Desert Trail Column - May 30, 2019

Yoga at the Palms with Lorelei Vox Greene will take place on Saturday, June 1 at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. This is a donation-based class and all skill levels are welcome. Call 760-361-2810.

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 29 Palms Highway, will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Saturday, June 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. This month’s featured artists are Alan Powell and Karen Mortensen, with the show running through June 30. Come meet the artists, enjoy the refreshments and listen to great music by The Luminators. For information, call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

Darlene’s Commentary: Our “Monument” was a place to drive through slowly, looking at rock formations, flora and fauna. Campfires, friends, family, helping out-of-towners find a good camping spot, giving directions to the Cholla Garden, taking pictures. Few vehicles were on the winding roads, and there were unused campsites to be found on the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. But that was then, this is now. Then was better.

Karen’s Commentary: I’ve been a busy little “coupon beaver” this week. Coupons went out to U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine bases in Japan, Korea, Germany, Spain, Sicily and Italy.

MBTA’s Ready Ride bus will pick you up at your residence in Wonder Valley every Tuesday and Friday, plus the first Wednesday of each month, at 7 a.m. The bus will take you to any business of your choice in the City of Twentynine Palms, but not on Base. It will make the return trip to your home at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesdays. These buses do not run on holidays. The cost for this service is $5 for adults, or $2 for the disabled and for seniors 60 years and older. For reservations, call 760-366-2395 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Reservations must be made by 6:30 p.m. the day prior to your desired ride date. But for your first ride, be sure to call a few days earlier than that because a road check may be needed before the bus travels on your road.

Handy Hint: According to Jan Bellows, an American Veterinary Medical Association-certified dentist, hard bones can fracture your dog’s teeth; anything you give a pet to chew on should be able to bend!

Today’s Thought: According to the 1917 book “Inspiration and Ideals,” the advice for May 30 includes to beware the squandering of words, that the words you use proclaim you to the world and that eternal vigilance is the price of great accomplishment. Still good advice.

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

Live music at The Palms.

Starting at 6 p.m., June 1, 2019.
The Palms
83131 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley 92277

Songwriters' Round feat. Bill Bloomer, Laura Harmondale, & Kaz Murphy. Join us at Palms Restaurant in Wonder Valley for an enchanting night of original music.
Starts early at 6pm, don't be late because you don't want to miss a minute!
$5 suggested donation, if you're able

Desert Trail Column - May 23, 2019

We send out Rainbows-of-Emeralds-and-Lilies-of-the-Valley to Barbara Finnegan who celebrates her special day this week. Happy birthday, Barbara!

Karen’s Commentary: Thanks to Joe and Olympia for manufacturers’ coupons. The military families overseas appreciate them. Here are some numbers for health services. All are 800 numbers unless otherwise noted. Allergy/Asthma Hotline 624-0044, American Cancer Society 227-2345, American Council for the Blind 424-8666, American Diabetes Association 232-3472, American Heart Association 834-1670, American Kidney Foundation 638-8299, Better Hearing Institute 327-9355, California Smoker’s Hotline 766-2888, DentiCal 322-6384, Domestic Violence Hotline 799-7233, Epilepsy Foundation of America 332-1000, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy 877-835-5447, Hearing Aid Helpline 521-5247, Hospice Education Institute 331-1620, Inland Caregiver Resource Center 675-6694, Lung Line 222-5864, National Center for Stuttering 221-2483, National Downs Syndrome Society 221-4602, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation 327-4545, Shriners Hospital Headquarters 237-5055, Spina Bifida Hotline 621-3141, Urinary Incontinence – Simon Foundation 237-4666. Perhaps you don’t need these phone numbers, but you might know someone who does.

Darlene’s Commentary: Anybody being bothered by bugs? We have had a majestic wildflower bloom and I thank Mother Nature for her abundance, and most of us made it through the allergies and pollen. I think Mother Nature deserves a rest, but Mother Nature doesn’t think so – she has plans! Suddenly, moths, grasshoppers, flying ants, black beetles, pincher bugs, cockroaches and little green flies are into your clothes, eyes, mouth and hair. And if you happen to look at the ground, you’ll find large black ants, small red ants, brownish ants and teeny-weeny black ants that go in circles instead of a trail! Other trails are like a freeway of ants hurrying this way and that. Maybe the abundant wildflowers this spring had too much protein. I’ve noticed that many insects look a little larger than last year.

There is a darling little tiny Wayside Chapel out in front of the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. It is open year around and is well worth a look. Just drive up, park and look inside on your own – no charge or hassle. Everyone is welcome to just admire the beautiful interior or to stay awhile if you wish. This is a unique and fantastic place to show your visitors from out-of-town. For further information, call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

Handy Hint: Tankless water heaters are expensive, but they will save you at least $150 each year because they provide hot water on demand instead of keeping the water hot all the time.

Today’s Thought: “I was going to have plastic surgery until I noticed that the doctor’s office was full of portraits by Picasso.” – Rita Rudner

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

Desert Trail Column - May 16, 2019

Yoga at The Palms will take place on Saturday, May 18 from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. These classes are donation-based and all skill levels are welcome. The Palms is located at 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road. Call 760-361-2810 for information.

A presentation “Living with Snakes” will be given by retired park ranger Jane Fawke on Saturday, May 18 at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will be given information on how to identify local poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and how to safely co-exist with them. There will also be lots of time for questions and answers.

On Tuesday, May 21, the USDA Food Distribution will be held at our community center from 9 to noon.

The Morongo Basin Healthcare District’s medical van will be at our community center on Wednesday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Appointments are not necessary, but they are recommended. Call 760-365-9305.

Our community center will also host the Salvation Army Food Distribution on Wednesday, May 22, beginning at 11 a.m. It will continue until the food is gone.

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

We send out Rainbows-of-Emeralds-and-Lilies-of-the-Valley to Curtis Johnson who celebrates his special day this week. Happy birthday, Curtis!

Darlene’s Commentary: Apparently the biggest problem for tourists coming into our Morongo Basin is finding a room in a hotel or motel. So why do businesspeople continue to open barber shops and tattoo studios instead of accommodations?

Karen’s Commentary: We once had a vehicle that suddenly had a terrible odor coming from the battery which was on its last leg. The same thing recently happened again, but why only twice in 25 years?

A group of Wonder Valleyites meets every Sunday morning at The Palms for a delicious breakfast and some good conversation. If you’re interested in hashing over all the Wonder Valley happenings, you’re welcome to join in, regardless if you’re a weekender, a newbie or an old-timer!

Handy Hint: For clothes closets, linen closets, etc., hang a small folding step stool on the inside of the door so you can easily access what’s on the top shelf.

Today’s Thought: Here are Billy Graham’s six Rules for Living: 1. Make it your goal to live at peace with others. 2. Avoid revenge. 3. Guard your tongue. 4. Never repay evil with evil. 5. Treat others as you’d want them to treat you. 6. Practice the power of forgiveness.

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

Desert Trail Column - May 9, 2019

The Dale Basin Well Owners meeting was both interesting and informative. President Max Rossi, Vice President Ted Meyers and Secretary/Treasurer Olympia Rossi presented lots of information concerning the Cadiz water situation. There was also information available that had been provided by member Jim Copeland. Because of conflicting events, the next meeting, normally held in November, will be held on Sunday, October 27 at 5 p.m.

The High Desert Soundings music festival will begin at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, on Friday, May 10 at 11 a.m., and continue through Saturday, May 11 at 11:59 p.m. The festival will feature 17 different groups and musicians, including an offsite event. Call 760-361-2810 for information.

The Women’s Aglow meeting will take place at First Baptist Church, 6414 Split Rock Avenue in Twentynine Palms on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. Please bring finger-food to share at the Mother’s Day Tea Party. There will also be a Hat Contest with two categories: “Funniest/Silliest” and “Prettiest.” Hats may be handmade or purchased. For information, call Olympia at 831-227-1948.

The newly re-established Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 13 at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, at 5:30 p.m. Our new Wonder Valley representative Steve Reyes will be representing us there.

On Wednesday, May 15, our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, will reopen. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz will be there to greet and assist you. For information on any of our local events, call Teresa at 760-367-9880.

Mark your calendars for two upcoming events. The “Living with Snakes” presentation on May 18 and the medical van visit on May 22 willboth take place at our community center.

Darlene’s Commentary: Thanks to WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz and all the volunteers and workers, our park’s green, our landscape’s healthy and our nice new marquee keeps us up-to-date.

Karen’s Commentary: All’s quiet on the Western Front!

Handy Hint: The Lil’ Chizler Vinyl Label Scraping Tool (about $5 for a two-pack) can be used to scrape paint and oven crud, and to remove labels, decals and stickers – all without scratching.

Today’s Thought: One hundred two years ago, the still-relevant advice for today’s date from former Yale Instructor Glenville Kleiser was to accept your great heritage now by realizing the great mental resources at your ready command, and resolving to make better and larger use of your daily opportunities. He also said that all things necessary are yours if you will but take them.

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

Desert Trail Column - May 2, 2019

Yoga at The Palms with Lorelei Vox Greene will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. at 83131 Amboy Road. Call 760-361-2810.

The Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road, will be closed May 4 through May 14. It will reopen on Wednesday, May 15 at 9 a.m.

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 29 Palms Highway, will host an artists’ reception on Saturday, May 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring artists Janis Comentz and Friend, Doug Smith and Paula Long. Come meet the artists, enjoy free refreshments and listen to music by Hunter and the Wick’d. This show will run through May 26. Call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

The Dale Basin Well Owners meeting will be held on Sunday, May 5 at Godwin Christian Fellowship Church, 6389 Godwin Road, at 4 p.m. Call Max Rossi at 831-234-6848.

Since the birthstone for May is the emerald and the flower is the lily-of-the-valley, we send out Rainbows-of-Emeralds-and-Lilies-of-the-Valley to Marlene Roberts who celebrates her special day this week. Happy birthday, Marlene!

Darlene’s Commentary: Giving space to Karen.

Karen’s Commentary: The Wonder Valley Shoot-out took place IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE! Our neighbors across the road had the best vantage point as their house sits next to the road where it all took place; our house sits farther back. I was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, relaying information from husband Ted. All I could see was a silver vehicle stopped on the road, but I could hear the gunshots! A neighbor farther away heard the gunshots, too. It all happened so fast and was SO SCARY that no one’s positive about all the details, but here’s the consensus from the five witnesses. Two vehicles were involved – one silver, one white. Approximately four people were with each vehicle. First they were all throwing rocks, then at least one of our decorative bottles in the front yard was thrown, then a SHOTGUN was removed from the silver trunk! “White car people” scattered while “silver car shooter” shot AT THEM – approximately eight shots total. Then another “silver car person” was seen limping and dragging his leg back to the silver vehicle, possibly shot accidentally? This ended the shoot-out, with the vehicles fleeing in opposite directions. Five Sheriff’s cars arrived, plus a helicopter searched the area. The road was closed while deputies took pictures and recovered shell casings and a pair of flip-flops. We have a sign in front of our place that reads “Royal Flush Ranch.” We’re now going to add a sign below it that will read “AKA The OK Corral.”

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

Well Owner Meeting, May 4

The Wonder Valley Well Owners Association meets starting at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at Godwin Christian Fellowship, 6389 Godwin Road, in Wonder Valley.

You don't have to have a well to attend, but you do have to have one -- or be willing to say that you have one -- to join. Oh, and you'll need $5 for the annual fee.

For more information, call Olympia Rossi at (831) 227-1948.