Will you be passing through Lee Vining during the holidays? Come visit us! We will be open from 9 am to 5 pm, with the following exceptions:

Friday, 12/24: Open 9 am to 1 pm only.
Saturday, 12/25: Closed all day.
Monday, 12/27: Closed all day.
Saturday, 1/1/2011: Closed all day.

The Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore is located in downtown Lee Vining. Look for the shoveled path into the store on the west side of Highway 395.

Did you know there are two ways to shop and support Mono Lake at the same time?

The first is to visit our online store—we have a unique selection of gifts and books, and 100% of the sales benefit the Mono Lake Committee.

This week's winter storm at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

You can also help support the Mono Lake Committee while you are shopping at Amazon!  Just visit Shop For Mono Lake, click on the link to Amazon, and with each and every Amazon purchase you make the Mono Lake Committee will get 5% of the sale.  Keep in mind—you have to click on the link through Shop for Mono Lake in order to give the Mono Lake Committee 5%, so you may want to bookmark the page: www.shopformonolake.org. Every time you shop, you’ll be helping Mono Lake as well.

On Wednesday, December 1 the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore and the Mono Lake Committee offices will be closed all day for our annual staff retreat. On Thursday we will be open as usual from 9:00am until 5:00pm.

"Mono," the new book by David Carle, is now available at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore.

Join us in celebrating the release of David Carle’s new book, MONO, on Thursday, December 9 from 4:00–6:00pm at the Mono Lake Committee.

David Carle’s many non-fiction books explore relationships between people and the California environment. Now, through historical fiction, he enters the minds and hearts of a generation shaped by the Great Depression and facing the threat of world war. MONO confronts the question, ‘What were they thinking back then, as choices were made that endangered Mono Lake and its tributary streams?’

Between 1934 and 1941, the City of Los Angeles sent 2,000 men to work on aqueducts and an 11-mile tunnel beneath volcanic craters in the Mono Basin. MONO tells the story of biologist (more…)

Volunteers at volunteer graduation in June 2010. Photo courtesy of Janet Carle.

On Thursday, September 9th we acknowledged another wonderful summer of volunteers in the Mono Basin! The party included volunteers’ anecdotes of memorable events during the summer, a BBQ and potluck, and a trivia contest. I loved hearing volunteers’ stories (more…)

Many years ago, a concerned citizen of Lee Vining brought up the danger of speeding and reckless driving on Highway 395, the busy highway that passes directly through Lee Vining.

Next, the Mono Basin Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) took up the cause.

Now, after a joint meeting between members of Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, the speed limit in Lee Vining has been lowered from 35 to 30 miles per hour. This change, endorsed by the Mono County Supervisors, is due to numerous near-misses, accidents, and incidents of speeding. Additionally, the accident ratio of Lee Vining to the state of California is about 3:1, which clearly demonstrates a need for traffic calming measures.

The California Highway Patrol states that they will be very vigilant and that visitors and citizens alike can expect strict enforcement of the new speed limit.  So, when you are passing through Lee Vining, make sure to tap the brakes and slow down to 30 miles per hour. Drive safely, take your time enjoying the sights, and maybe even pull over to enjoy Mono Lake, the surrounding mountains, or the businesses and services our town has to offer!

Photo courtesy of Dana Morton.

There are so many talented artists in the Eastern Sierra and beyond. I love seeing all of the inventive, up-cycled, recycled, and one-of-a-kind work on the internet and at craft fairs. Dana Morton’s pottery is unique, beautiful, and uses linens and other materials that would otherwise be thrown away or forgotten. Here is a bit about Dana, in her own words:

Tell us about yourself.

I moved from Orange County, Southern California to Yosemite the day after I turned 18. It had been my plan ever since I first visited the park as a child with my family. I worked an entire year there and was able to enjoy all four seasons in the park. While living in the park I often visited Lee Vining along with exploring the Mono Basin. (more…)

Last week, Mono Lake Committee staff met with architects from Siegel & Strain to brainstorm ideas for remodeling the front of the Information Center & Bookstore. Siegel & Strain have experience with eco-friendly layouts and materials, and focus on using sustainable, local resources in their plans.

They came to us with some rough plans incorporating the suggestions of staff, members, and visitors. These suggestions included tiered steps for sitting and reading, spots for benches, an outdoor retail space, and an educational map of Mono Lake that would be incorporated right into the patio. Other ideas developed during the meeting included a larger awning for shade, a kiosk for information and fliers, a sound screen for (more…)

The Mono Lake Committee works hard to carry interesting, educational, and eco-friendly books and merchandise. We also love to work with artists to create unique, one-of-a-kind T-shirts, cards, and other gifts. One of these talented artists is Logan Parsons, who painted an incredible mural in our store depicting Mono Lake’s teeming life. Logan’s mural is now on a T-shirt and a greeting card as well, both available online and in the Committee store. Here is a bit about Logan, in her own words:

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Pacific Grove, California, and every year since I was little my family visited the Eastern Sierra to camp during summer vacation. This was how I became connected (more…)

Join the Mono Lake Committee and friends on Saturday, July 10 from 2:00–5:00pm for an artist reception for photographer Robb Hirsch. Robb’s exhibit, “Mono Basin & Beyond: Sublime Moments in Nature,” is now on display in the Mono Lake Committee gallery.

Trained as a biologist, Robb Hirsch developed an intimate relationship with the natural world during annual childhood visits to Yosemite. Robb’s images are known for their compelling subjects, careful compositions, and fine light.

Come meet the photographer, enjoy light refreshments, and see Robb’s work.