GBU Mountain News LXX August 13, 2014 (PDF)

GBU Mountain News

GBU Mountain News

August 14, 2014 - LXX
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independent - unbiased – professional
August 14, 2014 – LXX

The Shoe to Success!
- The Opening of the Outlets at Tejon by Gunnar J Kuepper

Whose shoe is this, and what does it mean for Kern
County?

We saw this shoe for the first time during the VIP
Preview Opening at the Outlets at Tejon on Wednesday
evening, August 6. The shoe belongs to the Chair of the

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Kern County Board of Supervisors, charming Leticia
Perez. She said "My new shoes are more than a fun
purchase, they symbolize the buying power in Kern
County. The Outlets at Tejon demonstrate the economic
potential of the entire region. When I wear them to Board
of Supervisors meetings it will be a great reminder of
Kern's economic strength."

Leticia Perez ringing the Cowboy Dinner Bell
during the Opening Ceremony
Congressman Kevin McCarthy agreed and stated to the
GBU Mountain News: “The Outlets at Tejon Ranch is a
welcome addition to Kern County. It is not only a
shopping destination, but it will provide needed jobs,
economic development, and investment to our
community.”

Cynthia Pollard, the CEO and President of the Greater
Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce pitched in saying: “I
believe that the dress I bought will match those shoes.
But, seriously the Outlets at Tejon brings a fantastic
economic boost to Kern County and the region. Getting

people to stop in the county and spend money as they
travel the I-5 corridor is a gift to the community that will
keep on giving. The great shopping is icing on the cake.“

3rd District Supervisor Mike Maggard visited the new
Outlet Mall on Thursday morning with his wife Mary
(and yes, she did the shopping). He stated: "The
Outlets at Tejon project is a fabulous success on
every level. 2,500 jobs for friendly motivated local
employees; the best tastes of Kern County showcased
before hundreds of thousands of travelers every day;
every detail meticulously executed; and hey - great
deals and fabulous shopping. Congratulations to
Tejon Ranch and their partners. This project is a
winner in every way."
The sold-out pre-view on Wednesday evening brought
about five thousand shoppers and guests. Many of those
visitors were public officials that either supported or
were involved in the planning, design, and construction
of the 320,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center. We
saw Sheriff Danny Youngblood, Fire Chief Brian
Marshall, Supervisors Leticia Perez and Zack Scrivner as
well as CA Assemblymember Rudy Salas. It was a nice
evening with friendly and many chic people from all over
Kern County. All came to see the beautiful architecture
and to enjoy food and live entertainment combined with
upscale shopping opportunities at amazing discounts.
Nearly $100,000 was raised for seven local charities
which sold tickets to the event, including the American
Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County, Boys
and Girls Club of Santa Clarita, CASA, Junior League,
Links for Life and The Painted Turtle.
On the next morning, Thursday, August 7, the Tejon
Ranch Company and The Rockefeller Group celebrated
the formal Grand Opening of the Outlets at Tejon with a
variety of public officials and business leaders, including

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from the Tejon Ranch Company Gregory S. Bielli,
President and Chief Executive Officer and Hugh
McMahon, Senior Vice-President of Commercial and
Industrial Real Estate, as well as from The Rockefeller
Group Atsushi Nakajima, President and Chief Executive
Officer and Tom McCormick, Senior Vice-President and
Regional Development Officer. A large media contingent
from Bakersfield and the Los Angeles area was also
present.

seen as a dusty and rusty place. The modern Logistics
Center combined with a beautifully designed Outlet Mall
along the I-5 may change the socio-economic and
employment situation in Kern County significantly.
The Outlets at Tejon and its stores currently employ
about 2,000+ people. This includes qualified individuals
from the Frazier Mountain Communities as well. And, it
makes a huge difference not only financially, but also for
each one’s self-esteem whether you work at a greasy run
down fast food joint or whether you are employed as a
sales representative or even supervisor at a global brand
such as Polo Ralph Lauren.

Many chic women enjoyed the new Outlet mall with
its stylish shopping opportunities in Kern County

Most News Stations covered the Opening Activities
The new 43 acre outlet center with more than 70 retail
stores is located on Interstate 5, one of California’s most
traveled highways, near the intersection with Highway
99. Demand from major domestic and international
retailers brought the new outlets to full occupancy prior
to opening. The high-profile tenant roster includes the
only Pottery Barn outlet store in California, as well as
apparel and accessories retailers Michael Kors, H&M,
Coach, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Nike and dozens of
others. A list of all the stores is available at
www.tejonoutlets.com.
The importance of this large shopping mall next to the
growing Tejon Ranch Commerce for Kern County
should not underestimated. Kern County is known
primarily for agriculture and oil. It is therefore somewhat

A similar transition can be seen in the City of
Bakersfield. When I drove for the first time through
Bakersfield about 20 years ago, it appeared like a rusty
and very industrial town somewhere between Los
Angeles and Sacramento. Twenty years later tremendous
changes have been made, and many parts of the city now
look like a modern metropolitan region with business
parks, nice residential areas, clean shopping areas, parks,
etc.
Most recently the City of Delano, about 60 miles north of
the Outlets at Tejon announced the approval of a 328,000
square foot shopping and entertainment complex near the
99 freeway. It will include a 12-screen movie theatre,
restaurants, supermarkets and other retail stores.
Around 225,000 shoppers came to visit the Outlet Mall
during its inaugural weekend, which ended on Sunday,
August 10. The first days featured fashion giveaways and
consultations from a celebrity stylist, as well as family
activities, music and entertainment. The large crowds
created at the same time tremendous challenges for the
California Highway Patrol (CHP). Six officers and a

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supervisor had to direct thousands of cars to the parking
spots and to ensure a traffic flow that would not block the
nearby Interstate.

Excited customers waiting in line for the opening of
the Nike Store on Thursday morning
Atsushi Nakajima, President and Chief Executive Officer
of The Rockefeller Group, stated “The strong demand
from such great brands is a testament to the high
desirability of this location, and from this day forward
should establish the Outlets at Tejon as a major shopping
destination for area residents as well as tourists.”
According to the investors, the Outlets at Tejon benefits
from favorable regional demographics, with 3.2 million
people living within an hour’s drive. That includes the
residents of Bakersfield, the Frazier Mountain
Communities and the Los Angeles communities of Santa
Clarita, Valencia, Castaic, Lancaster and Palmdale. In
addition, approximately 65 million travelers pass by the
location annually on their way north or south on
Interstate 5.
Appealing design was also an important component of
the Outlets at Tejon. The architects created buildings and
landscape that are authentic to the historic and scenic
environment of Tejon Ranch. This includes a replica of
Bakersfield’s Beale Clock Tower – a historic landmark
that was built by the original owners of Tejon Ranch.
The general contractor was Layton Construction Co. Inc.
of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Outlets at Tejon will be open Monday through
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday 10 a.m.
to 8 p.m.

Tejon Ranch Company is a publicly traded diversified real
estate development and agribusiness company whose primary
asset is California’s historic Tejon Ranch. Located between
Los Angeles and Bakersfield, the 270,000-acre ranch is the
largest single piece of private property in the state of
California.
More
information is available at
www.TejonRanch.com.
The Rockefeller Group is a leading global real estate owner,
developer and investment manager. The company has engaged
in some of America’s most significant and recognizable real
estate endeavors, beginning with the development of
Rockefeller Center, one of the world’s finest urban mixed-use
complexes combining prime office and retail space in a
superior location.
The company is wholly-owned by
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd., one of the world’s largest real
estate investment and development companies, which has
completed eight outlet centers in Japan. For details visit
www.RockefellerGroup.com.

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Content
1. The Shoe to Success! - The Opening of the Outlets at
Tejon by Gunnar J Kuepper
2. All Things Local
 Important Phone Numbers
 Upcoming Events
 Fatal Motorcycle Accident on Lockwood Valley
Road
 Steve Berry & Barbara Newbold are running for
the School Board
 The Tradition continues August 15 – 17: Center
of the World Festival Opens its 6th Season at
Pine Mountain Village Center Gazebo by Judith
Cassis, COW Festival
 Welcome to Sarah Morris, our new Business
Manager at the El Tejon Unified School District
 Skateboarders at Risk
 Public Transportation in the Frazier Park Area
3. All Things Regional
4. All Things Global
5. People
6. Law Enforcement Corner
 Kern County Sheriff’s Office – Frazier Park
Incident Log Aug 1 - 5
 Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD)
 California Highway Patrol
 Bakersfield Police Department (BPD)
7. Cooking & Food
 Honey Cake (Honigkuchen)
8. Animals Matter
 Bandit and Milo – Available for adoption at the
Shelter on the Hill in Lebec
 Video(s) of the week
9. Our Library
10. Calendar
11. Incidents & Accidents - Homicides, Arrests, Traffic
Accidents, Fires & Rescues throughout Kern County
12. Arts – Music – Theatre
13. Business Affairs
 Tejon Ranch Company – Financial Report &
Outlook
14. Teens

15. Nature, Science & Technology
16. Weather
 Frazier Park Weather Forecast
17. Kern County
 Board of Supervisors Meetings
18. Safety & Disaster Preparedness
19. Media Affairs
 NYPD (New York Police Department) reminds
its officers that they can be photographed and
filmed while on duty
20. Legislative Affairs
 Assemblymember Salas Statement on Passage of
$7.545 Billion Water Bond - Assembly passes
historic bi-partisan water bond 77-1
 Senator Fuller Supports “Quality, Supply, and
Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014”
21. Where to Go – What to Do
22. Op-Ed
23. Health & Fitness
 California Department of Health’s New Open
Data Portal Improves Transparency and Access
to Data
24. Classifieds
 Cars
 Job Openings

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Capture the Beauty
Portraits by Gunnar J Kuepper

Please contact me for details and rates (661)- 487- 1655

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All Things Local

Steve Berry & Barbara Newbold are
running for the School Board

Important Phone Numbers
Fire
911
Ambulance
911
Sheriff or CHP
911

Both, Steve Berry and Barbara Newbold, have informed
the GBU Mountain News that they have registered with
the Kern County Board of Elections to run for the two
open positions for the El Tejon Unified School District at
the upcoming elections in November.
Steve Berry is a longtime resident of the Frazier
Mountain
Community.
Many locals know him
from his position at the
Frazier Park Library. All
three of Steve’s children
have attended the district’s
schools. His daughter Alli
just graduated from the
Frazier Mountain High
School.
His
three
grandchildren are also
enrolled in one of the three
schools. Therefore he has a
vested interest in maintaining a high standard of learning.
As a staff member of the County library, Steve knows
also about the importance of a well-rounded education.
“It should be all about the student’s growths and the
opportunity to develop the skills needed to become
successful. We must be ever vigilant to never leave a
student behind,” says Steve. He is dedicated to the
believe that the school district and the community need
to work together to build a better future for our youth.
Unfortunately Barbara Newbold was not able to submit
some info in time for this publication.

Frazier Park Sheriff Station
661-245-3440
Southern California Edison
800-655-4555
Southern California Gas
800-427-2200
Pacific Gas & Electric (PGE)
800-743-5000
El Tejon Unified School District 661-248-6247
Frazier Park Library
661-245-1267
Supervisor David Couch
661-868-3680
Fire Station 56 (Lebec)
661-248-6426
Fire Station 57 (Frazier Park)
661-245-3706
Dentist Porazik, Lebec
661-245-1434
The Photographer (fires, accidents, weddings, & all other disasters)
661-487-1655

Upcoming Events in the Frazier Mountain
Communities


August 15-17: Center of the World Festival
www.cowfest.org
 August 23, 11 am: Appalachian Music & Ice
Cream at the Frazier Park Library
 September 13: Shelter on the Hill's 11th Annual
Wine & Cheese Fundraiser
####

Fatal Motorcycle Accident on Lockwood
Valley Road
On Friday, August 8, 2014 at 2:46 p.m. a traffic accident
was reported near 14848 Lockwood Valley Road, just
west of mile marker 14.3 in Ventura County. The 31year-old driver of a 2004 Harley Davidson had lost
control over his motorcycle while managing a turn in a
curvy section of Lockwood Valley Road. The man from
the Studio City neighborhood in Los Angeles sustained
fatal injuries in the subsequent crash. The emergency
response and investigation were handled by Ventura
County Fire, the California Highway Police (CHP), and
the Ventura County Coroner.

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The Tradition continues August 15 – 17:
Center of the World Festival Opens its 6th
Season at Pine Mountain Village Center
Gazebo
By Judith Cassis, COW Festival
Whether you’re a mountain resident or live in one of our
neighboring communities please plan to attend the Center
of the World Festival over the weekend of August 15-17.
This delightful 3-day event kicks off on Friday evening,
August 15th, 7:30 p.m., by highlighting the traditional art
of storytelling. Stories will include Native American
legends, Frazier Mountain folklore, and stories from
local organizations about our natural environment.

Playwright Competition: Both Saturday afternoon (1:30
p.m.) and evening (7:30 p.m.), the six finalist 10-minute
plays selected from dozens of playwrights (one from
New Zealand!) who submitted their works centered on
peace, ecology, and social justice issues, will be
presented in a reader’s theater format.
A traditional people’s choice $500 Grant Prize award
allows audience members to vote for the winning play by
attending either the afternoon or evening session, or both.
Following each presentation, a short TOPICTALK will
give audience members an opportunity to discuss the
subject matter of the play.
Other Saturday Contests: During the afternoon, attend
other contests: Social Photography, Video Film Fest, and
Arts Speaks, all held at the Center of the World Festival
Artisans Gallery, located in Pine Mountain Village, on
the second floor at 16225 Askin Drive. Grant Cash prizes
will be awarded to the winners. While voting on the
entries, browse through the creative art of local talented
artisans and support the nonprofit’s mission to expand
the arts and culture of our local community.
Join us for Eco-tours: Local guides from the Sierra Club
will lead hiking eco-tours during the weekend. Follow
your guide to local places of interest. Learn about Native
American Chumash history, survival skills, and how to
identify native plants and wildlife.
Songwriting Competition: Music and our original
songwriting competition complete the festival on Sunday
August 17th. Songs, themed on peace, ecology, and

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