Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 272
President Jennifer Palakiko and Club Service Chair Rhonda Brady from the Rotary Club of Tehachapi helped kick off The Salvation Army's Winter Coat Drive by delivering 37 new jackets that will go to children in the community. Every year, The Salvation Army holds their annual coat drive so they can help provide jackets to people in the Tehachapi area. Kyle Yates, Center Coordinator for The Salvation Army Tehachapi Community Center, thanked the Rotary Club for their donation, saying, "We usually...
On Oct. 4, Cheers to Charity distributed $53,875 to local nonprofit organizations. What began in 2014, as a small fundraiser in a parking lot, has grown into the year's most anticipated fundraising event. The Cheers team supported 14 nonprofits with grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. The August 2024 event, featuring food, wine, craft beer, home brews and spirit-free mocktails, brought together several hundred people to raise money for charity. Tehachapi's Aviator Park lit up with thousands...
On Sept. 26, the Rotary Club of Tehachapi welcomed Dr. Denise Lewis from the Bear Valley Springs Astronomy Club, who gave an enlightening presentation titled, "Dark Skies and Wildlife: Detrimental Effects of Artificial Light at Night." Lewis earned her doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She spent her career at the University of Georgia as a cross-cultural gerontologist and qualitative methodologist. After retirement in 2021, she and her husband, Michael, moved...
The Rotary Club of Tehachapi is thrilled to announce several exciting events this holiday season and into the new year. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the season and kicking off 2025 with community-building activities and a festive wine dinner! Breakfast with Santa – Dec. 7 Bring the family and enjoy a magical morning at our annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa, take pictures and enjoy a d...
At the Sept. 12, meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi, the club was treated to a presentation from Judy Trujillo, Youth Services chairperson, regarding the programs the Rotary Club sponsors for local students of all ages. Youth Services is an important focus for the Tehachapi Rotary Club, and approximately two-thirds of the annual budget is dedicated to projects that benefit the children of the community. As a career high school educator, Judy has a special passion for Interact, which stands...
As anyone who has raised teenagers knows, they love being with their friends, and it seems like they are always hungry! Keeping teenagers fed can be a challenge for any family under normal circumstances, but for families facing food insecurities, the challenge can be almost overwhelming, especially with rising food costs and uncertain economic situations. To help support local students at Tehachapi High School, the Rotary Club of Tehachapi sponsors the Warrior Pantry, a food pantry located at...
The Rotary Club of Tehachapi welcomed Kathleen Kline, a local Tehachapi resident, to speak about her recently released a memoir, "My Life in the Dark: A Marriage Built on Lies." Kathleen has lived in Tehachapi periodically since 1989 and, in her words, "has taken what life has thrown at me and turned it into something that helps others." She is a familiar face in the local community, as she has written for the Tehachapi News and volunteers with the Tehachapi Mountain Search and Rescue group....
The Apple Drop is a fun activity that takes place during the Tehachapi Apple Festival on Oct. 12-13, in Downtown Tehachapi. On Sunday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., a large bin containing 1,000 squishy foam apples will be hoisted up in the air, and then dumped onto a huge target in the street. It is quite a sight to see, and when the apples finish bouncing, the apples landing closest to the bullseye on the target win some wonderful prizes! For just $10, you can purchase a ticket that will secure your...
There's a chill in the air and the leaves have turned to brilliant shades of red and gold. In Tehachapi, that means harvest season is here and the Apple Festival is close at hand. This year celebrates the 11th year of the Tehachapi Apple Festival and the first year it will be organized by the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce (the same organization that hosts the Mountain Festival in August). During the Autumn months on the mountain, apples, wine grapes, pumpkins and lavender are all harvest...
At the Sept. 5 meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi, the club listened to a presentation from Wendy Porter and Jeff Magdalena, from the Wounded Heroes Fund in Bakersfield. The Wounded Heroes Fund (WHF) is a service organization for veterans and their families to support them in accessing resources and facilitating healthy transitions to civilian life. In early 2009, Wendy Porter and her husband Mike invited a handful of close friends to dinner. Around their dining room table, Mike and Wendy...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on Aug. 15, the Club welcomed Tom Neisler, general manager of the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District (TCCWP). Neisler has been with the water district since 2013, stepping into the position of general manager in 2016. He studied civil engineering at San Diego State University, and has an extensive background in civil engineering and construction, working many years in both the public and private sector. He is active in the Association...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on Aug. 22, the Club welcomed Special Agent Jason Coffey from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His primary mission is to protect the safety of the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. He was joined by Senior Supervisory Resident Agent Carlos Roscoe, his supervisor in the Bakersfield field office. Agent Coffey was born and raised in West Virginia, then graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in...
The Rotary Club of Tehachapi presented Judy Trujillo, Youth Service Chair, the Avenue of Service Award for her contributions to the community of Tehachapi through working with the local youth. President Jennifer Palakiko presented the award to Judy in appreciation for her outstanding work in the area of Youth Service. A former educator, Judy's love for working with high school students comes shining through, and she works tirelessly to support the Interact student clubs at both Valley Oaks...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on Aug. 1, the club heard an engaging presentation from Chris Scotti, owner of Discover Tehachapi Tours, who is an avid beekeeper. Chris and his wife Clare sell honey through Discover Tehachapi's catering and food department. Their honey can also be found seasonally at Simply Perfect Gifts and Decor in Tehachapi. Chris practices a rather hands-off approach to keeping bees and takes great pride in offering pure, unprocessed honey. Chris is...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on Aug. 8, the club welcomed Greg Chick, to talk about his work with Global Water Works. Greg provided a very interesting and relevant presentation, as Rotary International promotes clean water projects around the world. Greg began his interest in water and water systems a long time ago in 1974, while working on 50 acres of citrus irrigation in Ojai, California. He eventually earned his state contractor license, first in California, then in...
The speaker for the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on July 18 was Jerry Munson. Jerry joined the Rotary Club of Tehachapi after transferring from the Santa Clarita Rotary in December 2023. Jerry delivered a presentation known as a "Rotary Craft Talk," in which a Rotarian shares the essential elements of their approach to the craft of living, including their life stories and experiences that have shaped their character. Jerry grew up in the San Fernando Valley in typical Southern...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on July 25, the club welcomed Carol Gates, a member of the Tehachapi Group of the Kern Audubon Society. The Kern Audubon Society was founded in 1973, and since there were so many members from Tehachapi, the Tehachapi Group of the Kern Audubon Society was created in 2009. Carol's interest in birds began early, as her father was a founding member of the Kern Audubon Society in 1973. Their mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems,...
On July 11, Jennifer Palakiko presided over her first official meeting as the 2024-25 President of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi. Jennifer welcomed everyone and shared the Rotary International Theme for the year: "The Magic of Rotary." Jennifer shared an inspirational video of Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick explaining the choice for the 2024-25 Rotary theme. "The Magic of Rotary" was inspired by a trip that President Urchick made to the Dominican Republic, installing water...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi on July 11, the Club welcomed Kay Pitts, chief operating officer of Rotary District 5240 and member of the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club. She presented two awards to President Jennifer Palakiko and Past President Paul Kaminski, which were earned by the Tehachapi Rotary Club during the 2023-24 year. Pitts presented a Bronze Medal to the Club for meeting five of the required criteria to achieve special recognition. The Club met the...
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi, President Jennifer Palakiko welcomed Anya Norton as a new member on July 11. Anya's husband, Bill, was also in attendance for her presentation. Anya was introduced and sponsored by Jerry Munson, the Club's International Projects Chair and Co-Sargent-At-Arms. Bill and Anya Norton are retirees who moved from Lancaster to Bear Valley Springs in 2019, and they say it's the best idea they have had to date! Anya's career in education began when...
On June 27, at the home of Don and Marian Stephens, the Rotary Club of Tehachapi held its annual Step Down event to honor outgoing President Paul Kaminski. Rotary also formally welcomed incoming President, Jennifer Palakiko, who will serve for the 2024-25 year. The Rotarians and their guests enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Red House BBQ, with lovely desserts made by Linda Pettitt. Kaminski presented Paul Harris Fellows recognitions to five Rotarians for their contributions in the past...
Annmarie Huppert moved to Tehachapi in May from Gig Harbor, Washington, to join her son Stephen Sturm and her three grandchildren. Annmarie was born in Washington and had lived there off-and-on for most of her life, but had also spent time in Tehachapi and on the Nicoya Peninsula region of Costa Rica. Annmarie graduated from Evergreen State College in Washington with a degree in Liberal Arts, emphasis on Public Policy and Psychology. She was a Washington State Legislative Intern, worked in the...
On June 13, the Rotary Club of Tehachapi welcomed guest speaker Michael Puffer from Have a Heart Humane Society. Michael oversees the adoption room with a quiet determination and a heartfelt commitment to animal welfare. As a retired air traffic control supervisor, Michael said he was surprised how a career in air traffic control actually prepared him to run an adoption room because he utilizes his decision-making skills every day. He is continually looking at the needs of animals, as well as...
A favorite project of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi is the annual Kindergarten Book Giveaway. At the end of the school year, Rotarians visit kindergarten classrooms throughout the community and present the students with a personalized book to take home and keep. This project has been sponsored by Rotary for many years, and the students often look forward to receiving their special book, just like their older brother or sister. A project like this takes a lot of people helping to make it happen....
The featured speaker at the June 22 meeting of the Rotary Club of Tehachapi was Scarlett Sabin, house director at the Ronald McDonald House in Bakersfield. Scarlett has worked at the Ronald McDonald House since it was established in December 2008. The Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House is located on the property of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital; however, they accommodate families who have children in any hospital in Bakersfield. It provides a comfortable alternative to sleeping in a chair or...
