Consumer energy choices and the pros and cons of Bhakti Fest were the main topics at the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting last night. Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
With representatives of both SoCalGas and Southern California Edison weighing in, the Twentynine Palms City Council considered a template resolution around energy solutions. Both utilities urged the council to table the resolution and consider more energy diversification choices. The council will revisit after further study.
Members of the Tourism Business Improvement District gave a glowing report on the business success of the Bhakti Fest, a yoga/dance/music festival. Previously held in Joshua Tree, the festival relocated to the Roadrunner Dunes Golf Course with an invitation from the city. TBID presenters spoke of nearly sold out hotels, extended stays and a 24 percent increased occupancy rate from the previous September. Also, there was a 300 percent web traffic increase to the lodging pages of Visit29.org.
The report was followed by two residents of Saddle Horn Road—which borders the golf course—who felt differently. Each complained of crowds, noise, trespassing, and rude behavior from festival attendees. Resident Steve Lomax stated that he was not given a head’s up about the festival and hoped the event would not return.
