Rumor control in Quartzsite - Successful Desert Gardens Show!

Information from Desert Gardens Holdings, LLC - General Manager

It has been brought to my attention that based on the improvements to the Show Grounds vendor space rental fee would be raised and that the Gems, Rocks and Minerals Show are not going well.  The facts are as follows:

a.      The property improvements were completed to provide better facilities for the vendors, visitors and to enhance the appearance of Desert Gardens and the Community.

b.      I do not intend to increase the space rental fees during the season.

c.      The current vendor space rental fee is $440.00 per month plus electricity during prime time and $225.00 per month before and after the show.

d.      A contract option is being added – the space rental fee for a 5 month period (November 1^st – the last day in February) will be $1500.00 ($300.00 per month) plus electricity.  Those who accept this option will be locked in for two additional seasons.  Also, the last week of October will be for set-up at no charge to the vendor.

e.      According to the many vendors I have spoken with, the show is going quite well, they are making sales and they are very pleased.

Should there be any questions regarding Desert Gardens Holdings 

please contact me at 623-606-0053.

http://www.desertgardensrvpark.net/

Dennis Kuehl

Quartzsite resident Tom Cunningham honored at Veteran's concert

Quartzsite First Assembly of God held their annual Veteran's Tribute 

with Linda Lanier Friday night, Jan. 19, 2013.

Quartzsite resident Tom Cunningham 

was honored with the receipt of the American flag. 

Color Guard conducted the Flag Folding Ceremony as 

Pastor Bruce Swart read the Air Force Script of the meaning of the twelve folds. 

Tom spoke to the audience with tears of gratitude and praise for his God.

Tom and his wife, JoAnn, are very active in the community, 

volunteering for the church and other organizations. 

Below: Tom's brother, Carl, lost his life while serving in Vietnam War

The annual tribute to Veterans and Active/Past Members of 

Military, Police, Fire, Paramedics was an emotional event 

as Linda Lanier shared her passion for the 

brave men and women who serve our nation

with moving songs and stories. 

The evening ended with veterans being thanked for their service by attendees 

with lots of hugs and handshakes. The church members provided service and flag pins to the veterans.

Quartzsite Elementary School Awards Nights for both schools planned

Quartzsite School District is celebrating National School Choice Week (Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2013) in Quartzsite and Ehrenberg with several activities and events planned through February 1.

Quartzsite Elementary School, Quartzsite, AZ

Awards Night, January 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Grail Theater's Presentation "Oliver Twist", in the Ehrenberg School Gym,  January 24, 12:45-1:45 p.m.

Donuts and Coffee for Parents, January 29, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

We are letting parents know that we appreciate their support and choosing Quartzsite Elementary School as the BEST choice for their child in Quartzsite, Arizona

Ehrenberg Elementary School, Ehrenberg, AZ

Awards Night, January 22, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Grail Theater's Presentation "Oliver Twist", in the Ehrenberg School Gym,  January 24, 12:45-1:45 p.m.

Rootbeer Floats for students, January 25

Shredded Beef Barbacoa Dinner, January 25, 5:00-7:00 p.m. ($7.00)

Donuts and Coffee for Parents, February 1, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

We are letting parents know that we appreciate their support and choosing Ehrenberg Elementary School as the BEST choice for their child in Ehrenberg, Arizona

AT&T service down in Quartzsite areas & new phone # for Desert Messenger

It happens every year! The influx of thousands of Snowbirds overload the AT&T tower in Quartzsite, Arizona. However, AT&T recently received approval to install a new cell tower in town. 

AT&T Customer Service Rep said, "It appears a tower is severely degraded. They are aware of the problem and issued a 'ticket' for a tech to come out." 

I then asked to be transferred to a technician and Amber was awesome! After explaining the situation in Quartzsite with the huge influx of people, she suggested I spread the word about a new APP called, "Mark the Spot". AT&T's Mark the Spot is an application that provides customers a means to provide feedback on their network experience directly to AT&T. AT&T Customers can download the app and then let ATT know of technical issues right from their phone. 

Customers should call ATT from another phone to report the outage: 800-947-5096. It was  suggested the more folks who report the outages, the faster AT&T might get around to installing the new tower planned at 4-corners (corner of Hwy. 95 and Main Street). 

Mark the Spot is available for IPhone and Android 

Another issue: Amber reminded me that smart phones owners need to completely turn their phones off 2-3 times a week, as AT&T sends updates and phones need to "reboot" in order to accept the updates.

Amber said service is expected to be restored in Quartzsite around 10:30am Saturday, however, "please give us two or three days just in case..." Customers can call AT&T and ask for a credit on their bill for the inconvenience.

I'm sure glad I picked up a new phone from Verizon, and their service is fine in Quartzsite tonight!

Folks needing to reach Desert Messenger can call the new local number 

of 928-916-4235. 

I had not planned on changing numbers in January, but here we are! (the former phone will also work, once service is restored to Quartzsite!)

Shanana Rain Golden-Bear

Publisher/Editor

Desert Messenger

PO Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85346

541-218-2560

928-916-4235

Quartzsite Welcomes Snowbirds 2013

Quartzsite, Arizona  welcomes Snowbirds back 

for another great winter! 

The weather is warming just in time for all the shows opening! 

Vendors are lining the streets, shows and swap meets, displaying their wares.

RVers are filling the RV Parks and BLM lands.

Restaurants had their busiest night of the season last night!

RV Rallies are having their gatherings in the Sonoran Desert!

RV dealers are ready with specials this year!

Tyson Wells Sell-a-rama opened today and runs thru JAN. 27th.

Hundreds of volunteers are gearing up for the largest Rock Show of its Kind:

The QIA Pow Wow begins WED. JAN. 23 - SUN. JAN. 27

The Big Tent opens SAT. JAN. 19 and runs thru SUN. JAN. 27

For a full listing of shows, events, music jams, restaurants, and more...

 visit www.VisitQuartzsite.com 

Drive careful out there, folks! There's plenty of time to see it all!

Have fun and come see us again!

Check us out on Facebook:  LIKE www.facebook.com/DesertMessengerNews

Follow @QuartzsiteRain on Twitter 

Confusion in Quartzsite? Really?

Quartzsite, AZ - Evidently, once again, there is confusion between the two free papers in Quartzsite, Arizona. 

After receiving multiple phone calls and complaints about a certain cartoon published in Jennifer Jones' tabloid, Desert Freedom Press, I felt it necessary to clarify the situation.

Desert Messenger is not affiliated in any way with the tabloid Desert Freedom Press (AKA DFP). Desert Messenger is proud to maintain a Quartzsite business license. DFP does not, and has not since she began publishing over two years ago.

Jones publishes Richard Abbey's self-described "poorly drawn cartoons" in her tabloid. The recent uproar and complaints surround the latest cartoon Jones published on Page 5 of the Jan. 5, 2013 issue, which depicts a hamster holding a shotgun surrounded by dead birds on the ground. 

The headline reads, "HAMster" welcomes "snow birds" to Quartzfest

Amateur Radio Operators are fondly called HAMs. There is a Ham gathering in Quartzsite this week, called "Quartzfest" with already over 200 check ins for the 11 day event, however over 600 attended last year's famous event. 

According to Jacob C. Herman on www.VoiceNation.com: 

"Ham radios are also known as amateur radios, and they are becoming more popular among those who need a powerful communication device as well as computer hobbyists. They enable people to communicate with other amateur radio users in their countries and around the world. In fact, they are the most powerful wireless communication tools that are available to ordinary people, and they can even help connect users with astronauts in space.

Those who use ham radios are called “hams”, and there are presently millions of regular hams around the world. People from all walks of life use ham radios, ranging from movie stars and politicians to missionaries and students. They make use of different types of radio communication devices to participate in ham radio communication. While ham radios are mostly used for personal communication, there are communities of hams who use their radios to provide important information in their localities, such as emergency and disaster alerts. Ham radios offer a great way for users to make friends with people around the world." 

To learn more visit http://www.voicenation.com/resources/article-library/all-about-ham-radios.shtml

Local Hams are well known for helping our local Quartzsite Police Officers during parades and other events and are well respected within the community. Amateur Radio Operators go through rigorous training and are licensed by the FCC.

Jones is famous for her support of our constitutional right of "Freedom of Speech." However, Freedom of speech does not include the right to incite actions that would harm others (e.g. shouting "fire" in a crowded theater. (Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919)

If anyone else finds this cartoon offensive, I suggest you express your "Freedom of Speech" directly to the publisher, Jennifer Jones, at thedesertfreedompress@yahoo.com or call 928-785-6318. If no response, you can visit her at her Dog Grooming business located at Hassler's RV Park on Main Street, Quartzsite.

Abbey is not so publicly accessible. However if you'd like to directly complain and express your right to free speech to the cartoonist, he is on Facebook at http://facebook.com/richard.abbey1

Needless to say, Jones DOES NOT speak for the majority of Quartzsite residents or snowbirds!

To learn more about Quartzfest 2013 events happening now, visit http://quartzfest.org/.

Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear,
Publisher/Editor
Desert Messenger, now in our 9th Year in Quartzsite!

HARD FREEZE warning Quartzsite, Bouse thru Monday!

Hard Freeze Warning In Effect Until 5 pm MST Monday.

Freeze Warning In Effect from 5 pm Monday to 9 am MST Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a Hard Freeze Warning, which is in effect until 5 pm MST Monday. A Freeze Warning is also in effect from 5 pm Monday to 9 am MST Tuesday.

• Affected area: Quartzite And Bouse.
• Temperature: minimum temperatures generally in the lower 20s.
• Impacts: destruction of garden plants and vegetables, damage to landscaping plants and citrus trees, added hardship for homeless people and pets left outdoors, damage to exposed plumbing pipes.

PETS

• The Humane Society of Southern Arizona suggests that pet owners should either bring their animals indoors or make sure they have shelter with warm blankets to shield them from the cold.

• Pets need a place to sleep that is off the floor or ground and away from drafts.

• Dogs sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed should be taken outdoors only long enough to relieve themselves. Puppies do not tolerate the cold well.

• Dogs that spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities should be fed more, especially protein, to keep fur thick.

• Cats can freeze outside and should be kept indoors.

• Sometimes cats sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warmer. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the hood to give a hiding cat a chance to escape.

PIPES

Homeowners are advised to cover exposed pipes with insulation or towels to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

It is also best to drain pipes or leave a tap dripping in the fixture farthest from the water heater, which allows water to run through the pipes during the night.

• Seal all areas that allow cold outside air to get in where pipes are located.

• Water pipes in attics may also need to be insulated.

• If your water pipe has frozen, be patient. There is no quick remedy. Pipes will need to gradually warm up. You can use a hair dryer on the frozen section to begin the warming process. Wave the warm air back and forth on the pipe.

• Do not pour hot water over a frozen pipe, or use open-flame torches.

• If there is a burst or water is already leaking from plumbing, turn off the water at the main supply valve.

PLANTS

• Nursery workers suggest that outdoor plants need to be protected from the harsh weather by covering them with blankets or nylon frost cloths. Do not cover plants with plastic.

• Plants should be well-watered for protection because the water insulates the entire plant.

• Styrofoam cups over the tips of cacti will stop frost damage on the new growth.