ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay Offers Free Retesting For Every Positive COVID-19 Antibody Test

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay, which had been conducting almost 100 COVID-19 antibody tests daily at its Monterey facilities, is now offering free confirmation testing to anyone who receives a positive lab-based antibody test starting May 28th.

Monterey, CA, May 29, 2020 — ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay, which had been conducting almost 100 COVID-19 antibody tests daily at its Monterey facilities, is now offering free confirmation testing to anyone who receives a positive lab-based antibody test starting May 28th.

With FDA authorized antibody testing increasing in availability and accuracy, more tests are being performed every day. As testing advances and matures however, best practices are also emerging to ensure that individuals, physicians, and employers get results that they can understand and rely upon.

Follow up testing serves as both confirmation to verify the accuracy of the original positive result, as well as a second data point to follow the progress of an individual’s immune response. By offering this follow-up testing to all antibody positive clients at no additional charge, ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is continuing to expand access and pioneer best practices for COVID-19 exposure testing for residents and employers in Monterey County.

If you have had a positive antibody test from ARCpoint Labs and want to be retested for free, contact ARCpoint at (831) 324-0772 or at www.labtestmonterey.com.

ARCpoint is currently offering two versions of the lab-based COVID-19 antibody test: a single antibody test which detects only the long-term antibody IgG; and a triple antibody test which looks for IgM, IgG, and IgA to get the most complete and reliable information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Marci Bracco Cain, (831) 747-7455

Media note: ARCpoint Co-Owner and Labs Lab Director Spenser Smith is available for media interviews. Please contact Marci Bracco Cain at (831) 747-7455 to set up an interview.

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

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro Opens in Carmel Plaza

The owners behind Monterey’s Alvarado Street Brewery have decided to rebrand their third location, Yeast of Eden (located in the Carmel Plaza) to Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro.

Carmel, CA, May 28, 2020 - The owners behind Monterey’s Alvarado Street Brewery have decided to rebrand their third location, Yeast of Eden (located in the Carmel Plaza) to Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro. This comes at a time when restaurants are preparing to reopen for dine-in service for the first time since March, and many small business owners have reformulated their approach to surviving in a post Covid-19 world.

Deeply rooted in the Monterey Peninsula, the Alvarado Street brand has expanded into a globally recognized, world class brewery achieving prestigious national and international awards, helping put the Monterey Peninsula on the map for craft beer fans. The initial brewpub in Monterey was founded in 2014 and was followed by the establishment of a production brewery and taproom in Salinas in 2016. Yeast of Eden, the name of Alvarado Street’s barrel aged sour beer project, was chosen as the name of the owners’ third location, which opened in December of 2018 in Carmel Plaza. According to Co-Owner and Brewmaster J.C. Hill, “the Yeast of Eden brand will continue producing wild & sour beers at our Salinas location, while the focus of the Carmel brewpub will be mainly hoppy beers; IPAs and the like, as well as lagers and progressive R&D batches that we can scale up into cans at our Salinas location. We will be pouring everything we make at our Monterey & Salinas locations as well and will be offering cans of beer to go. We routinely come out with 3-4 different beers in cans each week, so it’ll be nice for Carmel locals & visitors alike to be able to access these fresh, fun beers.”

Executive Chef Steven Patlan’s Carmel menu will blend California coastal cuisine with a regional twist, sourcing as many local ingredients as possible. A variety of mouth-watering burgers & sandwiches can be expected along with daily specials that are designed to pair with fresh beer made on-site. His roots

growing up in the Central Valley gave him a knack for smoked barbeque, which will be the main special every Saturday and includes low & slow cooked baby back ribs, tri tip, hot links & chopped pork shoulder. Sunday will feature a seafood boil with choices of local Dungeness crab, Mexican white prawns, and Louisiana crawfish (flown in fresh the day before) served with sweet corn, fingerling potatoes & smoked andouille sausage.

Final details of food offerings are still being developed as Monterey county restauranteurs await guidelines from local officials to reopen for dine-in service, but regardless, Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro will open for curbside takeout of food and beer starting Wednesday, June 3rd. Hours of operation will be 3 to 8 pm, Wednesday & Thursday, and 12 to 8 pm Friday through Sunday. Mondays & Tuesdays will be closed, but the owners hope to resume operation on those days once normal occupancy levels are permitted in restaurants, later in the reopening process.

Alvarado Street’s newly branded location in Carmel-by-the-Sea is uniquely positioned for outdoor dining, with an expansive patio in the Plaza’s courtyard that will see tables safely distanced at a minimum of six feet away from one another. The restaurant’s owners and management are working diligently to take all precautionary measures from the state and CDC guidelines to ensure a safe dining environment for patrons and employees alike.

Carmel Plaza Suite 112 May 27, 2020
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Contact: Wendy Walker, 925-286-8661
wendy@alvaradostreetbrewery.com

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro is located on the courtyard level of Carmel Plaza, on the Northeast corner of Mission Street and 7th Ave. in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Curbside pickup is accessed through the entrance on Mission Street, and an online ordering platform with menu offerings can be found at www.asbcarmel.com. Call in orders can be placed at 831-293-8621. You can follow Alvarado Street’s Bistro location on Instagram and Facebook at @asbcarmel. Call in orders can be placed at 831-293-8621. For more information please contact Wendy Walker at wendy@alvaradostreetbrewery.com

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

The Clement Palo Alto Opens June 1

Unparalleled Service in All-Inclusive Luxury. Visit Our Website (http://www.theclementpaloalto.com/)

Palo Alto, CA, May 28, 2020 - Experience all-inclusive luxury including breakfast, lunch & dinner delivered to your door.

Enjoy your one bedroom suite with Matouk linens, Frette towels & robes, bath amenities by ODE from McEvoy Ranch, 65' Samsung IPTVs, Nespresso Vertuoline Coffee machines, stocked in-room refrigerators, bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate shower.

The following protocols are in place to ensure that your Clement Palo Alto experience can be enjoyed with piece of mind, knowing that your health and safety are our top priority.

GUEST PROTECTION

We ask that all Guests please follow all CDC Covid-19 guidelines.
Masks should be worn while in public areas, The Clement Palo Alto has a limited supply of disposable masks available, so Guests are encouraged to bring their own masks with them.
Hands should be washed frequently.
Personal hand sanitizer will be provided thru sanitizer stations which will be placed throughout the property for Guest use.
Social distancing should be followed; please keep a minimum of six feet distance.

EMPLOYEE PROTECTION

All Employees are trained in and are following all CDC Covid-19 guidelines.
Employees will wear masks and gloves when working with Guests.

PUBLIC SPACES

Will all be frequently cleaned and sanitized per the AHLA Stay Safe protocols and CDC guidance.
Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the property.
Social distancing guidelines are in place for Guests and Employees

LODGING

Guest suites are cleaned and sanitized prior to your visit using ALHA Stay Safe protocols.
Housekeeping Service Options:
Housekeeping Limited Service: Room is cleaned upon request when guest is out of room.
Housekeeping Daily Drop Service: Requested items will be dropped at the Guest's door.

DINING

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are Room Service only.

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

Back-to-Work COVID-19 Testing Packages Available at ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay for Local Businesses and Companies

All COVID-19 testing performed at ARCpoint Labs is FDA-authorized by the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and is performed in credentialed Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratories.

Monterey, CA, May 26, 2020 — ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay, the foremost lab doing COVID-19 testing in Monterey County, is now offering local companies and businesses COVID-19 testing so they can be prepared for phased-in back-to-work orders from the state.

ARCpoint now has back-to-work packages to help businesses open safely, implement preventative measures and instill confidence in employees that they will be safe when they go to work and that consumers will be safe when they go to these businesses. All COVID-19 testing performed at ARCpoint Labs is FDA-authorized by the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and is performed in credentialed Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratories.

Testing packages, which can be different depending on the type of business and number of employees, can include:

>Three types of testing for COVID-19, one PCR (swab test) that tests for virus itself and two lab-based antibody tests.
>Forms to document the testing.
>Results of tests and explanation of results.
>Sample letter to use for businesses to announce employee testing.
>How to follow up to employees after test results come in.
>Discussion of any follow-up testing that may be necessary.

>On-site and on-call mobile units to perform testing for hiring events, back-to-work testing, or emergency response.

>Expedited turnaround times available.

ARCpoint can also consult with businesses through Zoom video conferencing to go over what's available to them.

The tests administered by ARCpoint are the most accurate and reliable on the market today, according to ARCpoint Lab Director Spenser Smith. Businesses and their employees do not have to have symptoms of the virus or to be referred by a doctor to get the tests. Smith does recommend, however, that business owners and employees consult with their primary care physicians before testing.

"We're not competing with other companies who are preparing businesses to open by offering plans for safe practices, we're coming from the lab perspective, because every reopening needs a testing component," said Smith. "There are not a lot of facilities in Monterey County doing lab tests. Anybody can get a test from us, so working with a lab directly makes it easier and more affordable to include testing in a safe and responsible back-to-work strategy.”

Smith said his lab will not only relay results to employers and their employees, they will explain what different results mean, and offer best practices on how to use results to make fact-based decisions to enhance employee and customer safety.

"It's a delicate balancing act between giving results and offering advice," Smith said.

Any questions or concerns about such things as preventative measures, contact tracing and quarantining should be directed to the Monterey County Health Department, he added.

Smith said that ARCpoint can also do the testing at a company's place of work, which is convenient for businesses and companies with a large number of employees.

For more information on the Back-to-Work package, call ARCpoint at (831) 324-0772. To make an appointment to be tested, go to: labtestmonterey.com.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is located at 24560 Silver Cloud Court, #103, in Monterey. ARCpoint Labs is an independently owned ARCpoint Labs business, part of a Greenville, South Carolina-based franchise.

Smith said ARCpoint is now offering two versions of the lab-based COVID-19 antibody test: a single antibody test which detects only the long-term antibody IgG; and a triple antibody test which looks for IgM, IgG, and IgA to get the most complete and reliable information.

(Note: Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight antigen like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. IgM refers to those antibodies that are produced immediately after an exposure to the disease, while IgG refers to a later response. IgG generally confers protection to a patient so far as a particular virus is concerned. IgA is an antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucous membranes, such as the lungs, sinuses, stomach, and intestines. The amount of IgA produced in association with mucosal membranes is greater than all other types of antibody combined.)

ARCpoint is also offering the so-called RT-PCR tests (also known as a rRT-PCR test), which involves a nasal swab to test for the coronavirus itself.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay, which Smith started with his family in 2018, is one of more than 100 diagnostic testing lab franchises across the U.S. It has partnerships with leading medical labs around the country, allowing it to offer cutting-edge testing solutions from many labs for any need, including the latest and most reliable COVID-19 testing available.

Some of the antibody tests that have been rushed to the market have experienced unreliable results, but Smith said he is confident that the newest COVID-19 antibody tests offered by the lab, which have achieved FDA authorization, are of high quality.

"Independent scientific studies performed around the country continue to show that, while antibody testing is not perfect, it does provide valuable information for individuals as well as for leaders and public health officials to make decisions," Smith said. "The latest FDA-authorized tests authored by such companies as Abbott and Roche have been showing accuracy characteristics that truly take antibody testing to the next level of reliability and usefulness."

Turnaround time for the results of the tests remains 3-5 days, but may be expedited, Smith said. The new lab-based COVID-19 antibody tests could change the way people and businesses are reacting to the pandemic, providing a path toward normalcy for Americans.

Media note: ARCpoint Co-Owner and Labs Lab Director Spenser Smith is available for media interviews. Please contact Marci Bracco Cain at (831) 747-7455 to set up an interview.

ABOUT ARCPOINT LABS
ARCpoint Labs is a full-service national third-party provider and administrator of accurate, reliable, and confidential diagnostic testing for individuals, companies, and legal and healthcare professionals. ARCpoint Labs has been in the drug and alcohol testing business for over 18 years, and our staff has over 60 years of combined industry experience. ARCpoint Labs has over 100 locations across the country with an additional 18 locations slated to open within the next 12 months. For more information on ARCpoint Labs, visit www.arcpointlabs.com.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is an independently owned ARCpoint Labs business, part of a Greenville, South Carolina-based franchise. The Smith family of Monterey, brothers Spenser and Bryant and their parents Belle and Randy, established the company in 2018.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay
24560 Silver Cloud Court, #103 Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 324-0772
Email: monterey@arcpointlabs.com
Website: www.arcpointlabs.com
COVID-19 Appointments: labtestmonterey.com

> On-site and on-call mobile testing units for hiring events, routine testing, or incident response.

> Rapid turnaround times available.

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

Gil Basketball Academy Player Story Christian Soto

Just ask 16-year-old Cristian Soto, who realized early in life that obstacles provided him a chance to practice courage and perseverance.

Salinas, CA, May 25, 2020 - We can learn a lot from our obstacles. Just ask 16-year-old Cristian Soto, who realized early in life that obstacles provided him a chance to practice courage and perseverance.

Soto’s first big challenge happened in the third grade when he broke his ankle.

“It was tough because I was in a cast for three months and that prevented me from doing the things I loved to do,” he said. “My ankle was so weak that I never thought I’d be the same. But I kept building the strength back and came back stronger.”

Today, the 10th grader at Alisal High School is a 6-foot, 2-inch power forward, and a member of Gil Basketball Academy. Through the years he’s earned three MVP awards.

“Basketball really helped me in my life,” he said. “It helped me realize that your team is like another family. They have your back and help you get through tough times. And as the years go on, you build stronger relationships with all your teammates and coaches.”

Basketball helped Soto overcome another challenge — when his family moved from the bright lights of Las Vegas to Salinas five years ago.

“The transition from Vegas to Salinas was hard for me,” he said. “When we first moved here, I didn’t know anyone and had a hard time making friends. I’m kind of shy, too, so that made things harder for me. I wanted to move back but I couldn’t just leave. So what I did was be more open and try to fit in, and that helped me to make friends.”

Soon after moving to Salinas, Soto joined GBA, which made a profound difference in his life.

“Gil Basketball opens up a lot of stuff for you,” he said. “It gives you the opportunity to play the game while learning new things to enhance your game and become a better player. Once you join GBA, you become part of the family and your relationship never dies.”

Soto enjoys a big family at home, living with his parents and three sisters. After graduating from Alisal High School, he plans on attending a four-year university and pursuing a degree in the medical field.

“Preferably in sports medicine,” he said. “In my family, education is very important. Both my parents went to college and earned a degree. They want the same thing from me, so they always push me to get good grades.”

Looking back now, breaking his ankle taught Soto perseverance, dedication and positivity. Moving from Las Vegas to Salinas taught him that nothing is as bad as it seems initially. Opportunities can appear out of nowhere.

“Without basketball, I wouldn’t be at the same school and I wouldn’t have been able to build all the relationships that I have today,” he said.

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

Summer of Seclusion

Book A 30 Day Rental With Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Safe contact less check in; properties open and spacious!

Monterey, CA, May 22, 2020 - Book A 30 Day Rental With Sanctuary Vacation Rentals Safe contact less check in; properties open and spacious!

Plan Your Perfect Vacation
Travelers have more options with vacation rentals. With so many families working from home we know you probably have a desire for a ‘change of scenery’ and we don’t blame you. Enjoy all the family friendly amenities available with renting a vacation home such as backyard b-ques, movie night, and cooking together. With vacation rentals, guests can plan their ideal getaway by selecting a home that has everything in a location that suits them. You can even bring your furry friend as many homes are pet friendly. Most homes offer monthly rentals perfect for parents working remotely or secured as a flexible weekend getaway.

Don’t Sacrifice Privacy and Save Money
What’s your perfect vacation rental? Weather it is a short walk to a quiet beach, or a home so close you can fell the ocean breeze. Maybe your perfect rental is close to the town center and just steps to quaint shops and amazing restaurants or away from it all in a more secluded area. No matter your preference you are sure to find the perfect place for your family with Sanctuary Vacation Rentals.
Vacation rentals provide more privacy. Renting a home typically provides guests with their own bedroom, bathroom and seating area. So, when it’s time to unwind, they have a personal, dedicated space. Vacation homes are great for families because parents can put kids to bed, then watch a movie or spend time together, without worrying about disturbing children.

When compared to other types of accommodations vacation rentals provide much more value and flexibility in living spaces that allow families to remain connected safely.

Live Like a Local
Rental homes provide the comforts and luxuries of home because they are a HOME. Our vacation rentals come stocked with everything you need at no additional cost. We take great pride is setting up our homes for your comfort. Our motto is- All the amenities of a five-star hotel with the comforts of home. The kitchen and dining areas have cookware, utensils and dishes. Guests may also find board games, books and DVDs in their rental. They also have the freedom to bring their own entertainment to enjoy it at no charge. No more paying for movies or flipping channels trying to find something to watch.

Most rental homes are also equipped with washers and dryers, so guests can clean laundry. This is especially helpful if you prefer to pack lightly or are relaxing with us for an entire month, or two. In some homes, guests also have private hot tubs, pools and outside seating areas, perfect for relaxing with loved ones. In a vacation rental, travelers feel more at home and also feel a sense of connection and local pride because they become part of the community during their stay.

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

Goodwill Central Coast’s e-Commerce Team Back in Action and Shipping New Items Daily While Feeding Into Nonprofit’s Mission Of Creating Jobs

Once again, there’s a buzz of activity on the top floor of the Goodwill Central Coast headquarters on Moffett Street in Salinas as Goodwill’s ecommerce team opens up operations again, listing and shipping new items daily.

Salinas, CA, May 22, 2020 — Once again, there’s a buzz of activity on the top floor of the Goodwill Central Coast headquarters on Moffett Street in Salinas as Goodwill’s ecommerce team opens up operations again, listing and shipping new items daily.

Monterey County officials gave Goodwill formal permission to open again on April 30, and, on May 4, the operation began with a manager, assistant manager and four department heads. Three days later, 12 other full-time associates who had been furloughed were recalled.

“We are working on new enhancements in our ecommerce operations daily and expect a larger and more convenient process for our customers soon,” said Alan C. Martinson, Goodwill Central Coast vice president of retail.

The e-commerce team sorts through the most coveted donated items to put up for sale at shopgoodwill.com. The website, which opened in July 2017, represents the first e-commerce auction platform created, owned and operated by a nonprofit. Goodwill designed the virtual marketplace to provide an engaging online shopping destination that would further the Goodwill mission.

“It fits our mission, reinvesting in jobs,” said Martinson. “It’s effectively a job creator within a job creator.”

Shoppers enjoy what Goodwill calls “guilt-free retail therapy,” knowing every purchase supports job training programs and promotes reuse, keeping items out of landfills and reducing the need for scarce natural resources.

Martinson hand-picked the team, store associates with experience and a sharp eye who could cull specialty items from the tons of donations, separate them, tag them, photograph them, process them, upload them, and ship them — all in one facility.

The Salinas team shipped 400 to 500 items each day, from gold jewelry to clothing, musical instruments and more, before the pandemic forced operations to close. At its height, jewelry and books were the biggest sellers on the site.

Goodwill’s Mission

Goodwill Central Coast builds lives, families and communities by helping people with employment needs become successful, supported by innovative enterprises that preserve earth’s resources.

About Goodwill Central Coast
Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 non-profit 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 over 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 13,000 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.

Goodwill Central Coast
1566 Moffet Street
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 423-8611
https://www.ccgoodwill.org

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