The Mono Lake Theater & Gallery entryway displays both Nancy and Ron Overholtz's pieces.

The Mono Lake Committee invites you the gallery opening for Nancy Overholtz and Ron Overholtz’s show, “Water & Wood.” The opening is this Saturday, April 20 from 4:00–6:00pm in the Mono Lake Theater & Gallery on the corner of Highway 395 & Third Street in Lee Vining.

Nancy Overholtz’s watercolors feature wildlife and scenery with impeccable attention to detail. Ron Overholtz is a local woodturner, with vases and bowls in aspen, maple, Norfolk Island Pine and more. Both artists live in Bishop.

Ron and Nancy will be present at the gallery opening to discuss their pieces and enjoy light refreshments with those who attend. We hope to see you there!

Traveling the 38th Parallel is one of the newest books at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore, and is well worth a look.

Authors David & Janet Carle are Mono Lake locals, assigned the first park ranger position, jointly, when the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve was created in 1982. Their position makes obvious the book’s theme: to travel the world, exploring environmental issues, at this similar parallel. An interesting premise, to be sure.

In five sections, the Carles visit with local activists, scientists, and community members (more…)

As seasons change, so too, does the art in the Mono Lake Theater & Gallery. The Mono Lake Committee is happy to host “Water & Wood” featuring both Nancy Overholtz’s watercolor pieces, and Ron Overholtz’s woodturnings from February 1 through July 31, 2013.

Left: "Barn Owl, watercolor by Nancy Overholtz. Right: "Buckeye Vessel," woodturning by Ron Overholtz.

Nancy and Ron are Bishop, California locals that we are fortunate to see on a regular basis here in the Mono Basin. Ron’s woodturnings and Nancy’s watercolor prints and cards have been staples of (more…)

Analyzing the year-end sales for the Information Center & Bookstore generally yields predictable results. However, in 2012, contrary to my expectations, our book sales increased by 10% from 2011!

This is thanks to all those who purchased real, physical books from our selection, both in the store and online.

Our top ten best-selling books were all related to (more…)

Jim Cokas’ Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival broadsides can now be found on the Mono Lake Committee online store! If you missed your chance to purchase one of the pieces currently hanging in our gallery while you were in the Mono Basin, shop online and we will ship the prints to your front door. These broadsides also make the perfect gift for that person who has everything. Curious about broadsides?

Jim explained the concept of a “broadside” while hanging his show in the Mono Lake Theater & Gallery this past fall. Broadsides were common in (more…)

There are only 51 days left before Christmas … time to start checking off your lists at the Mono Lake Committee’s online store! Take a look at our 2012 fall catalog selections to get some ideas flowing, and keep an eye here on the Mono-logue—we’ll be featuring our favorite products for the season all month long.

When you shop with the Mono Lake Committee, 100% of your purchases benefit the protection, restoration, and education efforts happening for Mono Lake.

Poetry in Motion

A draft from the bookstore entrance
drifts by
grabbing hanging broadsides
to breathe life into their words.

A flying flock, bristly branches, straying streams
take place of print and paper.

Twisting, rustling, back, forth, up and down:
silent unless provoked
art, poetry, movement are married.

Still lives need not apply.

Brief though it be
in the Theater & Gallery
lives true poetry in motion.

—Jessica Horn, Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore Manager

Join us for the opening of Poetry & Place: Tuolumne Meadows Broadside Project—poetry inspired art and design by Jim Cokas in the Mono Lake Committee Theater & Gallery, August 20, 2012 at 4:00pm.

28 limited letterpress broadsides printed for the Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival are on display at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore.

(more…)

I have a dog and a car on the brink of explosion. The combination of the two means more time spent rambling through sagebrush and walking interwoven dirt roads on the east side of Highway 395 … on foot.

Max-dog had never seen Rush Creek, which is a travesty for a Mono Lake Committee dog. We found ourselves yet again rambling via dirt road; exploring side roads and slowly making our way to the line of green willows that mark Rush Creek’s path. It took several hours to find the best swimming hole. We came upon several, but decided to keep going in search for the best. Along the way we saw (more…)

I am constantly amazed by the variety of enthusiastic Mono Lake supporters that frequent our store. Some bound up the steps, excited to see that the phalaropes have arrived and are swimming around at South Tufa. Others stop abruptly in the doorway, inhale deeply, and exclaim, “I’ve missed the smell of this store!” Of course, there is always the visitor who silently peruses the bookshelves for the latest Dave Carle novel. In my three summers in the store, I would say in general, our visitors make me smile.

Last Thursday was no exception.

A rather soft-spoken young boy walked up, and as I leaned over the counter to talk to him, I noticed he was carrying a violin case. (more…)

Devils Postpile. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

After last November’s significant wind storm, now appropriately called “The Devils Windstorm,” caused considerable damage to the Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow area, the sites are now open for the season.

The Reds Meadow shuttle service is running, and the Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow campgrounds are open. Check here for updates on other Forest Service campground openings.

The wind event occurred November 30 through December 1, 2011. Wind came from the northeast, reaching the valley at (more…)