Needles Desert Star: Local
Needles in brief - a collection of area events.
Monday, June 28, 2010 3:01 PM PDT
Celebrate Independence Day at Aquatics CenterNEEDLES - The Needles Aquatic Center is seeking donations for the Sunday, July 4, celebration at the pool. Celebrate America's freedom at the center July 4, from noon-4 p.m. Miss Freedom and Mr. Firecracker will be crowned; ages four and five are eligible.
Residents and visitors are invited to join for family fun, games and raffle prizes to be awarded throughout the afternoon. Fun events planned for the day will include relay races, a water balloon toss, treasure hunt. The center is along J Street. To donate, call 760-326-3866. All donations will be appreciated.Four seats open on school board
NEEDLES - The Needles Unified School District Board of Trustees will have four positions up for election this November and is seeking candidates.Candidates may nominate themselves beginning Monday, July 12, but no later than Friday, Aug. 6.There aren't specific qualifications other than living in the appropriate areas. The district is divided into three areas with Area One near Essex, Area Two being Needles and Area Three near Parker Dam.Forms may be picked up at the district office. There isn't any cost, unless a candidate chooses to file a statement, in which case the price will be $250 with the statement included in the sample ballots. Statements are a chance for candidates to explain themselves, if they want.Contact the school district office at 760-326-3891.Council majority to be up for electionNEEDLES - The seven-member Needles City Council will have four positions available in the November election.Council members Roy Mills, Richard Pletcher and Don McCone's terms are ending and Mayor Jeff Williams' seat also will be available.Registered voters are welcome to self-nominate. The nomination period will open Monday, July 12, and will end Friday, Aug. 6.Candidates need to go to the downtown City Hall to pick up the appropriate documents. Candidates are recommended to gather 20-30 signatures in support of their candidacy. The minimum is 20.Candidates must be registered voters inside the city limits. There aren't any additional requirements, but there is a $25 filing fee. For more information call 760-326-2113.County moves against pit bull dogsSAN BERNARDINO - An ordinance requiring all pit bull and pit bull-type dogs in unincorporated San Bernardino County to be spayed or neutered was approved June 22 by the Board of Supervisors.The ordinance seeks to reduce the overpopulation of pit bulls in America's largest county, encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of attacks on humans, said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, whose district includes the Needles area. He said the breed killed four persons in the county in the last five years.The ordinance requires all owners of pit bull and pit bull-type dogs over the age of 4 months to have their canine breeds spayed or neutered. And all such dogs used for breeding and housed in a licensed dog kennel will be required to have their own individual license.Although state law prohibits any breed of dog from being deemed potentially dangerous or vicious, it allows local agencies to enact breed-specific programs for spaying and neutering to control over-population.Pit bull-type dogs represent about 20 percent of all dogs admitted to county shelters. They are one of the top three breeds impounded at the shelters and are the number one breed to be euthanized.The county's Animal Care-Control Bureau will help pet owners comply with the ordinance by offering education and spay-neuter vouchers to those who are eligible.For more information call 1-800- 472-5609 or visit www.sbcounty.gov/acc.Food handlers test offered July 15NEEDLES - The San Bernardino County Health Code requires food workers to possess a valid food worker certification card.The next date for obtaining a card in Needles will be July 15, 2010. Anyone may take the test between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. PST at the Needles Recreation Center, 1705 J St.Cards cost $20. Exact change is required. Business may write one check for several employees. Bring a pencil and a student ID, California Driver's License or California ID.The food worker class is now available on DVD in English and Spanish, and on the Internet at www.sbcounty.gov/dehs.Applicants may take the class electronically then come to the center and take the test.School district needs two for committeeNEEDLES - The Needles Unified School District is seeking to fill two vacancies on the Measure N Oversight Committee due to resignation of two members.The district needs one member to be both parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district and active in a parent-teacher organization or school site council. The second member would be an at-large position. Vacancies must be filled as soon as possible.Members of this committee are volunteers and will oversee the functions and spending of the Measure N bond monies.Applications are available in the district support office at 1900 Erin Drive. Call 760-326-3891.Summer arts program offeredNEEDLES - A summer art program is being offered at the Needles Recreation Center. Classes in painting, drawing techniques, Teddy Bear creation, portraiture painting and illustration, cartooning, figure drawing, still life drawing, paper crafts, mixed media and others are scheduled for Saturdays.Classes for children ages five to 13 are held from 2-3 p.m.; ages 14-17 are held from 4-5 p.m. and adult classes are held from 6-7 p.m. All classes are five weeks long and are $45 or $12 per session for ages 5-14 and $60 for ages 15 and older or $15 a session.Registration is being held now for July and August sessions; class sizes are limited.For more information contact Jackie at 928-404-4219 or the Recreation Center at 760-326-2814.Phlebotomy courseNEEDLES - The depending on state approval, the Needles Center of Palo Verde Community College plans to offer a Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 course this fall.Completion can lead to careers in the Tri-state area.Registration for the class is filling rapidly, so students are urged to enroll on-line now at www.paloverde.eduCall the main campus in Blythe at 760-921-5500 until the Needles Center reopens on July 12.VFW plans eventsMOHAVE VALLEY - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 404 offers a variety of special activities for members and guests. The post is at 10287 Barrackman Rd. in Mohave Valley. Call 928-788-3202. The lineup:On Sunday, July 4, the Men's Auxiliary will serve breakfast starting at 9 a.m. The menu will be steak, eggs-to-order, potatoes, biscuits and gravy.On Wednesday, July 7, the Ladies Auxiliary will serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers or a steak sandwich with French-fried potatoes and onion rings starting at 11 a.m.Contract Awarded for Amboy Road ProjectSAN BERNARDINO - The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors awarded a $1.5 million contract to Matich Corporation to rehabilitate Amboy Road east of Twentynine Palms. Traffic counts show more than 1,400 vehicles use the road each day.During the project, 9.35 miles, beginning at National Trails Highway and continuing south, will be rehabilitated. The road surface will be prepared for a leveling course of asphalt concrete, followed by an asphalt concrete overlay, shoulder backing, painting traffic stripes and markings.County road crews have repaired potholes and sealed existing cracks to prepare for the contractor. Construction should begin by the end of June and be completed by early August.This project will finalize the resurfacing of the entire segment of Amboy Road from Twentynine Palms to Amboy.Registrar certifies election resultsSAN BERNARDINO - The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters on June 24 officially certified the results of the June 8 statewide primary election.Official results are available at www.sbcrov.com.The registrar commended all poll workers for their service, working long hours to serve voters.Second grade movesNEEDLES - The Needles Unified School District board approved moving all second grade classes from Katie Hohstadt Elementary School to Vista Colorado Elementary School.The move will be effective the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 25.Call the district at 760-326-3891.Independence Day feed held at ElksNEEDLES - An American Independence Day barbecue will be held Sunday, July 4, at Needles Elks Lodge 1608 with hamburgers, brats, salads and watermelon.Call the lodge at 760-326-1608 after 1 p.m.Take scrapbooking class at centerNEEDLES - The Needles Senior Citizens Center, located at 1699 Bailey Ave., will offer a scrapbooking class beginning Tuesday, July 20, on Tuesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. for six weeks through Aug. 24.The cost will be $25 per person and will include supplies. Dana Way, an avid scrapbooking enthusiast, has volunteered to teach the class, which will be open to anyone interested in learning this fun-filled activity.To have sufficient supplies for all attendees, pre-registration is encouraged. Call the center at 760-326-4789 or stop by and register.Spotters sought in outlying areasLAS VEGAS - The National Weather Service is asking residents of the Tri-state area to recommend residents living in isolated areas as possible weather spotters.So far the 2010 spotter training sessions have been going very well, according to Andrew Gorelow, the program's coordinator.He asks that names and telephone numbers of any person who is willing to have the weather service call during severe weather be sent to him at Andy.Gorelow@noaa.govSign up for soccer todayNEEDLES - The American Youth Soccer Organization offers early registration at a reduced price of $45 on June 30, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Needles Recreation Center, 1705 J St. Additional players from the same family can be registered for $40.Registration fees rise to $50, $45 for additional players, after June 30. Sign up July 6 or 14 at Needles Rec from 4 to 7 p.m.; July 27 at the Fort Mojave Smokeshop in Mohave Valley from 2 to 6 p.m.; Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bashas' Grocery at E. Broadway and I-40 in Needles; Aug. 26 and 27 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Needles Rec; and Aug. 28 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Nikki Bunch Field, along Needles' J Street at Bailey Ave.Players must be at least four years old by Sept. 11 and no older than 15 on July 31.Volunteer coaches, referees and board members are sought; speak to a volunteer during registration, call Bridget Smith at 928-768-8367 or send e-mail to: ayso507@yahoo.comJoin summer day campNEEDLES - The Needles Recreation Center, 1705 J St., offers a summer day camp program for children ages five years and older from 1-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays through Aug. 12The cost will be $3 a day per child. Stop by the Recreation Center or call 760-326-2814 for more information.Swim lessons offered locallyNEEDLES - The Needles Aquatic Center offers swim lessons in sessions of two weeks each. Session three continues from July 12-22; session four from July 26-Aug. 5.Group rates are $23 for eight half-hour sessions. Private rates will be $10 for each half-hour session, for a minimum of four sessions, with dates and times to be arranged with instructor.Multi-agency fire restrictions imposedKINGMAN - The BLM, Arizona State Forestry Division and Hualapai Mountain Park have announced fire restrictions.Fire and smoking restrictions are being enforced on all public lands within the BLM Kingman Field Office jurisdiction. Campfires and charcoal grills are permitted only in developed recreation sites or improved sites where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided.Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed provided they meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety. Developed sites include Burro Creek, Wild Cow, Windy Point and Packsaddle campgrounds.Smoking is prohibited except inside buildings, motor vehicles, camp trailers or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material.Fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, welding or the use of any torch or metal-cutting implement are prohibited.State Forestry Division restrictions are the same, except smokers must be surrounded by 10 feet of cleared space.State Trust Land restrictions apply to everyone with permits and leases issued by the department and holders of hunting and fishing licenses. State, national and local fire and law enforcement officers, plus members of organized firefighting forces, are exempt while in the performance of official duties.Current BLM fire restrictions can be found at www.publiclands.org/firenews or call 877-864-6985. To report a wildfire or illegal fire use, call the Kingman Field Office at 928-718-3700 or State Fire Dispatch at 800-309-7081.For fire restrictions on Arizona State Lands, call David Geyer of the Arizona State Forestry Division at 602-771-1409.For fire restrictions at Hualapai Mountain Park call Sean Blackburn of the Mohave County Park Department at 928-757-0915.
