Dispatch: Week of November 16
Yucca Valley residents win big, UC workers go on strike, and an out-of-this-world update from NASA
Hello from California’s high desert. The good news is that temperatures are looking closer to normal next week. The bad news is that it is still a whole week away.
Now, onto this week’s news:
In local news:
“Inside The Beauty Bubble,” a documentary Joshua Tree’s iconic salon, won the prestigious Yucca Valley Award at last weekend’s Yucca Valley Film Festival.
Kassy Mahea, a Joshua Tree filmmaker, also won “best dance film,” and Genea Gaudet won the “Keep Mojave Free” award for her music video “Wasteland.”
Yucca Valley artist David Falossi won Best Sculpture at the La Quinta Arts Celebration over the weekend.
Jef Harmatz was named news director for both the on-air and online operations for Z107.7.
Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club is teaming up with Reach Out Morongo Basin to provide 150 Thanksgiving baskets to local families in need.
If you need a turkey with all the fixings, you can contact Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 to sign up.
Indian Cove residents met with the developer of the proposed Wonder Valley Inn on Sunday to voice their concerns about the large-scale resort and its potential impact on the area.
There is currently no timeline for the project, but concerned residents can reach out to indiancoveneighbors@gmail.com to receive regular updates.
The Twentynine Palms United Methodist Church started their winter coat drive today and is accepting donations of gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and socks.
The church is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday and is located at 6250 Mesquite Springs Road in Twentynine Palms.
In state news:
University of California academic employees at all 10 campuses across the state are on strike for increased pay due to skyrocketing housing costs across the state.
The state is still counting ballots to finalize election results in key races that could determine which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
In other news:
Ticketmaster had a rough week after failing to prepare for the onslaught of eager Taylor Swift fans looking to purchase tickets to the star’s upcoming nationwide tour.
The World Cup begins Sunday morning. The U.S. Mens National Team plays Wales on Monday at 11 a.m. PT.
Tiny Pony and Grnd Sqrl are both opening with adjusted hours to show the games throughout the tournament.
NASA launched the Artemis I mission on Tuesday evening in its first return mission to the moon.
Pupdate of the week: Alice has a new outside-only ball that is really hurting our ability to get her to come inside during breaks. Oliver has co-opted not one but two household blankets for his morning naps.
Trail tip of the week: Permit season will be here before you know it if you are looking at any summer adventures, so make sure your information in Recreation.gov is up to date and you’ve got an alarm set. Getting a camp site is almost as hard as getting Taylor Swift tickets.
Show of the week: It’s a home rivalry match-up this week in our household. I am rooting for the Chicago Bears and Andrew is rooting for the Atlanta Falcons. I’m not holding my breath but it will be a fun morning at the very least!
That’s it for this week! I hope you have a great week and get a chance to get outside.
- Megan