Jim Dunlap

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.

You won't find many 15 and 16 year olds willing to spend their summer without cell phones, TV, and other amenities, but 11 kids from across America did just that, traveling the country by bicycle and sleeping on thin rubber mats most nights.

The group from Overland Summer Programs spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in 29 Palms July 29, only their third night in a hotel since leaving Savannah, GA June 21. From 29 Palms they headed to Lucerne Valley, traversed the Angeles National Foreest before making their way August 1 to Santa Monica.

Their path can be followed at www.meganbentzin.com, which was created as part of a fund-raiser for children's charity.

Sky's the Limit, the non profit organization dedicated to building an Observatory and Nature Center adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park in 29 Palms welcomes the return of the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians as "stewards of the Hi-Desert".

"We believe the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians are dedicated to maintaining the spirit and the beauty of the land", said Sky's the Limit co-chair Jerry Hagman.

In addition to meeting stringent night sky ordinances, the tribe will utilize cutting-edge exterior lighting technology to further reduce the impact on what it recognizes as one of the region's biggest attractions--our starry nights.