December - Maturango Museum

Death Valley Tourist Center • Northern Mojave Visitor Center
Maturango Museum • 100 E. Las Flores Ave. • Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: 760.375.6900 • Fax: 760.375.0479 • e-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.maturango.org
Volume 49, No. 11 — Proudly serving the community for over 50 years • 1962 - 2013 — December 2013
Message from Executive Director
By: Harris Brokke
Maturango Museum now has the occupancy permit for phase 1 of the Museum building expansion and
we are open for business in the new gift shop. The grand opening was held on Saturday, November 16th with
more than 300 people in attendance. It was a great event catered by a good friend and fellow chamber
ambassador, Patrice Johnson. Chef Patrice is the owner of Mystique. The food was great and it was a fun
evening for all. Those in attendance got to see the new gift shop, gift shop manager’s office, rest rooms, break
room and equipment/storage room. In addition they were able to see the new art gallery - which will also be
used for concerts, lectures and other events - docent room, and temporary exhibit area that will be completed
and opened for business during 2014.
Sales from the new gift shop are running, at on average, a level three times the comparable period last
year. Two weeks ago Senator Jean Fuller and Assemblywoman Shannon Grove visited the Museum during the
50th anniversary celebration for the city of Ridgecrest.
On Saturday, November 16th they along with our Kevin McCarthy, Majority whip and our representative
in congress, attended the celebration of UAS day at Inyokern Airport. Below are pictures taken at each of these
two events.
Jean Fuller, State Senator District 18 and Shannon
Grove, Assemblywoman District 32 visited the
nd
Maturango Museum on November 2 .
Picture by: Sue Gilbert
Mick Gleason, Kern County First District Supervisor; Shannon
Grove, Assemblywoman District 32; Harris Brokke;
Jean Fuller, State Senator District 18; Kevin McCarthy,
nd
Representative 22 Congressional District and House
Majority Whip; Eileen Shibley, director CAL UAS Portal and
Scott Seymour General Manager of Inyokern Airport District,
Picture by: Vince Fong
I have held meetings with Museum staff and volunteers to make sure that the plans for finishing the
interior of the rooms in phase 2 of the building construction project will meet their requirements. The
subcontractors will begin the construction for phase 2 in early December. There will not be a general contractor
for phase 2; instead we will be dealing directly with the individual subcontractors.
Docent Doings
By Nora Nuckles, Education Coordinator
We are the mighty docents of the Maturango Museum! We offered programs and tours to over 1200 people just
in the month of October! You would be amazed at the number of hours docent spend behind the scenes
preparing for our presentations! All this planning time provides opportunities to have fun together!
In writing new scripts or rewriting old scripts we find ways to challenge ourselves. Well, what about that candle
that sits in the water and we cover the candle with a jar and the flame goes out. Goodness! Water begins to go
into the jar. Why does it do that? Well, the explanation was a little deeper than some of us realized! What a great
discussion we had! Or what happens when a knowledgeable docent has a great revelation about humans,
mammals, and insects? We listen and we learn!
In November we finally went on the geology tour we have long awaited! Glenn Harris, formerly of the Bureau of
Land Management, planned an exciting excursion from here to Cinder Cone, down to Red Rock Canyon and up
Garlock Road. There were so many facts that Glenn shared about the geological history of our area. Many of us
have looked at some places he pointed out and never realized all the geological events that had taken place
there. We were reminded that geological processes of grinding, shifting, molten rock moving continually change
our landscape. Glenn is an exceptional trip leader and so enlightening! The trip left many of us thirsty for more
knowledge about geology!
Remember: Dec. 13 is the morning for Children's Hour.
Dec. 14 is Free Family Fun Day. The docents will host shows in the portable Beth Armogida
Planetarium on Dec. 14 in the Sylvia Winslow Exhibit Gallery.
Shop ‘Til You Drop at the Museum Gift Shop!
The newly expanded Maturango Museum Gift Shop will be open every day until Christmas.
From December 20th to December 24th we will stay open until 6 p.m. to help you get
your last minute shopping done.
We have plenty of gift ideas in all price ranges -- from beautiful scarves and jewelry to an
amazing range of toys, t-shirts, games and puzzles for the kids on your list.
There are plenty of the Laurel Birch handbags and over-nighters with many new designs.
Brand new t-shirt designs from Sabaku are in shipment now.
We always have Kathy LaShure’s handmade soaps and Lois Hinman’s beautiful pottery.
Olaf Doud’s framed petroglyphs and bookends are a great choice.
Steve Benson’s and Cheryl McDonald’s photo cards are equally nice and depict the local area.
See Cheryl’s new book – an elegant gift idea.
The new publication from the museum, “Living on the Edge”, is also available.
The shaman wood ornaments are exclusive to us,
as are the Maturango Museum Teas – both good stocking stuffers.
We have B Bars, lip balm, gift soaps, and lotions that would also slip right into someone’s stocking!
Open every day 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and until 6:00 p.m. from December 20th - 24th.
Members always receive 10% off their purchases.
Concert Series
by Fran Rogers
The Maturango Museum concert series continues with
concerts performed by Amber (Farris) Petersen, mezzosoprano, and Sheri Sansom, piano, on Friday and Saturday,
December 6 and 7 at 7:30 PM and a matinee on Sunday,
December 8 at 1 PM in the Sylvia Winslow Exhibit Gallery.
Seats are limited to 60, so avoid disappointment and buy your
tickets now in the museum gift shop. The price is $10 per
adult and $5 per child 12 and younger.
Amber and Sheri will perform selections from opera, musical
theater, light-opera and piano solos in their concert, entitled
“Classy, but Sassy”. They will be performing music composed
by Giacomb Puccini, Gabriel Fauré, Leonard Bernstein, Gilbert
and Sullivan, Lucy Simon, Chopin, Johnny Mercer and Klaus Badeit.
Amber (Farris) Petersen, mezzo-soprano, is a Native of Ridgecrest, California. She recently returned home and
opened her private voice studio. Petersen also is the conductor of the Cerro Coso Community College Choir and
of the Singing Sands—Ridgecrest’s Chapter of Sweet Adelines, International. Amber has studied voice with Dr.
Susan W. Kane for more than ten years! She is a graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, holding a
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Master of Arts in Music. Amber served as the mezzo-soprano soloist for
St. Edmund's Episcopal Church of San Marino for six years. Operatic and Musical Theatre roles credited to
Amber include: Maddalena in “Rigoletto,” Principessa in “Suor Angelica,” Ruth in “Pirates of Penzance,” Arnalta
in "Coronation of Poppea," Sand Man in "Hansel and Gretel," Juana in "Gigantes y Cabezudos," Kate in “Kiss me
Kate,” Evilene in “The Wiz,” and The Voice in "The Medium." As an oratorio soloist, Amber has performed
Handel’s “The Messiah,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb,” and Durafle’s “Requiem.”
Sheri Sansom is a piano and organ teacher, choral conductor, theater director and yoga teacher. She has a BA
in music and studied piano pedagogy at Michigan State University, piano performance at Cal State Hayward and
organ performance at Wayne State University. Sheri moved to Ridgecrest two and a half years ago and feels
that she has (to paraphrase John Denver) come home to a place she’s never been before. Sheri currently
serves as Vice President of the High Desert Music Teachers Association.
David A. Baldwin
Mike and Jerry Mumford
Kirsti Smith
Robert Westbrook
Donations
Judy and Don McCauley
Felice Plain
Phillip and Lynda Smith
Don and Carol Zdeba
In memory of Dr. Joann Kopersky
Patricia Kleinschmidt
In memory of Peggy Zulkoski
Fred and Donna Weals
In memory of John Strommen
Fred and Donna Weals
Building Fund
Barbara Boone
David and Therese Moore
Craig and Carol Porter
Paula Strawser
Art Gallery
Helen Baker
Robert Westbrook
New Members
Ellen and Jim Bryant
Linda Lou Crosby
Sue Johnson
Suzanne Roeser
Mike and Cori Yost
Nancy Burgeson
Larry Evans
Carey Marvin
Elena Vitale
Margaret Busch
Robert and JoAnn Foster
Kathi Peverini
Erin Whitfield
Mike Mumford’s Steel Shadow Sculptures Exhibit
“In Plain Sight”
You have got to see this exhibit!
The steel sculptures are beautiful and then the surprise benefit is that they make a shadow that presents another
part of the “story”. Also in the exhibit are gate / wall pieces. In our gallery until January 14, 2014.
“Lady Liberty”
14” x 11” x 20”
“Connections in Ribbons”
15” x 8” x 21”
“Desert Icons” wall piece
34” x 1” x 45”
New book features Sage Canyon and Red Mountain
By Liz Babcock for the Publications Committee
Maturango Museum's latest book — now available in
our gift shop for $39.95 — is an ambitious archaeological
overview of Sage Canyon and Red Mountain written by Dr.
Mark Allen, professor of anthropology at Cal Poly Pomona.
The book, "Living on the Edge: The Archaeology of
Two Western Mojave Desert Landscapes," involved years of
fieldwork by Mark and numerous archaeology students —
more than 200 by the time the project was finished. Starting in
2001 at the Red Mountain Archaeological District, the
endeavor moved on to Sage Canyon in 2006. Numerous
professional colleagues also helped along the way.
The project areas are located on lands managed by the
Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, and
much of the funding for the book came from a BLM grant. The
book covers in detail the evidence Mark and his students found
of ancient art, historic and prehistoric lifestyles, climate, and
plant and animal life.
According to famed anthropologist Jelmer Eerkens, the
book "weaves a tremendous amount of information together to
reconstruct a history of human occupation in the Western
Mojave," in particular showing "the social and technological
ingenuity of native groups in adapting to this arid landscape."
Profusely illustrated with tables, drawings, maps, and
photographs, the book features numerous color photos as well as accomplished drawings of rock art features by
technical artist Stella D'Oro. The magnificent photos on the cover are by Mark Pahuta.
This book is the 25th Maturango Museum publication. Come take a look at the diversity of books we have
published — great Christmas gifts here!
“Sequestered Waters”
Inna Jane Ray
Watercolor, Pencil, Gouache
Reception Friday, Jan. 17
Jan. 18 – March 18
John Dotta
Photography
Reception Friday, March 21
March 22 – May 20
“Skyscapes”
Jeni Bate
“Refractured” Watercolors
Reception Friday, July 25
July 26 – Sep 23
“
“Internal Scapes”
Jael Hoffmann
Steel Sculptures
Reception Friday, May 23
May 24 – July 22
Open Studio Tour
Artists’ Work
Reception Friday, Sep 26
Sep 27 – Oct 28
Tour weekend October 25, 26
ifacts”
Museum Members’ Artistic Interpretations
of Curators’ Chosen Items
Reception Saturday, Nov 1
Nov 1 – Dec 2
7 p.m. Receptions
Free and open to the public
“Hot Silica on Metal: The Art of Enameling”
Benny Alba, Sarah Gordon, Alana Clearlake
Reception Friday, Dec 5
Dec 6 – Jan 27, 2015
Maturango Museum Art Gallery Exhibits 2014
100 E. Las Flores, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 760-375-6900 www.maturango.org
Maturango Museum Holiday Appeal 2013
Tis’ time for the holidays and all over the town,
The leaves on the trees have turned yellow, gold and brown.
The windows of stores are painted bright red and green,
Everywhere you see signs of the holiday scene.
Our museum gift shop is filled with treasures of all kinds,
A gift for everyone on your list you will easily find.
The employees and volunteers work hard all year round
To make sure you are pleased with the gifts you have found.
It’s time again for our Museum Holiday appeal.
Our appreciation is boundless and our thanks are real.
The art shows, the concerts, the trips and all that we do,
Are possible because of good people like you.
So, dear friends of the Museum, we toast you this year
With heartfelt thanks and a full cup of cheer.
May your holidays be the happiest you’ve ever known,
Thanks again for the years of generosity you’ve shown!
Maturango Museum Holiday Appeal 2013
Name______________________________________________
Amount___________
Address______________________________________________________________
Phone_________________________
E-Mail Address___________________________
Payment Method: Check _____ Credit Card
____Visa ____ Mc
Credit Card Number__________________________________ Exp. Date_________
Please Return This Coupon With Your Donation.
This newsletter is published monthly by
Maturango Museum of the IWV
100 E. Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
The Museum is open every day (except major
holidays) from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Staff
Harris Brokke, Executive Director
Mary Lattig, Store Manager/Buyer
Sandy Rogers, Archaeology Curator
Elizabeth Babcock, History Curator
Maria Johnson, Natural History Curator
Julie Stephens, Bookkeeper
Fran Van Valkenburgh, Membership &
Petroglyph Tours
Andrea Pelch, Art Gallery Coordinator
Joann Barbee, Ass’t Bookkeeper
Nora Nuckles, Education Coordinator
Sue Gilbert, Museum Assistant
Nora Nuckles, Museum Assistant
Duane Rice, Museum Assistant
Nick Rogers, Museum Assistant
Andrea Pelch, Newsletter Editor
Committee Chairpersons
Dan Burnett, Building
Fran Rogers, Concerts
Paula Herr, Docent League
Milt Burford, Finance
Kathy La Shure & Dan Burnett, Garden
Sandy Rogers, Lectures
Liz Babcock, Publications
Bob Westbrook, Strategic Planning
Janet Westbrook, Webmistress
Board of Trustees
Sherry Brubaker, President
Mike Brown, Vice President
Joleigh Rafalski, Secretary
Milt Burford, Treasurer
Deborah Benson
Thom Boggs
Steven Boster
Nancy Crawford
Robert Westbrook
Businesses and Organizations
Supporters • Contributors • Sponsors
Please support the businesses and organizations that support the Maturango
Museum
AltaOne Federal Credit Union
American Association of
University Women
America’s Best Value Inn
& Suites
Ashley Furniture HomeStore
Beansters Espresso
Best Western China Lake Inn
Boulder Creek RV Resort
Center Professional Pharmacy
Clarion Hotel
Coldwell Banker Best Realty
Comfort Inn
Daily Independent
Desert Area Teachers
Association
Desert Artist League
Earth Industries, Inc.
Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.
Espresso Café
Friends of Jawbone
Furnace Creek Inn
Gary Charlon State Farm
Grape Leaf Restaurant
Hampton Inn & Suites
Heritage Inn & Suites
High Desert Haven
High Sierra Auto and Truck
Historical Society of the Upper
Mojave Desert
Inland Adventurer
Jacobs Naval System Group
KPartners Hospitality Group
Kristy’s Family Restaurant
Law Offices of Phyllis M. Hix
Liberty Self Storage
Lugo’s Grill
McDonald’s Restaurant
Mercury Transfer & Warehouse/
Allied Van Lines
New Directions Technologies,
Inc.
News Review
Oasis Garden Club
Owens Peak Group, Sierra Club
PackWrap Business Center
The Pizza Factory
Ridgecrest Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Ridgecrest Automotive
Ridgecrest Moving &
Storage/Atlas Van Lines
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
St. Ann Catholic School
Sand Canyon Environmental
Education Program
Searles Valley Minerals
ServiceMaster of the IWV
Sierra Club
Sierra Sands Unified School
District
SOI Motorhome Club
Southern Sierra Medical Clinic
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
The Swap Sheet
Tax Time Services
TJ Frisbee Bicycles, Inc.
TOSS
Union Bank
USANA Health Sciences
WACOM
Calendar of Events
December
January
Tues, Dec 3 – Docent meeting – 8:45 am
Wed, Jan 1 – Museum closed
Fri, Dec 6 – Concert by Amber Petersen – 7:30 pm
Tues, Jan 7 – Docent meeting – 8:45 am
Sat, Dec 7 – Concert by Amber Petersen – 7:30 pm
Sat, Jan 11 – FREE day at the Museum
Sun, Dec 8 – Concert by Amber Petersen – 1 pm
Fri, Jan 17 – Reception for Inna Jane Ray exhibit
Fri, Dec 13 – FREE children’s hour – 10:30 am
Mon, Jan 20 – Board of Trustees meeting – 7 pm
Sat, Dec 14 – FREE day at the Museum
Mon, Dec 16 – Board of Trustees meeting – 7 pm
Fri, Dec 20 – Concert at SpringHill Suites – 7:30 pm
Wed, Dec 25 – Museum closed
Petroglyph Tours and Other Museum Events
Petroglyph tour information and a slide show on the Petroglyph tours are available on the Museum website at
www.maturango.org. The spring schedule of Petroglyph tours will be posted on the website on February 19, 2014.
 China Lake Astronomical Society: 7 pm on 1st Monday of every month
 China Lake Photographic Society: 7 pm on 1st Thursday. No meetings are held in July or August.
 Owens Peak Group of the Sierra Club: 7:30 pm on 4th Monday of every month
 Kerncrest Audubon Society: 7 pm on 3rd Thursday bi-monthly [January, March, May, September, November] Not July
 Docent League presentations – brochure of topics is available.
Scan this QR code to go directly to the
Museum website at www.maturango.org
Maturango Museum of the IWV
100 E. Las Flores Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555-3654
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