Thursday, March 30, 2017

Desert Trail Column, April 30, 2017

Brownie Mary
The special meeting that was held on March 25 was very interesting and informative, especially for seniors. Lanny Swerdlow, R.N. explained uses, legalities and interesting facts about marijuana. There was a good turnout for the meeting, and many questions were answered. We thank Lanny for his well-prepared presentation.

 Wonder Valley’s Glass Outhouse Art Gallery welcomes everyone to an Artists Reception on Saturday evening, April 1 from 5 to 9. This month’s featured artists will be Marjorie Franklin and Anne Chevrefis, and their show will run through April 30. Come meet the artists, enjoy the refreshments and listen to the good old homespun music performed by Bill and Bob, all under the stars. The Glass Outhouse is located at 77575 Twentynine Palms Highway at Thunder Road, east of Twentynine Palms. For further information call Laurel Seidl at 760-367-3807.

Darlene’s Commentary: Spring has sprung, and I’ve never seen so many desert lilies in our valley! In the last four or five years, the ground was so parched due to lack of rain, and the few lily plants that did come up had only one or two blooms. Today, just along my road, I counted at least 15 lily plants with six or more blooms! My small beaver tail cactus is now sporting beautiful purple flowers and many buds. And my encelia bush is a bright yellow beacon in our desert landscape. Thank you, Mother Nature!

Karen’s Commentary: Thanks to Marie Heddaeus for all the stamps, and to Annie French for lots of coupons, cards and stamps. I discovered a Five-Spot bloom in our backyard yesterday! Five-Spots are few and far between, and I’ve never seen one in our yard in the 35+ years we’ve lived here. There are blooming desert lilies all along Blower Road on both sides. This is also a first. But a couple days ago when we drove to an area off Poleline that is always loaded with wildflowers in any good year, there were very few! Crazy.

The Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road, holds regular church services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Bible Studies are held on Sundays from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., and on Mondays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. On the second Sunday of each month there is a potluck held after the regular church service. For further information, call Pastor Garry Brooks at 760-367-0279.


Handy Hint: Drop two Efferdent tablets in your toilet, let sit for 15 minutes, then brush and flush!

Thought for Today: “Keep the other person’s well-being in mind when you feel an attack of soul-purging truth coming on.”
 – Betty White

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



Aldous Huxley on caterpillar invasions

Aldous Huxley writes of our beautiful caterpillars in "The Desert Boundlessness and Emptiness." Read the entire essay for extra desert deliciousness.

"I remember, for example, a recent visit to one of the new Reservations. It was in the spring of 1952 and, after seven years of drought, the rains of the preceding winter had been copious. From end to end the Mojave was carpeted with flowers — sunflowers, and the dwarf phlox, chicory and coreopsis, wild hollyhock and all the tribe of garlics and lilies. And then, as we neared the Reservation, the flower carpet began to move. We stopped the car, we walked into the desert to take a closer look. On the bare ground, on every plant and bush innumerable caterpillars were crawling. They were of two kinds — one smooth, with green and white markings, and a horn, like that of a miniature rhinoceros, growing out of its hinder end. The caterpillar, evidently, of one of the hawk moths..."

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Jack McConaha Memorial - April 29, 2017


Everyone is invited and welcome to attend a memorial service for the former Fire Chief of the Wonder Valley Volunteer Fire Department - Jack McConaha.

Saturday, April 29, 2017 from, noon - 3 p.m.
Wonder Valley Community Center80256-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

Jack died two years ago. His daughters, who live elsewhere, were unable to get together here for a memorial until now.

* A potluck will begin shortly after noon.
* Bill and Bob will perform live music for the event. They are a blues duo - guitar and harmonica, and sometimes trombone.
* We will screen a short film - "Riding Shotgun with Jack McConaha," made by local filmmaker Nick Higgins.
* Those who knew Jack will be asked to share their remembrances of him with the community.

Please bring a dish to share. In addition to the regular table we will also have a vegan table. If you want to prepare a vegan dish - remember: no meat, dairy, eggs, or honey.

Even if you didn't know Jack, you'll learn about the history of Wonder Valley.

To find out more about Jack, read:

Hi-Desert Star: McConaha watches out for Wonder Valley

William Hillyard: Laying Tracks with Jack McConaha

Chuck Berry introduced me to poetry

Ben Vaughn, our sometimes Wonder Valley neighbor, penned the following on the death of Chuck Berry.

CHUCK BERRY INTRODUCED ME TO POETRY
Ben Vaughn, March 22 at 3:54pm

THE DERELICKS, 1971. (L to R: Killer Ben, Honcho, Fitz and Little Danny)
In 1971 I was a 16 year old South Jersey punk who had never read a book from cover to cover. My grades were in shambles and my social life wasn’t any better. I was in a garage band called Tomato that habitually placed last in every battle of the bands staged in our area. I loved early rock ’n roll but by my teens I was enamored of Grand Funk Railroad and Blue Cheer and our band reflected that. The problem was we weren't very good at playing that type of music. We never seemed to go over well and I was fed up. We either needed to break up or do something different.

Luckily, our drummer felt the same way and was even more of a fan of fifties rock ’n roll than I was. In fact, he still dressed and wore his hair like a greaser. “Why don’t we play REAL rock ’n roll for a change?”, he asked. “Audiences will love it.” And so we did. We changed our name to the Derelicks (misspelled on purpose as an homage to the Beatles), slicked our hair back and started practicing like mad. In The Still Of The Night, Heartbreak Hotel, Long Tall Sally, we learned them all. But the real crown jewel would have to be Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry and the band chose me to sing it. I was intimidated at first but memorizing those lyrics was a real revelation. It literally stopped my mind. I felt like I was abducted by aliens. Every line was amazing but I was mostly stunned by Chuck’s ability to fit a complete story into a song that was barely two and half minutes long. How did he do it? I came out of my reverie long enough to work out the stage moves necessary to perform the song but something deep had happened. I had experienced an internal change, possibly an intellectual change. If a 16 year old can experience such a thing.

The Derelicks first gig was a huge success. We played at a coffeehouse called Pete’s Leg and everybody went nuts when we did Johnny B. Goode. We were even approached by girls at the end of the night. This Chuck Berry business was really working out! We booked more gigs and set out to learn more of his songs which meant more memorizing for me. Nadine led to No Money Down which led to Brown Eyed Handsome Man which led to Too Much Monkey Business, etc. etc. Each song was a lyrical masterpiece. I couldn’t believe what I was encountering. But this epiphany wasn’t only happening in the brain. One night we played Roll Over Beethoven at a battle of the bands and the mere rhythm of the song caused a riot to break out. There were no winners that night as the chaperones chose to cancel the rest of the evening. To say we were thrilled would be an understatement.

Much has been written in the last week about the brilliance of Chuck Berry's lyrics and his invention of words ("coolerator" and "motorvatin’" most notably) but a lot of people felt a deep personal connection to his music and that is definitely the case with me. Thanks to him I became curious about poetry and literature and believed that I could someday be a songwriter. I was the student and Chuck was the teacher. To this day I see no difference between a Shakespeare sonnet and the verses to Nadine. A masterpiece is a masterpiece.

I will forever be grateful to the father of rock ’n roll. Thanks for the inspiration!

Ballarat knows how to party.

Found pinned to The Palms bulletin board - text copied below.


Join Freedom Days Gathering
Ballarats Ghost Town Freedom Days 3rd Event. April 14-16 Easter Sunday Ghost Town 100 years 1917-2017 our Ballarat.
Was named after Ballarat Australia in 1897. A native word meaning the gathering place. Every Easter for three days we have freedom days. The Gathering. To party unwind socialize play music. Camp Bar-b-que 14 x 14 soaking pool clothen optional. Sell trade bring camping gear. Wild stuff. Fire dancing. Poll dancing. Play music. Alls welcome. Anything goes during freedom days that don't involve personal or physical harm. Ballarat located 25 miles north of Trona on 178 in Paniment Valley. Freedom Days gathering for everyone that's a little dareing and full of fun.
Hope to see you there. April 14-15-16 Easter Sunday.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Glass Outhouse Gallery Opening - April 1, 2017, 5 - 9 p.m.


Marjorie Franklin and Ann Chevrefils will show at the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in April. The opening is Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Admission is ALWAYS free.

There will be refreshments and Bill and Bob will perform live.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Wonder Valley Community Meeting April 8, 2017


Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate in the

Wonder Valley Community Meeting
Saturday, April 8, 2017
10:00 a.m. - Noon

At the
Wonder Valley Community Center
80526½ Amboy Road
Wonder Valley, CA 90026

Issues that will be addresses at this meeting are the WV Fire Department (agendized by Copeland/Quamme) and a possible bottle and can recycling program (agendized by Peek).

The community edits and approves the MAC report, and decides which items should be placed on the next agenda.

AGENDA
(posted April 5, 2017, 8:30 a.m.)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/go0zmqj7c1muea3/04082017_wv_meeting.pdf?dl=0

DRAFT AGENDA
(posted March 23, 2017, 10:20 a.m.)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2322mp0ps3ley3n/04082017_wv_meeting_DRAFT.pdf?dl=0

MEETING NOTES(posted April 23, 2017, 3:00 p.m.)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ql5cuwfjdd86ren/04082017_wv_meeting_notes.pdf?dl=0

There will be Cuban pastries and French Roast coffee.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@gmail.com.

Desert Trail Column, March 23, 2017

A special meeting organized by Teresa Sitz will be held at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, on Saturday, March 25 at 10am. Speaker Lanny Swerdlow, RN will cover the topic “Legal Access to Medical Marijuana for Seniors.” Lanny has advocated for the health and medical uses of marijuana since 1995. He founded the Inland Empire’s first medical marijuana doctor’s office and one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries. He also worked on Proposition 64. He will discuss how marijuana may provide safe and effective relief for pain, insomnia and depression. Also, information will be provided on marijuana’s current legal status, how to become a medical marijuana patient, where to obtain medical marijuana and how to grow your own. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation. For further information, contact Teresa at 760-865-9550 or teresa.sitz@gmail.com.

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

Karen’s Commentary: The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program helps people remain in their homes with services aimed at health and safety. It’s designed to help individuals who are aged, blind or disabled; limited in their ability to care for themselves; experiencing functional limitations; AND low income. Services may include shopping, laundry, necessary housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, ambulation and some paramedical services. All services are based on individual need, not medical diagnosis. The recipient must need the assistance for at least one year, and must have MediCal. For further information, call the Department of Aging and Adult Services in Yucca Valley at 760-228-5390.

Darlene’s Commentary: Here comes another great little book entitled “Five Good Minutes in Your Body” by Jeffrey Brantley, M.D. and Wendy Millstine, N.C. You can find this book at www.newharbinger.com. It’s packed with simple things you can do that make you feel better. For cold hands and feet, take a deep breath, blow it into your cupped hands, then vigorously rub your hands together. From a sitting or standing position, reach for the sky, then drop your hands to rest on your head, then shoulders, then belly, then hips, then thighs, then calves, then feet. Repeat four or five times. This really does work.

If you’re interested in Wonder Valley’s goings-on, both past and present, go to www.wondervalley.org. Ken and Teresa Sitz do a bang-up job keeping us all entertained and informed.

Handy Hint: Coca-Cola fizzes away corrosion from car battery terminals.

Thought for Today: Your kitchen sink is one of the germiest places in your home. It has about 20 times the concentration of bacteria on your kitchen floor!

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



Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Download and print area topo maps

Drill down to find local topographic maps that you can print at home. These were all created by the U.S. Geological Survey and are now sized for a single piece of portrait paper.

http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Rafiki

Uriah Rosenzweig and Kacy Dalton asked to share their story regarding the recent death of their dog. Here is their story.

Rafiki
By Uriah Rosenzweig and Kacy Dalton

In July 2016, an energetic ball of love and happiness jumped into our lives like a firestorm. Rafiki (formally known as Prince Rafiki Cannabis Rosenzweig of Wonder Valley), pranced around with an air of confidence, fearlessness, curiosity, boyish-charm, but most of all – love. The first time we laid eyes on each other, Rafiki picked us to be his humans; it was destiny. He expressed a deep sense of gratitude towards us daily for rescuing him from the shelter. But what no one could predict was how he could transform the world around us, and in fact, rescue us. He smiled all day, every day, and shined a special light on every human and animal his paws led him towards.

On the afternoon of March 5th, 2017, our fearless Fiki Boy went out on an adventure with Daddy and his new best-pup-friend Keno, as he had done so many times in the past. Running around the desert digging, turning up rocks, checking out abandoned mines and homesteads, romping around with his best-friends and getting his paws and nose dirty with any sort of exploration was what Rafiki adored. On this day however, he did something he had never done before. In a flash, our precious pup walked out onto Amboy, and that lonely desert road took a chunk of our soul.

In just a year on this dimensional plane, Fiki experienced it all. From the desert to the beach, camping under the stars, and car rides with the windows down, cuddling up next to the fire at home, and spreading love and light to family members and friends of the human and animal kind. With all the hurt and pain we are experiencing, there is a sense of peace knowing that Prince Rafiki is out there still shining his special love upon us all.

"If I can change the world, I would be the sunlight in your universe, you would think my love was really something good…baby if I could….change the world" -Eric Clapton with Rafiki

Desert Trail Column, March 9, 2017

The Wonder Valley Community Meeting, organized by Teresa Sitz, will take place on Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road. Local resident Rick Hamburg will give a presentation on shooting in our area, and what is legal and what is not. Other items on the agenda include our fire department’s ability to pump water from private water tanks. Free Cuban pastries and French Roast coffee will be served.


On Monday, March 13, the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst in Joshua Tree, at 6:30 p.m. Wonder Valley’s representative Teresa Sitz will be there providing our County Supervisor James Ramos with information on our local issues. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Karen’s Commentary: This week I had some serious mailing going on! I send manufacturer’s coupons to U.S. military bases all over the world. The base commissaries accept coupons that have been expired up to six months, and these coupons really help the military families to stretch their dollars. My envelopes full of coupons went to a total of nine Army, Navy and Air Force bases in Germany, Japan, Italy and Belgium. If you would like to help out these military families, go to www.ocpnet.org to get addresses of the bases that are currently accepting coupon donations.

Darlene’s Commentary: Have you ever received a one-of-a-kind handmade greeting card? Handmade cards are always special, and many become keepsakes that warm the heart each time you look at them. Karen and I enjoy making cards with our little group under the talented (and patient) guidance of Ms Sandi Arismendi, our greeting card guru! We have a great time and have learned many techniques with different types of materials. With a little bit of imagination, adhesives, cardstock, colored paper, textures, ink, stamps and bling – voila! – you have a one-of-a-kind beautifully handmade card to share with someone special.

Reach Out Morongo Basin will provide free rides to the Twentynine Palms Nutrition Site on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pick up and drop off are at The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road. If you have a transportation problem and cannot get to The Palms, they will pick up and drop off at your home. Call 760-361-1410 for further information.

Handy Hint: Many kinds of toenail fungus can be cleared up by using Vicks Vapo Rub.


Thought for Today: On June 30, 1953, the first production Corvettes were built at the General Motors facility in Flint MI. All 300 Corvettes were white convertibles with red interiors and black canvas tops.

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


Desert chicory among the creosote.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Glass Outhouse Art Gallery artist turned back at border

Robert Markle Kinnard
Canadian artist, Robert Markle Kinnard, was driving with his wife from their home on Vancouver Island to Wonder Valley, California last week to participate in a group show at The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery. They had spent several of the previous winters in Wonder Valley, and have ties to the community. They gave themselves four days to get to the gallery. They never made it. They were turned away at the U.S. border by Customs and Border Protection officers.

The population of Wonder Valley swells in the winter from around 900 to around 2000 as snowbirds, retirees, weekenders, and expats come to enjoy the mild winter and the beauty of this remote area. Wonder Valley has one restaurant/bar, one thrift store, and one art gallery - The Glass Outhouse. This was where Kinnard was headed.

After hearing that Kinnard would not be in the show I contacted him in Vancouver Island and asked about his experience.

Kinnard and his wife had a reservation for a vacation rental in Joshua Tree, where they planned to stay for a month. He hoped to show his work, visit with friends, and enjoy the park.

When they arrived at the Blaine, Washington checkpoint, five hours from their home, the CBP officer asked the purpose of their visit. Kinnard told the officer he was delivering artwork to a show to which he’d been invited. Kinnard had crossed the border several times before, with paintings and equipment.

The officer asked them to pull off to the side for further inspection.

Inside the station Kinnard presented their passports and sat on a bench to wait, for four hours. An Asian woman sat beside them, sobbing. A few feet away an officer berated an Asian man who wanted to attend a club meeting across the border. The CBP officer replied, “That’s not a good enough reason for me to let you in.”

Kinnard described the atmosphere in the room as one of suspicion: that they felt as if they were under arrest and had to prove their innocence.

When Kinnard was called to the counter the officer said he needed to be fingerprinted, promising to soon get him on his way. When the officer finished fingerprinting he asked Kinnard to step back for a photograph, took the picture, and immediately told Kinnard that his van and his artwork were denied entry to the U.S., which meant that he was, as well.

Kinnard was shaken, and said he never would have agreed to the fingerprinting if he knew he would not be admitted. A police car escorted Kinnard and his wife back to the border, and with flashing lights still on, returned their passports and told them to have a good day.

The show at The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery went on. Kinnard and his wife were the main topic of conversation among their many friends at the opening.

UNDR, Robert Markle Kinnard
Wonder Valley is home to a diverse population: pioneer families, artists, writers, musicians, academics, working people, veterans, retirees, and foreign nationals from all over the world who add to the distinct and vibrant mix of cultures that makes living in Wonder Valley such a rich experience. The new president’s immigration policy has had a very real and unsettling effect on many in Wonder Valley, and raises concerns about whether other immigrants will be allowed to return to the desert that has become their second home.

The economy of the Morongo Basin, and Joshua Tree National Park, is largely dependent on tourism. If tourists stop visiting because of how they might be treated at the border, the economic impact could be devastating.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

The Glass Outhouse Gallery minus one artist

Robert Markle Kinnard was scheduled to show today at a group show at the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery. He left a week ago with a van full of paintings but was turned back at the border by U.S. Immigration Agents. He had traveled to the U.S. many times before, with artwork, with no problem.

Read more:

AGGRESSIVE INTERROGATION OF ARTISTS AND WRITERS AT U.S. BORDER, March 3, 2017

Mem Fox on being detained by US immigration: 'In that moment I loathed America', By Mem Fox

Museum removes every piece of art created by immigrants
By Delaney Strunk, CNN
Updated 2:49 PM ET, Mon February 20, 2017

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Immigration

By JOHN McMAHON
Posted: Monday, February 27, 2017 10:06 am
As a result of the last presidential campaign and election, a great deal of discussion has ensued regarding the issue of immigration in the United States, and more specifically on the issue of how local law enforcement is going to follow new federal policies such as immigration enforcement and deportations.

To have a safe community we need to have great working relationships with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as demonstrated on Dec. 2, 2015.

I would like to be clear on what my department’s legal obligations are on immigration enforcement.

There are misconceptions and confusion on this topic. I understand the complex issues of immigration enforcement in our community, and the impact it has on families, victims, and witnesses of crimes. I do not want the fear of someone’s immigration status to prevent them from reporting crimes or interacting with our deputies.

I can assure you, patrol deputies do not participate in immigration enforcement. Our department’s primary responsibility is for the safety of all individuals. However, I also believe any person who commits a crime should be held accountable and face the legal consequences of the judicial system.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has more than 3,000 dedicated men and women who provide public safety for more than two million residents. We provide patrol services for 14 contract cities, including unincorporated areas, and operate four county jails. Our county jails book an average of 80,000 people annually. We have an average daily population of 5,500 inmates who have been arrested, are awaiting trial, or have been sentenced by the court for committing various violent crimes.

Historically, immigration enforcement has been the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies.

In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security asked local law enforcement to participate with immigration enforcement and support the 287(g) program. The department implemented the program in our county jails, which allowed our custody employees to interview and place detainers on inmates who were arrested for various crimes in the county.

In 2013, the State of California passed the Trust Act, which prohibited law enforcement from honoring immigration detainers unless inmates were arrested for serious crimes specified in the legislation. Our department continued to participate in the federal 287(g) program within California law.

In 2014, the department suspended the 287(g) program based on the federal court ruling on an immigration case out of Clackamas County, Oregon. This federal court decision determined immigration detainers were unlawful because they lacked probable cause and did not have a judge’s signature.

It is extremely important to note the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department does not hold any inmate past his or her scheduled release date without a legal warrant signed by a federal judge. This is a crucial point, because there have been, and will be in the future, instances when federal authorities request a detainer, or hold, of an inmate to investigate their immigration status. My department has an obligation to follow the law, and I cannot legally hold inmates past their release date without a warrant signed by a federal judge.

The Department of Homeland Security recently released a memorandum requesting local and state law enforcement agencies to once again participate in the 287(g) program.

Recently, I attended meetings with the National Sheriff’s Association in Washington D.C. I spoke with our federal law enforcement partners about legal authority and issues affecting immigration enforcement. If the United States Attorney General changes their practice and provides legal authority, the department will reevaluate the 287(g) program.

Our department prides itself in serving you by providing the highest level of law enforcement services to all of our communities. We have worked very hard to earn and maintain your trust; it is the foundation of our organization. I will continue to ensure deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department enforce local and state laws to ensure the safety of everyone.

(John McMahon is the sheriff-coroner for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)

From the Fontana Herald News, San Bernardino County sheriff addresses local immigration enforcement

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Desert Trail Column, March 2, 2017

Wonder Valley’s Glass Outhouse Art Gallery invites you to attend an Artists Reception on Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. The featured artists this month are Olive Toscani, Robert Kinnard, Adrian Field and Michael Fatil. Come meet the artists, enjoy music by The Luminators and free refreshments. This show will run through March 26. The gallery is located at 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. For further information call Laurel Seidl at 760-367-3807.




Since the birthstone for March is the aquamarine and the flower is the jonquil, we send out Rainbows-of-Aquamarines-and-Jonquils to Sandy Mitchell and Tonya Briggs who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday to you both!


Karen’s Commentary: San Bernardino County Aging and Adult Services Department is dedicated to helping seniors and at-risk individuals. They can provide information and assistance with health insurance counseling (1-800-434-0222), community programs and resources, In-Home Supportive Services (877-800-4544), a public guardian or conservator (909-798-8500), senior community service employment (909-891-3913), a long-term care ombudsman, (866-229-0284 or 909-891-3928), Adult Protective Services (877-565-2020), senior supportive services, senior nutrition services, legal services and family caregiver support. Our closest office is located in Yucca Valley, behind the movie theater. If you have any questions about these or other services for seniors or disabled adults, call 800-510-2020 or 760-228-5219, or visit their website at http://hss.sbcounty.gov/daas/.

Darlene’s Commentary: I want to thank Suzanne and Richard Southard, founders of the He Provides Ministry, for their loving kindness and generosity. They came to our community center on the scheduled days of the monthly USDA Food Distributions, bringing clothing, shoes, blankets, jackets, curtains, rugs, tablecloths and more. All for free.  Special people have a certain kind of glow and I always feel good after visiting with them. I called Suzanne and asked how they’re doing and told her how much we’ll miss them. They’ve now moved to the Coachella Valley so they can more easily provide help where the need is even greater than in our area.

When construction started...
The Godwin Christian Fellowship Church building is still going forward, slowly but surely. It seems there was a change of County inspectors, resulting in a change of “requirements.” But things seem to have been straightened out now, so everyone is looking forward to the grand opening, hopefully for Easter. We know that good things come in small packages, but this is going to be a very large and very wonderful package when it’s finished!

Handy Hint: Nestea iced-tea mix doubles as a meat tenderizer.

Thought for Today: “I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.” – Groucho Marx

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


Early mining works on BLM land.