Hey everyone, I've just found this site and have been reading everyone's comments and thoughts. Wow! I just moved up here about a year and half ago and the one thing that caught my attention about Tehachapi was it's beauty and possibilities. 

A youth center, a bowling alley, things for the youth of the community to do, all great ideas. But the money thing, really seems t stop this town in it's tracks. Oh I should mention, the city officials themselves don't seem to help much either.

So what's a person like me to think? Well, I think I need to do some talking to some people who really want to make a change. What I mean by that is to bring the entertainment factor back. Bowling alleys, comedy clubs, live music clubs, etc.... I feel it's what every town needs. People in general love to laugh, to be entertained, to go out and enjoy a night of dining, dancing, with friends or family.

So I'm going to start looking into how I can begin this creative avenue. How I can bring some laughter into a wonderful town like Tehachapi that truly does have possibilities and needs to provide the kids, and the future children of this town with fun, culture and memories.

Really enjoyed reading everyone's comments. 

Now it's time to do some foot work.

MCM

There IS a youth center trying to start up, but they are having some issues with support.  The Open Door Youth Center would be open in the "trouble hours":  after school to 6pm, and they hope to expand those hours as they get the needed volunteers to make it happen.  If you guys are truly interested in supporting this, you should contact them.  I believe they are on Mill St.  If you need more info, please send me a private message and I'll get it to you.  One of the ladies in my congregation is a part of the project.

bunee, if you ever get a chance to go to China or eat at a true Chinese restaurant, you will find that the meat that they use is usually fatty. The reason being is that they cook for taste not health. Fatty meat is where the flavor is. Vegetables should always be fresh. I too do not like most buffets. You really have to know when to go to get the items when they first come out of the kitchen. It is refreshing to hear someone say that they are willing to pay for quality food. Most people care about portion size and price, over quality. I am the owner of Red House BBQ here in Tehachapi. Most people here know it as the American Indian Food place. I do a lot of catering in this town, all by word of mouth. Most people are surprised to hear that I am a Japanese chef and that I do Indian food. That is the food that I grew up with and I thought that it would go over better then Japanese food here in Tehachapi. As far as the differences in Chinese and Japanese food, there are several. The philosophy of the two are different. There is also a slight difference in the ingredients as both use what is local. Comparing the two is like comparing Spanish and Mexican food. I could talk for hours on the differences. Japanese food is more refined in that it uses less ingredients and really emphisizes local , fresh and seasonal food. The techniques are also similar but different. If you really want more info, I can give it to you. I just didn't want to over load you with too much.

matokanji,  You asked me what I mean by "real Chinese food", but what I really meant to say, is that I'd like Chinese food
that is good quality meat without the fat, and fresh vegetables.  I'm picky when it comes to food, and I'm willing to pay money
for food that is worth paying for.  I'm not a fan of these buffet places because it's just a cheap way to feed a large quantity of
people, and make them think they're getting a good deal. 
So, now that I know what "Real Chinese Food" is, I Stand Corrected!
What is the name of your catering business? ... and what are the differences between Chinese and Japanese food?
To comment on your comment....You're right about these kids and their behavior and their loud music systems....
Maybe an outdoor amphitheater  with a huge movie screen would be a new idea for summer time shows?

I do not usually post comments but here I go. I love the idea of having a bowling center here. I hope that we get one in a few years. I really like the idea of a drive in theater. I have great memories of going to the drive in but, I can only imagine how expensive that would be and with the attitude of young drivers out there, I do not know how fun it would be to go to the drive in with a bunch of kids in their cars that have more power in their sound systems (I can remember when it was called a radio) then under their hood. As far as dining, as a chef and a husband of a Chinese immigrate, I would love to see better quality in our dining establishments. Bunee, what do you mean by "real" Chinese food. I travel to China about every other year and I have eaten at many places and homes over the years. Most of what I ate would make most Americans get up and walk out. I always find it strange what people consider "real" ethnic food. When I was in Culinary school (Japanese culinary school), we had two kinds of food that we were taught how to make. One was Japanese and the other was American/Japanese. There is a huge difference! My family does not go out much, we prepare most everything at home. I love to cook. It is what I think about all day. The problem with the restaurants in town is that they are basically the same. Have you ever noticed how the US Food Service truck comes to town and stops at just about all the restaurants? They deliver the same pre-made frozen food to every other restaurant in town. These restaurants do not have chefs, they have cooks. A chef creates. A cook opens the bag of frozen fries and drops them in the fryer. Formal training is a plus but, a love of food and it's preparation is key. Many people ask me when I am going to open a place here in town. I tell them all the same thing, when the time is right and we have found the right spot, it will happen. I am in no rush to open. I have a successful catering business and I am even thinking of doing some "in house" personal chef/teaching again. I do know that when I do open, we will offer items that no other place in town does. Sorry to get off the subject but, when I talk about food, it is hard for me to stop. I think I will go and prepare something now, all this has got me hungry!

Luvmykatz...Hey, a youth center sounds like a great idea!  There are two schools that are empty in town that I know of...but I think Wells isn't up to code...I doubt the City is going to pay to get it up and running....they would've done that instead of building a new school.
What a waste.  If there is a youth center in town, where is it?
As much as I hate to admit it, it really is about the old mighty dollar.  How sad. 

I agree Scottso...I'm a big girl, but I rarely eat fast food.  The last time I ate at KFC it made me really sick.

OGM, I really appreciate the history about Tehachapi.  We've only been in Tehachapi a few years.  It's sad to think that those
times are gone.  I grew up in a little town called Lake Hughes...It's located in the West foothills of Lancaster.  My family still
lives there and it hasn't grown at all in the past 20 years!  Can you believe that?

I really think a youth center is the best idea so far!  I was hoping more activities would come along with the renovation
of the skate park.  I know they're going to revamp the swimming pool area...but these kids need more...with proper
supervision.  I'm getting way off subject as usual...but one discussion Always leads to another.
When we have ideas...how do we propose them to the City?

ogm i moved here when the roller rink was Goofy bar. But yes i remember the bowling alley. Bowled there many times. Was bummed out when it closed because that was really the only place to have fun in town.  I remember a pool hall or two that opened up but did not last long. Theres the pool at the high school,but thats only open in the summer. A new bowling alley would be great. But........

Bummer, it always comes down to money.  When kids have nothing to do and no where to go entertain themselves, thats when the trouble and drugs start. :(

The old bowling alley is in the same building that Mountain Crossing and Red Caboose is in. The bowling alley has been closed for years.

Isn't there already a youth center in town?  I think one opened up fairly recently.  But one for families would be fun too!

Indoor paintball sounds really fun!  As long as you have a good course designed, I think there would be a pretty good market for that up here. 

Where's the old bowling alley?  I haven't noticed it before.

Madkow....I LUV Churches chicken it’s so greasy and good YUM!!! It’s better than KFC IMO. The closest I can get is the Savemart chicken, I guess it reminds me of one of my first jobs which was at Pioneer Chicken since then I have been hooked. I actually try to stay away from it though because it isn't good for my health but once in a while it’s great to forget what’s good for you and have some good old greasy chicken.

I have thought that a youth center would be great for our town, my sister in law runs one in Utah and has made quite a difference in the small town they are in (well its not so small anymore but when my husband lived there it was and that’s why he wanted to move here) and I think the kids that are young teens/adults need a place to feel part of the community so a community rec center would be something for City Council to think about.

Indoor Paintball???.....Hum VtKid that sounds like fun

 

As far as I can see there are only 2 reasons there are an overabundance of Mexican restaurants around here:

1) There is demand,
2) That is what the folks with the capital to start it up want to do.

That said, I never eat at the fast food places.  If I'm going to go out to eat, I like a real sit down restaurant with wait staff.  I always feel "blah" after eating any sort of fast food.

Isn't there an empty school building in town which probably has a large gym, with basketball hoops? Maybe another room which could be used for computing access? Or pool tables? Maybe a big TV or reading room? Are there some adult volunteers to monitor or conduct the activities? When Wal-Mart comes to town and K-Mart closes, use it for indoor paintball? The possibilities are endless - but if it's built, will they come??

You guys are absolutely right, it's good to keep looking for resources.  I really love Tehachapi, I would just like to go somewhere I can take my kids that's not a "bar setting" of some type.  There are many things for the kids to do such as sports, music, theater, and I do like the concerts and movies in the park during the summer. 
Winter is a good time to go sledding and skiing.  However, when the weather gets cold, (and summer time too)  it would be nice to have a central location that can accommodate a lot of people(families) where they can play games and have a meal.  I'm sure it would be a welcome addition for the local people here, but would not draw  people from the freeway like Walmart certainly will!
Yes, there are far too many mexican restaurants, and it would be  nice to have some real chinese food. (if you know what I mean?)
I'm certainly Not suggesting that Chuck E Cheese move in.  The reason my family and I moved to Tehachapi was to get away from
a rapidly growing city.   Now this little town is growing at a quick pace, and I hope it will keep the small town feel.
What says small town like a drive in movie theater?  Why don't we have them anymore?

Noooooo LuvMyKatz!!!!!  We can't bring a Church's Chicken up here!!!  Not good to have people come up here to visit, then say, "Oh no!  A Church's Chicken!  Turn back!  We're driving into the ghetto!"  LOL!

I think a drive-in would be really cool though (stemming, of course, from my personal fear of movie theaters-- I'd love to see a movie before it's out on video).  Don't they have movies in the park during the summer though?

I know several people that go to Old Town Pizza because they have the game room there for the kids.  If they had good food, I think it would be a great place to go.