The Christmas Bird Count was started in December, 1900 when Frank Chapman implored readers of the journal Bird-Love to count birds during the holidays, rather than shoot them, as had been the tradition.  27 people turned out for Chapman's first count.Over 100 years later, more than 50,000 participants take part each year in over 2000 counts held in North America and around the world.  The Christmas Bird Count is now the largest bird survey ever conducted and the ultimate source of data about winter birds.Here locally, the Christmas Bird Count in Joshua Tree National Park will be conducted on January 1, 2008.  Interested birdwatchers are invited to participate.  For info call 760-367-5520.An interesting note:  signs along a hiking trail in Black Rock Canyon, part of Joshua Tree National ... 12/24/2007

San Bernardino County, Town of Yucca Valley, and City of 29 Palms all have passed resolutions opposing Greenpath--the power transmission line that Los Angeles Department of Water and Power propose to install in the area, going through the Morongo Preserve and Pioneertown.  Its the "not in my backyard" syndrome; however as a Realtor I support property rights and values.  I also understand that we need to add to and upgrade the power grid.  There's alternate routes for this massive transmission line, but they require longer distnces, thus more cost. How about underground?  They do it in the midwest.  Again, more cost to put it underground. This line is called Greenpath because it is meant to transmit power generagted by "green" sources--geothermal, wind and nucular.  Its going to be inter... 12/23/2007