Summer is here and it’s time for a mini-vacation! Enter for a chance to win the ultimate getaway to the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Explore the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, stay for two nights, and wake up to a delicious breakfast in Jacks Restaurant. This is a Bay Area getaway you won’t soon forget!

The Monterey Hotel Giveaway Package includes: a two-night stay at Portola Hotel & Spa; breakfast for two at Jacks Restaurant each morning; and two Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets. Visit http://www.portolahotel.com/monterey-giveaway to enter.

Please note: Terms and conditions apply. Must be 18 or older to enter. Last day to enter is August 26, 2015. Winner will be notified via email by August 28, 2015.

Alvarado Street Brewery and Grill is pleased to announce that Jeremiah Tydeman, 37, joined our team last month and has already been making some great changes to the existing menu, overhauling the burger, mac 'n cheese, fish tacos, and introducing the wildly popular new carnitas tacos. Right now he's gearing up to launch a new, seasonal fall menu by mid-September.

Tydeman grew up in Half Moon Bay and worked as a aircraft technician for 8 years after serving in the Navy before he discovered his passion for the cooking. He earned a Culinary Arts degree from the Institute of Technology in Roseville in 2006 and began cooking under Chef Richard Reddington at Redd Restaurant in Napa Valley. Tydeman would go on to cook at two other Michelin Star restaurants in the area, including La Toque and Sante Restaurant in Sonoma before ending up at The Bench in Pebble Beach where he was the Sous Chef for three years.

While he considers his cooking style a hybrid of California and French fare, Tydeman is influenced by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and is very drawn to the bold, bright flavors of Southeast Asian culinary traditions. His basic philosophy encompasses a wide range of flavors and celebrates classic dishes that are simply prepared but done well. Head Brewer JC Hill and Tydeman will be working closely together to marry the food and beer offerings at Alvarado Street, with the goal of giving guests the ultimate sensory experience.

Alvarado Street Brewery is pleased to announce that we’ve been awarded two more medals this year, this time at the crowded field at the 2015 California State Fair in Sacramento.

Minesweeper IPA took second place honors in the American IPA category in a field of 141 other entries. Triple Cone, our annually brewed Triple IPA, was awarded second place among 79 entries in the Imperial IPA category. In all, over 1,000 beers were judged at this year's California State Fair, making it one of the largest Commerical Craft Beer competitions on the West Coast.

Earlier in the year, Alvarado Street Brewery was awarded four medals at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition (Gold for Monterey Common and Mai Tai PA, Silver for Minesweeper IPA and Milk Stout) and two medals at the San Diego International Beer Competition (Gold for Smokestack Lightning Smoked IPA, Silver for Alta California Pale Ale). We're hoping to carry this momentum to the 2015 Great American Beer Fest in Denver this fall!

Coastal Home Furniture Gallery announces our Back-to-School Sale, happening now through August 11, 2015. Get the look and comfort you want at an affordable price! We're offering futon couches from $459, queen mattresses priced from $359, and 20% off all futon covers, pillows, and bedding.

Carbone’s is pleased to announce that we are now offering Happy Hour Mini-Meals! Purchase a beer at Happy Hour and you can buy a single basket of any of these items for only $3: Cajun potato wedges, fried pickles, cheese bites, nachos, brochette, or fries.

Happy Hour is Monday-Friday, 3pm-7pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 2pm-7pm. Come on down for $3.75 beer and well drinks and free pool!

Monterey Bay Aquarium invites you to join us for Evenings by the Bay! Our extended summer hours - until 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays - allow you to see the Aquarium in a whole new light.

Stroll our galleries with fewer people as you enjoy a glass of wine and listen to a variety of musical performances on Saturdays and live jazz from Monterey Jazz Festival musicians on Sundays.

In addition, enjoy sustainable bites in our Cafe, including brick-oven pizzas, fresh-tossed salads and desserts. All of our dishes feature the freshest, local ingredients sourced from Monterey Bay and the Central Valley.

For a complete entertainment schedule and a list of other featured guests each evening (such as wineries), please visit the Evenings by the Bay webpage.

Photos taken at the 2015 4th of July celebrations in Old Monterey are now on our website! On the Old Monterey Photos page, check out the photo albums for:

• Monterey 4th of July Parade
• Big Little Backyard Bar-B-Que & Entertainment Extravaganza at City Hall
• July 4th Living History Day at Cooper-Molera Adobe
• Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #1 for MY Museum

On July 1st, 2015, Frost Cupcake Factory celebrated their 4th Anniversary of their ministry of yumminess. They gave away cupcakes, held a raffle for prizes (including a custom pink Frost Cupcakes beach cruiser bike from the Cruiser Shop), and gave everyone a chance to yuk it up with a fun photo "booth" by The Laugh Box.

We took some photos of their big day for all to enjoy.