Snow Summit Remains Open

Big Bear Valley, CA, April 10, 2012 - Snow Summit is expected to remain open through at least April 15th, with fun and complete services for the whole family including all levels of terrain. Conditions are very good on most runs with 10 to 30 inches of snow and fresh snow is expected this week. K-BEAR meteorologist Ben Brissey says a couple of late season spring storms are on track to impact the area through the second half of the week. Listen to K-BEAR for the latest weather info and road conditions. Bear Mountain is now closed for the season, and Bear Mountain Only season passes will be honored at Snow Summit for the rest of the season.

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Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve Will Be Open On Saturdays

Baldwin Lake, CA, April 2, 2012, 8:00am – The Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve on Highway 18 along the north shore of Baldwin Lake will open April 7 for visitors to explore and learn about pebble plain environments that are unique to the San Bernardino National Forest. Opening day will feature a wildflower hike that will depart at 11:30am. The Reserve also provides a home for wildlife. Coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards and deer live in and around the reserve. In a partnership between the California Department of Fish and Game and the National Forest Association, Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve will be open to the public and staffed by volunteers from 10am until 2pm every Saturday through June 30.

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Walkers Join The Movement To Create A World Free Of MS

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 28, 2012, 8:00am – Once again this year the Walk MS in Big Bear Lake will take place at the North Shore Elementary School. Join hundreds of mountain residents and visitors raise awareness and money to find the cause and cure to multiple sclerosis. Choose a 1mile or 5k walk/run option with rest stops along the way. Then you can enjoy lunch, music, a raffle and a fun kid zone. Prizes will be awarded to the “best dressed” and “most spirited” teams and the “most inspirational” walk participant. More than 550 walkers are expected to come out and help meet the challenge to raise $54,000. Money raised will support direct services for the more than 21,000 people with MS and their families in Southern California and research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system. This is the 7^th annual Walk MS in Big Bear which has raised over $750,000 over the years. Sponsors, donations, volunteers and walkers are needed. Join the movement at Walk MS and help bring us one step closer to a world free of Multiple Sclerosis. To register for the Walk MS in Big Bear go to www.walktoendms.org

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Grant Awarded To Discovery Center’s Nature Explore Classroom

Fawnskin, CA, March 26, 2012, noon - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA’s continuing commitment to get kids outdoors and connected to the natural world around them with $1 million in cost-share funding from the US Forest Service to enhance children’s programs in 18 states. Some of the Forest Service grant funding will be distributed to the agency’s More Kids in the Woods and Children’s Forests program which includes activities and programs designed to spark curiosity about nature and promote learning. One of the More Kids in the Woods grants is $25,000 awarded to the Big Bear Discovery Center’s Nature Explore Classroom. The project will engage underserved youth of non-traditional and diverse backgrounds. Workshops will be designed through a partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest Association. Once implemented, the classroom will provide formal environmental education programs for 2,000 students and reach up to 250,000 visitors annually.

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Redlands Bicycle Classic 2012

Redlands – Big Bear Lake, CA March 22, 2012 3:00 pm – The Redlands Bicycle Classic will be held over 4 days beginning Thursday March 22^nd. These bike races are held primarily through out the streets of Redlands and out to Beaumont.  This race began just after the Summer Olympics Games held in Los Angeles in 1984 and has been going strong for 28 years making it the oldest and longest running stage race in the United States.  This particular race is where many top cycling racers have cut their teeth including Chris Horner, Cadel Evans and David Zabriskie among other notable racers. Professional cycling teams look for new talent at races such as this in preparation for the long race season ahead. In addition, this year, Loma Linda University will field a team of hopefuls for the U.S. Paralympics team named the PossAbilities who will be racing on the same circuits over the next few days.  The Redlands Classic is a very popular spectator event that effects many areas of the downtown Redlands area.  To get more information be sure to check the Redlands Classic web link on KBHR933.com.  In other cycling news Big Bear was chosen for the second time in three years to host a finishing stage of the Amgen Tour of California.  Stage Six of this professional race will begin in Palmdale and finish at Snow Summit covering over 115 miles and climbing over 12,000 feet so titled “The Big Bear Climb”.  The Big Bear stage will be held on May18th during the slower tourist shoulder season.  In 2010 it was estimated by the race promoters that 12,000 spectators viewed the Big Bear finish.  This year the race will have 16 professional teams competing including such notable names as BMC, Rabobank, Garmin- Barracuda, RadioShack-Nissan-Trek, Liquigas-Cannondale and QuickStep.  The Big Bear Climb is sponsored in part by Matich Corporation, Big Bear Vacations, San Manuel Indian Bingo Casino and Arrowhead Medical Center.

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Mountain Travel Tips For Driving In Winter Weather

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 16, 2012, noon - Winter storms have been sporadic this year, but K-BEAR Meteorologist Ben Brissey says there’s a big one projected for this weekend that could bring several inches of snow. So if you must get in your car and travel anywhere in the mountains this weekend, Caltrans has a few helpful tips to make your drive a safe and enjoyable one. Fill up your gas tank and always have tire chains with you. Mountain weather is unpredictable and changes without warning. Bring water, food, warm clothing, sturdy shoes or boots, and necessary medications. Bring a charged cell phone and your cell phone charger for your vehicle. Bring a flashlight or battery operated radio just in case.  Make sure your tires are in good condition and your vehicle is running well. If you need to install tire chains, use the chain control areas or turnouts near chain control locations – never block the roadway or put chains on next to the road. Never play in the snow next to the roadway – it is dangerous for you, your kids, and other motorists. And remember, always make room and slow down for Caltrans equipment, CHP vehicles, and emergency responders. For the latest weather and road information listen to 93.3FM or visit www.bigbearnews.com.

Bald Eagle Chick Hatched At Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 9, 2012, 3:00pm – The San Bernardino National Forest says a pair of bald eagles have successfully nested and produced a chick near Big Bear Lake. The new chick was born sometime around February 11^th and his nickname is Jack, to honor one of the most dedicated eagle count volunteers, Jack Lubecki, who passed away a couple of years ago. The chick was born to a pair of eagles known as Lucy & Ricky who built a nest near Grout Bay in Fawnskin several years ago. To minimize disturbance to the young eagle, the Forest is extending the annual seasonal closure to June 15^th. The “Forest Order” prohibits entry into the Grout Bay Picnic Area, Gray’s Peak Trailhead and Trail, and the area directly around the bald eagle nest, to allow the chick to grow and learn to fly without human disturbance. For over thirty years, the San Bernardino National Forest has maintained winter closures of its facilities in the Fawnskin area in order to provide disturbance-free perching and foraging areas for bald eagles. Several organizations have come together to help protect this bald eagle nest, including the San Bernardino National Forest, National Forest Association (NFA), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernardino County Parks and Recreation Department, and Big Bear Municipal Water District. The Forest Service and Fish & Game plan to use volunteers to both monitor the nest sites and provide the public with opportunities to view the eagles from a safe distance. (photo courtesy of USFS Wildlife Biologist Robin Eliason)

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USARC Ski-A-Thon Fundraiser This Weekend

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 2, 2012, noon - A big annual event is taking place at Bear Mountain Resort on Saturday.  It’s the Ski-a-thon 2012 and has been described as the most rewarding event of the season because it benefits the U.S Adaptive Recreation Center.  Teams of 4 or individuals can enter and then make as many runs as possible that day raising money through pledges or each completed run.  It’s a lot of fun, a lot of exercise and you get a lift ticket, a t-shirt, lunch, line cutting privileges and après-ski festivities.  You can sign up at the mountain or on line at the USARC.org.

Fire Restrictions Reduced on National Forest Land

Big Bear, Ca, February 23, 2012, 12:00pm – With the recent winter weather the Big Bear Valley, and surrounding San Bernardino National Forest received, fire restrictions have once again been reduced.  Under normal winter weather conditions fire restriction remain reduced throughout the winter months, however this year fire restrictions were heightened after a spell of warm weather, and little moisture.  Winter burning projects will resume under the guidance of the Forest service as part of a continuing effort to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health.  Visitors may once again have wood and charcoal fires in agency provided campfire rings at campgrounds, picnic areas and yellow post sites.  Campfire permits are still required for propane and gas stoves, and smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles on national forest land.  As always fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.  For more information about fire restrictions and controlled fire burnings contact the Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center at  909-382-2790.

USARC Ski-A-Thon Helps Those With Disabilities Enjoy The Slopes

Big Bear, Ca, February 20, 2012, 3:00pm - Skiers and snowboarders can spend a day on the slopes, never wait in a lift line, enjoy a complimentary lunch, have chances to win great prizes, celebrate at an after-ski party with silent auction and entertainment, and do it all to support children and adults with disabilities. The 2012 USARC Ski-A-Thon is less than two weeks away on Saturday, March 3 at Bear Mountain, and there is still plenty of time for you to register and participate. This FUNdraising day on the slopes enables winter sports enthusiasts to generate much needed resources for the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC,) the non-profit organization that has provided adaptive recreation programs for over twenty years.  Located at Bear Mountain, the USARC is an independent organization dedicated to the belief that success in challenging outdoor experiences not only brings a necessary and healthy component to the lives of those with disabilities, but that the resulting self-confidence can be transferred to other aspects of their lives.  Proceeds from the Ski-A-Thon are used to purchase specialized ski equipment, train hundreds of volunteers, and subsidize the cost of providing one-on-one private lessons to Southern California’s disabled community. Donors can deduct pledges on their taxes. For more information about the Ski-A-Thon, and to get involved, go to usarc.org or call the USARC at 909-584-0269.

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