eNews July 1, 2008

Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce

eNews

PIONEER DAYS 2008 THEME AND BUTTON DESIGN CONTEST ANNOUNCED
Deadline July 16, 2008

Each year, Pioneer Days features a wearable button which reflects the theme for that year's celebration. The Chamber is now hosting a button design contest and invites all local residents to get creative!

This year's theme is "Proud Traditions Pioneering the Future," to help celebrate the 29 Palms Fire Department 50th Birthday.

Button designs are limited only by your imagination; however, all entries should fit a 3-inch diameter circle and must contain the words: Pioneer Days, 2008, and Twentynine Palms.

The deadline for entries is July 16, 2008. The contest is open to ALL community residents including artists, school classrooms, children, youth, military families, clubs, organizations and senior citizens.

Button designs should be submitted to the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce office at 73660 Civic Center Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 or via email to 29coc@29chamber.com.

Look for a Pioneer Days 2008 schedule of events coming soon!

Attention California Employers

On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that California's ban on same gender marriage was unconstitutional. Thus, couples of the same gender must be allowed to marry.

The ruling went into effect at 5:01 p.m. on June 16, 2008 and requires that county clerks issue and record marriage licenses to same gender couples in exactly the same manner as issued to opposite gender couples. Therefore it does affect employee benefits eligibility.

Employee benefits contracts must now include same gender spouses as dependents and they must be treated the same as opposite gender or domestic partner and must be granted the same open enrollment rights. However there are some interesting snags as follows.

Same gender married couples will not have any of the rights of a spouse under federal law (income tax, social security, etc.) because federal law does not recognize same gender spouses. For example, employee benefits provided to same gender spouses are taxable income under federal law as they currently are for domestic partners (this pertains to life and disability as well). Most critically, as is currently true for domestic partners, same gender spouses are NOT qualified beneficiaries under federal COBRA and cannot exercise COBRA rights on their own.

This creates another layer of complexity for payroll and benefits administration that you must comply with.

Your benefits manager will have to recognize the new eligibility criteria. They will also need to acknowledge the same gender marriage as a qualifying event for eligibility and allow them to enroll within the (customary) 31 days of marriage. In addition they will need to include their eligibility in any qualified open enrollment period.

Your payroll manager will also have to recognize the new eligibility criteria, determine contribution and deductions and apply the unique and specific tax rules for this eligible class of dependent.

Before you print up a lot of contract changes, however, recognize that there is an initiative on this November's ballot for a constitutional amendment to make marriage between a man and a woman. If it passes then this ruling may be overturned. For now, you must obey the new ruling.

Summer Movies in the Park

The City of Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation is proud to announce the Movies in the Park summer line-up. All the movies are free and will begin at dark. The Movies are shown on the Theater screen painted on the North side of the racquetball courts in Luckie Park and a snack bar will be provided by the Twentynine Palms Youth Club. Come out and enjoy some great family fun in the park.

Movie Sponsor

July 3^rd Bee Movie Rocky's Pizza

July 10^th Shrek the Third Lenovo

July 17^th Surf's Up DBL Dist.

Hi-Desert Medical Center hosts new diabetic support group

Hi-Desert Medical Center announces the formation of a new diabetic support group to be held the fourth Wednesday of each month at noon in the Helen Gray Education Center on the campus of Hi-Desert Medical Center.

According to Norma Rios, MSRD, Hi-Desert Medical Center dietitian and group facilitator, the monthly support group will assist anyone directly or indirectly affected by this disease. "One of the primary goals of the support group is to provide people with diabetes the opportunity to share their concerns, experiences and problems in a confidential setting with others in the group," she said. "At Hi-Desert Medical Center we believe that by sharing with one another, participants will gain a sense of encouragement and reassurance in their daily efforts to manage this disease."

Rios will provide at each meeting a discussion topic related to dealing with the cause and management of the disease. The first meeting will take place Wednesday, June 25. Registration is not required but would be helpful to gauge interest. Call 366-6324 to register or for more information.

THEATRE 29 ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR "CAMELOT"

July 7, 2008

Theatre 29 and Director Kathryn Ferguson are proud to announce auditions for the sixth production of the 2008 theatrical season, the Lerner & Loewe classic musical "Camelot".

Auditions will be Monday, July 7th at 7:00pm in the 29 Palms Community Services Building, just across from Luckie Park at 7:00PM.

The production will run September 5th - October 4th, 2008 at the John Calveri Theatre, home to Theatre 29. All roles are being sought. This production requires a cast of 20-25 performers of all ages for the following roles:

King Arthur - 30-40, Strong voice and acting, a leader with a good heart, torn between duty and honor.

Lancelot - 20-30, handsome, strong voice, French paramour of virtue

Guenevere - 20-35, strong Soprano, born to be Queen, destined to become legend

King Pellinore: Over 30, comedic character, just a little crazy. Strong comedic actor, but doesn't require singing.

Merlyn - Age open, a mystical creature, will utilize stage pyrotechnic effects. A good actor, no singing required for role.

Mordred - 15-25 - Arthur's illegitimate son, personification of the "bad seed", sings patter

Sir Dinadan, Sir Lionel, Sir Sagramore - 18-40, featured knights of the Round Table who sing patter and chorally.

Dap - Age open, Lancelot's squire, funny character, choral singer

Nimue - Age Open, the forest nymph who steals Merlyn's powers and locks him away from the mortal world, strong soprano, may be a recorded performance.

Morgane Le Fey - Age open, strong female other-worldly creature, builds invisible walls in the enchanted forest, sings patter and chorally.

Tom of Warwick - 10-12 - A stowaway with Arthur's army as it wages war on Lancelot, small but pivotal role. Should sing chorally.

Knights - 5-7 men, 15-50 to play various knights of the Round Table and other male roles. Sing chorally

Ensemble - Seeking various men & women of all ages to play featured ladies in waiting, members of the court, pages, forest nymphs and other ensemble roles throughout the play.

This production is also seeking technical personnel to work backstage and as special effect technicians. Also seeking use of a dog, preferable shaggy.

Bring Sheet music or karaoke tape for vocal audition, no pre-recorded vocals! Broadway show tunes are preferred audition choices; refrain from auditioning with music from the show itself. Dress to move. Be prepared to cold read excerpts from show. Any persons cast under the age of 18 will require a parental/guardian signed permission form prior to rehearsals. For further information, contact director Kathryn Ferguson at (760) 251-0034 or via email at. Details also available on their website: www.theatre29.com .

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