Events

Walt Disney Imagineering is the “think tank of the Magic Kingdom” and is responsible for the creation, design and construction of Disney Theme Parks worldwide.

My creations have brought a few smiles to people’s faces over the years, which actually brings a big smile to my own face. Often, my carvings and signs are the very first thing you see when you enter your favorite Disney attraction. I can’t take all the credit, of course – I’ve had the distinct honor of working alongside some of the very best.

In addition to many years as a woodcarver/sculptor for Disney, Ray creates beautiful family heirlooms and custom commissions for collectors.

Raymond and his wife, Marisa also host weekend retreats for beginning woodcarvers in his Northern California studio.

January is bulb planting season!  Join us as we again add to the bulbs at Penzance Park for Spring - Summer Blooms.

When:  9am - until complete (estimated a couple hours)

            Saturday, January 10, 2026

Where: Penzance Park - corner of Sacramento St and Prospect, across from the Chevron Station

Bring gardening, weeding, and general cleanup tools (hand trowls, rakes, gloves, knee pads if preferred.)

Cathy has the bulbs, bone meal, and possibly cookies. 

We will reschedule if it is too rainy.

Grant LaCosse, RYLA and former REGL student, will be our speaker. Many of you met Grant when he organized a team of Future Business Leaders of America from Ghidotti to volunteer with us at Paws and a Cause.

Following up on Mike The Bee Guy, aka Monarch Milkweed expert's talk in December, Bear Yuba Land Trust will share plans for creating Monarch Meadows around Nevada County.  More at BYLT Monarch Meadow Project

Annette Muller Communications Manager 

Annette joined BYLT with over 10 years of experience in the performing arts sector where she honed her skills as a grant writer and marketing manager. Having spent most of her career championing small community-based nonprofits, her aim has always been to support and make space for those around her in the actualization of the organization’s mission. Annette enjoys getting out from behind her computer screen and into the world as much as possible, traveling the crooked path wherever it takes her.

Julia Lakes| Development Manager 

Julia grew up in the Bay Area and escaped to the outdoors as much as possible. She has over fifteen years’ experience at community-based nonprofits, including as Conservation Director at Wallowa Land Trust in northeast Oregon and Director of Development at Beyond Emancipation in Oakland, California. Julia stumbled into fundraising because of her passion for helping people make a difference in their own community. In her spare time Julia can be found weeding in her veggie garden, cooking up a feast, exploring local trails, and dabbling in the arts. 

https://www.bylt.org/monarch-meadow-project/

Celine Negrete is the General Manager of the Onyx Theatre in Nevada City, where she has led operations for the past 16 years. With a background in arts management and hospitality, she has helped shape the Onyx into a beloved cultural hub for film lovers.

She also serves on the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce board, the Nevada City Public Arts Commission, and the Rüdiger Foundation board, and previously served for more than ten years on two local school boards. She and her husband moved from San Francisco to Grass Valley in 2004, where they raised their two sons.

Mike Bratton, long-time State Farm Insurance Agenda will speak on "the Future of Insurance in California."

Mike has been a local State Farm Agent since 1984. A graduate from Chico State University with a BA in communications/marketing, Mike is a highly recognized State Farm agent and generous community member.  Over the years his agency has qualified for State Farm Awards including State Farm Legion of Honor, State Farm Ambassador for Life, State Farm Life Honor Club, State Farm SVP Club, and State Farm President’s Club.

He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and an Active Rotarian with the Nevada City 49er Breakfast Club. MIke and is family sponsored founded A New Day and the annual MEB2 Turkey Trot Race at Thanksgiving in memory of his son Michael E. Bratton, II.