Community
Barstow, California–No Reason for Second Guessing

Barstow’s civic, business and government leaders want to know what kind of business amenities its residents want. They are sending out a survey with email blasts and social media posts they say will arm them with a forceful tool to boost local development.
The survey, developed by Barstow Community College, now widely distributed by school, government, civic, and business leaders, “will help get Barstow a second look” from crucial business decision-makers, said Mayor Paul Anthony Courtney.
The 22-question survey is an effort to determine what kinds of businesses residents want in the 112-acre, fully approved specific plan known as The Shops at Spanish Trail, located at the interchange of Avenue L and Interstate 15. The average daily traffic count adjacent to the 800,000-square-foot project is 86,000 vehicles.
“The survey will help create a better Barstow through an inclusive approach for shaping our future,” Courtney said.
“I really believe that all of the leadership within the Barstow region and the rest of the High Desert needs to know more about our citizens in Barstow, what they are looking for, what type of shopping experience they want and what activities are essential for them. I believe that working together, we can accomplish a lot in the Mojave River Valley,” said Joseph W. Brady, CCIM, SIOR, Managing Member of Barstow Spanish Trail LLC
Eva Bagg, Barstow Community College president-superintendent, said, “we see the development project as not only a brick in the developing foundation of economic development for Barstow, but also a part of a longer-term vision of creating spaces for residents that enhance the quality of living for people, so they don’t so often feel the need to travel outside of Barstow and ‘down the hill’ to find those experiences.”
Senior housing assisted living, and market-rate multi-family rentals as among the potential land uses.
Brady said he is pursuing both Hispanic and traditional grocery stores and has already completed a thorough grocery store study to help market the project.
“It shows the need for an additional grocery outlet to service Barstow,” Brady said.
Other retail uses could include health and fitness providers, auto services, furniture, household items, indoor recreational activities, and locally sourced goods. Among other questions, the survey asks which retailers, restaurants, hotels, and recreational outlets residents would like to see in the project.
“The project is located with great exposure to travelers and is revitalizing the West End of Barstow that has not been promoted well for decades,” said Ken Young, Barstow Community College interim director of maintenance and operations and a lifelong Barstow resident.
Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce and Barstow Community College is joining Brady’s Victorville-based, The Bradco Companies, in an informal partnership to develop and conduct the survey. The college will compile the survey results, officials said.
Said Eugene Butticci, Executive Director of the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce: “Regardless of what gets built here, it needs to be geared to and supported by residents. We need to find out what they want and not second-guess.”
“The chamber posted the survey on its Facebook page, sent out an email blast to some 2,000 in addition to emailing the survey to its members”, Butticci said.
“Barstow Community College distributed the survey to staff and students via its internal email system and posted it on its social media accounts,” said Amanda Simpson, the spokeswoman.
Brady said his Victorville-based The Bradco Companies is sending out numerous email blasts and mailing the study’s announcement and QR Code to access it to 1,600 business owners in Barstow.
“We understand the challenges Barstow has had trying to attract development,” Brady said, adding that the survey could become an annual occurrence.
Community
Cardenas Markets Loteria Scratcher Sweepstakes Returns and it’s Bigger than Ever!

$1 Millionin Prizes Will Be Given Away
Cardenas Markets Loteria Scratcher Sweepstakes is back and it’s bigger than ever! This year, the company is giving away more than $1 million in prizes, which reflects a $150,000 increase from last year’s program!
The sweepstakes program will take place from April 19, 2023, through June 13, 2023, in all 64 Cardenas Markets locations.
“Every day we work hard to bring families and communities together through our fresh and authentic product offerings,” said Adam Salgado, Cardenas Markets Chief Marketing Officer. “Cardenas Markets Loteria is a very fun way to bring people of different generations together, and it’s so fitting that we bring this beloved cultural game back to our stores in an even bigger and better way,” Salgado added.
Through the purchase of participating sponsor products customers will receive one (1) Cardenas Markets Lotería Scratcher card with an instant win prize or a code for a Free Digital Scratcher*.
Digital scratchers can be accessed by visiting cardenasmarkets.com/loteria, and registering the unique code found on the scratcher for a chance to win prizes such as an Apple iPad, Apple AirPodsPro, a $200 Cardenas Gift Card, or home electronic items. Participants may even have the opportunity to play in the Cardenas Markets Lotería semi-final game for a chance to win free Groceries for a Year, $10,000 or the grand prize of $50,000. Sweepstakes participants have a 1 in 5 chance to win great instant-win prizes such as delicious food from Cardenas Markets Cocina and Panaderia.
To learn more about Cardenas Markets Loteria Scratcher Sweepstakes, and for more information regarding the official rules visit: https://cardenasmarkets.com/loteria.
Community
Jackson Family Human Services to Host First Annual Care Fair

The fair will provide comfort and security to children affected by trauma
Jackson Family Human Services will be hosting its first annual Care Fair on December 17, 2022. The fair will go from 10 am-2 pm at the Redlands Community Center Gymnasium, which located at 111 W Lugonia Ave, Redlands, CA. This event is free and open to the public and will feature hot chocolate, cookies, photos with Santa, and gifts for children. The care fair will help bring comfort and security to children going through or who have experienced trauma.
The Care Fair will benefit the Resiliency Institute for Childhood Adversity (RICA) clinic of Loma Linda. The RICA Clinic was designed to address community needs for child abuse. The clinic is a collaboration of many local agencies working together to provide forensic interviews and evidentiary medical examinations to evaluate child abuse allegations. This coordinated approach doesn’t require an abused child to recount their experiences to several agencies in numerous interviews. The RICA Clinic is the first stop for these young children who are often in shock. Blankets, plush toys, clothing, and backpacks are grounding and provide a sense of security and comfort. Any donations of these items made to Jackson Family Human Services will go towards The RICA Clinic to help continue their efforts in supporting these young children.
Donations can be made at the following dropoff locations:
- Jackson Family Human Services Victorville – 15490 Civic Drive Victorville, CA 92392, Suite 206
- Jackson Family Human Services Apple Valley – 18522 Outer Hwy 18 N Apple Valley, CA 92307, Suite 208
- Behavior Genius – 1500 S Haven Ave Ste 250, Ontario, CA 91761
- Cafe Organix – 420 E Hospitality Ln Suite A10, San Bernardino, CA 92408
- Alliance Human Services – 818 N Mountain Ave Suite 206, Upland, CA 91786
“We are proud to help fulfill a big wish list item for the team at the Resiliency Institute of Childhood Adversity (RICA) at Loma Linda Hospital – thousands of fleece blankets and plush toys! It seems like a simple thing, but this is what brings comfort to children who come to RICA through the forensic investigation process as a result of traumatic experiences that may include child abuse, witnessing acts of violence, maltreatment, or other forms of trauma,” said Harry Jackson, CEO of Jackson Family Human Services.
He added, “In addition to RICA, the CareFair will also provide toys, school supplies, clothing, and new gift items to several partner organizations in the greater San Bernardino community.”
For more information, visit carefair2022.com
Community
Tickets on sale now for Southern California’s #1 Rated Oktoberfest

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest Welcomes the Return of a Band from Germany
Tickets to the 52nd Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest are now on sale. Organizers of Southern California’s #1 Oktoberfest are ready to deliver another authentic Bavarian-style celebration for nine consecutive weekends from September 10 to November 5. Ticket options range from general admission, preferred seating options, Sunday Family-Fun Packages, and Über Bürgermeister Party Packs. Other big news for Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is Frankenrebellen Express, a band direct from Bavaria, will perform two weekends in October.
“This marks the first time since 2019 that we were actually able to get a band direct from Germany to travel to the United States,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. “The Frankenrebellen Express will definitely bring the spirit of Munich’s Oktoberfest right here in Big Bear Lake.”
Frankenrebellen Express derives from the Franconia region of Bavaria. They’re slated to perform in Big Bear October 1-2 and the following weekend, October 7-9. They sing with thick German accents and deliver exuberant party music that’s driven by a hearty, rhythmic oompah-pah sound. The other seven weekends are booked with Southern California’s top German-style bands, which includes Die Sauerkrauts, Hazelnuss Das Music, Da Stuben Buden, and Ladyhosen featuring international yodeling sensation Kathrin Jakob. These bands perform on the main stage inside the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. Each band is renowned to stir up good times with a mix of popular cover songs such as “Sweet Caroline,” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” original tunes, and of course traditional Bavarian sing-alongs like “Ein-Prosit,” “Hands to Heaven,” and “Das Esellied” that are certain to bring plenty of smiles and cheers. A second stage located outside, in the High-Altitude Beer Garden, features a variety of regional bands that perform rock ‘n’ roll and country music. For the full entertainment lineup visit BigBearEvents.com.
“We have two stages of continuous live entertainment, which provides a lively atmosphere throughout the day,” added Marini. “We give our guests plenty of activities to partake in too, from ‘Ein Prosit’ toasts, kids’ games, a mechanical bull, log-sawing contests and various interactive group dances that everyone seems to enjoy such as the ‘Fliegerlied’ and ‘Chicken Dance.’”
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest represents Southern California’s most authentic Oktoberfest, which is well-known as the closest thing to the original celebration in Munich, Germany. Just like the original, Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest starts its celebration in September and goes into October (due to popular demand, it now stretches into November). What really makes this Oktoberfest more special than others is Big Bear Lake is situated in an Alpine environment with evergreens trees, mountain vistas, and a town-square village. This environment naturally reflects the scenery and heritage of the Bavarian Alps of Germany. At 6,750’ altitude, it marks the highest altitude Oktoberfest in California, and second highest in the U.S. The food served at Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest respects German traditions to the tee, including grilled bratwursts and knockwurst sausages, fresh-made colossal pretzels, home-style sauerkraut, German potato salad served warm, Bavarian-style potato dumplings, and apple strudel served with a warm vanilla sauce.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest even serves the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest! There are two full-service bars located inside the Convention Center and three different beer gardens outside, including the Tiki Bar, which provides a variety of micro brews and craft beer, ideal for beer connoisseurs.
The true spirit of Bavaria comes to life in Big Bear Lake for nine consecutive weekends, which starts September 10 and ends November 5, 2022. The weekend festivities take place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Event times are Saturdays 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 6 p.m. and Fridays (October only) 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. This year’s event has limited capacity, and some dates are anticipated to sell out. Saturdays in October have set arrival entry time blocks to ensure everyone with a pre-purchased tickets get a speedy entrance into the event. Tickets are on a first come, first served basis, and guests are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online. Ticket options range from general admission, preferred seating options, Sunday Family-Fun Packages, and Über Bürgermeister Party Packs. Ticket prices for Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest vary per ticket type and per date. For complete details regarding tickets, pricing, and general information, log on to BigBearEvents.com, or call 909-585-3000.
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