Meet your new neighbors

It was his work as an aircraft mechanic that brought TJ Fargo, his wife Roni, and their three children, aged nine months to fourteen years, to the Antelope Valley from Vacaville, California. They lived in Littlerock for less than a year before the lure of the mountains, the change of seasons, and friends in Stallion Springs prompted them to make the move to the Bear Valley area of Tehachapi. According to Roni, since they made the move they have had company almost every weekend. That’s what happens when you move to a place everyone wants to visit.

TJ was born and raised in Vacaville. His two sisters are still living there. After High school, he spent five and a half years in the Marines and that is where he learned his craft. TJ added that, if he has free time, he loves to get outdoors and go hunting.

Roni was born in Napa and has lived in Vacaville and Eagle Point, Oregon. She has a one brother and one sister. It was through TJ’s sister that Roni met TJ. Roni has been riding horses since she was little and finally became a horse trainer when she grew up. She currently has two young horses, Bar J and Merada, that she is whipping into shape. She told me that her mother taught her to sew and she still uses that skill to make blankets and clothing.

Aside from the horses, the Fargo family have two dogs, Bennie and Roo, and a cat named Rusty. They also made room for their four chickens. Roni said that they are all layers so the family is set for eggs.

Welcome, Fargo family!!

Last spring Amy and Tom Najera moved from Bakersfield to Tehachapi with Amy’s three children, Destiny, Dejuan and Angelique. When I asked them what prompted the move, they told me primarily the schools and the weather as well as family and friends. Tom’s mother has already agreed to join them here and they are still working on Amy’s family.

Both of them grew up in Bakersfield. Amy and her two sisters grew up with Tom’s sister. It was twenty years later that the couple reconnected and fell in love. Amy’s step father still works as a welder in Arvin. Tom is currently working as a substitute teacher, covering all grade levels from preschool to high school. Amy worked for many years as a crane driver for IKEA in Lebec before leaving in 2012.

When I asked what they like to do in their spare time, they both answered “anything outdoors”. Hiking and fishing were at the top of the list.

On the day of our visit, the entire family was looking forward to the next day when they were getting a new Husky puppy from Wasco.

A big “Tehachapi Welcome” to the Najera family and puppy!

Ryan Pauley and Kaija Patton have come to Tehachapi from Rosamond where Ryan had lived his entire life. His parents and brother are still living there. Ryan said that he wanted a quieter lifestyle and cooler weather so Tehachapi was the perfect solution. He still commutes to his job at Scaled Composites in Mojave where he has worked for nine years in Property Control. He said that his job involves mostly equipment calibration. He is also a snowboarder and a woodworker. He has even made some of the furniture in their new home.

Kaija was born in San Diego and is a self-proclaimed military brat. Her dad is a Marine and her family has lived all over from Monterey, California, to North Carolina. She has a sister and a brother in North Carolina. She said that she likes to read, sew and cook. Her son Nathaniel, aged 7, also keeps her busy. Although he likes video games, Nathaniel really loves having friends who live right next door.

Keeping everyone on their toes are a cat and three dogs. Tabasco the cat is ten years old. The dogs are Doodles the Lab, Nona the Chihuahua, and Babies the Miniature Schnauser. All in all, that’s quite a household.

We are all glad you decided to make Tehachapi your new home.

If you have moved to the Greater Tehachapi Area within the last six months and would like to know more about your new community, call 661-822-8188. We will be happy to make an appointment for a hostess to come by and give you lots of helpful information, some valuable coupons, gifts and much more. Many families and individuals who come to the area are pleasantly surprised with the amount of knowledge they gather about their new home. Publishing your welcome article is completely voluntary and is not a requirement of being welcomed.