Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com October 21, 2015 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 HEREIN 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 benefit 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 Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published.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 Street addresses will not be published.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 verification only and will not be printed. Send letters to: Desert Messenger, P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 or E-mail to: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 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" BearCat CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Jedidiah Free GUEST COLUMNIST The late Rosalee O Wheeler GUEST COLUMNIST Gypsy Jane Finley 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 Wow! An amazing shift is occur- ing in Quartzsite and county wide. There seems to be more of a sense of community, like community spirit or community pride, which is char- acterized by a feeling of emotional connection to a place, its residents, and in our case, our visitors. Last week, 175 people from all around the county gathered to learn about the La Paz County Passport which was the result of a year-long effort of colaboration between county chambers and citizens. During the kick-off event, it was evident what a wonderfully emo- tional this experience has been for many of us on the Hospitality/Tour- ism Team. It's as if all these years of hardship and negativity have brought us together even stronger, for a better future. By Shanana "Rain" BearCat Meanwhile, while snowbirds were gone this summer, Quartzsite busi- ness owners and organization repre- sentatives worked tirelessly, joining forces with the Business Chamber and officials, "Uniting our Strengths - Driving Quartzsite Forward." s a result, a new chamber was born, and the Business Chamber offered to do the Ribbon Cutting on Dec. 9th. "Sense of community is a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members' needs will be met through their commitment to be together (McMillan, 1976). The sense of caring about the fu- ture of our community emerged this summer when the Health & Devel- opment Board recognized our year- round volunteers for their service. "It's about the people" is what we hear when asking visitors why they return to Quartzsite. For many people community is a sense of cohesiveness among a group of people. And with technol- ogy, we can stay connected to each other while traveling around the county. Some say, "It's a Quartzsite thang." But however you say it, we all know that "Quartzsite ROCKS!" "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." - Anthony J D'Angelo DEADLINE : WED. OCT. 28 TH for the nov 4 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com FREE Lunches! The Senior Center is offering deals on Lunches! Purchase 10 Lunches and receive 1 free lunches! Purchase 20 Lunches and receive 2 free lunches! Did you know the Senior Center is not just for Seniors? It's open to the public. Ask us how to become an associate member. Member- ship is still only $5/ year. Call the Quartzsite Senior for more details at 928-927-6496 or stop by 40 Moon Mountain Ave. Quartzsite, AZ - La Paz County requires anyone who handles, pre- pares, serves, sells or gives away food for human consumption, including those who bus or wash dishes, to obtain a La Paz County Food Handler Card within thirty (30) days of employment. All classes are on Wednesdays but the times change and all classes are at the Quartzsite Senior Center, located at 40 Moon Mountain Rd. November 18th 10am and 2pm NOTE: Time changes in December and January December classes Dec. 2nd, 9th and 16th 9am and 1030am January classes Jan. 6th,13th and 20th 9am and 1030am For more information, contact La Paz County Health Department at 928-669-1100. Food Handler classes

• Cover