Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
com
sUnny disposition
Alternative energy powers the Valley
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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
on the cover Photo by Kevin Young Dirt-bike racing at Wheel 2 Wheel Raceway
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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
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Digital Edition
Its Better in
the Valley
HOME PRICES REMAIN AFFORDABLE
Brighten Peoples Moods Yule says its no secret why people would want to move to Victor Valley. There is an abundance of blue skies and sunshine that brighten peoples moods, and the region is near all Southern California attractions but doesnt 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 theyre 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 Prices Yule 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
eal 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 friends 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 fourbedroom 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.
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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 Green Tree Blvd. Victorville, CA 92395 Phone: (760) 245-6506 Fax: (760) 245-6505 vvchamber.com visit Images VIctor Valley online at imagesvictorvalley.com copyright 2011 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 the Association of magazine media member custom content council
imagesvictorvalley.com
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Dont 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
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2011 | imagesvictorvalley.com
sUnny disposition
Alternative energy powers the Valley
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Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more
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Almanac
outdoor opportunities
its 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.
flying High
since 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.
V i c t o r VA l l e y
Winter Wonderland
california may be known for its warm temperatures and sandy beaches, but its 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.
Fast Facts
n 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 citys elevation is 2,875 feet above sea level. n the cement industry has historically provided the firm foundation for Victor Valleys 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 childrens 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.
Whats online
Take a virtual tour of Victor Valley, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesvictorvalley.com.
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SAN BERNARDINO
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Victor Valley
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Adelanto
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Apple Valley
Victorville
Hesperia
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Lake Havasu
San Bernardino
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victor valley colleges solar field on bear valley road photo by antony boshier
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resident Barack Obamas 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 colleges solar leadership The first project to come online is at Victor Valley College. The schools one-megawatt concentrator photovoltaic power plant, which started generating power in May 2010, is the nations largest deployment of a technology developed by Mountain View,
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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 Californias 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 solar The 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. Coloradobased 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 projects 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 arent 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 companys 170 residentially installed wind turbines are like a wind sock that shows to anyone
who looks that we have wind, Beverly says. Scott Mazzolas 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. Mazzolas 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 its 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.
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V i c t o r VA l l e y
Its Better in
the Valley
home prices remain affordable
brighten peoples moods Yule says its no secret why people would want to move to Victor Valley. There is an abundance of blue skies and sunshine that brighten peoples moods, and the region is near all Southern California attractions but doesnt 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 theyre 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 prices Yule 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
eal 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 friends 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 fourbedroom 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.
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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 galore Volsch 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
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global access
shUttered base is being reborn into an international bUsiness center
he 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 Victorvilles 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 bases 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. sclas huge scale Foothill 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 areas profile, and he expects retailers to follow the influx of jobs. target industries Businesses already at SCLA include Boeing, General Electric Company, Verizon, the Dr. Pepper/ Snapple Group, the U.S. Marine Corp., Plastipak Packaging Inc.,
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the southern california logistics airport will be home to a new multimodal distribution hub.
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and Red Bull Distribution. Brian Parno, Stirlings chief operating officer, says he expects SCLA to attract three major industries: aviation companies, food and beverage processors, and distribution companies. SCLAs 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 flight its 787 Dreamliner, while the military uses it to test predator drones. The desert climate, which makes for perfect flight 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.
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business
Biz Briefs
scorecard
bUsiness at a glance
A sAmpling oF Businesses lArge And smAll tHAt Helps deFine tHe Victor VAlleys strong And well-BAlAnced economic climAte
$455 billion
annual retail sales
$12,561
retail sales per capita
$81 billion
annual hotel and food sales
3,425,818
total number of firms
source: U.s. census QuickFacts
leading edge aviation services Biz: Aviation painting and maintenance facility Buzz: 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. Victorvilles $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 22
V i c t o r VA l l e y
robert a. martinez aia architect & associates Biz: Architecture firm Buzz: 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 beaUty Biz: Cosmetology school Buzz: 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 speedWash Biz: Car wash Buzz: 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 catering Biz: Catering company Buzz: 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 customers 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
Millie Hyder
CA License #0778302 14350 Civic Dr., Ste. 280 Victorville, CA 92392 (866) 734-5333 Ext. 105 hyderm1@nationwide.com www.MountainPacificAgency.com
On Your Side
Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Nationwide Securities Inc., P.O. Box 15621, Wilmington, DE 19850, (877) 839-1133. Member FINRA. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services Inc. in AR, FL, IL, WV. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services in MA, NY, OK. 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.
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business
chamber report
cHAmBer neAring its 100tH AnniVersAry
retty 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 pleasure Serving 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 its 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 stars The 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 businessrelated 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
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V i c t o r VA l l e y
economic profile
economic overvieW
Victor Valley has a lot going for it: a strategic location; market access via highways, air, rails and ports; lower operating costs than most of california; and one of the most affordable housing markets in the West.
Workforce
79%
white-collar Jobs
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
tax strUctUre
21%
Blue-collar Jobs
1.5%
local-city/county sales tax
edUcation
6.25%
state sales tax
30%
Associate degree
9%
Bachelors degree
7.75%
total sales tax
6%
graduate degree
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
income
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
$19,410
per capita income
$50,424
Average Annual Household expenditure
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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living his
in the High
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V i c t o r VA l l e y
Photo essay
tory
desert
t
StAff PHoto
en miles north of Barstow lies a ghost town and former silver-mining town known as Calico. Calico, founded in 1881 as a silvermining 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 towns rich history. Today, the park operates mine tours, gunfight stunt shows, gold panning and more.
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StAff PHotoS
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local flavor
than 60 years. emma Jeans sits in Victorville right on Route 66, and has been showcased in newspapers, magazines and tV shows, including Guy fieris 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 truckers Sandwich, a monster stacked high with roast beef, bacon, chilies and cheese.
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. mimis 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.
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Johnny rebs offers visitors a southern roadhouse experience from the decor to the food.
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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. more than just a stop on the road, the museum is a snapshot of
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Victorville history, with exhibits of memorabilia that includes the remnants of Hula Ville, a nowdefunct attraction that featured a 9-foot dancing hula girl sign.
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education
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students at Victor Valley colleges nursing school practice taking each others vital signs. left: student Activities center on the campus of Victor Valley college.
community as classroom
Victor VAlley college expAnds tHrougHout region
ictor 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 mens and womens athletic programs.
which draws several hundred students per year. it works with the areas 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.
students for firefighting, paramedic, police and corrections careers, and will be available for use by public safety agencies across the region. the leeDcertified 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.
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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 Associates Degree.
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 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 Californias Only Student-Run TV Station, Odyssey TV
plus acts as a teaching facility and learning lab as curriculum develops around solar energy technology.
ke vin young
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 Universitys 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
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Kaiser Permanente
meanwhile, 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 VictorVille
by 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.
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Play Area with Video Games TVs in Treatment Room Flexible Financing Available our office has been designed to meet all of your childs 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!
rts PHARMACY Cu
& United States Post Office Choose a pharmacy that cares!
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 Espaol con Fluidez 14829 7th St., Ste. E Victorville, CA 92395 (760) 245-3518
: HOURS ri. Mon.-F p.m. .-6 :30 a.m Sat. . .-3 p.m 10 a.m
www.curtsrx.com
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i m Ag e s V i c t o r VA l l e y. c o m
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outside interests
golF, HiKing, AtV trAils lure sportsmen to Victor VAlley
f youve 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 eVermore
the 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 ninehole, 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 Paradise
if youre 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
top left: dirt bike racing at the racetown 395 mx park in Adelanto
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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. its 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.
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 childrens 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, theres 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.
StAff PHoto
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
advertisers
AAA Auto Club of Southern California www.aaa-calif.com Advanced Hearing System www.advancedhearingsys.com Alaska USA Federal Credit Union www.alaskausa.org All 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistry www.all4kidsdentistry.com Brandman University www.brandman.edu/victorvalley Burning Bush Church www.bushpower.org Choice Medical Group www.choicemg.com Curts Pharmacy & United States Post Office www.curtsrx.com Desert Valley Hospital www.primehealthcare.com DJs Sports Bar & Grill Inc. High Desert Primary Care www.hdpcmg.com Holiday Inn Express www.hiexpress.com/hesperia Meridian Urgent Care www.meridianurgentcare.com Mitsubishi Cement Corporation www.mitsubishicement.com Mountain Pacific Insurance Agency www.mountainpacificagency.com Sonic Systems www.vvsonic.com Southwest Gas Corporation www.swgas.com St. Mary Medical Center www.stmaryapplevalley.com The Wine Seller www.thewinesellerapplevalley.com Victor Valley College www.vvc.edu Victor Valley Union High School District www.vvuhsd.org 46
6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM
visit our
V i c t o r VA l l e y
commUnity profile
snapshot
Victor Valley is composed of the cities of Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto and the town of Apple Valley in San bernardino county. it is the largest metropolitan area between San bernardino and las Vegas.
cost of living
marital status:
$49,002
median Household income
54%
married
$112,833
climate
median Home price
46%
single
99
July High temperature
$850
median rent for a two-Bedroom Apartment
ethnicity:
48%
white
31
January low temperature
hoUsehold information
age:
7%
Black
Annual rain Fall (vs. national Average Annual rain Fall of 37)
32
median resident Age
42%
Hispanic
time zone
Pacific
33%
19 and under
3%
other
land area
47%
20-54
transportation
73.178
square miles (Victorville)
20%
55 and over
23 minutes
median travel time to work
PLEASANT HOLIDAYS
Caribbean Costa Rica
U.S.A.
Hawaii Tahiti
(760) 843-8270
Capturing your dreams. Creating memories.
The Automobile Club of Southern California acts as agents for Pleasant Holidays. CTR#1016202-80
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more online
See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at imagesvictorvalley.com.
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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 CurtS PhArmACy & united StAteS PoSt offiCe 24 deSert vAlley hoSPitAl 45 dJS 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
www.mitsubishicement.com
A Most Convenient
Choice.
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
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.
www.ChoiceMG.com
Apple Valley Adelanto Barstow Hesperia Lucerne Valley Oak Hills Phelan Pinon Hills Victorville
Pain Management Physical Medicine & Rehab Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Podiatry Pulmonology Radiation Oncology Rheumatology Vascular Surgery Urology
My Health. My Choice.