Desert Messenger

December 18, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 11 WE'RE BACK!! TRANSPONDER AUTO KEYS (Electronic Chip Keys) Jeep, Chrysler, Ford Chevrolet, Toyota & many more! Betty Crenshaw, Owner C & B LOCK & KEY 43 YEARS EXPERIENCE 928-927-6589 Mobile Service Only QIA Q & A Questions & Activities 585 N. Central Quartzsite Open Mon-Fri 8-5 928-927-8787 Johnny DelPino, Owner BEST AUTO RV & TRUCK REPAIR SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON! By Jackie Deal Bored? Looking for something to do? Where to go? Have you heard about the QIA? Here's a quick intro- duction and a partial list of upcom- ing events: things for YOU to do. QIA stands for Quartzsite Improve- ment Association. First a quick his- tory and then a partial inventory of happenings. In the 1930s, the Big Depression: "Scores of families found their way to the hills near Quartzsite to camp for free. In the 1940s and 50s people congregated around the Quartzsite area: trailer houses galore, a few houses—but no hall—no place to hold a meeting. Small groups met in homes for pot-luck dinners, to play cards and to visit. The idea of a Community Hall took fire. The QIA incorporated April 27, 1965." (From Mary Allen's book, "Quartzsite: How Come", at the library). The QIA: that's the people who push, shove, haul, cook, compute, perform, play, exercise, enjoy, etc. etc. The many volunteers who keep it running breathe life into the cold building structure. The crowds, big and small, who partake of its offer- ings, are the vital life blood, the rea- son for its existence. The QIA calendar is full every day, all day. You don't have a copy of the calendar? Most every restaurant, some stores and the front of the QIA building boast racks of QIA calen- dars. They're frequently updated so pick one up just as frequently. And here we go with a list of about sev- en things packed into the next two weeks. (Check the calendar, there's more, next issue.) Thursday, every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. is the largest music jam in town. First and third Thursdays is "Open mic", Country-Western/ Pop. If you sing or play, bring in- struments, if not, come and enjoy. Second and fourth Thursdays are Gospel Open Mic. $3.00. Bingo: the Pony Express finally delivered the bingo permits for the QIA so come to the largest jackpot in town! Bingo happens every Fri- day. Doors open at 5pm, early bird at 6:30pm, and regular bingo at 7 pm. Square Dance Lessons: started last year and were very popular. Starting over again at the Beginner Level the first and third Wednes- days at 1 p.m. $4 per person. A Real Dance, not lessons, every first and third Sunday 1-3, $6 per person. Callers: Rick and Kathy Utter, 208- 290-2932. Recording Artist Hunter Keller from Billings, MT. will call for a spe- cial New Year's Square Dance Dec. 29th 1-3 p.m. Start your New Year's celebration early, come dance or watch. Acupuncture: Something new! Leesa Bolden with Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine, will give you an acupuncture session, about 30 minutes, for donation only. Curi- ous? Like to try something different? This is your chance. On Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm she's at the Commu- nity Center, Wed. 1:00-4:00pm at the QIA, Thursdays 10:30- 1:30 at the Community Center. I'm going to try it. Why don't you? The Traveler's Band Dance: 7 p.m. Come, dance, listen and see why over 100 folks flocked to their dances last year. $5.00. At the QIA: Jan. 4, Feb. 29 and Mar. 14. At the Senior Center: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, also in Feb and March. Exercise group: exercise to relax- ing music tapes, First 40 minutes: light aerobics; last 20 minutes: mat exercise. Every Mon. thru Fri. 8:30 a.m. Contact Arlea 480-544-5228 for more information. SPECIAL, SPECIAL, SPECIAL: SKYHAWK'S NEW YEAR'S DANCE: Dec 31, 7-10 p.m. Dance in the New Year with SkyHawk's dance band. Sonja Bartel leads with a "mean trumpet" that sets Skyhawk apart from any other band. John Gibson fiddle, Norm Sharp rhythm guitar, Lynn Falter on bass and Roger Petty on drums. Dance or listen and cel- ebrate New York time New Year's. $10. Is this everything happening at the QIA? NO, NO, NO! Next issue we'll cover more regular and special events. Apologies for not covering your favorite activity first, but, gee, there's only so much room! The QIA is located at 235 E. Iron- wood Street, between Main St. and Interstate 10. Office is open Mon- Fri 9am-noon. 928-927-6325.

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