Page 2: Starry starry night(mare)?
In regard to MMSA CEO Rusty Gregory threatening closure of Sierra Star Golf Course rumors …
The Sheet contacted Gregory for comment this week. What appears below is the statement he issued. He chose not to elaborate or follow up on any of it despite repeated prodding.
“It probably doesn’t make sense to continue to lose $300,000 to $500,000 a year running a seasonal golf course. Closing Sierra Star gives us the opportunity to work with the community to rethink how to best use this 130 acres of land at the geographic center of the Town of Mammoth Lakes.”
At Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting, the subject of Sierra Star was broached by MMSA’s Vice-President of Mountain Development Tom Hodges. What was interesting, said Vane, was that Hodges was there protesting a setback variance, saying that encroachment upon the golf course would create a liability issue.
Does MMSA wish to save it or remove it?
When asked for comment, Mammoth Mayor Michael Raimondo said, “It’s premature for us to make any comments. We haven’t seen anything.”
Sheet: Any thoughts about the impact of losing a golf course?
Raimondo: We lack amenities, so … to pull one out, is that the best idea?
Co-founder of Slow Food L.A. Ernest Miller was in Bishop this week to both teach and lecture (at a Master Food Preserver program – offered through the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources – and then at a lecture open to the public on Monday evening).
Miller is a former Annapolis graduate and Naval officer who left the service to attend Yale Law School. Legal work, however, didn’t prove wholly satisfying.
“I always said to myself if I won the lottery I would go to culinary school. Ultimately, I didn’t win the lottery and went anyway.”
Sheet: Why do they call it Slow Food?
Miller: As a counterpoint to fast food. Not industrialized. Not fast-paced. Food is meant to be enjoyed … The challenge is that we don’t have time to cook.
Before you stop reading, distracted as you are by the sound of granola crunching, understand that Miller is not the stereotypical foodie. Sure, he’s not interested in eating fast food, but he’s not one of those true believers who are so fanatical that you tune them out. For example, he also says, “It’s more important to [take the time to] share a meal with family than what that meal is.”
Sheet: Even if it’s KFC?
Miler: Even if it’s KFC.
As Miller says, he’s not a guy who needs to move the needle all the way. Moving it just a little bit helps, he says. He doesn’t need you to necessarily buy into a particular philosophy. He would, however, like you to think.
What Miller’s trying to sell is the concept of Buying Low and Eating High. His strategy: Buy the foods that are in season and cheap, preserve them via canning or dehydration, and then consume them when you wish. Essentially, preserve and eat a tasty June strawberry in January as opposed to eating an out-of-season and not very tasty strawberry shipped in from Mexico in the middle of winter.
According to www.kcet.org, Miller received his Master Preserver’s certificate from San Bernardino County’s extension program in 2009, and then went to L.A. County’s Cooperative Extension office to lobby to restart its program. In 1997, the LA County program had just nine students; citing lack of interest, the University of California Cooperative Extension office canceled the program. After Miller revived the program by the time he offered his second class, he received 118 applicants for 18 spots.
Bishop’s Vivian Patterson has been instrumental in bringing the Master Gardener and Master Preserver programs to the region. As Patterson says, the M.F.P. program has offered six public workshops this far; each sold out ahead of time.
The fermentation workshops have been particularly popular.
On Monday night, Miller’s workshop covered steam-canning of tangerines and preserved lemons.
A cheap pressure canner can be purchased for as little as $70.
Look for a 2016 workshop schedule to be released in March upon completion of the current M.F.P. session.
Bob Kingston, owner of the Bishop Nursery, held a little press conference on Tuesday morning to pitch the benefits of his proposed 15-unit housing development on Home Street.
Kingston said increased business competition coupled with the value of his residentially-zoned three acre property factored in his decision to develop the property.
The Nursery will operate at its Home Street location for this season. After that, Kingston plans to downsize and relocate the business within the city of Bishop.
During peak times, the Nursery employs approximately 20 people.
In arguing for his project, Kingston said there’s “no debate” about Bishop’s need for more housing. According to Jake Rasmuson, realtor/broker of Coldwell Banker in Bishop, the proposed lot sizes are about 6,200-square feet, exceeding the average lot size of 5,500-square feet for the surrounding area.
Our Charles James attended the Bishop City Council meeting on Monday. “It was really pretty much a done deal on the negative declaration on the CEQA findings,” he said. “The main story will come from the Planning Committee, which will make recommendations on density. The committee is scheduled to meet January 26.”
“Primary issue seems to be density, not environmental,” said James.” Kingston wants 15 lots/houses and the neighbors want less (12 or 13). The neighbors did push for single story structures along the creek and Kingston has agreed to that.”
