The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page 3

i3 The Desert Sun INSIDE: ON THE REC0RPA4 0B1TUARIESA4 mum ACROSS THE VALLEY A4-5 MFWQ FRniui RACK HOiyiEAlS'l? (. A3 Brian Bean, City Editor: 778-4619 "SATURDAY," October 21, 1995 Stay clean, 'IVIighty Warriors' say Today in The Sun Through October, The Desert bun will provide profiles on Coa-chella Vallev ELECTION 0 Mighty Warriors ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE: Two men country telling kids to avoid drugs, alcohol and 1 election. .1 TnHau 2 on 4 I 'Page Aiir ANTI-DRUG RALLY: 7 p.m. today, Palm Springs High School gymnasium, corner of Ramon Road and Farrell Drive, free to public; Dawn BaTton, 320-0774. Desert Sands Unified By CHRISTINE MAHR and then shattered them with one quick blow with his hand.

"We can do it because we're drug- and alcohol-free," Neese said. Neese blew up a hot water bot- tie until it exploded, sending pieces" of rubber out in several directions. "If you have healthy lungs, it's incredible what you can Neese said. Quellhorst drove a 6-inch nail through a board with his fist, ripped a 2-inch-thick phone book in half in less than 15 seconds and lifted up a table with 10 students qn it. "We do these things so you'll remember what we said," Neese said.

In between the demonstrations, the duo held students' attention with stories of friends' and fellow athletes' lives ruined by drugs and alcohol. They briefly referred to their own past mistakes including alcohol use. "We screwed up we made bad choices but we lived to tell about it," Neese said. "Good people can rebound from bad choices. We did." Eighth-grader Raymond Howard, 14, gave the athletes' presentation high marks and thinks most students paid attention.

"It wasn't boring like the other things we hear where there's talk but no action," Howard said. Did the message get through and The Desert Sun PALM SPRINGS If it'll help save lives, Bryan Neese and Jason Quellhorst will break bricks over their heads, drive nails into a board with their fists and blow up a hot: water bottle until it bursts. They did all of that and more Friday to try to convince Raymond Cree Middle School students to stay away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Calling themselves "The Mighty Warriors," the two Indiana University graduatesathletesteachers travel the spreading an anti-drug message through personal stories and athletic feats. This week they were in the valley to help kick off Red Ribbon Week, the nationwide anti-drug campaign.

At Raymond Cree, they drew students' cheers, applause and "wows" with a 45-minute demonstration of feats of strength. "They did some really cool stuff," said sixth-grader Janel Castro, 11. Quellhorst stacked 100 pounds of concrete blocks on Neese's head will it keep students away, from drugs? "Maybe some kids but others won't care," said sixth-grader Yvette Brady, 10. "I think it'll help," said sjxth-grader Duran Pierce. 11.

"They're cool and strong and kids like that. They're like idols so kids will listen to them." The duo also gave presentations at Desert Springs Middle School in Desert Hot Springs, the Desert Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club and Desert Christian High School in Bermuda Dunes. the two have been traveling to schools and youth camps nationwide to help kids stay drug-free by providing them with role models and" skills to resist peer "We realize kids are under a lot of pressure and are bombarded with a lot of ideas," Quellhorst said. "But kids can make choices and we want to help them make the, right ones." Work begins on Hovley Lane school Desert Sun photo by Rodrlgo PeAa TOUGH GUYS: "Mighty Warrior" Jason Quellhorst (left) places six concrete bricks on fellow Warrior Bryan Neese's head before breaking them with his elbow at Raymond Cree Middle School in Palm Springs on Friday. They will be at Palm Springs High School gymnasium tonight.

cm Mo mm EDUCATION: $8 million facility, which will open in. about 14 months, to be -financed with local, bond -measure proceeds. By CHRISTINE MAHR 0 I 1 District. Also scheduled next week-Palm Springs Unified School District: Sunday-Tuesday. Valley Sanitary District: Cabazon County Water District: Friday.

Stolen car carrying teens causes crash LA QUINTA A stolen Dat-sun station wagon carrying at least six teen-age boys collided with another efl Thursday night, causing major damage to both vehicles, Riverside County sheriff's deputies said. The car, reported stolen from Indio earlier in the day, failed to stop at a stop sign while south- bound, on Avenida Mendoza about 11 p.m., deputies said. The station wagon broadsided a 1991 Eagle Talon that was westbound on Calle Ensenada, deputies said. The driver of the Talon was not injured in the collision. Witnesses told deputies at least six teen-agers fled from the wagon after the collision.

One of the teen-agers fell as he exited the car and was detained. Three others were found a few blocks away with only minor cuts, deputies said. Numerous beer cans were found inside the car and on the street, they said. The three juveniles, all from Indio and Coachella, were released to their parents after deputies said. Elias Ramirez, 18," of Indio was booked on suspicion of public intoxication and was taken to Indio Jail where he was cited and released, a jailer said.

Investigation into the crash is continuing and authorities said they will seek charges of grand theft auto and possession of stolen property against the three teens Ramirez. Remains of unknown person found in marsh OASIS Skeletal' remains of an unidentified person were found about 11 a.m. Friday in a marsh near the western edge of the Salton Sea, the Riverside County Coroner's office reported. A deputy coroner said an autopsy is scheduled. The bones were found near the intersection of Highway 86 and 78th Avenue.

Suspect in robbery rjabbed in traffic stop INDIO Police arrested a 27-year-old Indio man Friday on warrants alleging robbery, public intoxication and traffic violations, officers said. Andy Ramirez Garcia was arrested about 8:40 a.m. at Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Jackson Street after a routine traffic stop, police said. i Garcia, a passenger in the vehicle that was stopped, is suspected of robbing the In-N-Out Burger on Highway 111 on Aug.

21. I Garcia' was being held Friday on $365,000 bail, a deputy jailer said. Sun candidate forums to air on KDBA today Three Desert Sun editorial board candidate forums will be broadcast today on KDBA-TV. They include: 11 p.m., Palm Springs City Council. 1-2 p.m., Indio City Council.

10 p.m.-midnight, Palm Springs mayor. The races are on the Nov. 7 general election ballot. Staff reports 4 The Desert Sun PALM DESERT The sand 7-year-old Shawna Faulkner waS picking up and sifting through her fingers Friday will- be replaced next year by a new school she might attend. But the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School second-grader showed about as much interest in the Hovley Lane school as she did in the Friday ground-breaking ceremony celebrating the start of its construction.

"I don't want to," she said when asked if she'd like to go to the school. Her 9-year-year brother, Garrett, on the other hand, wouldn't mind changing schools. "I'd like to go to it." saidjGarrett, a Lincoln fourth-grader M1 1 "It i AO, Garrett, Shawna and their mother, Jackie, were among about 100 stu- dents, parents, school officials a bft cJIJU ICS, ...1 participating in Desert Sun photo by Rodrlgo PeAa DRINK IT UP: Two-year-old Connor Campbell grabs a mouthful of the grand opening of Hot Springs Park on Friday in Desert Hot water from a hand pump while his father Phillip, 34, watches during Springs. Little Connor spit the warm water out moments later. efforts ed i cates key to futu re to rism City JON YATES Mora events Friday's ceremony also kicked off the Desert Hot Springs Festival, a celebration that will last throughout' the weekend.

The festival runs 10 a.m. today until 3 p.m. Sunday. daughter, Nikki, pump the handle on a park -well. "From the money I heard they spent on it I'm not sure if it's worth it, but I guess it vwill pay off." If (not in tourist money, then maybe in education.

In a city renowned for its natural groundwater, many said the park will help draw attention to Desert Hot Springs' efforts to keep its waters cleart: "Our idea is to help educate the community about its water so they'll protect it," said Nancy Wright, a director with the Mission Springs Water District. The water used in the park is actual mineral nvater piped in from the Spa Hotel. But don't plan on taking a dip. "It's not a bathing pool," Pisha said. "It's there for the visual -effect ing water roiling under a replica San Andreas Fault, 70-year-old resident Violet Wiant said the park will help the city.

"It's wonderful," she said, add-" ing that the money spent on the project was worth it. "There are too many penny-pinchers around," Wiant said. "If you're going to do something, do it right. And this is something Desert Hot Springs did right." Not everyone was so sure. The park, in the works for years, initially drew criticism from some in the community who said $600,000 was too much to spend.

Paula Harris, a real estate agent who spoke out against the project at City Council meetings last year, said she has not changed her mind. Although she did not attend Friday's ceremony, Harris The Desert Sun DESERT HOT- SPRINGS Turning the spigot from which they hope will flow more tourism money, officials here dedicated Hot Springs Park on Friday, kicking off a three-day celebration. With bubbling hot springs ind rock waterfalls, the $620,000 park, paid for with city redevelopment funds, is designed to become the cornerstone of the city's tourism and historical education efforts. "Take a minute and look around you," Mayor Jerry Pisha told a crowd of about 200 at the ceremony. "Be proud that you live in Desert Hot Springs." Many of those in attendance said they were.

Dipping her hand in the steam BALLESTEROS grouna-oreasing festivities at the school site on Hovley Lane, east of Portola Dolores Ballesteros, Desert Sands Unified School District superintendent, told the crowd the-school's doors would open in about 14 months. But that was about the only information she was able to provide this early, she said. The district still needs to choose a name, hire a principal and set attendance boundaries for the." school. "The (school) board will conduct public Hearings deciding on boundaries," she said. Aid although popularly referred to as the Hovley Lane school, it will, probably be named after a U.S.

president in keeping with the district's policy for naming elementary schools. Board member Gilbert Anderson gave a little history on the school. The 10-acre site was selected in 1990 and purchased two days after Christmas 1991. Costing the district about $1.6 it. was one of the more ex-pensive pieces of property the dis- 7 tricLhas purchased for a school.

"You're walking on some pretty expensive land." he told guests. Civic leaders and representatives of area legislators also were-on hand to congratulate the district I on The start of construction of its 11th school in 10 years. The $8 million school will be financed with local bond measured proceeds. The school district also is eligible for state reimbursement for half the cost. said she has been by the park and she doesn't understand the hoopla.

"My personal opinion is that it's not going to do anything to generate income for the city," she said. Others, such as 27-year-old Christa Heflin, who lives near the new park, are middle-of-the-road. "I think it's kinda' neat," she said, watching her 22-month-old Fantasy 5Fnday NUMBERS PICKED: 11, 16, 26,31,39 Israel's Sharon to discuss peace deal with PLO Decco Friday Winning card numbers: Hearts: King Clubs: King Diamonds: 10 Spades: 3 Daily 3 Friday NUMBERS PICKED: 3, 8, 1 Corrections We correct errors of fact promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, call the city desk, 778-4619. conservative Likud Party.

As a general; Sharon led a divk-sion of tanks and paratroops in the 1967 Six-Day War, and in the 1973 Yom Kippur War commanded troops that crossed the Suez Canal and came within 60 miles of Cairo, Egypt. Sharon is considered the architect of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The other presentations in the series: Oct. 31: Elyakim Haetzni, head of the Settlers Movement, arguing "Peace, Yes Remove Settlements, No." The series costs $75, or $25 for individual tickets Sponsorships cost $150 and entitle the sponsor to one series ticket plus one extra ticket to an individual lecture. Benefactors pay $500 and receive one series ticket plus two extra individual tickets.

Each lecture begins at .7:30 p.m. They take place at the temple's Abe and Erna Bochner Jewish Community Center, 43-435 Monterey Ave. Sharon's presentation is titled "Peace is not worth the price of security." He is a member of the Knesset the Israeli parliament with the WAR HERO: Ex Israeli defense chief to offer his perspective on Mideast politics as part of Temple Sinai lecture series. Staff report PALM DESERT Former Israeli Defense Minister Ariel "Arik" Sharon on Wednesday will kick off Temple Sinai's five-week lecture and presentation series, "The Benefits and the Risks of Peace with the PLO and Syria." Nov. 15: Dr.

Arye Carmon, founder. of the Israel Democracy Institute, discussing "How the Peace Process Affects American Jewry." Dec. 6: Benny Begin, member of the Knesset, son of late Prime Minister Menachem Begin and an opponent of Sharon, affirming "The Peace Process is not Working." Dec. 27: Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin of Steven S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles and Israeli Consul Yoram Ben Zeev discuss "What are the Prospects for Real Peace?" For more information or to order tickets, call 568-9699.

i For Information Dtrt School Sands UntrUtf District, 82-879 Highway 111, Indio. CA 9220 1 775-3500..