Chamber Weekly eNewsletter

 *Chamber Backs Granite Construction's Gravel Mine Expansion*
 

Chamber members, members of the community, as well as other subscribers to our newsletter:

Below is a letter of support written by the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce in regards to the expansion of Granite Construction's extant gravel mine within the city limits. The letter will be presented at this evening's City Council meeting. Please feel free to contact the Chamber offices with any questions or concerns.

RE: Granite Construction Company Twentynine Palms and Gravel Mine - support

City Council Members:

This letter is being written to express the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce's support of the application from Granite Construction Company to certify a final environmental impact report and mitigation monitoring reporting program, approve a general plan amendment and change of zone, approve a reclamation plan and conditional use permit for a 356-acre site contiguous to the existing Twentynine Palms Sand and Gravel Mine located at 7451 Mojave Road within the city of Twentynine Palms.

We concur with the city of Twentynine Palms Community Development Director's recommendation to the Planning Commission and we are in favor of project approval.

As members of the community, we are keenly aware that job creation is very important to each of our residents and businesses, and when there is an opportunity to create and retain jobs, we encourage the Planning Commission to do so.

Granite Construction has a long history in this location and has provided aggregate material to a variety of construction projects throughout the High Desert, including the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. They have also supported many community organizations through time, talent and contributions.

The Environmental Impact Report has been thoroughly reviewed by consultants and staff, the aggregate site has been in existence for years, jobs are important to our community, and we believe that Granite Construction has been an outstanding member of our community. For these reasons, we ask that you approve the project and certify the final Environmental Impact Report.

 

 *Hi-Desert Medical Center Names New Chief Operating and Chief Nursing Officer*
 

Hi-Desert Medical Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Judy Austin, RN, MSN, MBA, FACHE, as its new chief operating officer and chief nursing officer. Ms. Austin brings more than 20 years of executive-level patient care service experience to her new post. Most recently, she served as senior vice president, patient care services at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley. Previously, she was vice president, patient care services at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

"I am pleased to be joining the HDMC family," said Judy Austin. "I am impressed with the work the organization has been doing in customer service and quality initiatives. I look forward to partnering with staff to take HDMC to an even higher level of service excellence."

Hi Desert Memorial Health Care District is comprised of 179 licensed beds: the Hi Desert Medical Center, a modern, 59 bed primary care hospital and the Continuing Care Center, a 120 bed skilled nursing facility on the campus of Hi Desert Medical Center. Along with a wide range of quality inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services, the District operates the Airway Outpatient Center-a full-service surgery and diagnostic center, the Behavioral Health Centre-an intensive mental health outpatient program, and family health clinics providing medical specialists for Medi-Cal patients. Home health and hospice and a variety of community education and outreach services are also provided.

 

 *Does Your Business or Organization Need Volunteers?*
 

The San Bernardino Employment Services Program in the 29 Palms area has volunteers looking for community service opportunities. These participants are available to volunteer up to 35 hours per week for non-profit organizations. If your organization has volunteer positions you need to fill please call 760-361-4636 and ask to speak with an Employment Services Specialist.

 

 Hi-Desert Medical Center Emergency Department Rated Among Top 10 in Nation
 

Hi-Desert Medical Center's emergency department received a Top Performing Emergency Department designation from Team Health, its physician provider. The department scored in the top 10 among more than 500 hospitals nationwide.

In an effort to identify common traits of the top performing emergency departments who partner with Team Health, an operational performance group interviewed emergency department leaders from across the nation with the goal of sharing critical success factors common among the departments. The study identified which emergency departments are achieving or exceeding their goals on a consistent basis. To be considered a high performing emergency department, significant progress had to be made in meeting or sustaining most (if not all) of the following key metrics:

§ Patient satisfaction
§ Throughput times (i.e.: door to provider time)
§ Core measure compliance
§ Community reputation
§ Growth
§ Marked improvement over baseline (most improved)
§ High degree of administrative satisfaction with leadership and teamwork

Hospital emergency departments in the top-10 nationwide-including Hi-Desert Medical Center's-share impressive results for the metrics listed above. HDMC's emergency department door to provider time is less than the national average of three hours.

"The emergency department nursing and medical staff are clear about our vision and goals," said Donna Johnson, emergency department director. "With Dr. Edward Cooper, our medical director, fully engaged and leading this process, our hard work and process improvement initiatives are taking hold. This is reflected by this national recognition. I am proud of our team."

Hi-Desert Memorial Health Care District is a modern, nonprofit 59-bed acute primary care hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The District includes the Hi-Desert Continuing Care Center, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, on the campus of Hi-Desert Medical Center. Other programs include a wide range of quality inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services, a sleep lab, home health and hospice services, and a variety of community outreach services.

 

 Chair Exercise Class Offered at Twentynine Palms Senior Center
 

Beginning July 30, Reach Out Morongo Basin will offer a weekly Chair Exercise Class at the 29 Palms Senior Center, 6539 Adobe Road. Fridays from 10-11 am, seniors will be able to pull up a chair and exercise! Chair exercises are a gentle way for seniors to build muscle strength and stay flexible. These simple slow-moving exercises can also improve balance, increase metabolism, relieve pain and improve mental alertness. Taught by Reach Out Volunteer Rose Last, a retired physical therapist, the class is free to those 60 and over. For more details, contact Reach Out at (760) 361-1410.

 

 Hi-Desert Medical Center Announces: Community Support Groups
 

Hi-Desert Medical Center hosts ongoing community support groups. All groups are FREE and held in the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus in Joshua Tree. Here is a breakout of ongoing meetings:

Alzheimer's Support Groups
Attend this support group on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 11 a.m. in the Helen Gray Education Center. This group is designed for those who have friends and family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. For additional information, contact Margaret Hinton at 760-366-6423.

Better Breathers Support Group
Attend this support group on the first Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the Helen Gray Education Center. The group is designed for those with pulmonary issues.

Diabetes Support Group
Hi- Desert medical Center's detain hosts a monthly support group for people with diabetes and those who support them. The purpose of the support group is to provide educational information and networking with others who face the same challenges. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at noon; meeting dates change when in conflict with holidays. Please call 760-366-6324 for more information.

Hi Desert Memorial Health Care District is comprised of 179 licensed beds: the Hi Desert Medical Center, a modern, 59 bed primary care hospital and the Continuing Care Center, a 120 bed skilled nursing i Desert Memorial Health Care district 6324.onal materials will be provided. eukemia, and cancers of the lung, bladder, and kidfacility on the campus of Hi Desert Medical Center. Along with a wide range of quality inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services, the District operates the Airway Outpatient Center-a full-service surgery and diagnostic center, the Behavioral Health Centre-an intensive mental health outpatient program, and family health clinics providing medical specialists for Medi-Cal patients. Home health and hospice and a variety of community education and outreach services are also provided.

 

 Navy Federal Credit Union Actively Seeking Applicants For Two Open Positions!
 

The Twentynine Palms branch of Navy Federal Credit Union is actively seeking well-qualified applicants for two currently open positions: a Part-Time Member Service Representative, and a Branch Supervisor.

For more information on these open positions, please access Navy Federal's Careers website, at http://www.navyfederal.org/about/careers.html, or you may contact the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce at (760) 367-3445.

 

 "Pajama Game" Continues through July 31, at Theatre 29
 Now through July 31, 2010

With delighted audiences tapping their toes and singing along with the familiar hit songs, "The Pajama Game" continues its run at Theatre 29 through July 31.

Directors Ed Will and Gary Daigneault selected a Broadway revival for this summer's Blockbuster summer musical presentation. First produced on the stage in 1954, then made into a movie starring Doris day in 1958, Daigneault describes "The Pajama Game" as "Classic American theatre at its best."

Featuring romantic leads Courtney McElrath as Babe Williams and Cody Joseph as Sid Sorokin, the show is full of familiar songs which became hits on their own during the golden era of Broadway. The music and lyrics are by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, the same team who created the smash hit "Damn Yankees". "The Pajama Game" features well-known songs like, "Hey There", "Hernando's Hideaway", "7 1/2 Cents", and "Steam Heat."

Sparkling choreography based on the Bob Fosse original moves have been created for the local production by Shelby Art, a Theatre 29 veteran who is now a theatre major at Fresno State University. Director Gary Daigneault had high praise for Art, saying, "We are so grateful that Shelby chose to spend her summer vacation giving of her time and prodigious talent to Theatre 29."

Of particular note in the Twentynine Palms production is a very strong ensemble cast anchored by newcomer Kent Heckart as the Sleep-Tite pajama factory time-study expert Vernon Hines, Cindy Daigneault as Sorokin s busybody Secretary, Mabel, and Sabrina Olson as the slinky bookkeeper, Gladys.

Other strong performances are delivered by Adrianne Guerrero, Aaron Fagan, Lisa Goldberg, Arwen Jordan-Zimmerman, James Hodgson, Cyrus Short and Ron Bryant. Les Taylor delights audiences in a cameo performance as Pops, the father of the leading lady.

The rest of the talented ensemble includes Judy Andreshak, Candice Hescock, Kim Weider, Brad Holt, and Robyn Wanless.

The show runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00pm with a Sunday Matinee July 25th at 2:30 p.m.. Tickets are $12.00 for regular admission, $10.00 for Seniors and military, and $8.00 for children under 12 and students with ID. "The Pajama Game" is suitable for the entire family.

Reservations can be made by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151 or online at www.theatre29.com . Theatre 29 is located at 73637 Sullivan Road (right around the corner from Barr lumber) in Twentynine palms.

Theatre 29 is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt community theatre organization that operates in facilities provided "In the public good" by the City of Twentynine Palms.

For information about volunteering for Theatre 29, call Board President Gary Daigneault at 760-366-8471.

 

 Sky's The Limit To Host Book Signing
 August 1, 2010

Sky's the Limit will host a book-signing at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, on Sunday, August 1st from 2-4pm, to celebrate the release of Native Plants of Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center. Many of the local artists, who have contributed illustrations of the native plants that have been found at the new observatory and nature center site on Utah Trail in 29 Palms, will be on hand to greet the public and sign copies of the book.

More than two years in the making, this 80-page guidebook is a treasure trove of information about the native plants of the Mojave Desert, including their individual roles in the wildlife habitat, medicinal and practical uses, and the folklore that surrounds these unique and unusual specimens.

Richly illustrated and bound in an easy-to-use sketchbook format, Native Plants of Sky's the Limit Observatory is a must-have for everyone from the serious plant aficionado to the casual observer, and the editions that are signed by the artists will certainly make a memorable gift for anyone who appreciates the natural beauty and diversity of plant life in the high desert.

Profits from the sale of these books will benefit our Native Plant Education Program, to promote an appreciation of native desert flora, foster an understanding of sustainability through responsible environmental decisions, and advocate the appropriate use of native landscaping. Publication was funded through the Community Foundation, serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Sky's the Limit is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization, and is a committee of the Basin Wide Foundation, a non-profit, 501c3. The 29 Palms Art Gallery is located at 74055 Cottonwood Drive in 29 Palms. For more information, and to order a copy of the native plant guide, visit www.skysthelimit29.org, or leave a message for us as (760) 367-7222.

 

 Grow Your Business With Innovative Marketing!
 August 3, 2010

Marketing expert and Author Michael Mollenhauer will be making a special presentation on how you can easily capture the power of marketing and social media networks to grow your business.

What will you gain? How to attract more customers, how to take market share, secrets of social media, relationship building, and MORE!

The event will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2010 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Copper Mountain College's new Bell Center Community Room. This is a NO COST event limited to a limited number of businesses who want to succeed.

To enroll or get more information, please contact San Bernardino County Business Service Specialist Grace Cleveland at gcleveland@wdd.sbcounty.gov or (909) 387-9897.

 

 Dance Performance, "Love With the Soul", Set at Theatre 29
 August 14, 2010

Theatre 29 will present a unique and one-of-a-kind dance performance, "Love with the Soul", at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, August 14, 2010. Lolo Darrigrandi, who has travelled around the world performing, will present a Beautiful Contemporary Belly Dance performance. The one night only show will highlight her creative, positive and spiritual energy.

Darrigrandi's experience as a professional dancer goes back 16 years to Chile. As a professional dancer in Chile she danced contemporary ballet, salsa, tango, and belly dancing.

She will be teaching tango, salsa, and pilates, and belly dancing classes at Copper Mountain college starting in September. She says, "The classes are a wonderful way to exercise, have fun and experience spirituality through dance."

Darrigrandi describes her "Love with the Soul" as "a professional dance performance that both entertains and educates the audience on connecting to the heart through dance. My professional Belly dancing is a truly beautiful and inspirational dance featuring flowing music with a professional, hand-made costume to complete the performance."

Seating for her dance show at Theatre 29 will be open seating, no reserved seats, first come-first serve, with tickets at $5.00 each. Only 91 tickets will be sold and you can order them only by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151. There are no online reservations available for this special performance and only cash or checks can be accepted. All proceeds go to support the non-profit Community Theater organization. Theatre 29 is located at 73637 Sullivan Road in the City of Twentynine Palms (right aropund the corner from Barr Lumber).

Lola Darigrandi's "Dancing with Your Heart" classes at Copper Mountain College Explores Tango and Salsa through partner work.

The 4 Week Class, for adult couples only, is: $40.00 per session:
Session 1: Fridays 9/3-9/24 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Session 2: Fridays 10/1-10/22 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
"Belly Dance" - Pilates Physical Conditioning as an introduction to Belly Dancing. Fee: $40.00 per session:
Session 1: Saturdays 9/4-9/25 from 9:30 to 10:30 am
Session 2: Saturdays 10/2-10/23 from 9:30 to 10:30 am

To register for either class, interested persons should go to the Office of Student Services at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree. Call 760-366-3791 for more information.