Mojave Free Press | Multimedia News & Information | MojaveFreePress.com | Independent News http://mojavefreepress.com Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:33:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Too old to rock and roll, says who…? http://mojavefreepress.com/too-old-to-rock-and-roll-says-who?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=too-old-to-rock-and-roll-says-who http://mojavefreepress.com/too-old-to-rock-and-roll-says-who#comments Sun, 27 May 2012 17:18:26 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3868
Ok, I’m a smart guy who can be very stupid at times. This is particularly true when it comes to physical limits. I know, for example, that enrolling in the ProAM Bull Riding contest would be a serious mistake. I know that. It would have been a serious mistake 20 years ago and there’s no reason to think it might be a good idea now. I know that El Capitan is not in my future unless they build an escalator. I’ve figured that out…
Fast payday loans For Every One

So, of course, I made a wise crack to a guy 20 some years younger than I that the Mojave Free Press ought to enter a team for the Barstow Mud Run. Figured a leisurely job across the desert, splash through some forgiving water obstacles and then pick up a T-shirt at the worst case. At the best case, he’d laugh and say no thanks, he had to cover it for the paper. How hard could it be? What could go wrong?

Most things.

Well, the principal architect of that electronic fish wrapper is a guy named Charles Waybright. He’s a nice guy, but he either has a sense of humor more twisted than mine or he’s very stupid. Charles thought it was a great idea. So, there we were, Charles, Bruce Klein and me, surrounded by 1000 or so of like-minded lunatics set to take off across the desert to benefit the Barstow Veterans Home and the Barstow Kiwanis. Both of which are worthy of support for their services to this community which really needs it and more of it. Oh, the guys who bailed on the run so that Charles had to recruit Bruce but volunteered to video the thing and provide coverage for the paper, also bailed. Charles had his lovely wife worried that I might not show or be found and that she would have to pick up the banner. She was prescient enough to be glad to see me.

Drove up there from my home. This being primarily a fund raiser for the Vets Home there were lots of guys and gals there who were former Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who were volunteering, and of course, in charge. One of the nice things about people with military experience is that if someone needs to be in charge of something, and no one else will do it, they’ll step up. At the same time, a lot of times they’ll take charge because they need to be in charge. Of something, anything, doesn’t matter what. I work very hard at not being like that – it’s less tiring. Still, I can understand the tendency. Six to twelve of these guys were directing traffic. Guy who directed me into my parking space and made certain that I was parked on-line with the rest of the cars must have been an Aviation Bosun’s Mate in the Navy, because a couple of those folks shared with me that their primary function underway was to serve as a valet parking lot attendant for airplanes. Deviance from the line was not to be tolerated…

I kind of regretted that this guy wasn’t organizing the start. It gets hot in Barstow, in the sun, in May, and there was limited shade. Like almost nun – the crowd mulled around, and the start was in heats. Somehow Charles and Bruce found me, and I pinned up my number, tied my timing chip to my shoe and we muddled our way through. One reason for running as a team – in our case, Old and Fat! – was to support each other, but somehow we all wandered into different heats.

Now, back in the day, I was a distance runner. Then my back went to wherever things go when they decide not to work anymore, and I don’t run. I was figuring the high intensity workouts I do in the gym would cover me. I wasn’t planning on setting records. I may have…probably was the slowest finisher. Hit the first water obstacle and found myself running through water and mud but only up to just below the knees. Climb out, over a birm and head for the next obstacle…which was slightly deeper, and had tires that had embedded themselves in the mud at this point. If you are light on your feet, long legged and run with a high knee lift, this isn’t a problem. If you’ve just turned 61, have always had a squatty body, lift weights for sport and have short legs, this is not going to work. Step, spash, fall, get caught in the mud, pull boots out of mud and repeat.  This turned into an ordeal. Got out, shook my head, and started slowly jogging toward the next obstacle. More tires and a birm on each end…you get through the first one, and over it and then there’s another one, just like the other one…

Crashed on the next one, which may have involved piranha but did involve a water truck raining on you as you fought you way through the mud, tires and so on.  Got through, got out and started walking…got to the first water stop, and stood there drinking warm water out of a cup, which frankly didn’t help all that much. I started to feel less bad when I realized that two college girls were there, both wearing women’s cross country team t-shirts, and one of them had just had an exercise induced asthma attack. She probably weighed about 100 pounds.

So, on I slogged. Skipped an obstacle, continued to slog. Got to the water slide thing…slide down the slide into the water, what could go wrong. Well, a lot…as I found out when I landed and slammed my leg into some immovable object –heap of dead bodies? Left-over rocks? Railroad ties? – pinning my leg back. Guy manning the thing in the pond pulled me out of the way, and I realized that I was now golden – I had a low calf/high ankle strain and could hobble through the rest of the course but couldn’t go through any more obstacles. Yeah, buddy – of course, I’m soaking wet, my Palladium BUDS course boots are full of desert and water as well, my ankle is not swelling that much because it is encased in a muddy, tied running boot, but it hurts like hell, and I have a mile or so of desert to cross. And, so I did. Bumped into Charles who was having problems seeing, because he had listened to someone talking jive and decided he had to splash him, primarily splashing himself. Muddy water in the eyes…hot…dirt…he told me that I had mud on my teeth and looked like a caveman in a rugby game jersey. Didn’t see Bruce…I hope it wasn’t him dead in the mud at the water slide….

OK, I can see the attraction of this event. I think it’s important not to over- or under-think the obstacles – one tire obstacle with several non-tire obstacles before the next tire obstacle one for example would be better – more aid teams and watering spots, and more attention to safety would be helpful, and if you decide to run one of these crazy things, I strongly recommend making certain that they are in fact paying a lot of attention to safety. I heard about a couple of broken bones, and the MEDEVAC chopper taking off from near the finishing line was, well, troubling. But, this is a budding sport similar in a lot of ways to Cross-Fitness – it’s simple, it’s cheap and anyone can play. Even 61 year old men with bad backs and a smart mouth.

There were a lot of kids and families which I thought was great. I was particularly taken by the number of kids running with their moms and dads, although I did see more than a few groups where the kids who appeared to be about 9 were waiting for Mom or Dad to catch up. I saw a few people I used to work with who were volunteering and having fun. Interestingly, one guy who used to work for me and resembles Mr. Clean physically and a wimpy weasel spiritually but who always had to be taking time off to take care of his two very athletic boys was there with the boys. He was dry and clean and I overheard him say, “Oh yeah, they did good…”

Well, I didn’t but I still feel good about it. Don’t know if I’ll ever do one again…whom I kidding, no way! Put this on your reverse bucket list along with spending time in a North Korean Labor Camp, using a do it yourself appendectomy kit or, hell, bull riding! But, if you feel the need, look around. I’m sure’ll you’ll find one. And, in order for there to be a “There I was, me, myself and I, alone, surrounded,” you have to be there first.

Charles asked me if it was fun when we finished. I laughed and said it was more fun after it was over than while I was doing it. Ain’t that the truth?

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/too-old-to-rock-and-roll-says-who/feed 0 Barstow Rotary Club to “Roast” Community Leader Michael Lewis http://mojavefreepress.com/barstow-rotary-club-to-roast-community-leader-michael-lewis?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=barstow-rotary-club-to-roast-community-leader-michael-lewis http://mojavefreepress.com/barstow-rotary-club-to-roast-community-leader-michael-lewis#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:17 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3861 The Barstow Rotary Club will “roast” community leader Michael Lewis on Saturday, May 19, at the Hampton Inn in Barstow. Roastmaster Rich Harpole will lead a group of roasters in an evening of fun and good-humored jokes as a fundraiser for both the Barstow Rotary Club and the Boys & Girls Club of Barstow.

Michael Lewis is well-known in Barstow as a business owner, Planning Commissioner, co-founder of the Barstow Boys & Girls Club, and volunteer for numerous other local organizations. Michael will be subjected to a public presentation of comedic insults, praise, outlandish true and untrue stories, and heartwarming tributes.

Michael is the third honoree to be roasted by the Barstow Rotary Club; past Barstow Mayors Mal Wessel and Lawrence Dale were previous community leaders who have received this distinction.

Tickets for this event are $60 for one or $100 for two and include a gourmet meal, wine and the program. Tickets can be purchased from a local Rotarian, including Andy Ziemer at Ziemer Plumbing, 760-256-7123, or Steve Stewart at United Agencies Inc., 760-256-3566.

Please join the event: Barstow Rotary Club to “Roast” Community Leader Michael Lewis

 

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/barstow-rotary-club-to-roast-community-leader-michael-lewis/feed 0 8th District Congressional Debate http://mojavefreepress.com/8th-district-congressional-debate?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8th-district-congressional-debate http://mojavefreepress.com/8th-district-congressional-debate#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:39:18 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3830

Thursday, March 29, 6 to 8 P.M. – Barstow Jr. High School, 1000 Armory Road, Barstow

The Patriot Forum and Forerunner Christian Fellowship will be hosting a Congressional Debate for all candidates running in the 8th District of California. The debate will be moderated by former Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle.

Confirmed Candidates & Bios:

Anthony Adams

From 2006 to 2010, Anthony Adams served in the California State Assembly.  Assemblyman Anthony Adams represented several of San Bernardino and Los Angeles County communities.  Anthony Adams received his law degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, his Bachelors degree in Political Science from California State University, San Bernardino and his Associates in Business Administration from Victor Valley College. Anthony and his wife, Deanna, have been married for twenty years and have resided in the city of Hesperia since 1996.

Craig, Dr. George

Craig, Dr. George. Has not submitted a bio as of this time.

Gregg Imus

Gregg Imus has been a mountain resident for 39 years.  He has worked the majority of his career as a custom homebuilder. He is co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp. of California and has volunteered more than 2,500 hours on the Mexican border. He and his wife started and ran the “True Love Waits” program in the mountain community that taught hundreds of young teens the value of marriage.  He has most recently served as Campaign Manager and Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Tim Donnelly.  He and his wife Pennie have been married for 33 years.   They have been foster parents in the community. They have 9 children and 3 grandchildren.

Bill Jensen

Bill Jensen is a 23-year Retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Veteran, Real Estate Broker for over 30 years, Former City Councilman and Mayor of Hesperia, and High Desert Tea Party Movement Leader. He will fight for: Freedom of Religion, Speech and Press – Right to Bear Arms – Search and Arrest Warrants – Rights in Criminal and Civil Cases – Rights to a Fair Trial – States’ Rights – Defending our Borders – No Taxation without Representation – No UN Authority Over Our Troops in Combat or the Defense of Our Nation – Full Medical Benefits for All Military Members – Defense of Social Security and MediCare – Complete Overhaul or Elimination of the EPA, IRS, Federal Reserve Responsibilities, Departments of Energy, Education, and Interior, and Over-regulatory Policy – No Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Due Process (NDAA)

Ryan McEachron

Born and raised in the High Desert, Victorville Mayor and small businessman Ryan McEachron is proud of his community and looks for every opportunity he can to serve and improve the quality of life there.  Following through on his commitment to the people of Victorville, McEachron has balanced City budgets and improved civil services during his tenure as mayor – all without raising taxes.  McEachron is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ISU Insurance Services – ARMAC Agency in Victorville. He graduated from Apple Valley High School and received his Communications degree from Arizona State University. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Victorville with their two children.

Joseph Napolitano

A native Californian born in Lynwood, Joseph Napolitano, has resided in Helendale for ten years.  He has been self-employed for 37 years doing home remodeling and assorted handiwork throughout the communities in which he has resided.  As an Army Vietnam veteran, he began his education under the G.I. Bill attending Cerritos College and others in the Southern California area with expectation of finishing in the High Desert.  Joseph has worked for 13 years as a Poll Worker, with the last eight years as a Poll Inspector.  Joseph and his lovely wife Wendy have two married daughters and one granddaughter.  He and his wife are active members in their church and sing in the choir.  They are willing volunteers helping others around the community and abroad.  They enjoy travel abroad as well as simple day trips.  Joseph Napolitano has many sound thoughts for our country and our new 8th Congressional District.

John Pinkerton

Raised in Nebraska, John Pinkerton credits his values and work ethic to his mother and teachers. John & his wife of 34 years, Sharon, have been residents of California since 1985. They reside in the high desert, where they built their home, the first of its kind approved in California. John holds a Master’s from Cal State San Bernadino and currently serves as a counselor at Silverado High School, where he has been employed since1999. John believes that “a good job is a good start to a good life,” and that “our relationships define us. We must work together.”

Angela Valles

A lifelong Victor Valley resident, Angela Valles has persevered through many obstacles to become the person Valles is today.  As a mother at age 16, Valles dropped out of school to care and provide for her baby, who today serves in the U.S. Military.  Valles earned her Associate’s in Criminal Justice.  As a single mother Valles became a Correctional Officer working diligently to become the Prison’s Warden, a Criminal Justice Professor, and College Board President. Valles earned her Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and her International Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University – both Christian institutions. Valles balances and oversees multi-million dollar budgets as a Finance Director and Councilwoman.  Valles will bring that work ethic and experience to Congress.  As a Councilwoman, Valles stood against waste and corruption focusing on a balanced budget without voting for a tax increase.

Dennis Albertson

No bio available.

Candidates not attending:

Brad Mitzelfelt,
Paul Cook
Paul Liberatore
Jackie Conaway

Additional Information:

Total Raised and Spent by Candidates of California District 08

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2012&id=CA08

California State Congressional District 8 map

click to view large

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/8th-district-congressional-debate/feed 0 Black History Month and SB 48 http://mojavefreepress.com/black-history-month-and-sb-48?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=black-history-month-and-sb-48 http://mojavefreepress.com/black-history-month-and-sb-48#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:05:21 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3812

My opinion for what it is worth

Alan Turing

Alan Turing


by Charles Waybright

Another Black History Month just came to a close, following a year that brought us new legislation to ensure disabled and homosexual people are included in school history lessons.

There are some people who question the necessity of Black History Month and legislation like the FAIR Education Act (SB 48).

To answer that question, we need to ask ourselves: Is the history we have learned in school complete and accurate?

As I reflect upon some of the greatest history lessons that I have learned, they were not in the classroom.

One was a TV series called Roots. Roots gripped our nation as it told the story of slavery. Some refused to watch as they feared that such a real pretrial of our history would lead to violence. I believe the vivid lesson of slavery in America made us richer as a people and as a nation.

Another lesson was in world history. Most of us have studied World War II and the defeat of Nazi Germany. Many of the names we are familiar with that contributed to that success are Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton.

However, a man whose name is unknown to most people actually contributed as much as these other men to the victory of Germany: Alan Turing.

Alan Turing, born June 23, 1912, was an English mathematician and was considered a genius by many of his colleagues. Turing was instrumental in developing the modern computer and is considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. He was recruited to break the German’s cryptic machines.

The most illusive of these German cryptic machines was the Enigma machine, which had the brightest minds of the time baffled.

Upon viewing the Enigma machine, through stroke of pure genius, Turing intuitively understood how it worked and how it must be used. This enabled him to develop a series of techniques to break Germany’s cryptic machines, which played a significant role in the Allies’ successes against Germany.

In 1952, Turing was convicted of homosexual acts, and he accepted a treatment of female hormones to avoid prison. Two years later at the age of 41, Turing was found dead from cyanide poisoning. The death was ruled a suicide.

In 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made an official public apology on behalf of the British government for the way Turing was treated after the war.

When we look back at our founders, who were not without their faults, they laid down a foundation for our nation that was profound and genius in nature. They created a government by design that could self-regulate.

When our nation began it was far from perfect, but because of its unique balance of power, it allowed us to correct the grave mistakes of our past.

This balance of power included a means to protect the rights of a few, which allowed for women’s rights, civil rights, and gay rights. And learning our history accurately and completely plays an important role in the nation’s development.

Until the history we are taught in school includes all the lessons of beauty and brutality, the lessons of human triumph and of embarrassment, and does not exclude contributions based on gender, skin color, religion or sexual orientation, we will need Black History Month and the FAIR Education Act.

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/black-history-month-and-sb-48/feed 0 AGENDA for BARSTOW CITY COUNCIL MARCH 5, 2012 http://mojavefreepress.com/agenda-for-barstow-city-council-march-5-2012?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=agenda-for-barstow-city-council-march-5-2012 http://mojavefreepress.com/agenda-for-barstow-city-council-march-5-2012#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:14:54 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3808 BARSTOW CITY COUNCIL MARCH 5, 2012

REGULAR MEETING 7:00 PM

AGENDA

PRESENTATIONS

1. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO LOCAL PLEDGE LEADER Recommended Action: Presentation only.

2. RECOGNITION OF BARSTOW PAGEANT’S COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

Recommended Action: Present certificates to Barstow Pageant’s community

representatives.

3. RECOGNITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Recommended Action: Presentation only.

4. DESERT MANNA QUARTERLY REPORT

Recommended Action: Information only.

5. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG)

UPDATED 20 YEAR PLAN

Recommended Action: Presentation only.

PUBLIC HEARING

6. PROTEST HEARING – DELINQUENT UNPAID SEWER AND/OR TRASH CHARGE

UTILITY ACCOUNTS

Recommended Action: Conduct a protest hearing. Subject to testimony received, adopt the

attached Resolution No. _____-2012 and waive the reading.

REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION

PUBLIC COMMENTS: THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE

CITY COUNCIL ON MATTERS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY ON THE

AGENDA. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE CITY COUNCIL FROM ADDRESSING ANY ISSUE NOT

PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA. THE CITY COUNCIL MAY RECEIVE COMMENT AND SET

THE MATTER FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS

TO THREE MINUTES. ALL REQUESTS TO SPEAK MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE AGENDA ITEM

BEING ADDRESSED.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

11. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF ATTENDANCE AT THE CITY/COUNTY CONFERENCE

IN LAKE ARROWHEAD

Recommended Action: City Council to approve attendance for Mayor Gomez, Mayor Pro

Tem Hackbarth-McIntyre, Council Member Silva, and Council Member Saenz at the

City/County Conference in Lake Arrowhead from March 29 – 30, 2012.

12. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM THE GREATER HOPE

FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

Recommended Action: Provide financial assistance to the Greater Hope Foundation for

Children in the amount of $500.00 to help offset the costs of its Child Abuse Prevention event

in April.

13. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM BARSTOW LITTLE LEAGUE

SOFTBALL, EAST BARSTOW LITTLE LEAGUE, AND WEST BARSTOW LITTLE

LEAGUE

Recommended Action: Provide financial assistance to Barstow Little League Softball, East

Barstow Little League, and West Barstow Little League in the amount of $1,000 each to help

offset the costs of the upcoming softball/baseball season.

14. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM JONATHAN SWISHER

Recommended Action: Provide financial assistance to Jonathan Swisher in the amount of

$500.00 to help offset the costs of his attendance at the United States Karate Alliance 2012

Nationals Tournament.

15. FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION WORK FROM AVENUE A

TO AVENUE H AND AVENUE A TO SECOND AVENUE – PROJECT NUMBERS 2010-12

AND 2010-13

Recommended Action:

1) Approve final acceptance of the Country Club Drive, Avenue H, East Mountain View

Street, Yucca Avenue, and Second Avenue street reconstruction work (Project Number

2009-06, 2010-05, 2010-06, 2010-07).

Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:

2) Authorize staff to file the attached Notice of Completion.

3) Authorize the transfer of $14,276.07 from Account Number 400.801.101.10.206 (Main

Street) to Account Number 400.801.008.10.100 (Country Club Drive, Avenue H, East

Mountain View Street, Yucca Avenue, and Second Avenue).

16. FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, AVENUE H, EAST MOUNTAIN VIEW

STREET, YUCCA AVENUE, AND SECOND AVENUE – PROJECT NUMBERS 2009-06,

2010-05, 2010-06, & 2010-07

Recommended Action:

1) Approve final acceptance of the Country Club Drive, Avenue H, East Mountain View

Street, Yucca Avenue, and Second Avenue street reconstruction work (Project Number

2009-06, 2010-05, 2010-06, 2010-07).

Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:

2) Authorize staff to file the attached Notice of Completion.

3) Authorize the transfer of $14,276.07 from Account Number 400.801.101.10.206 (Main

Street) to Account Number 400.801.008.10.100 (Country Club Drive, Avenue H, East

Mountain View Street, Yucca Avenue, and Second Avenue).

BUSINESS ACTION ITEMS

17. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CAROLLO ENGINEERS FOR THE CONSULTATIVE

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING SERVICES

Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the professional

services agreement with Carollo Engineers (Attachment A) and authorize the City Manager or

his designee to execute the contract.

18. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BARSTOW LIBRARY COMPUTER

LAB – PROJECT NUMBER 2012-02 / CDBG PROJECT NUMBER 102-36128/3439

Recommended Action:

1) Award the Barstow Branch Library computer lab project (Project Number 2012-02) to

Dunagan Construction Co.

Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:

2) Approve an overall project budget in the amount of $75,755.81.

3) Authorize an appropriation of $43,241.81 from the City’s CDBG Un-programmed Fund

Balance for this initiative.

4) Reject all other bids upon the satisfactory submission of the required contract documents,

bonds, and insurance certificates by Dunagan Construction Co.

19. APPROVAL OF STREET IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND

AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR HOSPITAL AREA STREET

IMPROVEMENTS ON MOUNTAIN VIEW & HELEN RUNYON (PROJECT NUMBER 2011-

09)

Recommended Action:

1) Approve the plans and specifications for Mountain View Street and Helen Runyan Drive

(Project Number 2011-09).

Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:

2) Authorize the advertisement of bids for Mountain View Street and Helen Runyan Drive

(Project Number 2011-09) and establish a bid opening date of April 3, 2012.

20. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FEES FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL NEW MEXICO CHILI COOKOFF

AND BELEN FIESTA

Recommended Action:

1) Waive the event fees and costs of $1,679.00 and appropriate this amount from the

Special Events account, and

Staff recommends that the City Council:

2) Consider sponsoring the event at the Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze level, using the

Special Events account.

21. 2011 AUDIT REPORTS

Recommended Action: That the City Council accept the recommendation of the Finance

Committee to receive and file the annual audit reports outlined above.

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/agenda-for-barstow-city-council-march-5-2012/feed 0 Free ADA Workshop for Local Businesses, Building Professionals http://mojavefreepress.com/free-ada-workshop-for-local-businesses-building-professionals?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=free-ada-workshop-for-local-businesses-building-professionals http://mojavefreepress.com/free-ada-workshop-for-local-businesses-building-professionals#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:28:27 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3805 City of Barstow Public Service Announceme​n

Contact:

Laura Moraco

760-255-5121

lmoraco@barstowca.org

Free ADA Workshop for Local Businesses, Building Professionals

and Commercial Property Owners

Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title 24

Accessibility Compliance Laws

(City of Barstow – March 1, 2012)

The City of Barstow will be hosting a free ADA workshop for local business owners, contractors and commercial property owners on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Hampton Inn located at 2710 Lenwood Road in Barstow. The workshop will cover comprehensive and effective methods to ensure your business or property is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Laws, including how you can make your facility ADA accessible, when improvements are triggered and how you can benefit from the recent passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1608. Information on financial assistance available through federal tax incentives will also be discussed. Space is limited and advance registration is recommended for this free workshop. Registration deadline is Friday, March 9, 2012. For additional information and workshop registration, contact Heidy Riley at 760.255.5151. Details are also available on the City’s website at www.barstowca.org.

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/free-ada-workshop-for-local-businesses-building-professionals/feed 0 Joshua Rose Foundation http://mojavefreepress.com/joshua-rose-foundation?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=joshua-rose-foundation http://mojavefreepress.com/joshua-rose-foundation#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:46:12 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3787

Barstow-based group supports non-custodial parents, expands reach globally


Julia Greer Moreno’s personal struggles with child custody issues inspired her to create an organization to help others dealing with situations that separate families.

In 2006, she founded the Joshua Rose Foundation, which is dedicated to helping non-custodial parents by providing education and resources.

The group has multiple programs, including a co-parenting course that lasts six months—far longer than the normal court-sanctioned six-week courses.

According to the group, the programs help families learn “to be separate and not broken, embracing the spirit of Ohana (family) so that nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

Greer Moreno has many examples of situations in which the group has helped families.

“We’ve seen families who have been fighting very bitterly with one another [who] have taken a step back and said we don’t want to go through that—we don’t want our children to go through that. So let’s take different steps,” Greer Moreno said.

In one case, a couple wasn’t getting along, and after help from the Joshua Rose Foundation, the couple ended up getting counseling, staying together, and having four more children.

One of the group’s programs is “Adopt for the Holidays,” in which the foundation coordinates with churches and families who “adopt” a non-custodial parent for a holiday like Christmas. The inspiration for the program came from a situation in which a non-custodial parent was alone on a holiday and committed suicide.

Greer Moreno has been expanding the group’s reach globally, recruiting and training team leaders throughout the United States and overseas. These team leaders provide programming in their local areas.

For more information about the Joshua Rose Foundation:

http://joshuarosefoundation.webs.com

Or call (760) 957-7027

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/joshua-rose-foundation/feed 0 Barstow Police Chief Reinstated After Six-Month Leave http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-police-chief-dianne-burns-press-release?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=barstows-police-chief-dianne-burns-press-release http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-police-chief-dianne-burns-press-release#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:33 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3766  

Police Chief Dianne Burns

According to a reliable source:

Barstow’s Police Chief Dianne Burns will resume her duties next Monday. The City Manager is scheduled to meet with the Barstow Police around 10:30 am today.

More news to come.

 

Barstow Police Chief Reinstated After Six-Month Leave

Barstow’s police chief is returning to work next week after a six-month absence that had residents wondering if she was being terminated.

Police Chief Dianne Burns has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 4, 2011, but the city isn’t providing many details on the situation.

“Police Chief Burns was placed on paid administrative leave after the city determined a personnel matter needed to be reviewed,” City Manager Curt Mitchell said in a statement Thursday.

According to the statement, “a thorough review of a personnel matter was conducted, and the chief is now returning to her full-time duties.”

Mitchell also said in the statement that “being placed on administrative leave was not an adverse disciplinary action, but rather a necessary step to protect both the city’s and Police Chief Burns’ interests.”

Burns, a seasoned cop who was previously a gang specialist for the Los Angeles Police Department, was hired as Barstow’s chief in 2007.

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-police-chief-dianne-burns-press-release/feed 0 Barstow’s Crazy Cactus being shown at Kelso Depot http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-crazy-cactus-being-shown-at-kelso-depot?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=barstows-crazy-cactus-being-shown-at-kelso-depot http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-crazy-cactus-being-shown-at-kelso-depot#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:51:42 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3731

Take a look at the Crazy Cactus Exhibition Reception. Exhibition is showing NOW until May 19 at Kelso Depot, Mojave National Preserve. Exhibition is destined for more exciting destinations this year. Make a pledge in the silent auction and support environmental education and be part of something BEAUTIFUL! www.mainstreetmurals.com Tel: 760 220 4351.

Download PDF]]> http://mojavefreepress.com/barstows-crazy-cactus-being-shown-at-kelso-depot/feed 0 Go Take a Hike: Calico Peak by Way of Odessa Canyon http://mojavefreepress.com/go-take-a-hike-calico-peak-by-way-of-odessa-canyon?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=go-take-a-hike-calico-peak-by-way-of-odessa-canyon http://mojavefreepress.com/go-take-a-hike-calico-peak-by-way-of-odessa-canyon#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:53:45 +0000 Mojave Free Press http://mojavefreepress.com/?p=3713
Calico Peak by Way of Odessa Canyon

Calico Peak by Way of Odessa Canyon

By Dale Jensen and Terrence McCorkle

The Old Hiker Dude is back! Yes, he has returned to leading local hikes after giving his knee a much-needed rest and medical treatment. On a recent breezy February Saturday, he led a Sierra Club sponsored hike of nine to the top of Calico Peak, the highest spot at 4,542 feet in the Barstow area.

Besides Barstow hikers, others came from Big Bear, Apple Valley, Orange County, and the Los Angeles area. Meeting at the BLM parking lot across from the college, the group signed in and was off by 8:00 a.m. Traveling north on I 15, we parked at a cleared area just off Ghost Town Road at the entrance to Odessa Canyon, about a mile to the east of the entrance to Calico Ghost Town.

The hike to the top of Calico Peak was a little over six miles from the dirt parking area. Creosote plants dotted the open hills of pale yellow and green; a tan dirt road began a the gradual ascent through Odessa Canyon. The roar of off-road vehicles was heard as they stirred up the dust clouds in the distance.

The road narrowed, and the reddish weathered rocks closed in to form walls pocked with holes. The road, once covered with asphalt, has deep ruts with little of the original paving material remaining. The road remains a challenge for off-roaders and eventually becomes impassible for any vehicles.

Odessa Canyon was once a place where early gold and silver prospectors hoped to find the Mother lode. Their cave-like mines remain, testaments of failed ambitions and forgotten dreams.

Eventually the canyon walls gave way to open space and other dirt roads. Now the trek to the top of Calico Peak began on a maintained dirt road that winds around the mountain to the top where microwave antennas stand like futuristic sculptures. The road may be maintained, but it is steep with loose gravel that can be a challenge for most hikers.

Once on top, the view from Calico Peak was spectacular, a 360 degree panorama of local towns, dry lake beds, and vast expanses of desert. The San Bernardino Mountains and San Gorgonio Mountain can be seen to the south and the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains come into view when looking to the north.

This year all nine hikers made it to the top of Calico Peak; last year three hikers didn’t and had to wait further down the mountain for the group to return.

Since we were ahead of schedule, Old Hiker Dude suggested that we return down the canyon via Sweetwater Spring. This alternate route appealed to all, so off we went to see where water bubbles up to the surface.

We continued south on the ridge above Doral Canyon, just west of Odessa Canyon. The area was a mecca for old gold and silver mines dug by the hard rock miners in the late 1800′s. Remains of mines were everywhere along the ridge as we ventured down into the canyon itself. Eventually, we hiked our way through the rocky narrow canyon, and by 3:30 p.m. we had made it back to the cars for another fun-filled adventure hiking in the desert.

The next local hike is Saturday, March 24 through Owl Canyon and into Rainbow Basin. For more information and meeting place, contact Terrence McCorkle at 760-252-2194 or 760-412-1683 (cell) or e-mail oldhikerdude[at]verizon.net.

Calico Peak map


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