The Bear's quote of the week
"Why do writers write? Because it isn't there."
Thomas Berger
Article from Big Bear Grizzly
Karate kids and the Bear
Looking for a new way to work out while building self confidence? Gabriel Mulero has just the class for you.
Through Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, Mulero instructs three levels of karate classes, three days a week at the Meadow Park Gym.
The Bear learned his moves from Gabe. Karate is a great confidence builder for shy bears like him.
The junior program promotes confidence and self esteem. Karate also helps children develop self discipline, coordination, balance, self control and respect.
In the adult and teen programs, teens learn how to develop strong character, academic excellence and a positive attitude. Adults discover how physical fitness and stress relief are incorporated. Students work to improve stamina, energy and overall fitness along with confidence and self esteem.
Classes are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Beginning juniors (ages 6 to 12) meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., advanced juniors (ages 6 to 12) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and teens and adults (ages 13 and older) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $50 per month. Karate uniform is $45, or $25 when you sign up for three months in advance.
Meadow Park Gym is at 41220 Park Ave., Big Bear Lake. For more information, call 909-866-9700.
CPR class offered
Big Bear City Fire Department offers a CPR/AED training class Saturday, March 3. The cost is $40 per person.
CPR can save lives if performed properly and promptly. Training is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required and class fee must be paid prior to the March 3 class. For more information, call 909-585-2362 or visit the Big Bear Lake Fire Department to reserve a spot in the class. Big Bear Lake Fire Department is t 41090 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake.
Odyssey trek starts in Big Bear
You have to eat somewhere, so why not make it a night out to help some mind-blowing kids? The Bear loves spaghetti and he's sure most of you out there do, too. So forget about cooking tonight.
Big Bear’s Odyssey of the Mind teams host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Thursday, March 1, at Community Church by the Lake. Dinner is from 6 to 8 p.m. and benefits the five teams from Big Bear headed to Palm Springs for the regional competition.
Odyssey of the Mind is a problem solving competition for students from kindergarten through college. Big Bear started with one team and has grown to five. Last year, the Division II team advanced to the world finals in Maryland.
The road to the world starts with spaghetti to begin the journey to Palm Springs. Tickets are $10 fro adults and $5 for kids. The teams will present their skits at the dinner.
Community Church by the Lake is at 40946 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. For more information, call Heather Obernolte at 909-547-0530.
Party official speaks locally
The Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley hosts Henry Vandermeir as the guest speaker Tuesday, March 6. Vandermeir is the president of the California Democratic Council and serves on the executive board of the California Democratic Party.
Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Bear Municipal Water District building, 40524 Lakeview Drive, Big Bear Lake.
Vandermeir, who is also a past president of the Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley, will speak on state issues, including the budget crisis. A question and answer session follows.
Club meetings are open to the public. Refreshments are served.
Did you know?
Camels are called ships of the desert because of the way they move, not because of their transport capabilities. Camels sway from side to side because they move both legs on one side at the same time. It's called pacing, a ship-like motion that can make a rider sick.
Computer Club hosts discussion
The Big Bear Computer Club’s next meeting is Thursday, March 1, 5:30 p.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center.
Attendees will break into small discussion groups to focus on downloads, web searches and gaming. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops if possible.
The Bear would use a computer, but the home tree doesn't have electricity.
For more information, contact Rosemary Lloyd rosemary@sugarloafpc.com or 909-584-9358. Information is also available at www.bigearcc.org.
Prospective Computer Club members are invited to attend at no charge. Dues are $25 for the year.
The Discovery Center is at 40971 North Shore Drive, Fawnskin.
Tax season help available
Need help filling out and filing your income tax returns? The AARP Tax-Aide Program can help.
The program works in partnership with the IRS to provide free tax preparation for taxpayers of any age with simple returns. Special attention is given to those age 60 and older.
Appointments are available on Mondays through April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sessions are at the Big Bear Valley Senior Center. To make an appointment, stop by the Senior Center at 42651 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake.
For more information, call Sandra Senft at 909-866-7304.
Support the hospital
Letters went out to Valley residents Feb. 21, signaling the start of the Bear Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary’s associate membership drive. The Bear knows, because he got one.
Associate members make monetary donations to the Auxiliary, which in turn provides the local hospital with assistance to benefit hospital residents, patients, staff and facilities. The Auxiliary assists with community programs such as the mammogram screening program in conjunction with Soroptimist International of Big Bear Valley. Mammogram screenings are provided to women in the Valley on limited incomes or who do not have insurance.
According to the associate membership drive chairperson, Judy Moody, donations are also used to assist the hospital in purchasing items such as a storage container for the skilled nursing facility, hospital equipment and lobby furniture.
Those who would like to make a donation can send a check to the Bear Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary at P.O. Box 887, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. For more information, contact Moody at 909-584-9335. The Auxiliary accepts donations year-round.
The Bear's fast fact
Smokers inhale more than smoke. They also inhale arsenic, benzene, cadmium, hydrogen cyanide, lead, mercury and phonol just to name a few of the 4,000 chemicals in tobacco products.
The Bear says ... smile
The Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake set its annual dental screening program for March 21.
Now known as the Rotary Dr. Bob Davies Dental Screening Program in honor of the local dentist who originated the program, the screenings take place at all three Bear Valley elementary schools. Valley dentists and their staffs donate time to provide dental exams for kindergartners, third- and fifth-graders.
Davies, who passed away last year, was a longtime Rotarian. He practiced dentistry in Big Bear Lake for many years.
Rotarians assist the dentists at the screenings and provide dental goodie bags for the students that include a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Other supplies are also dontated by Rotary.
Parents will receive information on the program and permission slips prior to the March 21 screening date. The information from the screenings is passed along to school health officials to provide it to parents.
Children with problems are encouraged to seek dental treatments and those who cannot afford it are offered options for treatment at reduced rates or no charge.
Screenings take place at North Shore, Baldwin Lane and Big Bear elementary schools from 9 a.m. to noon.
Caring support
Are you a caregiver? Do you sometime feel as though you are all alone and no one cares?
Caregiving can be a lonely position, but there are many caregivers in Big Bear Valley who know exactly what you’re going through. And there is also a support group just for caregivers.
CarePartners of Big Bear Valley meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Anyone who is a caregiver is invited to attend.
For more information, call Mary Andresen at 909-585-7958. The Senior Center is at 42651 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake.
Submit your humorous stories and great ideas
Hey, you out there. The Bear knows you can write. So write to the Bear. The Bear is always looking for topics of interest, funny stories and information. Please feel free to contact The Bear with any questions, suggestions or comments. Please, no poems, long stories, political editorial commentaries or copyrighted works by others. Keep stories limited to a maximum of about 150 words. The deadline for The Bear is the Friday before the publication. That way The Bear can have the extra time to type it in. Having no opposable thumbs is kind of a drag.
Fax The Bear at 909-866-2302 or call and leave a voice message at 909-866-3456, ext. 280. Email The Bear at thebear@bigbeargrizzly.net and type "Press release" in the subject field. The Bear gets a lot of SPAM and this helps him wade through the fake emails to find yours.
Article from Big Bear Grizzly
