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6 www.DesertMessenger.com DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite s FREE Community Paper Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August EDITOR/PUBLISHER Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Louise Rouse GUEST COLUMNIST Jedidiah Free GUEST COLUMNIST Violet Kiss CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE LETTERING Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain A Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 541-218-2560 Copyright 2013 By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear EDITORIAL The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. ~ Alan Watts You may have noticed a few changes in today's Desert Messenger. "Shift" happened! After 9 years of printing the Desert Messenger, I had to make a change and said farewell to my dear friend at the Yuma Sun, David Fornof and his crew. David has over 30 years experience in the newspaper industry and has been so very helpful with technical problems, ideas and suggestions. He's been so supportive on many levels and I will miss regularly seeing his smiling face. However, it was time to make a business decision to move forward and improve, and the friendship remains. Change is not always pleasant, but without change, our lives remain stagnant. Resisting change is a normal reaction. We all like the security of LETTERS TO EDITOR POLICY Desert Messenger encourages letters from its readers. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, and may be edited for grammar, content and length. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF THE DESERT MESSENGER. We invite you to not only see a problem, but search for the solution to share with the community, keeping the bene�it of all in mind. Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published. Third party letters will not be accepted. To avoid confusion over people with common or similar names, writers must provide a full name and indicate the name they are known by. Writers must provide a full street address and phone number. Rvers can provide the location of park/BLM land, etc. Street addresses will not be published. Phone numbers are for veri�ication only and will not be printed. Mail letters to: Desert Messenger, P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 or E-mail to: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com 541-218-2560 having a set routine. When we move outside our "comfort zone", we might begin to wonder what will go wrong when we change something in our lives? And then fear of the unknown sets in. Resistance is manageable; it's all in how we look at things. Do we see change as an opportunity or as a problem? When the fear of the unknown would creep into my mind, I quickly acknowledged it and listened to my quiet self, knowing things will work out for the best. Then the excitement built, and I began to "move with it and join the dance of change." I've heard complaints that Quartzsite is not like it used to be. Neither are any of us! One vendor complained that "in the '80s, Quartzsite was a lot more fun." I asked, "so... how old were you then?" In 1980 - 81 we were shocked as gas prices rose above $1.00 for the first time. We've adapted to the higher price of fuel, groceries, rent, and cost of living. Some of us just don't like to see any change anywhere, let alone in Quartzsite. Many vendors are growing old, becoming ill and even dying. That happens to everyone. We all will leave this planet someday. Maybe their children will carry on the traditions of vending. Maybe they are too busy with their smart phones, tablets and laptops to sit still in one location for 6 months. The world is not the same as it was 40 years ago and won't be the same in another 40 years. C&B LOCK & KEY Betty Crenshaw CML Owner 37 Years Experience 928-927-6589 MOBILE SERVICE ONLY RVs Autos Residential Commercial Bonded - Insured BLM Approved Serving Quartzsite and Surrounding Areas March 20, 2013 So why would we ever expect Quartzsite to remain the same? I believe it goes back to the fear of moving out of our comfort zone. As spring arrives, birds flock back to the locations they are familiar. Snowbirds do the same by enjoying our favorite "nesting spot" in the BLM lands surrounding Quartzsite. We love that special fire ring or shade of the palo verde tree we have grown to love over the years. Then one year we might return to find the tree has blown over during the summer monsoons. So we mourn the loss and find another tree to enjoy. We adapt to the changes around us. Some very successful local vendors are adapting as well. Nature's Nuggets and Rocks in My Head are dealing with change by adding social media to their business. Facebook, Twitter, Ebay, Pinterist, and countless other avenues, are powerful tools for vendor entrepreneurs. Those vendors who "join the dance" will enjoy a growing business. We can complain about how life is not (fill in the blank) or we can enjoy what life has to offer every day and join the dance of change. God Grant me the Serenity to Accept the Things I Cannot Change, the Courage to Change the Things I Can and the Wisdom to Know the Difference. PS. Congratulations to Quartzsite 4-H youth who did so well at the La Paz County Fair. Emily Carnevale took home Best of Show Ribbon! Watch for details in next issue! Just Rambling... This winter's crud offered few endearing moments. It's so long lasting! In fact it seems to go on forever. Often it involved a visit to a doctor or the dreaded ER. You may be comatose and oblivious to those things occurring around you. Perhaps missing them is a blessing in disguise. Provided by Elmer London & Desert Messenger