Event ticklers
Bishop BLM “Climbers Coffee”
Rangers from the Bureau of Land Management’s Bishop Field Office will sponsor a monthly “climbers coffee” on Fridays at 9 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley Pit Campground, off Pleasant Valley Road, to discuss local climbing issues and resource protection.
“We want people to come out and enjoy the sport while preserving the area for future generations. You don’t have to be a climber to come, just bring a cup to save a tree,” said Becky Hutto, BLM Park Ranger.
Rangers will answer questions, discuss local climbing areas, local trails and local land concerns.
For more information on the next coffee, contact Hutto at 760.872.5008.
2nd Annual Poetry Out Loud
Saturday, January 28 at 6 p.m. the Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre in cooperation with Mammoth Lakes Foundation presents the 2nd Annual Mono County Finals in the national Poetry Out Loud competition.
The Poetry Out Loud program was launched nationwide in 2006 by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation and is administered in partnership with state arts agencies — in this case the California Arts Council. This year’s competition is sponsored by the Eastern Sierra Community Bank.
This year’s competitors include students from Benton, Coleville, Lee Vining and Mammoth Lakes high schools, all coached by author and poet Eva Poole-Gilson. Winners advance to the state competition on March 26 in Sacramento, Calif., and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington D.C. in May. Admission is free.
Radon test kits online only
Since funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Radon Program was significantly cut this year, there is a severe lack of resources to conduct radon screening surveys in the Inyo-Mono-Alpine region in 2012. Funding for free test kits is also very limited and not enough to fund any new purchases until possibly mid-year. In the meantime contractor Alpha Energy Laboratory, which the Indoor Radon Program has used the last few years, has offered to continue the $7 test kit purchase price for California residents until the end of June. Residents can purchase radon test kits at the kits online at http://cdph.ca.gov/Radon or by calling 800.324.5928.
Free Tax Aide
The AARP Tax-Aide Foundation once again has partnered with the Mammoth Lakes Library and Cerro Coso Community College to offer free tax help, preparation and e-filing for low- and middle-income taxpayers.
Volunteer counselors are trained and certified through the IRS/AARP training program each year, and are qualified to assist with virtually any tax issues. Spanish speaking volunteers are available. From Feb. 1-April 16, the service is being provided at the Mammoth Lakes Library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m.
Call Sue Stavlo 760.934.5674 or email suestavlo@yahoo.com for information or an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Red Lantern Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the Red Lantern, and the the Festival of Lanterns or “Yuan-Xiao” Feb. 3-5. This will include the traditional Red Envelope giveaways to close out the celebration of the New Year.
Reservations recommended … call 760.934.9432! Gung Hey Fat Choy!
