Robert Haydon

“Stuff the Bus” Toy Drive happening all day at Yucca Valley Walmart

December 2, 2023

“Stuff the Bus” Toy Drive happening all day at Yucca Valley Walmart

If you are out today doing some holiday shopping - as most are every weekend in December - swing by the Yucca Valley Walmart where Basin Transit has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club to fill a bus with new toys for families who are feeling the financial pinch this year. New unwrapped toys will go a long way in helping Morongo Basin families make Christmas morning extra special for kids - and all donations received will benefit those families through the Boys and Girls Club of the Hi…

Death Valley’s roads are reopening, making it easier to explore the National Park currently in rare form

by Robert Haydon

December 2, 2023

Death Valley’s roads are reopening, making it easier to explore the National Park currently in rare form

Our Public Lands to the north have had a long year of recovery and repair from multiple events in 2023. As we slip back into colder weather, its a reminder of the winter storms last year that shut down roads and towns in the San Bernardino mountains, and the subsequent melt, heavy rains and a certain tropical storm washed out roads here in the hi-desert, and down the hill in Palm Springs. It also did a doozy on Death Valley National Park, which saw unprecedented amounts of rain and weather for a…

Morongo Basin Conservation’s Desert Wise landscape videos showcase California’s unique native biodiversity

by Robert Haydon

December 2, 2023

Morongo Basin Conservation’s Desert Wise landscape videos showcase California’s unique native biodiversity

If colder weather and shorter days can get you a little down, the Morongo basin Conservation Association has released a few videos that may help brighten your mood and have you looking forward to spring planting season. Their 2023 Desert Wise Living Landscape tour videos are up on their YouTube page, and amongst other topics, they will give you a tour of the MDLT’s seed bank, provide you with tips for using the ubiquitous desert boulder for landscaping, as well as show off native plants and…

Reach Out Morongo Basin seeking one more desert dwelling for 2024 Parade of Homes

by Robert Haydon

December 2, 2023

Reach Out Morongo Basin takes 60 seniors out to lunch

The 2024 Parade of Homes fundraiser is seeking out an additional participant to join the 4 unique desert dwellings already on the list. Reach Out Morongo Basin is putting on the event on February 18th next year - and the long-running event has had supporters of the non-profit open their homes to curious visitors, raising thousands of dollars in ticket sales and sponsorships for support services that Reach Out Morongo Basin provides to senior and disabled residents of the Morongo Basin. Those…

Morongo Basin Healthcare District offering AIDS tests and awareness on World AIDS Day

by Robert Haydon

December 1, 2023

Morongo Basin Healthcare District offering AIDS tests and awareness on World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day - an annual event that serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma.The first World AIDS day took place in 1988 - making this the 35th year of commemorating the epidemic that became prominent in the 80's and hit a peak in 1995 - before treatment and awareness caused infection rates to begin to drop. This year’s theme is “Remember and Commit” - and the Morongo Basin Healthcare District will be at the Yucca Valley Walmart today from 10AM…

NPS and U.S. Forest Service seeking public’s input on climbing activities on public lands

by Robert Haydon

November 30, 2023

Listen here: The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service are seeking public input on proposed guidance that would help the agencies in managing climbing opportunities in national forests, grasslands and parks. The climbing activities covered include not only rock climbing, but snow and ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, and caving. All of these are popular in National Parks - especially Joshua Tree National Park which is a climbing and bouldering destination. Some of the items…

Holiday cheer and Christmas lights brighten Yucca Valley at annual tree lighting

by Robert Haydon

November 29, 2023

Holiday cheer and Christmas lights brighten Yucca Valley at annual tree lighting

Listen here: It was a cold but clear night at the Yucca Valley Library where hundreds of people got together for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. Mayor Dennison greeted the crowd at around 5:30, and the Yucca Valley Youth Commission was handing out coffee, cocoa and candy while kids lined up to visit and take a picture with the guest of honor - Santa Claus. The line to see the jolly elf curved like a candy cane around the library parking lot where kids and their parents patiently…

Freezing temps are here: winterizing your swamp cooler can help you keep in the heat

by Robert Haydon

November 28, 2023

Freezing temps are here: winterizing your swamp cooler can help you keep in the heat

The National Weather Service gave the Morongo Basin its first freeze warning on Sunday morning (November 26.) With temperatures dropping below 32 degree Fahrenheit, it’s a good time to think about preparing your house for winter, especially if you are one of the many homes that run a swamp cooler. If this was your first summer with a swamp cooler, you were probably pretty pleased with how cool they can get your house, at least on low-humidity days. Unlike air conditioners which use a sealed…

Thanksgiving Food Baskets being distributed today at the Way Station in Joshua Tree

by Robert Haydon

November 21, 2023

Today starting at 8AM the Way Station in Joshua Tree is giving away Thanksgiving baskets to those in need. Yvonne Gates is the director of the way station - a food pantry and soup kitchen right here in Joshua Tree that’s been helping feed folks here in the Morongo Basin for 38 years: Yvonne Gates: “Each guest will receive celery, onions, yams and potatoes. All of that product is fresh… they will have their choice of a ham or turkey. To round out the food box, there will be stuffing, mashed…

Basin Transit and Way Station team up to make sure no family goes hungry on Thanksgiving

by Robert Haydon

November 19, 2023

Listen here: This last Friday Basin Transit teamed up with the Way Station in Joshua Tree to try and fill a Basin Transit bus up with food for families who are feeling the pinch this year. From 7AM to 7PM, volunteers from both organizations were at the main entrances of the Yucca Valley Wal-Mart, collecting stuffing, veggies, cranberries, marshmallows, rolls, turkey, hams and more. Michal Brock is the Office Manager from Basin Transit was there bright and early and she was already excited…

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