Special Quartzsite Town Council meeting, Monday 7pm 8/30/10

There will be a special meeting of the Town Council on Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 at 7pm.

For the agenda, please visit:
http://bit.ly/cjA7Nc


Ad Hoc Ethics Committee met Mon. Aug. 23. Councilmembers said they needed more time to "mull over a few things" regarding all the issues that had been raised. Mayor Ed Foster did not attend and sent a letter stating he would not attend any of their meetings. The mayor's actions are the focus of this committee.

Quartzsite power outage

Power in Quartzsite went out after an early am storm. APS said to expect the power to be out until after 4pm. Power was restored to the town just after 2pm. APS brought 10,000 lbs of bagged dry ice for residents. Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and QPD officers were directing traffic as hundreds of locals lined up at the Shell station. Isaiah 58 set up their restaurant as the only cooling center in town. They also gave out cases of bottled water.
Marilyn McFate jumped in the COPS (citizens on patrol) van and checked on the elderly and homebound, also informing folks of the arrival of the dry ice.
Most businesses remained closed, however court was in session and Judge Teri Frausto, in full robes, conducted business as usual. Town Hall employees were on hand answering the many phone calls.
By 11am Town Manager Alex Taft had already put in a full 8 hour day coordinating everything.
Lots of volunteers helped in many ways today. Great job everyone!!

Deadlines & Quartzsite news updates

The next issue of the Desert Messenger will be published on Wed. Sept. 1st. The Deadline is WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25, for submitting articles, letters to the editor, new ads, changes to existing ads and Classified ads, etc.

September marks the beginning of the year for the Desert Messenger. The snowbirds are already returning and the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas will be opening Sept. 15th. Vendors will soon be returning also, along with local seasonal businesses.

Look for changes at Janet's Kitchen, which has been closed after Janet retired. Plans on reopening in sometime in October. La Casa del Rancho plans to open on Oct. 11th. Mountain Quail Cafe, Best Mexican, Taco Mio, & Grubsteak have been open all summer. Hi Jolly Internet Cafe has been serving up customers all summer, too, along with fast food restaurants.

There's lots of change happening at the west end of town on W. Main Street. Daniel's Jerky is moving across the street and the remodelling of the building is moving along fast. The southwest adobe style exterior will be a beautiful addition to Quartzsite. Gem World is moving just west of American Custom Tire and will have lots more space for his selection of beads and exotic gifts. Addicted to Deals' Dollar Store will move into the Gem World's previous location where there will be more room for dollar deals!

October 2nd is the Quartzsite Country Bash featuring Harry Luge and his band. This family event will be full of lots to do for children and parents. Get your tickets soon online at http://www.quartzsitecountrybash.com/ 

Rockin' in Quartzsite returns with bigger and better plans for the public art event. Artists wanted! Sponsors wanted! Watch for details in the upcoming issue of the Desert Messenger.

The Arizona Centennial Committee of Quartzsite is planning a yearlong celebration beginning in February. Oct. 12th is the Event Calendar Planning meeting with organizations. Oct. 25th the committee will be meeting with local businesses. Watch for more details in the Desert Messenger next month.

It's going to be a great season for Quartzsite, The Rock Capital of the World!

Town Council meeting changed to Monday, Aug. 23, 7pm

The Quartzsite Town Council be going to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns next week, so they moved the next Council Meeting to Monday evening, August 23, 2010 at 7pm at Town Hall. For the whole agenda please visit:

http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/082310%20agd%20pkt.pdf

Quartzsite Ad Hoc Ethics Committee Meeting

In a Public Notice posted on Monday, Aug. 16, 2010

"The Ad Hoc Ethics Committee of the Town of Quartzsite, Arizona will hold a meeting open to the public on Monday, August 23, 2010 at 4:00pm at the Quartzsite Municipal Center, 465 N. Plymouth Ave."

Business on the Agenda:
"1. Ad Hoc Ethics Committee meeting with Mayor Ed Foster to address ethics complaints.

No Council Business will be addressed at this meeting."

Mayor Ed Foster said he will not attend.

Check your Eggs! Shell eggs recalled!

Wright County Egg Conducts

Nationwide Voluntary Recalls of Shell Eggs

Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Contact:
Egg Safety Media Hotline
404-367-2761

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 13, 2010 - The following statement was released by officials of Wright County Egg regarding the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) on-farm records review and egg testing for Salmonella.

Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distribute nationwide.

Eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223.

There have been confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses relating to the shell eggs and traceback investigations are ongoing.

Wright County Egg is fully cooperating with FDA’s investigation by undertaking this voluntary recall. Our primary concern is keeping Salmonella out of the food supply and away from consumers. As a precautionary measure, Wright County Egg also has decided to divert its existing inventory of shell eggs to a breaker, where they will be pasteurized to kill any Salmonella bacteria present.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org9.

Our farm strives to provide our customers with safe, high-quality eggs – that is our responsibility and our commitment.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm

1st LED Gas Sign in Quartzsite

Thursday, Aug. 12th, the first LED Road Sign went up in Quartzsite!

The ARCO station located at Exit 19, Quartzsite erected their new fancy LED sign. Gone is the yellow "GAS" sign and in its place is the everchanging LED sign. Very bright!

Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite meeting today 4pm

Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ)  meets today at 4pm at the Senior Center. Discussing ideas for the upcoming Rockin' in Quartzsite event planned for October 23, 2010. Make a Difference Day is on the same day, so bring ideas for local involvement!

Artists wanted to participate in the Boulder Painting! Applications will be available in Sept.

PNQ is the sponsor for the scavenger hunt for the Arizona Centennial celebration in Quartzsite! Got ideas? Bring 'em! There will be four photo scavenger hunts through the year of Feb. 12, 2011 thru Feb. 2012! Come and meet "Prickly Pete" our scavenger hunt mascot!

Follow Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite on Facebook!

Quartzsite Town Council meeting agenda, Tues. Aug. 10th

Quartzsite Town Council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Aug. 10th is now online:
http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/081010%20agd%20pkt%201.pdf


The whole packet is finally included. The town has fixed the problem! Also, all the packets for the past two months meeting agendas have been updated and included.

Get Quartzsite news first!

Today's issue of the Desert Messenger is now available online. Sign up for your FREE Subscription to receive VIP Emails alerting you when the next issue becomes available. Get the news first, before the paper hits the street! http://bit.ly/DMnowOnline