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The Riverside County’s Family Resource Center and with the partnership of public and non-profit organizations got a big early visit from Santa Claus at their office in DHS. (LtoR) Russ Martin, John Souillere, Santa and Friends of FRC, P. Cooper.
Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
December 24, 2014 Vol. 7 No. 98
Highway Heroes (Left to Right) McKenna Rarey, Fire Chief Jock Johnson and Johnathan Rarey. Photo by Bruce Clark
Fundraiser for Morongo Fire Department at The Body Deli on El Paseo brought the Community Together By Pamela Price A state-of-the-art fire truck will be serving the needs of the Morongo Valley Fire Department, which covers Highway 62 through Morongo, if David Parker and Margaret Skarin, co-founders of The Body Deli in Palm Springs and Palm Desert have their way. It all started when Parker
became aware of the alarming situation along this scenic but dangerous stretch of highway, which is sadly under funded. “When I realized the desperate need of the Morongo Valley Fire Department, I realized it was everyone’s issue. The urgency of acquiring a modern fire truck was serious and funds that need to cover a new fire truck
can cost as much as $400,000. I wanted to be among the first to raise awareness.” Jock Johnson, Fire Chief, whose firefighting career that spans 24 years, calls his department one of the most challenging he has encountered due to highway danger, extreme fire hazard and insufficient funding. Parker
By David Bauder Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) - Joe Cocker, the raspy-voiced British singer known for his frenzied cover of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the teary ballad “You Are So Beautiful” and a contorted performing style uncannily parodied by John Belushi on “Saturday Night Live,” has died. He was 70. His London-based agent, Barrie Marshall, said Cocker
died Monday of lung cancer in Colorado, where he has lived for the past two decades. Cocker, an interpreter more than a writer, became a star through his dazzling transformation of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Featuring a gospelstyled arrangement and furious call and response between Cocker and the backup singers, the song became a No. 1 hit in England and the highlight of his
characteristically manic set at the Woodstock festival in 1969. In a statement Monday, Paul McCartney remembered hearing Cocker’s cover of the song he and John Lennon co-wrote for Ringo Starr and finding it “just mind blowing,” a “soul anthem.” “I was forever grateful for him for doing that,” McCartney said. “I knew him through the years as a good mate, and I was so sad
Joe Cocker Dies of Lung Cancer
Continues on Page 6
and Skarin coincidentally just opened their newest Body Deli store on El Paseo in Palm Desert. Along with Fire Chief Johnson, they combined forces to sponsor a lively “Meet the heroes” fundraising event at the store on December 18, with 25 percent of all proceeds from the event donated to the Highway heroes of the Morongo
Valley Fire Department. “The bravery these fire fighters display in their community is extraordinary, between disaster relief, emergency response, paramedic services and education outreach,” said Odessa Christiana in a letter Continues on Page 7
(AP Photo/Maurizio Gambarini, File). FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2013 file photo, British singer Joe Cocker speaks after receiving the lifetime achievement award for music during the 48th Golden Camera award ceremony in Berlin, Germany.