Dispatch: Week of May 11
Joshua Tree Music Festival's triumphant return and all you need to know about Grubstakes Days
Hello from California’s high desert. The cooler weather early this week won’t stick around much longer — sounds like the weekend is going to be pretty toasty and some heat records may fall. As always, keep an eye on any burns or outdoor flames in exceptionally hot or windy weather to avoid fast-spreading fires.
Programming note: I will be off starting next week through the week of June 8 to accommodate some travel plans — work and fun, thankfully — and some projects I’ve been putting off so far this year. I will be back in your inboxes on June 15.
And now, onto this week’s news:
In COVID-19 news:
California is experiencing a “significant uptick” in COVID-19 cases this week, and officials are considering implementing changes to public health measures to combat the surge.
Bill Gates announced Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19.
More than 1 million people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S since the onset of the pandemic.
In local news:
The Joshua Tree Music Festival stages its triumphant return this weekend after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus.
Tickets are still available for purchase online here. The festival starts tomorrow and runs through the weekend in Joshua Tree. 2020 ticket holders can fill out this form to redeem their tickets for this year’s show, which is the festivals 20th anniversary celebration.
Grubstakes Days is just around the corner.
Registration for the Grubstakes run is now open. The course includes a 10k run, a 5k run, and a 2k walk.
Here is the full run-down of events, courtesy of Z107.7.
Short-term rental permits in Yucca Valley are getting more expensive starting July 1.
The town is increasing the STR costs to $965 for a permit plus a $340 monitoring fee starting July 1. Previously, fees were $270 for a permit and $85 for monitoring.
It is officially election primary season. Mail-order ballots have started arriving and are due back by election day, June 7.
Beginning Tuesday, May 31, there will be an early voting site in Joshua Tree. It’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, June 4 and on Monday, June 6.
Seats for the Hi-Desert Water District, Joshua Basin Water District, Morongo Unified School District, Yucca Valley Town Council, Twentynine Palms City Council and other local offices are up for election in November, but are not included in the primary ballots.
Editor’s note: a previous version of this post indicated the above positions were up for election in the primary when they are not eligible until November’s general election. The Dispatch regrets the error.
There is an abortion rights protest planned for Saturday, May 14, from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. in Yucca Valley.
In state news:
The state is regularly failing to meet water conservation records as we sit on the edge of another disastrous drought year.
Water use was up 19% in March compared to the previous year.
California unveiled some of its climate plan for the coming decade, and it includes all-electric homes for any new construction projects by 2026.
And now that we’re entering the summer months, a quick refresher on your rights as an employee if you are required to work outdoors in temperatures above 80°.
In other news:
It was a very bad, no good week on the stock market.
There is a nationwide shortage of baby formula due to supply chain constraints and a recent recall. Experts are advising parents not attempt to make formula at home.
Pupdate of the week: The dogs are just about back to their normal schedule after our trip. They’ve enjoyed our afternoon walks, which we’re trying to take advantage of before it gets too hot later in the day, and are back to joining us in our home offices for meetings and lots of naps.
Trail tip of the week: We’re heading into the last few busy weeks of the season here in the desert, so it’s a great time to explore some of the less popular trails in the park or in one of our many monuments or other areas that don’t get quite as big a crowd as Joshua Tree National Park. And a pro tip — always carry a fine-tooth comb in your hiking bag. They are the easiest way to remove a cactus spine for your shoe.
Read of the week: I am admittedly a journalism nerd, so I accept the responsibility of letting you all know that the Pulitzer Prizes were announced this week and there are some incredible pieces of work that were honored for the award. My absolute favorite was a piece in The Atlantic I shared a few months back about a young man who died in the 9/11 attacks as the reporter tries to trace out the long-lasting impact his death has had on his family and loved ones. Here’s the full list of winners and links to the stories.
Show of the week: The last season of Netflix’s longest running show Grace and Frankie is out and I’m ready to close out this fantastic comedy-drama in its seventh season. The cast includes Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, and Martin Sheen and they are all just as delightful as you’d think. I won’t spoil the series if you haven’t seen it already, but when it premiered it was a show that felt very original compared to its peer sitcoms.
That’s all for this week! I hope you have a great next few weeks and get a few chances to get outside.
- Megan