Chamber Weekly eNewsletter

 *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!

 

 City Council Connections
 June 26, 2008

City council connections will be held June 26th at 6pm in the Chabmer office. (73660 Civic Center Drive, Suite D Twentynine Palms, CA 92277)

 

 Hi-Desert Medical Center designated "voluntary cooling station"
 

For the ninth consecutive year, Hi-Desert Medical Center will serve as a "cooling station" for the Morongo Basin in the event of excessive heat warning or should Southern California Edison experience power outages during high summer temperatures.

Cooling stations are air-conditioned facilities where local residents may go for temporary relief from extreme heat. The cooling station at Hi-Desert Medical Center will be in the cafeteria in the main hospital from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"During power outages, we are happy to serve as a community respite station, particularly for individuals who are prone to heat-related illnesses," said Joe Ruddon, marketing and business development director.

 

 Heat Advisory
 

With temperatures expected to rise throughout the state in the next few days, the City of Twentynine Palms urges residents to help reduce the risk of heat- related problems by following a few simple steps to stay cool.

Turn on air conditioning, swamp coolers, portable or ceiling fans to help keep rooms cooler. Increase your fluid intake, especially water, regardless of your activity level. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, soda and tea. If you or someone you know is feeling ill from the heat, remove them from the heat immediately, offer water and seek medical help or call 911. Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. If you work outside, be sure to begin drinking fluids well before your job begins to keep drinking fluids. Try to arrange your work, if possible, in the cooler hours of the day.

Seniors, infants, young children, and people with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable to health problems during hot weather and should take extra precautions. Additionally residents should check on their elderly family members, neighbors and friends during extremely hot weather to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Remember to drink plenty of fluid, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and pace yourself when outside.

The City reminds residents that the Twentynine Palms Senior Center, located at 6539 Adobe Road, is climate controlled and open for residents to cool off Monday thru Friday from 9AM to 5PM. Should the heat index reach 110 degrees, or other conditions necessitate, the Twentynine Palms Senior center will be open as the designated Cooling Center. Those having questions in regard to this heat advisory, or the Twentynine Palms Cooling Center should call 760- 367-6799.

 

 *CASTING COMPLETED FOR "GREASE" AT THEATRE 29*
 

Casting has been completed and rehearsals are under way for the summer hit Blockbuster Musical production of "GREASE" at Theatre 29.The Broadway smash, which went on to become a massive movie success with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John is the 5th show for the Theatre 29 2008 season.

"GREASE" is Directed by Gary Daigneault as the Artistic director and Ed Will as the Musical Director. Shelby Art is the Choreographer and Thomas Highfill is the Technical Director. Mary Phelps is serving as the "Directors brain", the Assistant Director. The lighting designer is Ken Palmer and Cheryl Gilon is the Stage Manager with Charlotte Williams as the Costume coordinator.

Cast as the "Bad Boy" male lead Danny Zuko, the epitome of cool, is Theatre 29 veteran Graham Cooley, Cooley is currently playing the lead role in the Romantic Comedy "Scapin" and was Conrad Birdie in the recent production of the musical "Bye-Bye Birdie".

Selected for the female lead Sandy Dumbrowski, the innocent new girl in town, is newcomer Julia Ortman. Ortman just moved to the Morongo Basin when her Marine husband was attached to the Twentynine Palms Marine base.

The tough and jaded (but with a good heart) Betty Rizzo is played by Theatre 29 veteran Shelby Art. At 16, Art has racked up an impressive list of credits with Theater 29 and 29 Palms High School.

Cast as "Kenicke", the car-loving burger palace boy and proud owner of "Greased Lightning" was Peter Roeleveld, on summer hiatus from U.C. Riverside where he is a music student. Roeleveld made his stage debut last year as sidekick "Chad" in Disney's High School Musical.

The good-natured "Frenchy", who dreams of becoming a beautician, will be played by Yucca Valley High School Freshman Lauren Schmelling. Schmelling has appeared in productions at the Hi- Desert Playhouse, La Contenta Middle School and was also in the cast of "High School Musical" at Theatre 29 last year.

The part of the good-natured compulsive eater "Jan" will be played by 29 Palms High School student and "High School Musical" veteran Jessica Lomeli.

The perpetually effervescent High School cheerleader Patty Simcox will be played by Yucca Valley High School student Melissa Phelps. Phelps is also a veteran at Theater 29 with numerous appearances there.

Local theater legend, the multi-talented actor and Director Charles Harvey, will make a cameo appearance as the local WAXX Radio personality Vince Fontaine. Musical Director Ed Will also takes on a cameo as entertainer "Johnny Casino"

Making his first-time ever stage appearance is 29 Palms High School student Jose Mendoza as the hanger on Doody. Roger, the goofy "King of the Mooners" is being played by Troy Conway, also a Theatre 29 veteran and 29 Palms High School student.

Rounding out the cast is Sabrina Hughes as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, Cindy Ross as Mrs. Lynch, Cathy Inscore as the coach, Colleen Eskridge as Agnes, and Brynn Tooman as the School Secretary.

"GREASE" will open July 18th and run five weekends on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm through August 16. A Thursday performance will be offered at 7:00pm July 31, with a Sunday Matinee August 10th at 2:30pm. The opening night gala will be sponsored by the Hi-Desert Medical Center Foundation as a fund- raiser. The John Calveri Theater of Theatre 29 is located 73637 Sullivan Road, just off Adobe Road South of State Route 62 in Twentynine Palms. Tickets are $10.00 for Regular admission, $8.00 for Seniors and Military, and $6.00 for Children under 12 and Students with ID. Tickets are available by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151 or online at www.theatre29.com .

 

 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

June 26th Goonies Eli Marshall

July 3rd Bee Movie Rocky's Pizza

July 10th Shrek the Third Lenovo

 

 *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 .