Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Monterey Symphony's 2017-18 Annual Report

After a few challenging years, The Monterey Symphony has been able to right the ship and is looking to 2018/19 as a season of financial stability and growth.

Monterey, CA, August 07, 2018 — After a few challenging years, The Monterey Symphony has been able to right the ship and is looking to 2018/19 as a season of financial stability and growth. The most recent annual report just released reveals one of the Symphony’s most successful seasons.

The Symphony’s concerts were within two dozen tickets of selling out each; its Music for the Schools programs was so successful a fourth county will be added to the roster; and it met and exceeded its foundation granting goals in December 2017, halfway through the last season, which ended June 30.


“We’re doing well, everything’s up, and 2018/19 is going to be a spectacular year for the Symphony,” says Nicola Samra, Symphony executive director. When Samra was named the new executive director in July 2017, she was able to hit the ground running. She was already a member of the Symphony staff as director of Institutional Advancement with several months under her belt, she had experience as director of development for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU Monterey Bay, and for almost four years as director of development and marketing for the Carmel Bach Festival.

As the Symphony’s director of Institutional Advancement she had already developed a three-year plan for the Symphony and her experience in development gave her the confidence to approach the various foundations and rebuild their relationships with the Symphony.

“I met with every program director from every foundation, if I couldn’t meet with them in person, we spoke on the phone. I also read proposals and reports from the last five years,” says Samra. “I took it as a vote of confidence from the community that what we do here is important, that what we do is important and impactful.”

Concert ticket sales only account for 18% of the Symphony’s annual budget, with grants from foundations and donations from individuals and other sources accounting for 80%. The 2018/19 budget is $1.74 million, smaller than the 2017 budget, but one that allows the Symphony to “live within its means,” says Samra.

The Symphony was able to save $250,000 by consolidating its concert venues and focusing on the two concerts Saturdays and Sundays at the Sunset Center in Carmel (along with a free concert on Monday for student groups).

In fact, with new funding, the Symphony will add two youth concerts in Salinas in May of 2019 and hopes to add additional transportation for some of the school districts that don’t have funding for buses to the concerts.

“We are now on the path to financial sustainability, we’re grateful to the community for its support, we’re excited by the increased attendance at our concerts and we’re looking to the future to see how we can continue to serve our patrons,” says Samra.

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

Spill the Milk Vintage in Valparaiso, Indiana joins The Shop Local Network as a Shop Local Mission Partner

Spill the Milk Vintage, located at 3152 W. Morthland Drive Valparaiso, Indiana, aims to inspire people to explore their individual style.

LaPorte, Indiana, August 07, 2018 - Spill the Milk Vintage, located at 3152 W. Morthland Drive Valparaiso, Indiana, aims to inspire people to explore their individual style. Nick Bello, President of The Shop Local Network stated, “Spill the Milk is really a one-of-a-kind store. It is a different store every day and it is like a walk back in time! A must stop if you are in the area!”


At Spill the Milk Vintage, they believe that every item can be repurposed. They give a heart to every item in the store. They think that every item is sure to be unique or an item that makes you think nostalgically. With Spill the Milk Vintage, it is easy to find that one piece that can transform an entire room.

This vintage store prides itself on having an extensive variety of items that include, furniture, mirrors, armories, benches, cabinets, and chairs. They also have collectable signage, original and preowned artwork, and urban salvage and decor. They also have a variety of purses, and small gifts along with many other items.

The name, “Spill the Milk Vintage,” comes from one of the two concessions that Al Steele ran. This later turned into a carnival game. Al Sr. was the current owners grandfather. They were one of the 17 Steele’s that traveled with the carnival.

So, are you ready to make something old new to your home? Go and visit Spill the Milk Vintage today!

Call or visit their website today for hours or other information.

219-286-3955
Spillthemilkvintage.com

Contact:
Nick Bello
The Shop Local Network
LaPorte, Indiana
1-800-501-2632
support@TheShopLocalNetwork.com
http://www.TheShopLocalNetwork.com