Weekend Highlights – Aug 1-3

What a weekend!  The Tour de Big Bear, a karaoke gig, filming The Duke Michaels Band, The Tubes, a walk around Meadow Park and a barbecue with friends!  As some of us locals say “If you are bored in Big Bear, you must be boring!”

Coming into town on Thursday night after being in San Diego all week felt just like when used to come up on weekends before I moved here.  What to do?  First thing is to check The Big Bear Times Event Calendar to find out.  The new agenda layout makes it real easy to see what is happening each day.  Then call and verify events are correct (sometimes things change), write up the Weekend Update and make sure it is out by noon on Friday.

Friday morning – I took a walk down to Meadow Park to gather pictures, research and explore for my ongoing chronicle of Big Bear Parks.  I am still working on that permanent page for The Big Bear Times.  I hope to add that page later this week.  There is more there than meets the eye from the street.  Here are a few pics:

Meadow Park

Meadow Park Picnic Area

Meadow Park Four Square and Hopscotch

Bark Park

Bark Park Large Dog Area

Meadow Park T-Ball Stadium

Meadow Park T-Ball Field

Meadow Park Tennis Courts

Friday – noon.  Head off to Nottinghams to check out the bike expo and learn all about the Tour de Big Bear.  The sound of silky jazz piano up here in Big Bear usually means Mike Cross is playing.

Mike Cross playing his smooth jazzy licks

I said hello and walked around and checked out the bikes, met some interesting people and learn more about cycling at 7000 feet.  I wrote a separate article covering that so if you want to read more: click here.

Later Friday night, I was off to The Boathouse Lakeside Tavern for a gig with Beyond Karaoke.  Everyone knows what karaoke is, but Beyond Karaoke adds live musicians so you really get the feel of being onstage with a band.  Stephen Tebo (the K.J.) and Chris Canzoneri (Guitar) anchor the show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 8pm (more or less).  I add synth on Friday.  Saturday and Sunday alternate with other guest musicians on keyboards or bass.  Its a rockin’ good time and the sunsets are spectacular!

The video company I work for, Rebel Video Production, got a call on Wednesday from Duke Michaels to film The Duke Michaels Band Saturday, August 2nd at The Cave before The Tubes.  Arriving at 6:30 to set up cameras before the show, I was pleased to learn we could stay for The Tubes.  Can you say BONUS?  The Duke Micheals Band had a flawless perfomance and the sound at The Cave was great!  We have permission to show you this video here – so take a look!

I had to leave to take one of the camera operators home so I missed out on Direct Divide but made it back right as The Tubes took the stage.  I have never had a chance to The Tubes before and was curious.  I have seen quite a few “comeback” shows and you never know how good (or how bad) they might be.  Let me tell you, this was one awesome concert!  Fee Waybill did not disappoint dressing up in various costumes that mimicked the original music videos.  He came out in well tailored suit first with highlight of that outfit being “What do you want from life?”  Then he came out in a jail outfit with a crazy cage on his head.  He leaves for a bit while the band plays and returns in a straight-jacket singing  Mr Hate.   He never misses a lyric or note and at the end of the song he has freed himself from the jacket.  White Punks on Dope was one of the most outrageous performances I have ever seen live and I dare say it rivaled an Alice Cooper show.  I was really surprised at the full range Fee was still able to hit.  The band was extremely tight and the sound was fantastic.  Two Bear-Paws up for this show.

No pictures of the show are authorized but I did get pics after the show with one of our camera operators, “Sneaky Jimmy” posing and being his sneaky self with the band.

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Sunday morning I woke up late (natch) to the sound of rain and thunder.  I put on a pot of coffee and enjoyed the morning doing nothing, listening to the rain, contemplating the past week.  My week had been so full, it was nice to slow down for a bit while the storm soothed my soul.

Being a resident in Big Bear means you run into your friends all the time.  At The Tubes concert, I had run into a few that went together.  They called me up on Sunday and invited me over for a barbecue.   What a perfect wrap up for a weekend!  We talked about the show, looked up other bands from that time on YouTube while telling stories about “the good ole days” and enjoyed great food, cold brew and good friends.

Isn’t that what Big Bear is all about?

 

 

 

Big Bear Weekend Update – Aug 1

Well, all my dear readers, I have been out of town this past week.  But for those of you who are continuing to support my endeavors here, thank you.   I will jump right into what is going on.

The Big Bear Cycling Festival wraps up this weekend, with the highlight being the Tour de Big Bear ride.  There is also a Poker Ride, Cycling Expo and a Road Bicycle Concours contest.  All of this is going on Friday at the Nottinghams/Robin Hood Resort parking lot noon till 9 pm.  Saturday, the expo moves to the Christmas tree lot in the village.  If you like bicycles, come on down!

Friday Nights in The Village will be from 5-8pm with street musicians, arts and crafts and more.

Tonight, Kenny Marquez is playing at Le Dolce Vita Tasting Room.  Listen his sweet guitar stylings while enjoying good company.

Tomorrow night my friend Duke Michaels and his band will be at The Cave in the Village.  Duke Michaels is one of the opening bands before the 80’s band “The Tubes” takes the stage.

Yours truly will be doing my usual Friday night gig with Beyond Karaoke at The Boathouse Lakeside Tavern.  If you want to sing, come down and belt out a few.

Of course, if none of this interests you, there is always the lake.  It is really warm, so why not take the kids down to Swim Beach?  I took another look around Meadow Park and realized I did not know half of what is there.  Baseball fields, TBall field, BBQ’s, Picnic Tables, Tennis Courts, Basketball court, playground and Bark Park for Dogs.  That will be the next park highlights, but for now I gotta go interview one of the cyclists.

A Walk around Juniper Point

Have you ever taken a walk at Juniper Point?  It is one of my favorite places to visit up here.  It is an easy stroll and anyone can do it.  Here is the walk with pictures where I stopped.

The picnic and BBQ area

A view off the east of the picnic area

Its a bit muddy down here, sometimes I just hop the creek instead

Can you spot the Hawk? It is perched on the fence toward the big tree

Here is the hawk

The hawk flew up into Lovers Tree

The base of the Lovers Tree – with natural log bench

This is the view sitting on the log under the Lovers Tree

Walking back on the Alpine Pedal Path

Hello Mr. Lizard!

A wooden bridge crosses over the year round creek

Almost back to the picnic area

A last look at the lake before heading back to the car

Please use the provided trash/recycle receptacle

Another perfect day in Big Bear Lake!

 

 

 

 

Big Bear Parks Highlight – Sugarloaf Park

 

Big Bear has many facilities around the lake and eventually I will get to them all but I thought, why not start a little off the beaten path?  One of my favorite parks in Big Bear is Sugarloaf Park.

Sugarloaf Park is located at the intersection of Maple and Baldwin and has many excellent features.  With a skateboard park, baseball field, basketball courts, public restrooms, playground, child swings, big swings, covered picnic area (this is huge) and more – this park is a gem that usually goes unnoticed by the majority of people.

The Big Bear City Fire Station 292 is on the corner of Baldwin and Maple and the park surrounds the station.

Oh, did I tell you it has a full exercise circuit?

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Another perfect day in Big Bear

It is another perfect day in Big Bear.  People are getting ready for the festivities this Fourth of July weekend, cleaning BBQ Grills, stocking up on supplies.  There are many things to do so, I just had to pick out a few and link to the rest!  First – a public service announcement:

ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS!
We are in a forest, the lake is low, we are in a drought – let’s all be smart.  BBQs are permitted but due to high risk dangers, but there are restrictions in camping areas.
Oh, one more thing – In the San Bernardino National Forest – smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site.  Click the link for more:
San Bernardino National Forest Fire Use Restrictions

Community Arts Theater (C.A.T.S) presents
The Wizard of OZ
Relive a timeless classic live and in person at the Performing Arts Center – click the link below:
The Wizard of OZ show schedule

Big Bear Lake Artwalk Festival
hosted by the Mountain and Desert Arts Association, Arts Council of Big Bear Valley and the City of Big Bear Lake
July 4th, 5th and 6th
This is an excellent thing to do whether by yourself or with the family. There will be artists showing off their works with some performing their craft right in front of you eyes! There will be live music on the center stage, food and a beer garden featuring craft brews from Hanger 24.
Admission is free – so why not come out and roam?
Big Bear Lake Artwalk Festival

Big Bear Lake 4th of July Firework Spectacular
Who wants to see fireworks on the 4th of July? Why everybody, of course. Big Bear Lake put on one of the largest shows in Southern California year after year. The fireworks are shot out from a barge on the lake so they are visible from almost anywhere you have a view of the lake.  There are many public viewing places are great and many businesses and organizations have special seating and events you can reserve also. For a choice of reserved events:
Big Bear 4th of July Events