Goodwill Central Coast completes renovation of Seaside store, announces grand reopening March 22

As part of its strategic plan toward modernizing retail stores and other facilities, Goodwill Central Coast has announced a March 22 grand reopening of its Seaside store.

Seaside, CA, February 22, 2019 — As part of its strategic plan toward modernizing retail stores and other facilities, Goodwill Central Coast has announced a March 22 grand reopening of its Seaside store.

Festivities begin with a ribbon-cutting celebration featuring the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Seaside/Sand City Chamber of Commerce and city officials.

Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby will be the first to shop in the renovated Goodwill store and donation center at 729 Broadway Ave. At 11 a.m., following all the festivities, shoppers will an assortment of interesting items, and huge discounts on merchandise some merchandise . Those entered into a drawing have a chance to win a $200 Goodwill certificate.

On Day 2 (March 23) of the grand opening, Goodwill partners with Everyone’s Harvest Farmers Market. The first 200 shoppers will receive a Goodwill tote bag and specials throughout the day, both at the nearby farmers market and the Seaside Goodwill store.

“We’re really happy with the renovation of our store in Seaside,” said Ed Durkee, president/CEO of Goodwill Central Coast. “The investment has created a much better environment for both our shopper and our employees. And we’re delighted to match the investment that community has made in the Broadway (Avenue) corridor. The whole street looks just great. Goodwill is proud to be part of a community with a vision of progress.”

As outlined in a strategic direction approved in 2016 by Goodwill Central Coast’s board of directors, the organization invested roughly $25 million toward enhancing efficiency and worker safety, renovating retail stores and relocating the organization’s headquarters and central donation processing facility to Salinas.

The plan is designed to sustain the organization’s social enterprise while building the capacity for growth. A key objective is to ensure all facilities are clean, modern, free of barriers and characterized by efficiency and respect for human dignity.

Seaside Goodwill
Donation Center and Store
729 Broadway Ave., Seaside CA
(831) 394-1212
https://www.ccgoodwill.org

Store hours:
9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday

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.

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

Sheraton Palo Alto Opens ‘Reimagined’ Poolside Grill After Six-Month Renovation Project

The Sheraton Palo Alto has announced the re-opening of its popular Poolside Grill after an extensive six-month renovation.

Palo Alto, CA, Dec 04, 2017 - The Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel has announced the re-opening of its popular Poolside Grill after an extensive six-month renovation.

The 76-seat restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, opened its doors Nov. 27. The renovation, or “reimagining,” followed the renovation of the hotel’s lobby, bar and public spaces, which was also designed by Oakland-based design firm Arcsine.

“It feels really good to open,” said Suzanne Murdoch, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Pacific Hotel Management, the hotel’s parent company. “There are a lot of restaurants in Palo Alto to choose from, but it’s very unique because of the ambiance of being next to the pool. And, it’s always had a reputation of consistently offering fantastic food. It’s a local’s favorite too.”

Murdoch said the menu has basically remained the same, albeit with the introduction of a breakfast buffet and a few new touches here and there by Executive Chef Mark Ayers, who joined the culinary team in May. She added that Ayers will be making changes to the menu next year.

Ayers is not only Executive Chef of the Sheraton, but its nearby sister properties in the Pacific Hotel Management group, the Westin Palo Alto and The Clement Palo Alto.

“We didn’t want to change too many things just now and stay with the current lunch and dinner menu for now,” said Murdoch. “Mark added his own spin to breakfast, adding a few new items and embellishing our popular breakfast buffet.”

She said the restaurant’s signature items, such as the popular Minestrone Soup, the Wild Argentine Shrimp Tacos, the Scallop and Prawn Linguine and the Grilled Angus Flat Iron Steak Sandwich, will remain on the menu.

The design of the restaurant takes its cues from the style of the lobby renovations, with clean modern design also by Arcsine. The designers embraced the original modernist architecture while adding modest contemporary touches, including refined furniture and elegantly simple light fixtures. The palette of clear walnut and textural cream with brushed brass accents unites the restaurant aesthetically with the hotel’s renovated public space.

Inside the restaurant, natural light floods into the vaulted skylight and highlights the restored wood plank ceiling, diffusing light throughout the space.

The furniture layout is arranged to maximize views to the pool and patterned wood screens surround banquettes near the entry to create a strong sense of arrival. Considering the local tech nexus, connectivity is key; an elevated communal table offers power at the table apron, while minimalist outlets are installed at Pullman-style booths.

By relocating the buffet opposite the pool, the space better transitions from day to night: custom-patterned accordion doors stack discreetly away to feature the breakfast spread and expand during lunch and dinner service to create a feature wall.

“It really has a resort-style atmosphere, it feels like your dining at a resort,” said Murdoch. “It’s a great restaurant that opens up to the pool and you can either eat on the pool deck or inside. When the weather is nice and the doors are open, it’s a very popular place to eat.”

The Breakfast Buffet is available from 6-10 a.m. daily; a la carte breakfast is offered from 6-11 a.m.; lunch is served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and dinner from 5-10:30 p.m.

Murdoch added that the hotel also offers complimentary on-site parking for those dining at the Poolside Grill.

About the Sheraton Palo Alto
The Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel is the perfect location for business or leisure travel, bay area weddings or banquets in Silicon Valley. Located at the entrance to Stanford University, the hotel is within walking distance to downtown Palo Alto with its charming boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and nightlife.

Just one block away you will find the nationally recognized Stanford Shopping Center, Stanford Stadium, Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto Medical Foundation and the Town & Country Village. The hotel is one block from the CalTrain Station, which provides easy access into San Francisco and San Jose.

The Sheraton’s resort-like setting provides 346 spacious guestrooms with many of the rooms featuring a patio or balcony that overlooks the koi ponds, water and flower garden or the sparkling pool.

The Club Level offers special in-room amenities with access to the Club Lounge. The Club Lounge provides complimentary continental breakfast and complimentary evening hors d’oeuvres as well as a private area to relax, read or utilize high-speed Internet access.

The Bay Area Silicon Valley Hotel offers event facilities for banquet and wedding receptions.

Sheraton Palo Alto
625 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94301
TEL 650.328.2800
FAX 650.327.7362
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=214

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=214

Hyatt Carmel Highlands Undergoing Major Renovation Hotel Turns 100 in 2017

Frequently asked Questions on Renovation Renovation to be Completed July 2016

Salinas, CA, May 30, 2016 - The Highlands Inn was built in 1916 by Frank Work and sold to J. Frank Devendorf, one of the co-founders of the city of Camel-by-the-Sea, who opened it in 1917. Devendorf envisioned an inn "that combined the rustic qualities of its setting, yet offered travelers all the luxury that the progress of the new century could offer," according to a story in The Monterey Peninsula Herald archives. Devendorf developed the Carmel Highlands as a residential community with a keen appreciation of its unique setting. Devendorf and his longtime foreman, Frank DeAmaral, planted pine trees and laid out the roads and building sites to be in harmony with the natural surroundings.

As early as 1906, the San Francisco Call newspaper devoted a full page to the "artists, poets and writers" of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Highlands.

Over the years, the Highlands Inn and the Carmel Highlands area became a haven for many artists and writers, including authors Robinson Jeffers, George Sterling, Jack London, Harry Leon Wilson and Mary Austin; journalist Jimmy Hopper; photographers Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, marine painter William Ritschel and Pulitzer Prize-winner playwright and novelist Martin Flavin.

Building on that tradition, the Carmel Highlands has continued to host notable celebrities, including Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Robert Redford, Tina Turner, Michael J. Fox, John Denver, Tony Bennett and John Travolta. The Highlands Inn has also played host to nobility, including the Crown Prince of Japan and the Crown Prince of Jordan.

About Pacific’s Edge:
Set on the edge of the earth overlooking the unforgettable ocean vistas, Pacific’s Edge Restaurant at Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers award-winning cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere with glass walls and impeccable service standards. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Big Sur coastline as you savor innovative California coastal cuisine, made with the freshest seafood, meats and locally sourced produce and ingredients with a seasonal focus. An excellent choice for both everyday dining and special occasions, Pacific’s Edge Restaurant offers a convivial ambience along with jaw-dropping views that cannot be topped. Known as one of the best dining options in the area, our Carmel restaurant has received AAA’s 4 Diamond awards year after year, and been named as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America by Zagat and one of the Top Ten Restaurants with a View by USA Today. You’ll also find an incredible wine menu, which has also been honored with Grand and Excellence awards by Wine Spectator.

About California Market:
With dramatic views of the breathtaking Big Sur California coastline and Yankee Point, California Market Restaurant provides an ideal setting for a delightful breakfast or lunch with friends in a casual bistro atmosphere. Dine in the sun on our expansive redwood deck, or eat indoors next to a warm pot-bellied stove as you experience the friendly and attentive service that Hyatt is known for around the world. California Market Restaurant at Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers something for every palate, with a rotating menu of fresh-caught seafood, seasonal local produce, gourmet sandwiches and daily specials. Start your day with a delicious breakfast array, savor a light lunch or sip a glass of fine California wine as you soak in the magnificent view. Reservations recommended. Please call 831-622-5450 or visit Open Table.

 Renovation Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the renovations?

The renowned Hyatt Carmel Highlands is completing one of the most exciting renovations in its 99-year history. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Pacific’s Edge, along with the guestrooms, bar, hotel entrance and lobby area are undergoing a series of upscale enhancements inspired by the property’s refined charm and classic seaside setting.

Renovations will include the merger of Pacific’s Edge with the hotel’s excellent casual bistro, California Market, into a new restaurant — California Market at Pacific’s Edge.

When will the renovations be completed?

The renovations are currently being completed in phases to accommodate guests. We will continue to keep guests informed as the phases are completed.

What is the design inspiration?

The design concept for the renovation is based on the rich history of the property.

Drawing from the artist colonies that were the heart of the artistic and literary landscape that Carmel is known for, the new restaurant and bar area will reflect a celebration of those elements and casts a nod to the rugged local coastline. As guests arrive, sculptural elements of flying coastal birds will greet them, framing a breathtaking view of the Big Sur coast. Seating styles are a comfortable collection of chairs featuring tweed fabric and leather “elbow” patches reminiscent of a country sports jacket.

What was the idea behind the renovations?

We are thrilled to offer our patrons these improvements. This luxurious refresh will offer some new design elements, while maintaining the unique and authentic feel that has made visiting this property such a memorable experience for so many during the last century.

What will the transformation of Pacific’s Edge entail?

The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Pacific’s Edge, will be merged with the hotel’s casual bistro, California Market, into one venue, California Market at Pacific’s Edge. The new three-meal restaurant will be on the upper level, where Pacific's Edge was located and feature an expanded 40-seat, 1,200-square-foot heated outdoor dining deck with awe-inspiring views of the rugged coastline. The addition of the glass-railed deck will allow capacity at the restaurant to increase by about one-third, to 140 diners and allow for unobstructed views.

New seating arrangements will include a large communal table made of a fallen Monterey cypress trunk and high-top tables in select areas to allow everyone a great view of the Pacific Ocean. The space feels tailored yet comfortable for that casual breakfast or lunch, as well as a relaxing celebratory dinner overlooking a spectacular sunset.

What other renovations are taking place?

In addition to the restaurant upgrades, renovations will be completed in the front entrance, guestrooms, bar and lobby area.

How are guest rooms being renovated?

Guests will enjoy new furnishings, décor, color schemes, new heating and the addition of air conditioning across the hotel’s 48 rooms inclusive of its 10 suites. The guestrooms’ refreshed look will draw upon the hotel’s upscale coastal ambience.

How will the bar area be upgraded?

The existing bar, Sunset Lounge, will be reconfigured to take greater advantage of the spectacular views of the Pacific coastline. The design theme for the lounge is derived from elements consistent with the area’s historic artist colonies.

Timber frames and metal strappings that were once used to hold back the coastal cliff sides are being represented in the design elements. Artisanal glass blown pendant lights are above the bar. Sleek marble countertops create a perfect nook to share crafted artisanal cocktails, award-winning wines and great conversation.

What renovations are taking place in the lobby?

New furnishings and living room style components will be added to the hotel’s lobby area, which will be outfitted to accommodate private parties of more than 100 guests.

What is the name of the design firm?

Clear on Black is an interior architectural design firm for upscale and luxury hotels and resorts. The firm has designed several of the exclusive properties that form part of the Hyatt Vacation Ownership portfolio.

Will there be any changes to the cuisine?

In addition to the renovations, a series of exciting new dining options by Executive Chef Chad Minton will be unveiled. Chef Minton and his executive sous chef Alvaro Dalmau have devised a new menu that features the most popular selections from both restaurants along with several new selections

Will California Market close?

California Market will continue to operate either in its current location or someone else onsite once the new restaurant is completed.

Will the new venue be considered fine dining?

There will be some fine dining components; however, the new venue will also feature other elements to appeal to a broader audience.

Is there a philosophy behind the new menu?

The menu embraces the philosophy of conscious cuisine, which we are committed to providing our guests every day. This commitment includes:

• Utilizing meats and poultry that are only naturally farmed and certified organic
• Utilizing only the finest, locally sourced meats, fish and produce.
• Forming partnerships with local foragers and purchasing organic produce primarily within a 100-mile radius of the property
• Purchasing sustainable seafood in compliance with the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch

What are some of the new menu items?

Sample menu items at California Market at Pacific’s Edge include a cast iron skillet egg scramble featuring chorizo, tomato, potato, cilantro and grilled bread and organic fried eggs, all natural, hickory-smoked maple bacon, Monterey jack cheese on toasted brioche bun, for breakfast.

Lunch includes such delectable choices as Baja fish tacos featuring fresh locally caught fish topped with shaved cabbage and chipotle aioli; chicken sofrito empanadas with Santa Barbara green olives, capers and smoked paprika aioli; and a Petaluma fried chicken sandwich with spicy pickles and black pepper honey on a toasted brioche bun.

For dinner, start with an appetizer of heirloom tomatoes, buratta mozzarella, opal basil blossoms and sherry vinegar, followed by signature entrees such as merlot-glazed short ribs with roasted baby heirloom carrots, kale and buttermilk potato puree and hook and line-caught sea bass with almond gazpacho, grapes, basil oil, and sun choke chips.

Even the bar menu will be reinvigorated with such items as short rib tacos, buttermilk-dipped and fried calamari, Gilroy garlic fries and a classic double-patty with American cheese PCH Burger.

The 50-page wine list at Pacific's Edge has also been updated, with more emphasis on the many excellent wines from Monterey County.

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