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Find out about local events, places to go and other AV info.
Two Area High School Robotics teams have qualified to compete in the FIRST High School Robotic competition.
Lancaster High School's Eagle Robotics competed in the Colorado Regional Games in Denver March 26 – 27, finishing in fifth place out of 47 teams at the end of the qualification round on Friday.
Onlookers crowd around Tehachapi High School robotics team member Brandon House as he explains details of the team's robot design and functions at the team's annual robot rollout Feb. 20 (Courtesy photo / Mark Pestana)
Unfortunately radio communication problems plagued robots of the alliance during the next round and . But the Lancaster High team was honored with the Engineering Inspiration award. It is the second-highest award given at a regional event, qualifying the team to compete in the Championships in Atlanta in mid-April. The award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.
Tehachapi High School's Cyber Penguins were in Salt Lake City's to compete in regional games March 19-20. Although they did well during the preliminary round, technical glitches besieged the team's robot during the quarterfinals and they were eliminated from further competition at that meet. But Tehachapi's team got another chance to qualify for the nationals this past weekend at the Las Vegas Regional Games. And, this time they came home victorious.
The National Championships start April 15th in Atlanta so stay tuned for updates coming soon.
NASA's Robotics page
I always love to get out for some of the Antelope Valley's fresh air after a rain storm. This past Sunday afternoon I chose the Barrel Springs trail. With all the recent earthquakes in the world I thought this was a good choice.
You see, the this spot will someday be ground zero for our own "Big One" here in Southern California. Located just off 25th St E and Pearblossom Hwy in Palmdale, the trail straddles the San Andreas Fault. The fault roughly defines the southern border of the AV. Ruptures in this area are rare. Not even the local old timers can recall any significant event involving this portion of the fault as it is currently locked. The last "Big One" here was in 1857. There weren't many people here at the time to feel it.
The rolling hills on the trail belie the sleeping giant below. Starting from the trail-head, visitors are greeted with a couple of steep dips to get started. Watch your step as the recent rains have caused some erosion in this area. After the initial roller coaster the trail evens out and winds through the hills. I got a feel for what the early settlers of the valley saw. I can see why they stayed.
Even with the recent rains our limited water supply has been a concern for many years. The problem has become so bad that California is writing legislation that will strictly limit water use, including in landscaping. Our local city governments once again are ahead of the curve when it comes to water conservation. Installing smart irrigation systems is one way to use water wisely. The city of Palmdale has been using smart irrigation systems since 1995.
In an article in the latest Turf magazine Palmdale's senior engineer landscape technician, Connie Brown, explains “We’re in a desert region, but we have over 500 acres of parks and 250 acres of bike trails, as well as median strips that we care for."
Adding to the challenge is the High Desert topography. "A lot of our landscape is spread out." continues Brown, "So it helps to have a smart system in place.”
The city of Palmdale uses Rain Bird Maxicom Central Irrigation Control system and supplemental Rain Bird ET Manager controllers. “It’s made a world of difference,” Brown says. “We can now monitor water usage and track problems. For example, the systems senses when a water main breaks.”
Smart irrigation is only part of the solution toward using less water for landscaping in the Antelope Valley. Other water budgeting measures include increased xeriscaping restrictions on where new lawns can be installed (active play areas only, says Brown).
Together these efforts have allowed Palmdale to conserve 72,054,750 gallons of water between 2007 and 2008 even while the landscape maintenance district increased it's total acreage.
For residents interested in the use of smart irrigation Palmdale provides the ET data from the weather station located at Domenic Massari Park free to the citizens of the community through a daily broadcast system. “The citizens who wish to receive this data use one of the two controllers that receives and manages that data through the Weather Reach Water Management System,” Brown explains.
Local businessman and community leader Duke Bloom has died at age 79.
"The Duke" of Duke and Slims Appliance has been serving the Antelope Valley for over 50 years. In an era of big box stores he prospered by offering personal service. Many local residents can count generations of electronics and appliances in the family.
In addition to treating customers like royalty, The Duke served the community as well. For years he was the voice of the Lancaster Christmas Parade, a leader in the Chamber of Commerce and a booster for many local charities and organizations. Here's a recent interview form a local icon who will surly be missed.
Sir Richard Branson & designer Burt Rutan revealed SS2 to the public for the first time since construction began in 2007.The unveiling represents another major milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to develop the World’s first commercial space line. Branson envisions private sector access to space using an environmentally benign launch system for people, payload and science. The spaceship draws on the experience developed during the successful flights of SS1 in 2004, which won the Ansari X-Prize for completing the world’s first manned private space flights.The SS2 design will be refined and completed during an extensive test flying program to commence shortly in Mojave. It will be an entirely new vehicle capable of carrying up to 6 passenger astronauts and up to 2 pilot astronauts into space on a sub-orbital flight.
The unveil itself took place Monday at Mojave Air and Spaceport as darkness fell on the famous aviation and spaceflight location.The SS2 was attached to her WK2 mothership, EVE (named after Sir Richard Branson’s mother).
In the future, WK2 will carry SS2 to above 50,000 feet (16 kilometres) before the spaceship is dropped and fires her rocket motor to launch into space from that altitude.
Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Governor Richardson of New Mexico christened SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE. This represents not only an acknowledgement to that name’s honorable past but also looks to the future of the role of private enterprise in the development of the exploration, industrialisation and human habitation of space.
The celebration cocktail party which followed featured Britain’s biggest DJs, Above & Beyond and the first ever IceBar in the desert hosted by Absolut and the world famous Swedish IceHotel. All the guests were protected from the desert cold by designer space jackets supplied by PUMA. Finally, to close off the celebrations, all the guests had the opportunity to view the stunning night skies using specialist telescopes supplied by Ron Dantowitz of the Clay Observatory whose unique tracking cameras followed SS1 into space during the epic flights of 2004.
Explore how the concept of nature is shaped by personal and contemporary experiences. Visit “Divining Nature” in the Antelope Valley College Art Gallery Oct. 1-23.
The Life at AVC blog has some great shots of this interesting exhibit. This fiberglass art by Martin Machado caught my eye. I've just got to see this one in person! He spills a solution onto the panel and paints inside the spill.
Show curator Christine Mugnolo describes the show as a “thought provoking” exhibit incorporating such media as oil paint, encaustics, photography and ceramics through which the artists investigate the elusive, disconnected, and sometimes fraught relationship between humans and nature.
Taken together, these works question the origin of our ideas about nature and search for the reason of its semi-divine status in our human experience, according to Mugnolo.
The gallery is located on the west side of campus, 3041 W. Ave. K, Lancaster. Gallery shows are free. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. AVC Art Gallery
The Palmdale Playhouse will host a costume sale featuring showpiece costumes from fifteen years of theatre production this Saturday, Oct, 3 from 10 am to 3 pm. The Playhouse is located at 38334 10th St. East, in Palmdale. All proceeds will benefit continued community programming at the Palmdale Playhouse.
“With Halloween just around the corner, the Palmdale Playhouse is just the place to find a one-of-a-kind, unique ‘working costume’ from some of your favorite shows that were designed for actors to move comfortably,” said Palmdale Playhouse Stage Assistant Susana Bazaldua. “You’ll be able to choose from gently worn stage costumes from Alice In Wonderland, Doctor Dolittle, James and the Giant Peach, 101 Dalmations and many more.”
Sizes pre teen to adult are available with prices ranging from $5 to $50. No try-ons and all sales are final. Cash, check and credit card will be accepted.
For more information contact the Palmdale Playhouse at 661/267-5684, or visit the theatre’s Web site.
It's been a while since I've gotten out for a really good cup of coffee to start the day. As a commuter, the routine was a quick grab and go at the local doughnut shop or gas station and we're on the way down below. Now that I'm working from home, the habit has been to start a pot and get to work.
This morning I changed my regular coffee ritual and took a trip to It's a Grind in Palmdale. I'm sure glad I did. The genuinely friendly attitude was clear from the moment I went in. The counter girl, Kimberley, asked my name first thing. I felt she was glad to be there, and happy to help me get started with my day. As others arrived they were each warmly greeted, regulars by name, and 1st timers treated just like an old friend or family member.
The attitude continued as I met the owners, Hymie & Phyllis Glass, and saw that each patron was greeted and treated in the same warm and friendly manner. This is a place that will thrive in any economy because after 1 visit you'll feel like family.
I plan on going back on a Friday or Saturday evening for some cool jazz or family karaoke on the patio. If you're anywhere near their East Palmdale location (at 47th and R) drop in and say hi. Even if the caffeine doesn't give you a lift the service certainly will.
With money so tight a lot of lose sight of what's important in life. I guess for some of us the estate we were planning for may seem to be slipping away. Money problems, extended joblessness or other pressures may lead us to forget that there will be a future and making good financial choices now will pay dividends when things improve.
Here's a chance to get a biblical perspective of how to protect your assets. Local estate planning attorney Kevin Von Tungeln will address the reality that for many of us, our financial affairs are not entirely in order. Just remember, you'll never be ready to plan ahead unless you start now. And here's your chance. Sept 20 Central Christian Church in Lancaster will host the first installment of an eight week course in Estate Planning. Classes start at 9:00am and there's a $10 fee for materials. That's a small price to pay for the kind of security you'd be providing to your loved ones.
According to this press release, on September 12, 2009, Antelope Valley Mall becomes the latest shopping center in Southern California to launch the social networking website, Shoptopia. Shoptopia is a national social shopping networking website designed to connect Antelope Valley Mall shoppers with others who share their passion for shopping, as well as retailers and other community groups.
Shoptopia Members will receive exclusive discounts at Mall retailers and be eligible for giveaways throughout the day. The first 200 members to check in with their shoptopia profile will get a $10 gift card and be entered to win a $250 shopping spree. Check out the AV Mall website for more details.
Congratulations to local estate planning attorney Kevin Von Tungeln on recieving a perfect 10 rating on the Avvo.com legal directory. According to this press release Avvo.com is the fastest growing web directory that rates attorney qualifications based on their background, consumer feedback, achievements and industry recognition. If you have a need to protect your families' assets, and don't we all, Kevin is one of the best. Way to go Kevin!
I was out near the new solar power facility north of Lancaster and it looks like we’ll soon be generating some clean energy and more importantly taking the lead in generating some green jobs for the Antelope Valley.
The mirrors were focused on 1 of the two towers and presumably generating power. Not sure whether they are feeding power to the grid yet. It’s great to see the AV getting some industry going.
Thunder on the Lot custom and classic car and bike show is one of the AV’s hottest annual events. Featuring live music with this years headliner Eric Burdon and the Animals. Add in the automotive events, raffles, kid’s activities and carnival and the event is sure to entertain the whole family.
The event, which supports over twenty five local kids charities, has raised over 2 million dollars. Over $336,000 was raised in the 2008 edition and sponsers are hoping for similar results this year. Once again AV Fairgrounds is hosting the event (having outgrown the lot years ago). Mark the dates, June 13 and 14, on your calander. For more info visit the event website.
“Quit raiding our local budgets!”
Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford issued a video plea to the state to show responsibility and quit raiding local coffers. In this video he likens the state governments money grabs to the movie “Groundhog Day”.
The local governments are all under increasing pressure from all sides in balancing their budgets. As shown in the video Palmdale has made some tough decisions while maintaining vital services.
The 2010 Lancaster budget has also been trimmed substantially. The cuts focus on non-essential services while emphasizing growth. This prompted Mayor Parris and others on the city council to commend city managers for a job well done.
June 5, 2009 by goldog
Hi, I’m goldog and this is my blog. I run a community site in the Antelope Valley, CA. I’ll touch on local issues, events and probably post a little about my hobbies. Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.
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