The High points of the High Desert

2010 | imagesvictorvalley.com
®
What’s
Online See a video
tour of Calico
Ghost Town
victor valley, california
Rec ‘n’ Roll
Play places offers skating,
climbing and more
Tiny Diner for
Big Appetites
Serving Route 66 patrons
for more than 60 years
The High Points
of the High Desert
Four cities offer wealth of affordable living options
sponsored by the Victorville Chamber of Commerce
2010 edition | volume 3
®
Victor Valley, California
37
conte nt s
F e atu r e s
Victor Valley
BUSINESS
10 The High Points
of the High Desert
26Traffic: A Good Thing
Victor Valley’s four cities offer a
wealth of affordable living options.
14 Rec ‘n’ Roll
Local play places offer skating,
climbing, kickboxing and more.
16 Tiny Diner for
Big Appetites
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café has
served patrons for more than 60 years.
36It’s Curtains ...
And Then Some
Theater patrons and students benefit from
college’s Performing Arts Center expansion.
39Laying a New Foundation
Azusa Pacific University’s new facility
brings more opportunity to higher
education scene.
Victor Valley’s superior transportation
infrastructure attracts major corporations.
30 Biz Briefs
32Chamber Report
33Economic Profile
d e pa r tm e nt s
8 Almanac: a colorful sampling
of Victor Valley culture
17Portfolio: people, places and
events that define Victor Valley
0Photo Essay
2
35 Health & Wellness
37Sports & Recreation
40Community Profile: facts, stats
and important numbers to know
All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on
recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
on the cover Waterfront homes on Spring
Valley Lake in Victorville Photo by Jeff Adkins
Please recycle this magazine
V i c t o r Va l l e y 3
We worry about the details so you don’t have to.
At Hilton Garden Inn® hotels you’ll find everything
you need to be self-sufficient and productive, right
where you need it. Designed for the individual
business traveler and the weekend leisure guest,
Hilton Garden Inn provides the finest quality of
essential services and amenities. It’s value engineered
from the ground up and dedicated to guest comfort.
To you it’s a hotel, to us it’s an obsession.
Room Amenities
• Comfortable king or two queen bed guest
rooms equipped with microwave oven,
refrigerator, coffee maker, ironing
board and iron
• Complimentary high-speed Internet
• Evening room service
• 24-hr business center
• Swimming pool, whirlpool and
fitness center
• 24-hr convenient mart
• Meeting rooms and banquet facilities
Everything. Right where you need it.
12603 Mariposa Rd. • Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 952-1200 Phone • (760) 952-3156 Fax
www.victorville.stayhgi.com
®
Victor Valley,
California
Senior Editor lisa battles
Copy Editor Joyce Caruthers
Associate Editor Jessy yancey
Turn the pages of our
Digital Magazine
Staff Writers Carol cowan, Kevin Litwin
Contributing writers Cary Estes,
Kevin Litwin, Joe Morris
Data manager Chandra Bradshaw
2010 | imAgesVicToRVAlley.com
®
Integrated Media Manager David moskovitz
What’s
Online
sales support manager Cindy Hall
senior photographer Brian McCord
see a video
tour of calico
ghost Town
Staff Photographers Jeff Adkins,
Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier, J. Kyle Keener
creative director Keith Harris
associate Production Director Christina Carden
Production project managers
katie middendorf, Jill Wyatt
senior graphic designers Laura Gallagher,
VicToR VAlley, cAlifoRniA
Jessica manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton,
Candice sweet, vikki williams
Rec ‘n’ Roll
Graphic Design erica hines, Marcus Snyder
Play places offers skating,
climbing and more
Web Implementation Director Andy Hartley
web Design director franco scaramuzza
web content manager john hood
web project manager Yamel Ruiz
Tiny DineR foR
Big AppeTiTes
web design lead Leigh Guarin
web production jennifer graves
color imaging technician Alison hunter
Serving Route 66 patrons
for more than 60 years
Ad Traffic Marcia millar,
Patricia Moisan, Raven Petty
Chairman Greg Thurman
President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman
Executive Vice President Ray Langen
sr. V.P./client development Jeff Heefner
Sr. V.P./SALES Carla H. thurman
SR. V.P./operations casey E. hester
V.P./Sales Herb Harper
V.P./Sales Todd potter
The High points
of the High Desert
V.P./visual content Mark Forester
V.P./editorial director Teree caruthers
v.p./custom publishing kim newsom
managing editor/business Bill mcmeekin
Four cities offer wealth of affordable living options
managing editor/community kim madlom
managing editor/travel susan chappell
sponsoReD By THe VicToRVille cHAmBeR of commeRce
Production Director Natasha Lorens
Photography director Jeffrey s. Otto
controller Chris Dudley
Accounting moriah domby, Diana Guzman,
Maria McFarland, Lisa Owens
recruiting/Training director Suzy Simpson
Distribution DIRECTOR Gary Smith
Information technology director yancey turturice
It service technician ryan sweeney
human resources manager Peggy Blake
sales support Rachael goldsberry
sales/Marketing coordinator Rachel Matheis
Executive Secretary/Sales Support Kristy Duncan
office manager Shelly Grissom
receptionist linda bishop
Live Links
Hot links allow users to quickly link to other sites for
additional information, and an ad index allows you to
easily locate local advertisers in the magazine.
Search and You Shall Find
An easy-to-use search function allows you to find
specific articles or browse content by subject.
A digital Toolbelt
Images Victor Valley is published annually by
Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed
through the Victorville Chamber of Commerce
and its member businesses.
For advertising information or to direct questions
or comments about the magazine, contact
Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080
or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information, contact:
Victorville Chamber of Commerce
14174 Greentree Blvd. • Victorville, CA 92395
Phone: (760) 245-6506 • Fax: (760) 245-6505
vvchamber.com
Visit images Victor Valley online at
imagesvictorvalley.com
©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc.,
725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067,
(615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or in part without written consent.
Member
Magazine Publishers of America
Member
Tools allow you to customize the look and function of
the magazine on your desktop as well as print individual
pages or save the magazine for offline reading.
More of the Same
And that’s a good thing. Inside, you’ll find the same
award-winning photography and compelling content
as in the printed magazine.
Share With a Friend
E-mail individual stories using the pop-up text window.
imagesvictorvalley.com
Custom Publishing Council
Member Victorville Chamber of Commerce
V i c t o r Va l l e y 5
6
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
imagesvictorvalley.com
The definitive relocation resource
What’s Online Welcome
to Our Valley
picture perfect
We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the
online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.
relocation
Considering a move to this
community? We can help. Use our
Relocation Tools to discover tips,
including how to make your move
green, advice about moving pets
and help with booking movers.
Videos
pHelAn
(760) 868-6620
4634 Phelan Rd., Ste. F
facts & stats
pinon Hills
(760) 868-7720
815 Hwy. 138
Go online to learn
even more about:
•Schools
•Utilities
•Parks
•Taxes
Local Flavor
Images gives readers a taste of what makes Victor Valley tick – from
business and education to sports, health care and the arts.
VictorVille
(760) 243-3803
12170 Spring Valley Pkwy.
From the simple to the sublime, the
delicious offerings here are guaranteed
to satisfy every appetite.
About this magazine
“Find the good – and praise it.”
HesperiA
(760) 244-5464
15545 Bear Valley Rd.
HesperiA
(760) 956-2361
14411 Main St., Ste. A
In our Interactive section,
watch quick videos by our
editors and photographers
featuring people, places
and events.
•Health care
Apple VAlley
(760) 242-7221
18564 Hwy. 18
– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder
Residential
Investment
Commercial
www.shearrealty.com
V i c t o r Va l l e y 7
Almanac
Remember
To Play Fair
High-Speed High Rollers
A high-speed rail project called DesertXpress is in the works that
will ultimately allow passengers to travel from Victorville to Las Vegas
in one hour and 35 minutes – leaving their cars behind, reducing fuel
consumption and reducing emissions. More than one-third of the 38
million annual visitors to Las Vegas are from Southern California, and
currently most of them use Interstate 15 for their travel.
DesertXpress trains will run up to 150 mph on a double track along
I-15. The $3.5 billion project is expected to take four years to
construct and will feature Victorville and Las Vegas as the only two
boarding spots. A one-way fare is expected to cost $50. Read more
about the project at www.desertxpress.com.
Forever Wild,
Forever Grateful
Since the 1940s, families in
Victor Valley have been able to
count on the San Bernardino
County Fair for affordable
family fun that ranges from a
midway with more rides than
Disneyland to games and
contests that run the gamut
from traditional to unusual. Held
each May at the San Bernardino
County Fairgrounds, the event
typically attracts more than
100,000 people over 20 days.
Entertainment in years past has
included a sea lion show‚ a
turkey race and a farmyard
feature in which kids learn how
to milk a cow‚ dig in boxes for
potatoes and play in a corn box.
For more information,
see the event’s Web site‚
www.sbcfair.com.
The Almquist family of Phelan,
owners of Forever Wild Animal
Sanctuary, will be forever grateful to
the popular television show Extreme
Home Makeover. For many years the
family has provided refuge and care for
neglected or unwanted exotic animals –
including many exotic birds and a sizeable
family of large cats – on their property. They
experienced financial struggles in continuing that mission after losing
key donor support, and they appealed to the EHM team. They
received much-needed help during the show's sixth season, which
has enabled them to open the property for educational group and
individual tours. Currently, tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday
and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. See www.foreverwildexotics.org for details.
Cutting-Education
For two decades, the Lewis Center for Educational
Research has hosted more than 100,000 students, teachers
and parents participating in outreach programs and other
educational activities. The center is perhaps best known for
its Academy for Academic Excellence, a K-12 charter school
in which new approaches to teaching are tested in a
standards-based educational program. Its global programs
include the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope project
with NASA and JPL/Caltech in which teachers throughout
the U.S. access a 34-meter radio telescope via the Internet.
8
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Fast Facts
To Markets We Grow
Asian greens, cucumbers, stone fruits, apples, carnations, honey, jams and jellies,
avocados, hummus, roses, 30-plus varieties of bread, crafts, entertainment ... the list
goes on and on at Victor Valley farmers markets. The High Desert Farmers' Market
has been on the scene since 1992 and is held from 8 a.m.
to noon every Thursday year-round at 18422 Bear
Valley Road on the campus of Victor Valley College
in Victorville. New to the mix is the Hesperia Civic
Market & Street Faire, held Wednesdays
from 3 to 8 p.m. June
through October at
Hesperia Civic Plaza Park,
downtown behind City Hall.
Victor Valley At A Glance
POPULATION (2009 ESTIMATE)
Victorville: 106,334
San Bernardino County: 2,060,950
LOCATION
Victor Valley is in southwest California, at
the southern edge of the Mojave Desert,
84 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
BEGINNINGS
Incorporated in 1962, Victorville – the
largest city in Victor Valley – was
founded in 1895 and originally named
Victor after Jacob Nash Victor. The name
was changed in 1901 to avoid confusion
with the town of Victor, Colo.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Victorville Chamber of Commerce
14174 Greentree Blvd., P.O. Box 997
Victorville, CA 92393
Phone: (760) 245-6506
Fax: (760) 245-6505
www.vvchamber.com
What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Victor Valley, courtesy
of our award-winning photographers,
at imagesvictorvalley.com.
127
15
SAN B E R N A R D I N O
Victor Valley
58
40
Adelanto
15
247
Hesperia
30
Lake
Havasu
Apple Valley
Victorville
138
San Bernardino
247
62
n U.S. Route 66
passes through
Victorville and is the
primary road through
Old Town, forming
Seventh Street. Stop
by the California
Route 66 Museum
to learn more about
its history.
n Open road and
clear, blue skies
create perfect
conditions
for leisure
motorcyclists,
and Victor Valley
is home to an active
Harley-Davidson
Owners Group.
Victor Valley H.O.G.
#0362 has rides
throughout the year
and hosted the state
rally in 2008.
n The Mojave River
flows through
Victorville, and the
city’s elevation is
2,875 feet above
sea level.
n The cement
industry has
historically provided
the firm foundation
for Victor Valley’s
growth, and it
remains an important
industry today.
n The Old West is
still alive in the ghost
town of Calico, an
1800s silver mining
town turned tourist
destination and State
Historic Landmark
on the side of
King Mountain.
62
V i c t o r Va l l e y 9
The
High
Points
of the
High
10
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Story By Cary Estes
Photography By jeff adkins
Desert
Victor Valley’s Four
Cities Offer Wealth of
Affordable Living Options
Waterfront homes line the shores of
Spring Valley Lake in Victorville.
T
he communities of Victor
Valley constitute an expanding
oasis in the High Desert of
Southern California. Located
approximately 100 miles northeast of Los
Angeles along the Interstate 15 corridor
toward Las Vegas, Victor Valley combines
natural beauty, a comfortable climate,
affordable housing and a pro-business
environment, making it one of the
fastest-growing areas in the Southwest.
The region provides a variety of lifestyle
options, from suburban to resort to rural.
Adelanto
Adelanto is a Spanish word meaning
advancement, and the city has lived
up to that name since it became
incorporated in 1970. Adelanto has
steadily progressed over the years,
partly because of its location. As the
westernmost city in Victor Valley,
Adelanto is near both the Los Angeles
and Orange County markets. It has easy
access to Southern California ports,
highways and rail, and boasts prime
industrial land adjacent to the Southern
California Logistics Airport. In addition,
Adelanto has some of the most
affordable housing in the High Desert.
Located at an elevation of approximately
3,000 feet, the area provides a true
change of seasons, including snowfall an
average of twice per year. Adelanto also
is the home of the High Desert Mavericks
minor-league baseball team, an affiliate
of the Major League Seattle Mariners.
Apple Valley
This burgeoning slice of the High
Desert offers some of the most diverse
residential and retail choices in the
region. Apple Valley has been ranked as
one of the least costly cities for doing
business by the Kosmont Companies
and Rose Institute survey, which is one
of the reasons nearly 300 new stores
and restaurants have opened there since
V i c t o r Va l l e y 11
12
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
2005. Apple Valley offers an interesting
population mix, from the 16,000
students at Victor Valley College to the
10,000 residents of the lakeside Spring
Valley Lake golf course community to
the 4,000-unit planned community of
Jess Ranch. More growth is on the
horizon with the North Apple Valley
Industrial Specific Plan, an emerging
manufacturing hub that is projected to
employ approximately 38,000 people.
Hesperia
Hesperia is the southern gateway
to the High Desert. Barely 20 years old,
the city’s population already is
approximately 100,000. The city has the
largest workforce in the Victor Valley
and can reach a substantial labor pool
for transportation, administrative,
management and production
occupations. Housing opportunities
include custom-built villas overlooking
Hesperia Lakes, amenity-rich modern
subdivisions and large-lot residential
zoning. Hesperia Lake Park is a popular
location for family picnics and fishing
throughout the year. In addition, the city
is within easy driving distance to many
Southern California beaches, amusements
parks, museums and sports arenas.
Victorville
Located at the heart of Victor Valley
along the Mojave Desert, Victorville
provides numerous opportunities for both
families and businesses. A third of the
residents of Victorville are under the age
of 18, an indication of the city’s popularity
among couples with children. But the city
also is an emerging commercial hub,
thanks in part to its easy access to air, rail
and ground transportation. Victorville is
poised for significant growth if the
proposed DesertXpress railway project
becomes reality. The passenger train
route would travel the approximately
190 miles from Victorville to Las Vegas
in approximately 2 1/2 hours.
Clockwise from left: Palm trees rise
above a home near Spring Valley
Lake; the Santa Fe Trading Co. sells
home goods; Hesperia Lake Park
V i c t o r Va l l e y 13
Get Out There
Power play skating center
10770 I Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345-5292
(760) 956-6711
The Bullet Hole
15315 Cholame Rd. Unit C, Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 245-3307, www.thebullethole.net
Doris Davies Park
16305 Hughes Rd., Victorville, CA 92392
http://ci.victorville.ca.us/Site/Popup.aspx?id=420
14
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Rec ‘n’ Roll
Local Play Places Offer Skating,
Climbing, Kickboxing and More
Story By Joe Morris | Photography By jeff adkins
G
iven its proximity to the
mountains, the ocean and plenty
of parkland, Victor Valley is
justifiably known as an outdoorsports paradise. When it’s time to play, the
indoors are just as great for fans of rock-wall
climbing, kickboxing, skating and martial arts.
Skateboarders flock to various outdoor
parks, and those who prefer roller skates
head to indoor centers such as Skate-N-Sport
at the fairgrounds, Power Play Skating
Center in Hesperia and Holiday Skating
Center in Victorville.
Frisbee flingers often find themselves at the
Doris Davies Park in Victorville for disc golf,
while those who really want to get a grip on
something head to the Bullet Hole Training
Center, a 9,200-square-foot gym, kickboxing
training center and rock-climbing mecca since
it opened in 2000.
Owned by world champion kickboxer Craig
“The Bullet” Buchanan, the Bullet Hole’s
martial arts roster includes Muay Thai and
American kickboxing instruction as well as
Brazilian jiujitsu, judo, and Craig Swanson’s
kenpo karate classes. A fully outfitted gym also
brings people in, and the climbing walls stay
busy as well, Buchanan says.
“Rock climbing was always a way for me to
escape, so I wanted to have it here when I
opened,” Buchanan says. “It’s a big draw, along
with the Thai and kickboxing. People like to do
those things for fun, and they also like that they
don’t have to get out and drive to the mountains
to participate in some form of activity. You get
the same workout without driving an hour and a
half, and it’s also more interesting than what
you would do if you just went to the local gym.”
Buchanan’s operation has about 2,200 feet of
climbing wall, all of which is about 25 feet tall,
so there’s room for plenty of people to go vertical
at any given time. He also can build different
types of climbing structures if he so chooses, so
the opportunity to mix things up is always on
the table. That, too, is something that one won’t
find on a more traditional hillside.
“Rock climbing and a lot of these other
sports are a new adventure for a lot of people,
and a recreational game for most,” Buchanan
says. “But people around these parts are always
looking for something new to get into. I’ve
noticed a lot of interest in scuba diving, for
instance, and we’re not that close to the ocean.”
That said, he adds that he’s not opposed to
the Bullet Hole expanding downward rather
than up and out at some point.
“It would be interesting to be able to certify
divers here,” Buchanan says. “And it wouldn’t be
totally out of line for me, or for the people
around here, to get into that.”
Clockwise from top:
Brian Miano practices
his climbing skills at
the Bullet Hole
Training Center; John
Mutchler, right,
teaches Kenpo karate
to Benny Olvera, left,
and his son, Aidan
Olvera, 11, at the
Bullet Hole Training
Center; disc golf at
Doris Davies Park
V i c t o r Va l l e y 15
Local Flavor
What’s Online Hungry for more? Sink your teeth into other
stories about Victor Valley’s local flavor in
the food section at imagesvictorvalley.com.
Dining Along Route 66
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café Earns Nod From Food Network
E
mma Jean’s Holland Burger Café
doesn’t have a lot of booth space
or counter space, but it sure has plenty
of ambiance and good food.
The tiny Victorville restaurant has
been a popular drop-in dining spot on
Old Route 66 for more than six decades,
and the long-standing eatery was
recently featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners,
Drive-ins and Dives on Food Network.
The blond, spiky-haired, eccentric Fieri
featured Emma Jean’s as one of the
three most interesting restaurants that
he has ever visited along Route 66.
Emma Jean and Bob Holland
founded the tiny cafe back in 1947, and
when Emma Jean passed away in 1996,
husband Bob continued to run the eatery
with son, Brian, and his wife, Shawna.
Today, Brian serves as the restaurant’s
chef, and Shawna is the waitress.
The quaint diner is known for
homemade food, made from scratch,
and is favored by locals for its generous
portions. Brian Holland cooks up downhome dishes that include biscuits and
gravy, chicken-fried steak, and a renowned
Trucker’s Sandwich that is piled high with
roast beef, bacon, chilies and cheese.
The restaurant, which many
customers refer to as a little piece of
Americana, features heaping breakfasts
that can include everything from kielbasa
and eggs Benedict to a traditional ham,
bacon or sausage plate with scrambled
eggs and hash browns. Several customers
request the Holland’s spicy ketchup to
add even more robust flavor to each meal.
But perhaps the most-ordered item
on the menu is the Brian Burger, which
features a half-pound of grilled
hamburger topped with melted Swiss
cheese. Then, two grilled Ortega chilies
are added, and everything is placed
between extra-thick slices of sourdough
toast that is generously seasoned with
Parmesan cheese.
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café
is open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m.2:30 p.m., and Saturdays from
6 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
– Kevin Litwin
Families enjoy dining at Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville. The restaurant was built in 1947.
16
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Portfolio
Power to
the People
Two major alternate
energy projects begin
in victor valley
lternative energy is a growing
industry, and California often is
on the forefront. The state is seen as a
leader in trumpeting the cause for
creating energy without the undesired
consequences of burning fossil fuels,
which are the major contributors to
global warming.
Victor Valley itself is becoming a
region where the push toward alternative
energy is gaining momentum. In fact, in
October 2009 it was announced that a
proposed Abengoa Mojave Solar Project
will be constructed near Hinkley, just
west of Barstow.
The project has been green-lighted
for its discovery phase followed by
proposed construction in 2010 on 1,765
acres situated next to two solar facilities
that already exist near Harper Dry Lake.
The multimillion-dollar solar plant will
be built on fallow agricultural land.
Officials with the project’s developer
– Mojave Solar LLC – say that the
Abengoa Mojave initiative will ultimately
bring 500 construction jobs to the Victor
Valley region, and the 250-megawatt
solar energy facility will have the ability
to power an estimated 80,000 homes.
Meanwhile, a proposed wind energy
project also has begun in Victor Valley.
The Granite Mountain Wind Energy
Project will be located in San
Bernardino County, and the initiative
started in September 2009 with an
environmental impact study phase.
A total of 28 wind turbines will be
constructed on 80 acres located 11
miles east of Apple Valley on the
Granite Mountain range between Apple
Valley and Lucerne Valley. Overseeing
the project will be San Bernardino
County-based Sierra Renewables LLC, a
company that has been developing wind
energy projects throughout California
and the U.S. ever since the industry was
introduced in the early 1980s.
Officials estimate the project,
scheduled to begin in 2010, will bring
250-300 jobs to the region.
photos by Jeff Adkins
A
V i c t o r Va l l e y 17
Portfolio
Paying Tribute
to the King
and Queen
Jeff Adkins
A
Trust Kathy. Trust Shaw.
For flooring you’ll feel good about.
“... finding solutions for families,
especially busy moms.” ™
Carpet | Area Rugs | Ceramic | Hardwood | Laminate
Major Brands of Carpet, Vinyl, Wood, Ceramic
The Best Personalized Service in Town
Carpet Club, Inc.
(760) 241-0141 • (760) 241-0692 Fax
12555 Mariposa, Ste. H • Victorville, CA 92395
www.carpetclubinc.com
Free Estimates
www.kathyireland.com
18
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
www.shawfloors.com
fter years of planning, the Roy
Rogers-Dale Evans Sunset Chapel
finally opened in early 2007. Today, it
serves as a special place for community
events and weddings.
The famed hard-riding and yodeling
cowboy, Rogers, and his wife, Dale
Evans, were longtime local residents,
and both were laid to rest in Apple
Valley at Sunset Hills Memorial Park
and Mortuary. It was here that, in the
late 1990s, Dale envisioned a gathering
place that was finally unveiled in
February 2007.
Roy Rogers passed in 1998, after
which his wife approached Sunset Hills
owner Chet Hitt about an on-site chapel
that could hopefully be constructed and
named in her husband’s honor. Hitt
was a friend of the family for decades,
and he told Dale that the chapel will
indeed become a reality some day –
but would fittingly be named for both
Rogers and Evans.
“I, of course, responded that no
tribute to Roy would be complete
without mention of Dale,” Hitt says.
“From the very start, Dale was a big
supporter of ours. She attended
Sunset Hill’s original dedication and
groundbreaking, and used to come and
sit overlooking the valley to work on her
next book.”
Hitt says Evans, who passed away in
2001, felt strongly that the chapel
should belong to all the people of Apple
Valley and the High Desert community,
and she suggested that a walkway of
granite pavers be constructed around
the chapel. That way, the engraved
pavers would allow loved ones to be
commemorated or could pay tribute to
those who have made a lasting
impression on their lives.
“I am proud of what we have done
here,” Hitt says. “It is an honor to pay
tribute to my heroes – The King of the
Cowboys and the Queen of the West.”
Dine and Dance the Night Away
irst try the filet mignon medallions,
and then leave some room for the
pad Thai noodles. Then leave still more
room for music and dancing next door.
All this and more is available at Kinari
Bistro and companion business Karma
in Victorville.
Kinari Bistro is a popular dining
destination, with a diverse gourmet
menu that features both Thai and
Italian dinner selections. Chef Claudio
Pagano oversees the Italian portion of
the kitchen, while Chef Oui maintains
the Thai section.
Entrée offerings at Kinari can
include Thai lettuce wraps and crispy
orange peel shrimp that Chef Oui
prepares, as well as Farfalle Fiorentina
and blackened sea bass that Chef
Pagano crafts. Kinari owner Ron
Mather insists that his restaurant
purchases only the freshest produce,
seafood and meat for what he jokingly
call the bistro’s Thaitalian menu.
Mather describes his eatery as
upscale and classy, yet welcoming and
fun. And if you have dinner at Kinari,
the $10 cover charge at Karma will then
be waived on club nights.
“Kinari may be the prime place to
take the family for a night out on the
town, and it’s definitely the spot to hit if
you want to impress a date,” he says.
Meanwhile, the bistro isn’t the only
entertainment establishment located
inside the spacious building on
Cottonwood Road. A companion business
called Karma is a nightclub and concert
venue that has become well known
throughout Victor Valley for regularly
booking good bands. Their headliner
lineup in 2009 included performances by
Rehab, Pepper, The Addicts, Ying Yang
Twins and Lee Rocker.
Kinari Bistro/Karma, which opened
in 2004, can accommodate wedding
receptions, large-scale banquets,
corporate functions or dance parties.
Mather says Karma is a closely
monitored, all-ages nightclub, so guests
need never worry about incidents of
underage drinking.
Kinari Bistro/Karma is co-owned by
Ron Mather’s wife, Gwen. Their son,
Bobby, is manager of both venues.
Jeff Adkins
F
Check Out Our
Hopping Club Scene
Staff Photo
G
olf legends Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead and Jack
Nicklaus all played golf in the High Desert, specifically
at Hesperia Golf & Country Club.
Hesperia, which opened in 1957, was a frequent stop on
the annual PGA tour and today is rated a 3.5-star course by
Golf Digest. In addition, California Golf Magazine has ranked
the course as one of the top 25 in The Golden State.
But Hesperia is just one of several top golf venues situated
in Victor Valley. The High Desert features ideal year-round
weather that results in excellent course conditions, including
some of the smoothest greens in public golf.
Victorville is home to the 18-hole venue Green Tree Golf
Course, which opened as a private club in 1963 and was later
deeded to the city. It is a challenging test of shot-making at par
72 and more than 6,600 yards, with water hazards, tree-lined
fairways and sand traps sprinkled along the way.
The High Desert also offers golfers a couple of nine-hole
options. Ashwood Golf Course in Apple Valley actually has
27 holes that allow players to golf three distinct nine-hole
courses. It is easily accessible from Interstate 15. Meanwhile,
Tees & Trees Golf Course in Barstow provides nine holes
among beautiful scenery. – Stories by Kevin Litwin
V i c t o r Va l l e y 19
20
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Photography By Jeff Adkins
V
ictor Valley offers spectacular scenery
characterized by the stark contrasts of its
location. Positioned between the San
Bernardino Mountains and the San Gabriel
Mountains and on the southeastern edge of the Mojave
Desert, the area abounds with a wide variety of
recreational opportunities afforded by these natural
assets. Yet no other physical activity but pausing to take
a look around can be just as rewarding. In fact, the area
has served as a preferred backdrop for many film and
television projects due to its natural beauty.
V i c t o r Va l l e y 21
22
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
V i c t o r Va l l e y 23
24
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
V i c t o r Va l l e y 25
Traffic:
A Good
26
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Business
Thing
Global Access Development
Attracts Major Corporations
Story By Joe Morris
P
Jeff Adkins
lanes, trains and trucks flow
in and out of Victor Valley’s
Global Access facility with
great frequency these days,
and every one of them brings a smile
to Keith Metzler’s face.
As director of economic development
for Victorville, Metzler can remember
when the George Air Force Base was
shuttered in 1992, and the resulting
impact on the entire High Desert region
after the loss of thousands of base-related
jobs. Since then, the drive to redevelop
the base into a multimodal facility for
business and industry has been ongoing,
and the recruiting successes are evident.
“Our vision has always been clear,
and we have been working to bring new
Beverage storage tanks are a feature
at the Dr Pepper/Snapple facility
being constructed in Victorville.
V i c t o r Va l l e y 27
Business
More Insight
Global Access Tenants:
Newell Rubbermaid
General Electric
Boeing
Pratt & Whitney
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
M&M/Mars Inc.
Nutro Products Inc.
ConAgra Foods
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Leading Edge
Aviation Services
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University
Pacific Aerospace Resources
& Technologies LLC
Plastipak Packaging
28
industry to town and keep our workforce here,
as well,” Metzler says. “We want to build a more
sustainable community where fewer people are
commuting away for jobs, and that’s meant
investing in all kinds of infrastructure on the
site; not just roads and gutters, but special
utilities that give industries a real reason to be
here. We have a facility that promotes costeffectiveness as a major reason to locate here.”
The convergence of the Southern California
Logistics Airport, Southern California Logistics
Centre and Southern California Rail Complex
within the 8,500-acre Global Access complex is
appealing to many industries, including new
residents Plastipak Packaging, Leading Edge
Aviation Services and Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, as well as Dr Pepper
Snapple Group, which is building a $120 million
beverage and distribution center to supply its
West Coast and adjacent markets.
The latter facility, which will employ
upwards of 200 people, benefits all parties
involved because it meets the growing needs of
the company while also providing a major boost
to the local economy, says Chris Barnes,
manager of corporate affairs.
“The road network and infrastructure for the
moving of supplies and products is good for us,
and the multimodal capabilities helped us to pick
this site as well,” Barnes says. “We have room to
grow, and we can develop a plant that will help us
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
provide comprehensive manufacturing capabilities
while also growing our operations over time.”
Global Access and its daily operations are
overseen by Stirling Capital Investments, which
is pleased with the development’s level of interest
these days, says Brian Parno, vice president.
“Companies that are in business for the long
term realize that they can position themselves
well for the future in Victorville, where they can
capture the entire southwestern U.S. market
from one location,” Parno says. “We see the
three modes of transportation working well
together to form a critical mass of logistics
operations that make the region more selfsustaining, but also one that benefits Southern
California as a whole by reducing pollution and
traffic congestion in the L.A. basin.”
For now, it’s more than enough that there are
plenty of occupied buildings and people
bustling about the site, says Metzler.
“We’ve been adding large users, companies
within the Fortune 500, and it really validates
what we’re doing,” Metzler says. “It’s difficult to
market a site with nothing but tumbleweeds
rolling around. Now people see large
warehouses, manufacturing plants, and we can
point to those and say that these major, publicly
traded companies chose to do business here.
That carries a lot of weight, and makes our
selling job a whole lot easier. We tell them, ‘If it
works for Dr Pepper, it can work for you.’”
Staff Photos
V i c t o r Va l l e y 29
Business
Biz Briefs
Businesses – both large and small – that help define
victor valley’s economic climate
Scorecard
Business At
A Glance
$17,324,180
Retail sales ($1000)
$27,916
Retail Sales
per capita
$1,964,804
Accommodations
and food service
sales ($1000)
119,719
Total number of firms
Source: U.S.
Census QuickFacts
Figures include City
of Victorville and San
Bernardino County
Auto Park at Valley Center
Biz: automotive dealership park
Buzz: If you need a new car, this is your
one-stop shop. Auto Park at Valley Center
brings together the power of seven premier
car dealerships: Valley-Hi Honda, Valley-Hi
Nissan, Valley-Hi Toyota Scion, Hi-Desert
Kia, Griener Buick Pontiac GMC, Victorville
Mitsubishi and Victorville Motor Chrysler
Jeep Dodge.
www.victorvilleautopark.com
30
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
R & S Beverage
Biz: beverage distributor
Buzz: R & S Beverage in Adelanto is owned by
Ruben C. Ramirez and is a successful familyowned distributor for Anheuser-Busch
products. R & S management and staff are
known for their active participation in the
business and civic organizations throughout the
Victor Valley. The business is located at 17500
Adelanto Road.
(760) 530-2288
J. Michaels Salon & Spa
Biz: salon and spa
Buzz: J. Michaels Salon & Spa in
Victorville is known for its cutting-edge
beauty and spa services. Spa owner
Olivia Smith and Dr. Gabriel Stine also
have partnered to provide services
through High Desert LipoLaser, which
offers the new ZERONA™ body
contouring procedure.
www.jmichaelsvv.com
Robertson’s Ready Mix
Biz: material supplier
Buzz: Robertson’s Ready Mix provides
rock, sand and ready-mixed concrete
to construction contractors. The
company operates rock and batch
plants throughout California from its
corporate office in Victorville. The
business is known for its commitment
to service and quality.
www.rrmca.com
Bizzy Bee Buzzing
Charter and Tour Inc.
Biz: bus charter company
Buzz: You’re sure to get your kicks on
Route 66 with Bizzy Bee Charter and
Tour Inc., a family-owned business
specializing in comfort travel. Deluxe
coaches are equipped with spacious and
comfortable seating for 47 people, airconditioning, stereo, DVD and more.
www.bizzybeebuzzing.com
PAVING • GRADING • SEALCOATING
Cooley
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
CA State Contractors Lic. # 348030 • Bonded and Insured
Subdivisions • Commercial • Heavy Grading Paving • Parking Areas • Curbs
Gutters • Sidewalks • Streets • Resurfacing
Serving the Desert Since 1947
17525 Eucalyptus St., Ste. G • Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 948-8400 • www.cooleyconstruction.net
V i c t o r Va l l e y 31
Business | Chamber Report
Core Commitments Count
Chamber’s Many Services Add Up to Membership Value
K
eeping members up to speed
through networking events is
par for the course at the Victorville
Chamber of Commerce. But through
new programs and services such as
specialty seminars, a revamped Web
site and more, the organization is able
to keep the local business community
abreast of changes in the way they do
business now and in the future.
“We’re noted for our Economic
Enhancement Forums, where we take
a look at what’s happening in terms of
what people are focusing on at the
moment, or what’s coming into the
area,” says Michele Spears, President
and Chief Executive Officer. “We have
done them on renewable energy, trends
in real estate, retail – whatever’s got
people talking and that they want to
learn more about.”
The forums are on a calendar that
includes Victorville Morning Insight,
a monthly membership meeting that
draws more than 200 people;
Leadership Victor Valley, an annual
program that graduates around 23
business leaders a year; and the
Victorville Young Professionals, a group
of younger members that has its own
events and speakers.
“Our members know that we work
to help them further their education,
which is part of our businessenhancement core benefit,” Spears says.
“The other benefits are connection and
promotion, legislative advocacy and
community involvement. We work to
provide activities and resources in all
of those for the membership.”
That’s led to the creation of a
thriving “buy local” program, which
promotes shopping locally throughout
the year and has a gift-card drawing
event in December. The chamber also
has doubled its annual business expo,
adding a January date to complement
the longstanding July event. This allows
the chamber’s retail and other members
a chance to showcase products and
services during a slow fiscal period, and
32
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
it ties into some of the new website
functions, says Annie MacKay,
Communications Manager.
“We’ve added a member log-in to
our web site, and they can offer coupons
and add other information to their
profiles,” MacKay says. “This gives
them a personal touch there, as well the
ability to showcase what they have and
can do,” MacKay says.
The organization has spun off the
Victor Valley Chamber Foundation,
which presents educational and
community programs that further
the chamber’s mission.
The breadth and depth of services
provided by the 622-member chamber
have brought it many honors, including
a four-star accreditation from the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, an honor it
shares with only 13 other chambers
in California.
“We have to listen to the members
even more during a slow economy and
provide more opportunities for them,”
Spears says. “We’re adding, updating
and providing more than we ever have
in the past, and our members see that
value. They know we help business and
help the community, and they want to
be part of that.”
- Joe Morris
Business | Economic Profile
Victor Valley
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
Victor Valley has a lot going for it‚ a strategic location; market
access via highways, air, rails and ports; lower operating costs
than most of California; and one of the most affordable housing
markets in the West.
Victorville Chamber
of Commerce
(760) 245-6506
www.vvchamber.com
High Desert Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce
(760) 241-6661
www.hdhcc.org
TRANSPORTATION
Apple Valley Airport
(760) 247-2371
www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us
www.sbcounty.gov/airports
Adelanto Chamber
of Commerce
(760) 246-5711
www.adelantochamber.com
Hesperia Airport
(760) 947-0807
www.airnav.com/airport/l26
Apple Valley Chamber
of Commerce
(760) 242-2753
www.avchamber.org
Los Angeles
International Airport
(310) 646-5252
www.airport-la.com
Ontario International Airport
(909) 937-2700
www.lawa.org/
welcomeont.aspx
Southern California
Logistics Airport
(760) 243-1900
www.logisticsairport.com
Victor Valley
Transit Authority
(760) 948-3030
www.vvta.org
ECONOMIC
RESOURCES
Victor Valley Economic
Development Authority
(800) 747-5840
www.victorvalleyca.com
Victor Valley African American
Chamber of Commerce
(760) 881-3142
www.vvaacc.com
Hesperia Chamber
of Commerce
(760) 244-2135
www.hesperiacc.org
City of Hesperia
9700 Seventh Ave.
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-1000
www.cityofhesperia.us
San Bernardino County
(888) 818-8988
www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us
TAX STRUCTURE
.75%
City Sales and Use Tax
1%
County Sales Tax
7%
State Sales Tax
8.75%
Total Sales Tax
GOVERNMENT
OFFICES
City of Victorville
14343 Civic Drive
Victorville, CA 92393
(760) 955-5000
www.ci.victorville.ca.us
imagesvictorvalley.com
More facts, stats and
community information,
including relocation
tools and links to resources.
Town of Apple Valley
14955 Dale Evans Pkwy.
Apple Valley, CA 92307
(760) 240-7000
www.applevalley.org
City of Adelanto
11600 Air Expressway
Adelanto, CA 92301
(760) 246-2300
www.ci.adelanto.ca.us
V i c t o r Va l l e y 33
Choice Medical Group’s
Choice Medical Group continues to expand its services with your well
being in mind and continues to focus on Women’s Health and our Senior
Care Services. The Health & Wellness Center is located at 18522
Highway 18, Suite 206 in the Choice Plaza in Apple Valley. The Center
is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The services offered
at the Health & Wellness Center are in addition to our health education
programs, which include our fitness class for seniors, healthy living
seminars and more. For more information, call (760) 242-WELL.
Women’s Health Center
Senior Care Center
ABCs of Pregnancy • Women’s Health Services
Preventive Screenings • Gardasil Injections
Weight Management • Bone Density Scans
Flu Shots • Nutritionist Consultations
Diabetes Classes in English & Spanish
Pap Smears • Supervised Weight Management
Preventive Screenings • Yearly Physicals
After Hospitalization Care • Coumadin Clinic
CHF Clinic • Flu Shots • “Nurse is in Program”
Fall Preventive Screenings & Management
Weekly Diabetes Classes in English & Spanish
Bone Density Scans
For more information and to schedule your appointment, call:
(760) 242-WELL
Be proactive in your health care!
www.ChoiceMG.com
The services of the Health & Wellness Center are available to all residents of the High Desert communities.
We also accept cash, PPO, POS and Medicare.
Choice Medical Group serves the following communities:
Apple Valley, Adelanto, Barstow, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan, Pinion Hills, Victorville and the surrounding areas.
34
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Health & Wellness
Well, Well, Well
Victor Valley’s three hospitals provide quality
health care to a growing population
D
esert Valley Hospital has only
been around since 1994 and
already is undergoing a major
expansion project. The reason? To
better serve a High Desert population
that continues to steadily grow.
The Victorville medical facility is
currently in the midst of a $35 million
upgrade that will ultimately add 65
beds – 12 of them for intensive care –
to DVH by fall 2010. This will bring the
hospital’s overall bed count to 148.
The expansion will also include the
addition of two catheterization labs,
two operating suites, an open heart
surgery suite, a cardiac nuclear camera
and a new digital radiology system.
Several educational and conference
rooms will also be added, along with
a chapel.
Lex Reddy, president of Desert
Valley Hospital, says the construction
project is much needed and comes
as welcome news to the overall
local economy.
“The hospital expansion is creating
nearly 500 local jobs for the people of
San Bernardino County,” he says. “In
addition, $2 million of the construction
cost has been awarded to High Desert
contractors and $5.2 million to San
Bernardino County contractors.”
The project comes on the heels of
several accolades that DVH has
garnered in recent years. Since 2004,
the medical center has been ranked
four times as one of the top 100 small
community hospitals in the nation, and
it consistently receives high scores from
the Joint Commission. Also, the
American Osteopathic Association
recently gave DVH the highest marks of
any hospital in California for quality
patient care, with a 99.4 percent score of
achievable standards.
“We also contribute to, or support,
almost every charitable community
event in the High Desert,” said Jana
Bullock, director of marketing at Desert
Valley Hospital.
The Victor Valley region is also
lucky to have two other high-quality
medical centers that serve tens of
thousands of patients each year.
St. Mary Medical Center has been
providing care for people in Apple
Valley, Adelanto, Hesperia and
Victorville for more than 50 years. Its
services include pediatric care, openheart surgery, midwifery, diabetes
education and a robotic surgery
program, and the staff at St. Mary is
made up of 150 High Desert doctors.
Meanwhile, Victor Valley
Community Hospital was founded in
1967 and today is a 115-bed, nonprofit
medical facility that prides itself on
cost-effective health care. It most
recently opened a Women’s Health
Center that provides one-stop
diagnostic imaging, complete with the
latest in examination equipment from
top manufacturers such as Delphi,
Instrumentarium and Toshiba.
VVCH officials say the primary goal
at the Women’s Health Center is to help
patients feel more at ease during
examinations, which in the past might
have been stressful and uncomfortable.
Today, all mammograms, bone density
scans and ultrasound services are well
addressed in a sensitive manner.
– Kevin Litwin
What’s Online For more insight on Victor Valley’s
health and wellness offerings,
head to the health care section at
imagesvictorvalley.com.
V i c t o r Va l l e y 35
Arts & Culture
It’s Curtains ... and Then Some
Theater Patrons and Students Benefit From Arts Center Expansion
V
ictor Valley College’s Performing
Arts Center has been a focal
point of the campus since it opened,
and a multimillion-dollar renovation
and upgrade have only enhanced
its offerings.
In 2006, construction began on
approximately 28,000 square feet of
additional space for the center. The
idea was to create a scene shop,
experimental theater, instructional
areas, rehearsal studio and lighting
shop, as well as labs for design,
costumes and makeup, all wrapped
around the existing theater space. At
the same time, the 493-seat theater
itself would receive improved seating,
lighting and acoustics.
The $12.9 million project, unveiled
in early 2008, was designed to give the
theater and related performing-arts
departments some quality space. The
teaching rooms are outfitted with
acoustical design elements and also
have the latest audiovisual equipment.
In addition to the seating and lights, the
theater itself also received technology
upgrades that allow for educational and
staff instruction there.
The college has long sought to
become a performing-arts destination
for the High Desert, so this project
was designed to make a good thing
even better, says Ginger Ontiveros,
executive director of the Victor Valley
College Foundation.
“It was more of an expansion than a
renovation, a wraparound so that they
could teach theater and speech and
other programs, have a space to do
performance art, and get theater
classrooms attached to the actual
theater instead of having those students
all over the place,” Ontiveros says.
“They didn’t have a place to rehearse
36
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
except on the actual stage, and now
they have a rehearsal room that’s
the same size so that they can block
shows there.”
The addition of the black-box
experimental space, which can hold
up to 120 people, also opens up whole
new opportunities for classes and
programming, and is bringing more
people onto campus to experience the
facility’s offerings.
“It’s a more intimate, flexible
environment, and they can even do
theater-in-the-round there,” she says.
“Having that nontraditional stage, not
to mention a makeup studio and
everything else, is so much more
conducive to having a full-scale
performance facility. It was very nice
before, just not this well equipped.”
And that, she says, means that the
center can play a bigger role in raising
the college’s profile in the surrounding
community and region.
“We really like for people to be
exposed to the college in many different
ways,” Ontiveros says. “This
significantly increases the number and
scope of performances that can be
housed here, and anything that brings
more people to the campus in general
and helps us to tell the story of the
college is a good thing.”
– Joe Morris
“This significantly increases the
number and scope of performances
that can be housed here.”
Sports & Recreation
For Those Who Like To Rock
Victor Valley Abounds With Outlets for Off-Road Recreation Enthusiasts
F
or those who like to rock,
especially those who like to drive
on rock, check out the Victor Valley
4 Wheelers club.
The High Desert serves as the rough,
tough setting for club members who own
off-road vehicles ranging from Suzuki
Sidekicks to military Humvees. Most of
the machines are SUVs and trucks such
as Jeeps, Land Cruisers and Scouts, but
the approximately 50-member club
welcomes any make or model as long
as it’s a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
“We drive on local moderate trails
all the way up to hardcore extreme
trails, and our club has actually built
most of the trails in the High Desert
area,” says Mike Wickham, director of
Victor Valley 4 Wheelers based in
Victorville. “In fact, the meanest trails
in the world are located in Johnson
Valley, and we’re the club that built
those. Anyone who knows fourwheeling knows about the famed
Hammer trails in Johnson Valley.”
The High Desert is known for its
spectacularly scenic yet tough terrain
that includes dry lakebeds, sand dunes
and plenty of rock.
“Some of our club members really
attack those rocks with everything
they’ve got,” Wickham says. “Meanwhile,
other club members like to ride the more
peaceful trails. It’s all here to enjoy.”
The High Desert is a utopia for people
who enjoy four-wheeling, riding dirt bikes
and even land sailing, thanks to five open
areas that were set aside specifically for
off-roaders in the California Desert
Conservation Areas Plan of 1980.
Johnson Valley’s 188,000 acres
remain the largest open area in the
United States for four-wheelers,
drawing 2 million drivers each year.
“On a normal weekend, you might
ride for 100 miles without seeing
another vehicle in the desert,”
Wickham says. “How sweet is that?”
He adds that the Victor Valley 4
Wheelers has been around since 1967
and meets the first Tuesday of every
month at 7:30 p.m. at Sterling Inn,
located at Francesca and Ridgecrest
roads in Victorville.
“We organize events throughout the
year, with our biggest being an annual
Fun in the Desert run on the last weekend
of September,” he says. “The 2010
gathering will be our 19th, and we attract
hundreds of riders from throughout the
region. Seeing all those four-wheelers
attacking 15 trails is a wild sight.”
Wickham says the club supports the
local community and donates many
hours to an Adopt-a-Trail program and
other trail maintenance projects. It also
works with the U.S. Forest Service to
promote responsible use of public lands.
– Kevin Litwin
What’s Online Video of motocross action at Sycamore
Rocks in the High Desert.
Members of the Victor Valley 4-Wheelers Club make their way up the side of a mountain while off-roading at
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area near Hesperia. photos by jeff Adkins
V i c t o r Va l l e y 37
Education
Laying a New
Foundation
Azusa Pacific’s New Facility Brings More
Opportunity to Higher Education Scene
G
etting a college degree or
specialized training in the
Victor Valley has become even more
convenient thanks to a major
expansion at Azusa Pacific University.
The college is stepping up its local
presence significantly with the opening
of a new, multipurpose facility in
February 2010. The facility will
complement APU’s offerings at High
Desert Regional Center, along with the
higher education opportunities at
nearby Victor Valley College.
Most exciting is that the additional
space will allow the college to offer
entirely new fields of study, as well. Up
to now, APU has offered undergraduate
and master’s degree courses and
credential programs, the main mission
being to credential teachers, says Don
Rucker, director.
“We have trained about 200 teachers
a year for 12 years and have always
offered high quality, inexpensive
programs for undergraduates,” Rucker
says. “We do a really good job with
training teachers and are known for
that within the state system.”
Since announcing its plans to expand
the college with the new, 37,000-squarefoot facility, APU has been fielding
multiple offers from different
organizations to partner to provide new
training and more, giving it plenty of
options to choose from as it establishes
More Insight
its new curriculum, Rucker says.
“We have been in conversation with
other educators in the High Desert to
bring in programs that would address
specific needs for science and math
teachers, and we are also looking at
remedial education offerings, a nursing
program and many other things,”
Rucker says. “Our mission is to meet
the academic needs of the High Desert,
and so we want to do that in the best
way we possibly can.”
In addition to its scholastic
offerings, the building itself will house
the office of a fine-arts chairperson
Azusa Pacific University
Mission Statement Azusa Pacific University is an
evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who
seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic
excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher
education that encourage students to develop a Christian
perspective of truth and life.
who will coordinate community events
and related outreach programs. The
facility will accommodate about 2,000
students, so as the college boosts its
enrollment it wants to be very sure
about what direction it takes with new
programs, Rucker says.
“We’re preparing a building that can
take five to 10 times the capacity we have
now, and we see tremendous need here
for many types of training,” he says.
“People here are looking for work and for
training, and the community has been in
discussions with us as we move forward.
It’s an exciting time for us because we
have some extremes here when it comes
to education, and we think there’s the
potential for us to fill a need regardless
of what kinds of opportunities we bring
to the new facility. We’re looking forward
to making a contribution to the
community that will enrich all the
people, that will give them options that
they don’t have right now.”
– Joe Morris
Address 15283 Pahule Ave., Victorville, CA
General information (877) 247-3462
Website www.apu.edu
Total enrollment 8,548
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
V i c t o r Va l l e y 39
Community Profile
Victor Valley
SNAPSHOT
Victor Valley is composed of the cities of Victorville, Hesperia,
Adelanto and the town of Apple Valley in San Bernardino
County. It is the largest metropolitan area between San Bernardino
and Las Vegas.
EDUCATION
Victor Valley offers a wide
variety of excellent public,
private and higher education
options. For a list of schools
and other information, visit
imagesvictorvalley.com.
CLIMATE
31 F
ARTS AND CULTURE
January Low
60 F
January High Temperature
Victorville
Entertainment Guide
www.vvchamber.com
61 F
Adelanto Video Tour
www.ci.adelanto.ca.us
July Low Temperature
99 F
July High Temperature
HEALTH CARE
The Victor Valley is served by
three hospitals and a variety
of specialty clinics and general
practitioners. For a breakdown
of medical services, visit
imagesvictorvalley.com.
LOCAL UTILITIES
Charter Communications
(888) 438-2427
Victorville Area Attractions
(760) 245-6506
www.vvchamber.com/visitors
High Desert Habitat
for Humanity
P.O. Box 236
Apple Valley, CA 92307
(760) 241-3733
www.habitat.org
imagesvictorvalley.com
Victorville Water District
(760) 245-6424
More facts, stats and
community information,
including relocation
tools and links to resources.
Apple Valley Parks &
Recreation Department
(760) 240-7880
www.applevalley.org/index.
aspx?page=154
Desert Communities
United Way
16192 Siskiyou Rd., No. 4
Apple Valley, CA 92307
(760) 242-5370
www.dcuw.org
Verizon
(800) 837-4966
i m ag e sv i c t o rva l l e y. c o m
Victorville Parks & Recreation
(760) 245-5551
www.victorvillesports.com
Hesperia Recreation & Parks
(760) 244-1019
www.hesperiaparks.com
Southwest Gas Corp.
(877) 860-6020
40
San Bernardino County
Regional Parks Department
(877) 38-PARKS
www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/
Parks
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Southern California Edison
(800) 655-4555
Victorville Municipal
Utility Service
(760) 243-6340
RECREATION
ACTIVITIES
REAL ESTATE
$122,000
Average Home Price
21.51%
Home Turnover Percentage
MITSUBISHI
CEMENT
CORPORATION
Our Family Caring
for Your Family
Wherever 2010
takes you … let us be your
health care provider
5808 State Hwy.
Lucerne VaLLey
ca 92356
(760) 248-7373
Proud to Be Part of The High Desert Community
www.mitsubishicement.com
Appointments
(760) 381-7700
General Information
(760) 241-6666
• 21primarycareproviders
visit our
• On-sitex-rayservices
inVictorville
advertisers
Carpet Club Inc.
www.carpetclubinc.com
Mitsubishi Cement Corporation
www.mitsubishicement.com
• Physicaltherapyservices
Choice Medical Group
www.choicemg.com
Shear Realty
www.shearrealty.com
• Proudlyaffiliatedwith
St.MaryMedicalCenter
Cooley Construction Inc.
www.cooleyconstruction.net
St. Mary Medical Center
www.stmaryapplevalley.com
Desert Valley Hospital
www.dvmc.com
Victor Elementary
School District
www.vesd.net
Heritage Victor Valley
Medical Group
www.hvvmg.com
High Desert Primary Care
www.hdpcmg.com
Hilton Garden Inn
www.victorville.hgi.com
• On-sitelabservicesavailable
• Web-basedaccessthrough
“ConnecttoUs”
Hesperia Medical Office
URGENT CARE
17905MainSt.
Hesperia,CA92345
Apple Valley Medical Office
19333BearValleyRd.
Ste.101-102
AppleValley,CA92307
Victorville Medical Office
URGENT CARE
12550HesperiaRd.#100
Victorville,CA92395
www.hdpcmg.com
V i c t o r Va l l e y 41