Desert Trail Column, September 3, 2015

We send out Rainbows-of-Sapphires-and-Asters to Cheryl Davies who celebrates her special day this week. Happy birthday, Cheryl!

Karen’s Commentary: Well, at least the flies have let up a bit now. That was a really unwelcome invasion. While the worst of it was going on, we discovered a flytrap being sold at Stater Bros for six dollars a pop. It really worked great, but in all the information on the package, there was not one mention or warning of the horrible smell to come. At first we thought something had died under our porch, but finally narrowed the odor down to the flytrap. The trick is to get the trap far enough away (or downwind) so you don’t smell it, but close enough to be effective. Or it would make a great deterrent. Don’t want someone walking on your just-raked area? Hang a flytrap there! It’s just a thought.

Darlene’s Commentary: About a month ago, I took several calls from my ancient answering machine, wrote the names and numbers down, and didn’t see them again until yesterday. (I blame it on the anesthesia. Oh, well.) I apologize to Mr Joe Perez, a former Wonder Valley resident, who happens to be a handsome 92 years old and reads our column faithfully. Joe was having problems with those BIG red ants. He told me that they would find a way into his wild birdseed feeder and hummingbird feeder no matter what he did, and he asked for the “ant solution” that we used as a handy hint awhile back in our column. Here it is:  Using original blue Dawn dish soap, full-strength, make a barrier about three inches wide around the target area where the ants want to go. Spread it in a solid thin coat with your fingers, and place it where the ants HAVE to cross it to get to their target. Just keep in mind that what keeps them away is that they do not want to walk in
 the dish soap. In the case of a bird feeder, I would suggest putting the dish soap barrier where it attaches to the post, pole, wall, etc.

Our Wonder Valley Fire Station #45 is staffed 24/7 with two San Bernardino County Fire personnel, with at least one of them being a Paramedic. We are very fortunate to have this kind of emergency coverage in a small rural community. If you see the bay doors open, stop in and say hello.

Handy Hint: Mix coffee grounds into soil for a nitrogen-rich plant food.

Thought for Today:
A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

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

Wonder Valley man arrested

A Wonder Valley man was arrested this week in Yucca Valley.

SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER ARRESTED FRIDAY
By Z107.7 News, on August 31st, 2015
"A Wonder Valley man was arrested Friday, accused of holding up a Yucca Valley pharmacy with a knife earlier that day. According to a Sheriff’s press release, a man, later identified as Justin Becker, 23, entered the New Pharmacy located in the Town Center Mall about 9 a.m., brandished a knife at clerks, and demanded narcotics. Becker then fled on foot with the drugs. About 3:50 that afternoon, deputies stopped Becker on an unrelated call near Larrea Road and Old Woman Springs Road in Johnson Valley. Becker was driving a white Ford which deputies determined was involved in the robbery. Justin Becker was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, booked at the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $100,000."

Many Moods of Ben Vaughn - Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

This week's MANY MOODS OF BEN VAUGHN will feature selections by these fine recording artists and more. Full playlist to follow.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE:
KCDZ, Joshua Tree, CA (Sundays at 3:00 pm PST)

AVAILABLE AS PODCAST: 
Now available on iTunes thanks to KCDZ in Joshua Tree, CA.

Desert Trail Column, August 27, 2015

We send out Rainbows-of-Peridots-and-Gladioli to Bill Yoakum who celebrates his special day this week. And, since the birthstone for September is the sapphire and the flower is the aster, we send out Rainbows-of-Sapphires-and-Asters to Scott Kelso who also celebrates a special day this week. Happy birthday to both of you!

Karen’s Commentary: Thanks to John Klink for sending over a coffee can full of used stamps. The eagles in Big Bear love you, John! In case you don’t know, I send the stamps to a gardening club in Phelan that sells them to a company that sells packets of stamps to collectors all over the world. The gardening club donates their proceeds to help save the eagles in Big Bear. To donate used stamps, cut or tear them off your mail (leaving a ¼” border all around, if possible) and drop them off at our community center or my house, or give them to Dar or Ted. Or you can just pack up the whole envelopes and I’ll do the cutting!

Darlene’s Commentary: I always love feedback from our readers! Yesterday I received a sweet card in the mail from a reader named Molly Vermette wishing me a speedy recovery and saying some very nice things about our column. Thank you, Molly, for a sunshine day for me! I also want to thank Judy Taylor, Sandi Arismendi and Karen for the beautiful custom-made cards – oh, so very cheerful! Today’s mail brought a lovely card from Almut Fleck, and I’m with you, Almut – it’s good to take your time. And I would love to know the name of the gorgeous purple flowers gracing the front of the sweet card sent by Donna Parsons! It read “Imagine a garden filled with wonderful flowers, where each one is a wish for more joy-filled hours.” Beautiful cards, beautiful poetry and the dearest friends on this Earth! I am immersed in gratitude!

Frank Mezget's handmade Wayside Chapel

If you have not yet visited the little tiny Wayside Chapel on the property of the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, you are missing something special. It is so darling and beautiful inside – just a precious little treasure. I take everyone there to show them, and haven’t had a disappointed visitor yet! It is open 24/7 and is a self-tour thing. The chapel is out toward the highway at 77575 29 Palms Highway and there is a nice big area to park next to it.

Handy Hint: Buy a small [spray] bottle and fill it with vegetable or olive oil. It’s cheaper than buying cans of cooking spray.

Thought for Today: Education will never become as expensive as ignorance.

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

Flash flooding in Wonder Valley, August 26

Neighbor and photograph Ron Resnick took this picture of flash flood damage on his property from yesterday's storm.

We will rebuild.

Seriously, though. Shelton was and may still be impassable today. Locals are taking Steeg instead. Highway 62 is fine.

Cabin demolished in Wonder Valley

Jill Reinig and Mary Sibley both told me about the demolition of the house at 82524 Amboy Road at School, last August 17 and 18. Though community members have questions about the process leading up to the demolition and public notification, most people felt positive about the action.

A permit was pulled at Land Use Services, #B201506012, by Dakeno, Inc, 6021 Tarragona Drive, Riverside, CA 92509.

Prior to cleanup

Photo:  Teresa Sitz

Photo: James Sibley

Monthly Monday Meeting | September 14, 2015

Photo courtesy of Ken Sitz.

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate in 

the Wonder Valley Monthly Monday meeting.

Monday, September 14, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.

Wonder Valley Community Center

80526 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Jim Ricker, Assistant Chief of Staff G5, and Kristina Becker, Community Liaison,
will present and answer questions regarding
the MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER.

The agenda will be posted shortly.