Yucca Valley, CA

California Senator Boxer has introduced a bill that would create a new national park--the Sand to Snow National Park. This new park would comprise of an area from Whitewater River, through Burns Canyon, and Pipes Canyon, all west of Yucca Valley.

We already have a national park nearby--Joshua Tree National Park, and the Feds can't afford to keep up the parks that we already have. In my opinion, this is just more irresponsible actions on behalf of our elected officials.

Over the past five years, musicians and recording companies from the desert, and from around the country, have donated several thousand new CD's to our Marines through Operation Sun Runner, working through the Armed Services YMCA, Twentynine Palms

Marines stationed overseas often look forward very much to receiving care packages from home.

If you are a musician and would like to donate CDs to Operation Sun Runner, please send them to: Operation Sun Runner, C/O The Sun Runner Magazine, 61855 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, CA 92252

The most significant impact the Marine Corps Air Ground combat Center has on Twentynine Palms and surrounding areas could be in population, according to a report by combat center officials. "Base employees, dependents and retirees form the majority of the Twentynine Palms population," the report notes.

Using 2005 figures, the latest athat were available, the report estimates of the 27,387 people in Twentynine Palms, 69 per cent were directly employed, supported or related to the military in some way. The report also points out that 29.5 per cent of the city's population is comprised of veterans.

As a Realtor in the Hi-Desert, I have had the personal honor of working with many Marine and Navy homebuyers in the area--many first time buyers--and look forward to working with our fine Marines and Sailors in the future.