Category Archives: California

Beagles, Big Bear Lake

Inland Empire: Donation made to outfit pets with microchips

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell
BeagleDogSan Bernardino County’s Devore and Big Bear animal shelters will provide 5,000 animals with microchips at no cost to families. The michrochips are part of a $36,079 donation from the Animals aRe First Fund, ARFF, a nonprofit organization that supports the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Animal Care and Control (ACC) Program. Microchips offer a safe method to identify an animal’s owner by using a unique identification number assigned to the implanted microchip. Through this service, the ACC Program can assist in the reunification of lost pets that may otherwise be impounded at animal shelters. The Big Bear Animal Shelter will use their share of the funding to provide thousands of animals with microchips at no cost to pets passing through the shelter. To support a homeless animal this holiday season, please visit ARFF’s website HERE.
National Forests, National Parks

Take a hike with Street View through U.S. National Parks and Parks Canada

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On Wednesday, Google launched a collection of images from more than 44 national parks and historic sites across the United States and Canada after travelling through the destinations earlier this year.

From Google Maps Product Manager, Evan Rapoport:

What do tents and hiking boots have in common? You don’t need either to start exploring or planning your next adventure to some of the best national parks and historical sites across North America.

Working with the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada, our Street View cars, trikes and Trekkermapped more than 44 locations with beautiful, 360 degree panoramas.

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National Forests, News, Wildlife

Rim Fire Hazard Trees Project Announced

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced that a proposed action for the Rim Fire Hazard Tree (Rim HT) project is available for comment. The project proposes to improve public health and safety by removing standing hazard trees and other trees previously felled during fire suppression across 7,630 acres of National Forest lands within and adjacent to 148 miles of high use roads and other developed facilities.

Forest Supervisor Skalski stated: “I am requesting your specific written comments during this initial 30-day designated opportunity for public participation, from November 15 through December 15, 2013. It is important to the Forest Service and the NEPA process that you submit your comments at this early point to allow us the opportunity to incorporate your thoughts, concerns and issues into the analysis.”

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Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake, CA – Hot Dogs & Hay Rides for Old Miners Volunteers

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From KBHR 93.3:

The Old Miners Association (OMA) is holding their Annual Membership Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation Open House on November 18 at 40877 Stone in the Village (corner of Stone Road and Knickerbocker Road).

If you’re a new or renewing member, a sponsor or a volunteer, you’re welcome to attend with a guest.

The Annual Meeting & Election of Officers will run from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., then from 4:00 – 7:00, volunteers can enjoy gift bags, hot dogs and hayrides courtesy of Stagecoach Lines & Duke Michaels.

You can read the whole article HERE.

To keep up to date on what’s going on in Big Bear, listen to KBHR 93.3 and visit the KBHR website HERE.

Interesting Places

It’s a Great Weekend to go to a National Forest to Watch for Meteors

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From the USDA Blog:

Earlier this year, approximately 80 people oohed and ahhed as meteors streaked across the sky from all directions over Shasta Lake during the Perseid meteor showers. In partnership with the Shasta Astronomy Club, the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area provided visitors with expert information on celestial objects and events and a guided tour through the night sky.

This weekend, you have an opportunity to do the same when the 2013 Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of Saturday, Nov. 16 into the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 17.  According to NASA, Leonids are bits of debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Every 33 years the comet visits the inner solar system and leaves debris in its wake. Many of these have drifted across the November portion of Earth’s orbit. Whenever our planet hits one, meteors appear to be flying out of the constellation Leo.  Unfortunately for meteor watchers, this year a full moon will likely wash out all but the very brightest Leonids.

Last August, the dark night skies along the shores of California’s Shasta Lake provided the perfect backdrop for the annual Perseid meteors which put on a dazzling display of shooting stars each year. At times, 50 to 100 meteors streaked across the sky in an hour.  Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area staff compiled a list of sightings to contribute to NASA’s ongoing tracking for this meteor shower.

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