Thursday, August 11, 2016

Desert Trail Column for August 11, 2016


On Monday, August 15, it will be busy at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road. At 9:30, the He Provides Ministry will be there with free clothing and household items for those needing them. Then from 10:30 to noon, the USDA Food Distribution will take place.

We send out Rainbows-of-Peridots-and-Gladiolas to Alexa, to Chad Fairweather and to Cowboy, who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday to all of you!

Karen’s Commentary: Our son Joe has lived at Sagewood Manor Apartments in Twentynine Palms since 1997. It is a very nice apartment complex, with about 65 units. About three months ago, Crown Contracting, Inc arrived to do some “sprucing up” for the new owners. So far, they have painted the exterior walls, doors and trim; installed over-the-range microwaves; replaced the bathroom sinks with sink/cupboard combinations; painted the linen closet fronts; and replaced all windows, kitchen cabinets, kitchen sinks and countertops, refrigerators, stoves, AC/heating units, water heaters, toilets, flooring throughout and lighting throughout. They are now working on enlarging the dumpster area openings and making more curb-cuts for wheelchairs and scooters. And every single worker I’ve interacted with is so friendly and helpful. Needless to say, the new owner’s idea of sprucing up is my idea of having an entirely new place to live!

Darlene’s commentary: I enjoyed breakfast Sunday morning at The Palms Restaurant in Beautiful Downtown Wonder Valley. While I was eating, a new edition of the Desert Oracle caught my eye. There are always intriguing stories and interesting articles about desert creatures and desert plants. In this Spring 2016 issue, I found an article entitled “Farewell, Bigfella!” about a huge saguaro that had lived about 200 years or more. I have always loved saguaros and am fortunate to have one growing right in my own yard. It measured less than three feet tall when my parents, Louise and Jerry Borquez, bought the property, and it towers over 20 feet tall now and sports five arms. Every June, the top of each arm displays beautiful white flowers that open one day and close the next.

The Godwin Christian Fellowship is getting mighty close to being able to hold services in their new building at 6389 Godwin Road. In the meantime, the Home Group is still meeting on Sundays on Bonny Dunes Road. Call Pastor Max Rossi at 831-234-6848.

Handy Hint: When traveling with your pet, take along some empty, washed butter tubs. They’re lightweight and make great resealable water, food or treat containers.

Thought for Today: The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

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


A group of 45-50 white faced ibises take off during last Thursday's storm.