Only in 29 Palms...

We welcome and encourage readers to send us their stories and/or pictures of things that only happen in 29 Palms! This is your opportunity to share the love you have of our wonderful city!!  

Only in 29 Palms do you see a fireworks display so big and exciting that you are transported back to your childhood.

A big THANK YOU to the City of Twentynine Palms for putting on another spectacular 4th of July Celebration!!

Les Snodgrass of the Twentynine Palms Historical Society Presents: "The Hastie Bus."        

The fascinating tale, about Johnnie Hastie and the Morongo Basin's first public transportation service-the 29 Palms Stage and Express and the restoration of this 1928 Chevrolet bus. A story that promises, to bring back the colorful history, of what it was like in the depths of the Depression and the mid-thirties, when Johnnie first drove into Twentynine Palms. His vehicle was the soon-to-become familiar, a twelve-passenger bus complete with wood burning stove.

To preserve this historic precursor to our current Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA), the 29 Palms Historical Society acquired the remains of this bus, and then established a committee to restore it.

July 10, 2013 at The Hi-Desert Nature Museum $5.00 Donation at the door to The Morongo Basin Historical Society.

The Museum is located in the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex at 57116 - 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley. Phone: (760) 369-7212

New Art Show featuring Landscapes at Chaparral Artists

This month Chaparral Artists will present their new show featuring  landscapes.  Our opening reception will be held on July 14 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at A Roadside Attraction Gallery, located at 69197 29 Palms Hwy., in 29 Palms.  We will be presenting professional level art in a variety of media, attractively priced.  The show will run until Aug. 14.  Attend our reception, enjoy light refreshments and see a wonderful array of landscapes through the eyes of our talented artists!

Upcoming Blood Drives in the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities

• Where: Vons
• Address: 57590 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley
• Date: Wednesday, July 17
• Time: 2 to 5 p.m.  
• Donors receive free cholesterol screening. Donors also receive, with their first donation since March 25, an "Everyone's A Kid" discount coupon ($10 off adult admission) to Knott's Soak City Palm Springs. For their second and subsequent successful, completed donations between March 25 and Sept. 2, 2013, donors receive a free-ticket voucher ($34.99 value) to Knott's Soak City Palm Springs. Donors also receive points that may be redeemed in the online donor store at www.desertbloodservices.org. 

Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter will host its 2nd Annual Cat Adoption Day on Saturday, July 20, at its facility at 7086 Bullion Avenue, one block south of Sullivan Road, in Twentynine Palms. The family-friendly event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The purpose of this event is to save a life by adopting a pet. All adoptions on this day will include a first set of vaccines, a coupon for spay or neuter fees, a Home Again microchip administered upon adoption of the pet, a cat carrier and a starter kit with coupons and information. With every cat adoption on July 20, the VCA 29 Palms Animal Hospital will provide the new family member with free spay or neuter.  Snacks and beverages will be sold during the festivities. There will also be face painting and other activities for the kids. All proceeds raised during the Cat Adoption Day will go to the Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter. There will also be a food drive, raffles and a bake sale.  For more information or directions, contact Palms-N-Paws at 760-367-0157.

FREE YOUTH THEATRE WORKSHOP ON AUDITIONING OFFERED AT THEATRE 29

Theatre 29 is offering beginning theater workshops for young people interested in learning more about auditioning for Theatre 29 productions.

Have you ever thought about auditioning but did not know what to expect? If so, this workshop is for you! Organizers Rob and Betty Wanless are presenting a three-day workshop July 22, 23, and 24 designed to take the mystery out the process of "trying out" for plays and musicals.

The free sessions will feature Theatre 29 Directors and performers in sessions formatted to two different age groups, 6-12, and 13-17.

Theatre 29 Board President Brian Tabeling will welcome workshop participants and sharing Theatre 29 history.  Director Rob Wanless will instruct a session on theater etiquette and tips on "cold reading". Choreographer Mandi Pushkar participates with tips and practice on the dance and movement portion of auditions, and musical director Ed Will will give practice and exercises on auditioning for a musical. In addition, performers Nena Jiminez and Cyrus Short, who have experience in auditioning for many Theatre 29 productions, will give their points of view.

Each day the workshop will provide information and activities to do on stage.

Day 1:  History, Theatre 29 Code of Conduct Day 2:  Theatre Vocabulary, Sides, and Cold Reads Day 3:  Music and Dance

For ages 6-12 the sessions will be held form 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM, Ages 13-17 will attend from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. All of the workshop sessions will be held on the Main stage at Theatre 29,

73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms.

Space is limited: Sign up Permission Slips are available at the Theatre 29 Box Office during the run of  "The Perils of Goldilocks" and may be dropped off in the designated receptacle in the box office.

For further information, leave a message for Betty Wanless at the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.

Looking for Employment? Tortoise Rock Casino will Hold Job Fair on July 23rd in 29 Palms!!!

Job seekers looking for a fun, fast-paced work environment with competitive pay and benefits will find all that and more at Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms, California. The new, eagerly awaited Tribal Casino is currently under construction but will hold a job fair to screen applicants for dozens of new job openings.

Because construction of the 30,000 square-foot casino property is not yet complete, the job fair will be held Tuesday, July 23rd from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the neighboring Little Church of the Desert, located at 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms. The Tortoise Rock Casino job fair will offer on-site applications and interviews. Applicants are asked to bring work history, valid ID and come dressed for success!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:  Guest Services, Cash Handling Positions, Public Safety, Surveillance and Gaming Inspector, Food & Beverage, Slot Department, Table Games, Purchasing and Receiving, Maintenance and Housekeeping, Information Technology, and Human Resources.

TORTOISE ROCK CASINO OFFERS: Competitive Wages, 401K, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Opportunities for advancement, Fun, exciting atmosphere, Fast-paced work environment.

All applicants must pass a pre-employment drug screening and Background investigation upon offer of employment. For more information, please visit TortoiseRockCasino.com.

Food Pantry Picnic and Annual Meeting

The 29 Palms Community Food Pantry is offering tickets to it's "Pantry Picnic" and Annual Meeting scheduled for August 9 at 6 Pm in the fellowship hall at Immanuel Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

This lively event will offer entertainment, food, a silent auction featuring sculptures by renound sculptor, Simi Dabah, and an opportunity to tour the Pantry.

From it's location at 6405 Star Dune ave. in Twentynine Palms the 29 Palms Community Food Pantry is offering assistance, in the form of food, to families and individuals in need who reside in Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley, and the Marine Corps Base.  Those seeking food can visit the pantry once a month.   Individuals using Pantry services are asked to bring a picture ID, proof of residency, and a Social Security Card for every member of their household.

The Food Pantry is open Daily from 9:30 -11:30AM.  The second and fourth Wednesday evenings of the Month from 5-6:30 PM and the first Saturday of the month from 9-11:30 AM.

Tickets for the "Pantry Picnic" are $10 and can be purchased from a board member or by calling 760-361-3663.

Rep. Paul Cook Issues Statement on Obamacare Employer Mandate Delay

Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) today issued the following statement on the delayed implementation of the employer mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare):     

"Our health care system needs meaningful reform, but President Obama's health care package isn't the answer. The employer mandate unfairly penalizes small businesses who are already struggling and could increase unemployment. While I'm pleased businesses won't be faced with this burdensome mandate in 2014, the answer isn't simply delaying the mandate. The mandate should be repealed."     

A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.  

Interested in Crafting?? Try out Stampin' Up! with Joni Daniel!!!

My name is Joni Daniel and I am an independent demonstrator with Stampin' Up!  I teach crafting classes and if you don't like inky fingers, I create for your custom orders as well.  Do you like to be rewarded?  Have someone say thank you?  I have a new referral program.  For every new crafter (that means a crafter I haven't met yet) I will reward the referrer with free shipping on their next order with me or one finished greeting card of their choice.  You may not need to bring a friend to a class, but please tell one!

Joni Daniel

Your Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Craft Classes and Finished Products

(760) 361-2939

http://www.jonidaniel.stampinup.net/

Facebook:  Stamping with Joni

The Real Desert Will Begin Airing on PBS in September

The Real Desert will begin airing around Labor Day on KVCR PBS TV, in prime time - Monday nights at 7:30 p.m.  We have 26 shows we're producing for this season, all across the Southwest.  Distributors from Beijing to Istanbul are reviewing the show at the moment, and PBS stations in numerous states are also reviewing the show for their programming as well.  With KVCR, we will initially reach an audience of 18 million viewers in all of Los Angeles and Orange counties, all of the Inland Empire, northern San Diego County, the Coachella Valley, and the Mojave up through Barstow.  Again, other PBS stations are reviewing the show for inclusion in their programming, and by our launch date, it is likely there will be other PBS stations in the line-up.

In addition, the show will be available online through a variety of outlets, with segments from shows being edited for standalone videos as well.  The shows and segments will be distributed to travel blogs and made available for sponsors and others.  We're grateful for support for the pilot from the City of Twentynine Palms and the 29 Palms Inn.

Along with the broadcast TV show and the online video content, we also have a mobile app in development that can help guide visitors around the Southwest, along with radio travel content and more.  Our team at CV Studios Entertainment has made all of this possible as PBS provides no funding for content and we have our team out recruiting sponsors.  There's no better travel demographic to reach than PBS viewers.  We've created sponsorship levels from $3,000 on up so that chambers and CVBs and others can participate.

You can view the final draft version of the pilot here.

PAAC Planning for a Veterans Monument

The Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) of the City of Twentynine Palms is planning a Twentynine Palms Veterans Monument to honor the military veterans who have ties to the local community. The monument is being conceived as a commissioned art installation, which will be incorporated into a rejuvenation of the existing Veterans Park, located between City Hall and the Twentynine Palms Branch Library.

What started as an idea proposed to the PAAC in September 2012 by current Twentynine Palms Mayor Joel Klink for a memorial tribute to victims of the post-9/11 war on terror, namely Marines from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center lost in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, has evolved into a monument to honor all veterans with ties to Twentynine Palms-living and deceased-from all conflicts and all branches of the service. 

The PAAC formed a subcommittee and invited local veterans and organizations to help conceptualize the project and clarify its parameters. To date, the vision has encompassed a monument that would be part of an overall update to Veterans Park, providing an inviting destination for friends, relatives, and visitors to pay their respects to members of the military who have served their country.

The subcommittee's challenge now is how to identify those veterans with ties to Twentynine Palms and whether or not to display individual names on the monument.

As part of its research, the PAAC enlisted a Twentynine Palms High School graduate intern, working under the Morongo Unified School District's WorkAbility I Program, to begin combing The Desert Trail newspapers from the first edition in 1935 to compile a list of local veterans. At a recent PAAC subcommittee meeting, an additional method of garnering names was suggested: to offer donors the opportunity to "sponsor" veteran names on the monument, a program similar to the purchase of historical bricks for the Old Schoolhouse Museum.

Anyone interested in expressing an opinion or contributing ideas to this project is invited to attend the next meeting on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at 10 a.m., at the Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation building, 74362 Joe Davis Drive, next to Luckie Park, Twentynine Palms. For more information, call Jon Beard (760)367-7562, or email the PAAC at publicarts@29palms.org.

Rep. Paul Cook Issues Statement on Department of Defense Furloughs

  "So long as our country has troops in harm's way, it is unacceptable to put such severe budget restrictions on the Department of Defense. The civilian employees of the DoD play an integral role in our national security. Restricting their ability to do their jobs poses a serious threat to our nation's defense and mission readiness. We can save money in other ways like eliminating waste and resisting the urge to expand programs and bases."   

The furloughs, which were forced by sequestration, began today. For most employees, the furloughs will mean one day a week without pay through September. This amounts to a 20% pay cut over the next three months. The furloughs affect more than 650,000 civilian DoD employees. 

While many other agencies of the federal government were able to avoid furloughing employees, the Department of Defense was unable to do the same because of the way the sequestration is structured. The Heritage Institute found that the sequestration fell "most heavily on defense with over 50% of the cuts impacting national security."     

A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.

Hi-Desert Cultural Center to Open West Coast Premiere of New Critically Acclaimed Theatrical Comedy, "Home of the Great Pecan"

The Hi-Desert Cultural Center is proud to announce that the west coast premiere of playwright Stephen Bittrich's critically acclaimed new theatrical comedy, Home of the Great Pecan, will open for three weekends beginning Friday June 28, 2013 at the Center's state-of-the-art Blak Box Theater!  Along the lines of Greater Tuna and Almost Maine, Home of the Great Pecan is, in a nutshell, a hilarious new farce and quirky southern comedy set in the real small town of Seguin, Texas in the mid 1980s.  Bittrich's outlandish tale of UFOs and romance has been literally "cracking-up" audiences and was recently heralded by a nytheatre.com critic as, "the most delightful new comedy I've seen in a long while."It is a gut-busting comedy that will feature a large crew and cast of "nutty" characters: Lorraine Williamson, Brad Holt, Jack Kennedy, Becky Renish, Toni Molano, Marge Doyle, Dennis Priest, Karl Weimer, Tim Kelly, Anja Homberg, Velma Demaray, Richie Sande, Scott Cutler, Michaela Chambers, Kat Anderson, Billy Pomgranite, Dave Jessup, Karl Weimer and Ian Price.

In business, there's such a thing as an invaluable person, but no such thing as an indispensable one.