WHO WE ARE 2019 Putting People Before Politics www.McCarthyforCongress.com Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress STATE-OF THE-ART ACCREDITED FACILITY CLOSE TO HOME 1081 N China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 • 760-446-3551 701 S China Lake Blvd 760-371-7000 altaone.org Your Community Partner PO Box 1690 • Inyokern, CA 93527 Affordable - Accredited - Convenient 760-384-6100 760-764-1300 www.cerrocoso.edu WHO WE ARE 2019 SPONSORED BY: CONGRESSMAN KEVIN McCARTHY, ALTAONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, RIDGECREST REGIONAL HOSPITAL, CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND COSO OPERATING COMPANY WHO WE WHO WE ARE 2019 In this issue: Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce ................................................................................................... 4 Cerro Coso Community College ........................................................................................................ 6 Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau .......................................................................... 8 Filming in Ridgecrest ....................................................................................................................... 10 City of Ridgecrest .............................................................................................................................. 14 ARENaval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division ................................................................................ 16 Inyokern ............................................................................................................................................. 18 Ridgecrest Regional Hospital ......................................................................................................... 22 Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority ................................................................................ 24 Museums in Ridgecrest ................................................................................................................... 26 Randsburg ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Rodeo in the Ridgecrest area .......................................................................................................... 29 California City .................................................................................................................................... 31 Rosamond Skypark .......................................................................................................................... 32 Kern River Valley .............................................................................................................................. 33 Mojave Air and Space Port .............................................................................................................. 34 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power .............................................................................. 36 2019Lone Pine ........................................................................................................................................... 37 A PUBLICATION OF ON THE COVER Aviation Mechanic 1st Class Brock Beh, a re- THE DAILY INDEPENDENT serve component Sailor assigned to Explo- PUBLISHER John Watkins sive Ordnance Disposal Operational Support Unit (EODOSU) 7, deploys a Man Trans- WRITERS John Watkins, portable Robot System “Talon” Mark 2 from John Bennett, the back of a joint EOD rapid response vehi- cle during a mobility exercise at Naval Air Jessica Weston, Weapons Station China Lake. EODOSU-7 conducts training for reserve and active Lauren Jennings, Jack Barnwell component personnel to prepare them for ADVERTISING Rodney Preul, future mobilizations and deployments. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spe- Robert Aslanian cialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott) LAYOUT Aaron Crutchfield 2 WHO WE ARE 2019 WHO WE ARE 2019 3 Ridgecrest Chamber: Building community while strengthening the economy since 1946 he Chamber is an alliance of business leaders which are the voice tions and new opportunities. The Young Professionals are engaged in of advocacy, providing benefits and services to its members, networking opportunities where they can step outside their comfort Twhile creating a strong local economy and promoting the com- zones, meet new people and serve the community. munity since 1946. Members Luncheon: A dynamic and informative 60-minute lunch With over 250 members, the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce in- program specifically geared to the Ridgecrest business community. cludes businesses of various sizes, non-profits and individuals who Held on the second Tuesday of each month from 12-1 p.m., guest share their vision – To build community and strengthen the local econ- speakers focus on a wide variety of community and business topics. omy. Preregistration is highly recommended. The Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on Oct. 9, Business After Hours: A monthly showcase of a member business to 1946, and began functioning as the governing body for Ridgecrest, a the rest of the Chamber membership. Held on the third Thursday of role the Chamber performed as the community experienced years of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. No RSVP or preregistration is required, rapid growth to keep pace with growth of the Naval Ordnance Test just show up and connect with other businesspeople. Station at China Lake. During those early years, the Chamber created Coffee Club: A monthly mixer for those who are ready early in the and disseminated information about the Indian Wells Valley, studied morning. Coffee Club is a casual opportunity to network with others living costs in the community, established the Desert Empire Fair, es- and is held on the first Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 a.m. at tablished a relationship with the China Lake Community Council, and the Chamber office. helped bring such amenities as natural gas and street lights to the IWV Economic Outlook Conference: This annual conference in- community. With Chamber assistance, the Desert Empire Fair became cludes guest speakers on topics related to the economy in Ridgecrest a separate entity in 1965. and the surrounding area. Held at Kerr McGee Community Center, With the First Annual Congress for Community Progress in 1966, the Economic Outlook Conference is a highly anticipated event each the Chamber began a tradition of hosting events that gave community year. members an opportunity to learn about community progress and Star Follies: This annual lip-sync musical show features local busi- share ideas for the future. This tradition has continued with the annu- nesspeople and Ridgecrest celebrities. The Follies are a must-see show al Economic Outlook Conference. you don’t want to miss! Over the years, the Chamber has initiated The Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce is and maintained numerous business promo- excited about the future! In June of 2019, tions and community events, such as rib- the Chamber brought in a new Executive bon-cuttings, after-hours mixers, Wine Director. Tim Smith has lived in Ridgecrest Walk events, the very popular Ridgecrest for 3 years and joins the Chamber having Star Follies, the Small Business Expo, and previously served as a pastor in the area as many other enjoyable events designed to foster the strength of our well as the director of a non-profit community coffee house in Seattle, business community through enhanced communication. The Chamber Washington. In bringing Mr. Smith in as the Executive Director, the has also arranged and sponsored numerous workshops to educate the Chamber is excited about the unique perspective of marketing he business community on such topics as labor law, marketing, and cus- brings. The Chamber hopes his new perspective and energy will help tomer service. The founding of the Ridgecrest Nexus Foundation by move the Chamber forward in their goals of growing membership and the Chamber in 1991 supports the development of cultural and educa- expanding existing participation in Chamber events, programs and the tional projects in the community. community. Over the years the Chamber has taken a proactive role to strengthen After 30 years, the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce recently up- the community’s economy through the support of the Local Economic dated their logo. The new Chamber logo seeks to speak to the Cham- Development Corporation beginning in 1981. The LEDC was later ber’s continued place in Ridgecrest. The update comes from a desire used as structure for IWV 2000 in 1994, then the IWV EDC in 2011, the Chamber Board has in communicating to the greater community now the China Lake Alliance. Relocation and visitors information plus that the Chamber is as alive, active, and relevant today as it has ever demographics are provided to individuals and businesses interested in been. The most recent iteration of the Chamber logo is simply an up- relocating to the Indian Wells Valley. date, helping streamline and give a modern feel. With such a great his- To fulfill our vision, the Chamber regularly provides unique commu- tory in Ridgecrest since 1946, the hope of the new logo is to honor the nity building activities, events and committees. Here is a brief descrip- past while moving the Chamber into the future. The branding is inten- tion of some of the impactful opportunities the Chamber provides. tional; highlighting the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, the majes- The Ambassadors: As volunteers, the Ridgecrest Chamber Ambas- tic sunsets, and the military jets regularly