The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continues its program of honoring outstanding students and teachers from our local schools. Under the leadership of Youth Services Chairman John Cole, the ongoing award presentations are part of the service club’s commitment to support and honor education.
 
At their meeting on May 28, 2025, honorees from Palm Vista Elementary and Twentynine Palms High Schools were feted. The Rotary Club awards a distinctive certificate and a gift card
 
For Palm Vista Elementary, Principal Dr. Claudette Onumah introduced their teacher of the year, Tracy Campese, saying, “Tracy started out at Palm Vista as a sub but quickly advanced into a classroom as a full-time teacher. She has a unique way of motivating kids to success and is working to bring more sports to the school.”  
 
For Palm Vista student of the year, Onumah introduced Godus Bernard, saying, “Godus is the type of student that says nothing can stop me! In addition to her positive attitude, she excels in her reading skills.”
 
For Twentynine Palms High School, principal Mike Ruggiero had high praise for his teacher of the year, Jean Caravella. “Jean makes Twentynine Palms High School a very special place”, he said. “Jean was a huge part of bringing a program to the school where kids can get college credits while taking high school classes and serves as our dual-enrollment liaison with Copper Mountain College. She teaches advanced placement classes and has cut the failure rate in some math classes by 50%.”
 
Caravella accepted the award, giving credit to the community, “I have taught in New York and Florida, and I am happier here because of the close-knit community and their support.”
 
The 29 Palms Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. They meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.
 
 
Photos:
(From left) Palm Vista Elementary Principal, Dr. Claudette Unamah, joins the presentation for teacher and student of the year with Club chair John Cole, Teacher of the year Tracy Campese and Student of the year Godus Bernard. (Rotary photo)
 
(From left) Twentynine Palms High School Principal Mike Ruggiero introduces Teacher of the year Jean Caravella with Club Youth services chair John Cole looking on. (Rotary photo)

We are busy in our community this Spring, collecting food and trash!

As part of their ongoing efforts to support and honor education in their community, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently honored the teacher and student of the year from Oasis Elementary School. Supporting the youth of the community is one of the priorities of the Rotary Club.
 
At a meeting May 21st at the little church of the desert meeting room, Rotary Youth Services chairman John Cole introduced school assistant principal, Dr. Mundy Viar, who announced the two honorees to a packed house of Rotarians, co-workers, family, and supporters.
 
Viar brought up the “Student of the Year”, 6th grader Dominic Aldrich, saying, “Dominic is not just a great student, he is a natural leader who is always looking to help out where he can.” Aldrich then thanked the club and his family for their support.
 
When introducing the “Teacher of the Year”, Viar had high praise for Aleana Craven saying, “Aleana is a resource teacher who works with both Special Ed and General Education students to create strategies to develop a path for their success and any additional support they need”. Craven accepted her kudos, thanking Viar for the opportunity and the club for the honor.
 
Aldrich and Craven were both given certificates to memorialize the awards as well as a gift card.
 
Chartered in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.
 
Photos:
From left - Assistant Principal Dr. Mundy Viar introduces “Oasis Elementary Student of the Year” Dominic Aldrich as Rotary Youth Services chairman John Cole looks on. (Rotary Photo)
 
From left – Dr. Mundy Viar, Assistant Principal of Oasis Elementary School, presents the “Teacher of the year” certificate to Aleana Craven with Rotary youth Services chair John Cole adding in a gift certificate. (Rotary Photo)

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently honored the “Teacher of the month” in support of excellence in local education. Twentynine Palms Junior High School Principal Derek Swem said he selected Carrie Cole as the “Teacher of the Month” because of her outstanding work and dedication. Swem said Cole makes a big difference for success for students with an active in-depth English program and in the classroom with a positive attitude and well-prepared instruction.

Cole thanked the Rotary Club and said the community support was appreciated and inspirational.

Rotarian John Cole, the chairman of the Teacher of the Month committee, presented Cole with a certificate and a gift card from the club. Supporting the youth of the community is one of the priorities of the Rotary Club.

Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org
 
 
Photo Caption:
(From left) “Teacher of the Month” recipient Carrie Cole accepts her kudos from Committee Chair John Cole presents as 29 Palms Junior High School Principal Derek Swem looks on. (Rotary Club Photo)

Tennessee Williams’ powerful and iconic portrayal of love, lust and loneliness
 
Theatre 29 continues their 24-25 season with Tennessee William’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” opening February 28 for a 3-week run. Generally regarded as one of the finest plays of the 20th century, the classic was written by Williams during a period of change in America after World War II. It was first produced and published in 1947 and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for that year.  
 
After losing her home to creditors, Blanche moves in with her younger sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski. Undermined by romantic illusions, Blanche is unable to cope with life’s harsh realities. Though she finds a moment of hope in Stanley’s friend Mitch, Blanche cannot face the truth of her own troubled past and ultimately descends into madness.
 
Director and designer Gary Daigneault has crafted the production carefully to honor the playwright and pay homage to the American classic. His set, based on the original, is a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor of a building in New Orleans' French Quarter. The set is designed to allow the audience to see outside and observe the characters on the street. A special touch is a live street musician, master trumpeter Matthew Bennett, who provides both the ethereal theme of the show and the New Orleans vibe while perched on an onstage balcony.   
Making this a must-see production, the core cast is made up of working professionals who have recently moved to the desert and auditioned to hone their craft at Theatre 29. Leading the impressive cast is Bobbie Breckenridge as Blanche DuBois, Victoria Shupe as Stella Kowalski and Deacon Ledges as Stanley Kowalski. The cast is completed by Ronald Erickson as Mitch, Sharianne Greer as Eunice, Booker Harrap as Steve, Dennis “Easy” Boos as Pablo and Greyson Hayles as the collector. The ensemble is made up of Joe Rego, Laura Harwood, Britney Vachon-La Guardia, and Lula Allen.

Joining Daigneault on the production team is lighting designer Nena Jimenez (on a brand-new LED lighting system), sound design by Ron Bottorff and costuming by Tera Bottorff. The Stage Manager is Mike Lipsitz, Assistant Director is Cindy Daigneault and Cam D’Angeles is assistant to the director. Kevin Maddrey is the scenic artist with construction by Mark Van Horn. 

“A Streetcar Named Desire” will run for nine performances from February 28 – March 16, 2025, with a gala opening night hosted by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club. Opening night tickets are available for $25.00 from the Rotarians, with some available by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office.

The Friday and Saturday night performances are at 7:00pm, and the Sunday matinees are at 2:30pm. After opening night, Tickets are $20.00 for General Admission, Seniors and Military $17.50, and $15.00 for Students with ID, service fee is included. Because of mature themes the show is not recommended for children under 16. Tickets are available at theatre29.org or by calling the Theater 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.
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Theatre 29 was founded in 1999 and is an all-volunteer, non-profit Community Theatre organization. Donations are being actively sought and will be greatly appreciated.
 
Photo:
Deacon Ledges as Stanley Kowalski in the Theatre 29 revival of The American classic “A Streetcar Named Desire” opening February 28th (Cindy Daigneault photo)

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently welcomed two newcomers to their ranks. Dann and Emily Rothwell came to Twentynine Palms in of April of 2024, and became members of the Club in January 2025. They bring a background in art, music, and community event planning. 

Emily has a background in caregiving and tutoring for special needs children & young adults, while Dann has a longstanding career in the specialty coffee industry. They moved to Twentynine Palms with plans of opening a sit-down coffee shop “Kooks Café” downtown. Dann recently launched Twentynine Palms' first skateboard shop, Escapade, located inside Corner 62 downtown, and plans to offer an all-ages skate school.  

The 29 Palms Rotary Club, established March 15, 1948, is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. 

Photo:
From Left, Rotary President PJ Welch, Inducting officer Gary Daigneault, Dann Rothwell, Emily Rothwell, and sponsor Matthew Finnegan. (Rotary Club Photo) 

Almost 200 riders set off in the pre-dawn darkness for the latest JT 55 bike ride Saturday, Feb. 1. They left from Knott Sky Park on their way to Key’s View in Joshua Tree National Park and back. Rotary 29 volunteers were waiting at Key's View with snacks, pickle juice and encouragement.

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms continued their longtime tradition of encouraging kids to read by accompanying Santa and Mrs. Claus (and an Elf) as they delivered new, wrapped books to kids at three local Elementary schools December 16-19. 

Some 550 specially selected books were wrapped by the Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club, then delivered to Oasis, Twentynine Palms, and Palm Vista Elementary schools (A similar program conducted by the Marines serves Condor Elementary). Local Rotarians go into classrooms with Santa, read a book to the kids, then distribute the books to each student. The program is overseen by Rotary volunteer Randy Councell who coordinates with the club and the schools. 

Councell said the project is to enhance a love of reading at an early age as well as giving the youngsters the pride of ownership of a book. It is hoped it will spur more reading at home. 

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms. Chartered in 1948, has 24 members and is currently looking for area citizens interested in community service to join them. They meet on Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting hall. More information is available at Rotary29.org.

At Palm Vista Elementary, Rotarians and friends brought books and smiles to students. From left, Germaine Rodney, Santa’s Elf (Liz Meyer), Randy Councell, Dean of Students Elizabeth St. Martin, Mrs. Claus, Santa, Joel Klink, Glenda Councell. (Rotary Photo)

Santa Claus greets Kindergartners and brings them their own books at Palm Vista Elementary school. (Rotary Photo)   

Santa Claus visits with kids while the local Rotary Club distributes books at Twentynine Palms Elementary (Rotary Photo

Rotarian Gary Daigneault reads a fun story about a snowflake to kids at Palms Vista Elementary School (Rotary Photo)

A popular local pre-school daycare program got some help recently when the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club provided them with a new sign. The sign for the Little School of the Desert was recently installed with club members, church officials, the sign’s builder, and even a student on hand. 

Each year, in addition to major community service projects and events, the President of the club chooses a President’s project. In 2024, then President Dan Mintz asked Liz Meyer, a Rotarian and the President of the Little Church of the desert if they had any immediate needs. Meyer told Mintz that the Pre-school’s sign had seen much better days and needed to be replaced. 

For the next few months funds raised by “fining” their members, (a good-natured tradition) went to the sign fund. Little Church Pastor Don Thursby located volunteer Larry Libby and the project began.

The sign was finally completed in late August and, with the Rotary District Governor on hand, was put in place with a little ceremony and a lot of smiles. 

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms, dedicated to community service, meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room. New members are actively sought and visitors are welcome to attend. 

Photos:
The new sign for the Little School of the Desert Pre-School and Daycare sits proudly in the parking lot at 6085 Ocotillo in the City of Twentynine Palms.

A large group of Rotarians, Church officials, the Rotary District Governor, and the sign’s builder were all on hand when the new sign for Little School of the Desert was dedicated

Members of the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club are continuing a long tradition of giving books to students at local elementary schools for Christmas.

At a recent meeting Rotarians stamped 525 specially selected books with a message that they were gifts from the Rotary Club. Holiday book giveaway Chairman Randy Councell said the club has been giving the books to local elementary students for at least the past 15 years.

The stamped books will be given away to Oasis, Palm Vista, and 29 Palms Elementary school students in the second week of December. Condor Elementary already has a similar program supported by the Marine Base. The club members go into classrooms, read a book to the kids, and then distribute them. Santa Claus and an elf or two often join in the lighthearted fun. 

Councell said the project is to enhance a love of reading at an early age as well as giving the youngsters the pride of ownership of a book. It is hoped it will spur more reading at home. 

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms. Chartered in 1948, has 22 members and is currently looking for area citizens interested in community service to join them. They meet on Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting hall. More information is available at Rotary29.org.

Photo:
From left, Rotarians Jayme Waite, Don Thursby, and Liz Meyer prepare books to give to local elementary school students. (Rotary Club photo)