August 'First Friday' in Tehachapi

August 1, Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m., Tehachapi Treasure Trove will again celebrate our First Friday Fun Fest. You're invited to come see our ever changing displays full of art, crafts, collectables and art supplies. Please join us for fun, refreshments, art, and a chance to visit with Thai Harder, our featured artist for August.

Thai makes and sells a variety of natural soaps, facial bars and bath salts. She's been making her own soaps for 20 plus years because her daughter was born with severe skin issues. She found it necessary to quit using most commercial chemical-based products. In the early days, before computers, accessing information on natural alternatives was an arduous task but she managed, and all of her soaps are made with natural ingredients and essential oils.

Thai, the soap goddess, states that her children grew up with "Hippy Earth Mother Mama" and she was "always looking for ways to purify their environment." She is a major advocate for TERRA essential oils and basic wellness.

Thai graduated from Shafter High School and has spent most of her life in the Bakersfield area; she moved to Tehachapi a year and a half ago because her man promised to build her a studio for her glass art. She's raised 4 children (3 girls and a boy) and now has four grandchildren. Another grandchild is expected this fall in Germany, and Thai plans to be there for the birth.

Not only a great hippy earth mother, Thai is also a survivor, having had a radical mastectomy 2 months ago. She's doing very well and looking forward to meeting visitors and customers and sharing her knowledge of organic soaps and other products on August 1, First Friday night.

You're all invited to the Treasure Trove on Friday, August 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. for our First Friday event. Come have a glass of champagne or wine, a bite to eat, say, "Hello," to Thai and join the fun!

Tehachapi Treasure Trove is located at 116 E Tehachapi Boulevard, right across the street from the water tower in Railroad Park. Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sundays 11 to 4). For additional information on any of our activities, classes and events, please call 661-822-6794 or visit http://facebook.com/Tehachapi Treasure Trove.

It's that time of the year again! We begin taking photo contest submissions on July 21 thru July 28. Show us what you've got, let's see those photos! For full details and rules: http://www.galleryngifts.com/photorules.pdf.

Awards reception will be First Friday August 1 from 5-8 p.m. at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd. Don't forget, (as it is with all of our events) proceeds go towards high school art scholarships and art supplies for local classrooms!

Tehachapi Christian Store is hosting neighbors Walt and Pam Ryba of "One In Him" Music Ministry from Frazier Park. They currently have two Country Gospel CDs in release, and are working on their third. Their music ministry started about 20 years ago and God has taken them all over the United States to as far as Israel. Their message through their music and testimony has always been God's saving grace through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The concert will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 1st at 108 E Tehachapi Blvd. The concert is free and refreshments will be served during intermission.