Desert Messenger

16 www.DesertMessenger.com September 5, 2018 By Jackie Deal 1,169 miles north of Quartzsite... Cookie Shannon, beloved winter–Quartzsite musician, tipped her head back, strummed her guitar, and the Roseburg, Oregon hills rang with her signature train whistle. Cookie learned the train whistle from Box Car Willie and she dedicates all her train songs to him-both in Quartzsite and in Oregon. But there's more. Quartzsite's "The Travelers" band lead man, Ed Bonham plays frequently in Sutherlin, Or- egon 12 miles north of Roseburg (home to Ed and Ruby Bonham and Cookie Shannon and Margaret Hance.) Ed is joined by his wife Ruby and an exceptionally good pick-up band; they call themselves "4Bs and a J" for Bonham, Bonham, Nathan Brown, David Burns and Steve Jones. Ed Bonham has brought together local musicians to form a most enjoy- able band that performs frequently in The Escapees' Timber Valley Park in Sutherlin. Ed's perfect guitar and pleasing yet powerful voice leads the group in many of the songs. Ruby Bonham, known as the band's "cookie lady" in Quartzsite is far more than the "dedicated amateur" Ed had always called her. She's becoming a pro' in her own right. David Burns from Myrtle Creek, Oregon, 30 miles south, is a welcome addition to the band. He plays lead, rhythm, and sings beautifully. What- ever the song, David can do it. Nathan Brown, a Timber Valley resident, is a crowd pleaser with his up- tempo songs and good natured grin. We all love him. Steve Jones, on the "gut bucket", an overturned washtub, delights the crowd. Not only does he keep perfect time but he gets amazing tones out of a piece of rope and a tub. He puts heart and soul (and also body) into his playing and the crowd is delighted. In the North, Cookie and Margaret sing and play with their youngest sis- ter, Bobbi Harms, who has a ranch in Sutherlin. They also joined the "Clas- sic Country" band for the Douglas County Fair in Roseburg, Oregon. Bobbi and Cookie shared the stage with "Classic Country" for the fi rst half hour and then appeared as "The Little Sisters" for the next half hour. Cookie's yodeling drew in the Fair crowds and "standing room only" watched and listened to them on the Fair's outdoor stage. Bobbi, Cookie and Margaret also perform at the Sutherlin Senior Cen- ter on Thursdays for an appreciative crowd. They have played for the V A Hospital patients in Roseburg. Both "The Little Sisters" and Ed's "The Travelers" plan to play in Quartzsite next winter. Watch for them! Travelogue DO YOU HAVE EXPIRED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS? DUMP THE DRUGS at QPD! Dispose safely at QUARTZSITE POLICE DEPT. Mon - Fri. 8am-5pm 305 N. Plymouth, Quartzsite 928-927-4644 Space donated by Desert Messenger read Desert Messenger MyQuartzsite.com E-EDITION: online DEADLINE : WED. SEPT. 12 TH for the sept. 19 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com The DCRT requested the proposed project because the California Inde- pendent System Operator (CAISO) identifi ed a need for additional high-voltage transmission connec- tion between the Delaney and Colo- rado River substations to support grid reliability and effi ciency and state energy policy. Through a com- petitive bid process, CAISO selected DCRT to permit and construct a 500-kilovolt transmission line to meet that need. Avoiding additional infrastructure development and the associated damage to the Kofa NWR is criti- cal for the survival of native plants and animals found there. The Kofa NWR, a cherished wildlands area, provides habitat for nearly 200 spe- cies of birds, 49 species of mam- mals, and 41 species of reptiles and amphibians. "New transmission lines and wild- life refuges don't mix," says Mike Quigley, The Wilderness Society's Arizona State Director. "The Kofa is essential to the ongoing success of the Sonoran Pronghorn recovery program and valued for its natural beauty, wilderness and the desert species that live there. We're pleased to see this proposed routing avoids the Kofa." As this process un- folds, we urge the BLM and the proj- ect proponents to seek public input 10 WEST FROM PAGE 15 and to resolve any possible confl icts in a transparent and community- friendly manner, striving to offset unavoidable development impacts with investment in conservation. If the BLM approves the project, the agency should ensure that the fi nal route remains in the WWEC and stays out of the Kofa NWR. "Ensuring the reliability of our elec- tric grid is crucial and our preferred route accomplishes that while avoiding impacts to communities, outdoor recreation, and sensitive wildlife habitat," said Lucas Lucero, BLM Arizona's Deputy State Direc- tor for Energy, Lands and Minerals. "We listened closely to stakeholder input and believe this alternative strikes the right balance." The 90-day public comment period on the Draft EIS runs through November 29. The pub- lic is invited to submit comments on the Draft EIS and preferred al- ternative online through the BLM's ePlanning website at https://eplan- n i n g . b l m . g o v / e p l - f r o n t - o f f i c e / eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do? methodName=dispatchToPatternP age¤tPageId=79203 Or in writing to: Ten West Link Project Manager, BLM Arizona State Offi ce, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix AZ 85004. The BLM is also planning public meet- ings in September and October. De- tails will be announced as soon as dates and locations are confi rmed. The Wilderness Society is the lead- ing conservation organization work- ing to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild plac- es. Founded in 1935, and now with more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilder- ness and to ensure sound manage- ment of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org.

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