Robert Haydon

Joshua Tree National Park choose 6 for their annual “Artist in Residency” program

July 20, 2024

Mines, historic structures and ‘legacy pollution’ getting cleaned up in Joshua Tree National Park

Six artists have been chosen for Joshua Tree National Park’s 2024-2025 Artist in Residence (AIR) program. Now in its 18th year, the AIR program invites artists from all over the country to live inside the park and use their creativity and time to interpret the park through their unique perspectives and artistic mediums. Of the 6 announced artists, 3 are from California. Emily Veldman is a mixed media painter from Los Angeles, Ken Fandell is a multidimensional artists from LA as well, and Anna…

July is Disability Pride Month, celebrating access for everybody on our public lands

by Robert Haydon

July 18, 2024

July is Disability Pride Month, celebrating access for everybody on our public lands

July is Disability Pride Month - celebrated since 1990 when the American with Disabilities Act or ADA was passed into law which prohibits discrimination based on disability. It’s the "ADA" in ADA compliance - a regulation that creates equal access to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, libraries and government offices. It also extends to all our public lands -like Joshua Tree National Park here in the hi-desert , and state parks like Mount San Jacinto down the hill. That…

Cactus to Clouds closed due to high temps and hiker rescues

by Robert Haydon

July 13, 2024

Free California State Park pass program saved from budget cuts

California State Parks has temporarily closed the popular Skyline Trail, also known as Cactus to Clouds, at Mount San Jacinto State Park due to dangerously high temperatures impacting the Palm Springs region. Recent heat waves have led to multiple rescue operations for hikers suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration on the challenging trail. To protect the safety of both the public and first responders, the trail closed earlier this week and will continue to be closed until further notice.…

Twentynine Palms Senior Center provides cooling and community to those inside

by Robert Haydon

July 12, 2024

Twentynine Palms Senior Center provides cooling and community to those inside

For the last couple weeks the Twentynine Palms Senior Center has been doing double-duty as a “cooling center,” and that only happens when the heat index hovers around above 115 degrees. This last Wednesday by 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we hit that threshold easily. Diane is running the front desk at the senior center, and tells me and a woman named Linda that one of the air conditioners is struggling. Linda: “But it’s nicer in here than it is out there and I am glad you're having air…

Be on the lookout for tortoises seeking shade under your tires

by Robert Haydon

July 11, 2024

Be on the lookout for tortoises seeking shade under your tires

If the sizzling sun has you seeking shade when soaking in the sites and sounds of the summer’s seasonal splendor - then you aren’t alone. The Mojave Desert Tortoise can be a rare site to see out in the open desert, and as summer hits us with hotter daytime temperatures, those tortoises are going to be seeking shelter from the sun - just like us. A car parked in the desert where there isn’t normally shade is an inviting spot for the threatened native species, and even if you’ve left your car for…

Three search & rescues on Sunday highlight importance of being prepared in the hi-desert

by Robert Haydon

July 9, 2024

Three search & rescues on Sunday highlight importance of being prepared in the hi-desert

You’ve heard us and everyone else talk about it - triple digit temps continue to batter the Basin with unrelenting heat during the day, with barely a reprieve at night. The National Weather Service, National Park Service, State and County officials are all warning visitors to desert areas that the intense heat can turn small problems into deadly situations pretty quickly - and three search and rescue operations over the holiday weekend show how fast things can go downhill in extreme…

Campground prices set to increase in Mojave National Preserve, public comments sought

by Robert Haydon

July 9, 2024

Mojave National Preserve requesting public input on road rehab

Four developed campgrounds in the neighboring public lands to the north are slated for a fee increase, and the Mojave National Preserve wants to consider your comments before making the change permanent. This would be the first fee increase in 13 years, and along with a bump in price the preserve aims to move its campground reservation system for the four sites to recreation.gov - the website that most other federal public lands and parks use for their campsites. The Preserve said in their press…

New state law requires certain bars and nightclubs to carry date-rape drug tests

by Robert Haydon

July 3, 2024

New state law requires certain bars and nightclubs to carry date-rape drug tests

Bars and nightclubs in California with a type 48 liquor license are now required to carry date rape drug tests as of July 1st. Assembly Bill 1013 says that bars and nightclubs must have date rape drug test kits on hand for their customers. Date rape drugs are more commonly known as "roofies," and the bill was passed to “protect individuals from being unknowingly drugged or becoming victim to other crimes that often ensue,” according to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage…

Free California State Park pass program saved from budget cuts

by Robert Haydon

June 30, 2024

A popular State Park Library pass program has been saved from being cut due to the budget shortfalls. The California State Library Park Pass needed $6.5 millions dollars to continue its mission of providing free State Park admission passes to every library in the state, including mobile and tribal libraries. The pass - like almost everything you can check out at the library - is free, and provides entrance to over 200 participating state parks. The three-year pilot program began in 2021 and is…

Copper Mountain Mesa Community Potluck tonight at 6PM

by Robert Haydon

June 28, 2024

Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center Potluck today at 6PM

The Copper Mountain Mesa potluck is back tonight at 6pm at the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center. Bring your favorite dish, or something to throw on the grill. This event is BYOB - bring your own beverage - and you can help reduce paper and plastic waste by bringing your own dishes and cutlery and A serving utensil for your dish. As always, donations to the center are greatly appreciated. Come on out to the community event and share stories, pictures, and memories of the Landers…

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