Z107.7 FM Up Close Show hosted by Gary Daigneault

In Studio Guest: California Associate Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, Chris Clarke. Discussed: Clark talks about his work with desert communities to protect national parks, monuments, protected places, and the landscapes that surround them. Prior to joining NPCA, Clarke was with KCET, where he was responsible for breaking numerous stories about threats to desert national parks.

In Studio Guest: City of 29 Palms Event Planner Christina Benton. Discussed: Upcoming Twentynine Palms Pioneer Days Celebration. Plans for the event and how residents can help and participate in this unique, time honored Twentynine Palms tradition scheduled for October 14-17.

In Studio Guest Patrick Byrne, Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine Base. Discussed: The services and programs the agency provides for the Marines and Sailors on base.

In Studio Guest Ben Vaughn, host of the wildly popular “Many Moods of Ben Vaughn” radio program. Ben Vaughn is a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, television and film composer, and syndicated radio show host. His music career stretches back to the 1980s with acclaimed band albums, solo albums, and other music projects. Ben now produces and hosts The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn, a weekly, hour-long eclectic music mix featuring his unique commentary.

In Studio Guest President of the Friends of Joshua Tree climbers group, John Lauretig. Friends of Joshua Tree is a non-profit organization that acts as the liaison between the climbing community and the National Park service, preserving the historical tradition of climbing in Joshua Tree National Park while promoting the preservation of park ecosystems, wildlife, and endangered species.

In Studio Guest Executive Director of Joshua Tree National Park Association Jacqueline Guevera. Jacqueline was named as the association's executive director in March of 2018 after working as the Director of Public Engagement at Mojave Desert Land Trust and as a Habilitation Director at DesertArc.

In Studio Guest Congressman Jay Obernolte. The U.S. Congressman that represents District 8 of California, including our Morongo Basin. Republican Jay Obernolte, 50, was elected to replace Paul Cook, who did not run for reelection in the 2020 election. Obernolte started out in local politics in Big Bear in 2005 and was elected to the State Assembly in 2014.

In Studio Guests Wonder Valley filmmaker, videographer and musician Joseph Barrett, along with Furstwurld principals Bobby Furst and Robbi Robb. Discussed: The artistic renaissance in Joshua Tree can be traced to many serendipitous events, people, and places. Joseph Barrett is making a documentary chronicling the past and direction of those events. Arguably one of the primary highlights in that history is the creation of the remarkably quirky “Furstwurld” complex, attracting arts and artists from all over. The history of the unique facility and some of the remarkable art accomplished and in process.

In Studio Guest Park Science and Resource Chief and Acting Superintendent Jane Rodgers. Discussed: Joshua Tree National Park recently completed taking Public comment for a climbing management plan. Key issues were the impact of social trails, bolt use in wilderness, the protection of cultural sites, the future of bolting in the park, and limits on commercial user groups, among others. Questions about the climbing process and the affects of “bouldering.”

In Studio Guests Twentynine Palms Mayor Dan Mintz and City Manager Frank Luckino. Discussed: Project Phoenix with a downtown sewer system, a new museum, the Park Visitor’s Center, and so much more. Major improvements on State Route 62, and new businesses. The City of Twentynine Palms is full of the signs of progress. Mintz and Luckino outline all the changes and major improvements on their way and talk about the bright future for the 29 Palms area.

In Studio Guests Tom Murphy and Natalie Zuk from the Red Brennan Group. Discussed: More debate about Measure “K”, the County Board of Supervisors, and Chad Mayes. In November, voters in the County passed Measure K with a two-thirds supermajority. Measure K would limit supervisors to one four-year term and cap their pay at $60,000 a year. Assemblyman Chad Mayes then introduced Assembly Bill 428, in which county supervisor term limits could not be restricted to fewer than two terms and any adjustments to the supervisors’ compensation could only be made by the supervisors themselves. While AB 428 appeared to be going directly against what county voters already approved with Measure K, Assemblyman Mayes said it does not apply to Measure K and only applies to areas where no local initiatives are in place. The Red Brennan Group, who sponsored Measure “K,” disputed Mayes’ explanation.

In Studio Guests Yucca Valley Mayor Merl Abel and Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. Discussed: Vacation home rentals. Views on medical marijuana dispensaries. Illegal camping outside of designated campgrounds.

In Studio Guest Local Musician Jesika von Rabbit. Discussed: Jesika von Rabbit discusses her career, music, and where she got her start. Jesika was born in Wisconsin. Her mother was a musician and taught Jesika how to play piano as a child. Jesika started playing in her first band at age 20. Jesika learned to play bass guitar while putting together bands in Minneapolis. Jesika was recording and producing her own music from the very beginning. Jesika moved to Los Angeles and visited Joshua Tree. She loved it so much she moved into a house in Joshua Tree with a friend. Graham Rabbit formed in 2004 when Jesika met her ex-writing partner Todd. She and Todd performed Graham Parsons songs and then began writing their own music together.

In Studio Guests Morongo Unified School District Superintendent Doug Weller and Assistant Superintendent Amy Woods. Discussed: Upcoming Summer Enrichment Program. The upcoming 2021-2022 school year. The return to in-person learning. Four learning options depending on the comfort level of parents. Mask and vaccine guildelines depend on California and San Bernardino County health department guidelines. Frequently changing public health guidelines during the Coronavirus pandemic. Extra funding for California schools helping Morongo Unified School District achieve several goals that were beyond their budget until the pandemic.

In Studio Guest Independent State Assemblyman Chad Mayes. Discussed: Last election two-thirds of the voters in San Bernardino County voted for Measure “K”, which would restrict County Supervisors to one four-year term and cap their pay at $60,000 annually. Mayes has introduced a state law which would overrule Measure “K”, giving Supervisors two terms and allowing them to set their own pay. When Z107.7 took Mayes to task he said his bill would be “proactive” not “reactive” to measure “K”. We told him we did not understand that, and he agreed to come on the “Up Close” show and explain it. What is happening in state government.