Thursday, September 26, 2019

What's hillbilly music you ask? Ken Burns can fill you in on PBS

By Ronnie Ruff, Wonder Valley
My association with country music goes all the way back to when I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia 63 years ago.  It was a time when country music was all about Country-politan, a mix of country and pop music of the time.

My momma listened to country radio when it was in its Country--politan phase with its string sections and over production. Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty all played on the kitchen table all day every day.  I was in my senior year of High School and I was saving all my money to buy records like Will The Circle Be Unbroken by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band along with country rock records by the Eagles, Poco and the Flying Burrito Brothers  I also had worn out my first copy of Sweetheart of the Rodeo by the Byrds.  Momma and I had quite a few conversations about why these county rock folks were not played on the local country station and why I had to listen to them on WHFS an AOR station that played a lot of music coming out of Laurel Canyon at the time. Her answer was always the same, "son, they ain't real country".

As a fan of Gram Parsons I had already heard him quoted as saying that there was no such thing as country rock. He said, "no, it's all just music, you just like it or you don't.''  That brutally honest thought by one of the new artists of the time melding rock and country is exactly where Ken Burns wants to take us with his new documentary Country Music.


What we learn when we look back through the colorful sometimes sorrid history of country music is that blues, gospel and jazz music all played major roles in what country music has become today,  Today, you see we call it Americana, Parsons, Burns notes dubbed it Cosmic American Music however, no matter what you call it friends... it's Hillbilly Music.

There are quite a few references to the rich history of California Country also known as the Bakersfield Sound.  Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam and for that matter all the way back to the Maddox Brothers and Rose.

If you are a fellow Country Music fan you will discover quite a few cool little nuggets you didn't know in every episode, you even find out who coined the term Outlaw Country but more importantly you will get a feel for how, from the very beginning, country music was the music of working folks.  Nothing much has changed about that fact in all these years since Jimmy Rodgers..

At the end of the seventh installment of Country Music, Ken Burns tied Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt and Marty Stewart together with Zandt's classic Pancho and Lefty. It really was a powerful moment in the series because it hit the three themes of this production, first and foremost the evolution of country music, second the rich, powerful stories and lastly the ties that bind. Oh... and the stories, it's all about the stories. If you are unhappy with what's playing on country radio these days just wait about a half a minute it will evolve again. That's because country music is the music of the people and there's always a star on the horizon waiting to play you their stories.

Ronnie Cosmic Ruff
Wonder Valley, California

Country Music aired on PBS. The soundtrack is available on Apple Music, iTunes and the other usual outlets.

Official Extended Trailer | Country Music | A Film by Ken Burns | PBS

Desert Trail Column - September 26, 2019

On Saturday, September 28, Ted Meyers will present an informational presentation on the Weed Show at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, from 11 to noon. Ted will talk about rules, categories, display bases, accessories, tips, tricks and of course weeds. This is not a hands-on workshop, only a presentation to help you enter and win! This year’s Weed Show will be held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms on November 2 and 3. Ted has won a total of 39 ribbons, and is already working on his entries for November! A $2 donation is requested, but not required for this presentation.
Also at our community center on September 28 will be Thought Theater’s Travelling Symphony at 2 p.m. This is part of The Big Read’s monthlong celebration based on “Station Eleven” by Emily St John Mandel.


On Sunday, September 29, The Big Read moves to The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, for open reading and discussion based on the novel. Attendees may read their own original work or discuss their reactions to the previous day’s performance at our community center. For further information visit ArtsConnectionNetwork.org/programs/nea-big-read@BigReadMorongoBasin

Mark your calendars for an upcoming meeting with Supervisor Dawn Rowe at 11:00 a.m. at our community center on October 7.
Most events at our WVCC are sponsored by our local nonprofit Friends of Wonder Valley. For additional information on any local event, contact WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@sdd.sbcounty.gov or 760-367-9880.
We send out Rainbows-of-Sapphires-and-Asters to Orville Fangmeyer who celebrates his special day this week. Happy birthday, Orville!

Darlene’s Commentary: Giving my space to Karen this week.
Karen’s Commentary: Thanks to Jan Peek for lots of coupons and stamps! After repairs for rodent damage to our vehicle, a friend recommended rodent repellent packets sold at Desert Hardware, but they were out of stock so we ordered some online. The active ingredient is balsam fir oil. Then I got an email from Marina McClay saying she’s heard they don’t work! And that the rodents get used to those high-pitched sound devices. On a friend’s advice, she went to Home Depot and purchased solar-charged LED lights with motion sensors to be put under vehicle hoods at night. So far, so good. Same with our balsam fir packets. I guess we’ll see.
Go to www.wondervalley.org to read about everything Wonder Valley. Ken and Teresa Sitz post happenings and information regularly to keep everyone informed.
Handy Hint: To unclog a drain, drop in three Alka Seltzer tablets followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

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

Friday, September 20, 2019

Trespass Arrest Authorization form.

Our MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) Delegate, Steve Reyes, writes:
During the last Community Meeting I was asked if a "Trespass Letter" was permitted in Wonder Valley.  I spoke to Lt. Niles from the Morongo Station and he provided me with the Trespass Arrest Authorization form.  Once you fill out the form, drop it off at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Morongo Station at White Feather Road.  What the letter will do is authorize the arrest and or investigation of individuals who are trespassing on your property.  I encourage everyone to first clearly mark their property with their respective home address and post "No Trespassing Signs." This will make it abundantly clear unwelcome individuals are not to come onto your property.

Teresa Sitz adds:
You can pick up an address sign at the Wonder Valley Community Center beween the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and as long as we're not busy with an event.

I also recommend that you make a couple of copies of the form and make sure your agent has a copy.

Great job, Steve!

Download to print.
Trespass Arrest Authorization form.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IiCgQBgDbX6lEBPa9XUV1psy_t05Jo1f/view?usp=sharing
or
https://tinyurl.com/trespassform


Thursday, September 19, 2019

Desert Trail Column - September 19, 2019

On Saturday, September 21, Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road, invites everyone to a free movie. There will be munchies at 11 and the movie will start at noon. Call Pastor Lonnie Casper at 760-391-0480 for further information.
Also on Saturday, The Palms, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, will present Succulents, an Evening of Small Juicy Theater. For further information, call 760-361-2810.
Three events will take place simultaneously at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, on Wednesday, September 25. First, the mobile medical van will be providing primary healthcare services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This includes exams, lab test referrals, prescription refills, immunizations and blood pressure checks. Appointments are encouraged, but not required. Care is provided regardless of insurance or ability to pay. For appointments or inquiries, call 760-365-9305.
Inside the WVCC, Cooking from the Distributions will take place starting at 9 a.m. Dietician Mary Kelly will integrate food distribution items into recipes and provide recipe books and handouts for cooking and using crockpots. Disease prevention and nutrition will be covered through teaching and games. This event is sponsored by the Morongo Basin Healthcare District, and there is no charge to attend.
At 11 a.m., the Salvation Army Food Distribution will begin, and will continue until the food is gone. The food is from Trader Joe’s and usually includes fresh meat, bread, fruits and veggies.

Mark your calendars for some upcoming events. At our community center, a Weed Show how-to with Ted Meyers on September 28, Miri Hunter and the Big Read also on September 28, and Bob Dougherty from Aging and Adult Services on October 16. At The Palms, The Big Read on September 29. At Wonder Valley Community Church, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on October 12.

Most events at our WVCC are sponsored by our local nonprofit Friends of Wonder Valley. For additional information on any local event, contact WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@sdd.sbcounty.gov or 760-367-9880.
We send out Rainbows-of-Sapphires-and-Asters to Eddie Kim, Bernice Barcott and Les Lindsley who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday to Les, Bernice and Eddie!
For those wishing to go to the Twentynine Palms Nutrition Site for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Reach Out Morongo Basin will pick you up at The Palms at 10 a.m. and return you at 2 p.m. If you have a transportation problem and cannot get to The Palms, they may pick you up and drop you off at your residence. Call 760-361-1410.
Today’s Thought: Got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.
Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.

File under...

...be careful what you wish for.

Judge Rules San Bernardino County Violated The Brown Act, Voids Dawn Rowe’s Appointment
By Benjamin Purper, September 29, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsome will be appointing the next Supervisor. The County will appeal.

I was skeptical when she first took office, having worked for Rep. Paul Cook, but she's done right by us so far.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Local Baand: Kroms


Dominic and Naomi Bruxer, of Wonder Valley, make up the Kroms. You can hear their music at:
https://kroms.bandcamp.com/

Email: kromstudios1688@gmail.com

Give them a listen. They were so sweet last year, giving everyone who came to the WVCC a free Christmas album of their music. Thanks, you two!!!

Monday, September 16, 2019

California Desert Art | Artist Sharon Ellis

Friendly Universe: The Electric Landscapes of Sharon Ellis

Sharon Ellis is a landscape painter often compared to her childhood hero, Charles Burchfield. She recently moved from Los Angeles to Yucca Valley, and spent part of her childhood visiting a great-aunt in Wonder Valley.

Click through above. Her paintings are magical.

Big Read | Community Open Readings



Cholla Needles Arts & Literary Library Presents: Survival

1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 29, 2019
Palms Restaurant & Bar, 83131 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

NEW BIG READ Morongo Basin Community Open Readings

Open to the entire community - bring your own creation, or recite a piece that inspires you. You may also share your opinion or thoughts on survival. This is a free event.

Big Read: Traveling Symphony at WWVC.


As part of the Big Read, Thought Theatre will present the Traveling Symphony. The Traveling Symphony is a group of actors and musicians and the like who, among other things, do snippets of Shakespeare, other writers, and the occasional classical concert. Join the Traveling Symphony as they bring an exciting sound presentation of “Station Eleven” as written by Emily St. John Mandel to life.

A donation of $5 is requested, but one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Miri Hunter
http://www.projectsheba.com
http://www.hunterandthewicked.com

Salvation Army Food Distribution


SALVATION ARMY FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The Salvation Army Food Distribution takes place starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277. The Community Center is located between the Fire Station and the palm tree cell tower.

The distribution is first come first served, and ends when there is no more food. The distribution is open to Wonder Valley residents, who self-certify on site. No documentation is required, though you will need to fill out a form the first time you attend.

The distribution will be “shopping style.” You will take what you like from a selection of food from Trader Joe’s. Please be mindful that people behind you need food, as well, and only take what you need. There may also be a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT
The Morongo Basin Healthcare District Mobile Medical Unit will be at the Wonder Valley Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Wednesday, September 25 , 2019. The WVCC is at 80526-1/2 Amboy Road, in Wonder Valley -- next to the old fire station.

This coincides with the Salvation Army Food Distribution.

A Nurse Practitioner will be on board, providing primary medical care and screenings, and if necessary, prescribing lab tests and refilling prescriptions. Some immunizations are available.

Take advantage of the MBHD’s “Take A Hike Program.” MBHD medical providers write a prescription for patients to “Take A Hike” in Joshua Tree National Park. Each prescription is good for 90 days and provides free entry to the park for the patient and up to five people in the same vehicle as the patient.

This outdoor program provides the patient opportunities to manage health and body weight through increased physical activity. Patient must have insurance accepted by the program -- see below.

Medi-Cal, IEHP and most insurances are accepted. A discounted fee-for-service is available for those without insurance. Care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call 760-365-9305.

Walk-ins will be accepted as time permits.

IDEAS ON HOW TO USE THE FOODS FROM FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
In addition, Dietician Mary Ann Kelly will integrate the food items from the food distributions into recipes and provide recipe books and handouts for cooking and using crock pots. Disease prevention and nutrition will be covered through teaching and games.

Morongo Basin Healthcare District seeks to improve the health and wellness of residents who live within its designated boundaries. Services of the healthcare district include the Morongo Basin Community Health Center with offices in Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley; and LIFT Transportation Services, providing free, non-emergency transportation to medical appointments. Business offices of the Morongo Basin Healthcare District are located at 6530 La Contenta Road, Suite 100 Yucca Valley | 760.820.9229 | http://www.MBHDistrict.org

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Supervisor Dawn Rowe in Wonder Valley.


WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, October 7, 2019
WHERE: Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277

I'm very excited to announce that the San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, Dawn Rowe, is coming to the Wonder Valley Community Center at 11 a.m., on Monday, October 7, 2019.

We haven't had a Supervisor visit one of our meetings in the last 5 years, or more. Thank our new Municipal Advisory Council Delegate Steve Reyes for setting this up. He will be running the meeting.

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate. Bring your questions, suggestions, rants, and raves.

The agenda will be posted on the door of the WVCC a week before the meeting, and online at:
http://www.wondervalley.org/

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Wonder Valley.

For more information, call Teresa Sitz at (760) 367-9880.

Paint for the Planet.


WHEN:  11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2019
WHERE:
Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

Eco-Prayer Flag and Parachutes For The Planet Painting Workshop

ATTENTION YOUTH Of ALL AGES
Come join with Wonder Valley Water Is Life and the Joshua Tree-Huggers/350 JT  for a Parachutes to Stop Pollution painting workshop in preparation for the big CLIMATE STRIKE JOSHUA TREE DEMONSTRATIONS in downtown Joshua Tree, from 11:30 a.m. on September 20, and 12:30 p.m.on September 21.

In addition to painting the traditional eco-prayer flags created out of repurposed pillow cases, we will now be adding parachute painting, thanks to Mother Earth Project's Parachutes For The Planet.

Please bring acrylic paint, paint brushes and recycled pillow cases if you can. We will have a few here if you don't.

MUCH gratitude to the Kiwanis Club Of Greater Yucca Valley for sponsoring our painting materials, and to the Friends of Wonder Valley and the WVCC for making this workshop possible.

For more info on the Climate Strike JT, look for that event on Facebook, and/or email: conchustimes@yahoo.com.

Admission is free.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Cooking from the Food Distributions.


WHEN: 9 a.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2019
WHERE: Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

Dietician Mary Kelly will integrate the food items distributed on September 25 into recipes and provide recipe books and handouts for cooking and using crock pots. Disease prevention and nutrition will be covered through teaching and games.

This event precedes the Salvation Army Food Distribution. It is sponsored by the Morongo Basin Healthcare District. There is no charge to attend this event.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the Mobile Medical Van which will be on the premises between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Wonder Valley Man Arrested.

From the Desert Trail,

Man arrested after standoff with SWAT team

Noah Smith, 22, was arrested on September 6, for one felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great injury, and two additional charges related to threats.

Desert Trail Column - September 12, 2019


The USDA Food Distribution will take place on Tuesday, September 17 at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, from 9 to noon.
Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road, is collecting “Christmas shoeboxes” to be delivered to children at an orphanage in Mexico on November 24. Plastic “shoeboxes” with lids may be purchased at Dollar Tree, then filled with needed items and little surprises for the children. Please bring filled shoeboxes to the church anytime before November 24. For further information, call Pastor Lonnie Casper at 760-401-6128 or 760-391-0480.
Mark your calendars for some upcoming events. At Wonder Valley Community Church, a free movie on September 21, Pastor Casper’s one-year Anniversary Potluck on October 27 and a Thanksgiving Potluck on November 24. At our community center, a Theatre Presentation with Miri Hunter on September 28, a Community Meeting with our San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe rescheduled for October 7 and a Halloween Presentation with Ken Layne on October 26.
Most events at our WVCC are sponsored by our local nonprofit Friends of Wonder Valley. For additional information on any local event, contact WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@sdd.sbcounty.gov or (760) 367-9880.
Darlene’s Commentary: I have a neat book entitled “On the Tip of My Tongue” by David Gentle. It is a collection of trivia facts, with questions like: What color is Moby-Dick? How many feet are in a mile? What is the name of Dr Seuss’ egg-hatching elephant?
Karen’s Commentary: Husband Ted found a woman collapsed on the ground at the fire station! Ted called 911 and stayed with the moaning and incoherent woman until the ambulance arrived. Former police detective Steve Reyes called Ted a hero! No medical help from our empty station.
MBTA Ready Ride picks up passengers at their Wonder Valley residences at 7 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday, plus the first Wednesday of each month, taking them to any business in Twentynine Palms. Return trips are at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at 1 p.m. on first Wednesdays. There is no service on holidays. For costs, information or scheduling rides, call (760) 366-2395 before 6:30 p.m. at least one day prior to desired date.
Handy Hint: Many auto insurers will shave as much as 10% off your premiums if you take a defensive driving course.

Today’s Thought: In 1917, Grenville Kleiser’s inspirational advice for September 12 was that education is not mere book-learning, but the culture of mind and heart; that you can learn from everyone you meet; and that education is free, and the development of personal character is its crowning work.
Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

If you missed the Community Meeting.


It was a big one, too, with 40 people attending. Speakers included Mark Lunquist from the Supervisor’s Office; John Bradshaw from SBC Special Districts Department, along with the new fella who will be grading our roads, Dylan Baudouine; Kimberly Pope and Jonell Kosen, from the Base; and Lt. Lucas Niles, Watch Commander at the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Department at White Feather.

Mark Lundquist spoke about the new Vacation Rental Ordinance which will be addressed at the next Board of Supervisors meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 10. If you’d like to attend or comment at this meeting, you can join via videoconference at the Bob Burke Government Center at White Feather in Joshua Tree. Enter through the Sheriff’s Department. Leave all weapons in your car.

Lundquist’s second topic was the FP5 Fire tax.  It will be coming before the Board of Supervisors on September 24 to fulfill a mandate for County Fire and the SBC CEO to come back with another plan that the BOS will discuss. This is not  a board meeting but will be broadcast at the videoconferencing center mentioned above. County Fire still needs to cover a deficit of $27 million. Lundquist said this should have been on the ballot in the first place, and that he hopes it gets fixed soon so they stop pulling money from the general fund. The first FP5 payment of $157 and change will be on your next tax bill, but after that it’s anyone’s guess. Stay tuned.
       
Jonell Kosen from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center spoke on noise levels from the Base. There have been fewer training exercises through the summer due to  the heat, but there will be more starting in October. Call (760) 830-9222, if you have a noise complaint.
   
Lt. Niles from the Sheriff Department notified the community the annual grant for illegal Off Road Vehicle enforcement has been tripled! This will allow them to buy more vehicles and assign more staff.

September 4, 2019
The AGENDA was posted here, at 11 a.m., August  29, 2019, and on the door of the WVCC:
https://tinyurl.com/wv09042019
The NOTES were posted 10:30 a.m., September 7, 2019
https://tinyurl.com/wv09042019notes

Create a Weed Show entry.


Have you ever wanted to submit an entry to the Twentynine Palms Historical Society's Annual Weed Show? Have you ever wanted to win?

Ted Meyers, long-time Wonder Valley resident, has won the weed show 33 times! And last year his students won 5 awards!

Ted will be here to explain the Weed Show's strict rules; the differences in categories; choosing a display base; collecting and using weeds effectively; choices of accessories and tips and tricks.

Three things the audience will take away from the presentation:

  1. How to construct a display.
  2. The importance of following all rules.
  3. There are no monetary prizes involved, but the fun, the feeling of accomplishment and the possibility of winning bragging rights for a full year are worth the effort!

This is NOT a hands on class so you don't have to bring anything but yourselves. Ted will be doing all the demonstrating.

The Weed Show is scheduled for November 2 & 3, 2019. We will post links to documents as soon as they are published.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Adult & Aging Services, October 16


Bob Dougherty, our Social Service Aide, from the SBC Department Of Aging & Adult Services, will be giving out some bus passes for seniors and helping them with HEAP applications,  from 11 a.m. until noon, on Wednesday, October 16th. All seniors are welcome to come and find out about the services offered by the County of San Bernardino.

Mobile Medical Unit at WVCC


The Morongo Basin Healthcare District Mobile Medical Unit will be providing primary healthcare services by a nurse practitioner who will provide a clinic visit exam, and if necessary, prescribe lab test and refill prescriptions. Some immunizations are available.
[Dental services are not provided at the MMU at this time.]

WHEN?
Drop in between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2019,
or call (760) 365-9305 for an appointment.
WHERE?
The Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-1/2 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277

Medi-Cal, IEHP, Medicare, and most insurances are accepted. A discounted fee-for-service is available for those without insurance. Care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Anyone may drop in to get their blood pressure checked.

If you are seen at the Mobile Medical Unit, be sure to ask about pediatric care, dental care, chiropractic care, pain management, chronic wound care, behavioral health, general surgery consultations, and patient education programs. These services are available to the the MBHD Clinics in Twentynine Palms or Yucca Valley. Free transportation to these services is available via the MBHD's Lift service.

USDA Food Distribution -- September 17, 2019


The USDA Food Distribution will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at noon on Tuesday, September 17, at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277. The Community Center is next to the Fire Station.

Low income Wonder Valley residents self-certify on site. No ID or other documentation is required. You may pick up ONE (1) box for a neighbor, or they may pick up ONE (1) box for you, IF a signed pick up form is presented. One pick up per person. Pick up forms are available online at http://tinyurl.com/wv-pickup-form. They are also available at the WVCC on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and at the kiosk outside the WVCC the week before the event.

For more information, call Teresa Sitz at (760) 367-9880.

The text below is required.

Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Desert Trail Column - September 5, 2019

You are invited to the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery on Saturday, September 7 for its fall opening from 5 to 9 p.m. with featured artists Zara Kand and Barbara Adams. There will be birthday cake and catered food, with music provided by Hunter and the Wick’d. This show will run through September 29. The gallery is located at 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. Look for a BIG Pepsi can and a little chapel! For more information, call Laurel at 760-367-3807.
On Monday, September 9, the Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Street. Representative Steve Reyes will be there to pass along Wonder Valley’s issues and concerns to our San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. Contact Steve at stevenr25261@outlook.com for further information.

Mark your calendars for an upcoming community meeting with our Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe at our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road, on October 7.
Most events at our WVCC are sponsored by our local nonprofit Friends of Wonder Valley. For additional information on any local event, contact WVCC Coordinator Teresa Sitz at teresa.sitz@sdd.sbcounty.gov or 760-367-9880.
Since the birthstone for September is the sapphire and the flower is the aster, we send out Rainbows-of-Sapphires-and-Asters to Cheryl Davies and Sherry Hague who celebrate their special days this week. Happy birthday, Sherry and Cheryl! (Sorry, Scott – we sent you the wrong rainbows last week!)
Karen’s Commentary: A recent quiet morning was shattered by warning lights and bells going off when I started my vehicle. After being towed, RODENT DAMAGE to the tune of $760 was discovered, and the darling little rodent was still inside! Its victims were three sensors and a wiring harness.

Darlene’s Commentary: Here are foods to increase strength and sharpness. Turkey contains natural tryptophan that relieves anxiety and stress. Whole grain breads have high levels of amino acids that synthesize brain fuel. Spinach is loaded with vitamin B folic acid that is effective in treating depression and increasing mental energy levels.
An informal meeting of Wonder Valleyites takes place at The Palms Restaurant, 83131 Amboy Road at Thompson Road, every Sunday morning over breakfast. All things Wonder Valley are discussed, and a good time is had by all. Whether a weekender, new resident or longtime resident, all are welcome to join in.
Handy Hint: Using a hammer and small nail, punch holes around the rim of an open paint can. Paint dripping into the rim will then drain back into the can.
The word meaning stomach rumbling is “wamble.”

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