Benefit Special Olympics

Big Bear Lake, Calif. February 1, 2012 – Big Bear Lake’s water gets rather frigid in the wintertime with lake temperatures dipping into the low 30s, sometimes into the 20s. So why would anyone deliberately take a dip in the lake during these freezing conditions? The only reason that makes rational sense is to raise funds for people in need. On Saturday, March 10, the most brazen will take the Polar Plunge into Big Bear Lake to raise money to benefit Special Olympics athletes.

Organizers are now seeking fearless men, women and children to sign-up for the inaugural Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge, which helps sponsor year-round sports training programs and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Inland Empire Region of Special Olympics Southern California. All proceeds from the event give people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, accomplishments, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Individuals who take the Polar Plunge challenge are asked to raise at least $50 through pledges from family, friends and co-workers. Participants who reach this goal will get an official Polar Plunge t-shirt. Special Olympics supporters who prefer to stay out of the water can opt to register as a “Chicken.” They receive an “I’m too Chicken to Plunge” t-shirt, which helps raise money for the Special Olympics charity. Additional prizes are given to people who raise more than $50, and also for those with the most creative costumes. Sponsorship opportunities called EVENT FAN are available for businesses, organizations and individuals who want to pledge $500 or more.

“All it takes is a few seconds in the chilly water for plungers to discover why we refer to it as Freezin’ for a Reason,” said Special Olympics Southern California Regional Director Abbey Leffler. “They will immediately feel their hearts warm-up with joy because they know they are giving to a great cause. Nothing is too cold for a warm heart!”

Each plunger gets a moment in the spotlight with a public service announcement that briefly portrays each plunger and why he or she is taking the plunge. Plungers are encouraged to invite people who give a pledge to the event to prove that they really take the plunge, and to see first hand how bonkers the plungers really are. Spectators are encouraged to take photos and video. Costumes have become a staple with Polar Plunge events. Awards are given to participants with the best costumes, which are judged by creativity and all-around wackiest. Activities include a family fun area, guest emcee (TBA), DJ music, a souvenirs stand, vendors, and a raffle drawing with great prizes. There is a free BBQ lunch for participants. Spectators have the option to purchase BBQ lunch tickets.

The inaugural Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge is Saturday, March 10 at Meadow Park, 41220 Park Ave. in Big Bear Lake. Registration is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Opening ceremonies, which includes a torchlight lighting ceremony and singing of the National Anthem begins at 12 noon. Plunges into frigid Big Bear Lake directly follow after opening ceremonies. Admission to watch the plunge is FREE, but donations are accepted. To register as a plunger for the Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge visit www.sosc.org/bigbearplunge or call 951-672-7707 or email aleffler@sosc.org. For lodging accommodations log onto www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

About Special Olympics Southern California:

Special Olympics Southern California has been changing lives through the power of sport for more than 40 years and offers opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in year-round sports training and competition. For more information about how to compete, coach or contribute, visit www.sosc.org.

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Bear Mountain Resorts laid down a based of one to two feet of snow. They opened yesterday (Nov 9, 2011) to sunny skies and moderate temperatures.  Snow Summit opened this morning and the winter season in Big Bear Lake has begun.

We received about a half a foot of snow last weekend and are expecting more to begin tomorrow. If the temperatures cooperate, we could be in for up to two more feet of snow. If not, we’ll have to make some!

The history of snowmaking for ski resorts begins in Southern California, at Snow Summit here in Big Bear. Innovations were developed and a reliable winter season is what has attracted many of Big Bear’s residents.

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a good winter season with strong snow possibilities occuring mid-month from November through February.

If your coming to Big Bear Lake, remember to bring lots of warm clothing including hats and gloves. Also bring plenty of drinking water, snacks and sunglasses!

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Bear Mountain Resorts

1. Pan Hot Springs is steaming!

2. BBARWA is steaming!

3. Big Bear Snow Play is Blowing!

The last of the Fall colors are showing off, and Big Bear is ready for the next season.
Have you waxed your board?
Get out your coats and sweaters and come visit!
You don’t need chains yet, but you might want to throw a blanket or 2 in the car.
Last day of Oktoberfest is this Saturday! Come join the Halloween Spooktacular and closing ceremonies.

Snow Summit Sky Chair

Article from 1960, from the Sportsman.

One of America’s favorite outings, the old-fashioned picnic, can be enjoyed to the full in beautiful outdoor surroundings in a number of different locations in and around Big Bear, CA.

A favorite picnic site is at the top of Snow Summit Chair Lift, where at an elevation of 8300 ft., the picnicker can enjoy one of the most magnificent views to be found anywhere as he gazes south into the Santa Ana Canyon where filmy clouds are blown between the ridges by the west wind. This spot can be reached either by means of riding the Snow Summit Chair Lift, a thrilling experience in itself, or by automobile ride over Skyline Drive from beyond the Moonridge ski area, along the northern rim of the canyon, to Mill Creek Road which descends to the floor of Bear Valley past Coldbrook Public Camp Ground to the top of Red Ant Hill, at the immediate western edge of the Village.

For a desert panorama, a ride down the back grade, east on highway 18, brings to view the magnitude of the great Mojave Desert with its shimmering colors and vast expanse.

LOOKOUTS

For a glimpse of how the U.S. Forest Service operates in protection of the great San Bernardino National Forest in which Big Bear Valley’s great recreation area lies, the visitor should by all means visit one of the two Forest Service lookout posts in this area—Keller Peak on the south, Butler Peak to the north. For explicit directions to these two interesting sites ask at the U.S. Ranger Station, Highway 30 on the North Shore of the lake.

Cedar Lake Movie Set

PICTURESQUE CEDAR LAKE

Cedar Lake, a beautiful retreat just a few miles off State Highway 30 down Mill Creek Road, is open to summer visitors on payment of a small fee. The property is owned by the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles and consists of the lake itself, surrounded by giant boulders and pine trees, rugged terrain, and motion picture sets which have figured in many of the great entertainment features of the past and present. This is also the background for many sequences of the “Sergeant Preston,” “Wild Bill Hickok” and “Have Gun Will Travel” television films.

ROSE MINE

A popular and historical spot for sightseers is the Rose Mine area where in the early days great quantities of gold were taken to enrich the colorful history of California. The mine is located along the Pioneer Town Road past the east end of Baldwin Lake, in a section which will become even more readily accessible as this road is improved in the future.

HOLCOMB VALLEY

A peaceful hush now prevails over the Holcomb Valley area where in the 1860’s violence reigned. Here, where ghost town buildings now slumber in the sun, a teeming mining population thronged the dirt roads, the salons and stores of Old Doble and Belleville, and murder was an everyday occurrence. Memories of the lawlessness of the day are recalled by the old landmarks which still remain—such as the Hangman’s Tree, Tree of the Living Cross, Bloody Gultch, Bill Holcomb’s pioneer cabin, and Gold Mountain Mine.

Store at Gold Mountain

NEW HIGHWAY

A new section now being opened to the public on construction of the new highway, is that which lies in the southeast portion of Big Bear Valley. The new road opens to view some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern California, including Onyx Peak, San Gorgonio Peak and Santa Ana Canyon. The new highway, which will become a link in the California highway system, connects with the State Highway in the Erwin Lake area in the eastern end of Big Bear Valley, and travels to Barton Flats along the southeast side of the mountain range.

Whether picnicking, driving, horseback riding or hiking, a camera is a necessity for your Big Bear Valley visit. Be sure to capture your mountain vacation on film and enjoy it over and over again.

Views of Mount San Gorgonio

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If you’ve been in Big Bear during the Summer, you know the featured activities for Old Miners Days can be anywhere in the Valley.

Well, check out the Bartlett Street parking lot!

This weekend, the action is right in the Village.

Many of us are familiar with the Old Miners “Theme” and we try to join in the part as an honor to Big Bear’s Heritage.

You may know what to expect:

Yeah.

Right.

;-)>>>

DARE!
Put that cell phone down!

Grab your designer water bottles and come to the Carnival in the Big Bear Village.

There are serene Children’s Activities!

And a Tilt-A-Whirl for us adventurous types.

But….

There appears to be more than we can even remember!

That’s up in the air!

And a Super Slide! That’s up in the air, too!

That is the tallest “structure” around here since the Dam Crane.

And that doesn’t even include the BURROS!
They are arriving tonight!

Come into the Big Bear Village and have a great time this weekend.

For more information and a complete schedule,
please visit the Old Miner’s Days Website, http://oldminers.org.

;-)>>>

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