Gabriel Hart is a journalist and author from Morongo Valley, CA.

Groundwork Arts Director Rhonda Coleman discusses connecting artists with students

On last Friday’s Up-Close Show, host Gary Daigneault spoke to special guest Rhonda Coleman, Director of Groundwork Arts, a local organization whose mission is to ensure students, their families, and teachers have equitable access to the arts. As Daigneault and Coleman discussed where she sees herself in the context of Groundworks, Coleman explained how she sees her role as a “connector” between students and artists. Rhonda Coleman “We are obviously rich with artists, performers, writers,…

29 Palms Book Festival announces programs for 2024 event

Last Thursday, The organizers of the 29 Palms Book Festival unveiled their highly anticipated 2024 program at a launch party hosted at the historic Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms. Scheduled to take place across four downtown locations on November 8 and 9, the 2024 edition of the festival anticipates a turnout of 500 visitors, including reading enthusiasts, acclaimed authors, guest speakers, and journalists. Highlights of the festival include: Diverse…

Actor Christian Camargo teaches free acting workshop this Saturday at Furstwurld in Joshua Tree

Our local veteran outreach non-profit Mil-Tree will be holding a free acting workshop this Saturday, February 10th at Furstwurld from noon to 4 PM as part of their expansive Tapestries of Transformation project. Christian Camargo Graduating from the Juilliard School of Drama, Camargo has worked both in front and behind camera as well as stage. As one of the foremost practitioners of Shakespeare, Camargo became a founding company member of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London with vast…

29 Palms Book Festival Pre-Fest launch party this Thursday at The Old Schoolhouse Museum

The 29 Palms Book Fest is getting a nine-month head start, with a special launch party for the fest’s promotional rollout this Thursday, February 8th at the Old Schoolhouse Museum. The 29 Palms Book Festival presents “Never Underestimate the Desert,” an informative live discussion about stories only the desert can tell—and not only from a human perspective. Leading the public discussion will be Alicia Pike, a passionate advocate of nature and philosophy, as well as a guide for the Mojave…

Yucca Valley Elementary receives ‘Golden Bell Award’ for their outdoor classroom project

Yucca Valley Elementary was one of six San Bernardino County Schools to receive the Golden Bell Award at SBCSBA Annual Meeting on January 29th. Now in its 44th year, CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards recognizes outstanding program and governance practices in California school districts and county education offices. The awards ceremony, held at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino, showcased exemplary programs of each award-winning district. Yucca Valley Elementary received the 2023…

Supervisor Rowe talks Sunfair Park renovations

On last week’s Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault spoke with San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dawn Rowe about big improvements coming to Joshua Tree’s Sunfair Park from a recent Cal-Trans grant as well as improvements coming to Section 6 Desert View Conservation Area from the Wildlife Conservation Board. Rowe said, “It was $3.74 million that Cal-Trans has passed through to the county for CSA 20 which is Sunburst Community Center Park and it's going to have all…

Free drumming workshop in Joshua Tree on Saturday (2/3)

Local veteran outreach non-profit Mil-Tree will be offering a free drumming workshop this Saturday at Furstwurld in Joshua Tree, as part of their expansive Tapestries of Transformation project. Drumming instructor Tyler Saraca has been an active touring and session drummer for the past 20+ years, striving to dive deeper into the world of rhythm. After falling in love with the hi-desert, Saraca relocated to Joshua Tree in 2013 and has been immersed in the vibrant creative scene ever since. He…

MVCSD Discusses monthly public ‘Meet and Greets’ and interview process for new General Manager

Last night, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors held a special meeting in Covington Park’s multipurpose room at 6 PM. While not one community member showed up to this last-minute special meeting, the first item on the agenda was to discuss a regular “meet and greet” between the board and the public. These gatherings would be a more relaxed way for community members to ask questions or to voice concerns outside of the regular three minutes allotted for public…

MVCSD holds special meeting tonight in Covington Park

The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will be holding a special 6PM meeting tonight in Covington Park’s multipurpose room. For the special meeting’s agenda, Board members will discuss hosting a meet and greet event between the Board and the public, an idea proposed by Fire Commissioner Lance Fisher. Regarding the search for a new General Manager, Board members will then discuss how to proceed with interviews, submitted resumes, and questions to be asked during the…

Mil-Tree’s “Live from Joshua Tree” raises $9000 for local veteran outreach

Last Saturday’s annual Live from Joshua Tree spoken word event performed to a sold-out crowd of nearly 300 attendees the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, with all proceeds benefiting local veteran outreach non-profit Mil-Tree. Mil Tree Founder Cheryl MontellePhoto Credit: Gabriel Hart Now in its 17th year, Mil-Tree’s Live from Joshua Tree displayed some of the Morongo Basin’s best talent and notorious personalities through desert stories and song, providing a current “who’s who” of the community…