Dispatch: Week of October 26
Two weeks until Election Day, Halloween events, and California's economic moves
Hello from California’s high desert where the fall chill set in over the weekend courtesy of some gusty winds. My apologies for missing last week without giving you all a heads up, I was traveling and the day just got away from me! I know how important consistency is in these Dispatches, so it is always my goal to be as transparent with you as possible when things don’t go to plan.
And with that, onto this week’s news:
In local news:
Election day is in two weeks, so be sure to make a plan to vote on November 8 or get your mail-in ballots to the Post Office here in the next week so they are received and counted on time.
San Bernardino County is still looking for poll workers for November 8. If you are willing and able to participate, all you need to do is complete a a two-hour training course ahead of time.
As I’m sure we’ve all heard by now, Jared Leto is selling a $97 skincare cream called Twentynine Palms.
The Town of Yucca Valley is hosting family friendly Halloween-themed fair on Saturday, October 29, together with the Hi-Desert Nature Museum.
The event will run from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at at the Yucca Valley Community Center Ball Fields. It features a costume contest, carnival rides, mega-slides, obstacle courses, and trick-or-treating, per Z107.7.
Last Friday, a Yucca Valley resident reported that a mountain lion was spotted in the Sky Harbor neighborhood and may have injured her 90-pound dog, a scenario that was confirmed by an emergency veterinarian in Indio, per the Hi-Desert Star.
The free Yucca Valley Film Festival will be held in person from November 11 to 13 at the Yucca Valley Community Center.
The Hi-Desert Star has the full line-up of events for the weekend here.
The Groves Cabin Theatre in Morongo Valley will reopen on October 28 with a double feature for $25. The shows start at 7:30 p.m.
The National Park Service is looking for volunteers to help replant Joshua trees throughout the burn zone in Mojave National Preserve following the Dome Fire. The Joshua Tree planting event is scheduled for November 4-18.
In state news:
California is officially the world’s fourth largest economy after overtaking Germany on Monday.
California is also facing an unprecedented third straight winter with La Niña conditions, which are often warmer and drier than other years. Even with the monsoonal moisture this summer, a dry winter will likely increase drought conditions statewide.
The state is reporting rising cases of influenza in adults and RSV in children and asking those that can to get vaccinated to prevent a larger surge in respiratory illnesses this winter.
The state forest service is suing Southern California Edison and T-Mobile, alleging their equipment sparked the 2020 Silverado Fire that displaced 90,000 residents in southern Orange County.
In other news:
Taylor Swift’s latest album “Midnights” broke Spotify’s record for most streamed album in a single day after debuting at midnight E.T. on October 21.
It is that good, I can confirm.
The MLB World Series kicks off Friday around 5 p.m. between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros. Sorry to the Phillies fans out there, but we’re not rooting for anyone this year.
Leslie Jordan, a beloved actor and comedian well known for his work on Will & Grace, died in a car accident in Hollywood on Monday. He was 67.
Pupdate of the week: The dogs got their Halloween costumes last weekend. Any guesses on what they will be?
Trail tip of the week: I am breaking in new boots and have been reminded how much of a process it is! I’m currently wearing extra large socks to soften the uppers plus lots and lots of bandaids to ward off the blisters. My thoughts are with anyone else in this situation.
Show of the week: I am working through my Halloween watch list this week. Practical Magic has always been on that list and I always seem to catch 45 minutes of the movie on cable, but I finally sat down for the full viewing this week and boy did it deliver. The 90s nostalgia is only second to the wonderful acting jobs by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock when they were younger. It is now streaming on HBO Max.
That’s it for this week, and thankfully I am back in the Basin for the foreseeable future after a long few weeks of traveling. I hope you have a great weekend and are able to get outside!
- Megan