Public invited July 2 to Preview PG Museum’s New Exhibit ‘Changes,’ Meet New Executive Director

  Facing perhaps its most profound set of challenges since it opened in 1883, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History couldn’t help but experience changes during this past year. 

Pacific Grove, CA, June 14, 2021 — Facing perhaps its most profound set of challenges since it opened in 1883, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History couldn’t help but experience changes during this past year. Change is a natural process in life — also seen over time in the very ecosystems the museum celebrates.

On Friday, July 2, the general public is invited to the aptly named Changes of Monterey exhibit, and meet the museum’s new Executive Director Carla Bitter. Despite being closed for much of 2020, the museum designed and launched “Changes,” which celebrates the habitats of Monterey County and raises awareness about human impacts on our delicate ecosystems over time. The exhibit shows that humans have the ability to make choices that will lead to positive changes in our local environment. It will be a day of wonder from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with special evening activities during Pacific Grove’s First Friday celebrations from 6-9 p.m. 

Bitter’s 20-year professional museum career has spanned field archaeology, science museums and zoo programs, outreach and exhibit development, with a career highlight as the EPO Manager (Education & Public Outreach) for NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Mission. 

Hired at PGMNH in April, Bitter has helped develop and led an array of science and museum experiences, with positions at the Museum of Flight, Woodland Park Zoo, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.), and the NSF Science & Technology Center, devoted to arid land and riparian hydrology at the University of Arizona. Bitter has served on multiple NASA, NOAA and IMLS (Institution of Museum and Library Services) review panels in support of climate, earth and space science public education. A biologist with an MS in molecular genetics/conservation ecology, Bitter places great emphasis on public science communication of complex topics through education programs, exhibits and community outreach. 

Currently open Friday through Monday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) with Thursday being added on July 1st. Following CA guidelines, we will be open to full capacity by June 15 and masks will still be required. In addition, The museum will remain open on Independence Day, Sunday, July 4, with regular hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 

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. For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org. 

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

Salinas YMCA Hosts Meet and Greet for New Executive Director on July 1-2

The Salinas YMCA will hold meet-and-greets for its new Executive Director of Operations, Bill Proulx, on July 1 and 2, at the Salinas YMCA Family Center.

Salinas, CA, June 28, 2019 — The Salinas YMCA will hold meet-and-greets for its new Executive Director of Operations, Bill Proulx, on July 1 and 2, at the Salinas YMCA Family Center.

The first meet-and-greet will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 1, the second from 6-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, at the center, 117 Clay St., in Salinas. The July 1 event will feature season watermelon for all attendees, and the July 2, homemade oatmeal.

For more information on the two events, call (831) 758-3811.

About the Central Coast YMCA
Formed in 1989, the Central Coast YMCA began with the merger of two independent YMCAs; the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). Originally a USO built in 1941, with the purpose of supporting American troops during World War II, the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula joined the association in 1990. In 1998 the South County YMCA became the fourth branch in the association, extending its service area to the residents of south Monterey County. The YMCA of San Benito County became the fifth and most recent addition to the association in 1999.

CCYMCA is an independent, private, nonprofit corporation, a part of the YMCA of the USA, but responsible for its own policies, programs, and budgets. It employs 27 full-time employees, about 225 part-time employees, and 120 volunteers who impact approximately 40,000 people in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.

For more information on Central Coast YMCA, call (831) 757-4633 or go to centralcoastymca.org. CCYMCA is located at 500 Lincoln Ave. in Salinas.

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

The Nonprofit Monterey Symphony Selects Nicola Reilly as its New Executive Director

Nicola Reilly has been named Executive Director for the Monterey Symphony, the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur and San Benito County.

Monterey, CA, July 06, 2017 — Nicola Reilly has been named Executive Director for the Monterey Symphony, the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur and San Benito County.

Reilly was serving as Director of Institutional Advancement for the Symphony when she was tapped to be Executive Director by the Symphony Board of Directors.

“Nicola will be responsible for managing the staff of the Symphony and all aspects of its operations. She will continue to be in charge of the Symphony’s marketing and development activities, with the support of myself and the board of directors. We believe that this move will provide the ability for the Symphony to prosper as its presents its 72nd Season, Concert Grand, beginning in October," said Lee Rosen, Board President.

Prior to joining the Symphony, Reilly was the Director of Development for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at California State University Monterey Bay and previously served as the Director of Development and Marketing for the Carmel Bach Festival.

A Seattle native, Reilly held positions at Seattle Chamber Music Society, the Medieval Women’s Choir, The Column Group and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She currently sits on the board of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras as their membership chair.

A classically trained violinist, Reilly has toured, performed and recorded with Sky Cries Mary and Mastodon. On the Monterey Peninsula, she is a member of Tuxedo Boombox and occasionally plays with other ensembles.

Reilly holds an advanced degree in Arts Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Music History from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

About the Monterey Symphony
The mission of the Monterey Symphony is to engage, educate and excite its community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.

Under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor Max Bragado-Darman, the Monterey Symphony provides triple performances of a six-concert subscription series at Carmel’s Sunset Theater and Salinas’s Sherwood Hall, as well as youth education programs that include visits to classrooms by musicians and culminate in full-orchestra concerts for school children.

The Monterey Symphony is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supported in part through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, and through grants.

For additional information, please call 831-646-8511 or visit our website: www.montereysymphony.org.

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