Celebration of Life for George Watson-Jones
On May 21, 2017 a Memorial Hike followed by a lunch at the Pines Restaurant in Big Bear Lake was held in memory of George Watson-Jones. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 73. Both Family and friends participated in the hike of Town Trail located just above the City of Big Bear. George was a member of the Big Bear Group Executive Committee and volunteered for a large number of local Big Bear organizations. His infectious beautiful smile, loving personality, and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.
George Watson Jones May 21st Memorial Hike Participants
Sierra Club Leadership Training
On June 2 and June 3, 2018 Leadership Training will be conducted by the San Gorgonio Chapter in order to provide focused Hike Leader training. The cost of the training is little and you attend classroom instructions and camp overnight at the Keller Peak Lodge located near Running Springs, CA. Contact David Melton, Outings Chairman for the Big Bear Group, (760) 408-2456 if you are interested in becoming a Hike Leader.
CIRCLE THIS DATE: June 9, 2018 (Sat)
The Big Bear Group is holding its annual Patch Party in recognition of those "Over achievers" and presenting custom award patches to these special individuals. All members, family members, and significant others are invited to attend this day of activities including; early morning hikes, barbeque, and picnic. Activities will be conducted at the Aspen Glen Picnic Grounds at Big Bear Lake. Review the details under the Outings tab above for more information.
CIRCLE THIS DATE: July 15, 2017 (Sat)
The annual Xeriscape Tour is scheduled to take place this day. This NO COST home tour starts at Emeringers Mountain Nursery, 41223 Big Bear Bluvd, Big Bear Lake, CA at 9:00 a.m. For additional information go to Public Events tab on this website.
Sierra Club focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“Our focus is to become a multicultural organization that welcomes and values people from all backgrounds and walks of life,” says Nellis Kennedy-Howard, Director of the Sierra Club’s new DEI department. In February, the Sierra Club hired its first ever Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As an organization, we are seeking to be more inclusive and committed to equity and justice and envision a path for the Sierra Club to become an anti-racist, anti-oppressive organization.
Nellis Kennedy-Howard, is an attorney with certificates’ in Federal Indian Law and Natural Resources Law. As a proud citizen of the Navajo Nation, she has advocated for protection of tribal communities from toxic industries and exploitation.
In Big Bear we believe it is important to grow our membership with individuals of all cultural backgrounds and experiences, says Ed Caliendo, Chairman of the Big Bear Group. We clearly want to mirror our local cultural population interests and priorities. We are seeking all minority individuals wishing to contribute their time and energy in making us a stronger organization. Interesting individuals my call me with questions or comments at (442) 242-4103 or visit our website at www.sierraclub.org/san-gorgonio/big-bear.
Each month (March – October) we conduct public meetings and have special presentations on all subjects relating to conservation and our immediate forest we live within here at Big Bear. Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center, 42300 North Shore Drive, Hwy 38, Fawnskin, CA 92333.
Nellis Kennedy-Howard, Director of DEI
2016 Patch Party Awardees
Seventy-five hikers and family members showed up for the 12 Annual Patch Party. Twenty-nine overachievers received special recognition patches including 22 that climbed the five peaks of Big Bear in 2015, and the others for accomplishing sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. Each section consists of 120 miles plus in distance.
Five Peaks Awardees
Rachelle Barbato
Bonnie Bacon
Ed Caliendo
Eric Chu
Gary Clay
Lynne Clay
Steve Costley
Allen Dardenelle
Michelle DeYoe
Kim Eng
Beatrice Etchison
Margaret Huenefeld
Carla Martin
Peter Michelson
Sue Mcllwain
Robyn McQuade
Lorrie Ann Monson
Howard Olson
Lynda Schmittle
Jay Smith
Sandra Simper
Charlotte Watts
PCT Section B Awardees
Eric Chu
Janet Jackson
David Melton
Darlene Talyor
Kerri King
PCT Section D Awardees
Bill Geisler
Chris Kemp
Bob Young
FUN WAS HAD BY ALL! See Patch Party Photos below:
Three Sisters Making a Positive Impact
It is not often that a single family contributes so much, but that is the result of Darlene Taylor, Sharon Nardozza, and Yvonne Gonzales. While all 3-Sisters lead separate lives and each with a full-range of activities, they have banded together to enjoy the outdoors and make a positive impact on the Big Bear Group.
Darlene states, “Both Sharon and myself are Hike Leaders and have been training under Ed Caliendo’s guidance, learning new skills and trails over the past few years”. Our sister Yvonne is an experienced First Responder EMT and is a helpful resource to have along in the event of a personal emergency”. The 3-Sisters can be found on most weekends leading fellow hikers through the forest and trails of Southern California and continue to plan and organize hikes for the upcoming months.
During the week, Darlene Taylor is a Teacher, and teaches 4th grade at North Ridge Elementary, a STEM school located in Moreno Valley. She teaches a diverse group of students including those characterized as gifted and talented. Her sister, Sharon Nardozza, works as a Sr. Paralegal in Real Estate Legal for a dynamic organization headquartered in San Diego that provides a full range of real estate services to the life science and university communities. Last but not least, is Yvonne Gonzales, caretaker of three grandchildren and an EMT/Emergency Management provider who serves as a Medical volunteer with Riverside County Public Health which supports Riverside County Emergency Response System and the state of CA Disaster Response team. She also serves as a federal Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.
With the support of their families, all three sisters take extra time each week to review trails and plan hikes. On hike day each sister takes time to visit with each hiker to ensure that all hikers in the group are provided a positive experience when they come out to spend the day hiking with the Big Bear Group. Together, they try to make a positive impact on the many people who participate in hikes led by these 3-sisters.
Sharon Nardozza, Hike Leader Darlene Taylor, Hike Leader Yvonne Gonzales, EMT
Volunteers Needed
If you would like to “pitch in” with a little volunteer assistance we certainly need the help! You could help us by:
Volunteering to:
- Clean up the Northshore of the Lake of trash when called upon. We have volunteered to keep Big Bear Lake as inviting as possible. So, once a month, during the Spring and Summer months, we gather the accumulation of debris from the shoreline between the Solar Observatory and Captain John’s Fawnskin marina. Let us know if you can help…. And we will contact you one-week in advance of the shoreline cleanup.
- We need to telephone our members periodically to remind them of upcoming fundraisers or Discovery Center presentations held on the third Thursday of each month (March – October). Could you dial a few of our neighbor members and ask them to attend? If so, please call Sherry Noone at (909) 486-4442.
- Help set up chairs and entrance materials at the Discovery Center prior to our month public meeting held each month (March – October) on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Contact Charlotte Watts at (909) 866-7423 if you can help!
- Maintain a clean trail at the Baldwin Lake Ecological Center so that the visitors may enjoy a “clean” experience viewing the rare plants and bushes, including the rare endangered Pebble Plain plants. In 2015, the Big Bear Group adopted the Ecological Center to make the viewing of rare plants an experience to remember. To volunteer, contact George Watson – Jones at (909) 585-4731.
- Help with periodic Fund Raising efforts. Call Sherry Noone at (909) 486-4442.