Wildflower update: The poppies and many other wildflowers have faded down to a few patches due to the recent heat, but some flowers such as the grape soda lupine and beavertail cactus are in full bloom. The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center will be open through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12.

For regular bloom updates, visit www.Facebook.com/PoppyReserve, our website www.parks.ca.gov/PoppyReserve, Twitter @PoppyReserve, or call our Wildflower Hotline at (661) 724-1180.
Please note, the City of Lancaster’s annual Poppy Festival is located at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park (fmr. Lancaster City Park), not at the Poppy Reserve.

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Outdoor Theater at Antelope Valley Indian Museum

California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park and Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum will host a performance of “The Owl and the Bear,” based on Ted Garcia’s version of a traditional Chumash story from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th. The play is performed outdoors at the “Little Theatre of the Standing Rocks” by local Antelope Valley youth.

The Owl and the Bear is a cautionary tale about the perils of vanity, in which Muhu the Owl’s need for admiration leads to her good looks being crushed during a big bear hug. Savannah Murga will play the part of Muhu the Owl, and Princess Mayfield will play Xus the Bear. Austin Szintai will play Coyote, and Shannon Batu will play Slo the Eagle. Sienna Batu will play Deer, and Blake Bonafede and Orayah Stevenson will play Rabbits.

The history of theater at the museum dates back to 1932 when museum founder Howard A. Edwards wrote an Indian pageant which was performed outdoors, near the museum, annually from 1932 to 1935. Edwards’ drama students from Lincoln High School played the main roles, and local friends and neighbors played the secondary roles. Edwards named his outdoor stage Theatre of the Standing Rocks.

Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP exhibits over 3,000 rare objects from the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin, and the Southwest. The Antelope Valley was an important four-way trade route at least 4,000 years ago. The trade route enriched the material and social resources to Antelope Valley residents, allowing large villages to develop near the valley’s springs.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids age six to 12. Kids five and under are free. Advance tickets are on sale at the Antelope Valley Indian Museum gift shop Saturday and Sunday from 11-4 p.m. Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door on a first-come first-served basis on May 4. Food will be available for purchase from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m, so you can enjoy dinner either before or after the play. The play will start at 7:00 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m. After the performance, the museum will reopen until 9 p.m.

The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum. Please, no pets. For more information, phone the museum at (661) 946-3055 (711 TTY relay service), or visit our website at www.avim.parks.ca.gov. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AVIndianMuseum.

When: 6 to 9 p.m., May 4, 2019

Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for kids age six to 12. Kids five and under are free.

Location: 15701 East Ave. M, Lancaster.
Directions: From the 14 Freeway in Lancaster, go east on Avenue K to 150th Street East. Turn right and go south for two miles to Avenue M. Turn left and go east on Avenue M for 1 mile to the museum.

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Saddleback Butte State Park
Equestrian Poker Ride and Lunch Fundraiser

ETI Corral 138 and the Support Saddleback Committee invite equestrians to come out for a ride on Saturday May 4, to help fund improvements to the Saddleback Butte State Park equestrian facilities.

Elaine Macdonald will lead a 9 mile ride (about 3- hours) on the horse trail and around the back of Saddleback Butte, returning to the staging area for lunch (served from 11 a.m. until riders return). The trail is ideal for beginner riders or young horses. Terrain is sandy, with beautiful views of the Antelope Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. and in the saddle at 10 a.m. sharp! Poker Hands included with registration will be pulled before the ride. ETI members $15.00; non-ETI members $20.00. Please RSVP to Elaine by May 1, to assure lunch: emac43031@gmail.com or 661-946-1976.

When: Saturday May 4, Registration 9 a.m.; in the Saddle 10 a.m.

Cost: ETI members $15.00; non-ETI members $20.00.

Where: Saddleback Butte State Park Equestrian Staging area: 200th St.
East and East Avenue J-8 Directions from Lancaster: From Northbound 14 Freeway, take the 20th St. West exit. Turn right onto 20th Street West, and right again onto Avenue J. Go east on Avenue J for 22 miles (Pass the main entrance to Saddleback Butte State Park at 170th St. East.) Turn right on 200th Street East (a small dirt road) and go about ½ mile to the staging area at 200th Street East and East Avenue J-8. There is easy access pull-through.

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Spanish-language tour of Tehachapi Native American Village Site

Spanish-speaking docents will be leading a tour of Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi on Sunday, May 19th. Visitation is only permitted on a guided tour, which involves a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike.

Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation at the Tehachapi Museum in Tehachapi and last approximately 4 hours, including travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided).

Please note: This tour is not safe for those with heart conditions, breathing problems or walking limitations. Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Ample drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.

Tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended for an additional fee of $10 per party. To make a reservation or for more information, call (661) 946-6092 or email Mojave.Sector@parks.ca.gov.

Where: Meet at Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green Street, Tehachapi

When: Sunday, May 19th, 8:30 a.m. – approximately 1 p.m.

Cost: Adults: $5, Children age 6-16 $3, Children under 5 free. Reservations: $10 per party

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Red Rock Canyon State Park
May Campfire Program & Nature Walk Schedule

Join us for our Spring guided walks and talks! Learn about natural and cultural history as knowledgeable docents tell you about the unique features of Red Rock Canyon State Park. The visitor center is located at 37749 Abbot Road in Cantil, off Hwy 14, 22 miles north of Mojave. Ricardo Trail, across from the visitor center, is an easy walk on sand.

Park entry fee is $6 per vehicle/$5 with seniors 62 and up on board/$3 with DPR Disabled Discount Pass (please bring exact bills). Please note: Programs are subject to cancellation without notice. Check www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonStatePark for latest updates.

Sat., May 4th: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9:00 am.

Sat., May 4th: Special Guest Gene Albitre – Native American Spiritual Leader, will be presenting a talk entitled “Native American Life Ways from Native History and Culture.” Artifacts and items demonstrated include tools used for daily life and ceremony. Meet at the amphitheater behind the visitor center at 6:30 pm.

Sat., May 11th: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Nature Trail next to Campsite 50 at 9:00 am.

Sat., May 11th: Special Guest Gary Pickett – “Flintknapping, Making Tools Out of Stone.” Come, see, and learn the meticulous process of making tools out of stone. Human technology before the discovery of metal. Meet at the amphitheater behind the visitor center at 6:30 pm.

Sat., May 18th: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Nature Trail next to Campsite 50 at 9:00 am.

Sat., May 18th: “Reading Stories in Stone.” Discover the geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Learn how the park was formed with the amazing colors you see today. Meet in the multipurpose room in visitor center at 7:00 pm

Sat., May 25th: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9:00 am.

Sat., May 25th: The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club and the China Lake Astronomy Club will conduct a “Star Program” in the amphitheater followed by a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Meet at the amphitheater behind the visitor center at 7:15 pm. After the program, relocate to Campsites 1 & 2 to view the universe.