Town of Yucca Valley to Host Vietnam Veterans Reception
Morongo Basin residents will have the opportunity to thank and honor local Vietnam War veterans as the Town of Yucca Valley hosts the first annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans reception on Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Yucca Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center. Read full story...
Similar tributes will be staged throughout the state on Tuesday. March 30th was designated for the annual observance as a result of legislation signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center last September. The bill was authored by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, a 26-year Marine Corps veteran who served 13 months in Vietnam.
Another local Marine Veteran, Carl Gorham, was instrumental in triggering the development of Assembly Bill AB 717. He met with Assemblyman Cook about the issue after observing a negative public reaction to Vietnam Veterans in the Palm Springs Veterans Day parade a few years ago. Mr. Gorham was determined to do something positive for Vietnam Veterans then, and has continued his commitment by contacting the Town and helping to organize the Tuesday reception.
The ceremonies on Tuesday are intended to give an opportunity for citizens to thank Vietnam War veterans and begin to make amends for some of the bitterness vented on United States military personnel in the late 1960’s, and to give them the same appreciation given the veterans of other wars. “This was a highly politicized war. It still evokes strong feelings among veterans and people who disagreed with the US policies at the time, but it is important that we set aside these differences to honor and thank the men and women who put on uniforms to preserve the freedoms we have today,” Cook said at the signing of the bill.
According to the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Organization, 11 other states have created observances for March 30 — the day in 1973 when the U.S. withdrew its last troops from the country, two years before communist North Vietnam’s conquest of the south, which American forces had backed for more than a decade.
The Vietnam War was a conflict that not only killed about 58,000 U.S. service members, but left their country sharply divided. Advocates say many veterans of the war have been beset by post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and homelessness.
The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans reception is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. For additional information, contact the Town of Yucca Valley’s Community Services Department at 760-369-7211
WILD MUSICAL SATIRE „WALMARTOPIA” OPENS AT THEATRE 29
The hard-working cast and Crew of „Walmartopia” had the West Coast premiere of the over-the-top musical with an opening night sponsored by the Yucca Valley Rotary Club Friday, March 12. The „campy, caustic and comically irresistible‰ show will run Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00pm through April 10. A Thursday performance will b held at 7:00pm March 25th and a Sunday matinee at 2:30pm April 4th. Read full story...
Director Charles Harvey was enthusiastic about the show, which was last seen Off-Broadway in 2007, saying, „‰Walmartopia‰ is a story everyone can relate too. Everyone who works or have worked for a corporation will understand the insanity of it all. While this show highlights the world’s biggest retailer, it is a larger indictment on the corporate machine in America. The production is a political satire, it is also a lot of fun. Great music, outrageous characters and, at the heart of it all, a story about the bond of a mother and daughter. It’s silly and serious, all wrapped in toe tapping tunes and hilarious social commentary.”
„Walmartopia‰, written by Catherine Caparello with music and lyrics by Andrew Rohn, both of Madison, Wisconsin, tells the hilarious and timely tale of a single mom who speaks out against her company‚s working conditions. Through a fantastic series of events, she finds herself jettisoned to 2040, into a future where Wal-Mart has taken over the world! The musical, peppered with lots of silliness, even features the singing head (head only) of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.
Reservations can be made by calling the Theatre 29 box office at 760-361-4151, or online at www.theatre29.com . Tickets are $12.00 for regular admission, $10.00 for seniors and military, and $6.00 for children under 12 ( the show is not recommended for young children) and students with ID.
Theatre 29 is a non-profit, all-volunteer, tax exempt community theater. It is located at 73637 Sullivan Road (right around the corner from Barr Lumber) in the City of Twentynine Palms.
Crime Prevention Breakfast Thursday, March 11
Please join the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Watch Committee on Thursday, March 11 at 7:30 a.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center in the Cholla Room for an informative hour on tips to prevent crime at your place of business. Representatives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to answer your questions and hear your concerns about crime in Yucca Valley.
A continental breakfast will be provided. Please give the Yucca Valley Chamber a call at (760) 365-6323 to RSVP.
Deadline extended for „Beard Contest” at Grubstake Days
Yucca Valley Grubstake Days organizers are extending the deadline to enter the revival of the annual beard contest. They have changed the date to March 15th that participants would come into the Yucca Valley Community Center office clean shaven to get their picture taken and pay the 3 bucks to enter the contest. Read full story...
The contest will feature several categories in both Division A (New Beards) and Division B (Existing Beards). Judging will take place at the Grubstakes Community Fair at the Yucca Valley Community Center grounds on Saturday, May 29th, 2010.
At the end of the three-month growing period, competitors’ beards will be judged and awards presented according to various categories including best overall beard, longest beard, thickest beard, best groomed, most original, best mustache, and best effort. Similar criteria will be used for judging the existing beard category.
To learn more about the contest, contact Maureen Randall at the Town of Yucca valley Community Services Office, 760-369-7211.
This is the 60th annual Grubstake days celebration, honoring the rich mining and ranching history of the Yucca Valley area. For information about other ancillary events and about the community contact the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce at 760-365-6323.
Town Announces Grubstakes Beard Contest
The Town of Yucca Valley’s recreation staff has made plans to put local whiskers on display and re-instate the traditional Beard Contest as part of this year’s Grubstake Days celebration. The contest will feature several categories in both Division A (New Beards) and Division B (Existing Beards). Judging will take place at the Grubstakes Community Fair on Saturday, May 29th.
Contestants wishing to compete in the new beard division must appear clean-shaven during office hours at the Community Services Office of the Yucca Valley Community Center on Monday, March 1st for registration, verification and entry photos. At the end of the three-month growing period, competitors’ beards will be judged and awards presented according to various categories including best overall beard, longest beard, thickest beard, best groomed, most original, best mustache, and best effort. Similar criteria will be used for judging the existing beard category.
To learn more about the contest, contact Maureen Randall at the Community Services Office, 760.369.7211.
Yucca Valley Bids Farewell To Town Manager Takata
By Staff
YUCCA VALLEY, CA- On Thursday, the Town of Yucca Valley and the Chamber of Commerce bid farewell to outgoing Town Manager Andy Takata with a special reception at the California Visitor’s Center. Read full story...
It was a packed house of many officials and citizens, including Mayor Pro Tem Lori Herbel, Twentynine Palms Mayor Steve Flock, Town Police Chief Donnie Miller and even Miss Yucca Valley 2010 Janis Parke.
Takata will be taking on the task of being Banning’s City Manager on February 15th.
(Photo: Miss Yucca Valley Janis Parke, First Princess Abigail Lombardo, Second Princess Tiffany Caricchio and Third Princess Megan Stover.)
Yucca Valley Town Manager Andy Takata Recognized Before Leaving
By Leslie Andrews
YUCCA VALLEY, CA- Outgoing Town Manager Andy Takata received some special presentations from Yucca Valley Mayor Chad Mayes and Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Morongo Basin) for his six years of work for the community. Read full story...
Takata has served for the town since 2004, having come from Newcastle, Washington. He has now accepted a job as City Manager for the city of Banning, which he will start on February 15th. His salary for the town of Yucca Valley was about $176,000 annually. Takata’s reasons for accepting the position in Banning was because he needed to be closer to his family.
Mayor Chad Mayes stated, “When I first got the news, I was a little bit upset. My eyes got misty over it.” He described how Takata took on the position at a critical time for the town, when things were out of balance. “Paul Cook (Assemblyman) said we didn’t have good chemistry until we had a good chemist. I’m going to be sad to see him go.”
A representative from Assemblyman Cook’s office brought forth a proclamation for Takata, acknowledging him for his work.
Takata added, “Yucca Valley will always have a special place in my heart.” In a press release, he reminisced about his work in Yucca Valley. “When I look back over my 5 ½ years in this community, I will remember it fondly. I feel that the Town has matured into a excellent organization during my time here. I will also miss the relationship with the Marine Base. They are one of the important economic engines for this basin. They have been great partners. I am sure who ever the next Manager is, he or she will have a solid staff and fantastic community to work with. It will be one of the more attractive City Manager jobs in Southern California. Even though I will be leaving, I am more then happy to help the Council with any of their needs. When the nation begins its economic recovery, I believe Yucca Valley will be ready for anything that might happen. None of the successes could have happened with out a supportive Town Council and hard working staff. I thank them for making my stay here enjoyable.”
In 2007, Takata also declined to accept a pay raise, during the time when the economy took a downturn. Taking over will be John Tucker, former City Manger of Yucaipa, as an interim Town Manager, as Council voted unanimously.
The town will hold a special reception for Takata at the California Welcome Center on Thursday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m. in Yucca Valley.
No Raises In Store For Yucca Valley Town Council
By Leslie Andrews
YUCCA VALLEY, CA- Looks like Yucca Valley Town Council members will not be getting COLA adjustments anytime soon, as the council voted 3/2 on Tuesday to not approve raises of five percent to town council member salaries. Read more...
Councilman Bill Neeb supported the proposed raises, which would have upped the monthly salary to $538.72 and would increase annually. “When towns incorporate, they start at $300. I think this five percent is money well spent,” he said.
Mayor Pro Tem Lori Herbel agreed with Neeb, saying, “For future councils, this is important. This will not make nor break me.”
Councilman Frank Luckino voiced an opposition against any raises. He stated, “I’m not going to support this. It’s a big no-no.” And Mayor Chad Mayes agreed, saying “I have not supported a pay increase. For me, I sense that it’s a conflict of interest. I philosophically oppose it.”
And with that, Mayor Mayes, Luckino and Councilman George Huntington opposed, while Herbel and Neeb favored.
In other town council news, members voted to approve the Community Development Block Grant for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. Many members of the community spoke out during public comments pleading with Council to allocate funding for their causes, ranging from Domestic Violence shelters to Desert ARC, which supports developmentally challenged persons. It was recommended that the town’s allocation of $147,023 be applied to the Community Center Playground and Splash Park project and to direct staff to redirect the additional anticipated revenues in the upcoming year’s budget proposal.
Plus, discussion for the Pomona First Federal building (now abandoned) will be on hold until the next meeting.
