Director Jon Favreau returns as well as Robert Downey Jr, and Gweneth Palthrow. The new additions to the cast are Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Shandling, and Mickey Rourke as Whiplash - sic!
Check out the Official Website - http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/

Water Meters in Bishop

The City of Bishop is installing about 25 water meters to help ensure water customers aren't charged too much for water. The meter readings won't be used to charge customers, they'll just be used to gather general water usage information.

The city's current flat rate billing makes assumptions for the different amounts of water used by different types of water customers. These assumptions were developed many years ago. Some customers are concerned they are being charged too much for the water they use. They don't think those old assumptions are right.

The city is installing meters to find out how much water different customer types use so current information can be used instead of the old assumptions. To do this, the city is making sure there is at least one meter in each of its 22 categories of user.

There were about 60 water meters already in place in the city. Once the new meters are installed, there will be about 85 meters in place. Bars, schools, beauty salons, and barber shops are examples of user categories that are having meters installed for the first time. After a year or so of tracking typical water use in each of the 22 user categories, the flat rates could be adjusted to be more fair. That is the city's plan.

Even if the flat rates are adjusted to be more fair, several Bishop water customers want to be charged by meter instead of by flat rate. These customers believe they use less water than other customers and think they should pay less as a result. Charging by meter has advantages to both the customer and to the water provider. Also, there is some state and federal pressure to move to a metered system. As a result, it is possible that some water users in Bishop will move to meter-based charges in the coming years.

For more information contact City of Bishop Public Works at publicworks@ca-bishop.us or 760-873-
8458. Press releases posted at http://www.ca-bishop.us/Advertisements/Releases/Releases.html

What's the word: Town and Country Buffet (formally known as Sizzler) is closed for business. That's too bad what was that like three months?

"SOUTH PACIFIC" is based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer-winning "Tales of the South Pacific" and is set in the Polynesian islands during World War II. It tells a story of the sailors, marines, navy nurses and islanders whose lives intersect during this pivotal time in history.

SHOW DATES:
Fri Mar 12,19,26 (7:00PM)
Sat Mar 13,20,27 (2:00PM)
Sat Mar 13,20,27 (7:00PM)
Where: All shows performed at the Bishop Union High School Theatre, 301 N. Fowler St. Bishop, CA
Ticket Prices: $8 - $20
Questions/Tickets: Go to http://www.playhouse395.com/

Girl Scout Cookies
"Need a fix? This is your weekend.

Thursday, March 11
Vons (3pm - 5pm)
Friday, March 12
Vons (3pm - 5pm) and Bank of America (3:30pm - 5pm)
Saturday, March 13
Vons (11am - 5pm)

Click here for trailers and showtimes.

Click here for tickets.  Click here for the official Lonestar website.
Where: Mule Days Celebration, Tri-County Fair Grounds
When: Thursday, May 27 (7pm)

It's the 2010 California Fire/Police Winter Olympics - March 7-11 (Sun. - Thurs.) at Mammoth Mountain.
• Giant Slalom
• Slalom
• Dual Slalom
• Cross Country
• Skier/Border Cross
• Super G
• Halfpipe

It’s a great family friendly week with lots of activities and races for all. Raffles, giveaways, awards, parties, and relax time with friends and family on the sun decks, are all part of a complete Olympic experience.

Official Website: http://www.firepolicewinterolympics.com/index.cfm?section=1

March 2010

Tuesday, March 9 (7pm) - Inyo Council for the Arts
Wednesday, March 10 (7pm) - Lone Pine Film Museum
Film: White Ecstasy an Austrian movie about skiing in the 30's with breathtaking jumps, and tricks.  This movie is a piece of history.

Saturday, March 13 (9am-1pm) - The Cooks Residence
Altrusa watercolor class with Tom Fujiwara, an outside class including lunch at Jill's childhood home
Contact: Andrea (760) 873-7360 or Ramona (760) 873-4668 Cost: $30

Inyo Council for the Arts, 137 S. Main Street, Bishop, CA (760) 873-8014
Lone Pine Film History Museum, 701 S. Main Street, Lone Pine, CA (760) 876-9909

Artistic Being

The California Arts Council in partnership with the Attorney General's Office is delighted to support a collaboration between Cultural Odyssey and musician Idris Ackamoor, to present FREE public concerts in San Francisco and throughout California.

These activities are supported, in part, with funds provided by the California Arts Council and the California Department of Justice's 2003 antitrust settlement with major music-distribution companies and national retail chains. This prestigious award will allow Mr. Ackamoor and his special guest, musician Frederick Harris, to present "ARTISTIC BEING", a concert combining jazz, world music, new age, and tap dance to geographically-diverse regions of California.
For more information please go to www.culturalodyssey.org/v2/season/artisticbeing/

When: Thursday, March 18th at 8:00 pm
Where: Rafters restaurant in Mammoth

Felici Trio Winter Concerts

"FRANCK-LY SPEAKING" The Felici Trio and guests Corey Cerovsek, violin, and Andrew McIntosh, perform works by Saint-Saens, Schubert and Franck

When: Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 7:30 PM
Where:Cerro Coso College, Mammoth Lakes
Tickets: (15$ Adult, $10 Senior, $5 Student) available at the door, Access Art and Business Center in Mammoth, Inyo Council for the Arts in Bishop or online at www.ChamberMusicUnbound.org

Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre presents "Fiddler on the Roof" directed by Shira Dubrovner

When: Opens April 1st - April 18th (Thurs. - Sat. 7:30pm - Sun. 4pm)
Where: Mammoth Lakes Arts Center, 549 Old Mammoth Rd.(across from the Police Station)
How Much: Gen Admission - $20.00, Students and Seniors $18.00
Reservations/Questions: 760-609-1981

Fiddlin' Pete Watercott & Neil Gelvin

Live Dinner Concerts!No Host Bar or bring your own wine! Limited Seating

When: Sunday, March 14 (6:00 pm) Dinner and Concert to follow
How Much: Adults $45 Young-un's $20

Celebrating Women of Eastern California!

Eastern Sierra Cultural Alliance is proud to present "Celebrating Women of Eastern California"!
Visit participating museums and venues throughout the Eastern Sierra for exciting exhibits and events.Three venues are here in Mammoth Lakes, Hayden Cabin, Mammoth Ski Museum and the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center.
For more info go to www.eschainfo.org.

Trail of the Trout

Trail of the Trout--Mammoth Lakes, 2010 Call to artists to paint 5ft. tall and 2ft. tall trout sculptures.
Deadline March 10th for design submission.
Call Gaye for more information. 760.937.2942

Watercolor Workshop
Elizabeth Anderson Watercolor Workshop, space is limited to 6 people.

When: Saturday, March 13th from 10am-1pm
Fee: $15 non-member, $10 MCA member. Please bring materials, a list will be sent to you.
Where: MCA Gallery at 3343 Main Street, in the Mammoth Luxury Outlets.
Register: Call Gaye at 760.937.2942

Offered: Bunk Bed
Wood construction, bolt together style. When it was given to me, it was white. I painted it brown and I think it needs a new coat of paint. The mattresses are in good shape. My son never slept on the top bunk. He ended up crawling into our bed most nights so he wasn't on the bottom bunk much either. It is sturdy. There wasn't much of a rail on the top so my husband added a solid piece of wood to make it safe.

Click here for more info and how you can signup for freecycle to receive updates, respond and post announcements.

Tonight's Agenda Highlights - download the full agenda (pdf) below.

PUBLIC HEARINGS will be held to hear and consider public comment on the following agenda items:

(4) 312 North Main Street – Environmental Assessment on a draft Negative Declaration to set aside
Municipal Code Section 17.76.100 Signs-Commercial Districts for a conditional use permit to allow 165
square feet of signage for the Sage to Summit retail store which would exceed the allowable 80 square feet
of signage by 85 square feet. The proposed signage will be located at several locations on the facility
exterior walls.

(5) 636 North Main Street – Environmental Assessment on a draft Mitigated Negative Declaration to set aside
Municipal Code Section 17.76.100 Signs-Commercial Districts for a 166 square feet new and
reconfigured pylon sign at the Holiday Inn Express, 636 North Main Street to replace the current pylon
sign permitted under a conditional use permit (April 1999).

NEW BUSINESS

(8) Appointment to fill a vacancy on the Bishop Planning Commission for the term to expire on January 27,
2011 – Administration.

(9) Ordinance No. 530 - Amending Bishop Municipal Code Chapter 6.08 Miscellaneous Animal Provisions
relating to location and allowable exceptions (relating to the keeping of animals and poultry) – First
Reading/Introduction – Administration.

REORGANIZATION

(17) Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem (City Administrator will conduct the election for Mayor. After
the selection of Mayor, the newly-elected Mayor will conduct the selection of Mayor Pro Tem).

When: Tonight, March 8 (7:00pm)
Where: Bishop City Council Chambers, 301 West Line St., Bishop, CA
Questions: http://www.ca-bishop.us/CityCouncil/CityCouncil.html

 

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Got some good news, and some not so good news to present for the early March Fish’N conditions update. Lets get the bad news out of the way first!

The water lords have unleashed the hounds on the Lower Owens recently and it will be a tough go from here on for wading the wild trout section. 400cfs is currently gushing through the release pipe below PV Reservoir. Crossing or wading into less trafficked sections is difficult, unsafe, or nearly impossible at flows of 250cfs or more.

You will need to use heavily weighted nymph rigs to get down to the fish, but it can be done. A couple of BB shot, or an AB plus will get you down in the slower deeper pools while indicator fishing with an “Under-Cator”. I like bead head patterns with plenty of flash in the patterns #14-18.

Surface activity will also slow for the time being but will pick up in the near future. Hunt for the larger pools with significant eddies for a shot at fooling some on midge clusters #20-22, and BWO adults or spinners #16-18.

Water temps will drop significantly during this period due to the massive amount of colder water emanating from Crowley. The great midge and baetis hatches that we experienced in February will decrease relative to the water temps. As spring rolls on and conditions stabilize a more seasonal hatch pattern will once again develop. Look for some great caddis and stone fly emergences to begin around April. I have been told that 400cfs will be the upper end of the spring release. Look for the flows to drop by late spring/early summer as the snow begins to melt in the Southern Sierra. The LADWP will back off releases in the northern sections to accommodate the run-off south of Lone Pine. We could have a nice sweet spot beginning in April through the July holiday period. I want to emphasize that this is speculation based on my observations and experience of fishing the Owens for thirty five seasons. The LADWP has its own agenda and pretty much does what it wants with little regard to natural water cycles.

We have cancelled guided drift boat trips and issued “flood checks” to those that would be affected by this huge flow increase. If the flows hold at 400 or below conditions will improve this month, and will get increasingly better for drifting with each passing day. If they get above 450-500cfs this place will be burned toast until they drop. As I mentioned before, wading will be tough until the flows get back to less than 250cfs. You can access real time release data from the link we have provided to the LADWP website at the top of the Fish’N conditions page. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

How about a little good news? Crowley Lake will be cycled twice this season. The lake is nearly full (heavy solid sheet ice all over) currently and the LADWP will lower the level through the opener and into early summer. It will begin filling rapidly during the warm months and be very high through early fall in which they will once again blow out the Lower Owens with unnatural flow increases through November. Crowley will have a bunch of water this summer with thick weed beds out to 17 feet, and significant spring and fall turnovers. We will have great periods of “catching” near the creek mouths and Upper Owens inlets this season at times. You LADWP customers should get a nice decrease in your water and power bills this summer due to all the water they have ehhh?

More good news! The East Walker is fishing very well despite low flows. The SD guide crew has been fishing the Cal and NV sections daily since the end of February and the bite has really picked up. Strong midge activity daily, with a good showing of baetis after 1 pm. Look for a substantial flow increase to begin towards the end of the month, with further increases by late spring. It will be roaring this summer for sure.

There is significant snow remaining on the ground near the dam and the walking to and from the river can be a tad cumbersome. Conditions are great along the river and wading is not an issue. I strongly suggest you stop by one of the fine fly shops we endorse and pick up a pair of rubber soled wading boots. They will be mandatory just about everywhere soon. Felt soles suck when hiking in the snow or ice and spread invasive species and diseases.

We will be guiding the NV section of the East Walker during prime times this season and are very excited about showing SD clients some new water.

Bridgeport Reservoir will also be a top location this summer near the creek inlet areas so keep this location in mind around July for sure!

Be the fly...Tom Loe
www.sierradrifters.com - 760-935-4250 -760-937-2015 cell

Click here for trailers and showtimes.

The event includes a catered dinner, and live entertainment. Registered participants will receive a limited edition t-shirt to commerate the achievements of the organization.
When: Saturday, May 15, 2009 - Registration 9am, Poker Run Begins 10am
Where: Meet at Golden State Cycle the day of the event
How Much: Onsite Registration ($45 per rider, $35 passengers), Pre-Registration, before April 23 ($35 per rider, $25 per passenger)
Questions: (760) 873-8668

The full flier is in the attachment below.

Check out other works on the blog "Diaries of a Dirtbag" aka Craig Stevens, click here. 

Caltrans District 9 Director Tom Hallenbeck extends an invitation to prime/general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and small businesses to attend an informational meeting on upcoming and currently advertised projects in District 9.

This meeting is being offered locally to provide information on how small businesses can connect with Prime/General contractors bidding on our construction projects. We will also have information and staff available at the meeting to answer your questions on becoming a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), or an Underutilized/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (U/DBE) with the State of California.

“This is a great opportunity, offered locally, for businesses to learn about how to participate in the construction of our projects”, said Director Hallenbeck. Those interested in attending are requested to bring business cards.

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
Where: Caltrans District 9, 500 South Main Street, Bishop, CA
Questions: Liz Santucci, District 9 Small Business Liaison, (760) 872-0777

Individuals who require documents in alternative formats are requested to contact the District 9 Public Affairs Office at (760) 872-0603. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact the California Relay Service (TDD) line at 1-800-735-2922 or Voice Line at 1-866-734-2888.

Thursday, March 4, 2010
Two Weeks into Training
I feel like I am finally starting to get Poster Boy’s trust and respect and I trust him more and more every day. His self-preservation has been really evident to me. At first every time I put too much pressure on him he was turning his hip to me and threatening to kick me or stick at me with his two front feet. That is really kind of scary. He’s fine when I’m just brushing him or loving on him but gets into preservation mode when I’m asking for something more. I can’t help thinking about him being a wild animal. He’s only been able to survive in the wild by either running from the danger or fighting. So when I’m working with him I can’t help but think about the trainer that was killed by a Killer Whale. Are we pushing these animals too much? I think sometimes we might be, but I think once they understand that we are not out to eat them they can have really rewarding, meaningful lives. Poster Boy knows my car now when I show up at the ranch. He meets me when I crawl through the fence and wants to know what kind of toys I’m going to be introducing into the corral each day; cones, tarps, flags, plastic bottles, Cavalleti poles to jump. Every day is a new day with something new and different. I really think he’s enjoying my company and looks forward to having his toys changed up daily.

Check out the Official Blog at http://highsierrarider.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-weeks-into-training.html

The cast of Playhouse 395's South Pacific are busy rehearsing for the upcoming performances of South Pacific and wanted to remind you that tickets are on sale now. Help support the local arts and go check it out, you won't be sorry.

"SOUTH PACIFIC" is based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer-winning "Tales of the South Pacific" and is set in the Polynesian islands during World War II. It tells a story of the sailors, marines, navy nurses and islanders whose lives intersect during this pivotal time in history.

SHOW DATES:
Fri Mar 12,19,26 (7:00PM)
Sat Mar 13,20,27 (2:00PM)
Sat Mar 13,20,27 (7:00PM)
Where: All shows performed at the Bishop Union High School Theatre, 301 N. Fowler St. Bishop, CA
Ticket Prices: $8 - $20
Questions/Tickets: Go to http://www.playhouse395.com/

David Jacobs-Strain, guitarist and singer-songwriter.

When: Friday, March 5 (7:00pm)
Where: Inyo Council for the Arts Theater, Main Street, Bishop, CA
How Much: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors & Students

Crowley Lake Trainer Picks up BLM Wild Mustang for Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge

Janet Titus of Crowley Lake received mustang 1433, a gelding from Nevada, from the Bureau of Land Management in mid-February as the first step in the Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge.

She is one of 39 specially selected horse trainers who have 90 days to gentle and train their assigned mustangs for the competition. Trainers from California, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Nevada and Arizona are participating in this event.

Trainers will compete for a part of the $10,000 purse at the Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge at “Horsetown USA,” Norco, Calif., on May 14-16. Judges will evaluate each horse and trainer on body condition, groundwork, and how the horse maneuvers through an obstacle “horse course,” which simulates trail and recreational riding situations. In addition, the trainers will be competing on actual trails in and around the town. The public will be invited to adopt one of the Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge animals on Sunday May 16.

The Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge is a spin-off of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover. The Mustang Heritage Foundation in partnership with BLM created the events to highlight the value of American mustangs and showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the American West.

Wild horses and burros are managed in California in accordance with the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. This act gave the Bureau of Land Management the responsibility to protect wild horses and burros while ensuring their populations are managed to maintain or restore a thriving ecological balance.
For more information, visit wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.