Theatre 29 is looking for backstage volunteers. A backstage recruitment will be held tonight during auditions for Lost in Yonkers.” Reporter Mike Lipsitz says everything from set builders and painters to costumers and assistants are being sought…
Theatre 29 will hold a special open house event for anyone who would like to join the backstage production crew building sets and props, costuming, helping with scenery transitions, running sound and lights, and more. Theatre 29 has an ambitious nine show schedule for 2012. Anyone wishing to help the all volunteer community theater organization should meet at the theater located on the corner of Adobe and Sullivan Road in Twentynine Palms at 6 pm on Monday, January 16th. All ages are welcome. Auditions for “Lost in Yonkers” are also being held that same evening in another area of the theater. Experienced backstage crew members, lighting and sound techs, set builders, and directors will hold an orientation for those unfamiliar with backstage traditions and practices. If you’ve ever thought it might be fun to paint scenery, build sets or help during shows, unseen by the audience, this is a great opportunity.

Cal fire is suspending burning permits on all state responsibility lands within Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. This is being done because of the continued extreme weather conditions and the acute dryness of the vegetation due to the lack of rain, which creates a high potential for wildland fire. The burn suspension took effect Friday, January 13, and is effective except in incorporated cities. Also, the use of campfires is restricted to campfire facilities located within established campgrounds that are open to the public. Homeowner’s responsibility is the key to fire safety. For ideas on hardening your homes and property by making them fire resistive go to Readyforwildfire.org.

The Department of Defense is seeking to dramatically reduced it’s 4 billion dollar a year energy bill and make it’s bases less dependant on the commercial electricity grid. Reporter Dan Stork says a recent story in the Desert Sun newspaper outlined some of the plans that will affect our own 29 Palms Marine Base…
The Department of Defense (DoD) could generate 7,000 megawatts of solar energy¬equivalent to the output of seven nuclear power plants¬on four military bases located in the California desert, according to a study released Friday. The study finds that, even though 96 percent of the surface area of the nine bases studied in California and Nevada is unsuited for solar development because of military use, endangered species and other factors, the solar-compatible area is nevertheless large enough to generate more than 30 times the electricity consumed by the California bases, or about 25 percent of the renewable energy that the State of California is requiring utilities to use by 2015.

Of the estimated 50,000 acres that are deemed suitable or even “questionably suitable” for solar development at Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake, Fort Irwin, and the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, only 553 acres are at MCGACC. Jim Ricker, assistant chief of staff at MCAGCC’s Community Plans Liaison Office, as quoted in the Desert Sun, said, “We are looking to do a private-party venture for a photovoltaic solar field in the near future”.

A Twentynine Palms man is behind bars today, accused of transporting a controlled substance. A traffic stop about 10:30 Thursday morning near the intersection of Sunnyslope Drive and Mesquite Springs Road in Twentynine Palms ended in the arrest of Charles Newland, 25. Charles Newland was arrested for investigation of transporting a controlled substance, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $100,000.

Eight people were injured Sunday morning in a two-car collision on Highway 62 at Dillon Road in North Palm Springs. The crash occurred at about 11:05 a.m. Emergency crews had to cut one victim from a car, said Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Cheri Patterson. Eight people were taken to a hospital, two including a pediatric patient in critical condition, two with moderate injuries and four with minor injuries, said Patterson. The northbound lanes of Highway 62 were blocked briefly. The crash is under investigation. Names of the injured were not released.

A domestic dispute resulted in the arrest of a Twentynine Palms man. According to the Sheriff’s department, Dion Bell, 34, didn’t want his wife driving her car, so he rear ended her car several times with his car to get her to stop. Inside the car with his wife were his three children. Dion Bell was arrested for assault with a weapon and cite released.

With six homes signed on for the upcoming Parade of Homes officials at Reach Out Morongo Basin are looking forward to the best event ever! As the largest fundraiser of the year for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program all proceeds go to help senior and disabled persons throughout the Morongo Basin. Tickets are $25 and include tours of each home and a lunch stop at the Park Rock Cafe with live music by Ramblin’ George. Homes to be featured in Twentynine palms include the estate of Liz Hatch Meyer on Sunrise Road south of Two Mile Road, the Singing Sands Adobe owned by Bud and Nicki Camp of 29 Palm. Yucca Valley will be represented by Casa de Cielo owned by Shelley Currie and Forest C. Dobson, Rancho del Vida Dulce designed and owned by George and Nancy Huntington. representing Joshua Tree on the tour is the Rockin’ Rennie Ranch Tickets will be available for sale at Reach Out Morongo Basin offices in the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley senior centers, Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce offices, Windemere Realty in Yucca Valley, Z107.7 studios in Joshua Tree and at the Desert Trail offices in 29 Palms. For more information, go online to www.reachoutmb.org or call the Reach Out Morongo Basin offices at (760) 361-1410 or (760)369-8671.

Coming up in high school sports tomorrow, the Twentynine Palms High School boys basketball team will participate in the annual Martin Luther King Day Classic one-day basketball tournament hosted by Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga. The Wildcats will be playing Miller High School at 11 a.m.

As part of its informative and educational program on “The ABCs of Water”, the Mojave Water Agency is having a session on Stormwater pollution: What is it? How does it affect you and if so how? How can you prevent it? The seminar is on Tuesday January 24th from 5:30 to 7 pm, at Mojave Water Agency, 13846 Conference Center Dr., in Apple Valley. If you have questions or to register to attend, please call Gloria Golike at (760) 946-7001, or email her at ggolike@mojavewater.org. The deadline to RSVP is January 23.

The adult book group will meet at the Yucca Valley Library on Tuesday at 5:30 to discuss the novel The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon. There may be copies left to check out before the group meets. For more information call 760-228-5455.

Ouch! Look, but don’t touch! Ranger Pat Pilcher invites you to carefully enjoy the Cholla Garden…
Winter is a good time to visit the low desert, Pinto Basin area of Joshua Tree National Park. Cool daytime temperatures make January an attractive time for exploring this remote area.

The Cholla Cactus Garden Trail offers a great opportunity to discover some of the park’s distinctive plant life. The most dominant plant in the garden is the teddy bear cholla cactus, which, from a distance, seems covered with soft, silvery bristles. As tempting as it looks, please resist the urge to “hug the Teddy Bear.” Each of the bristles is actually a needle sharp spine. If you venture too close and actually touch them, the spine may imbed itself in your skin. Despite evidence to the contrary, the cholla cannot jump but if you get too close – you will! Remember, the Cholla Cactus Garden trail is rated “PG” – parental guidance advised, especially with small children.

Lifestream will be holding a blood drive tomorrow, Monday January 16th, at Stater Brothers in 29 Palms, from 2 to 6 pm. Donors receive Gift of Life Donor Loyalty Points that may be redeemed in the online store at www.LStream.org. You may also register for Be The Match bone marrow screening at all donor locations free of charge or go to bethematch.org and use the promo code 92408. Healthy individuals at least 15 years of age may donate blood. (Those 15 and 16 years of age must provide LifeStream with written parental consent. Parent consent forms are available at any donor center, community blood drive or at www.LStream.org.) 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-TRY GIVING.

Lifestream recently merged with Community Blood Services under the name Desert Blood Services, in a cost-reduction move. LifeStream will handle Desert Blood Service’s day-to-day operations and maintain its name outside of the Coachella Valley.

Tomorrow the birthday of civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be celebrated across the United States. Managing Editor Tami Roleff tells how the date will be marked in Twentynine Palms…
The celebrated civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is probably best known for his unforgettable speech at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., in 1964. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed, that ‘ALL men are created equal.'” Commemorating Dr. King’s birthday, which is celebrated Monday, January 16, the Twentynine Palms Bible Baptist Church will hold its 12th annual march. The 1-mile march starts at 8 a.m. at Little Church of the Desert, 6079 Adobe Road and ends at Palms Southern Baptist Church, 5285 Adobe Road. Following the march will be a program with local speakers and Mayor John Cole, and then lunch. The public is invited to join in the march and attend the program.

Breaking Bread Ministry and Desert Congregational Church will be serving free meal and fellowship, 3 to 5 p.m tomorrow at Little Church of the Desert Community Hall in Twentynine Palms. Taco salad and dessert are on the menu.

Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church will provide a free Community Breakfast buffet Saturday morning 9 to 10 a.m. Used clothing, shoes, coats and blankets are free to those in need as supplies last. The church is located at 6213 East Parkway.

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The Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars Post will be serving up an oven-fried chicken dinner tonight from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Post on Veteran’s Way. There will be no Sunday breakfast, but don’t forget about Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1.

The Summer Concert series continues tomorrow evening in the Town of Yucca Valley. Assignment reporter Corrisa Evans invites you to enjoy the sounds of “Silverado”…
On July 14 the town of Yucca Valley’s Summer Music Festival is hosting the country western band Silverado. Silverado performs a variety of Top-40 country songs from hit artists such as Martina McBride and Shania Twain. The concert is free and begins at 7 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center Ballfield. There will be food being sold at the event, but outside food is welcome. Don’t forget to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and come enjoy the cool evening under the stars.

The Homestead Valley Community Council invites you to their next meeting Monday at 3 p.m. at the Yucca Mesa Community Center at 3133 Balsa Avenue just off Aberdeen. The HVCC addresses County, State and Federal officials concerning issues held in common by Yucca Mesa, Flamingo Heights, Landers and Johnson Valley. Go online to find out more about the actions the Council is taking, such as opposing development of renewable energy projects on Black Lava Buttes and Flat Top Mesa above Pipes Canyon, the proposed expansion of the Marine Base into the Johnson Valley Open Riding Area, and the ban on development of properties that rely on the use of hauled water. You’ll find these issues and more at www.hvccsite.org.

The Andromeda Astronomical Society will meet at 7 p.m., tonight, July 13, at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The program will feature a DVD, “The Constellations.” Hospitality is included.

Free Federal surplus food will be distributed to low-income individuals and families this Monday, Reporter Dan Stork tells us when and where…
The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino will distribute surplus food to low-income residents of the Morongo Basin Monday, July 16th. 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 Tree, 9 to 11; Sunset Village Apartments, 6036 Sunset Road in Joshua Tree, 9:30 to 11:30; the fire station in Wonder Valley, 10:30 to 11:30; and Little Church of the Desert at 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, from 10 to noon. Proof of income and address may be provided in a variety of ways, including self-certification on a form that will be available at each site. Recipients are requested to bring their own paper or plastic bags. The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to serve the low-income families, elderly, disadvantaged and homeless of the county. For more information, call 909-723-1580.