Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com July 12, 2017 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 Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published.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 DEADLINE : WED. AUG 2 ND for the august 9 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com Neighborhood Watch to meet Thurs. Aug. 3 Town of Quartzsite invites every- one to attend the next meeting of Neighborhood Watch at 6:00 PM, on THURSDAY, AUG. 3, 2017, at the Quartzsite Community Center. 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. "If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth." The quote above was a special request from Joanne Robinson, a remarkable friend of Quartzsite, who left this world on Saturday. She entrusted me with her obituary a few months ago, which is on Page 16. She was a champion for the animal kingdom, and was environmen- tally conscious. I often received kind notes from her in recycled envelopes fi lled with encouraging words. Originally credited as the words of Chief Seattle, but actually written by television scriptwriter Ted Perry for a historical epic in 1971, the message is what is important to us humans. Nature is our greatest teacher! The top of Brian Mertins' The 21 Things That Nature Wants To Teach You is "Observation: Observation is a skill that some people have and some people don't, but anyone can develop strong observation skills when they spend time outside." Speaking of observation, the com- munity held the annual 4th of July party at the park. It was a fun event, even in the extreme heat. A healthy community involves everyone. If you observe something that needs addressing, don't wait for someone else to act. We all are part of this community, together. Human be- ings are social animals. I believe people want to return to compassion; compassion for oth- ers, relieving pain and suffering for their families, for their neighbors, for their communities. But the sense of disconnection from others and nature is so pervasive that unkind- ness, indifference, and selfi shness appear as the norm; while compas- sion, kindness and caring are the exceptions. Let's start changing this right in our little community. A simple way is to begin smiling at each other again. Wave to your fellow drivers, even if they're not in your same po- litical sphere. Even though it may feel uncomfortable, let's take this opportunity and engage our collec- tive compassion muscles to make our home a better place. We have great lunch menus, serving at 12 noon sharp! Suggested donation is only $3.50. There's cards, books, games, puzzles, pool table, Wi-Fi available. Community Services, Volunteers Needed! Come join the fun at Quartzsite SENIOR Center 40 Moon Mountain Ave. For more information call 928-927-6496 Senior Center open all year! Monday - Friday, 9am – 3pm

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