Pulse of the High Desert #12 - February 2023

February 2023 - Issue #12

Stories inside

PULSE

OF THE HIGH DESERT

SENIORS, VETERANS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES

Casa del Desierto

I have written about the entrepreneur, Fred Harvey, in numerous columns as I go here and there in search of places worth visiting. And most places are worth visiting – well, perhaps not an IRS office, but I digress.

Fred Harvey has been hailed with the dubious distinction of being the first person to open a restaurant chain in the United States. The Harvey House system was well known to all the railroad personnel and travelers who crisscrossed the nation along the iron tracks during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Continue on page 6

8 Myths About MEDICARE When it comes to Medicare, there is a lot of inaccurate information out there. If you are approaching your 65th birthday, you want to have your Medicare facts straight. Because what you don’t know – or misunderstand – could cost you. The common myths explained below can help you protect your retirement finances and plan your future health care spending. If you’re in doubt about your Medicare options and future health care costs, you’d do well to see an experienced MEDICARE SPECIALIST. Continue on page 12

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Inside:

News 4 Veterans - Page 4 Daggett Solar - Page 10 Blythe Intaglio - Page 14 Lucerne Valley Middle/High School Music Department Hosts Winter Concert - Page 16 Mojave Megaphone - Page 22 Marcy’s Musings - Page 24

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February 2023

OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

Editorial

T

his is our one-year anniversary issue. Looking back to the beginning I think the phrase ‘YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY BABY’ is apropos. It has been a year of ups/downs, good/ bad and truly a learning experience. All the negative has been overcome with all the positives.

We have made many new friends, reconnected with old ones and found a niche market for our publication. The TEAM members, staffcontributors-advertisers, joined together to provide you, the reader, a source for information in an entertaining and informative publication.

The term NICHE MARKET is the reason for our success. In the world we live in today there are many ways to get your news. Newspapers are usually not one of them anymore. Most of the major newspapers have stopped printing and gone to only digital. We too are in digital format but it is our printed newspaper that is popular.

It is our goal to keep improving on our content and become your number one source for the news you need to give you a healthy and wealthy life. Along with a history of our area and places/events you can visit.

In order to keep going in these troubling times we ask you, our readers, to support our advertisers. Taking out a subscription is another way to support us. We also like to hear from you on ways we can improve the PULSE. We, my family and I along with our great TEAM, want to THANK, each and every one of you for your support, kindness and allowing us to serve you.

The TEAM here at the PULSE wishes 2023 is your BEST year ever.

P O Box 290066 - Phelan, CA 92329-0066 4468 Phelan Road Suite C - Phelan, CA 92371 JAMES CONKLE Publisher 1 760 617 3991 jim@motherroadenterprises.com

LEN NORDMANN Artist 1 951 678 5555 Lennord@motherroadenterprises.com

JORGE LEANDRO RODRIGUES Graphic Designer 55 16 99991 0229 leandro@motherroadenterprises.com

LORI WESTON 1 760 680 9472 Lori@motherroadenterprises.com

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TIFFANIE WILLIAMS 1 442 364 4884 Tiffanie@pulseofthehighdesert.com TOM SCHIBUSCH 1 760 559 9403 Tom@pulseofthehighdesert.info

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BILL BAILEY 1 760 995 5024 Bill@pulseofthehighdesert.info

OF THE PULSE HIGH DESERT LUCERNE VALLEY EDITION

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Sales@pulseofthehighdesert.info

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February 2023

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NEWS 4 VETERANS Dream Vacations Specialist Wins Prestigious Award

DreamApple Vacations WinsAmbassador Prestigious my Award greatest passions are travel and helping Valley Specialist resident named of Veterans Affairs by Dream Vacations

military members past and present as well as their families. This award is the perfect combination the two.” said Laura DvareApple Valley, CA 1/23/2023Dream VacaCA 1/23/2023 – Dream Vacations Franchise owner and Vacation Specialistof Laura Dream Vacations franchise owner of tions Franchise owner and Vacation s recently named Ambassador of Veterans Affairs bySpeDream ckas, Vacations cialist Laura Dvareckas was recently named the Apple Valley location. honor toAmbassador have been named the Dream Vacations Ambassador of Veteran Laura was a weather forecaster and obof Veterans Affairs

by Dream Two of my greatest passions are travel and year's conference. serverhelping in the Air Force form 2002-2008. AfVacations bers past and present as well as their families. This awardterward, is the perfect she was an elementary school teof the two. ” said Laura Dvareckas, Dream Vacations franchise owner of the Apple acher on military bases overseas and is a . military spouse. Her husband Jonathan retired Afterward, from the she Air Force in 2022 Laura is a weather forecaster and observer in the Air Force form 2002-2008. spouse.writer Her for military affiliated publintary school teacher on military bases overseas and is a military volunteer than retired from the Air Force in 2022. Laura is a volunteer cations writer for such military as Stars and Stripes and The cations such as Stars and Stripes and The Association of Military Spouse Association of Military Spouse Entrepre. She conitnues to serve the military community by helping military families plan neurs. She conitnues to serve the military acations and by coordinating travel groups. community by helping military families plan Vacations ld Travel Holdings, one of the nation’s top travel retail networks, theirDream dream vacations and by coordinating ers the lowest possible pricing on cruise and land vacations through its travel groups. with every major cruise line and many tour operators.

As part of World Travel Holdings, one of the nation’s mation or to book a dream vacation with Laura, please call (760) 688-0903top or travel retail networks, Dream Vacations offers consumers the lowest acationsandcruises.com possible pricing on cruise and land vacations through its relationships with every Vacations major cruise line and many tour operators Vacations have with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream For more information or to book a dream to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while vacation with Laura, please call (760) 688st value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations 0903a top-ranking or visit www.rnrvacationsandcruises. d Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, com of military “It is such anwell honor to have been named he major cruise lines as as national recognition for its support the Dream Vacations Ambassador of Veteran Affairs at this year’s conference. Two of

Valley resident named Ambassador of Veterans Affairs by Dream Vacations

About Dream Vacations

Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans.

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February 2023

OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

SWIM

February 2nd Jake Walraven My Family’s Dutch and Indonesian History February 9th Karla Franko Cultural Arts Center of the High Desert February 16th Roseanne Smith The Assistance League of Victor Valley February 23rd.

Daniel Walden, Ph.D Victor Valley College

Friends of the Apple Valley Library February 14th Marcy Taylor and Bruce Hollenbeck The History of the Apple Valley Library

How to Sell Your HIGH DESERT, CA House Without An Agent And Save the Commission

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IGH DESERT, CA - If you’ve tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the “For Sale

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February 2023

5

Casa del Desierto Continued from page 1

By John Beyer

P

ULL INTO A R A I L R O A D STATION, step down from the passenger car, and there was an upscale restaurant with nattily clad waitresses waiting to wait on their customers.

“This is a pretty natty place,” one passenger was overheard saying.

“That Fred Harvey,” responded the other passenger. “He is really forward thinking and a rather nattily dressed fella, too.”

Those waitresses were known as the Harvey Girls.

And to be part of the staff working the various Harvey Houses, the women had to be of good moral character, well-mannered, and intelligent with at least an 8th grade education.

Rumor had it, they could not be seen dancing on Tik-Tok, or their employment would be terminated.

In fact, the Harvey Girls became so well known, that in 1946, a film titled, The Harvey Girls, starring Judy Garland was released to great reviews and long runs in movie theatres.

Fred Harvey had truly started something special.

The Harvey corporation built eighty-four of these restaurants, and many had luxurious accommodations attached for those travelers who needed to spend a night or two waiting for the next train or while conducting business.

Some of the Harvey Houses are still available to ooh and ahh over, but the majority have gone the way of many small towns in the west. With the introduction of the interstates, there was little need for rail travel, and thus, no real reason for the slew of beautiful Harvey Houses.

The El Garces in Needles, the La Posada in Winslow, the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, are just some of the establishments still available to view, tour, and perhaps stay for the night.

My lovely wife, Laureen, and I have spent many hours perusing this Harvey House or that Harvey house, but one we had never visited is the Casa Del Desierto.

Despite driving through Barstow a million times, we never stopped at this Harvey House.

I blame this on Laureen. She does not enjoy bridges and driving over the First Avenue bridge did not thrill her. I, on the other hand, loved to feel the structure built in 1930 sway beneath the tires of our vehicle like a scene out of Indiana Jones.

“Yeah, baby, that is an E-ticket ride!” I was once heard yelling, as we made it to the north side of the bridge before it collapsed, as Laureen was hugging the Weather Tec floormat.

In all transparency, the bridge never swayed nor collapsed as we drove across. It was just fun imagining that.

Casa Del Desierto is Spanish for House of the Desert. Makes sense, a hotel in the Mojave Desert.

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February 2023

Exterior of Casa Del Desierto

This Harvey House was built in 1911, after the previous rail station burned down in 1908. In 1975 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historical Landmark as of 1976.

And it is gorgeous. A visitor will look, take another look and perhaps another, unless that could cause an injury in need of a trained masseuse.

The style of the architecture of the building is a synthesis of Spanish Renaissance and Classical Revival – with a Moorish feeling.

No idea what that means, but it is cool.

I can barely attach a cabinet to a wall let alone doing something Moorish with a Classical Revival style.

“Does that look good?” I would ask Laureen.

“If you think a medicine cabinet upside down works well, then you succeeded.”

Driving under the First Avenue bridge, struggling over multiple railroad tracks, all to avoid Laureen’s dreaded bridges, we found ourselves at Casa Del Desierto.

Some interesting items to view

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Senior Care Partners

High Desert business and organizations coming together to better serve local seniors.

A

PPLE VALLEY, CA The Pulse Magazine and Solstice Senior Living will be hosting our Meeting of the Minds luncheon taking place at 20594 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley on Wednesday, February 8th at Noon, to share events, organizations and businesses that focus on the needs of local seniors.

The Senior Care Partners is open to all organization, we do require reservations to attend our meetings. Please contact Liz McGiffin for questions and/or details and we look forward to keeping everyone informed of all that is offered for seniors in the High Desert.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Senior Resource Center Senior Kicks Club Liz McGiffin 760.242.7777 Ext. 225 info@SeniorKicksClub.com This is one busy complex, there is the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, the Western Railroad Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, private business offices, the Harvey House, and the Mojave Dogman research center, (or something like that).

According to, Debra. The Manager and Curator of the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, nearly two hundred tourists pass through the area daily.

“That’s a lot of people,” I stated.

“Yes,” Debra replied. “And half are from international countries. They love coming in here and asking questions.”

I gave Debra a knowing nod.

“They want to know what Americana is. One of the most asked questions is, what does it mean to get your kicks on Route 66?”

Well, if you must ask.

The museum offers a wonderful and rich history of Route 66. There is a stunning variety of antiques, depicting what life was like along this famous road from its inception. Truly, it is the Mother Road of America. One of the most sought-after photo snaps is the 1964 red Mustang sitting so quietly and stunning in the museum.

“People look at that, and all the other exhibits in the museum and ask what it was like to travel Route 66,” Debra said. “When they leave, I truly think they have a feeling what the open road and a less hurried life was like. In fact, many people tell me, their dream is to drive all the way from Santa Monica to Chicago, at least once in their life.”

Debra is a fount of knowledge when it comes to Route 66, but she does mention the teamwork along the highway that helps in a great way.

“The Route 66 Associations located in all eight Route 66 states and other museums have been most helpful and supportive.”

Nearly twenty-five hundred miles of roadway must require a lot of folks being supportive.

A few steps away is the Western Railroad Museum. Any train aficionado who has not stopped by, should, or shame on them.

A well-catalogued, well-orchestrated setting of museum artifacts, and railroad nostalgia exhibit are available for the guest to wander and enjoy. Toy trains, train uniforms, mannequins, engineer simulators, brochures, mannequins, photographs, signage of forgotten railroad stations, magazines, newspapers, history of the Harvey House system, gifts, and so much more is on display that a lot of time must be spent here.

“There’s a lot to see here,” I said to Laureen.

“Too much to list in your article.”

I nodded. I only have so many words for a column, and besides, my fingers would get sore typing all the things and places we visit.

There is always a need to watch the word count.

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Welcome to the Railroad Museum

February 2023

7

One of the interior rooms of Casa Del Desierto

So, we exited into the mid-day sun and wandered across the front of Casa Del Desierto, just beside the north tracks of the railroad.

It was if the building was held in a time warp – early twentieth century meeting twenty-first century.

The lines, the cuts, the brick work, and the rest depicted an architect who had nothing but passion for their work.

Casa Del Desierto was designed by Francis W. Wilson. Francis was from Santa Barbara, California, some of the Spanish architecture ideas may have come from the mission in his hometown, but that did not stop him from creating some of the most beautiful hotels in the country.

According to city employee, William, who greeted us as we entered the foyer of the Harvey House. “I had not heard of Wilson

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until I worked here,” William stated. “And then when you look into his many works, wow, this guy was good.”

Entering the lobby of Casa Del Desierto in Barstow, one can imagine what it must have been like to travel miles along a dusty rail and then find yourself in the lap of luxury.

Harvey had the right idea. Weary travelers needed a respite, and he and his company offered that in abundance.

Good meals, clean rooms, and friendly staff made the Harvey Houses a destination before the final destination on one’s travels.

William showed us around the large rooms, which served as meeting rooms in the past, and now are available for rent for events.

“We have companies renting the rooms,” William stated. “And we do get a fair number of weddings performed here.”

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Just one of many of the museum pieces on display

William was a pleasant young man who knew his way around the large building and was a graceful host as he took us here and there.

“We get a lot of tour buses,” he said. “Of course, a lot of people stop for the Route 66 or the Railroad Museum, but when they walk in here, wow, is all I hear.”

Dark paneled walls, shining chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, multi-paned windows looking out toward the exterior, showcasing locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and freight cars truly depicts what this place once was.

Don’t forget to visit the Route 66 museum

It was a vibrant texture of Barstow society. Everything and anyone came along these railroad tracks, to this Harvey House. This House of the Desert.

People felt welcomed and appreciated.

As Laureen and I left, we felt the same from the warm embrace of people like Debra and William.

Beyersbyways@gmail.com

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February 2023

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DAGGETT SOLAR

By John Wease

P

OLITICS ASIDE, OUR STATE GOVERNMENT is mandating some pretty serious changes in order to meet their goal of “carbon neutrality” by 2045. Accomplishing this requires a phasing out of fossil fuel appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, and clothes dryers.

Of course, they really hope the majority of us, that are still driving then, will be driving electric cars. The need for more electricity in the future is obvious, and complicated by the plan to also phase out fossil fuel energy production. This will necessitate an expansion of “clean energy” production by solar or wind.

Here in the High Desert we may lack some of the amenities of the large, metropolitan areas. We do, however, have no shortage of sunshine. We have enough sunshine to make solar energy feasible. Clearway Energy is currently building the first utility scale solar energy facility in the area. It is a “hybrid project” as it includes energy production and storage. It is the largest hybrid project to date in California. Clearway Energy is a California based company that develops, owns, and operates wind and solar facilities.

They have facilities in twenty-seven different states.

Daggett is no stranger to solar energy production. In 1981, Solar One was built near the Coolwater gas-fired Edison facility.

It had a 100 meters tall tower and many heliostats that focused sunrays onto an oilfilled collector. The hot oil was used to make steam, which turned a conventional turbine to produce electricity. It operated until 1988.

In 1995 it was redesigned as Solar Two. Additional larger heliostats that tracked the sun were added, and the oil was replaced with a liquid salt solution. This boosted the output from the original 7 MW (megawatts) all the way to 10 MW. Solar Two was shut down in 1999. Although neither plant was economically feasible, they were invaluable

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in the study and advancement of commercial solar energy production. As a comparison, Clearway’s Daggett Solar will produce 482 MW and have storage capacity of 424 MW. Daggett Solar is being built around the Barstow-Daggett Airport.

This location makes it possible for them to use the existing infrastructure at the now decommissioned Coolwater facility. Another advantage is the land is basically flat. Of the approximately 3,600 acres of the site, about 3.200 acres were agricultural lands, mostly alfalfa or Bermuda hay. With the overdraft of the water table we are experiencing, and the ramping down of water allotments to the growers, the landowners were likely all too glad to sell.

The project is being built in phases. The first phase is north of the airport to Valley Center Road and east to Minneola Road.

This is the largest area and will have 300 MW of production. They hope to complete this phase by summer, 2023. The second phase is actually in Newberry Springs and is east of Minneola Road and between Valley Center Road and Silver Valley Road. This section will produce 182 MW. This phase should be completed by winter, 2023. The two together will have 280 MW of storage.

The final phase will be strictly storage, 144 MW. Battery storage will be in UL-rated (an electric industry safety standard) metal housings grouped together in each phase and covering about seven acres each. The housings have cooling systems to prevent overheating, and are designed to contain and isolate within the container, in the event of fire or other problems. The storage capacity is enough to supply full capacity output for about four hours. In actual use, the plan is to supply the grid twice a day to help meet demand as needed.

Aside from the clean energy production aspect, the construction has a number of benefits to the county as a whole. Some OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

500 jobs during construction and 12-15 permanent, maintenance and operation jobs after completion, has to be a boost to the economy. $210 million in local spending is expected during construction with $5 million each year afterward. Tax dollars are estimated at $18.5 million during the expected 20-25 years lifespan of the facility.

In the public relations arena, Clearway has been donating to local causes, scholarships, the Silver Valley Fire Alliance, and others.

Here in Newberry Springs, they paid for new parking lot lights at the Family Center and a new electronic scoreboard for the community park ballfield.

Not everyone in Newberry Springs is a fan though. As Newberry Springs is east of the project, we get the blowing sand and dust from the disturbed ground. Newberry Springs is an unincorporated community, population, well, not many. Our local, elected government is the Community Service District, or CSD. The CSD directors brought a lawsuit trying to stop the Daggett Solar project on mainly environmental grounds.

Blowing sand and dust on a project of this magnitude was a major concern. They had safety concerns about safely housing the huge number of Lithium-ion batteries, and concerns about property values as well.

Their attorney, after losing the first round in court, advised them to drop the case, and

accept a settlement, as they had no jurisdiction over environmental issues.

For dust control, they have put privacy strips in all east boundary fences to trap the sand and have kept the accumulated sand cleared away. They also have watered and used soil binders to keep dust sown. They curtail grading during wind events. They fairly recently started installing orange “snow fencing” every 100 feet on graded ground to break up wind flow. The solar panels will help a lot when installed. They have said the panels have been delayed due to supply chain issues that seem to be all too common now.

For property value concerns, I contacted a local realtor, Elizabeth Hilyard, with Excellence in Real Estate. According to Elizabeth, property values have not changed at all compared with the prior year. Rising interest rates were slowing sales. She also said she had Newberry residents calling her that wanted to sell, and move, because of the solar facility. She had others calling, asking about buying in Newberry, because of the solar facility. She recently told me values were actually rising now. Perhaps the rising interest rates are prompting people to buy before they increase more.

The EIR (Environmental Impact Report) for Daggett Solar is easily found online. It is an interesting read for anyone wanting more information on what the county required of Clearway before approving the project. Dust control, wildlife protection, and many other factors are spelled out in detail. A part of Clearway’s agreement with the county is remediation. At the end of the project’s life, the land must be restored and planted with native plants. The growers had no such requirement. Abandoned fields would have eventually reverted back to desert. Whether the native plants would have come back on their own is another question.

I would like to thank Zadie Oleksiw, Clearway Head of Communications, for speaking with me and providing photos.

Also, to James Kelly, Daggett Solar Project Manager, thank you for providing technical details about the project. Hopefully we will meet soon at the ribbon cutting ceremony when the switch is turned on.

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February 2023

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Medicare Myth’s

8 Myths About MEDICARE Continued from page 1

Myth #1: MEDICARE is free Heath Care

Let’s start with the biggest Medicare myth of them all…

Despite what many people believe, Medicare is not free. To understand why, let’s look at the four parts of Medicare. Part A: Provides coverage for hospital visits Part A is a “free” government program – but only if you paid Medicare payroll taxes for 10 years. Other people will either pay the full monthly premium or a discounted monthly premium, depending on their Medicare payroll tax history. While with Part A, you may qualify to have no premium, you will still have a deductible, copay and coinsurance.

Part B: Provides coverage for medical services, such as doctor and outpatient visits and associated services. This is another government program, but it requires paying a premium, which is subject to change each year. Part C: Also known as Medicare Advantage plans Available through private insurance companies as an alternative to the government’s program, Medicare Advantage (Part C) may offer low- to nocost premiums, but they also will include other costs. To be eligible, you must enroll in both Part A and Part B. In other words, you must still pay for Part B each month. Part D: Provides prescription drug coverage Part D is available for a premium through private insurance companies as a stand-alone plan or by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage

Myth #2: MEDICARE covers all your Medical Expenses

While Medicare will pay for doctors’ visits and hospital costs, it may not cover all of your prescription drug expenses, deductibles and copayments, most dental care, routine vision care, routine hearing exams or hearing aids. “Many people assume Medicare will cover all your health care costs in retirement, but it doesn’t,” says Liz McGiffin, Marketing Director for Choice Medical Group, “we try to educate our patients when choosing the right Health Plan for their needs”.

Myth #3: You are automatically enrolled in MEDICARE

collecting some form of Social Security (either retirement benefits or disability benefits). If that’s the case, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll get a “Welcome to Medicare” packet three months before your 65th birthday. It includes a letter, booklet, and Medicare card. The booklet explains important decisions you need to make now that you have Medicare. If you are not collecting Social Security when you become eligible for Medicare, you must enroll through the Social Security office. If you want Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, you must also actively enroll in it yourself. It won’t automatically be done for you. Also keep in mind, if your spouse is enrolled in Medicare, you are not automatically enrolled too. Unlike health insurance provided by an employer, Medicare does not allow you to receive coverage through your spouse.

In order to receive Medicare Part A and B coverage, you must apply for it individually.

Myth #4: You can apply for MEDICARE at any time

financial penalties. Retiring at 65 If you plan to retire at age 65, your chance to sign up for Medicare Part A and B runs for 7 months, which includes the 3 months before the month in which you turn 65, your birthday month, and the 3 following months. Working past 65 Many people continue to work and receive health care coverage through their employers past the age of 65 – meaning they don’t need Medicare coverage yet. In this scenario, you most likely qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period. The Special Election Period allows you to defer your Medicare application until your current health care coverage through your employer expires, or you retire. At that point, you have an 8-month window to enroll in Medicare Part A and B. Remember – if you fail to enroll in Medicare Part A and B during your initial 7-month window, and don’t have equivalent health insurance through an employer or spouse – you can be subject to penalties in the form of increased premiums when you do enroll in Medicare

False. You can enroll in Medicare if you Myth #5: I can’t sign up for meet certain qualifications and for a specific For the most part, this is not true. amount of time. There are rules for each of MEDICARE because of poor health Enrollment in Original Medicare (Part A these enrollment periods, and if you fail to Not true. Medicare coverage is a function and B) is automatic only if you are already adhere to them, you could end up paying of Social Security benefits, not your health.

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You are eligible to receive Medicare Part A and B when you turn 65 or retire. Medicare can’t deny you that coverage because you’re sick or have a pre-existing condition. It can’t raise your rates due to poor health either.

It is the same with Medicare Advantage plans too. However, as already mentioned, there are penalties for not signing up at the right time and a possible additional cost depending on your income, but you can’t be denied Medicare coverage because of health issues. You’ll need to know when to sign up, however, as you are not automatically enrolled in Medicare.

Myth #6: MEDICARE costs the same for everyone

Not true. The exact amount you will pay for Medicare depends on the specific Medicare coverage you have, the health services and items you use each year, and whether or not you have financial assistance for Medicare.

Here are some of the variables involved: • Your premium for Part A depends on your Medical payroll tax status. • Your premium for Part B depends on your income. There is a standard Part B premium everyone pays.

However, the higher your income, the more you will pay above the standard premium.

• The out-of-pocket costs for Part D and Medicare Advantage depend on the plan you choose. However, people with higher incomes will pay higher premiums for Part D. You can ask Social Security to adjust your premium if a “life-changing event” caused significant income reduction or financial disruption in the intervening tax year – for example, if your marital status changed, or you lost a job, pension or income-producing property

Myth #8: MEDICARE only covers Myth #7: MEDICARE costs and people 65 years and older Most people associate Medicare with health coverage won’t change The truth is every year Medicare evaluates the cost of care and makes adjustments.

Sometimes, costs go down. But often, the cost of premiums and deductibles goes up.

For example, in 2023, the agency decreased the standard Part B premium amount from $170.10 to $164.90.1 Coverage can also change from year to year, especially for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

Medicare and your current plan, if you have extra coverage, will send notices each year about your cost and coverage. Annual Enrollment (Oct 15th-Dec 7th) and Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1st-March31st) is the time to review this information and make changes, if necessary. Need guidance?

Contact the Senior Resource Center 760.338.0914

coverage for senior citizens. However, certain younger people also qualify for Medicare benefits. You qualify for full Medicare benefits under age 65 if: • You have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months (that need not be consecutive).

• You receive a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board and meet certain conditions. • You have Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which qualifies you immediately. • You have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD – permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) The Senior Resource Center is available to answer your concerns and questions.

Call to set up an appointment, attend an information meeting or join us monthly for our Turning 65 Birthday Seminars.

OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

760.338.0914 18564 Hwy 18, Suite 106, Apple Valley, Ca 92307 * www.HDMedicare. com Important Disclosure: This material is designed to provide what we believe is accurate and reliable information with regard to the subject matter covered. The Senior Resource Center is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice. If such advice is required, a competent and qualified professional should be consulted 1) “The Truth Behind the Biggest Medicare Myths” – Advise Insurance, Oct. 7, 2020: https://www.adviseinsurance. com/en/resources/medicare-myth 1.

“How to plan for rising health care costs” – Fidelity Investments, 08/03/2020: https://www.fidelity. com/viewpoints/personalfinance/plan-for-rising-healthcare-costs#:~:text=How%20much%20is%20needed%20 for,health%20care%20expenses%20in%20retirement.

2.

‘The Triple Tax Benefit of Health Savings Accounts” – By Kate Stalter, U.S. News & World Report: https://alphafa.com/thetripletax-benefit-of-health-savings-accounts 2.

1. “Part B costs” – medicare.gov, accessed Jan. 2021: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/partb-costs 3.

“How Much Care Will You Need?” – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Oct 15, 2020: https:// longtermcare.acl.gov/thebasics/how-much-care-will-youneed.html

February 2023

13

Blythe O

Intaglios

by John R Beyer

N A RECENT ADVENTURE, I stopped at a gas station and started filling the tank. A gentleman at a nearby pump smiled over at

me.

Actually, I believe he was smiling, since the corner of his eyes crinkled. With nearly a year of wearing masks outside, it’s now easier than ever to know a person’s expression.

Eyes crinkle – there’s a smile. I crinkled back while nodding my head.

“Do you enjoy Italian ice cream?” he asked, from beneath his green plaid face covering.

Not sure how to react, I just nodded, and crinkled my own eyes.

He pulled the bottom of his mask out a bit.

“Sorry, stupid mask. I asked if you have had a chance to enjoy the Blythe Intaglios. Since you’re in Blythe and all.”

The truck filled, I shook my head. “Nope, I gotta go,” I mumbled through my own mask, a sharp looking black one, with Route 66 stenciled on it. I had no idea what he was talking about, and for once, I wasn’t curious.

“What were you discussing with that guy by the pump?” Laureen asked. She’s always curious.

“I don’t know. Something about an Italian dessert, I think.”

“What?”

“Yeah, weird,” I responded. “Something to the effect, if I enjoyed Blythe Intaglios.

I didn’t even know Blythe had an Italian restaurant, let alone one serving ice cream.”

Silence for a moment, and then Laureen stated. “He was possibly talking about geoglyphs. Like the Nazca Lines in Peru.”

I started the truck. “Please, ask Mr. Google that, and let’s see if it’s ground art or Italian ice cream.”

Turns out, that the Blythe Intaglios are actually a group of figures etched into the desert floor. I mean, some pretty large figures of humans, animals, and swirling markings on the ground.

Never knew they were there. In fact, there are over two hundred of these geoglyphs in the Colorado Desert.

Okay, what is a geoglyph?

According to the website, geographyrealm. com, a geoglyph is ‘a work of art which is created by arranging or moving objects

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within a landscape.’

I move stuff in my yard a lot, so I must have created geoglyphs without even knowing about it. Laureen should be proud.

“Honey, I moved that pile of leaves, leaving some pretty interesting rake marks.”

“You are nothing but a brilliant artist, creating a geoglyph such as that.”

The praise would never stop.

Actually, geographyrealm.com, wouldn’t agree with my depiction of the art work created by moving a bag of leaves from my yard.

‘For an art form to be regarded as a geoglyph it must generally be more than 4 meters in length. It must also be stated at this point that this art form is difficult to see or even be identified on the ground but are easily appreciated when seen from the sky.’

Then what is this Italian ice cream, the guy at the gas station was talking about? Oh, sorry, the Intaglios.

Sounds rather snooty to me.

Where would I find the definition for such a word? Of course, I used the website, myintaglios.com – where else would anyone think to look?

Intaglios, is an Italian word that means engrave. According to the experts, they must be with such a website, the term is even deeper.

‘An intaglio is an object that has had some shape of figure engraved or incised into its surface.’

Why couldn’t the Blythe thingies be referred to as the Blythe Geoglyphs? Why OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

make the carvings on the ground sound like a dessert?

“Do you have room for a nice Italian Intaglio?”

“Ah, no, I am stuffed with the two helpings of Cacio e pepe. Thanks, though.”

Anyone, who has traveled to the boating meccas along the Colorado River, probably have passed the location many times. Yep, heading north along U.S. Highway 95 from Interstate 10, out of Blythe – you’ve passed the place.

Pulling the boats, the jet skis, the trailers, the desert toys along that ribbon of black asphalt, you’ve passed the place.

Going to Parker – you’ve passed the place.

You get my point – you’ve passed the place.

But did you stop?

A stop is needed to view this intriguing historical site. It’s an easy, well-marked dirt road and the stop is worth it - even pulling

boats or toys, According to the Bureau of Land Management, the drawings in the Blythe area, were created by the natives living there about 450 to 2,000 years ago. But, other research indicated the drawings are only between 900 to 1200 years old.

Since there is no written record from that time period, it is only best guess work when these involved pieces of ground art work were actually scraped.

So, again, what exactly is a geoglyph?

Think of the Nazca Lines in Southern Peru – those most folks are familiar with. They scraped out desert drawings of birds, people, animals, and other objects were made about 1500 to 2000 years ago. These drawings are huge, one measuring well over 1,200 feet long.

Laureen and I almost saw these drawings, when we visited Peru with our children years ago. We were headed to Cuzco, to visit Machu Picchu, with a planned stop at Nazca to take in the ancient land carvings.

Of course, we took the supposed twentyone hour bus trip from Lima to Cuzco aboard First Class Bus Service. Nothing is too good for my family.

Took us nearly thirty-two hours. A muffler flew off two hours out of Lima, leaving our

ears ringing for weeks, as if we had been working with jack hammers every day. When we reached Nazca at two in the morning, the bus suddenly needed a fuel pump.

The driver was very apologetic though. “I am so sorry, we won’t be able to see the lines in the ground. It’s too dark and we are way behind schedule.”

“What?” I asked, his mouth was moving, but all I could hear were bass drums pounding in my ears.

The flight from Lima to Cuzco is only a bit over an hour. Note to self, don’t be so cheap in my next life.

In the Blythe Intaglios area, there are six figures in three locations. There are three human figures – though Laureen swears one of them is an alien, two four footed animals, and a spiral – could be a snake or some other slithering reptile – I’m not sure.

But what I am positive of is, that they are all worth taking a look at.

It is believed, per the BLM and others that they were created either by the Mohave or Quechan tribes, but as far as my research showed, no Native American tribe has taken credit for the drawings.

An interesting point is, that most of the 200 such geoglyphs located in the desert are near the Colorado River. Makes sense,

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since many of the tribes believe that this mighty river was the sustainer of life for the desert dwellers. Water means life, so, perhaps in respect, these giant ground drawings represent gratitude for having the life sustaining river so close by.

We may never know why they were drawn or by whom, and according to geographyrealm.com, ‘As of today, we can say only one thing – the geoglyphs were built by ancient people.

By whom and for what purpose, remains a mystery.’

Since the Blythe Intaglios are so huge, for example, there is one depicting a male is 171 feet long, it is best to view them from the air.

I tried hoisting Laureen onto my shoulders so she could get a better look, but that ended in a complete disaster.

So, the use of a helicopter or drone is the best way to view these marvelous art works.

I settled on a drone.

Of course, the figures can easily be seen by looking at them from ground level, and that is what counts. To look, and appreciate the ingenuity of a culture who carved a belief into the ground, possibly without realizing people hundreds or thousands of years later would also appreciate their single dedication with such artwork.

We certainly did.

John can be contacted at – beyersbyways@ gmail.com

February 2023

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We’re proud to offer “Student Stringers” articles from our Lucerne Valley Middle/High School students who are earning community points in their Helping Hands graduation program. These students are mentored by staff teacher David Prouty, who has an English/Journalism background. Each story is vetted and then passed along to LV PULSE edition Editor Rusty LaGrange before moving on to the PULSE of the High Desert publisher, James Conkle.

This partnership is approved by LVUSD, Andrea Moretz Office Manager Helping Hands program, Rusty LaGrange, founder of the project, and owner/publisher of The PULSE of the High Desert, James Conkle. For further information call 760.646.2661.

Lucerne Valley Middle/High School Music Department Hosts Winter Concert

O

By Kimberly Mondragon, MIkayla McCuistion, and Ava Walkoviitz

N DECEMBER 2, 2022, the Lucerne Valley Middle/High School music department hosted its winter music concert.

Many came out to support those who were playing in the concert and were very pleased with the results of the students’ hard work. One student who attended the concert said, “Sometimes when you have beginners like this it doesn’t necessarily sound the best, but they really did exceed my expectations.”

In addition to showcasing their musical talent, the students also had some fun with the audience. During the concert they did a “progression act” where they purposely played at their worst, only playing random notes and slowly moving on until they were playing the song at their best. This act really helped demonstrate how much they all had improved and put into perspective what is possible with hard work and practice.

In addition to offering a great performance, the event was also very well planned and organized. There was plenty of room for those in attendance and the sound carried well throughout the gym.

The decorations scattered throughout the room really added to the environment and the overall experience. It was an amazing night for both student performers and spectators, another example of the wonderful things occurring at Lucerne Valley Middle/High School.

Two Rangers Honored and Promoted at Lucerne Valley Unified School District Board Meeting

T

HE LUCERNE VALLEY RANGERS were seen once again in action as they offered a presentation in front of January’s Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s board meeting. SSG Klinger opened it up by stating his goals within the program and what to expect throughout the rest of the school year. Common themes that were brought up were teamwork and

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February 2023

By Rochelle DuBoise and Crystal Castle

leadership. Naturally, his goal, as stated during the event, was not to make the class easy; it was supposed to be challenging.

The two NCOs who had been assisting with building the program also made an appearance, as they gave their opinions on activities as well as the program itself.

To finish off their presentation, SSG Klinger reiterated the hard work everyone has put OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

in and promoted SGT DuBoise and SGT Herriman to the rank of SSG, the first E-6s in LVUSD’s Rangers program.

Moving forward, under the instruction of SSG Klinger (Company commander), the newly promoted Rangers will take charge of their own platoon and teach about leadership and prepare them for challenges, while continuing to challenge themselves.

Did You Know Did you know:

Lucerne Valley once had its own King living right here. Yes sir, our very own king … Cactus King Gil Tegelberg.

Gil was born in 1897 in Iowa. As a young boy, Gil had an interest in cactus. This interest stayed with him throughout his life, even while he serviced in the American Balloon Corps during WW1. While in the American Balloon Corp, Gil was gassed and hospitalized in Cannes, France. And this hospital just so happens to have a “cactus garden”, thus continuing his interest in cactus. After he left the service, Gil continue his interest by growing and selling cacti commercially.

In 1930, Gil homesteaded 320 acres. There was only a wagon trail to the homestead. So, he and his Dad graded a road alongside and/to the acres with their own “road grader.” That graded “wagon trail road” later was maintained by the county and is now known as Camp Rock Road.

Which brings us to “The Cactus King.” Gil build three large hothouses. Here, Gil grew and/or developed more than 1500 species. He sold common species at discounted prices, but rare species sold for $500 to $2,000 per plant. Today, his old hot houses still stand on Camp Rock. And you can view his antique road grader at our museum. Come on bye to see “the grader” on display that belonged to our very own King, Cactus King Gil Tegelberg.

And did you know: Our little town has a movie related history? Way back in 1926, Fox Film Co. filmed the movie 3 Bad Men. This movie was followed by Sundown Slim, a silent western. In 1928, The Pioneer Scout was released. So, in the 1920s; we had movie making here. It continues when in 1939, John Ford the director came to Lucerne Valley while directing the film Stagecoach, staring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, and Andy Devine. This is one of the most famous westerns of all time, partly filmed here on Rabbit Dry Lake. This the movie that started John Wayne’s Career.

In 1955, Universal Pictures released the science fiction monster movie Tarantula. Portions of this movie were filmed at Dead Man’s Point. So, we had a giant monster spider bigger than the rock piles at the corner of Highway 18 and Bear Valley Road running loose down the road from us. Wow. In 1977, Ron Howard directed his movie Grand Theft Auto, filming part of the movie here in Lucerne Valley; along with other High Desert Towns. And as recently as 2008, parts of the movie Valkyrie starring Tom Cruise were filmed here. We had the British & Germans fighting it out over at Cougar Buttes … with 2 vintage P-40 Warhawks navigating the battle movie scene.

There were other actors and movie scenes made here or who passed through our town. Parts of the movie On Any Sunday were filmed on the dry lake. Commercials to this day are still filmed there. And Chuck Connors [the Rifleman for those much younger] and James Garner [Maverick, Rockford Files … again, for the young crowd] were all here one time or another.

And then there is Nelson Studio. This unique movie related story was Robert Nelson. He took bare land and an old chicken barn to construct his sculpture-making factory. He created a good size reservoir with a bridge, several rowboats in it, trees, a fountain, and colonnades … and a great looking water tower. He created urns, statues, and columns for the movie industry. He made elaborate fireplaces hearths, mantels, and statues for homes in Hollywood. To this day, his water tower, chicken barn, & ruins can be seen as you drive bye on Hywy 18. Take a look next time you’re in the area. Our little town does have a movie history. Now you know ...

Museum Digs for February, 2023 2/4 Museum Outdoor Yard open from 10 am to 2 pm.

Come out and visit We are next to our library and it’s free ….

Announcements: Our very own “Lucerne Valley – A Wild West Town of Character(s)” book is now on sale at the Market. The book has lots of local history you can read & go explore.

Lucerne Valley Museum Association Open First Saturday Each Month Free Admission “Setting the Stage for History”

Membership & Information www.LucerneValleyMuseum.org P. O. Box 1762, Lucerne Valley 92356 760.248-6777 * 760.646-2660 OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

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Is mouth breathing really that bad?

Yes, especially for older adults

A

RE YOU TAKING YOUR NOSE FOR GRANTED? Most people don’t think of their nose as a complex organ that plays a role in keeping you healthy, especially as you age.

With aging, however, comes changes to the nose, particularly to its structure and its ability to do its job.

For example, the effects of gravity lengthen the nose. Its tip begins to droop and its sides begin to collapse.[1],[2] Also, the soft tissue in the nose begins to become inflamed as people age.[3] These changes sometimes cause a restriction of nasal airflow called nasal airway obstruction (NAO),[4] a common condition impacting 20+ million Americans.[5]

Diana’s story

NAO can cause people to breathe through their mouth, rather than their nose, to get enough air. This was especially true for Diana, 64, whose NAO symptoms greatly impacted her quality of life.

“I felt like I couldn’t breathe well enough through my nose,” said Diana. “I wasn’t sleeping well and I couldn’t exercise properly. I decided to see an ENT, who diagnosed me with NAO after an exam.”

Diana’s doctor recommended VivAer® (www.VivAer.com), a non-invasive technology that uses low temperature radiofrequency energy to gently remodel the nasal passage to improve airflow.

“I didn’t realize how little I could breathe through my nose until after I was treated with VivAer,” said Diana. “I’m still noticing improvement in my breathing. It is amazing to me. To be able to breathe through my nose so easily and fill my lungs through breathing through my nose is a gift.”

For older adults who are likely to have existing comorbidities, VivAer could be an appealing option before more invasive surgery.

If older adults have health conditions that cause increased risk of heart failure and stroke, or if they are taking anticoagulants, they may not be great surgical candidates. The good news is that as of January 1, 2023, VivAer is covered by Medicare.

The impact of mouth breathing on health and what to do

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February 2023

NAO may cause people to breathe through their mouth to get enough air. This contributes to many ailments that may be harmful to older adults such as decreased lung function[6], which can lead to difficulty breathing, and poor sleep quality,[7] which impacts energy.

“The nose does many important things for our bodies, like warming the air to body temperature before it enters our lungs or filtering out particles,” said Diana’s doctor, Raj P. TerKonda, M.D., FACS, otolaryngologist (ENT), facial plastic surgeon and sleep specialist. “By breathing through your mouth, you aren’t letting your nose do its job. Correct breathing really should always begin with the nose, not the mouth.”

People see an eye doctor to maintain healthy eyes and correct their vision. People shouldn’t hesitate to see an ENT to keep their nose in good working order, especially if they have common symptoms of NAO. These symptoms include: • Trouble breathing through their nose, or a “blocked” feeling • Nasal congestion • Difficulty sleeping, leading to fatigue • Struggling to breathe through their nose during exercise • Frequent “mouth breathing” VivAer is covered by Medicare and many other insurance plans when considered medically necessary. To learn more about VivAer or to find an ENT near you, visit www.VivAer.com.

[1] Wittkopf M, Wittkopf J, Ries WR. The diagnosis and treatment of nasal valve collapse.

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Feb;16(1):10-3. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0b013e3282f396ef. PMID: 18197014.

[2] DelGaudio JM, Panella NJ. Presbynasalis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2016;6:1083–1087.

[3] Wang D, Xiong S, Wu Y, Zeng N. Aging of the Nose: A Quantitative Analysis of Nasal Soft Tissue and Bone on Computed Tomography. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Nov 1;150(5):993e-1000e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009620. Epub 2022 Aug 22. PMID: 35994354.

[4] DelGaudio JM, Panella NJ. Presbynasalis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2016;6:1083–1087.

[5] Value calculated based on 2014 US population estimate from US Census and World Bank data in conjunction with incidence numbers cited in: Stewart M, Ferguson BJ, Fromer L. Epidemiology and burden of nasal congestion. Intl J Gen Med. 2010;3:37-45.

[6] Arifa KA, Nayana VG, Irfan KM. Can Upper Airway Surgeries Improve Lower Airway Function? A Prospective Study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Jan 29:1-7. doi: 10.1007/s12070-020-02311-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33532345; PMCID: PMC7844106.

[7] Nasal Airway Obstruction Structure and Function. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Patient Page. 2020 May; 146(5).

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Your nose knows:

How smell is helping scientists detect brain disease and what you can do to help

Y

(BPT)

OUR SENSE OF SMELL IS A POWERFUL PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. Smell strongly influences how something tastes. Emotion can be influenced by certain smells. And if your sense of smell is minimized or you’ve lost it completely, it could be an early indicator of brain disease.

The nose knows

While temporary loss of smell may indicate you have a cold, COVID-19 or a respiratory virus, ongoing and progressive smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health, including risk for Parkinson’s disease.

According to a research study sponsored

by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), up to 30% of people with enduring smell loss showed brain changes associated with Parkinson’s disease - a chronic, neurodegenerative disease that currently affects an estimated 6 million people worldwide.

Importantly, smell loss can happen years or even decades before the traditional motor Parkinson’s symptoms appear, such as tremors or difficulty with balance. But studies have shown it can be surprisingly difficult to know whether you have smell loss - 7 in 10 people living with it didn’t know until they were tested.

“From my role on a hospice team caring for others, I used to think Parkinson’s started with a tremor or other movement symptoms. Little did I know, I had lost my sense of smell years before noticing its impact on my work, daily life and connection to my own diagnosis,” says Reni WinterEvans, 68, of West Point, Indiana, a medical social worker and former journalist who lives with Parkinson’s and is an active research volunteer.

The scratch-and-sniff test

While scientists don’t yet know why smell loss occurs in Parkinson’s, researchers are hard at work trying to uncover this link. It could be an important missing puzzle piece in understanding Parkinson’s, including who’s at risk for the disease, who gets it, who doesn’t and why.

Now, MJFF is using a simple screening tool

to measure your risk for brain disease. It’s a free “scratch-and-sniff smell test” for people over age 60 living without Parkinson’s, developed by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Research is becoming clearer that our sense of smell has the power to help scientists answer key questions around how Parkinson’s develops and when it begins,” says Maggie Kuhl, vice president of research engagement at MJFF. “In addition to helping further brain disease research, taking a test is a simple, free tool people can use to assess their own ability to smell.”

Getting started is easy - people aged 60 and up without a Parkinson’s diagnosis can request a free smell test at MySmellTest.org/ GetStarted for delivery right to their door.

The 40 scratch-and-sniff multiple-choice questions are simple. You’ll be asked questions like, “Does this page smell like a rose, mint or coffee?” Then, you’ll submit your answers online and the results have the potential to change our understanding of brain disease, who gets it and why.

“It’s an opportunity to help people and families around the world living with this disease, and partner with leading scientists toward our joint goal of ending Parkinson’s for good. And, for many, the test is a fun and easy way to get involved,” says Kuhl.

The opportunity to further Parkinson’s prevention Scientists will then analyze your smell test results and you may be asked to join MJFF’s landmark brain health study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), that OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

seeks to enroll 100,000 participants with and without the disease in the hopes of better understanding and preventing it.

Currently underway across the United States and the world, both in-person and online, smell test participants will be able to join PPMI and contribute valuable insights into the link between smell loss and brain health.

“We can only find a cure for brain diseases if we volunteer for research and educate ourselves on what we can actively do today to boost our brain health. I wish I had known about smell loss and its connection to Parkinson’s earlier in my disease journey,” says Winter-Evans, who began participating in PPMI after noticing Parkinson’s symptoms.

“Today, I participate in research because I feel a strong sense of duty to help in any way possible to provide a disease-free future for myself, my children and everyone else.”

Not everyone with smell loss will go on to develop brain disease. That said, everyone can play a valuable role in helping find better treatments, cures and even prevention of brain disease altogether.

If you’re over 60 and living without Parkinson’s, consider taking a few moments to put your nose to the test: MySmellTest. org/GetStarted.

February 2023

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MCC Electrical Engineer David Riddle As an Electrical Engineer for Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, David Riddle enjoys working with a wide range of equipment, from motors and instrumentation to some very large and high-voltage switchgear.

“It’s very interesting. We get to work with a lot of heavy equipment,” Riddle said. “I mean, who gets to go and see a blast and then go do work on drawings?”

Riddle started at MCC in 2021, previously having worked as a maintenance planner for Covia Corporation at a silica sand processing plant in Oklahoma. His career at Mitsubishi brought him back to the High Desert, having grown up in Lucerne Valley. He graduated from the Lewis Center for Educational Research before earning his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University.

“Working at Mitsubishi is great. Everybody gets along pretty well — the electrical shop especially,” Riddle said.

Riddle’s role at the plant requires continuous on-the-job learning to determine what’s going on within various machines, so he’s regularly reading manuals and analyzing new and old equipment.

“In the mining industry you get to experience working with a lot of technology from the 50s and 60s, and it’s really interesting to see how they accomplished these things before computers,” Riddle said. “We have a lot of older equipment that we’re now updating to new technology … to bring it to the 21st century.”

For example, they’re currently working on taking out mechanical relays and putting in digital relays, an upgrade that will allow them to “have better control over history, programmability, and speed."

Riddle encourages anyone interested in electrical engineering or other STEM fields not Highway 18 — Lucerne Valley, CA to overlook the mining industry because it Community Message Line: (248-5119) “offers a lot of benefits” and is always exciting Email: CommunityContact@mitsubishicement.com work.

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February 2023

21

Mojave Megaphone W

HO DOESN’T LIKE A BIT OF A MYSTERY? Listening to a tale of the unknown - goblins, ghosts, monsters, things that are beyond the understanding of the human brain, and perhaps . . .

Goosebumps?

Probably not – I rarely get goosebumps myself, until I see how much was spent on the necessities of life each month, according to Laureen.

“What is a Guerlain, Shalimar?”

“It’s a bit of iris, vanilla and bergamot.”

“Bergamot?”

“A citrus fruit – very calming, and when added with the other ingredients, it has a very nice aroma.”

I nodded. The cost – nope, not going there, but if it calmed everyone down, that would be a good thing.

So, sitting around one evening, a friend asked me if I had ever heard of the Mojave Megaphone.

I replied that I hadn’t, but I did remember the megaphone my high school football coach used on a regular basis.

“Beyer, you are the slowest runner in the entire league,” he would yell, using his five thousand watt, pearl white hand-held megaphone. “My grandmother could outrun you, and she’s been dead for the past twenty years!”

That made no sense. I wasn’t buying, even as a teenager, that people who had passed on could actually run faster than me. But, never argue with a coach who routinely used a fifty thousand watt megaphone to let you know he was not pleased with your athletic performance.

I wasn’t a dumb kid.

Did I run faster? Probably not, but I pumped my arms faster – it gave the illusion I was. Soon, the megaphone was pointed at someone else.

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February 2023

by John R Beyer

“Mudd, if the ball touches you, you own it!”

Nope, never had heard of the Mojave Megaphone. Sounds pricey…like that Shalimar.

According to CampsitePhotos.com, the megaphone may have been used by the United States military during the 1940’s and 1950’s while conducting ‘secret’ and nasty types of chemical weapons tests, in the remoteness of the Mojave Desert.

In agreement, according to in-the-desert. com, this mysterious object in the desert was used as a siren. A siren for what? To warn people that the United States government was about to release lethal amounts of gas into the wastelands of the desert between the towns of Ludlow and Baker.

Obviously, more research would clearly be needed.

According to wehavenoidea.com, the object sat on top of a small hill in the Mohave Desert, and is simply: there. I called the CEO to learn if they had any further details on this enigma.

“No, we have no idea.”

“Really, such a mystery, I surely thought you’d have more information,” I pressed the issue.

“Once again, what is the title of our website?”

One more try with the google searches.

I found a recent article by Nathan Chandler, published on January 15th, 2021, which provided a bunch of other ideas on why this contraption was located in the middle of OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

nowhere.

He had interviewed a number of people to get the low-down on this piece of metal sitting on top of a rocky hill.

The megaphone is about eight feet long, weighs nearly six hundred pounds, is hollow, narrow in the middle and wide at each end.

The object is securely attached to two solid rocks with bolts drilled into those rocks.

Chandler’s sources reported the megaphone could be thirty years old or more, and may have been a Venturi pipeline venture. Huh? Had to look that up, and here it is – ‘The principle behind the operation of the Venturi flowmeter is the Bernoulli effect.

The Venturi measures a fluid’s flowrate by reducing the cross sectional flow area in the flow path and generating a pressure difference.’

Okay – that explains everything to me.

But, according to Chandler’s article, the idea was, the United States Air Force was testing a lot of new types of aircraft back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the instrument was used to test shock or sound waves.

That makes more sense.

But, two of my favorites from the article are: the megaphone is pointing toward a huge cache of gold, or that aliens may have set it there.

“Humans will be puzzled by this thing,” Zoog announced.

“Doesn’t look much like a megaphone, to me,” Ryszig sneered in reply.

There was a mystery afoot, and I had to use my feet to solve it. Actually, my friend, Paul, and I took my Toyota FJ. Better than walking.

The directions to this wonder of wonders were easy to follow – no need to utilize the GPS, and risk ending up in Seattle.

We left at the crack of dawn, or probably closer to nine in the morning, and headed

east from Victorville toward the town of Ludlow, along Interstate 40. There is another route from Interstate 15, but since this is the way we went, that’s the one I will write about.

Taking Exit 50, or the exit which points to Ludlow, we turned left at the end of the exit and drove north along Crucero Road, passing the soon to be reopened and newly remodeled ‘DQ’ – can’t wait until it reopens.

Enjoying a banana split in the middle of the desert in the summer heat, is truly living.

Back to the megaphone.

With all safety in mind when driving on dirt roads in the desert, always be aware of the conditions of the road and the weather.

Much of the land between Interstate 40 and north toward Interstate 15, have areas where the sand can build up causing a nightmare without a 4x4, and in inclement weather can cause mud or torrents of water crossing the desert.

In other words, look at weather reports and make sure the vehicle you are driving is appropriate and prepared for off-roading.

Have fun, but be cognizant of the conditions under which you are traveling.

We drove along Crucero Road for about twenty-three miles, give or take a mile, and came across the remnants of a railroad trackbed, just west of the road.

There weren’t any steel rail to be seen, but the railroad ties were still sitting in the afternoon sun, atop the trackbed. The trackbed was going straight as an arrow, due north from our location, toward some

hills.

“Someone once was delivering something way out here?” Paul asked.

“Chemicals, for chemical tests?” I suggested.

“I have no idea,” he responded.

Seems to be the theme.

After a few photos, we moved on toward the rocky hills ahead of us. The road was pretty hard packed, with only a few patches of soft sand, so we never needed to engage the four-wheel drive.

One mile, two miles and no megaphone. It was supposed to be here.

“It has to be here,” Paul said, as he poured over some online photos of the area he had printed prior to our trip.

The issue was we hadn’t looked in the rear view mirrors. There it was, sitting proudly atop of a hundred foot high rocky hill.

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“Wouldn’t have missed it if we had headed south from the fifteen,” he stated.

That was evidently true, as I looked up and realized that from one direction the megaphone would be hidden from view, but from the other it would be in plain sight.

The trek to the megaphone is not for the weak of heart. It’s not that high, but there are boulders to scramble over and is pretty steep.

I was sucking air, like I had forgotten how to breathe, by the time we reached the pinnacle. After a moment though, the effort had all been worth it.

The megaphone, is a large, rusting piece of welded metal solidly attached to the rocks, and just plain cool. Whoever had the fortitude to place it there was either a genius or crazy.

Paul pounded on the side, a low ring emitted from the megaphone, “This is awesome.”

I only nodded, it truly was.

Is the trip to the megaphone worth it?

Yes, it is. Exploring the empty desert and marveling at the solitude and beauty, always is worth it. We speculated over its designer and its purpose, long into the evening until our campfire grew cold. And what better ending to a day, then to stumble upon a mystery bolted into the rocks in the middle of nowhere, and wonder why.

Perhaps one day some intrepid explorer will discover that horde of gold hidden away by some long forgotten miner.

February 2023

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Marcy’s Musings

Peace March T

HE 15TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Commemorative Peace March, hosted by the High Desert Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was back in all its glory after a two year hiatus. Chartered on Sept. 17, 2006, the High Desert Chapter serves the local cities of San Bernardino County through scholarships, blood drives, voter registration events, and many other necessary services and activities. The march and ceremony that followed near Victorville City Hall thankfully escaped the rain on a brisk Monday January morning. Large banners representing Dr. King, the Deltas, the Tuskegee Airmen, and NAACP Branch 1082, as well as signs held by the Delta Gems Youth Group, were prominently displayed.

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The program included a welcome by Deltas President Frances Lewis, opening and closing prayers by local pastors, and the Presentation of the Colors by Riverside Preparatory School California Cadet Corps 380th Battalion. “The National Anthem” and a rousing rendition of “What’s Going On?” were among the musical selections.

Keynote speaker Regina WeatherspoonBell, speaking on the theme “Moving Forward,” encouraged those in attendance to progress and give back to their community, while at the same time giving thanks to the many leaders that came before in the often dangerous struggle for civil rights.

Civil Rights Memorial essay winner, sixth grader Natalia Jackson of Irwin Academy School of Performing Arts, seemed well beyond her years as she read her essay and posed for photos with her newly constructed plaque honoring Frances E. W. Harper, who fought for women’s rights and suffrage. The unveiling marked the ninth yearly plaque to be erected at the Victorville Civil Rights Memorial, “dedicated to those who changed our nation for the benefit of all people.”

Thanks goes out to the Deltas Sorority, the Delta Gems, the City of Victorville, CalRTA (Retired Teachers), Victor Valley’s Women OF THE DESERT PULSE HIGH

Club, No Drugs America, NAACP Branch 1082, NCNW, the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as the other organizations, churches, and individuals who supported and continue to support the event every year. Thanks also to the MHS Board members who attended: Director Mike Phillips, long-time supporter Treasurer Carol Wiley, and President and NAACP member Marcy Taylor. We appreciate all of you.

Upcoming Feb. 11

Community Events

9:00-2:00 - Route 66 Celebration at Needles El Garces Harvey House hosted by Route 66 Association, Mohahve Historical Society and Victor Valley Legacy Museum will participate. Free and open to the public.

Feb. 14 - 11:30 AM

“History of the Apple Valley Library” at the Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Library Community Room- presented by FAVL members Bruce Hollenbeck and Marcy Taylor. Free and open to the public

Feb. 23

“The Green Book and Two Apple Valley Guest Ranches” Mohahve Historical meeting at the Lone Wolf Colony-presented by Marcy Taylor- Doors open at 6:30 for 7:00 presentation. Free and open to the public.

Feb. 25

Driving / walking fieldtrip to Bell Mountain / Sycamore Rocks, locations of the Murray Ranch and movie sites, sponsored by Mohahve Historical Society- Call (760) 985-1918 to sign up, free and open to the public.

Old West Days at the Victor Valley Museum

T

HE COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS, as well as the outlaws and card sharks, filled the Victor Valley Museum Sat. Jan. 21 for “Old West Days.” The well-attended event included western music, kids’ crafts, card games, skits, rope braiding, doll making, line dancing, and a number of table displays from

various non-profits and local museums.

San Bernardino Historic and Pioneer Society, Mohahve Historical Society, the Apple Valley Legacy Museum, and the Hesperia Museum, among others, displayed vintage photos and artifacts representative of by-gone days. Their volunteers were happy to share stories and answer questions, while

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offering books and other items for sale to the many attendees “moseying on through.”

Our thanks goes out to the San Bernardino County Museum and the Victor Valley Museum staffs for hosting and including us in this fun-filled family-friendly event. In the words of Roy Rogers, “Happy Trails and may the Good Lord take a likin’ to you!”

February 2023

25

WESTERN AMERICA

RAILROAD MUSEUM

A

By John Wease

T THE RISK OF BEING GENDER OFFENSIVE, when I was young, every boy I knew wanted a model train set.

The more elaborate, the better. But, whether with paper mache mountains, ashtrays for ponds, and old-fashioned clothes pin people, or with fancy store-bought buildings and trestle bridges, they were a real source of entertainment and fascination.

Of course, this was about the time that train travel was being replaced by everyone seeing the country through the windshield of their cars, with the new interstate highways.

If you are a railroad enthusiast, or just someone that grew up watching movies set in the romantic days of train travel, there is a very nice railroad museum right in Barstow.

Located on the east end of the historic Harvey House Railroad Depot, it houses an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia. The museum is open Fridays and Sundays, from 11:00 - 3:00, and from 11:00 - 4:00 on Saturdays. Admission is free but, as with most non-profits, donations are always appreciated.

Inside the building there is a main room that includes a small gift shop area and an information station manned by friendly docents.

There are several track maintenance vehicles in this room, including an unusual two-wheeler that has an outrigger that connected to the opposite rail. There is a large model train set-up that would have been the envy of any of those boys I knew, way back when. The docents were kind enough to turn it on for us while we were there.

Watching it travel through its miniature world, with the sound, and the odor of ozone, mixed with just a little oil smell, brought back a lot of memories.

Also, the main room are cases filled with dishes that were used in the dining cars of several different rail companies, railroad-themed art, and photos. Standing watch over visitors is a “Harvey Girl” in her black and white Harvey House waitress uniform. And true to Harvey House rules, she doesn’t chat with customers. There is also a Santa Fe Railroad conductor, elegantly attired, and ready to serve.

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Off the main room is another smaller room with, among other things, engineer training simulators. And, no, they wouldn’t let me play on them. There is a vast collection of all things railroad in several odd-sized, smaller rooms. All of the rooms of the museum were once where food was prepared and stored for the Harvey House restaurants. One small room is full of a collection of cross tie date nails. Date nails were once used to keep track of the age of the wooden cross ties under the rails. There are date nails from all over the country, and hundreds, if not thousands of them. And, according to signage, all were part of a private collection.

There are radios and telegraph equipment, signal lanterns, and collections of old railroad padlocks. You could easily spend a couple of hours looking at everything. There are cases full of train car models of all scale sizes. If you don’t care for miniatures, outside there is an assortment of actual train cars.

There are a number of engines, and an old passenger car, and two caboose cars. The caboose, traditionally the last car of the train, were for the railway crews. In the caboose was the conductor’s office as well as bunks, dining, and restroom facilities for the conductor, brakemen and flagman. In the 1980’s, with the automatic braking systems, and crew reductions, the caboose was discontinued.

On a nice day, it is a great place to spend some quality family time. Walking around the rolling stock, you can easily imagine those golden years of railway travel. And, since it is at a train depot, it is, of course, right by the tracks. There are plenty of freight trains rolling by, to or from the Barstow rail yard, to add to the atmosphere.

So, come on out and enjoy the Western America Railroad Museum.

It is another of our fine, free, local museums.

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Have a Happy, Healthy Year

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February 2023

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