Images Victor Valley 2011

sponsored by the victorville chamber of commerce

2011 | imagesvictorvalley.com

victor valley, california

here’s the dirt on recreation

sUnny dispositionAlternative energy powers the Valley

they Were framedHome prices remain affordable

®

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on the cover Photo by Kevin Young Dirt-bike racing at Wheel 2 Wheel Raceway

dePartments

8 almanac

22 biz briefs

26 chamber report

27 economic profile

28 photo essay

32 local flavor

34 arts & culture

36 education

40 health & Wellness

47 community profile

48 through the lens

2011 edition | volUme 4


®

contents

Features

10 sUnny dispositionAlternative energy powers the Valley

14 they Were framedHome prices remain affordable

18 high desert gives global accessShuttered base being reborn into an international business center

44 here’s the dirt on recreation

10

14



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Real estate broker Caroll Yule heard about a man from Tucson, Ariz., who traveled to Victor Valley

in 2010 to visit a friend.The man liked Victor Valley so

much that he toured an open house in his friend’s neighborhood, then the man returned home to Tucson and sold his own home. He moved to Victor Valley two weeks later.

“That man purchased a beautiful home in one of our nicest communities, buying a four-bedroom house with two bathsand 3,000 square feet for under $200,000,” says Yule, who owns Shear Realty that operates six offices throughout the High Desert. “Victor Valley has some of the best home prices in all of California right now.”

Brighten People’s MoodsYule says it’s no secret why

people would want to move to Victor Valley. There is an abundance of blue skies and sunshine that brighten people’s moods, and the region is near all Southern California attractions but doesn’t have the traffic problems. There is also the beauty of the San Bernardino Mountains.

“I just visited Boston where all the houses look the same – they’re all brown brick, but our High Desert cities of Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto and Apple Valley have many housing styles,” she says. “The options here range from ranch-style homes to mansions, to rural estates and more. I live in Spring Valley Lake right next to Victorville, and that

little community actually has a man-made lake that allows residents to water-ski right in the heart of the desert.”

Now at 2002 PricesYule says buyers today interested

in the Victor Valley can get a lovely 5-year-old home measuring 1,500 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms in a nice neighborhood for $120,000-$130,000.

“During our real estate boom years back, the median home price here was $367,000, but then real estate values dropped throughout the nation,” she says. “Homes are selling right now at 2002 prices, so turn back the clock and come to Victor Valley.”

Cecil Volsch, president of Victor Valley Association of Realtors, says

HOME PRICES REMAIN AFFORDABLE

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN

the ValleyIt’s Better in

Left: A home in Spring Valley Lake near Victorville PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

IMAGESVICTORVALLEY.COM 15 14 VICTOR VALLEY


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VictOr VaLLey in actiOn

Don’t just take our word for it – see for yourself how great the Victor Valley is in our quick videos at imagesvictorvalley.com, highlighting a little bit of everything that the Victor Valley has to offer.


imAgesVictorVAlley.com 7 6 Victor VAlley



What’s online imagesvictorvalley.com

sponsored by the victorville chamber of commerce

2011 | imagesvictorvalley.com


here’s the dirt on recreation

sUnnydispositionAlternative energy powers the Valley

they Were framedHome prices remain affordable

®

Visually explore the Victor Valley in our online photo and video galleries

Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.

PhOtOS & VideOS

diGitaL MaGazine

factS Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more

LiVinG hereLearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers


www.swgas.com


Welcome to the Victor ValleyAn introduction to tHe AreA’s people, plAces And eVents

Almanac

outdoor opportunities

it’s easy to enjoy the great outdoors

in Victor Valley; the hard part is deciding

what to do first. located in the mojave

Desert, mojave narrows Regional Park

offers a variety of recreational activities,

including camping, fishing and hiking.

History buffs may be drawn to calico

Ghost town, which was founded in 1881.

once a booming mining town, calico has

become a county regional park where

guests can take guided tours. those eager

to play a round of golf can check out

Spring Valley lake Association, home to

a course designed by world famous golf

architect Robert trent Jones. Visitors can

also ride horses at equestrian estates.

Get Your Kickslocated in old town Victorville, the california route 66

museum is a popular destination for tourists cruising the famous stretch of road who are interested in stocking up on t-shirts, mugs and other route 66-related souvenirs. it also serves as home to a growing exhibition of historic route 66 memorabilia, as well as the major remnants of Hula Ville, which was once one of the mother road’s most interesting attractions. in addition, the museum is the base for an increasingly popular auto show, which serves as the major fundraising event.

flying Highsince 1970, the Apple Valley Airport has been the gateway

to the Victor Valley for many travelers. the airport, located east of Victorville, has more than doubled in size and provides hangar space for 170 aircraft. more than 40,000 takeoffs and landings occur here each year for private and corporate aircraft. the airport is owned by the county of san Bernardino and a new master plan calls for a runway extension and expansion of general services over the next 20 years.

Start Your engines

Racing enthusiasts have plenty

to do in Victorville, as the city

provides several places perfect

for those who feel the need for

speed. A major destination for

AtV riders is el mirage Dry lake,

which features an off-highway

vehicle recreation area. it’s part

of a 24,000-acre tract of public

and private land that also

includes the el mirage Dry

lakebed, the Shadow mountains,

el mirage basin and the twin

Hills area. Johnson Valley oHV

also offers trails ideal for riders,

with plenty of open space

and easy to moderate terrain.

located at the San bernardino

county fairgrounds, Wheel

2 Wheel Raceway features a

banked oval dirt raceway that

serves as the home track for

Speedway Sprint cars.

8 Victor VAlley imAgesVictorVAlley.com 9

Fast Factsn open road and clear, blue skies create perfect conditions for leisure motorcyclists, and the Victor Valley is home to an active Harley-davidson owners group. Victor Valley H.o.g. #0362 has rides throughout the year.

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 several people claim to have encountered ghosts while visiting the High desert center for the Arts, a facility that provides entertainment options, such as improvisational comedy shows and burlesque to children’s theater, concerts and film screenings.

n An Abengoa mojave solar project, which is currently under construction, will be situated on 1,765 acres near Hinkley and will have the ability to power an estimated 80,000 homes.

popUlation Victorville: 107,539

San Bernardino County: 2,035,210

locationVictor Valley is in southwest california, at

the southern edge of the mojave Desert,

84 miles northeast of los Angeles.

beginningsIncorporated 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 informationVictorville chamber of commerce

14174 Greentree Blvd., P.O. Box 997

Victorville, CA 92393

Phone: (760) 245-6506

Fax: (760) 245-6505 www.vvchamber.com

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SAN BERNARDINO

LakeHavasu

Adelanto

Hesperia

Apple Valley

Victorville

San Bernardino

What’s online Take a virtual tour of Victor Valley, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesvictorvalley.com.

Victor Valley

Victor Valley at a glance

Winter Wonderland

california may be known for

its warm temperatures and sandy

beaches, but it’s also a great place

for those more interested in slicing

through snow on a pair of skis.

Just up the road from Victorville

is mountain High Resort, a ski

area with 59 trails and 16 lifts.

in addition, Wrightwood offers

snowboarding and snowshoe

hiking, as well as resort lodging.

for more snowy adventures try

big bear mountain which has two

of the best ski resorts in the state -

Snow Summit and bear mountain.


www.vvchamber.com


Powering the Valleyalternative energy poWering the high desert

victor valley college’s solar field

on bear valley road photo by antony boshier

10 Victor VAlley


president Barack Obama’s vision for a green energy future is finding one of its fullest expressions in the

Victorville area, where a pair of world-class solar power projects are set to join a huge wind farm in redefining the way the High Desert gets its power.

The projects are bringing jobs and innovation to the area, as companies race to tap into two things that the Mojave Desert has in abundance: sunshine and wind.

victor valley college’s solar leadership

The first project to come online is at Victor Valley College. The school’s one-megawatt concentrator photovoltaic power plant, which started generating power in May 2010, is the nation’s largest deployment of a technology developed by Mountain View,

Calif.-based SolFocus Inc.The plant uses mirrors and

prisms to point sunlight at 650 times strength onto power-producing photovoltaic cells. The project, which cost the school $4.7 million, provides about 30 percent of the campus’ power. It also serves as a learning lab for students interested in California’s burgeoning solar energy business.

Al McQuilkin of Irvine-based gkkworks, who managed the project on behalf of the school, says “the college has had a number of student groups tour the facility to learn about solar energy. It offers an opportunity to create programs to help train students.”

mojave solarThe next project, which is

expected to come online in 2013, is the Mojave Solar project, which is being developed by Spanish company Abengoa Solar.

Abengoa expects more than 1,200 jobs to be created during the construction phase of the project, which will be located about 40 miles north of Victorville. Once complete, it will employ about 70 people who will earn an average of $92,600 a year, according to estimates by the Sacramento-based Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies.

At 250 megawatts, the project will produce enough energy to power 90,000 homes, Abengoa says. The energy will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric, which is under pressure to meet California guidelines requiring that 33 percent of power be renewable by 2020.

Wind Will also power high desert

The final large-scale project is Granite Mountain Wind. Colorado- based RES Americas plans to begin

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construction of 28 wind turbines in 2012. The wind project will produce 185 megawatts, which will be sold to Southern California Edison.

RES Americas expects the project’s construction to create 80 to 100 jobs, and for it to provide $25 million in tax revenue to San Bernardino County over the life of the plant.

job creation and local expertise

The projects come at an opportune time for San Bernardino, which lost a lot of construction jobs after the collapse of the housing bubble. Andy Silva, who is an energy analyst for county supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, says that the projects will put some builders back to work while the broader economy recovers.

But the big projects aren’t the only source of green jobs. Several

small businesses have been leaders in the renewable energy push.

Guasti Wind and Solar of Oak Hills, Calif., has been installing residential wind projects since 2000, with enough success to be featured in the U.S. Department of Energy guide How to Build a Small Wind Energy Business.

Co-owner Beverly Guasti explained that local utilities’ tiered rate structures, which charge higher rates the more power a customer uses, coupled with the air conditioning demands of summer in the desert, have made wind projects a money-saving solution for many customers.

Joe Guasti has wind records stretching back 10 years that prove the suitability of the valley for wind power.

The company’s 170 residentially installed wind turbines are “like a wind sock that shows to anyone

who looks that we have wind,” Beverly says.

Scott Mazzola’s company focuses on solar, and has seen rapid growth over its four-year existence. Apple Valley-based Desert Solar has completed 90 installs, has a contract to build a 2.8-megawatt commercial project, and is in the process of taking its product to a national audience.

Mazzola’s company has thrived by adopting a volume strategy for installations, and attempting to drive down prices. “When we started, our average cost was $8 a watt,” he says. “Now it’s about $5.”

He hopes to extend his high volume strategy to a nationwide audience through www.dsenergy solutions.com, a website that allows shoppers to design a virtual system for their home and calculate costs and potential savings. The site was set to go live this summer.

A Victor Valley home featuring a solar array from desert solar

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real estate broker Caroll Yule heard about a man from Tucson, Ariz., who traveled to Victor Valley

in 2010 to visit a friend.The man liked Victor Valley so

much that he toured an open house in his friend’s neighborhood, then the man returned home to Tucson and sold his own home. He moved to Victor Valley two weeks later.

“That man purchased a beautiful home in one of our nicest communities, buying a four-bedroom house with two baths and 3,000 square feet for under $200,000,” says Yule, who owns Shear Realty that operates six offices throughout the High Desert. “Victor Valley has some of the best home prices in all of California right now.”

brighten people’s moodsYule says it’s no secret why

people would want to move to Victor Valley. There is an abundance of blue skies and sunshine that brighten people’s moods, and the region is near all Southern California attractions but doesn’t have the traffic problems. There is also the beauty of the San Bernardino Mountains.

“I just visited Boston where all the houses look the same – they’re all brown brick, but our High Desert cities of Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto and Apple Valley have many housing styles,” she says. “The options here range from ranch-style homes to mansions, to rural estates and more. I live in Spring Valley Lake right next to Victorville, and that

little community actually has a man-made lake that allows residents to water-ski right in the heart of the desert.”

now at 2002 pricesYule says buyers today interested

in the Victor Valley can get a lovely 5-year-old home measuring 1,500 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms in a nice neighborhood for $120,000-$130,000.

“During our real estate boom years back, the median home price here was $367,000, but then real estate values dropped throughout the nation,” she says. “Homes are selling right now at 2002 prices, so turn back the clock and come to Victor Valley.”

Cecil Volsch, president of Victor Valley Association of Realtors, says

home prices remain affordable

StoRY bY kevin litWin

the ValleyIt’s Better in

left: A home in spring Valley lake near Victorville pHoto By JeFF AdKins


young families, senior citizens on fixed incomes, single moms and anyone else can easily buy homes today in the valley.

“Monthly payments are often less than a person will pay in apartment rent, which is amazing,” Volsch says. “House prices start at $70,000 and go up to around $400,000 for waterfront homes, and the median price in the Victor Valley today is about $150,000.”

attractions galoreVolsch points out that Victor

Valley has clean air, low humidity, is less than an hour from an international airport, has good schools and there is plenty of outdoor recreation that includes city and county parks. There are also shopping options such as Dunia Plaza, Hi-Desert Plaza and The Mall of Victor Valley, plus Restaurant Row and a top medical center in Desert Valley Hospital that is adding a new wing.

“Also here is Victor Valley Community College and a satellite campus of Azusa Pacific University, and the valley has attractive land that is available for commercial and industrial development,” Volsch says. “Companies would be wise to move here because we have fewer regulations and a ready workforce. If you drive 40 minutes from here, prices for land and homes are three times higher. The Victor Valley is a great place to live and work for many reasons.”

clockwise from top left: the mall of Victor Valley; A subdivision in the Victor Valley; doris davies park; pelican lake at mojave narrows park in Victorville; spring Valley lake StA

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16 Victor VAlley

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High Desert Gives global access

the High Desert is being transformed into a major logistics hub for the entire Southwest, thanks to the

redevelopment of a shuttered Air Force base into the Southern California Logistics Airport.

In the process, the project is turning a painful loss from Victorville’s past into a huge victory for its future.

reclaiming old air force base

When George Air Force Base closed in 1992, amid a nationwide wave of base closures, it sucked 8,500 jobs out of the local economy overnight. But even though the jobs were gone, the Air Force base’s assets remained. A plan formed to turn those assets into a new jobs engine.

The old air base is being transformed into a multimodal

distribution hub that will allow companies to quickly move products internationally, as well as throughout Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Located less than 100 miles from Los Angeles, Southern California Logistics Airport sits on 8,500 acres and is expected to eventually employ as many as 30,000 people.

The decades-long project is still in its infancy, but “over the long term, without question, the job growth will be substantial,” says Keith Metzler, the director of economic development for Victorville and the airport.

scla’s huge scaleFoothill Ranch, Calif.-based

Stirling Development is building the project in a private-public partnership with the city of Victorville.

About 60 million square feet of commercial and industrial space is envisioned. At $50 to $120 per square foot, depending on eventual building type, the project will cost $3 billion to $7.2 billion to build.

So far, about 3 million square feet of space has been built, and about 2,500 full-time jobs have been created. The project has employed as many as 1,000 workers in a given day.

Vito Bello, marketing manager for The Mall of Victor Valley, says that the SCLA project has raised the area’s profile, and he expects retailers to follow the influx of jobs.

target industriesBusinesses already at SCLA

include Boeing, General Electric Company, Verizon, the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, the U.S. Marine Corp., Plastipak Packaging Inc.,

shUttered base is being reborn into an international bUsiness center

StoRY bY dan hiebPHotoGRAPHY bY kevin yoUng


the southern california logistics airport will be

home to a new multimodal distribution hub.



and Red Bull Distribution.Brian Parno, Stirling’s chief operating

officer, says he expects SCLA to attract three major industries: aviation companies, food and beverage processors, and distribution companies.

SCLA’s two runways are 15,050 and 9,100 feet long, making each one capable of handling intercontinental travel. Boeing has used the airport to test f light its 787 Dreamliner, while the military uses it to test predator drones. The desert climate, which makes for perfect f light weather, also makes it an ideal location for aircraft storage and maintenance since the arid climate prevents rust.

Parno says that excellent water and sewage capacity makes SCLA an ideal place for food and beverage companies like Dr. Pepper, which uses SCLA to serve the Southwest, as well as Asian markets.

The rail component will be the final prong. As Southern California continues to grow, companies will be able to turn to SCLA in order to avoid congestion and take advantage of lower costs.

Together, the three components will give the High Desert a level of economic diversity that it lacked when the Air Force left town.

“I think in the long run it will prove to be a reversal of fortune,” Parno says of the rebirth. “It will be an even more positive economic driver for the region than it was before.”

the southern california logistics Airport in Victorville is an ideal location for aircraft storage and maintenance.


scorecardbUsiness at

a glance

$455 billionannual retail sales

$12,561retail sales

per capita

$81 billionannual hotel and

food sales

3,425,818total number

of firms

source: U.s. census QuickFacts

business

Biz BriefsA sAmpling oF Businesses – lArge And smAll – tHAt Helps deFine

tHe Victor VAlley’s strong And well-BAlAnced economic climAte

leading edge aviation servicesBiz: Aviation painting and maintenance facilityBuzz: Leading Edge Aviation Services began in 1989 as an aircraft detailing business at John Wayne Airport. Now, the business comprises five facilities, including one in Victorville that opened in 2007. Victorville’s $20 million hangar is home to planes as large as a 747-400, and also includes a remodeled 757-capable, two-bay hangar with fire suppression, environmental and filtered air movement.www.leadingedgecorp.com


www.leadingedgecorp.com

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Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide, the Nationwide framemark, On Your Side and Life Comes at You Fast are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2011 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Millie HyderCA License #0778302 14350 Civic Dr., Ste. 280 Victorville, CA 92392 (866) 734-5333 Ext. 105 [email protected]

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Products for every stage of life

On Your Side

robert a. martinez aia architect & associatesBiz: Architecture firmBuzz: Serving the High Desert area since 1994, Robert A. Martinez AIA Architect & Associates is a full-service architecture firm that designs an array of structures, including homes, commercial sites and medical facilities. The firm, also known as R.A.M. Architecture, provides engineering services. The business owner, Robert A. Martinez, is a member of the American Institute of Architects.www.RAM-architecture.com

marinello school of beaUtyBiz: Cosmetology schoolBuzz: Preparing students to enter the beauty industry, Marinello School of Beauty in Victorville offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics and manicuring. The school has 47 facilities in five states, with several locations throughout California, as well as in Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Financial aid and scholarships are available to those who qualify.www.marinello.com

victorville speedWashBiz: Car washBuzz: As the newest and largest twin tunnel express car wash in California, Victorville Speedwash promises to provide each customer with a clean, shiny car in less than five minutes for an affordable price. Individual washes start at $5 and go up to $10, with unlimited club plans starting at $20 per month, designed for regular customers.www.victorvillespeedwash.com

reflections cateringBiz: Catering companyBuzz: Reflections Catering offers services for a variety of special events such as weddings, banquets, parties and conferences. Using fresh, local ingredients, this catering company creates customized menus to fit each customer’s needs, complete with appetizers, entrees and desserts. Reflections Catering also serves those who prefer buffet-style meals, with salads, side dishes, entrees and desserts available.www.reflectionscatering.com


www.mountainpacificagency.com

www.reflectionscatering.com

www.victorvillespeedwash.com

www.marinello.com

www.RAM-architecture.com

www.dvmc.com

business

chamber reportcHAmBer neAring its 100tH AnniVersAry

pretty good for almost 100 years old.

Victorville Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1913 and today has 520 members, and specializes in offering services and benefits that support both large and small businesses. Those benefits include networking opportunities, relocation assistance, legislative advocacy, seminars and workshops, and tourism and community promotion.

In addition, the chamber gives hundreds of referrals each month for member businesses in an effort to help foster business growth and retention.

“We are also community minded, and in fact run a number of events that many cities usually run themselves,” says Michele

Spears, president of the Victorville Chamber of Commerce. “For example, during the holiday season we organize an annual tree lighting ceremony and a Christmas parade, plus we supervise community cleanup days every April and October. We host the cleanup efforts because having a clean city is part of the quality of life we enjoy here.”

business is pleasureServing as business builders is

what chambers are primarily about, and Victorville is no different. It offers an annual six-month, 10-class Leadership Victor Valley program that helps build business and community leaders, and the program has seen 270 graduates in its 14-year history.

“The chamber also hosts a

monthly Victorville Morning Insight breakfast at the Victorville Conference Center that is always well attended – it’s a great marketing and networking opportunity,” Spears says. “One of the monthly VMI breakfasts even features a speed-networking session where you meet with another chamber member for three minutes, then meet with another member for three minutes, and on and on.”

Since 2010, the Victorville Chamber has partnered with the Brentwood School of Business & Leadership, a local elementary school, in a program that allows students to interact with business and community leaders. Students are invited to participate in chamber events and started their own junior chamber. The Chamber also assists students in grades four through six at the school organize their own monthly Brentwood Morning Insight breakfasts, helping those students learn more about the business world and careers.

Meanwhile, also as a way to further help the business sector, the chamber organizes an annual Business Showcase Expo every July to allow chamber members to diversify their contacts and expand opportunities.

We are four starsThe Victorville Chamber has

held accreditation with the United States Chamber of Commerce since 1998 and was recently granted four stars. The group recognized Victorville for several programs that benefit the local economy and community.

“We also work for our members as a legislative advocate in business-related matters occurring in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.,” Spears says. “The Victorville chamber is still working hard, almost 100 years into our history.”

– Kevin Litwin

26 Victor VAlley

cancer.org

Workforce

79% white-collar Jobs

21% Blue-collar Jobs

edUcation

30%Associate degree

9%Bachelor’s degree

6%graduate degree

transportation

apple valley airport

(760) 247-2371

www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us

www.sbcounty.gov/airports

hesperia airport

(760) 947-0807

www.airnav.com/airport/l26

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

top indUstries

Retail trade: 5,542 employees

Government: 4,179 employees

Health care & Social

Assistance: 3,905 employees

Accommodation & food

Services: 3,112 employees

Administrative & Support

& Waste management:

1,323 employees

transportation & Warehousing

934 employees

economic overvieWVictor 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.

economic profile

Victor Valley College• Career training• Vocational career training• Career education• Degree & transfer education• Business & industrial contract training• Continuing education• Complete student services• Online classes

For more information, call(760) 245-4271

18422 Bear Valley Rd. Victorville, CA 92395www.vvc.edu

Your Future … Our Passion

tax strUctUre

1.5%local-city/county sales tax

6.25%state sales tax

7.75%total sales tax

income

$19,410per capita income

$50,424Average Annual

Household expenditure

STAMP OUT BREAST CANCERWITH YOUR FEET.

This space is provided as a public service. ©2008 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Learn more about the Komen Race for the Cure

by visiting www.komen.org or calling 1-877 GO KOMEN.


www.komen.org

www.vvc.edu

www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us

www.sbcounty.gov/airports

www.airnav.com/airport/126

www.airport-la.com

www.lawa.org/welcomeont.aspk

www.logisticairport.com

www.vvta.org

living his toryin the High desert

28 Victor VAlley

ten miles north of Barstow lies a ghost town and former silver-mining town known as Calico.

Calico, founded in 1881 as a silver-mining town, was economically strong until the late 1890s, when the value of silver fell drastically. In addition to silver, the area was rich with borax from the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert, but with the end of borax mining around 1910, the town of Calico was completely abandoned.

In 1967, Calico was donated to the County of San Bernardino and since then has been a county regional park, dedicated to preserving the town’s rich history. Today, the park operates mine tours, gunfight stunt shows, gold panning and more.

living his toryS

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Photo essay



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go ahead, dive into the taste

treats that Victor Valley has

to offer.

For example, every Thursday

morning for nearly 20 years,

Victor Valley college has been

home to the High Desert farmers

market. there are plenty of

california-grown, seasonal

produce items for sale year

round, along with baked goods,

flowers and plants, organic

meats and homemade crafts.

hi, emma JeanSome of that locally grown

goodness winds up on the

plates over at emma Jean’s

Holland burger café, which has

been serving up the breakfasts

and burgers in bona fide

california ambiance for more

than 60 years. emma Jean’s sits

in Victorville right on Route 66,

and has been showcased in

newspapers, magazines and

tV shows, including Guy fieri’s

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on

the food network.

the family-run operation is

known for its made-from-scratch

biscuits and gravy, kielbasa and

eggs benedict, and chicken-fried

steak. the huge portions are

evident on the trucker’s

Sandwich, a monster stacked

high with roast beef, bacon,

chilies and cheese.

dixie Beer and WineAt Johnny Rebs’, the kitchen

staff offers Southern favorites

and homemade dishes such as

barbecue, catfish, hush puppies

and collard greens. Dessert items

include peach cobbler and pecan

pie, and there is even Dixie beer

available to customers. the

popular restaurant is on Seventh

Street in Victorville.

mimi’s cafe in Victorville is

known for both its good food

and good service. the menu

features down-home favorites

such as bacon and eggs, biscuits

and gravy, and bread pudding,

plus several items for those of

us who are counting our calories.

meanwhile, the Village Grind

& Wine cellar in Wrightwood is

home to several breakfast and

lunch offerings, along with

numerous coffees and smoothie

drinks. there are also wine

tastings by the glass on friday,

Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

high desert rich in Produce, great diningVictor VAlley grows Fruits, VegetABles, quAlity eAteries

local flavor

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the wine cellar


Johnny rebs’ offers visitors a southern roadhouse experience from the decor to the food.


With everything from a

bustling fairground to

a haunted arts center, the High

Desert and Victor Valley have

plenty of interesting cultural

attractions for residents and

visitors alike.

san Bernardino county Fairgrounds

the San bernardino county

Fairgrounds is a prime example.

While the fair itself is a marquee

draw, the other 51 weeks of the

year here are consumed with

horse shows, bridal events,

family reunions, corporate and

business functions, car rallies

and much more.

high desert center For the arts

An equally popular locale is

the High Desert center for the

Arts, which dates back to 1943

when it was operated as a uSo

site. Several troupes that work

with children, as well other local

theater and music groups, use the

170-seat theater and art gallery.

Some former visitors seem to

be unable to stay away either, as

the center’s reportedly got some

supernatural fans from its earlier

days, and from nearby old town

Victorville. According to the

california Society for Ghost

Research, the center’s

otherworldly cast includes

a Spanish War soldier, mojave

indians and an actor in a Hamlet

costume.

old toWn VictorVillethere’s a lot more than ghosts

in old town Victorville these days,

however. the area goes back to

the 1850s, and currently the city

is actively recruiting new shops

and businesses to help recreate

a thriving and lively urban center.

route 66 museumHelping to keep that traffic

coming through Victorville is

the california Route 66 museum,

which celebrates that famous

route from chicago to l.A. more

than just a stop on the road,

the museum is a snapshot of

high desert drawsspeciAl eVents, plAces enliVen Victor VAlley culture

Arts & culture

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34 Victor VAlley

Victorville history, with exhibits

of memorabilia that includes the

remnants of Hula Ville, a now-

defunct attraction that featured

a 9-foot dancing hula girl sign.

haPPy trails For children

Victor Valley’s always been

known for its cowboy culture, and

nobody made that more popular

than Roy Rogers and Dale evans,

whose philanthropic and artistic

endeavors live on.

the Happy trails children’s

foundation works with abused

children from its cooper Home

in Apple Valley, and since 1997 has

helped more than 350 children

receive shelter, care and treatment

services. At Sunset Hills memorial

Park, the Roy Rogers-Dale evans

Sunset chapel has been providing

one of the area’s most beautiful

backdrops for weddings and

special events since opening

its doors in 2007.

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34 Victor VAlley

www.thewinesellerapplevalley.com

education


victor Valley college has a

long history of being there

for the community it serves.

And with a growing roster

of degrees and certification

programs, cutting-edge training

facilities and strong relationships

to the business and professional

communities, those ties are

deeper than ever before. the

college has about 40 major

courses of study and supports a

planetarium and performing arts

center, as well as multiple men’s

and women’s athletic programs.

exPanded nursing Program

the college also continues

to beef up its nursing program,

which draws several hundred

students per year. it works with

the area’s hospitals to ensure that

students have plenty of real-life

training opportunities, and also

utilizes its own technologically

advanced simulation lab.

VVc has built other programs

literally from the ground up,

including an eastside Public

Safety training center and a

solar project on the main campus.

eastside PuBlic saFety training center

A $32 million Eastside Public

Safety training center, located

about 15 miles northeast of the

VVc main campus, will train

students for firefighting,

paramedic, police and corrections

careers, and will be available for

use by public safety agencies

across the region. the leeD-

certified facility will feature a

five-story fire tower and a nine-lane

indoor shooting range with virtual

and live-fire training simulators

when it opens in early 2012.

solar Plant/ training Facility

the VVc solar plant, a project

in tandem with Solfocus, is the

largest plant in north America

to use concentrator photovoltaic

systems. the one-megawatt plant

meets about 30 percent of the

college’s electricity demand,

community as classroomVictor VAlley college expAnds tHrougHout region

students at Victor Valley college’s nursing school practice taking each other’s vital signs. left: student Activities center on the campus of Victor Valley college.

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VVUHSD BoarD of TrUSTeeS

WHAT IS ECC? ECC is a partnership between Barstow Community College and the Victor Valley Union High School District. Students already enrolled in high school can earn college credits toward a Career Technical Education certificate or Associate’s Degree.

Earn High School and College Credits While in High School ECC will help you soar to greatness and earn college credits while attending high school. With technology at your fingertips, imagine learning a skill that will help you get on a career pathway to your chosen career field.

Imagine saving two full years toward your Bachelor’s Degree! ECC can do that, too. Students who successfully complete the ECC program receive both their high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree from our college partner.

The Advantages: Students have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and up to an AA or AS degree during their high school career.

ECC is a significant cost savings toward the expense of your college degree.

College and high school classes are in the same buildings at Silverado.

What Can I Learn?• College Preparation

• Health Careers

• Teaching Occupations

• Culinary Careers

• Administration of Justice & Criminal Forensics

• Engineering & Technology

• Video Game Design Careers

• Business Careers

• Automotive & Diesel Technology

• Construction Electrical

Who Should Apply? Anyone who is interested in a non-traditional high school setting should apply to ECC, especially those who are willing to do the extra effort in order to reap the reward of a college certificate or degree.

It’s a new high school and college all rolled into one campus that’s ready for students!

FREE ONLINE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL NOW OPEN IN VICTOR VALLEY! In order to better serve the individual needs of students and families throughout our community, the Victor Valley Union High School District is excited to announce the opening of Victor Valley Virtual High School (VVVHS).

Victor Valley Virtual High School is a free, online public school that is committed to providing a quality and rigorous education. Under the supervision of both credentialed teachers and a credentialed counselor, VVVHS offers opportunities for accelerated learning, Advanced Placement courses and recovery.

Students attending our virtual high school will be required to complete two units a week by attending campus at least once a week in order to submit work and take tests, however, students may come more often for additional support and tutoring. Students are able to complete their coursework in our Virtual computer labs or at any off-campus location with Internet access, including home. As students can access their coursework 24/7 and email teachers for support, school can be completed anytime or anywhere. Testing appointments can be adjusted to fit each student’s needs (for family vacations, work, etc.).

Students from the virtual campus are encouraged to participate in clubs, after-school enrichment activities, dances, CIF athletics and field trips that are sponsored by Victor Valley High School.

What Can the New Victor Valley Virtual High School Offer You?• Free

• Campus Electives & ROP Courses

• Flexible Scheduling

• College Prep & AP Courses

• Credit Recovery

• Tutoring Available

• College & Career Guidance

• Military Approved Diploma

• CIF Sports

• California’s Only Student-Run TV Station, Odyssey TV

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

VicTorVille Valley Union HigH ScHool DiSTricT16350 Mojave Dr. • Victorville, CA 92395

(760) 955-3201 • www.vvuhsd.org

President – Barbara Dew Vice President – Evelyn Glasper

Clerk – Dr. Duneen DeBruhlMember – Ensen MasonMember – Judy Munoz

Superintendent – Elvin Momon

www.vvuhsd.org

Since 1958, Brandman University has been

serving the unique needs of adults by providing

students access to a quality education

consistent with the needs of their busy lives.

Brandman University offers undergraduate and

graduate degrees, certificates, teaching

credentials, and extended education programs

online and at campuses throughout California

and Washington. Brandman University’s Victor

Valley Campus has been serving the High

Desert for more than 35 years. We have been

dedicated in providing a high-quality education

combined with innovative learning and a rich

academic heritage for working adults. We offer

individualized service, personal academic

advising, highly qualified faculty, individual

executive coaching, accelerated degree

completion, reasonable tuition and financial

aid services to name a few.

For more information, call 800-581-4100 or visit us online at www.brandman.edu/victorvalley

plus acts as a teaching facility

and learning lab as curriculum

develops around solar energy

technology.

other toP colleges, uniVersities

other top higher education

institutions in Victor Valley

include Azusa Pacific university,

which ranks among the best

christian universities in the nation,

and brandman university, where

almost all students earn their

degrees while working full time.

the valley is also home to

cambridge college, four-D

college, Pioneer university,

San Joaquin Valley college

and the university of la Verne.

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Health & Wellness

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Take a deep breath and relax.

With major hospitals and plenty

of physicians and specialists

within the community, Victor

Valley residents know they have

access to good health care.

For example, Desert Valley

Hospital recently underwent a

$35 million expansion and

upgrade to add patient rooms,

two catheterization labs, two

operating suites, an open-heart

surgery suite and a new digital-

radiology system. the hospital,

which opened in 1994, also added

educational and conference

rooms, and a chapel.

DVH also continues to receive

awards and recognition from

such groups as the Accreditation

committee of the college of

American Pathologists for its

laboratories, as well as the thomson

Reuters 100 top Hospitals Awards,

the HealthGrades Patient Safety

Excellence Award and the Premier

careScience Select Practice

national Quality Award.

st. mary medical center

St. mary medical center also

is staying at the forefront of new

treatments and technologies. in

addition to offering pediatric care,

open-heart surgery, midwifery,

diabetes services and education,

and a robotic-surgery program,

St. mary also has the first local

wound care center in the High

Desert equipped to perform

hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

the medical center also has

added a chest pain emergency

center, robotic surgery program

and outpatient surgery center,

and is in the process of building

a new 100-acre campus and 112-

bed facility.

Victor Valley community hosPital

At Victor Valley community

Hospital, the focus continues to

be on providing a wide range of

health-care services, including

the Women’s Health center, a

comprehensive site for women’s

health and services, and upgrades

to every department. in addition

to a new nuclear camera and

upgraded mRi machine, the hospital

is expanding its neonatal intensive

care unit and is creating a new

Orthopedic Center of Excellence.

choice medical grouPHigh Desert residents also

benefit from the primary- and

specialty-care physicians at

choice medical Group, whose

45-plus board-certified physicians

and 150 specialists take care of a

service area that includes Apple

Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, oak

Hills, Phelan, Pinon Hills, barstow,

Adelanto and the surrounding

communities.

Kaiser Permanentemeanwhile, Kaiser Permanente

has a four-story hospital on Park

Avenue in Victorville that offers

services such as mammography,

radiology, pediatrics, diabetes

classes, physical therapy and an

on-site pharmacy. Kaiser officials

advocate a healthy lifestyle

throughout the Victorville

community, which includes

fresh fruit and vegetables in

neighborhood stores, successful

schools, clean air, accessible parks

and safe playgrounds.

healthy VictorVilleby the way, city officials have

recently introduced a Healthy

Victorville initiative. Healthy

Victorville features an exchange

of information among

government, business, nonprofit

and community partners to

promote healthy lifestyles through

workplace wellness, healthy

eating, active living, and healthy

community development policies

and programs.

long on care, short on distancetop-rAnKed HospitAls, pHysiciAns proVide quAlity cAre tHrougHout Victor VAlley


Curt’s PHARMACY& United States Post Office

14829 7th St., Ste. E Victorville, CA 92395

(760) 245-3518

• Most Prescription Insurances, Work Comp & Cash• Medication Compliance Packaging• Home Health Supplies• Herbals, Homeopathic, Old-Time Remedies• Wound Care, Compression Stockings, Diabetes Shoppe• Complete US Postal Services with Postal Rates• Hablamos Español con Fluidez

HOURS:

Mon.-Fri.

9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sat.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Choose a pharmacy that cares!

www.curtsrx.com

Specializing in infants through adolescents

11941 Hesperia Rd.

Hesperia, CA 92345

(760) 490-0790

(760) 990-7373 fax

[email protected]

www.all4kidsdentistry.com

GrowinG SmileS, From little to BiG!

Dr. Brian Chu

Gentle, Comprehensive Dental Care for Kids

Cavity Free Club

Sealants to Protect Your Child’s Teeth

Play Area with Video Games

TVs in Treatment Room

Flexible Financing Available

our office has been designed to meet all of your child’s comprehensive dental needs, from routine check-ups and cleanings to emergency care. we strive to make dental visits effective, educational, and most of all, fun!

Board-Certified Pediatric Specialist

Health & Wellness


www.all4kidsdentistry.com

www.curtsrx.com


www.meridianurgentcare.com

www.stjude.org/tribute

12055 Mariposa Rd. Hesperia, CA 92345

760.956.2000

DJs Sports Bar & Grill

24 Flat-Screen TVs – 40" & 46"

18 Beers on Draft

Entertainment Seven Days a Week – DJs & Karaoke

Pool Tournaments

6,000 Square Feet

Outdoor Smoking & Drinking – TVs on Patio

if you’ve got game, then the

Victor Valley is the place for you.

For example, golf courses are

amazing, including Hesperia Golf

& country club that has seen

the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack

nicklaus and Sam Snead tee

off since it opened in 1957. The

course is well known to the PGA

and highly ranked by California Golf Magazine and Golf Digest.

Fore eVermorethe city of Victorville gets in

on the act with Green tree Golf

course, a former private club that

opened in 1963. The tricky par 72,

6,600-yard course is known for

tree-lined fairways, water and

sand traps. the city also offers

Westwinds Golf course, a nine-

hole, par 36 venue.

in barstow, tees & trees Golf

course is a nine-hole course

noted for scenery, tight play and

water hazards. nine-hole play is

also available at Ashwood Golf

course in Apple Valley, which

has three different courses.

atV Paradiseif you’re looking for something

a little faster than a golf cart, then

welcome to AtV heaven. the High

Desert offers several places to get

off the road, with trails that range

from moderate to extreme.

both four-wheel vehicles and

motorcycles have plenty

outside interestsgolF, HiKing, AtV trAils lure sportsmen to Victor VAlley

Sports & Recreation

top left: dirt bike racing at the racetown 395 mx park in AdelantoS

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44 Victor VAlley

12055 Mariposa Rd. Hesperia, CA 92345

760.956.2000

DJs Sports Bar & Grill

24 Flat-Screen TVs – 40" & 46"

18 Beers on Draft

Entertainment Seven Days a Week – DJs & Karaoke

Pool Tournaments

6,000 Square Feet

Outdoor Smoking & Drinking – TVs on Patio

to choose from, with specific

areas that were set aside for

them in the california Desert

Conservation Area plan of 1980.

A major destination for AtV

riders and outdoor enthusiasts

in general is el mirage Dry lake,

which features an off-highway

vehicle recreation area. it’s part

of a 24,000-acre tract of public

and private land that also includes

the el mirage Dry lakebed, the

Shadow mountains, el mirage

basin and the twin Hills area.

additional Places to Play

other outdoor interests in the

valley include skiing at big bear

mountain, where there are two

resorts, and mountain High near

Wrightwood. these ski areas offer

a full package of snow sports

during winter months and solid

collection of biking and hiking

trails during warmer weather. StA

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Another recreation highlight is

an annual Rockin’ the Desert mud

Run, which is a 3.2-mile exercise

event in late August to benefit the

Sunset Hills children’s foundation.

the course is full of fun hills to

climb, mud pits, rope swings, tire

testing and wall climbing.

Meanwhile, Racetown 395 MX

Park in Adelanto has five

motocross tracks, including a

stadium track that can

accommodate national events.

Racing takes place on friday,

Saturday and Sunday

nights, plus practices are held

every tuesday and thursday.

And for bowling fans, there’s

Victor bowl bowling center.

the facility offers 40 lanes with

automatic scoring for league and

family bowling. it opens every day

at 9 a.m. and stays open until 11

p.m. through the week, then until

midnight fridays and Saturdays.

visit ouradvertisersAAA Auto Club of Southern Californiawww.aaa-calif.com

Advanced Hearing System www.advancedhearingsys.com

Alaska USA Federal Credit Unionwww.alaskausa.org

All 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistrywww.all4kidsdentistry.com

Brandman Universitywww.brandman.edu/victorvalley

Burning Bush Churchwww.bushpower.org

Choice Medical Groupwww.choicemg.com

Curt’s Pharmacy & United States Post Officewww.curtsrx.com

Desert Valley Hospitalwww.primehealthcare.com

DJ’s Sports Bar & Grill Inc.

High Desert Primary Care www.hdpcmg.com

Holiday Inn Expresswww.hiexpress.com/hesperia

Meridian Urgent Carewww.meridianurgentcare.com

Mitsubishi Cement Corporationwww.mitsubishicement.com

Mountain Pacific Insurance Agencywww.mountainpacificagency.com

Sonic Systemswww.vvsonic.com

Southwest Gas Corporationwww.swgas.com

St. Mary Medical Centerwww.stmaryapplevalley.com

The Wine Sellerwww.thewinesellerapplevalley.com

Victor Valley Collegewww.vvc.edu

Victor Valley Union High School Districtwww.vvuhsd.org

6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM

Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant. It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

Living greenstarts from the ground up.


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cost of living

$49,002median Household income

$112,833median Home price

$850median rent for a two-Bedroom Apartment

hoUsehold information

age:

32median resident Age

33% 19 and under

47% 20-54

20% 55 and over

marital status:

54% married

46% single

ethnicity:

48% white

7% Black

42% Hispanic

3% other

transportation

23 minutesmedian travel time to work

climate

99° July High temperature

31°

January low temperature

6”

Annual rain Fall (vs. national

Average Annual rain Fall of 37”)

time zone

Pacific

land area

73.178 square miles (Victorville)

snapshotVictor 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.

commUnity profile

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through the lens

i was surprised to find so many

lakes, rivers and streams in the

middle of the mojave Desert. i was

working on a photo essay about

desert beauty when i came across

this horse in the water at mojave

narrows Park, which is situated

along the ancient riverbed of the

mojave River.

in the warmer months, people

ride the horses at the park’s

stables, but during the cooler

months the horses roam around

the park.

From our Photo Blog: Victor Valley

PoSteD bY Jeff ADKinS

more online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at imagesvictorvalley.com.

now that you’ve experienced Victor Valley through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit imagesvictorvalley.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

get the story Behind the Photo

48 Victor VAlley



Ad Index 47 AAA Auto Club of Southern CAliforniA

43 AdvAnCed heAring SyStem

C3 AlASkA uSA federAl Credit union

42 All 4 kidS PediAtriC dentiStry

39 brAndmAn univerSity

4 burning buSh ChurCh

C4 ChoiCe mediCAl grouP

42 Curt’S PhArmACy & united StAteS PoSt offiCe

24 deSert vAlley hoSPitAl

45 dJ’S SPortS bAr & grill inC.

1 high deSert PrimAry CAre

C2 holidAy inn exPreSS

43 meridiAn urgent CAre

C3 mitSubiShi Cement CorPorAtion

23 mountAin PACifiC inSurAnCe AgenCy

23 SoniC SyStemS

7 SouthweSt gAS CorPorAtion

2 St. mAry mediCAl Center

37 the wine Seller

27 viCtor vAlley College

38 viCtor vAlley union high SChool diStriCt

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A Most Convenient

Choice.When we are faced with health challenges it is comforting to be close to home and family. Choice Medical Group and Choice Physicians

Network offer a panel of nearly 200 primary care physicians and specialists conveniently located in the High Desert.

This large panel of physicians provides comprehensive services and are experts in their respective specialties. They are not an hour or two away. They are in your city, your community, your neighborhood.

That makes us both the right choice, and the most convenient one.

If you have any questions or need help selecting a physician, we are here to help. Call us at 760.242.7777, Ext. 224.

My Health. My Choice.

www.ChoiceMG.com

In addition to practitioners of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, Choice offers experts in the fields of … • Allergy • Anesthesiology • Audiology • Behavioral Health • Cardiology • Cardiothoracic Surgery • Chiropractors • Dermatology • Endocrinology • Gastroenterology • General Surgery • Hospitalists • Infectious Disease • Neonatology • Nephrology • Neurology • Neurosurgery • Obstetrics & Gynecology • Oncology/Hematology • Ophthalmology/Optometry • Orthopedics • Pediatrics • Pediatric Cardiology • Pediatric Ophthalmology • Perinatology • Pain Management • Physical Medicine & Rehab • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery • Podiatry • Pulmonology • Radiation Oncology • Rheumatology • Vascular Surgery • Urology

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Oak Hills • Phelan • Pinon Hills • Victorville

www.ChoiceMG.com

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Images Victor Valley 2011