💌 Hey AV Fam! The rain finally pulled up to the AV like it owns the place, and honestly, we’re not mad at it. The air feels cleaner, the vibes are cozy, and some of us finally have an excuse to pull out that jacket we bought during last year’s storm but never got to wear.

But while the skies are doing their thing, the community is busy this week with big wins, local updates, and tons of events to get into.

Let’s get into it ⤵️

🚨 Top Stories: Palmdale turbine comes down; Lancaster PD cracks down on dangerous driving.
🏢 Business News: Lancaster approves a kid-only roller rink
🌹 Community News: Lancaster Christmas Parade lights up the BLVD.
🍴 AV Eats: Silver Spur serves bar bites, cocktails, pool & karaoke.
⚽ Sports News: AVC & local high schools update scores.
🎭 AV Happenings: SHOPALOOZA, Turkey Giveaway, concerts & holiday fun.

Top Stories

🌬️Palmdale’s Iconic Wind Turbine Takes Its Final Bow

If something looks a little different on the east side of Palmdale, you’re not imagining it. The giant 237-foot wind turbine that has towered over East Avenue S for twenty years is finally coming down.

Crews from Terra-Gen kicked things off this week by removing the three 85-foot blades from the old 950 kW turbine. The rest of the tower is set to come down next week, bringing an end to a piece of Antelope Valley history that once saved the Palmdale Water District big money on energy costs.

PWD General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux said the turbine was a bold step toward energy independence when it went up in the early 2000s. It powered the Leslie O. Carter Water Treatment Plant and, in its prime, wiped out up to 100 percent of the plant’s electricity bill. Some years, that meant savings of nearly one hundred thousand dollars. Not bad for a single piece of machinery.

But time caught up with the turbine. Replacement parts became impossible to find, and repairs needed highly specialized technicians. After years of sitting idle, the Board of Directors made the call in September to officially retire it.

Leaving it standing was not an option. Anything over 100 feet tall must stay registered with the FAA, and the warning light on top has to stay on. With the turbine no longer working, removing it made the most sense. Terra-Gen agreed to handle the dismantling and salvage at no cost to PWD.

PWD’s focus is now shifting to solar power. Two new solar projects are underway. One will energize the treatment plant and nearby boosters. The other will power the District’s main office and six well sites along Avenue Q.

After two decades in the skyline and thousands of AV photos, the turbine’s retirement feels like the end of an era. And as solar power steps in, this is only the beginning of Palmdale’s next big energy glow-up.

 🚨 Lancaster Police Team Up with Regional Partners for High-Impact Traffic Safety Operation

Lancaster streets got a major safety boost last week when the Lancaster Police Department teamed up with officers from across the region for a focused traffic enforcement operation. The goal? To crack down on dangerous driving and make sure everyone gets home safely.

In just over three hours, officers conducted 210 traffic stops, handed out 180 citations, and even impounded two vehicles, including a dirt bike that shouldn’t have been on the street in the first place. Helping out were teams from Culver City, San Gabriel, Baldwin Park, South Pasadena, Azusa, the California Highway Patrol, and even Union Pacific Railroad Police.

Mayor R. Rex Parris didn’t hold back. “Lancaster will not sit back while dangerous driving puts our families at risk,” he said. “These operations show that anyone who comes into our city and threatens our safety will be held accountable. LPD is doing the work our community expects and demands.”

Vice Mayor Marvin Crist echoed the message. “Our residents want safer streets and accountability on the road. These operations deliver exactly that.”

City leaders, including members of the City Council, were on hand during the enforcement, showing their support and thanking the officers for their hard work.

Officers focused on areas where collisions are more likely and where the community had raised concerns. That meant keeping an eye on school zones, busy intersections, and high-risk corridors. Their priorities included:

• Speeding

• Stop sign violations

• Using cell phones while driving

The stops weren’t just about citations. Officers also talked with drivers about safe habits, the importance of seatbelts, and keeping distractions off the road. The message is clear: slow down, pay attention, and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.

Traffic safety is a top priority in Lancaster, and with these operations, the city is taking action to make streets safer for everyone.

Sports News

AVC College

🏈 Football
AVC Vs. San Bernadino Valley (Nov 22 @ 5pm)
Record: 9-1

🏀 Men’s Basketball
AVC 87 Vs. Southwestern 85
Record: 2-4

🏀 Women’s Basketball
AVC 73 Vs. Barstow 26
Record: 2-4

⚽ Men’s Soccer
AVC 0 Vs. Santa Monica 1
Record: 6-13-2

⚽ Women’s Soccer
AVC 0 Vs. Santa Monica 3
Record: 4-11-7

🏐 Women’s Volleyball
AVC 0 Vs. Ventura 3
Record: 15-8

🏫High School Sports

AV High Basketball Scores:
Paraclete (2-1) 60 Vs. Antelope Valley (0-3) 39
Lancaster (0-3) 36 Vs. Crenshaw 54
Highland (1-1) 54 Vs. Newbury Park 72
Littlerock (2-0) 79 Vs. Rosamond (0-2) 20
Eastside (1-1) 60 Vs. Hollywood
Knight (1-0) 81 Vs. Vasquez 48
Palmdale (1-1) 62 Vs. Woodrow Wilson 96
Quartz Hill (3-1) 66 Vs Wilson 42

Event Spotlight

🎉 Event Spotlight: SHOPALOOZA - Indoor Holiday Market at the AV Fairgrounds

Get ready, AV – the holiday-shopping season just got way more fun! Join us on Sunday, November 23 (10 AM – 4 PM) for SHOPALOOZA, a premier indoor market packed with the best locally-hand-picked vendors, unique finds, and festive vibes.

Explore over 125 vendors offering trendy clothing, handmade gifts, candles, bath & body items, jewelry, home decor, and upcycled treasures – plus food trucks, a cash bar, and great deals throughout the weekend.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift or treating yourself, this is your one-stop shop for seasonal shopping with local flair. Come early to score free gifts (the first 25 shoppers each day get one!) and make a day of it. See you there!

ℹ️ More Details
📍Location: AV Fair & Event Center (2551 W Ave H, Lancaster)

Upcoming Events

🎶 Concerts & Live Events 🎤

• Wild Card Comedy Show and Open Mic - Nov 25

  📍 40242 La Quinta Ln
  🕓 7pm
  🔗 Event details

• Barrel of Laughs Comedy Night - Nov 28 & 29

  📍 42041 20th St W Lancaster
  🕓 6:30PM - 9PM
  🔗 Event details

• Skanksgiving (reggae and ska music) - Dec 5

  📍 40242 La Quinta Lane
  🕓 4:30PM - 11:30pm
  🔗 Event details

• Swing into Christmas (AVC Jazz Ensemble) - Dec 5

  📍 3041 West Avenue K Lancaster, CA 93536
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• An Evening with The Frontmen - Dec 6

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• T.S.O.L Live at Transplants - Dec 12

  📍 40242 La Quinta Lane
  🕓 7PM - 11PM
  🔗 Event details

• The Nutcracker - Dec 13 & 14

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 2PM & 7PM
  🔗 Event details

• Santana Magic: The Ultimate Santana Tribute - Dec 24

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

• Mariachi Rock Revolution - Jan 24

  📍 Lancaster Performing Arts Center
  🕓 8PM
  🔗 Event details

Weekly Weather

📅 Sun, Nov 23 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 67° / Low: 37°
📅 Mon, Nov 24 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 65° / Low: 35°
📅 Tue, Nov 25 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 64° / Low: 33°
📅 Wed, Nov 26 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 63° / Low: 35°
📅 Thu, Nov 27 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 65° / Low: 41°
📅 Fri, Nov 28 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 55° / Low: 33°
📅 Sat, Nov 29 – ☀️ Sunny | High: 67° / Low: 36°
📅 Sun, Nov 30 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 57° / Low: 38°