Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Launches Six-week run of Illustrating Nature exhibit on May 1

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History presents art in the service of science through an upcoming six-week exhibition titled Illustrating Nature.

Pacific Grove, CA, February 24, 2020 - The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History presents art in the service of science through an upcoming six-week exhibition titled Illustrating Nature.

To kick off the exhibit that runs through June 14, the museum (165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove) invites the public to attend a free opening reception on Friday, May 1 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Each year PGMNH partners with the Science Illustration Program at CSU-Monterey Bay Extended Education. One of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the nation, the Science Illustration Certificate at CSUMB prepares students who are sought after by renowned institutions and publications around the world.

The work of these graduates can be found at museums and science centers such as the Smithsonian Institution, New York’s American Museum of Natural History, California Science Center and the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History; in top science magazines such as National Geographic, Scientific American, American Scientist, Nature, Natural History and Audubon; at zoos, aquaria, and botanical gardens such as the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., the Monterey Bay Aquarium; Kew Botanical Gardens, U.K.; as well as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and hundreds of equally respected organizations.

For more information, call (831) 648-5716, email admin@pgmuseum.org or go to the website at www.pgmuseum.org.

About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
In 1883, our museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era, such as John Muir And Louis Aggasiz, began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation. The museum has continued this tradition for over 130 years. The museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. It envisions a community of curious minds, engaged in discovering the natural heritage and cultural legacy that exist today on the Central California Coast. The museum is a catalyst for conservation and a valued learning resource in this region, facilitating active inquiry for all ages.

News media: If images are used, please credit the artist.

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

The Artichoke Festival Board Celebrates the 61st Annual Artichoke Festival this May 30 & 31, 2020

The Artichoke Festival introduces an expanded non-profit partnership program, and new theme for 2020, “Field to Festival,” featuring an increased focus on farming and agricultural education.

Castroville, California, February 19, 2020 - The Artichoke Festival, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, celebrates its 61st year honoring the California State vegetable on May 30 and 31, 2020, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey. This year’s festival introduces an expanded non-profit partnership program, which includes Hartnell College Foundation and Salinas Valley Arts and Innovation Hub, Salinas Steinbeck Rotary, Partnership for Children, the Marina Lion’s Club, and Monterey Surf Soccer Club. The Festival’s theme, “Field to Festival,” features an increased focus on farming and agricultural education. Artichoke lovers of all ages will enjoy masterful artichoke cooking demos and tasting opportunities, beautiful artichoke-themed art, and plenty of entertainment for a fun-filled weekend. Doors open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Festival admission tickets and more info are available at www.ArtichokeFestival.org.

COMMUNITY GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT

Through expanded partnerships with non-profit organizations on the Central Coast, festival attendees will enjoy more of what the community has to offer while helping the festival provide vital funding support for local charities and non-profit organizations.

Festival proceeds will be shared with non-profit organizations and programs that serve the greater Castroville and Central Coast communities. This year’s lineup of non-profit partners includes Hartnell College Foundation and Salinas Valley Arts and Innovation Hub, Salinas Steinbeck Rotary, Partnership for Children, the Marina Lion’s Club, and Monterey Surf Soccer Club. In addition, proceeds will directly benefit sports and parks and recreation activities in North Monterey County schools, to name a few.

ENTERTAINMENT, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS

ARTICHOKES GALORE

Want to get a little more creative with your artichoke recipes? Monterey County’s finest chefs will showcase the versatility of the artichoke and share their own preparation techniques at our Chef Demos. Our current chefs include Daniel Elinan the Executive Chef at The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa; Pat Hopper, former Manager of the Artichoke Advisory Board, who shares the ABC’s of Artichokes; and Pitmaster Hondo Hernandez with Stonies Taphouse & Bistro. All chef demos will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival. Visit our website for chef demo updates.

Attendees can get hands-on experience by participating in Field Tours, hosted by Ocean Mist Farms. Artichoke experts will take you on a guided tour of Castroville’s Artichoke fields for a personalized educational experience about what it takes to grow this unique vegetable.

The Canasta Race — the festival’s artichoke-harvesting competition, using the same authentic “canasta” baskets used in the artichoke harvesting process, is a race against fellow festival-goers. It’s not as easy as it looks! Contestants get to go home with their harvested Artichokes!

Who can choke down the most chokes? The Artichoke Eating contest is a great way to test your eating skills, or just cheer on your favorite contestant. Winner gets a certificate and a place in the halls of Artichoke Infamy.

WINE, BEER, AND SPIRITS GARDEN

Hosted by the Salinas Steinbeck Rotary, Guests over 21 can visit the Wine and Beer Tasting Garden to enjoy wine tasting, micro brews and spirits from some of the best vintners and brewers in the state. Sunday will be a special day set aside for brewers and enthusiasts of home brewed beer. The Wine & Beer Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

ART

The Ocean Mist Farms AGRO Art Competition on Saturday, May 30, will challenge local artists, culinary whizzes, and kids of all ages to sculpt colorful and 3-dimensional artwork using only fresh produce. Each piece is created that day at the festival to the enjoyment and amazement of festival attendees. Over $6,500 in cash prizes will be awarded in the Ocean Mist Farms AGRO Art competition. Entries are free and judging begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 with the announcement of winners at 2 p.m. in the Farmer’s Market.

The Quilt Challenge will feature one-of-a-kind handmade quilts made especially for the Artichoke Festival, and will be on display on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. Festival attendees can vote for their favorite artichoke-themed designs, to be announced on Sunday, May 31.

Attendees can experience the many talents of local and budding photographers and artists at the first annual Artichoke Festival Photography and Art Exhibition. Hosted by the Hartnell College Foundation and Salinas Valley Arts and Innovation Hub, the event is free to all festival attendees, and will be located in the Monterey Room. Artist are encouraged to submit their art in support of this local cause. Visit our website’s new arts page to learn more.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Younger children along with family members of all ages will have fun in the designated Kids Zone, which includes a variety of educational STEM-based activities and hands-on presentations presented by Imagination Gallery.

Arti the Artichoke from Ocean Mist Farms, voted the Salinas-area fan favorite mascot, will be visiting the Kids Zone, farmer’s market, and throughout the festival for high-fives, hugs, and photo opportunities.

Farm and agricultural education is the focus of this year’s festival theme, “Field to Festival.” Festival guests can learn about the food they eat from farm to table, with local growers and producers in our Meet the Farmer interactive exhibition.

PHILANTHROPY

Something very special happening this year is the extension of the festival by one hour on Saturday, May 30th. This gives festival goers more time to enjoy an expanded musical entertainment schedule on the Main Stage, and a brand-new event — The Artichoke Cup Soccer Tournament. Monterey Surf Soccer Club will hold its first inaugural Artichoke Festival invitational soccer tournament in the Pattee Arena on both days of the Festival. 12 corporate teams of 10 adults each will compete in a two-day, 7-on-7 tournament to win the first ever “Artichoke Cup.” A portion of proceeds will benefit this local non-profit youth soccer organization. Admission is free to all festival admission ticket holders. The winning team will be announced on Sunday afternoon, May 31.

Guests are invited to a wonderful afternoon of auctions and artichokes at the festival’s Silent Auction. Featured items include exquisite, limited edition artwork, signed sports and entertainment collectibles, unique home décor, exotic getaways, and much more. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the non-profit 501(c)(3) community organizations and activities supported by the Artichoke Festival.

FESTIVAL 5K BEACH RUN

The 2nd Annual Artichoke Festival 5K Beach Run, returns to the Monterey Tides Hotel waterfront in Monterey on May 2, 2020. Runners and walkers alike can run on the beach with the festival’s favorite mascot, Arti the Artichoke, of Ocean Mist Farms. Our 5k beach run is exactly how it sounds, a fun run 100 percent on the sand with the sea breeze blowing in your face. Our first year was a hit and this year should be just as incredible. Come out and join us!

A complete schedule of entertainment events can be found at: https://artichokefestival.org/entertainment-events/

Festival admission tickets are available at www.ArtichokeFestival.org and at the door, ranging from $15 for adults; $5 for youth under 6-12; $10 for active military and seniors (62+). Children 5 and under are free. Field Tours can be reserved for $10 each for adults and youth. Special limited discount ticket packages will include an Arti-Family Pack for two adults and two children for $30 (save $10), and the It’s a Date package for two adults with wine and beer garden tasting tickets for $60 (save $20).

About the Annual Artichoke Festival
The Artichoke Festival began in 1959 and has since developed to become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” The festival is produced by a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and features family-fun events for all ages. It has been a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups for many years. For more information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.

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

CAB of Santa Cruz County, Inc., Hosts Anniversary Event on Oct. 30 to honor 55 years fighting poverty

To mark 55 years working against poverty, the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., (CAB) will host a celebratory evening on Friday, Oct. 30 called “Honoring Our Past, Igniting The Future!”

Santa Cruz, CA, February 18, 2020 - To mark 55 years working against poverty, the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., (CAB) will host a celebratory evening on Friday, Oct. 30 called “Honoring Our Past, Igniting The Future!”

“For us, celebrating 55 years is a milestone,” said CAB Executive Director Maria Elena De La Garza. “It’s about honoring decades of work, but knowing that our job is not done, and igniting our passion for the future because there’s so much more to do.”

According to De La Garza, Santa Cruz County has the second highest poverty rate in California (to Los Angeles County) when you factor in cost of living. More than three quarters of CAB’s clients have family incomes less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Proceeds from the evening will help CAB operate six programs assisting close to 10,000 low-income people annually with impactful services.

The anniversary event promises “an evening of food, fun and inspiration,” taking place from 6-9 p.m. at the ISTW Portuguese Community Center, 124 Atkinson Lane in Watsonville. Early-bird tickets purchased before April 1 are priced at $75, and $95 from April through June ($110 after July 1). Find tickets at www.cabturns55.eventbrite.com.

Event sponsorships are available, from Gold ($10,000) to Partner ($1,000), with multiple benefits to the sponsor, including publicity, admission tickets and reserved table seating.

For more information, visit www.cabinc.org or call (831) 763-2147, ext. 294.

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

For 55 years, CAB of Santa Cruz County, Inc., has Worked to Eliminate Poverty and create Social change through Advocacy and Essential services

In January of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his famous “war on poverty,” vowing in his State of the Union address “not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it.”

Santa Cruz, CA, February 18, 2020 - In January of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his famous “war on poverty,” vowing in his State of the Union address “not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it.”

More than half a century later, the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., (CAB) continues that battle, operating six programs that assist close to 10,000 low-income people with emergency, sustaining/self-sufficiency services.

For 55 years — through ever-changing political and social landscapes — CAB has fought for a thriving, equitable and diverse community, free from poverty and injustice.

“We have the second highest poverty rate in California (to Los Angeles County) when you factor in cost of living,” said CAB Executive Director Maria Elena De La Garza, who notes that more than three quarters of CAB’s clients have family incomes less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

To mark its 55 years working on the front lines fighting poverty, CAB will hold an event on Friday, Oct. 30 at the ISTW Portuguese Community Center in Watsonville. The theme of the evening is “Honoring Our Past, Igniting The Future!”

“For us, celebrating 55 years is a milestone,” said De La Garza. “It’s about honoring decades of work, but knowing that our job is not done, and igniting our passion for the future because there’s so much more to do.”

De La Garza said she would “love to work ourselves out of a job,” but that there still remains “a gap or disconnect or lack of knowledge about how people are impacted by poverty, what their assets are and what their needs are.”

There are multiple reasons for this “gap,” according to De La Garza, including political rhetoric, misinformation, miscommunication, and mistrust of systems in place.

This makes CAB’s mission even more significant, with more than 40 employees and nearly 600 volunteers working with the community on solutions to eliminate poverty and create social change through advocacy and essential services.

CAB’s board of directors come from diverse segments of the community, with low-income advocates, public sector representatives and individuals from the private sector as well.

“We stand at an interesting place, between grassroots activists and systems, and that’s a great place to be,” she said. “We get to engage with the community and hear from them and create a pathway to support change and strengthen systems to support low-income people.”

To stay abreast of the poverty situation in the county, every two years CAB conducts a needs assessment to guide its multi-year Community Action Plan. This helps capture a truer and deeper understanding of poverty in the community, leading to targeted action on many fronts.

“Over 55 years, the community has trusted us, the clients have trusted us, the families have trusted us, and our partners, too,” said De La Garza. “We can’t do this work alone, in a vacuum. There has to be trust in the work we do, and the value of the relationships we hold.”

For more information, visit www.cabinc.org or call (831) 763-2147, ext. 294.

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

Two weeks after passing a VNA CPR course, Pacific Grove Woman Saves Life of Motorcyclist

Just two weeks after completing her CPR course with VNA Community Services, a nurse in Pacific Grove was called to action.

Pacific Grove, CA, February 17, 2020 - Just two weeks after completing her CPR course with VNA Community Services, a nurse in Pacific Grove was called to action. This community health nurse was educated, confident, and capable of responding to save a life. Driving down Pine Avenue with her daughters, the Pacific Grove nurse came upon a rider less motorcycle in the street. Without hesitation, she pulled over — first on the scene.

The motorcyclist had experienced cardiac arrest and the recent CPR training saved a life. Feeling no pulse, the nurse initiated CPR as 911 already had been called. After two rounds of CPR, the victim regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital.

Two weeks after taking the Basic Life Support course, taught by April Brazinksy, RN, BSN and Mary Ann Franscioni, illustrated VNA’s CPR motto —

“Hindsight is 2020: This Year Prepare to Save a Life.”

As part of its ongoing mission to provide community health care services, VNA Community Services has launched an initiative to train local residents with skills necessary to save the life of a friend, family member of stranger in need of CPR.

If performed immediately, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can double or triple a person’s chance of survival by keeping blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Sadly, this happens less than 10 percent of the time outside of the hospital.

VNA will offer Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers, and Heartsaver for community members.

BLS is offered the second Thursday each month at VNA, 5 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey, while Heartsaver is available on location or at VNA by arrangement.

While the BLS course ensures ongoing certification for healthcare workers, Heartsaver is appropriate for anyone — parents, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, coaches, office workers and more.

BLS Blended Instruction costs $80, while Heartsaver Blended Instruction is $95. Each course keeps class sizes between 4-12 members.

VNA instructors follow training provided by the American Heart Association. Certifications are valid for two years.

For more information, call 831-372-6668, or visit www.ccvna.com.

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

Center for Community Advocacy Turns 30

In 1992, farmworkers in the Salinas Valley were discovered living in squalid and unsafe conditions in lean-tos and caves, without running water, heat or toilet facilities.

Salinas, CA, February 17, 2020 - In 1992, farmworkers in the Salinas Valley were discovered living in squalid and unsafe conditions in lean-tos and caves, without running water, heat or toilet facilities. The discovery became national news, giving rise to such headlines as “Harvest of Despair” and the living quarters facetiously called “Rancho de Cuevas,” or Cave Ranch.

It was a seminal and catalytic moment for the recently formed organization, Center for Community Advocacy, which had only been founded two years earlier and was trying to establish its identity and mission.

CCA’s initial mission was to give farmworkers a voice in their housing choices and conditions by empowering them to organize with fellow farmworkers and demand safer, healthier and livable housing. CCA did that by organizing and forming neighborhood committees in each labor camp and farmworker housing complexes who could then advocate for their own camps.

“That was a key moment in CCA history and catalyzed the creation of the CCA,” said CCA Executive Director Daniel Gonzalez about that shocking 1992 revelation. “It gave CCA the fuel it needed. CCA was initially about housing, but these cases themselves don’t define the CCA culture. We’re not just about giving out information, but to develop leadership so farmworkers can speak for themselves.”

That mission is distilled in CCA’s slogan, “Helping Farmworkers Help Themselves,” which now goes beyond just housing issues to include health and nutrition issues, safety, education and strengthening family relationships.

CCA’s daunting challenge after it was founded was crystalized in comments made by one of the early leaders of a neighborhood committee, Jesus Fernandez, who was quoted in a video made by CCA in the late 1990s: “We didn’t even know we had any rights.” That was a stunning revelation to the public at large, which may have taken these rights for granted and may not have been aware that members of its own community were denied these most basic of human rights.

Gonzalez cites two accomplishments in the past 30 years that further raised CCA’s profile and standing in the community: the creation of a joint board of directors that featured representation from all segments of the community, from farmworkers and farm owners to developers, community leaders, corporate leaders, members of the clergy, and elected officials; and the creation of VIVA, a coalition of all neighborhood committees that was also represented on the board.

That was in the early 1990s, when VIVA consisted of representatives from 10 neighborhood committees (or comités). That number is now 40 and still growing. The board at the time also included CCA’s co-founder, Lydia Villareal, who was Deputy District Attorney at the time and was involved in the 1992 labor camp case and is currently President of CCA’s Board of Directors. Other board members when CCA was founded included such community leaders as Basil Mills of Mills Distributing Co., Bob R. Nielsen, Vice President and General Counsel of Tanimura & Antle, Inc., attorney Vanessa Vallarta, developer Mike Fletcher and Sam Karas of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

One of the most significant figures in the founding and development of CCA has been Sabino Lopez, who has been at CCA from the onset in 1990, holding a variety of roles including organizer, deputy director, leader/organizer, and Interim Executive Director in 2017-2018.

Lopez led the development of CCA’s award-winning organizing model and for nearly three decades has served as a steward of the organization’s mission to develop and empower the farmworker community in the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys. He is currently CCA’s Deputy Director.

“We are bridge-builders, we work on both sides,” said Gonzalez, who became CCA executive director in November 2018. “We have these connections with farmworkers and growers. Everyone’s got a side, an issue and that’s what CCA is about. Giving access to people is key for this model to develop and to work.”

CCA’s early efforts not only brought to light the dangerous and unhealthy conditions of “Rancho de Cuevas”, but also of so-called “legal” labor camps in which farmworkers paid $500 a month in dilapidated units that were built in the 1920s and were only meant to be temporary housing, as well as a devastating 1991 fire in the Kent Court Camp outside of Watsonville that displaced six families. CCA filed suit on behalf of 33 families in that instance and got compensation for their losses.

In addition, CCA helped broker a deal between residents who lived in the “Tres Palmas” Trailer Park in Pajaro and the landlord, who had long neglected repairs and maintenance in the park. After withholding rent for eight months (it was held in an account to be paid later), the landlord agreed to sell the trailer park to the residents, which formed a corporation with CCA as the governing body.

One of the biggest early success stories was the building of the Moro Cojo housing development, which consisted of 175 homes and 90 apartments for 300 families, at the time the largest development of its kind in rural California.

“I’ve seen several changes, particularly changes in attitude,” said attorney Vallarta, who served as executive director for six years, after the opening of Moro Cojo. “The sense that I can act to make a difference in my life or the sense that I don’t have to take it anymore, that I can act to make my life better. That’s the message that CCA brings to folks.”

And, 30 years later, while CCA still advocates for housing issues, it has expanded its mission and programs to include health and nutrition through its Health Promoters (Promotores Comunitarios Project); a Strong Families Program that strives to reduce violence and other forms of abusive behavior by teaching strategies that strengthen family relationships; and most recently its support of Youth for Change (Y4C), a group that identifies, recruits, trains and engages future leaders within East Salinas communities.

In its appeal last year to the Monterey County Weekly’s annual fundraising campaign for nonprofit groups, MC Gives!, CCA wrote: “CCA believes that youth leaders need an infrastructure to develop leadership capacity and to develop common agendas where leaders can take collective action to improve communities. Local youth benefit from the Y4C program by: developing skills that make them active participants in their community; using what they learn to help improve the quality of lives for their families and peers; developing community-based youth agendas for collective action; and receiving higher education and career guidance.”

Y4C was born when CCA began organizing adult residents in the Acosta Plaza neighborhood, launching several resident-led activities such as the construction of a basketball court and park area. During the project, youths, accompanying their parents, started attending meetings and work activities. They then invited other friends to join the effort and shortly thereafter, CCA was working with a core group of youth who testified at City Council hearings to secure funds for the project, conducted their own fundraising activities to support the project, surveyed their neighbors to increase resident support for the project and provided labor for the project. As the project neared completion, the youthful leaders formed a group and named themselves Youth for Change, developing an agenda that aided their civic participation.

A big component of the program involves education and career guidance. Youth and their parents participate in sessions where they learn about requirements, resources and important information needed to move forward toward a higher education. The goal of the program is for participants to secure an educational path to college. At the end of the program they visit a campus of their choice to learn about the intricacies and costs of college life.

“That’s our real foundation, to commit kids to issues in their community,” said Gonzalez about the importance of Y4C. “Helping youths get out of poverty, go to college or vocational school and help solve issues in their community and change the narrative, that’s the essence of CCA. The more people we commit to this, the more chance we have to make a change.”

Gonzalez said that CCA needs to forge ahead, keep its programs active and evolving and involve as many segments of the community it can to effect change.

“It really has changed people’s lives and we need to continue doing this work, because if we stop, people forget,” he said.

Center for Community Advocacy
22 West Gabilan Street
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 753-2324
cca-viva.org

CCA’s staff is available Monday through Friday for client interviews by appointment. CCA is also available to meet with clients in the field, at their place of residence, in the evening or after normal working hours, by appointment.

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

A General store for all things Earth and People Friendly, Eco Carmel introduces Bulk section for Body products and Household cleansers to avoid Single-use Plastics

Shockingly, Americans buy 1 million plastic bottles every minute, with 17 million barrels of oil used each year on plastic production.

Carmel, CA, February 14, 2020 - Shockingly, Americans buy 1 million plastic bottles every minute, with 17 million barrels of oil used each year on plastic production.

Knowing that single-use plastics represent the biggest threat to the health of the planet and its inhabitants, Kristi Reimers of Eco Carmel has installed a bulk section for body products and household cleansers.

Customers at Eco Carmel bring their own reusable containers for everyday products often purchased elsewhere in plastic packaging, or they can purchase glass or aluminum containers at the store.

“For me, what makes what we do different is that we’re not doing bulk for bulk’s sake,” Reimers said. “There are a lot of classic bulk products that I would never put on my skin.”

What makes Eco Carmel unique is that Reimers orders product samples, and the staff tests them for up to six months. “We vet all our products,” she said. “There is so much research needed, because there is little to no regulation. So we ask: ‘Is this truly green and healthy or just a green-washed product?’ ”

Known as a general store selling a multitude of Earth- and people-friendly items (from mattresses to loungewear to everyday reusable items), Eco Carmel opened in 2010. This summer Reimers will celebrate her 10th anniversary at 7th Avenue and San Carlos in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

“I opened the store with many sections, but the beauty of owning your own business is being able to change and adapt to what the customers need,” Reimers said. “My baby section started with one table. It’s been received so well because there’s no other place on the Monterey Peninsula with such a wide selections of organic, fair-trade products, like natural rubber toys, healthy baby body care and organic clothing that is safe for babies.”

Eco Carmel does not sell many food products, electing instead to support Carmel’s Cornucopia Community Market and send customers there.

“I don’t want to compete with other businesses. I like to work symbiotically with other like-minded businesses.” Reimers said. “I just want customers to have access to the best products.”

That integrity shows in how much research Reimers and her “right-hand woman” Megan Root put into all products sold at Eco Carmel.

“Our customers often say they appreciate how much they learn. They tell me: ‘I don’t have time to do research, I’m busy, and there is so much misinformation out there. I appreciate you taking the time to do all that for us.’ ”

For more information, visit www.ecocarmel.com or call (831) 624-1222.

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