Lifestream will conduct a community blood drive in Yucca Valley tomorrow at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge from 9 to 1. Donors will receive incentives and Gift of Life Donor Loyalty points. Healthy individuals at least 15 years old may donate blood. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. For more information, call 1-800-777-8844.

With the musical “Seussical” a smash success at Theatre 29, the hard working volunteers’ are looking ahead to their next big show. Auditions for “Anne of Green Gables, The Musical”, will be held tonight…
Theatre 29 and director Kathryn Ferguson have announced that auditions for the heart-warming new musical, “Anne of Green Gables,” will be held 6 p.m. tonight. Thirteen singer/actors are needed for the musical; five girls between the ages of 10 and 14; one boy of the same age; three men, ranging from 20s to 60s; and four women, in their 40s and 50s. Actors should come to the audition at the theater prepared to sing, dance, and read from pre-selected sides. “Anne of Green Gables” will run for five weekends beginning August 24 through September 22. For more information, contact Ferguson at [email protected], or call 760-361-4151.

The Rotary Club of Yucca Valley has announced their lineup of entertainment and activities at this year’s annual 4th of July celebration. At the Yucca Valley High School football field, a community fair will start at 5 p.m., with craft and food booths, kids’ games, glow items and of fun for all ages. Music will be provided by Z107.7 Mobile DJ. Starting at 6, the entertainment stage includes the Star Twirlers Square Dancers, and rocking sound of “Moosetraks.” Then the dance team from Starlite Dance Studio, followed by the Joel Daniel the rock bagpiper. Town favorite Kristina Quigley-Ban will take the stage to perform some favorites and the National Anthem. The Twentynine Palms Marine Base is supporting the Yucca Valley event with a large military equipment display and the Boys and Girls Club will be providing fun kids games throughout the evening. The spectacular Fireworks Display, the biggest ever in Yucca valley, will start at 9:15 for the entire West end of the Morongo basin to enjoy. Media sponsors for the event are Z107-7 and Hi-Desert Publishing Company. For information call 760-365-1988.

With the 4th of July holiday this week, many of us will be getting food ready for family picnics and backyard barbeques. Reporter Sara Snyder has some food preparation safety tips…
It’s close to summer, the traditional time of picnics by the pool, up in the national park, or in the back yard. The smell of hot dogs and burgers is sizzling on the grill, potato salad, chips, dips, all the summer treats. But if you’re not careful, those outdoor feasts could ignite some serious intestinal fireworks – and even land you in the emergency room. Experts say that over 100 million people in the U.S. will contract food poisoning every year. But there are some simple things that can keep you and your family safe. Make sure you wash your hands before handling food. Store raw meats away from other foods, below 40 degrees. Thaw frozen foods in the fridge, not on the counter top, clean grills and utensils before cooking and make sure food is cooked to proper temperatures. Simple steps, but steps than can prevent you and your family from hours or days of misery or hospitalization.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department reminds residents that possession of any type of fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks, is against the law. On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more fires than any other cause. With San Bernardino County facing a dangerous wildfire season, county fire departments are increasing their vigilance in enforcing state and county fireworks laws to protect public health and safety. In the event that a fire occurs due to fireworks, those responsible for the fireworks are likely to face criminal charges and be held liable for damages. Fire officials will be issuing citations for the illegal use of fireworks, with fines up to $1,250 for the first offense, and property owners may be cited for allowing fireworks to be stored or used on their property.

Even though a transitional Kindergarten program is set to go here in our area, school district officials have the program on hold while they wait for a green light from the state. Reporter Dan Stork has the latest…
The Morongo Unified School District is ready to implement Transitional Kindergarten for the coming school year, but is waiting for assurance of support from the state. Governor Jerry Brown wanted to eliminate the new program statewide, but the Legislature wants to keep it in the budget. Transitional kindergarten is an optional program that will provide up to a year of school before kindergarten. It is aimed at children who would have been eligible for conventional kindergarten, under old 5th-birthday cut-off rules, but who will miss eligibility under new rules. Assistant Superintendent Tom Baumgarten estimates the rule change translates into 45, 113, and 180 children in the Morongo Unified School District who are likely to enter transitional kindergarten in the next three years, as the age cut-off date is moved back one month each year. Baumgarten told Z107.7 that classroom space and furniture have been set aside, but teachers will not be hired until the state is definite about funding the program. Transitional kindergarten classes will initially be only offered at Twentynine Palms Elementary School and Yucca Valley Elementary School. Bus transportation will continue to be provided for conventional kindergarten, but not for transitional kindergarten; parents will have to provide transportation.

Four teen-age boys are suspects in about 150 burglaries in Yucca Valley over the past six months. According to Detective Jennifer Wood at the Sheriff’s Department, deputies located a stolen BMW Thursday morning that was driven by a 14-year-old boy, with a 13-year-old boy as a passenger. During the course of the investigation, deputies determined that the boys were responsible for stealing property from five unlocked vehicles, and vandalizing two others, in the 57000 block of St. Mary’s Drive in Yucca Valley last Wednesday evening. In addition, two other juvenile boys, 14, and 17 years old, were identified as being involved in the residential and vehicle burglaries. During a search of one of the boys’ homes, deputies found two .22-caliber rifles, a shotgun, and a Marine Corps sword, which all had recently been stolen during a residential burglary in Yucca Valley. Detectives believe the boys may be responsible for as many as 150 thefts from unlocked vehicles and residences in Yucca Valley since the beginning of the year. Anyone with information about these thefts should call the Sheriff’s Department at 760-366-4175 or 888-78-CRIME.

Lifestream will conduct a community blood drive in Yucca Valley Tuesday, July 3. Blood donations will be taken at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge, 55946 Yucca Valley Trail, from 9 to 1. Donors will receive a coupon for a free small, yogurt at Utopia Yogurt, and receive Gift of Life Donor Loyalty points. Healthy individuals at least 15 years old may donate blood. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. For more information, call 800-777-8844.

Buses for the Morongo Basin Transit Authority will not be running Wednesday in observance of Independence Day. MBTA buses will resume their regularly scheduled service on Thursday, July 5.

The volunteers at Theatre 29 are getting ready for the next presentation at the John Calveri theatre. Reporter Corissa Evans puts out the casting call for “Anne of Green Gables”…
Theatre 29 will be holding auditions for “Anne of Green Gables the Musical” on Monday July 2 at six p.m. at Theatre 29 across from Barr Lumber in Twentynine Palms. Based on the children’s novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery; the story follows the misadventures of a fiery red-headed independent orphan who is sent to live with a farmer and his sister who believed they had adopted a boy. Director Kathryn Ferguson is seeking a cast of 13 for this production. Please arrive prepared with your own music, for a cold reading, and be dressed to move around. For more information, contact the director, Kathryn Ferguson at [email protected] or call the Box Office at (760) 361-4151.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department reminds residents that possession of any type of fireworks, including so called “safe and sane” fireworks, is against the law. On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more fires than any other cause. With San Bernardino County facing a dangerous wildfire season, county fire departments are increasing their vigilance in enforcing state and county fireworks laws to protect public health and safety. In the event that a fire occurs due to fireworks, those responsible for the fireworks are likely to face criminal charges and be held liable for damages. Fire officials will be issuing citations for the illegal use of fireworks, with fines up to $1,250 for the first offense, and property owners may be cited for allowing fireworks to be stored or used on their property.

The free national park pass for military members has proven to be very popular. Ranger Pat Pilcher tells military families how to get theirs, if they haven’t already done so…
To show appreciation for those who serve in the military, Joshua Tree National Park joins other federal agencies in announcing a new, military park pass. The pass is similar to the current annual Interagency Pass except for the price — the military pass is FREE. This new pass is offered to all active duty military members and their dependents. “We all owe a debt to those who sacrifice so much to protect our country,” said Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Mark Butler. “We are proud to recognize these brave men and women.” Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can pick up their pass at park entrance stations or at the Oasis Visitor Center, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, and the Cottonwood Visitor Center. They must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. More information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.

Auditions will be held tonight for the Neil Simon comedy-drama, “Lost in Yonkers,” at Theatre 29. Manager Editor Tami Roleff has the casting call…
Tonight is the night for area actors to audition for Theatre 29’s next production, “Lost in Yonkers,” a comedy-drama by Neil Simon and directed by Rebecca Havely. Auditions will be held at 6:00 at Theatre 29, 73637 Sullivan Road, right around the corner from Barr Lumber. Set in 1942, “Lost in Yonkers” is a coming-of-age story of two young Jewish brothers in Yonkers, who are forced to live with their bitter old Granma Kurnitz for 10 months while their father takes a traveling job to pay off the loan shark that paid for their mother’s funeral. Two of the roles—Aunt Bella and Grandma Kurnitz—have already been cast, but Director Havely is looking for actors for the following roles: Eddie, a father in his mid 30s to 40s; his sons Jay, 15, and Arty, 13; Aunt Gert, a spinster in her 50s or 60s who has a speech impediment; and Uncle Louie, a 45- to 55-year-old small-time gangster who thinks he’s James Cagney. Audition “sides” are available at www.theatre29.org. “Lost in Yonkers” runs from March 9 through April 7, with a Thursday performance March 22, and a Saturday matinee March 31.

The special for Sunday breakfast at the Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars tomorrow from 8 to 11 is chicken-fried steak. And don’t forget Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1. The VFW is located at 6402 Veterans Way in downtown Joshua Tree.

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, February 4. Skip Stanley will be doing the calling. Bob Paull will cue lines at 7:00 PM and between tips

The Quirky comedy, “Jake’s Women” continues its run Friday and Saturday nights at 7 at Theatre 29. Reporter Mike Lipsitz reminds you that there will be a Sunday matinee this weekend…
“Jake’s Women” continues a very successful run at Theatre 29 through February 11. Director Butch Pelfrey and his talented cast are leaving audiences delighted and garnering rave reviews. In “Jake’s Women,” America’s premier comic playwright, Neil Simon, makes another hilarious foray into modern relationships. Jake, a novelist who is more successful with fiction than with real life, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. You can join the fun Friday and Saturday nights at 7 or at a special matinee performance at 2:30 on February 5th. 2012 Season tickets are still available for $68; $56 for seniors and military; and $46 for children and students. Tickets for “Jake’s Women” are $8 to $12, available from the box office during any performance, by phoning 361-4151 or online at theatre29.org.

February 17 is the last day to apply for a Small Business Administration disaster loan to repair or replace property damages caused by high winds between November 30 and December 4 of last year. Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, e-mailing [email protected] or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877 8339. The SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. The deadline to return economic injury applications is September 19, 2012.

A desert conservation organization is having a contest. Report Lenore Roberts issues the notice to desert photographers…
Are you permanently attached to your camera? You’re in luck because Save Our Desert is pleased to announce its first photographic competition! All photographic submissions will be included in an exhibition at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace at Save Our Desert’s Spring Fundraiser on Sunday May 20th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and the winning photos in each section will be printed, framed, and sold to the public to support Save Our Desert, whose mission is to preserve the desert land for future generations. For rules and more information please visit www.saveourdesert.com. The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 30.

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Yucca Valley California Welcome Center is currently exhibiting the works of local artist Scott Monteith, who is known for his vibrant paintings of desert wildlife and watercolor landscapes of the desert Southwest. The CA Welcome Center is located in Yucca Valley at 56711 Hwy 62, and is open Mon- Fri 9am-5pm and Sat & Sun 8am-4:30pm. For info call 760-365-5464 during business hours.

This is the weekend that artist Gosia Wlodarczak is producing her “Frost Drawings for Joshua Tree” at BoxoHOUSE, located at 62732 Sullivan Rd, Joshua Tree. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, you are invited to meet the artist and witness the making of the works, which are created on glass. Between Thursday February 2 and Monday February 6, there also will be spontaneous performances at various sites across the area. To get to BoxoHOUSE, turn south off Route 62 at Whitefeather Road, and turn west on Sullivan Road. This event is the inaugural offering of BoxoPROJECTS residency and programming series.