Community Update
January 2020
Upcoming
Events
Feb 7- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall)
Feb 14- Desert Christ Park w/ Mayor 10-11 am
Feb 14- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall)
Feb 17- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall) and
Feb 17- Soda w/ the Mayor 4:30 - 5:30 pm (Town Hall)
Feb 18- Town Council Meeting 6pm
Feb 22- Essig Park (Dog Park) w/ the Mayor 10-11 am
Welcome
Happy New Year and best wishes in 2020! Starting a new decade is always a reminder at just how fast time goes and a reminder for us to always focus on the most important people and things in our lives. Welcome to another edition of the Town’s Community update. In the following update, we have highlighted many of the projects and programs underway around Town, and hope that you find the information both interesting and useful. As always, we appreciate your participation and feedback at any time. Visit the Town’s website or feel free to stop by Town Hall to say hello. 
 
Curtis Yakimow – Town Manager
2019 Ends with a Winter Wonderland
We missed a white Christmas by one day! December 26 th brought a significant winter storm to Southern California, including right here in the Morongo Basin. What a treat to see the beautiful snow and cold weather, while having it melt off before causing too many problems. We appreciate those that took a bit of extra time and care when out and about, resulting in fewer than expected traffic incidents or delays. 
There is a New Mayor in Town!
On December 3 rd , the Town Council selected Council Member Jeff Drozd to represent the Town as Mayor in 2020. Mayor Drozd is available to meet with residents as needed, and can be reached by email for questions or comments, or you can set up an appointment to meet with the Mayor through the Town Clerk .
WITH THE MAYOR SERIES WITH MAYOR JEFF DROZD

Join Mayor Jeff Drozd for an informal opportunity to discuss your thoughts on the community. Several opportunities have been scheduled. Mayor Drozd is also available by email or by scheduling an appointment with the Town Clerk.

  • Feb 7- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall)
  • Feb 14- Desert Christ Park w/ Mayor 10-11 am
  • Feb 14- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall)
  • Feb 17- Soda w/ the Mayor 10-11 am (Town Hall) and
  • Feb 17- Soda w/ the Mayor 4:30 - 5:30 pm (Town Hall)
  • Feb 22- Essig Park (Dog Park) w/ the Mayor 10-11 am
Just for fun- What is your favorite beverage?
Cola
Diet Cola
Lemon Lime
Root Beer
Iced Tea
Coffee
Water
Animal Adoption Event- Yucca Valley Animal Shelter
Mara's Christmas Wish Concludes Another Successful Year
Thanks to the many volunteers for making Mara’s Christmas Wish a great event. With the help of Gigi Connell and the entire board, Bruce’s Place Catering, the San Bernardino County Fire Department, and many dedicated volunteers and helpers, the Yucca Valley Community Center was transformed into a wonderful place for a Christmas Day meal for anyone in the community. Toys were provided to those in need – Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special visit, and music and fellowship abounded. To learn more, or learn how you can be a part of this impactful event next year, take time to hear representatives from Mara’s Christmas Wish as they provide an event wrap up presentation to the Town Council at the meeting of February 18 th at 6 pm.
Measure Y: Working for Yucca Valley
In 2016, Town voters approved Measure Y, a 1/2 cent sales tax to provide the necessary funds for Public Safety, Infrastructure and Quality of Life in the Town of Yucca Valley. With these added financial resources, the Town was able to add much needed detective and support services to our local deputies.

Public safety remains the top priority of the Town Council. The Town and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department partner every day with the goal of keeping this community safe and secure. The Town Council is grateful for the support of our residents through the passage of Measure Y.



The 2020 U.S. Census is Almost Here!
The U.S. Census has launched it's 2020 outreach to gather much needed information on the demographics of our community. It only takes a few minutes, but benefits our community for much longer.

Thank you for participating!
Recreation- Ready for you!
HEALTHY HEARTS 5K RUN AND 2K HEALTH WALK
February is National Heart Month!
Join us on Saturday, February 8 for our 28 th annual Healthy Hearts 5K Run and 2K Community Health Walk located at Essig Park !
Comfortable 9:00 am race start time!
Register by January 30 th for an Early Bird discounted price of $20; regular and onsite registration from January 31 st to February 8 th is $25.
Sponsored by the Morongo Basin Healthcare District

DOES FIDO NEED A LITTLE ETIQUETTE?
Dog Obedience Classes!
New session starts February 27!
Have the best-behaved doggy on the block and have fun learning with other pet parents!
Thursday evenings at the Community Center
Advanced class at 4:00 p.m. and Basic class at 5:30 p.m.
Basic Obedience $135/six weeks
Advanced Obedience $175/six weeks

CPR CLASSES OFFERED
Get certified in CPR in one day!
Monthly classes offered at the community center! 
Next class is Saturday, February 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Participants will earn an American CPR Training Certification Card -good for 2 years.
Includes Adult, Child/Infant CPR, Heimlich Maneuver, and AED demonstration. 
Class is for ages 12 and over.
$25 fee- Pre-Registration Required

FEBRUARY TAI CHI

This Chinese martial arts class is open to all skill and fitness levels – no experience necessary!
Students work in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Held every Wednesday night at the Yucca Valley Community Center from 6-7:30 p.m.
$35/month - Please pre-register.

Aahhh- Relax and Register Online!
PERSONAL SELF DEFENSE CLASS

Learn the time-tested art of the Samurai, tailored to today’s environment.
Participants learn a variety of self defense techniques in this 2½ hour class to be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 9 am to 11:30 am.
Ages 14 and over. Comfortable clothing is recommended, no jewelry please.
Pre Registration required
$15 or free with student ID! 

SPRING SOFTBALL JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Gather family, friends, or co-workers and enter your team! Spring league offerings include:
  • Monday Night Casual Coed
  • Thursday Night Casual Coed

$400 per team; $200 deposit will hold your spot!  
Registration closes March 29, 2020
Games begin the week of April 6 th

Make it easy- Register Online!
Point in Time Count -
Reaching Out to the Community
The 2020 San Bernardino County Point In Time Count was conducted on Thursday, January 23, 2020.  Morongo Basin Haven , a local group comprised of several different resources for the homeless, spearheaded the efforts here in the Morongo Basin.

The Point in Time Count is a one-day street-based and service-based count and subpopulation survey of sheltered and unsheltered individuals to identify how many people in San Bernardino County are homeless and their subpopulation characteristics on a given day.

Several volunteers were on hand to participate in the count that covered all areas within the Basin.
The preliminary numbers are expected to be received at the end of February. 
Parks Maintenance at its Finest!
Caution signs were installed at many of the community parks.
Keeping the parks tidy by removing dead and overgrown vegetation.
Your Town Council Representatives
District 2