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Listen To Your News		Friday, April 6, 2012		News Archive

The land where the solar farm will be. From Two Mile Road, looking south, toward Hwy 62 and Joshua Tree National Park.

BP BUILDING 160-ACRE SOLAR FARM IN SUNFAIR AREA British Petroleum is developing a solar photovoltaic power project in Joshua Tree. Bill and Jane Bertoldi, who own 20 acres adjacent to the proposed project, met with BP Solar Energy representatives and Z107.7 yesterday to discuss the project. The 160-acre solar farm will be bordered by Two Mile Road on the north, Hollinger on the west, Sunfair Road on the east, and Pipeline Road on the south. BP has not pulled any permits yet from the County for the Joshua Tree Solar Farm, but expects to do so by November of this year.

The 20- megawatt solar farm should start delivering solar power to Southern California Edison by November of 2013. The BP representatives said the location was chosen in part because of its location to the SCE power grid. Biologists were out surveying plants and animals on the proposed project site this week. When completed, the 160-acre solar farm will have 100,000 to 150,000 solar panels and be surrounded by chain-link fencing eight to 10 feet high. BP Solar Energy offered to buy the Bertoldi's home and surrounding 20 acres, but the retired couple adamantly refused to consider the offer, saying they planned to live out the rest of their years in their custom-built home.

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STING OPERATION NETS ARREST OF BARTENDER FOR SERVING MINOR
A Twentynine Palms bartender was arrested during a minor decoy sting operation Wednesday night in Twentynine Palms. Between 5 and 10 p.m., minor decoys, under the supervision of investigators from the Sheriff's Department and the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, (ABC), tried to buy alcohol from 14 bars in the Morongo Basin. The minors were instructed to answer with their true ages and to show their actual identification, if asked. Ramona Salsberry, 57, of Joshua Tree, working as a bartender at the Downtown Josh Lounge in Twentynine Palms, was the only person in the sting operation who was cited for selling alcoholic beverages to minors. A criminal case against Salsberry will be forwarded to the District Attorney for review and possible prosecution. In addition, the case will be sent to the ABC for possible action against the liquor license of the Downtown Josh.

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YUCCA MESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT ADVANCES TO STATE SCIENCE FAIR COMPETITION
A sixth-grade student from Yucca Mesa Elementary School was one of 30 students who received a gold medal at the 30th Annual Inland Science and Engineering Science Fair this week and will be advancing to the state competition at the end of the month. Ayriel Bransford-Fonseca's project was one of 760 projects from four counties that competed in the event Tuesday and Wednesday. Managing Editor Tami Roleff interviewed 12-year-old Ayriel over the phone, who tells us a little bit about her science fair project...
Ayriel Bransford-Fonseca's science fair project was called Power Is Money, in which she measured the power usage of various electrical devices in her home, sorted by who used them—her mother, her father, and herself. Ayriel explains how she came up with the idea for her project. "My dad, he always gets angry at me for leaving my lights on, so I wanted to find a way to get a little bit back at him." She measured the power used by her father's two televisions, humidifier, and hand tools; her mother's Keurig coffee maker, hair curlers, and hair dryer; and her portable DVD player, her laptop, and a lamp. Ayriel discovered that hair dryers are an extremely expensive appliance to use. If her mother ran her hair dryer 24 hours a day for a whole year, it would cost $3,149 to run. And did Ayriel's father have any reason to complain about her electrical usage? "And I found out his is more than double mine. If I doubled mine, his was still more." Her father wasn't too happy when he learned the results of who used the most power. "He was angry, but my mom still can't get him to keep the TVs off."

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LOOK AT MORONGO BASIN EASTER EGG HUNTS AND ACTIVITIES
There are Easter Egg Hunts in every corner of the Morongo Basin this weekend.

The Town of Yucca Valley will present its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at the Community Center ball fields. The egg hunt will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to children ages 2 to 12. Children are urged to come early to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. There is no charge, but children should bring an Easter basket. For more information, call 760-369-7211.

The Yucca Valley First Assembly of God will hold a Mighty Egg Hunt and barbecue at the church, 7546 Kickapoo Trail in Yucca Valley, Saturday, starting at 11:30 a.m. Two areas will be set up for children—toddlers, and 5 to 12 years. For more information, call 760-365-8374.

In Joshua Tree, the Community Center will hold its 45th annual egg hunt on Saturday April 7, beginning at 9 a.m. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. For more information, call 760-366-8415.

The Joshua Tree Library will hold an EGG-Stravaganza on Saturday from 10:30 to noon. The event will include crafts, egg-dying and a cake walk. Children should bring six hard-boiled eggs. For more information, call 760-366-8615.

Sky View Chapel will sponsor a Friendly Hills Community Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2 to 10 at 11 a.m. Saturday at Friendly Hills Park in Joshua Tree.

Join in the fun at the Twentynine Palms Library for the Easter egg dyeing and crafts program on Saturday, April 7, from 10 until noon. Children who wish to participate in the egg dyeing must bring their own hardboiled eggs with a limit of six per person. All ages are welcome and everything is FREE! For more information, call 760-367-9519.

As part of its special Easter Celebration, the Lighthouse Assembly will hold an Easter egg hunt, and special preaching and singing at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Immanuel Prince of Peace Church in Twentynine Palms.

In Twentynine Palms, the Fire Department and Explorers will host its Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at the Little League fields in Luckie Park. The hunt is open to children through age 7, and will be divided into two groups, toddlers to 3 years old, and 4 to 7 years old. Fire engines will also be on display.

And finally, in Wonder Valley, the Wonder Valley Community Church will hold an Easter Egg hunt Sunday as part of its Easter Community Celebration from noon to 4 at the church, 82575 Amboy Road. Children from toddlers through elementary school should bring their Easter baskets, and parents should bring their cameras for photos with the Easter Bunny.

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TIME TO START PLANNING FOR THIS YEAR'S TWENTYNINE PALMS WEED SHOW
The very quirky and very local tradition of the Twentynine Palms Weed Show is set for November. Reporter Dan stork reminds you to start getting ready...
It's never too early to start thinking about your entry in the Twentynine Palms Weed Show, which pops up the first weekend of November at the Old Schoolhouse Museum on National Park Drive. This venerable local institution, now over 70 years old, offers 10 categories of composition open to all comers, plus a slot just for children 12 and younger. The categories differ by size requirements and by mandatory accessory elements (purple glass, native rock, something spiky, etc.), but all must use dried desert plants and natural adhesives. The overall theme of the 2012 show has not yet been announced, but you can give your creative urges a head start by viewing weedshow29palms.com.

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LAST WEEKEND FOR "LOST IN YONKERS" AT THEATRE 29
The is the last weekend to find some serious theatrical magic going on at Theatre 29 as "Lost in Yonkers" runs tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. Director Rebecca Havely has molded the "memory play" by Neil Simon into an artistic gem for the all volunteer community theater. Tickets are online at www.theatre.org or by calling the Theatre 29 box office at 760-361-4151. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and military; and $8 for students. Theatre 29 is located at 73637 Sullivan Road, (right around the corner from Barr Lumber) in the City of Twentynine Palms.

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MANE STREET STAMPEDE GALLOPS INTO PIONEERTOWN TOMORROW
The Mane Street Stampede thunders into Pioneertown with their season-opener tomorrow. The western re-enactment group, Stampede, provides a family friendly atmosphere with a series of old-west, shoot-em-up skits. Weekly shows are held at 2:30 P.M. every Saturday at the center of Mane Street in Pioneertown through October. All shows are free.

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TRANSITIONS JOSHUA TREE TO CLEAN UP JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER TOMORROW
Transitions Joshua Tree will be holding a spring clean-up day at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center on Monday at 9 a.m. The clean-up day is in exchange for a reduced fee for a workshop Transitions held at the retreat center last month. The more volunteers who show up for the clean-up day, the sooner it will be done. Please sign up with Donna Leo at donnaml@mac.com.

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PLANT AND WILDFLOWER HIKE AT BIG MORONGO PRESERVE
Learn more about the region's plants and wildflowers in Morongo Valley tomorrow, Managing Editor Tami Roleff invites you to a hike at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve...
Plants and wildflowers will be discussed during a hike at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, 9 a.m. Saturday, April 7. The hike will be through the mesquite, up the trail to the Yucca Ridge, then through the Desert Willow Trail to the Boardwalk and back to the kiosk. The initial trail up the Yucca Ridge is steep and rocky and goes up to 3,400 feet elevation. The views of the mountain ranges and preserve are excellent. Hikers are urged to wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and to bring water. The hike will take about 2 hours. Please call Betty Zeller at 760-363-7190 to reserve your spot.

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JOSHUA TREE VFW SERVING UP DINNER TONIGHT, BREAKFAST SUNDAY
The Joshua Tree VFW will be serving up a fish and shrimp dinner tonight, from 4:30 to 6:30. Sunday breakfast with a ham steak special from 8 to 11. And don't forget Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1.

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COPPER MOUNTAIN MESA BREAKFAST TOMORROW
It's time for the First Saturday Breakfast at the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center located in North Joshua Tree. Tomorrow, the association's volunteers will serve up a belly-buster breakfast for the small sum of $4.50 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. A heaping helping for neighborliness comes with every breakfast at no additional charge. They will also have an Easter Egg coloring contest on the front patio for everyone to enjoy.

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FREE BREAKFAST IN JOSHUA TREE TOMORROW
Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church will provide a FREE Community Breakfast Buffet Saturday morning 9-10 a.m. Children's activities are provided during the breakfast. The church is located at 6213 East Parkway in Joshua Tree.

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FREE MEAL IN TWENTYNINE PALMS TOMORROW
Breaking Bread Ministry is serving up a free meal of ham, scrambled eggs, biscuits and dessert and fellowship tomorrow from 3-5 p.m. at Little Church of the Desert Community Hall in Twentynine Palms.

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JOSHUA TREE LIBRARY REDUCES SEES CANDY PRICES
Just in time for Easter, the Joshua tree Library is having a sale on See's Candy, Reporter Dan Stork has the bargains...
Hop on by the Joshua Tree Library between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday April 7th and receive a sweet deal on See's Easter Candy. The Friends of the Joshua Tree Library will have their remaining supply of See's Easter Candy on sale. The 1-pound boxes will be marked down from $16.50 to $15.00, and Bunny Boxes and Peanut Butter, Chocolate Butter and Bordeaux Eggs have been reduced to $5.00 from $6.50.

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EASTER CHURCH SERVICES ALL OVER THE AREA
A free concert featuring an Easter Cantata will be held at Yucca Valley United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Chancel Choir, the Bel Canto Ringers, and the church's bell choir will also perform. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. The church is located at 57273 Onaga Trail in Yucca Valley.

One 80 Church on the Highway in downtown Joshua Tree will hold a "He Is Risen" service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by a kid-friendly day at noon. There'll be food, a bounce house, and games.

Apostolic Lighthouse Assembly will hold a special Easter Celebration at 1 p.m. Sunday. The celebration will be at the Immanuel Prince of Peace Church in Twentynine Palms. There will be anointed preaching, singing, and special events for the children, to include an Easter egg hunt.

In Wonder Valley, the Wonder Valley Community Church will hold an Easter Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. at the Wonder Valley Community Park. Bring your blankets or chairs. An Easter Celebration will also be held from noon to 4 at the church, with children's events, an appearance by the Easter Bunny, and hot dogs and lemonade. The church is at 82575 Amboy Road.

Morongo Basin Jews will sit down to a ceremonial dinner to observe the first night of Passover. The eight-day holiday commemorates Jews' liberation from slavery and exodus from Egypt during the time of Moses. It traditionally is marked by two nights of Seders with foods that symbolize the meaning of Passover.

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TEENS FOR HUMANITY BUSY AT TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL
A Twentynine Palms High School service club is raising funds for a good cause. ROP Broadcast student Kelly Christensen has more about Teens for Humanity…
The Twentynine Palms High School Service Club, Teens for Humanity, does fundraisers to earn money. The advisor, Ms. Lee, reported that Teens for Humanity raised $178 during Del Taco Night to donate toward research for muscular dystrophy. Also, on March 24, the club sold baked goods and yard sale items to raise money for the club. Ms. Lee said that the ideas for the club's fundraisers come from club members and her family.

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CAR WASH TO BENEFIT CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
A car wash Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ultimate Motors in Yucca Valley will raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They are only asking for donations and 100% of the money goes to research for a cure. Resident Seth Ferris was diagnosed at birth thanks to newborne screenings. His family participates in the Great Strides Walk every year as team Seth Monster and have a fund raising goal of $1000. You can also donate online at http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ShawnFerris.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL WINS HARD-FOUGHT GAME WITH TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL
The Yucca Valley Lady Trojan Varsity Softball team traveled to Twentynine Palms on Thursday to face the Wildcats in their second league game of the year. Yucca Valley came out on top in a 11-9 victory. The lead changed hands throughout the game, But Yucca Valley posted a five-run sixth inning to seal the win. The Trojans are now 2-0 in league and 10-3 overall on their season. These two local teams meet again on Tuesday, April 10, at Machris Park.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULES
Coming up in high school sports on Saturday, the Twentynine Palms High School track team will be competing in the Sparta Relays at San Gorgonio High School. First race is at 8 a.m.

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