Thursday October 15, 2020
FREE
Volume 67 | Number 7
www.DesertMobileHomeNews.com
CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 65 YEARS
Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert
In This Issue
Senior News.........................................2 PGA West restores Nicklaus course.....3 DTW brings home awards......................5 The Classifieds.....................................7
Featuring socially-distant festivities to celebrate halloween
T
ickets are available now for The Living Desert Zoo and Garden’s annual Howl-OWeen on Saturday, October 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required for both members and guests and space is limited to accommodate health and safety guidelines. The event is free for members or included with paid park admission. Visitors of all ages are invited to dress up in their favorite costume and enjoy a socially distanced, family-friendly adventure along with the every-day wonders of The Living Desert. In lieu of traditional trick-or-treating, children 12 and under will receive a pre-stuffed Boo-in-a-Bag featuring treats and toys, while supplies last. “This year Howl-O-Ween has been adapted to accommodate for social distancing and safety while still offering a fun way to spend Halloween day,” said Erin Scott, Sr. Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “We encourage everyone to reserve their tickets online today, as we have limited entry and anticipate the day will sell-out quickly.” Howl-O-Ween day activities include a self-guided scavenger
• Two journalists invented Trivial Pursuit in 45 minutes after being shocked at the price of a Scrabble set. • One person in 20 has an extra rib, and they are most often men. • Fearing that someone would murder him in the recreation yard at Alcatraz prison, gangster
1. GEOGRAPHY: Which city is known as “The Eternal City”? 2. FOOD & DRINK: What is the name of the bee used in advertisements for Honey Nut Cheerios? 3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “ad meliora” mean? 4. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a hand?
Photo courtesy of The Living Desert Zoo and Garden’s
hunt to learn about many of the Zoo’s commonly misunderstood animals. Myths, preconceived ideas and other tales will be dispelled as guests learn about the unique features and attributes of vultures, hyena, Mexican wolf, coyote, and many more. Visitors are encouraged to pick up a program upon entry for scavenger hunt details and the schedule to catch a glimpse of their favorite animal enjoying pumpkin pandemonium – a special pumpkin enrichment that offers the animals a way to cel-
ebrate the holiday with a treat. Food and beverage specials will also be available.
Al Capone received permission to spend rec time practicing his banjo in the shower room.
from over 200,000 galaxies and discovered that the universe is actually kind of beige. They dubbed the hue “cosmic latte.”
• A Chinese millionaire sold canned air to people on the streets to raise awareness of air pollution. He donated the money to charity. • Female cats are mostly rightpawed, while male cats are more frequently left-pawed. • The universe has a color — but it’s not what you might think. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University took the average of light
For more information and advanced online reservations, visit livingdesert. org. The Living Desert is open daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. With more than 80 acres of outdoor space, numerous precautions, and limited capacity, there is plenty of space to socially distance. Facial coverings are required for guests over 3 and advanced ticket reservations are required.
5. U.S. STATES: A resident of which state might be called a Buckeye? 6. MOVIES: Who were the three stars of the film “Three Amigos” 7. GAMES: Which “ailment” was added to the Operation board game in 2004? 8. ASTRONOMY: Which two planets in our solar system lack natural moons? 9. MYTHOLOGY: What is a Valkyrie in Norse mythology? 10. TELEVISION: What was the name of the android on“Star Trek: The Next Generation”? © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc. ANSWER TO TRIVIA ON PAGE 6
• Daisies aren’t just for picking or playing “He loves me, he loves me not.” They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C and have been said to slow bleeding, relieve indigestion, and soothe coughs. • There are eight times as many atoms in a teaspoonful of water as there are teaspoonfuls of water in the Atlantic Ocean. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
2
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
WORD SEARCH Who’s hoarding the mini blinds?
ANSWER TO WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 6
BEEF
FLAT TOP
ONION RINGS
BISON
FRENCH FRIES
ONIONS
BUN
GRILL
PATTY
BURGER
JUICY
ROLL
CHEESE
KETCHUP
SALMON
DINER
LETTUCE
SEAR
DINNER
LUNCH
SIZZLE
FAST FOOD
MOUTH WATERING
VEGGIE
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
Staff Cindy Melland Publisher Kimberly Brucks Advertising Manager KBrucks@desertentertainer.com
Jose De La Cruz Senior Graphic Designer news@desertmobilehomenews.com
Serving 110 Mobile Manufactured Home and RV Parks in the Coachella, Morongo and Yucca Valley for 65 years. The Mobile Home News is a household tradition for the 55+ manufactured home park and RV Park population. Available at clubhouses and racks in manufactured home parks. Also available in many area businesses and senior centers. Businesses or private parties interested in advertising to the 55+ community please call 760-365-3315. Published Thursdays by Hi-Desert Publishing Company. News, photos or editorial submissions or story ideas should be sent to news@desertmobilehomenews.com All delivery issues should be directed to Ahkto Distribution at distribution@ahkto.com or call 760-459-4204
www.desertmobilehomenews.com desertmobilehomenews.com 760-365-3315
www.desertentertainer.com www.canadasouthmagazine.com
Titles registered and all contents copyright 2020 by Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
It’s a bit unnerving to walk through a store and see so many empty shelves. I haven’t been to the local big box store very often lately, but I wanted to see if what I suspected was true. I’d been unable to order a number of items for curbside delivery and had been told that lots of things were actually in the store but couldn’t be purchased except inside in person. That made no sense. I suspected that, instead, those items just weren’t there. So, in I went, mask on face, miniature hand sanitizer bottle in purse. I was stunned to see so many empty shelves. It wasn’t like the first month of the pandemic when people were hoarding and taking as much bread, sanitiz-
//
October 15, 2020
ers and canned goods as they could carry out, until limits were put on purchases. Instead, there were shelves empty of items you wouldn’t normally associate with hoarding, like mini blinds. Who hoards mini blinds? I could (maybe) understand the lack of packs of lined school paper and pencils, for the kids doing remote learning, or toys because the kids are home all the time. I could see where we’d still be missing a variety of paper towels. And I could almost understand the few choices for shampoo and bath soap. But what about dishes and light bulbs? Unless one was in the market for square red dinner dishes or 40watt bulbs, there were none to be had. Certain shortages we can understand. But what has happened to the supply line when we can’t get a simple 100-watt bulb? With winter coming, we might do well to reconsider our supplies and add a few light bulbs to our stash. Otherwise we might be in the dark even more than we already are. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc
//
3
October 15, 2020
PGA West restores Nicklaus Tournament Course greens back to original size
More than 50,000 square feet, or just over an acre, of putting green surface was regained, expanding the greens to 140,000 square feet, as designed when the iconic course first opened in 1986. The benefits of increasing the greens include creating more interesting hole locations, (which decrease with age) such as the ability to tuck and hide the flagsticks in varying positions on the same hole. “With the recent releases of new varieties of turf that provide a better, faster, smoother roll of the ball, it was a good time to com-
plete this project,” said Chris May, PGA WEST director of agronomy. “We chose TifEagle™ Bermudagrass based on its proven track record of performance and genetic stability.” In addition to the greens renewal, a 9,000 square foot putting green also was added, tying into the championship tee on the first hole. The course is currently closed for overseeding and will reopen again on Thursday, October 22. Advanced tee times can be made online at pgawest.com or with the Tournament Golf Shop at 760-564-7101.
Arica Solar and Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental Arica Solar andand Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental Review Public Scoping Virtual Meeting Arica Solar andand Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental Review Public Scoping Virtual Meeting Arica and Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental October 21, 2020, 5:30Virtual p.m. Review Public Scoping Meeting Arica Solar Solar andand Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental meeting access information below Arica Solar andPublic Victory Pass Solar Projects Environmental Review and Public Scoping Virtual Meeting October 21, 2020, 5:30 p.m. ReviewPublic and meeting Publicaccess Scoping Virtual Meeting information 2020, 5:30Virtual p.m. below Review andOctober Public21,Scoping Meeting Details: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating environmental review
21, 2020, 5:30 p.m. below Public October meeting access information October 21, 5:30Arica p.m. and seeks The public scoping comments onaccess the2020, proposed Solarenvironmental and Victory Pass solar Details: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initiating review Public meeting information below October 21, 2020, 5:30isp.m. Public meeting access information belowand projects, located nearofDesert Center in the eastern Riverside County. BLM is considering and seeks The public scoping comments on proposed Arica Solar Victory Pass solar Details: Bureau Land Management (BLM) is initiating environmental review Public accesssolar information below an application to construct twomeeting photovoltaic projects on public lands. Each project projects, located near of Desert Center in the eastern Riverside County. BLM is considering Details: Bureau Land Management (BLM) isArica initiating environmental review and seeks The public scoping comments on proposed Solar and Victory Pass solar Details: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating environmental review would be approximately 2,000 acres in size, generate up to 265 MW of electricity with an application to construct two photovoltaic solar projects on public lands. Each project and seeks public scoping comments on the proposed Arica Solar and Victory Pass solar projects, located near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. BLM is considering Details: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating environmental review and seeks public scoping comments on the proposed Arica Solar and Victory Pass solar up to 200 MW of battery storage, and be sited entirely on BLM-managed public lands. would be approximately 2,000 acreson in the size, generate up toCounty. 265 MW of electricity with projects, located near Desert eastern Riverside BLM is considering an application to construct twoCenter photovoltaic solar projects on public lands. Each project and seeks public scoping comments proposed Arica Solar and Victory Pass solar projects, located near would Desert Center inbeeastern Riverside County. BLM ispublic considering The proposed projects be located within areas analyzed and identified as suitable up to 200 MW of battery storage, and sited entirely on BLM-managed lands. an application to construct two photovoltaic solar projects on public lands. Each project would be approximately 2,000 acres in size, generate up to 265 MW of electricity with projects, located near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. BLM is considering an application to construct two photovoltaic solar projects on public lands. Each project renewable energy development part of BLM’s Desert Renewable Energy The proposed would bephotovoltaic located within areas analyzed and identified as suitable would be approximately 2,000 acres size, generate up 265 MW of electricity with up tofor 200 MWprojects battery storage, andinbeas sited entirely onto BLM-managed public lands. an application toofconstruct two solar projects on public lands. Each project would be approximately 2,000 acres in size, generate up to 265 MW of electricity with Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. The BLM is the lead federal agency for for renewable energy development as partgenerate of BLM’s Renewable Energy up to 200 MWprojects of battery storage, andinbe sited entirely onDesert BLM-managed public lands. The proposed would beacres located within areas analyzed and identified as suitable would be approximately 2,000 size, up to 265 MW of electricity with up to 200 MW of battery storage, and be sited entirely on BLM-managed public lands. the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and is responsible for deciding Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. The BLM is the lead federal agency for The proposed projects would be located areas analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable development aswithin part of BLM’s Renewable Energy up whether to 200 MW of energy battery storage, and be sited entirely onDesert BLM-managed public lands. The proposed projects would bemodifications located within areas analyzed and identified as suitable toEnvironmental grant, grant with deny the right-of-way applications. the for National Policy Act as (NEPA) review and for renewable energy development part or of BLM’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. The BLM is is theresponsible lead federal agency for The proposed projects would beFish located within areas analyzed and identified asdeciding suitable for renewable energy development as part of BLM’s Desert Renewable Energy California Department of and Wildlife separately intends to produce an toEnvironmental grant, grantUse with modifications or deny the right-of-way applications. Conservation Plan Land Plan Amendment. The BLM isisthe lead federal agency for thewhether National Policy Act as (NEPA) review and responsible forEnergy deciding for renewable energy development part of BLM’s Desert Renewable Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. The BLM isagency the leadfor federal agency for Environmental Impact Report for the (NEPA) projects as the lead the for California California Department of Fish and Wildlife separately intends to produce an the National Environmental Policy Act review and is responsible deciding whether to grant, grant with modifications or deny the right-of-way applications. Conservation Plan Land Use Policy Plan Amendment. The BLM is theresponsible lead federal for the National Environmental Act (NEPA) review and is foragency deciding Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Environmental Impact Report for the projects as the lead agency for the California whether to grant, grant with modifications or deny the right-of-way applications. California Department of Fish and Wildlife separately intends to produce an thewhether NationaltoEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is responsible for deciding grant, grant with modifications or review deny the right-of-way applications. Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. California Department of Fish and Wildlife separately intendsfor to produce an Environmental Impact Report for the projects the the leadright-of-way agency the California whether to grant, grant with modifications or as deny applications. California Department of Fish and Wildlife separately intends to produce an Impact Report for the projects the2020 leadreview. agency for the7:00 California Environmental Quality Act as (CEQA) AEnvironmental virtual publicDepartment meeting will held on October 21, from 5:30 p.m., California ofbe Fish Wildlife separately intends to to produce an in Environmental Impact Report for and the projects as the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) accordance with NEPA and CEQA. Meeting materials will be available for previewing Impact Report the the2020 leadreview. agency forto the California AEnvironmental virtual public meeting will befor held onprojects October 21, from 5:30 7:00 p.m., in Environmental Quality Actas(CEQA) review. at p.m.public on October 21.will The be accessed BLMtofor ePlanning Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. accordance with NEPA and CEQA. Meeting materials willthrough be available previewing A5:00 virtual meeting bemeeting held on can October 21, 2020 from 5:30 7:00 p.m.,page in for each project, links which can found below. at p.m.public on October 21.will The be accessed through BLMtofor ePlanning A5:00 virtual meeting bemeeting held ontocan October 21,be 2020 from 5:30 7:00 p.m.,page in accordance with NEPA and CEQA. Meeting materials will be available previewing A virtual public for meeting will be held on October 21, 2020 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., in each links tocan which can found below. with NEPA and CEQA. Meeting materials will be available for previewing ataccordance p.m.public on October 21.project, The be accessed through BLMtoePlanning A5:00 virtual meeting will bemeeting held on October 21,be 2020 from 5:30 7:00 p.m.,page in accordance with NEPA and CEQA. Meeting materials will be available for previewing at 5:00 p.m. with on October 21.project, The meeting can be accessed through BLM ePlanning page for each links to which can bewill found below. Project Location Map accordance NEPA and CEQA. Meeting be available for previewing at 5:00 p.m. on October 21. The meeting can materials be accessed through BLM ePlanning page for each links to which can be found below. at 5:00 p.m. on October 21.project, TheProject meeting be accessed through BLM ePlanning page Map for each project, links Location tocan which can be found below. for each project, links Location to which can be found below. Project Map Project Location Map Project Location Map Project Location Map
HD-11057_1
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
Request for Public Comments: The public is invited to submit written comments on issues, concerns, potential impacts,The alternatives and mitigation measures that shouldon be Request for Public Comments: public is invited to submit written comments considered part of BLM’s project review.isSubstantive written comments must be issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should be Request for as Public Comments: The public invited to submit written comments on submitted to as the BLM by November 1,review. 2020.isMore information on the public meeting, considered part of BLM’s project Substantive written comments must beon Request for Public Comments: The public invited to submit written comments issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should be Request for Public Comments: Themeeting public is invited to submit written comments on including links to access virtual sessions, and methods forpublic submitting submitted to the BLM by November 1, 2020. More information on the meeting, issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should be considered as part of BLM’s project review. Substantive written comments must be Request for Public Comments: The public is invited to submit written comments on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should be comments can beNovember found on the BLMsessions, ePlanning page foroneach including to virtual meeting and methods forproject: submitting considered aslinks part ofaccess BLM’s project Substantive written comments must bebe submitted to the BLM by 1,review. 2020. More information the public meeting, issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should considered as part of BLM’s project review. Substantive written comments must be comments can be November found on the BLMsessions, ePlanning page foron each submitted to the BLM by 1,review. 2020. More information the public meeting, including links toofaccess virtual meeting and methods forproject: submitting considered as BLM’s project Substantive written be submitted toArica thepart BLM by November 1, 2020. More information oncomments the publicmust meeting, comments Solar: including links to access virtual meeting sessions, and methods forproject: submitting can behttps://go.usa.gov/xGw6u found on the BLM ePlanning page foron each submitted to the BLM by November 1, 2020. More information the public meeting, including links Pass to access virtual meeting sessions, and methods for submitting comments Victory Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGwFc can be found on the BLM sessions, ePlanning page for each Arica Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGw6u including links to access virtual meeting methods forproject: submitting comments can be found on the BLM ePlanningand page for each project: comments Victory Passbe Solar: Arica Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGw6u can foundhttps://go.usa.gov/xGwFc on the BLM ePlanning page for each project: TheBLMVictory will use all https://go.usa.gov/xGw6u substantive scoping comments to prepare the environmental Arica Solar: Pass Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGwFc Aricawhich Solar:will https://go.usa.gov/xGw6u documents, be available for public review later thisthe year. For more The BLM will use all substantive scoping comments to prepare environmental Victory Pass https://go.usa.gov/xGw6u Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGwFc Arica Solar: Victory Pass Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGwFc information, please contact BLM project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2200, documents, which will be available for public review later this year. For more The BLM will use all substantive scoping comments to prepare the environmental Victory Pass Solar: https://go.usa.gov/xGwFc orBLM email atfor mliberat@blm.gov. information, please project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2200, The BLM will usecontact allwill substantive scoping comments to later prepare environmental documents, which bebyavailable public review thisthe year. For more The BLM will use all substantive scoping comments to prepare the environmental orBLM email at for mliberat@blm.gov. documents, bebyavailable public review this year. For more information, project manager Miriam Liberatore atenvironmental 541-618-2200, The BLM please willwhich usecontact allwill substantive scoping comments to later prepare documents, which will be available for public review later thisthe year. For more information, please contact BLM project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2200, or by email at mliberat@blm.gov. documents, which will be available for public review later this year. For more information, please contact BLM project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2200, by email at mliberat@blm.gov. information, please contactor project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2200, orBLM by email at mliberat@blm.gov. or by email at mliberat@blm.gov.
4
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
CROSSWORD
ANSWER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 6
ACROSS 1. Battered corners: dog-__ 6. __ Mater: one’s school 10. National capital 14. Frogs and toads order 15. Bathrooms (French) 17. Praise 19. Witch 20. Consume 21. Pork and lamb are two types 22. Rocky peak 23. Women’s undergarments 24. From end to end 26. Bed sheets 29. South Sudanese king 31. Dislike immensely
32. Diving seabird 34. Breathe noisily 35. Full of roots 37. Inside 38. Small island in a river 39. Tear into pieces 40. “CSI” actor George 41. Make less dense 43. Derogatory term for a country native 45. Pike and pickerel genus 46. Important in respiration and other biochemical reactions (abbr.) 47. Belgian city 49. “The Joy Luck Club” author 50. Essence of “Aloha” 53. Suggestions 57. One who overindulges
58. Expression 59. Maize dough 60. Make into leather 61. British noblemen
DOWN 1. One of two or more people or things 2. Small, deerlike water buffalo 3. Part of a ladder 4. Unit of work 5. Patriotic women 6. Fragrant essential oil 7. Aggressive, uncouth man 8. One thousandth of an inch 9. Brisk and cheerful readiness 10. Serving no practical purpose 11. Prevent from going forward
12. Camera part 13. Former CIA 16. Colorless, odorless gas 18. Long division of time 22. Atomic #73 23. Make a bleating sound 24. The kids love him 25. Female condition prior to menstrual period 27. Founder of Sikhism 28. Sudanese swamp 29. He/she can help with your finances 30. Part of the human body 31. Mortar trough 33. Greek island 35. Change pagination 36. Queens hip hop group 37. Precursor to the EU 39. A way to go on 42. Slender marine fish 43. Georgetown’s mascot 44. Farm state 46. Military leader (abbr.) 47. Russian river 48. Teams’ best pitchers 49. In a more positive way 50. Long French river 51. Reactive structures in organic chemistry 52. Distinctive practices 53. Male gypsy 54. When you hope to get there 55. Men’s accessory 56. Journalist Tarbell
SUDOKU
ANSWER TO SUDOKU ON PAGE6
Brain Teaser
Jerry goes out in heavy rain with nothing to protect him from it. His hair doesn’t get wet. How does he do that? See Answer on page 6
// October 15, 2020
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
//
5
October 15, 2020
Desert Theatreworks shines bright at Desert Star Awards Despite a season shortened by COVID-19, Desert Theatreworks (DTW) received the most wins and nominations for this theatre season from the Desert Theatre League’s annual Desert Star Awards. The Desert Theatre League considered over 70 productions this past season throughout the Coachella Valley and High Desert. DTW received 18 awards out of 72 nominations in 46 categories! Among the most coveted distinctions are the awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Comedy. The awards were announced online on Sunday, October 4. “It is certainly a bittersweet reward for our work last season,” said DTW Artistic Director Lance
Phillips-Martinez. “As theatre at large remains closed due to the global pandemic, we at DTW are thrilled to represent the City of Indio as the most honored theatre at the Desert Star Awards this year.” The full list of winners and nominations can be found at Deserttheatreleague.org For more information about Desert Theatreworks and the latest reopening plans, visit Dtworks.org.
Election stress disorder is real According to the Health.com Website, ESD or “election stress disorder” is a real condition and, as one therapist tells us, it makes your body tense when you listen to the news during an election year. ESD can make you feel like crawling under a rock, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. And, Hotels.com is offering an opportunity to do just that in time for this year’s Presidential Election by booking a stay in a man-made cave located
in New Mexico. The Website says “After you’ve cast your ballot, you can check out of the newsfeed negativity and check in to a man-made cave built 50 feet below ground.” You can check in on Nov. 2, the day before the election, and stay for five nights at the bargain price of $5 a night. The Association of Mature American Citizens [www.amac.us] provides the Filler Files as a service on issues of concern to Americans over 50.
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
73511 Sunnyvale Dr, 29 Palms, CA (760) 367-9175 desertroseeldercare.com
“Caring for the ones you Love”
Lic. #366-40-4072
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
6
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
WordSearch Answer
Stickelers Answer
//
October 15, 2020
Crossword Answer
1-d, 2-b, 3-e, 4-a, 5-c Inspirational Quote of the Week “Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls.”
Sudoku Answer
Peggy Noonan
Go Figure Answer Trivia Answers 1. Rome 2. Buzz 3. Toward better things 4. Four 5. Ohio 6. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Chevy Chase
7. Brain Freeze 8. Mercury and Venus 9. A maiden who chooses who may die in battle, and which of the slain are worthy of a place in Valhalla 10. Data
Hitori Answer
(c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
Brain Teaser Answer Jerry is bald!
Coffee Shop Vets Are One Man Short I didn’t know if they’d be there, what with the weather snapping cold like it has, but there they were, the elderly veteran crew, arrayed in a wide half circle on the sidewalk outside the coffee shop. Or at least most of them were. I did a head count after I placed my coffee order at the pickup window. One appeared to be missing, and it seemed that I’d arrived in the middle of a conversation.
“They kept him overnight, worried about his chest. Coughing, but no fever.” “Can’t be the virus if there’s no fever.” “It could be the virus with no symptoms whatsoever.” The retired sergeant, in charge of physical spacing, tapped his 6-foot measuring stick on the pavement. “You need to keep up.” They batted it back and forth, taking bets about which of them might have had it without knowing, citing questionable statistics and claims. A cellphone rang, and the sergeant’s hand went up, calling for silence. He listened and hung up, sliding the phone back in his fatigue jacket pocket. “It’s not the virus,” he said. “Common cold. But the grandkid
tested positive, so now the whole house is in lockdown. Our good buddy has to go elsewhere.” “Bet he’s not happy about that.” “His other daughter is coming from upstate. Plans to take him with her tomorrow.” “He’ll be even less happy about that. Poor guy. He’s a news junkie. She lives in a cabin on a lake, no cable. Just basic channels.” By the time I finished my coffee, hovering at the edge of the group, the general consensus was that their pal, to be trapped for a few weeks in a lakeside cabin in the woods with no cable television, was actually the lucky one. As long as he remembered his fishing pole. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
// October 15, 2020
SERVICE DIRECTORY
CALL TODAY 760-365-3315
7
8
DesertMobileHomeNews.com
//
October 15, 2020