After a big weekend of music, art, and community at Tecopa Takeover — plus a successful SIFPD fundraiser that brought in $5,500 — the desert wasted no time shifting gears. The celebrations faded straight into four days of miserable weather: cold winds, low clouds, and a storm that dropped nearly two inches of rain across the Amargosa Basin. Last weekend made it rain for local businesses; this week, the sky took that literally.
For a region that counts precipitation by the teaspoon, this single storm delivered a major share of the year’s total rainfall. There’s hope it will pay off in the spring with a strong wildflower bloom. But for now, it’s mostly mud: Tecopa Hot Springs Road is not passable, and locals expect at least a day or two before it dries enough for safe travel.
Still, life in the Basin continues to move forward.
The first event on the horizon is the Great Basin Water Justice Summit Series, launching November 19 with a virtual session led by the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission. Hosted by Friends of the Inyo and partner organizations, this new monthly series looks at water justice, land stewardship, and the future of the Great Basin — and with the roads still a mess, tuning in from home is perfectly timed.
Next up is Robin Flinchum’s history talk on November 22 at the Shoshone Museum, author of Red Light Women of Death Valley will share a glimpse into her current research rabbit holes. As she puts it: “For a little light change of pace after researching, studying, thinking, and writing about the possible serial killing of prostitutes in San Francisco in the 1850s, I cheer myself up by researching and writing about the lynching and beheading of [Joe Simpson] in the mining camp of Skidoo in 1908.” In other words, expect history with bite — and a few tales you definitely didn’t hear in school.
Rolling into Thanksgiving weekend, the annual Dumont Dunes donation drive on November 29 returns to support families around the Basin. This year contributions will likely go farther than ever.
Throughout all of this, the no-questions-asked food pantry at the Tecopa Community Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Looking into December, the Amargosa Conservancy will host a book event and art auction on December 8, featuring a reading by Josh Jackson and a lineup of desert-inspired works.
Planning is also now underway for the Community Holiday Dinner on December 17. Anyone interested in helping with decorating, entertainment, setup, or breakdown is warmly invited to join the planning team. Bring ideas — festive, practical, or delightfully weird — they’re all welcome.
And finally, still glowing from its big weekend, Tecopa Takeover has already announced plans to return in 2026. Organizers are thanking the volunteers, vendors, performers, and community members who brought 2025 to life — and encouraging donations to Dave, the force who keeps the desert’s favorite dance party running.
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