Be a hero, support GIREO

One of the most challenging elements of the renamed GEO foundation – formerly Geothermal Education and Outreach and now Geothermal Institute of Research, Education and Outreach – is how to pronounce it. Executive Director Tony Barrett suggests that one pronounce the new acronym like a gyro (pronounced ‘hero’) sandwich.
GIREO was initially established by the Harvey Family Charitable Foundation. Its original mission was to develop a geothermal visitor/interpretive center.
Barrett said the scope has since expanded. “The goal, 20 years out, is to heat Mammoth geothermally and to promote and become a green community.”
The name change was also done to emphasize the research component. Barrett said the vision of the visitor/interpretive center more prominently promotes the institute element of creating provisions for visiting research scientists and lab space.
In addition, Barrett said GIREO hopes to pursue an academic component in affiliation with Cerro Coso Community College.
That component would be modeled after a similar program developed in Steamboat Springs, Colo., by Masami Nakanawa of the Colorado School of Mines.
Nakanawa has spearheaded a two-by-two program which would afford students the opportunity to pursue a geosciences degree by spending two years at the community college at to a four-year program.
Barrett also thinks Mammoth High School’s new Health Sciences Academy should also include a geosciences component at Mammoth Pacific (which operates the geothermal power plant at the Hwy 203/U.S. 395 interchange) to train and hire people out of high school.
This Saturday, GIREO hosts a “Going Country” fundraiser at Lakanuki in the Village at Mammoth from 5:30-10 p.m. Tickets: $10/person. Dance to the music of Jeffrey James & The Wanted Gang. Proceeds will benefit GIREO’s educational goals in Mono County.
Looking ahead, GIREOs advisory board, which boasts many leading voices in the industry, plans to meet in Mammoth on Nov. 7-8 for a first-ever Mammoth Geothermal “Think Tank.”
Barrett said Mammoth/Mono County is also in line to host an international geothermal conference (along with the Geothermal Energy Associatoin) in 2011.

The Art of Murder

We all know that community theater can be grueling, but is it also deadly? In Sierra Classic Theatre’s latest Murder Mystery fundraiser show, “The Art of Murder,” a group of small-town actors and their director hope to make a killing at a murder mystery fundraiser, until something goes very wrong!
Shows: Nov. 9-11 at 7 p.m. at Lakefront Restaurant/Tamarack Lodge. Tix: $65, including dinner. Call 934.2442 for reservations, but hurry … these shows always sell out!
Or be at Tom’s Place Nov. 17-18 at 7 p.m. Tix: $35, including dinner. Call 935.4239 for reservations.

SAR rescue

On Oct. 16, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) team helped rescue backpackers Kevin Garbi, 36, and Randall Dennis, 46, both from Louis, Calif., who became stranded in the Red’s Meadow area by a snow and rain storm.
Garbi and Dennis managed to call 911 from the pay phone at Red’s Meadows Pack Station. Conditions prevented the use of snowmobiles or wheeled vehicles, so a California Highway Patrol helicopter was utilized to fly them to safety. They declined medical attention.