EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Applications are being accepted for a seasonal Park Aide position in Natural Resources at California State Parks, Tehachapi District.

Location and description: The position is Park Aide or Senior Park Aide, dependent upon qualifications. The reporting location is the Tehachapi District Office located at 15101 Lancaster Road, Lancaster CA 93536. Employment is 40 hours per week, for 6 to 9 months. Park Aide wage: $10.28 per hour. Senior Park Aide wage: $ 11.87 per hour.

Duties: The Park Aide or Senior Park Aide for Natural Resources will assist with natural resource maintenance projects at several parks in the Tehachapi District.

1)            Remove invasive weeds by hand and using herbicide

2)            Prepare revegetation sites, plant and irrigate seedlings.

3)            Install fencing. Work will include hiking, lifting, carrying, digging, use of hand tools and power tools.

Qualifications for Park Aide:

The ability to complete a brief training on plants, wildlife, and conservation in CA State Parks. The ability to read, write, and speak English at a level required for successful job performance; ability to follow directions, and to learn work procedures and park rules.

Qualifications for Senior Park Aide:

Same as for Park Aide, plus 1) 1 year of experience as a Park Aide in natural resources; or 2) 1 year of education or experience in natural resources such as botany or wildlife biology.

All Park Aides and Senior Park Aides must wear California State Parks Uniforms, and acquire them at their own expense. The successful candidate must submit to, pay for, and pass a live scan (electronic fingerprinting; cost is $23.00).

For additional information about this position, contact Russ Dingman at 661 724-2380. To apply, an original signed application (DPR 678) must be submitted to the Tehachapi District office at 15101 Lancaster Road Lancaster CA 93536, office hours 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The application form (DPR 678) is available from the Tehachapi District office or the California State Parks website:  http://www.parks.ca.gov/ click on Jobs, Seasonal and Part Time, then Instructions and Application. Deadline to receive applications: November 9^th, 2015.

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Visit with Artist Christine White Eagle at Antelope Valley Indian Museum

Come out to Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP on Saturday, October 24, 2015, between 11 AM and 4 PM, to meet American Indian artist Christine White Eagle (Apache and Aztec). She will answer questions about her art and culture, and her jewelry will be available for purchase.

Christine White Eagle has been making jewelry for 35 years. She learned beading from a Navajo friend and enjoys researching traditional patterns and styles. She learned about cutting and polishing semi-precious stones from her husband Carlos, a silversmith. Her favorite stone to work with is turquoise. Christine lives in Lucerne Valley, CA.

Museum admission is $3 for adults. Kids age 12 and under are free. The museum exhibits over 4,000 objects created by the American Indian peoples of southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Visitors also enjoy the nature trail, gift shop, and picnic area.

The museum is located at 15701 East Avenue M, in Lake Los Angeles, east of Lancaster, California. 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. For more information, phone the museum at (661) 946-3055 (711 TTY relay service), or visit our website at www.avim.parks.ca.gov.

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Red Rock Canyon State Park Fall Interpretive Programs

Sat., October 24th: Lou Figueroa leads “A Walk through Time” on Desert View Nature Trail at 9am

Sat., October 24th: Bob Parker gives a talk on tortoises at 7pm in the visitor center.

Sat., October 31st: Nature hike.

Sat., October 31st: Evening program.

Sat., November 7th: Star Party!!! Presented by the China Lake Astronomical Society at dark

Sun., November 8th: Volunteer Alexia leads a hike from the visitor center at 9AM.

Sat., November 14th: Star Party!!! Presented by the China Lake Astronomical Society at dark

Sun., November 15th: Volunteer Alexia leads a hike from the visitor center at 9AM.

Sat., November 21st: Morning nature hike

Sat., November 21st: Volunteer Alexia will lead a Night Hike from the visitor center at 7:30PM

Sat., November 28th: Lou Figueroa leads “A Walk through Time” on Desert View Nature Trail at 9am

Sat., November 28th: Interpreter Jean gives a talk about bats at 7PM in the visitor center.

Sat., December 5th: Morning hike

Sat., December 5th: Star Party!!! Presented by the China Lake Astronomical Society at dark

Sat., December 12th: Evening program

Sun., December 13th: Volunteer Alexia leads a hike from the visitor center at 9AM.

Sat., December 19th: Lou Figueroa leads “A Walk through Time” on Desert View Nature Trail at 9am

Sat., December 19th: Evening program

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Holiday Season “Poppy” Sale at the Poppy Reserve

On Saturday November 21^st, come out to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve for the 2015 Poppy Sale! Receive 10% off all purchases at the Jane Pinheiro Interpretive Center Gift Shop. Pick poppy gifts and stocking stuffers unique to the Antelope Valley, sip some hot cider, and (weather permitting) take a guided hike to view “newborn” baby poppy plants!

All profits from your purchases stay in the valley and go to support the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. For more information visit www.prmdia.org or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PRMDIA!

15101 Lancaster Road, Lancaster 93536

Saturday, November 21

10 AM – 4 PM

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Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center Open for Fall Season
Red Rock Canyon State Park’s visitor center is open from 9:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays, and 12:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The modern visitor center features vibrant displays and dioramas illustrating the unique geology, fossils, Kawaiisu Indian culture, early settler history, flora and fauna, and Hollywood connection of Red Rock Canyon State Park. 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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Fall Tours at Tehachapi Native American Village Site
California State Parks is taking reservations for the fall tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi.  Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides and the clues that the inhabitants left behind.

Tomo Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs.  Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Springs and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.

Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the site, visitation is only permitted on a guided tour, which involves a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike. Fall tours will be offered on Saturdays through November 14th.  Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation at the Tehachapi Museum in Tehachapi and last approximately 4 hours, which includes travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided).  Adequate drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are necessary. Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended.  Please note: those with heart conditions or breathing problems should not take this tour.

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 15 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:  Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green Street, Tehachapi

When:  Saturdays through November 14th, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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

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Crafters and Chili Cooks Sought for Holiday Event

at the Antelope Valley Indian Museum

Crafters and chiliheads, spread the word! The Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is currently planning the fifth annual “Holidays on the Homestead,” a holiday-themed fundraiser for the museum to be held on Saturday December 5th from 5 pm – 8 pm.  Participants are now being sought for the “cowboy” chili cook-off, and the handmade craft boutique.

All chili styles will be considered; there is no registration fee for the cook-off.  Rose Edwards, the wife of the museum’s builder, was known for her chili and cornbread holiday feasts at their 1930’s homestead holiday celebrations.  This delicious tradition is being revived in her honor! Representing the talents of artist and museum founder Howard Arden Edwards, crafters are being sought for a craft boutique of handmade items with a country and/or holiday theme. The indoor booths are $30, supporting the non-profit Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum.

For chili cook-off or craft booth information and applications, contact Jean Rhyne at (661) 946-6900 or Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov. See below for more information about this fun event!

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Chili, Crafters, and Cowboy Songs at

“Holidays on the Homestead”

Visit the Antelope Valley Indian Museum on Saturday, December 5th from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. for an old-time country Christmas celebration! Originally a 1930’s homestead, the historic museum will host a chili cook-off and country craft boutique, with homestead-era holiday décor, cowboy coffee, and western poetry performed around a blazing bonfire! Explore the unique hand-built museum and soft, warm lighting of the whimsical grounds, with the wintery night sky sparkling over the desert.

Sit around a blazing bonfire under the stars as 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.

A country craft boutique features one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. The crafters carry on the artistic spirit of Howard Arden Edwards, who built the Indian Museum to house his collection of American Indian artifacts. The Craftsman-style building is decorated with his colorful representations of Indian culture and creative hand-made furniture. This is a great opportunity to support local artists and find unique gifts!

The event also features a chili cook-off, as Howard’s wife Rose was known for her tasty chili and cornbread feasts at their 1930’s holiday celebrations. Park visitors can enjoy Rose’s original rib-sticking chili and the contest submissions with complementary cornbread provided by The Lemon Leaf Café.  Our 2015 judge will be our new ranger Colin Daxon, who recently joined the department.

Historic grounds tours will be offered repeatedly throughout the evening.  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.

Participants are currently being sought for the chili cook-off and craft booths; contact Jean Rhyne at (661) 946-6900 or Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov for information and an application.

The museum is located at 15701 East Avenue M, near Lake Los Angeles, east of Lancaster, California. Information about the Antelope Valley Indian Museum 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 5th

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Rain or Shine!

Where: Antelope Valley Indian Museum, 15701 East Avenue M, Lancaster

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.

Upcoming Events (more info to come):

• January 1: First Day Hikes at Saddleback Butte State Park and Red Rock Canyon State Park

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