Come - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

"Letters
to the
"Editor
Letters requesting answers must
include stamped self-addressed envelope
Marta Becket Fan . ..
I have to take time out from a busy schedule
to tell you how much the contents of the
January, '79 issue meant to me. Never has a
magazine contained such interesting material
from cover to cover. Every article has a
special interest!
I was especially delighted to get more details
regarding Marta Becket. Maybe now we
can contact the right people and see the performance.
Last time I tried to call there, I got
as far as the telephone operator who, when
asked to connect me with Death Valley, said,
"Death Valley? Where's that?" I never did
get my call through!
H. E. PAHL,
Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Record Breaker? ...
In the February issue of Desert Magazine,
Dick Bloomquist writes of the palm oasis in
North Indian Valley of the Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park. In describing the region,
Dick makes mention of that interesting and
unusual desert plant, the elephant tree.
I would like to add an update to the story
for those readers who might be interested in
such things. Recent investigation has disclosed
that the number of elephant trees to be
found in the state park and the extent of their
growth is substantially greater than was previously
known.
Art Roth, winter resident of Agua Caliente
Springs, has just completed a survey of elephant
trees in the area of the Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park which lies north of County
Highway S2 on the southern slope of the Vallecito
Mountains. Roth, working in cooperation
with the state park, recorded 141 elephant
trees (Bursera microphylla) and believes
that still more of the curious plants remain
untabulated in that region.
As an added note of interest, it was while
exploring that area of the state park that Roth
also discovered what may well be a record
breaking barrel cactus. The giant towered
nine feet, ten inches in height. So, it is very
likely that America's largest state park also
has the distinction of containing our country's
biggest barrel cactus.
GEORGELEETCH,
California State Park Ranger.
This shows what
can happen if
you walk around
counting elephant trees!
It is definitely not
a sky-diver's
landing target,
but it may well be a
record-breaking
barrel cactus!
Art Roth is pictured
with his
nine-foot, ten-inch find.
46
Calendar
of
"Events
This column is a public service and there is no
charge for listing your event or meeting—so take
advantage of the space by sending in your announcement.
We must receive the information
at least three months prior to the event.
APRIL 6-9, Eleventh Annual Art Show will be
held in Shoshone, Calif. No commission on art
sold. For information, write Sylvia Burton,
Box 69, Tecopa, Calif. 92389.
APRIL 7 & 8, Galaxy of Gems; 1979 Safari,
sponsored by the Bellflower Gem & Mineral
Society, Bellflower High School Auditorium,
15301 McNab Ave., Bellflower, Calif. Free
admission and parking. Dealers, guest displays,
movies.
APRIL 7 & 8, 1979, Northside Gem & Hobby
Club's annual Gem Show, Wendell High
School Gymnasium, Wendell, Idaho. Demonstrations,
exhibits.
APRIL 21 & 22, All Rockhounds Pow Wow
Club of America' Spring Pow Wow. Dealers
and field trips. Meet at the Silver Dollar Cafe
at the junction of Highways 24 and 241,
Sunnyside, Washington.
APRIL 28 & 29, Calaveras Gem & Mineral
Society's 4th Annual Show, Jewels of Calaveras;
Calaveras County Fairgrounds, Angels
Camp, Highway 49. Dealer spaces filled.
APRIL 28 & 29, 25th Annual Fast Camel
Cruise.For information write P. O. Box 526,
Indio, Calif. 92201.
APRIL 28 & 29, 12th Annual Heritage Days
Celebration and Parade at Kern County Museum
and Pioneer Village, 3801 Chester,
Bakersfield, California.
MAY 5 & 6, Delvers Gem & Mineral Society's
29th Annual Show. Displays, Demonstrations,
dealers (closed), free parking and admission.
Bellflower Women's Club, 9402 Oak
Street at Clark Street, Bellflower, Calif.
MAY 5 & 6, 14th Annual Antique Bottles and
Collectables Show and Sale, Scottish Rite
Memorial Center, Interstate 8-Mission Valley,
San Diego, Calif.
MAY 5 & 6, Tourmaline Gem and Mineral Society's
30th Annual free Gem Show, "Nature's
Beauties," Helix High School, 7393
University Ave., La Mesa, Calif. No Dealers.
Desert/April 1979