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Shira Dubrovner (Photo courtesy MLF)

Mammoth Lakes Foundation is proud to announce that Artistic Director, Shira Dubrovner, has been accepted into the well-respected Directors Lab West. The Lab will be held at the Pasadena Playhouse May 19-26, and is a unique forum bringing theater directors and choreographers together with peers and seasoned professionals to collaborate and grow together as artists.

Directors Lab West, launched in 2000, invites theatre directors and choreographers to participate in a week-long series of workshops, panels, roundtables, and symposia with some of the nation’s leading theatre artists. Like its New York inspiration at Lincoln Center Theater, Directors Lab West creates an intensive laboratory environment where theatre directors come together to inspire, educate, and challenge each other. Over the last 12 years more than 100 acclaimed artists have given their time to the Lab.

Since its West Coast launch, the Lab has proven to be hugely successful and draws artists from around the United States and internationally. Guest artists have included Actors, Artistic Directors, Critics, Dramaturges, Designers, Directors, Actors Equity, Theatre LA, Musicians, and Writers. Previous years’ sessions addressed issues such as producing theatre, working with writers and dramaturges, the relationship between actors and directors, movement, design, and concerns and issues specific to theatre.

Within the last week, mounting evidence indicates West Nile virus (WNV) season is upon us.

The California Department of Public Health reported the first confirmed human case in an individual from Santa Barbara County, who after hospitalization is now at home recovering.

Jerry Oser of the Owens Valley Mosquito Abatement Program in Inyo County has reported a positive mosquito pool, collected near the Bishop Airport.

Steve Ganong of the Mammoth Lakes Mosquito Abatement District in Mono County reports numerous traps with high numbers of Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes, an efficient vector (carrier and transmitter) of the virus.

So far this summer, there have not been any equine (horse) cases in California, but evidence of the presence of the West Nile virus has been reported in 17 counties (positive dead birds, chickens, or mosquito pools). This is somewhat less than last year. However, don’t be lulled to sleep by the low numbers – with our late spring and summer, the worst is yet to come.

West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of a mosquito harboring the virus. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1% – will develop severe neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. People 50 years of age or older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop severe symptoms. Recent data also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk of serious disease.

-Richard Johnson, Mono County Public Health Officer

The Mono County Health Department was informed late last week that a Swainson’s Hawk picked up in Topaz has tested positive for West Nile Virus infection. The sick hawk was taken to the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, where it died on Aug. 24.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Dr. Richard Johnson, Mono County Health Officer, said this is the first positive confirmation of the presence of the virus in Mono County this year. So far this year, 10 other dead birds have been reported to the state from Mono County, one of which was tested and was negative for the West Nile Virus. Two birds were reported from areas along the Hwy 6 corridor, with the rest coming from south county communities along US 395.

Across the state, 35 human cases of WNV have been identified, along with 12 cases in horses. The presence of West Nile Virus activity in humans, horses, dead birds, tree squirrels, mosquito pools or sentinel chickens has been reported in 31 counties, including Mono County.

Around the country, 177 human cases have been reported from 25 states, with the only three fatalities occurring in Arizona. Residents and visitors are urged to be diligent in protecting themselves and family members from mosquito bites. Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness. Recent data indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

Even though the mosquito population has decreased, the days are shorter, and the nights are colder, don’t let your guard down!

The most effective ways for persons to prevent WNV are: eliminate standing water on their property, which is where mosquitoes breed, make sure that door and window screens are installed and in good condition, when outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535, and avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn and wear long sleeves and long pants while outside.

For more information on WNV and to report dead birds, visit www.westnile.ca.gov or call toll-free 877.WNV.BIRD. For local information, contact the Mono County Health Department at 760.924.1830. –Sheet Staff/Mono County Health Dept.

Scott Blum was one of the lucky riders to win an iPad for best trick. (Photo: MMSA/Peter Morning)

In a weekend filled with plenty of sun, fun, live music and unbelievable riding, Tim Humphrys and Ryan Paul stood out among an incredible field of riders to become the 2010 West Coast Invitational Champions.

The world-famous Unbound Terrain Park Crew put together an innovative wall ride course above Main Lodge for the Eddie Wall Ride Invitational. After a three-hour jam session on the course featuring several different wall ride features, the riders converged to see who would walk away with a share of the $5,000 cash purse as determined by head judge Pat Moore.

In the end, Tim Humphrys was awarded with first place in the inaugural Eddie Wall Ride Invitational. Forest Bailey came in second and Brandon Hobush was third. Apple iPads were also awarded for best trick, one going to Peter Line for a backside 540 on the wall and one going to Scott Blum for a backside invert on top of the wall.

After a break, the riders headed down to The Village at Mammoth to battle it out on a custom three-story setup for the WCI Village Railjam. Riders had their choice of three different rails to showcase their abilities in the hour-long jam session.

Competitors voted for their favorite rider and Ryan Paul was awarded the $10,000 cash prize. Paul performed a wide variety of tricks including a front flip to 50-50 to 180 out on a down rail.

Saturday night riders will face off under the lights at The Village at Mammoth for cold, hard cash. (Photo: Morning)

Mammoth Mountain, CA – Widely regarded in the snowboard industry as THE springtime event, the ninth annual West Coast Invitational (WCI) will return to Mammoth Mountain April 30 to May 1. WCI provides a perfect mix of jam format competitions, great parties and a music performance featuring the Eagles of Death Metal.

WCI features an elite field of 30 invited riders including Kevin Jones, Peter Line, Greg Bretz, Tyler Flanagan, Eddie Wall, returning champions Luke Mitrani and Dan Brisse, and many others.

New to WCI for 2010 is the Eddie Wall Ride Invitational. This addition will feature 20 riders facing off on a custom course featuring 10 different wall rides spread out along the base of Broadway above the sun deck at Main Lodge. The riders will battle it out on the course for three hours before gathering to vote for the winner in this rider-judged event. Prizes include engraved watches from Vestal, Apple iPads donated by Bond Outerwear, Weekend Snowboards and Active Ride Shop, Skullcandy headphones and $5,000 cash.

On Saturday night, the riders will head down to The Village at Mammoth to face off under the lights in the WCI Rail Jam for $10,000 of cold, hard cash. The WCI Rail Jam features a three-story, specially-made scaffolding structure in the middle of The Village at Mammoth.

Once the action is finished in the WCI Rail Jam, party-goers can hop on The Village Gondola up to Canyon Lodge for a live performance by The Eagles of Death Metal presented by Vestal.

Viewing of the Eddie Wall Ride Invitational and the WCI Rail Jam are free to the public. Entry to the after party at Canyon Lodge featuring The Eagles of Death Metal will be $5 per person for advance purchase or $10 per person at the door. Tickets are available at any Mammoth Mountain ticket window, by calling 800.MAMMOTH or at www.MammothMountain.com.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, April 30

• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Festival Village at Main Lodge
• 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. — Eddie Wall Ride Invitational on Broadway above Main Lodge
• 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Rider’s dinner and drinks at Sushi Rei in The Village
• 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. — Eddie Wall Ride Invitational After Party at Hyde Lounge

Saturday, May 1

• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Festival Village at Main Lodge
• 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. — WCI Rail Jam at The Village at Mammoth
• 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. — After party at Canyon Lodge featuring The Eagles of Death Metal presented by Vestal (21+)
• 9:15 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. — Transportation to Canyon Lodge via The Village Gondola
• 9:15 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. — Transportation from Canyon Lodge to The Village via shuttle buses  -MMSA Press Release

Mono County has been lucky this summer when it’s come to the detection of West Nile Virus, but after a wetter than usual June filled with rain activity, perhaps it was just a matter of time before a case of WNV was found.

According to a late-breaking statement by Mono County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson, the Mono Health Department was informed Wednesday that a mosquito pool collected behind the County Maintenance yard off South Landing Road near Crowley Lake has tested positive for WNV. The pool was collected on Aug. 20 from a trap.
Steve Ganong from the Mammoth Lakes Mosquito Abatement District had been contracted by the Hilton Creek Community Services District to do mosquito trapping and surveillance in the Hilton Creek District. Gangong submitted 4 mosquito pools for testing, one of which turned up positive. The positive pool contained 18 Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, a known carrier of West Nile virus.
Johnson said this is the first positive confirmation of the presence of the virus in Mono County this year, and that the finding is considered unusual, especially considering the relatively quiet year of WNV activity in the rest of the state and country.
Mosquito trapping in Old Mammoth has not resulted in enough mosquitoes being trapped to submit for testing, which Johnson said was in all likelihood a result of successful mosquito abatement activities by Ganong.
Area health officials are discussing an appropriate response and are expected to alert the public to the next course of action shortly.

HCSD still resisting hike

In other Crowley-related news, following its July Board of Directors meeting, Hilton Creek Sewer District is still fighting the good fight, managing to fend off a usage fee rate hike and saying in no specific terms that the issue probably won’t be up for a vote in the near future. Still, a fight is rounds, and it appears the economics of the situation will soon get the upper hand and the Board will be forced to throw in the towel, especially in the wake of a recent, impromptu visit by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCD).
After a review of records, certificates and equipment, the SWRCD inspector advised HCSD that when Plant Operations Manager Bob Lavagnino is on vacation, it is a violation to have part-time Operations Manager Jason Hatter overseeing things.
“There must be a Grade II certified person here,” the inspector wrote, adding that the District will need to hire a second employee at the plant for safety reasons. Though Hatter is cleared to do electrical work, help with plant problems and other miscellaneous duties, he cannot independently oversee the plant in Lavagnino’s absence.
The SWRCD Lahontan Regional Office officially put the District on notice that “the current staffing levels at the District are inadequate” and “another certified plant operator will have to be hired.” HCSD Accountant Marianne O’Connor said she and Lavagnino have encouraged the Board to raise the fees for the past 4-5 years just to cover the inflationary costs and start to provide for a replacement reserve. Now, the District, which was running a deficit already, using property tax revenues to backfill the revenue shortfall, will now need that rate hike to cover those costs AND the salary package of a new employee.
During the meeting, new HCSD Auditor Bob Johnson spoke to the Board and shared some of his initial impressions of the situation. “For one thing, HCSD is a poor district,” Johnson said. “Your financial statement shows pure government funds.” Johnson said depreciation is an important part of the enterprise portion of the budget, and thinks this district’s “General Fund” is more of a “Sewer Fund,” but advocated leaving things the way the are until the user fees are increased to where Johnson thinks they should be.
“Yes, but we are trying to keep the use fees down as long as possible,” Board member Kitty VanStelle commented. This prompted Johnson to ask the board why that is. “Special districts that go year after year without an increase let their equipment go downhill and are also unable to replace key employees,” he said. “You don’t have much cash on hand, and you need cash reserves as a district.” Board member Ted Cortopassi commented if you plan for depreciation then you have the reserves to take care of increased costs, to which Johnson responded, “Yes, assuming you set it up correctly that way in the first place.”
Johnson also indicated he thinks the Capital Projects fund, which is currently the restricted part of the Sewer Fund, should be combined into one central fund. He also wondered whether the Juniper Drive fund is really an activity of the District, or is it similar to running another district for them? Board member Brad Koehn said it’s rather like an assessment district. Johnson advised making changes to the Juniper Drive fund’s description and showing the District’s reimbursement of expenses to administer the zone as revenue.