Big Bear High School Fashion Club Presents “The Rhythm of Fashion”

Big Bear, CA, April 17, 2012, 12:00noon - The Big Bear High School Fashion Club is hosting it’s second annual fashion show entitled “The Rhythm of Fashion” this Friday evening, April 20^th, at the high school beginning at 7pm.  The theme is based on the styles of musical artists such as The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Kati Perry and more.  The Fashion Club consists of seven designers whose collections consist of recycled clothing that has been privately donated or purchased at thrift stores and remade and embellished with the designer’s personal flair.  The designers and 70 models in the show are all high school students.  The Fashion Show is a fundraiser for the Fashion Club and tickets are $1 for under 12, $3 for students, $5 general admission and $10 for limited VIP seating along the runway.  VIP tickets needs to be purchased in advance by contacting Tena Dekker at 909-963-9374.  All other tickets will be available at the door.  Refreshments will be available to purchase during intermission.

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Earth Day Expo Celebration

Big Bear Lake, CA, April 18, 2012, 8:00am - On April 20, the Big Bear community will celebrate Earth Day with Earth Day Expo 2012 at the Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) office on Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake. It is an educational expo for kids and adults of all ages. Program Coordinator Denise Walker says the fun and games will start at 11am and go until 3pm. There will be displays and games on electric, gas and water efficiency and conservation, power plant tours, recycling demonstrations, and booths on forest preservation and composting. There will also be live animal presentations by the Moonridge Zoo, Solar Hot Dogs, chips and popcorn, and plenty of prizes and giveaways. A “Shred-It Event” will also take place during the Expo from 11 until 2. Bear Valley Electric, along with Expo Partners – the Sierra Club, DWP, Southwest Gas, Big Bear Disposal, the Grizzly, Pine Knot Marina, Forest Care, Discovery Center, Moonridge Zoo, Soroptimist, BBARWA, FlamePros, Garden Club, and Friends of Fawnskin are all planning to have displays, activities, and materials on how to protect the earth. On April 20 from 11AM to 3 PM celebrate Earth Day at Bear Valley Electric on Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake.

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Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 2012 Great California Motor Sports

Long Beach, CA, April 15, 2012 – Every spring in Long Beach is what I consider the best street circuit race of the season and this year was no exception.  The Indy series drivers always have great things to say about the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.  The ocean views are world class, the race fans come from all over and number well into the hundreds of thousands and the city vibrates with excitement.  The new Dallara DW12 Indy race car for this year looks much better in person than on paper and although this year’s times seem slower no one was complaining.  In lap 22 when Marco Andretti popped over the rear tire of Graham Rahal and momentarily sent Marco airborne followed by a hard hit to the tire barrier it was apparent that this new chassis could take a beating, hold together and protect the driver.  Also new for this year is the use of several engine manufacturers which I feel adds a new dimension to the race.  Chevrolet Honda and Lotus are the players and so far Chevrolet seems to be more consistent finishing Long Beach with 7 of the top 10 positions.  Surprisingly Dario Franchitti had a poor showing after taking the poll.  On the first turn, of the first lap, Dario in my opinion, tapped the number 2 pole sitter Josef Newgarden ending his day before it got started.  Maybe it was karma from that moment on Franchitti could not put the wheels back on his wagon finishing 15th.

Simon Pagenaud with a three stop strategy held the lead for a number of laps but in the end it was British driver Will Power who started 12th finishing on top with less than a second margin over second place Pagenaud.  James Hinchcliffe finished third taking the last podium spot that Takuma Sato in the number 15 car seemed most destined to take.  But as racing goes it’s not over till you get the checkered flag Sato was taken out by Ryan Hunter Reay, Hunter was penalized 30 seconds and so dropped his position but that can’t replace the loss that Sato experienced being denied his first and only IRL podium spot.  You could feel see and almost hear the emotions overflowing from the Sato pit crew.  Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello and Helio Castroneves made the last moments of the race even more chaotic as their crash in the hairpin blocked the track and forced Powers to climb from his car there and celebrate his victory alongside the wrecks.

Later Powers went on to say that starting 12th and finishing on top seemed to be impossible goal but that seems to be what has recently worked for him.  The next stop is San Paulo Brazil.

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CSD and Big Bear Lake Fire Agencies Agree to Joint Powers

Big Bear Lake, CA April 12, 2012 3:00 pm – The fire agencies of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City have taken the first step in what has been described as an eventual merger of the two agencies.  Most of the general public is unaware that there are as many as 5 different fire agencies in Big Bear Valley.  The Big Bear Lake Fire District and the Big Bear City CSD Fire Agency are the most visible having the largest local group of paramedics-firefighters, equipment and fire stations in Big Bear. On Wednesday morning during a joint meeting of the CSD and the Fire District at Hofert Hall it was agreed to by unanimous vote from both boards that a Joint Powers Agreement would be drafted in order to form a new Joint Powers Authority.  As a JPA each agency will keep their autonomy but will begin to combine some future equipment acquisitions such as laptop computers, heart monitors as well as communications equipment.  The mission of this new JPA would be to maintain present service levels, save additional tax funds, share rescue equipment and perhaps directly employ additional personnel.   In order to better assess the viability of this JPA and possible merger Paul McDonald from C.M. Crinis and Company evaluated the fiscal condition of both fire agencies and reported that both agencies were healthy and that in his opinion there were no financial roadblocks keeping the JPA from moving forward.  In addition Mr. Mcdonald did caution that current unfunded retirement programs and the threat of future obligations need to be addressed sooner than later.   Both fire agencies are represented by the law firm Best Best and Krieger and so the boards were presented with the legal benefits as well as potential pitfalls. The attorneys concluded that a new Joint Power Authority was the best vehicle for moving forward.  If the next step is a complete merger of the agencies then it would need to be approved by the Local Area Formation Commission better known as LAFCO.  A staff member from LAFCO was on the agenda to speak about the merger process but was unable to attend due to snowy road conditions.  Fire Chief of both agencies, Jeff Willis, went on to explain that the LAFCO review process would take at least 9 months to complete and that with the JPA and additional time the labor unit differences could be reconciled.  As the final vote was tallied a spontaneous round of applause broke out and was then echoed with positive comments from the east and west side of the board room.  Fire Chief Willis said that he appreciated the cooperation of both boards and that Big Bear is embarking on a historical journey.  Once the Joint Powers Agreement is drafted it will take, at a later meeting, the approval of both boards to ratify it and move forward.   It was reiterated that persons needing fire or medical assistance would not see any change in service.

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KBHR-FM To Broadcast NBC News Radio Hourly Updates

Big Bear City, CA, March 30, 2012, 3:00pm - On Sunday, April 1, 2012 KBHR will become an affiliate of NBC News and you’ll hear NBC News Radio Hourly Updates instead of CNN News. For more than 70 years, NBC News has been the primary source of global news and information for generations of radio listeners, providing immediate coverage and in-depth reporting of major events. NBC News has bureaus in key cities across the country and overseas. With NBC News Radio you’ll hear live newscasts anchored by familiar reporters from locations such as The White House, The Pentagon and The Justice Department. No other network consistently delivers scheduled newscasts live from some of the most powerful locations in the world. Listen to K-BEAR for hourly NBC News Radio Updates beginning Sunday.

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Opportunity to Donate to California Veterans Homes with 2011 CA State Income Tax Refunds

Sacramento, CA, March 29, 2012, 8:00am - California Veterans Home advocates are asking taxpayers to consider donating to the California Veterans Home Fund when filing their 2011 California Income Tax Returns before April 17, 2012.  A simple check mark on your state income tax form this year can help veterans living in one of the California Veterans Homes live a more fulfilling life by providing recreational materials such as movies and books as well as social events like trips to ballgames concerts.  The total received by the State is divided and distributed among each of the six Veterans Homes of California located throughout the state.  Construction is now underway to build two additional Veterans Homes in Fresno and Redding.  The California Veterans Home Fund was established in 2010 allowing taxpayers to donate directly to this fund from their State Income Tax refunds.  To date, nearly 19,000 California taxpayers have donated approximately $210,000.  According to retired Major General Peter Gravett, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, this program is an easy way to give back to those who have given so much to our country.  The Fund is Code #417 on Line #110 of the California Form 540 for the 2011 tax year.

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DWP Board Awards Pipeline Projects

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 28, 2012, 8:00am – The Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners awarded three pipeline contracts at the March 14th Special Board Meeting. The contracts amount to about 29,000 feet of replacement pipelines throughout Big Bear Valley. The DWP will also release two additional construction contracts. The pipelines being replaced are undersized and aging. The new pipelines will provide enhanced fire protection. Also, water mainline leaks will be reduced so DWP staff will be able to focus more on proactive maintenance projects rather than reactive maintenance. Weather permitting, construction of the three pipeline projects will begin the middle of April and they could be completed and in operation by August, before the next fire season. The three new wells will enable the DWP to meet water demands during busy holiday time periods. Some of DWP’s older wells have recently been taken out of service and these new wells will replace the older pumping plants with modern, more efficient pumping units. The DWP has secured $7.2 million in low interest loans and grants to provide the funding for these projects ($5 million in low interest USDA loans, $1 million in USDA grants, and $1.2 million in EPA grants).

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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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Big Bear Lake Resident Arrested on Felony Charges of Battery on a Peace Officer

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 22, 2012, 5:00pm – According to a news release from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at approximately 4:40 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stranded motorist at the Big Bear Dam.  The vehicle was parked on the bridge with a male occupant inside the car who was later identified as Gary Payne, a 44-year-old resident of Big Bear Lake.  During contact between Payne and the deputy, Payne attempted to reach for something in the ashtray of the vehicle.  Payne was not compliant with the deputy’s instructions to step out of the vehicle and a struggle ensued.  Payne became combative with the deputy, kicking the deputy in the face before exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot, jumping over the west side of the bridge into a snow embankment and tumbling to the bottom of the ravine.  The deputy climbed down the side of the mountain to the bottom of the ravine where Payne continued to be non-compliant and was tasered by the deputy.  Payne was then taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Bear Valley Community Hospital and treated for moderate injuries from the fall.  The deputy who was assaulted by Payne received minor injuries.  Suspect Gary Payne was booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of battery on a peace officer and remains in custody on $50,000 bail.  An arraignment hearing in this matter is set for Friday, March 23, 2012 at the San Bernardino County Superior Court.

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New San Bernardino County Prescription Drug Card Now Available in Big Bear

Big Bear, CA, March 14, 2012, 12:00pm – Back in January, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a new prescription drug discount program for residents of San Bernardino County. The card will allow all county residents, regardless of income, age, or health status to save on the cost of their medications including medications for pets. The privately run program will provide savings for residents at no expense to the county.  There are no eligibility requirements and the card can be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in San Bernardino County and covers more than 60,000 medications.  Besides the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides a discount of up to 50 percent on dental, vision, hearing and diabetes supplies and 50 percent to 80 percent discounts for lab and imaging tests, helping residents save even more money.  San Bernardino County prescription drug cards are now available at the Mom and Dad Project, Doves Nest thrift store, the Senior Citizens thrift store, the Hummingbird Project thrift store and Lutheran Social Services.  Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.coast2coastrx.com or call 1-800-931-8872.

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