National Public Lands Day Event: Saddleback Butte State Park Habitat Cleanup

Celebrate your public lands by giving back to your local parks! As part of the 23rd Annual National Public Lands Day, Saddleback Butte State Park is leading a park habitat cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Litter in the park, dropped by careless visitors or blown in from the road, is dangerous for wildlife and unsightly. Volunteers are needed to remove wrappers, cups, balloons, and other debris tangled in bushes near the campground and along the fenceline; those who wish to trek farther should be sure to arrive early.

Check in at the campground for registration and litter pickup supplies. Bring lunch, water, layered clothing and sun protection; bringing your own gloves will help conserve our resources. This activity involves walking through soft sand for the distance of your choice, and please note that dogs are only allowed in the campground, picnic area, and park road. Parking fees will be waived for participants, and you will receive a complimentary Saddleback Butte State Park patch to thank you for your stewardship!

Through National Public Lands Day, the National Environmental Education Foundation works to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health. Visit www.NEEFUSA.org for more information about NPLD. The official NPLD, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales USA, was September 24th; please note that the event at Saddleback is on October 22nd.

Pre-registration is not required, but participants may RSVP in advance at www.Facebook.com/SaddlebackButte. For questions about this event, call 661-946-6900 or email Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov.  For information about the park, visit www.parks.ca.gov.

When: Saturday, October 22nd, 8 a.m. to noon

Where: Check in at Saddleback Butte State Park Campground, 17071 East Avenue K in Lancaster (at 170th Street East, near Lake Los Angeles).

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

Contact: Jean Rhyne, 661-946-6900

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Holiday “Poppy Sale” at Poppy Reserve

Come to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a holiday “Poppy Sale”!  The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, normally only open during the spring wildflower season, will be reopened and park entrance fees waived for this one-day sale.

All gift shop items are 10% off!  Choose from poppy-themed gifts and stocking stuffers unique to the Antelope Valley. Enjoy complimentary hot spiced cider as you peruse wildflower-themed t-shirts, hats, keychains, jewelry, and more. Weather permitting, guided walks will be offered to view the wildflower seedlings that we hope to see exploding into color this coming spring.

Sale proceeds benefit the non-profit Poppy Reserve Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PRMDIA), which funds educational programs and materials for several of the California State Parks of the Antelope Valley.  PRMDIA members receive 20% off at the Poppy Sale!

Visit www.prmdia.org or www.facebook.com/PRMDIA for more information about the sale, and learn more about the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve at www.parks.ca.gov or www.Facebook.com/PoppyReserve.

When: Saturday November 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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

From Hwy 14, take the Avenue I exit. Follow Avenue I west 15 miles, which becomes Lancaster Road. The park is on the right.

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Red Rock Canyon State Park

Fall 2016 Campfire Program & Nature Walk Schedule

Please note: Programs are subject to cancellation without notice. Check www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonStatePark for latest updates.

Sat. October 22^nd, 9 am: Jim Gillen leads a hike through Hagen Canyon

Sat. October 22^nd, 7 pm: Jim Gillen gives a talk about Joshua Trees in the visitor center

Sat. October 29^th, 9 am: Ranger Damion Laughlin leads a nature hike from the visitor center

Sat. October 29^th, at dusk: Star Party!!! Presented by the China Lake Astronomical Society

Sat. November 5^th, 9 am: Volunteer Alexia leads a hike from the visitor center

Sat. November 5^th, 7 pm: Ranger Damion Laughlin gives a talk about Geology of Red Rock in the visitor center

Sat. November 12^th, 9 am: Lou Figueroa leads “A Walk through Time” on Desert View Nature Trail

Sat. November 12^th, 7:30 pm: Volunteer Alexia will lead a Night Hike from the visitor center

Sat. November 19^th, 9 am: Jim Gillen leads a hike through Hagen Canyon

Sat. November 19^th, 7 pm: Jim Gillen gives a talk about Life in the Desert in the visitor center

Sat. November 26^th, 9 am: Volunteer Alexia leads a hike from the visitor center

Sat. November 26^th, dusk: Star Party!!! Presented by the China Lake Astronomical Society

Sat. December 3^rd, 9 am: Jim Gillen leads a hike through Hagen Canyon

Sun., December 3^rd, 7 pm: Jim Gillen gives a talk about Ants in the visitor center

Sat. December 10^th, 9 am: Lou Figueroa leads “A Walk through Time” on Desert View Nature Trail

Sat. December 10^th, 7 pm: Ranger Damion Laughlin gives a talk about Geology of Red Rock in the visitor center

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Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center Open for Fall Season

Red Rock Canyon State Park’s visitor center is now open from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and Sunday; Saturday hours are 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The modern visitor center features colorful displays and dioramas illustrating the unique geology, fossils, Kawaiisu Indian culture, early settler history, flora and fauna, and Red Rock’s Hollywood connection. The gift shop offers books, toys and souvenirs.

The visitor center is at 37749 Abbott Drive, Cantil; 22 miles north of Mojave on Hwy 14 (near California City). The visitor center is open seasonally in the spring and fall; visit www.parks.ca.gov for more information about the park, or follow us at www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonStatePark for park updates and current events.

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Crafters and Chili Cooks Sought for Holiday Event at the Antelope Valley Indian Museum

Chili cook-off entries and craft boutique applications are now being accepted for the Antelope Valley Indian Museum’s sixth-annual “Holidays on the Homestead” fundraiser, to be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 5 pm to 8 pm. The historical-themed family event also features a cowboy poetry singer, cowboy coffee heated over a campfire, and homestead-era holiday décor throughout the museum grounds.

All chili styles will be considered for the cook-off, and there is no registration fee. The chili cook-off honors Rose Edwards, the wife of the museum’s builder, who was known for her chili and cornbread holiday feasts at their 1930’s homestead holiday celebrations.

The theme of the small indoor craft boutique is country-western and/or holiday items. Booths are $30, supporting the non-profit Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum.

For chili cook-off or craft booth details and applications, contact Jean Rhyne at (661) 946-6900 or Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov.

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Photos: Leon Worden

Chili, Crafters, and Cowboy Songs at “Holidays on the Homestead”

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum will host the 6^th annual Holidays on the Homestead celebration on Saturday, December 3rd from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Originally a 1930’s homestead, the historic grounds will be decorated in vintage holiday style and feature live acoustic music around a campfire, a chili cook-off, tours of the grounds, a country craft boutique, real cowboy coffee brewed over the fire, and hot chocolate or cider for the kids! Explore the unique hand-built museum and whimsical grounds at night, with soft lighting and the smell of fresh greenery, and the wintery sky sparkling over the desert.

Stay warm around the blazing bonfire while cowboy-singer Michael Tcherkassky, “The Saddle Serenader”, croons the romantic poetry about life on the range that cattlemen composed by day during their journeys across the old west, and then shared around the campfire when the sun went down. Michael has performed traditional cowboy songs and poetry for many years at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and other events around the country.

The country craft boutique features unique gift ideas, made by local artists. The crafters carry on the artistic tradition of Howard Arden Edwards, who built the Indian Museum to display his collection of American Indian artifacts. The Craftsman-style building is decorated with his colorful representations of Indian culture and creative hand-made furniture.

Rose Edwards was known for her tasty rib-sticking chili and cornbread feasts at their holiday celebrations. Try the chili cook-off entries and Rose’s original 1930 Christmas Chili recipe, complemented by delicious cornbread generously provided by The Lemon Leaf Café.

Event admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and ages 5 and under are free. This event is a fundraiser for the non-profit Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, which provides funding to help keep the museum open. Contact Jean Rhyne at (661) 946-6900 or Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov for information.

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is located at 15701 East Avenue M in Lancaster, near Lake Los Angeles. Information can be found at www.AVIM.parks.ca.gov and www.Facebook.com/AVIndianMuseum or call (661) 946-3055 (711, TTY relay service). Please come out for this special holiday event, rain or shine, and support the museum!

When: Saturday, December 3rd

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Rain or Shine!

Where: Antelope Valley Indian Museum, 15701 East Avenue M, Lancaster (near Lake Los Angeles)

From Hwy 14, take Avenue K east, turn right on 150th Street East, and left on East Avenue M. The museum is on the left.

Admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 6-12, ages 5 and under free.

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Camp Hosts Needed at Saddleback Butte State Park

Do you or someone you know have a trailer and love camping in the desert? We are looking for volunteer camp host(s) to stay at Saddleback Butte State Park, near Lancaster at the western end of the Mojave Desert (an hour north of LA).

The host campsite has full hookups, and duties include greeting visitors and campers, selling firewood, light grounds maintenance, light restroom cleaning, weekend visitor center staffing and cleaning as needed, and opening/closing gates.  It’s a small campground in a quiet park, but spring may be busy if we have a good wildflower bloom. Daily work hours depend on park visitation (but generally about 5 hours a day), and days off are flexible. Camp hosts can also be trained to give interpretive programs if interested. A small town and the State Park Sector office are located only 4 miles away.

The 3-6 month position is currently available from now through December, and from summer on. This is not a paying position, but hosts are compensated with a free campsite and hookups. Camp hosts must provide their own trailer or RV, and pass a background check. More info about the park can be found at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=618.  Email Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov for questions or to receive an application packet.

Upcoming Events (more info to come):

* January 1^st:  First Day Hikes at Saddleback Butte State Park and Red Rock Canyon State Park

* February 4^th and 11^th: Poppy Reserve volunteer training (both days for new volunteers); email Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov for an application.