The winners of the City of Twentynine Palms Celebration of Lights are:
1st Place: The Hernandez Family / 4790 Sunmore Parkway
2nd Place: The Loman-Rangel Family / 6043 Lupine Avenue
3rd Place: The Barker Family / 5855 Lupine Avenue
First Place Winners “The Hernandez Family”Second Place Winners “The Loman-Rangel Family”
Each winner received a specially curated gift basket made possible by the generosity of local businesses: Billie’s Boutique, Copy Center Plus, Courtney’s Custom Creations, Deibert’s Laser Engraving & Imaging, Desert Moon 25, Habitat, Hi-Desert Daydream, Hi-Desert Times,Joshua Tree National Park Association, Mojave Moon Apothecary, Radamill Designs, Reality Printing, Scorpion Lollipop, Stampin’ Up! w/ Joni Daniel, Sun of the Desert, Very Very, Visit 29 Palms, and White Label Vinyl.
Twentynine Palms says they are grateful to everyone who entered the tour and contest and helped celebrate this holiday season. Your creativity and effort brought joy to all who joined the self-guided tour.
The Copper Mountain College (CMC) Men’s Basketball team earned a hard-fought victory Saturday (December 21), defeating Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) 77 – 69. With this win, the Fighting Cacti sit atop the conference standings with a 2-0 record.
The game started with challenges for CMC, as the team struggled both offensively and defensively in the first half. Despite these difficulties, timely stops and clutch shots helped the Fighting Cacti stay within reach, entering halftime trailing by just eight points.
In the second half, the Fighting Cacti ramped up their defensive pressure and improved ball movement, seizing control of the game with four minutes remaining. A pivotal dunk by Phil Bernardez and key late-game buckets by Amarion Wallace solidified the victory and energized the team.
The Fighting Cacti now head into a holiday break and will return to action on January 4, hosting San Bernardino Valley College.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and that means Z107.7 will play all holiday music beginning at 12:00 midnight tonight and until to midnight on Christmas day. Since 1989, Z107.7 has been proud to be the holiday soundtrack for the Morongo Basin and beyond.Â
Our hard-working news team will have the next two days off, but return with a local newscast on Thursday, December 26. The Z107.7 Morning Show with Cody and Jef will return on Friday.Â
Tune in tomorrow for our unique collection of holiday music, dedicated to classical Christmas and wintertime favorites, which will run all day and night, until midnight Christmas Day.
A unique partnership with a Los Angeles based dance studio is bringing classes in Jazz and Ballet for 6–12-year-old beginners (and those with 1-3 years’ experience) to the Morongo Basin. Karen Gladis, of the Twinkletoes Dance Studios, has over 25 years’ experience specializing in early childhood dance.
Karen Gladis
Enroll Now for the Winter Session from Jan 9-Feb 28, 2025. All classes will be held Thursday afternoons at Theatre 29, 73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms.
Mini Jazz classes will be held 4:00 – 4:45 pm.
In Jazz, students work on improving performance skills and retaining choreography with weekly combinations. Jazz technique layers on ballet including strength building warm-ups, flexibility, isolations, across the floor progressions and choreography. We will also focus on learning choreography and developing performance skills which really boost self confidence! Class runs 45 mins.
Ballet 1 classes will be from 5:00pm – 5:45 pm
In Ballet, focus on barre work, stretching and strengthening, center work, and across the floor progressions. Within these exercises, we aim to encourage artistry, musicality, flexibility, strength, and dedication. The curriculum draws on our classical conservatory training in an engaging way that promotes the joy of movement and creative expression.
The cost for an 8-week session is $160 with 25% off for siblings, multiple class discounts are also available. They also offer full session + drop-in classes+ free trials for newcomers and class placement.
Early Childhood classes ages 2-6 will be coming soon!
That’s “Xmas Witch” the new song from Stagefright, the hi-desert band fronted by fictional person Lolly Goodwoman. Stagefright is continuing their now annual tradition of performing a Christmas show tonight (December 21).
The show is called “Christmas Mistake,” and the band says it will feature fire, emotional santas, family drama and freaky reindeer.
Opening the show will by the Morongo Basin’s one-man masked sensation General Baby.
The show is totally free and kicks of tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Palms in Wonder Valley.
There are 4 days between us and Christmas – and if you are still looking to fill the stockings of someone special but haven’t found something yet, it’s probably too late to order something online.
Luckily there is some of the best shopping on the west coast right here in the hi-desert. Most local shops from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms are open and eager to help you get something unique for a loved one, and buying something from a local business keeps the money in the community instead of putting it right into the pockets of big box retail stores and online behemoths who profit off of putting locals out of business.
If one of the many dozens of retail shops haven’t provided you with the perfect present yet, try a few spots just off the highway. For instance the Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms has a great Christmas Display along with a gift shop with excellent and unique desert-themed gifts. I purchased a beautiful set of Henry Mockel wildflower cards in their gift shop that I’m still working my way through. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There are many thrift and vintage stores open this weekend through the hi-desert, with most of them carrying curated vintage good alongside donated items. You always find something unique and unlike anything else you can find online at a second-hand store.
And on Sunday – the Landers Open Air Flea Market will be at the Moose Lodge with a great mix of vendors willing to help you get that last minute shopping done. You are also welcome to sell, too! Setup is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the upper parking lot, and the Moose lodge will be serving a full breakfast menu from 8:30 to 10:30 inside for those interested in being a guest if your not a member.
The 16th Annual Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project awards diplomas to military veterans with an honorable discharge whose high school education was interrupted due to military service in World War 2, the Korean or Vietnam wars. It also is eligible to those who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated in Japanese American internment camps during the second world war.
On December 16th the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), in partnership with San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs, honored veteran Marvin N. Minter posthumously with a high school diploma as part of the efforts.
According to the County – Minter served in General Patton’s Third Army in a predominantly Black unit during a time of segregation and later supported the logistics operation Red Ball Express, providing necessary supplies to Allied forces after the primary landing on D-Day.
The ceremony continued with a surprise appearance by Dr. Gilbert Contrez, president of San Bernardino Valley College, who granted Minter an honorary associate’s degree.
Since the project’s inception, nearly 300 high school diplomas have been presented to veterans in San Bernardino County through the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project.
Morongo Valley will be holding their 4th and largest holiday event of 2024 this Saturday, December 21st for their second annual Christmas parade traveling through the paved streets of the town’s west end.
For the second year in a row, the Morongo Valley Christmas Parade will be feature the fire department’s whole fleet of fire apparatuses, dune buggies and other off-road vehicles, plus trucks from local businesses like “Just a Small Town Grill,” and Santa himself will be waving to you and your Morongo Valley neighbors to help spread the holiday cheer.
Or if you want to do the greeting to the onlooking crowds from your own decorated vehicle, please reach out to organizers Buddy and Tammy at (760) 501-4826 so they can secure your place in the parade’s sequence.
Line-up staging starts at 4:15 p.m. on Senilis between Hess Boulevard and Juniper Avenue, and the parade officially begins its 6.8 mile run at 5:00 p.m. sharp.
Arthur Davies looks on as his attorney Zulu Ali cross-examines a witness. Photo from first trial in August of 2023
Arthur Davies, 41, was found guilty on counts of involuntary manslaughter and assault on a child causing death on November 20. It was the second trial for Davies after a 2023 trial ended in a not-guilty verdict for the charge of murder, and a mistrial on the felony assault on a child causing death.
A sentencing hearing will be held today at San Bernardino Superior Court’s Joshua Tree Courthouse.
Arthur Davies was the only person in the room when severe head trauma was inflicted on the one year-old child. Davies’ lawyer Zulu Ali argued that the head trauma was caused by an accidental fall from Davies’ arms onto a linoleum floor. Testimony from medical experts for the prosecution argued that the force required for such head injuries would normally be seen in a rollover vehicle accident or a fall from a multi-story window.
On a recent Z107.7 Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault was joined by Clayton Rardon and Jakub Kusmieruk from the Yucca Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Rardon discussed the Town’s recent reinvigoration of their public art program by a funding initiative. Daigneualt asked about the art work that was installed in front of the library, and what it may be replaced by.
“That was Infinite Connection by local artist Gubbi Beck. She was selected through a competitive process. She has Open Vault Studios in Old Town, Yucca Valley. She has a very active Instagram account. I recommend anybody that’s interested in her work to check her out, follow her on Instagram. She was great to work with and that was our inaugural sculpture, nearly year long installation from just after The Christmas Tree came down last year.
Submissions for the follow up piece closed in December. It’s up to our appointed and elected officials. But I look for assemblage, a sculpture, a metal sculpture. Whatever they want. We take everything, whether people have submitted things that are fiberglass, wood or steel: that it runs a gamut. It has to be desert friendly… it has to be able to survive the wind and the sun.”
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Commission selected artwork by Chad La Fever titled “Where is My Mind?”Â
“Where is my Mind?” by Chad La Fever
La Fever is a sculptor whose work is deeply influenced by his background as an archaeologist and his passion for storytelling. Specializing in metal sculptures, Chad’s artistic practice explores the intersection of history, culture and human experience using silicon bronze.
His piece, “Where is My Mind?” features a tall, humanoid figure contemplating what appears to be a bronze brain.
Public Comment is scheduled for review by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commission at their meeting on February 12 prior to recommendation to, and further review by, the Town Council.
If you find yourself in a rush this holiday season, bring your unwrapped gifts to the Elks Lodge in Yucca Valley tonight from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and get them wrapped for a donation.Â
A group of Yucca Valley High School students and teachers traveling to Greece in June of 2025 and are going to be doing this gift wrap service to raise money for their trip.Â
They will have the gift wrap and all the essentials… so let them do the wrapping for you, and support this great cause!
Kids of all ages are invited to Clause’s Children’s Crafting & Cookie Celebration this Saturday (December 21) in Landers at Belfield Hall.
The Landers Homestead Valley Community Association is sponsoring this free family-friendly celebration.
Guided activities from card and ornament making, to tree and cookie decorating are guaranteed to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Mom and Dad are welcome to get creative with the crafting, or drop the kids and explore Landers Trading Post & Thrift. Everyone will enjoy light refreshments; but only the kids can take home the party favors. Either way, it’s free family fun.
The event runs from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Belfield Hall, 58380 Reche Road in Landers.Â
I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Theatre 29’s production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” Directed by Lisa Hodgson and Bianca Stoker, the widely beloved musical is based on the inspirational story of Maria Augusta Trapp, a carefree young postulate in 1930s Austria. When she is sent to become the governess to the seven children of a strict, retired naval Captain, Maria sets out to infuse their home with joy, love, and song: elements they must rely on in the face of an expanding Third Reich.
“The Sound of Music” is a musical full of memorable tunes, the spirit of which the cast expressed well. The show began by pulling on the heartstrings with Analisa Pilecki’s stirring rendition of the title track; several fan favorites, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “The Lonely Goatherd” were performed with multiple reprisals. A sweet dance between Catt Christine’s Liesl and Mark Cockroft’s Rolf Gruber was reminiscent of young, if ill-fated love. Nancy Abramson was striking as Mother Abbess, hitting every high note of the moving “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” with clarity.
A diverse range of sets were all impressively built, capturing the grandness of the von Trapp Manor. Beautifully painted cathedrals with vibrant stained glass evoke the holiness of Nonnberg Abbey, while windows look out over green hills to illustrate the rolling landscape of Salzburg. All characters were adorned in timely, European clothing fitting for an array of occasions, from school uniforms to cocktail party garb to play clothes that Maria cunningly crafts from drapes.
Throughout the performance, I found it difficult to imagine a more quintessential Maria than that which was portrayed by Pilecki. She captured the heroine’s warmth, verve, and charm, wooing the von Trapps along with the audience. Graham Cooley perfected Captain Georg Von Trapp’s evolution from cool and conducted to emotive; his final, poignant performance of “Edelweiss” struck as particularly moving. Gabriel Figuredo had comedic charisma as Max Detweiler and complimented the sophisticated Frau Elsa Schraeder, played by Cindy Ross. The production was tied together with seven young actors who were endearing as the von Trapp children, believable as a family bonded by love and song.
Performances of “The Sound of Music” run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the show continues its run at Theatre 29 through December 22. Tickets can be purchased online at theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.
Edit 10:00 a.m. An error in court records showed that Bloomer was facing a charge of Murder, but the DA’s office confirmed that he is only facing charges for attempted murder. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that no one was killed in the incident. We’ve updated the story to reflect the correction.
The man accused of driving a Corvette into two different law enforcement vehicles is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
On Monday (December 16) at around 1:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department reports that they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Corvette on Twentynine Palms Highway near Torres Avenue in Joshua Tree. They say the driver Stephen Bloomer, a 57 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms failed to yield, and his high speed and erratic driving led the deputy to cancel the pursuit.
Deputies say Bloomer was spotted in his Corvette a while later at the Morongo Valley Circle K, where a California Highway Patrol officer attempted to detain him. The Sheriff’s Department said that Bloomer reversed his Corvette into the CHP car, then into an arriving Sheriff’s car, injuring the deputy inside.
The Sheriff’s deputy was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and has since been released.
Bloomer was arrested on the scene for investigation into attempted murder.
The Sheriff’s Department indicated that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office filed two counts of attempted murder against Bloomer.
Stephen Bloomer is currently being held on $1,000,000.
Before the meeting, new member Eva Rowles of the Morongo Firefighter Auxiliary was sworn in with the rest of the Board at the CSD office. When the meeting began, the Board voted Christina Gorke to remain President, while former Fire Commissioner Lance Fisher would take the position of Vice President. Johnny Tolbert will maintain his position as Financial Director, while former Park Commissioner Steve Haydon will move to Fire Commissioner, leaving newcomer Eva Rowles as the new Park Commissioner.
Eva Rowles
The Board voted 5/0 to accept the Smith Marion and Co. audit draft, as well as approved purchasing six new tires for the Fire Department’s Water Tender 461, not eight tires as they previously thought. The Board approved the transfer of the department’s medic engine from the vehicle repair shop where it’s currently irreparable to the more specialized Fire Apparatus Services. General Manager Brittany Chavez agreed to “go on a mission” to Yucaipa to transfer the medic engine.
After approving the adoption of San Bernardino Fire Ordinance FPD 23-01, the Board reviewed General Manager Chavez’s drafted letter inviting California State Representatives to attend the MVCSD monthly meetings. After some minor amendments which Chavez edited on the spot, the Board approved the letter to be sent.
The meeting was held at the Twentynine Palms City Hall and was well attended by the Public.
For the TBID Round One Sponsorship applications the following applied and the funds they requested were allocated in full.
Desert Fringe Theater and Cultural Arts Festival
The Chalk Festival and Art Fair
The Wonder Valley 10-minute Play Festival
Full Moon Festival
The Desert Rat Convention
The Children’s Sensory Day and Real Magic Improvised Music for Meditation did not receive allocated funds. They were invited to reapply for the second half of events later in 2025.
For the TBID Round One Event Grant applications the following applied and the funds they requested were allocated in full:
Theater 29
Dance MojaveÂ
DESERTRADE Emotional Landscapes
JT City Limits, Joshua Tree Astronomy Adventures and Desert General did not receive allocated funds. They were invited to reapply for the second half of events later in 2025.
While several applicants were visibly disappointed their project did not score high enough to receive allocated funds, TBID chair Rakesh Mehta made it clear that with some reworking, applications could well be approved for the second half of the year’s events.
Rattlesnakes, dogs, a wild west show and gardening.
Phil Bonafede
That’s the eclectic lineup as local icon Phil Bonafede joins host Gary Daigneault for the Z107.7 “Up Close” show this Friday (12/20). Phil teaches K9 Rattlesnake Aversion classes, founded the “Rattlesnake Removal Team”, teaches a professional Rattlesnake Wrangler class, and relocates rattlesnakes.
He is the founder of the “Mane Street Stampede Wild West Show” in Pioneertown and “Joshua Tree Gardening.”
Hear from one of the fascinating people that make up our unique desert, Phil Bonafede, live this Friday and then as a podcast at z1077fm.com.Â
Get ready for “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” tomorrow evening as the Youth Orchestra Joshua Tree takes the stage for a musical performance. The collection of classic carols will be rounded out with selections from “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Friday’s show begins at 7:00 p.m. at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, located at 56750 Mountain View Trail in Yucca Valley.
Copper Mountain College (CMC) basketball teams made a strong statement to open IEAC conference play, as both the Men’s and Women’s teams secured victories over College of the Desert (CoD).
The Women’s Fighting Cacti earned a commanding win by limiting the Desert Roadrunners to just 44 points. Behind Edwina Pewo’s 14 – point performance and a stifling defensive effort, the Cacti showcased precision offense and exceptional ball movement throughout the game.
On the Men’s side, the Fighting Cacti triumphed with an impressive 94 – 81 victory. Their success was powered by a solid team defense and unselfish ball distribution, which resulted in five players scoring in double digits. Javion Cooper led the charge with 23 points, setting the tone for the team in their conference debut.
The Cacti will travel this Saturday to Mt. San Jacinto College as they look to continue conference play. The Women will play at 1pm and the Men will tip off at 3:00 p.m.
The Yucca Valley Town Council meeting kicked off by recognizing two outgoing members of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Commission. Council Member Dennison honored Commissioner Andrea Staehle, and Mayor Pro Tem Drozd honored Commissioner Gerry Melby, noting the work done by both during their time with the PRCC. The Council Members nominated Audrey Wilcox and Charlotte Burns to replace their outgoing nominees.
Town Manager Curtis Yakimow presented the 2024 election results for certification. Measure Y and Z passed by 83 and 82%, respectively; the highest rates of any tax measure statewide in their designated categories.
The Town Council then nominated Mayor Pro Tem Drozd to serve as Mayor for 2025, with Council Member Abel serving as the next Mayor Pro Tem. Following a brief recess and reordering, the Council held a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant. The Town of Yucca Valley works with the County to award this funding to project and program proposals, prioritizing those that benefit low to moderate-income residents. Town Staff recommended that the Council allocate the entire $124,701 in grant funding to the Senior Center Improvement project for the next fiscal year and direct the other three applicants to Measure Y Partnership Funding, applications of which will open early next year. The Town Council voted in favor of the funding proposal.
Council Member Dennison and Andrea StaehleExamples of new Yucca Valley banners
Director Matt Beurois presented a recap of the 6th Annual Yucca Valley Film Festival, which garnered over 1000 attendees, and 400 film submissions from 29 countries. The Council then considered a Military Banner Recognition Program, which would create an initiative to display banners honoring active and veteran service members. The banners would be featured on light poles at the Community Center, with the option to extend elsewhere in town. The Council voted to launch the program in 2025, with prioritization to be given to active military personnel.
The meeting concluded with a public comment period, during which several residents spoke in support of the thrift store at the Senior Center. The Center is currently undergoing Phase 2 of its Modernization Project, which includes renovating the staff offices, the reception area, and restrooms to be ADA-compliant. While the thrift store’s future is uncertain in the new layout, it remains an important resource for the community, as noted by Tish Przybocki.
“We provide coffee for the seniors, and condiments. We buy gift cards from Stater’s for those who need food. We provide microwaves for the homebound that have no source to heat their food. We help clothe the homeless, or if seniors come in and they don’t have something on their back, we give them coats. I have a petition signed by the seniors that would like to see it open, because it’s very valuable to them.”
