Desert Trail Column - November 29, 2018

Last week, the Great Turkey Giveaway, sponsored by Friends of Wonder Valley and San Bernardino County Community Action Partnership provided many Wonder Valleyites with a turkey dinner that they may not have had otherwise. Thank you to all who were involved in making this happen.

 Being given away along with the turkeys were “X-Mas with the Kroms” CDs that we wrote about last week. Kroms Dominic and Naomi Bruxer have also produced a three-CD set comprised of their albums Desert Sands, Scorpion Dance and Black Widow. These are instrumental songs composed by Naomi, telling about desert insects, wildlife, terrain, environment and occurrences. The stories are told through music with Naomi playing different instruments and Dominic on percussion. One example of the music telling a story is when the tambourine represents the sounds of our local rattlesnakes! Call or text 760-413-8227.

The annual Get Loud Holiday Party will be held at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, December 1 starting at 6 p.m. both nights. Admittance is free and entertainment will be provided by more than a dozen bands from Austin, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Joshua Tree and Wonder Valley.

 On Saturday, December 1, Redlands Pilots Association members will fly their planes to Twentynine Palms Airport, 29 Palms Highway at Godwin Road, with donated Christmas gifts for Twentynine Palms area people in need. The gifts will be handed over to the Marine Corps Reserves as part of Toys for Tots. Santa himself will lead planes, pilots and crews to the airport to meet the Marines at approximately 10:45 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come and watch this once-a-year event. Last year, 24 airplanes landed at the airport, delivering $1100 and 2500 toys.

 The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road, will host a special artists reception on Saturday, December 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. for the 2018 High School Student Art Show. The featured artists will be from Twentynine Palms High School and Yucca Valley High School. Come enjoy the free refreshments along with music provided by Damien Tiner. Come and meet these talented and creative students whose works will be on display through December 9. Many of the students’ creations can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

 We send out Rainbows-of-Topaz-and-Chrysanthemums to Carson Bevins (7) and Cambria Fairweather who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday to you both!

 The Wonder Valley Lending Program has lots of books and movies available for loan at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road.

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

2018 Get Loud Holiday Party, 11/30-12/1

This year's annual Get Loud Holiday Party will be in Wonder Valley at The Palms Restaurant Nov 30 - Dec 1, 2018. Tons of bands, booze, laughs and gifts. Free entry all weekend.

Appearances by :
Roselit Bone (Portland, OR)
Danny Dodge and the Dodge Gang (LA, CA)
Felix Rose (Sacramento, CA)
Chelan (Joshua Tree, CA)
Ghost Ring (Portland, OR)
Grizzled Mighty (Seattle, WA)
Kinky Fingers (Denver, CO)
Firebug (Joshua Tree, CA)
The Needs (Wonder Valley, CA)
Chief White Lightning (LA, CA)
Merciful Heavens (Austin, TX)
Acid Tongue (Seattle, WA)
Sibleys (Wonder Valley, CA)
+ special jams sessions all weekend.

Friday November 30, 2018, 6:00 pm
Roselit Bone, Acid Tongue, Chief White Lightning, Felix Rose, Sibleys, The Needs + more

Saturday December 1, 2018, 6:00 PM
Grizzled Mighty, Danny Dodge & the Dodge Gang, Firebug, Kinky Fingers, Chelan, Merciful Heavens, Ghost Ring + more

The Palms Restaurant, 83131 Amboy Road in Wonder Valley, 92277

Desert Trail Column - November 22, 2018

Dominic and Naomi Bruxer, also known as The Kroms, have recorded a CD of Christmas music entitled “X-mas with The Kroms.” Dominic did the original artwork on the CD, and Naomi did the digital artwork.There is nothing like Christmas music to get people in a holiday mood!

 The Salvation Army Food Distribution will take place on Wednesday, November 28 at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road near Blower Road, at 11 a.m. The food is from Trader Joe’s and bags will be provided. For further information, contact our WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at 760-367-9880.

We send out Rainbows-of-Topaz-and-Chrysanthemums to Sharon Fangmeyer who celebrates her special day this week. Happy birthday, Sharon!

Darlene’s Commentary:  Giving my space to Karen today!

Karen’s Commentary:  In 1998 we lost our 37-year-old son Danny. In the months following, I came up with one way of coping that I’ve passed along to many others who are having a hard time with their grief. I keep a diary or journal, and in the past 20 years I’ve “talked” to Danny almost every night and told him all about my day, my thoughts, fears, funny moments and even embarrassing ones! Some nights he gets a couple sentences, some nights he gets a whole page full! I “talk” to him just as if he were sitting across from me, and it’s very comforting. If you are dealing with grief, this might help you.

Food for Life Ministry prepares and serves free hot meals at the Church of the Nazarene every Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. The church is located at 72603 Juanita Drive. If you have difficulty getting into town, Reach Out Morongo Basin may deliver these delicious hot meals to your home free of charge. Call 760-361-1410 for more information.

Handy Hint:  A good rule of thumb is “Skip organic when you peel it.” Experts say you want organic fruits or veggies when you’re eating the whole thing, but skip it for bananas and other foods that you typically peel.

Today’s Thought:  Over 41 million Americans, including over 5 million who are senior citizens, do not know when or how they’ll get their next meal. Local food banks need three things:  money, your time and food. If you plan on donating food, here are the non-perishable items needed most:  Applesauce, boxed meals, canned beans, canned chicken, canned chili, canned fish (tuna, salmon), canned meat (Spam, ham), canned vegetables, cooking oils, crackers, dried herbs and spices, fruit (canned or dried), granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, nuts, pasta, peanut butter, rice, shelf-stable milk, soup, stew and whole-grain cereal.

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

New mural

If you're traveling west toward Twentynine Palms on Highway 62, just before you get to the airport gate, you may see this little white cinder block cabin with a cool new mural on it of two coyotes sitting on an old car. What a nice surprise this was to see!

Does anyone know anything about the artist?

Desert Trail Column - November 15, 2018

The Great Fulgurite Hunt that took place last week at Wonder Valley Community Park was attended by around 40 people! Following a show-and-tell by Darlene Parris and Teresa Sitz, many fulgurites were found. Fulgurites are formed when desert sand, rocks and pebbles are fused at approximately 10,000 degrees during a lightning strike! The best times to find fulgurites are just after sunrise or just before sunset, with the sun at your back.

On Saturday, November 17, local author Catherine Connors will be reading from, and signing copies of, her book “The Feminine Revolution,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road. Sponsored by Friends of Wonder Valley, there is a $2 suggested donation for this event, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Also on November 17, Harmonica Bob’s Art Show and Open House will take place at 3855 Meriwether Road, from 4 to 10 p.m. There will be paintings for sale, refreshments and a great hat exhibit. Don’t miss it!

The USDA Food Distribution will be held on Monday, November 19 at our community center sometime after 10:30 a.m. when the truck arrives.

Free turkeys will be distributed on Tuesday, November 20 at our community center by the Friends of Wonder Valley in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Community Action Partnership. Wonder Valley residents only are allowed to sign up starting at 9 a.m., and the turkeys will be distributed between 11 and noon. It will be first come, first served for the sign-up, and up to 60 turkeys will be given away.

For any of the WVCC events above, call our Coordinator Teresa Sitz at 760-367-9880 for further information.

Since the November birthstone is the topaz and the flower is the chrysanthemum, we send out Rainbows-of-Topaz-and-Chrysanthemums to Karen Meyers who will be 76 this week. Happy birthday, Karen!

Also, a big “Happy Anniversary” goes out to Sherry and Bill Hague this week!

Animal Action League will spay or neuter your pet at a low cost. They also do vaccinations, microchipping and nail trimming, all at reduced prices. They are located at 62762 Highway 62, just west of the dinosaurs in Joshua Tree. For further information, call them at 760-366-1100.

Handy Hint:  To remove blood stains, soak stain in cold salt water for two hours, then dab with a half-and-half solution of ammonia and water.

Today’s Thought:  When you plan to get even with someone, you are only allowing the person who has hurt you to hurt you longer. (But then again, per Karen, revenge is sweet!)

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

Godwin Christian Fellowship Thanksgiving Dinner

Godwin Christian Fellowship at 6389 Godwin Road in Wonder Valley will host a free hot Thanksgiving Dinner Luncheon open to the public on Sunday, November 18, 2018 right after the 10:30 am service. Everyone is welcome!

Please contact Olympia Rossi with any questions at (831) 227-1948.

Turkeys for Wonder Valley

Friends of Wonder Valley, a new tax-exempt 501(c)(3) with a mission of enhancing the lives of those living in Wonder Valley, is SUPER EXCITED to announce that we’re partnering with SBC Community Action Partnership to give away up to 60 Thanksgiving turkeys to Wonder Valley residents on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Sign up starts at 9 a.m., at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277.

The turkeys will be distributed at the WVCC sometime between 11 a.m. and noon. There will be UP TO 60 turkeys. Turkeys average 12-14 pounds. You are not guaranteed a turkey. This event is first come, first served.

You must be a Wonder Valley resident to receive a turkey. No more than one turkey per parcel. You must be present to pick up your turkey. The Wonder Valley Community Center will be open at 9 a.m.

If you have any questions, please call Teresa Sitz at 760-367-9880.

StickyFest at the Palms, Saturday 11/10

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StickyFest 2018, Saturday November 10th, 2018, 12 Punk/Metal/Alt bands at the outdoor stage at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Rd, Twentynine Palms, California 92277. Show 1 pm to 12 midnight+

All-ages, and free camping. Military and Under 16 free with ID.

Live performances, starting 1 pm till midnight:
The Wastedeads, Instigator, The DirtBays, Ormus, Satanic Johnny, UU, Karr, Drop Mob, Mega Sun, Throw the Goat, Sticky Doll, and Sleazy Cortez.

Local artists, vending, and fundraising for Morongo Basin Humane Society.

There is a 50% discount admission for attendees donating something from the MBHS list (see poster).

STICKYFEST Facebook Event | Online Ticket Sales

Desert Trail Column - November 8, 2018

There will be a Meet & Greet to introduce Pastor Lonnie Casper and his wife Jo on Saturday, November 10 at the Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free hotdogs will be served. Come to welcome Wonder Valley’s new pastor! Call 760-401-6128 or 760-391-0480 for further information.

Darlene’s Commentary:  This is a two-parter. 
First, I’d like to commend fellow-columnist Bobbie Flint for her excellent column in the Hi-Desert Weekend Star on Saturday, October 20. Thanks go to Bobbie and the many people who drove clear to San Bernardino to protest the fire tax, only to find standing room only, IF they were even among the people admitted. For most of the people from our area, this would be a 200-mile round trip. Shame on the County for not providing a larger location! 
Second, I want to say that this year’s Weed Show was exceptional, with many beautiful entries, lots of imagination and creativity. I especially liked to see categories with people of years past that have helped shape our desert area being honored for their accomplishments and history. What a great idea! Hats off to our wonderful Historical Society and their volunteers, visitors and donors who support our Weed Show each year.

Karen’s Commentary:  This is a five-parter!
First, I made a mistake. I know this is hard for anyone to believe since I’ve made so few mistakes in my lifetime – Ha! I thanked Jean Blackburn for stamps when I should’ve thanked Olympia Rossi – so thanks, Olympia!
Second, I’m now correctly thanking Jean for a huge amount of greeting cards she sent over. 
Third, a great big thank you to Jennie from Blessed Sacrament Church for lots of neatly cut and packaged stamps. Used stamps help to provide funding for Boys Town.
Fourth, thanks to Bob and Joey for loads of coupons that went to U.S. Marine, Air Force and Navy bases in Japan, Guam, Korea, Spain and Sicily. 
Fifth, hubby Ted did it again! He won six more ribbons at the Weed Show! But he wasn’t the only Wonder Valleyite winner – Marina McClay, Kate Brandt and Becky Slane all came away with ribbons! Congratulations to everyone!

The non-profit 29 Soaring Club meets at the Twentynine Palms Airport, Highway 62 at Godwin Road, every Sunday from 11 a.m. to sunset, weather permitting. The club owns two gliders and a tow plane and provides glider rides for $20 to $50 each, depending upon altitude desired. They also have gift certificates with no expiration dates available for cash only. Call Mike at 760-464-2835 for information.


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

Locals put the "Won" in Wonder Valley!

     Wonder Valley locals Becky Slane (pictured) and Kate Brandt entered six entries in this weekend's Twentynine Palms Annual Weed Show.
     The first-time entrants walked away with FIVE ribbons including BEST OF SHOW!
     Kate Brandt won 1st place in the transportation engineer category, and 3rd place in the homesteader and miner category. Becky Slane also placed 3rd in the athletics category.
     Becky and Kate learned from the best. Ted Meyers, a Wonder Valley local who has won 33 ribbons over the years, gave a presentation on how to create winning entries earlier in the year. Someone took some awfully good notes!
     Congratulations Becky and Kate!

Finding Fulgurites

After going on the last fulgurite hunt, last April, I saw them everywhere and started a good-sized collection.

So we're doing it again!

Darlene Parris, one of the sisters who writes the Wonder Valley column in the Desert Trail, will show us fulgurites that she has collected and tell us all about them.

Meet at the Gazebo in the Wonder Valley Park, at the corner of Amboy and Blower Roads, next to the Old Fire Station, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. There is a $2 suggested donation.

A fulgurite is formed when lightning hits wet sand. The sand melts and turns into a melded conglomeration of tiny rocks and sand. The average temperature at creation is 10,000 degrees. 

Then Darlene will take us walking in the nearby desert behind the park and show us how to FIND fulgurites. We won't be walking far -- maybe 20 feet, or so. Everyone will go home with at least one fulgurite.

You can't miss the 80' tall cell tower palm tree.

Bring a hat and water, a collection bag, a small digging implement (like a garden trowel), and anything else you need to be comfortable (folding chair, gloves, sunscreen, snack).

This event is produced and sponsored by Friends of Wonder Valley. A $2 suggested donation helps us continue creating these kinds of events, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Desert Trail Column - November 1, 2018

The presentation by Wildlife Rehabilitator Susan Doggett was interesting, educational and fun. The presentation was well-attended, with much interest in seeing three live owls and a live hawk up close and personal! Thank you, Susan.

The Farewell Potluck Luncheon for Pastor Garry Brooks and wife Diane was well-attended by people savoring delicious food. Garry and Diane will really be missed in our community, but we wish them lots of happiness in their new home in Arizona.

The new Wonder Valley Community Church Pastor Lonnie Casper and wife Jo attended the Brooks’ Farewell Luncheon. Pastor Casper will officially take over church duties on November 1. The church is located at 73131 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road.

If you missed seeing the play “Final Ed.It” by local celebrity bartender Kevin Bone, it will be performed on Thursday, November 1 at The palms, 82575 Amboy Road, at 6 p.m. Donations will be accepted. For further information, call 760-361-2810.

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 Twentynine Palms Highway at Thunder Road, proudly presents the 2018 Copper Mountain College Student Art Show on Saturday, November 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. Come and meet the students, see their unique works of art, enjoy free refreshments and listen to the music of Hunter and the Wick’d. This show runs through November 25. Call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

Enjoy the music of Kaz Murphy and Lauren Weedman on Saturday, November 3 at The Palms, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Dale Basin Well Owners meeting will be held on Sunday, November 4 at Godwin Christian Fellowship Church, 6389 Godwin Road near Highway 62, at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact Max Rossi at  mrossi121@yahoo.com or 831-234-6848 for further information.

If you missed the last Great Fulgurite Hunt, or if you just want to do it again, be at the Wonder Valley Community Park, corner of Amboy Road and Blower Road at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7. Our local “Fulgurite Expert” Darlene Parris will have a show-and-tell session, then lead everyone out into the desert for a distance of about 20 feet where you will FIND some! You will never walk in the desert again without finding fulgurites. This eventis sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Wonder Valley(FriendsOfWonderValley.org). There is a suggested donation of $2, but no onewill be turned away for lack of funds.

Godwin Christian Fellowship holds Morning Worship servicesevery Sunday at 10:30 a.m. They also have Bible Study from 9 to 10:20 a.m., and Children’s Church (for eight years and younger) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. every Sunday. Contact Pastor Max Rossi.

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