"THE WORLD IS NOT
YOUR TRASH CAN"

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THE
DESERT
SUN DAILY...
CLICK below:
THE
DESERT
SUN


HELLO!
LIFE IS GOOD IN BERMUDA DUNES...

NOTE FROM THE BLOGFOLKS!
Stats from February '09 to date:
109.599
Thanks for your continued interest in this website.
Posted March 10, 2010
"March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes
and a laugh in her voice."
-  Hal Borland


REMEMBER THE BLOGFOLKS ARE ON TWITTER.
COME AND VISIT US!
Twitter us your concerns, comments or kudos - right from your cell phones.
STEVE'S
SHOPPING FUN IN THE SUN!
CLICK ON SUN FOR WEEK'S TIPS!
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ADS ARE FREE
SEND US YOUR AD COPY AND PHOTOS IN A JPG FILE
AND WE DO THE REST!
Posted February 26, 2010
Blogfolks:

Desert Winds Freedom Band will be performing on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Palm Springs High School.
Janene Lovullo will be joining us from Los Angeles as the guest artist. I’m thrilled to have joined this
outstanding group of musicians as a horn player, and I can promise you an entertaining afternoon with lots
of great show tunes and Broadway classics.  Tickets are available at www.desertwindsfb.org and also at the
door. Would love to see you there.
Patty Duffey
Bermuda Dunes Country Club resident
Hi Patty:
Congratulations to you. Thanks so much for this information. We will be more than happy to put this
on our website.
Four Drives into the Heart of Desert Wildflower Country

Wildflower Touring
Text By Gregory McNamee
(re-purposed from DesertUSA.com – original March ‘99)

If you are sensitive to the rhythms of the desert, you’ll know that the period from March to mid-
April is a time when a special kind of natural magic can occur. All through February, if the gentle
winter rains have arrived on schedule, wildflowers have been peeking their heads up out of the
sandy soil, reluctant to expose themselves to the still chilly air. Now, with the increasing
temperatures and longer daylight of early spring, perennials and annuals burst forth, making a
spectacular show in particularly abundant years.

When spring comes, I pack a camera or two, a few well-worn guidebooks and road maps, and
head out to scout wildflowers. When I do, I usually follow these four easy itineraries.

California Highway 78
One of my favorite desert drives — one of my favorite drives anywhere, for that matter —
begins on Highway 78 east of Escondido, California, a road that winds into the quiet mountain
town of Julian and then drops down through picturesque mountain passes into the Colorado
Desert, where a good winter’s rainfall will yield an ocean of wildflowers as far as the eye can
see.

Head north to the hamlet of Borrego Springs, where Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
headquarters lies off San Diego County Road S-22. From the headquarters, where you can
pick up checklists and other publications on local flora, radiates a series of hiking trails leading
into Borrego Palm Canyon and other nearby venues. The hikes range from easy to difficult
(especially at the higher elevations of the canyon). If you prefer to stay in your car, however,
you can follow dirt or paved roads throughout the park, continuing on along Highway 78 into the
wildflower-rich desert near the Salton Sea. Call the park ahead of time at 760-767-5311 for
wildflower reports.

The Pinal Pioneer Parkway
The Pinal Pioneer Parkway connected Tucson and Phoenix in the years before Interstate 10
was built. Now a little-traveled back road, it’s a much more picturesque route than the main
highway, especially in wildflower season. The parkway itself is a 42 mile-long stretch of Arizona
State Highway 79,beginning in the desert uplands on the north slope of the Santa Catalina
Mountains at about 3,500 feet and wending northward to just above 1,500 feet outside the little
town of Florence. In winter, the parkway is lined with Desert Verbena, lupine, Mexican Poppies,
Globemallow, Chuparosa, Penstemon and daisies. Even in dry years when other parts of the
desert aren’t flowering, the Pinal Pioneer Parkway always manages, it seems, to put on a good
show.

The parkway is marked with signs pointing out some of the characteristic desert vegetation —
the Saguaro, for instance, and the mesquite. Pack a picnic lunch and stop at one of the many
roadside tables. I always stop in at the Tom Mix Memorial, 23.5 miles north of Oracle Junction,
at milepost 116, to pay my respects to the late movie cowboy.

California Highway 14

After a good winter rainfall, the high, windswept desert north of Los Angeles blossoms with an
astonishing show of color. To take in that show, follow Highway 14 northeast of the San Gabriel
Mountains to Tehachapi Pass, a leisurely day trip that puts you in the heart of California Poppy
country.

Just outside Lancaster, in fact, you’ll find the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (15101
Lancaster Road; 661-942-0662), a protected area of 1,700 acres devoted to the state’s official
flower. The reserve features more than 8 miles of easy trails, and many more flowers besides
the poppy.

If you have a few hours to spare, take Highway 18 east of Palmdale, across to Apple Valley and
Lucerne Valley. The area is a paradise for wildflower aficionados, and beautiful at all times of
the year.

U.S. 93
Connecting Phoenix with Las Vegas by way of the small towns of Wickenburg and Kingman,
Arizona, US 93 is a narrow, winding, and sometimes dangerous route that threads across river
valleys, desert flats and mountain passes, encompassing an astonishing range of biotic zones.
About 25 miles north of Wickenburg, for instance, you’ll come to the Joshua Forest Parkway,
where an ancient remnant stand of Joshua Trees carpets the hillsides for a dozen miles in
every direction. Interspersed among them through the sandy soil, in season, are wildflowers of
many kinds, marigolds, primroses, filler and hyacinths among them. The valley of the Santa
Maria River near the little town of Wikieup and the high plateau just south of Hoover Dam,
where the road crosses over into Nevada, are also good places to see both Joshua Trees and
wildflowers.

The spring of 2010 promises to be good one for wildflowers. Happy hunting!
Anza Borrego Foundation Reports Peak of Blooms at Anza Borrego DSP
Expected First Few Weeks of March
February 26, 2010 by newsblog   
Filed under Anza-Borrego, Wildflower Reports











Coyote Canyon — There are several types of wildflowers blooming all the way up to the
third crossing: Desert Lily, Popcorn Flower, Desert Chicory, Fiddleneck, Desert Dandelion,
Chuparosa, and lots of Phacelia. Ocotillo are really starting to bloom throughout the canyon.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent rains, high-clearance vehicles are recommended at the end of
DiGiorgio Rd (the start of the dirt road). Also, starting at second crossing, we recommend 4-
wheel-drive vehicles only. Third crossing is still too deep to cross safely.


Borrego Palm Canyon – This popular canyon has many plants already in bloom. Look for
Phacelia, Chuparosa, Desert Chicory, blooming Ocotillo, Desert Wishbone, Desert
Dandelion, Canterbury Bells, Brittlebush, Desert Lavender, Brown-eyed Primrose, Monkey
Flower, Spurge (red mat), Fagonia. Beavertail cactus buds can be seen but have not
bloomed yet. Most flowers will also be seen if you walk the Alternate Trail and many can be
spotted on the drive between the BPC kiosk and the trailhead.
Henderson Canyon Road – Sand Verbena, Brown-eyed Primrose, Spectacle Pod, Dune
Evening Primrose, Desert Lily, and Desert Sunflower. Many Lupine plants are present so
look for their bloom in the next few weeks. PLEASE NOTE: Be cautious when pulling onto
the shoulder because the sand is extremely soft.

Culp Valley – Look for Desert apricots and Brittlebush in bloom at this higher elevation.

Plum Canyon – Desert Apricot and Turpentine Broom have been spotted in bloom.

Fish Creek Badlands – Succulent-leaved Lycium, Trailing Windmills

Elephant Trees Trail – Phacelia, Desert Chicory, Brown-eyed Primrose, Little Gold Poppy,
Desert Poppy, Datura, Rock Daisy, Desert Wishbone, Windmills. Desert five-spot plants have
been seen but are not yet blooming.

Palo Verde Wash and Arroyo Salado – The spectacular Desert Lily has been seen at both of
these locations.

Source: Anza Borrego Foundation
Posted March 4, 10

NOTE FROM THE BLOGFOLKS:

We are proud to have people in our neighborhood who support our Community. Thanks
to Donna Nelson, Chairman of the Art in the Dunes Festival and her committee
members:  Susan and Jeff Zeltzer, Barbara McReal, Lou Galvan, Renee Vargas, Janet
McMurtrey, Cheryl Isen, Darlene Montgomery, Chuck Buresch, Linda Milbrant, Cindi
Bee, Donna Hoper and many others for adding such a great venue to our area. We
think you will appreciate their untiring efforts to make a difference. We hope that you
will support their needs and help to make this one of the BEST communities in the
valley. Following is a report from the Committee:

Hi Blogfolks:

As chairman of the Art in the Dunes Festival, I had requested a visit with the schools
who will be the recipients of the Art in the Dunes funding.
Susan Zeltzer, Committee Member and Treasurer of AITD also accompanied me. The
following is our report. We hope you enjoy learning about our wonderful kids and assist
us in helping meet their needs.

Charles Lawson, Principal of Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School gave us a first-class
tour of his school where we had an opportunity to meet with teachers and students. The
experience was exhilarating, informative and so much fun!

We have over 1800 children attending school in Bermuda Dunes. Mr. Lawson said that
Bermuda Dunes is a young and thriving community filled with lots of wonderful young
families.

There is very little drug use by the children of Bermuda Dunes because they stress the
importance of a drug-free school.

The first class was the Music Class headed by Stephanie Bollard. The music was
fantastic.
These kids are booked months ahead...and will be performing at the 2nd Annual Art in
the Dunes Festival.

Below is the Jazz Band playing at the mall.














If anyone has any large used instruments that they could donate to this very worthy
cause, please contact us.

The second class was the Art Class headed by Janet Jonasson
The children had just finished making tiles and we could see there was lots of creativity
going on. The kiln had just been loaded and unfortunately we were not able to stay for
the end results.
The students will have their own booth at the Art in the Dunes Festival and are looking
forward to meeting everyone.
Below is a box made by one of the students












The class needs a clay extruder, clay, glazes and a wheel.
We were able to make contacts with several of our friends and are presently working to
get them the best deal we can.

Some of our Bermuda Dunes artists will be working more with the children on after
school projects.

The third class we visited as the Drama Class headed by Suzanne Thomas.
The kids were working on their craft...and it brought back lots of fun memories for Susan
and me.

We were then escorted to their Gym where these kids perform.
They have dressing rooms and storage areas for all of their props.

There was a need for someone who could help find some lighting for the stage. So, we
put out a call to Lou Galvan (music coordinator for The Art in the Dunes).

Below is a shot of their stage with the students performing last year.













Below is their latest event:
































Mr. Lawson explained to us the importance of having music and art in the schools. One
very important reason is, they have several special needs students who attend these
programs and respond favorably and often times excel in these kinds of environments.

We will be hearing more from the kids (they have their own newspaper) and Mr. Lawson
will keep us all posted as to what is happening in his school.

As Susan and I were departing we knew that our money was in good hands - and that
the future will be a little brighter for all of us.

Thanks Mr. Lawson for a fun morning!

Susan and I are headed to James Monroe Middle School this Friday and we will send
you a report on that school, as well.

Donna Nelson and Susan Zeltzer
DON'T FORGET - THIS WEEKEND IS
THE LA QUINTA SHOW
Click
LA QUINTA ARTS FESTIVAL
We want to compliment you on your website.
It is imformative and fun
Jan and Roger Williams
Posted March 5, 10

MORE TIPS FROM STEVE:

DO THE GREEN BAGS YOU SEE ADVERTISED ON TV REALLY WORK?

You know, I've used those "green bags" and they do work pretty well on some things.
And, they can be used several times before they begin to use their effectiveness, but
there is a slight cost involved and there might be an easier way to keep things fresh.

The bags work well on most refrigerated produce items, cheeses and prepared meats
(sausages, wieners and the like) but can be of little use with other items like fresh meat
and fish.  

The best rule of thumb on fresh meat and produce items is to keep them at the
recommended refrigerated temperature and prepare them while they are still fresh.
Strawberries, for example, will keep for a longer while in a "green bag" but taste a whole
lot better if eaten while they are nice and fresh, even though the bag may keep them
"looking: a little better that they would look without the bag.

I've said that I've tried the bags myself but quickly went back to my old standard of
wrapping things very tightly in plastic wrap and then keeping them on the cold side. One
of my little secrets is this:

Once I get a piece of fresh produce or meat home from the supermarket, I wrap it tightly
in a plastic bag or strip of plastic wrap, making certain to get as much or the air out as
humanly possible.

Once that is done, in most cases I then put whatever it is into a re-useable Ziplock bag
and then place it in the freezer or refrigerator - again, getting as much air out of the
secondary bag as possible.

By using this method, I've found that meat, butter or whatever else I freeze, will not get
freezer burn for many months, and fresh produce will remain that way for a longer period
of time. The key is to get it home in a hurry and get all of the air out.

If you want to try this yourself, pick up a nice head of red or green leaf lettuce, put it in
one of those plastic bags furnished for you by the markets, compress it enough to get the
air out and then put it in the crisper of your refrigerator for a week or so. I think that you'll
be surprised to find that it will still be crisp and tasty when it's salad time!

(Nadine and I buy the 4.5 pound block of cheddar at Costco, and since cheese doesn't
freeze well, we use the method described above. That little baby will last for a couple of
months mold-free if package is made air free.)

Steve

BERMUDA DUNES COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Created by the Board of Supervisors February 26, 1991
PUBLIC NOTICE & AGENDA
Bermuda Dunes Community Service Center
78-400 Avenue 42, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203
DATE: Thursday March 11, 2010 TIME: 6:00 P.M.
Visit our Website for the 4th District at: www.rivco4.org

     In accordance with the requirements of the California Code, Section 59454.2, this Agenda is posted not less
                   than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time noted above.

1.        Call to Order
2.        Pledge of Allegiance
3.        Roll Call
4.        Approval of February 11,  2010 Meeting Minutes
5.        Public Comments:

All persons wishing to address the Council on items not specifically on the agenda or on matters of        general
interest should do so at this time.  As determined by the Chair, speakers may be deferred until a related agenda
item is taken for the Council’s consideration.  Please limit your remarks to 3 minutes.

6.        Staff Reports: Presenters must direct their report to the Council.  At the conclusion of the presentation,
Chair may allow questions.  Each speaker must first be recognized by the Chair. Please present your business
card if new to the Council.

a.        Code Enforcement: Brenda Hanna monthly report, Betty Sanchez BD clean up
b.        TLMA: Mojahed Salama, Engineering Division Manager
i. Monthly report on Fred Waring Expansion Project & Country Club     
Dr. and Adams St. - Etc.
c.        Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Van Der Hoof - Monthly Report
d.        Fire Department: Schedule CERT class at BD Community Center
e.        EDA: Joaquin Tijerina, Update - Medians, vote (who votes), building to custodial maintenance, feral cat
problems, mailbox, is post person picking up mail here.
f.        Supervisor’s Office: Lynda Kearny  
g.        Other County Departments:

7.        New Business

a.    Mr. G.  Escobedo: Preliminary consideration of potential application to add a  
second story to home at 41590 Brownstown Dr. B.D.

8.        Old Business: None

9.        Council Members Reports and Correspondence:
10.        Agenda items for the next Council Meeting:
11.        Adjourn:  Next Meeting  - April 8, 2010

Bermuda Dunes street sweeping is the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.  
Cars need to be off the street!
BERMUDA DUNES WEBSITE: www.bdcommu.com
Click on the: THEBLOGFOLKS
"Friendship  isn't about who you have known the longest.     
It's  about those who came and never left your side  ......"
Hi,
I wanted to add a vendor to your "list" he does POOLS & WINDOWS.  His name is
Jeff Baker and he has already done several homes inside of Bermuda Dunes and
received "rave reviews". He specializes in both POOLS & WINDOWS.  He is now
offering FREE WINDOW CLEANING with your pool service, no extra charge. He does
a fantastic job.
BAKERS POOL SERVICE
(760)  851-5321              
License #09-4851
Bloggers:

We are looking for a cleaning lady - do you have any recommendations?
Sharon
Hi Sharon:
We do have cleaning ladies listed under H for Housekeeping and C for Cleaning information.
However, we are always looking for additional vendors.
If anyone has a good cleaning lady they could recommend, we would appreciate it.
TBF

DON'T PLANT A PEST
GIVE THEM AN INCH AND THEY'LL TAKE AN
ACRE...
Click HERE to find out about Invasive plants of
Southern California.
Golf Cart for Sale. Club Car - Like new.  Lights, horn, deluxe radio, CD player, trunk.
$3500.00.  
Call Sam Schiro @ 760-772-4652.
Thanks for sending us this info - it is posted in the Hot Sheet.
TBF
Hello Shoppers:

I spent a couple of hours out looking around the various retail food stores today and not too much has
changed since last week. There are some signs however, that the big boys like Ralph’s and Von’s are
starting to “get a bit hungry” for our business and are looking for ways to lure us back in.


Ralph’s has just put up some “Lower Prices Storewide” signage around their store and have added a
few more hot prices to their weekly ad. Their best offers this week are for 16z local strawberries at 2 for
$3.00 and Dryer’s ice cream at 2 for $5.00! (The strawberries looked real good when I was in their shop
and you’ll not find Dryer’s any cheaper around this town for quite a while.)


Even though they do have a few hot deals going on, they are still one of the best around at using the old
smoke and mirror marketing techniques. So, just because they say that they’re offering you a good deal,
it’s a good idea to evaluate it for yourself. (A good example of this is their 50 cent reduction on the 25z
box of Post raisin Bran. They’ve got it marked down to $4.99 from $5.49, but I bought mine at Winco last
week at $1.99! Knowing the other prices around town can be beneficial.)


I want to again mention that the weather has really played heck with the citrus crops in the major growing
areas of Texas and Florida this year, and that the quality of the fruit is and will continue to be poor at
best. Grapefruit are smaller, tougher skinned and less juicy than usual and even the Navel orange crop is
dry and somewhat pulpy.


Even though Al Gore has convinced lots of folks that, with a little effort, that he can control Mother
Nature, he needs to work a bit harder. She’s a tough, tough gal, and my bet is that these growing
patterns will continue to show up periodically as they have in the past. It’s nature, Al - - -


Henry’s was the shining light of my little excursion today and offered some pretty good produce at great
pricing overall. They had hot prices on their salad greens with head lettuce leading the pack at $.50 each
and leaf varieties at $.77 per head. There were some other good buys too.


Also, as the spring season hits us, stores like Henry’s will be the first in with many produce items. Their
smaller size allows them to buy the limited supplies of many local items like cob-corn, berries, tomatoes
and the like.


The produce is usually fresher too, and they feature actual human beings out on the sales floor to
constantly work and replenish the goods.


           Again, not too much more to report today, so I want to tell you briefly about all of those thousands
of “Price Reduced” shelf tags that you see each week at the major grocery retailers:


Ones first impression is that the grocer has reduced his cost on the item and it’s now the time to stock up
on it - - -


Only part of that is true.


Almost all – at least 99% - of those tags are a reflection of a temporary price reduction that the vendor or
manufacturer has offered the retailer if he performs certain things with the item involved.

The Skippy peanut butter folks may offer a $.50 per jar reduction on their product if the retailer reduces
the prices on it at store level for a period of two weeks or so. The cost may be reduced by $.50 per jar for
a couple of weeks to qualify, and the retailer tosses a sign or shelf tag out there telling us that he reduced
the price on the item to us. (Actually, the price reduction is a reflection of a temporary case price
reduction that has been created by Skippy.)


The thing that the retailer loves is that there is generally no rule as to how much of that item that he can
purchase, warehouse for a short time, and then put out there at regular price. And, that’s where the
money is made!


In the days or yore, most things were “margin” priced at a certain level and the temporary reductions
were all passed on while they existed, but not any more. That’s why the gross profits on grocery items
have risen from around 14% to 18% to in excess of 35% in most cases.


When you figure the relationship between the true cost and retail on most grocery products is what it is,
it becomes awfully hard to feel sorry for the conventional grocery retailers. And, the truth of the matter is
that they’ve made their own beds - - -
Click HERE for information
BLOGFOLKS:
HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF AN ACADEMY AWARD PARTY RECENTLY
IN BERMUDA DUNES.
CAN YOU PUT THESE OF YOUR WEBSITE?
THANKS
Friends
Hi Friends: Thanks for sending these photos - looks like a good party.
We are assuming this was a costume party?
TBF