Do you like meeting new people? Are you looking for something new and exciting in your life? Maybe you are looking for a way to get out of the house and give back to your local community! 

Become an Ambassador at the California Welcome Center in Yucca Valley!

Ours is one of only 15 California Welcome Centers in the state and can offer a very exciting opportunity to meet and greet some of our many wonderful visitors across the USA and around the world. 

Who Are We? 
California Welcome Center Yucca Valley is located at 56711 Twentynine Palms Hwy in Yucca Valley.  (On the Hwy. with the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce)

We're open seven days a week from 9 to 4 (Saturday 9 to 2 and Sunday 12 to 4:30)
Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

We are ran by a local non-profit board of directors. Desert Regional Tourism Agency dedicated to promoting tourism in the Joshua Tree Gateway communities. 

Our volunteer Ambassadors work part time - as little as one 4-hour shift per week. Duties include talking with visitor's and assisting them with their travel plans while in the area. You will have the opportunity to meet new people from all around the world. Make new friends and feel good about helping your community. 

We need volunteers!
Flexible schedule - Friendly staff and overall fun place to be.... Come join us!

For more information on becoming an Ambassador, call Kathie today at 760 365-5464.

MORONGO BASIN – Thanks to Walgreen’s in Yucca Valley sponsoring free Flu Shot Clinics in Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms some basin residents are ready for the upcoming flu season.
​
Clinics were held on Sept. 26 and 27 in Yucca Valley where 58 seniors and community members received their free immunizations in an event hosted by Reach Out Morongo Basin and the Town of Yucca Valley at the Yucca Valley Senior Center.
And on Sept. 28 an additional 34 seniors and community members were immunized at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center in a clinic hosted by Reach Out Morongo Basin and the City of Twentynine Palms.

“Recent news from the CDC stated that 80,000 individuals died from influenza last year in the United States, the most in over four decades” said Robin Schlosser, executive director for Reach Out Morongo Basin who coordinated the free clinics. “Seniors, children and people with health issues are particularly at risk and we are very grateful to Walgreen’s and store manager Thomas Curran for their sponsorship of these clinics annually to help protect the health of our community.”

In its fifth year of clinics with Reach Out Morongo Basin, Walgreens has provided over 500 free immunizations to the Morongo Basin community. For more information on upcoming clinics please call Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410.

YUCCA VALLEY - Yucca Valley resident Bobby Cannon got a jump start on the flu season when he got his annual flu vaccine at the Yucca Valley Senior Center. Walgreen's pharmacist Mai Nguyen inoculated 58 community members at the clinic Sponsored by Walgreens and hosted by Reach Out Morongo Basin and the Town of Yucca Valley.##
 
TWENTYNINE PALMS - Twentynine Palms resident Adrina Jordan got a jump start on the flu season when she got her annual flu vaccine at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center. Walgreen's pharmacist Mai Nguyen inoculated 34
community members at the clinic Sponsored by Walgreens and hosted by Reach Out Morongo Basin and the City of Twentynine Palms.##
 
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 

Twentynine Palms Historical Society
Old Schoolhouse Museum
6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 (760) 367-2366 • Email: 29PalmsHistorical@gmail.com
Oct. 1, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historical Society names 2018 Old Timer of the Year
TWENTYNINE PALMS — The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is pleased to announce its 2018 Old Timer of the Year honoree, Don Bolster.

Bolster is the youngest of three surviving children born to Ray and Billie Bolster. Ray came to this area around 1910 and worked with and for Bill Keys. In 1913, he homesteaded in Morongo Valley. He married Willie May Ware in 1924 and the pair honeymooned in Twentynine Palms.

Their boys, Walter and Richard (Dick), were born in Banning in 1927 and 1930, respectively. Baby brother Don was born on May 1, 1936, in Beaumont. After stints in Whitewater, Pasadena, Big Morongo Canyon and Etiwanda, the family moved back to Twentynine Palms permanently in 1944,and Ray Bolster became the community’s first employed fireman. The family lived behind the fire station on Adobe Road until his retirement in 1958.

Don attended elementary school in the original schoolhouse here, and graduated from Twentynine Palms High School in 1954. After graduation, he attended college and enlisted in the Navy.

He created most of the artwork for the 1953 TPHS El Oasis yearbook and was editor of the 1954 El Oasis. In 2003, Don donated the 1953 El Oasis to the Twentynine Palms Historical Society. He returned numerous times to visit his parents and for class reunions. Every year for the last 18 years, Don has traveled from his home in Sugar Grove, N.C., to attend Pioneer Days, the Old Timers Reunion and the historical society’s Old Timers Gathering. Don is the coordinator and driving force of the Old Timers Reunion, a weekend-long gathering of old schoolmates.

He is a longtime historical society member and has supported the organization with numerous donations of items, family genealogy, local historical information, participation in the society’s “Generations Project” and many remembrances of his childhood here.

He wrote the article, “A pioneer son remembers ‘way back when’ in 29 Palms,” for the The Desert Trail’s 2009 Pioneer Days edition, and has written several other articles for the newspaper and Old Schoolhouse Journal. He is the subject of George White’s book, “The Baseball Glove,” which is on display at the museum along with the glove. At the 2011 old timer’s reunion he gave an excellent and moving speech at the 29 Palms Inn.

Among the many great experiences Don remembers growing up here as a carefree desert boy was helping to create the legendary and mystical Oh-bay-yo-yo in the Wonderland of Rocks above Indian Cove in what is now Joshua Tree National Park. The National Park Service dismantled the cave/cabin sometime in the late 1970s and the original Oh-Bay-yo-yo logbook, in typical roundabout desert fashion, was placed in Don’s care. He still serves as its keeper and custodian.

“For his pioneer ties, contributions to recording area history and his continued support of the community and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, we are proud to honor Don Bolster as our 2018 Old Timer of the Year,” said historical society vice president Greg Mendoza.

Don will be a guest of honor, along with Pioneer Days Grand Marshal Ann Congdon and Military Grand Marshal Kim Ortamond, at the Old Timers Gathering scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the museum, 6760 National Park Drive. Admission to the gathering is free, though donations are always accepted.
​
For more information about the historical society and its programs, visit www.29palmshistorical.com
— 30 --

Rotray Club of Twentynine Palms
Press release
For Immediate Release
September 28, 2018
Contact: Gary Daigneault, 760-366-8471

​
As part of an ongoing effort to improve the quantity and quality of service to the Twentynine Palms area, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms has inducted new members. At a meeting of the Rotary Club on September 19th, 2018, Rotary President Gary Daigneault inducted four highly qualified new members with deep links to the historic Hi-Desert community.

 Rotary is the world’s oldest and largest service organization, made up of more than 1.2 million men and women in more than 35,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Rotarians form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.

 Welcomed into the club, established in 1948, were Liz Meyer, Matthew Welsch, Karalee Hargrove, and Aaron Kyle. During the induction, the four new members were joined by friends and family to see the official ceremony bringing them into the most prestigious service organization in the world. Since 1905, Rotary brings together leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations to exchange ideas and take action for communities around the world.

 With an eye towards enriching the membership, Daigneault reached out to all four and invited them to attend meetings before beginning the membership process. The new members truly represent a cross-section of the vocations honored by Rotary Clubs around the world.
 
 Former teacher, Mayor, and current Copper Mountain College Board President, Elizabeth “Liz” Meyer is a true Twentynine Palms Pioneer and icon. A native, she attended local schools, attended college and then returned to her roots. Her intimate knowledge of the community and its culture allows her to bring a unique perspective to Rotary service efforts.

 Matthew Welsch is currently the Chief of Operations for the Morongo Basin Ambulance. Welsch was inspired to a career in Emergency Medical Services at a young age, gradually working his way to the Morongo Basin. The Morongo Basin Ambulance is the primary medical first responder for the Morongo Basin serving Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and all of the region’s unincorporated areas.

 Karalee Hargrove is a mother of four and very active in the area. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the Morongo Unified School District since 2012 and currently serves as the President. Active in area politics, Hargrove ran for state assembly and was a delegate at the Democratic Convention. She works in a management position for the Twenty-nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

Aaron Kyle was born and raised in Twentynine Palms. He is the immediate Past-President of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce, having stepped in as a volunteer to rejuvenate the business organization. Kyle has been part of a family business that over the years has matured into a major undertaking. He is the owner of Aaron’s air services and recently installed a new cooling system into the Rotary meeting place, the community room of Little Church of the Desert.

Daigneault was delighted with the new additions, saying, “It is always a great day when a local Rotary Club can welcome in a new member. For me to have the privilege of inducting four new members in one day is a milestone.” He added, “To see quality individuals with the experience, talent and background like Liz, Matt, Karalee, and Aaron join is icing on the Rotary cake.”  
​
Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” exemplifies its humanitarian spirit. Strong fellowship among Rotarians, and meaningful community and international service projects, characterize Rotary worldwide. Rotarians’ projects focus on health and hunger, literacy, clean water and the environment, and the eradication of polio.

The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continues a long tradition of performing hands-on service projects and fund-raising for local, regional, and international causes. In short, Rotary is about sharing, serving, all while having fun!

The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at Little Church of the Desert. Guests are welcome. For more information, call Daigneault at 760-366-8471.

Photo Caption: The four new members of the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club gather after their induction. From Left, Liz Meyer, Matthew Welsch, Rotary President Gary Daigneault, Karalee Hargrove, and Aaron Kyle.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2018) – Saturday October 20 is a big day in the Morongo Basin, with the Highway 62 Art Tours and Pioneer Days events in Twentynine Palms. You’re bound to work up a big appetite after a delightful day of desert sightseeing, so replenish yourself the cowboy way with a tasty chili dinner at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from 5-8 p.m.

Tickets to the chili dinner are $15 per person, $30 per couple or $10 for kids under 12. The menu features the best darn chili in the basin, plus salad, cornbread, garlic bread, cake and coffee. You can purchase beer and wine at the no-host bar. Step inside the gallery to see featured artists from the Highway 62 Art Tours. Dine under the stars on the gallery patio. Enjoy live entertainment by Americana band Hunter and the Wick’d. Shop for unique and hand-crafted items made by desert area artists at the gallery gift shop.
     
To purchase chili dinner tickets, go to www.29palmsartgallery.com or visit the gallery at 74055 Cottonwood Drive at the corner of National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms. The gallery is free and open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 760-367-7819 during gallery hours of operation. Tickets are also available for purchase at the 29 Palms Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center in downtown Twentynine Palms.

     The 29 Palms Art Gallery is the oldest arts organization in the Morongo Basin and was founded by a group of desert artists and famed painter John Hilton in 1951. It is located in a historic adobe built in 1936 near the Oasis of Mara as a home for western author Tom Hopkins. Since 1963, 29 Palms Artist Guild members have volunteered their time to operate the non-profit organization, gallery and gift shop in the adobe near Joshua Tree National Park. The gallery also hosts seasonal events such as its annual art auction, holiday art & craft fair, community events and art classes for all ages. To learn more, visit www.29palmsartgallery.com.

​

A near-capacity packed house of Business, Government, Civic, and Community leaders joined enthusiastic Theater supporters from throughout the Morongo Basin and beyond at Theatre 29 Wednesday evening. September 19th. The Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms Chambers of Commerce were there in support as Theatre 29 to reveal their exciting 20th Anniversary, 2019 theatrical season.
 
Theatre 29 Board President Gary Daigneault opened the event by welcoming the overflow crowd to the 10th annual event with a brief look at the remarkable history, ongoing growth, and unquestioning community support for the all-volunteer Community Theater organization since its inception in 1999.
 
Representatives of the two Chambers of Commerce greeted the enthusiastic full house, giving an overview of their plans and information about Chamber events and opportunities in their individual communities.  
 
2019 is the 20TH Anniversary Season for the celebrated Morongo Basin artistic and iconic all-volunteer non-profit Community Theater. To mark the remarkable success and progression of Theatre 29, the Board of Directors asked area Directors to submit comedies, Dramas, and musicals which had been produced in the past 19 years for a “Best Of” 20th Season offering.
 
As the formal season announcement unfolded, complete with a giant projection screen and crisp sound from the theatre’s custom state-of-the-art triple tiered sound system, the six Directors for the season took the podium, and with humor, snippets of shows and outstanding vocal and theatrical performances, they introduced the much-awaited 2019 season.
 
As a result, Theatre 29 will present six Main Stage productions, their wildly successful Summer Youth Theater Program, and six fan-favorite Improvisational Theater troupe performances. The 2019 season brings a well-balanced season of live arts with an eclectic mix of new shows, classic shows, and even more opportunities for area newcomers and young people to participate.
 
Musicals will run 12 performances over a 4-week run (three performances, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each weekend) with allowance to extend the run another weekend. Non-Musicals will run 9 performances in a 3-week run, also Friday, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. Each play will run Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. All shows are produced at the Theatre 29 building at 73637 Sullivan Road in the City of Twentynine Palms.
 
Theatre 29
2019 Season
 
1/11/19 – 1/27/19
 “A Bad Year for Tomatoes”
Directed by Char Childs
Fed up with the pressures and demands of her acting career, the famous Myra Marlowe leases a house in the tiny New England hamlet of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography. She is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her long-time agent, but dealing with her nosy, omnipresent neighbors is a different matter. To shoo them away, and gain some privacy, Myra invents a mad, homicidal sister—who is kept locked in an upstairs room, but who occasionally escapes long enough to scare off uninvited visitors. The ruse works well, at first, but complications result when the local handyman develops an affection for "Sister Sadie". The uproarious doings keep audiences laughing right up to the final curtain, and then some.

Run 3/8/19 – 3/31/19
“Oklahoma”
Directed by Charles Harvey
The first collaboration of famed partners Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! set the American musical theatre standard. Set in Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the 20th Century, the spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the backdrop for the love story between Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a beautiful farm girl. The road to true love is anything but smooth, but there is no doubt that these two romantics will succeed in making a life together. As the road to romance and the road to statehood converge, Curly and Laurey are poised to spend their new life together in a brand-new state: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A - OKLAHOMA!
 
Run 4/26 – 5/12
“Murder Room”
Directed by Eddie Tucker
Jack Sharkey’s three-act British farce, “The Murder Room,” concerning newly-weds Edgar and Mavis. Two days after their wedding Edgar discovers that Mavis - a nasty piece of work - is being unfaithful. After her first attempt to kill him by poisoning his cocoa when the cat dies instead, Mavis resorts to shooting him and then returning to her lover. Chaos and complications reign when it transpires that the shots were blanks and that Edgar's body has vanished...
 
Summer Youth Theater
6/24/19 – 7/26/19 performances 2x 7/26, 27, 28
 
Run 8/9/19 – 8/25/
“Glass Menagerie”
Directed by Katie Fleischman
Amanda Wingfield is a faded, tragic remnant of Southern gentility who lives in poverty in a dingy St. Louis apartment with her son, Tom, and her daughter, Laura. Amanda strives to give meaning and direction to her life and the lives of her children, though her methods are ineffective and irritating. Tom is driven nearly to distraction by his mother's nagging and seeks escape in alcohol and the world of the movies. Laura also lives in her illusions. She is crippled, and this defect, intensified by her mother's anxiety to see her married, has driven her more and more into herself. The crux of the action comes when Tom invites a young man of his acquaintance to take dinner with the family. Jim, the caller, is a nice ordinary fellow who is at once pounced upon by Amanda as a possible husband for Laura. This crashes when, toward the end, Jim explains that he is already engaged.
 
Run: Theatre 29 10/4/19 – 10/27/19
Barstow Performing Arts Center 11/1 – 11/3
 “Little Shop of Horrors”
Directed by Gary Daigneault
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
 
Run 11/22/19 – 12/15/19
“Once Upon a Mattress”
Directed by Kathy Ferguson)
If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,' you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken's love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn't the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again.
2/16/19
4/20/19
5/18/2019 
8/3/19
9/21/19
11/16/19
“Baker’s Dozen” Theatre 29 Improvisational Troupe
Directed by Chris Fleischman
Theatre 29’s smash hit improvisational comedy troupe, THE BAKER’S DOZEN, is back and DOUGHIER than before! Monthly shows will tickle the funny bone and bust those ribs with non-stop insanity, goofy characters and quick, unscripted cleverness. Each show is different. You never know what will happen next! As such, there can sometimes be some adult content.
 
2019 Season tickets will be available by October 1, 2018. Visit www.theatre29.org or call (760) 361-4151.

​TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) returned to Twentynine Palms on Tuesday, Sept. 18, for its second public lands orientation session. The educational presentation was co-sponsored by the City of Twentynine Palms and the Visit 29 Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) as part of the city’s partnership with the BLM as an official gateway to Mojave Trails National Monument.
 
The orientation was led by Mike Ahrens, BLM Field Manager for the Needles Field Office, who offered an informative overview of the Bureau of Land Management agency and the public lands that they manage. The presentation highlighted visitor safety and accessibility and highlighted some of the many places to visit in the Mojave Trails National Monument, including Amboy Crater, Cadiz Dunes, Bonanza Springs, and the iconic Route 66.
 
Lodging owners, managers, and hospitality staff had the opportunity to meet with BLM staff, obtain brochures and maps for their lodging properties, and ask questions about the recreation and business opportunities available on surrounding public lands.
 
“Our BLM staff were happy to come and provide an overview of the BLM and the tremendous recreation opportunities on public lands neighboring the City of Twentynine Palms,” said Ahrens. “I think we will look back at this as one of our most important first steps in building what will be a great partnership. It's exciting to be a part of the visionary approach Twentynine Palms has embarked upon to integrate public lands into its tourism market.”
 
“The city’s partnership with BLM distinguishes Twentynine Palms from other gateway communities in offering travelers access to unique and fascinating desert experiences still relatively undiscovered,” said Ann Congdon, vacation rental owner and member of the Twentynine Palms TBID Advisory Board and Sky’s The Limit Observatory.
TBID Advisory Board member and Marketing Director for Historic Inns of Twentynine Palms, Breanne Dusastre, emphasized the importance of the monument. “From stunning mountain ranges and ancient lava flows, to pristine sand dunes and diverse wildlife and plants, to important cultural sites and archaeological resources, to the longest undeveloped stretch of historic Route 66, Mojave Trails National Monument offers our visitors incredible exploration and recreation opportunities. Collectively, our hospitality industry in Twentynine Palms has such a great opportunity to attract new visitors, increase average length of stay, and grow our tourism and recreation economy through raising awareness for the Mojave Trails National Monument and inviting visitors to come and explore this special part of the Mojave Desert.”
BLM-managed public lands offer more recreational opportunities than lands managed by any other federal agency, with more than 99 percent available for recreation with no fee. Lands used for recreational activities also contribute significantly to local economies. In 2016, BLM lands received more than 64.6 million recreation-related visits, an increase over the previous year. In California alone, recreation on BLM-managed public lands had an economic output of $744.5 million in 2016.
 
For more information, go to www.Visit29.org/news for links to Mojave Trails NM and other BLM sites and resources.

A Community Cleanup Day will be held in Twentynine Palms on Saturday, October 13,
2018 from 8:00 a.m. until Noon.
The City of Twentynine Palms and Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services are partnering
in the cleanup effort, which will have a trash drop-off site and large bins located in the
Community Services Center parking lot across from Luckie Park, at 74325 Joe Davis
Drive, Twentynine Palms.
The drop-off location is free of charge, and residents will be assisted with unloading and
depositing their trash loads on a first come, first serve basis.
Items that will be accepted at the drop-off site include household trash in bags (no
garbage), scrap metal, appliances, and mixed recycling such as paper, glass, plastic,
aluminum, and cardboard. All wood must be shorter than 4 feet long.
No Electronics will be accepted. No Tires will be accepted.
No loaded trailers over 14 feet will be accepted.
No household hazardous waste such as motor oil, paint, insecticides, and
batteries will be accepted at the cleanup site.
On October 27, 2018, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM a Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup
will be held behind City Hall (6136 Adobe Road).
Household Hazardous Waste Collection site is located in Joshua Tree 62499
Twentynine Palms Highway and open the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9am until
1pm.
For more information or directions to the cleanup day drop-off site, contact Jim
Thornburg at City Hall (760) 367-6799 ext 1010.

​YUCCA VALLEY, CA — The Hi-Desert Cultural Center’s new Yucca Valley Visual & Performing Arts Center (YVArts) will present a panel discussion on the ideas and artists of its second large and critically acclaimed exhibition, DESERT ICONS.  The event will take place on Sunday, September 30th at 4 pm with the doors opening for a reception and cocktail party at 3:30 pm.  The exhibition centers around how artists reflect upon their experience in the desert, their observation of its beauty and influence.  Ten renowned and esteemed artists in the exhibition will speak to the ideas surrounding the show.