California’s Summer EBT program known as SUN Bucks is returning in 2025. This food program provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August when children do not have access to school meals.
California was one of the first states in the nation to launch SUN Bucks in the summer of 2024. In its first year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made, and the families and caregivers of more than 4.3 million California children activated their SUN Bucks cards.
Over 4 million eligible California children will automatically receive SUN Bucks EBT cards that can be used to purchase groceries starting in June, and each eligible child will receive $120. Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled.
SUN Bucks is administered through a partnership between the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Education. Find our more on the SUN Bucks website.
On Wednesday, April 23rd Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious device in the area of Shoshone Valley Road in Twentynine Palms. After an investigation by deputies the device appeared to be an unexploded 40mm combat munition round, which prompted the San Bernardino Bombs and Arson detail to respond and take over the investigation scene. The unexploded ordinance was rendered safe and removed from the area, and the Sheriff’s department says that as a “matter of routine practice” they notified the Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) of the device.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says the munition appears to have been randomly discarded by the person who had illegally possessed the device.
If you find a firearm, ammunition or a suspicious device, you can report it immediately by calling 911.
There are also cases where you may have come into possession of a firearm or ammunition and want to dispose of safely. You can contact the Sheriff Department’s non-emergency line and a deputy can meet you at your location to safely handle and take possession of the firearm or ammo. The non-emergency number is 760-956-5040.
If the firearm or ammunition is in your possession and you want to dispose of it, you can turn it in at the Sheriff’s station. However, do not enter the station with the firearm or ammunition. Talk to the deputy on duty at the front desk and let them know the situation, and the deputy can facilitate the turnover from there.
Veterans and active-duty servicemembers are invited to a special volunteer orientation at the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) on Monday, April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The activity is being held as part of the Force of Nature program and includes a tour of MDLT headquarters, their Native Plant Restoration Nursery, and the Mojave Desert Seed Bank. Participants will have the chance to learn more about desert conservation, become a registered MDLT volunteer, and find out about upcoming activities tailored for veterans and active-duty servicemembers.
Force of Nature offers uplifting outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities for veterans and active-duty servicemembers. This project is made possible through the Veterans and Nature Grant Program, from the National Environmental Education Foundation in partnership with the USDA Forest Service.
The Mojave Desert Land Trust says that the hi-desert volunteer community contributed over 3,400 hours of service across a range of projects including stewardship, seed cleaning, native plant propagation, administration, and outreach.
The Yucca Valley Senior Center will be hosting its Spring Senior Center Rummage Sale next Saturday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Senior Center, which is currently located at their temporary home just behind Town Hall at 57090 29 Palms Highway.
Shop for a wide variety of items including plants, clothes, handmade crafts, household items, pictures, trinkets, jewelry and more!
The Yucca Valley Senior Club will also be selling hot dogs, chips and drinks. All the money raised will be used to help fund Senior Services and programming.
The Yucca Valley Senior Center offers a wide variety of ongoing activities, special events and wellness classes each week. The Senior Center Monthly Calendar is available online at www.yucca-valley.org or visit the center Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Desert Wise Landscape tour is happening on Sunday (April 27) throughout the hi-desert. Organized by the Morongo Basin Conservation Association, the event brings locals and visitors on a tour of homes that utilize native plants in their landscaping.
MBCA representatives were the guests on last week’s Z107.7 Up Close Show, and host Gary Daigneault asked them about the annual event. MBCA Vice President Stacy Doolittle explained the purpose of the tour.
“The Landscape Tour is in nine days. It’s going to be on April 27th, and it starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. We have seven sites in total and five new residential sites. And I like to say that the landscape design goes from maximalist to minimalist.
And most of them are DIY. The designer sites tend to be more minimalist, and the sites with a lot of stuff like maximalist sites. And one of the things we want people to know is how they can be successful in their landscapes using native and drought-tolerant plants.”
The self-guided tour runs all day Sunday with timed events at locations like Coyote Hole, the Panorama House, and the Mojave Land Trust. Tickets are $35 per person and include an annual membership into the MBCA.
The Monument Nature Challenge is taking place this weekend. Explore the Chuckwall National Monument as well as the Sand to Snow Monument while trying to find and ID as many plans and animals as possible during the annual “City Nature Challenge.”
Participants can use the iNaturalist app to record the diversity of the desert and no pre-existing nature knowledge is required to participate with other nature lovers.
It’s happening down this hill this Sunday at the Mission Creek Preserve in Desert Hot Springs – get all the info you need at this link:
California State Parks are holding a poster contest for the 4th annual California State Parks Week!
California students currently enrolled in grades K-12 can join in the fun this year by making a poster to have a chance to win a prize. The entries must have a California State Parks theme and artwork must be the student’s original work.There are five grade categories for awards and each category will have a first-, second-, and third-place winner selected.
First-place prizes will consist of a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass for California State Parks, sponsored by the California State Park Foundation.
Alien Probe is performing tonight in Flamingo Heights. You’ve heard them with Cody and Jef on the Z107.7 Morning show talking about space travel and abductions, and now’s your chance to get probed by experimentally aggressive sounds of Alien Probe.
It’s loud, it’s raw, and it’s got a theremin.
Alien Probe isn’t alone. They’ve got Indio’s own psychedelic weirdos Greasetrap joining them for the show tonight.
It’s all happening at the Giant Rock Annex, located at 1121 Old Woman Springs Rd in Flaming Heights.
There will be pizza and drinks. Doors are at 7:00 p.m. Greastrap take the stage at 7:45 p.m., Alien Probe takes off at 8:45 p.m.
MIL-TREE, in collaboration with the acclaimed movement and performance company Capacitor, is proud to present Cross-Pollination—a unique fusion of movement, ritual, and storytelling designed to foster connection among veterans, service members, and civilians.
This one-day event at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center will feature an Embodiment Workshop & Ritual at 12:00 noon, followed by an awe-inspiring dance performance by the company at 2:00 p.m. on a custom-designed motion sculpture.
This workshop is FREE and no experience necessary to participate in this fun exploration of movement at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center.
Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Photo from center's website.
“A Place For Grief” is taking place this Sunday at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Doug Blanc created the group to get folks together to tell stories and get support from others who are currently carrying and dealing with grief.
The group meets every 4th Sunday at 3:00 pm in Friendship Hall at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Everyone is welcome regardless of what kind of loss they are processing. The group is strictly confidential and there are no fees or donations to attend.
Doug says that everyone is welcome to share during the group, but you are also free to just attend and listen. Grief can be a heavy burden on the heart and mind and any type of loss can be discussed and explored at the group. The group will be meeting to listen with compassion and bear witness to those who need to process grief without preaching or judgement.
“A Place For Grief” meets this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center.
The Sheriff’s Morongo Basin Station is asking for your help locating a package thief.
The Sheriff’s Department says that on Wednesday (April 23) at around 2:00 p.m., a package was taken from a home in the 58000 block of San Andreas Road in Yucca Valley. The suspect was caught on a home surveillance camera, and the Sheriff’s Department says that the suspect may be connected to additional thefts in the Morongo Basin area.
A small vegetation fire broke out behind an apartment building after what witnesses described as “explosions.”
On Thursday (April 24), San Bernardino County Fire Crews responded to what they described as a vegetation fire behind an apartment building in the 56800 block of Antelope Traill in Yucca Valley.
County Fire crews, with assistance from Cal Fire arrived on the scene to find vegetation burning approximately one acre, and they said that it had the potential to spread to up to four acres.
County Fire said the fire was extinguished relatively quickly and with no injury to civilians or fire crews, and there was minor damage to the building’s eaves and patio covering.
A witness told Z107.7 that they heard “five consecutive explosions” behind the apartment complex.
County Fire officials said that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Update 04/25/25: An earlier version of this story listed the incorrect information for the sponsorships and grants. The City of Twentynine Palms have issued a press release with the Event Grant Recipients, and we’ve included it in it’s entirety.We regret the errors in our previous story.
Twentynine Palms, CA – Visit 29 Palms is proud to announce the awarding of $95,996 in event grants and $25,880 in sponsorship funding through Round Two of its 2024–2025 Sponsorship and Event Grant Program.
Funding decisions were made by the Visit 29 Palms TBID Advisory Board following the close of the Round Two application deadline on April 1, which saw a record 32 submissions — more than double that of Round One. The program is designed to foster community engagement, strengthen collaboration, and attract overnight visitors, and Round Two event funding awards will support 15 events scheduled between July and December 2025.
Visit 29 Palms extends sincere thanks to all who applied for their time, creativity, and dedication, and for their interest in partnering with Visit 29 Palms to support our community.
The following events have been awarded event grant funding or sponsorship support. Full event details will be published at Visit29.org/events becomes available.
Event Grant Recipients
Sarah Kotzman, Aerialnauts August 1–2, 2025 |$19,996
29 Queer Film Festival September 19–21, 2025 | $10,000
Vacation Races, Joshua Tree Half Marathon November 1, 2025 | $20,000
Desert General, 29 Palms Book Festival November 7–9, 2025 | $20,000
Friends of Joshua Tree, Climb Smart November 21–23, 2025 | $6,000
Cliffhanger Guides, 29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale December 12–13, 2025 | $20,000
Sponsorship Recipients
29 Palms Beer Company, Beamed Up at Beer Co Art Installation August 10, 2025 | $3,000
Rediscover 29, Area 29 Galactic Gathering August 16, 2025 | $3,000
Hi-Orbit Games, Hi-Orbit Games Hi-Score Contest August 16–17, 2025 | $2,880
Scorpion Lollipop, Area 29 Galactic Gathering August 16–18, 2025 | $3,000
Joshua Tree Music Festival October 9–12, 2025 | $3,000
Very Very, No Sound Monthly, October–December 2025 | $3,000
Sky’s The Limit & Joshua Tree Residential Experience, Night Sky Festival October 24–25, 2025 | $3,000
Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition November 1–2, 2025 | $2,000
Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours October 4–19, 2025 | $3,000
I had the pleasure of attending Theatre 29’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” directed by Charles Harvey.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the show was released initially as a concept album prior to its Broadway debut in 1971. It is based on the Gospel accounts of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ. While I knew the basis of the storyline and that the music was a rock opera, I was unaware that the entire production was sung through. Paired with the heavy, emotional content of the plot, this dialogue structure made for an impressive, moving performance.
Rather than setting the show in standard biblical times, Garvey set the story in the modern day. The artistic choice set the lessons of Jesus Christ against current issues that struck as especially poignant. The costumes and set were designed thoughtfully to merge history with the modern setting. Elements such as soldiers with guns, go-go dancers, and cell phones recording every event add a contemporary balance to the biblical tale. Flaming pillars and laurel wreaths invoked the backdrop of the Roman Empire, and cheeky choreography by Lisa Hodgson and Makasi Boykin provided comic relief, particularly in “The Temple.” The graphic scenes of the arrest, beating, and crucifixion of Jesus were executed with an intensity that lingered after the curtain went down.
Jesus Christ was portrayed by Scott Clinkscales, whose robust vocal presence held the power of the role; this was especially prevalent during “Gethsemane.” Booker Harrap played Judas; dressed in all leather with the gravely rockstar voice, he was the perfect foil to Clinkscales’ Jesus. Catt Christine played the role of Mary Magdalene with beautiful emotion, which was striking with Pauline Pisano’s Peter in “Could We Start Again, Please?”. Deacon Ledges executed the conflicted demeanor of Pontius Pilate, and Victoria Shupe was humorous and engaging as King Herod. A sizable, talented ensemble portrayed the apostles, followers, priests, and soldiers who compose the complex human fabric of this ancient story.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” continues its run at Theatre 29 through May 3; performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. The show is rated 16+ for violent adult themes.
Tickets can be purchased online at theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.
This Saturday (4/26), the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve will be celebrating Earth Day by inviting the community of “Weed Warriors” to help tend the land or take a more leisurely stroll through the Preserve for a guided bird watch.
For those looking for an Earth Day project, the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve wants to meet you in their parking lot this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with a choice to take a guided bird watching tour led Preserve Ranger Kaeleigh, Kurt Kosek, Kathy Snyder, and Sand to Snow National Monument Manager Jihadda Govan, or to help pull invasive weeds with the Preserve staff. I spoke to Executive Director Kevin Wong about the importance of eliminating these invasive plant species.
“Invasive non-native plants have different root structures and different growth structures that native plants don’t have. Since non-natives dry out faster, they’re more of an ignition point for fires, so we want to get those out. Luckily, we haven’t had a lot of them because we haven’t had a lot of rain but we’re going to do two hours of pulling out some weeds, bagging them, and Burrtek already donated a large roll off dumpster that they delivered this morning so we can get them all thrown in there,” said Wong.
Wong reminds us that fire season goes all year round in high fire risk areas like Morongo Valley. But beyond fire hazards, Wong says plants like the common stork’s-bill and mustard proliferate at a rapid pace, so it’s vital to remove them before they flower while they’re still manageable. Besides natural proliferation, Wong says the blame also goes to landscapers uneducated with native plants from the area as well as the nitrogen-rich air from our freeway exhaust.
“A lot of landscapers planted plants that they could find at Home Depot, and they weren’t correct for this area and their seeds just blow in. I know seeds blow into Joshua tree National Park as well, where they’re pulling up non-natives. The other issue is that the air that we’re surrounded with is charged with nitrogen coming from the carbon dioxide exhaustive cars and you know Hwy. 10 and blowing in from the Inland Empire and so that helps to generate more of these plants.”
For the guided bird walk, Wong says to keep an eye out for “neo-tropical birds” like Summer Taningers and Vermilion Flycatchers, both red birds that should stand out to those new to bird watching. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is one of the country’s largest bird sanctuaries where one can spend hours tracking a variety of species either mid-migration or native to our area.
Promising a full line-up of near-constant music, The Palms in Wonder Valley will host the 10th annual All Summer’s Eve Desert Rendezvous this weekend.
It was 2015 when a group of pals “looking for a place to play with other friends” created an event called the All Summer’s Eve Desert Rendezvous at The Palms in Wonder Valley. One of those pals, Dan John Anderson, states that the event is “rooted in DIY spirit with love for this place, the community and The Palms!”
Celebrating music and the inevitable transition into summer, the Rendezvous will feature a constant line-up of both DJ and live music on the inside stage, the outside stage and beyond. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25 and again at noon on Saturday, April 26. Adults are $25 and tickets are available at the door only. (Kids are free.) There are complementary campsites for rugged types, but no dogs allowed. The Palms is located at 83131 Amboy Road in Twentynine Palms.
Approximate schedule performances are as follows:
Friday, April 25, 2025
6:00(ish) – MC Lolly Goodwoman will host and provide color commentary throughout the evening and Radio Free Bolinas will fill in any ‘dead air’ with their live broadcast piped throughout the venue/grounds all weekend.
7:00 – Jet Dred Stone (outside stage)
7:45 – The Sibleys (inside)
8:30 – Jed & Brian (further outside)
9:15 – Parka (outside stage)
10:00 – Earth Girl Helen Brown (outside stage)
11:00 – Cris and The Gang (outside stage)
12:00 – DJ Genevieve D Dance Party (further outside)
Saturday, April 26, 2025
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Beyond Karaoke (inside)
5:00 – Jamie Hafler and the Classic Guitar (outside stage)
6:00 – Eve Adams (outside stage)
7:00 – Julius Smack (outside stage)
8:00 – Per Platou (inside)
9:00 – Pound Puppies (outside stage)
9:30 – Julia Calabrese (further outside)
10:00 – Memorex Noise (further outside)
10:30 – Booee (outside stage)
11:15 – Acid Gymnastics (outside stage)
12:00 – Sig Henry (further outside)
12:30 – DJ Public Road Dance Party (further outside)
Gifts for all people, to feed the mind and spirit One-of-a-kind and ever-changing gift selection, including spiritual tools, aromatherapy, jewelry and unique works from over 200 local and regional artists.
Rainbow Stew has a full line-up of programming on Saturday, including bees, art, and flautists.
The High Desert Beekeepers Association meets for their monthly gathering. Their topic for April is managing and preventing swarms. They want to hear your bee stories and adventures, and what’s going on in your hive. The meeting begins at 12:00 noon.
A lecture on artist Celaya Winkler will be given by Charla Shamhart. Winkler was an artist who lived at the Institute of Mentalphysics for a number of years, and created work focused on highly-evolved spiritual beings known as “Ascended Masters.” Shamhart’s lecture will look at Winkler’s history and work, and provide background on those spiritual beings. The lecture will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fresh off their performance at Rustfest III, the Yucca Valley Flute Circle returns for their regular meeting on Saturday (April 26.) Join the circle to learn from other flute players and to play as a group. Available accompaniment includes rattles, drum and other musical instruments. The Flute Circle meets at 4:00 p.m.
All of this programming is happening Saturday at Rainbow Stew, located at 55509 Twentynine Palms Hwy in Yucca Valley.
Summer movies return to the Yucca Valley Community Center courtyard beginning Friday (April 25). The Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department is hosting outdoor movies for this and the next four Friday nights. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair to the family friendly films.
Tonight, the Town will be screening “Over the Hedge,” in which a mischievous raccoon named RJ tricks a group of woodland animals into helping him steal food from suburban homes to repay a debt to a bear. Led by the cautious turtle, Verne, the animals navigate the human world, facing challenges and temptations along the way. As their adventure escalates, RJ must decide between his selfish motives and his newfound family.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the films begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $2 and includes a popcorn.
A pampered lion, zebra, giraffe, and hippo from the Central Park Zoo unexpectedly find themselves stranded on the wild island of Madagascar after a botched escape plan. As they adjust to their new surroundings, their friendship is tested, especially when the lion, Alex, begins to struggle with his natural instincts. With the help of a quirky group of lemurs, they must figure out how to survive—and if they even want to return home.
Friday, May 9 – Cars
Hotshot race car Lightning McQueen gets stranded in the small town of Radiator Springs while en route to the biggest race of his career. As he begrudgingly repairs the town’s road, he learns the value of friendship, humility, and slowing down to appreciate life. By the time he reaches his race, he realizes that winning isn’t everything—sometimes, it’s about who you have by your side.
Friday, May 16 – The Lorax
In a world where trees have disappeared, a young boy named Ted sets out to find a real one to impress a girl, leading him to the reclusive Once-ler. Through the Once-ler’s tale, he learns how corporate greed led to environmental destruction and the loss of the Lorax, the guardian of the forest. Inspired, Ted takes action to bring nature back, proving that one small act can make a difference.
Friday, May 23 – Bee Movie
A young bee named Barry B. Benson discovers the human world and is shocked to learn that humans steal and sell honey. In an effort to stop the injustice, he sues the human race, leading to unintended consequences that threaten the balance of nature. Realizing his mistake, Barry works to restore harmony between bees and humans while embracing his unique place in the world.
A collision in Joshua Tree involving a Sheriff’s vehicle sent one person to the hospital.
According to a social media post from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday (April 22) at around 4:00 p.m., two Sheriff’s off-highway patrol vehicles were attempting to locate a wanted felon near the area of Center Avenue and Shifting Sands Drive in Joshua Tree. The post says that one of the Sheriff’s vehicles collided with a civilian SUV.
The Sheriff’s department says that one deputy was injured, and the driver of the SUV tended to the deputy while medical aid arrived. The deputy was taken to an area hospital for treatment for minor injuries and has since been released.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. They did not respond to requests for additional details from Z107.7
In their post, the Sheriff’s Department says that the department will “conduct a comprehensive internal review of the incident and ensure our personnel have the necessary training and understanding of equipment to help prevent future collisions.”
The Sheriff’s Department has not yet responded to a request for additional details on the incident.
