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Articles written by nick smirnoff


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  • 2015 Chalk on the Walk is coming to the sidewalks of Tehachapi August 8

    Nick Smirnoff|Jul 4, 2015

    Artists of all ages and skill level will grace our sidewalks with their creations. Tehachapi Valley Arts Association is looking for sponsors to make the event a spectacular success. Sponsors at the $100 level will receive their name or business name on the 2015 Chalk on the Walk t-shirt. They will also receive a t-shirt, a 4’ x 4’ sidewalk square and a box of 24 chalks to create their own masterpieces. Donations of any amount, gift cards or anything our artist might enjoy will help us to make the 15th annual Chalk on the Walk a wonderful day...

  • Hazard Reduction Fire Clearance Deadline

    Nick Smirnoff|Jun 6, 2015

    Kern County Firefighters from Bear Valley Station 16 pause for a photo as they put up this year’s reminder of the weed abatement deadline of June 15. Clear an area 100 feet around your property and structures of flammable material. Remember after cutting back weeds to also rake up or otherwise remove the thatch from the ground. This newly cut material will dry and if left in place make a natural starring base from sparks or embers if there is a fire nearby. In the words of Station 16 Fire Captain Mike Perry, “The message is simple, just cut...

  • Celebrity bartenders at Souza

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|May 23, 2015

    NASA Chief Pilot Rogers Smith, and NASA Director of Engineering Robert Meyer were crew members of the final flight of the SR-71. Both are avid flight enthusiasts and were pouring wine on behalf of the Tehachapi Society of Pilots High School Scholarships Fund on May 17th at Souza Family Vineyard....

  • Bark for life cancer walk Spring 2015

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|May 9, 2015

    Bark for Life Spring 2015 started off at the Railroad Depot on April 25. This event is alot of fun and for a great cause....

  • Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast May 6

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|May 9, 2015

    Kiwanis Club President Marget Willer welcomes guests to this year’s Prayer Breakfast. Over 100 people attended the morning service. Food was prepared by Linda Pettitt of Mill Street Kitchen. Flowers were provided by Albertson’s and beautifully arranged into table center pieces by Kiwanian Tina Ford-Cunningham. Photo by Nick Smirnoff (NPPA)...

  • Kaiser Permanente sets up its new four-wall clinic in Tehachapi

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Apr 25, 2015

    On April 22, 2015 former Mayor, life-time Tehachapi resident, and Kaiser Permanente member, Ed Grimes, and wife Ruthy arrived at the sneak peek for Kaiser Permanente's new clinic facility in Tehachapi. Proud sponsor of the Gran-Fondo, Kaiser has long advocated exercise with good health. The new facility will also feature a wellness juice bar. Greg Garret City Manager said, "Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente on their sneak peek event here in Tehachapi and their upcoming new facility by...

  • Tehachapi Airport hanger #1 preservation

    Nick Smirnoff, Nick Smirnoff -NPPA|Apr 25, 2015

    Friends of the Tehachapi Airport organizations sub-committee met to discuss the preservation of the historic hanger #1 at the airport. "It's in need of restoration and preservation" stated committee members. They are currently meeting to find the best preservation approach. Future plans might include the hanger being used as an aviation museum showing the history of air travel in Tehachapi....

  • Ribbon cutting at Bottomline Bookkeeping Service

    Nick Smirnoff|Apr 11, 2015

    Chamber Ambassadors Tina Larson and Pat Doody, Chamber board members, Jim Wallace and Cathy Carey joined with Greg Garret and Michelle Vance from the City of Tehachapi to cut the ribbon of a new bookkeeping service called Bottomline Bookkeeping. Owner Kathryn Ortiz was joined by husband Michael and several other community members on April 8. Congratulations Kathryn Ortiz in your new business located on the corner of Tehachapi Blvd and Robinson in historic downtown Tehachapi....

  • Paul Cooke - A master of many mediums

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Feb 28, 2015

    Artists in Tehachapi never seem to stop amazing me. Case in point, the work of Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts member Paul Cooke. With a mind as complex and excited as his work is bold and varied, Paul is a gifted artist in every medium that he attempts and he has attempted them all. When asked how he is able to turn out such a successful number of pieces and in such a large volume he becomes very humble saying, "The work is great fun, I try to work on no more than one or two pieces at a...

  • Celebrity bartenders for charity

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Feb 28, 2015

    Arriving at the Souza Winery in the style befitting a "celebrity wine pour" is Dr. Terence Brady. Souza's celebrity pours help raise funds for various charitable organizations around the Tehachapi Valley. Dr. Brady's charity of choice is Healing Horses & Armed Forces. "When Bob and Patty Souza asked if I would like to participate I said, 'as a board member myself of Healing Horses & Armed Forces, I thought what a great way to raise funds for this worthy organization'." Greeting Dr. Brady as he...

  • Kathryn Jacobson, digital artist

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Feb 14, 2015

    Working from her home studio space in Bear Valley Springs, Kathryn Jacobson uses Photoshop CS4 technology to create stunning works of art from photos she has taken. Her present camera is a Nikon 700 and she enjoys using her zoom lens. Inspired by animals and their actions she likes to re-interpret what she saw into “a softer more painterly image”. She works from her Mac. She enjoys working in a setting of urban noise and can often be seen at Kohnen’s Bakery working the images on her compu...

  • Oil artist, Michelle Miller

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Feb 14, 2015

    From a large window overlooking a local golf course, artist Michelle Miller creates a world of beauty. Utilizing oil paints on canvas, Ms. Miller finds inspiration by hiking the various nature trails near her home. The Loop recently met with her at Gallery'n Gifts in Tehachapi where her work is on permanent display. Your paintings appear very bold in texture and seem to jump off the canvas. "I enjoy boldness of form and color. Many of my paintings are reminiscent of not only the shape and...

  • Oil artist, Vicki Braslow

    Nick Smirnoff, - NPPA|Jan 31, 2015

    As part of The Loop newspaper’s continuing Artist Series we feature oil artist Vicki Braslow. What inspires you to paint? Vicki: How can you not be inspired when you live here in Tehachapi. Natural beauty is everywhere here in the mountains. Do you paint ‘plein air’ (painting outdoors) or work from photos? Vicki: At one time I did a little plein air, but I found I like to take my time, work a little slower and a bit more presise. So, I work from photos that I have taken, or that my brother who is a professional photographer, might send me. W...

  • Rodeo Season 2015 Announced

    Nick Smirnoff, - NPPA|Jan 17, 2015

    Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association Chairman Dal Bunn, led this season's first board and general membership meeting. He along with Board Members Jeff Nousch, Bob Helfrich, Diana Osbrink, Heidi Tully, Dale Youngblood and Richard Hudson will comprise this year's board. Announced were the following dates for some of this year's Rodeo Activities: May 30 ~ Dinner Dance July 4 ~ Bad Bulls Rodeo Aug 13-15 ~ PRCA Rodeo Yet to be firmed are the Jr. Rodeo dates. Board Chairman for the Junior Rodeo Dale...

  • Harvest Time at Triassic

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Oct 11, 2014

    Triassic Legacy Vineyards and Tasting Room started their 2014 harvest from Sept. 22-25. The vineyard originally planted by volunteers and former owner and founder, Chuck McCollough, has set a great foundation for new proprietors, Jim and Sally Arnold. The Arnold family name is no stranger to the Tehachapi Valley area, and extends back to the birth of Bear Valley Springs where they became very early property owners. Now in retirement, Jim Arnold and his wife Sally are excited at their first...

  • Grand Opening of the Tehachapi Energy Storage Project

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Sep 27, 2014

    A very important milestone is happening here in Tehachapi near the Monolith substation. The "energy" eyes of the world are watching our town. Southern California Edison has opened a test version of a reliable/sustainable/pollution free electrical energy distribution system. Following is a layman's abridged version of the importance of this endeavor: One of the Achilles' heels in the world of sustainable/renewable energy has been storage. The most commonly used form of electricity by consumers...

  • KCFD: Waste Not, Want Not, It's a Win, Win For All

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Aug 16, 2014

    Harvested trees from Alpine Forest find new home as furniture and construction lumber for use by Kern County Fire. Kern County Fire Crews at Camp-8, newly housed at the old Monroe High School have a working smaller scale saw mill. Fire crews 81 and 82, under the leadership of Crew 81 Forman Casey Payne, and Crew 82 Forman Craig Estep, have been helping in the harvesting and removal of Bark Beetle infested trees in the Tehachapi area. The infamous Bark Beetle kills a pine and moves on to a new...

  • It's A Family Affair

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Aug 16, 2014

    This summer's community photo contest sponsored by Gallery 'n' Gifts featured father and son winners, and a friendly competition between local husband and wife. Seems the husband Neil Barney was last year's best of show winner (a black and white photo of a traditionally dressed Turkish man) tried his hand at digital photo darkroom work this year and was chosen first place for his category. His wife Ruth during this past winter, looked out into the front yard and saw an image she thought worthy o...

  • History of the Signal Board

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Jul 19, 2014

    The question as to where the newly erected signal came from – the one that now stands proudly over our Depot – appears to be answered. Local historian and fellow Friends of the Tehachapi Depot charter member, Del Troy, supplied the back-story on its journey to its new permanent home. The newly established Tehachapi Heritage League, back in 1973, took possession of the existing Chamber of Commerce building located on Tehachapi Blvd. The building had been used only for storage prior to July 197...

  • Tehachapi Depot... Crowned?

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Jun 21, 2014

    Known as a "Railroad Signal Board" this newly erected and restored semi-fore style signal, is now standing taller than the Depot and was last seen in front of the Chamber of Commerce building here in town. It has taken the unprecedented cooperation and efforts of Depot Volunteers along with Tehachapi City Staff and Engineers, Union Pacific Railroad Track Maintenance Manager Dewayne Hillman, and his flagman Ricky Kissel, all local residents, to prepare for this event. RST Cranes volunteered a...

  • Police Department Dedication

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Jun 21, 2014

    For those that missed it today, the public is invited to come tour the new Police Department's facilities tomorrow, between 9 a.m. and Noon....

  • Cowboy & Cowgirl 'Up'....

    Nick Smirnoff, TMRA|Apr 26, 2014

    The Junior Rodeo Was Cancelled Due To Weather, We'll Post An Update As Soon As We Know More. ~ Loop Staff This Sunday, April 27, kicks off the start of the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association season. Sunday is the first of seven rodeos for the year of 2014. This year features two professional rodeo events and five "Junior Rodeo" events. Sunday brings the first Junior Rodeo event and is for participants up to the age of twenty. In the Pee Wee Division, Cowboys and Cowgirls will be competing for...

  • Art Reception in Bear Valley Springs

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Apr 12, 2014

    The completed works of many artists from many different disciplines will be featured this Saturday April 12 at the 30th Annual Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts Association Art Show and Sale. Opening day reception will be held in the Oak Tree Country Club in Bear Valley Springs tomorrow. In past years fine art was displayed, all by local artists, in mediums such as Painting, Fused Glass, Ceramic Sculptures. Metal Sculptures and Photography . Hours for Saturdays Reception are 4 to 6 p.m. Viewers...

  • Art in Everything 'I See'

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Mar 29, 2014

    A touch of art and whimsy in most everything she does is how best to describe the life of Bear Valley Springs photo artist Leslie Vo Villa. From ink stamping her initials on eggs freshly laid by her hens, watercolor painting, flower gardening, growing vegetables "to become dinner for the deer," and now into the world of photography. An avid artist all her life, The Loop recently visited Leslie in her studio at her hilltop home in the Bear Valley Springs community: Q: "I see you have eggs of...

  • Shop With a Cop Huge Success, Despite Weather

    Nick Smirnoff, NPPA|Dec 21, 2013

    The Tehachapi community had a new holiday event this year for some of their more disadvantaged kids. In what is to become an annual holiday event, principals of each local school selected candidates for the community's first "Shop With a Cop" event. 14 children were selected for a free buffet breakfast at the Highway-58 Restaurant. Upon arrival, each child was pared with their own Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff. Law enforcement agencies that were able to participate were Tehachapi City Police...