I was staying in Twentynine Palms near Joshua Tree last weekend and decided to stop by the…read moreobservatory on a whim around 11 PM with a couple of my friends. Little did we know that this would be one of the highlights of our trip. Not only were the stars beautiful but we met a very nice and passionate scientist who decided to chat with us and teach us all about the constellations. It was such a treat. He and his wife were finishing up and packing away their telescopes and he told us that they were going to lock the gate of the parking lot that our cars were parked in, but let us know that we could move our car right outside of the gate and stay all night if we wanted to because it was open 24 hours. He also warned us about the coyotes and cougars. Coyotes stay away with noise and cougars are attracted to noise, so pick your battle lol. We definitely can't wait to come back! And it's free!

So many different little areas to put your telescope on and check out the stars. This area is just…read morefor getting together with other enthusiasts and checking out the night sky. Love that this was built just for that purpose.

One of best vibes I have ever come across. Free arcade games, a great dj, beautiful art work, and I…read morelove how nothing was for sale but just to create a beautiful space! There was a bar tonight with some of the best margaritas i've had (we tried the passion fruit but saw lavender looked amazing) Run by such humble good people too!

Literally were leaving the awesome pizza place nearby and heard music so we followed it. We went…read moreinto Taylor Junction with another guy through the front door and couldn't believe what we'd found. There was an awesome art gallery in the front part then once we walked out back we found a pretty sweet metal show. There were lights and installations all over and interesting art in every corner. There was even a Hispanic Ronald McDonald hidden in the side yard! Such a cool venue with laid back people in attendance. We were so happy to end up having a fun and unique evening here.

Wow, what an incredibly, unbelievably awful experience…read more The only reason there's a star attached to this is because you can't leave a zero-star review. Though I sincerely believe that's what Plaza Art & Frame deserves. If you were running a business - let's say, I don't know, a picture framing shop - and someone came in to pick up a job and pointed out that the glass wasn't what they ordered, would you: A) Say, "Oh, sorry, we'll fix it." or B) Blame and attack the customer, become disagreeable, unpleasant, and combative, and say, "I have a mind to not even work on them now! I might just give them back to you! Do you know how much work it is to tear these apart, cut new glass, THROW AWAY THE OLD GLASS, and put them back together?!" If you said 'A,' you'd fix it, you know more infinitely more about customer service than Lance and Nancy at Plaza Art & Frame in Yucca Valley do. They chose 'B.' I'll spare you the painful details, but the gist is Lance gave us a quote to frame eight small watercolors. They framed them with the wrong glass, and Nancy immediately tried to blame us, over and over, for their mistake. Then Lance came out from the back room and said the bit about not wanting to do the work to fix their mistake. I couldn't believe how off the rails the whole thing went. I said (three times), "I don't understand the problem; we're going to pay the difference." But both of them were just awful. A couple of years ago I brought in a pair of photos to frame, and they did a lovely job, and Lance was friendly and nice. I didn't deal with Nancy during that time. So it was really something else to be ganged up on by the two of them. I was dumbfounded at being treated that way by a business we were paying a substantial amount of money to. When I say "disagreeable, unpleasant, and combative," I'm not just talking about that day. It was every time we had to go into their shop for this job. I dreaded going in there (for the last time ever) to pick it up because I knew they'd be awful, and they were. I would say I don't understand how they stay in business, but I do know. It's because they're the only framers within 50 miles of Joshua Tree. If another framer opened up shop in town, Plaza Framing would go out of business in a month. Or maybe they'd eke out a living framing American flags and pictures of The Orange Man for the people they actually like and respect while all the queer weirdos (like us) go somewhere that knows how to treat people with decency and respect. (Yes, that insinuates what you think it does.) Larry David did an entire season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" around opening a "spite store." Maybe I'll do that. Open a framing shop here in Joshua Tree just to spite the disagreeable, unpleasant, combative folks at Plaza Art & Frame. Ha, just kidding, of course. Maybe.

I'm a local artist in Joshua Tree who exhibits nationally. After five years of living here…read morepermanently, I decided to try Plaza Art & Frame for five of my 23 x 30-inch watercolors--a size I regularly work on. I was hoping to match some older frame jobs I had that float without a mat in a nice maple frame. I've been framing them this way for at least fifteen years. I even brought one of them with me in my car in case I couldn't explain myself clearly. I came in and met Nancy, who was friendly and willing to help me. Other than her calling me "Hon" a bunch of times (which may offend certain people like me), things started smoothly. But when I began to tell her what I wanted, she said the paper I used was much too heavy to frame floated because it would fall down quickly. I told her that I knew there was some way to do it and brought along one that was already framed, and she was welcome to take the backing off to examine it. It had been in its frame for twelve years. The paper has never fallen. She was not interested in looking at it. She said she'd been in the frame business for thirty years and floating paper that heavy doesn't work, and they would look better matted anyway. I tried to explain they needed to match the others, but she was not willing to frame them. About a year later, I needed more than a half-dozen pieces framed, all different sizes, and this time, with mats! I wanted a simple maple frame again, and since they're watercolors, I wanted the usual UV glass. On this visit, I met Lance. I truly liked him, as he seemed to know his stuff and gave me an extremely thorough estimate, using the largest of all of the pieces so as not to underestimate. He got me to get non-glare, too, showing me the differences in some samples. He wrote it down on one of their invoices, and I said I'd come back on another day. When I returned, Lance was in the back having lunch and Nancy was there, and wouldn't you know it, I forgot that invoice with the estimate written on it! Dang it...I told Nancy, I'd have to deal with Lance, not her, because I forgot the paper. She kept trying to help me anyway, but I kept insisting that he knew the job already. "But he's at lunch right now!" She kept saying, "I can help you." Lance must have heard us snipping and came out. Then, they both helped me. Both Lance and I told Nancy what I wanted, and she wrote it down. Both Lance and I remembered the exact price, even with the tax and change. When I came to pick up the job, the glass on all the frames was not UV or non-glare. I mentioned it, but Nancy said, "You said 'clear!'" But I never said that. I said, "Even Lance knows I wanted non-glare..." and so started an unbelievable eruption. She blamed me for not bringing in the paper and yelled at me about some fantasy how she ASKED me and I answered that I wanted clear glass. (Never happened!) I said I'd pay for their mistake (because I really hated this conflict we were having, and I still wanted to have a local framer for my art). But I wouldn't frame a stinkin' cockroach there. She was so mad because the price skyrocketed to change the glass out, even though I was the one paying for it. Luckily, I came back in before I drove away just to make sure she knew it was UV glass, and her head nearly exploded. "NOW you want UV, too!!!!??? Oh my god!" I told her, I always wanted UV; it's watercolor!" That's when Lance came out, more angry than she was, and threatened not to do the job at all! I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong by paying the difference and paying them to do a job. I didn't argue about who was right or wrong. By then, it was extremely pricey because of the labor to pull apart the back, cut new glass, etc. (even though you pay for the labor when you order ANY glass from any framer). I didn't care. I just paid it, and got blamed. And they lost a good and loyal customer for life. At least I don't have to hear (over and over) how they both have been working in the frame business for "forty years." I thought it was thirty, but I guess it went up a decade because they were so irate. Now that it's forty, they match how long I've been getting my art framed. I should have mentioned that. Ha! To be fair, I've seen their work, and it's precise and professional. I also think their prices are fair to good under normal circumstances. But they will only be nice to you when the mood strikes them. I've experienced them when easygoing, and I've experienced the opposite. So, be forewarned.

I've been coming to Save The Meow Meows for a while now, and honestly I think every time I go is a…read morebetter experience than the last! You can really tell how much attention, care, and work they put into giving their cats a good home. Every cat has to start somewhere, and STMM gives them a great environment to learn to socialize and adapt to not being in the dangerous situations that they were rescued from! I've watched many of their cats go from extremely anti-social to snuggly in their time with this organization. I have adopted two cats from them, and helped a roommate adopt one as well. They are extremely helpful and as long as you communicate, they give you a lot of grace throughout the adoption process! If you're not looking to adopt a cat, you're also just free to hang out and play with the kitties! I end up going just for a third space to do homework and stuff! They have snacks and drinks for sale that you can enjoy during your stay as well. They also have a ton of great goodies in the shop portion of the space, and you can even buy collars or accessories for the lounge cats to wear! Overall, I've never had a bad experience here. This place has been my escape when going through difficult times, and the staff are genuine people that will connect with you. I cannot recommend coming to this place enough!

I am heartbroken and deeply disappointed by my experience here. They don't care about what's best…read morefor the cats. I would've been happy to keep fostering if I knew that they were going to lie and betray me. I fostered Charlie and Lois, a brother-and-sister bonded pair, for two years. In all my years of fostering, I have never seen two cats more attached to each other. They slept together, comforted each other, groomed and were rarely apart. If Lois had to go to the vet without Charlie, he would become visibly distressed. The photos speak for themselves. Before they left my care, to go here I was assured over and over they would not be separated and I was extremely paranoid about it at first-but I trusted it in the end. I mean, I literally must have asked at least six times that they were going to be kept together and I HAVE IN WRITING they would NOT separate them. ...I would have NEVER had them go here if I knew this would have happened. I was also discouraged from visiting the first week which I now I find super suspicious. Despite that strong assurance, they were separated, and when I asked for them to be returned to me, my request was refused. THEY DIDNT EVEN TRY to get them adopted together!! Separating a bonded brother and sister was an unnecessary decision that ignored the bond these cats shared. I cannot imagine the stress and confusion Charlie and Lois may be experiencing after spending their entire lives together. And then look at the text message they sent me after going absolutely ballistic finding out that they didn't adopt them out together - telling me that they were not exhibiting any of the behaviors that I posted in the pictures. Ridiculous blatant lies. I am sharing my experience so others can make informed decisions. Based on what happened, I no longer have confidence in this organization or the commitments that were made to me. I also intend to pursue my legal options regarding this matter. Charlie and Lois deserve better. SHAME ON YOU ALL!

The Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center is about 15 minutes north of downtown Joshua Tree, way…read moreout in the desert near the Marine combat center. In the middle of this very rural area, sparsely populated and laced with dirt roads, sits this amazing oasis of desert energy and local community culture. Programs include First Saturday Breakfast cooked and served by an all-volunteer staff ($5). Delicious and you sit at community tables with super-friendly desert dwellers. First Tuesday Bingo is a hoot and there's a CAKE break for $1. In addition there's a USDA Food Distribution for low-income residents, a PTSD group, monthly board meeting and an incredible THRIFT STORE open during events. Rock bottom prices and new stuff all the time. Summers bring movies in the outfield screened against a cargo container. Come get a taste of the desert at a community center kept open purely with member funding. You'd be hard pressed to find another place as wonderful as the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center.

I moved up here a few months ago with my long time bf and I dont really know anyone besides a…read morecouple of nice folk who have pulled us out of the sand and what not. Lol! I was told that they had stuff going on at the community center and thought we should check it out. So we went to the community breakfast that they have every first Saturday of the month. Im supper happy and pleased! Alot of nice people to talk to and a great way to get to know your nabors! Ill be going more often! Please excuse any misspellings thanks! :)

Taking your recycling here is a very efficient experience. I don't know how their prices for…read moreeverything compare to others but I just bring in cans and CA CRV plastic. They also take milk jugs. It's always fast and easy and the staff is friendly and helpful. Their collection bins could use new wheels but the place is small so it's only a minor inconvenience.

Excellent locations and services for recycling Located…read morebehind Home Depot Friendly employees

I came by the main building at 2pm and nothing was open, the outside garden is nice, but I was…read morehoping to get information about land in the area and more about what the land trust does. Lots of cars, all doors locked.

This group is amazing. The work that they have done protecting our open space deserts in such a…read moreshort time is exciting. The Director and the staff shine and love what they do. I went to a fundraiser for them at a Modern high desert home and the food was spectacular by Chef Ryan Langsdorf. Lots of good around this org!

This place is a frequent visit for me and I always love seeing Stan and his wife. Good vibes. Very…read moreknowledgable. Always has basic needs met there.

His wife was very sweet. However, not the case for Stan. I brought Stan 2 of my 12-string acoustics…read morefor basic setups, which included changing strings, inspecting for repairs needed, etc. He was friendly at first, until i had to bring back the 1st one he finished... one of the tuning pegs was totally loose and rattling - it was not that way before I brought it to him. He insisted that he "did not cause that," and that I brought it to him that way. He then proceeded to argue with me while his tone became more and more condesceding and confrontational. I couldn't get him to understand that even if I DID bring it to him that way... it was there for him to fix it, not just return it to me the same way. It was such a ridiculous conversation. Needless to say I went along with his tirade and paid additional money for him to replace parts, since I needed it back asap. Also, I brought him a specific brand/guage strings to use. Since he had to "re-do" the service and "remove/replace strings" to do his additional repairs... he apparently used some other strings he had in his store when he re-strung it, because the sound and playability is noticably different. Totally unprofessional and horrific customer service skills. Sad they are the only option up here in Yucca. I will be driving down the hill for future services needed.