Images Victor Valley 2012 by Journal Communications

2013 | livability.com/victorville ®

Victor valley, california

Reach for the stars The Lewis Center takes education to new heights

flourish here The High Desert is ideal for businesses, families

Here’s to Your Health The Victor Valley’s residents have access to many wellness options

sponsored by the victorville Chamber of Commerce

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th anniversary issue

2013 edition | volume 5 ®

Victor Valley, California co nte nt s F e atu r e s 8 Here’s to Your Health

The Victor Valley’s residents have access to many wellness options

12 Reach for the Stars The Lewis Center takes education to new heights

14 flourish here The High Desert is ideal for businesses, families

d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 16 Chamber Report 17 Biz Briefs 18 Economic Profile 19 Health & Wellness 21 Education 23 Local Flavor 24 Arts & Culture 27 Sports & Recreation 29 Community Profile

on the cover The Victor Valley Bicycle Club meets to hit the trails surrounding Bell Mountain in the desert of Apple Valley. Photo by Michael Conti

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

l i va b i l i t y. c o m / v i ct o r v i ll e

Victor Valley, Ca editorial project Manager mitch Kline content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Contributing writers Barbara Biehler, John Fuller, Joe Morris, Jessica Mozo Senior Graphic Designers stacey allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams

Digital Edition

Graphic Designers erica lampley, kara leiby, Kacey Passmore Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, martin B. cherry, Michael Conti color imaging technician Alison Hunter Integrated Media Manager Graham Leach Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf

Here’s to Your Health

Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg

RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO MANY WELLNESS OPTIONS

V.P./business Development clay perry V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CONTI

taying healthy has become easier in the Victor Valley, where communities have developed programs, athletic events and farmers markets that make it easy for residents to find nourishing foods and ways to burn calories. The communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville are all participating in the Healthy High Desert initiative, which establishes individual wellness programs for residents. One of the many people keeping a finger on the pulse of healthy living in the Victory Valley is Allen Christensen, community benefit analyst and healthy cities coordinator at St. Joseph Health, St. Mary.

V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens

v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales rhonda graham, herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley

Farm Fresh Christensen says several farmers markets have been established in the different cities and towns to offer fresh produce to the Victor Valley’s residents, and even St. Joseph Health, St. Mary sets up a farmers market on its hospital campus every Friday.

Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks

The Victor Valley Bicycle Club rides down Apple Valley Road.

T TH HE EV VIIC CT TO OR R VA VALLLLE EY Y

LLIIVA VAB BIILLIIT TY. Y.C CO OM M//V VIIC CT TO OR RV VIILLLLE E

sales support project manager sara quint system administrator daniel cantrell Web creative director allison davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall

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Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson New Media Assistant Alyssa DiCicco Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

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 email at info@jnlcom.com. For more information, contact: Victorville Chamber of Commerce 14174 Greentree Blvd., Victorville, CA 92395 Phone: (760) 245-6506 • Fax: (760) 245-6505 www.vvchamber.com Visit Images Victor Valley online at livability.com/victorville ©Copyright 2012 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

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T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

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See more great photos of the The Victor Valley in our online photo galleries.

2013 | livability.com/victorville ®

victor valley, california

reach for the stars The Lewis Center takes education to new heights

flourish here The High Desert is ideal for businesses, families

here’s to your health The Victor Valley’s residents have access to many wellness options

sponsored by the victorville chamber of commerce

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

Facts

Video

living here

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

Watch quick videos of local attractions.

Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers.

Almanac

Welcome to The Victor Valley An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Sliding Through Treetops Navitat Canopy Adventures shows visitors a new side of Wrightwood’s forests by carrying them aloft on zipline tours. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Navitat’s Wrightwood location is the West Coast counterpart of Navitat’s first zipline park in Asheville, N.C. The Wrightwood location features rappelling obstacles, suspended sky bridges and 10 ziplines that range from 200 feet to 1,500 feet in length and vary between 200 feet and 300 feet above the ground. John Walker, a zipline course developer, designed the Wrightwood course to last about four hours and have the smallest possible environmental footprint. Visit www.navitat.com for more.

Preserving the Kicks

Energizing San Bernardino Shocking developments are taking place in San Bernardino County as alternative energy developer Abengoa begins construction on the Mojave Solar Project. Funded by a $1.2 billion loan from the Department of Energy’s Recovery Act loan program, the project will ease the crunch on fossil fuel usage by harnessing the sun’s power. This solar panel array will use Abengoa’s proprietary parabolic trough technology to generate 250 megawatts for 75,000 to 187,500 homes. Construction is expected to create 830 temporary jobs and 60 permanent jobs. The project is scheduled for completion by 2014. Find out more at www.abengoasolar.com.

Victorville is home to the Route 66 Museum, a refuge for artifacts left behind from the renowned highway. The museum entertains about 10,000 visitors each year, and includes among its exhibits folk art from the Hula Ville roadside attraction. Victorville offered fans of the Mother Road a special treat in 2012 by hosting the International Route 66 Festival. The festival included a classic car poker run, a screening of American Graffiti at the Skyline Drive-In in Barstow, and a food and wine festival at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds.

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Fast Facts

New Life in the Desert The Mojave River Fish Hatchery is a major sanctuary for trout breeding in Victorville. The hatchery has benefited from years of improvements since construction began in 1947. Today, the hatchery contains 40 ponds and supplies about two-thirds of catchable trout stocked south of the Tehachapi Mountains. The hatchery is commonly known as the hatchery in the desert because it sits on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert. This arid environment requires that the water supplying the hatchery be derived from wells connected to the often dry Mojave River. Learn more at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/MojaveRiver.

The Victor Valley At A Glance POPULATION Victorville: 107,539 San Bernardino County: 2,035,210

BEGINNINGS Incorporated in 1962, Victorville – the largest city in the 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.

LOCATION The Victor Valley is in southwest California, at the southern edge of the Mojave Desert.

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 The Victor Valley, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at livability.com/victorville.

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n Open road and clear skies create perfect conditions for motorcyclists, and the Victor Valley is home to a HarleyDavidson 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 provided a firm foundation for growth in the Victor Valley, and it remains an important industry today. n Several people claim to have encountered ghosts at 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.

SAN BERNARDINO

Victor Valley

Adelanto

247

Hesperia 30

Lake Havasu

Apple Valley

Victorville

138

n Contact, Lethal Weapon and The Hitcher are just some of the films shot in and around Victorville.

San Bernardino

247

n The secondlongest commercial runway in the U.S. is at Victorville’s Southern California Logistics Airport.

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T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Here’s to Your Health Residents have access to many wellness options

Story By Kevin Litwin | Photography By michael conti

“Our hospital obviously helps patients who are sick or injured, plus many of our efforts these days involve getting into the community and focusing on wellness initiatives,” Christensen says. “I work with several organizations throughout the High Desert that want to promote health and wellness in their communities.” Farm Fresh Christensen says several farmers markets have been established in the different cities and towns to offer fresh produce to the Victor Valley’s residents, and even St. Joseph Health, St. Mary sets up a farmers market on its hospital campus every Friday.

The Victor Valley Bicycle Club rides down Apple Valley Road.

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T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

“We have a vendor on site from noon-4 p.m. to offer fruit and vegetables to our employees who otherwise would be unable to visit such a market,” he says. “St. Joseph Health also hosts twice-a-year free workshops called Healthy Eating Active Living, or HEAL, that show residents how to shop strategically, personalize exercise programs, cook healthy and much more.” Run, Bike, Eat Healthier Meanwhile, other examples of health and wellness efforts in the High Desert include a Maverick 5K Mud Run in Adelanto every July, a Mojave Narrow Half Marathon in Victorville in June, an Apple Valley Reverse Triathlon each September and a Route 66 5K Turkey Trot in Victorville on Thanksgiving Day. Other initiatives in Victorville are a 5K and 10K walk/run and bicycle tour organized by the Victorville Chamber of Commerce, while the city of Victorville implemented a Vending Machine Nutrition policy in April 2011 so that vending machines in public schools and public buildings have at least 50 percent of food/snacks offered that meet national nutrition standards. More Future Plans Victorville is also studying a nonmotorized transportation plan on the city’s growing west side, intending to eventually construct a safe network of on-road and trail bike and walking routes. The plan is for the network to link public facilities, retail centers and other areas of interest. “There are also many swimming opportunities available to residents in the communities throughout the High Desert,” Christensen says. “Wellness is a priority these days in our region, with the city, county, chamber, hospitals and other organizations trying to do our part to advance the wellness effort.” Clockwise from top left: The Victor Valley Bicycle Club rides along the trails near Bell Mountain; Kylan Jones uses a speed resistance parachute at Hook Park; High Desert Farmers Market; Marcos Lima uses the circuit fitness system at Hook Park.

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Reaching for the

Stars The Lewis Center takes education to new heights

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Story By Jessica Mozo | Photography By michael conti

hile teaching kindergarten and directing a Young Astronauts science program at Mojave Elementary School in 1985, Rick Piercy had a bright idea. He invited students and their families to come to school at night to see Halley’s Comet through a telescope, and the response of more than 200 attendees overwhelmed him. “It was after 10 o’clock when we finished, but we knew astronomy was something that captured the imagination of children,” Piercy recalls. “So we began raising money to build an observatory.”

The Lewis Center Is Born Five years later, the Apple Valley Science and Technology Center opened. Now called the Lewis Center for Educational Research, the facility oversees two charter schools and has been called “one of the most interesting, unique and unusual educational institutions in the nation.” One of the Lewis Center’s charter schools is the Academy for Academic Excellence, a K-12 school

spread out on three campuses in Apple Valley. The Norton Space and Aeronautics Academy in San Bernardino is the Lewis Center’s other charter school, serving grades K-6. Each year, the NSAA adds a grade level, with the goal of becoming a K-12 school by 2018. Academy for Academic Excellence Judy and Ron McFadden of Victorville sent all three of their children to the Academy for Academic Excellence. “Our oldest daughter, Erin, graduated in 2011, and our twin girls, Cori and Dena, will graduate in 2013,” Judy McFadden says. “They’ve all really thrived there. It’s not a huge school, so you can be the big fish. The teachers really care too – several teachers really took an interest in our kids.” All three of the McFadden girls were involved in AAE’s ROTC program, and the twins are aiming for careers in the Air Force. “For my kids, AAE was a perfect match. They’ve done very well on state tests and SATs, and my oldest

is now at the University of Hawaii and says she felt much better prepared for college than other incoming freshmen,” Judy McFadden says. Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope The Lewis Center also features the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope, a project with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that allows teachers to access a 34-meter radio antenna via the Internet. “Mission Control is in our Mojave River campus and is open to teachers and students, not only in the Victor Valley, but we work with schools in 38 states, 14 countries and two U.S. territories,” Piercy says. “Our GAVRT program has a free online training curriculum open to all schools including homeschoolers and private schools. Students at the middle and high school level work with NASA scientists and actually control these nine-story-high, million-pound antennas from their classrooms and gather real data that is being used to promote our understanding of the universe.”

From left: The Lewis Center for Educational Research’s Thunderbird Campus; A classroom at The Lewis Center for Educational Research’s Mojave River Campus; Rick Piercy serves as the Lewis Center’s founder, president and CEO.

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Business

A Manufacturing

Oa s i s

Affordable business, living location in the High Desert

Story By John Fuller | Photography By michael conti

ill Scott was looking for a business- and family-friendly location in the early 1990s, and he found that and more in the Victor Valley. The owner of Scott Turbon Mixer Co. laid down roots in Adelanto, where his business costs are lower and his family can flourish. “It’s a very business-friendly environment here that has allowed us to grow and prosper,” says Scott, who moved to the Victor Valley from Los Angeles along with 25 workers and their families when the company’s new facility opened in 1995. Scott Turbon Mixer, which makes stainless steel mixers and mixing systems for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care and chemical industries worldwide, has 50 employees in the 25,000-square-foot facility. Scott says the location is ideal from a business and quality of life perspective. The Victor Valley is located near major interstate highways, with easy access to major California and western U.S. markets. The location is also ideal for recreation activities with the Pacific Ocean less than 90 minutes away and beautiful mountain and desert areas even closer. High Desert Affordability a Hit With Business The Victor Valley’s affordable housing and business costs and abundant water supply position it well for business and residential growth. The BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railroad has major lines through the region which has Interstate 15

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

running through it and is near Interstates 40 and 10. “It’s an affordable place to live and work,” Scott says. “Building and land costs are much less than anywhere in Southern California.” Scott’s story is repeated scores of times with manufacturers, both large and small, relocating to the Victor Valley. “We have been very entrepreneurial with our economic development strategy,” says Keith Metzler, assistant city manager for the city of Victorville. For example, the city built a large capacity wastewater treatment plant, as well as other infrastructure improvements, to attract companies to the area, particularly food and beverage manufacturers. That strategy paid off recently when Dr Pepper/ Snapple decided to build a $120 million facility employing 200 people. “We have extra capacity to bring in even more companies like that,” Metzler says. Business Flocks to SCLA Complex Metzler also oversees the Southern California Logistics Airport, one of the major economic drivers in the High Desert Region. SCLA is located on the site of a former U.S. Air Force base which has been transformed into a multimodal distribution hub. SCLA is a dedicated logistics and industrial park on 5,000 acres. With modern airport, rail and proximity to major highways,

Above: An employee welds a bridge connecting two tanks at Scott Turbon Mixer Co. in the city of Adelanto. Below: An employee fabricates pipe that is designed for a large industrial mixer at Scott Turbon Mixer Co.

SCLA is a prime hub for companies to efficiently move goods to U.S. and international destinations. Over the past several years, aviation, food and beverage, and distribution companies have been attracted to the site. Its industrial tenants include Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Newell Rubbermaid and Plastipak Packaging. Aviation tenants include General Electric Aircraft Engines, Pratt & Whitney, Leading Edge Aviation Services, The Boeing Company and Pacific Aerospace Resources and Technology. One of the newest tenants is United Furniture Industries, which moved into an existing building at the SCLA development and plans to employ more than 400 workers. The company makes and ships sofas, recliners and sectionals under the Simmons brand. UFI officials say they chose the Victorville location after an exhaustive search and made their decision largely based on the community’s “probusiness atmosphere” and the proximity to major West Coast markets from California’s high desert. Victorville’s Foxborough Industrial Park has 233 acres of land for development. Major tenants at the park include Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Nutro Products, Church and Dwight (makers of Arm & Hammer products) and ConAgra Foods. Like any new, growing area, there is always a huge demand for skilled workers. A number of manufacturers like Scott Turbon Mixer are partnering with local high schools and colleges to attract, train and recruit qualified workers.

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Business

Chamber Report Chamber stays involved in many projects

rom courting a Macy’s department store to helping residents stay healthy, the Victorville Chamber of Commerce remains committed to improving the community. “I was in charge of a focus group called My Macy’s that helped iron out the business development details that go along with such an

endeavor,” says Michele Spears, president/CEO of the Victorville Chamber of Commerce. The new store is set to open in March 2013. Other chamber projects include a new annual wellness event called Stride Ride Glide at SCLA. It features 5K and 10K runs, along with bike rides at Southern California Logistics Airport.

“There were 275 participants for the inaugural event, and Stride Ride Glide goes along with a Healthy Victorville initiative that is being promoted throughout the city,” Spears says.

They Mean Business Another annual occurrence that the chamber organizes is a Business Showcase Expo at the Victorville Conference Center. “It’s a fun way for vendors to see their clients, as well as meet new ones,” Spears says. She adds that the chamber also plans workshops aimed at educating the public. A workshop in August 2012 saw the chamber partner with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department to inform store owners about new high-tech crime trends in retail, and how such trends can be combated. “The chamber also scored well on a recent survey sponsored by the Western Association of Chamber Executives that asked our members to rate us,” Spears says. “I’m pleased to say that the Victorville chamber scored higher on every question than the national average.”

Streamlined to Serve Spears says the sluggish economy has forced the chamber to streamline operations, with a major move being to cut $30,000 in staff salaries and expenses. The chamber also eliminated a few events it usually sponsors, but continues to back its most popular ones – such as the monthly Victorville Morning Insight breakfast meetings. “The chamber’s main mission is still about best serving our 485 members, and how we can help them grow their individual businesses,” she says. “That part of the Victorville chamber will never change.” – Kevin Litwin

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define the victor valley’s strong economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$2 billion Annual Retail Sales

$18,304 The Cake Shop Biz: Specialty bakery Buzz: Located in Apple Valley, The Cake Shop offers cakes for any occasion or event, such as weddings and birthday parties, as well as cupcakes. In addition, the shop provides pastries and desserts including cinnamon rolls, muffins, cream puffs, brownies, pies, cookies and more. Smoothies, coffee beverages, hot chocolate and green tea are also available. http://bakerysweets.com

Victorville Cycles Biz: Bicycle and accessory retailer Buzz: Home to a wide selection of bicycles, Victorville Cycles has been serving local cyclists since 1974. The shop features brands such as Trek, Haro and Giant and offers accessories including helmets, lights, cargo trailers and more. Victorville Cycles is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays. http://victorvillecycles.com

Decorating Den Interiors Biz: Interior design firm Buzz: Decorating Den Interiors, operated by interior designer and general contractor Donald Tatera, works with residential and commercial clients to create and implement decorating plans. With a team of designers, Tatera helps clients with reupholstery, artwork, furniture, flooring and more. Decorating Den Interiors is based in Apple Valley and serves the High Desert area. http://teamtatera.decoratingden.com

Bear Valley Party Rentals Biz: Party supply rental shop Buzz: Bear Valley Party Rentals supplies items including chairs, tables, tents, linens, glassware and more for special events such as weddings, corporate events, parties and banquets. Decorative items are also available, as well as lighting accessories, dance floors, helium tanks, platforms and stages. A family-owned and -operated company, Bear Valley Party Rentals was established in 1991. http://bearvalleyrentals.com

Retail Sales Per Capita

$182 million Annual Hotel and Food Sales

8,084 Total Number of Firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Donna J. Wells, CPA – Partner djwells@mierscpa.com • www.mierscpa.com

Victor Valley College Your Future … Our Passion 14350 Civic Dr., Ste. 180 • Victorville, CA 92392 Tel: (760) 245-5341 • Fax: (760) 241-2992 Barstow: 135 Cal Ave. • Barstow, CA 92311

For more information, call (760) 245-4271 18422 Bear Valley Rd. Victorville, CA 92395 www.vvc.edu

• • • • •

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

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economic profile ECONOMIC OVERVIEW The 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.

21%

Blue-Collar Jobs

education TAX STRUCTURE

1.5%

30%

Associate Degree

Local-City/County sales tax

Ontario International Airport (909) 937-2700 www.lawa.org/welcomeont.aspx Southern California Logistics Airport (760) 243-1900 www.logisticsairport.com Victor Valley

6.25%

Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree

(760) 948-3030

7.75%

www.vvta.org

Graduate Degree

TOp industries

income

TRANSPORTATION

Retail Trade: 5,542 employees

State Sales Tax

Total Sales Tax

$19,410

Per Capita Income

$50,424

Average Annual Household Expenditure

workforce

79%

White-Collar Jobs

Transit Authority

Government: 4,179 employees Apple Valley Airport (760) 247-2371 www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us www.sbcounty.gov/airports

Health Care & Social Assistance: 3,905 employees Accommodation & Food

Hesperia Airport (760) 947-0807 www.airnav.com/airport/l26

Services: 3,112 employees

Los Angeles International Airport (310) 646-5252 www.airport-la.com

1,323 employees

Administrative & Support & Waste Management:

Transportation & Warehousing: 934 employees

This section is sponsored by

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Health & Wellness

Being Hospitable Residents have access to top medical facilities

esidents of the Victor Valley enjoy a wealth of health options, with major hospitals and plenty of physicians and specialists in the community. St. Mary Medical Center is part of the St. Joseph Health. The hospital offers a wide range of services from wellness and prevention programs to an emergency department and heart care services. This High Desert hospital has served the area for more than 50 years. It currently has 206 beds and the first local wound care center in the High Desert equipped to perform hyperbaric oxygen therapy. St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers an outpatient surgery pavilion, mobile health services, robotic-assisted surgery and pediatric care.

The 101-bed Victor Valley Community Hospital was recently purchased by KPC Global, which announced plans to invest $25 to improve the 45-year-old facility during the next five years. The hospital offers emergency services, an intensive care unit, neonatal ICU, peri-operative services, a cardiac catheterization lab, and also houses The Center, which provides one-stop, preventative diagnostic imaging in areas such as mammography, ultrasound and bone densitometry testing.

michael conti

Victor Valley Community Hospital

Desert Valley Hospital Desert Valley Hospital recently underwent an expansion to upgrade and add patient rooms, catheterization labs, operating suites, an open-heart surgery suite and a digital radiology system. DVH also continues to receive awards and recognition, including being named a Top 100 Hospital for 2012 by Thomson Reuters. Desert Valley Hospital has 83 beds.

Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente has a four-story medical center on Park Avenue in Victorville that offers services such as mammography, oncology treatment, pediatrics, a 24-hour emergency department and a pharmacy.

More Medical Groups Victor Valley has several medical groups that offer primary- and specialty-care physicians. These include High Desert Primary Care, Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group, Desert Valley Medical Group, Alliance Desert Physicians, Choice Medical Group, Kendra Care Medical Group and Premier Healthcare. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kevin Litwin

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Victor Valley

Union High School District University Preparatory School 16925 Forrest Ave. Victorville, CA 92395

Victor Valley High School 16500 Mojave Dr. Victorville, CA 92395 • Grades 9-12

• Grades 7-12 – Parent Choice School

• Career Technical Education: Culinary Arts, Medical Technology, Video Game Design

• National Blue Ribbon School • Title I Achievement School (four consecutive years)

• Pre-Engineering (STEM): Robotics, Automotive, Construction

• Six-Year WASC Accreditation

• Distinguished School Award

• U.S. News ranked “One of the Best High Schools to Watch in California”

• Professional Learning Communities

• U.S. News ranked “One of the Nation’s Best High Schools”

• Virtual High School

Silverado High School 14048 Cobalt Rd. Victorville, CA 92392

Cobalt Middle School 13801 Cobalt Rd. Victorville, CA 92392

• Grades 9-12 • Career Technical Education: Culinary Arts, Medical Technology • Pre-Engineering (STEM): Robotics

• Grades 7-8 • Middle Grade Alliance Recipient for Academic Excellence

• Early College Campus (High School & College Credits) – Partnered with Victor Valley College and Barstow Community College

• Pre-Engineering (STEM): Robotics

• State Recognized Early Childhood Program

• Leadership (ASB)

• Professional Learning Communities

• Professional Leadership Communities

Adelanto High School 13853 Seneca Rd. Victorville, CA 92392

Hook Junior High School 15000 Hook Blvd. Victorville, CA 92392

• Grades 9-10

• Grades 7-8

• Opens August 2012

• Pre-Engineering (STEM): Robotics

• State-of-the-Art Facility

• Leadership (ASB)

• Pre-Engineering (STEM): Technology and Solar

• Professional Learning Communities

Lakeview Middle School 12484 Tamarisk Rd. Victorville, CA 92395

Goodwill Education Center 14045 Topaz Rd. Victorville, CA 92392

• Grades 9-12

• Grades 7-8

• Alternative Education

• Pre-Engineering (STEM): Robotics

• Credit Recovery

• Leadership (ASB)

• Independent Studies

• Adult Education 20 T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

• Professional Learning Communities

Education

The Regional Public Safety Training Center in Apple Valley hosts Victor Valley College’s Fire Technology program.

michael conti

Class Distinction the Victor Valley Offers Education Opportunities to Ensure Student Success

rimed to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce, the Victor Valley provides educational opportunities for students of all ages.

STEAM 2020 Initiative Building a foundation for success, STEAM 2020 is an initiative for promoting and identifying strategies to increase student excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. STEAM 2020 partners with the San Bernardino County Alliance for Education to help prepare students from elementary to postsecondary school to enter high-paying, highly skilled occupations after leaving the classroom.

Victor Valley College For years Victor Valley College has served the educational needs of one of the largest geographical regions in California. Offering more than 430,000 square feet of building space on its main campus in Victorville, VVC has an enrollment of more than 13,000 students every year. The college offers a variety of two-year degrees and certificate programs, and online classes are available for students hoping to become professional firefighters, VVC’s Fire Technology Program provides accredited courses that meet standards set by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office. Advanced courses are also available for specialized jobs within the fire l i va b i l i t y. c o m / v i ct o r v i ll e

Education service including fire prevention specialist, company officer and chief fire officer positions. The college’s new, 41,500-square-foot Eastside Public Safety Training Academy trains students for careers in firefighting, law enforcement and emergency medical services using live drills in real life settings. Victor Valley College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program offers the instruction and training necessary for a twoyear associate’s degree. Students can then take the NCLEX exam required to become licensed registered nurses. Students seeking jobs in green technology can get the training they need right on VCC’s campus. Together with SolFocus, VVC built the largest solar plant in North America utilizing concentrator photovoltaic systems, producing approximately 30 percent of the campus’ electricity needs.

The college has developed an innovative curriculum around this pioneering technology including solar installation, operations and maintenance courses.

Other Colleges and Universities Azusa Pacific University, a comprehensive Christian university, features more than 80 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs on their main campus in Azusa, at seven Southern California regional campuses and online. Focusing on the needs of working adults, Brandman University has 52 bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs through the blended formats of online and classroom instruction. Cambridge College also focuses on the needs of working adults, with a number of degree programs offered online or at their Rancho Cucamonga campus. Four-D College seeks to educate

anyone interested in an entrylevel health-care career including those who wish to become nurses, health-care administrators, pharmacy techs or dental assistants. San Joaquin Valley College is a two-year, private junior college helping students prepare for careers in business or a variety of medical or technical fields. Serving both young students and adult learners, University of La Verne, which is a private, four-year school, offers undergraduate to doctorate degrees in many professional and arts programs. – Barbara Biehler

What’s Online Read more articles about the The Victor Valley’s learning environments by going to livability.com/victorville.

Local Flavor

Desert Delights Enjoy Great Tasting Food at Two Award-Winning Establishments in the victor valley

f you’re looking for great food, two local establishments in the Victor Valley, Overland Meat Company and Molly Brown’s Country Cafe, have been serving some of the best food the High Desert has to offer for more than 20 years.

Overland Meat Company

Molly Brown’s Country Cafe Hungry diners from around the High Desert have enjoyed fine country-style dining at Molly Brown’s County Cafe for two decades. Voted Best Breakfast by the Victorville Daily Press,

Molly Brown’s offers many signature dishes such as the hobo skillet, stuffed French toast with blueberries and cream cheese, and the Paul Bunyan: three eggs cooked the way you like them with bacon, ham, sausage, potatoes and pancakes or French toast. Come to Molly Brown’s for lunch and fill up on one of their burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups or chili. Molly Brown’s also serves hot plate lunches with meat choices, along with potatoes, a vegetable, biscuit or cornbread. You’ll never leave hungry. “We are known for our big portions, quality ingredients and our friendly service,” says Molly Brown’s co-owner Diana Brown. “Our customers become like friends.” Stop by one of Molly Brown’s four locations in Helendale, Hesperia or two in Victorville to get your home-cooking fix. – Barbara Biehler

photos by michael conti

Overland’s Meat Shop in Apple Valley features cuts of USDA Prime grade, all-natural beef with no added steroids, hormones or antibiotics. You can also find New Zealand lamb, grass-fed buffalo burgers, premimum cuts of pork, freerange poultry and fresh seafood. “If you purchase any of our beef, pork, seafood or poultry,” says Overland co-owner Sue Fetters, “we will tell you how to prepare it, give you suggested cooking times, and will even season your selection with our own house rub at no charge.” Order freezer meat packs and

Overland will wrap your selections in small quantities, label and flashfreeze them for you – a great way to buy quality meat at below grocery store prices. Stop by Overland’s Delicatessen for lunch to enjoy made-to-order sandwiches filled with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. Overland’s deli menu features a pastrami sandwich, voted one of the best in the desert, their turkey and avocado sandwich on squaw bread, soups, salads, and more than 100 imported and microbrewed beers. Overland can also cater your next special occasion, providing diners with a selection of party platters or hot lunch buffets.

Above from left to right: A customer purchases meat at the Overland Meat Company’s Meat Shop in Apple Valley; Overland Meat Company’s Delicatessen offers a turkey sandwich on squaw bread with sliced avocado and provolone.

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Arts & Culture

Get Busy the Victor Valley features live performances and enriching attractions

usic and theater anchor the arts scene in the Victor Valley, and culture enthusiasts have museums and attractions that showcase the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and lifestyle.

Live Entertainment in the Valley In its 50th year, the Victor Valley Community Concert Association is noted as the best concert series in the High Desert. Each season has a special focus, and performers include individual musicians and groups. All concerts are presented at the Victor Valley College Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center hosts monthly events and includes two theaters: the Main Stage, which seats approximately 490 people, and the Black Box theater, which seats up to 120. The Main Stage is used for larger performances in music, dance, theater, as well as lectures, while the Black Box is suited for smaller, more intimate performances. Specialized classes are also held in the center for students who are studying acting, make-up, costuming and more.

photos by michael conti

High Desert Center for the Arts

Members of the Victor Valley Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical education department rehearse a performance at the Victor Valley College Performing Arts Center.

T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

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. Troupes that work with children, as well as other theater and music groups, use the 170seat theater and art gallery. Some former visitors seem to be unable to stay away, too, as the center reportedly has some hangers-on 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.

Huck Finn Jubilee The Huck Finn Jubilee is an annual event held at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park. It features live music, camping, food and a craft village. An arm wrestling competition is one of the highlights.

Route 66 Museum Helping to keep that traffic coming through Victorville is the California Route 66 Museum, which celebrates that famous route from Chicago to L.A. The museum is a snapshot of 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.

Celebrations and Special Events Spice of Life is a multi-cultural festival held each year in Victorville. The event includes music, dance, food and crafts. The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Sunset Chapel, which is located at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, has been providing one of the area’s most beautiful backdrops for weddings and special events since opening its doors in 2007.

San Bernardino County Fairgrounds The San Bernardino County Fairgrounds is another frequented attraction consumed with horse shows, bridal events, family reunions, corporate and business functions, car rallies and other events. – Joe Morris

Actors rehearse a performance at the High Desert Center for the Arts.

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T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

Sports & Recreation

Get Outside, Get Active the Victor Valley’s residents enjoy soaking up the sun

hanks to golf courses, race tracks, cycling clubs, parks and more, the Victor Valley’s outdoor options are plentiful.

Fore Evermore Green Tree Golf Course, a former private club, is a par 72, 6,600-yard course. It is known for tree-lined fairways, water and sand traps. The 18-hole Apple Valley Golf Course, known for having “pure putting surfaces,” is now open to the public. 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 Paradise

Cycling Clubs Victor Valley Bicycle Club is open to both competitive cyclists and recreational riders. The club prepares participants to take part in the many local cycling events offered throughout the year such as Tour de Apple Valley. Mountain bikers may prefer to join the High Desert Mountain Bikers. Members traverse the trails of Bell Mountain, Honda Valley, Oak Hills and other locations.

more Places to Play A major outdoor interest in the valley is Mojave Narrows Regional Park, which features activities such as fishing, camping, hiking,

horseback riding and more. Skiing is available at Big Bear Mountain, where there are two resorts, and Mountain High near Wrightwood. These ski areas offer snow sports during winter months and a solid collection of biking and hiking trails during warmer weather. The Victorville Speedway has a 1/8-mile dirt track and hosts a variety of racing events for motorcycles, sidecars and speedway cars. Racetown 395 MX Park in Adelanto has five motocross tracks including a stadium track that can accommodate national events. Racing takes place on the weekends. Racing fans can also enjoy Grangé Motor Circuit, which provides a track for go-karts and SuperMoto vehicles that covers just under one mile. The facility also offers track time to qualified vehicles, a pro shop, storage units and other amenities. And for bowling fans, there’s Victor Bowl Bowling Center. The facility offers 40 lanes with automatic scoring for league and family bowling.

Photo Courtesy of Jim Quigg, Daily Press

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 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.

Grangé Motor Circuit in Apple Valley features a track that covers just under one mile and measures 25 to 30 feet wide. The track, which welcomes both go-karts and SuperMoto vehicles, includes 14 turns and a 950-foot straightaway.

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Ad Index

C3 AAA Auto Club of Southern California

28 Mountain Pacific Insurance Agency

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C4 Desert Valley Hospital 2 High Desert Primary Care

C2 Hotel Extended Studio

17 Miers & Miers Certified Public Accountants

26 Mitsubishi Cement Corporation

20 Victor Valley Union High School District

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T h e V i ct o r Va ll e y

visit our

advertisers AAA Auto Club of Southern California www.aaa-calif.com

Mitsubishi Cement Corporation www.mitsubishicement.com

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union www.alaskausa.org

Mountain Pacific Insurance Agency www.mountainpacificagency.com

Brandman University www.brandman.edu/victorville

San Joaquin Valley College www.sjvc.edu

CEMEX www.cemex.com

Southwest Gas Corporation www.swgasliving.com

Desert Valley Hospital www.dvmc.com

St. Mary Medical Center www.stmaryapplevalley.com

High Desert Primary Care www.hdpcmg.com

Sterling Senior Communities www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

Hotel Extended Studio www.stayhgi/victorville.com

Victor Valley College www.vvc.edu

Miers & Miers Certified Public Accountants www.mierscpa.com

Victor Valley Union High School District www.vvuhsd.org

community profile SNAPSHOT The Victor Valley comprises 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.

land area

20%

73.178

55 and Over

Square Miles (Victorville)

Marital Status:

cost of living

54% Married

$49,002 Median Household Income

46%

$112,833

Ethnicity:

Median Home Price

July High Temperature

household information

January Low Temperature

White

Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

99° 31

48%

$850

CLIMATE

”

Annual Rainfall (vs. National Average Annual Rainfall of 37”)

Pacific

7% Black

42% Hispanic

Age:

Median Resident Age

Other

33%

transportation

47%

23 minutes

19 and Under

time zone

Single

20-54

Median Travel Time to Work

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