Jeremiah and the Red Eyes at the Palms

Some of my favorite music is about the road and sky. Jackson Browne did a great live record "Running On Empty" his fith album that details his life on the road; Motels and truck stops, where the road and the sky collide. It's all about railroads and road houses, back roads and the long haul.

This past Saturday I had the privilege to hear Jeremiah and the Red Eyes at the Palms Restaurant in Wonder Valley.

Jeremiah Sammartano, Flagstaff based, Emmy nominated singer/songwriter who fronts the bluesy/Americana and sometimes one-man band, Jeremiah and the Red Eyes, has covered many miles over the past several years. Saturday it was Jeremiah on guitar, kickdrum and vocals and  Angela on fiddle and backing vocals.

I think Jeremiah accurately describes his music as "Delta Blues and Twangy Grooves" and I would only add his is the sound of the road.  

My friend Kevin Bone gave me a hollar in advance that Jeremiah was right up my alley and lord knows he was right.  Tasty slide guitar and Angela's fiddling with some mighty fine road songs made for a great evening of music with friends. Sitting in the back room of the Palms on a dark Saturday night I couldn't help but think how great this would have been on the back patio and when Jeremiah, with Angela on harmonies, closed their first set with Woodie Gutherie's "California Stars" I couldn't have wanted that more.  I've always enjoyed the Wilco - Billy Bragg version off the great album "Mermaid Avenue".

I’d like to rest
My heavy head tonight
On a bed
Of California stars
I’d like to lay
My weary bones tonight
On a bed
Of California stars
I’d love to feel
Your hand touching mine
And tell me why
I must keep working on
Yes, I’d give my life
To lay my head tonight on a bed
Of California stars

I've since listened to all of Jeremiah's music online and a CD order is warranted.  I'm including links to his music so you to can check out some pretty damn good stuff yourself.

I must also mention Grey Hill who always gets the sound just right at the Palms. Its not easy to do that night in and night out but Grey gets it done. 

Band Website 

Band Reverb

Ronnie Ruff

Wonder Valley, California 

Homeless Count Training.

Join the Friends of Wonder Valley for the Homeless Count in Wonder Valley.

The training is from 10-11 a.m., on Thursday, January 16, somewhere in Joshua Tree (TBA).

The actual homeless count takes place on Thursday, January 23rd. We need three people for our team.

If you are interested in joining us in this effort, please call Teresa Sitz at (760)367-9880.

For more information, and to register, go here:
http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/sbchp/community-projects/point-in-time-count/

USDA -- Date Change

NOTE: The date of this event has been changed BACK to Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

The USDA Food Distribution will begin at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon (or when the food runs out) on TUESDAY, January 14, 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.

Get Your Kicks 40 miles south of Route 66

This is how we celebrate a birthday in Wonder Valley!  Our friend Sunny Steven Downer put together this cooler than cosmic capricorn shindig last Saturday night January the 4th.  The party was hosted at the Palms on Route 62 in Wonder Valley only 40 miles south of Route 66.

Jennifer, my beautiful bride, and I arrived a tad before starting time to get a good seat and Laura's special for the night... a fantastic feta, spinach, mozzarella and garlic quesadilla that was sublime. 

Kelly Hake kept us in double shots of Jim Beam all evening so we were in a grooving mood by the time the music started. That's always true of the Palms by the way... groovin' and a double shot.

First up was local singer-songwriter Lauren Downer  with Jimmy Fink on the Rickenbacker bass.  Let me say my favourite songwriters tell stories with their songs and Jimmy's songs about his hometown Chico California and lost love were warm and engaging, his voice and guitar playing a joy to experience.  See him around our desert music community when you can!

Next up on this winter evening was JJ Jones of the Needs.  JJ is a great guitarist and writes some great songs.  I was thinking just recently that I rarely hear protest songs anymore, JJ came through to address my jonsin' for the protest tune!  Not only that but hell, teamed with Nicci Carrannante to do one of my favorite John Prine tunes "In Spite Of Ourselves".  You can catch that further down.

Next up was the birthday boy's band Be Ja who got a cosmic groove going. Nothing is really more cosmic than a good George Harrison cover and Be Jah delivered the chill vibe.  Performing with Be Jah were Jimi Fink, Jessica Berryhill, Loren Downer and Michael Perez.

There is not much better in my opinion than hanging with friends at the Palms but all good nights must come to an end and tonight ended for us with more great bands to follow. As I get older the limits of age keep me from finishing many a great lineup. I'm going to try again soon to see Victoria Williams, it's been too long. Happy Birthday Sunny Steven Downer, keep up the fight pal!

Ronnie Ruff

Wonder Valley, California 

Jeremiah and the Red Eyes

From 6 - 9 p.m., on Saturday, January 11th, 

Angela and I will be out in Wonder Valley to play at The Palms.

It's all part of our California desert adventure weekend. 

There's no cover and tips will be greatly appreciated. 

So come on out to the high desert if you can!

Happy New Year All!

I am going to have a community meeting on January 29th at 1100 hours.  Captain Newport and Lieutenant Niles from the Morongo Station, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, will be in attendance.  I am also hoping to have a full update regarding all the work Frontier Communications has done in the community.    

Desert Trail Column - January 2, 2020

Ryan Brown was the special guest speaker last Sunday at Wonder Valley Community Church, 82575 Amboy Road at Kuhns Road. His sermon was interesting and enjoyed by all. Thank you, Ryan!

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery, 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road, will hold an Artists Reception on Saturday, January 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. for artists Joel Daavid and Jullian Sandell. Music will be provided by Mark and Friends. This show will run through January 26. For further information, call Laurel at 760-367-3807.

Our Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, has been closed for the holidays. It will reopen on Monday, January 6 at 9 a.m.

We send out Rainbows-of-Turquoise-and-Narcissus to Kip Fjeld who celebrates his special day this week. Happy birthday, Kip!

Karen’s Commentary: A few weeks ago, I noticed that a huge dumpster had magically appeared by our (unfortunately) closed Wonder Valley Fire Department. This was not good. The next day and the day after that there were uniformed worker bees emptying out the housing area and the old station itself. After going home and taking some nausea pills, I avoided looking in that direction. What a sad, sad state of affairs.

Darlene’s Commentary: I had a good Ho-Ho-Ho and a good drenching! Luckily, I have a nice stack of firewood, and most of it is covered. Now things will be much easier – I just hope those windstorms will settle down, especially when the thermometer tiptoes toward 32 degrees! I have a feeling that Mother Nature is making plans for a spectacular bloom again. I can see tiny green shoots already!

Morongo Basin Transit Authority’s Ready Ride is available in Wonder Valley on Tuesdays, Fridays and the first Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays. They will transport you to and from any business in Twentynine Palms, but not on Base. On Tuesdays and Fridays, pick up at your residence is at 7 a.m. and return is at noon; on first Wednesdays, pickup is at 7 a.m. and return is at 1 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $2 for disabled or seniors 60 and older. Call 760-366-2395 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday to schedule rides. You must call by 6:30 p.m. the day prior to your desired date.

Handy Hint: MilitaryBenefits.info lists hundreds of companies that offer discounts to veterans. Discounts range from $500 off an eligible new Ford vehicle to 10 percent off at some Burger King locations.

Today’s Thought: “No time for your health today will result in no health for your time tomorrow.” – Irish Proverb

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