Ed Foster files charges against Town Council Members

Ed Foster's Letter to the Editor follows. Click to enlarge.
Letter arrived at Desert Messenger on Sunday, and due to length, content and time constraints, I have chosen to publish here instead of the Desert Messenger Nov. 4th issue #97. Foster filed charges beginning on Oct. 26, 2009. Council member, Hal Davidson, resigned his position as of noon, Wed. Oct. 28, 2009, stating, "The reasons are many...It has been a great honor serving Quartzsite, but I feel I am no longer of any use to the current council." This morning at 8:30am, Patricia Anderson and Jerry Lukkasson were sworn in as new Council Members. Please note the opinions expressed below do not represent those of the Desert Messenger. Letters to the Editor are opinions of the author.

Rockin' in Quartzsite! - SAT. OCT. 24, 2009

Transforming rocks into art.

Quartzsite, AZ –Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ) sponsors their first event, “Rockin’ in Quartzsite! A Celebration of the Arts” on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite kicks off this new public art event with the opening of the “Rock Motel”, where “Boulder Art Pieces” will be painted and decorated by local artists.

Integrating National Make a Difference Day, PNQ brings together the Quartzsite Women’s Club’s “Walk for Education” and the Red Hat Run-Abouts’ “Walk for Cancer Research”. Both walk-a-thons will end at the “Rock Motel”, a converted warehouse where the painting and fun happens!

This family event includes Rock Games, Rock Painting, food, crafts and more! The Rock Motel, a magically transformed warehouse located at 100 W. Kuehn, Quartzsite, is open 9am-3pm. Admission is only $1 plus one non-perishable food item for Quartzsite Food Bank. Participants in the two walk-a-thons get in free.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, get a “Sneak Preview” of the Boulders before they hit the town. The “Boulder Art Pieces” will be displayed throughout town from Nov. 15, 2009 through March 1, 2010. On Saturday, March 6, PNQ holds a “Rock Auction” to find new homes for the “Boulder Art Pieces” and the People’s Choice Award will be announced.

Quartzsite is known worldwide for its rocks and shows! Expanding on this theme, locals and visitors alike will find themselves looking for the Boulder Art Pieces throughout town, using a “Rockin’ in Quartzsite Map” bringing folks from one end of town to the other. This event benefits local organizations, businesses, and the Quartzsite community!

Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite is established to help provide benefits to local charities and non-profit organizations by promoting the community of Quartzsite, and surrounding areas, through quality local celebrations!

For the Next 7 Generations

In the fall of 2004, thirteen indigenous grandmothers from Africa, Asia, the Arctic Circle, and the North, South and Central America gathered to explore issues of environmental degradation, climate change, war and terrorism and nuclear proliferation. The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers were formed. This film follows their journey. This documentary tells the story of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers from all around the world who came together to help us create a new way of life that will bring the planet back into balance before it's too late.

On October 3rd 2009, For the Next 7 Generations was featured on the Starrdust Show, a program hosted by Starr BearCat on Takilma FM radio. To download the broadcast visit http://takilmafm.com/Downloads.php During this program, Starr aired the entire soundtrack to the film.

The Grandmothers are coming to Sedona Dec. 3-6, 2009 for their 7th Gathering. For more information visit www.grandmotherscouncil.com.

To purchase the DVD, For the Next 7 Generations, visit www.forthenext7generations.com.

Lake in Quartzsite?

When it rains in Quartzsite, a pond sometimes appears on the southside of town, just off E. Kuehn, on Rice Ranch property. Sunday, the pond turned into a lake!

Vito pulled out his jet ski and gave a great show! The owners of Rice Ranch, Chaunce and Doris, went for a ride on the pontoon boat, creating memories for years to come!

Storm aftermath and the cleanup begins!

In the afternoon, there was a wonderful babbling brook on Tyson Road. The water gently ran over the boulders and the sound was sweet. Below is a large piece of pavement missing from Tyson Road.

The day after the big storm found Kuehn, Quail Trail and Tyson roads unpassable. Tons of sand covered Kuehen, however crews from the town and La Paz County quickly began clearing the roads. Quail Trail has the most damage, as a large section of the road disappeared.

By 7am, Acting Mayor Wes Huntley, and Interim Town Manager Alex Taft were on the scene and making decisions. Some smaller roads also received damage, but are usable. There was still water running on the roads, so folks had to use Main Street to get from east to west.

Storm hits Quartzsite! Washes running!

This afternoon the storm brought torrential rains, lightening, winds, and hail. Didn't know we had rapids in Quartzsite? During a break in the weather, I drove around town, taking photos of Tyson Wash, which spread out farther than most folks have seen in over 10 years.

Tents, tires, whole trees, and huge amounts of trash went flowing down the washes. On the north side of town, Tyson Road was getting washed out and the waters were rising past the bank onto private property. On Quail Trail, there is Tyson Wash and another small one, but today they almost looked like one.

On the south end of town, W. Kuehn St., the waters rose up into the showgrounds area, almost to row O, according to Charlie, the caretaker. The waters receded and the rock wall held. However, all over town, folks gathered to watch the incredible site during a break in the storm.

Along Moon Mt. Rd., I walked out toward the wash with some folks who lived across the street. While there, we saw a tractor tire go bounding in the rapids. We had to leave quickly as the water was sneaking in behind us. Just one more photo...., but not risking my safety, I returned to the van. Just 15 minutes later, on my return trip, I saw the water had totally filled in almost up to the road.

Everywhere I went, folks had their cameras. Dee, from the Quartzsite Bakery, told me she took videos to show how fast the water was running. Lots of activity today! And I don't even have the A/C on as the temps dipped into the 80's. Whoooo hooooo!!! Enjoying having my door and windows open for some fresh air!

International Vulture Awareness Day

Today is International Vulture Awareness Day! I just took this photo last Sunday just north of Quartzsite. The vultures have taught me that sometimes it is good to clean up someone else's messes. Sometimes it is good just to wait your turn. Sometimes, you let someone else do the hard work, and then you swoop in for the desert.

And then there are the times to enjoy the sunshine warm your body!

May we all be blessed by the medicine the "Black Eagles" (as some call them) can teach us.

http://www.ivad09.org/wp/