Yucca Valley Mayor, Robert "Bob" Leone invites the public to become engaged in the community and local government. Mayor Leone will host an informal Coffee with the Mayor meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:00 to 9:00 am in the Mesquite Room at the Town's Community Center Complex. Join the Mayor for coffee and donuts, and discuss your areas of concern, ideas for the community, or just learn more about the activities within the Town. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

As we reported last month, following up on the Community Outreach and Strategic Planning efforts completed in the Fall of 2015, the Town Council recently received an update from its Revenue Ad Hoc Committee. In the report to the full Council, the Ad Hoc Committee shared a recommendation to begin looking at the viability of presenting the community with the opportunity to determine their preferred level of service for public safety and police, streets and road maintenance, and sewer cost assistance, through a potential sales tax measure or measures on the November 2016 ballot. Because one-half of the sales tax received in Town is generated by visitors, a sales tax generates a dollar for dollar match for Town residents.

The Council unanimously agreed to move forward with a formal survey of the Community to accurately understand the Community's priorities and interest in such an approach. This effort will get underway shortly, and will need input from Town residents. Stay tuned for the most up to date information on this topic by visiting the Town's website. A new page will be added in the next couple of weeks dedicated to this effort.

We're glad you asked! That is a question we get often. The old bank building was purchased by the Yucca Valley Redevelopment Agency in 2008 for future redevelopment. However, in 2010, the State of California eliminated all Redevelopment Agencies across the state. As a result, the building was in limbo for over five years. In 2015, the State authorized the transfer of the building to the Town, with the condition that it be used for "municipal" use. Because of this limitation, the Town and County have begun talks to remodel and relocate the Yucca Valley Branch Library to that location. This location would provide the Town and County the chance to jointly develop and offer the community a completely renewed and updated library facility, which just happens to be one of the busiest public facilities in our basin. Look for more information on this project in 2016.

The Parks Division continues to keep our parks in good condition. Not all activity is related to large, easy to see projects. Instead, continual maintenance and upkeep creates overall aesthetically pleasing facilities where people enjoy visiting. Recent heavy winds have created additional workload for the Town's Parks Division. Here are just a few items keeping the crews busy:

 

At Essig Park, crews moved the safe play surface material back into place under the playground equipment after high winds relocated the wood chips into the dog park area.

 

 

A build-up of tumbling tumbleweeds and debris was removed from near the Park N Ride Facility at the west end of Town.

 

Recent wind storms delivered dirt and debris onto the Community Pool covers. Crews removed the displaced dirt to keep the pool and equipment operating efficiently.

 

 

Annual Crack Sealing Project 

The Streets Division of the Public Works Department is currently working on the annual crack sealing project. Crack sealing of local roadways is the application of filling material to cracks and fissures found on the street's surface.  Crack sealing is expected to continue through the month of March.

The first step is to clean out any debris from the existing cracks. 

 

 

  The third step is to squeegee the hot, liquid sealant to seal the entire crack.  

Marijuana Growing Operation 

During the last week of February, Code Compliance received a call from the Sheriff's Department about a marijuana growing operation located on Hwy 247. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Marijuana Enforcement Team investigators served a search warrant at the residence and found a large-scale of marijuana grow operation inside the house. Over 800 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were found inside the residence. The grow operation used advanced lighting systems, air conditioning systems, fans, exhaust blowers and a filter system to control the climate and odor inside the residence.  A suspect was located inside the residence when investigators served the search warrant. 

 

  

Illegal Dumping 

Code Compliance has seen a significant decrease of dumping since employing the use of game cameras in high volume illegal dumping areas. On several occasions, cameras alerted officers to keep people from dumping at the site and allowed the opportunity to redirect people to the proper location to dispose of their trash. Code Compliance continues to work with cameras and other tools to mitigate illegal dumping in Yucca Valley.  

 

 

SR62 Traffic Control Synchronization Project (Phase II)

The project consist of synchronization of 10 traffic signals on SR62 and the intersections of Sage Avenue, Dumosa Avenue, SR247, Airway, Warren Vista, Balsa, Hilton, Avalon, Home Depot, and Yucca Mesa/La Contenta to mitigate and reduce traffic congestion and delay through improved traffic signal timing, improve traffic flow and reduced idling time resulting in improved air quality. The design phase is expected to be completed by April 2016 pending Caltrans approval.

The Hi Desert Water District Capital Replacement Project is currently underway and is concentrating on areas within the phase 1 area of the upcoming sewer project. The project will allow for underground work to be completed prior to final paving of these streets. The district has generated seven different project areas at various locations inside of the sewer project boundary.

Experience Yucca Valley Recreation Guide

Keep track of upcoming events with the Yucca Valley Recreation Guide!   Copies can be picked up at the Community Center and at Town Hall.  The guide, along with online registration, is available on our website at www.yucca-valley.org ;  registration is also accepted at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The highly popular Spring/Summer Edition will be released in March!

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 26, 2016

9:00 a.m. Sharp!

Community Center Softball Field

Ages 8 and under are welcome, this event is FREE!

Take a photo with the Easter Bunny!

 

Earth Day Conservation Fair

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Yucca Valley Community Center

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Free Admission! Enjoy arts & crafts vendors, live music, face painting, kids activities, gardening advice and more!

Hosted by the Hi-Desert Nature Museum.

 

Mom, Dad & Me Drop-In Playtime

Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Community Center

$2.00 per session, no registration required

Social interaction is a big part of child development. The Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department is hosting a weekly Mom, Dad and Me class held at the Yucca Valley Community Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. The class gives an opportunity for parents and children to interact in a social learning environment. The weekly sessions are geared for young children up to five years of age and include activities in art, singing, dancing and a variety of other creative and fun learning experiences led by instructor Bianca Stoker.Just come and play! No registration is required for this drop-in style class! Participants pay a $2.00 fee per session at the door and all materials are included.  This class is just one of many recreational programs and events organized by the Town of Yucca Valley's Community Services Department.  For more information please call the Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 760 369-7211, Monday through Thursday 12:00-5:00 p.m.

 

NEW! Youth Theater Workshops

Date:   Saturdays

Times: 11:00 a.m. (Ages 8-12) and 12:30 p.m. (Ages 12-17)

Ages:   8-12 yrs and 12-17 yrs                   

Cost:    $30 per workshop (3 Saturdays)

Location: Community Center

Join instructor Bianca Stoker for these fun and rewarding Youth Theater Workshops! Ms. Stoker is an accomplished performer who has designed these workshops to provide youth participants with an exciting theatrical experience in an encouraging environment. Classes are 90 minutes and take place on select Saturdays. Students age 12 can choose either age group.

 

Improv Workshop:

Learn about the art of improvisation! Come shout, dance, and play as we explore the comedy of thinking on your feet!

Saturdays: March 5, 12, 19

 

Musical Theater Workshop:

Stretch your legs and warm up those pipes! In this class students will learn song and dance to popular show tunes!

Saturdays: April 2, 9, 16 (Includes performance at Earth Day on April 16^th!)

 

Audition Workshop:

Auditions can be scary but they don't have to be! This workshop will focus on choosing the right audition material, as well as audition etiquette and techniques. Step onto the stage with confidence!

Saturdays: May 7, 14, 21

 

 

Youth Gymnastics Classes Develop Coordination and Confidence

Next session begins March 28^th

Yucca Valley Community Center

Town of Yucca Valley's gymnastics classes for kids are offered in 4-week sessions at the Yucca Valley Community Center. Four class selections are offered including Kinder Gym, Beginning Gymnastics, Intermediate Gymnastics and Beginning Rhythmic Gymnastics. Gymnastics turns movement into learning while helping children develop coordination, listening skills and confidence. Instructor Heather Kaczmarczyk-Huntoon is an experienced gymnast of 15 years and has been a gymnastics instructor for 12 years. Classes are age-appropriate, engaging and fun!  All Gymnastic classes are offered on Mondays at the Yucca Valley Community Center with Kinder Gym at 3:30 p.m., Beginning Gymnastics at 4:00 p.m., Intermediate Gymnastics at 5:00 p.m., and Beginning Rhythmic Gymnastics at 6:00 p.m. Participants are required to register in advance for the four week sessions and pay class fees of $30 per session for Kinder Gym and $40 per session for Beginning, Intermediate and Rhythmic classes. Registration is accepted online at http://www.maxsolutionsonline.com/yuccavalley/Customer/HomePage.aspx or in person at the Yucca Valley Community Center, Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.   For more information view the Recreation Guide at www.yucca-valley.org or contact the Yucca Valley Community Services Dept. at 760 369-7211.

 

 

Dance Classes

New Session Starting March 16, 2016

Wednesdays - 6 pm Ballroom, 7 pm Swing

$40 Per Session, must be 14 years or older

Yucca Valley Community Center

 

Ballroom Dancing Class : 

You've seen it on "Dancing With the Stars", now you can experience Ballroom Dancing yourself. Ballroom dancing is easy to learn and besides being great fun, is also great exercise for people of all ages. Dances to be taught include: Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango and Waltz.

Swing Dancing Class :

East Coast Swing Dancing is very easy to learn and besides being great fun, it is also excellent exercise for people of all ages. This retro-style dance can be enjoyed with many kinds of music including Big Band, Rhythm & Blues, 50's Lounge Music, Western Swing, Rockabilly and 50's Rock And Roll. 

You do not need to bring a partner. As in all social dance classes, partners will be rotated throughout the lesson.  Pre-registration required. Register at:

Session 5: March 16, 23, 30, April 6

 

 

Dog Obedience Classes

New Session Starting April 7, 2016

Thursdays: 4:00 pm Advanced Obedience or Puppy Class, 5:30 Basic Obedience

$135 Per Six Week Session - Puppy Class or Basic Obedience

$175 Per Six Week Session - Advanced Obedience

 

Puppy Class - Up to Age 1

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class is a new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. This class provides an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. You will get information on all puppy issues, including house training, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called.

Basic Dog Obedience

This is a six-week course to establish skills for successful communication between you and your dog and learn to master the AKC Canine Good Citizen guidelines. Instruction includes Sit, Stay, Come, Down, Leave it & Heel, in addition to participating in team socialization exercises and target problem solving.

Advanced Dog Obedience

This class will teach the skills required for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate. Instruction includes wait and sit/stay in groups; walking on a loose leash; calmness in crowds, with strangers and with other dogs; and obeying distance commands. The class will also include preparation in the skills required for your dog to become a registered therapy dog.  This class begins May 26^th.

 

Dogs must be current on all vaccinations. Pre-registration is required. Register online at: http://www.maxsolutionsonline.com/yuccavalley/Customer/HomePage.aspx . For more information please call Lori Herbel at (760) 420-7529   www.happytrailsdoggyschool.com

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture- Talking Trash 

Thursday, March 17th, 12:00 p.m.  

 
DEHSART - The word TRASHED spelled backwards- addresses the issue of illegal dumping in our desert. What is being dumped? Where? Why? How can we prevent fly tipping and what does that even mean? Attend this trash talk and we'll answer these questions together.

Bring your lunch, bring your friends, or just bring yourself to this once per month event. The lecture begins at !2:00 p.m. Admission is $5 or Free for members. Beverages will be served.

 

Reduce, Reuse Recycle Exhibition

On Display February 25 - April 30, 2016

 

In today's era of heightened environmental awareness, artists are increasingly turning to junk stores, trash bins, and surplus outlets to satisfy their urge to create while still caring for the planet.  This exhibit is designed to make people rethink our throw-away society by sharing the local community's innovative and often surprising use of reused and recycled materials.