Sunday, August 30, 2020

PG Museum’s Hardcore Natural History Series takes a Closer Look at the Endangered Monarch Butterfly

In the 1980s, more than 4 million monarch butterflies wintered in forested groves along the California coast.

Pacific Grove, CA, August 31, 2020 — In the 1980s, more than 4 million monarch butterflies wintered in forested groves along the California coast. Today that figure stands at less than 30,000, according to recent scientific tallies.

Monarchs in California have been in decline due to loss of habitat, including destruction of their overwintering sites and loss of both milkweed for caterpillars and flowering resources to fuel migration.

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History takes great interest in these famous orange-and-black insects. As part of its Hardcore Natural History series, it will host three upcoming programs devoted to better understanding monarchs, now under government consideration for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Led by renowned experts in the field, these virtual programs take place on Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 12. Cost is $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Those interested may register and purchase tickets here, although to participate they must be registered by 5 p.m. on the day of each event.

Following is an outline of the series:

Planting for Monarchs with Emma Pelton

Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Join us as we speak to Emma Pelton, a senior conservation biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Peloton leads western monarch conservation efforts — including developing best management practices for monarch habitat. She will teach participants what to keep in mind when planting for monarchs, especially around overwintering sites. She is particularly interested in overwintering site protection and restoration in California, and partners with many land managers and community scientists to improve management in these critical habitats. Pelton also serves on the Monarch Joint Venture advisory committee and the AZA SAFE Monarch steering committee.

The Price of Pesticides with Sarah Hoyle

Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a discussion of recent research on pesticide contamination of milkweed in California's Central Valley. This program will be led by Sarah Hoyle, a researcher for the Xerces Society, who joined scientists from University of Nevada, Reno, in sampling milkweed plants from various landscapes in the Central Valley, analyzing them for pesticide residues. They found widespread contamination of milkweed at levels that could harm monarch caterpillars. Hoyle will review the research and its implications for monarch conservation.

Small But Mighty: Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering with Jessica Griffiths

Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Every fall, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to Monterey County from all across the western United States to spend the winter clustering together at special overwintering sites. But how do they get here? And why do they spend the winter in certain groves of trees, but not others? How do researchers know where the monarchs come from, or how many there are? Join Jessica Griffiths as she shares what we know and don't know about monarch migration and overwintering, and how we can help protect this magnificent butterfly and its habitat in Monterey County. Griffiths has worked with monarchs on the Central Coast for almost 20 years, in both Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. Over the years, she has trained hundreds of volunteers — including those from PGMNH — on how to count monarch butterflies, and she is currently the SLO County coordinator for the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count.

For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org

Balance Physical Therapy Founder Urges us to make Regular deposits into ‘Healthcare Bank Account’

Dr. John Farahmand founded Balance Physical Therapy to help patients improve movement and manage pain.

Salinas, CA, August 31, 2020 - Dr. John Farahmand founded Balance Physical Therapy to help patients improve movement and manage pain. Yet through the years he’s found that his practice plays an important role in preventive care.

Part of the treatment at BPT includes education — helping people heal, grow and feel empowered to build a stronger, more resilient body.

Patient education, especially focused on injury prevention, is a huge element of the practice, effectively helping to reduce return visits.

Farahmand puts the topic into relatable terms.

“I always like to ask people whether they do anything to save for retirement,” he said. “When they answer ‘yes,’ and I ask them why, they say, ‘Well, because I know I'll slow down some day and I'd like to have something put away to draw from.’ ”

Making regular deposits into a “healthcare bank account” can increase long-term wellness and longevity.

“Remember, regardless of how well you take care of yourself, time will force you to make some withdrawals along the way,” said the 46-year-old founder and CEO. “We must invest in the things we want to grow. If you want to have a healthy healthcare balance, start learning to make deposits. It’s really hard to draw from an account with a zero balance.”

Part of the answer involves taking personal responsibility for ourselves.

“Stay mobile and stay fit,” he said. “Everything in your life starts with a healthy body.”

Farahmand loves the philosophy of Hollywood actor Dick Van Dyke, who’s still spry at age 94. His secret? Wake up each day and keep moving.

“I think that is right in line with our slogan at Balance Physical Therapy — Movement is Medicine,” he said. “I believe in that, heart and soul.”

To help relieve stress and stay active, Farahmand offers the following tips:


  • You don't need fancy equipment to work out: Walk, run, bike, garden … just get moving.
  • Disconnect from the outside world periodically by putting down your electronic devices.
  • Find a quiet place and focus on breathing and meditation, even for 10 minutes.
  • Get at least 7 hours sleep; it’s an important way to regain motivation to stay active — and for the body and mind to stay healthy.
  • Hug and touch and snuggle loved ones; it helps release “feel-good” hormones.
  • Drink at least 32 ounces of water each day.
  • Watch the sunset and sunrise, and enjoy nature’s healing powers.
  • Cook your own meals at home.
  • Play games (with grownups and kids) instead of sitting on the couch watching others play on TV.
  • Farahmand likes to say that the most important step you can take toward fitness is the first one out your front door.


“Learn to adapt. We are humans, which means that our superhuman strength is that we are adaptable, we're malleable, we can learn new things,” he said. “We can adapt to new environments and new circumstances. These are certainly new and uncertain times but if you look inside yourself, you'd realize you have a tremendous capacity within you to adapt to anything. And it all starts with the way that you think.”

There are plenty of ways to stay physically active. Walking, gardening or biking all provide great opportunities to burn calories and create wellness.

Just 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or at least 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise shows substantial health benefits.

If you take care of your body, and keep making regular deposits into your healthcare “bank account,” you may never have to see Farahmand. And that’s just fine by him.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 747-7455
https://www.balancept.com/