PALM SPRINGS, California — Last Sunday, the Field Club was packed with spectators eager to see the latest spectacle put on by the Junior Chamber of Commerce: a donkey baseball game! In this variant of the game, all players except the pitcher and catcher ride a donkey. The batter jumps on a donkey to ride to first base. It was an afternoon of laughs and thrills and packed with gay entertainment, despite the celebrity team not showing up The donkeys provided their share of bucking and kicking!

Highlights included Eddie Dix’s powerful stroke and vicious donkey riding, and Garfield Butts’ long fly—meaning Garfield himself flying through the air after being bucked off while trying to reach first base. But Dix and Butts weren’t the only ones up in the air; others who gave exhibitions of how to fly from a donkey's back to the ground were: Pat Myaz, Kenny Dewitt, Drew Peacock (who had to be pinch hit for in the second), and other Junior Chamber boys.

This is one kind of baseball where batting isn't everything! The score? Well, It really doesn’t matter. Some say it was 3 to 3 but there are as many who say it was 0 to 0. The donkeys gave too good a show to worry anyone about the final tally.

COACHELLA Valley — Saturday night is a Big Night, ALWAYS! This Saturday night is the annual FIREMEN'S BALL! At eight o'clock Jeff “Buster” Heiman will strike up his band of Hollywood Collegiates for the annual ball which draws the Valley’s biggest dancing turn-out. The Firemen's Ball takes place at the Schoolhouse auditorium. Red cardboard helmets have been provided for more than 300 guests. A full complement of volunteers will he on hand to lend color to one of Palm Springs’ biggest dancing events!


See ‘BEAT’ — page A4

COACHELLA Valley — For years, authorities throughout the Coachella Valley, California have been investigating a series of clandestine activities they believe are linked to a mysterious, well-organized group. But despite their best efforts, they have been unable to unmask the individuals behind this secretive society.

The organization appears to be very well-funded and efficient, carrying out a wide variety of illegal activities including antiques trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering. They are also suspected of being involved in several high profile hits, although police have not been able to pin any of these crimes on them conclusively.

What makes this criminal group so elusive is that they always operate through a network of ‘front’ organizations — legitimate businesses, such as nightclubs, restaurants, cleaners and construction companies, that serve as a cover for their illegal activities. This sophisticated structure makes it very difficult for police to investigate them without tipping their hand. The identities of the individuals behind this criminal group are still a mystery, but police believe that they are based in Palm Springs and have a wide network of operations throughout Southern California.


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