Holiday Celebrations Planned Throughout the First District

The holidays are officially upon us! Following is our guide to Christmas and holiday-themed events planned throughout the First District. It's looking to be a very busy month indeed.

The City of Adelanto’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is planned from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Adelanto City Hall. There will be visits with Santa, Christmas caroling, and refreshments. For more information, please call 760-246-2300, ext. 11124.

The City of Hesperia's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is planned at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Festivities will include visits with Santa and Christmas music featuring performances by HUSD students. The event is free to the public and will take place at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park, 15833 Smoke Tree Street.

Hesperia High School is inviting the community to its Winter Fest, planned from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 2. Enjoy pictures with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, food vendors, gift wrapping, face painting, candy apples, crafts, and more.

The Phelan-Pinon Hills CSD Tree Lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Phelan Community Park. Guests can enjoy photos and visits with Santa, along with plenty of hot chocolate and candy canes. The park is located at 4128 Warbler Rd., Phelan. For more information, please call (760) 868-1212.

Barstow Chamber of Commerce will host "A Harvey House Christmas" from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 2. The event will include live music, children's activities, holiday vendors and visits with Santa. The tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. For more information, call 760-256-5617.

The City of Victorville’s Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting will take place from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Victorville City Hall. Enjoy hot chocolate & cookies, food, craft & gift vendors, music, carriage rides, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the tree. Admission, parking, and event attractions are free. For more information, call (760) 245-5551.

Kiwanis Club of Victorville and Options for Youth are cohosting the 75th Annual Victorville Children's Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. Dec. 3. The event, which will take place on 7th Street between La Paz and Forrest, will boast marching bands, dance groups, car clubs, horses, and more from across the High Desert. The Grand Marshal is Larry Huber, a Kiwanis member who has been serving the community for 50 years. For more information, or to participate in the parade, go to https://www.kiwanisofvictorville.com

The Silver Lakes Association’s Christmas Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, beginning at North Beach.  The route will go down Silver Lakes Parkway to Lakeview. For more information, click here.

Pine Needles Quilt Guild is celebrating its 26th Holiday Home Tour and Boutique in Wrightwood from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Four homes will be decorated for the holidays and draped in warm and colorful quilts created by artisan members of the Guild. The tour includes a boutique at the Wrightwood Community Building where guests can browse handcrafted items. There is also a refreshment house with homemade cookies and hot cider. For more information, call Lynn Crawford at 760-249-8869 or 760-408-3545. 

Join Hesperia Parks and Recreation on Saturday, Dec. 3, for the Spark of Love Toy Drive and Fishing Derby. To enter the derby or enjoy some pancakes, bring an unwrapped toy worth $10 or more to Hesperia Lake Park, 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia. For more information, please visit HesperiaParks.com.

The Town of Apple Valley's Christmas Tree Lighting will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Town Hall. This family-friendly event will include free hot chocolate, giveaways and live entertainment. Be sure to bring your own camera for a picture with Santa! Admission and parking are free. Civic Center Park and Town Hall are located at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway in Apple Valley.

The Town of Apple Valley is also hosting a Santa Fun Run, with check in beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 6. All participants will receive a warm cup of hot chocolate and their very own Santa Hat. Cost is $15. Register here.

Wrightwood Place will host “Santa’s Workshop” from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 and Wednesday, Dec. 7. Bring your own camera for a free family photoshoot with Santa. There will also be gifts, toys, crafts, music, face painting, treats and gift wrapping. Wrightwood Place is located at 770 Highway 2, Wrightwood. For more information, please call 909-222-0976.

The High Desert Association of Realtors will present a “Merry Christmas Party and Toy Drive” from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Enjoy music, refreshments, hot cider and desserts. Please bring a $20 unwrapped toy to benefit the Christmas Cops and Kids Project. To RSVP, please call 760-244-8841 or email Valerie@HDAOR.com

Santa’s North Pole Mailbox has arrived at Hook Community Center. Children can drop off their letters to Santa from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 9. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a response from Santa. Hook Community Center is located at 14973 Joshua St., Victorville. For more information, please call (760) 245-5551.

The City of Adelanto’s 16th annual Christmas Parade is planned at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, on the corner of Seneca and Aster roads.   The parade will proceed east on Seneca, ending on Bellflower Street at Desert Trails Elementary School. For more information, please call 760-246-2300, ext. 11124.

Victorville Fire Department, in partnership with Home Depot, is hosting the Jolly Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.  Santa will be visiting with children between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the antique fire truck will be on display between noon and 2 p.m. Enjoy shopping from local vendors, visiting Santa Claus, creating in the craft area presented by Home Depot, and more at this free community event.

The Town of Apple Valley is hosting a Holiday Tea & Heritage Room Tour from 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. The last Town Council meeting of the year will follow at 6:30 p.m. inside the Town Hall Council Chambers. This is a wonderful time to get to know your Apple Valley Council and learn all about Apple Valley’s history.

The 7th Annual Rock’n Our Disabilities “Very Merry Christmas” event will take place from noon until 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. Guests will enjoy dinner, pictures with Santa, cooking decorating and face painting.  The event will take place inside the Desert Valley Hospital Building at San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, located at 14800 7th Street in Victorville. For more information, call Rock’n Our Disabilities at (760) 998-2241.

High Desert Second Chance is hosting its annual Christmas Winter Wonderland event from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Guests will enjoy music, photo booths, free popcorn, hot dogs, pictures with Santa, and more. Registered families will receive gifts and dinner boxes. The event is located at 16666 Smoke Tree Street, Building B4, in Hesperia. For more information, please call 442-267-4444.

The annual Trona Christmas Celebration will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Trona Community Center. Enjoy caroling at 5 p.m. followed by a free dinner at 6 p.m. There will also be an ugly sweater contest and Photo Booth. The center is located at 13187 Market Street, Searles Valley.

County Fire Protection District Donates Type 1 Engine to Daggett Fire Department

Constituent Services Director Samuel Shoup was pleased to join the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District for its donation of a new Type 1 Engine to the Daggett Fire Department.

The 2000 KME engine is capable of holding 500 gallons of water and boasts a 1500 GPM pump and foam system. It is the most common firefighting engine in use today.

“We value our partnership with our outlying fire agencies and humbled by the opportunity to assist the Daggett Fire Department with a valuable resource such as this,” said San Bernardino County Fire Protection District's Assistant Chief Kelly Anderson. “This fire engine is outfitted with modern firefighting capabilities that will help Daggett Fire improve service delivery during fire and emergency responses to the rural desert areas of the County.”

Daggett Fire Chief Wayne Clemons Jr. shared the department's gratitude. “We have a great working relationship with San Bernardino County Fire," he said. "This fire engine is a huge asset and much appreciated as we have a limited annual budget and have been unable to purchase a quality replacement apparatus. This will greatly serve the needs of Daggett and the surrounding communities in the Silver Valley.”

'Operation Consequences' Targets Locations in Victorville and Hesperia

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently authorized funds to assist with crime suppression by increasing law enforcement services throughout the High Desert.

Some of that funding is going toward Operation Consequences, which aims to curb violent crime while disrupting and dismantling targeted criminal street gangs.

Between Nov. 19-25, Sheriff's investigators and deputies served search warrants at locations including Victorville and Hesperia. During these contacts, investigators seized 6 firearms, recovered illegal narcotics, and made 6 felony arrests.

Thank you to our Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division, Specialized Enforcement Division, Patrol Stations, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Probation, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations for working together to make our communities safer!

Victor Valley Community Services Council Offers Fall Prevention Program

Seniors: Do you worry about falling? Have you fallen recently? Do you use a wheelchair, cane or walker? The Victor Valley Community Services Council, in partnership with San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services, offers a free in-home fall risk assessment and correction program.

The team offers solutions to reduce your risk of falling and increase your independence and mobility in your home. There is no charge for these services. The team can also provide help with home repairs for trip hazards, flooring repair and lighting needs, or install features such as handrails and wheelchair ramps.

For more information, please call (760) 243-9646.

Two Memorials Planned on Friday for Victims of Dec. 2 Terrorist Attack

Members of the public are invited to join San Bernardino County for a moment of remembrance on Friday, honoring the 14 individuals who lost their lives during the Dec. 2 terrorist attack at Inland Regional Center.

The remembrance will take place at 10:55 a.m. San Bernardino County's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms. Community members can also pay their respects at the new Curtain of Courage Memorial, located at the San Bernardino County Government Center at 385 North Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino. 

Cal State San Bernardino's College of Natural Sciences will host their annual Day of Remembrance event at 3 p.m. Friday in the Peace Garden. For more information about the event, please call 909-537-5300.

County Department of Public Health Conducting Community Health Survey

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and the Community Vital Signs Initiative are asking county residents to provide feedback aimed at improving community health.

The 2022 Community Health Survey is part of an ongoing community health assessment to prioritize health-related needs among county residents, set a community-led action plan to address those needs, and improve the community’s overall health.

Now through Dec. 12, county residents ages 18+ can complete the anonymous survey at https://bit.ly/CVSSurvey.

National Weather Service Offering Free Winter Skywarn Training Sessions

Looking to enhance your winter weather knowledge? National Weather Service San Diego is hosting two Winter Skywarn training sessions for community members interested in becoming weather spotters.

NWS will be discussing how to report impactful weather around our region, including heavy rain and snow, as well as this winter season's weather outlook. The webinars will be held from 7-8 p.m. both days.

• Register for Dec. 7 Session
• Register for Dec. 13 Session

High Desert America's Job Center Hosting UFI Rapid Response Event

High Desert America's Job Center in Victorville is holding a special Rapid Response Hiring Event for United Furniture Industries (UFI) employees who were recently laid off from its Victorville distribution center.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon on Dec. 8 at the High Desert Training Center. The center is located at 13133 Sabre Blvd, Ste 2, Victorville. For more information, please call 760-552-6550.

Mojave Narrows Regional Park Hosting Glow Games on Friday

Mojave Narrows Regional Park will host Glow Games from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2. The event offers families the opportunity to enjoy glow-in-the-dark games in a safe and fun setting. The park will provide glow sticks and offer face painting during the event. 

Admission is $10 per car, and free for campers. Mojave Narrows Regional Park is located at 18000 Yates Road, Victorville. For more information call 760-245-2226.

High Desert Reptile & Pet Expo Planned at Victorville Fairgrounds This Weekend

The San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville is hosting the High Desert Reptile & Pet Expo this weekend. The event will feature exotic reptiles, arachnids, frogs and animal presentations.  Some of the country's top breeders and animal specialists are expected to attend.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4. For more information, please call (760) 951-2200.