💌 Hey AV Fam! Fall is flexing its golden glow across the Valley, crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and all the vibes you need. Grab a latte, hit the trails, swing by the batting cages, or just stroll your favorite spots. We’ve packed this week with news, eats, sports, and events to keep your AV life buzzing.

Let’s get into it ⤵️

🚨 Top Stories: Big Moves in Palmdale: Leadership search kicks off while AV voters get drop-off boxes.
🌹 Community News: Batter Up!: Lancaster batting cages are back and better than ever.
🍴 AV Eats: Lemon Leaf Café: Cozy spots and dishes you’ll be dreaming about all week.
⚽ Sports News: Victory for AV Alta FC: A 2-0 win keeps the momentum rolling.
🎭 AV Happenings: Monster trucks roar, live shows dazzle, fall fun excites the kids, and farmers markets keep the valley fresh.

Top Stories

🏛️Palmdale’s Power Play: The City Hits Pause and Reboots the Hunt for Its Next City Manager!

Well, that was unexpected! Instead of sealing the deal with Acting City Manager Salvador Mendez, the Palmdale City Council threw a curveball and decided to open up the search for the city’s next leader. Yep, you read that right, the hunt is officially on and Mendez is still in the mix.

The move came after a packed and passionate council meeting that had locals leaning in. Mendez will keep steering the ship as interim city manager while the city casts a wider net. The final decision should land by January 19.

During public comment, residents brought the heat but kept it classy. Jason Zink said he had no beef with Mendez but wanted the city to keep things transparent. Rich Gallego chimed in too, saying he’s had great experiences with Mendez but thinks Palmdale deserves to explore all options, maybe even a statewide or nationwide search.

Councilwoman Andrea Alarcón was all about balance, praising Mendez’s steady hand while backing a broader, more open process. “It’s about transparency and trust,” she said, making the motion to keep Mendez as interim while the search begins.

Councilman Richard Loa was right there with her, calling it the “prudent” move to keep everyone feeling confident. But Councilman Austin Bishop wasn’t quite sold. He pushed to take it back into closed session, worried it could confuse staff or rack up costs. His motion didn’t pass.

In the end, the council voted 3-1 to keep Mendez in place and open the field to fresh candidates. Alarcón, Loa, and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Bettencourt said yes, while Bishop cast the lone “no.”

Now the real game begins. Palmdale’s rolling up its sleeves to find the perfect match, someone who can lead with vision, heart, and maybe a touch of desert grit. And with Mendez still in the running, it’s shaping up to be one interesting season in City Hall.

📬 Ballot Drop-Off Boxes Now Open Across the AV

It’s officially election season, AV! Starting Oct. 7, you can drop your completed vote-by-mail ballots at any of the official LA County ballot boxes located across Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Littlerock, and more. These secure boxes are open 24/7 until 8PM on Election Day, Nov. 4. No stamps, no lines, just a quick drop and you’re done. You’ll find them in familiar spots like Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park, The Hangar, and local libraries, plus smaller neighborhoods like Lake LA and Acton are covered too.

Voting by drop box is one of the easiest and safest ways to make your voice heard. The boxes are tamper-proof, collected regularly by official teams, and monitored for security. Just sign and date the back of your envelope before you drop it.

Pro tip: use the “Where’s My Ballot?” tool online to track your vote. Whether you’re voting early or on the day, let’s make it count, AV; your ballot, your power. Click here to Find the nearest drop box.

Sports News

⚽ AV Alta FC Earns Crucial 2-0 Win Over Richmond Kickers

AV Alta FC kept their playoff hopes alive with a clutch 2-0 home win over the Richmond Kickers on Oct. 17, improving to 35 pts. Goals from Alexis Cerritos and Jimmie Villalobos sealed the must-win result, moving Alta within two points of 8th-place Charlotte Independence, the final playoff spot.

With one game left, the team remains in the hunt but will need a win and favorable results elsewhere to sneak into the USL League One postseason in their inaugural season.

Current USL1 Standing : 10th Place
Record: 8-11-10
Next Game: AV Alta Vs. Portland Hearts of Pine - Oct 25 at 2:00PM
🔗 Get Tickets

🏈AVC College Football

Record: 6 - 1
Upcoming Game: AVC @ LA Valley - Oct 25 at 12pm

🏫High School Sports

AV High Football Scores:
Paraclete (6-2) 28 Vs. Cathedral 49
Palmdale (3-5) 43 Vs. Little Rock (3-5) 10
Antelope Valley (0-8) 0 Vs. Highland (4-4) 35
Eastside (1-7) 0 Vs. Quartz Hill (4-4) 49
Lancaster (6-2) 51 Vs. Knights (2-6) 6

🗓️Event Spotlight

🚛 Monster Truck Nitro Tour Hits Lancaster – Nov 8

Get ready AV, the ground’s about to SHAKE! The Monster Truck Nitro Tour is tearing into the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 8, and it's bringing the thunder with it.

Experience giant 10,000-pound trucks like USA-1, Lonewolf, Cyclops, Scatterd, and Unnamed & Untamed as they crush cars, launch off ramps, and go full throttle in a high-octane showdown of speed, power, and jaw-dropping stunts.

🎟️ Showtimes:

• Nov. 8 @ 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
  (Free pit party access 2 hours before each show!)

💥 What’s in store?

• Side-by-side monster truck racing

• Freestyle tricks and car-smashing chaos

• The wild Pro Rough Trucks

• And a Monster Ride Truck experience for the kiddos!

This isn’t just a show – it’s full-on, engine-roaring family fun. Tickets are flying fast, so grab yours, bring the earplugs, and get ready to feel the rumble, Lancaster!

🎟️ Tickets
📍 AV Fairgrounds – 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for all ages! Kids 2 and under are free on laps.
💲 Affordable family 4-pack specials available online.

Upcoming Events

🎶 Upcoming Concerts & Live Events 🎤

• Annual Native American Celebration - Oct 19

  📍Lancaster National Soccer Center - 43000 30th St. E, Lancaster, CA 93535
  🕓 Oct 19th at 11AM
  🔗 Event details 

• Ronstadt Revival: A Tribute to a Legend - Oct 19

  📍LPAC - 750 West Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534
  🕓 Oct 19th at 2PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Halloween Comedy Night: Hot Topics with Hot Comics - Oct 24

  📍723 West Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534
  🕓 Oct 24th at 7PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Un Día De Los Muertos con Mariachi Los Camperos - Oct 25

  📍LPAC - 750 West Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534
  🕓 Oct 25th at 8PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Blind Boys of Alabama - Oct 26

  📍LPAC - 750 West Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534
  🕓 Oct 26th at 7PM
  🔗 Event details 

• R&B Wednesdays with RJMRLA - Oct 29

  📍1255 West Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93534
  🕓 Oct 29th at 9PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Club Juke: A Sinner’s Juke Joint – Friday, Oct. 31

  📍31880 Aliso Canyon Road Acton, CA 93510
  🕓 Oct 31 at 5PM-10PM
  🔗 Event details 

• Halloween with Houdini: The Life and Work of the Great Harry Houdini – Friday, Oct. 31

  📍38334 10th St. East, Palmdale, CA 93550
  🕓 Oct 31 at 6PM
  🔗 Event details 

Weekly Weather

📅 Sun, Oct 19 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 83° / Low: 44°
📅 Mon, Oct 20 – ☀️ Sunshine | High: 81° / Low: 42°
📅 Tue, Oct 21 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny & Pleasant | High: 81° / Low: 53°
📅 Wed, Oct 22 – ☀️ Sunny & Cooler | High: 72° / Low: 45°
📅 Thu, Oct 23 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 80° / Low: 45°
📅 Fri, Oct 24 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 81° / Low: 50°
📅 Sat, Oct 25 – ☁️ Cloudy | High: 74° / Low: 52°
📅 Sun, Oct 26 – 🌤️ Partly Sunny | High: 64° / Low: 46°