Category Archives: Community Events

Alain Pinel Realtors/Relocation, Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

Congratulations to Judie Profeta and Cathy Schanderl, Alain Pinel Realtors ~ Carmel CA #Carmellifestyle#aprcarmel

Carmel Chamber of Commerce 2016 Luncheon, Carmel CA

June 10, 2016

Judie Profeta, owner/broker of Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel
Judie Profeta, owner/broker of Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel.  Awarded the Citizen of the Year award.

An amazing time was had by all at the Carmel Chamber of Commerce 2016 luncheon in the barrel room of Folktale Winery & Vineyards in Carmel Valley.  Jeanie Sumners of the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Board Chair,  welcomed all.  Assisting her on stage, Erin Clark of KSBW proved again that she is the best emcee on the Monterey Peninsula bringing levity and excitement to the introductions and ceremony.  Mayor Steve Dallas was introduced and he assured everyone the beach fires on Carmel Beach would return.

After a delicious lunch, recognition was given to members of the chamber celebrating their milestone participation in the Carmel Chamber from 5 years and up.  Twenty-seven businesses were recognized for 45+ years of membership including the Hyatt Carmel Highlands or as most of us refer to it, the Highlands Inn (one of my very favorite places).  Mel Bettcher, the Managing Director was there to accept the honor.

Recognition was given to Volunteer Committees and Staff and I was even able to stand up to get recognized as a new Ambassador to the Chamber.

The Spirit of the Chamber Awards are always the big prize and two Alain Pinel Realtors came home with two of the honors.

Cathy Shanderl, Realtor, Alain Pinel Realtors
Cathy Shanderl, Realtor, Alain Pinel Realtors

Cathy Shanderl, one of my fellow realtors at Alain Pinel, won the Ambassador of the Year Award.  She is always ready to help and had contributed greatly to the Chamber events.

Judie Profeta, owner/broker of Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel accepting Citizen of the Year Award
Judie Profeta, owner/broker of Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel accepting Citizen of the Year Award

Judie Profeta, owner/broker of Alain Pinel Realtors, Carmel, was honored as the 2016 Citizen of the Year.  This is a  huge honor and reflects Judie’s great contributions to the community not only for the many boards she serves on, but her willingness to give to her community in so many different ways.  Judie gives endlessly to her community, to her agents and business, and to her family.  A class act.

All in all, it was a lovely event.  I met new friends, caught up with old friends and was able to cheer for my Alain Pinel associates.

 

Alain Pinel Realtors/Relocation, Carmel Lifestyle, Community Events

Living the #Carmellifestyle ~ Bopping around Carmel on a sunny Saturday!

Living the #Carmellifestyle . . .  by the way, what does that mean anyway?  I guess it’s different for everyone depending on “what floats your boat” but I’ll give you a taste of what I think is fun around Carmel, because that’s just what I did yesterday on a gorgeous Saturday morning.  (Yes, realtors do take a day off once in a while!)  I started off the day having a lovely breakfast with my hubby and then after a kiss good-bye, I took off on my adventure.

Mantra Salon, at Mission and 7th, in the Court of the Fountains
Mantra Salon, at Mission and 7th, in the Court of the Fountains

First stop was my appointment with Veronica, owner of Mantra Salon, for a cut and color.  She is so amazing and I always feel beautiful when I walk out of there.!  Since I’m preparing for a trip I had a long list of “to do’s” and having my hair done was #1.

Court of the Fountains, Mission & 7th
Court of the Fountains, Mission & 7th

Mantra Salon looks out onto this beautiful courtyard, Court of the Fountains – how Carmel is that!  As I left sporting my new do, I noted the mark on my tires,  and knew it was time to move my car before the meter maid came around again.   I found a lucky spot right on Ocean Avenue right where The Art Festival was in full gear.

23rd Annual Art Festival & Plein Air Competition
23rd Annual Art Festival & Plein Air Competition

Artists come from all over the country to participate in the Annual Art Festival & Plein Air Competition.  They scatter themselves all over the Monterey Peninsula Wednesday – Friday painting all of our wonderful scenery.

Painting of the Carmel Mission by Julie Khyler
Painting of the Carmel Mission by Julie Khyler

Then the paintings are hung in the outside gallery on Mission St. between Ocean and 6th for viewing, judging, and bidding on.  The winning bidders will take home the paintings to hang in their homes.

Viewers admiring the paintings.
Viewers admiring the paintings.
Painting of the Pacific Grove ice plant in bloom by Monika Johnson
Painting of the Pacific Grove ice plant in bloom by Monika Johnson

All of a sudden I spotted a very familiar scene.  Stacy Barter had painted our charming Alain Pinel Realtors office in downtown Carmel and her painting had won first prize in the Plein Air Competition!

Painting of the Alain Pinel Realtors office in Carmel by Stacy Barter
Painting of the Alain Pinel Realtors office in Carmel by Stacy Barter
First prize in the Plein Air Competition
First prize in the Plein Air Competition
Susan (moi) admiring Stacy's painting
Susan (moi) admiring Stacy’s painting

Well, that was certainly a wonderful discovery, but my stomach was growling so I headed to Carmel Plaza  to the Carmel Coffee and Cocoa Bar

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to grab a delicious Greek Salad before the fashion show which would  begin at 1:00pm.

Greek salad with chicken at Carmel Coffee and Cocoa Bar
Greek salad with chicken at Carmel Coffee and Cocoa Bar

Mira Schumacher, the owner of the cafe, greets her customers by name and makes them feel very welcome . . . and has dynamite food!  Since the cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, I settled on a table in the sun to enjoy the lovely weather as well as the 60’s music that was already blaring throughout the plaza to put us in the 60’s mood.

Outdoor tables among the gardens in the plaza.
Outdoor tables among the gardens in the plaza.
Fashion Show with a 60's theme in the Plaza
Fashion Show with a 60’s theme in the Plaza

After lunch I hurried to a seat in the area of the  plaza where the Fashion Show was to take place.  The master of ceremonies was just about to begin.

Master of Ceremonies introduces the fashion show.
Master of Ceremonies introduces the fashion show.

I’ve always loved Fashion Shows so was really looking forward to it!

Here we go . . .

Model on the runway in Carmel Plaza.
Model on the runway in Carmel Plaza.

 

to be continued . . . .

 

Community Events

“Good Old Days” are back again ~ Pacific Grove, CA

59th Annual Good Old Days Celebration featuring fantastic bands, crafts fair & parade!
Good Old Days Celebration featuring fantastic bands, crafts fair & parade!

April 9th and 10th 2016  Pacific Grove, CA

Don’t miss the 59th Annual Good Old Days  Celebration taking place today and tomorrow.  Every year residents and visitors look forward to this local event which begins with a parade Saturday morning down Pine Street and continues Saturday and Sunday with a wide array of fun events.

 Good old days

When I first moved to Pacific Grove 17 years ago I couldn’t believe what a big event this little seaside town puts together.  I even have been in the parade a couple of times with my then 97 year old mother riding in the front seat of my convertible.  What a thrill it was for both of us!

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It’s the largest arts and crafts show in the county, and features over 225 art and food vendors in downtown Pacific Grove on Lighthouse Avenue.  There will be live entertainment on five stages with old-fashioned games and contests, and lots of family fun.

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The schedule of events can be found on the Pacific Grove Chamber website.  To mention a few highlights you’ll be able to enjoy “Moonalice, Thom Cuneo Jazz Band, The Snarky Cats, Rayburn Brothers Band, Stu Heydon Blues Band, Samz School of Rock, Short Band, PG Pops Orchestra and more!”

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New this year is the BookWorks Dance Stage! There will be eight dance groups performing back-to-back-to-back from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. The dance groups include PGHS Breaker Girls Dance Team, Stevenson School Dance, Azahar Flamenco de Monterey, RockStar Dance Studio, DiFranco Dance Project, Park Avenue Belly Dance, Dance Center Carmel, and Groove Like BollyWorld.”

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So come to downtown Pacific Grove and join the fun!

Community Events, Local Attractions, Monterey Bay Aquarium

#Monterey Bay Aquarium ~ New exhibit to entice us!

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“The slithery.  The scaly.  The spectacularly showy.  Discover incredible animals from land and sea in this special exhibition featuring creatures from the coastal habitats of Baja California.  Life here thrives on the edge of sand and surf, where rugged desert coastline meets the sapphire waters of the Pacific.”

Cortez Rainbow Wrasse
Cortez Rainbow Wrasse

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has opened an amazing new exhibit.  You will not want to miss it!  I first was introduced to Baja in the 1970’s when I flew down there in a small 4-seater aircraft.  The airports were so rough that we had to fly over the runway first to scare the cows off so we could land and the gas had to be strained through netting before filling up the tank.  Baja was dotted with many tiny fishing villages along the coast at that time and we snorkeled and saw many of the amazing fish and critters in this exhibit.  Those were the days . . .

Panamic green moray eel
Panamic green moray eel

Luckily, I never ran into “these guys”!  Although I have seen morays up close and personal scuba diving in other areas in the tropics, I never try to pet them!

Golden trevally
Golden trevally
Desert tortoise
Desert tortoise

“This 800-mile-long narrow peninsula in northwestern Mexico is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of California.

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With almost 2,000 miles of coastline, sun-scorched desert, lush mangrove forests and colorful coral reefs, Baja is a land of contrasts, where unique plants and animals survive and thrive.”

Pacific Seahorse
Pacific Seahorse
Lookdown
Lookdown
Bluespotted Jawfish
Bluespotted Jawfish

I hope I have peaked your interest with these incredible photos from the Monterey Bay Aquarium web site.  Go take a gander at these amazing creatures in person.  You’ll be glad you did!