Saturday, February 28 - March 7, 2015

TODAY, SATURDAY, February 28
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Health Sciences and Nursing OPEN HOUSE – programs for registered and vocational nursing, LVN to RN, Nurse Assistant, Home Health Aide and EMT – Copper Mountain College, Bell Center Gym, 6162 Rotary Way, JT 760-366-3791 x5801 or nursing@cmccd.edu

7:30 p.m.: LIVE MUSIC - PROBOSCI: Guitarist Gyan Riley and Violinist Timba Harris, Harrision House,  6881 Mount Lassen Avenue, JT. Info 760.366.4712. $15 donation – tickets at JT Health Foods.

Online Edition:
9:00 p.m.: LIVE MUSIC - HUNTER AND WICK'D at the Joshua Tree Saloon. 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT.

BEQUINOX 2015 - ticket sales began February 26 and continue through March 8. All un-purchased directed tickets will then be offered to the general population in the OMG sale as mentioned below. For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1569659233276832/permalink/1582360425340046/

SUNDAY, March 1, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Every Sunday through May 10, KEYS RANCH TOUR, Joshua Tree National Park. Adults (12 & up) $5; senior pass, access pass holders and children 6-11 $2.50; children under 6 free. Purchase tickets by phone 760-367-5522 or at Joshua Tree (Park Blvd) and Oasis of Mara (Utah Trail) Visitor Centers.

Bill Keys standing next to a Joshua tree log fence at the ranch.

SUNDAY, March 1, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.: SEED EXCHANGE. Trade your extra seeds, explore new food and flowers. LIVE MUSIC by Artemis and James Groft. Light Refreshments. 29 Palms Inn, 73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine Palms

MONDAY, March 2, 7:00 p.m.: Kip's first Monday Desert BOOK CLUB is discussing Walter M. Miller, Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz, meeting at Andrea Zittel's. More info: http://tinyurl.com/hdstar-canticle

Online Edition:
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 7:00 p.m.: Joshua Basin Water District BOARD MEETING, 61750 Chollita Road, JT. The public is encouraged to attend. Also on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 in the Morongo Basin. 

WEDNESDAY, March 4, 6:30 p.m.: TIBETAN MEDITATION, "The Bodhisattva of Compassion Meditation is an Ancient Tibetan 'Transformative Tool,' led by Sunny Sun-Downer every Wednesday evening. Donations lovingly accepted."  Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT. More: http://tinyurl.com/hdstar-meditation

THURSDAY, March 5, 2:00-4:00 p.m.: SPARC FORUM (San Bernardino County Partnership for Renewable Energy & Conservation), videoconferenced live in the County Government Center, 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT. SPARC is the County government project to balance desert conservation with renewable energy development within the unincorporated areas of the County that are not owned by the state or federal government. Land Use staff will conduct a public listening session on their plans. The public is invited to make comments. Many thanks to Lauren Ell of laurenellofthehidesert.com for updates.

THURSDAY, March 5, 6:06 p.m.: This FULL MOON was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Worm Moon as the ground begins to soften and earthworms reappear around this time.

Online Edition:
FRIDAY, March 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m.: American Parlor Songbook taping with JP Houston & Julie Van Dusen. “If you haven't experienced a LIVE taping of the brilliantly funny and musical radio show, American Parlor Songbook, you are in for a treat. $5-10 donation recommended. No one turned away due to lack of funds.” Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT. 

The water-wise flower of March is the beautiful PINK ROCKROSE, Cistus x skanbergii, cold hardy to 15 degrees. Deer and rabbit resistant.

PLAN AHEAD: 
Sunday, March 8, Daylight Savings Time, SPRING forward!

Online Edition:
Also, if you're ever in the Los Angeles Basin you can pick up native desert plants at Theodore Payne Nursery, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley CA 91352, 818-768-1802 Tuesday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Closed Sunday – Monday. Check the inventory ("D" column) - http://theodorepayne.org/nursery/inventory

Saturday, February 21 - 27, 2015

TODAY, SATURDAY, February 21
9:30 a.m. - NOON, Field Trip at Joshua Tree & Southern Railroad Museum, 8901 Willow Lane, JT. Morongo Basin Historical Society, members $10, non-members $15. Contact Claudia jrcs7599@roadrunner.com or 760-366-7896.

9:00 a.m. - NOON: Drop off unwanted prescription drugs and sharps at Hi-Desert Medical Center in front of the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus in Joshua Tree. Keep unneeded prescription drugs out of the hands of children and teens.

9:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, 62499 Twentynine Palms Highway. For more info: 800-645-9228. (They take butane cans!)

6:00 p.m.: LIVE at the Saloon, FEEDING LEROY, think Gram Parsons and Emmylou meets the Jayhawks, country music at its core. 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT. No cover or drink minimum, 21 and over. Listen!

SUNDAY, February 22, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.:  LIVE at the Beatnik Lounge: TWO great acts - MYSHKIN & ADOBE COLLECTIVE, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT

MONDAY, February 23: Public comments will be accepted on the DRECP (Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan – drecp.org) through today. If you haven’t already, send your comments to: docket@energy.ca.gov or http://tinyurl.com/hdstar-drecp

TUESDAY, February 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.: High Desert Mythological Roundtable Group: Screening of the film "Ensoulment." Discussion follows. Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT http://tinyurl.com/hdstar-ensoulment

THURSDAY, February 26, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.: Barker Dam, ranger-led hike exploring how humans have learned to live in harmony with the desert. Bring a hat, wear sunscreen, and carry plenty of water. 1 mile, 1.5 hours, FREE. Ask for directions at the Park Avenue entrance. [ MAP ]

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, February 27 & 28, 7:30 p.m.:
LIVE - PROBOSCI: Guitarist Gyan Riley and Violinist Timba Harris, Harrision House,  6881 Mount Lassen Avenue. Info 760.366.4712. $15 donation – tickets at JT Health Foods, 61693 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

PLAN AHEAD:

Saturday, February 28, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Health Sciences & Nursing Open House – programs for registered and vocational nursing, LVN to RN, Nurse Assistant, Home Health Aide and EMT – Copper Mountain College, Bell Center Gym, 6162 Rotary Way, JT 760-366-3791 x 5801 or nursing@cmccd.edu.

"I shivered in those solitudes when I heard the voice of the salt in the desert." Pablo Neruda

Saturday, February 14 - 20, 2015

Late Breaking, THIS week!

WEDNESDAY, February 11:
Liesl Clouse released her video "to support keeping dollar general out of joshua tree!" RFJT and Beatnik Cafe - why didn't I know about this? Talk to me!!!

FRIDAY, February 13, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.:
350 Joshua Tree "Eco-Artist Call-Out" & "Global Fossil-Fuel Divestment Day Protest"!

Join the World-Wide Protest This Friday the 13th in Downtown Joshua Tree, then contribute your protest-poster-art to the "Show Me (& the Planet) the LOVE" Art Exhibit & Support the Beatnik Lounge. (Side-Theme: "Where Will U Put Ur 'Heart-On' If U Don't Have a Planet?")

We Will Meet at the Beatnik Lounge at approximately 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon to create protest posters (bring poster board & art supplies if you can!) Then at approximately 5:00 p.m. we will march down to the corner of Park Boulevard and Highway 62 for an hour or so of spreading the message and calling attention to people who may want to join our fight! Come with your art and time to "invest" in the quickly-growing movement to "divest" in fossil fuels.

Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway, JT 92252 (at the corner of Park & Highway 62)

FACEBOOK: http://tinyurl.com/jt-divest

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This is the column for Saturday, February 14, 2015

TONIGHT, 6:00 p.m.:
Austrian/Mojave indie band Son of the Velvet Rat at The Saloon, 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway. No cover or drink minimum, 21 and over.

MONDAY, February 16, 8:00-11:00 a.m.:
JT Commodities Food Distribution, JT Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Ave. Low income San Bernardino residents self-certify on site.

Late addition: Wednesday, February 17, 8:00 p.m.: Liesl Clouse's No Dollar General video debut at Beatnik Lounge. Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway

THURSDAY, February 19, noon - 1:00 p.m.:
Artists from Invention/Reinvention discuss their work in a public forum during the 3rd Thursday Cultural Series.
Ada Hatch Center, 6334 Rotary Way, next to the CMC main campus.
Contact Cathy Allen at 760-366-379 x 0600

THURSDAY, February 19, 6:30 p.m.: CANCELLED!
Joshua Tree Film Festival, indie film 45 RPM tells of a young girl’s quest for a 45 RPM recording of her father’s music.

Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twentynine Palms Highway

FRIDAY, February 20, 7:00-9:00 p.m.:
Black Rock Lecture Series: San Bernardino County Renewable Energy Development Codes Updates, Copper Mountain College, 6162 Rotary 

Moderator:  Laraine Turk, Morongo Basin Conservation Association Panelists:  James Ramos, Supervisor, San Bernardino County; David Lamfrom, National Parks Conservation Association and Frazier Haney, Mojave Desert Land Trust. Register for this free event.

PLAN AHEAD:

SATURDAY, February 21, 9:30 a.m. - NOON
Field Trip at Joshua Tree & Southern Railroad Museum, 8901 Willow Lane, JT. Morongo Basin Historical Society, members $10, non-members $15. Contact Claudia jrcs7599@roadrunner.com or 760-366-7896.

SATURDAY, February 21, 9:00 a.m.-NOON
Drop off your unwanted prescription drugs and sharps at Hi-Desert Medical Center in front of the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus in Joshua Tree. Keep unneeded prescription drugs out of the hands of children and teens.

SATURDAY, February 21,  9:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, 62499 Twentynine Palms Highway. For more info: 800-645-9228.

GET RICH SLOWLY!  Sign up to learn placer gold mining through the Copper Mountain College Community Education Program. Four all-day SATURDAY courses beginning February 28 for $60. The course teaches equipment needs, electronic prospecting, filing a claim, map reading, desert survival, and more. Lots of other useful classes available, peruse the catalog: http://tinyurl.com/hdstar-gold

“Relaxation don't tire you so much in the desert as other places.” - Harry Oliver, Desert Rat Scrap Book

Saturday, February 7 - 13, 2015

Late Breaking, THIS week!

THURSDAY, February 5: Shari Elf's I LIKE MYSELF Music Video, Finish my CD & Party!
Art Queen, 61855 Hwy 62, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

FRIDAY, February 6: There's an open casting call Friday, February 6, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Beatnik Cafe for the film Le Mojave, to be based on the cult classic La Jetee.  Thanks, Molly!

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This is the Joshua Tree Do Tell column for the Hi-Desert Star for the Saturday 7, 2015 issue.

February is Black History Month! Check out Chris Clarke’s, African-Americans Shaping the California Desert Clarke writes,

In 1910, the first year of homesteading in the Lanfair Valley (now part of the Mojave Preserve), six land claims were filed by black people, a respectable proportion of the total number of claims. All in all 17 African-American families homesteaded the valley, most of them in the vicinity of Dunbar – a settlement intended to serve as a center for African-American folks.

Read more about the wonderful community they built.

MONDAY, February 9: The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meets at Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and get their public comment on! CANCELLED

TUESDAY, February 10, 10:00 a.m.: San Bernardino Board of Supervisors meets. Participate via videoconferencing at Bob Burke Government Center, 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway. The public is invited to testify, make presentations, or just watch the meeting.

WEDNESDAY, February 11, 5:30 p.m.: Gold Prospecting in Southern California, with Charles Sherry, prospector/member of First Class Miners Group. Brief overview of the history of prospecting around our local desert. Hi-Desert Nature Museum, 57116 Twentynine Palms Highway, YV. Contact Claudia jrcs7599@roadrunner.com or 760-366-7896.

THURSDAY, February 12, San Bernardino Fire Department hosts the Morongo Basin CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training, every Thursday February 12 - April 9, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Training includes medical, fire control, disaster preparedness, search and rescue, and more. Free. Contact: Battalion Chief Michael Snow at 760-365-3335, msnow@sbcfire.org.

THURSDAY, February 12, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:  Free Legal Aid Clinic, Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst.

PLAN AHEAD:

Second SATURDAY, February 14, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., downtown Joshua Tree.
FEATURING Joshua Tree Art Gallery Group Show Opening 6:00-8:00 p.m. Artists include: David A. Clark, Barbara Drucker, Marcia Geiger, Jason Graves, Brian Leatart, David Mackenzie, Vann Nguyen, James O'keefe, Drew Reese, Steve Rieman, Barbara Spiller, Melissa Spurr and Judy Wold. 61607 Twentynine Palms Highway

PET LOVERS
Check out the San Bernardino Spay and Neuter Voucher Program. Qualified residents receive vouchers up to a maximum value of $50.00 for dogs and $25.00 for cats. Call 888-767-2550.