Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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In their first year of business here in Tehachapi, Mountain Dog Millworks owners Michael Altman and Toby Bachara said they can't pinpoint one specific favorite memory, but they love the entire process of creating custom, wood-crafted furniture for their clients. "From salvaging the downed trees, milling, kiln drying, creating custom pieces, seeing it in the home and then replanting a tree in the spring, it's a rewarding process," they said. Michael and Karon Altman moved to Tehachapi in 2017. Wh...
After 6 months of planning, writing, gathering photos and seeking voices from within our community, The Loop newspaper is proud to present their newest Experience Tehachapi magazine – on stands now! I've been lucky enough to be the magazine's Editor-in-Chief for the last three years, and with full understanding of my bias and lack of objectivity in the following statement, it is the best publication Tehachapi has to offer. It can be coined a visitor's guide, but to me it is so much more. It i...
On Oct. 24, Kaedin Marsalis Duncan Averrios Smith, 14, was killed while riding his bicycle on Tucker Road. The tragic accident has led to several fundraising efforts to support his family. Red House BBQ is opening their doors and their hearts for a fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 30. "This tragic loss has our whole community saddened," Mano Lujan, owner of Red House BBQ, said in a Facebook post. Red House BBQ will hold a tri-tip barbecue in the parking lot of The Shed at 333 E. Tehachapi Blvd., from...
Local author Susie Basanda has always had a special bond with animals. In her new book, "Lifetimes Together: An Animal Communicator's Journey Finding Her Three Puppy Angels Again and Again and Again," she shares stories of her adventures as an animal communicator. A lover of dachshunds, the 11-year Tehachapi resident discovered her talent of animal communication in the 1990s. She began receiving answers to the perceived rhetorical questions she was asking her pups. She learned that animals...
Gillian Kingsley grew up in England, but moved to Tehachapi from Northern California right before Christmas 2020. Gillian, who works remotely as a part-time counselor at Sozo, a ministry of Bethel Church in Redding, began writing her newly released book, "The Adventures of Deborah and Kite at the Big River" in the spring of 2017. She finished writing the book, which is the first in a series, last year. "Writing part-time while working and living life, it took me until the summer of the COVID...
Tehachapi author Kay Bryant became a teacher after graduating college. As an educator with 32 years in the field, she taught a variety of ages from elementary school to university level. As an ESL teacher, she traveled the United States and also worked as the director of Berlioz Language School in L.A. Bryant recently released her book, "Your Promised Life," which has allowed her to continue her teaching, this time through memorizing scriptures. Kay answered a few questions about her book and th...
After a lifetime of witnessing paranormal experiences, Tehachapi resident G.E. Perlin began writing a novel. Writing began in 2015 while living in Seattle, Washington. This year, Perlin self-published the book titled, “The Dark of The Grey: Omnibus.” “We live in an amazing time where one is able to write a book and publish it themself,” he said. “I’m happy that I was able to do that and get my book out there as soon as it was done. I’m currently looking for an agent to represent me, and in ti...
Mid-March, when COVID-19 restrictions reached our community, the Tehachapi Humanitarian Relief Group was formed. What began as a simple Facebook post offering help to seniors and those impacted by COVID-19, has become a group with more than 1,800 followers. Cassandra Wilsted posted on her personal Facebook page offering to help seniors and those most vulnerable to COVID in mid-March. "Myself and a few other friends pitched in to start a Facebook group and offered our business (The Village that...
I feel very lucky. Frustrated and scared, but lucky. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit our world hard, and the number of confirmed cases here in Kern County continues to grow. It's hard not knowing when it will ease, or when life will go back to something more familiar. But while the growing pains of this new life are uncomfortable, it is encouraging and comforting to see people using compassion to help their community. For me, working from home instead of the office isn't new. Throughout my...
To ensure that home-bound students continue the learning process during their days away from the classroom, the Tehachapi Unified School District (TUSD) prepared and provided packets of enrichment instructional materials for all grades, transitional kindergarten (TK) through grade 12. Chief Administrator of Instructional Services Scott Heitman's team passed out the packets to parents in cars March 23 at the feeding stations at Golden Hills and Tompkins elementary schools and Jacobsen Middle...
With protective face masks in high demand at hospitals around the world, many individuals have begun making them at home to share with health facilities. Sewing groups have formed across the nation to share patterns and help their communities during this uncertain time. On March 25, Adventist Health will be accepting a donation of medical masks from a local business owner. These homemade face masks are not meant to replace N95 respirators and surgical masks, however, may be able to offer some...
I'm the kind of animal lover who would visit pet stores and boutiques, even when I didn't have a pet to shop for. It was like window shopping for my future furry family. The sights and sounds of squeaky toys held me over until the day I had fur babies of my own. When I lived in Orange County, I could walk to every store I needed from my apartment. I often took the longer route so I could walk through Petsmart and dream of wet noses and soft fur. It was still a couple years, after moving back to...
Theresa Foster raised children her entire life. Prior to her 32 years in Tehachapi, she raised her four children and was a private caregiver to families in the Antelope Valley. For more than 16 years, Theresa worked as a Tehachapi Unified School District cafeteria worker, while simultaneously operating a private day care in West Golden Hills. Her daughter, Barbara Minniear, said while her day care tots were enjoying their lunch and taking a rest, her mom would head over to Golden Hills...
Local Native American blues band, Blue Mountain Tribe, recently won their second Native American Music Awards honor for their song, "Children on the Rez." Blue Mountain Tribe was awarded Best Live Performance at a ceremony on Nov. 2 and in 2016, they took the honor of Best Blues Band. The band includes Caleb Hairston on lead guitar, Robin Hairston who plays harmonica and provides vocals, Pat Mata on drums and James Bixler on bass. I'm proud of and so impressed by this local band. According to...
Generosity, kindness and compassion should be something we give others all year long. As the holidays roll in, there are many local ways to help members of your community. Last year, a new and exciting way to give back came from the hearts and hard work of children in the community. Layla Lujan, 15, and Milo Lujan, 12, the children of Mano and Mei Mei Lujan, owners of The Shed and Red House BBQ, came to their dad with a compassionate way to utilize the edible waste generated at the family...
Bonnie Cooper's love of art began at 6 years old when she and her sisters would "break the rules" coloring. "My sisters and I since the early '60s, in coloring books, would purposefully go out of the lines, break the rules and make patterns," she said. "You know what kids do, we loved to have fun." Today, the 16-year Tehachapi resident continues to color, creating unique and beautiful artwork with Prismacolor colored pencils. She likes creating special pieces for people in her life and is curren...
Talking to people within the community who are "doing good" for others, is very inspirational. The Grassroots Tehachapi column has highlighted acts of kindness, compassion and moments of growth within Tehachapi. This week's column is looking at a brand new business in town that is sure to bring a new level of excitement, entertainment and innovation to the Tehachapi Mountains. Tehachapi Virtual Reality Arcade held a two-day Grand Opening on July 19-20. Nearly 200 people came to the event for...
The Mountain Festival is definitely one of the highlights in Tehachapi every year. It offers local fun and entertainment for the entire family, residents and non-residents alike. But after the final band has performed and artists begin to pack up their one-of-a-kind merchandise, there is plenty more to experience here in Tehachapi. Year-Round Fun: Museums – The Tehachapi Museum, Errea House and the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum will all be open during Mountain Festival. They are easily w...
The recent collection of earthquakes were unsettling for us in Tehachapi. I was about to head out of state to visit family when the first earthquake hit on July 4. It was honestly hard to tell if the initial shaking was just the busy hustle of gathering appropriate toys and snacks for a long road trip with two kids. But that long, rolling movement of the earth made itself known. I felt strange leaving my home and family after such a strong earthquake, but started my journey east, hoping help...
As a huge J.R.R. Tolkien fan, I was over the moon excited to see that Gandalf himself (well – Sir Ian McKellen) had sent a personalized video message to the residents of Tehachapi. Or – as he so wonderfully pronounced it – Tehachappy. The message was played during Tehachapi Library's very first Comic Con event, held June 15. The idea for a Tehachapi Comic Con came from the library's Teen Advisory Board, which plans and organizes a variety of Teen Fandom events, like the yearly May the Fourt...
I love writing columns that showcase people within the community that give back in some way. It could be an artist who makes sentimental pieces for their clients, a volunteer who devotes love to the people they serve or a business that keeps its clients' growth and happiness as their mission. This column is about Dawnnie Mercado-Genochio, her newly formed Tehachapi Academy of Dramatic Arts and the light she brings to Tehachapi students. Now, I have to admit – I am a bit biased here. My d...
The day before Easter is always hectic. Fun, but hectic. Egg dying, food prep, covert bunny helper operations. This year I added one more item to my to do list and I'm so glad I did. Goat Yoga. California Goat Yoga holds classes in Tehachapi and throughout the state. This specific class, held at Slice of Life Enrichment School, was a little more special though. With a new family of baby goats, this was a goat pajama party, as well as a yoga class. Each little one was dressed in diapers and...
Margie Kloth has only been a volunteer at Tehachapi's Senior Center for about two months, but her passion for the program sparked immediately. "The special memories began the minute I walked into the room where the family members gathered for Friday morning activities, which included coffee, donuts/cookies, making a craft, playing Bingo and singing songs," Kloth said. "The ladies in charge impressed me so by their loving, giving ways toward their Friday friends. I knew this was the place for me...
Within the last week I was in the right place, at the right time to witness two completely random acts of kindness. There's always room for more kindness in this world, so here's hoping this inspires you to spread a bit of love throughout the Tehachapi community. A helping hand and a warm beverage Paying it forward in a Starbucks line is definitely not uncommon. It has happened to me previously and I've read stories about the chain reaction it sets off. A stranger in line before you pays for...
One of Tehachapi's own just became a member of American rock band, Angeles. "I am really excited about everything to come," Rob Saranpa said. I love hearing stories of people working toward a dream and the beautiful moment when it becomes a reality. Rob met Dale Lytle, Angeles lead guitarist and the only remaining original band member, in the early '90s when Rob was working as a bouncer at a bar in Northridge. Four years ago, he found Lytle again on Facebook and became his online friend. One...
