Page 2: Things they don’t teach in history
Well, folks, I’m in the midst of vacation. Came back for a few days to learn that Darrell Johnson’s (GM of www.thesheetradio.com) life is a mess. His back is out, his car is out … I told him he’s still had a better week than Tiger Woods.
Myself, I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend in New York City with the European Union, ‘cause that’s the tourist base these days thanks to the exchange rate. Fortunately, my French wife is able to communicate with them in a language they understand.
“I saw it first!” is universal.
We mostly just wandered around, did what we pleased. We actually saw people waiting in line just to get into the Abercrombie and Fitch store on 5th Avenue. And that was on Saturday. Made me wonder if there was more to the store inside than a bunch of clothes. Like a giant fish tank or a panda or something.
The well-kept secret about New York is just how welcoming and hospitable New Yorkers are. As my friend Jon Ezrow (who graciously lent us his apartment for the weekend) observed, New Yorkers may not have been the friendliest folks to tourists during the height of the Wall Street boom, but in the bust, they know who butters their bread – tourists.
One morning over breakfast, we sat next to an older lesbian couple. And they were discussing an article on Claudette Colvin*, who was Rosa Parks before Rosa Parks, which had run in the New York Times the day before. We’d read the story, too, and a larger conversation soon ensued.
*Footnote: While Colvin has lived her entire life in relative anonymity, Parks was voted as one of the 100 most influential persons of the 20th century. Colvin’s subsequent, out-of-wedlock pregnancy following her arrest in March 1955 made her an “unsuitable” face for the Civil Rights leadership of the time. So Parks was tapped for the assignment, and the event (her arrest) was entirely plotted out beforehand. The things they don’t teach you in history class …
Anyway, it turns out one of the women was a writer (Joan) who was now turning her creative energy towards mosaics, and a theatrical producer (Mary). Next thing you know they invite us up to their apartment two doors down to see some of Joan’s mosaics, which are phenomenal. We buy a small one. Which pleases Joan greatly, since it’s one less piece she’ll have to bring down to the street the next day. You see, Joan often sells her pieces on the sidewalk right outside the breakfast joint. AND WITHOUT A BUSINESS LICENSE.
Brad Koehn’s worst nightmare.
By the way, The Sheet heads to court this coming Thursday, Dec. 10, at 9:30 a.m. seeking to become a legally adjudicated newspaper. The Fifty Center, which currently holds a monopoly as the only legally adjudicated newspaper in Mono County, has opposed The Sheet’s petition. A win for The Sheet would mean that you, dear citizen, would have an option as to where you could publish a legal notice. The hearing is open to the public.
And from Geisel’s desk …
Lakes Basin bear shooter, Wildlife Subcommittee updates
Numerous Sheet readers have called and written in asking about the case involving the San Bernardino man who shot the bear in the Lakes Basin. In breaking news, word came Thursday afternoon from Mono County District Attorney George Booth that charges have been filed against the alleged shooter, identified as Roy Flores, who apparently killed a bear in the Mammoth Lakes basin in August.
Booth said Flores has been charged with two misdemeanors: the first for what’s been called “unlawful taking of a bear with a firearm,” a violation of the California Department of Fish and Game code 4750, and the second for “discharging a firearm within a prohibited area,” that one a violation of Mammoth Lakes Town ordinance.
Flores has been served with a notice to appear in Mono Superior Court in Mammoth Lakes on Monday, Dec. 21, for arraignment. (Booth added Flores can have a lawyer appear in his stead for this proceeding). After a plea is entered, the case’s next step will be determined. We’ll keep you posted.
Speaking of bears … the Town’s next Wildlife Subcommittee meeting is set for this coming Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. in Suite Z. On the agenda: Possible Committee Reorganization, Changes in Call for Service Documentation Methods, an Update on Forest Service/Fish & Game Discussions and Recommendations to Amend the Human-Bear Management Plan.
This meeting is the last one before the committee adjourns until March 10.
Digital 395
More breaking news … late word from Mono County Supervisor Hap Hazard, who said there’s been some progress on the proposed Digital 395 broadband “superhighway” project, spearheaded by Praxis. On Thursday, the California Public Utility Commission reportedly voted to approve the California funding match at $19.1 million, a key step in closing the remaining funding gap between the project’s $100 million plus cost and the amount of projected federal stimulus money, roughly $80 million or so.
Hazard said Digital 395 next moves on to approvals for federal funding.
One World flag stolen
And finally … Kimberly from One World Eats called the office the other day, lamenting the apparent theft of the Armenian flag from the front of their restaurant. Seems that just prior to the arrival of the most recent winter storm, the gang went outside to secure the American and Armenian flags that hang outside, and found, to their dismay, that someone seems to have boosted the Armenian flag, something that would have had to be taken. The flag apparently wouldn’t have just fallen off or otherwise blown away.
If you are the person who took it, or know who did, Kimberly said the flag has personal meaning to the One World staff and they just want the flag returned, no questions asked. They’ll even spot you dinner for an apology and being a standup person.
The Sheet hopes the flag is returned. It carry a lot of meaning within the community to have a wrong righted, even something as seemingly insignificant as this. Besides, we’re not at war with Armenia, so it’s not like you nabbed an Afghan or Iranian flag, dude.
Just give it back.
