Join the City of Lancaster for a Tribute to Those Who Sacrifice for Our Freedoms
Lancaster, CA. September 9, 2011 – The City of Lancaster wants to make your experience at this Saturday’s Celebrate America on The BLVD hassle-free. Since the event will take place on historic Lancaster Boulevard, and utilize The BLVD parking spaces, patrons are encouraged to park at Boeing Plaza which is located on the corner of Sierra Hwy and Lancaster Boulevard. The pedestrian-friendly BLVD will be closed to allow event-goers easy access to all of the event’s festivities.
This year’s Celebrate America on The BLVD will be particularly special, providing a memorial site in honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. This City of Lancaster event is designed to celebrate our national history, as well as pay tribute to our local service and military personnel. Come out and show your support for our troops with patriotic pride and gratitude on Saturday, September 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on The BLVD, where the streets of downtown Lancaster will be adorned with flags, banners, entertainment, and history-based activities.
Join your friends and neighbors as we gather to show unity and celebrate what’s right with America. There will be a touching tribute on the anniversary of the tragic losses of 9/11 plus a nostalgic look back at an era when
we were one for all and all for one.
Enjoy big band entertainment in the Leaf Canteen. Rally ’round cars of the era in the vintage car show. Guide your children through history with our unique historical timeline and let them meet famous presidents from the past. There’ll be food, fun and activities for all ages plus spectacular fireworks to wrap up the evening.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to say, “I’m proud to be an American!”
• Big Band entertainment • Historical War Timeline • 1940s-style canteen • USO variety show • Fireworks • Vintage car show • 10th Anniversary 9/11 tribute • Kids entertainment and more
The Association’s newly-elected Board of Directors and officers were announced at the last meeting, along with a number of upcoming events. Please review the attached minutes for further information. Below are this year’s board members:
· Jill Cooper, AV Bank – President
· Erica Allbee, All About Fitness – Vice President, Zone A
· Valerie Orcutt, Bella West – Vice President, Zone B
· Julie Sutton, Sutton Photography – Secretary
· Monica Grado, George’s Cleaners – Treasurer
· Sharon Giannini, Giannini’s Bistro and Grill
· Roger Hemme, Bohn’s Printing
· Myrle McLernon, MDM Architects
· Rena Patel, Graphic Experience
· April Rae, Daisy’s Costumes
· Andy Ward, Michelizzi, Schwabacher, Ward & Collins
· Myself (City representative)
Below are this week’s updates. There are a number of road closures this week to allow for several special events. Some businesses might consider adjusting store hours to accommodate customers who are attending these events, as some of them will take place outside typical hours.
· This Wednesday, 8/17, The BLVD Association judges will visit businesses participating in the AV Fair’s decorating contest. The Association will award a prize for the best decorated, which the winning business will be able to proudly display until a new winner is crowned next year.
· SuperKarts USA (SKUSA) will be out this Thursday, August 18th to test the new track layout for this year’s Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix, roaring into downtown October 7-9. The track layout is shown in orange and yellow on the track below. All streets shown in orange and yellow below will be closed this Thursday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am for the test run.
Time: August 18, 2011 from 3pm to 8pm
Location: Lancaster Blvd
Street: Lancaster Blvd
City/Town: Lancaster,CA
Website or Map: http://www.blvdtoday.com/
Phone: 661-723-6165
Event Type: farmer’s, market
Organized By: Lancaster BLVD
As usual, our farmer’s market will take place Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Runaway Train will play on the Bandstand stage at 6:30.
New this week: as a promotion for the Antelope Valley Fair, which begins this Friday, AV Federal Credit Union will host the “Peel the Love” Auto Art Challengeon The BLVD between Date and Cedar. Four vehicles painted by artists will be on display, as well as a fifth for the public to paint. The BLVD will be closed from Fig to Cedar beginning at 11:00 am for these events.
The AV Fair Parade will take place this Saturday, August 20th at 9:00 am. In conjunction with the parade, the High Desert Runners will host a race beginning at 7:30 am in front of All About Fitness at Sierra Highway and The BLVD. Registration begins at 6:30 am. The BLVD will be closed from 12th Street West to Yucca Avenue from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm for the parade and race. 10th Street West will also be closed from Jackman to Newgrove, and Sierra Highway will be closed from Jackman to Milling. Historically, the parade is very well-attended and spectators begin gathering well before the parade to get good seats, so those of you with restaurants and retail shops might consider opening early to accommodate these potential customers.
Time: August 20, 2011 from 4pm to 11pm
Location: Lancaster Blvd
Street: between Sierra Highway and Beech
City/Town: Lancaster,CA
Website or Map: http://blvdtoday.com/
Phone: 661-723-6165
Event Type: grand, opening
Organized By: All About Fitness, MGS Bikes and Psycho City
All About Fitness, MGS Bikes and Psycho City will celebrate their grand openings this Saturday, August 20th. Join them for live music, raffle prizes and giveaways, food, and more beginning at 4:00 pm on The BLVD between Sierra Highway and Beech. Please note that this section of The BLVD will be closed from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm for this event, as it will not be re-opened during the short time between the end of the parade and the beginning of setup for the 4:00 pm event.
Also this Saturday, there will be a Youth Skate Fundraiser sponsored by Paving the Way Foundation on Cedar Avenue from noon to 4:00 pm. Cedar Avenue will be closed from The BLVD to Milling following the Fair Parade until 4:00 pm.·
Laemmle BLVD Cinemas and Forge are now open next to LPAC! Click here to read the press release about last Thursday’s grand opening gala event, and click here to visit the theater’s website.
Destination Lancaster, the new tourism and visitors’ bureau, is seeking coupons from local businesses to post on its website. This is a free opportunity to promote your business. As the site is geared toward visitors, we are particularly seeking discounts and deals from restaurant and retail-type businesses. If you would like Destination Lancaster to consider including your business’s discount on the site, please reply to this e-mail with the complete discount details, along with a JPEG file of any graphics you’d like included.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns related to The BLVD.
Lancaster, CA. August 10, 2011 – During last night’s Lancaster City Council meeting, the Council received a plaque recognizing the City of Lancaster as a HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) City.
“The health of our community is extremely important,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Studies show that nearly 30% of the students in Lancaster are overweight, and that overweight individuals are at a much greater risk for many health problems. Being fit and healthy helps us lead and enjoy a better quality of life.”
The HEAL campaign was launched by the League of California Cities to encourage cities to embrace policies that promote healthy lifestyles both among residents and City staff. In January 2011, the Lancaster City Council voted to support the initiative. In order to do so, the Council adopted a resolution outlining the City’s health and wellness efforts including; the Master Plan for Trails and Bikeways; the City employee wellness program; the LanCoaster BLVD Bicycle Experience; Wellness Homes; Neighborhood Impact Homes; and Community Gardens. The resolution also stated the City’s commitment to further implement policies to create healthier work, school, and neighborhood environments.
Last month, the City of Lancaster was designated as a HEAL City, making the City eligible to receive public relations and marketing resources, including the use of the HEAL Cities logo.
“With all of the health initiatives the City is already involved in, it just made sense to join with the League of California Cities to further our common goal of promoting the health of local citizens and California residents,” said Mayor Parris.
Downtown Façade Improvement Program Breaks New Ground
Lancaster, CA. 6/23/2011 – The City of Lancaster today announced the first three businesses to receive grant funding under the Downtown Commercial Property Improvement Program. These businesses are Pour d’Vino, a new wine lounge and bistro; Kinetic Brewing Company, a new restaurant and microbrewery; and Pueblo Viejo, a Salvadorean and Mexican restaurant which has been a fixture o The BLVD for several years.
“Today marks the next step in The BLVD’s evolution into the premiere shopping, dining and entertainment destination in northern Los Angeles County,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Already, this program has helped us attract two brand-new restaurants to downtown Lancaster, in addition to encouraging an existing restaurant to expand into on-site food manufacturing. All three will serve to enhance the atmosphere of The BLVD and bring new traffic to the area. I am truly looking forward to patronizing these spectacular additions to The BLVD.”
The Downtown Commercial Property Improvement Program, or DCPIP, provides businesses on The BLVD with an opportunity to apply for grant funding to enhance their facades through top-quality design and architecture, bringing them into alignment with the Downtown Specific Plan and the public improvements made through The BLVD Transformation Project. Each business is eligible to apply for up to $40,000 in grant funding, and must contribute funds on a 1:1 matching basis. Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis, with funds awarded to those who best meet the program criteria. These criteria include whether the business is a small, locally-owned, entrepreneurial venture; whether it meets the target tenant mix for the downtown area, which includes dining, entertainment and nightlife; whether it fills an existing vacancy; and whether it is in a strategic location.
“All across the nation, there has been a strong movement towards revitalizing and redeveloping downtown areas in recent years,” said City Manager Mark Bozigian. “One of the most vital lessons cities have learned through these efforts is that economic restructuring is absolutely crucial to the success of these endeavors. Government entities have made significant investments in revitalizing downtowns, both in funding and in staff time, only to see these efforts fail. To ensure The BLVD’s success, we must partner with private-sector businesses such as these and provide them with the tools they need to thrive.”
“The goals of the City of Lancaster are the same as those of the BLVD businesses,” agreed Myrle McLernon, partner in Kinetic Brewing Co. and president of The BLVD Association. “We are creating an image of Lancaster as a destination with its own character while creating new jobs and increasing tax revenues.”
The DCPIP program has been widely popular, with double the number of businesses interested in participating than there are grants available.
All three businesses receiving the first round of grants are located near the center of the target block for the DCPIP, which encompasses The BLVD from Fern to Ehrlich/Elm Avenue. Construction has already begun, with substantial interior improvements being made in addition to new front and rear facades.
“The goal of the Commercial Property Improvement Program was not merely to provide grants to beautify the downtown area, but also to stimulate and incentivize private investment,” added Parris. “Each of these three businesses provides an ideal example of a public-private partnership which will serve to enhance the City’s $10 million investment in revitalizing The BLVD.”
The grant recipients will provide BLVD patrons with a variety of dining options, all conveniently located across the street from the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.
Kinetic Brewing Company is a full-service restaurant with a lunch and dinner menu featuring a mix of the eclectic and traditional, designed to appeal to the entire family. Kinetic will strive to use local ingredients to provide a fresh alternative to traditional pub food. Its menu will include standard offerings as well as seasonally rotating options made to pair well with its locally-crafted beer. Kinetic will also feature a full bar with six original beers on tap, all manufactured on-site.
Next door, Pueblo Viejo will continue to offer Salvadorean and Mexican family favorites, in addition to a few new offerings to spice up its traditional menu. Upon its re-opening, the business will also expand into on-site production of masa, a corn-based dough which is a key ingredient in such Latin American dishes as tamales, tortillas and pupusas. Freshly-made masa will be available for purchase by restaurant patrons as well as fellow restaurants.
Pour d’ Vino Wine Lounge & Bistro’s offerings promise to delight the wine connoisseur, novice and gourmand alike. As a full-service restaurant, Pour d’ Vino will offer a lunch and dinner menu designed to pair with its choice wines. Champagne Brunch will be offered on Sundays. Patrons will
also have access to over sixty varieties of wine by the glass or bottle, in addition to a selection of award-winning beers. The bistro will regularly host wine tastings by a variety of visiting vintners, wine-tasting classes and private wine parties.
“We are so excited to bring wine education and appreciation to Lancaster,” said Jody Cherbonneaux, co-owner of Pour d’Vino. “Pour d’ Vino will offer its clientele an elegant yet comfortable social setting to enjoy The BLVD, wine and good company. The City of Lancaster has done an incredible job of making Downtown a social destination, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
All three establishments will feature outdoor dining on the 23-foot sidewalks constructed by the City for precisely this purpose. Patrons of Pour d’Vino will also be able to enjoy open-air dining on the bistro’s second-story balcony, complete with a fireplace and lounge seating.
As owners of small local businesses themselves, the proprietors of all three restaurants have committed to working exclusively with local contractors and subcontractors throughout the construction process. This will amplify the projects’ impact on the local economy by providing jobs for local workers and helping keep the funding in the community.
“We are proud to partner with locally-owned, entrepreneurial businesses to increase the impact of this program on the local economy,” said Parris. “Not only will these businesses create permanent, full-time jobs for area residents; they have also made a commitment to employ only local contractors for their projects. This will serve to amplify our investment by providing construction jobs for local workers, who in turn spend their paychecks right here within our community.”
While the interest list for the Downtown Commercial Property Improvement Program has been closed, businesses in Redevelopment Project Areas throughout the City of Lancaster may still apply for façade improvement funding through the Commercial Corridor Enhancement Program. This program allows small businesses in key commercial corridors to apply for up to $7,500 in grant funding for such improvements as signage, awnings, and paint. The business or property owner must contribute at least 25 percent of the project cost to participate. As with the DCPIP, grant funding is awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria: small business concerns, strategic location, tax base expansion, and filling an existing vacancy. For further information or to apply, please contact Redevelopment Assistant Chenin Dow at cdow@colra.org or (661) 723-6165.
The Antelope Valley Veterans Community Action Coalition held its’ second annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. The event is free and open to the public. Participants will meet at the VA Clinic, 547 W. Lancaster Boulevard, then proceed down Lancaster Boulevard ending at Lancaster City Hall, 44933 Fern Ave., where the celebration will continue with music, a flag ceremony and the keynote speech delivered by local highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran, Dick Rutan.
“The City of Lancaster is proud to host this celebration which honors and recognizes Vietnam Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country,” stated Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
The Vietnam War spanned two decades from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in the conflict. Troops returning home were never properly recognized and instead were treated with disdain and anger. In order to right that wrong, on September 11, 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 717 ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’ into law. This celebration takes place March 30th of each year.
“As a Vietnam Veteran, I am proud of my service to this country. I am equally proud to finally get formal recognition via the recently enacted Welcome Home Veterans Day. I believe I can speak for many Vietnam Veterans when I say that we will never again allow another group of Veterans to experience the disrespect we received. We can use this day to make sure all Veterans are remembered for their sacrifices,” said George Palermo, a Vietnam Veteran who works with Veterans of all wars in the Antelope Valley.
“Many of my colleagues did not survive long enough to feel the gratitude of today’s nation, and for that I am sad. However, we have from this minute to perpetuity to pray for, remember and thank those warriors,” added Dick Rutan, the keynote speaker for Welcome Home Vietnam Day.
For more information, contact Mark Chapa, 661-547-2690 or Kimberly Perkins, 661-816-0089.
City of Lancaster Opens First Phase of Downtown-Area American Heroes Park
Lancaster, CA. 3/22/2011 – Today, the City of Lancaster announced the opening of portions of American Heroes Park, a 12.5-acre recreation facility located within the revitalized downtown area.
Named in honor of those who have given their lives to protect American’s freedoms and liberties, American Heroes Park features numerous amenities for community enjoyment. The site includes playgrounds; baseball and soccer fields; basketball and handball courts; two gazebos; nine trellis structures; an adobe monument; a restroom building; and three parking lots. Memorial plaque walls on the premises can be inscribed at future dates, providing a place of reflection and gratitude for local fallen military, police and fire personnel. Additional facilities will be available on the site after the park is fully completed.
“American Heroes Park is a splendid addition to our downtown area,” stated Lancaster Vice Mayor Ronald D. Smith.. “New and existing residents, business people working nearby, local students, as well as visitors from the community and beyond are now able to enjoy this wonderful community-gathering place. This park is the perfect complement to The BLVD and the surrounding revitalized neighborhoods.”
American Heroes Park is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm daily. Located just one block north of The BLVD, the park is centered in downtown Lancaster and bordered by Kettering Street, Fern Avenue, Jackman Street and Date Avenue.
City of Lancaster Opens First Phase of Downtown-Area American Heroes Park
WHAT: The City of Lancaster will open the public-ready grounds of downtown’s American Heroes Park next week. Named in honor of local fallen heroes, this new park offers a multitude of community- and family-gathering opportunities.
The media is invited to come walk the grounds; view the open areas of the park; and learn about what more is in store at this wonderful new addition to the downtown area.
WHERE: American Heroes Park
Kettering Street, East of Fern Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
WHEN: March 22, 2011
1:00 pm
WHO: Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris
Lancaster City Manager Mark V. Bozigian
Lancaster City Officials
SPECIALEVENT: Prism: Through the Looking Glass, 2nd Museum Gala and Jabberwocky after party
Saturday, February 26, 2011 gala beginning at 5:30 pm; after party beginning at 9:30 pm Walk through the looking glass on February 26, 2011 for a unique evening celebrating 25 years of art, education, and culture at the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery. “Prism: Through the Looking Glass,” the 2nd museum gala, derives inspiration from the glass architecture of the museum’s new building on The BLVD, and the spectrum of experiences that awaits within. The Jabberwocky after party kicks off at 9:30 pm featuring cocktails, nosh and dueling pianos from 2 Grand Entertainment followed by a DJ. Enjoy an evening of art and entertainment and be among those supporting the community’s long-standing resource for art, history, culture, and education. Prism gala tickets $100; Jabberwocky after party tickets $25.
City of Lancaster Recipient of Two American Public Works Association Awards
Lancaster, CA. 12/15/10 – The City of Lancaster has received not one, but two High Desert Branch 2010 American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards. Lancaster was the only double-winner, receiving awards for the Best Environmental Project for its Fats, Oils and Grease program and Outstanding Public Works Employee of the Year for Ray Hunt, Capital Engineering Division Manager for the City’s Department of Public Works.
“I would like to congratulate Ray on this achievement and commend him for his ongoing commitment and dedication to the City of Lancaster,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “It is because of employees like Ray that we are able to carry out projects like The BLVD transformation. Lancaster’s employees consistently go above and beyond, and these awards reflect this.”
Hunt was nominated for his overall excellent management skills, as well as his work on three major public works projects: the Lancaster Boulevard Streetscape Improvements, the Amargosa Creek Underground Conveyance project and State Route 14/Avenue I Interchange Improvements.
Under Hunt’s oversight, the construction of the Amargosa Creek Underground Conveyance project was successfully completed at the end of 2009, weeks ahead of schedule and on budget. The undergrounding of the creek brought with it environmental concerns and right of way issues which required coordination with several state and Federal agencies, utility companies and property owners. Hunt’s outstanding project coordination was key in limiting the potential problems inherent to working within a federally regulated waterway during the rainy season.
Hunt’s skill and oversight was also instrumental in the recent completion of the Lancaster Boulevard Streetscape Improvements project in time for the holiday season. Hunt was able to orchestrate design staff, including consultants and staff engineers, to have a quality set of plans for this 10 million dollar project and ready to bid in four months, which is typically unheard of for projects of this scale.
Over the last year, Ray has also worked tirelessly with Caltrans on the design of Avenue I and State Route 14 Interchange Improvements. This 12 million dollar project will improve safety and operations by re-aligning the SR 14 southbound off-ramp with the intersection of 23rd Street West and includes the widening of a bridge and improvements to Avenue I. This project also required considerable coordination of multiple agencies, consultants and staff.
“In addition to being an excellent civil engineer and outstanding leader, Ray is a great person. He is always there for his staff and gives praise whenever it is deserved,” said Robert Neal, Director of Public Works. “He motivates and challenges them to achieve their goals and strive for excellence. He brings fun and laughter into the workplace as well as respect and admiration.”
The implementation of the City of Lancaster’s Fats Oils and Grease (FOG) Program was nominated as the APWA, High Desert Branch ‘Best Environmental Project’ because it demonstrates the positive impact of a comprehensive and progressive environmental program implemented to protect and enhance the environment, public safety, storm water quality, and sanitary sewer systems for the benefit of all citizens of the City.
Lancaster developed the FOG program in response to a requirement by the State Water Resources Control Board to develop a Sanitary Sewer Management Plan.
More than 90% of sanitary sewer overflows in the City of Lancaster are the result of pipe blockages from FOG accumulation. In previous years, local agencies spent significant time and effort, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, responding to Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO’s) resulting from FOG. In addition to the costs for clean up, each SSO creates additional hazardous waste to dispose of, exposes citizens to unsanitary conditions and health risks, and degrades the environment. The FOG program educates food service establishment owners about the risks of FOG and their responsibilities under the new rules and regulations, while at the same time keeping the program flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions.
The City’s FOG ordinance and resolution became effective January 1, 2010, with the intention of ensuring compliance through a proactive FOG Control Program. The program identifies food service establishments which contribute to the FOG load and requires them to pay the additional costs instead of all the residents of the City.
Implementation of the City’s FOG Program has proven to be extremely successful. To date there are 268 FSE’s currently in the Program; 99% of applications have been received; 95% of payments have been received; 242 inspections have been conducted; and a broad-brush approach to community awareness and understanding via personal interaction, City website, news reports, flyers, etc has been implemented. The success of the City’s FOG program is a testament to the quality and dedication of the entire team’s involvement on a day to day basis since its inception.
City of Lancaster to Add Pianos to The BLVD Streetscape
WHAT: Based on similar programs in other cities such as London, New York and Denver, the City of Lancaster is adding music to the BLVD with two pianos to be made available to the public to sit down and play a tune in downtown locations. Each piano has been turned into a work of art by two local Antelope Valley artist collaboratives.
WHERE: Graphic Experience
624 W. Lancaster BLVD
Lancaster, CA 93534
WHEN: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 10:00 am
WHO: Mayor R. Rex Parris
Lancaster City Council Members
City Manager Mark V. Bozigian
Rena Patel, Co-owner, Graphic Experience
Lancaster Blvd 
