Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut,…

Local author Gabriel Hart discusses new crime novel tonight at Beatnik Lounge 

"You can't teach someone a lesson when they're dead." That's one of the key themes of the new novel from Z107.7 reporter Gabriel Hart. An acclaimed author and resident of Morongo Valley, Hart's new book is called On High at Red Tide, and it's published by Pig Roast Publishing. Hart's book was released earlier this month, and on its publication day he talked about his new work on the Z107.7 Morning Show, saying "I grew up on the cusp of…

Joshua Tree Art Crawl tonight (9/14)

La Matadora Gallery is debuting a new show all about wigs. It's called "Full Frontal" and features the wigs and wig-related art of Bebe McPherson. The gallery also debuts the latest their series of defiled thrift store art. La Matadora will be open from 6 p.m to 9 p.m., and feature an open mic drag show with Lady Chilane. Hey There Projects debutes a new show with Yucca Valley artist Melissa Lakey. Called "Sun Songs," Lakey's drawings and sculpture showcases…

Yucca Valley Aquatics and Recreation Center breaks ground Wednesday

Town, County and State officials gathered yesterday at the future site of Yucca Valley's Aquatics and Recreation Center, the town's largest single infrastructure project in decades. Yucca Valley Town Council Member Jim Schooler discussed the origins of the project, saying "It got started around 10 years ago. I had a conversation with then-Assembly member Chad Mayes, who said he thought we could get some funding for an aquatics center and gymnasium. I moved to Yucca Valley 49 years…

“1969” debuts at Hi-Desert Artists Center, Glass Outhouse reopens

Yucca Valley's newest gallery, Hi-Desert Artists Center, debuts a new show today, and it's perfect for those that lived through the 1960s and those who don't remember living through the 1960s. Called "1969,", the show features Patrick Sasson's psychedelic portraits of legendary musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, and more. There's an opening reception for the show today (September 7) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Shafer…

Lazy Eye Gallery debuts work of Joshua Tree Artist Kristen Jean Wheatley in PLOT

Lazy Eye Gallery debuts the first exhibition of their new season tomorrow afternoon (August 31). The name of the show is "PLOT" and it features the work of Joshua Tree-based artist Kristen Jean Wheatley, who explores movement within systems like water currents and wind patterns. The artist uses string and sculptural elements to ask questions about the movement of resources and information. Lazy Eye Gallery is holding an exhibition for the show Saturday August 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.…

More movie choices return to Morongo Basin since pandemic shutdown

In 2020, the pandemic caused movie theaters across the country to close, and unfortunately many of them did not reopen. The two locations to see new movies on the big screen, Cinema 6 in Yucca Valley and Smith's Ranch Drive-In Theater in Twentynine Palms both closed. In the years since the pandemic began, Smith's Ranch eventually reopened, screening single and double features on the Wednesdays through Fridays just off Adobe Rd. near the Marine Base. As of this week, Yucca Valley's…

Movies return to the big screen in the hi-desert: Yucca Valley Movie Theater reopens

The movie theater in Yucca Valley has officially reopened under new ownership. Paradigm Theaters held a soft opening last night, debuting with one screening each of Deadpool & Wolverine and Alien: Romulus.  The entrance to the theater before the soft opening on Thursday night. In a social media post, the operators announced that last night's soft opening would be followed by an official opening tonight. They stressed that improvements and maintenance work continues on the building,…

Tips for keeping curious black bears from busting up your belongings here in the Hi-Desert

It’s the season for bear encounters around the Morongo Basin. Social media has been flooded with reports of bears breaking into cars, trailers, and yards, and one hiker even had to be rescued at the Mission Creek Preserve near Morongo Valley after fleeing from a bear sighting. Black bears are common in the mountainous areas of the hi-desert, even if we can't see them. We spoke with former Z107.7 deejay Mitchell Schlickenmayer, who is now a preserve ranger at Pioneertown Mountain Preserve…

Hungry desert bears making more frequent appearances around Morongo Basin

It's the season for bear encounters around the Morongo Basin. Social media has been flooded with reports of bears breaking into cars, trailers, and yards, and one hiker even had to be rescued at the Mission Creek Preserve near Morongo Valley after fleeing from a bear sighting. Why are there bears here in the desert? We spoke with former Z107.7 deejay Mitchell Schlickenmeyer, who is now a preserve ranger at Pioneertown Mountain Preserve with the Wildlands Conservancy. Schlickenmeyer said…

29 Queer Film Festival showcasing wide range of films all weekend

A new film festival in Twentynine Palms is showcasing queer voices here in the desert and from around the world. The 1st Annual 29 Queer Film Festival will be taking over Theatre 29 this weekend and feature short films, horror films, and even a superhero film. Founded by Twentynine Palms based filmaker couple Graham Kolbeins and Jonathan Andre Culliton, they say: “There's nothing like this that exists here. There's a community that's striving for representation, they want…