Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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New hours at the Arts Center We are now open six days a week. Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note: We stay open later for unique events such as Thursday's Farmers Market, local fairs, community events and holidays. If the flags are out, we're open! Classes and Events First Friday falls on April 5, so don't forget to come out for food, fun and drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tehachapi Arts Center. Enjoy the music and refreshments and meet...
This is the season where families invite rabbits into their homes, rabbits who bring baskets of goodies. The most playful ones take joy in hiding colored eggs for children to find. Dyed eggs and chocolates abound, with an abundance of jelly beans and the occasional sugary peep. Spring has sprung and Easter is nigh. Rabbits as main characters in novels abound as well. The poignant "Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams brings us the tender story of love between a boy and his stuffed rabbit. A...
Tehachapi Valley Arts Association is excited to announce their 2024 All Tehachapi Youth Art Contest. For more than 30 years, the contest has been an exciting opportunity for young artists to show off their beautiful works of art. Please help TVAA celebrate the creative efforts of our local youth by joining the First Friday celebration at Gallery 'N' Gifts on April 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a special Saturday cookies and punch reception on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a...
It's time again for green beer, Irish butter and corned beef with cabbage, or for non-meat eaters, maybe a lovely veggie platter of potatoes, cabbage and carrots garnished with parsley and pearl onions. Yes, St. Patrick's Day has arrived. The wearing of the green comes with leprechauns and perhaps a sprinkling of fairies. Or maybe cowboys. I did cover Irish cowboys a few years back, but as with many good books, revisiting with a new eye brings a fresh perspective. The Irish cowboy was real,...
What do dogs, bears and meerkats have in common? Well, usually not that much, but in this review they all are surrounded by mystery and murder. Three authors have woven stories around these animals, and it may be hard to recognize the leading characters, because as you know, children and animals tend to steal the show. I enjoyed sharing a dog's point of view along with runaway Chase Ryder and grieving veterinarian Sully, in "Wanted." In this first book by K.J. Corgan of the Chase Ryder series,...
After all the reds and pinks of Valentine's Day, I think of February as being a lavender month. Perhaps that is because February's birthstone is amethyst, with its deep purple brilliance and luster. Or perhaps I am ready for spring flowers with the happy faces of pansies, an early contender in the garden. Whatever the reason, I chose the following books to review because of their covers. This is not my usual process. "Tea is for Trouble," by Karen Sue Walker, presents cover art of a pretty...
The 2024 Winter Photo Contest held by Tehachapi Valley Arts Association and Gallery 'N' Gifts had its opening with a well-attended First Friday event on Feb. 2. Fewer entries came in this year due to the bad timing of winter storms, but those who braved the elements to enter came prepared to make things tough on the judges. "Gallery 'N' Gifts has hosted Photo Contests every February and August since 2005," said President, Gale Caldwell. "I have never been as moved by a photo as this year's Best...
What can be more romantic than the moon? That big mysterious orb shines softly down on earth in the darkness of night, while sliding translucent across daylight skies. Whether full or merely slivers of itself, the moon is surrounded by billions of stars holding the secrets of the universe close, while enticing lovers to embrace. February is the month of love, offering an abundance of flowers from florists, to grocery stores and street corners. There is candy too, especially tempting chocolates...
The 2024 Winter Photo Contest is back, and Tehachapi Valley Arts Association is challenging amateur photographers of all ages to submit their favorite photos from Jan. 19-28 at Gallery ‘N’ Gifts for a chance to win the $100 Best of Show prize, or one of six $25 first place prizes in the following categories: Landscape & Nature, Travel & Architecture, Animals, Black & White/Sepia, People/Portrait, Transportation and Youth Photography. Each category will also have ribbons for 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention placings. For rules and information you...
January is a good month to dream as it is the month that we honor Martin Luther King Jr. We are reminded of his dream speech and his desire for a time when promises of freedom, justice and equality becomes a reality for all. There are so many books on King, written for all ages and all kinds of readers. The book I enjoy the most is the illustrated picture book "I Have a Dream" with its simplicity and vibrant art embracing the spirit of King's speech and giving weight and purpose to each one of...
I can't remember not having some kind of snowfall before or right after Thanksgiving in Tehachapi. Yet, here I sit writing this review a few days before New Years, without a flake in sight. What is up with that? It is totally possible that between the time I submit my book review and the actual printing and physical delivery of the paper, snow will have fallen. But then again, it may not. I am prepared with either outcome as I have books filled with snow. Timeless picture books have introduced c...
In this issue, we celebrate the 5th anniversary of everyone's favorite bookworm. On Dec. 22, 2018, Midge Lyn'dee published her first book review with The Loop newspaper. Since then, more than 150 reviews have been written, 350 books explored and countless gems of wisdom provided. Join us as we thank Midge for inspiring us to pick up a book, grab a cup of our favorite warm beverage and get lost in words. Keep us reading Midge! Celebrations Have you been celebrating this December? Celebrating...
Amy Nelson is a photographer located in the Kern River valley. She specializes in landscape and nature photography. She has also expanded to wedding and portrait photography. Amy's love for photography started at a very young age. Growing up in the Los Angeles area, her parents always emphasized an appreciation of nature. The family traveled to the Kern River Valley to escape the busy city life. Her father would give Amy disposable cameras and she would go exploring and hiking taking photos of...
TVAA was formed soon after World War II. In 1945, Tehachapi's soldiers were returning home. Many had developed new skills and talents while serving their country. The women who had waited at home had also developed skills and artistic talents – after all, this was a time of new beginnings, creativity and make do with what you have. It was a time of hope and wanting to bring color and beauty to their surroundings. A casual group of artists and crafters was formed – the Tehachapi Valley Arts Ass...
Some people need to ease into a holiday mood in order to embrace all the trimmings. I just jump right in and immediately enjoy it all. The lights, the music, the overwhelming number of Hallmark movies. I especially enjoy the books. I first turn toward the classics. "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens remains a world treasure as the story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (first published in 1843) survives numerous re-writings and performances, on both stage and big screen, by many actors over the...
Why is the raven like a writing desk? That is the important first question in the novel "The Wishing Game" by Meg Shaffer. I was delighted to find this book because it had a raven in it and fit so nicely with the Raven serial in this issue. The raven in this story is both a riddle and real. Author Jack Masterson is an eccentric man who wrote a series of very successful children's books about Clock Island and the adventures of children searching for wishes. Masterson has a pet raven he rescued...
This is the last installment of the Raven serial. Previous installments can be found in the last three editions of The Loop newspaper. Added into the following is a submission by Shaun Barnes. Thank you Shaun! You brought to us another layer of raven mystery that perfectly fit! We hope readers have enjoyed our little journey into reality, fantasy and the unknown. Our world is truly a magical place full of wonders and mystery. Perhaps you have been noticing more ravens these days? They say to wat...
Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the world with new eyes? As a baby grows and learns, it sees the world for the first time. The baby explores all the simple wonders that we now take for granted as we whiz right by. We most likely no longer marvel at our own shadow, the leaf of a tree, a piece of straw, how the breeze feels so soft, how fuzzy soft a bee looks. Living here for a time sadly takes the wonder edge off of our daily lives. If you are lucky to have a baby in your life, you may be...
Ravens To catch up on the ongoing Raven serial, you will find the story in the last two issues of The Loop. In review, some people in town have been having strange experiences with the ravens. Some see ravens, others black trash bags, and sometimes both in the same sighting. Stephen, Maxi, Leanne and Walt have noticed a few mysterious occurrences in the mix. A new character moves the story forward in this issue... Glen Fieldstone is an old timer. He knows most everyone in town. And anyone who...
The difference between cozy and gritty mysteries is immense. Would you rather snuggle with a teddy bear or a cholla cactus? Yes, that extreme. Cozy mysteries coax you into the story with a comfy chair, soft blanket and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. The gritty mystery grabs you and won't let go, even when you try to put it down and run. Both are layered in degrees, building to their conclusion. I suppose it depends on what kinds of books you enjoy the most, whether you can be satisfied with a...
We must admit that we did not receive submissions from the community for our second Loop serial to meet this week's deadline. It was not unexpected. Life is crazy these days with demands on everyone's time and attention, and it is not always easy to give time to creative endeavors. It was the chance we took. But not to be discouraged, we prepared for this very occasion and we have our own ideas of where the mystery of the ravens moves forward and we are moving the story along. Please enjoy. Also...
First Friday falls on Nov. 3, so don't forget to come out for food, fun and drinks. We also have ceramics classes, a how-to class: making a "shower steamer," a fused glass Christmas ornament class, paint night (on the third Saturday of each month), the improv workshop, jam night, (every other Tuesday) and many more class offerings. New Arts Center hours We are now open 7 days a week and we stay open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays...
Serials were discussed a few years back in a previous book review. At the time we sponsored our own Loop serial called "Valley of Light" with contributions from the community. It's time to try it again! A serial is where a story is divided up into segments and given to readers a bit at a time. Charles Dickens wrote his novels and published them in serial form, some weekly, others monthly, leaving his readers yearning for more. Serials have a constant story arc that proceeds forward over time,...
A few years back The Loop sponsored a serial prompt in The TALE section of the newspaper. The community was invited to offer up what they thought would happen next in an ongoing story. We chose and published a few contributors at a time and continued the serial in the next paper and the next until we felt we had found a satisfying ending. We would like to do the same again. We have a new story started below. It is about Ravens, or is it? If you read the prompts and are inspired to imagine what...
Our in-house Glass Fusion artist, Leila Kleiman, will be presenting her long-awaited Fused Glass Class. Her students will be making a pendant and earring set. Make beautiful one of a kind art that you can wear or gift to a special person. The class will take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at noon. October is Inktober here at the Arts Center. Our artists will display ink drawing sketches and other pieces using the medium of ink. New hours at the Arts Center We are now open seven days a week and stay...
