ABOUT DESERT TRUMPET
The Desert Trumpet is a non profit publication which seeks to increase political engagement and encourage a participatory political process by reporting on city government. Our focus is on Twentynine Palms but our goal is to report on social justice, equity and environmental issues throughout the Morongo Basin, as well as provide a forum for residents to interact on these issues.
History
The Desert Trumpet grew out of relationships established in local advocacy group 29 Palms Neighbors which was founded in the summer of 2021 in Indian Cove by Cindy Bernard, Heidi Heard and Teeney Hood.
Twentynine Palms has long been well served by one local newspaper, The Desert Trail, which publishes on Wednesdays, with a supplemental weekend edition. We recognized the need for a second publication able to ask questions of our City government and report on a range of topics affecting residents.
Additionally we felt it was important to better enable residents to address their concerns before their elected representatives at City Council meetings. The publication schedule is timed so that the agenda can be reviewed and important items published prior to each Council and Planning Commission meeting.
The Desert Trumpet, named for the idiosyncratic plant native to the Mojave Desert, is focused on getting 29 Palms residents the information they need to be active engaged citizens of our City.
Staff
Editor: Cindy Bernard
Administrative Associate: Heidi Heard
Assistant Editor and Lead Copy Editor: Kat Talley-Jones
Contributing writers: Cindy Bernard, Heidi Heard, Jonathan Hume, Kat Talley-Jones, Natalie Zuk
Contact: editor@deserttrumpet.org
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Fiscal sponsorship
The Desert Trumpet is fiscally sponsored and supported by AHA Projects, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation located in Los Angeles, California and qualified as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). AHA’s charitable purpose is to support artistic creators through innovative partnerships who are solving our communities’ greatest challenges. Through thoughtful risk, advocacy, and creative relationships we will fiercely elevate the presence and preservation of arts and culture in our communities.
Desert trumpet image adapted from Mockel’s desert flower notebook by Henry R. Mockel and Beverly Mockel, 1971
Topic header photos adapted from the Joshua Tree National Park Flickr
