Pioneer Days, Oct 16-19. What we know today as Pioneer Days began in 1937 with a community May Day affair in which all school children participated. The grammar school furnished a rhythm band and a queen and her court were chosen from the high school.

Today, Pioneer Days encompasses nearly a dozen separate events including a wonderful hometown parade, a children’s carnival, an Honorary Judge and Sheriff contest, arm wrestling tournament, carnival, children’s costume contest, charity walk, pancake breakfast, chili dinner, a beard and leg contest (for men!), concerts, dances and the unique and wacky Outhouse Races. Most events are free to spectators, courtesy of sponsorships by local merchants. Enjoy family fun in a safe, casual environment.
760-367-3445
www.29chamber.com

PALM SPRINGS –
Palm Springs Air Museum, Kool Kids Program:
Daily activities for kids include coloring, painting, scrap booking, tours and more. Special events include:

Warbird Simulator Shoot Out,
Jul 7-11, Aug 4-8. Match your flying skills against other kids your age on the flight simulators. Prizes awarded for each category.

Make Your Own Looping Glider,
Jul 14-18 and Aug 18-22.
Aviation Art Contest, Jul 21-25.

Wild Goose Scavenger Hunt,
Jul 28-Aug 1 and Aug 25-29.

Great Paper Airplane Contest,
Aug 11-15.

Kool Kids Club Passport fee: $120 per child, includes 5 educational programs,
free admission for one adult, one free lunch and free ice cream.
The Palm Springs Air Museum is
located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail.
760-778-6262
www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

TRONA – 67th Annual Gem-O-Rama, Oct 11-12. This favorite gems and minerals show is visited by residents of California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon, even from the East Coast. You can go on mineral-collecting field trips, including the largest trip, where visitors see tons of specimens gushing up from 40 feet below the hard salt surface of Searles Lake (dry). On another trip, dig through 400 tons of sticky black mud to find large mineral specimens.

The third trip allows visitors to collect the beautiful and valuable Searles Lake pink halite. Free bus tours are conducted through three large chemical plants. Indoor show is held in the lapidary and show building of the Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society.
760-372-5356
www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub

Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute Proudly Presents
Desert Hostel 2008
An Uneasy Crust: Tremblors and the Mammoth Lakes/
Long Valley Caldera Sat, Aug 10 to Sun, Aug 17

ABFI’s Desert Hostel trips are a great way to gain an in-depth understanding of a unique (and beautiful!) part of the country, with a wonderful group of enthusiastic people who will become new friends.

Plan now to join in this summer and venture into a dream setting of mountains, forests and lakes ideal for hikers, photographers, geologists, and naturalists. Retired State Park Ranger and expert field geologist Paul Remeika will lead the group as they spend seven days exploring the geology and volcanic history of the spectacular Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, from Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes and beyond.

Professional photographer Paul Johnson will also be on hand throughout the week to offer mini lessons in photographic technique and composition, and to offer advice and feedback to photographers hoping to capture the rugged beauty of the region.

Participants provide their own transportation, but lodging, instruction, and most meals are included. For more details please call
760-767-4063
www.theabf.org/programsdeserthostel.htm
Fee: $1,275 for ABFI members;
$1,345 for nonmembers;
add $400 for single accommodations;
$200 deposit required.