Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com October 18, 2017 DesertMessengerNews By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear Editorial 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 Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published.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 pub- lished. Phone numbers are for verification only and will not be printed. Mail 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 O� T��� - E���� T���! 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 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 Neighborhood Watch to meet Thurs. NOV. 2 Town of Quartzsite invites every- one to attend the next meeting of Neighborhood Watch at 6:00 PM, on THURSDAY, NOV. 2, 2017, at the Quartzsite Community Center, 295 E. Chandler. Chief William Ponce said he looks forward to working with the resi- dents to create a safer community. Launched in 1972, Neighbor- hood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their pres- ence at all times of day and night. Sponsored by the National Sher- iffs' Association (NSA), the Nation- al Crime Prevention Council says, "Neighborhood watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the coun- try, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer." For more information contact the Quartzsite Police Department at 928-927-4644. Just Rambling... Provided by Elmer London, Quartzsite and Desert Messenger DEADLINE : WED. OCT 25 TH for the nov. 1 st edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com I've always been interested in learn- ing; especially about people. How- ever, my step-father wasn't so open minded when I brought a new friend home to meet the family. My new friend was of Mexican decent and had amazing stories about life that I had never heard before. Well, Dad said, "you better not date that wet- back," so of course I accepted his challenge! Spending time immersed in another culture taught me I sure didn't know as much as I thought. I made a concious decision to es- tablish friendships from different cultures, so I reached out to the only Jewish family living in our town; then later I dated a black musician, explored a multitude of religions, and met so many incredible people along with way. Spending time on the rez was a rather intense learning experience, while living in a diverse community in Oregon provided a loving atmosphere of acceptance of others. America has been a melting pot from the moment foreign explorers set foot on this land. However since its inception, there has been a fi ght of "us vs. them" mentality; including that "I'm right; you're wrong" atti- tude. This causes wars, injustices to minority races, and misunderstand- ings even between friends who voted differently in the last election. So...when given the chance to meet with a Muslim woman right here in Quartzsite, I jumped at the opportu- nity. Beyond the politics, this woman shared her experiences, strengths, hope for a positive future. Learning about other cultures can broaden our views on everything from food and clothing to religion and politics. We may even learn that people are just people and may actually share some commonalities with us. However, it's important to remember that we shouldn't assume that everyone of a certain culture is the same; just as Americans are not all the same. I was reminded that we're all just people who are trying to do the best we can. "Our diversity is our strength. What a dull and pointless life it would be if everyone was the same." ~Angelina Jolie When it's Autumn in the Rockies other Mnt.s too. The nomads start to wonder, where to go and what too do. It's fun they're looking for and don't forget the sun. So let's keep on moving towards, where it can be found. Quartzsite, Arizona where rocks sell by the pound.

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