So far it has been a banner year for wildflowers.  If you haven’t gotten out to see them or you want to learn more about wild flowers, come to the meeting on April 9th at 7:00 PM in the old Stallion Springs CSD meeting room.  We will show a 50-minute video by wildflower expert, Milt Stark, who narrates not only the identification information, but also, a lot of interesting facts and history about all the flowers from this general area.
    And if you already know all you want to about wildflowers, just come for the sociability, coffee and cookies.
    Note that we have moved this meeting to the second Thursday instead of our normal first to avoid conflict with the Bakersfield National Cemetery meeting discussed below.

    The County is offering a new program wherein they will put up Adopt A Road signs and provide bags, vests and gloves for organizations that volunteer to pick up trash along County roadsides.  After about 18 years of picking up trash, our enthusiasm has waned a bit lately.  The County program is an inducement to re invigorate our efforts to keep Cummings Valley beautiful.
    CVPA Vice President, Chuck Boles has offered to set up the program with County Roads Department, and to schedule a couple of pickup days a year.  In past years we did it in May and October when favorable weather was most likely.
    If you would like to help, call Chuck Boles at 822-3925.

Our annual September barbecue is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 at the beautiful Souza Ranch.  Save the date – more details later.

Because of lower than usual participation last year and the concern of wearing out our welcome at some of the usual stops on the itinerary, the Board decided to return to the traditional every other year schedule for this popular event. 

Tomatoes and Bell Peppers are happily growing inside the big greenhouse complex recently completed by Grimmway Farms in the middle of Cummings Valley.  Harvesting of cherry tomatoes is expected to begin in mid April followed by Beefsteak types and medium sized tomatoes sold clustered on the vine.  All the produce will be certified organic as it is being grown in a soil type medium with organic fertilizers.

    The beautiful, warm and friendly Souza Family Vineyard tasting room is still exceeding expectations as a favorite stop for locals and visitors alike.  They open the doors every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 6:00.
    The Conditional Use Permit for the next Winery/Tasting Room at the Triassic Legacy Vineyard of Chuck McCollough and George Gonzales family, was approved by the Kern County Planning Commission on March 12.  The plans are being finalized for engineering approval and building permits.  Construction should start in late May or June.  Access is not permitted from either Hwy. 202 or Cummings Valley Road, so the legal dedicated public easements from Bear Valley Road east along Roost Ave. and then south on Log Home Way will need to be upgraded from tracks across the fields to gravelly dirt roadways.
    The newly formed Tehachapi Mountain Valleys Wine Growers Association has been awarded a grant of $9,000 by the Kern County Board of Trade to develop a web site and brochures to get the word out about the wine tasting and other tourist attractions in Cummings Valley and the greater Tehachapi area. 




    A meeting is scheduled in Tehachapi to provide area residents with information about the new Bakersfield National Cemetery. The meeting will be held Thursday April 2nd at 7:30PM at the Tehachapi Veterans Hall on East F Street. This will be an opportunity to learn about the Bakersfield National Cemetery, which will be opening later this year. The meeting is being hosted by three local organizations: the Lions Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Association of University Women Tehachapi Mountain Branch. Cemetery representatives will be present to share the latest information about the new cemetery.
    The 500-acre cemetery will serve veterans’ needs into the next century.   It is located on land donated by the Tejon Ranch, just off Highway 58 on Highway 223 (the Arvin cutoff). 
    There are only seven other national cemeteries in California.   With over 200,000 veterans in central California alone, the Bakersfield National Cemetery will provide much needed services. An active Support Committee is being developed, and there will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer for veterans and non-veterans alike. Please join us on April 2nd to hear about this wonderful addition to our Kern County community.

Several months ago we got word that Pacific Sod had applied to Kern County Planning for a General Plan Amendment and zone change from agricultural  to residential / commercial on 640 acres in Cummings Valley.  The one-page application was preliminary and far from complete.  Planning advised the owners of the additional information that would be required.  As of December 5th Planning has received none of the additional information.

    There appears to be good news on these issues.  In an address to the Stallion Springs Property Owners Association, Greg Garrett, Tehachapi City Manager, said that the prison water plant is under construction and expansion has pretty much gone away, "We've been dropped off their short list."
    This was confirmed in the front page article of the November 12 edition of the Tehachapi News with the headline, "Prison expansion project is derailed for now."  "Funding problems and community resistance combine to halt plans."
    Thanks to all who signed petitions, attended meetings and otherwise took a stand against the expansion.

    The new owners of the ranch, Mark and Jessie Milano of The Milano Land and Cattle Company, are making major improvements including new quarters for a caretaker, refurbishing the big barn and a new home in the same location amongst the trees where the old house was removed.
    Their new home, a 5,000 square foot Greene & Greene style craftsman home designed by Andrew Nasser of Pasadena, promises to be a signature addition to Cummings Valley.
    We are pleased to welcome the Milanos to the former Holly Brooke Ranch, which we understand they intend to maintain as a working cattle ranch.  It is a great relief to realize that our fears of the ranch being purchased by a developer did not materialize.

      Five Cummings Valley properties are now committed to growing wine grapes, and others including a Brite Valley owner, are showing interest.  On October 21, a meeting was held to form a wine growers association.  Thirteen people with a wine connection attended, including the President of the Antelope Valley Wine Growers Association and her mother who came to give guidance in our set up.  Although it makes for a long name, it was agreed that the idea of “mountain valleys” would catch the attention of folks looking for a new and different experience in wine tasting and other points of interest.. 
    Officers of the Association are:  President - George Gonzales, Vice President - Bob Souza, Vice President Communications - Gary Pearson, Secretary - Patty Souza, and Treasurer - Sandy Erickson.
      With the TMVWGA launched as an intended non-profit, the rush was on to submit an application to the Kern County Board of Trade for a grant from its Tourism Grant Program.  The application submitted on the November 3rd due date asks for $16,280 to develop a web site and to design, print and distribute brochures over a wide area frequented by tourists.

    The beautiful 11" X 17" color brochure produced by the CVPA Vision Committee has been a huge success in illustrating the vision we have for creating economic benefit for the Tehachapi area and Kern County through development as a prime tourist destination while preserving our agriculture and open space quality of life. 
    As other places have found, vineyards and wine tasting are a powerful draw for visitors.  Once the area is recognized as an attractive destination, development of other kinds of activities is stimulated, jobs are created, and the tourist dollars are felt by many area businesses.   As the New York Times headlined about Walla Walla, Washington "WINE TAKES OVER A TOWN AND PROSPERITY FOLLOWS."
    Our brochure has been distributed to many officials and organizations at local, County, State and Federal levels.  Requests for single or multiple copies have come from several people locally.  People are enthralled by the stunning layout and photos.
    Thanks to Gary Pearson for chairing the committee, supplying great photos and text, Ron Pflugrath for major contributions and arranging for reasonable printing cost, and to Anthony McDemas and Sally Fox for their contributions.
    We recognize that a tourist destination will bring a small amount of additional traffic, and that there will be some who will fall in love with the area and want to come to stay.  In general, though, they will come, enjoy, spend their money and go home.  Nevertheless, if it demonstrates that tourism is more beneficial than destroying our priceless agricultural valley for development of a new city, everyone except would be developers will benefit.

    Grimmway Farms/Cal Organic is well into construction of their first five-acre greenhouse for year round growing of tomatoes and red, yellow and green Bell Peppers.  These will not be hydroponic (grown in a mainly water medium treated with chemical fertilizers) as some of us thought initially.  They will be grown in containers with a soil type medium and organic fertilizers such that they will be certified organic with organic produce nutrient values.  Target date for planting is January with harvest beginning in April.
    The enclosed metal building on the east side is for produce processing and equipment including a large boiler to supply hot water to a system of piping throughout the greenhouse structure to maintain growing temperature during cold weather.
     CSS Farms of Bakersfield leased acreage from Superior Sod to plant two large plots of onions watered by pivot point sprinklers in circular pattern.  The onions, which are an especially pungent variety, are being harvested by a company from Gilroy (“Garlic Capital of the World”) and will be dehydrated for making onion seasoning products.
    We have a concern that CSS Farms has let the property corners outside the planted circles as well as roadsides go to big Tumbleweeds, Tumble Mustard, and other weeds.  These are starting to blow all over the Valley distributing seeds, and may create driving hazards.  We have in mind a letter asking them to please keep those areas cultivated for weed control.  We commend Superior Sod and other growers for their excellent stewardship of all their unplanted areas.

    Recently, some poorly informed person, hiding under the cloak of anonymity, placed notices on several of the bulletin boards located at mailbox sites in Stallion Springs declaring that Triassic Legacy Vineyard is commercial expansion and the CVPA is a smoke screen.
    Two CVPA members tried to refute the notion, but did not help matters when they posted notices agreeing that the vineyard IS commercial, although better than other alternatives..  Apparently their thinking is that if you sell the produce you grow, you are commercial rather than agricultural.  Since essentially all produce is grown to be sold, the logical conclusion would be that there is no such thing as agriculture.
    We of CVPA abide by the Kern County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, as well as State and Federal guidelines that all confirm that growing produce on your land and selling it is agriculture.  Selling only things not grown on your land is commercial.
    Produce stands are allowed by right in agricultural zones.  For example, you may sell your apples, apple pies, and other produce from your land.  You may offer samples of apples or pies for people to judge what they would like to buy.  But, if you get apples exclusively from a neighbor's orchard to sell or make pies, you are commercial.
    Wineries and wine tasting/sales rooms are the same in principle.  A tasting room offers samples of wines for people to decide what wines they want to buy.  It may sell jams or jellies made from wine grapes or from wines as well as other gift items relating to vineyards, grapes, wines etc. that help to promote the agricultural enterprise.  The zoning remains agriculture.


    Kern Council of Governments’ Senior Planner, Marilyn Beardslee, will summarize the outcome of the Regional Blueprint Summit to be held January 26, 2009 at the Fresno Convention Center.  The Summit is the culmination of years of planning and community outreach by the COGs of eight San Joaquin Valley counties including Kern.  The focus will be on combining the visions of the eight agencies for managing growth over the next 40 years into a region-wide scope.  This scope will address educational opportunities; economic diversity and employment options; planned developments that accommodate growth and yet curb sprawl while preserving agriculture and ranching; improved medical services; additional parks and recreation programs; walkable neighborhoods and improved infrastructure including better roads, bikeways and public transit; more housing choices; and healthier air.
    How might a Regional Blueprint affect ✴✴✴our future Bakersfield visits ?  ✴✴✴our quality of life in the Tehachapi area ?  ✴✴✴the future of Cummings Valley ?  Come to the meeting and,  if interested,  also attend the Summit in Fresno.  Additional information on the Summit can be found at http://valleyblueprint.org/summit.html or you may call Marilyn or Project Manager, Becky Napier at 661/861-2191.

Although we are enjoying a breather from the former major challenges, it is imperative that we maintain membership strength and rebuild our treasury to meet the inevitable new challenges.  We will continue to watch closely as the Greater Tehachapi Area Specific Plan unfolds and will address the persistent clutter of illegal signs posted in the Valley

    The pioneering efforts and commitment in wine growing and wine tasting of Bob and Patty Souza have given us the basis of a vision for Cummings Valley and Tehachapi.  This is a vision of economic benefit combined with preservation of agriculture and open space.  It lays the foundation for developing our area as a tourist destination with the primary attraction being vineyards and wine tasting, but with many other kinds of attractions to follow.

    The success of the beautiful up-scale Souza Family Vineyard wine tasting facility has wildly exceeded expectations.   On Grand Opening Weekend, July 4, 5, and 6 more than 1,000 visitors enjoyed the wines and hospitality.  The guest book shows visitors from seven states other than California.  On July 11, 12 and 13 featuring the CVPA bus tour and displays by local artists, 400 wine tasters participated.  The following weekend saw 200, and the last weekend of July brought 300.
    With the development of numerous additional vineyards with wine tasting and development of other attractions our area could become the "crown jewel" of Kern County tourism.  (See Cummings Valley Vision , below.)


Note: Visit our website, cvpainc.org, for color photographs of the Souza Family Vineyard, Wine Tasting Venue and the 2008 CVPA bus tour.

    All CVPA members are welcome and encouraged to attend a public hearing at the Stallion Springs Community Center on Saturday morning, August 23 from 9 AM to 1 PM.  The hearing is being hosted by the Kern County Planning Department and it's purpose is to collect public input for preparing the Greater Tehachapi Area Specific Plan.  This will be the only public hearing scheduled on this topic.  Per the county, the purpose is for the "development of a single specific plan for the unincorporated Greater Tehachapi Area that will serve as a guidance document for decision makers and the Planning Department as to how future land use proposals within the planning boundary should be evaluated." In addition, the Vision Committee of CVPA will be presenting our positive Vision for the future of Cummings Valley.  Additional information can be found at the county's website:  www.co.kern.ca.us/planning and then click on Planning Programs.
    We hope to demonstrate that there is broad community support for the vision we are developing.  If you endorse the vision briefly described in the enclosure to this newsletter, please sign and return to CVPA, P.O. Box 1020, Tehachapi, CA 93581-1020.   Copies of this vision brief will be available at the check-in table for all attendees of the August 23 meeting.  The CVPA Vision Committee will have a table where displays of vision illustrations and a full description of the vision will be available.   Copies of the brief signed by attendees, and those returned by non-attending CVPA members will be submitted to the Planning Department at the conclusion of the meeting.
    If you will not be attending the August 23 meeting, and you support the concept, PLEASE sign and return ASAP.  Isn't this potential alternative to breaking up the land for houses and strip malls worth the price of a stamp?

    Phil Ryall, Bakersfield petroleum geologist and long time friend of Chuck McCollough, has purchased the 10.76 acres adjoining Triassic Legacy Vineyard on the east and plans to grow wine grapes.   He plans to eventually make his home on the property.
    The 14.47 acres adjoining Triassic Legacy Vineyard on the west has just been purchased by Frank Martini.  Frank has major farming operations on Fiji and has a home on 83 acres in Bear Valley Springs.  He plans a wine vineyard on the land and has ideas of wine tasting and other amenities.  Frank says he just wants to create something beautiful like Triassic Legacy.

The election of officers at the Annual Meeting on June 5, 2008 resulted in the following Board positions:
    President                               *
    Vice President                      Chuck Boles
    Treasurer                               Clydell Lamkin
    Recording Secretary            Sally Fox
    Corresponding Secretary    Jo Anne Huckins
      *The nominee for President found it necessary to withdraw at the last minute.  Chuck McCollough is continuing as acting President until a willing candidate is identified.
    We thank outgoing Treasurer, Priscilla Mester, for her meritorious service and Laurie Rude, past Corresponding Secretary, for hers.

    Bill Miller, General Manager of the North of the River Water District in Oildale, will give us a DVD- and power point-illustrated talk on the complexities of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, and the challenges to maintaining secure water supplies for much of California.
    Bill, a former resident of Bear Valley Springs and CSD Director, now resides in Hart Flat.  He maintains many ties to Tehachapi including being Treasurer and past-President of the Tehachapi Resource Conservation District.
    We all need to become knowledgeable about the problems of the Delta, because sooner or later we will likely be asked to vote again on a proposal to build a peripheral canal to bypass the Delta and bring water to a thirsty Southland.  And in the more immediate future, restrictions upon Delta pumping are directly affecting the future supplies for Tehachapi.  Those water supplies we once thought we had, may not be there anymore.
    Mark September 4 on your calendar, and come to the meeting at 7:00 PM in the old CSD meeting room.  

Mark your calendar for September 20 as the date for the annual barbecue at the beautiful Souza Ranch.  Festivities will start at 4 PM and dinner at 6:00.  On the menu will be deep pit beef and pork, and sides, wine, beer, ice tea, and dessert - - all for $20 paid in advance or $25 at the gate.  To get on the $20 entry list, send your check to CVPA, P.O. Box 1020, Tehachapi, CA 93581.  Tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to the reservation list.  Come for succulent seasoned deep pit meats with all the fixings, social time with old and new friends, and music in beautiful ranch surroundings. The Souzas’ gorgeous new wine tasting room will be open until 6 PM for those who would like to experience it.

    If your mailing label shows a year earlier than 09, it is time to send your check for one or more years at $12 per family per year.  Our membership year has always run from July through June. We currently show over 300 memberships representing over 500 members, but as of July, many are now in arrears.
    We need your support now more than ever as we face challenges to the rural qualities we came here to enjoy.  Member numbers and money may be critical as we strive to preserve the integrity of the area. The positive vision we are developing for the area will require a great commitment of effort and funds to publicize and disseminate.
    Please complete the membership form, if there are changes, and return it with your check.  We would hate to lose you.  Sending a check for the current membership year (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009) will put you back in good standing regardless of when your membership may have expired.