Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Articles from the January 18, 2025 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 53

  • White-tailed Kite: a rare and welcome raptor

    Jon Hammond, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    I saw one of the most beautiful birds of prey in North America this week, as it hovered over a fallowed field north of Highline Road: a White-tailed Kite. These striking birds are among my favorites and are one of the most uncommon raptors found in the Tehachapi area – most people have never even heard of them. White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) are medium-sized birds of prey that typically hunt in open grasslands, fallow fields and savannahs. They are mostly white and can be mistaken for g...

  • January in the Tehachapi Mountains is a study in contrasts

    Jon Hammond, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    January weather in Tehachapi can be snowy, windy and extremely cold, or it can be sunny and mild with temperatures in the 60s. Some of the strongest (and at times competing) influences on Tehachapi weather are these two realities: one is that we are in the mountains at 4,000 feet above sea level, which brings rapidly changeable weather, low temperatures and occasional snow; the second is that despite our elevation we are still in Southern California, albeit on the northern edge, which brings...

  • Dive into TVRPD's second annual Presidential Polar Plunge, Feb. 17

    Sarai Diaz, Recreation Manager|Jan 18, 2025

    Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District invites the community to take the plunge at the second annual Presidential Polar Plunge, happening Monday, Feb. 17, at 9 a.m. at the Dye Natatorium Pool, 400-B S. Snyder Ave. Whether you're up for the challenge of swimming a lap in cold water or just want to experience the benefits of a cold plunge, this event offers something for everyone. Join us for a refreshing end to your three-day weekend and celebrate Presidents' Day in a unique and...

  • Join us in supporting fire victims: Tehachapi Cares – Concert for a Cause

    Linda Carhart, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    When disaster strikes, our community comes together to make a difference. The Rotary Club of Tehachapi and Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District invites you to an unforgettable event that combines great music, delicious food and a powerful mission: supporting the victims of the Altadena/Pacific Palisades and Los Angeles area wildfires. Join us on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center, 410 W. D St., Tehachapi. Tickets are $30 each. Live music featuring Fl...

  • Year of the Snake: wisdom & rebirth

    Kim Durham-Ashton, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    Now that we have entered 2025, we cycle into a new Chinese Zodiac: The Year of the Snake, specifically the Wood Snake. In the Chinese Zodiac, your animal sign is determined by the year you were born unlike the western zodiac which is determined by the month you were born. Each year corresponds with a different animal in a 12- year cycle beginning with the rat and ending with the pig. From a spiritual standpoint, the Year of the Snake offers great opportunity for transformation, introspection...

  • Celebrate 2025 color of the year: Mocha Mousse

    Century Draperies|Jan 18, 2025

    When a client comes in to look at fabrics to change the design of their home, the first thing they ask is, "what is everyone else doing?" This year we will start off with the 2025 color of year. Whether in the form of a morning walk, cup of coffee or piece of chocolate, we all search for simple moments of joy that keep us going throughout the day. This year, Pantone is honing in on those everyday pleasures we love, and there's one color in particular that embodies that comfort: Pantone 17-1230...

  • Emotional alchemy

    Carla Cook, MSW, LCSW, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    Did you know you are an alchemist? Just like ancient alchemists tried to transmute lead into gold, we all have the natural ability to turn moments of emotional distress into gratitude. We all, as human beings, experience a wide-range of emotions. Sometimes, we struggle with emotions such as anger, grief and sadness. It can be useful to have a way to perceive things that would allow us to honor our emotions and use them to move to a more comfortable way of being. This is the concept of emotional...

  • Registration now open for 25th Annual Kern County Teacher Recruitment Fair

    Kern County Superintendent of Schools|Jan 18, 2025

    The 25th Annual Kern County Teacher Recruitment Fair is scheduled to take place Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Larry E. Reider Education Center, 2000 K Street in Bakersfield. Individuals who are fully credentialed, intern-eligible and holders of bachelor's degrees or higher are invited to attend. Sponsored by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, this is the county's largest gathering of school district recruiters in one location. It is an excellent opportunity for those who ar...

  • Meet Your New Neighbors

    Pat Doody, Welcome Hostess|Jan 18, 2025

    Bruce Houghtaling moved into his Tehachapi home in November following his retirement from the "best part-time job in the world." For the last 23 years, Bruce had been a stagehand at most of the major studios in Hollywood. Over the years, he had the opportunity to work many TV shows and game shows, as well as concerts and conventions in Los Angeles. Then everything became digital and work was harder to find, so it was time to "call it quits." He had visited Tehachapi in the past with his parents...

  • Celebration of Life: Scott Thomas Tickenoff, March 30, 1973 – January 7, 2025

    Jan 18, 2025

    Scott Thomas Tickenoff passed away on Jan. 7, 2025, at the age of 51. Scott was born on March 30, 1973, in Lancaster, California. He is survived by his Mother Patti Kullrich, his father and stepmother – Thomas and Kate Tickenoff. A niece Claire Tickenoff, as well as numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. Scott was deeply loving and loved deeply by his family and friends. He will be missed, kept in our hearts and memories forever. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. in Mojave at the L...

  • TARA invites you to Winter Field Day, Jan. 25

    Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association|Jan 18, 2025

    The Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association (TARA) is excited to announce that our Winter Field Day will be held at Brite Lake, 22902 Banducci Rd., Tehachapi, from 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 through 1:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26. We are excited to announce that County Supervisor Parlier will visit our Winter Field Day. Natural disasters are unpredictable and can strike when you least expect them. Winter Field Day is an opportunity for TARA to practice emergency preparedness and communications in win...

  • Students meet new Superintendent Frank Lynch

    Pat Doody, staff writer|Jan 18, 2025

    Jan. 14 was the first meeting of the year for the Tehachapi Unified School District governing board. Pictured: The board members are joined by the January student greeters from Cummings Valley School. The greeters were (left to right) Riley Bororquez (grade 3), Sawyer Bororquez (grade 5) and Samuel Marquesen (grade 1). Board members present were (from left) Dale Christensen, Tyler Napier, Paul Kaminski, Wayne Cooper and Superintendent Frank Lynch....

  • Hydrostor's Willow Rock Energy Storage Center receives loan guarantee from U.S. Department of Energy

    Hydrostor Inc.|Jan 18, 2025

    Long-duration energy storage developer and operator, Hydrostor, has reached a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.76 billion with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Energy Financing Program (including approximately $1.5 billion of principal and approximately $280 million of capitalized interest). Once finalized, the loan guarantee will help to fund the Willow Rock Energy Storage Center, a 500 MW advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) project to be built in R...

  • Celebration of Life: Brian Farley St. John, July 2, 1961 – December 17, 2024

    Jan 18, 2025

    Brian Farley St. John went to be with our Heavenly Father on Dec. 17, 2024, after a very courageous and hard fought battle with multiple myeloma. Brian was born to Maureen and Julian St. John on July 2, 1961, in Encino, California. He attended Simi Valley High School and was in the class of 1979. Brian served over 20 years as a senior code enforcement officer for the City of Lancaster before his retirement. Brian was always the funniest guy in the room and thoroughly enjoyed making everybody...

  • Federal Tax Returns for 2024

    Moats and Hebebrand CPAs|Jan 18, 2025

    Do I need to file a tax return? The answer depends on your filing status, your age and the type of income you earn. Each person is allowed to earn a certain amount of income before they are required to file a tax return. For 2024 tax returns, individuals are not allowed a personal exemption deduction but are still entitled to a standard deduction of $14,600 for a single file. Hence, an individual can have $14,600 of taxable income before being taxed if under age 65. If age is 65 or over, an...

  • More fun puns

    Mel Makaw, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    A pun can be a noun or a verb, defined basically as a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings. For example, "his first puzzle punned on composers, with answers like 'Handel with care' and 'Haydn go seek.'" Or, as in punning someone, or having punned a friend. A pun is also defined as a double entendre, a play on words, a witty quip. Mostly what I think is that puns are just great fun (I love the...

  • Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone, candidate for Assembly District 32

    Phyllis Belcher, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    A special election will be held on Feb. 25 for representative of Assembly District 32. This is necessary because Vince Fong was on the November ballot for two separate offices and cannot serve both. This made another election necessary. Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone is running for this office and Tehachapi Democratic Club invited her to speak at its January meeting. Cruz-Boone was born in Bakersfield and continues to live there. Her parents, however, live in Tehachapi so she is very familiar with this...

  • Spousal transfer

    Diana Wade, LDA|Jan 18, 2025

    Question: My husband died recently and I need to transfer the property into my name. How do I do that if my name is not on the deed? I thought since I am the surviving spouse I can just transfer the property into my name. Answer: Remember, this information is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you need direction on what procedure to use in your case. Fortunately, there is a simple solution. But it does require a court order. According to "How To Probate and Estate in California" by...

  • PC cleaners, what are they?

    Guy Martin, owner of Control-Alt-Delete|Jan 18, 2025

    Ever since the beginning of personal computers, one of the biggest nuisances has been the inevitable slow-down issue. You buy a brand new computer, and it is super-fast! You open a program, zip-blam! You surf the internet, zappo! Lightning speed! But then, you start installing programs, updating the operating system, temporary files get installed and left to clutter your system. And slowly, your computer starts to lose its speed, its pizzazz. Why does this happen? Think about it like this. You...

  • Celebration of Life: Claude Wayne Kiser, January 22, 1934, – November 5, 2024

    Jan 18, 2025

    Claude Wayne Kiser is survived by his four children: Kathy, Caryle, Rita and Richard and their respective spouses; nine grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. A celebration of life was held for Claude on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Village Collective, 122 S. Green St., Tehachapi....

  • Congratulations to our graduates

    Rev. Joshua Pierce, MDiv, RADT, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    On Jan. 18 we will be celebrating four clients completing our substance use disorder treatment program. Completing Cornerstone's program is not a simple task and often takes a year or more to complete. The majority of clients go through three program levels: the intensive outpatient program (15-20 hours per week), the outpatient program (6-10 hours per week), and the step down program (1-5 hours per week). Each level has specific objectives and growth goals the clients are expected to achieve....

  • 'The Expanse' on display until Feb. 5

    Gale Caldwell, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    On Jan. 3, Gallery 'N' Gifts held its monthly First Friday artist reception. This month featured a multi-artist show curated by Andi Campognone. The show, titled "The Expanse," celebrated artists Aazam Irilian, Nuri Amanatullah, Josh Patterson, David Koeth, Mark Pestana and Denise Lewis and features a space/aeronautical theme. The event drew in quite a crowd. If you missed the opening, the show is available for viewing through Feb. 5. Gallery 'N' Gifts is located at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd. The...

  • Make family meals a breeze with a Lazy Susan

    Jan 18, 2025

    Mountain Dog Millworks' new Lazy Susan makes sharing meals and condiments at dinner easy! Pick wood and size according to your personal needs. Matte or glossy finishes available. Featured above is their 18" diameter burned Ash with a glossy finish. This one was inspired by a local customer and they are thrilled with the results. Great for the table or on the counter for easy access to all your spices. Check out their website www.mountaindogmillworks.com or call them at (661)...

  • Taking care of you

    Dr. Theresa L. Smith, D.C., contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    How much time do you really spend on yourself? Taking care of your body and your mind? We all know that if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't have anything left to give to others. But even though we know this, we often spend our days taking care of everyone else and forget to do anything for ourselves. Imagine you're on a plane and the oxygen masks drop down. What's the first thing you want to do? Help someone else, right? But, the flight attendant always says to put your own mask on...

  • Valentine's Wine Walk returns, Feb. 15

    Clare Scotti, contributing writer|Jan 18, 2025

    Get ready for a romantic and fun afternoon of wine, chocolate and local charm at the Tehachapi Valentine's Wine Walk, taking place on Feb. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. This popular event, hosted by the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, invites wine lovers to explore Tehachapi's historic downtown shops and experience award-winning local wines, live music, handcrafted chocolates, savory snacks, activities and more. The event will feature 18 wine tasting locations showcasing all of Tehachapi's...

Page Down