Meet Your New Neighbors

I first met Edward and Valerie Padua in Philip Marx Central Park during Tehachapi's 4th of July celebration. They stopped by The Loop newspaper's booth in the company of a giant, fluffy, 40-pound, six-month-old poodle "puppy" named Scooby who behaves very much like his namesake.

Edward and Valerie had moved to Tehachapi at the end of May from Palmdale, where they had been living for about three years, and were anxious to learn more about their new hometown.

Edward is employed by CalTrans District 9 in Mojave. As CalTrans is currently in the process of building a large maintenance facility in Tehachapi, the couple began looking at the town and decided to buy a home. It was the end of May when they finally made the move and settled in their new home.

Edward was born in Hayward, California and has three brothers and one sister. By high school he was living in Sacramento. It was in high school that he met Valerie and they have been a couple ever since. Valerie was raised in Sacramento and is the youngest of three girls. Both of them are now delighted to be in Tehachapi.

Edward admits that he is a born outdoorsman and loves hiking, snowboarding and mountain biking. He was thrilled to learn about our local Lehigh Trails as well as the Tehachapi Mountain Trails Association.

Valerie is an artist. She draws portraits, creates sculptures and is looking forward to joining the Tehachapi Valley Arts Association.

It didn't take much urging to get her interested in Chalk on the Walk, an art event that happens in Downtown Tehachapi every August. Her other interests range all the way from tennis to chess.

Welcome to Tehachapi, Valerie and Edward. I am certain we will be hearing more from the two of you in the future. Say "hi" to Scooby!

If you have moved to Tehachapi within the last six months, Hilltop Welcoming Service has a bag of information about the Greater Tehachapi area, including local activities, events, government and facilities. There are always a few coupons and gifts, as well. It is a great way to learn about your new community. Being part of this column is strictly optional. If you would like a visit from the Welcome Hostess, contact our office at (661) 822-8188.