Lisa McKim-Hall spoke at the January meeting of American Association of University Women. She introduced herself as the new music teacher at Tehachapi High School, although she is not new to teaching. She has a master’s degree in music and has been a teacher for 29 years. She believes music …

One of the oldest roads in the Tehachapi area is a two-lane ribbon of asphalt that winds its way through the mountains between Tehachapi and Keene. Just 11 miles long from end to end, this 160-year-old route carried wagons, buggies and horseback riders for three decades before the first cars…

Chris Webber took this photo in West Golden Hills of a Gray Fox relaxing in the winter sunshine while a nearby California Mule Deer doe watches the resting canid.

Lisa Wise took this photo of a bull elk lounging in the shade of an oak tree. Lisa says that the rest of the herd was grazing while this large bull rested.

It is winter in the Tehachapi Mountains. "Shi'id tomo kaapan kavo Tehichipava'an," is a way to say that in the Nuwä (Kawaiisu or Southern Paiute) language of the people who have lived here for thousands of years.

"I don’t know if this is of any human interest, but I found myself at the age of 58 returning to my childhood recently and decided to go out and make a “snow … Cat” of all things," writes Leslie Reynolds. "Actually I did this a few years ago too. I just felt like responding to the calling of…

Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts Association's installation of 2022 officers was held in Bear Valley at the Equestrian Center Meeting Room with a bit of humor and refreshments for all.

Over the fence and behind locked gates in Tehachapi lies a part of California history still largely untouched by modern-day life. The natural springs, native oaks, California wildflowers and lush grassy meadows of the Loop Ranch share space with cows, calves and bulls in a harmonious, centur…

Walkin' in a winter wonderland — Toshimi Kristof took this photo at her home in Bear Valley Springs of a covey of California Quail after our recent snowfall.

One of the most transformational events in the recent history of Kern County land use has just been completed: the creation of The Nature Conservancy's 72,000-acre Frank and Joan Randall Preserve in the Tehachapi Mountains.

Hunting from deerback — David Joseph took this photo in Bear Valley Springs of a California Mule Deer doe with some birds on her back.

Another year is drawing to a close. In just a few more days, we won't be dating anything with "2021" anymore. It was a year to be both enjoyed and forgotten, criticized and praised, appreciated and resented — like most years, actually.

The recent snowfall we've had, with potentially more on the way this week, has been a welcome weather arrival. For longtime residents, it reminds us of how things used to be in the time of winters past. One of the biggest storms in living memory happened 42 years ago on Jan. 31, 1979.

Stacey Herrera took this photo in Stallion Springs following our recent snowstorm on Dec. 14.

It was, perhaps, a night like any other at the Oak Branch Saloon in Bear Valley Springs. Gary J. Katz was playing with his classic rock tribute band Summer of Love. James Lee Stanley was there. It was their first meeting, Katz recalls, but not their last. 

The deadline for the Tehachapi News Christmas coloring contest has been extended to 3 p.m. Dec. 23.

It's that time of year again, when we get a new calendar or two to help us keep track of the days in the coming year. I like calendars and the images that they include, and the Tehachapi area has long had a few local calendars available each year.

Josh Patterson took this endearing photo of a California Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus) observing the world from the relative safety of a large Valley Oak (Quercus lobata).

Fourteen-year-old Tehachapi High School freshman Annie Loken completed her first solo glider flight on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Mountain Valley Airport in Tehachapi.

The Oak Tree Country Club Women’s Golf Club celebrates their year’s accomplishments both on the course and off with an Annual Awards Luncheon and this year was no different. One of the biggest celebrations of the day is the donation of toys to the Toys for Tehachapi organization.

Al Crisalli Jr. took this photo of a Mourning Dove sitting on a rock in the Tehachapi Valley. These native birds can be found throughout the Tehachapi area.

Many people who move to the Tehachapi Mountains are surprised by the amount of wildlife they encounter on a regular basis. When a resident in one of our outlying communities is a nature observer AND a talented photographer, the results can be magical. This is the case with Stallion Springs r…

Holiday music rang out from Bear Valley Springs on Sunday afternoon as the Tehachapi T-POPS Orchestra performed at the community’s Whiting Center.

Books have long been traditional gifts. Books bought from the Friends of the Library are immune from any “supply chain” issues, since they are already here. So buying books as gifts this year makes even more sense. And there are a large number available downstairs in the library at the Conti…

The Tehachapi Arts Commission has announced Art in the Park, a project that would eventually place life-size works of art in each of Tehachapi’s parks.

Like many people, former Tehachapi resident Bill Brandweiner found himself with time on his hands during the pandemic.

Lisa Wise took this photo of a bull elk lounging in the shade of an oak tree while the rest of his herd was grazing. American Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), also known as Rocky Mountain Elk, typically form two different herd types during the spring and summer: cows and their calves will co…

Now that the year is nearly over and the temperatures have gotten cooler, there are far fewer insects flying about. However, I was in the Errea Garden in Downtown Tehachapi recently and was paid a visit by a beautiful Red Admiral butterfly.

The Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum will have special hours during the holiday season.

There's so much to celebrate in Tehachapi! So check out Tehachapi News' special section revealing the 2021 Best of Readers' Choice Poll winners.

Skygazers throughout the Americas had a great view of a partial lunar eclipse on the night of Nov. 18. The event was dubbed the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse, since November is traditionally known as a time when beavers are especially active, getting their lodges ready for winter. A number of Te…

Yolanda Dimino took this photo at a pond at her Stallion Springs home of two Red-tailed Hawks who visited the water feature built by Yolanda's late husband, Bill.

Cadets and senior members from the Tehachapi Composite Squadron 46, Civil Air Patrol, Air Force Auxiliary were awarded the National Commander Unit Citation Award recently for their humanitarian assistance during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2021, five American veterans who have reported to their final duty station were inducted into the Bear Valley Springs Veterans Memorial.

On Saturday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Errea House porch at 311 S. Green St., there will be a sale of vintage Christmas items collected over a 50– to 60-year period. There are many large mechanized Christmas figures made before the “computerized” era and some require electricity…

Nov. 16 was a beautiful, autumn day for picking up trash from the Bear Valley Springs gate to Highway 202. Nine hearty individuals accomplished the whole, difficult route: Linda Coverdale, Lori Frear, Ingrid Lindquest, Cathy and Rick Rogers (not pictured), Dan Tordoff, Kathy Underwood and Ka…

The 2nd Annual Tehachapi Holiday Decorating Contest is ready to accept entries from the community (dates changed, note below). The contest is open to both businesses and residential entries; there is no cost to participate. The contest has expanded from nine winners in 2020 to 12 winners this year.

On a fog-shrouded Saturday morning, with fog so thick the lakeside runners' course was not visible, 175 runners along with family members and supporters gathered at Brite Lake in Tehachapi. They were there for the annual Hot Chocolate Turkey Trot 5K Run.