Tehachapi News

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You don’t necessarily have to be a financial genius or — even Donald Trump  — to raise big bucks for a great cause, but even The Donald would be immensely impressed with Tehachapi’s generosity.

With her trademark enthusiasm, Main Street’s director, Michelle Vance, is still bubbling over with gratitude for the incredible efforts of the amazing and dedicated volunteers, donors and sponsors of Main Street’s 10th annual Star Light Ball — who raised more than $17,000! It was all of you who contributed to record sponsorship and ticket sales that helped to make this year’s Star Light Ball, the best bash Tehachapi’s ever seen!

Please give a standing ovation to the event’s major sponsors for collectively raising $14,250 for Main Street’s many ongoing community and local business enhancement projects.

Last week I mentioned all the swanky swag that was donated for the Whispering Winds Silent Auction. Collectively those donations raised $6,800! Can they get a whoop whoop!

Now, I am most certainly not a financial wizard or millionaire mogul (more of a muggle actually, Harry Potter fans) but I do have a theory to counter the doom and gloom being spouted by all the pontificating pundits bemoaning the plight of America’s economy:

When times get tough, hometown communities like Tehachapi will circle the wagons, pool resources and weather the onslaught of burning arrows and insults together.

I also believe that although Tehachapi looks pretty good in evening attire, we don’t always need a fancy party atmosphere to continue supporting our local business community. In coming weeks, the Tehachapi News will be featuring a special section titled Your Hometown Holiday Gift Guide. I personally challenge all of our hometown neighbors, friends and business associates to take a pledge this holiday seasons to: Shop, Give and Live Local.

Help pull our local economy up by it’s bootstraps! Holiday dollars spent in your hometown help to strengthen our local business economy, keeping local prices affordable,  your neighbors, family and friends working locally, and ultimately, it puts your money to work for this community.

The generous community spirit demonstrated by this year’s successful Star Light Ball is a perfect example of how Tehachapi can continue to circle the wagons and pool resources during the upcoming holiday season.

As Mary Reed, of Mercury Graphics told me last week, “When Main Street hosts an event, people know it’s going to be a great event," so take off those dancing shoes and don your walking and super-shopping shoes, because Main Street is hosting another community event.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Downtown Shopping Extravaganza, is scheduled from 6 - 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 per person or $15 on the day of the event. With each ticket you will receive one Main Street Shopping bag, a map of participating businesses and the accompanying holiday treats they’ll be offering, plus many special discounts at local retailers. The Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Parks District is offering child care for only $8 at the Scout Hut, as well as transportation for outlying businesses — so you can save your energy for shopping!

For those who will be making a concerted effort to cut back on spending this year, try to think ‘quality vs. quantity.’ Trade in the usual gas guzzling expedition over the hill and back with a car load of “big box” shopping items. Trade up for an afternoon or evening spent gathering unique, local gift items while also spending some quality time supporting our local entrepreneurs.

Please remember to Shop, Give and  Live Local whenever possible, and be sure to say thanks to all our local entrepreneurs and their dedicated employees for Takin’ Care of Business!

Please show your support and appreciation for  Main Street Tehachapi’s 10th annual Star Light Ball supporters...
Gold Event Sponsors:
Aspen Builders, Airstreams, Benz Inc., Holiday Inn Express, Lehigh Cement Co., Mercury Graphics, Scotts Auto Body, Tehachapi Flower Shop and the City of Tehachapi.

Table Sponsors: AltaOne Credit Union, Union Bank of California and Innovative Concrete.

Media Sponsors: Tehachapi News and The Loop.

Thank, thank you, thank you generous donors :
Wine & Cheese Cellar, The Apple Shed, Avon - Elizabeth Sullivan, Bag Ladies, Bracelets by Sorelles, Canine Creek, City of Tehachapi, The Counter Fit, Don Juan's Restaurant, Fuller ‘N’ Fuller Gifts, Gracian's, Hitching Post Theater, Holiday Inn Express, Hornets Nest Design, Tehachapi Community Theater, Horse Thief Country Club, It Makes Scents, Jackie Wood Photography, Tehachapi Police Dept., Kohnen's Country Bakery, LeMarche', Tehachapi Linen Chest, LV Designs, M & M Sports, Marty Pay Farmers Ins., Mary Kay - Debbie Martin, Mercury Graphics, Miami Dolphins, Petra Mediterranean Deli, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Southern Shooter's, St. Louis Rams, Starbucks, Studio J, Tehachapi Flower Shop, Tehachapi Therapeutic Massage, Trains Etc, and Walt Disney.
And “hats off” to these extraordinary volunteers:
Terry Reed, Mary Reed Roxanne Sasia, Ken Hetge, Della Dusel, Charlene Bayles, Carolyn Craft, Jim Wilson, Cheryl Wilson, TCT Volunteers, Claudia Henson, Sam White, Ruthie Grimes, Rick Vance, Wyatt Vance, Kelsey Vance, Cathie Sibley, Patricia Stirm, Gene Stirm, Kimberly Plunket, Paul Benz, and Benz Employees.

If you or someone you know deserves a shout out in an upcoming edition of Takin’ Care of Business, or would be suitable for a business profile in Community Business News, please send an email to editorial@tehachapinews.com, or call Carin at 823-6373.

No corporate businesses or subsidized community services agencies will be featured in this format, only privately owned, small businesses (less than 20 employees) currently operating within the greater Tehachapi area.