Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com February 21, 2024 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 NOW PUBLISHED ONCE/MONTH on the 3rd Wednesday of each month OWNER/EDITOR/PUBLISHER GRAPHIC DESIGN/ AP AR MARKETING EXECUTIVE/CLASSIFIEDS Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE DESIGN Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.DesertMessengerOnline.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 2024 © Copyright All Rights Reserved Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear QUARTZSITE ROCKS! 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 Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published.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 Street addresses will not be published.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 I'm not retiring! Desert Messenger in print will continue... more info soon! So, a lot has happened in the past 5 weeks since the last edition of Desert Messenger. The famous Big Tent happened, along with Gem Shows and swap meets/shows. Add to that all the gatherings in the des- ert, traffi c, ladies luncheon, storms, a visit with a congressman, popular physician's death, craft shows, gold show, quilt show, RC air show, pa- triot convoy, big primary election changes, power outage, Valentine's Day, County election equipment testing, and you could say I had a very busy month. After attending a meeting where I just wanted to listen to alternative viewpoints, but was called out as "the elephant in the room," I began to question my retirement of this paper. I enjoyed the down time in- between editions, and I was actually able to attend some of these events. But facts really do matter and I've been hearing some strange rumors. Folks who know me realize I focus on the positive side of this communi- ty and life as a whole. I really believe most folks want to understand that facts do matter. And, I've learned there's a kernal of truth to every ru- mor. "A kernel of truth" (A singular element of truth or wisdom within a greater story, narrative, speech, or claim, especially when most or all other elements are fi ctitious or of questionable veracity.) When I recently heard statements repeated over and over again, such as "they're kicking out kids out of schools for the illegals," I went searching for answers. Sure enough, New York City moved 2,000 as- sylum seekers to a school for their safety due to inclement weather. NYC also closed their schools this past week due to snow, but folks are choosing to be are angry that a high school was closed for one day to help keep immigrants safe from a storm. Yes, we can choose to dis- cover the facts, open up our hearts to have an understanding from an- other's point of view or not! If you choose news sources meant to get you angry, guess what? You're going to get angry! If we choose our news from sources that are fact-based, (aka boring) not fi lled with rumors or opinions, guess what? We'll get facts that we can digest with a clear head and maybe even level thinking. Critical thinking is actually good for our brains. Ask any stroke survivor, like me! It's one of the most crucial cognitive skills one can develop. So question what you've been told, es- pecially if it's meant to get you an- gry. Take time to breathe and fi nd your center. Peace is also good for us all! By Shanana Rain Golden-Bear On February 1st, 2024, Quartzsite Council Member Sam Saxton posted on his Facebook page, "Yesterday, I auditioned for the us [sic] Air Force band as a lead vocalist for the Band of The West. The audition went ex- tremely well, and they asked me to take a job as lead vocalist. This was 1 of 3 positions worldwide. I will be enlisted and part of the us [sic] Air Force. Basic military training will possibly be June. But most likely, this fall." Saxton replied to questions in the comments that Basic training would be in "San Antonio." Desert Messenger has received multiple questions about this. so on Tuesday, February 20th, I asked Mr. Saxton when he will be leaving town, and his reply was, "I have a lot of hoops to jump through." When I explained I have been asked many questions from his constituents, he said, "Have them call me. Don't fi l- ter it through your paper! Tell them to call me, not you!" So here is his published phone number to ask Council Member Sam Saxton if he plans to fi nish out the rest of his term as an elected of- fi cial of Quartzsite. (318) 453-3214. Council Member announces he's joining Air Force Baked potato party Feb. 22 "Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." ~George Bernard Shaw Quartzsite Historical Society will host a Baked Potato Party Thursday February 22nd at 5:30 PM. They will provide the baked potatoes, please bring a topping to share. Get cre- ative with those topping choices! Location: Tysons Well Stage Station Museum, 161 W Main St Quartzsite. Just west of Silly Al's. Come join the fun and learn about the Museum, too!

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