Farmer’s Market 2013 A great Success and it’s just Begun!!

The Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is glad that all the vendors who took part in last week’s Farmers Market enjoyed their day and feel the event was a success.

Started last year, with the success of the project this year’s event started sooner and will continue every Saturday throughout the summer.

Located between First Mountain Bank and the Running Springs Library you can’t miss the banners at the site and signs on the highway “telling people where to go.”

The event not only features vendors who sell non-pesticide produce but a large number of food and craft vendors as well. Come on over and just wander around…it’s quite wonderful to see all the colorful booths and the items for sale.

Many thanks to Susie Heisler and Cathy Clemons for their dedication to bringing this project to the chamber of commerce last year and for their continued support of providing the community with fun, every Saturday, all summer long. The market is a solid idea and one that the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to bring to the communities.

Enjoy….and have fun. Look around the booths for jewelry, crafts, great odds and ends, books and a whole lot more. Last year the venture proved to be one of the most successful events the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce  has ever sponsored (and I’ve been involved with the chamber for over 30 years so I know “of what I speak.”)

Look for the market on Saturdays from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Whispering Pines and Palo Alto (off Hwy. 18) next to First Mountain Bank. You can’t miss it!

See you there!

Annual Forest Festival June 1: Come Enjoy the Fun!

The annual San Bernardino Mountains Forest Festival is right around the corner and this free event welcomes  interested mountain residents and visitors who want to know more about the forest they live in and/or visit.

Held at the Children’s Forest Visitors Center Information Center on Hwy. 18 at the cutoff to Keller Peak Road in Running Springs, the site is the perfect venue for this event. It is located directly next to Brulte Field on Hwy. 18 which is located directly next to Charles Hoffman Elementary School. You can’t miss it!

In addition to several booths that provide information on their specific role in protecting or enhancing the forest,  information on activities that help “tend to the forest,” interactive exhibits, a native plant sale, guided hikes, food, music and plain-old mountain fun are all part of this special event. If you want to sign up to participate in trail restoration you can do so by logging onto: mountainsfoundation.org. Because space is limited registering is mandatory so sign up as quickly as possible. The National Forest restoration work will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. The hours for the “Forest Festival” are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the children, your mother-in-law, your long lost (but recently found) cousins, your friends, co-workers and anyone else who enjoys the national forests. Children especially like the crafts they get to make on this special day so enjoy it!

The Forest Festival is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and is co-sponsored by the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District, REI and National Trails Day.

See you there!

No Snow, No Rain, No Water=No Memorial Weekend Fishing Derby

For the first time in my memory the Arrowbear Lions Club will not be holding their decades-long Memorial Day weekend fishing derby.

There’s not enough water in Arrowbear Lake and they won’t be holding it at Green Valley Lake either. Hopefully, next year they can get back to sponsoring this great event. It’s always fun for everyone; kids and their parents as well as the volunteers.

“Come on, Baby, Let the Good Times Roll” at Rotary Sock Hop

“Let’s Go to the Hop” on Sunday, June 2 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. where we can have a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going on.“

Well, Be, Bop a Loo La,” we’re going to  “Twist and Shout” all night long at the Lake Arrowhead Country Club on Golf Course Road in (not surprisingly, in Lake Arrowhead). We’re going to see “Peggy Sue” and the “Big Bopper”  and we’re going to “Shake, Rattle and Roll” but not on “Blueberry Hill“.

Well-a, well-a, well-a…………..you know the old ’50s saying, “Be There or Be Square!” Don’t let that happen to you….put on your best ’50s or ’60s clothes and join the crowd. You’ll have a ball at this Rotary sponsored even and you can forget about a curfew or telling “your mama” why you were out late.

They’ll be great food too so enjoy the fabulous 50s/60s buffet.

This is one of the biggest fundraising events for Mountain Sunrise Rotary so we need to support them because they support so many things in the mountain communities. Rotary does so much for mountain residents but they need your help and support in order to be able to give scholarships and many other community donations, help to families and other  charities throughout the Rim of the World communities. All the proceeds from this fun event will be donated to Rotary’s worldwide effort to eliminate polio.

For information or to reserve your ticket call Cheryl or Barry at (909) 878-6699. There’s only 150 tickets and they’re going quickly. If you want to reserve a spot for your classic car or motor bike but you don’t want to enjoy the delicious dinner or the other Sock Hop fun and festivities call Mike at (909) 338-1053. The charge is $20 to participate in the classic car show.

The beautiful Lake Arrowhead Country Club  is located at 250 Golf Course Road. Have fun!

Arrowbear Water District Manager Resigns

David Harich will be leaving the Arrowbear Park County Water District to take a job with another agency after a year on the job with the local water district. He is leaving his position to take a job with another agency.

Until a new general manager is selected by the board of directors former longtime District Manager Mike Scullin will act as interim manager when Harich leaves his post.

Arrowhead Arts Association Plans Fabulous Summer Concerts!

Well, the Arrowhead Arts Association has done it again.Their summer concert series is one of the best and you, too, can spend warm summer nights under the stars enjoying friends, the beautiful scenery and the great music when the organization presents their Summer Concert Series.

My suggestion is that you get out your calendar right now and write these events in it so you will enjoy all the concerts this summer.

July 11, 18 and 25 at 6 p.m. you need to be at the Arrowhead Lake Association’s Tavern Bay Beach Club. Near the UCLA Conference Center, these concerts are fabulous and so well attended that you need to be there early. The gates open at 5 p.m. and all concerts begin at 6 p.m. Adult tickets for a night you’ll remember are $20 and Kindergarten through 12th graders are free. The association has always had a commitment to enhancing the music life of children which has been commendable and continues as an enormous part of their programs. They hope, by allowing children in free to concerts that parents and/or grandparents will avail themselves of this unique opportunity to help promote great music for the “younger generation” and that it will help enhance  their interest in the arts for the rest of their lives.

For ticket information or table reservations  call (909) 337-4296. You will thoroughly enjoy these summer nights of music. It’s like being at the Hollywood Bowl except you’re next to beautiful Lake Arrowhead, there aren’t thousands of people there and it’s a whole lot closer than driving to Los Angeles.

Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford thoroughly enjoyed the Arrowhead Arts Association’s first “Summer Concert” at the ALA Beach Club. She was accompanied to the event by her adorable (almost three-year-old son) Noah.

On July 11 you can enjoy the sounds of the “Eagles” tribute. Sing along with “Hotel California” and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy an evening of great “Eagles” hits. Trust me, you’ll love it!

July 18 the John Stanley King Band will present a program that features everything from “Old Blue Eyes,” (Frank Sinatra) to the laid-back beach sounds of fabulous Jimmy Buffet. Margaritaville, anyone?

The last of the summer concerts, on July 25, the association welcomes back the great sounds of the “big band era” when an 18-piece swing band, entitled “The Big Band Theory” comes to town. The exceptional band is composed of members of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees. Not only are they brilliant scientists and other JPL employees,  but they’re incredible musicians. Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re back in the ’40s listening to Tommy Dorsey or another of the “big bands.” Last year this event was really, really, fun and some people danced and had a great time!

See you there! Be sure to take a sweater or jacket because as we all know, when the sun goes down it can be a little chilly by the lake.

I hope you support the Arrowhead Arts Association because they support the mountain communities. Not only are these concerts really entertaining, the location is beautiful and the company couldn’t be better. You’re bound to find your neighbors, business or organization representatives and you might even find Mister or Misses “Right.” You never know…………………..

Since the organization was formed in the 1980s (1985, I believe) their purpose has been to bring music to the mountains and they have done exactly that. For a small but dedicated group they have enhanced mountain living for all residents and visitors who love good music.

Their fundraising efforts also support many groups throughout the mountain communities. They are especially happy to donate scholarships to graduating Rim High School seniors who want to pursue music in college, they help children attend summer camp at the famous Arrowbear Music Camp and they donate their time and money to bring magnificent (and I do mean magnificent) classical performances to the local mountain in the fall.

Those of us who love music owe these members and their supporters (corporate or local) for their generosity and continued support. Arrowhead Arts Association truly has lived up to its purpose. They have brought, and will continue to bring, music to the mountains we all love.

 

 

 

 

Music is Alive an Well in Green Valley This July

Love sitting outside listening to great music? If so, you need to be in Green Valley Lake this July because every Saturday from 5 to 7 or 8 p.m. there will be a different band performing at the Green Valley Lake Community Garden.

Take a picnic dinner or buy a box supper at the concert. Then, sit and enjoy the food and the music as the sun goes down over the lake.

The first concert will feature the “Woodland Winds Ensemble” which is composed of John Grady and friends. The group will play a variety of familiar American tunes, including Broadway show tunes, marches and other Americana music. How appropriate because this fun concert will be held just two days after July 4, America’s Independence Day.

July 13, the wonderful sounds of Appalachia will feature Grits ‘n’ Grady. I heard this group a few weeks ago when they gave a concert at the Lake Inn and I’m telling you, you’re going to love it. Your toes won’t be able to keep from tapping to the tunes of the fiddle, hammered dulcimer and guitar. The vocals will be performed by Pat and Sandi Huckaby, Diane Grady and Clare Bellefeuille-Rice.

On July 20 “Wake the Bard,” Green Valley Lake’s own Irish band will sing and play wonderful Irish jigs and reels and you won’t be able to stay in your seat. I know you’ll want to get up and dance but you can always remain in your seat and clap along to the Irish sounds. It’s a whole lot cheaper to attend this free concert than pay for airfare to fly to Dublin.

The concerts end July 27 with “Looney’s Fortune.” The trio of Patti Amelotte on hammered dulcimer and accordion, Georgiana Hennessy on fiddle and Matt Tonge on guitar will play a thrilling mix of songs and tunes from the Emerald Isle.

If you’ve never heard this wonderful group of musicians and never attended a “Wake the Bard” or “Grits ‘n’ Grady” event you really don’t know what you’re missing. These concerts offer everyone the chance to go to Green Valley Lake, unwind and listen to some great music. Trust me, you’ll enjoy every second!

With the outdoor concerts and the lake just across the street these July events promise to make you think you’re in a gorgeous outdoor theater. Don’t worry, you will be and it’s the small community nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains that will welcome you with open arms. The garden is just across the short street from the lake so come and watch the sun go down, clap your hands, tap your feet and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Be sure to bring your own chair and you might want to bring along a  sweater because you will be outside and when the sun goes down it can get chilly. After all, you will be in the mountains and the community of Green Valley Lake has the highest elevation in the local mountains.

As a special July gift, all the concerts are free and faith ‘n begorra, you won’t find a better deal than that. Although the concerts are free don’t let that stop you from making a donation. All the funds will be devoted to the Green Valley Lake Community Garden Fund.

See you in Green Valley Lake in July. You won’t find a lovelier spot for music than this unique and delightful community.