Notes for January 14, 2017 meeting posted

You can read the notes for the January community meeting here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyhfnvlrvkhnd1a/01142017_wv_meeting_notes.pdf?dl=0

All the links for community meeting agendas and notes are now compiled here:
http://www.wondervalley.org/p/meetings.html

Thanks, EVERYONE, for coming to the meetings and for participating and volunteering. You all are the BEST!

Wonder Valley Man Accused of Ransacking a Home

WONDER VALLEY MAN ACCUSED OF RANSACKING A HOME
By Z107.7 News, on January 31st, 2017
A Wonder Valley man was arrested Sunday, accused of burglarizing a home. Sheriff’s deputies who were called to a home in the 4500 block of Blower Road in Wonder Valley about 9:30 a.m. discovered the home had been ransacked. Several items, including cans of food and a chainsaw, were stolen from the home. Evidence at the scene led deputies to the 81200 block of Harley Lane where they found Chad Heffley, 41, and the stolen items. After an investigation, Chad Heffley was arrested on suspicion of burglary, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $25,000.

Department of Aging and Adult Services

We had a really good turnout for today's meeting. I counted the names on the sign in sheet and it was about 25, which is good for a Monday.

In any case, Meghan Cosgriff and Linda Connor briefed us on all the programs offered by the SBC Department of Aging and Adult Services and on how to contact the closest office, which is in Yucca Valley.

A representative from their office is available at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center once a month and sometimes has some free bus passes to distribute so I will try to get that information and put it here on the website and in the WV Sand Paper.

Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting. It was lovely to see you all.

Wonder Valley at the Beatnik Lounge

Jaymie Arquilavitch

We stopped at the Beatnik Lounge yesterday, on our way to the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center potluck, and I was so happy to see so many Wonder Valleyans represented in the current show: A Picture if Worth a Thousand Words.

Jaymie Arquilavitch works with fiber and fabric and many of her works refer to the cabins in our area. Put her in the search box to see some of her other works.

Suzanne Ross

Suzanne Ross is a long time WV resident best known in our are for the beautiful Buddhas she makes on desert scrap.

Robin Goudy

Robert Rowell

Robert "Harmonica Bob" Rowell is a recent desert transplant, one half of the musical duo Bill and Bob.

And finally there was Ken and me. I crocheted the piece of legal paper. Ken created the bottom piece - The History of My Escape Plan.

Anyone can show at the Beatnik. There's a $15 entry fee to support the shows and you can see your work.

Veterans Event - LOCATION CHANGE!!!!

Celebrating Veterans | Past - Present - Future

What Your Community Can Do For You

Learn about the veterans services offered in your community and surrounding communities

February 20, 2017

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

6402 Veterans Way, Joshua Tree, CA 92258

Joshua Tree Community Center

6171 Sunburst Street, Joshua Tree CA
(Way in back behind the Sportsman's Club)

Bring DD-214

Claims Processing | Follow up | Healthcare

Housing | Career Opportunities | Veterans ID Cards

Veteran Women Services | Disabled American Veterans

Entrepreneurship Opportunities | VA Representatives

And many more services.

Free Lunch Served

VFW Contacts: 760-366-2717 | Mike Shannon, Commander or Jim Nutter

Glass Outhouse, February 4, 2017

1 - 5 p.m., Saturday, February 4
The Glass Outhouse Gallery
77575 Highway 62
Wonder Valley, CA 92277

Featured artists include Chuck Caplinger and Wonder Valley's own Miri Hunter!

The Luminators will perform.

Admission is always free.

Desert Trail Column for January 19, 20127

Longtime Wonder Valley resident Fran Walters, who now lives in Georgia, turned 100 recently! Fran and her late husband Dick were very involved in everything that went on in Wonder Valley for many, many years. Our very best birthday wishes go out to you, Fran!

The Wonder Valley Community Meeting held last Saturday was interesting and informative, with lots of discussion about a recent structure fire on Shelton Road, plus off-road vehicle riding in our area. Battalion Chief Michael Snow was in attendance, representing San Bernardino County Fire.

The Salvation Army Food Distribution will take place on Wednesday, January 25 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road.

On a sad note, Leonard Sampson has passed away. He lived in Wonder Valley for many years, serving as a firefighter and all-around great guy! He was involved in all aspects of all the events, and would gladly help anyone needing assistance. When he became ill, he and his wife Sharon moved to Northern California. Leonard will be greatly missed by many people.

Karen’s Commentary: Every adult needs a LIVING WILL to state what you want to happen with respect to extraordinary measures to keep you alive; a HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY to name someone who would make medical decisions on your behalf if necessary; a DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY to designate someone to handle your finances if necessary; a WILL to name someone to handle your personal assets and designate who will receive them; and a REVOCABLE TRUST to avoid the probate process.

Darlene’s Commentary: I love to read. Whenever I visit our library in town, I take a few minutes to browse the bargain shelves in the foyer, a place where I have discovered many treasures for little money. Often, something interesting just unexpectedly jumps out at  you, and you welcome a new author and his story to your library at home. When you purchase a book from those shelves, your dollar grows magically, touching more than just one person. Read every day!

Animal Action League will spay or neuter your pets and provide microchipping and vaccinations at discounted prices. They are located just west of the dinosaurs on 29 Palms Highway in Joshua Tree. Call 760-366-1100.

Handy Hint: To clean and polish patent leather, dip a soft cotton cloth into milk and gently buff in circular motions. Buff again with a clean, dry cloth to remove any milk residue.

Thought for Today: There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover the entire landmass of North and South America in one foot of liquid.

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

Aging and Adult Services Presentation

You are cordially invited to a presentation by
Meghan Cosgriff and Linda Connor from
The San Bernardino County
Department of Aging and Adult Services

10:00 a.m. - Noon
Monday, January 30, 2017

At the

Wonder Valley Community Center
80526½ Amboy Road
Wonder Valley, CA 90026

We are asking the presenters to discuss

• Eligibility for In-Home Supportive Services
• Applying for In-Home Supportive Services
• Services covered In-Home Supportive Services
• The Family Caregiver Support Program
• Types of elder abuse
• How to make an elder abuse report
• Referrals to other agencies or assistance the department can offer to clients
• Other senior services

The Department of Aging and Adult Services is dedicated to helping seniors and at risk individuals to improve or maintain choice, independence and quality of life. The department works to ensure seniors and adults with disabilities have the right to age in place in the least restrictive environment!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@gmail.com.

Desert Trail Column, January 12, 2017

The Wonder Valley Community Meeting will be held on Saturday, January 14 at our community center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, at 10 a.m. A representative from San Bernardino County Fire has been invited to attend, plus ORV complaints will be discussed along with date changes for the USDA Food Distributions. For information, contact Teresa Sitz at 760-865-9550 or at teresa.sitz@gmail.com.

The USDA Food Distribution date was changed to Tuesday, January 17. It will be held from 10:30 to noon at our community center.

On Wednesday, January 18, a Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council meeting will take place at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, at 6:30pm. All Wonder Valley residents are invited to attend. For information, contact Teresa Sita who is our Wonder Valley Councilmember.

Since the birthstone for January is the garnet, and the flower is the carnation, we send out Rainbows-of-Garnets-and-Carnations belatedly to Kip Fjeld (sorry, Kip) and to Jennahrose Davies-Foster who will be nine years old this week. Happy birthday to both of you!

Karen’s Commentary: I’ve never been one to save and re-use wrapping paper, but “The 3 B’s” are a different story! Anyone attempting to throw away a still-good Box, Bow or gift Bag had better be prepared for some stern words from Grandma, or Mom, as the case may be. Bags are the newest member of The 3 B’s, but so great for odd-shaped presents or when you’re in a hurry.

Darlene’s Commentary: I am anxiously awaiting the removal of the ginormous “moon boot” on my right foot! I’ve had more time lately to sit and do stuff, like composing lyrics, reading, crocheting, sewing, watching Science Channel and Weather Channel, drawing, roller skating, downhill skiing and a little ballet! (Oops – nodded off again!) Anyway, my foot is feeling much better and I am looking forward to a left-foot-right-foot jaunt very soon.

The Wonder Valley Community Church has regular services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., plus Bible Studies on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15 and on Mondays from 8:30 to 10:30. The church is located at 82575 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road, and a potluck is held following the service on the second Sunday of each month. For information, call Pastor Garry Brooks at 760-367-0279.

Handy Hint: To neutralize odors such as just-cooked fish or fresh paint, pour vinegar into a glass or bowl and set it in the affected room for 30 minutes.

Thought for Today: Six eight-stud Lego bricks can be put together in 915,103,765 different ways – and at least one of those bricks will end up being stepped on by a barefoot adult.

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

The Year (2016) in Review

Time moves slowly in the desert, so it's hard for me to believe we did all this in the last 12 months, but we did. If you have ideas for 2017, please send them to teresa.sitz@gmail.com. Teresa Sitz is the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council delegate to Wonder Valley.

We had a Community Clean Up in February that removed tons of trash and tires from WV. We had a Fire Extinguisher Training and a truck out to refill people extinguishers.

Regarding a proposed Fire tax we heard presentations from the California Department of Insurance, Gayl Swarat and Donna Munoz on CSDs (Community Service Districts), and from LAFCO on ways to organize Wonder Valley.

We met with representatives from SoCalGas and Southern California Edison addressing conflicts with these utilities, and through the efforts of many residents, postponed a day long power outage until the fall. We had a Rattlesnake Safety Workshop with Bert Lies and WV resident herpetologist Harold DeLisle; 2 HEAP Workshops helping a dozen or more residents with heating
and cooling bills; a meeting with Pacific Clinics to discuss services in Wonder Valley; and a smashing Holiday Potluck.

Special Districts hired Karen Meyers as the Interim Coordinator at the WVCC, and she did a bang up job of organizing the Center. Special Districts then hired Ricardo Figueroa, as the new coordinator for the WVCC - so the WVCC continues with regular hours.

I was able to bother enough people that we finally got WIFI at the WVCC. Believe me, this was no small feat - I logged many hours arguing with people to get it.

I also want to remind people that I am your neighbor - I live in Wonder Valley. I am not paid to serve as your delegate to the MAC. Everything I do, I do as a volunteer.

Reprinted from the Wonder Valley Sand Paper, Volume 2, Number 30, January 8, 2017.

Reappointment of Teresa Sitz to Represent Wonder Valley

On today's, Tuesday, January 10, 2017,

CONSOLIDATED AGENDA FOR THE
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING

On the Consent Calendar, County Departments, Item 2) -
Appointments, reappointments and vacancies to Boards, Commissions and Committees: Item g. Approve the appointment of Teresa Sitz to the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (Seat 6), Third District.

http://cob-sire.sbcounty.gov/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2720&doctype=AGENDA

I just found out about this or I would have posted it earlier. It looks like you'll have me for another two years. - Teresa Sitz

Scranch | Call for Work

Scranch and the Mound are high desert spaces located in Wonder Valley: a homestead cabin/art gallery and a giant rock mound. The two spaces are used for artistic events and experimentation.

Our second show will be held Saturday March 4, 2017. The show will be called "Amplified Presence" and is a take off on the word Scranch, which means: make crunching noises. Proposals are being accepted until February 4th. Please email proposals to: dpworks@sbcglobal.net.

MAC Meeting - January 18, 2017

The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, in Joshua Tree.

Wonder Valley is invited and welcome to attend and participate.

The agenda is online at:
http://bit.ly/mac01182017

Winter Blues, January 13

Winter Blues opens from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Friday, January 13, at the Twentynine Palms Visitors Center, 73484 Twentynine Palms Highway.

Harmonica Bob Rowell has a painting in the show, and Bill and Bob will perform, as well.

Bill Winter and Robert Rowell - Bill and Bob - have been performing together for about a year at The Palms Restaurant, The 29 Palms Inn, The Joshua Tree Saloon, and at private events. Bill plays guitar, composes, and sings. Bob plays the harmonica and the trombone.

Book Bill and Bob for your private event, party, birthday, wedding, or wake.

Contact Bill and Bob at:
760-902-9492
rowell_robert@yahoo.com

Wonder Valley Community Meeting, January 14, 2017

Graffiti at Old Dale, off Highway 62 at Gold Crown, Wonder Valley CA

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate in a

Wonder Valley Community Meeting

10 a.m. to Noon, Saturday, January 14, 2017

at the

Wonder Valley Community Center

80526-1/2 Amboy Road

Wonder Valley, CA 92277

The agenda may be found online at:

http://bit.ly/wv01142017
[Agenda revised: January 9, 2017]

French Roast coffee and pastries from Porto's Cuban Bakery

will be served.

See Facebook Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1261902647229339/

Desert Trail Column for January 5, 2017

Wayside Chapel, Glass Outhouse Gallery

Wonder Valley’s Glass Outhouse Art Gallery re-opens on Saturday, January 7 with an Artists Reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Featured artists will be Maggie Wright and Dana Bowden. Refreshments will be served, and music will be performed by Mike Shaw. This show will run January 7 through 29. The art gallery is located at 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. Look for the giant Pepsi can and the tiny little chapel, which by the way is open 24/7. It is called a Wayside Chapel where travelers can rest, stretch their legs, pray for safe travel or just enjoy its quaint beauty inside and out! For more information, call Laurel at (760) 367-3807.

On Monday, January 9, the He Provides Ministry will be at our community center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, at 9:30 a.m. with free clothing and household items for those who need them. Then, from 10:30 to noon, the USDA Food Distribution will take place. Call Ric at (760) 367-9880 for further information.

The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 9, at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, at 6:30 p.m. Wonder Valley’s representative Teresa Sitz will be there to pass along our issues to San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos. Everyone is invited to attend. For information, call Teresa at (760) 865-9550.

Karen’s Commentary: I’m running behind in my thank-you’s! Thanks to Diane Brooks for stamps, to cousin Annie for cards and coupons, and to Jan Peek for all of the above! Everything is appreciated.

Darlene’s Commentary: Well, another year passes and 2017 is brand new. I feel really optimistic about this year for some reason. (Maybe that’s why they’ve nicknamed me “Pollyanna.”) I am looking forward to many things upcoming this year. The community center volunteers will meet this month to discuss activities for the coming year such as Game Days, Bingo, interesting speakers, outdoor yard sales, an indoor holiday bazaar, how-to-do-it demonstrations, collecting recyclables, dumpster days for trash and tires and a possible Slice of Life Reunion. If anyone has a suggestion or idea, please call Ric at 760-367-9880.

Check out the Wonder Valley website at www.wondervalley.org. It has a wealth of information about our area and some fun stuff to look at. Ken and Teresa Sitz do a great job keeping this website interesting!

Handy Hint: Paint a different color of nail polish on each of your keys so you can quickly grab the one you need.

Thought for Today: At birth, a kangaroo is smaller than a bee, ranging in size from 0.2 to 0.9 inches.

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

The Mill at Old Dale, Highway 62

January USDA Food Distribution - DATE CHANGE

This month's food distribution will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 17. I was on the phone with Community Action Partnership several times today verifying that date. I know it's USUALLY the 2nd Monday for January and February but I checked two or three times today and they SWORE the date for January is TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017.

Television in Wonder Valley

I've received a number of requests regarding the TV stations. I wrote to the County and was told the problems are due to outdated receivers. New receivers will be installed win the next 10 days, or so. In the meantime there will be some problems regarding channels.

The guys will be trying to fix things today and tomorrow.
- TSS

Bill and Bob and the Inn on January 10

Wonder Valley musicians extraordinaire, Bill and Bob, will be playing at the 29 Palms Inn starting at 6 p.m. on January 10.

Bill plays guitar and sings, Bob plays harmonica and trombone. Nice music with some original pieces.

Bill Winter and Robert Rowell - Bill and Bob - have been performing together for about a year at The Palms Restaurant, The 29 Palms Inn, The Joshua Tree Saloon, and at private events. Bill plays guitar, composes, and sings. Bob plays the harmonica and the trombone.

Book Bill and Bob for your private event, party, birthday, wedding, or wake.

Contact Bill and Bob at:
760-902-9492
rowell_robert@yahoo.com

Follow Bill and Bob at:
https://www.facebook.com/BillAndBobMusic/

Murmur Collective, Atala, The Sibleys, and many more at The Palms!

A night of unpredictable music in the middle of the desert, starting at 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. on January 14:

• Murmur Collective (improvised noise from Berlin, TX and CA)
• Atala (desert doom rock from 29 Palms)
• The Sibleys (rock from 29 Palms)
• Blue Canarie Bossa Nova Band (somewhat self-explanatory from San Diego)
• McCallum + Lander (black mass doom from San Diego)
• 3SPDS (noise from San Diego)
• Joe Cantrell (noise from San Diego)
• Reverend Screaming Fingers (music for driving from Joshua Tree)

Palms Restaurant
83131 Amboy Road
Wonder Valley, CA 92277