Desert Trail column, November 26, 2015

Darlene’s Commentary: No matter how much I save during the year for Christmas gifts, I find myself having to stretch my budget so far that you can almost see right through it! Many of us live on fixed incomes (including me) so instead of fretting about lack of money, I have hatched up some great ideas to celebrate the holidays without going bankrupt. WARNING:  Most of these ideas require a compliant and agreeable family with a sense of adventure and the will to stick with the program.

Idea #1: “Treasure Hunt.”
Everyone must shop for gifts at thrift stores and garage sales – no gifts to be purchased at a retail store. This includes the kids, too. And, to be really thrifty, set an amount to spend on the adults, double that amount for the kids.

Idea #2: “Christmas in January.”
No one shops for gifts until December 26. The family must promise to enjoy the holidays, honor the real meaning of the season, but no shopping until December 26. You’ll find that your budget will buy twice as much. Presents are opened on January 25.

Idea #3:  “Drawing Names.”
Slips of paper containing the names of all the family members are put into a container, then each family member draws a name and buys a gift for that person only. Monetary limits can be set.

And, there's always coal.

Karen’s Commentary: My husband Ted and I went to The Palms for dinner last week, and were pleasantly surprised. The inside has been “spiffied” up with new decorative touches and organization, not to mention a cozy heating stove and a lot more light coming in. We met the new (to us) bartender Matt who is a very personable and friendly guy, and Laura served up a delicious meal, as usual! Teresa, our local Basinwide MAC representative, can be found here almost every Sunday from 9 to noon, enjoying breakfast and talking to anyone with concerns or questions about Wonder Valley. Call 760-361-2810 for hours or information.

Palms Restaurant, 83131 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA 92277

The new Godwin Christian Fellowship Church building on Godwin Road is finally going up! After so many delays and setbacks, there is now noticeable progress being made each day. For information about Godwin Christian Fellowship Church or about the Home Group meetings every Sunday, call Pastor Max Rossi at 831-234-6848.

Handy Hint: Before using harsh chemicals to unclog a drain, try dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Thought for Today: What do you get when you cross a rabbit with the Internet? A harenet.

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

Bullion Mountain, Wonder Valley, Photo: TSS

The circus is back in town

Ramos Brothers Circus winters in Wonder Valley, usually showing up sometime in November. They park on land behind the new Godwin Fellowship Church, on Godwin, near Highway 62. They are a small animal circus, featuring acts with trained poodles. They also have horses, camels, zebras, and llamas - all rescues. That said, if you'd like to collect horse manure for your garden they have plenty for the taking. Just stop on by and bring a shovel!

Glass Outhouse Student Art Show December 5

The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery once again hosts the student art exhibits for middle and high school students (including home school students). Art work will be accepted at the gallery from December 1 - 5 from 1-5 p.m., or call 760-367-3807. The opening reception is December 5 from 1 - 5 p.m. and most, if not all, the art is for sale. Miri Hunter will provide live music at the reception.

The Glass Outhouse Gallery is located at 77575 Highway 62, Wonder Valley.

We picked up a couple of nice pieces last year at very reasonable prices. (The show is not as competitive as I've made it out to be - just had too much fun making this graphic.)

Afterwards, toodle over to Copper Mountain College for their $49 Buck Art Sale to fund raise for student scholarships. Every artwork sells for $49 and you won't know which artist created it until after you've paid for it. It's at the Bell Center on the campus - first building on the left. The sale takes place the same day, December 5 starting at 4 p.m. Wonder Valley's own Cathy Allen, an art instructor at CMC, is directing the show.

Desert Trail Column, November 19, 2015

We send out Rainbows-of-Topaz-and-Chrysanthemums to Sharon Fangmeyer who celebrates her special day this week. Happy birthday, Sharon!

We also send out best wishes to Bill and Sherry Hague who celebrate their anniversary this week. We hope your special day is the greatest!

Karen’s Commentary: I am doomed for an entire year. My husband Ted put together eight entries for the Weed Show and came home with two first places, one second place and one honorable mention! And, to top that off, his picture then appeared on the front page of The Desert Trail! Aside from putting up with his puffed-up chest (and head), I have to endure the I-told-you-so attitude because of my pooh-poohing one of his entries that ended up earning a blue ribbon! Oh, my. Actually, I’m very proud of him. He begins each October sleeping, eating, breathing and living WEED SHOW – and this is one of the years that it paid off.

Darlene’s Commentary: Here come the holidays! Just when you start thinking all will be calm and well-organized this time, WHOOSH! With no warning, your clocks seem to pick up speed, whirring around in a blur. Somewhere along the line there are hasty trips to town, the faint sound of caroling and jingle bells, colorful lights blinking as I whiz by like a honeybee, searching store to store for affordable nectar. Then WHOOSH! Dreams of cash register receipts floating in the air like a winter snowstorm – “expect intermittent wrapping paper and ribbon flurries throughout the day, ending with a nice carpet of presents underneath the trees!” Then WHOOSH! The smells of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie, the sounds of happy children and exhausted adults, and another wonderful Christmas season is over, with the clocks ticking normally once again.

We would like to tell our firefighters at Wonder Valley Fire Station #45 how much we appreciate them being here for us. While we parcel owners are in the midst of trying to figure out how to pay for the future operation of our fire service, it’s easy to forget that these men and women are still here day in and day out, responding to medical aids, traffic collisions and fires. Thank you.

Handy Hint: Drying laundry on a clothesline is good for the environment, much cheaper than running a dryer and easier on the fabrics, making your clothes last longer and look better. As a bonus, sunlight kills many odor-causing bacteria so clothes will smell fabulous without having to buy expensive products that promise “air-dried freshness.”

Thought for Today: There are approximately 1,750 O’s floating around in each 15-ounce can of Spaghetti-Os.

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

2nd Round of BLM WEMO Proposals

Poleline Road, Wonder Valley, with illegal incursions into Cleghorn Lake Wilderness Area

PUBLIC MEETING ON THE BLM’S PROPOSAL 

TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE ORV ROUTES IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Saturday, December 5, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Community United Methodist Church,

6213 East Parkway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

[My note: Yep, we need to go through this for a 2nd round. Please don't give up now. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend.]

The ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSIBLE RECREATION
will be hosting an informational workshop to discuss the proposal by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to dramatically increase access for off-road vehicles in our rural communities, allowing ORVs to ride on our public roads, private property and public lands. Law enforcement is unable to deal with existing problems with ORV trespass, and the BLM wants to double the mileage of ORV routes in our communities.

The meeting will feature a detailed explanation of the BLM’s Western Mohave (WEMO) Route Management Plan, maps of the network of proposed ORV routes in the Morongo Basin, and an opportunity for the public submit comments on the plan.

WHEN: Saturday, December 5th, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Community United Methodist Church, 6213 East Parkway in Joshua Tree (4 blocks north on Park Blvd. from Highway 62.)

For more information, please visit to www.orvwatch.com
Sponsored by The Alliance for Responsible Recreation, Community ORV Watch, Morongo Basin Conservation Association, Friends of Juniper Flats, Western San Bernardino Homeowners Association, Sierra Club (partial list).

REFERENCES:
BLM West Mojave (WEMO) Route Network Project, Pat Flanagan, May 23, 2015, Wonder Valley
http://bit.ly/wemopp

BLM's West Mojave (WEMO) Route Network Project and Plan Amendment 
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd/west_mojave__wemo.html

Photo: Pole Line Road to the north of Shadow Mountain Road in Wonder Valley, one of many ad hoc entrances to the Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness Area. 34.209078, -115.835102
Though the photo is from Wonder Valley, the BLM's WEMO plan will affect everyone in the entire Morongo Basin.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1044105502306736/

Still up at the Glass Outhouse Gallery

If you missed the opening reception on November 7 you still have another week or two to catch the spectacular art at the Glass Outhouse Gallery.

Lorelie and David Greene of Wonder Valley shared their stutter stop photography.

Perry Hoffman, the owner of Tile House in Wonder Valley shared paintings

of the Buddha and a mail art show.

Tom Carvelles of Yucca Valley shared paintings of fantasy landscapes,
many with a desert theme. 

New church is coming right along

The new church near the corner of Godwin Road and Highway 62 is coming right along. The new building will house the Godwin Christian Fellowship and is across the road from the Wonder Valley Thrift Store which partly funds these efforts.

Visit the WV Thrift Store on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/WonderValleyThriftStore/info/