise.
City tour of Pisa
Visit San Gimignano
Chianti Wine Tasting
Discovery Program guide
Enjoy the trip of a lifetime for only $2,549 per person
double occupancy if reserved by December 15, 2013.
A deposit of $450 per person is required to hold your
space. Final payment is due by December 19, 2013.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Questions? Call Denice Amerison at (831) 633-2465.
Holiday Edition
, 2013
Exclusively Chartered Luxury
Danube River Cruise
C
hamber Discoveries invites you to experience
an amazing Danube River cruise value exclusive to
Chambers of Commerce. Tour departs on October
15, 2014.
Highlights:
 Roundtrip airfare
 7 nights aboard
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the 5-star Amadeus Brilliant
Superb dining
with all meals
included during
cruise
Quality EuroRathausplatz Square, Vienna
pean red and
(City Hall)
white wines
Captain’s Gala Dinner
Daily onboard music performances
City Tours including: Passau, Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna, Durnstein and Meik Abbey
Budapest
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Upcoming
Events
Christmas in North
Monterey County
(Formerly known as the Posada)
Sunday, December 15th
Noon—3:00 PM
Iglesia de Jesucristo
Manatial de Agua Viva
Castroville Station Shopping Center
Toy Give-Away & Raffle
Infants to 12 Years of Age
For information call 633-2465
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Installation & Awards Dinner
All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed
$40 Per Person
$450 for a Reserved Table for Ten
6:00 PM, Saturday, February 1, 2014
North County Recreation & Parks District
11261 Crane Streeet
Castroville
For information call 633-3084 or 633-2465
*******
Artichoke Festival
Special member rates if booked by December 15,
2013.
Prices vary according to cabin accommodations.
Save up to $1,600 per cabin if you book before December 15, 2013.
Questions? Call Denice Amerison at (831) 6332465.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
&
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Monterey County Fair & Events Center
Monterey, CA
Be sure to check for updates on
next year’s Artichoke Festival!
Happy Holidays to one and
all from your North Monterey County
Chamber of Commerce!
Holiday Edition
, 2013
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