ASK THE ARCHIVIST
Every day at the National Steinbeck Center, located at One Main Street in Old town Salinas, museum visitors ask a bevy of questions about John Steinbeck.  “Where did he ….?  Can you tell me …?”  Volunteer staff field questions and direct museum visitors to specific areas of interest in the museum.  But what if you are not at the museum and have a question or are intrigued by John Steinbeck and want to know the facts?  Herb has the answers!

It’s simple to ask Herb questions.  Become a Fan of the National Steinbeck Center on Facebook and post your question.  Herb will respond to all questions on Facebook within 48 hours. For more information, click here.

MARCH

NOW – March 29
EXHIBITION: “When Ya Gonna Give Me A Damn Show?"
Featuring the artwork of Bill Baltezar, this exhibition will show works audacious, yet spectacular in composition. Each painting has a handwritten, fully animated story on the back.

For more information about the exhibition and the artist, click here.

NOW – April 22
EXHIBITION: The Creeks of Salinas: The Gabilan Watershed Experience
This exhibition celebrates the ecological address of Salinas, Prunedale and Castroville by following the course of the water that lands on the Pacific side of the Gabilans and Fremont peak. In addition, this multi-media exhibit will tell the larger story of the watershed with two community art projects: The River of Photos and My Place in the Watershed – funded by a California Stories grant from the California Council for the Humanities.

For more information about the exhibition, click here.

Return of the Natives -RON's environmental goal is to protect the waters of the Monterey Bay through restoration of the waterways and the lands draining into the Bay. RON's social goal is to bring people and nature together on our restoration and garden projects in the watersheds. For more information, visit www.watershed.csumb.edu/ron/

NOW – April 22, 2010
EXHIBITION: The Creeks of Salinas: The Gabilan Watershed Experience
See details in January event.

Coming March 26
RON (Return of the Natives) Plantings and Flow to the Bay Workshops
More information to come.

March 20
Watershed Day: Celebrating the Watershed
10AM – 4PM  Hands on art and science in the Vista Room.

March 26
Meet the Author Series
Author Talk & Booksigning with Jonathan Showe
6:00 – 6:30 pm Member Meet & Greet with the author
6:30 – 7:00 pm Public Meet & Greet with the author
7:00 – 8:00 pm Talk by Jonathan Showe, followed by booksigning of his latest book, Cuba Rising. Program is open to the public at no charge beginning at 7:00 pm.

APRIL

The Center will be closing one hour early on Saturday, April 17 for a private reception.

April 8
Meet the Author Series with Author Ilan Stavans
6:00 – 6:30 pm Member Meet & Greet with the author
6:30 – 7:00 pm Public Meet & Greet with the author
7:00 – 8:00 pm Talk by Professor Stavans followed by a booksigning
Program is open to the public at no charge beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Ilan Stavans is an internationally known, award-winning cultural critic, linguist, translator, public speaker, editor, short-story writer, and TV host,whose best-selling workfocuses on language, identity, politics, and history.He will sign two books: Cesar Chavez: An Organizer's Tale: Speeches – the first major collection of writings by civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.This extensive collection of Chavez’s speeches and writings chronicles his progression and development as a leader, and includes previously unpublished material.

He will also be discussing and signing his newest book Gabriel Garcia Marquez: The Early Years. This long-awaited biography provides a fascinating and comprehensive picture of García Márquez's life up to the publication of his classic 100 Years of Solitude.

April 11
Meet the Author Series with Thomas Steinbeck
A national book launch and booksigning will be held at the Center for Thomas Steinbeck's new new novel, In The Shadow of the Cypress, an evocative, dramatic story that depicts California in all its multicultural variety, with a suspense that draws the reader inexorably on until the very last page.

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Cocktails and appetizers with Thomas & Gail Steinbeck in the Salinas/Vista Room

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Talk by Thomas Steinbeck in the Salinas Room

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Book signing in the Rotunda

BOOK: The National Steinbeck Center will offer pre-sales of books which can be picked up starting April 6 when the book is officially released. Please note: All books must be purchased at the National Steinbeck Center Museum Store to be signed on the night of the event. Book retails for $25.

TICKETS: Early Bird special $25 for members / $30 for non-members for tickets purchased prior to March 31. Tickets purchased after March 31 are $45 for members / $50 for non-members.

For more information on upcoming events or purchase tickets call (831) 775-4721 or got to www.steinbeckstore.org.

April 30
Celebrate National Poetry Month in April with a Poem About Mom —
Contest For Children 12 and Under
The poetry contest topic is to write about “mom.” Children may choose to write any topic about his or her mom – why they love their mom, why their mom is important, what makes their mom special. The poem must be 50 words or less. Poems are due by 5:00 PM via email April 30th to Marci Bracco. Winner will be announced on May 5th, 2010. For more information and official rules, click here.

Enjoy these special exhibitions, plus our permanent exhibitions at the John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall and the Rabobank Agriculture Museum for one single museum admission price.