Book Signing Program at the Library

“Warriors at 500 Knots” is a book written by Robert Kirk, a Phantom pilot himself, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The book details intense stories of undaunted and valiant American pilots with their legendary fierce Phantoms. These are personal stories of intrepid courage and self-sacrifice to get the mission done - whatever the cost. Fierce, unflinching battles to save friendlies and destroy a ruthless enemy are all recorded 40 years later. True tales of war at 500 knots.

As an F-4D pilot, Mr. Kirk completed 197 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters.

The author discuss his experiences during these missions and following this presentation, he will have signed books available for purchase.

The program will be held at the Big Bear Lake Branch Library, 41930 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 5:30 PM. Please note that the date and time were changed after the initial publication in the Friends of the Library Newsletter.

It is open to the general public at no charge. Seating is limited and early arrival is recommended. For any questions, please call the library at 909-866-5571.

Music at the Mansion MMXI.IV, Sunday, August 14, 2011, 3 P.M.

“Music at the Mansion,” continues with the third concert in the series to be held at 3:00 p.m. on August 14, 2011 in the intimate setting of the historic Knickerbocker Mansion Country Inn on Knickerbocker Road in Big Bear Lake. Arts Council board member, Barbara King, an accomplished pianist, has organized a group performers, most of whom are the talented musicians and artists from the Big Bear area, and some young talents who are “home for the summer” from their respective college campuses where they continue to pursue their degrees in Fine Arts. The eclectic mix of performances at this concert will include Caitlin Barney with selections from her new Celtic CD, Amber Carpenter, a member of the Young Americans, home from their European Tour, Elaine Fitzpatrick, Las Vegas professional vocalist offering selections by Cole Porter and Amber Parle, attending UC Davis, with selections from musical theater. Favorites Sharon Rizzo, cellist with the Redlands Symphony and Alicia and Tawny Williams, the “Violin Twins” will perform selections by Vivaldi and Dvorak for classical music fans. Also on the program is a duet featuring the vocal talent of Suzy Carpenter and her daughter. These performers and a few surprise selections will round out the afternoon of music to please everyone’s taste.

As part of the very popular “Dinner Theater” originated by the Arts Council, a delightful special dinner by Chef Thomas, assisted by Sous Chef, Robert, will be served after the concert for those who want to enjoy the ambience of the Mansion’s beautiful dining room.

The cost is $20 for the concert, which begins at 3:00 pm, and $25 for dinner, which immediately follows the performance. Selections from the Mansion’s excellent regular menu are served. Reservations are required and can be made at 909-585-5916.

Proceeds from these concerts support the arts in our community, as well as in our schools.

NANCY MENDOZA AND THE GALLERY

Visit "The Gallery", in Big Bear Lake, from February 4h through March 2011, to view Nancy Mendoza's artwork. Ms. Mendoza has been involved with “The Gallery” since it opened in the 90's.

Her watercolors are expressive abstracts with a surprising twist of realism. Her work is fresh and full of life. Her use of colors causes the eye to dance across the page and the colors hold you in the painting. Best of all, one can look at her art and see this wonderful bold design and then see the boldest individual. Her work is enjoyable.

Nancy Mendoza has roots in the Big Bear Valley since she was born. She and husband, Joe, live in a home on property that has been owned by her family since 1912. She has visited the Big Bear Lake area every summer since childhood and she and Joe have been permanent residents for 10 years in her family home.

Nancy was one of the original artists on exhibit in The Gallery, the Arts Council’s fine art gallery on Village Drive when it was established in 2001. She has also exhibited in the Arts Council’s “Art on the Lake” fine art show since the first show in 2000. Her artwork has been on exhibit in prestigious galleries that include the Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach and the Ratcliff-Williams Gallery in Sedona, AZ. Her work is in private collections in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

She began taking art classes in high school and completed an art minor at Cal Berkley. Her involvement in Laguna School of the Arts began in 1976 when she rejoined the art world after raising her family. She studied with Ray Jacob, Roger Armstrong, and Sueo Serisawa, whose particular influence is evident in some of Nancy’s work on exhibit at The Gallery. The Laguna School of the Arts evolved into the Art Institute of Southern California.

Nancy has withdrawn from The Gallery as a participating artist; however several pieces of artwork will remain on exhibit and offered for sale for a period of time. A reception was held on January 28th to celebrate Nancy’s longstanding relationship with the Arts Council and the Gallery. The guest list for Nancy’s reception included fellow artists, collectors, friends and family members who visited Big Bear for the event. Arts Council President, David Leach, commented, “Nancy has been a strong supporter of The Gallery since its inception, as well as an avid supporter of the artistic community in the Big Bear Valley. She will be missed in The Gallery, but we wish her continued success.

Nancy’s work beautifully reflects her own words from her Artists Statement, “I am always excited and stimulated by the restatement of the known and the experimentation into the unknown – sometimes achieving the unexpected. The observed interpreted – improvisation based on reality.”

The Gallery is located at 40750 Village Drive and is open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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Canoe and Kayake Tours 2009

There is no better way to see the Big Bear Valley than by canoe or kayak. The Big Bear Discovery Center is offering canoe and kayak tours Wednesday through Sunday, May through September. “A guided tour is the perfect way for first timers to learn basic skills needed to canoe or kayak on their own,” said Marco Guzman, Program Manager for the SBNFA. We invite you to experience the beauty of Big Bear Lake and the peace and serenity of paddling around the beautiful lake.

On our guided tour you will learn how to canoe through beautiful Big Bear Lake. After a quick paddling lesson, you will cruise along the shore looking for beaver, great blue herons, and ducklings. Along the way you will learn the natural history of the Big Bear Valley along with the various flora and fauna found in the area.

Tours are limited to 14 people, reservations are recommended. Tours are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Call or check our website for details. www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com (909) 382-2790 or (909) 866-3437. Private tours can be arranged for groups of 8 or larger, Wednesday through Sunday. Please call to schedule. Participants should be at least 6 years of age for canoeing and 10 years of age for kayaking. Sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen and a light jacket are recommended. All canoe and kayak equipment is provided.

Canoe Tours
Fee: Adults $25, Children (6-12) $15
Dates: May – Sept. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays; 4pm-6pm & Sunday; 9am-11am.

Kayaking Tours
Fee: $30 ages 10 and up.
Dates:: May – Sept. Wednesdays; 4pm-6pm & Saturdays; 9am-11am.

The San Bernardino National Forest Association is the primary non-profit partner to the U.S. Forest Service, which operates six programs to care for the San Bernardino National Forest. The programs include Children’s Forest, Big Bear Discovery Center, Off Highway Vehicle Outreach Education, Forest Care, Fire Lookout Hosts, and the Urban Youth Conservation Corps. For more information, or to help sponsor a program, please call Sarah Miggins at (909) 382-2796.
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The Lake Patrol is Watching

Story by Sandy Steers

ZOOM—ZOOM! It’s that time of year again, for roaring across the lake on—speed boats, pontoon boats, ski boats, PWC’s (personal watercraft), skis, fishing boats, sail boats, banana boats, inner tubes, canoes, kayaks or anything else that floats or can be pulled behind a boat. But, WARNING—don’t zoom too fast. The Lake Patrol will be out in full force to make certain everyone is operating within the regulations.
Since the lake is nearly full for the first time in a few years, the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD), managers of the Lake, are expecting record crowds this summer. “We had a phenomenal rebound,” says Sheila Hamilton, MWD General Manager, “from the lake being down 17½ feet in October to only down 3½ in April. We are very excited about this full lake situation and know we’re going to have a wonderful summer.” And for everyone out on the Lake to have the most fun possible, she stresses it is important for everyone to follow the rules.
For those who have floated upon Big Bear Lake before, the rules are the same. The only new thing this year is that the east end of the Lake is being dredged. (So the next time the lake water level is low, the water there will remain deep enough for the east public launch ramp to stay open.) What that means for boaters this year is that the east ramp is closed for the summer. However, there will still be two free public launch ramps: 1) at the usual west ramp on the north shore between the dam and Fawnskin; 2) at the Big Bear Marina located just off Lakeview and Payne in Big Bear Lake. It also means that the east end of the Lake is cordoned off with an orange turbidity barrier (curtain) so that no boat traffic can enter the dredging area. No one is allowed to go past this barrier or to tie up to it.
So, about those rules…first, the maximum size of boat allowed on Big Bear Lake is 26 feet, all boats have to be equipped according to California Boating Law safety requirement, and all boats must have a permit. Boat permits can be purchased at the public launch ramps, at the MWD offices or at any of the marinas. “Our permit fees have remained the same for years,” says Hamilton. “It’s the only fee you have to pay and includes use of the public launch ramps.”
“One of the most important regulations to follow is the speed limit,” says Joe Schuber, Lake Patrol Officer for the past four years. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph during the day, 10 mph from sunset to 7 a.m., 5 mph between the buoys marked “5 mph” and the shore, and 3 mph in Papoose Bay, Canvasback Cove and Mallard Lagoon. “And we are especially strict with the regulations when it comes to PWC’s,” Schuber adds. All PWC riders must wear personal flotation devices. These devices must also be worn by children under the age of 12 riding on any vessel.
The Lake Patrol officers usually give people warnings when they see them breaking one of the regulations. “But if someone is purposely causing a dangerous situation, we will write a citation or we can even revoke the boating privileges,” Schuber says. One example of such an action is when a PWC rides straight at another PWC or boat, then turns at the last moment to cause a wave of water to splash the second vehicle—commonly known as “spraying down.” To avoid these situations, PWC’s are required to stay 100 feet from all other boats while operating at normal speeds.
With so many different types of vehicles and activities on the Lake at the same time, the regulations are extremely important for maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Some of the boaters want to go fast, some want to sit quietly, some have fishing lines out, some are towing water-skiers or other riding tubes. There are small boats like canoes and kayaks skimming along at the same time as large pontoon boats and tour boats. To keep chaos from intruding on this situation, a system of rules and flags informs others of a boat’s status. A boat trailing a fishing line must display a white trolling flag. A red flag must be displayed whenever a skier or a ski rope or towable is in the water, and all boats engaged in water-skiing must go in a counter clockwise direction. Also for water-skiing, an observer, at least 12-years old is required to be on board the boat to monitor the progress of the skier.
For the slower boats to be safely away from the bigger, faster ones, all manually propelled boats less than 12 feet long, as well as float tubes not being towed, have to stay within the area between the 5 mph buoys and the shore. Swimming is only allowed within 50 feet of shore, within designated swim areas, within 20 feet of a private dock and as needed for water-skiing and other water sports. Scuba diving is prohibited in Big Bear Lake.
For everyone’s convenience, there are three S.S. Relief stations (floating restrooms) on the Lake. These grant-funded stations have solar panels that charge a battery, so they are lighted outside to be easily spotted at night and have interior lights that come on automatically when someone enters.
A full list of the Lake regulations can be picked up at MWD, anywhere you can get a boat permit, or from the patrol officers out on the Lake. To enforce all these regulations, MWD currently has four full-time Lake patrol officers, several part-timers, and additional assistance from the Sheriff’s Department. “And we now have two PWC’s that the Lake patrol uses,” says Hamilton, “so people never know when a Lake patrol officer may be nearby.” “Our goal is to stress safety and education,” Schuber says. “We are always available to answer questions.”
Because so much new water has been added to the Lake recently, the water clarity is at an all-time high. That makes it an excellent time to spend the summer having a good, safe time out on Big Bear Lake.
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