Desert Messenger

February 20, 2013

Desert Messenger is your local connection for news, events, and entertainment!

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Page 2 www.DesertMessenger.com Editorial DEADLINE IS WED. FEB. 27 ��� by Shanana ���Rain��� Golden-Bear for MARCH 2ND issue of the Desert Messenger Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are. ~ Bertolt Brecht Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com Phone: 541-218-2560 www.DesertMessenger.com Recycle... adds up! it all Recycle your empty inket cartridges and used cell phones! NO TONERS, PLEASE DROP OFF LOCATIONS: ��� Horizon Community Bank ��� Quartzsite Library ��� Senior Center Sponsored by Proud ��� General Store Neighbors of Quartzsite ��� Business Chamber Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com /DesertMessengerNews Ever wonder how much you can get done in one day? With so many events this past week, I began to wonder myself. So much to see, so much to do, so little time! All these positive events brought a much needed boost to the Quartzsite economy, while introducing many ���rst-time visitors to what Quartzsite has to offer. As I maneuvered around the well-designed booths at the GPAA Gold & Treasure Show, one could feel the excitement in the air with the anticipation of ���nding gold! I recently received dozens of photos from a local miner who has been busy digging up beautiful nuggets just outside of town. ���There���s gold in them thar hills!��� It feels like there���s a shift happening for the good in Quartzsite. Sure, there will be those who are addicted to pointing out what���s wrong with Quartzsite, but there will be many, many more who just want to enjoy the uniqueness of Quartzsite. ���Shift Happens!��� To better deal with what the future brings, the town leaders must be willing to adjust to the changing population of visitors and vendors. After viewing the results of the vendor surveys, many DUMP THE DRUGS February 20, 2013 vendors see the need for an improvement in advertising the town, its local swap meets and events. Promotion of our town by our leaders is seriously lacking. Tourism is the lifeblood of a thriving community. Tourism drives Quartzsite. Quartzsite receives no tax dollars from property taxes. The town relies upon sales tax to survive and to provide the services needed for our winter visitors. Tourism is thriving in some communities, because the leaders decided to make promotion of their town a priority. Many small towns have risen from the ashes with a focused approach to tourism. The Internet provides more opportunities than anyone could have imagined 47 years ago when Quartzsite Improvement Association held their ���rst Gem and Mineral Show. With donations, volunteerism, and people truly caring about what happens to Quartzsite, the town has grown with additional services for residents and visitors. Town leaders need to re-evaluate their budget for the upcoming year to include a much larger piece of the pie for tourism and promotion. There���s gold in them thar visitors! EVENTS FROM PAGE 1 daily with raf���es for ATV/UTV parts and accessories. The Gold Prospectors Assoc. of America (GPAA) held their ���rst Gold and Treasure Expo in Quartzsite on Feb. 15th -17th at the Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) A treat for visitors included Joe���s three old fashioned wagons from Bouse led by mules and ponies. Families enjoyed the trips around the neighborhood. An estimated 2,000 shoppers enjoyed the displays of the latest in gold mining and accessories. The ���rst 100 paid attendees received a free vial of gold. There were opportunities for attendees to learn from the best quali���ed prospectors giving their insights on a variety of techniques. For those interested in fabric art, the Quartzsite Quilt Show was held on Feb. 15th & 16th at the Senior Center. For more information (see page 21). Fine Art lovers and book lovers enjoyed the Mardi Gras Art Show on Sat. Feb. 16th at Mountain Quail RV Park Clubhouse. The festive event included entertainment by Mark Church and Paul Winer who was accompanied by Megan Mulac (see page 35). Over 100 golf enthusiasts showed up for a beautiful day of golf at the 16th Quartzsite Masters Tournament (See page 28). DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite���s FREE Community Paper Founded by Walt Akin, October 1, 2004 Contributing Writer, Joanne Winer Name Plate Lettering by Paul Winer Contributing Photographer, Starr BearCat in Quartzsite! PUBLISHED BY PILOT ROCK PUBLISHING CO. Do you have expired or unused medications? www.DesertMessenger.com ��� www.QuartzsiteBlog.com Dispose safely at Quartzsite Police Dept. Mon - Fri. 8am-5pm Follow on Twitter @DesertMessenger @QuartzsiteRain Sponsored by QSAPC Quartzsite Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Published twice a month on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday, Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions in June, July & August Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. Shanana ���Rain��� Golden-Bear, Publisher A Quartzsite Licensed Business Copyright �� 2013 928-916-4235

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