Continuing this week, expect road closures on Twentynine Palms Highway east of Twentynine Palms this week, as Caltrans conducts overlay work on the state highway. Lanes may be reduced to one lane at a time, with flagging operations and traffic escorts on Twentynine Palms Highway between Gopher Grove Road and Gold Crown Road.
Crews will work at various locations within the project zone, weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Twentynine Palms High School Interact club thanks the community for coming out to their scholarship fundraiser on Saturday. Santa Claus himself appeared for photographs with community members at the Twentynine Palms Starbucks, all in the name of raising money for college scholarships for Twentynine Palms High School students. Interact Club advisor David Lopez called it “great turnout,” and said that more than $200 was raised at the event.
Santa Claus will be back this evening to support the Yucca Valley High School Wrestling team. He’ll be available for photographs for $5 suggested donations at Yucca Valley High School’s MPR Lunch Room. Expect hot cocoa and cookies donated by the Morongo Cookie Co.
The Copper Mountain College (CMC) women’s basketball team defeated Compton College 76 – 38.
Kinzey Hutchings, a sophomore point guard from Wasilla, AK, led the Cacti with 20 points.
This win reflects the hard work and dedication of our players,” said CMC Head Coach Kris Groce. “They’ve been putting in the effort every day, and tonight it showed. We’re building something special here at CMC, and this is just the beginning.”
The Copper Mountain College Fighting Cacti kick off IEAC Conference play on Wednesday Dec 18th against College of the Desert. The Women’s team will play at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Men’s team at 7:00 p.m.
If you or someone you know loves exploring the diverse ecology of the Coachella Valley through birding, then The Salton Sea Leadership Program might be just the program to kick off your 2025.
According to the Audubon Society of California – the transformative program is designed to inspire, educate, and empower individuals passionate about the Salton Sea and desert conservation. Through hands-on learning, immersive field trips, and community engagement, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to advocate for this unique ecosystem and its communities.
The program’s mission is to foster a safe, inclusive environment where participants can explore their passions, join a supportive community dedicated to making a difference, and develop the skills to address climate change impacts on the Salton Sea region and California desert habitats.
Learn more and apply here: https://ca.audubon.org/salton-sea/salton-sea-leadership-program
For decades, the Sky Village Swap Meet was more than just a marketplace—a vibrant community space where vendors and shoppers came together to find unique treasures, sell a few items for extra money, and connect. Last weekend marked its final chapter as the market opened its gates for the last time.
Amid the aisles of rickety wooden stalls, visitors said their goodbyes, reminiscing about the connections they’d built and the treasures they’d found. Vendors sold everything from furniture, plants, and records to handcrafted jewelry and rare collectibles. The structures that housed the vendors had artfully stained glass windows that twinkled in the sunlight. Towering metal sculptures of dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures, and the medieval knight at Hamid’s shop wait for their forever home. Where will they go now?
For longtime vendor Dakota Bob, the swap meet was his lifeblood. Known for his generosity, Bob often helped struggling vendors by buying from them or covering their rent. “He’s been here every weekend for 20 years,” his wife and Owner of Dakota Bob’s, Margo, said. “It gave him purpose and community, something to look forward to every morning. He never thought he’d see it end. He’ll be 91 in February, so it’s been his life, his personality, his identity. But it also just got him up in the morning, something that he looked forward to. Talking and walking around and meeting the people was really, really good. He wasn’t expecting the closure.”
Hamid Moazzam’s long-standing booth, filled with exotic items, was crowded with visitors on the last weekend. He played with a child while the mother searched the gem table and shared stories. It felt like a family reunion. Elka, a resident, brought lentil soup and homemade bread. Willow, who worked with Hamid for the last few years, reorganized the space as items were purchased and sold from her collection. At the end of Sunday, she played the singing bowls as part of a closing ceremony.
Willow said, “This is where people come to keep their memories alive. When we stop connecting… When you don’t have community, you can lose your health.”
Maurice Lewis, who has run a stand at the Swap Meet for 15 years, told me his family’s history dates back to the 1980s when his mother and grandmother worked at the drive-in theater snack bar. After exploring various occupations and jobs over the years, Maurice returned to the Swap, enjoying the freedom it afforded him and the camaraderie of the other sellers and customers. “It feels like a family,” Maurice said.
Maurice sells frames, trunks, gemstones, comic books, and unique items. Where he will go from here is still unknown, but he has plans. Despite the closure, Maurice remains optimistic about the future while downsizing his inventory. He will adapt to the change by leveraging his eBay clientele and exploring new platforms like Whatnot for live auctions.
Damon Robinson, a printmaker, artist, illustrator, and knife maker, stood by his table last weekend. His talent is blending unique art forms, like etching blades, and incorporating materials like mammoth teeth and turquoise into knife handles. He is also a printmaker. He has been selling here for a few years and values the community. For the present, he still has a studio in Pipes Canyon and plans to be on next year’s art tours. When asked what he wanted to say to the community, he added, “Just a farewell, and it sure has been lovely, and we’ll find a new spot.”
I saw Charity and Dan and stopped to talk to them. Dan, who began his search on Saturday, carried a few items. He said he outfitted one of his Airbnbs with quirky, fun oddities. “Guests love it. “Charity added that she once found a really cool boot-shaped mirror. When asked how they felt about the closing, Dan said, “Oh, man, it’s tragic. It’s like losing a piece of the Desert.”
Next, I ran into Simon and Penelope and asked what they thought about the swap meet closing. Simon said, “It’s sad. “I think it’s been such a community hub for so many decades. One of the saddest things is the older folk who just come here to hang out on the weekend and connect with each other. It’s more than just a Swap meet; it’s a gathering place for people. My landlady has come here every weekend for the last 20 years.
On Sunday morning, I saw a man with a small table in front of him. He was selling “Louie’s brittle.” Louie was his father-in-law, and he and his wife made the brittle in Yucca Valley. I asked him if he would continue selling, and he said yes. He plans to move his table to the 29 Palms Farmers Market.
Christina, Avery, and Matt were three young people gathering for Thanksgiving in the Desert. “We’re all vehicle livers,” they said, “and we’re here to have Thanksgiving together on BLM land,” Avery said
She needed a pair of warm boots that were easy to slip on. She found them in her size, and they cost two dollars.
The next group of people I ran into were Ted, Alice, and Thomas.
I asked Thomas how often he went to the swap meet, and he answered that when he moved to the Morongo Basin ten years ago, he came all the time. “It was just a place to meet people, hang out, catch up, and see some quirky stuff you never find anywhere else. You got good deals.” He added, “Of all the swap meets I’ve gone to, this is such a unique one.” His fondest memory is of Bob Carr and the Crystal cave Bob built.
Ted has been in the Morongo Basin for 31 years. When he first arrived, the property was a drive-in movie theater. Ted said the last movie he saw was Jurassic Park, but by the following summer, it was the Swap Meet. He loved talking to Bob Carr and seeing his creations, including the theater (on the other side of the Crystal Cave) he built for his daughter’s wedding.
Alice, one of the vendors at the Meet, said, “I’m just gonna do some pop-ups.” She will store her stuff in an 18-foot container on her property and go through what’s left. Her new focus is upcycling and selling at a Fiber Arts Fair on the 8th of December at Mas O Menas. She will also teach a workshop on making t-shirt yarn out of T-shirts.
Angel, a landscaper selling desert and native plants at the Meet, said he was looking for commercial space. He added how much Elizabeth and her daughter have meant to him.
Working with Hamid, the Swap Meet has been life-changing for Willow. New to the Morongo Basin, it was a chance to meet the community. She felt she had found her heart home and a place to find high-end items at an affordable price.
Tom, from the Astronomy Theater, came to the Swap with his friend Valerie. “For me,” Valerie, a stained glass artist, said, “it’s a place to come for inspiration. I might find a vessel, a table, or a piece of metal here that I would use in my work.”
Tom said he didn’t buy anything anymore because he didn’t want to collect much stuff. For Tom, it’s the people he would meet each weekend. That era is over; now, we must see what’s next.
Two celestial spectacles will be competing for your eyeballs this weekend. The Geminids Meteor Shower began peaking on Friday with more meteors expected to fall Saturday evening. They were first observed in 1862 and originate from an asteroid rather a comet like other meteor showers, and at its peak can produce 120-160 meteors an hour. That situation is not expected tonight as the night sky will be lit up with the last full moon of 2024, called the “Cold Moon.”
You’ll likely see some meteors if you keep your back to the moon and let your eyes adjust – however the amount of light that a desert full moon throws out can wash out some of the dimmer meteors, making viewing this year a little more difficult.
The Geminids may still be visible Sunday night and will have almost completely faded out by Monday.
The annual event should be better viewing next year when there isn’t such stiff competition for dark skies.
Kicking things off at 9:30am will be the panel “Celebrating the Literature of Joshua Tree National Park,” with guest speakers Chris Clarke, Ruth Nolan, and Caryn Davidson, moderated by Greg Gilbert.
At 11:05 is “Mojave Desert Stories, Mojave Desert Voices” featuring the NALC’s Elizabeth Paige, Tisha Marie Reichle-Aguilera, and Terria Smith, moderated by Ruth Nolan.
After a break for lunch with an array of vendors and food trucks, presenters Sant Kalsa, Chris Clarke, and Sean Milanavich bring us “Showcase of Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees.” At 2:30 p.m., a Desert Writing Workshop facilitated by Cindi Anderson and Reilly Powell, followed by an open mic and featured readings, with final words at 5:15 p.m..
The event is free and open to all.
Tonight is the second Saturday of December which means downtown Joshua Tree’s galleries will open as usual for their monthly art crawl and in addition to the usual slate of art galleries dotting downtown Joshua Tree, several new galleries will open their doors for the first time tonight.
Three new galleries open in the Art Queen complex, behind La Matadora and next to the Sun Alley Shops.
Alvarez Studio, the working studio and gallery of Joe and Erin Alvarez, will be open from 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Lorenzo, a curated collection of treasures from long-time desert resident Flora, will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
And the Alien Robot Museum will have their grand opening from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
La Matadora will be debuting a new group show of functional artwork, featuring tools, devices, and other objects from more than 30 local artists.
Hey There Projects debuts a new show titled “Atlis Montibus” featuring work from artists Anthony Hurd, Travis Weller, and Abel Macias. There will be an opening reception from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
And the Beatnik Lounge is hosting what they are calling a “free range poetry reading” starting at 6:00 p.m.
All these galleries are in the downtown Joshua Tree area, so you can park at one and walk to the rest.
The Morongo Basin Historical Museum will be celebrating 25 years at their annual meeting this Sunday, December 15th at 1:00 pm. The silver anniversary marks a quarter century of preserving and sharing the morongo basin’s rich history and they will be celebrating with seasonally festive food and drinks and a special music performance of Dave Jessup and Joe Zarki. They will also be going over museum plans for the upcoming year.
That’s the Morongo Basin Historical Museum’s annual meeting at the Landers House this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at 632 Landers Lane in Yucca Valley.
You can visit www.mbhistoricalsociety.org for more info.
White Rock Horse Rescue has been a sanctuary for horses in need, rescuing and rehabilitating them with the help of a dedicated community of volunteers. These beautiful animals thrive, regain health, and have a second life.
Meet the horses and the volunteers on December 15 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a hot cocoa bar and warm, homemade churros, delicious baked goods, and tons of Christmas decorations. The event promises even more holiday magic, with appearances by Santa and the Grinch, a parade of horses, a craft sale, and a special surprise for the children.
Admission is free, and all are welcome to join the festivities at the White Rock Horse Rescue Ranch, located at 733 Geronimo Trail, Landers.
Celebrate the season and support a wonderful cause.
Sunday morning head out to the monthly Landers Open Air Flea Market at the Moose Lodge. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. enjoy the usual mix of handcrafted and homemade goods crafted right here in the hi-desert.
Anyone can come out to sell in the parking lot of the Moose Lodge out on 58266 Reche Road and this is the final sale of the year until the Flea Market’s spring return in March.
As always – its free to sell so come on out until 1:00 Sunday to find a unique gift for yourself or someone else special in your life.
A man on parole for domestic violence was arrested again for investigation into domestic violence and violating a restraining order.
County records show that Nekoda Pardee, 27, was contacted by deputies on Monday afternoon in the 64000 block of Sunflower Rd in Joshua Tree. Deputies say that Pardee through a female victim onto the floor. A family member called 911, and the victim was treated for injuries on the scene.
Pardee was arrested on Monday afternoon (December 9) 64115 Sunflower Rd in Joshua Tree. He was arrested for domestic violence/corporal injury and violating probation for a felony assault incident that occurred in July.
Nekoda Pardee was arrested for investigation into inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or date, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and attempting to prevent a victim from making a report and he is being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail. He was arraigned yesterday (December 12) on an additional misdemeanor charge of violating a court order to prevent domestic violence, to which he pled “not guilty.”
Living in the Hi-Desert, residents are subject to a variety of environmental hazards. These include earthquakes, wildfires, windstorms, drought, extreme weather, and, as evidenced in the last several years, pandemics and hurricanes as well. To better serve its residents, the Town of Yucca Valley is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and seeks public input on how it can be improved.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Hazard Mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce the loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. FEMA last approved the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2018; plans must be updated every five years to remain eligible for federal grants. Municipalities are encouraged to gather wide-reaching community input involving the general public, external agencies, community-based and social service organizations, and houses of worship. Gathering robust feedback allows the Town to more effectively reduce the risks that hazards pose to the community.
The Town of Yucca Valley invites the public to review the Hazard Mitigation Plan and share their thoughts through December 16. Residents can submit feedback online at the Town’s website or in person at the Yucca Valley Community Center.
Presented by The Morongo Valley Youth Softball League, the 2024 Morongo Valley Christmas Celebration in Covington Park will have a special visit from Santa himself at noon. Free toys for the kids, vendors, food, music, and fun running all day.
But wait—will the Grinch steal Christmas from the fine, festive residents of Morongo Valley? Not if they have anything to say about it! Join them for the How the Grinch Stole Christmas Gel Blaster Shootout, presented by the Youth Softball League and Friendly Fire Paintball on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Now’s your chance to join your Morongo Valley neighbors and take out the Grinch once and for all before he steals all the presents. Single entry is $5 or wristbands for $30. Wristbands guarantee both days unlimited play. Join the raffle to win your own gel blaster with proceeds going to kids less fortunate during the holidays. Donations welcome. For more information, contact Buddy and Tammy from the MV Youth Softball League at (760) 501-4826.
Santa Claus will also be visiting Twentynine Palms tomorrow (December 14), and he’ll be helping deserving high school students go off to college.
The Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club has teamed up with Mr. Claus himself to raise money for three college scholarships. The jolly elf will be available for photographs at the Twentynine Palms Starbucks tomorrow evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Photographs with Santa will cost $5, and you can take as many photos as you like.
All money raised will go to the scholarships for three deserving Twentynine Palms High School seniors. Free cocoa will be provided at the event.
The Historic Plaza in Twentynine Palms is hosting a holiday market on Sunday (December 15). You can expect shopping from local vendors, live music, giveaways, and even the Mojave Mini Donkeys.
The fun runs all day from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 p.m. The donkeys will arrive at noon, Los Ponchos Tones take the stage at 1:00 p.m., and Santa Claus will be available for photos from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m.
Food and drink will be available throughout.
The Historic Plaza is at the intersection of Adobe Road and 2 Mile Road in Twentynine Palms.
Date: Sunday, December 15th, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: The Historic Plaza (Adobe at 2 Mile Road)
Special Appearances: The Mojave Mini Donkeys from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Live Music: Los Ponchos Tones from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Photos & Kids Stocking Giveaway with Santa & Mrs. Claus: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Food and Drink: Available from The Cactus Bar & Restaurant
Admission: Free
For more information, contact Friends of The Historic Plaza by emailing [email protected] or reaching out on Facebook or Instagram.
This Saturday there is a free neighborhood clean-up event for residents of Johnson Valley, Landers, Flamingo Heights, and other unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.
The event starts at 8:00 a.m. and goes to 12:00 noon or until the bins are full. It’s being held at the Johnson Valley Improvement Association at 50567 Quailbush Road.
Residents can dump accumulated household trash, bulky items, green waste, and tires at no cost. The Urban Conservation Corps will also be on-site collecting electronic waste, such as TVs, computer monitors, cell phones, microwaves, and other devices.
Previously reported:
Two of our local animal shelters have reduced adoption fees in the hopes of finding homes for deserving pets this holiday season.
Our area’s city-run animal shelters Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter in Twentynine Palms, and the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter have both reduced adoption fees for dogs and cats until December 21.
Palms-N-Paws says that the have reduced adoption fees to $29 thanks to a sponsorship from the San Diego Humane Society.
The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is hosting their annual “Fur-ever Home for the Holidays Adoption Event”. All dog and cat adoptions costs will be reduced to only $20. This event adoption price includes the cost of spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, and a microchip
Additional fees may apply at both shelters. Come meet some fabulous dogs and cats!
Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter is at 7086 Bullion Ave, Twentynine Palms. adoption hours are Tuesday-Friday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is located at 4755 Malin Way and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
A man was arrested in Twentynine Palms on Saturday for investigation into assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly kicking the head of a victim lying on the ground.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday (December 7), San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of assault at a residence on Valley Vista Road near Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms. Deputies say that the victim and his friend went to the residence to pick up the victim’s vehicle. While the victims were attempting to start the car deputies say that Richard Sansoucie, 41, confronted the victim, hit him, and then chased him on foot. Deputies say the victim fell to the ground and Sansoucie continued to hit and kick the victim in the face, causing injuries.
Deputies arrived, and placed Sansoucie under arrest. The victim was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center for treatment for his injuries.
Richard Sansoucie was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) and has since been released on bail.
The Copper Mountain Community College Board of Trustees meets in regular session this afternoon and new trustees will be sworn on to the Board, then assign positions to new members. The board will then receive reports from students, administrators, and teachers, and honor Trustee Greg Gilbert.
Today’s meeting is open to the public and will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the CMC’s Bell Center, located at 6162 Rotary Way in Joshua Tree.
A new schedule of events may be coming to Twentynine Palms in the new year. The City’s Tourism Business Improvement District, known colloquially as TBID, has released a list of who has applied for events funding and sponsorship for the first half of 2025.
The TBID provides significant funding to large and small events held in Twentynine Palms as part of an effort to increase tourism dollars. Applications are in and the TBID has released all of the received applications in advance of their December 18 meeting at which the Board of Directors will allocate and approve funds.
Major events seeking grants up to $20,000 include a women’s event organized by the Joshua Tree National Park Association, a music festival produced by JT City Limits, a film and music festival hosted at Smith’s Ranch Drive-In, Theatre 29 applying to fund the second half of their current theater season including performances of Jesus Christ Superstar and Streetcar Named Desire, an outdoor, dark sky dance event from Dance Mojave, a queer-minded arts culture festival put on by DESERTRADE, and a program inviting producers for all-expense paid visits to entice filming in Twentynine Palms, called the “Shoot in 29 Palms Initiative.”
Applications for TBID sponsorship, which can mean funding up to $3,000 for smaller events, includes moving the hi-desert fringe festival from the joshua tree retreat center to twentynine palms, a children’s sensory play event, an improvised music and meditation event, a chalk art festival, a two-day festival of ten minute long plays at the Palms, a full moon festival at Sky’s the limit observatory, a second year of the revived Desert Rat Convention.
Event grants, totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars, were reviewed and scored by a five-member TBID advisory committee, separate from the TBID board of directors.
You can learn more about these applications, the grant funding initiatives, and the tourism in Twentynine Palms when TBID board member Ashton Ramsey and Marketing Director Breanne Dusastre appear on Friday morning’s Z107.7 Up Close Show with Gary Daigneault.
TBID Sponsorship and Event Grant Program FY24-25 Round One Event Sponsorship Applications – PDF
TBID Sponsorship & Event Grant Program FY24-25 Round One Event Grant Applications – PDF
