The CVPA Annual Meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 5 in the old Stallion Springs CSD meeting room at 28500 Stallion Springs Drive. The Annual Meeting is the time for the election of officers for the coming year beginning July first.  A slate of nominees will be presented at the meeting for approval.  Anyone wishing to serve on the Board is invited to call Chuck McCollough at 822-3478.
    A report of the activities of the Vision Committee will be followed by DVD and VCR entertainment.
Coffee and desserts will be provided.



Substantial donations to the Vision Fund have provided for rebuilding the unpaved extensions of Cummings Valley Road and Pellisier Road for access to the Souza Family Vineyard tasting room.  The Souza vineyard and tasting room are an important step in the vision of Cummings Valley becoming a tourist destination based on wine growing and tasting.  They are also to be a prime attraction for the CVPA bus tours on July 12.

Reedy Engineering and Construction spent four days with a big computer controlled road grader ripping the spotty old pavement that made Cummings Valley Road nearly impassable and building up the road beds of both roads with proper crowning and drainage.  A rented water truck with volunteer driver, George Gonzales, hauled many loads to render the soil workable and for compaction.  Water was supplied courtesy of Grimmway Farms from their fill station in Cummings Valley.

Another possible Vision Fund project could be development of a uniform format for directional signs to visitor attractions in Cummings Valley.  This idea will be explored.


    The Vision Committee has completed the concept for the Vision document.  It will consist of a positive narrative of what we see Cummings Valley looking like in 20 years, supplemented with photography and maps and drawings.  The narrative will emphasize the long standing importance of agriculture to the area, while elaborating on the uniqueness of our area, especially for growing premium wine grapes, organic vegetables and other specialty crops and livestock.  We are preparing the draft layout and will then consult with professional graphic designers to ensure a top quality finished product.  Please note that while we have collected a number of photographs, anyone wishing to contribute their own work may do so by e-mailing to gwpearson_2000@yahoo.com.
Kern County Board of Trade Visit
    On May 21 about a dozen members of the Kern County Board of Trade visited the Souza’s new wine tasting room and vineyard, and then spent time at Triassic Legacy Vineyards of Chuck McCollough and son-in-law, George Gonzales.  They left talking enthusiastically about the potential economic benefits to Tehachapi and Kern County of Cummings Valley becoming the new recognized wine-growing region of California.


The first community charette for public input into the GTASP will be held in the second week of  July.  This is our chance to let the planners know what kind of place we would like to see here in the future.  CVPA members are urged to attend and express ideas about the future of this special place.  Watch for notices of time and place.


    This Oakland-based organization has taken a strong stand against the prison expansions required by Assembly Bill 900, and has filed a lawsuit against the Governor and other top State officials.  They maintain that AB900 is not legal and that we cannot afford the actual cost of $12 billion at a time of severe budget shortfalls. 
    Chuck Boles is investigating how CVPA might support their efforts in hopes that the proposed expansion of the Tehachapi CCI can be avoided.


    Please join us for our very popular, annual bus tours, which will be held this year on Saturday, July 12th.  This tour was developed to introduce new members and new residents to some of the history and highlights of our unique Cummings and Brite Valleys.  The cost for the tour only, which will visit several historic and interesting locations, will be $20.00.  However, this year the tour has a great, new attraction!  We will start and conclude our tours at the Souza Family Vineyard's brand new tasting room and gift shop.  The tasting room will carry Antelope Valley wines and, of course, the Souzas’ award-winning Tehachapi Primitivo Zinfandel.  The gift shop features gifts "made in Tehachapi."  Wine tasting will be held after the tour for those who would like to participate for an additional $7 and will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  If you do not wish to take the bus tour, you may participate in the wine tasting by sending $7.00 per person for wine tasting only, specifying the morning or afternoon time.  Prepaid tickets will be required and will be issued at bus loading or held at the tasting room door for those not taking the bus tour.  This will include three "tastes" and a souvenir wine glass.  The $7.00 ticket price will also be deducted from any gift shop purchases, and, in addition, CVPA members will be entitled to a 10% discount on purchases of gift shop items and wine.
    To reserve your place(s) on the tour or wine tasting only, send your check for $20.00 per person for bus tour only, $27.00 per person for tour and wine tasting or $7.00 per person for wine tasting only (please include your phone number and your first and second choice for the bus tour time you prefer) to CVPA, P.O. Box 1020, Tehachapi, CA 93581-1020.  No tickets will be mailed.  Tour participants will be checked in from a reservation list at loading, along with tasting tickets issued to tour participants who have prepaid.  Please be aware that anyone under 21 cannot by law be permitted in the wine-tasting area.  Inquiries may be directed to Laurie Rude at 821-1904.
    The unpaved roads to the Souza Family Vineyard have been rebuilt thanks to some major donations to the CVPA Vision Fund.  You may now take Cummings Valley Road dirt extension west from Bailey or Pellisier dirt extension north from Giraudo with relative comfort.    cnm



Annual Meeting – Thursday, June 5
    Election of officers and video/DVD entertainment in the old Stallion Springs CSD meeting room.  Coffee and desserts.

Bus Tour – Saturday, July 12
    Save the date! See notice within for details.

September Barbecue – Saturday, September 20
    Save the date. Details later.