Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 40
Longer days, warmer temperatures and changing barometric pressure have started bringing about the annual reappearance of snakes in the Tehachapi Mountains. They've been here all along, of course, but have spent the colder months tucked away in an old rodent burrow, rock crevice, fallen log or some other hibernaculum. This period of cold weather dormancy among snakes, lizards and tortoises is called brumation, from the Latin word "bruma," meaning "midwinter" or "winter solstice." While it is...
Although both Louise and Nellie Fickert, who owned the sprawling 25,000-acre Fickert Ranch that later became Bear Valley Springs, were mentally sharp until they died, other infirmities of age caught up with them in their last years. Dr. Vincent Troy was the Fickerts' doctor for many years. He was always there to help Louise and Nellie, especially after they became confined. Mary Farrell felt that the sisters looked upon Dr. Troy as the son they never had. For one reason or another – perhaps b...
In 1925, when I was 16 years old, my cousin and I got jobs with the remount unit at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, on the border with Mexico. The remount unit was responsible for gettin' horses broke and ready for the troopers to ride. We weren't in the cavalry, we were employees who lived in civilian barracks on base. There were 3,000 to 4,000 horses at Ft. Bliss at that time, and we got paid "$19 a month and found (room and board)" as remount wranglers. It wasn't easy, but it involved less wor...
In these uncertain times, created by the passage of Public Service Power Shutoff (PSPS), there is a new service now available in the Tehachapi area. Generators On The Go is a mobile, portable, rental generator service. At a time when your local power company can turn off your power whenever it sees fit, leaving you to deal with lack of heat, water and hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, there is now a local company that can help. Generators On The Go can now provide Tehachapi residents with...
St. Vincent de Paul is still here assisting those in need. Since our office is currently closed, we have changed our service slightly. You must now call us at (661) 822-1920. Please leave your name, telephone number and a short message, and follow the voicemail instructions. We will return your call at our earliest opportunity and fill your needs as best we can. We have ample supplies in our pantry and we can also help with some utility or rent payments. Please do not hesitate to call us and we...
Gallery 'N' Gifts featured artist for June will be gourd artist John McCollum. John came to Quarts Hill, Calif. in 2019 after 38 years in Hawaii. He is a member of the American Gourd Society and Hawaii Gourd Society. John has worked with gourds, wood and bamboo for 30 years and has been participating in galleries for the past six years, also making hula implements for Halas, craft fairs, awards and special occasions. John was an art major in college and worked for an ad agency in Hawaii for 18...
At our May 19 Board of Supervisors meeting, my colleagues and I unanimously approved the implementation of the Kern Small Business Relief Program (KSBRP). This program provides $25 million in loans for local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. In the coming days, local small business owners and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations will be able to apply for a forgivable loan from multiple local business lenders. Local small businesses will be eligible to receive a forgivable loan in an amount...
Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County) issued the following statement in response to Kern County’s attestation approval to move further into Stage 2 of re-opening: “I want to commend the tremendous work by Kern County as our county received approval to move efficiently through the state’s stage 2 re-opening phase of our local economy, which now includes dine-in restaurant service and malls with certain precautions. Our county leaders, local businesses, hospitals and community leaders will continue to work around the clock to advance to the n...
Tehachapi Mountain Democrats held their May meeting on Zoom. It wasn’t as good as meeting for dinner at Big Papa’s Steak House, but some club business was transacted. A slate of officers for the year beginning July 1 was adopted. Voting may need to be done online unless meeting restrictions are eased. As with other organizations, it is difficult to make plans except month by month. Democrats are anxious to promote the election of Kim Mangone in her race against Kevin McCarthy. It was noted that if all Democrats would vote in the November ele...
This year, 2020, will go down as one to be noted in history. I don't know exactly what will actually take place this Memorial Day, but it will be different. Probably, it will stand out in our memories but quite doubtful that future citizens, not yet born, will even know about unless it be given a paragraph in new history books. I sound cynical but sometimes when I mention on Dec. 7 that it is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, they say, "Oh, really?" Even President Roosevelt said it...
We're all spending more time at home these days, and for many people, that means spending more time online. Whether on Zoom conference calls, Google Classroom assignments, trying to level up in your video game or some quality binge-watching, we're online more now than we were last year. Here's how to make sure you're getting the most from your internet connection. Go get your latest internet bill and look up out how much speed you are paying for. In Tehachapi, internet plans range from 1-3...
This is the time of year when the Tehachapi Mountain Branch of the American Association of University Women plans an event to honor student scholarship winners, but that won’t happen this year. Instead, awards will be made via email and announced in the newspapers. The girls chosen for Tech Trek will also be recognized in the same manner. COVID-19 restrictions have caused the cancellation of these group activities. The Branch Board met recently on Zoom and tried to plan the AAUW 2020-21 year which begins July 1. All plans have to be t...
As an essential business ready to meet the needs of our community, effective Tuesday, May 26, Valley Strong Credit Union will return to regular hours of operation at all branch locations, as follows: Location Hours Bakersfield Area: Artisan*, Buena Vista*, Delano, Ming*, Mt. Vernon, Panama*, River Run Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown, Town & Country* Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location Hours Tehachapi: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. * Indicates...
Though the weather continues to bounce back and forth between spring and winter temperatures, it's time to start gearing up for hot months. We all know we should put on sunscreen before time spent outdoors, dress for the weather and hydrate when temps soar. But what about your pup? There are many products available to keep them safe and comfortable in the summer sunshine, and Canine Creek has you covered. Our shoe-protected feet may never realize it, but on hot days concrete and cement walkways...
This week's Tehachapi through the lens submission was first posted to The Loop's Good News Tehachapi Facebook group. The staff at The Loop newspaper would love for you to help us share some good news! Search Facebook for "Good News Tehachapi" to join our new group, dedicated to promoting positive happenings in our community. The Loop newspaper was created 19 years ago, with a mission to share as much good community news as possible. While newspapers are an important way to spread needed...
Everyone deals with stress in different ways. Books help. Some need a deep diversion and turn to literary novels, complex and compelling. Others may need an escape into fiction, perhaps science fiction about other worlds and challenges from a different reality. Then again, there are those that go the light comedy route, tongue in cheek stories that take little concentration and in turn, releases stress with laughter and a rueful shaking of the head. I have a few of those! Pretend a cozy mystery...
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to create cold air. The most common reasons why your vehicle’s air conditioning system would lose its cold air will have to do with the refrigerant. The first main issue is generally not enough refrigerant. Refrigerant is a gas in the system and very small holes in a hose, seal or coupler that can allow enough to leak out to prevent the creation of cold air. Another potential problem comes from contamination. Over time the inside of the rubber hoses can deteriorate internally and little bits of r...
TehachaPod, the official podcast of the City of Tehachapi continues to grow in popularity and had charted in the Top 100 Apple Government Podcasts recently. The 15th episode of TehachaPod was recorded at the Tehachapi Farmer's Market. Listen to what the residents of Kern County in attendance had to say and how they felt about the opportunity to purchase household goods during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. The Kern County Department of Public Health provided guidelines for the Farmers Market....
The Roth "five-year rule" typically refers to when you can take tax-free distributions of earnings from your Roth IRA, Roth 401(k) or other work-based Roth account. The rule states that you must wait five years after making your first contribution, and the distribution must take place after age 59½, when you become disabled or when your beneficiaries inherit the assets after your death. Roth IRAs (but not workplace plans) also permit up to a $10,000 tax-free withdrawal of earnings after...
I have always had a great interest in the Blackbird family of aircraft and have often visited Blackbird Air Park in Palmdale. On display there you can see a YF-12, an SR-71 side-by-side and a D-21 drone which was tested on the back of a Blackbird, launched in-flight in the early 1960s. The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed and manufactured by Lockheed Corporation. It was originally used as a trainer, but in the 196...
Working on your own car is as rewarding as it is practical. The DIY mechanic industry is huge and includes everyone from expert mechanics to parents who want to learn more about cars to keep the family vehicle in good condition. You don’t need a lot of tools to start working on cars, but there are a few basics every new DIYer needs in their mechanic toolbox. Here are four essential sets for both the casual DIYer and avid hobbyist. 1. Socket Set One of the essentials of automotive maintenance and repair is a socket set. Pros and DIYers alike sho...
In March, TCT’s 51st Season came to an abrupt halt when we hit the brakes on our big musical “Nunsense,” which was getting set to open. And plans for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” were derailed, too. We’re idling – waiting for the green light to proceed with our next season and planning the 2020/21 season on a TBA basis. When we get rolling, the new season will start with “Nunsense” and include fun shows like “A Double-Wide Christmas,” “Deathtrap,” “Moon Over Buffalo” and our ever-popular Pl...
The Tehachapi Association of Teachers found a unique way to honor their president Joan Cooper on May 14. Cooper has served as president of the TAT for 24 years. The teachers arranged a car parade that formed at Kmart and drove down F Street to the TAT office on Mill Street. Although not quite the surprise they planned it to be, Cooper, accompanied by Emily Van Andel, Val Bowman and others greeted the well-wishers as they drove by. They all continued to UNeek Findz to sign a quilt created by...
On May 14, the Edwards Air Force Base 412th Test Wing conducted a flyover over the Antelope Valley and Tehachapi for front-line workers. This photo was taken as they passed over Tehachapi....
When the flag is lowered to half staff on Memorial Day, May 25, the nation honors those that gave "their all" in the name of freedoms we enjoy today. Lest we forget our hometown fallen, take a moment, look at the plaque, read their names, give them thanks, by letting each of their names quietly roll off your lips....
