BLM announces annual land closures for Parker 425
Jan 26th
The little piece of red tape that needs cleared with the U.S. Government each year has been taken care of, with the Federal Bureau of Land Management announcing the land closures requested by Best in the Desert racing association for the big off-road race in Parker Saturday, February 4th.
The BLM press release states:
A temporary Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public land closure is scheduled for February 3-4, 2012, for the 41st annual running of the Parker 425 Desert Race.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lake Havasu Field Office has announced the temporary closure of selected public lands under its administration in La Paz County, Arizona.
The Parker 425 Desert Race closure is in effect from 2:00 p.m. (MST) on Friday, February 3, 2012, through 11:59 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, February 4, 2012.
The closure is being done to help ensure public safety and prevent unnecessary environmental degradation during the permitted running of the Parker 425 Desert Race.
Areas subject to this closure include all public land; including county maintained roads and highways located within two miles of the designated course.
“As in past years, we will have designated spectator areas so people can enjoy the race,” said BLM Lake Havasu Field Manager Kim Liebhauser. “Post and cable fencing and concrete barriers will be used to designate two spectator areas in Bouse, Arizona. The five-mile long spectator area along Shea Road outside of Parker is above the race course, protected with post and cable fencing along the bluff, and will not require a speed zone.”
Liebhauser added, “The Parker Race is an important tradition to the community and public. We’ve had a perfect spectator safety record for 40 years and we want to keep it that way.”
Events next week include Wednesday’s PAACE Parker Youth Off-Road Experience at Player’s 9th Street Youth Center, the Down & Dirty Off-Road Show broadcasting at BlueWater Resort & Casino, the Downtown Experience Thursday afternoon on Joshua Avenue, Contingency Row and Tech at BlueWater’s north parking lot Friday followed by drivers’ and pilots’ meetings, and the race itself on Saturday, broadcast live by KLPZ 1380am.
Quartzsite, Ten Years Ago
Jan 26th
Cate’s Column #19
I landed in Quartzsite January 10, 2002. At 41 and a brand new full time RVer, I had no idea what I was doing. Thwarted at my first — and last — attempt to camp in an RV park, I learned that “55+” meant “senior citizens only.” I followed other RVs heading south of Quartzsite and found a sign reading, “Bureau of Land Management — Long Term Visitor Area” without any dumb “55+” logo.
A smiling man wearing a brown vest greeted me warmly. “Howdy! Come on in here, young lady. Welcome to the LTVA.”
I mustered my courage. “C-can I s-stay here?”
“Sure you can! It’s fifty dollars a month or a hundred and twenty for a long term pass good through April 15.”
A month? What if I hate it? “Can I start with one night with full hookups?”
He threw back his head and howled. “You have no idea how often we get that request. No — this area is for boon docking. Dry camping. Is your rig self-contained? Got a generator? Go find a tree you like and park next to it.”
The LTVA pass fit right into my budget. I paid and headed out into the desert.
Within a week the desert disappeared as more and more RVs parked all around me. Hundred thousand dollar rigs turned into off-road vehicles as people jockeyed for camping space. Soon driving into Quartzsite became impossible and I walked everywhere.
One day I walked into a restaurant and waited patiently for a table. The dining room was crowded and every diner sported the same curly white hairstyle. Menus were stacked on the counter and I read one while waiting. A waiter appeared, pulled the menu from my hands, handed it to the poodle heads behind me and led them to a table.
What? Restaurants are “55+” too?
Fine! I walked over to Lamm’s Produce and bought some delicious avocados and a loaf of fresh wheat bread. My lunch was wonderful. I basked in the warm sunshine and decided I was pretty lucky. This “55+” attitude was going to save me a lot of money!
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Cate Mueller is a web designer, editor, reporter and photographer in Bouse, Arizona. To visit her website, click here.
Water main break upriver
Jan 26th
7:11am– According to La Paz County, a break in a water main will have water upriver (north of Parker) out for potentially the next 4 to 6 hours.
7:51am– Repair work continues.
Problem solved.
Tube Float questions!
Jan 25th
Each year, we get questions in the run-up to the famous Parker Tube Float about some aspect of the event. Here’s the latest:
Q: This is the first year we’re attending, just want to confirm: Will the float pass by or end at the Blue Water Resort? Where should I start, as far as purchasing tickets? Do they have tubes available there? We have a 4-seat Eliminator boat; do we have to register it the same place we register for the float? Any other tips? Thanks in advance; we’re SOOO EXCITED to attend this year.
A: The Float ends at the BlueWater Resort & Casino beach, where there’s usually a great atmosphere and plenty of space to rest and recover at the end of the day.
Register each floater who plans on attending with the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce: call them at (928) 669-2174 or visit parkeraz.org. You can buy tubes at Spanky’s RV & Marine in Parker (they may even have tubes for sale at Patria Flats, where the Float begins).
As for the Eliminator, technically there are no boats in the Float (but many people do launch their boats anyway). As long as the people in your party are registered to float and the boat is moving slowly around floaters, it’s unlikely that there will be any major objections to it being on the water. For maximum brownie points, responsible boaters can register as patrol boats for the event, helping ensure the safety of the event. (Contact the Chamber if that’s you.)
I’m glad you’ll be here! It’s a blast. Tips: Bring lots of sunblock and wear it, a lot. People get dehydrated drinking only alcohol too and end up in hospital…. don’t be one of them! Bring water or Gatorade too. You should have a great time.
For more information on the Tube Float, CLICK HERE.
Parker Youth Off-Road Experience
Jan 25th
This is the chance to bring your kids to meet and support all our local Parker 425 racers! As of right we have six local racers (with possibly a few more!) for this event. If you know of anyone who would like to participate please let us know! Also, we are looking for donations to help cover the cost of soda/hot dogs etc. Contact Melissa or Zuky at 669-0175 or keep updated by checking our Facebook page (search PAACE).
This even is sponsored by PAACE Coalition and Players 9th Street Youth Center.
Parker 425 Downtown Experience Gets Copper Chopper Back
Jan 24th
Well friends, I just received an email from R-Entertainment and the Arizona Centennial Commission. After much consideration, the commission has thought it best that the Arizona Centennial Copper Chopper attend our Downtown Experience Event on February 2.
Please join me in thanking the Arizona Centennial Commission and R-Entertainment for their gracious reconsideration of the appearance of the Copper Chopper.
The Arizona Centennial Copper Chopper is the Official State Mascot of the Statehood Celebration. The first time I saw it, I fell in love with it. The gentleman designing the masterpiece is Paul Yaffe. Every single thing about this machine is exquisit and expecially unique. Please visit this timeline and story board on the building of the magnificent Arizona Centennial Copper Chopper!
This piece of art is going to be raffled off at the Best Fest in Phoenix on February 14. You will have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for $5.00 at our Downtown Experience.
Our own Shelly Rhode is a finalist in the drawing. Wouldn’t it be great to have two from Parker in the finals? Even better to have someone from Parker win it?
My morning at the Social Security Office
Jan 24th
Recently I had to get my Social Security card replaced. This process is free, but awfully time consuming. It should be mentioned that the Social Security office in Parker is only open on Mondays and staffed by just one person. This brave soul traveled from Needles to assist a mob of people with issues ranging from basic questions to complicated filing for benefits. In fact, of the fifty plus people I saw come in and out that day about 25% of them had issues that could have easily been handled online.
Now it would’ve been easy to become impatient and allow the wait to get the better of me (I witnessed this take place in the seat behind me), but instead I chose to post my observations on Facebook. This helped to pass the time and what I found was a smörgåsbord of humor.
9:30am
It’s a cloudy morning as I wait outside the Parker Public Library. The door to the Social Security Office opens and we all rush in. There’s a mad dash to the table where the number box awaits. I grab a number, find a seat, and await my turn. Let the observations begin!
*Contrary to initial reports it is possible to squeeze 50 people into a closet-like space.
*Some people aren’t that sly when “Picking a Wedgie”.
*The woman in front of me is reading a romance novel and breathing heavily.
Camp Bouse Memorial and Tour
Jan 24th
The Bouse Chamber of Commerce is an all volunteer organization committed to the Bouse community and history. In February, they will be holding the 16th Annual WWII Camp Bouse Memorial and Tour. The memorial begins at 11 a.m. on February 11th at the monument site on Highway 72 in Bouse, AZ. The tour of the Camp site follows on Sunday, February 12th. The tour is limited. Call Bouse Chamber office at (928) 851-2509 for information, and leave your phone number. High clearance vehicle recommended.
