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,…

Foxtails and the damage they can do to the environment and our pets

Listen here: It's spring in the desert, and the flora and fauna are booming here in the Morongo Basin. But there is a particular combination of those two things that don't go together - - small animals and foxtail grass. A common name given to a number of grasses, foxtails are sprouting up in yards, roadsides, and even the National Park. But they shouldn't be. Foxtails in general are invasive, and specific species, the red brome, is particularly present here in the…

“Desert Ecology Trivia” puts a spin on bar trivia tonight at Tiny Pony Tavern

A fun and educational spin on classic bar trivia hits the desert tonight. Tiny Pony Tavern in Yucca Valley is hosting a special, one-night only Desert Ecology Trivia game tonight. Organized by Sarah Witt as a capstone for her naturalist studies at UCR Palm Desert, her Desert Ecology Trivia will feature fun questions about the Morongo Basin, the national park, and the desert environment. Sarah Witt: “This is Desert ecology trivia. We're going to be looking at living and non-living things in…

Z107.7 News recognized at RTNA Golden Mikes

The Z107.7 News Department was recognized over the weekend by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California at the 74th Annual Golden Mike Awards. Z107.7 received two nominations for our reporting in 2023. The first nomination was for Best News Reporting, Radio Division, recognizing Heather Clisby’s coverage of the Twentynine Palms City Council’s dismantling of the Tourism Business Improvement District, and their subsequent reversal of the decision at a later meeting.…

National Trails Hwy connecting Vegas and Morongo Basin reopens

The newly repaired bridge is known as Bridge 70, and it is about a mile east of Saltus Road, east of Amboy. Originally built in 1930, it is a wooden trestle bridge used as part of National Trails Highway, which was once part of Route 66. Damage to its its load-bearing wooden components was discovered during a routine inspection by California's state roadway authority, CalTrans, and the bridge was closed immediately on February 15. The wooden components were showing signs of major decay due…

Twentynine Palms Farmers Market Permit Renewed

The Twentynine Palms Farmers Market’s permit was reapproved by the city’s Planning Commission. The permit, which was up for renewal, was the subject of a public hearing at last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. Minor controversies facing the Farmer’s Market, including trash, business permit approvals, and fees, were addressed prior to last night’s meeting between the operator of the farmers market, Roger Thomas, and city staff. These changes including a $50 per day use…

Twentynine Palms Farmer’s Market sole focus of 3/19 TPPC meeting

The Twentynine Palms Farmer's Market will be the focus of tomorrow’s meeting (March 19) of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. The meeting has only one agenda item: a public hearing on a resolution regarding the continuance of the farmers market, which is held each Saturday morning at Freedom Plaza off Twentynine Palms Highway near Adobe Road. The resolution will adjust regulations regarding trash and litter control, improve access to those with disabilities, give city officials…

Wildflower season brings colorful blooms and curious visitors to the hi-desert

Wildflower season is one of the most stunning times here in the hi-desert, and everybody knows it. Locals wait with bated-breath for our expansive earthy vistas to pop with yellow, orange and purple punctuation, and once the word is out on social media, everyone else comes to the Morongo Basin to catch a glimpse. Though this year's bloom isn't expected to achieve the spectacular highs of previous years, any desert bloom is enough to dazzle. And, as long as everybody folows the ground…

Yucca Valley 3rd Saturdays Art Walk today

The Yucca Valley Art Walk features the many galleries of Yucca Valley and Pioneer Town opening their doors to the public, with many debuting new work or new shows. Space Truckin' Gallery is debuting a solo show from long-time local artist Kat Johnson. Titled "Welcome to the Fun House," Johnson's assemblage sculptures and wall pieces full of curio objects will debut with an opening tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Goat Mountain Co. has invited a number of hi-deset artists to make…

About Tripod, the iconic three-legged Twentynine Palms coyote

Listen here: Tripod is the beloved, and some might even say iconic three-legged coyote spotted frequently in Twentynine Palms, and even as part of a mural on the side of one local business. Though coyotes have a fearsome reputation as high-desert predators, the sight of a wounded coyote hobbling through desert brush or down a driveway is more likely to inspire sympathy than strike terror. And though Tripod has become something of an institution over the last several years, he still faces one…

Review: Final weekend of “Man of La Mancha” bursts through the darkness!

I had the pleasure of attending the gala opening night of Theatre 29’s production of “Man of La Mancha.” Gary Daigneault, the director of the program and owner of this radio station, asked that I submit my review of the show, which is as follows. Having no familiarity with the 20th century musical by Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh, and Joe Darion, nor the 17th century Cervantes novel that serves as source material, I can say that I was surprisingly delighted by the Theatre 29’s production of…