Desert Trail Column, November 5, 2015

The Wonder Valley Community Center will be closed for the months of November and December, with the exceptions of the community meetings on November 9 and December 14, and the USDA Food Distributions on November 16 and December 21. The community center will again be open every Monday from 9 to noon beginning in January, 2016. The Wonder Valley Book Program will also be closed until January, with the above exceptions.

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery invites everyone to an Artists Reception on Saturday, November 7 from 5 to 9 pm. Featured artists are Perry Hoffman, David Greene and Michael Carballes, and music will be provided by Leslie Mariah Andrews. The gallery is located at 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. For more information, call 760-367-3807.

A community meeting will take place at our community center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road, on November 9 at 9 am. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate. Veterans Administration Benefits Advisor Stewart West from the Marine Base will be present to talk to veterans one-on-one about their benefits and eligibility issues following the meeting. Service-connected disabilities can be applied for at any time in life. For further information, call our Basinwide Municipal Advisory Council Representative Teresa Sitz at 760-865-9550.

The Basinwide MAC meeting will be held on Monday, November 9 at the community center at Sunburst Park in Joshua Tree from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.

On a sad note,  Wonder Valley resident Joseph Henry Evans, 72, has passed away. We send our condolences to his wife Lisa K. Evans; son Robert Evans; daughters Teresa Evans and Tammy Caroll; sister Sara Evans; brother Edward Evans; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned.

Karen’s Commentary: Oh, my! Those little annoying Christmas elves that whisper in my ears this time of year have upped their volume considerably as of November 1. They’re saying if I’d listened to them in October, I’d already be done with my Christmas shopping.

Darlene’s Commentary: Here comes the Weed Show! Grab your friends, bring the kids and come to the Old Schoolhouse Museum on November 6 and 7. Hours – Saturday noon to 4, Sunday 10 to 4. Check it out! Admission is free. I love the Weed Show!

Handy Hint: Revive stale bread or rolls by sprinkling them lightly with water, putting them in aluminum foil and warming them in a 375-degree oven for about 5 minutes for rolls or 10-15 minutes for bread.

Thought for Today: When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, and others build windmills. – Chinese Proverb

Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.