Pulse of the Low Desert - October 2022

The Sand to Snow National Monument

When President Obama signed a presidential proclamation designating the local Sand to Snow National Monument on February 12, 2016, it was the culmination of years of visionary efforts by conservationists and ecologists to safeguard one of the most biodiverse areas in Southern California.

Spilling over the line between San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Sand to Snow Na tional Monument protects 154,000 acres of diverse mountain and desert habitats of the San Bernardino Mountains, southern Mojave Desert, and northwestern Colorado Desert. It connects vast tracts of important open spaces, forming a crucial landscape link between the San Ber nardino National Forest/San Gorgonio Wilderness area, Joshua Tree National Park and Bighorn Mountain Wilderness area.

Read more on page 12

Eisenhower Health Makes Forbes America’s Best Employers List For A Second Time

Eisenhower Health has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers List for 2022, making it the only employer in the Coachella Valley to receive the designation. Of the thousands of companies eligible for this recognition, only a few in health care were awarded in each state. Eisenhower Health is one of only 11 health care organizations in California to be ranked.

Read more on page 13

Marcy Taylor’s Desert Mohahve

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Why Social Security Retirees

Mark Oct. 13 on Their

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4 Veterans - Page 16

Caregivers Get Speedy

Benefits with 4 Simple

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PULSE OF THE LOW DESERT

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT SUMMER and are ready for fall. Less daylight and more jacket/sweater weather ahead.

have been busy adding new members to our TEAM, new areas of coverage and even more important new advertisers

readers.

New TEAM members are John Wease, writer, read his articles in this issue. Brenda Anders who joins the Lucerne Valley Edition working with Rusty LaGrange.

In this issue we have important articles for seniors and veterans. As is always our mission we feature articles that affect your health and life style. With a few stories of places and people in our areas.

If you are a writer/photographer, involved in your community or feel you have a talent for ad sales please get in touch with us. We are expanding and have a need for good people to join our TEAM.

Our mission is to be a resource for you on matters that affect your life, health and financial well being. Those folks that serve on our local school boards, at all levels have the most profound impact on our future, our young minds. I am endorsing three gentlemen that are running for local, county and college community. John Kozyra Snowline School district, Ryan McEachron SB County School Board and Joe Brady Victor Valley Community Board. All three are OUTSTANDING members of our communities. Although I endorse them I am not in the districts they represent so I am unable to vote for them.

I include CSD’s, Chambers and local service organizations in our list of who we support. Schools, youth groups, churches and all civic minded groups are also on this list.

By the way I will, once again, be a judge for the Pageant at the Oct 8 Route 66 event in Barstow. All the local events we feature in the PULSE are an open invitation would like you to come join them for great fun and supporting your community.

Jim Conkle

JAMES CONKLE

LORI

CARY OLDENKOTT

JORGE LEANDRO RODRIGUES

LEN NORDMANN

PULSE OF THE HIGH DESERT

SCHIBUSCH

PULSE OF THE LOW DESERT

BAILEY

PULSE OF THE HIGH DESERT

LUCERNE VALLEY EDITION

LAGRANGE

Marcy Taylor’s Desert Mohahve Muse

Pulse intro: Marcy’s Musings,

HELLO DESERT DWELLERS AND READERS OF THE PULSE , a community newspaper started last March and now publishing Edition #8. Thanks to Jim Conkle and staff for filling the void and allowing me to participate. I represent and try to publicize some area non-profits including the Mohahve Historical Society, the Friends of the Apple Valley Library, the Apple Valley Legacy Museum, the Victor Valley Legacy Museum, Victor Valley NAACP Branch 1082, the Apple Valley Historic Advisory Committee, and anything else that comes along, including town and community events.

I am a retired teacher who opened the two small museums mentioned above. I sit on several boards and try to contribute what I can to the good of the community, by participating in community events and sharing local history. Catch us at the Apple Valley Village Parade with our float celebrating the history of movie making on the desert. I hope you enjoy the articles I write.

Wrightwood

THE MOHAHVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S August fieldtrip to Wrightwood certainly gave the desert dwellers some heat relief, with an 80 degree plus day feeling cool to us. The trip up Highway 2 provided a clear view of the devastating summer fire damage, most seeming to be on the south side of the highway. That is until, going around a bend, there appeared on the north side a huge grove of endangered joshua trees, charred to a crisp. One glimmer of hope... some green sprouts peeking their little heads up around the black tree trunks.

Our first stop was the famed Wrightwood Museum, located in the old firehouse. New Historical Society President Lauren Kozyra, along with her husband and two young children, greeted me, then busied themselves with preparation as we awaited the group to arrive. The twenty-three MHS members (two who joined that day) and eight guests (six of whom were members of the Sierra Club) learned many interesting facts and stories about the history of Wrightwood- a vacation get-away for the wealthy Los Angeles area socialites, as well

as a gold-mining mecca for those who had come to make their fortune.

The main part of the museum is now devoid of the old fire engines, but was full of display cases and a large table of books and scrapbooks, more than anyone could digest in one visit. Visitors could also climb the stairs to the reconstructed firemen’s quarters, go outside to check out the replica weekender’s cabin, view gold mining equipment, and the restored antique hose cart display. Perched on a high stool so she could be seen and heard by all, President Lauren did an awesome job introducing us to the exciting history of Wrightwood.

The next stop was the Big Pines Visitor Center, across the Los Angeles County line, and just before the remaining right side of the old stone archway. After climbing a beautiful set of stone steps, we stood on a large wrap-around front porch, where we were met by Smokey the Bear and Carol Bishop, President of the VANF, Volunteers of the Angeles National Forest.

After her introductory talk inside the huge main building with high raftered ceiling and two gigantic stone fireplaces, we were

free to look around at the vintage photos on the walls. An adjoining room housed taxidermied mountain animals and other displays, and led to the office area where we could pick up additional information and two complimentary postcards. Three other members of VANF were quite welcoming, eagerly answering all of our questions.

The final activity was the half-mile nature loop trail behind the building. So after climbing up an even larger set of stone steps, which once led to rental cabins on the hillside, the twenty-one hikers were off. Along the way we stopped at a number of plaques, with information about the native plants and animals, and their various uses by the Serranos and other local tribes who inhabited the area.

Our thanks to both groups of docents who gave us a great educational experience. If you missed this trip, you can always plan your own. The Wrightwood Museum is open Saturdays and the Pig Pines Visitor Center Saturdays and Sundays.

Mohahve Historical Society monuments

THE BILLY HOLCOMB CHAPTER 1069 of E Clampus Vitus came through for us again. Dennis Parker of Hesperia and Dave Dutcher of Rialto gave up their day Friday September 2 to work for seven hours in 105 degree heat to attach beautiful black granite plaques to two Mohahve Historical Society monuments. The location is on C Street just east of 11th St. near the entrance of the Victor Valley Memorial Park. The plaques read “Historic Names of the Mojave River” and “Historic Bridges of Mojave Narrows.” Our two other monuments at the same location read “Victor Valley Memorial Park” and “John Brown.” Stop by to see all four. The two new plaques were created by JL Endicott Inc. of Palm Desert, using funds generously donated to the monument fund by MHS members. The new plaques cover the old engraved (and no longer legible) lettering on two Eagle Scout projects, circa 2000, sponsored by the MHS, Past President John Bascom, the Victorville Historic Advisory Committee, Sooter Signs, and Graham

Equipment. You may remember reading in the Mohahve Muse or Sr. News of Lee Graham relocating three of our monuments from a dangerous and inaccessible location on 11th Street to their present location at the cemetery entrance. Yes, that is the same Lee Graham who originally retrieved four large boulders from the Mojave River bed for use by the Eagle Scouts over two decades ago.

Thanks to several recent donations to the monuments fund, we will be able to cover the cost of sealing several monuments and plaques, including “Rivers” and “Bridges,” as well as the actual rock known as “Temple Rock” at the Victor Valley Museum. We will have money left for the printing of our revised and updated MHS monuments booklet, hopefully going to print very soon. The County recently took care of sealing the newly refurbished tortoise sculpture located at the Victor Valley Museum. We are hoping to always stay ahead of the spray-painting graffiti vandals.

Seven Critical Mistakes That Will Cost You Thousands When You Sell Your Home

HIGH DESERT, CA – A NEW REPORT HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED WHICH REVEALS 7 COSTLY MISTAKES that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9–Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasin gly less and less effective in today’s market. The fact of the matter is fully three quarters of home sellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and-worse- financially di sadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In an answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE spe cial report entitled “The 9-Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar. “

To hear about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll -free 1– 800–596–5137 and enter 1000. You can call anytime 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Get your FREE special report NOW and find out how you can get the most money for your home.

is courtesy of www.HighDesertHome-Sales.net and GDR

WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS several newsletters, as well as the Daily Press newspaper, have printed stories about Barstow resident Kay Whitecloud. You might remember her as the Native American lady who has her own mural as part of the Barstow Main Street Mural project. Family members performed traditional dances in full costume at its dedication. Steve Smith, our January fieldtrip leader, told us the full story, as well as the meaning of various parts of the mural.

After meeting Kay on a “museum hopping” fieldtrip about five years ago, I learned that her relatives performed at some of the old Apple Valley Pow Wow Days parades and pageants. And I actually uncovered an old black and white official Apple Valley Ranchos photo of a teenage Kay in the audience at the 1955 grand opening of the Buffalo Trading Post, watching relatives perform the Buffalo Dance for town residents.

Kay became a great supporter of many of our events, always arriving with her son Ernie in the “Whitecloud” pick-up. She attended events at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum and the Apple Valley Inn, and just this spring showed up at the “75 Years of the San Bernardino County Fair” display at the Fairgrounds, the June 8 Tortoise re-dedication at the Victor Valley Museum, and the Mojave River Valley Museum’s May 14 BBQ. Ernie always made sure she got where she wanted to go.

During the COVID outbreak, when certain ethnic groups were hesitant to get vaccinated, St. Mary’s Hospital sponsored the “Mask-up” campaign. When I was asked by Regina Bell if I knew of a Native American who might want to participate, of course I recommended Kay, who enthusiastically did her part. Many members of the community received a beautiful red bag with a Native American design, containing a mask of the same pattern. That’s an example of working together for the good of the cause.

I attended two recent Barstow events to honor this amazing lady. First was her May 21 high school graduation from the Barstow Adult School at age 83. She stole the show from the much younger graduates, but they didn’t seem to mind. Several rows were full of members of her large extended family, some in traditional dress. The second event was the July 18 City Council meeting, where she was recognized for her perseverance for fulfilling her promise to her

late father that she would get her high school diploma. Again her family and friends filled up a large section of the room.

So needless to say, I was shocked and in disbelief when I got a phone call August 23 from Kay’s son Ernie telling me his mom had suddenly passed away. I never dreamed I’d be writing this final tribute to Katherine (Kay) Whitecloud the matriarch of her family, who has done so much for the Barstow community, all the while keeping her beautiful culture alive.

The family decided to take Kay on one final ride, one last tour of her beloved Barstow. So following the visitation and funeral service, the procession drove passed her family home, her favorite store the Walmart(!), and most importantly the Indian campsite east of town where Kay met her husband-to-be, and their son Ernie was born.

Kay, thank you for your many contributions to the Victor Valley and Mojave River Valley, and mostly thanks for just being you, a role model that so many looked up to. We will all miss you, but your mural will preserve your legacy. Rest in peace, dear lady.

Family Fun Event

THE NEW PAVILION AT CIVIC CENTER PARK in Apple Valley was the site of the “Family Fun Event” on Saturday September 3, hosted by NAACP Branch 1082. Sponsored by a number of local organizations, including the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, National Council of Negro Women, On Watch TV, and Young Visionaries, its purpose was the

collaboration of High Desert groups in “Building bridges across communities and organizations.”

Attendees were greeted by two popup booths offering voter registration, membership sign-ups, t-shirt sales, flyers, and information. Despite the heat, guests at the well-attended event enjoyed good music, great food, games, and the

chance to win a variety of raffle prizes. The park and playground facilities kept the youth busy. There’s no question that community involvement, groups working together to support each other and share responsibility, can lead to solution to many local and national issues and concerns.

Why Social Security Retirees Should Mark

Oct. 13 On Their Calendars

The U.S. Social Security Administration will make a big announcement.

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS have become a key source of income for many retired Americans, and for those with disabilities.

In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has found that among participants in the program, more than one-third of both men and women receive roughly half of their income from Social Security benefits. For more than 10% of both men and women in the program, Social Security benefits account for 90% of their income. Needless to say, Social Security is a centerpiece of many Americans’ financial lives, which is why those in the program should monitor changes and updates carefully. One day that Social Security recipients will want to mark on their calendars is Oct. 13. Here’s why.

Inflation plays a big role in Social Security

In 1975, Congress implemented the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) into Social Security, ensuring that when inflation went up, Social Security benefits would follow suit. After all, if consumer prices are rising at a high rate, then people receiving the same amount of Social Security would see their purchasing power decline.

As you’ve probably seen, inflation has been at a 40-year high all year. The Consumer Price Index, which tracks the prices on a basket of daily consumer goods and services, rose 9.1% in June on a year-over-year basis. The prices on everything from gas to rent and food have skyrocketed this year.

The SSA calculates the COLA by looking at the growth in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) in the third quarter of each year, which comprises the months of July to September. The SSA averages the CPI-W in each

By Bram Berkowitz

of these three months and then compares it to the same period of the prior year. For instance, the average monthly CPI-W in the third quarter of 2021 was 268.421. In 2020, the average monthly CPI-W was 253.412. That means the CPI-W rose by 5.9%, which is how the SSA arrived at its COLA increase for 2021.

The COLA is then applied to a retiree’s primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the amount a person would get if they start collecting Social Security at their normal retirement age. The PIA is calculated through a fairly complex formula.

While we don’t yet know what the CPI-W will be for August and September of this year, the CPI-W in July came in at 292.219, which is roughly 9.1% higher than in July of 2021. Inflation may have already peaked, but there really is not enough data to confirm that yet.

The non-partisan Senior Citizens League is predicting the Social Security COLA adjustment could come in at 9.6% when everything is said and done, although past reports have suggested the COLA adjustment could be as high as 10.5%. Regardless, this would mark Social Security’s largest COLA adjustment since 1981.

Make sure to tune in

While it could vary by a day or two, the SSA is expected to announce this COLA adjustment on Oct. 13. Even if the adjustment was just 9.1%, that would still be 3.2 percentage points higher than last year’s COLA, which was the largest COLA adjustment since at least 2009.

The average monthly Social Security check program-wide in July was $1,544.70, which means a 9.6% COLA adjustment would increase the average payment by more than $148.

Additionally, the new Social Security COLA adjustment could end up leading to more of your Social Security benefits being taxed, so there are more implications than just increased benefits. That’s why Social Security participants will certainly want to tune in on Oct. 13 to hear about the new COLA adjustment right away, so they can prepare accordingly.

The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after.

Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory

Continues to Shine as a Center for Culture and Lifelong Learning in the Coachella Valley

LIKE MOST PUBLIC LIBRARIES, RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY has an impressive collection of books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks available for check-out. Take a closer look, however, and you will find so much more! You can explore the heavens above, participate in fantastic programming for kids and families, gain access to California’s natural wonders, discover oneof-a-kind exhibits, utilize a huge array of free digital resources and enjoy events and programs throughout the year.

In addition to evening events and daily tours of the Observatory (visit ranchomiragelibrary. org for details), library cardholders can now check out their very own Orion StarBlast by taking advantage of the brand-new Library Telescope Program. Complete instructions and a constellation guide will help patrons enjoy a full week with this portable, userfriendly telescope. Also be on the lookout for our new Observatory Public Exploration Night (O.P.E.N.) programs, open-house style events where visitors glimpse beyond our world through our PlaneWave Instruments CDK 700 telescope. Attendees can ask questions and learn fun facts from astronomers and volunteer docents as they take in 100-350x magnified views of planets, nebulae, star clusters, and more (weather permitting).

Looking to take road trip in the months ahead? A partnership with the California State Library now gives Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory patrons the ability to check out one of three vehicle-day use passes allowing free entry into any of California’s 200+ state parks. Passes can be checked out for two weeks (no holds or renewals).

The many digital resources offered by the Library and Observatory provide patrons high-quality information and materials accessible from just about anywhere. E-books and e-audiobooks are available through apps Overdrive and Libby, magazines can be accessed through PressReader and Clould Library Newstand, and movies and documentaries can be streamed via Kanopy. Patrons can learn a new language with Mango Languages, or find tools to help advance their careers by using Brainfuse JobNow and Coursera. LearningExpress Library offers patrons of all ages help with school, college test prep, careers and even basic computer skills. The Library’s onsite computer room includes a scanner, printing capabilities, and provides access to these digital resources along with many others.

Visitors to the Library and Observatory can also discover some amazing sights without leaving the building – the Special

Collections room is home to the Joe and GiGi Roberson Mineral Collection, The Gerald Ford Collection, and a display of rare, illuminated manuscripts dating back to the 12th century. Curated collections among the stacks also feature unique materials that can be checked out; two of the newest are the “Lucky Day” collection which features recent New York Times bestsellers available for immediate checkout, and a special “Memory Care” collection featuring titles specifically written for those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or who are rehabilitating after a stroke.

On any given day, visitors to Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory may also find a fascinating live program to take in: film screenings, lectures, author talks, and concerts have returned to the Library’s Community Room, and a full calendar of events can be found at ranchomiragelibrary. org.

For many of us, gaining knowledge, having new experiences, and participation in the local community are key components to living a long, full and productive life. You are sure to find all those things and more at Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory – a true center for culture and lifelong learning right here in the Coachella Valley.

N JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS,

the endless wonder of the night sky.

patrons have been inspired by the architectural beauty of the Rancho Mirage Observatory

out our exhibit in the David Bryant Showcase in the Library’s lobby to see our collection of paintings, drawings, photography, and even

art! You will also find photos of the most captivating astronomical objects that our PlaneWave Instruments CDK700 telescope has taken.

display

Rancho MirageWriters Festival Writers Series

THE WRITERS SERIES is sponsored by the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Foundation and presents a series of talks by eminent authors throughout the year. These talks will also be live streaming on our YouTube page youtube.com/ranchomiragelibraryobservatory and available to view at www. rmwritersfest.org/videos/writers-series.

Edward J. Larson • Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership

Friday, October 7, 2–3 pm

Edward J. Larson is a historian, educator, and author. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for his book Summer for the Gods, which covers the Scopes trial and America’s continuous debate over science and religion. Larson’s most recent book, Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership, is a masterful, first-of-its-kind dual biography of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, showing that theirs was truly an intimate working friendship that amplified the talents of each for collective advancement of the American project. The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of Franklin & Washington.

Kate Quinn • The Diamond Eye

Tuesday, October 11, 2–3 pm

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. Quinn’s latest book, The Diamond Eye, is an enthralling historical novel about two women—a female spy recruited to the reallife Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—who are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption. Based on a true story that takes place in Kyiv, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, and of one of history’s deadliest female snipers, who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever. The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of The Diamond Eye.

Kirk Wallace Johnson

The Fishermen and the Dragon: Fear, Greed, and a Fight for Justice on the Gulf Coast

Thursday, October 20, 2–3 pm

Kirk Wallace Johnson is an author and screenwriter. His books include The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century and To Be a Friend is Fatal: the Fight to Save the Iraqis America Left Behind. Johnson’s gripping new book, The Fishermen and the Dragon, depicts a community set on fire by hatred, xenophobia, and ecological disaster. Drawing upon a trove of never-before-published material, case files, and interviews, the book braids corporate malfeasance with a battle over shrinking natural resources, at a turning point in the modern white supremacist movement, and highlights one woman’s relentless battle for environmental justice. The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of The Fishermen and the Dragon.

Melissa Rivers • Lies My Mother Told Me:

Tall Tales from a Short Woman

Tuesday, October 25, 2–3 pm

New York Times bestselling author and award-winning producer Melissa Rivers is an entertainment journalist and correspondent, an equestrian, an Ivy League graduate, an accomplished public speaker, and an animal advocate. While her professional achievements are plentiful, it is her role as a single parent to her son Cooper that Melissa calls her greatest accomplishment. She is the daughter of the late comedian Joan Rivers and author of numerous books, including the justreleased Lies My Mother Told Me: Tall Tales from A Short Woman. The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of Lies My Mother Told Me.

Janet Skeslien Charles • The Paris Library

Thursday, October 27, 2–3 pm

Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa and The Paris Library, an instant New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestseller. The book has two protagonists: a young Parisian woman who loves books and becomes a war bride and an American girl who, years later, becomes captivated by her elderly French neighbor. But the real star of The Paris Library is the American Library in Paris, the largest English-language library on the European mainland. Founded in 1920, the library remained open during World War II and managed to get books into the hands of its subscribers, as well as to English, American, and French soldiers. The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of The Paris Library.

Amy Odell • ANNA: The Biography

Friday, October 28, 2–3 pm

Amy Odell is a veteran fashion and culture journalist who currently authors the influential newsletter Back Row, which reaches thousands of readers in the fashion industry and beyond. Her primary interest is the intersection of power, fashion, culture, and social issues. Her latest book, ANNA: The Biography, is the definitive biography of Anna Wintour and follows the steep climb of an ambitious young woman who would—with singular and legendary focus—become one of the most powerful people in media. ANNA was an instant New York Times bestseller and was named by Bloomberg as one of the “10 Most Compelling Books to Put on Your Reading List This Spring.” The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of ANNA: The Biography.

Music

Lenore Raphael • Jazz Pianist

Wednesday, October 12, 7–8 pm

Steinway artist and Library favorite Lenore Raphael has toured the world and played in many of the great jazz spots. Along the way she has played with greats including Clark Terry, Jon Hendricks, Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski, and more. Influenced by Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans, she has taken these styles and created her own recognizable sound. Her album Loverly received the BBC Jazz Network’s “Best International Recording” award. Lenore will be joined for this performance by Steve Hobbs on vibraphone and Hilliard Green on bass. In addition to Raphael’s original music, the group will be playing songs from the Great American Songbook, the bebop masters, and early jazz, including tunes by Duke Ellington. Join us at the Library for a night of fantastic jazz!

Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi • Four Hands Jazz Piano

Wednesday, October 26, 7–8 pm

Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi are thrilled to return to the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory and present their new four-hands piano arrangements of numbers from the classic jazz repertoire and tunes from the Great American Songbook. Pioneers in the use of four-hands piano in jazz, Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi have earned widespread success with their interpretations of classics from the stride piano, ragtime, and boogie woogie traditions, as well as from the Swing Era and the Golden Age of Tin Pan Alley. In recent projects, they have focused on the repertoire created during a time when musicals were at the heart of popular culture: the Classical Hollywood Cinema period and the Golden Age of Broadway, since the songs written between the 1920s and 1960s represent a high point and creative ferment in American popular music. Blending impeccable technique with mature musicality, the piano duo has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia, winning the acclaim of critics and fans alike.

Medicare information meetings: Why you’ll be glad you went

What’s in it for you?

Medicare informational meetings are a great way to learn about different Medicare health plans before you sign up for one.

What you can expect

• A general overview of the Medicare program

• An in-depth look at the Medicare plans offered

• Time to get your questions answered during a Q&A

3 things you might not expect

• No pressure. If you’re just there to learn and aren’t ready to make a decision, the re’s no pres sure to sign anything or enroll in a plan until you’re rea dy. You’re welcome to sit back, relax and learn.

• Extra perks. When you research Medi care health plans online, it’s hard to com pare apples to apples. Medicare meetin gs give you a chance to learn about the perks that are unique to each plan – thin gs like fitness programs, travel benefits, and discounts for eyewear and hearing aids.

• Someone you can call. When the mee ting is over, you’ll walk away with a per sonal contact of a Medicare Specialist, If you have a follow-up question or decide

to enroll in one of their plans, you now have someone you can call whenever you need.

Attend a meeting near you

Annual Enrollment Period is October 15th – December 7th. Be sure to sign up for an in-person meeting in your area to connect with a Medicare Specialist and to learn from other attendees like you.

Every year, Choice Medical Group offers educational meetings for the senior commu nity to help them understand what the be nefits are for the upcoming year. They en courage all seniors to attend, to educate themselves and to meet a specialist that can answer their personal questions. Corky Pie Voucher provided at end of meeting for your time.

Visit HDMedicare.com for a list of dates/ locations, view the dates on the back page of this publication or call Senior Resource Center 760.338.0914. Reservations are re quired as meetings fill up quickly. Call today.

Bartush

The Sand to Snow National Monument

A rich history

WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA signed a presidential pro clamation designating the local Sand to Snow Natio nal Monument on February 12, 2016, it was the culmi nation of years of visionary efforts by conservationists and ecologists to safeguard one of the most biodiverse areas in Southern California.

Spilling over the line between San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Sand to Snow National Monument protects 154,000 acres of diverse mountain and desert habitats of the San Bernardi no Mountains, southern Mojave Desert, and northwestern Colorado Desert. It connects vast tracts of important open spaces, forming a crucial landscape link between the San Bernardino National Forest/ San Gorgonio Wilderness area, Joshua Tree National Park and Bi ghorn Mountain Wilderness area.

More than two decades ago, The Wildlands Conservancy began the privately funded acquisition of 60,000 acres of land, buying pro perties that were in danger of being developed in order to protect important wildlife corridors. The Conservancy established Whitewa ter Preserve and Mission Creek Preserve, which were incorporated into the new monument, and Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, protected as a wildlife reserve since 1982, was also included in the monument.

Co-managed by United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, the monument extends from around 1,000 feet elevation on the Coachella Valley desert floor up to over 11,000 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest. More than 100,000 acres of the monument lay within the mountainous San Gorgonio Wilder ness area, home to San Gorgonio Mountain. At 11,500 feet, it is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra Nevada and one of 11 peaks on the San Bernardino range more than 10,000 feet in elevation.

The Sand to Snow National Monument, with artifacts of ancient peoples, soaring mountain peaks, critical wildlife corridors and a rich biological heritage, presents a striking diversity of lands and vital habitats. From desert treks to snowshoe trails, the monument also offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Incredibly, 24 million people live within a two-hour drive of the monument, and the San Gorgonio Wilderness — with more than 200,000 visitors annu ally — is the number one visited wilderness in Southern California.

By Kevin Jolliffe

Indigenous tribes in the region considered San Gorgonio Moun tain a sacred place. The Serrano and Cahuilla peoples lived near the base of the mountain, supported by an abundance of food and medicinal plants, animals to hunt and access to fresh water. Several cultural and archeological sites date back to the earliest inhabitants of the area, and an estimated 1,700 Native American petroglyphs can be found in the monument.

Then, as now, the San Gorgonio Pass was part of a major trade route that led from the east to the California coast, bringing goods and new populations to the region. Spanish missionaries built Ran cho San Gorgonio in the late 1700s and by the mid-1800s, ranchers were grazing sheep, horses and cattle in the area. Intrepid miners prospected in the southeastern San Bernardino Mountains, leaving behind the remains of old cabins, mine shafts, prospecting pits and refuse deposits.

New modes of transportation soon gave the public unprecedented access to travel and by the mid-1920s, 75,000 to 100,000 people annually were visiting the San Bernardino Mountains for recreation and outdoor enjoyment. It became obvious during this period that protections would be needed for the popular area, and the preser vation movement was born.

An ecologist’s dream

The Sand to Snow National Monument is the most botanically rich national monument in the United States, thanks to its geographical location. More than 1,600 different plant species are native to the range, influenced by the convergence of three distinct ecosystems: chaparral and California oak woodlands to the west, Mojave Desert to the east, and Colorado Desert to the south. The rugged topogra phy and steep elevations create a wide range of ecosystems, from riparian forests, creosote bush scrub and woodlands to fresh water marshes and alpine conifer forests. Water plays a vital role in the life of the monument, where headwaters of the Whitewater River, Morongo Creek and San Gorgonio River originate. At South Fork Meadows, hundreds of springs bubble up to the surface, the very beginning of the South Fork of the Santa Ana River.

The monument is an ideal environment for biological and ecologi cal research, studies of climate and land use change, and analyzing the impact of fire and invasive species. Secluded habitats support a variety of wildlife, including twelve federally listed threatened and endangered animal species. Fringe-toed lizards skitter in sand dunes at lower elevations while bighorn sheep dance across rocky moun tainsides. More than 240 species of birds have been spotted at the monument’s natural oases, familiar stops on migration routes. Vast remote forests create one of the highest densities of black bear habi tats in Southern California.

From camping to stargazing

Camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, horse packing, bir dwatching, fishing, stargazing, mountain biking — there are nearly endless opportunities to explore and enjoy Sand to Snow, depending on the interest and time of year. Higher elevation paths for cross-cou ntry skiing in winter become hiking trails in warmer months.

There are 81 miles of scenic trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. For those hikers who like a challenge, 30 miles of the 2,600-mile Pa cific Crest Trail passes through the Sand to Snow National Monu ment. Avid hikers can also take on the “Nine Peaks Challenge,” a grueling, all-day 27-mile trek that gains more than 8,300 feet in ele vation across nine peaks.

Several campgrounds and many recreational activities, including fishing, horseback riding and mountain biking trails, are found on the west and north sides of the monument and are accessible from Rou te 38.

Limited but free wilderness permits for day hiking and overnight camping are required within the San Bernardino National Forest and are available online. Some trails have been closed due to recent fires; prospective hikers should check online for current conditions.

Whitewater Preserve, located five miles northwest of Palm Sprin gs, is named after the Whitewater River that runs through it. Bighorn sheep and deer can be seen, and occasionally a black bear or mou ntain lion. Access to the Pacific Coast Trail is here, and a modera te two-mile walk leads to the Red Dome, a ruddy-colored volcanic mound. The Canyon View Loop Trail is more strenuous with 1,000 feet of climbing, but hikers are rewarded with amazing views. Check the Visitor’s Center for maps and other park information. Take the Whitewater exit off I-10, turn right onto the service road and then left

on Whitewater Canyon Road.

The Sand to Snow National Monument Mission Creek Preserve features an easy, flat trail along a creek and wetlands with dramatic geological formations as a backdrop. Spring wildflowers put on a spectacular show during wet years, and birdwatchers will find habi tats that attract flycatchers and tanagers. Park in the small parking area just off State Route 62 near the base of the mountain at Mission Creek Road and head west. A few stone houses provide shade and a spot to relax, and public restrooms are available in the last house.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve boasts 31,000 acres of creek and marsh habitat surrounded by desert, making it one of the ten largest cottonwood and willow riparian habitats in California. There are se veral trails, including a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through the marsh. This desert oasis attracts many rare or unusual species of birds during spring and fall migrations and is an internationally-re cognized birding site. Look for the signs on State Route 62 in Moron

go Valley.

Due to the pandemic and recent fires, some areas or amenities may be closed or have limited accessibility. Online resources for specific areas will have updated status information.

Resources

San Bernardino National Forest and San Gorgonio Wilderness — fs.usda.gov

Preserve information — wildlandsconservancy.org

Eisenhower Health Makes Forbes America’s Best Employers List For A Second Time

FORBES PARTNERED WITH MARKET RESEARCH

COMPAN y Statista to compile its fourth annual list of America’s Best Employers by State. According to Forbes, the list is divided into 51 rankings — one for each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia — and was compiled by surveying 70,000 employees from employers with 500 or more employees.

Forbes asked them to determine, on a scale of zero to 10, how likely they were to recommend their employer to someone else, as well as how they felt about other employers in their industry. Employees were contacted anonymously online without the involvement of their employer. Respondents included in the sample are representative of the U.S. workforce by gender, age, region, education and ethnicity.

“We are honored to be named for a second time in Forbes America’s Best Employers List,” says Martin Massiello, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eisenhower Health. “The culture we have cultivated at Eisenhower Health fosters not only diversity and inclusion but also collaboration and innovation. Our amazing

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employees are dedicated to providing the very best in patient care each and every day. And, while many components of the Forbes’ survey brought us great pride, it was our employees’ enthusiasm to recommend Eisenhower Health to someone else that made us the most proud.”

Surveys were conducted anonymously, allowing participants to freely share their opinions. The final list ranks the 1,382 employers that received the most recommendations.

Desert Gardeners of NEWBERRY SPRINGS

IHAVE HAD MY SUCCESSES. Sometimes the successes are hit or miss. The frustration of the misses made me very happy to learn of the Desert Gardeners group, right here in Newberry Springs. They meet on the fourth Saturday each month at the Newberry Springs Community Services District building by the park. I expected to find a half dozen Newberrians sitting around, complaining about the weather. What I found was a group of very friendly, welcoming people. People, apparently from all walks of life, sharing a common interest in gardening. Unlike other hobby interest groups, there is no hesitation to share secrets for success, or to laugh at previous failures.

The monthly meeting is well organized, and each month there is a guest speaker, or other informative program. There is no membership application or dues. All are made to feel welcome. With twenty to thirty gardeners in attendance at each meeting, someone is always able to answer any question. Incredibly, there are seventy-eight names on the group’s mailing list.

In an area known for its fiercely independent residents, I was very curious how a group such as the Desert Gardeners ever got started in the first place. The group’s leader, Paul Deel, was kind enough to discuss the group with me, and give me a tour of the under-construction community garden project. Forgive the pun, but the seeds for the Desert Gardeners group were planted when the

NSEDA, the Newberry Springs Economic Development Association, formed in 2016.

The NSEDA originally formed in hopes of securing for Newberry Springs a Promise Zone grant. This was a program for disadvantaged communities during the Obama presidency. Although the Promise Zone didn’t work out, the NSEDA continued, with the goal of developing the economy, while promoting the rural desert lifestyle and values. It is their belief that the four pillars necessary to support the economy are agriculture, a civic hub, tourism, and cottage industry.

The Newberry Springs economy has always been based on agriculture. There have been many changes throughout the years. Turkeys, chickens and eggs, apricots, fish, and open-range beef all had there time here. Alfalfa died off, but made a big comeback with the pivot irrigation systems. Pistachios are a more recent product, enough to support a Pistachio Festival each year. Much like the Apricot Festivals some of us may remember from many years ago. The recent surge of “grow sites” of hemp and marijuana, appear to be in decline.

With the severe overdraft of the water table, sustainable land use is now more important than ever. The NSEDA has a community gardens project under construction that, once completed will address this and more. The Coppi-Mumford Community Gardens, named after the family that generously donated twenty acres to the NSEDA, is to be a demonstration farm of sorts. A “living laboratory of sustainable desert agriculture and living.”

Plans include developing systems to profitably grow crops, while being water-wise. Long-range plans include classes, tours, and demonstrations. A cooperative is planned to provide a market for the small-scale or craft producers. They also hope to include alternative building techniques such as straw bale or adobe, using local materials. Electricity is a fair distance from the property. It is believed solar power would cost the same, and better fit their objectives.

The pandemic, unfortunately, put the project on hold. With a grant and donations, they were able to have a well put in, as well as water mains, and some fencing. Twenty “square-foot garden” plots with drip water systems are built, and growing green beans to help enrich the soil. These will be the typical community garden plots for individuals in the future. Although it may not be much to see, compared to the grand overall plan, even this small part is being used to test growing plants. Growing with a heavy mulch layer, and with infrequent watering, as a generator is used for now to run the water well pump.

The NSEDA is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. I’m sure donations and corporate sponsors would be welcome. Now that the summer heat is easing, an official work day has been established. The Saturday following the Desert Gardeners meeting day, all those that would like to help, are asked to pitch in as much as possible. Those

unable to do the physical labor could help by donating materials, or making tax-deductible contributions. Help is needed to secure grants to continue funding as well.

So, join me at the Desert Gardeners the fourth Saturday of each month. I’ll be the guy asking more dumb questions than giving smart answers. I can guarantee someone there will have the answers. And, I can guarantee, you will be made to feel most welcome.

NEWS 4 VETERANS

Department of Veterans Affairs

VALife insurance coming January 2023 for veterans with service-connected disability

IN JANUARY 2023 , the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will launch a new life insurance program called Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife), which provides guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance coverage to veterans age 80 and under, with any level of service-connected disability. Some veterans age 81 and older may also be eligible.

What benefits does it offer?

Created by Public Law 116-315, the new program meets the needs of service-connected veterans who may not have previously qualified for life insurance with VA. VALife offers guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance coverage that lasts for an individual’s entire life and provides the following benefits:

• All service-connected veterans age 80 and under with 0 - 100 percent VA disability ratings are eligible.

• Fully automated online enrollment with instant approvals.

• Coverage comes in increments of $10,000, up to a maximum of $40,000, and premiums are competitive ‚Äî or better ‚Äî than what‚Äôs available in the private sector. There is a twoyear waiting period for full face value coverage to take effect for veterans age 81 and older.

• No medical requirements for enrollment.

• Cash value that builds over the life of the policy after the first two years of enrollment.

Rates are best the earlier you sign up. Once locked in, premiums will never increase.

How does this impact other VA Life Insurance programs?

VALife opens life insurance coverage to more service-connected veterans than ever before. In contrast to ServiceDisabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI), VALife has no medical requirements and there is no two-year time limit to apply if a veteran is age 80 or under. Veterans who currently hold an S-DVI policy can either keep their current coverage or apply for VALife when the application goes live. Veterans can keep their S-DVI policy until the full coverage of VALife begins two years after enrollment as long as the application is received between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2025.

How can you apply for both?

The application for VALife will go live on Jan. 1, 2023. Once the program is open, the application will be available online at https:// www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/VALife.asp. If you are interested in applying for S-DVI before VALife opens, or would like to learn more about the coverage, please visit the S-DV| webpage here: https:// www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/s-dvi/.

Special earnings for military service from the SSA

If you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training) between 1957 and 2001, you may have extra Social Security wage credits added to your earnings record. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

• From 1957 through 1977, you are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.

• From 1978 through 2001, for every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year.

In January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense Appropriations Act, stopped the special extra earnings that have been credited to military service personnel. If you enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and didn‚ did not complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings.

When you apply for benefits, the SSA automatically verifies your military service. If your military service increases your benefit and they cannot get proof of your service, they will ask for your DD Form 214 or other proof of service before they process your application. In all cases, the SSA adds military wage credits to the earnings average over your working lifetime, not directly to your monthly benefit payment amount.

Cushenbury Plant History

The Holcomb Valley gold rush was the largest in Southern California, bringing fortune seekers to the Victor Valley after the discovery of gold here in 1860 About five

Original Cushenbury House 1900

miles north of Big Bear Lake, Holcomb Valley and the miners it attracted affected U S history by helping to fund both sides of the Civil War World War II brought the end of the gold era in the Cushenbury Canyon, but another mineral rush began California's post war population boom brought the industrial minerals revolution The Cushenbury quarry was initially developed by renowned industrialist Henry J Kaiser to supply his steel making operations in Fontana He built the cement plant in 1957, and the facility was modernized in 1982 before Mitsubishi Cement Corp purchased it in 1988

Today, the C ushenbury Plant is one of the leading industries in the greater High Desert area San Bernardino County provides the largest source of mineral commodities in the U S , with the minerals mined in the Victor Valley helping to fuel California's economy

The Cushenbury cement plant has operated in the foothills of Lucerne Valley for over 50 years. As a part of County Service Area 29, much of Mitsubishi Cement Corp's $2.4 million yearly property tax is channeled back into the community. The plant employs about 150 people and spends more than $12 million annually on purchases from regional vendors and in support of community projects.

Call For Home-based Businesses

By Rusty LaGrange

A FRESH START AFTER A LONG HOT SUMMER may be just what our community needs right now. Speaking for The Pulse of the High Desert’s Lucerne Valley Edition, we encourage home-based entrepreneurs to join others with brick-and-mortar places by letting us know you, too. A special “Get to Know You” advertising square is now available for a on -time price of $25. Let our community know that your services are here. The Square is 1.5” by 1.5” —just enough room for a maximum of three (3) lines: your business name, type of service, and phone number or link.

A our “Special” you don’t need to be a Chamber member, and you only get to publish once in this format. We highly encourage you to join the Chamber and increase your visibility more than online, a events booth, or printed flyers. We also wish to thank the Chamber for eagerly supporting The PULSE in ways that will encourage ad sales, exposure through articles, and premium locations in town to find the “newest” printed newspaper covering the news that we have all been missing.

You can always contact me 760.646.2661 or text. And I’m introducing my new Sales Rep Brenda Anders, also a part-time bartender at the Moose Lodge and part-time staffer at an animal shelter.

Caregivers Get Speedy Meditation Benefits with 4 Simple Apps

Meditation is a simple way to improve caregiver health and well-being

CAREGIVING IS A TOUGH JOB and the stress can seriously affect your physical and mental health.

An effective and simple way to combat that is to meditate. Rest assured, you don’t have to be a zen master before you benefit from meditation – even a few minutes a day can make a big difference in well-being.

We explain what meditation is and how it improves your health and mood.

We also share 4 excellent (and free) apps that make it easy and convenient to start meditating.

In these apps, there are many types of meditations to choose from and different lengths of time – even as little as 1 minute.

You’ll easily find something that suits your mood and fits into your busy day.

4 apps that make meditation quick and simple for caregivers

1. Insight Timer

Insight Timer is one of the most popular free meditation apps available. It has nearly 7,000 free guided meditations from thousands of teachers.

It’s easy to find meditations based on topic or by the length of time, like 0 – 5 min, 6-10 min, etc. The topics cover stress, sleep, self-compassion, nature, and more.

If you like quiet meditation, the timer lets you meditate to intermittent bells or calming ambient noise.

Insight Timer also has a community aspect. The home screen shows how many people are meditating right now.

You can also get inspired by other people’s public meditation activity. After you finish a meditation, you’ll learn exactly how many people were meditating at the same time.

Based on your privacy settings, you can choose to display information about your meditation sessions or keep everything private.

You can also invite friends to join or join an Insight Group for discussion or meditation challenges. (Free, Get app for iPhone and Android)

2. Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is an Australian not-for-profit organization that’s making mindfulness meditation simple and accessible to everyone.

All of their meditations are free and there are dozens of options with different focuses and varying lengths of time.

Some meditations are just one minute long – something you can fit into even the most hectic day. (Free; Get app for iPhone or Android)

3. Sanvello

Sanvello gives you tools to reduce and manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

These tools are based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques. They help you cope with difficult situations and emotions.

What is meditation and what are the benefits?

Meditation doesn’t require any equipment, is free, and is easy to do.

All you need is a quiet spot where you can sit and try to focus your attention in a way that helps your body and mind relax.

Guided meditations make this easy because you just follow the calming voice prompts.

Don’t worry if your thoughts wander while you’re meditating, that happens to everyone. The only thing that’s important is just to do it, there’s no right or wrong way.

Meditation has dozens of impressive benefits, including:

• Helping to regulate emotions

• Reducing the physical effects of stress

• Boosting immune system

• Improving sleep

• Reducing depression

• Lowering blood pressure

more

The app can also help you track your thoughts, mood, health, and goals so you can view your progress and get some of the benefits of journaling too.

There are many free tools available, but you’ll need to create a free account in order to use the app.

But programs and services like coaching or therapy will require payment or subscription. (Free, Get app for iPhone and Android or use on web)

4. Headspace

Headspace is another great app for beginners or those wanting more tips on how to get started with meditation.

There’s a helpful Basics course that will ease you into it.

There are many great free meditation programs, but the majority do require a paid subscription. (Free, Get app for iPhone and Android or use on web)

8 Practical Ways to Manage Diabetes in Seniors

IF YOU CARE FOR AN OLDER PARENT, spouse, or relative, there is a good chance you’re helping them manage their diabetes.

Over 130 million people in the U.S. have diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That includes nearly 50% of adults over the age of 65 who have pre-diabetes.

Like high blood pressure, diabetes can sometimes feel like a silent disease because symptoms don’t necessarily present in striking ways until something goes wrong.

Unfortunately, long-term complications from uncontrolled diabetes can result in stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, hearing impairment, skin infections, and more.

If you’re caring for an older adult with diabetes, this essential checklist of 8 ways to manage their disease helps you support them in the best health and quality of life possible.

Committing to small changes together can also be the show of support your older adult needs to take action towards improving their health.

3. Be smart about exercise

Physical activity plays a key role in keeping blood sugar levels down and helping with healthy weight loss.

But it’s important to know that it can be dangerous to exercise when blood sugar levels are already low.

Keep physical activity guidelines in mind, like scheduling exercise about an hour or so after a meal when blood sugar levels are usually higher.

And always carry emergency items like glucose tablets, water, and carb-rich snacks with you anytime you and your older adult exercise away from home.

4. Practice stress relief techniques

Did you know that increases in stress levels can cause blood sugar levels to rise?

glucose levels each day and take notes on how diet, exercise, and stress affect them over time.

6. Establish a Medical ID

A diabetic emergency is a scary thing –fainting from low blood sugar, a slow healing wound that develops a severe infection, or going into shock from diabetic ketoacidosis.

It is crucial that your older adult has some sort of Medical ID on their person in case there’s an emergency and you aren’t with them.

This might mean having them wear a Medical Alert ID bracelet or necklace or entering Medical ID information into the emergency info section on a smartphone they regularly carry.

1. Learn as much as you can about diabetes

The beginning of any caregiving journey begins with education.

Learning about your older adult’s disease and its management and treatment will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to successfully face it together.

Authoritative medical sites like Mayo Clinic and the American Diabetes Association have a lot of helpful information about diabetes.

You may also be able to find diabetes education classes at local health clinics or hospitals that you and your older adult could attend together.

2. Make lifestyle changes together

Lifestyle changes like exercising more and eating a healthier diet will benefit your older adult – and you as well.

The fight-or-flight response that’s triggered by stress doesn’t work properly in people with diabetes and can spike blood sugar levels.

Help your older adult practice positive self-care techniques like meditation, yoga, developing a new hobby, or even getting a massage.

Participating in these types of activities also helps you reduce your caregiving stress.

5. Encourage self-monitoring

As a family caregiver, you might find yourself advocating for your older adult’s health with their doctors and health providers and with your older adult themselves.

It can be tough for someone to face a diagnosis like Type 2 diabetes and have the strength and clarity to fight it head-on.

Helping them with self-monitoring puts control in your older adult’s hands.

Encourage them to use an at-home blood sugar monitor to track accurate blood

7. Coordinate medications

Managing diabetes may require your older adult to take medicine.

Use pill organizers to stay on top of daily doses and avoid accidentally running out, taking too much, or taking too little.

Attend doctor’s appointments with them as much as possible and make sure general practitioners and specialists aren’t prescribing any medications that might interact with existing diabetes medication.

8. Seek support from other caregivers

Don’t be shy about reaching out to others. You’re definitely not the only caregiver helping a family member manage diabetes.

Ask your local hospital or senior center if there are support groups for caregivers of people with diabetes.

Or, check online and on social media for private support groups to find caregivers who are going through a similar journey.

Palm Springs Chamber

Welcome to Palm Springs!

Where your success is our business! Our mission is to aggressively promote business in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley by providing effective networking venues, educational programs, community projects and legislative advocacy.

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO JOIN OUR EFFORTS TO GROW THE ECONOMY and serve as a voice for the community, or you want to build relationships in the business community, we exist to serve you. Since 1937 the Palm Springs Chamber has served our members and the community with timely advocacy, informational forums, educational events, promotional opportunities and a thorough understanding of the community supported by our extensive committee structure.

The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce offers our members limitless opportunities to succeed. From networking events, community engagement and a list of extensive marketing opportunities, we are here to support you on your journey to success.

Ascend two-and-one-half miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Once you reach the Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and over 50 miles of hiking trails.

What’s at the top?

There are two restaurants, a cocktail lounge, observation decks, a small natural history museum, two theaters showing State Park and tram construction videos, a gift shop, Magic Memories for photo viewing, and over 50 miles of hiking trails along with other nature acti vities.

Where is the News?

It’s a sad truth. The cost of paper and ink has forced many news media groups to go digital ONLY.

It’s happening across the nation.

The PULSE of the High Desert gives you THREE ways to get your news! By computer, by e-mail, and by paper subscription. It’s still costly. However, with your $30 dollar annual subscription you can help keep our local news LOCAL. The 1st edition was published in March 2022. It’s growing but we still need subscribers to keep the pressing rolling.