The ball fields at Lake Gregory Regional Park will soon be managed by County Regional Parks. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Crestline, CA – San Bernardino County Regional Parks will soon re-assume management of the Lake Gregory Ball Fields.

The announcement of the change — effective Thursday, September 27 — was made by the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District in a media release issued by General Manager Karen Reams.

Events scheduled by the Recreation & Park District through September 27 will not be impacted by the change in management of the Lake Gregory Ball Fields. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld)

“After many years of leasing and operating the Lake Gregory Ballfields for local youth and community groups,” Reams stated in the release, “we have been notified that Regional Parks will re-assume management of the ball fields.”

THE  NEWS RELEASE

The news release indicated that sometime in the future, Regional Parks is expected to issue a Request For Proposals (RFP) in hopes of attracting major outside vendors such as Field of Dreams or Big League Dreams.

Lake Gregory Regional Park (which includes the lake, trails, swim beaches, water slides, San Moritz Lodge, etc.), according to the media advisory, must generate significant outside revenue to help insure the future of the complex.

Requests for facility use after September 27 should be directed to Regional Parks.

PARK DISTRICT OPERATION

The Recreation and Park District has operated the ball fields since 1984 under a $1 per year lease. In exchange for the low lease fee, the district reports it has absorbed the annual maintenance expenses estimated at $50,000.

“The Park District applauds Regional Parks,” Reams statement read, “for thinking outside the box in an effort to save their facilities.”

Reams reports that staff from both organizations are working on the transfer of utilities and other operational concerns.

LAKE GREGORY EVENTS

MAY 18 – MOVIE IN THE PARK

“The Smurfs” – 8:15 p.m. – Lake Gregory Ball Fields

$4 per person -  Youngsters 2 and under are free.

MAY 19 – PIRATES OF LAKE GREGORY

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – South Beach

$10 per person – Money raised during the event will help replace a damaged dragon boat.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Information about San Bernardino County Regional Parks is available online at REGIONAL PARKS.

Visit RIM OF THE WORLD RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT online for events and activities. (56)

The new Social Host Ordinance will be discussed at a community information meeting in Big Bear Lake on Tuesday, May 22.

By Michael P. Neufeld

Big Bear Lake, CA – Alcohol use by young people is often made possible by adults. After all, teens can’t legally get alcohol on their own.

“Those Who Host Lose The Most” is the theme of a community information night scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at Milton W. Hofert Hall (39707 Big Bear Boulevard – Big Bear Lake). The free meeting — sponsored by the Bear Bear Sheriff’s Station, Breakthrough Task Force and Rim Youth Prevention Leadership Coalition — will provide timely information about the Social Host Ordinance in place in Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County.

THE ORDINANCE

Parents are encouraged to take a pro-active approach by preparing their teens for the challenges and decisions about alcohol consumption and inform them how their actions have serious consequences. The ordinance holds parents responsible for the serious consequences when they allow underage drinking at their home.

California already has laws on the book for persons who purchase alcohol for a person under the legal drinking age of 21. The Social Host Ordinance addresses persons who make their home available for the purpose of allowing underage persons to consume alcohol.

Attend the meeting and learn how “Those Who Host Lose The Most.”

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A downed power pole due to an accident closed Highway 38 for several hours. (FILE PHOTO)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Mountain Communities – A traffic accident of Highway 38, 1.5 miles west of Onyx Summit, closed Highway 38 for several hours. It has now reopened.

The accident that led to the closure was reported at 11:59 p.m. with the reporting party indicating the power went out immediately following the crash. A small fire was reported from downed power lines that were across the roadway.

The CHP reported “this is going to be an extended closure” at 12:45 a.m.  Utility company crews were summoned to the area to make the necessary repairs.

At 12:52 a.m. a SigAlert was declared.

A blood tech was requested at Bear Valley Community Hospital at 1:29 a.m.

Details of injuries were not immediately available.

CalTrans is advising motorists to use an alternate route. (168)

A special tribute to Charlton Heston and BEN HUR will screen at 8 p.m. on May 18 at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival.

By Michael P. Neufeld

Lake Arrowhead, CA -  The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival opens Friday, May 18, with screenings of over 60 films through Sunday, May 20.

Tickets to the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival are available online.

The 13th annual festival  — to be staged at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa — will offer a special tribute to the late Charlton Heston with an 8 p.m. screening of CHARLTON HESTON & BEN HUR: A PERSONAL JOURNEY at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 18. The screen actor’s son and executive producer of the documentary — Fraser C. Heston — will participate in a question and answer session following the screening.

A limited number of the 50th Anniversary Ben Hur Ultimate Collector’s Editions will be given away to audience members at the conclusion of the presentation.

Actor Ernie Hudson is a member of the LAFF Advisory Board. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld)

FILMMAKER MEET & GREET

Just prior to the documentary on Charlton Heston, actor Ernie Hudson will host a 6 p.m. Filmmaker Meet and Greet in the lobby of the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.

Meet the filmmakers, learn about their films, the inspiration behind them, where they were filmed, and more. The price of admission includes cocktails, a delectable buffet and the opening night film.

THE LAST GAMBLE

At 10 p.m. ,THE LAST GAMBLE (R-Rated) will be screened as part of the Red Carpet Event and is a film about addiction.

In THE LAST GAMBLE, Joe Goode battles a serious gambling addiction which threatens both his job and his reputation.

Living in a sparse, middle-class home with his long-suffering mother, Joe holds on to the belief that one big score, the win that will put an end to all his troubles, is just around the corner.

FILM FESTIVAL INFORMATION

For complete festival information including screening times, tickets and special events visit LAKE ARROWHEAD FILM FESTIVAL online.

Here is a special preview video about the 2012 Lake Arrowhead Film Festival.

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On Friday, May 18, the Children's Forest in Running Springs stages a Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Mixer.

By Michael P. Neufeld

Running Springs, CA -The Children’s Forest in Running Springs will stage a Chamber Mixer on Friday, May 18, at 5 p.m.

The Mixer offers plenty of networking opportunities plus representatives of the National Forest Association and the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will be there to meet and greet attendees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Children’s Forest Visitor Center is located at 32573 Highway 18 in Running Springs.

For additional information call the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce at (909) 967-2411.

THE CHILDREN’S FOREST

The National Children’s Forest is 3,400 acres of forest nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains.  The Visitor Information Center is scheduled to open Saturday, May 26,  for the summer season.

The Children’s Forest was created in the wake of the 1970 Bear Fire; the area was replanted with trees bearing the names of children.  In 1993, the first trail was established by a work group of children from around the country.

Along with recreation opportunities, Children’s Forest hosts a Visitor Information Center, an Environmental Education Program, and a Youth Leadership Volunteer Program, and an active reforestation program.

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Incoming Bear Valley Unified kindergartners can now pick up their registration packets at their nearest elementary school site. (Public Domain)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Big Bear Lake, CA – Registration packets are now available for students entering kindergarten in the Bear Valley Unified School District.

Parents or guardians of youngsters turning five (5) years old by Thursday, November 1, can obtain the packets for the 2012-13 school year at their nearest elementary school site –  Baldwin Lane, Big Bear, Fallsvale or North Shore. Individuals with questions about the elementary school boundaries can visit a school site and receive assistance.

Packets are available between 9 a.m. and noon weekdays until Tuesday, June 19, and again starting Tuesday, July 24, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. District officials encourage early pick-up of the registration packets because they contain important information.

For example, incoming kindergarten students are required to have a physical examination, have current immunizations and a TB test on record prior to the start of the school year on Wednesday, August 1.

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By Michael P. Neufeld

Big Bear Lake, CA – Stage 6 of the AMGEN Tour of California — the BIG BEAR CLIMB — will impact local highways on Friday, May 18.

Roughly 150 bicyclists will begin Stage 6 in Palmdale at 10:25 a.m. and wind their way through Wrightwood, past Silverwood Lake, through Crestline and onto Highway 18 where they will head toward the finish line at Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake with the first riders expected about 3 p.m.

Due to the highway rolling closures directed by the California Highway Patrol, Rim of the World Unified School District has canceled classes that day.

APPROXIMATE TIME SCHEDULE

Big Bear Climb participants are expected to reach Highway 138 about 12:45 p.m. at Lone Pine Canyon, veer right at Old Mill Road about 1:26 p.m. and roll through Crestline to Highway 18 about 1:30 p.m.

For a comprehensive time log for the AMGEN Tour of California’s 115.7 mile trek on mountain highways visit BIG BEAR CLIMB online.

BIG BEAR CLIMB

Here is a video highlighting the so-called BIG BEAR CLIMB.

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Peter Sagan has won all four stages in the AMGEN Tour of California. (AMGEN Tour of California)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Sonora, CA – Perfect. Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) has won all four stages in the AMGEN Tour of California.

Wednesday’s Stage 4, from Sonora (Tuolumne County) to Clovis (Fresno County), had Sagan finishing in a time of 5 hours, 18 minutes and 8 seconds. He sprinted to the finish ahead of ahead of Heinrich Haussler (Garmin Barracuda) and Michael Matthews (Rabobank).

STAGE 5 – BAKERSFIELD INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIALS

On May 17 — the day before the BIG BEAR CLIMB — riders will participate in an 18.4-mile Individual Time Trial in Bakersfield starting at 1 p.m.
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Special adoption rates are available for seniors during Super Senior May at three county animal shelters. (Photo by Caragh Poh/Creative Commons)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Mountain Communities -  Owning a pet can improve seniors’ lives and during Super Senior May local animal shelters offer special low cost adoptions for seniors.

As part of its ongoing successful effort to place homeless pets with loving families, County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Division of Animal Care and Control is participating in the Super Senior May program providing low cost adoptions to senior citizens. Super Senior May is a Los Angeles Animal Alliance program supported by a generous donation from the John Paul Pet society.

Between now and the end of May 2012, any senior citizen can adopt an animal that is over two years old from one of the County’s three animal shelters at little or no cost, senior licensing fees do apply.

“This is a great way to help our seniors find a companion and provide a loving home for the community’s homeless animals” Brian Cronin, County Animal Care and Control Director, stated in a press release.

The County’s own Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF), a charitable organization that uses 100 percent of its funding to assist animals in need in San Bernardino County will provide the financial backing needed to assist in the success of this event.

To participate, seniors need to provide a participating shelter with one form of valid identification. Accepted identification includes a driver’s license, state issued identification card, or a birth certificate. Seniors are individuals 65 years old and above.

PARTICIPATING SHELTERS

The three County of San Bernardino shelters participating in the program are:

The County’s Animal Shelter in Devore, 1977 Shelter Way, (909) 887-8055. The shelter is open seven days a week at 10 a.m. and closes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Big Bear Animal Shelter, 42080 N. Shore Drive, Big Bear City, (909) 866-4943. This shelter is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The shelter is closed on Sundays.

The Dog’s Day Inn, 19575 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley, (760) 961-7535. This shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information about the Super Senior May program call (800) 472-5609 or visit ANIMAL SHELTERS online.

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Sweet treats from the bakery and samplings of Mexican specialties will be offered during a Chamber Mixer at Jensen's in Blue Jay on May 17. (Photo by mothership/Creative Commons)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Blue Jay, CA – The Thursday, May 17, Chamber Mixer at Jensen’s in Blue Jay will offer sweet treats from the Old Country Bakery.

In addition, the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce Mixer — which begins at 5 p.m. in front of the Blue Jay store — will feature samplings from Jensen’s Mexican Specialties.

There will be prize drawings for those in attendance and beverages will be provided.

Everyone should bring business cards top the Mix3er and be prepared to networkj with other chamber members.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information call the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce at (909) 337-3715. (96)