The Ring

I kinda can't believe it took me this long to post this. I saw it while I was driving around on the Highway 62 Art Tour last weekend. It's north of Amboy. I saw it from a distance and was drawn to it. What a lovely and surprising effort out in the middle of nowhere. Many thanks to whoever constructed this delightful artwork.

Shoe commercial in Wonder Valley?

Sometimes we think we're the only rural desert community in the country, or in the Americas, but this does look very much like Wonder Valley.

And who doesn't love watching wacky white people doffing madcap hats and tiaras, purging their psyches through primal antics? They're probably friends from college. And of course they paid for a filming permit, and of course their bikes were street legal and registered.

I like their shoes. I bought a pair once. They were vegan. Vegan shoes. It was a phase.

Where's Heather?

Wonder Valley's own artist, Heather Johnson, is riding her motorcycle to the other end of the Americas. She's made it as far as Lago Titicaca, Copacabana Bolivia. From Heather:

Desert Trail Column, October 29, 2015

The community meeting on October 12 was very interesting and informative, even though the proposed fire tax increase is an upsetting subject. San Bernardino County Fire Division Chief John Chamberlin gave an excellent presentation, explaining what has led up to the need for an increase, and offering to work with us on alternatives. Hopefully, we will be able to arrive at an acceptable solution.

Download the PowerPoint: http://bit.ly/firetaxppt

The Dale Basin Well Owners Association meeting will take place on Sunday, November 1 at our community center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road, at 4 pm. President Clarence Chambers will address the state and water levels of our wells, plus drought and emergency preparedness. Everyone is welcome to attend.

We send out Rainbows-of-Opals-and-Calendulas to Carson Bevins who is celebrating his fourth birthday this week. Happy birthday, Carson!

Karen’s Commentary: First, thanks to our cousin Annie in Phoenix for two big envelopes stuffed with cut-out coupons. Second, my husband Ted and I went to see the Traveling Vietnam Wall, and what an experience it was! I never dreamed it would have such an impact on me as I knew no one who was killed in the Vietnam War. When I got right up next to it, the overwhelming sadness hit me like a ton of bricks, and Ted was just as affected as I was. Cars with the names of all the 9-11 victims on them were there, too. What a fantastic tribute to those who gave everything.

Darlene’s Commentary: The Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours is growing every year, and allows the artists and community to come together in mutual appreciation. What a great idea! I’d love to tell you about the artists and their work, but unfortunately I became ill on Friday, and fearing to spread whatever virus or bug that I’d managed to catch, I decided to stay home. Bummer! When I was home frumping because I had to miss everything, an idea popped into my swollen mind: Wouldn’t our community center be a wonderful place to have a show for local artists to display their work and meet their neighbors? I think so.

If you have a computer and are interested in all things Wonder Valley, go to http://wondervalleycsa.blogspot.com. Teresa and Ken Sitz do a great job of keeping us informed, plus you’ll even get to see an “enhanced” version of our column every week!

Handy Hint: Sprinkle sugar on a soapy sponge to gently wipe away stuck-on food. No scratches!

Thought for Today: You might be surprised to learn that the game of Chinese Checkers isn’t actually Chinese in origin; it was invented in Germany.

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

A reverse sunrise, Wonder Valley. Photo: T Sitz

Wonder Valley Parade of Homes

Model Home in nearby Sudden Valley

Hey, Wonder Valley! Reach Out Morongo Basin is looking for unique and distinctive homes to feature in their February 2016 fundraiser - its 12th annual Parade of Homes. Call Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 today and fill out the application to put your house on the parade.

Ospreys over Wonder Valley

Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were involved in a live fire and maneuver training exercise at the Marine Combat Center last Friday and Saturday.

An osprey flying over a cabin north of Amboy. Photo: T. Sitz

Master Sgt. Joshua T. Laverty, a Tactical Training Exercise Control Group instructor said, "This is their last real training assessment before they deploy and is sometimes the only real training they will get."

Though we have to put up with noise and dust and overhead traffic, understanding that these exercises prepare our young men and women to stay alive helps put things in perspective.

Glass Outhouse Gallery - November 7, 5 p.m.

The Glass Outhouse Gallery presents Wonder Valley artists

Perry Hoffman

Lorelei and David Greene

with live music from 

The Small Wonder Experience

Saturday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. -  9:30 p.m.

Glass Outhouse Art Gallery

77575 Twentynine Palms Highway, Wonder Valley, 92277

Perry Hoffman, of The Tile House, offers the Great Mail Art Postcard Exhibit, of postcards he has solicited from the community and from far and wide.

Lorelei Greene and David Greene features their Stuttershot Photography.

Both artists were recently featured in the Highway 62 Art Tour.