Tehachapi News

4am sounds good, the moon is nice and bright at 4am right now, so you should be able to see well.  I'll leave you a note for what needs to be done.  Try not to make too much noise.  LOL!

PG, you got my joke! I'll gladly water your plants any time!  

Thanks for the feedback. Ironically, I've been holding off featuring Greg, of Sail Thru Car Wash because the weather turned so nasty after we spoke late last fall. Doh! Timing is everything.

Next week, I'm very excited to feature Jerrod Monaghan, of Monaghans Motorsports. He's done some amazing things for the community, with more good stuff to come. Read more on Monday.

One project I hope to facilitate very soon - right here on these blogs:  Barter and Benefit - a forum for free exchange of goods and services. I just have to devise a way to feature it prominently and preclude any commercial use.  

Editor, Sorry, I don't mean to be a grump.

Regarding the fundraising, try the car wash on Tucker, they are always willing to sponsor days with  proceeds for churches, school sports, scouts... 

Hopefully a local shelter would aid in the placement of some of the abandoned animals.  I spent several years way-out on the west side of Stallion Springs, a wonderful setting with breathtaking views of the southern S. J. Valley.  Unfortunately, this was also the drop-off point for abandoning animals.  We had a constant stream of scared dogs and kittens showing up and with the predation by coyotes we had some grim experiences. We now have 4 cats and 2 dogs, all adopted, 3 were adopted right off of our hill in Stallion Springs.

I fear the worsening economic situation and relocations will result in more abandoned pets, I hope I am wrong.  Keep us posted on your project and how can you refuse to shovel manure? You are in the newpaper business!

...(O.K. my stab at humor.)

I'm wide open between the hours of 3-4:30 a.m. GregL. Sorry, I don't do windows, shovel dirt, rock or sh...manure. ; P

OK editor, you can come over and water my plants, and I need a load of rock too.  What time can I expect you?  LOL!  Just a little humor, that's all!!!

My point is, community service is alive and well in our town.

That's exactly why I created this post Plant Guy. My main goal was to see if there's any interest in joining togther for just ONE DAY to do something positive for our community. We'd also like to hear from those people who are a part of the positive efforts that continue throughout the year. The Tehachapi News receives lots of "Bouquets of Thanks" about amazing acts of generosity and socially conscious deeds - all after the fact.

Working hard and being productive is a form of community service, my employer profits from my efforts and is able to participate in charitable ventures based on those profits. 

It's nice to hear that you have an employer who values community service. We'd like to share those examples. I'd like to think it   might help to inspire others to seek new opportunities to boost spirits, contribute to the welfare and economic well-being of this community...Even it if is happens one person at a time. Times are tough, but everyone has a special, priceless talent or useful gift to share. SHOP LIVE GIVE LOCAL is more than just a slogan. It's the working mechanism that drives the concept I think you're advocating.

I'm concerned that you seem just a little stressed and maybe just a wee bit...cranky. It sounds like you really deserve a day off. I'll personally volunteer my time to come water some plants or run errands, organize your fertilizers - if only that would make one day of your life just a bit better - or somehow enable you to keep on working hard. Just as soon as I get a day off... ;  )  (That's an attempt at humor, PG) But seriously, everyone is rightfully stressed and downright cranky about government's role in the lousy economy. Just sharing a smile and being polite and kind to others is one form of community service that doesn't cost you a thing.

As we clickety-clack away, I'm collaborating on a plan to help raise some money for a local animal shelter on Monday -- I'll post more as soon as I get the final go ahead.   

Editor, Don't get started on what the state legislators need to forfeit, we as voters need to pay very close attention to the events leading up to this huge deficit and the poor return we are getting for our tax dollars. We as voters hire and fire these people.

Working hard and being productive is a form of community service, my employer profits from my efforts and is able to participate in charitable ventures based on those profits.

This town is one of the most charitable places and it's residents some of the most community oriented, all this without a Federal mandate, recognition, or a special day off.  My point is, community service is alive and well in our town.

Tehachapi is the best!!!

That's fantastic gillfish!

I am going to be teaching a Family to Family class for families of loved ones with mental illness soon thru NAMI. Our comunity really needs this class to get back on track. I will keep you posted as to new dates and time.

Keeping people working is certainly ideal in today's economic climate, PlantGuy. But nothing in California's labor laws requires an employer to close or pay overtime for labor on holidays of any kind. With unemployment rates continuing to rise, many employers may soon reconsider offering any paid holidays. Remember when healthcare and reliable retirement packages were considered the norm for America's working class?

At least the Federal Government recognizes "President's Day," instead of both Lincoln and Washington's Birthdays as the State of California does. California recognizes 13 state holidays to the Fed's 10; adding Caezar Chavez Day and the day after Thanksgiving to state employee benefit packages. That makes me wonder what kind of revenue could be raised if all state legislators were required to forfeit their paid holidays for the remainder of their terms? ...After all, this blog was supposed about community service.

As for me, I'll be here on Monday to cover any locals who are planning to heed Obama's challenge and take the "Day On." I'll also be here next Caesar Chavez day...Christmas and New Year's Eve and every patriotic BLOWOUT! mattress and furniture sale weekend of the year.       

Hey, why not support your community and your employer and go to work on Monday, put in a full day, and keep America working. Saturday and Sunday is a perfect time to volunteer and serve your community without the economic burden of another symbolic freebie day off.

Just a thought.

That's a pretty cool idea!