BBHS Bears Celebrate a Belated Winterfest With Pep Assembly Honoring Court of Bradley, Dietz, Murie, Muro and Solis

Sugarloaf, CA — This weekend, rescheduled from six weeks ago due to snow, is Big Bear High School’s Winterfest Dance at Northwoods Resort. The Winterfest Court, nominated by the Class of 2010, includes seniors Parker Bradley, Kevin Dietz, Jake Murie, Eddie Muro and Antonio Solis. The court was presented in a BBHS pep assembly this morning, and were escorted by their moms: Diane, Sandy, Kathy, Rosalinda and Victoria. Today’s assembly at Our House also included recognition of Bears winter sports squads–including boys and girls basketball, girls soccer and boys wrestling—as each of these teams made it to post-season CIF competition. Other highlights at the March 19 assembly included a preview of the Performing Arts Department’s “Once Upon a Mattress” (to be onstage at the PAC in April), short and often hilarious movie spoofs filmed and presented by each member of the Winterfest Court, and a dance-off hosted by “Mario Lopez” (aka Principal Michael Ghelber); the senior class won the competition that also included BBHS staffers doing their version of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” The Class of 2010’s Winterfest King will be crowned at Saturday night’s dance. Monday, March 22, is a late start day for BBHS students.

Nine Feet of Snow Later, Big Bear Valley’s Winter Melts Into Spring on Saturday

Big Bear Valley, CA — It was just eight Fridays ago, when we were buried under five feet of snow—roads were under an R3 requirement, all highways were closed, school was canceled, and power was out—and it seemed this day would never come, but spring arrives this weekend! Since the first of the winter season’s storms began on Friday, November 13, we have received about 113 inches of snow here in the Big Bear Valley, which totals nearly nine-and-a-half-feet altogether, and nearly double the winter snowfall average of 62 inches. In the month of March, however, we have received about eight inches of snow (so far), when an average March tends to bring about 14 inches. Though the weather has tapered off, KBHR’s weatherman Ben Brissey reminds that, in Big Bear, Mother’s Day in May tends to bring us the final snowfall of the year—and, in fact, he says, in the late ’90s we even had a few inches of snow on a Father’s Day in June. You may also recall, in 2008, when we received a cold storm, bringing snow on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. As for the resorts, officials at Big Bear Mountain Resorts tell us that the El Niño winter has set up both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit for a good, long spring with excellent snow conditions—at present, the ski resorts plan to stay open into April, with plans to host another Easter egg hunt on the slopes on Sunday, April 4th. Those who enjoy the view from atop the resorts can also see that the ice is melting on Big Bear Lake and, since that first snowfall in November, lake levels have risen from about 64’ to, now, over 67’ and rising as those nine feet of snow accumulation continue to melt with the arrival of spring on Saturday.

Former Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Speyers Passes Away Today at Age 86

Big Bear Lake, CA — The Big Bear Valley lost one of its more distinguished contributors with this morning’s passing of former Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Speyers, who died in the 4am hour with Paddy, his wife of 65 years, at his side and one of his beloved boxer dogs nearby. Speyers had, citing health reasons, resigned from his post as Treasurer for the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District on December 31, ending a long career of community service since moving to the Big Bear Valley in 1985. Since relocating here upon his retirement from a career in engineering and aerospace, the World War II veteran served on the Big Bear Lake City Council for four years and was Mayor Speyers in 1988 and ’89; he also served as a Department of Water and Power Commissioner from 1991 to 1999, and again from 2001 to 2007, before joining the Healthcare District Board for a period of over 10 years. Speyers and wife Paddy, the parents of three daughters, were also active with Friends of the Moonridge Zoo; he is also a past president (or chairman) of SANBAG, the Valley Water Study Association, AARP, the Bear Valley Human Services Foundation, the Big Bear Amateur Radio Club, the Mining Monitoring Committee, the Association of California Healthcare Districts, and Friends of the Performing Arts, among other activities and groups, including the Elks and VFW. It was on a walk one day in Big Bear that Speyers said he saw a sign on a porch that read, “He who rocks, rots,” prompting his extensive foray into public service. Those who have worked with him have nothing but praise for his dedication, among those DWP Board Secretary Robyn Bratton, who tells KBHR, “He was very dedicated to this Valley, and totally supported DWP in every way. Bill Speyers was a good Board member, and he was a good man.” Michael Perry, who had been the DWP’s General Manager when Speyers was Mayor of Big Bear Lake adds, “He was a great Council person and Mayor, and he really cared about the City. He was really forward-looking, to assure that what we did today would make sure the City was healthy in the future.” And yet his commitment was not without a dose of humor, as the healthcare district’s CFO Rudy Shutta recalls. “I always knew he read the financial statements,” Shutta says, “because, with a little twinkle, he commented on my spelling errors.” Services for Speyers, who passed at age 86, have not yet been announced.

Breakthrough Task Force Celebrates First Anniversary of Efforts to Eliminate Teen Drinking

Big Bear Lake, CA — Big Bear’s Breakthrough Task Force, the group working to draft a social host ordinance to discourage alcohol access for our youth, will be celebrating their first anniversary on Tuesday, March 23, and the community is invited to join them at the Big Bear Discovery Center at 6pm. The Breakthrough Task Force will be reviewing their accomplishments of this, their first year, and will also be recognizing their partners, which include the Rim Youth Prevention Leadership Coalition in Running Springs, as well as the Big Bear and Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Stations and the U.S. Forest Service. Community members interested in contributing to the Task Force and its goals for the coming year are welcome to participate. For more information on Tuesday evening’s meeting or efforts to curb teen drinking in the Big Bear Valley, call the Breakthrough Task Force at Big Bear Recovery Services at 878-0101.

Community Members Offer “Respectful, Passionate, Supportive” Comments to School Board at March 17 Meeting

Big Bear Lake, CA — Given this week’s pink slip notifications to teachers, mandated state-wide, last night’s meeting of the Board of Trustees for Bear Valley Unified School District drew a number of community members—including students. As school budget cuts, including staffing issues, were not on the agenda for the March 17 meeting, the school board was unable to comment, though was receptive to those who spoke to current issues, including the March 15 notices that were issued to 36 of 134 BVUSD teachers. According to Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright, “Students, staff and parents were advocating for programs, teachers, their principals, and what’s important to them in their schools, which is having choices for programs, and to be able to be on a path after graduation. They were very respectful, very passionate and very supportive.” The action items on the agenda for the school board meeting covered the general business of BVUSD, though the Trustees did continue the discussion on the feasibility of a parcel tax, an idea proposed by Trustee Ken Turney during a November 16 meeting when budget cut recommendations were adopted. Per Dr. Wright, “The Board requested that the administration follow-up with companies that have conducted parcel tax elections, and ask them specific questions as we determine what the next steps are for pursuing additional funds for the school district. Administration will also contact two companies, to request a proposal for their services with a detailed outline of what those services and costs would be.” BVUSD is pursuing options right now, and have not yet decided to implement a parcel tax; a decision will be made at a future meeting, once proposals and costs to implement are submitted. Should a parcel tax to assist in education funding be presented to the residents of Big Bear Valley, it would go on a future ballot, with the earliest possible being that of the Statewide General Election on November 2.

Community Emergency Response Team to Review Damage Assessment Training; Others Welcome to Monday Meeting

Big Bear City, CA — The Big Bear Valley’s Community Emergency Response Team meets on Monday evening for a monthly training session, which is also open to all interested community members. The March 22 meeting, to be held at the Big Bear Discovery Center at 6pm, will address damage assessment. CERT members will receive review on how to safely and efficiently assess damage in their neighborhoods following a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, and how to then report dangerous conditions to first responders.
During this week’s Community Services District meeting, Big Bear City Fire Chief Jeff Willis reiterated that the Valley’s CERT team is called upon for assistance with, specifically, damage assessment during times of major disaster. Though CERT members served the community in assisting at the emergency Red Cross shelter in January, the entire force of 400 was not called upon. As Chief Willis explained to interested parties on March 15, “CERT was definitely not forgotten, but considered many times.” There were additional emergency responders on the mountain, provided through mutual aid assistance from CalFire, to help with roof shoveling, fire hydrant clearing and tree removal and, adds Willis with regard to January’s incidents, “Really, snow removal and getting the power back on were the main things. Mobility was probably the biggest single issue, so keeping people off the road was #1.”
So though the CERT team was not asked to leave their neighborhoods to assist in a Valley-wide response back in January, they are a crucial element in Big Bear’s disaster preparedness plan, especially in disaster instances such as wildfire or massive earthquake. To find out more about CERT, and specifically the details of damage assessment during catastrophe, call Connie Baker at 841-3969 or, better yet, attend Monday’s CERT training session which, again, starts at 6pm at the Big Bear Discovery Center.

MWD Board to Consider Permit Approval for Lake Events, Ordinance Update for Commercial Rentals

Big Bear Lake, CA — A number of events are coming to Big Bear Lake, including the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic on May 15 and 16, the Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby on June 5 and 6, and the annual Fourth of July fireworks show—all of these pending permit approval, which will likely be granted during this afternoon’s meeting of the Board of Directors for the Big Bear Municipal Water District. The MWD Board, when they convene at their offices at 40524 Lakeview Drive at 1pm, will also consider approval of ordinance updates as they pertain to commercial operations on the lake and boat rentals being conducted below the high water line of the lake, as reviewed during the February 18 MWD meeting. Ordinance amendments are expected to be passed during this, the March 18 meeting, in order to be instituted prior to boating season, which launches April 1.

Recreation and Park District Working to Appease Neighbors of The Ranch

Big Bear Lake, CA — Yesterday’s meeting of the Advisory Commission for the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District—and their first regular meeting of the year—did not include any action items, but did include discussion with regard to the district’s newest park facility, The Ranch at Erwin Lake. According to the Recreation and Park District’s Assistant Regional Manager Lorie Judd, “The Ranch neighbors are concerned about the upcoming summer season and the high traffic issues, loss of privacy, and people trespassing on their property to retrieve balls and, most importantly, road dust affecting their lives.” Neighbors were also concerned about graffiti on a tree near (but not on) district property, though it had already been addressed in the meantime. The district’s General Manager Reese Troublefield and Advisory Commissioners Kathryn Poole, Don Pletcher, Gloria Rose and Bob Ybarra responded to public comment regarding The Ranch and, adds Judd, “There was good communication and all parties remained calm during the discussion. We’re working very hard to make this work.” GM Troublefied promised Erwin Lake neighbors that issues would be mitigated in order to assure a non-disruptive summer season for them. As for the Recreation and Park District’s other big project, Paradise Park with the Big Bear City Community Services District, Proposition 84 grant funding was applied for earlier this year, though the $2.5 million in park development funds will not be awarded until October. In the meantime, parks staff continue to look for funding opportunities for Paradise Park.

MAT and CAP: Saturday Dinner Fundraisers Benefit Community Efforts

Big Bear Valley, CA — This Saturday offers two different dinner fundraisers, each of which will benefit a community effort. On March 20 at 4pm (until 7pm), local Squadron 6750 of the Civil Air Patrol and Friends of the Disaster Center will host a spaghetti feed fundraiser, an event that had been rescheduled due to snow. The dinner will be held at the Big Bear Valley’s new Emergency Operations Center, on the corner of Greenway Drive and Meadow Lane in Big Bear City, and proceeds will be used for utility and maintenance expenses, enabling the EOC to remain operational and ready for use on a moment’s notice. Saturday’s spaghetti dinner is offered at a cost of $6 per person, though free for children under age six.

Later Saturday evening, Soroptimists’ Man in Black David Leach hosts his first big event in his Man About Town campaign to raise funds to stop teen violence in the Big Bear Valley. The event is billed as a country-western hoedown, and will feature a chuckwagon BBQ and live band. Tickets to the Man About Town event, to be held at Union Bank in the Interlaken Center at 5:30pm, are $50 per person and available from Vi Holiday at 585-7037.

Yep, For Real: Highway 330 Closed Until June for Emergency Repairs

As of yesterday, March 16, and continuing until mid-June, Highway 330 is closed to all traffic, as CalTrans has implemented an emergency slope and road repair project, to address the erosion caused by recent storms and subsequent culvert failure. The emergency project will replace the culvert on Highway 330 near City Creek, about eight miles up from the base of the mountain. The repair project will require installation of a new pipe underneath the roadway and then the replacement of the road, which is why CalTrans estimates several weeks of road closure, with hopes to have the road re-opened by mid-June. In the meantime, motorists are advised to use Highway 18 through the desert communities or Highway 38 from Redlands/Mentone to access the Big Bear Valley; another (longer) choice is the Highway 18 route from San Bernardino through the Lake Arrowhead area to Big Bear. Whatever choice you make, just know that Highway 330 will remain closed to traffic for several weeks, and likely until June.
Just a note: This closure will not affect the race route for the Amgen Tour of California on Friday, May 21st. Professional cyclists will come up the mountain to Big Bear using Highways 138, 18 and 38.

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