Desert Trail Column - March 28, 2019

In case you haven’t been to the USDA Food Distributions for awhile, you’ll be surprised at how organized they are now. A lot of work has gone into creating a much happier experience for all involved. The hours of socializing were nice for some, but came with a lot of chaos and irritation. This is an entirely new experience. Sincere thanks go to Wonder Valley Community Center Coordinator Teresa Sitz, Friends of Wonder Valley and all the great volunteers.

Last week’s Community Cleanup hit a giant bump in the road when the delivery of the trash containers was delayed for about two hours! But they did finally arrive, and many people took advantage of free disposal of trash, tires and e-waste. Cleanups are very helpful, positive events for our area.

Incantations, an annual Sound Art Gathering in the High Desert, will take place in Wonder Valley March 29 through 31. It is hosted by Mojave Sound Art.

Wonder Valley Experimental 11, the eleventh edition of the experimental music festival, will be held on Saturday, March 30 at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, from 5 p.m. to midnight. Scheduled performers include Crank Sturgeon, Nitro Donkey, Enrichd White, Eric Dahlman, Zwellz!, J3M5, Trash Pandas of the Sky, Loop Goat, Violin K Sonata, War Hippy, The Brutal Poodle, Amps for Christ, Skunk Puppet, Martin Espino, So Ar Shunna Sordal, The Hostile Hippies, Greychurch, Carey Fosse, Hongo Killer, Z Vital, phog masheeen and Load in. This show is free, and free camping is available on site the night of the event. Call 760-361-2810.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Hi-Des Hukilau Music Festival at The Palms on April 20.

For additional information on any of the above events, call Teresa at 760-367-9880.

Godwin Christian Fellowship, 6389 Godwin Road at 29 Palms Highway, holds Sunday Morning Worship every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Also available every Sunday are coffee and refreshments from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., a Prayer/Bible Study from 9 to 10:15 a.m. and Children’s Church from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. for children under nine years of age. In addition, on every third Sunday there is a Birthdays and Anniversaries Celebration following the Sunday Morning Worship. Each Thursday, a Worship and Prayer Meeting is held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. For further information, contact Pastor Max Rossi at Mrossi121@yahoo.com or 831-234-6848, Brother Wally Curie at 760-449-8683 or Brother Ethan Irons at 410-522-8044.

Handy Hint:
A dryer sheet takes the odor out of seldom-opened books and photo albums.

Today’s Thought:
“You know why fish are so thin? They eat fish.” – Jerry Seinfeld

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

Help terraform Mars.

Thanks to Wonder Valley resident George Heen who discovered and photographed this sign, done in the style of local real estate agencies.

"HELP TERRAFORM: MARS. ASK A SCIENTIST."

On the other side, the copy read,

"BUY LAND ON... MARS
CALL ELON TODAY."

This won't seem so funny in a couple of months.

Desert Trail Column - March 21, 2019

The presentation “Raptors of the Desert” by Susan Doggett was very informative and interesting. Susan brought along a few live raptors for everyone to see up close and personal. Thank you, Susan!

 On Saturday, March 23, there will be a Community Cleanup at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, from 8 to noon. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement and Solid Waste Management Divisions will provide bulky trash collection containers for the free disposal of accumulated household trash, e-waste and tires. Tires on rims will be accepted, but there is a limit of nine tires total. Oversized, loose or hard-to-handle loads may be turned away. For further information, call Code Enforcement Officer Melissa Malcom at 909-266-3477.

 Also on March 23, there will be two events at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road. From 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., there will be Yoga at The Palms with Lorelei Greene. Then from 7 to 10 p.m., “Diaspora in Relief:  Emily Hay – Cartoon Justice will take place. Call 760-361-2810 for further information.

 

There will be a “two-fer” at our community center on Wednesday, March 27. The Salvation Army Food Distribution will take place at 11 a.m. with food from Trader Joe’s being distributed free of charge. Also, the new Morongo Basin Healthcare District’s Medical Van will be there, providing medical care for local residents.

 

Mark your calendars for some upcoming events. On March 29 through 31, Incantations/Mojave Sound Art in Wonder Valley. On March 30, Wonder Valley Experimental 11 at The Palms.

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

We send out Rainbows-of-Aquamarines-and-Jonquils to Serenity Justicanne Root who turns nine this week. Happy birthday, Serenity!

 

 

Karen’s Commentary:  Finally, some warmth! Even though our “cold” weather is ridiculous to people in truly frigid regions, it is still just plain miserable to me.

 

Darlene’s Commentary:  Mother Nature has blessed our desert again with color everywhere! It is blooming in steps, and new plants are sprouting in unexpected places. Thank you!

 Friends of Wonder Valley is a local non-profit created solely to enhance the lives of the people in Wonder Valley, and it is doing a great job! Go to www.wondervalley.org and click on “Friends of Wonder Valley” to learn more about this wonderful organization.

 Handy Hint:  Make a twine dispenser out of a flower pot by placing a ball of string inside the pot and threading one end through the drainage hole to prevent tangles.

 Today’s Thought:  “Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure.”  -- Jack Lemmon

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

Desert Trail Column - March 14, 2019

Susan Doggett, biologist and migratory bird rehabilitator, will present “Raptors of the Desert” at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, on Saturday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. She will be presenting several topics regarding desert birds of prey and will bring several birds of prey with her. A donation of $2 per adult is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

 

On Tuesday, March 19, the USDA Food Distribution will take place at our community center, starting at 9:30 a.m.

 Representatives from San Bernardino County Community Action Partnership will be at our community center on Wednesday, March 20 from 9 to noon. They will be processing Home Energy Assistance Program applications for credit to be applied to your electric, wood or propane bill. The annual credits range from $206 to $343. For a list of documents that you must bring with you, go to http://www.capsbc.org or call 909-723-1500.

 Mark your calendar for some upcoming events. Community cleanup at our community center on March 23. “Diaspora in Relief:  Emily Hay” at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road, on March 23. The new medical van at our community center on March 27.

 

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

 

We send out Rainbows-of-Aquamarines-and-Jonquils to Tyler Holsclaw and Donna Parsons who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday, Donna and Tyler!

 

Darlene’s Commentary:  (Huevos Rancheros continued from last week.) Grease a cast iron skillet lightly to heat beans, stirring occasionally. Mix together tomatoes, cilantro and onions; cover and set aside. When beans start to bubble, use a potato masher to mash about half of them thoroughly, then mix together. Lower heat and cover with tilted lid. Oil a griddle or other skillet and heat each tortilla on both sides, keeping them flexible, not crispy. Keep tortillas warm while using the butter to cook eggs over-easy. To serve, use three overlapping tortillas to cover entire plate, spread beans over tortillas, sprinkle on veggie mixture and top with another scoop of beans that you then flatten with a spatula. Place eggs on top of that and top all with salsa. Enjoy!

 Karen’s Commentary:  Lots of coupons from Bob and Joe that went out this week to U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army bases in Japan and Germany.

 Handy Hint:  Some things that make a small room look larger include furniture with legs showing, sheer curtains and light colors.

 

 

 

Today’s Thought:  Roughly 29 percent of women in dual-income marriages make more money than their spouses.

 

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

Godwin Christian Fellowship gets new sign.

In a dry and thirsty land where no water is, we do things like watch paint dry and grass grow. The sprouting of a new sign is big news, and here's one of the biggest. The Godwin Christian Fellowship, near the intersection of Highway 62 and Godwin Road recently hung a sign noting their time of worship and that "You are loved in this place!"

Salvation Army Food Distribution

The Salvation Army Food Distribution takes place starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277. The Community Center is located between the Fire Station and the palm tree cell tower.

The distribution is first come first served, and ends when there is no more food. The distribution is open to Wonder Valley residents, who self-certify on site. No documentation is required, though you will need to fill out a form the first time you attend.

The distribution will be “shopping style.” You will take what you like from a selection of food from Trader Joe’s. Please be mindful that people behind you need food, as well, and only take what you need. There may also be a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Picking up for other people is not allowed.

USDA Food Distribution, March 2018

us

The USDA Food Distribution will begin at 9:30 a.m. on TUESDAY, March 19, at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277. The Community Center is next to the Fire Station.

Low income Wonder Valley residents self-certify on site. No ID or other documentation is required. You may pick up a box for one neighbor, or they may pick up a box for you, IF you present a signed pick up form. One pick up per person. Pick up forms are available online at http://tinyurl.com/wv-pickup-form. They are also available at the WVCC on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and at the information kiosk at the WVCC the week before the event.

For more information, call Teresa Sitz at (760) 367-9880.

The text below is required.

Nondiscrimination StatementIn accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax:
(202) 690-7442; or

(3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Desert Trail Column - March 7, 2019

Yoga at the Palms with Lorelei Greene will take place on Saturday, March 9 at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. All levels of skill and experience are welcome. Call 760-361-2810 for further information.

Mark your calendar for some upcoming events. On March 16, a presentation “Raptors of the Desert” at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road. On March 20, Home Energy Assistance Program applications taken at our community center. On March 29 through 31, “Incantations / Mojave Sound Art” in Wonder Valley. On March 30, “Wonder Valley Experimental #11” at The Palms. On April 20, “Hi Des Hukilau” at The Palms.

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

Karen’s Commentary: My favorite day of the year is coming right up. No, it’s not my birthday or Christmas or my anniversary. It’s the beginning of daylight savings time! I had a good friend, Jerry Lugar, who recently passed away, who felt the same as I do. We always called each other to celebrate in March, and to commiserate in November! Every year, I had the intention of making black armbands for us to wear on the day we went back to standard time, but I never got around to actually doing it. Of course, as most things go, now it’s too late. But I’ll be thinking of Jerry on Sunday, and I’m sure he’ll be smiling down at me during that wonderfully late sunset!

Darlene’s Commentary: I have a really delicious, easy and inexpensive recipe I’d like to share with you, but don’t have enough room to include the whole thing at once, so I’ll just include the ingredients today! You’ll have to “tune in next week” for the directions, but you can buy the ingredients in the meantime. The dish, Huevos Rancheros, makes a very hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner for four people, and it’s one of my favorites! You’ll need 1 large can of black beans with juice, 12 corn tortillas, 6-8 ripe medium Roma tomatoes chopped into ½” pieces, 1 bunch chopped cilantro, 1 bunch sliced green onions, salsa for topping, 2 or 3 lg eggs per serving, olive oil and butter for cooking eggs over-easy.

Our community center is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in, look around and chat with our Coordinator Teresa Sitz.

Handy Hint: Gently rub an eraser over suede shoes or clothing to remove minor stains and marks.

Today’s Thought: Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

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

Improv at The Palms

Improv comedy workshop at The Palms!
Hosted by Kevin Bone and Heather Clisby
Class size is limited! Please RSVP by e-mail to palmsliveevents@gmail.com.
Cost: donation. Suggested $5 - $15. Whatever you're comfortable with.

This is the second workshop of hopefully many, taught by Heather Clisby, who has worked with people of all ages and experience (or lack of it!). We guarantee that you're going to have fun at this. Please RSVP and join us!!

Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019

Palms Restaurant
83131 Amboy Road
Wonder Valley, California 92277

Mobile Medical Unit in Wonder Valley

Mobile clinic makes first voyage
By Kurt Schauppner The Desert Trail

Next stop: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Wonder Valley Community Center
80526-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

Voices and Pearl at The Palms

This Sat, March 9, a very special evening of solo theater and improv comedy at The PALMS in Wonder Valley!

"Voices" is a hilarious one woman comedy about a voice-over actress discovering her own voice! Carla Delaney can mimic any voice: Bart Simpson, Betty White, Drew Barrymore, to name a few. But it's not until she meets the surprising voices of her head, her heart, her snotty respiratory system, and over 35 more, that she realizes the power and pleasure of her own voice.

Following "Voices", Carla will join Hollywood's all-female improv comedy troupe "PEARL" to further tickle your funny bones!

This fun double-bill starts at 7 PM and is only $7!!! Full bar and menu avail

At the Beatnik Lounge

The Clouds with the Wonder Valley Social Club (Loren Downer and Jason Sedillos) will perform starting at 8 p.m., March 18, at The Beatnik Lounge, 61568 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree.
Loren Downer is a Wonder Valley resident. You may have heard him at The Palms, with his wordy, ra-ta-tat-tat, try and keep up, very hysterical lyrics.

Raptors of the Desert

Raptors of the Desert

Wonder Valley owl, photographed by TSS.

The Friends of Wonder Valley is pleased to invite everyone to

Conservation and Ecology of California Birds of Prey

Susan Doggett, graduate biologist and licensed Migratory Bird Rehabilitator will be presenting on California Birds of Prey, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, March 16, at the Wonder Valley Community Center, at 80526-½ Amboy Road, in Wonder Valley.

In addition to a general overview of desert birds of prey, Ms. Doggett will be addressing the following:

• Noises in the night.
• Why birds of prey make terrible pets.
• Why owls are known as silent killers.

Ms. Doggett will be bringing several birds of prey with her -- most likely owls and falcons.

A donation of $2 per adult (and no cost for children), is requested to help support these programs. If you don’t have funds, please be our guest.

Yoga at The Palms

Hello Wonder Valley friends! I, Lorelei Vox Greene, will be giving Gentle-Flow, donation-based yoga classes every other Saturday at The Palms. Open to all, beginner to the advanced.

8:30 - 9:45 a.m., Saturday, March 2

Palms Restaurant
83131 Amboy Road
Wonder Valley, California 92277