Welcome to our first edition, where we share what we’ve heard around town.
Party People
There will be a Community Healing Solstice Party on December 20 starting at 4pm at Thelma and Louise, all are welcome. Bring chairs, firewood, blankets, beverages, snacks, and your unique self.
Tecopa Takeover once again featured local favorites MEGA-SCOPES, but this year’s festivities – billed to be a smaller event – had about 100 fewer people than 2023.
TecopaFest, the week before Takeover, was a success for Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD), raising just over $15,000 in one day.
Death Valley Brewing had its best weekend for business ever during TecopaFest. Brewer Dan also introduced new non-alcoholic offerings like root beer in addition to many great beers.
Local Politics
Local landowner Jon Zellhoefer is off the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District board of directors, replaced by Cam Mayer, the executive director at Friends of the Amargosa Basin.
Inyo County 5th District Supervisor Matt Kingsley is retiring at the end of the month. His retirement celebration was held at the Crowbar on November 15 where he introduced his daughter, jokingly, as his possible successor. Well wishers thanked him for his service. According to Inyo County: “Kingsley has served on the Board for the past 12 years, winning election to the office in 2012 and going undefeated in two subsequent elections for a total of three terms. He was presented Tuesday [December 17] with a Pinnacle Achievement Award – only the second one bestowed since the award’s creation earlier this year – which is intended to honor ‘select Inyo County employees who exemplify public service in a way which directly contributes to the success of the organization and furthers its goal of supporting the community.’ Kingsley opted to retire rather than run for a fourth term as Fifth District Supervisor. His successor, Will Wadelton, won election to the post in November and will be sworn in as the new Fifth District Supervisor on January 6.”
It’s Monumental
Mason Voehl, executive director of the Amargosa Conservancy, commented at their most recent meeting that the non-profit would potentially be in favor of the the proposed Amargosa Basin National Monument if the local tribes also find reason to endorse the plan. The Conservancy also welcomes Scott Williams as their new Interim Deputy Director.
Proposed draft map, a work in progress:
Activists are pushing for other national monument designations in Southern California before Biden leaves office in January. The proposed monuments span over 1.2 million acres. The largest is the 620,000-acre Chuckwalla National Monument from Coachella Valley to the Colorado River, with a nearby 18,000-acre Joshua Tree expansion. The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe seeks a 390,000-acre Kw’tsán Monument, while the Pit River Nation requests 200,000 acres in the Medicine Lake Highlands. Environmentalists are also pushing for the 1.4-million-acre Range of Light Monument between Sequoia-Kings Canyon and Yosemite.
Local Sales
Over at Villa Anita, artist Jack Holloway recently sold two lovely paintings to longtime supporters of his work. Along with Carlo, the duo has welcomed a family of beautiful cats to the property this season.
Wesley and Courtney McNeal of Delight’s Hot Springs successfully sold the adjacent property at 100 Tecopa Hot Springs Road for $500,000 in July to Julia Patton aka Julia M. Blaine of South Rainbow Avenue in Pahrump, Nevada. The property was previously sold to Wesley for $50,000 in 2010 and is listed as having an estimated value of $79K – $116K by Inyo County. The parcel is listed as Miscellaneous (Residential) zoning at 1.5 acres with an assessed value of $76,074 and land value of $18,836 in 2024; it was built in 1962 as a 1,472 square foot, 1 bed, 1 bath home. Now it is operating as a short term rental known as Tecopa Cabanas – don’t worry, we see imitation as a form of flattery here at TecopaCabana.
After meeting with Inyo County officials about the future of their Charleston View property, the partnered proprietors of Cherry Cloud Oasis have posted a virtual for sale sign on social media stating their intention to sell their land and glamping trailers; they have been actively searching for a new venture that has taken them from Kernville, California to Pioche, Nevada.
Food For Thought
For those missing the BBQ at Delight’s – replacing it with a new offering requires an investment to bring the space up to current building codes.
Inyo County posted a survey to inquire with residents if they should proceed with a new food permitting process. Assembly Bill 626, signed into law on September 18, 2018, establishes “microenterprise home kitchen operations” (MEHKOs), allowing home-based restaurants. It also sets requirements for “Internet Food Service Intermediaries” (IFSIs), which must register with the California Department of Public Health to promote MEHKOs. Local governments can authorize MEHKOs, and health permits are only issued with local approval.
Locals are sad that Joe’s breakfast service at Steaks and Beer has ended.
Tecopa Palms continues to offer an affordable breakfast – if you can get up early enough – Ray starts serving at 8am.
John and Courtney at Kit Fox Cafe served their second Thanksgiving Dinner in Tecopa to the delight of residents.
The Crowbar’s new restrooms continue to impress, but getting cell service nearby has been more of a struggle lately, requiring a wifi password to get a message out.
Winners
Kyle isn’t working full time at Amy’s Tecopa Hot Spring Resort anymore, but don’t worry he’s still around. Welcome to the new staff at Amy’s: Jen and Ally are hosting and keeping the bathhouse sparkling, respectively.
The 2024 Shoshone Museum Annual Raffle has come to a close, raising almost $4,000. The lucky winner, Paula, has been notified and will enjoy dinner with local celebrity YouTuber Wonderhussy at the Crowbar. Sorry fellas, better luck next year, when you will have another chance.
Drama Mama
The Tecopa Hot Springs Campground Facebook page had some drama recently that resulted in not-so-veiled threats to cut off local access to the bathhouse. Paul Barnes wrote: “When a resident is publicly chastising friends that we bring to Tecopa because they brought their side by sides to my yard in the heights with a shuttle vehicle as to not disturb downtown Tecopa and provide revenue it has an effect on all of our businesses. We will make adjustments to make sure this does not occur again and we may have to make financial adjustments at the hot springs as well.” Commenting under this post, Nancy Good wrote: “Remember, Tecopa, Shoshone, and Charleston View neighbors, we don’t get paid to make sure you get access to the baths.” However, local environmentalist Patrick Donnelly responded: “I can’t speak to the interaction that happened but the reality is – there is nowhere legal to operate a side by side or ATV in Tecopa. The nearest legal routes are east of OST/North of Furnace Creek Wash Rd – i.e. the Gunsight Mine area; or east of China Ranch Road/south of Furnace Creek Wash Road; or clear out to Married Man’s Camp and Western Talc if heading to Sperry Wash. Riding green sticker vehicles on county roads is prohibited and there are no open trails on BLM land near Tecopa. It’s been like this for a very long time.”
No further plans for a new tiki bar by Rick and Sean at the former Snakepit bar after deal falls through at the triangle.
Yer Doin’ It Wrong
Tecopa residents have been dismayed at the bright lights shining in the distance from Dumont Dunes, since the area is known for dark skies. Read more about the Dark Skies Initiative on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
Campfires continue to be built around the mud hole, causing soakers to grumble. California’s Statewide Fire Order from 2020 states: “Building, attending, maintaining or using a campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove outside of a developed campground without the following criteria being met. A developed campground is one that has been designated, developed, and maintained by the BLM, which is posted as open for public use, and where campfires are contained within an existing pit or ring constructed with steel or rock and mortar.”
But it seems local field offices are easing this restriction as of November. Barstow’s field office, governing the desert district that includes Tecopa, states that campfires require permits, which are free of charge. “Always…have a California Campfire Permit. Maintain a five-foot diameter clearance around campfires. Always have a shovel and plenty of water on hand and put your campfire DEAD OUT, before leaving.”
It rained in Tecopa and Shoshone on Monday November 25 for a short while. Just reiterating the importance of putting out your campfire.
Happy Holidays!
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