Reach Out Fundraiser

 Come and join Reach Out Morongo Basin and their sponsors ArtFx and Yucca Valley Digital Media Services for the 1st Annual Hi Desert Holiday Art Auction! There will be a silent auction of beautiful artwork by local artists, holiday sweets and treats, refreshments and camaraderie to kick off the holidays!!! Proceeds from this event will benefit Reach Out Morongo Basin and their  services to seniors and the disabled here in our Morongo Basin.  Come and join us in Old Town Yucca Valley at ArtFx 55836 Twentynine Palms Hwy on December 15, 2012 from 3 - 7 pm.  For more information contact Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 or ArtFx at 619-990-5683.  See you there!!!

Twentynine Palms Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The City of Twentynine Palms will celebrate its 25th anniversary of cityhood at the next regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms.

Twenty-five years ago, on Nov. 23, 1987, the City of Twentynine Palms was officially incorporated, having achieved its independence from San Bernardino County by ballot initiative in the November election, winning by a narrow margin of less than 100 votes, 980 in favor and 894 against. Winning cityhood allowed the community to finally have its own locally elected representatives and a local governing body, and to develop and implement its own planning objectives.

In that same election, 14 candidates had entered the city council race even before cityhood was assured, and five winners emerged. The first Twentynine Palms City Council was sworn in on Dec. 7, 1987, and consisted of five local businessmen - Mayor Chuck Bell, Christopher Dobler, Jeff Dunn, Les Krushat, and Fred Libby.

This year, to honor the occasion, the public is invited to join former mayors, council members, staff, and regional representatives in wishing the City a happy anniversary at City Hall on Dec. 11. Commemorative handouts will be available for those in attendance, and an anniversary cake will be served immediately following the council meeting.

Also at this meeting, Mayor John Cole will deliver the annual State of the City address, and the oath of office will be given to the incoming council members.

For more information, contact City Hall at 6136 Adobe Road, (760) 367-6799, or visit the City's website at www.29palms.org.

Old Schoolhouse Lecture Series

Be sure to join us next Friday as the 2nd Friday Old Schoolhouse Lecture Series continues with "Flora of Joshua Tree National Park."

Join Tasha La Doux, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, as she  discusses the results of her floristic studies in the Joshua Tree National Park over the last 10 years, including rare plant surveys, interesting finds (including new species to science), and an overview of the floristic diversity found in the park.  She will also provide a brief discussion on the value of floristic efforts and herbarium collections.  Accompanying her presentation will be wonderful images of the plants that she has studied and discovered.

Sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, this lecture is held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, on Friday, December 14 at 7 pm.  This lecture is open to the public and costs $5 per person at the door. Optional dinner with speaker at 5 pm at the 29 Palms Inn, room is limited and attendees are responsible for their own meal.  If interested in dinner please RSVP to Marion Gartner 760-361-1202 or desert29palms@yahoo.com.

Additional information can be found on our web site www.29palmshistorical.com

Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Comes to Joshua Tree 

Celebrate this Christmas Season with the rhythmic excitement and emotional grandeur of Mannheim Steamroller's acclaimed arrangements of favorite Christmas carols as the Joshua Tree Philharmonic beautifully realizes music from Mannheim's most popular hit albums! Led by Maestro Jarrod Radnich, the Philharmonic's members have been rehearsing for months to bring their finest musical talent to the Hi-Desert Cultural Center in four concerts running December 13-16, 2012. With amazing music, fanciful decorations, and plush seating, audiences will be taken on a sonic journey through uplifting timeless holiday melodies that the whole family will be sure to enjoy!

More than 25 years after releasing a Christmas album that changed the music industry, Chip Davis, the founder of the multi-platinum selling group Mannheim Steamroller and American Gramaphone, the most successful independent record label in history, continues to create music that enthralls concert audiences. This year, Chip Davis and American Gramaphone are generously supporting the Joshua Tree Philharmonic. "After hearing how the JPhil's music is re-orchestrated to allow all members to participate in the concerts regardless of skill level, and knowing that the proceeds go to benefit our String Conservatory, this community orchestra, and the student recitals and scholarships, Chip Davis and American Gramaphone became sponsors and waived all royalty fees," explains Maestro Radnich. "I can't tell you how much this support and encouragement means to the many Hi-Desert Cultural Center volunteers who work so hard to bring these programs to the people of this Hi-Desert. We are truly thankful for this new support and the long-time support of so many generous people in this community."

Evening performances begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 13th - 15th. A matinee performance will begin at 2:00 pm, Sunday December 16th. All concerts will be held at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center's Blak Box Theater located as 61231 29 Palms Highway in Joshua Tree. Tickets are $15. While this is a family event, children must be at least 5 years of age to attend. For more information and/or to purchase tickets online, visit www.hidesertculturalcenter.com or call the Box Office at 760.366.3777. Tickets are available at the door if space permits.

Theatre 29's "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol"

The final production of Theatre 29's 2012 season, the quirky musical comedy "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol", will take the stage for five weeks from November 16th through December 15th.

Boasting a well balanced cast of veteran performers and talented newcomers, "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" promises to entertain audiences with a vivacious blend of broad comedy, thoughful moments, and hilarious music. This is a family show guaranteed to provide big laughs to all ages.

"A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" will run weekends from November 16 through December 15, with performances at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be a Thursday performance at 7 pm November 29, and a Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm December 2.

Tickets for the run of the show are $12 for regular admission, $10 for seniors and military, and $8 for children under 12 and students with ID. All ticket sales are available through the Theatre 29 web site (www.theatre29.org) or by calling the box office at 760-361-4151/

Theatre 29 is an all-volunteer, tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to producing quality, family-oriented live arts for the residents of the Morongo Basin. They are located at 73637 Sullivan Road in the city of 29 Palms.

29 Palms CERT Training Courses

29 Palms Community Emergency Response Team, a program of the City of 29 Palms,

is looking for people to train. It is a free 20 hour class held 1/5/13, 1/12/13, and 1/26/13.

it will be held at the Lear Fire Station. Training consists of: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism. We are volunteer based disaster service workers, you can participate further by attending our monthly meetings and being an active volunteer or just us the information

"Palms" Art Show at Twentynine Palms Visitor Center

"Palms" is the theme of the upcoming Art in Public Places exhibition at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center & Gallery in downtown Twentynine Palms for January, February, and March 2013. Art submissions are due on Friday, Dec. 28, and can be brought to the visitor center between 9 and 11 a.m.

Artists are invited to submit one (1) piece of original art for inclusion in this group exhibition, which will celebrate the iconic palms of our Mojave Desert locale. From the Washingtonia filifera palm trees at the Oasis of Mara and throughout the city, to date palms or any variation of "palms" related to Twentynine Palms.

Artwork can be any medium, from oil or acrylic painting, watercolor, pastel, pencil, pen and ink, digital art, collage, mixed media, and photography to sculpture, ceramics, fabric art, assemblage and other three-dimensional work. There is no charge for entering a work, and pieces should be offered for sale. All work must be ready to hang or mount with professional wire or hardware and should be suitable for viewing by the general public.

The gallery is located inside the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce, 73484 29 Palms Hwy., at the corner of Desert Queen Avenue downtown Twentynine Palms, (760) 367-6719, and is open 9-5 Monday through Friday and 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.  An opening reception is being planned for Friday, Jan. 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Art in Public Places exhibitions are presented by the Public Arts Advisory Committee of the City of Twentynine Palms. For more information, contact Jon Beard at (760) 367-7562 or email publicarts@29palms.org.

  CHAPARRAL ARTISTS "WINTER SHOW"

Chaparral Artists will hold their opening reception for the next show featuring winter scenes at A ROADSIDE ATTRACTION GALLERY on Sunday, Dec. 16 from  !:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Professional level art in all media will be offered at quite reasonable prices.  Light refreshments will be served and many of the artists will be on hand for the event. The gallery is located at 69197 29 Palms Hwy. in the Indian Cove area.  The show will run from December 16 through January 15, 2013.  We hope to see you there!

Hi-Desert Hospice Seeking Volunteers

Joshua Tree, CA-Hi-Desert Medical Center's Hospice program has volunteer opportunities available for people who want to give practical and emotional support to hospice patients both in home and in skilled nursing facilities. Volunteers are important team members and receive training, guidance, and appreciation.  Upcoming training sessions are from 9am to noon on January 29 and 31; February 5, 7, and 12, 2013.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or for more information,  contact Peggy Kennedy, MSW, hospice volunteer coordinator, at 760/366-6427. 

Community leaders are invited to apply for the fourth Hi-Desert Medical Center Leadership Academy.  Each month, there will be an informative session hosted by Lionel "Chad" Chadwick, CEO. Classes include informative topics impacting today's community hospitals, presentations and a tour. Lunch is provided.  Topics include: 

• The economic impact of Hi-Desert Medical Center on the Morongo Basin
• Scrubbing In: A tour of the surgery department 
• A day in the life of your community emergency department
• Birth: The most precious gift (Special Additions Family Birthing Center)
• The latest technology close to home (Medical imaging technology)
• The Continuing Care Center-The gem of the Morongo Basin
• The future of HDMC (HDMC's future expansion plans)     

Community leaders will be selected to participate. Seats are very limited. To be considered, send a letter of interest including your background, why you're interested, and state that you understand this is a six-month class and that you are available to attend each session (held monthly on Wednesdays from  January-June, 2013, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus).

Send your letter to the attention of Joe Ruddon, marketing, (postmarked by Friday, December 21) to: Hi-Desert Medical Center: 6601 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree CA 92252, or via email: Jruddon@hdmc.org

The Morongo Basin Transit Authority on Friday December 7, 2012 presented Reach Out Morongo Basin with a check for $11,000 to help the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program with its transportation services program.

George Huntington and Joe Meer of the transit authority presented the check to Reach Out Board President Connie Connole and Executive Director Robin Schlosser during the boards regular meeting. According to Meer the funds came from the TAG program where other agencies utilize plans implemented by MBTA and pay for this service. Reach Out Morongo Basin was chosen as its transportation program compliments the services provided by Morongo Basin Transit Authority.

"The support provided by Morongo Basin Transit Authority is very instrumental in allowing Reach Out to continue providing services to our senior and disabled neighbors. We couldn't do it without their help and are very grateful for their continued and generous support," stated Reach Out board president Connie Connole.

Reach Out Morongo Basin currently operates three vans, one provided by previous MBTA TAG grant funds and serves all of the Morongo Basin from Wonder Valley to Landers to Morongo Valley.

Reach Out Executive Director Robin Schlosser added, "With the addition of the third van for our fleet of vehicles we are seeing a rise in the number of requests for transportation and miles driven. Having the support of Morongo Basin Transit Authority means many of our neighbors don't have to wait for vital and life saving medical appointments. On behalf of our organization and the neighbors we serve we thank the Morongo Basin Transit Authority Board of Directors for their generosity."