Due to scheduling issues with several annual event in the area, it was decided to look for a day that did not conflict with these annuals. Well a day was found in January 2011. There is a fifth Sunday and we have the RRBar town of Chimney Rock. That day is January 30th. 

Several have already gotten the word and have let me (Cliff Hanger) know they are coming. I have again gotten use of the Town of Chimney Rock for us to make all the smoke and noise we want. The match fee is reasonable again at $15.00 for your first category and another $10.00 for a second category should you choose to shoot two. 

As in the past I needed 25 shooters to put on this match. This time we will go with what we can get. But as in the past I need a minimum of 25 shooters to commit to the match and lunch to get the Lion's to open up their kitchen and serve their $5.00 lunch. 

You don't have to send your entry fee in but just let me know you're coming and what categories you plan to shoot. You can change your mind on the category right up to sign up at the range the morning of the match. I need a good count on how many are coming. I keep the shooter's list up dated as you let me know. 

As always we have our normal 7 categories and guest. Take a look and mack sure you know what equipment is needed as they differ from SASS categories. Only Plainsman is the same. Our categories are equipment based. What style you shoot your guns is up to you. One handed, Two handed or gunfighter. As long as you're safe, go for it and make smoke!

Couple of links.
Information Pages
Entry Information and form    Print it out and bring it with you.  Or not.

But let me know you're coming. 
E-mail me at Cliff Hanger Thunder Valley <cliffhanger@dslextreme.com>

Brimstone Pistoleros and  Double R Bar Regulators our host for this match.
 

I would really like to know how many readers the Brimstone Gazzet has. 
Is it worth continuing?
Most of the time it feels like I'm putting this together for myself and my dad, who gets a printed copy as he is not a computer guy. Says unless it has two cans and tight string, he isn't going to get it unless I print it out and bring to him.

Let me know by sending an e-mail to me. Brimstone Gazette - Editor
 

Newberry Springs is an unincorporated area, 117 sq mi (300 km2) in size, located at the foot of the Newberry Mountains in San Bernardino County, California, USA. It is located in the western Mojave Desert of Southern California -- 20 mi (32 km) northeast of Barstow, approximately 40 mi (64 km) due west of the Mojave National Preserve, and approximately 100 mi (160 km) south of Death Valley National Park.

Climate

The region maintains an average daytime summer temperature of 107 °F (42 °C). In the winter, lows generally get into the 20's, with a dry, cold climate -- the immediate area receiving less than 10 in (250 mm) of rain per year and is approximately 3,000 ft (910 m) in above sea-level. Interstates 15 and 40 encompass Newberry Springs along with historic U.S. Route 66 and California State Route 58.

Newberry Springs is a classic desert oasis. The area is also known for its diverse and abundant agriculture, as it is irrigated by the Mojave Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the Western United States. This is the aquifer that allows for the abundance of man-made lakes in the region, as well.

History

The original, given name of Newberry Springs was "Water". Since its earliest days—the main purpose of the area in and around Newberry Springs has been to be a source of water for the arid Mojave Desert region. The site of Camp Cady is located just a few miles from present-day Newberry Springs, and was a resting place and watering hole along the Mojave River for wagon trains coming to California in the 1850s on the old Mormon Trail. In the 1880s the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad hauled tank cars of water from Newberry Springs to the stations and towns in the region, making life in this arid land possible.

Rich in its own unique, colorful history, and most notable for its ancient volcanic rock formations, lava beds, sand dunes, mineral springs, hidden mud-baths, an abundance of vast, man-made, backyard Water Ski/Jet Ski-racing "oval"-style lakes as well as extensive "grand prix"-configured water race courses and desert motocross/dune buggy/ATV racing areas, along with desert camping, hunting, fishing backpacking and paraflying.

The climate in Newberry Springs is relatively mild and ideal for many crops, including pistachios, apricots and alfalfa.[citation needed] Because of this, Newberry Springs is known for its many farms and ranches, which produce ostrich, horse, buffalo, duck, turkey, catfish, and koi.

Nearby is the old, Calico Ghost Town attraction, the Calico Early Man Site, Camp Cady wildlife reserve, the Solar One green energy project, nationally-known Peggy-Sue's Diner, The Silver Valley Sun (Nudist/Naturist) Club, and the actual Bagdad Cafe (sic) film location and restaurant (which still exists in present-day—completely functional as a working motel/restaurant) from the 1987 Jack Palance/CCH Pounder film of the same name. Because of its wide panoramic vistas—as well as its prior-mentioned geographic diversity, and the close proximity of a long-established "Movie Ranch" with all its inherent film and lodging amenities, from the early days of film on through to the present-day, local film production companies—as well as those from across the globe, routinely utilize the area for location filming.

On the northern outskirts of the city limits rests the currently vacant Lake Dolores/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark -- once a vital part of the surrounding desert community. Newberry Springs is also home to the Holy Resurrection Monastery of the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. Every November, the town is the host of the annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival. Additionally, running east to west, approximately 8 mi (13 km) due south of the town, is historic Route 66, as well as the Union Pacific Railroad which also runs through town on trackage rights on BNSF Railway's main line to Salt Lake City, from where the BNSF then heads to Chicago.
[edit] Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area

The Newberry Mountains are home to the Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area behind town.

Water skiing

Newberry Springs is most likely the only area in California that offers 5 professional championship ski lakes, several private ski lakes, and 5 jet ski boat lakes.[citation needed] This specific area can boast about the Horton Lakes Water Ski School, which has been regarded as one of the finest water ski schools in the world, the beautiful Wet Set Village which has shade [trees, flowers and manicured lawns, and has featured championship water ski tournaments that have been featured on ESPN. Another lake in the Newberry Springs area is the privately owned Cheyenne Lake, which offers water skiing and jet skiing as well. Situated within the area is Paraflyte Ranch, Paraflying School—one of the few schools of its type in the world.

Zzyzx, California (pronounced /?za?z?ks/), formerly Camp Soda and Soda Springs, is a settlement in San Bernardino County, California. It is the former site of the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa[1] and now the site of the Desert Studies Center. The site is also the location of Lake Tuendae, originally part of the spa, and now a refuge habitat of the endangered Mohave tui chub.

Zzyzx Road is a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) long, part paved and part dirt, rural collector road in the Mojave Desert. It runs from Interstate 15 generally south to the Zzyzx settlement.

The settlement is in area code 760 and ZIP code 92309. The nearest town is Baker, California, 7 miles (11 km) north on I-15. Las Vegas, Nevada is the nearest major city, about 100 miles (160 km) northeast.

History

Soda Springs, a natural spring, has long seen human activity. The area was a prehistoric quarry site, and projectile points and rock art can be found in the area. The Mojave Road ran past the spring, as did the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad. Remnants of a wagon road stop and railroad artifacts are readily seen. Evaporative salt mining and mill sites can be found here as well.

The name Zzyzx was given to the area in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer, claiming it to be the last word in the English language. Springer made up the word's pronunciation "zi-zix". He established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944 at the spot, which was federal land, after filing mining claims for 12,000 acres (49 km2) surrounding the springs. He used the springs to bottle his water and provide drinks for travelers through the hot desert. Springer also imported animals from around the country to attract more families to visit his ranch. He used Zzyzx until 1974, when he was arrested by the United States Marshals for misuse of the land as well as alleged violations of food and drug laws, and the land was reclaimed by the government.

Since 1976, the Bureau of Land Management has allowed California State University to manage the land in and around Zzyzx. A consortium of CSU campuses use it as their Desert Studies Center.

Lexicography

Word Ways magazine verified the source of the lexicography as an undated San Bernardino County map published by the Automobile Club of Southern California. The magazine characterized Zzyzx Springs as "a hydrologic feature and a privately owned spa catering to the senior citizen, about 8.5 mi (13.7 km) south of Baker on the western edge of Soda Dry Lake, off the abandoned right-of-way of the old Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad."

Zzyzx was approved as a place name by the United States Board on Geographic Names on June 14, 1984. As is the case with the road, Zzyzx, California, is the USBGN's lexicographically greatest (alphabetically last, at least in English alphabetical order) place name.

History

The first reported visit to the valley by someone of European descent was Raphael Rivera in 1829. Las Vegas was named by Spaniards in the Antonio Armijo party, who used the water in the area while heading north and west along the Old Spanish Trail from Texas. In the 1800s, areas of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas or meadows (vegas in Spanish), hence the name Las Vegas.

John C. Frémont traveled into the Las Vegas Valley on May 3, 1844, while it was still part of Mexico. He was a leader of a group of scientists, scouts and observers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. On May 10, 1855, following annexation by the United States, Brigham Young assigned 30 missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by William Bringhurst to the area to convert the Paiute Indian population to Mormonism. A fort was built near the current downtown area, serving as a stopover for travelers along the "Mormon Corridor" between Salt Lake and the briefly thriving colony of saints at San Bernardino, California. However, during the Utah War, Mormons abandoned Las Vegas in 1857. Las Vegas was established as a railroad town on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres (44.5 ha) owned by the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, was auctioned off in what is now downtown Las Vegas. Among the railroad's most notable owners and directors were Montana Senator William A. Clark, Utah U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns and R.C. Kerens of St. Louis. Las Vegas was part of Lincoln County until 1908 when it became part of the newly established Clark County. The St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church near 4th and Bridger in downtown was founded in 1910. Las Vegas became an incorporated city on March 16, 1911 and Peter Buol was the first mayor.

Las Vegas started as a stopover on the pioneer trails to the west, and became a popular railroad town in the early 1900s. It was a staging point for all the mines in the surrounding area, especially those around the town of Bullfrog, that shipped their goods out to the rest of the country. With the proliferation of the railroads, Las Vegas became less important but the completion of the nearby Hoover Dam in 1935 resulted in the growth of residents and tourism. The dam, located 30 mi (48 km) southeast of the city, also formed Lake Mead, the US's largest man-made lake and reservoir. Today, tours are offered into lesser known parts of the dam. The legalization of gambling in 1931 led to the advent of the casino-hotels, for which Las Vegas is famous. Major development occurred in the 1940s. The success of the city's early casino businesses was owed to American organized crime. Most of the original large casinos were managed or at least funded under mob figures Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Meyer Lansky or other mob figures at this time. The rapid growth of this gambling empire is credited with dooming Galveston, Texas; Hot Springs, Arkansas; and other major gaming centers in the 1950s.

With the arrival in the late 1960s of businessman Howard Hughes, who purchased many casino-hotels, as well as television and radio stations in the city, legitimate corporations began to purchase casino-hotels as well, and the mob was run out by the federal government over the next several years. The constant stream of tourist dollars from the hotels and casinos was also augmented by a new source of federal money. This money came from the establishment of what is now Nellis Air Force Base. The influx of military personnel and casino job-hunters helped start a land building boom which, as of today, has leveled off a bit.

Though Las Vegas's gambling revenues have been surpassed by Macau, the Las Vegas area remains one of the world's top entertainment destinations.

Geography and climate

Las Vegas is situated on the arid desert floor within Clark County. The surrounding environment is dominated by desert vegetation and some wildlife, and the area is subject to torrential flash floods. Enabling the rapid population expansion was a major addition to the city's sewage treatment capacity. The sewage treatment expansion resulted from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funding 2008 programs to analyze and forecast growth and environmental impacts through the year 2019.

The city is in an arid basin surrounded by dry mountains. City elevation is around 2,030 ft (620 m) above sea level. The Spring Mountains lie to the west. Much of the landscape is rocky and dusty. Within the city, however, there are many lawns, trees and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there is now a movement to encourage xeriscapes. Another part of the water conservation efforts include scheduled watering groups for watering residential landscaping. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 131.3 sq mi (340 km2), of which 131.2 sq mi (340 km2) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km2) of it (0.04%) is water.
Climate
Snowfall in Las Vegas is rare but possible as seen in December 2008.

Las Vegas' climate is a subtropical arid climate (Koppen climate classification BWh), typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round and has an average of about 300 sunny days per year and more than 3800 hours of sunshine, with about 4.2 inches of rainfall, which on average occurs on 29 days per year.

The summer months of June through September are very hot and mostly dry with average daytime highs of 94 to 104 °F (34 to 40 °C) and nighttime lows of 69–78 °F (21–26 °C). There are an average of 133 days per year above 90 °F (32 °C), and 72 days above 100 °F (38 °C), with most of the days in July and August exceeding that benchmark. However, humidity is very low and often under 10%.

Las Vegas' winters are of short duration and the season is generally mild, with daytime highs near 60 °F (16 °C) and nighttime lows around 40 °F (4 °C). The mountains surrounding Las Vegas accumulate snow during the winter but snow is rare in the Las Vegas Valley itself.[14] Several years apart, however, snow has fallen in the valley. Temperatures can sometimes drop to freezing 32 °F (0 °C) but winter nighttime temperatures will rarely dip below 30 degrees.

Annual precipitation in Las Vegas is roughly 4.5 in (110 mm), which mainly occurs during winter but is not uncommon anytime of the year.