California State Parks is beginning the spring tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi. Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides.
Tomo-Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni’s, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs. Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Spring and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the site, the only way to explore the park is through guided tours, which involve a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike. This spring’s tour season will begin Saturday April 12 and continue, weather permitting, through Saturday June 21. Activities begin with an orientation at the Tomo-Kahni Resource Center in Tehachapi at 9 am and last approximately 4 hours, which includes travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided). Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Adequate drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.
Tour fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended, for an additional fee of $5 for 1-6 people and $10 for 7-12 people. To make a reservation or for more information, visit the California State Parks office at 43779 15th Street West in Lancaster or call (661) 942-0662, Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Jean Scott, Interpreter I, California State Parks, Mojave Sector/Tehachapi District
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Signs needed for travelers
When I sat down to write directions to the Poppy Reserve for the article that ran in Antelope Valley Press’ Showcase last week, I was struck with the fact that we are lacking signs.
We don’t have a Welcome to the Antelope Valley, Palmdale, nor Lancaster.
There’s one sign for Lancaster City Hall after you get off the freeway at the Avenue K exit and cross over that very busy intersection at Avenue K. If you glance quickly over to your right, you’ll see the sign for Lancaster pointing to the right as if our city hall was in the parking lot for Toys R Us.
A visitor traveling on the 14 does not see any sign for the Poppy Reserve – and we have the State’s only Poppy Reserve. The only sign you’ll see is after you get off the 14 and are traveling west on I. Then you learn it’s 11 miles to the Poppy Reserve.
And what about the aerospace museums?
No traveler would know about any of them.
Lancaster’s Walk of Honor? Nope, nothing.
Prime Desert Woodland? No.
Palmdale’s Dry Town Water Park? You know the answer.
As you travel north on the 14, of course you’ll see the exit for Edwards Air Force Base. But what about the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound or Willow Springs Raceway?
Nothing.
At least the welcome to Mojave sign tells you that it’s the home of the Voyager.
I know money is tight and there might be restrictions for signs adjacent to the freeway but sometime in the future we need to have the signs and a Visitors’ Center – perhaps in the same area as the office for the Mojave Desert State Park Office on 15th Street in Lancaster. To mitigate costs it could be a joint effort by the cities and the counties.
And it would be a sign for the times.
We don’t have a Welcome to the Antelope Valley, Palmdale, nor Lancaster.
There’s one sign for Lancaster City Hall after you get off the freeway at the Avenue K exit and cross over that very busy intersection at Avenue K. If you glance quickly over to your right, you’ll see the sign for Lancaster pointing to the right as if our city hall was in the parking lot for Toys R Us.
A visitor traveling on the 14 does not see any sign for the Poppy Reserve – and we have the State’s only Poppy Reserve. The only sign you’ll see is after you get off the 14 and are traveling west on I. Then you learn it’s 11 miles to the Poppy Reserve.
And what about the aerospace museums?
No traveler would know about any of them.
Lancaster’s Walk of Honor? Nope, nothing.
Prime Desert Woodland? No.
Palmdale’s Dry Town Water Park? You know the answer.
As you travel north on the 14, of course you’ll see the exit for Edwards Air Force Base. But what about the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound or Willow Springs Raceway?
Nothing.
At least the welcome to Mojave sign tells you that it’s the home of the Voyager.
I know money is tight and there might be restrictions for signs adjacent to the freeway but sometime in the future we need to have the signs and a Visitors’ Center – perhaps in the same area as the office for the Mojave Desert State Park Office on 15th Street in Lancaster. To mitigate costs it could be a joint effort by the cities and the counties.
And it would be a sign for the times.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tech Trek entices girls to learn about science at summer camp
By Bonnie D. Stone, special to the Antelope Valley Press
15 girls will go to Tech Trek, a science summer camp
The Antelope Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women recognized fifteen girls going to this year’s Tech Trek summer program, their parents as well as the generous donors who have made the program possible on Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m., in the Antelope Valley College Board Room (SSV151). The program is open to the public. For information call 947-2947 or 942-7533.
Members of the Society of Women Engineers will speak about their lives as science professionals working for Lockheed Martin. Two of the former Tech Trekkers will briefly share their experiences.
Rachel Thomson, 14, 8th grader at Cole Middle school, went to tech last summer to Whittier College.
“It definitely gave me a new view on what I was going to do with my life,” Rachael said. “It helped me decide what I wanted. I took the bodyworks class as my core class. It assured me how much fun I would have, how science and math would help me. At the moment I’d love to be an orthopedic surgeon.”
For Darcy Dewar, 18-year-old senior at Boron High School, the week she spent at Tech Trek at Whittier College in 2003 confirmed she was on the right track for college.
“For me, that week gave me a taste for college,” Darcy said. “I’ve always been strong in science and math, yet, when we examined a cadaver for example, I found I could handle things better than my peers.” Darcy is aiming for California State University at Northridge with a major in civil engineering.
The meeting will introduce the 15 Trekkers, representing nine different schools, who will be going to camp this summer.
AAUW will also acknowledge their principal aerospace donors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, JT3 and Spiral Technology. The association also has branch fundraisers throughout the year.
“We have sent 80 campers to Tech Trek since the AAUW-CA program began in 1998,” said Connie Harney, chair for Tech Trek. “The way to apply is for 7th grade public school math or science teachers to nominate girls who show a special interest in math or science by sending or e-mailing their name, address and phone number to me in January of each year - up to four nominees per school.” Email address for nominations is: copa.harney@verizon.net with Tech Trek in the subject line.
Tech Trek is a week-long residential math/science camp for girls entering the eighth grade. Programs are offered at six sites:
California State University, Fresno
Mills College, Oakland
Stanford University, Stanford
University of California, San Diego
Whittier College, Whittier
University of California, Santa Barbara
All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on the university campus. Each camp features hands-on activities in math and science plus related field trips. The camps also offer many other activities, such as swimming and math/logic related games.
“Science, math, and technology are major fields where women are presently underrepresented but fields where they can and do succeed,” said Harney. “The goal of Tech Trek is to provide a fun yet educational experience that will expand the minds of the middle-school age girls who attend, allow campers to experience hands-on experiments and field trips related to math and science, live on a college campus, get acquainted with other girls who think science is fun, and meet female role models in math, science, technology and other non-traditional careers.”
All six Tech Trek camps increased their attendance to serve over 600 girls in 2007, bringing the total since the first camp in 1998 to well over 3,000 participants. The first groups of Tech Trekkers are now in college. AAUW-CA has kept in touch with these girls and work is underway to find out how this program has influenced them and the choices they will make in their future lives.
Campers are assigned either a math or science core class taught by a credentialed middle school math or science teacher that they attend daily while at camp. To broaden the camp experience, campers select from “core classes" covering a variety of math/science/technology related fields. Evening programs in fields such as astronomy, engineering and environmental studies enhance the learning experience and introduce students to a variety of potential career areas.
While all camps follow the same overall outline of a single math or science core class throughout the week for each camper, each camp also presents a unique experience for campers. For example, core classes at the Whittier Camp have included Biz World, Mystery Powder/CSI, Body Works, Mars City, Robotics, and Brain Function.
Each camp attendee must be recommended by a teacher. Final selection of campers is done by the local AAUW branch. Young women of all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome to apply. Girls completing the 7th grade in the spring of each year are targeted for this event.
“We know that girls experience a drop in self-esteem during the middle school years, and even talented girls may stop taking important math and science classes,” Connie noted. “One of AAUW's goals is to break this cycle and help girls realize their full potential.” For further information, see www.aauw-ca.org/program/techtrek.htm .
15 girls will go to Tech Trek, a science summer camp
The Antelope Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women recognized fifteen girls going to this year’s Tech Trek summer program, their parents as well as the generous donors who have made the program possible on Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m., in the Antelope Valley College Board Room (SSV151). The program is open to the public. For information call 947-2947 or 942-7533.
Members of the Society of Women Engineers will speak about their lives as science professionals working for Lockheed Martin. Two of the former Tech Trekkers will briefly share their experiences.
Rachel Thomson, 14, 8th grader at Cole Middle school, went to tech last summer to Whittier College.
“It definitely gave me a new view on what I was going to do with my life,” Rachael said. “It helped me decide what I wanted. I took the bodyworks class as my core class. It assured me how much fun I would have, how science and math would help me. At the moment I’d love to be an orthopedic surgeon.”
For Darcy Dewar, 18-year-old senior at Boron High School, the week she spent at Tech Trek at Whittier College in 2003 confirmed she was on the right track for college.
“For me, that week gave me a taste for college,” Darcy said. “I’ve always been strong in science and math, yet, when we examined a cadaver for example, I found I could handle things better than my peers.” Darcy is aiming for California State University at Northridge with a major in civil engineering.
The meeting will introduce the 15 Trekkers, representing nine different schools, who will be going to camp this summer.
AAUW will also acknowledge their principal aerospace donors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, JT3 and Spiral Technology. The association also has branch fundraisers throughout the year.
“We have sent 80 campers to Tech Trek since the AAUW-CA program began in 1998,” said Connie Harney, chair for Tech Trek. “The way to apply is for 7th grade public school math or science teachers to nominate girls who show a special interest in math or science by sending or e-mailing their name, address and phone number to me in January of each year - up to four nominees per school.” Email address for nominations is: copa.harney@verizon.net with Tech Trek in the subject line.
Tech Trek is a week-long residential math/science camp for girls entering the eighth grade. Programs are offered at six sites:
California State University, Fresno
Mills College, Oakland
Stanford University, Stanford
University of California, San Diego
Whittier College, Whittier
University of California, Santa Barbara
All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on the university campus. Each camp features hands-on activities in math and science plus related field trips. The camps also offer many other activities, such as swimming and math/logic related games.
“Science, math, and technology are major fields where women are presently underrepresented but fields where they can and do succeed,” said Harney. “The goal of Tech Trek is to provide a fun yet educational experience that will expand the minds of the middle-school age girls who attend, allow campers to experience hands-on experiments and field trips related to math and science, live on a college campus, get acquainted with other girls who think science is fun, and meet female role models in math, science, technology and other non-traditional careers.”
All six Tech Trek camps increased their attendance to serve over 600 girls in 2007, bringing the total since the first camp in 1998 to well over 3,000 participants. The first groups of Tech Trekkers are now in college. AAUW-CA has kept in touch with these girls and work is underway to find out how this program has influenced them and the choices they will make in their future lives.
Campers are assigned either a math or science core class taught by a credentialed middle school math or science teacher that they attend daily while at camp. To broaden the camp experience, campers select from “core classes" covering a variety of math/science/technology related fields. Evening programs in fields such as astronomy, engineering and environmental studies enhance the learning experience and introduce students to a variety of potential career areas.
While all camps follow the same overall outline of a single math or science core class throughout the week for each camper, each camp also presents a unique experience for campers. For example, core classes at the Whittier Camp have included Biz World, Mystery Powder/CSI, Body Works, Mars City, Robotics, and Brain Function.
Each camp attendee must be recommended by a teacher. Final selection of campers is done by the local AAUW branch. Young women of all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome to apply. Girls completing the 7th grade in the spring of each year are targeted for this event.
“We know that girls experience a drop in self-esteem during the middle school years, and even talented girls may stop taking important math and science classes,” Connie noted. “One of AAUW's goals is to break this cycle and help girls realize their full potential.” For further information, see www.aauw-ca.org/program/techtrek.htm .
Sunday, March 16, 2008
California desert wildflowers
I never consider myself an expert on wildflowers.
Oh, I know a few – poppies and lupine – are my favorites.
On Saturday we drove out to the Poppy Reserve – the only one in the state of California – to see how the poppies were doing.
“It’s going to be a good year,” said one volunteer. “We can see the flowers all over the hillside. In about two weeks they should be blooming.”
It was a blustery 45 degrees with the infamous wind blowing. So, we got in a good walk, but no flower watching. I’ll be patient.
Then in the early evening, we went to the Prime Desert Woodland in Lancaster, to hear a lecture by Mark Bratton, biologist from Edwards Air Force Base. Along with his Power Point presentation, I took notes – four pages of names of wildflowers I did not know, nor had ever heard of.
Am I now an expert?
Hardly. BUT I am much more knowledgeable about what grows in what I used to think as the sere landscape of the desert.
Mark told us about Goldfields, Desert rhubarb, purple owl’s clover, Red Rock Gold Poppies, the Desert Paintbrush with its red, showy flowers.
The different kinds of cactus included Cotton Top Cactus with its yellowish flowers, the Pencil Cholla, Silver Cholla and the Beavertail Cactus with is magenta flowers.
One lady in the audience kept asking if the flowers being shown were edible. I hope she kept notes on the ones that were really poisonous such as the Jimson Weed.
“The desert wildflowers are interesting,” said Mark, “for they have a pretty big seed bank. Seeds can stay dormant for 10 years. This year many of the plants are smaller because of the lack of rain at the right time.”
It was an interesting evening because Eileen McAllister who manages the Prime Desert Woodlands had samples of the Joshua tree seeds and a cut limb that showed how fragile this member of the lily family really was.
The Prime Desert Woodland has excellent programs of all sorts including lectures on woodland animals, plants and stars. Located at 43201 35th Street West (K-8 & 35th St West), it’s right in the heart of the suburbia. Check out the programs at www.cityoflancasterca.org
Oh, I know a few – poppies and lupine – are my favorites.
On Saturday we drove out to the Poppy Reserve – the only one in the state of California – to see how the poppies were doing.
“It’s going to be a good year,” said one volunteer. “We can see the flowers all over the hillside. In about two weeks they should be blooming.”
It was a blustery 45 degrees with the infamous wind blowing. So, we got in a good walk, but no flower watching. I’ll be patient.
Then in the early evening, we went to the Prime Desert Woodland in Lancaster, to hear a lecture by Mark Bratton, biologist from Edwards Air Force Base. Along with his Power Point presentation, I took notes – four pages of names of wildflowers I did not know, nor had ever heard of.
Am I now an expert?
Hardly. BUT I am much more knowledgeable about what grows in what I used to think as the sere landscape of the desert.
Mark told us about Goldfields, Desert rhubarb, purple owl’s clover, Red Rock Gold Poppies, the Desert Paintbrush with its red, showy flowers.
The different kinds of cactus included Cotton Top Cactus with its yellowish flowers, the Pencil Cholla, Silver Cholla and the Beavertail Cactus with is magenta flowers.
One lady in the audience kept asking if the flowers being shown were edible. I hope she kept notes on the ones that were really poisonous such as the Jimson Weed.
“The desert wildflowers are interesting,” said Mark, “for they have a pretty big seed bank. Seeds can stay dormant for 10 years. This year many of the plants are smaller because of the lack of rain at the right time.”
It was an interesting evening because Eileen McAllister who manages the Prime Desert Woodlands had samples of the Joshua tree seeds and a cut limb that showed how fragile this member of the lily family really was.
The Prime Desert Woodland has excellent programs of all sorts including lectures on woodland animals, plants and stars. Located at 43201 35th Street West (K-8 & 35th St West), it’s right in the heart of the suburbia. Check out the programs at www.cityoflancasterca.org
Friday, March 14, 2008
NAVIGATION AND NAVIGATORS
I got lost Thursday on my way to Challenger Middle School on the far east side of Lancaster.
I got lost because while I looked at the map provided, I didn’t read it. If I had, I wouldn’t have zig and zagged throughout some of the untamed part of the Antelope Valley on streets that dead ended on dirt roads. For you see, not all roads lead to the middle school, only Avenue J and K and Palmdale Boulevard continue all the way out to 170th Street east. By losing my way I gained a perspective on living in the desert.
And yet, the trip to the school was a reminder of all the checking and double checking we did before publishing the guidebook because we didn’t want people to get lost.
My husband and I spent a good couple of months exploring the Antelope Valley making sure that our directions were correct – because we covered the area ourselves to insure that all was as correct as we could make it.
So do read directions, not just glance at them as I did and you’ll go far in life.
I got lost because while I looked at the map provided, I didn’t read it. If I had, I wouldn’t have zig and zagged throughout some of the untamed part of the Antelope Valley on streets that dead ended on dirt roads. For you see, not all roads lead to the middle school, only Avenue J and K and Palmdale Boulevard continue all the way out to 170th Street east. By losing my way I gained a perspective on living in the desert.
And yet, the trip to the school was a reminder of all the checking and double checking we did before publishing the guidebook because we didn’t want people to get lost.
My husband and I spent a good couple of months exploring the Antelope Valley making sure that our directions were correct – because we covered the area ourselves to insure that all was as correct as we could make it.
So do read directions, not just glance at them as I did and you’ll go far in life.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hidden Shopping Treasurers in the Antelope Valley
Unlike my friends, I was not born with a shopping gene. I do not love to spend all day shopping. However, I do love discovering unique treasures. One of the wonderful things about writing a guidebook is visiting museums, wineries – which all have gift shops – and other unique places to shop.
My only rule of thumb is this: when I deliver books I should not spend more than the payment I’m receiving for the books.
I broke my own rule at the Agua Dulce Winery on Saturday. While waiting for a decision on how many books they were going to buy to stock in their wonderful gift shop, my husband found some honey mustard, cocktail napkins with cute sayings on them, and Debbie insisted that I try their reserve Chardonnay. She was a gracious hostess and I was a grateful sipper.
Let’s just say, I broke my own shopping rule and came home with some yummy Chardonnay.
It’s dangerous to deliver books to the Edwards Air Force Base Museum. Last time, it was my husband who broke the rule. He spotted an aviation “bomber” jacket for our grandson.
At Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest it was the unique silver jewelry that caught my eye and now adorns my neck.
It’s dangerous for me to even go into the Whole Wheatery – lunch always beckons!
At Reagan’s Hallmark I found a folk art angel created by Jim Shore. It’s no longer part of the store display.
You can get lost in Charlie Brown’s. It’s fun to go through the maze to see all that they offer.
At least its safe for me at Perk Place for the price of a blended chai is a whole lot less than the price of a single book.
My only rule of thumb is this: when I deliver books I should not spend more than the payment I’m receiving for the books.
I broke my own rule at the Agua Dulce Winery on Saturday. While waiting for a decision on how many books they were going to buy to stock in their wonderful gift shop, my husband found some honey mustard, cocktail napkins with cute sayings on them, and Debbie insisted that I try their reserve Chardonnay. She was a gracious hostess and I was a grateful sipper.
Let’s just say, I broke my own shopping rule and came home with some yummy Chardonnay.
It’s dangerous to deliver books to the Edwards Air Force Base Museum. Last time, it was my husband who broke the rule. He spotted an aviation “bomber” jacket for our grandson.
At Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest it was the unique silver jewelry that caught my eye and now adorns my neck.
It’s dangerous for me to even go into the Whole Wheatery – lunch always beckons!
At Reagan’s Hallmark I found a folk art angel created by Jim Shore. It’s no longer part of the store display.
You can get lost in Charlie Brown’s. It’s fun to go through the maze to see all that they offer.
At least its safe for me at Perk Place for the price of a blended chai is a whole lot less than the price of a single book.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Classic Car Show & route 66 Celebration
If you love classic cars, it would be worth the trip to Barstow to see the 8th annual Route 66 Mother Road Museum's Classic Car Show, June 14 from 9:00 a.m. to2:00 p.m. at the Historic Harvey House Casa del Desierto, 681 N. First Avenue.
According to Debra Hodkin, curator at the museum, the show is open to all vehicles regardless of the year including stock, classic, unrestored, motorcycles andhot rods. Last year more than 1,000 people participated. The day will include raffle prizes, DJ Key Dog playing popular oldies and appearances by Miss Route Titleholders.
For more information check out the website www.route66museum.org or call760-255-1890.
According to Debra Hodkin, curator at the museum, the show is open to all vehicles regardless of the year including stock, classic, unrestored, motorcycles andhot rods. Last year more than 1,000 people participated. The day will include raffle prizes, DJ Key Dog playing popular oldies and appearances by Miss Route Titleholders.
For more information check out the website www.route66museum.org or call760-255-1890.
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