Come out to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Saturday, June 21, to view the stars and planets of the summer night sky through Antelope Valley Astronomy Club telescopes.  Club members will be set up on site from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for viewing and answering questions about the unique celestial objects such as nebula, galaxies, clusters, Jupiter and Venus visible in the dark sky.

The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center will be open from 7 – 8 p.m.; stop in while the sky darkens to peruse the nature exhibits, and volunteers will be available to direct those interested in a twilight hike on the park trails.

Please arrive before dark (by 8:00 p.m.) and turn off main headlights when entering the parking lot. More information about the park and event can be found at www.parks.ca.gov and www.Facebook.com/PoppyReserve, and at www.AVAstronomyClub.org.

Where:  The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, 15101 Lancaster Road.

Take the Avenue I exit of Hwy 14 and go west 14 miles.  The reserve is on the right.

When:  Saturday June 21, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Cost:  Donation requested for the non-profit Poppy Reserve/Mojave Desert Interpretive Association; the funding source for interpretive supplies, programs and projects in many of our local State Parks.

Twilight Peak Hike and Full Moon Campfire Program at Saddleback Butte State Park

Join the Support Saddleback Committee for a twilight hike on Saturday July 12 at 5 p.m., followed by a campfire program in the full moon!

The 5-mile roundtrip hike will start at the park Campfire Center and meander among the Joshua Trees and creosote bushes over “Little Butte” as the sun is setting, and then up to the peak for a spectacular view over the Mojave Desert as the moon rises.  Those that do not want to take the challenging trail to the peak may continue on the loop back to the campfire center. Under the light of the moon, hikers are bound to see desert creatures that come out after the heat of the summer day to forage and socialize.

Park entrance is $6 per vehicle. Hikers should bring water, a flashlight or headlamp, layered clothing and hiking shoes. Dogs are not allowed on trails in California State Parks. For more information, call (661) 946-6900 or visit www.SaveSaddelback.org.

When: Saturday, July 12, 5 p.m.

Where: Saddleback Butte State Park Campground, 17071 East Avenue K, near Lake Los Angeles.

From Hwy 14, follow Ave K east past 150th St. East. Road becomes K-8; make a left on 170th Street East back to Avenue K. Make a right, and campground entrance is on the left.

Cost: $6 per vehicle entrance fee, or $5 with senior 62 or over on board. $3 with DPR Disabled Discount Pass.

JetHawks Tickets Now Available to Support Saddleback Butte State Park

Do you like baseball and California State Parks? Our local minor league baseball team, the JetHawks, is hosting a fundraiser to help Saddleback Butte State Park! Tickets purchased from the Support Saddleback Committee for the July 19th Jethawks game will go to the Support Saddleback Fund, which was created to raise funds to keep Saddleback Butte State Park from closing and now spearheads interpretive programs and park improvements.

The California State Parks of the Antelope Valley, Ventura coast, and Los Angeles areas will all be represented at the game, with information booths and fun hands-on items. Learn more about our parks’ opportunities for hiking, camping, OHV recreation, beaches, lakes, and local history, and cover your ears when the Ft. Tejon Dragoons fire off the cannon.

Please note, tickets purchased at the game or through the JetHawks website do NOT support the park. Go to www.SaveSaddleback.org or contact Mark Faull at faullasylum@msn.com or (760) 373-3451 to purchase yours today.

Saturday Night Campfire Programs at Saddleback Butte State Park

Come out to Saddleback on Saturdays for campfire programs, or to visit the park Visitor Center Saturdays and Sundays! The visitor center is open every weekend from 10 p.m. – 3 p.m., and campfire programs will be offered at 8:30 p.m. every Saturday evening (times change as sunset changes).

Park use fees are $6 per vehicle, $5 with a senior (62 and older) on board, or $3 with a California State Parks Disabled Discount Card.  Or stay the night for only $20.