e s o f t h e u pp e r & l owe r e x t r e m i t y
S h o u l d e r, h i p, a n d k n e e j o i n t r e p l a c e m e n t s
O s te o a r t h r i t i s ( i n f l a m m a t i on ) o f t h e j o i n t s.
R h e u m a to i d A r t h r i t i s a ( a u to - i m m u n e d i s e a s e s )
A n te r i or C r u c i a te L i g a m e n t ( AC L ) te a r
M e n i s c u s i n j u r i e s o f t h e k n e e
C a r t i l a g e r e p a i r a n d r e s tora t i on
Pa i n o f t h e s h o u l d e r, w r i s t , h i p, k n e e , a n d a n k l e
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UMMER IS HERE FOLKS and in the High Desert area that means snakes are out. Be careful where you walk and never put your hands into shrubs or areas you haven’t checked out.
We want to first send our Best Wishes and a speedy recovery to Ann Miner. For those of you that know Ann, you will agree with us that she is one Special Lady. There is no article in this issue from her, due to her health.
The local chambers in your area are busy putting on events and promoting your communities. As are some of the cities and towns that provide concerts in the park or movie nights. Getting out and spending time enjoying our nice weather, as well as spending time with your neighbors.
I never get tired of adding the following message in my editorials.
Be sure to support our advertisers and let our writers know you like their stories. The success of the PULSE is because we have GREAT advertisers and writers.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
What can we provide to our local citizens to shop, dine, and visit the Downtown marketplace?
Our commitment to the DBA is to provide and promote entrepreneurship for local merchants. Showcase through various public events for talented artists and musicians to enhance our community's quality of life opportunities. How can we provide increased employment opportunities to residents of Barstow? We want to foster increased civic pride and participation.
Silver Dollar Pub Opening Soon in Downtown Barstow
What can we provide to our local citizens to shop, dine, and visit the Downtown marketplace? Our commitment to the DBA is to provide and promote entrepreneurship for local merchants. Showcase through various public events for talented artists and musicians to enhance our community's quality of life opportunities. How can we provide increased employment opportunities to residents of Barstow? We want to foster increased civic pride and participation.
ASimply put, the DBA is "of Barstow," "by Barstow," and “for Barstow.
NEW, LOCALLY OWNED Spot for Good Drinks and Great Company.
The Downtown Business Association of Barstow is thrilled to welcome a new addition to the heart of Historic Downtown Barstow, Silver Dollar Pub, a locally owned bar set to open soon. Located in the Arts & Cultural District, the pub promises to bring a fresh, vibrant atmosphere for locals and visitors to gather, enjoy a drink, and soak in the community spirit.
lifelong resident or a first time visitor can feel welcome.
Simply put, the DBA is "of Barstow," "by Barstow," and “for Barstow.
We live, work, or shop in Barstow, and we are committed to helping Downtown Barstow become the High Desert's cultural and economic center.
We live, work, or shop in Barstow, and we are committed to helping Downtown Barstow become the High Desert's cultural and economic center.
“We wanted to create a place where people can connect and celebrate what makes Barstow so special,” one of the owners shared. “It’s about bringing the community together, supporting each other, and having a good time.”
Recent progress and activity sponsored by the Downtown Business Association of Barstow have welcomed a Downtown Coffee house and gathering place, Crave, and a current BrewPub RTE 66 under construction to open soon. The first Annual Arts & Cultural Fest occurred in October 2024, and we are planning a few great events for 2025. There are also other projects forthcoming, and we will update you as these become official.
Recent progress and activity sponsored by the Downtown Business Association of Barstow have welcomed a Downtown Coffee house and gathering place, Crave, and a current BrewPub RTE 66 under construction to open soon. The first Annual Arts & Cultural Fest occurred in October 2024, and we are planning a few great events for 2025. There are also other projects forthcoming, and we will update you as these become official.
While the name may be new, the owners of Silver Dollar Pub are familiar faces in Barstow. As longtime residents, they’ve created a place that reflects their love for the town and its hardworking people. More than just a bar, the pub is dedicated to honoring those who keep Barstow running day in and day out. It’s a spot where everyone, whether a
The Silver Dollar Pub will offer a wide range of local craft beers, spirits, and cocktails. And it won’t just be about drinks. The pub plans to host regular events that give back to the community, as well as live entertainment, theme nights, and special gatherings for both locals and tourists. It’s all part of the owners’ vision for a fun, inclusive space that feels like home.
projects like the First Ave Bridge and the upcoming BNSF intermodal facility, Silver Dollar Pub aims to be at the center of it all bringing people together over drinks and good conversation.
The Silver Dollar Pub will be a great addition to the area and will be another reason people are drawn to our historic district.
DBA is pleased to announce the opening of the new First Ave Bridge in Historic Downtown, a wonderful addition to Barstow. We welcome everyone to come Downtown and see the many excellent sites, murals, Shops, etc., and future opportunities to open a business.
DBA is pleased to announce the opening of the new First Ave Bridge in Historic Downtown, a wonderful addition to Barstow. We welcome everyone to come Downtown and see the many excellent sites, murals, Shops, etc., and future opportunities to open a business.
Situated in the Downtown area, the pub adds to the growing energy and revitalization of the district. As Barstow continues to evolve, with new
While the official opening date is still under wraps, the owners are working hard to get everything ready. Stay tuned for more details on the grand opening, and be sure to check out the Silver Dollar Pub once it opens its doors. This is one new spot you won’t want to miss!
Downtown Business Association of Barstow
Downtown Business Association of Barstow
201 North First Ave., Suite B, Barstow, CA 92311
201 North First Ave., Suite B, Barstow, CA 92311
Email: info@downtownbusinessbarstow.org
Email: info@downtownbusinessbarstow.org
Stay Cool Stay Cool
Your Summer Wellness Checklist Your Summer Wellness Checklist
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness especially for older adults. Staying cool, hydrated, and protected from the sun is key to enjoying a safe and healthy summer. Here’s a practical checklist to help you beat the heat and stay well all season long:
Hydrate Often
Hydrate Often
Drink at least 8 cups of water a day
Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and too much caffeine.
Keep a water bottle nearby and refill throughout the day.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
Choose breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking blends
Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for outdoor trips.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every 2 hours when outdoors
Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in water content like cucumbers, melons, and leafy greens. Avoid heavy meals that raise body temperature
Marcy’s Musings
The Good Old First Street Bridge
IT WAS CERTAINLY hard to say "goodbye" to the beautiful historic Barstow First Street Bridge, constructed back in 1930 across the railroad tracks at the Casa de Desierto Harvey House, when the experts declared it to be structurally unsound and unsafe. However, the good news is, a few remnants remain. A large section of bridge can be seen near the Harvey House beside the railroad tracks, not far from its original location. And four three-part sections of railing have been preserved and installed at the Mojave River Valley Museum on Virginia Road.
Stop by either location and reminisce. Time marches on, and the old gives way to the new, but thanks to determined local historians, some memories are salvaged.
Ten Exciting Years of Sharing Apple Valley History
ALL THE COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS who blew in with the desert wind to celebrate the Apple Valley Legacy Museum's 10th Anniversary the weekend of April 12 seemed to be having a rollicking good time! As guests arrived, the wranglers were all set to take them on an exciting and informative narrated hayride to learn about steak fries, pigeon telephones, and other bits and pieces of local history. Two characters from the 1939 movie "Stagecoach" were on hand to pose for photos with guests in front of the original Apple Valley Inn stagecoach.
Boni on the Keys and Swamp Water Fox Uncle Leo kicked off the night's entertainment with some old favorites, with a set by "The High Desert Jammers" following later in the program. A reprise of the "Apple Valley Town" skit, originally created for the Happy Trails Parade, was a big hit, with a lot of enthusiastic
audience participation. Who knew we had so many exceptional actors, actresses, and musicians right here, all willing to volunteer their time and talent to celebrate local history?
Other highlights were the tri-tip dinner, the silent auction, and the raffle of both historic and modern-day collectibles. The grand prize, an autographed photo of Toby Keith and a commemorative t-shirt, compliments of Uncle Leo, went to a very deserving and happy volunteer. A special thanks goes out to our raffle sponsors, monetary sponsors, event sponsors, contributors to the silent auction, as well as Councilwoman Leon and Mayor Pro Tem Emick for their continuing support. And let's not forget the cooks for representing the Rogers family, and Nephew David for joining us for "Happy Trails!"
To all the MHS members, museum volunteers, and everyone else who worked behind the scenes, as Roy would say, "Happy Trails, and may the Good Lord take a likin' to you!"
NAACP Victor Valley Branch 10822025-2026 Installation and Oath Ceremony
THE NAACP VICTOR VALLEY BRANCH 1082 2025-2026
Installation and Oath Ceremony was a festive affair the evening of April 23 at the Holiday Inn in Victorville. Honorees and guests, many dressed in the traditional blue and gold, arrived at a beautifully decorated room to greet old friends, make some new ones, and snap photos before the start of the program. Following the opening prayer by Dr. Paul Earle, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Curry Raney, President James Campbell welcomed everyone to this important and historic celebration.
First off, Executive Committee member Marcy Taylor introduced a number of long-time members including military wife and retired teacher Evelyn Glasper, Air Force Veteran and past Branch President R.J. Thomas, and retired teacher and Gold Star Wife Gloria Roberts. Air Force Veteran and long-time Civil Rights activist Ray Gray was applauded for his history with the organization, having joined in
1956 in Montgomery, Alabama. Next two Founding Members, long-time Victorville Mayor Terry Caldwell and his wife retired teacher Patricia Caldwell (also known as Charlie), took the mic to tell the story of the conception and formation of Branch 1082, which started with an idea in the Victorville Head Start Office 53 years ago. Led by Victorville resident Lodi Cherry Thomas, a group of citizens including the Caldwells, Willie James Thomas, Judge Anthony Piazza, and retired principal and teacher Julian Weaver received the official charter in 1972. Weaver served as the first Branch President.
The time for the Installation arrived, with Kristine Wilson doing the honors. The first to be installed for the 2025-2026 term was third-term President James Campbell. Three first term officers followed: Vice President Dr. Lorraine Newsome,
Secretary Dr. Nakia Wilson, and Treasurer Kolice Sattiewhite. Returning Executive Committee members LaKeisha Campbell, Ariel Lattimore, Murial Taylor, and Marcy Taylor were installed next, followed by first term Executive Committee members Shanah Ali Bullard, Latanetta Jackson, and Curtis Wilson. (First term Executive Committee members Ericka Ross and Connie Williams were not present.)
The evening ended with the presentation of certificates and awards. NAACP member Paul Marsh, representing First District Supervisor Colonel Paul Cook (Ret.), presented certificates to all elected and appointed Officers and Executive Committee members. The final presentation, made by President James Campbell, recognized Terry and Patricia Caldwell, as well as Gloria Roberts, with plaques celebrating their 53-year membership with Branch 1082.
The newly-elected Officers and Executive Committee members would like to thank all those who came to witness the Installation, and to support the primary purpose of the organization: to protect the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all people, and to work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
Music and History in the Courtyard
THE TOWN OF APPLE
VALLEY and the Lewis Retail Center stores invite everyone to come to the free concerts in the Courtyard every Thursday night in May and September. And concert-goers even
look forward to the band breaks, when it's time for the raffle of great prizes from the Courtyard stores and restaurants, and some tidbits of history from the Apple Valley Legacy Museum volunteers. Looks like it must be Fair Time. Long-time mascot
Bingo (the adorable donkey) is back, and former Grand Marshalls and performers, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, would like to invite you to come see them at the Pulse Magazine booth in Building 1. The Fun Starts Here!
Santa Fe Trading Co. Crafts Fair
YOU NEVER KNOW who you might run into at Santa Fe Trading Company Crafts Fair. Volunteers Patty and Bryan made sure to welcome everyone to the Mohahve Historical Society / Apple Valley Legacy Museum booth as well as the Victor Valley Legacy Museum. Visitors included Gene Autry's
niece, Roy Rogers' nephew, and BINGO, the SBC Fair mascot. And who's that strange creature signing the guest book? (Hmmm, I think I've seen him here before. He must like local history.)
“To the End of the World and Back"
THE SATURDAY APRIL 26 fieldtrip to the "End of the World" (i.e. Trona, California) was quite an experience for the Mohahve Historical Society members who made the jaunt. The meeting place was at the incredible "otherworldly" landscape of the
Trona Pinnacles, more than five hundred calcareous towers rising from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake Basin. You've probably seen these weird tufa towers in commercials and movies such as "Star Trek," "Planet of the Apes," and "Top Gun." The Pinnacle Lopp Trail took us
through the four pinnacle types: Towers, Tombstones, Ridges, and Cones. Listed as one of the most unique geological landscapes in the California Desert, these 10,000- to 100,000- year-old forms are recognized as a National Natural Landmark. Two Clampers monuments at the location commemorate the Epson Salt Monorail and the John Searles Freight Wagon Route.
After a lunchbreak at the Rest Stop Kiosk, it was off to the Old Guest House Museum, where we were greeted by five friendly docents to show us around. This large building, packed with artifacts,
was at one time four apartments, then in 1912 turned into the twelve-room Guest House Motel for visiting workers and their families. In 1991 the building was donated to the Trona Historical Society by the North American Chemical Company. The many display rooms held fascinating objects. Of particular interest was the Insulators display constructed by Past Mohahve Historical Society President Jim Mustra, whose career with Edison spanned 25 years. The insulators, salvaged from an Alameda warehouse, are nicely displayed with a booklet describing each one.
Before long we were on our way with a short driving tour around town, first to the Austin Hale marker, a plaque commemorating the once center of the Trona community. Next was a loop around the old dirt Trona Tornadoes football field, past the new high school under construction, and then to our next stopping place. There we got a triple dose of Trona History from three more friendly docents, first at the Trona History House, then next door at the Railroad Museum, as well the old caboose.
Our next stop was no less exciting: the Old Fire Station Museum with two working antique fire trucks, a 1924 Stutz and a 1938 Ahrens-Fox, both of which made an appearance in the 2024 Trona Homecoming Parade. Two friendly docents shared the fire station's history, and even let some of us climb up into the driver's seat for photo ops.
For our last stop, we followed our guide
to the Trona Historical Society's Tufa House, constructed long ago out of illbegotten pieces of the pinnacles. Having been fully occupied until recently, the now vacant house will soon be renovated by the energetic members of the society. It has real possibilities.
A great big thank-you goes out to Sharon Hartley for organizing this trip, and to all nine docents who shared their knowledge of the history of the important former company town of Trona, where many of the products we use daily are processed right there at Searles Valley Minerals.
An Historic Day in San Berdoo
AFTER SCRAPING ICE
OFF of windshields on a chilly April 19 morning on the desert, several of us headed "down the hill" to the San Bernardino International Airport (formerly Norton Air Force Base) to spend a beautiful sunny day at the second annual Inland Empire History Day. Presented by the Highland and San Bernardino Historical Societies, and the Norton Air Force Base Museum, the event included booths set up by area museums, local authors, and other historical societies. Guests could tour the
wonderful informative museum, try their hands at gold panning or pioneer crafts, grab a bite to eat, check out the military vehicles on display, and enjoy the music of the Redlands Fourth of July Band.
Patrick Sandford, President of the Highland Historical Society, invited attendees to the opening ceremony at 9:00 AM. The flag raising by members of several local Boy Scout groups was followed by the presentation of plaques and certificates to the hosts, and a special presentation to sister Lodi, nephew Rubin and niece Yolanda, the family of Ysmael
R. Villegas, who lost his life in World War II. While most participants were from the Inland Empire, including the Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino Historical Societies, as well as the docents from the McDonald Museum and Military Museum, both of which we visited on a prior field trip, the High Desert did have representation. Jim and Frances Conkle of Phelan were there promoting the Pulse Magazine, and the Apple Valley Legacy Museum and Mohahve Historical Society had the usual combined booth, enthusiastically sharing local history with one and all.
A big thank you goes out to Eric Mandeson, Delvin Harbour, Mike Phillips, and Marcy Taylor for manning the booth and greeting all the history-loving folks that showed up to enjoy the event. The other MHS members who came and supported, Bob and Michelle Cambridge, Diane Cadenhead, and Maria Norman, are also very much appreciated, as are Julie Farren, Nick Cataldo and Mark Landis for inviting us back again. History is alive and well in Southern California.
A Rejuvenating Experience
THE SECOND STOP on the Mohahve Historical Society
March 28 fieldtrip was the Integratron, a dome-shaped building in Landers listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The meaning of its name is "Magnetism in relation to Earth." This rejuvenation machine, a high voltage electrostatic that supplies a broad range of frequencies to recharge the cell structure, is interesting indeed. It was the brainchild of George Van Tassle, a former test pilot for Howard Hughes, who actually lived under Giant Rock. On this first trip we were able to visit the Gift Shop, another dome-shaped structure that messes with sound waves, as fields of energy are 20% higher in the center of
the dome than along the outside walls. We also enjoyed our lunch on the interesting and beautifully-decorated covered patio area. But we were unable to enter the Integratron, where Sound Baths were going on. A sign warned us to be quiet and DO NOT ENTER. However, a nice man named Richard invited us to come back Sunday May 4 for a rare free tour, without having to book a Sound Bath. So seven MHS members took him up on his offer, and WOW! Were we ever in for a great experience!
Daniel Paul, a "Federally Qualified Architectural Historian," and the guy responsible for securing the National Registry designation, presented a power point program chock full of history, science, the metaphysical, and just plain weird stuff! We got a dose of UFOlogy and Spirituality, learned about the Brotherhood of Cosmic Christ, the Ministry of Unusual Wisdom, and Spacecraft Conventions at Giant Rock. We met Solgerda, a Venusian who descended from a spaceship in a beam of light, and learned that F = 1 over T (translation: Frequency = 1 over Time.) Really!? We also found out that a group of Hippies chanting "Peace, Love, Harmony" over and over in unison was probably a sure sign of Communism. Now that's good to know.
I found the connection of George Van Tassle and Howard Hughes, as well as the connection of the Integratron and the Spruce Goose, to be quite fascinating. Both the dome-shaped building and the Flying Boat were constructed of Douglas fir (some say birch, but never spruce) and attached with a glue laminate material
developed in the 1930's, using no metals or nails, as those materials would interfere with frequencies. The shapes of both were created using Meridian ribs to form a Hemispheric Umbrella dome. Listening to this, I suddenly remembered that Howard Hughes had an interesting commection to Apple Valley. Glenn Odekirk, who designed and built the Spruce Goose, lived in a large spread-out Ranchos era home. The property is on the market again. I've often heard it referred to as the "Howard Hughes House." Now I know why.
A January 14, 1987 "Times" article by Burt A. Folkart describes Odekirk as the "eccentric billionaire's 'shop superintendent,' 'chief mechanic,' and 'assistant to the president' at Hughes Aircraft Company ... one of the few people Hughes ever trusted to design the planes the young adventurer flew to the furthermost fringes of possibility." Yet in Apple Valley some long time residents remember him as the man with the big house and swimming pool who hosted 4H meetings for kids. The speaker, who had been unaware of the Apple Valley connection, wanted more information on the house. So on my way back home, I stopped and photographed it from all angles, but didn't see any domes or Meridian ribs.
58th BBQ Honors Cliff Walker, Veterans, First Street Bridge
IT WAS A WARM AND VERY WINDY DAY at the Mojave River Valley Museum's 58th Annual Bar-beque. But the wind did not stop the six Mohahve Historical Society members and all of the other enthusiastic volunteers for setting up their booths, displays, and activities to fulfill the mission of preserving and promoting desert history. Locals and out of town visitors alike were attracted to the large MHS display area to browse, shop, and reminisce as the books, posters, and other items seemed to trigger memories and stories to share.
There was plenty to do and see, as the blacksmiths, weavers, rope-makers, biscuit makers, moonshiners, and gold panners were all busy doing what they do best. Guests could visit the museum and Drover's Car, bid on a silent auction item, pick up a bargain at the rummage sale, purchase some raffle tickets, or just kick back and enjoy the sounds of Ira Guin and the Buzzard Rock Ramblers. JoJo's BBQ crew made sure no one went away hungry, and Jezebel the adorable friendly donkey was happy to pose for a photo so long as she got a treat! And of you hadn't been to the museum lately, you might have been seeing the First Street Bridge railings for the first time at their new location.
Thanks to all the hard-working volunteers at the Mojave River Valley Museum for
putting on this memorable event year after year, preserving local history, and reminding us of the value of learning from the past and those who have gone before. Photo caption: Jezebel wins extra raffle tickets by celebrating "Two Different Shoes Day."
UpcomingCommunity Events
June 5, 12, 19, 26 (Thursday nights) 6-9 PM- Apple Valley Sunset Concerts in Civic Center Park- free and open to the public
Monday June 9- Apple Valley Library Summer Reading Program (SRP) begins. See Library website for further information. Monday June 9- NAACP General Meeting- 6 PM at the Victorville Office- free and open to the public
Tuesday June 10- Friends of the Apple Valley Library monthly meeting- 11:15 Program- Apple Valley Fire Protection Districtfree and open to the public.
Wednesday June 25- Mohahve Historical Society meeting- 7:00 at Lone Wolf Colony- Scott Johnson "Ash Meadows National Wildlife Preserve" - free and open to the public, doors open 6:30.
Slice ofLife
IBy J.P.Garner
THE RENAISANNCE MAN
N MY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS on this planet, I had never known someone as smart and talented as Richard Zone . . . or as humble. It’s unlikely I ever well unless I were to dine with Leonardo. Richard was often as surprised by praise as he was delighted by it. A few weeks prior to his passing, about the time that his favorite football team, the Kansas City Chiefs, were being handed their butts, we were discussing our friendship’s early beginnings with the Wordsymths.
During a discussion about his struggles to finish his book on the failures of organized religion—which he happily did here recently with his book, The Philosophical Plate—he mentioned that his favorite piece of criticism came from me in my curt appraisal of his beautiful short story, “Akiko.” At it’s conclusion, I had written, “You son of a bitch . . . you made me cry twice.” Thirteen years later, he looked at me with gratitude in his eyes and remarked, “That was the best John.” The best.
God and religion and his erudite defense of a true and politically-detached Christian faith. When I read the first chapter in that book, and he looked at me with some eagerness for my opinion, I said, “This is awesome Richard, You have finally found a way to tell the story you started back with the Wordsymths. You’re not preaching; you’re teaching.”
He smiled broadly. I wish I could have captured the look on his face. It reminded me of my daughter’s expression when presented with monkey-bars for the first time, and how, after gingerly crossing them and reaching the other side, she was elated and promptly crossed them again without any fear. Richard was like that the months before he departed: elated and without fear. He had been concerned that his stories would be construed as an attack on his Christian faith, and not as insight into the church’s historical failures to inspire the masses, rather than imbue them with a fear of God and punish us if we didn’t.
the interview.
It was a major accomplishment for our friend, but also a source of deep regret for him as his mother, forewarned of the broadcast time, made no attempt to watch it.
After years in the political arena, that once involved a trip to National China (Taiwan), he journeyed into teaching high school Spanish and Photography. Annually he took students on tours of Europe and guided their efforts in putting together their yearbooks. Later he taught graduate school at Azuza Pacific, lecturing formallytrained pastors on philosophy and theology, striving always to encourage them to think and use reason when preaching scripture. What was remarkable was that he had a Master’s and taught graduate school without ever having earned a high school diploma. Azusa Pacific accidentally used his brother’s transcripts during the hiring process.
I cry when I recall that afternoon in his livingroom. Those two words alone would describe him accurately to those of us who knew him, if it also did not fall on us, his close friends and the principal benefactors of his largesse, to broadcast his legacy . . . his story to a desperate world in need of such a man. We often discussed my abstract view of
Like all of us, he was the sum of his parts. But his parts were extraordinary, though none of us would have known it unless, in a private moment, he admitted to aspects of a past as a lobbyist for Jerry Falwell’s movement and as a teacher of Spanish and Theology. That came before the painting and the writing.
Born in Argentina and raised by missionaries, Richard became a key actor in our country’s Christian movement. He hob-knobbed with Washington elites and major lobbyists, and once was interviewed by Dan Rather for a 15-minute segment on 60 Minutes. The interview was so important to the show’s producers, they flew Dan Rather to San Francisco to conduct
But even more remarkable was Richard’s skill as an artist, a writer, and possibly a musician, judging from the grand piano in his livingroom and the guitar poised next to it. I never heard him play but I know his love of music was deep as we often watched Youtube videos of various artist performing. I know he’d rather do that then watch daily TV fare which was, I think, uninteresting to him. Silence would have been—and often was—preferred to that misuse of valuable time. That which he loved on TV was football . . . specifically any broadcast involving his Kansas City Chiefs.
It was a book of Tony Bennett’s artwork that sparked a desire to learn how to draw. He dutifully taught himself the techniques needed to produce the extraordinary pieces of art on display in every room in his house. From weird caricatures to superbly detailed recreations of famous people, Richard’s artwork and skill at it
was simply amazing.
It’s sad that the world will never see that wonderful skill of his, though one famous singer, songwriter, and actor took notice of a portrait of him. Kris Kristofferson, who recently passed away, had a home in Hawaii, and in that home, there was two portraits of him: one by another artist and the other by Richard. When Kris performed in California, he invited Richard to the concert, where he was taken back stage
and met Kris and his lovely wife.
But what Richard did in the last months of his life are testament to the human spirit, especially since he was not able to walk because of the neuropathy in his feet. He did not allow that to diminish his productivity but his wife’s passing did. He was totally devoted to Sue Ann. In the emptiness that followed her death, he was nominally active in the club, assembling and publishing the Inkslinger each month and sponsoring meetings at his house, but he didn’t write much. Not until an idea for a short story sent him back to his Mac where, in a matter of months, he generated 90 stories, most of which were whimsical and humorous tales of almost anything from carnivorous cabbages to painting a duck.
My favorite of these stories is Killing Innocence. That story made me cry as well.
At the same time, his other book put his insights into the practice of a true Christian faith as intended by its first teacher. The stories will be published here soon in two separate books. It’s almost fitting, if not intended by the God he loved, that his best work would come at the end of his life. There’s something tragically poetic about that. And a lesson in it, as well, that we
should not dally as tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. That, at the moment he shined the brightest, his light was extinguished and we are left to sort through the pieces of his magical life in the afterglow of his greatness.
Of the things Richard was to me, and to many others in the Club and to people in general, I will miss his humanity. That ability to transcend pettiness and grudges, and the powerful punch of hatred that rocks us to our core. He was a mentor to many, a friend to all, and to others like me, a beacon of what genuine kindness and humility can wrought in our daily lives.
But most of all, he was sincere and truthful, and it is that that I will miss most during this time when they are the first casualties in a struggle with cruelty and lies. Through him I acquired the will to finish, and in our many conversations about God and religion, I learned that the God I believe in is not so different from the God he loved.
When I finish my trilogy, I will cry because he won’t be there to see that I kept my promise.
And, then again, may be he will be. In which case, I will say, “Go CHEFS!”
Wheels Down at Roy’s: When Planes Touch History in Amboy, CA
By Tiffanie Williams
YOU NEVER QUITE KNOW what you’ll find along Route 66—but in Amboy, California, sometimes it’s a vintage aircraft rolling up to the gas pumps like it’s 1955. Thanks to the town manager Kenneth Large, I got a peek into something truly special: a series of photos capturing small planes landing right next to the iconic Roy’s Motel and Café. This isn’t a typical airport story—this is pure desert magic.
Amboy’s dusty airstrip, long unofficial and rugged, may not look like much at first glance. But to pilots who know their way around the Mojave, it’s a landing spot packed with nostalgia. There’s no control tower, no terminal, and no lights—but what it offers is a living tribute to freedom, grit, and Americana.
The planes in these photos are classic taildraggers—Cessnas and military-style aircraft—many of which are lovingly
maintained by pilots who crave the kind of adventure only an open desert and a wide runway can offer. They touch down just steps from Roy’s retro café sign, creating a surreal but beautiful contrast between aviation and Route 66 history.
This is more than a pit stop. It’s a moment frozen in time.
In Amboy, aviation isn’t just about where you land—it’s about where you go next.
Our
Our
Family
CLASSIC AUTO ENTHUSIASTS, who live in California, know how challenging it can be to keep their cars on the road because of the “red tape” the State has put up, to discourage Residents to own & drive these historical vehicles.
This year, with the help of Actor, Jay Leno, Bill 712 passed the Senate, to finally exempt vehicles, 35 years and older from having to pass emissions.
This is definitely a good push in the right direction. However, that is only one of the challenges Collector Car owners face, when restoring, repairing & preserving their rides.
A single call to Aftermarket Parts giants, such as Summit Racing Equipment, Jegs or Speedway Motors, will confirm that California has set in place, laws to prohibit sales of many replacement parts for vehicles newer than 1966.
This means if you own a vehicle or run a shop that repairs or restores cars, that need parts from 1967-1985 when carbureted motors were manufactured, you may not be able to purchase parts, from motor internals, like camshafts & lifters, to external parts like, intake manifolds & exhaust headers. There are also restrictions on the paint that you can use to paint your cars.
A small percentage of vehicles driven in California are older than 35 years old. However, they have been under attack, for the push in reducing emissions in the State.
What can be done? As museums close & it becomes increasingly difficult to preserve these cars, how do we stop the extinction of our pieces of American history?
By Tanya Inglis
Is “Leno’s Law” enough to save our Classic Cars in California?
Many families in California may not have much in their bank accounts or many assets, but have had their beautiful cars in their families, to pass on from generation to generation, as part of their legacy. It means so much more to those in the “California Car Culture.”
It’s History, Culture & Identity, to a large majority of the West Coast’s residents.
Help us bring awareness to the importance of being able to preserve & Restore our “Legacies.”
Share this article with others & reach out to your elected officials. Let’s ride together.
“Herman” 1955 Buick Special with 262 Nailhead Engine Owner: Lily Dean Victorville, California
Earle C. Strebe Theatres: Palm Trees to Pines
THE HONOR OF RECEIVING the very first star on Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 1992 didn’t go to a blockbuster entertainer like Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers or Frank Sinatra. The coveted star was instead bestowed upon a modest and well-liked man from Indiana, Earle Clifford Strebe, in front of the historic Plaza Theatre he established.
Strebe built Palm Spring’s first movie theater just south of Frances Stevens Park, across Alejo Road.
The crown jewel of his eight movie theater chain was the Plaza Theatre, opened in 1936, in downtown Palm Springs.
Julia Carnell of Dayton, Ohio, began the Plaza development during the Great Depression to the tune of one million dollars to enhance shopping and entertainment during her winter stay at the Desert Inn, owned by Nellie Coffman.
The theater opened before the rest of the Plaza was completed. Described in a Desert Sun article as having “850 comfortable seats with air conditioning to keep pure fresh air circulating at the proper temperature throughout the large auditorium, it was truly a modern marvel.”
In the mid-1930s, Palm Springs had a population of barely 1,000 people. During the winter tourist season the population quadrupled.
By Jaylyn And John Earl www.thedesertway.com
Carnell leased the building to proprietor Earle C. Strebe (1906-1994), who brought acclaim to the Spanish Colonial theater with frequent runs of the most popular movies accompanied with Broadwaylike fanfare to tuxedo wearing gentlemen and ball gown adorned patrons with live entertainment, community events and ballet.
Strebe was quite the marketing genius. He also headed the local Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Palm Springs City Council.
Even his wife, Frances,’ family was phenomenal.
Zaddie R. Bunker built the first theatre in Palm Springs in the early 1930s and was known as the grandmother who was the first woman to break the sound barrier in 1961 at 73 years old and she was an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
Zaddie learned to fly at age 65 and flew solo back and forth across the continent when she was 66.
Earle C. Strebe was her son-in-law.
Most of the other six Star inductee’s names were recognized worldwide. Some people claimed Strebe was hardly known outside of Palm Springs, California.
However, the residents of Big Bear, California, may beg to differ. Strebe’s name was deeply entrenched in its history of entertainment.
Earle C. Strebe owned three theatres in the San Bernardino mountains in Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Big Bear.
The Grizzly newspaper in Big Bear Lake noted on Sept. 21, 1945 that “Big Bear Theatre, formerly the Grizzly,” would close for the season that month, and that owner Earle C. Strebe planned to construct a new
Earle C. Strebe sold the very first ticket to Annette Freeman, 1936. Photo courtesy, Palm Springs Historical Society
building for the theater “on the highway next to Safeway.”
The paper continued by saying the foundation was poured and laid during summer, but actual work on the structure of the modern steel and reinforced concrete building was delayed.
The new building opened on April 28, 1946, to a sold-out house of valley residents and visitors packed in for the first show to watch Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman in Saratoga Trunk
A fire the morning of February 2, 1968 destroyed the venue prior that evening’s showing of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The theatre was demolished.
In July 1972, a newer Big Bear Theatre opened nearby on Village Drive, which was later renamed the Village Theatre in 1975.
There were actually three Grizzly Theatres in the village’s history. The first was built in 1919-1920 by Frank Johnson.
In August of 1921, a baby was accidently left at the front door of the theater and Johnson made the unusual decision to have a raffle and give the baby away at a screening on August 23, 1921.
Just as in modern times, society did not appreciate the joke.
Prohibition began on January 17, 1920, and continued until 1933.
Johnson built the Grizzly Inn next door after a few dismal seasons. The theatre and inn became very popular.
The Inn was raided in 1923 due to the fact it was selling moonshine whiskey and bathtub gin.
Grizzly Theatre #2 operated by Charlie and Anne Stillwell opened nearby at 42171 Big Bear Boulevard.
For movie fans seeking more privacy and the great outdoors experience, Peter Pan Woodland Drive-In proved just the ticket.
It was located at 675 Greenway Drive in Big Bear, California, and accommodated 300 cars.
Earle Strebe ran the drive-in from its opening on May 24, 1957.
According to The Big Bear Grizzly on November 8, 1956, work was progressing rapidly before heavy snow falls for spring completion of Peter Pan Woodland DriveIn Theater in Bear City.
The 50’x80′ screen, located in the southeast corner, west of Greenway Drive was in front of Peter Pan Club.
Parking facilities for 664 cars were available on opening day with additional facilities for 150 more vehicles was planned for a later date.
The article went on to say it was an Earl C. Strebe theater and that he was also owner and operator of Big Bear Theater, as well as theaters in Palm Springs and Lake Arrowhead.
Bill Meyer of Big Bear Theater was set to manage the drive-in and its snackbar concessions.
The Peter Pan Woodland Drive-in operated into the 1970s. Earle C. Stebe passed away in 1994, at the age of 88. He is buried at Wellwood Murray Cemetery in Palm Springs.
Sometimes people get the Peter Pan Woodland Drive-In and The Lake DriveIn mixed up. The Lake Drive-in Theatre in Big Bear Lake opened for business June 7, 1957, in the Metcalf Meadows area west of City Hall. It was located at 39515 Big Bear Boulevard.
On June 15, 1957, The Grizzly stated Jim Boyd operated a theatre supply company on Los Angeles’ Film Row, and opened his 400-car Lake Drive-In at Big Bear.
The Lake Drive-in closed in 1974. It was not connected with the Peter Pan Woodland Drive-in.
And while it was closed for many years, the old snack bar, projection booth and outdoor screen remained standing as a sentinel to the past.
By March 3, 2016, about half of the huge screen was on the ground. By December of that year, the marquee sign and banner were gone and a much smaller sign appeared just below the marquee indicating that the land is a “Rare Plant and Meadowland Preserve.”
Prior in Big Bear, Austrian-born real
estate developer Harry Kiener built the Peter Pan Woodland Club (no longer standing) near the present-day Big Bear Airport.
It was designed and constructed in 1930 by Guy Maltby, owner of the Bear Valley Milling and Lumber Company, presently still standing next to the La Quinta Museum.
Kiener chose the name Peter Pan because he felt the beauty of Big Bear Valley equaled the magical beauty of “Never Never Land.”
Kiener, of the Big Bear Land and Water Company, decided to make a sister club to the Peter Pan Woodland Club and chose the Desert Club (no longer standing) in La Quinta, east of Palm Springs.
Visitors in the past often tended to lump the whole Coachella Valley into the catchall name of Palm Springs, even if it was outside its boundaries.
The Peter Pan Woodland Club and the Desert Club offered reciprocal privileges year round. The proverbial best of both worlds.
The Desert Sun 22 Dec 1952
Big Bear Grizzly, 23 May 1957
Limelight News and the Mountaineer
In the end, the Peter Pan Woodland Club and Desert Club would sadly suffer similar fates.
The Peter Pan Woodland Club experienced a devastating fire in 1948, completely destroying the clubhouse. It never re-opened.
The original but smaller clubhouse built in 1927 south of Big Bear Boulevard was razed and hauled by trucks down the hill to the golf course northwest of the Greenway and Country Club intersections and placed next to the resort’s swimming pool. It re-opened as Peter Pan Rancho but never recaptured the glory of the Woodland Club. The Desert Club burned down in 1989 for very different reasons.
The city of La Quinta, believing that it
would never have the resources to restore the site it had been donated, allowed the California Department of Forestry and local volunteers to burn the structure for firefighting practice.
The city later created a community park on the site named after the former owner of the Desert Club, Fritz Burns. The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs is currently undergoing comprehensive renovation to restore its historic charm.
Bonus fact: Harry Kiener was also the father-in-law to American novelist Louis L’Amour, best known for his fictional books about the Old West. Louis and his wife, Kathy, had a 60 plus acre date and citrus ranch behind the La Quinta Hotel until it was sold in the late 1960s. It was called
Recommended Resources
The Desert Way https://www.thedesertway.com/earle-c-strebe/
Rancho La Quinta, which has no relation to the newer Rancho La Quinta subdivison on Washington Street.
Bonus fact #2: The Village Theater North, the only theater in the San Bernardino Mountains, has reopened. The address is 602 Pine Knot Ave. in Big Bear Lake.
It closed after Will Viner, the long time owner since the theater opened in 1999, passed away in 2022 and his family decided to cease operating.
The theater reopened under the new ownership of Bill Ross, who also owns The Bowling Barn.
Top photo: Lake Drive-In photo courtesy of John Earl, 2016.
Keppler, Richard, Vanishing Big Bear, a photographic history of Big Bear Lake since 1885; Third Edition, published 2003.
Bogert, Frank, Palm Springs, First Hundred Years; published 2003.
Village Theater Showtimes https://www.villagetheaters.com https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2022/05/08/palm-springs-history-plaza-theatre-offered-best-entertainment/9677691002
Peter Pan Woodland by Rick Keppler & Mark Durban, Video https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=265625441021315
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/72171
Palm Springs Historical Society https://pshistoricalsociety.org
HE SPEAKS OF THE SOUTH as if he was born there. He sure talks like he’s from the South. Especially when it comes to his favorite subject: whiskey. Not “moonshine,” mind you, though there’s some of that in his study of the fine art of distillery. But Paul Sebastian, affectionately called the Whiskey Guy by his friends in Apple Valley’s writers club, was actually born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
South Albuquerque? I wondered. Maybe? No! “My father,” he explains, “was a Marine. My mom, at that time, had no job. She was just pregnant. And she joined him in New Mexico. [But] he’s from West Virginia and my mom’s from North Carolina. They met at the Marine base at Cherry Point. That’s where I grew up.” So, by way of his DNA, Paul is kind of from the South. He certainly has enough cousins and kinfolk down there for Ancestry.com to prove it.
He smiles too. A lot. That’s kind of a Southern thing. You smile even when it hurts. That’s being polite. “Six weeks after I was born, [we] took a road trip from back. My mom’s father. . . (what we people up North call a grandfather) . . . came out and picked us up. We drove back through Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, a short trip into Mexico, and then back through Louisiana and Arkansas into North Carolina.” I was hesitant to ask what road map his grandfather used to plan the trip back to where he’d live for the next 16 years, up until 1976.
“[That’s] when my mom and dad divorced. My mom, [being a government employee] was stationed overseas, in La Maddalena, Sardinia. There was a big Navy sub-tender there. She started out as a GS-3 and worked her way up to GS-7.
“There was no high school, “ he recalls. “So, we were put up in a dormitory in Zaragoza, Spain. That was the only dormitory that was around at that time. And we had a big mix of everybody. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines [and kids from different countries].
“But [I remember in] my first year in Sardinia in 1976, we had just finished the bicentennial. And so I remember getting into the hotel, I was so jet lagged, I slept literally almost a whole day. My mom took me to the base support center where she worked at, and we took a liberty boat over to where the ship was. The reason was to introduce me to the base exchange and the commissary which was literally a double-wide train. The exchange was about the same size. You had arrows on the floor that said, "Go in this direction." You couldn’t turn back because you had 50 people behind you.”
He laughs. “I remember very clearly, my mom’s first team assistant, a lady named Rosa who used to a stewardess with Alitalia. Absolutely stunningly gorgeous, statuesque lady, and incredibly personable, she treated me like a little brother the entire time. And one day, [she] introduced me to Italian wine,
which was absolutely fantastic. Great with a meal. My mom has a picture of me sipping wine and Rosa giving me tips on how to sip it properly.
Suddenly fearful of where this story was going, I blurted out, “So, you became a wino?” No! Wrong again. But the introduction to wine was the precursor to bar hopping as a teenager. “In those days, the Spanish didn’t have an age restriction on beer. So we’d
go down and get a few beers, a few sandwiches and—BOOM!— we were good to go.”
But as far as an avid interest in the distilling processes of whiskey, he had snuck a few sips of bourbon and just love the taste after he got used to the taste of the alcohol. And then, without knowing its effect on her soon, his mother made candies with bourbon in them, so that flavor was always there. He literally liked everything. and as a young boy, would taste stuff. He wasn’t picky, He was, in fact, scientific. He tried to analyze the taste.
“I always liked kind of figuring [things] out,” he explains. “All right, what’s in this? What’s making this good and what’s not? How is this different? My grandfather was a cook, and had been a cook during the Depression. He was a very good cook, and I picked up really some excellent flavors from that. I kind of learned how to discern what I liked, what I didn’t like . . . and why? Every time I was eating it, I wasn’t just wolfing it down, but I was actually thinking about what I was tasting.
“So when I got to Spain and Italy, it was like, wow, a whole different region of flavors, whole different influences, and I was amazed. Like the way they prepare shrimp in the shell, with the eyes and the antenna and everything else, and I ate it, and it was actually quite good. And then I saw their liquor. They had grappa in Italy. I didn’t know what the hell grappa was, but it was a liquor, a brandy, technically. And so I got curious about it, but I couldn’t drink it there, so I waited until I got to Spain. I fell in love with the liqueurs, but among them was the whiskeys.
“I tried Johnny Walker, and loved it, and then Bushmills. Back in those day, it was the only distillery in Ireland. Had those little red derby hats that were on top. Love that. I thought, ‘Holy cow, this is fantastic.’ And then I tried to drink rum sometime after that, but I didn’t like it. So, I went back to whisky.”
Paul was so fascinated by taste of whiskey, he started reading about how it is made. The distillation and fermenting, and how it was matured. “When I graduated high school, I went to the University of Maryland in Munich and started working concerts. There, I’d talk to British and Irish and Scottish roadies, which helped me get stagehand work when I came back to the States. This was in pre-computer days, so I had to go to the library
and read whatever I could find. And then some years later, I discovered single malt whiskey and it lit my fire. Literally. I was just like, "Wow, what the hell is this?"
“It was so tasty. I mean, I drank it straight. I did not feel anything other than the flavors and the aroma. And one of the guys there sort of took me under his wing a little bit, because after we got back, we would meet up here and there. He had a huge collection, and each time we’d meet, he’ try something new with me. So we would expand on single malts. He’s the one who kind of got into the details with me about distillation. How whiskey is made.”
Today’s Woman Foundation Brings Hope a
By Shannon Shannon
His friend was a chemical engineer who understood why stills are used the way they are. Why do the fermentation that way and how it works. And that’s when they started sampling whiskey together and talk about, among other things related to the whiskey, what kind of barrel finishes are used and how to identify them. What kind of wood is used and why . . . and all that kind of stuff that few humans are even aware of and even fewer are experts about, which would take hours and hours and hours.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our generous c is proud to announce the successful completion of ou to High Desert residents. These thoughtfully prepare toiletries, and comforting personal items offer dign violence.
TWF has partnered with Partners Against Violence t Sexual Assault Response Team (S A R T ) at Providen ensures survivors receive compassionate, immediate
When those conversations began, Paul threw out “all of my crude stuff,” and seriously began his of studies what makes different whiskeys different, so that he could easily be the High Deserts’ expert on the subject.
To show our appreciation, we hosted a special oppor stunning transformation-themed quilt, handcrafted beautifully curated gift basket We are delighted to a recipient of this meaningful prize
Today’s Woman Foundation Brings Hope and Healing Through S.A.R.T. Initiative
THANKS TO THE UNWAVERING support of our generous community, Today’s Woman Foundation (TWF) is proud to announce the successful completion of our fundraiser to provide 100 Survivor Care Bags to High Desert residents. These thoughtfully prepared bags—filled with essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and comforting personal items—offer dignity, care, and hope to survivors of sexual violence.
TWF has partnered with Partners Against Violence to serve as an advocate for the newly launched Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. This vital program ensures survivors receive compassionate, immediate care in a safe, trauma-informed environment.
To show our appreciation, we hosted a special opportunity drawing. Supporters
entered to win a stunning transformationthemed quilt, handcrafted by TWF Board Secretary Margaret Smith, and a beautifully curated gift basket. We are delighted to announce that Maria Ordonez was the lucky recipient of this meaningful prize.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Founded on the belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to thrive, Today’s Woman Foundation has a proud history of empowering women through education, advocacy, and personal development. TWF continues to create a lasting impact in the High Desert and beyond through scholarships, life-skills training, and other programs like the S.A.R.T. initiative.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us. Your generosity helps restore dignity, healing, and hope for survivors throughout our community.
A Legacy of Empowerment
By Shannon Shannon
Opportunity Drawing Winner
Founded on the belief that every woman deserves th Foundation has a proud history of empowering wom development TWF continues to create a lasting imp scholarships, life-skills training, and other programs
Maria Ordonez, winner of the transformation-themed quilt created by Board Secretary Margaret Smith, poses with her gift basket.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standin dignity, healing, and hope for survivors throughout o
To learn more about TWF or get involved, visit: www.todayswomanfoundation.org
Maria O quilt cre
To le
Route 66 from Kingman to Seligman
By John Beyer
IN HIS 1939 NOVEL, Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck referred to Route 66 as the ‘Mother Road’ of America. It was the strip of asphalt those fleeing the devastation of the dust bowl took from the Midwest to the Promised Land of California.
So what is it about Route 66 that beckons millions of people to drive along its nearly two thousand five-hundred-mile path from the beginning in Chicago to its end in Santa Monica each year?
It was time to find out, and one of the best places to start was Kingman, Arizona.
“Ready for a road trip?” I asked my lovely wife, Laureen.
“When am I not?”
We soon set out for the short seventythree-mile drive between Kingman to Seligman, Arizona to see what we could see.
Kingman is definitely a place to stop and experience. There is so much history to cherish in this small town, just one hundred and five miles southeast of Las Vegas.
It’s named after Lewis Kingman, a
railroad engineer for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. He was quite the engineer, designing over thirteen hundred miles of the Santa Fe Railroad system during his tenure.
Actor Andy Devine was raised in Kingman where he learned his love for the west. He appeared in over four hundred films during his lifetime, not including long stints in television western series which aired for decades.
Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart dedicated Arizona’s first commercial airport on Route 66 in Kingman in 1929.
Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married there in 1939.
To say the least, Kingman is a historical place.
Driving along Route 66 is not like driving along an interstate. No, if speed is what someone is after, find another road.
Route 66 is meant to be a drive of
knowledge.
A drive learning about the backbone of America, where people ventured in search of a better life for themselves and their families.
A drive along America’s Mother Road is an opportunity to slowdown and enjoy each mile along this iconic highway.
Millions of foreign travelers descend on this roadway each year to find out about this thing referred to as Americana.
Beatrice, a shop owner outside of Kingman told us, “It is so exciting to see the tourists from all over the world stopping here. They are amazed at all the things they experience driving Route 66. It thrills me.”
As we drove north-east from Kingman, towns such as Hualapai, Walapai, and Valle Vista were soon in our rear-view mirror.
Roughly twenty-five miles north of
Stop by for a bite at the Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, Arizona
John R Beyer on Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona
Laureen Beyer pulling a wheelie along Route 66
Kingman is Antares Point.
It is one of the showcases for the international artist, Gregg Arnold. This master sculpturer has made this tiny bend in Route 66 a place for visitors to stop and enjoy numerous art pieces on display.
The small A-framed building, housing the artwork, is easy to spot along the road, but in case the tourist fails to notice the structure, there is another object that cannot be missed, nor forgotten.
Standing in front of the artist’s studio, is a fourteen-foot-tall green Tiki head, Arnold created in 2003 out of concrete. It is appropriately entitled: Giganticus Headicus.
As we meandered about the place, at least twenty other vehicles loaded with tourists stopped, snapping photos of each other with the Tiki Head, before wandering into the studio.
Giganticus Headicus is a big hit with those driving by Antares Point.
After leaving Antares Point, we soon passed through Peach Springs, Nelson, and Yampai before reaching the town of Seligman.
Originally a railroad encampment known as Prescott Junction, the town was
renamed Seligman, after Jesse Seligman, a railroad financier in 1886.
It was a thriving locale along Route 66 until Interstate 40 was built on the outskirts of town in 1978. The town seemed to be
on the verge of becoming a ghost town, when the citizens banded together and demanded the State of Arizona recognize Route 66 as a historic highway in 1987, and to ensure Seligman was accessible to those driving by on the freeway.
Thus, a few offramps were built allowing travelers to exit the interstate and explore downtown Seligman.
Seligman soon became a major destination for tourists. An eclectic group of shops like the Rusty Bolt, bars like the O.K. Saloon, and restaurants like the Roadkill Café, line Route 66 beckoning the curious to stop and enjoy.
We wandered the town and soon realized why so many visited this little berg in Northwest Arizona.
AGOOD WRITER KNOWS to never overuse an adjective to describe something. Or so I have been told. It is hard for this writer to write about the Bagdad Café without using the word quirky. It is, after all, a quirky café named after a quirky movie of the same name that was filmed there in 1987. Before the movie it was called the Sidewinder Café and was one of the very few businesses on the old Route 66 in Newberry Springs that survived the new Interstate 40.
It is, perhaps, somewhat of a chicken or an egg situation. When German filmmaker, Percy Adlon, made the film about a German tourist abandoned by her husband in a remote desert area, was the Sidewinder the perfect location for an “eccentric truck stop community?” Or did Herr Adlon stumble upon the Sidewinder and become inspired? I have read both. You can decide. I think a little of both are most likely.
At the time the film was made, the old Henning Motel next door was closed but still standing. The motel was used for makeup, wardrobe and other support functions. Today, only the old neon sign is left. Another feature used in the movie was the old wooden water tank that stood on a tower behind the vintage Airstream
By John Wease
trailers. When I see an old tank like that, I think of old farm scenes. You might think of girls in bathing suits waving at the train. If you are a German movie maker, you apparently imagine a person throwing a boomerang around it. I did mention quirky.
The movie was not a huge success in this country. The longer European version, “Out of Rosenheim,” is considered a cult classic. To capitalize on the thousands of tourists that wanted to visit the movie site, Andrea Pruett purchased the Sidewinder in 1995. She renamed it the Bagdad Café and filled it with movie memorabilia. It became a popular Route 66 roadside attraction.
Then came the pandemic. Covid travel restrictions turned off the tourist flow. A kitchen fire a few years ago closed the kitchen. The tropical storm that moved through the area found its way through the often-patched roof destroying the ceiling and damaging memorabilia. Things were looking bleak for the iconic movie location. General manager, general handyman, and general just about everything, Mark Bradley started a GoFundMe. He also contacted Sarah Jane Goodall and asked her to return and shoot another video to help gain support.
Sarah Jane Woodall is a travel vlogger
with a huge following for her YouTube channel “Wonderhussy Adventures.” She is often described as her generation’s Huell Howser. She lives in Tecopa, California and many of her videos are of quirky, littleknown desert locations. In 2017 she was traveling through the area and stopped at the Bagdad Café for breakfast. She made a video of her visit. Returning seven years later, she filmed the sad condition of the old café and asked her followers to help.
“Wonderhussy” has close to 300,000 followers and her videos have had over one hundred million views. The GoFundMe quickly swelled to around thirty thousand dollars.
It was enough to replace the roof and the storm damaged ceilings. The café opened as a tourist stop once again. To give thanks to the generous donors and perhaps gain more donations for the necessary kitchen and well repairs, a party was held. Organized by Karla Claus, owner of Route 66 Tours and Events, it was a huge success. Wonderhussy returned and her loyal followers waited in a long line to meet her, take a photo, and receive an autograph. Many waited for hours, and she finally finished around 7:00 p.m. There were a nice variety of food vendors, and the Barn Route 66 served cold beer. The talented Joe Cruz provided music until 3:00 p.m. at which point Newberry’s own rising country star, Ryan Bodine played a set of his songs.
Raffle prizes were awarded with the help of a group of Latin Culture beauty queens from Hesperia and the Miss Classic California Route 66, Sylvia Romo. Chris Watson, founder and
driving force behind the Route 66 Beauty pageant in Barstow, prepared honorary crowns and sashes for Wonderhussy and Andrea Pruett. Wonderhussy was crowned Ms. Route 66 Media and Andrea as Bagdad Cafe Ambassador. Hundreds of local residents and Wonderhussy followers attended. Boomerang artist and movie cast member Alan Scott Craig was on hand with his boomerangs and donated a portion of every sale to the restoration project. An official after party began at the Barn Route 66 at 6:00 p.m. Ryan Bodine performed his complete performance. Hopefully, with continued support, the funds to repair the water well and restore the kitchen will be raised. Next year, 2026, will be the 100year anniversary of Route 66. Hopefully all will be completed in time. I know I’ll be ready for another party to celebrate. The Bagdad Café is located at 46548 National Trails Highway in Newberry Springs.
WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS OF HIGH DESERT
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL 16138 Molino Ave Victorville
We Rent The Room And Wow'S Policy Is "No Religion And No Politics"
• June 04: 3 Pm La Casita Restaurant 12170 Spring Valley Pky Victorville
• June 07: 9 Am Birthdays And Mindi Burfield From St Joseph Health Will Speaker About Strokes
• June 14: 9 Am To 2 Pm Rummage Sale "Your Old Stuff Is My New Treasure"
• June 21: 10 Am Breakfast At Denny'S Restaurant On Main St In Hesperia Near Hwy 15
• June 28 : 9 Am Game Day, Such As Bingo, Mexican Train, Rummie Kub
Friends of the Apple Valley Library
14901 Dale Evans Parkway Apple Valley, CA 92307
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Speaker: Jennifer LeClair, Fire Inspector/ Arson Investigator - Apple Valley Fire District Topic: Defensible Space
Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - $5 Bag of books sale
SWIM June Speakers
June 5 - Trama & Healthcare
Dr. Paul Wisniewski
June 12 - What Is Your Mantra
Carol Warren
June 19 - Truth Versus Conspiracies
Mike Apodaca
June 26 - Unwrap The Gift Of You
Joan Rudder-Ward
Seniors With Inquiring Minds (SWIM) meets every Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Percy Bakker Community Center located at 9333 Avenue ”E” in Hesperia, CA 92345
Choice Medical Group began the SENIOR KICKS CLUB over 30 years ago It was created to bring the senior community together to Socialize, Exercise and make new Friends! The Club has grown to over 2500 members and has evolved to offering additional classes, events, educational workshops, lunch venue and MORE! To Learn more about being a Choice Medical Member and Senior Kicks Club VIPContact our Senior Resource Center 760 338 0914 Today!
Victorville Senior Citizens Club
14874 S. Mojave St. Victorville CA 92395 760-245-5018
ALL EVENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC
BINGO
June 14 & 28
BUY IN $25
Doors open @ 10am / play @ 11am
Father Day Celebration
June 10 @10:30am at General Meeting
Bunco
June: 21 @12pm
$10 Advance or $12 at the door
Hoe down: July 18, @ 12pm
$10 Advance or $15 at Door
Call for information to become a member
Exercise: Monday-Thursday 10am-11am
Line Dance: Monday & Thursday 11:15am-1:30pm
Poker: Tuesday 10am -3am
Soul Line Dance: Monday & Wednesday 9:15am
Bid Whist: Thursday 11am-2pm
Pinochle: Friday 10am-3pm
Urgent Care vs ER
When you’re sick or hurt, knowing where to go can save time and stress Urgent care is ideal for non-lifethreatening issues like minor injuries, fevers, earaches, or infections These clinics offer walk-in access, shorter wait times, and lower costs compared to the ER.
Emergency rooms are for serious or life-threatening situations like chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, or severe injuries. If in doubt and symptoms are severe, always head to the ER or call 911
Still unsure? Call our 24/7 Nurse Hotline.
A registered nurse can help assess your symptoms and guide you to the right level of care It’s a safe, quick way to get peace of mind anytime, day or night.
Choice Urgent Care 13010 Hesperia Road, #600 Victorville, CA
24/7 NURSE HOTLINE 760.946.5888
Open 7 Days a Week 8:00am to 7:30pm cmgUrgentCare com
Programa de Atención Integral a las Personas Mayores (PACE)
¡PACE le permite vivir en casa!
El modelo PACE es un plan de salud personalizado y un proveedor comunitario de atención médica coordinada, servicios de apoyo y compromiso social para que las personas mayores se mantengan seguras y sanas, viviendo en el lugar al que llaman hogar.
¿Quién es elegible para el programa Pace?
PACE brinda los siguientes servicios:
Médico de atención primaria Médico especialista Medicamentos/Recetas
médica • Transporte
Las personas que satisfacen el nivel de atención Y que viven de forma segura en la comunidad
Centro de actividades para adultos Comidas a domicilio Terapia física, ocupacional y del lenguaje
Dental, visión y audición
Enfermera a domicilio
Servicios sociales
Atención de relevo
Equipos médicos
WANT TO FEEL OLD?
• Bonanza premiered 65 years ago.
• The Beatles split 54 years ago.
• Laugh-In premiered nearly 56 years ago.
• The Wizard of Oz is 85 years old.
• Elvis is dead 47 years. He’d be 89 today.
• The Thriller video is 41 years old.
• Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin dead 54 years
• John Lennon dead 44 years.
• Mickey Mantle retired 56 years ago.
• Back to the Future is 39 years old.
• Saturday Night Fever is 47 years old.
• The Ed Sullivan show ended 53 years ago.
• The Brady Bunch premiered 55 years ago.
• The triplets on My Three Sons are 55.
• Tabitha from Bewitched is 58.
• The Corvette turned 71 this year.
• The Mustang is 60.
Congratulations
Rahul Nayyar, MD
It is with great pride that Choice Medical Group congratulates Rahul Nayyar, MD, our esteemed Chief Medical Officer, on being sworn in as the 133rd President of the San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS).
We are so proud to be a part of your accomplishments!
