A meeting of the Cactus Sewables Quilt Guild will take place this Monday, January 9, in the Yucca Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.; meeting begins promptly at 1:00 p.m. Highlight for the afternoon will be the installation of the following officers: Denise Cohen, President; Bonnie Millage, 1st Vice President; Dawn Tonioli, 2nd Vice President; Mary Michaud, Secretary and Carole Swanson, Treasurer.

The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino will distribute surplus food to low-income residents of the Morongo Basin tomorrow Monday, January 9th. The locations and times are: The Church of the Lighted Cross, at 11518 Elbow Lane in Morongo Valley, from 8 to 10; Belfield Hall, on Reche Road in Landers, 8:30 to 10:30; the Community Center in Yucca Valley, 8:30 to 10:30; Copper Mountain Mesa Foundation, 65336 Winter Road in the Copper Mountain area, 9 to 11; The Community Center in Joshua…

In weekend high school sports, the Joshua Springs Christian School basketball teams travel away to Mesa Grande today. The girls' game starts at 6; boys' at 7:30.

The Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars is serving up fish and shrimp tonight from 4 to 6 at its post at 6402 Veterans Way. The special for Sunday breakfast tomorrow from 8 to 11 is chicken fried steak. And don't forget Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1.

The Star Twirlers Square Dance Club is hosting a plus level square dance at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge, located at 55946 Yucca Trail, at 7:30 PM tonight, Saturday, January 7. Bill (Tex) Gipson will be doing the calling. Bob Paull will cue Rounds at 7:00 PM and between tips.

You know that piece of gold jewelry that's been sitting in your dresser drawer for years, that you know you're never going to wear? Managing Editor Tami Roleff will tell you how to convert it to a worthy use... Transform your unwanted gold into a meaningful cause. Soroptimist International of Yucca Valley is sponsoring a fundraiser by collecting gold to benefit local charities that support helping women and girls improve their life. However small the amount, each contribution will help…

The Morongo Basin Democratic Club meets at 2 o'clock this Sunday in the Aztec Mobile Home Park Club House off Church Street in Yucca Valley. This will be a hands-on meeting. Attendees will roll up their sleeves to organize precinct teams, finalize plans for the big March Campaign Kickoff, and participate in a mini-workshop on "fighting falsehoods with facts." Sunday's meeting is open to all registered Democrats, invited guests and others who wish to change party affiliations…

Theatre 29 is starting its 2012 season with two Neil Simon plays. Following upon the opening of "Jake's Women" this Friday will be auditions for "Lost in Yonkers". Reporter Mike Lipsitz puts out the call... Theatre 29 and Director Rebecca Havely announce open auditions for the Neil Simon Comedy/Drama "Lost in Yonkers" for Monday January 16th at 6pm at Theater 29. Set in 1942 in Yonkers, NY, "Lost in Yonkers" is the coming of age story for two Jewish…

A Yucca Valley man is behind bars after a pursuit in the Town Thursday morning. About 7:30, the Town's traffic officer tried to make a traffic stop on Thomas Brown Jr., 31, who was driving a Husqvarna dirt bike on Town streets. Brown, who has a suspended driver's license and multiple convictions for theft, burglary, and drug use, bailed off his bike on Sunnyslope Drive between Palm and Grand Avenues where he was chased down and captured by the deputy. Seven minutes after the chase…

Yesterday we reported that Noelani Valencia Leopoldo, who was born Wednesday at Hi-Desert Medical Center , was the first baby born in the Morongo Basin this year. But the father of a baby born at the Naval Hospital at the Combat Center says his baby entered the world a day earlier. Erik Frederiksen III was born Tuesday, January 3, at 12:45 p.m. to Leanne and Sergeant Erik Frederiksen Jr. of Joshua Tree. Erik Frederiksen III was 8 pounds 6 ounces and 20 and ¾ inches long.