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Find out about the best People, Places, Businesses and Events in Lancaster, Palmdale and all of the AV.  Visit our AV Best Award page to see last years best local companies.

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Antelope Valley Fair Offers up "An a-MAIZE-ing Event”

Get ready for one of the best local events of the year. The AV Fair and Alfalfa Festival begins Thursday Aug. 20th with 2008 American Idol winner David Cook leading off the concert series. You won't want to miss the valley's signature annual event. With attractions galore this year's renewal looks like it will be bigger than ever.

 In addition to Cook, headliners for the Lancaster Honda Concert series include:
 

• Clay Walker & Lee Ann Womack

  Fri., August 21

• War & Tower of Power

  Sat., August 22

• Los Tigres del Norte with opening band Banda Los Lagos

  Sun., August 23

• Keith Anderson, Heidi Newfield & Jason Michael Carroll

  Mon., August 24

• The Beach Boys with Pablo Cruise

  Tues., August 25

• Foreigner & special guest, The Guess Who

  Wed., August 26

Other arena events include the Rural Olympics, Professional Bull Riding, Figure 8, Demolition Derby & Truck and Tractor Pull.  Featured attractions include Livestock auctions Carnival and Midway games and of course lots of food.

Local residents can save with discounts available and even get a coupon for free Friday admission.  Visit AVFair.com for more info.

Local Communities Scramble to fill Anticipated Budget Shortfalls

State Lawmakers Look to City, County Coffers to Fill Gaps

As legislators in Sacramento wrangle over California's massive budget woes, local officials worry that state raids will upend their carefully ballanced budgets. Anticipated holdbacks in gas taxes, redevelopment funds and property taxes will leave local governments scrambling to provide crucial services.

Both Palmdale and Lancaster were satisfied that despite the poor economy their budgets were balanced and would not require cutbacks in crucial city services. Payrolls were reduced mainly by attrition and most city services would remain with only minor cuts. Public safety was at the top of the priority list so police and fire departments were fully funded. Most city events would go on and local projects such as the redevelopment of downtown Lancaster would move forward.

It's now unclear how the loss of revenue will affect local budgets. There is sure to be a fight over the state withholding or borrowing funds to cover their shortages but clearly our slice of the CA budget pie will get smaller. We urge all residents to contact their state representatives and let them know we won't take it.

Lancaster Residents Weigh in on Big Box Stores and Baked Potatoes

Politics in the AV were spirited to say the least this week.  On Tuesday the fight continued over the development of another Wal Mart on the west side of Lancaster. Residents in the area are up in arms over the planned supercenter across the street from Quartz Hill High School.

Opponents concerns center on the proximity to the school, lack of infrastructure in the rural area and whether another big box store is even needed in the valley.  Lancaster leaders argue that the developement will add much needed revenue to the city's coffers. They believe the center will be built somewhere nearby, either at the proposed location or just a bit south in Palmdale.

Update!

The next planning meeting is Tues July 21. Check Here for more details

On a lighter note the city leaders are still debating the great potato caper from the 4th of July festivities at the AV fairgrounds. It seems there were doubts about the spuds used in the final heat. Vice Mayor Ron Smith claims the potatoes used in the race were baked. Officials confirmed there was tampering involved. It turns out 4 of 5 were indeed baked. While Mayor Parris denied involvement in baking or placing any of the suspect spuds it would seem he had a hand in it. What do you think?

Palmdale to Kick off Starlight Concerts with American Idol Finalist

The Starlight Concert series at Marie Kerr Park debut Saturday July 11 with Bucky Covington, a finalist from the fifth season of American Idol. Covington, who just completed recording his 2nd solo album, is climbing the ranks of both the country music and Billboard Charts. It should bea great show for the entire family.

The gates for Saturday's show open at 6:30pm and the music should begin at 8:00. Tickets for this and all of this year's concerts is $5.00 for adults and free for children under 12.

July Events include Fireworks, Barbecues, Baseball and Santa?

Find out all you need to know about Independence Day Celebrations and other July events. Santa's even spending a little of his vacation time to catch a ballgame and help a good cause. Find out more...