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The Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, and San Bernardino County-Fawnskin Fire Departments urge all residents to use the daylight savings time change on Saturday, November 6, as a reminder to change the battery in their smoke detectors before going to bed.

Working smoke detectors can decrease the risk of dying in a home by nearly 50% by providing an early warning, and critical extra seconds to escape. Although 82% of American homes have smoke detectors, nearly one-third doesn’t work because of worn or missing batteries.

In addition to changing your battery, the smoke detector should be tested monthly by pushing the “test” button, which will activate the alarm. For more information contact your local fire stations.
PRACTICE SAFE HOME OWNERSHIP! AND SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

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A good way to relieve the stress of the Holiday season, is to simply laugh! I’m not kidding, although I do have some jokes to hopefully put a smile on your face, I’m telling the truth! Here are some very interesting facts about laughing and the good it has on our health:

• Laughter boosts your immune system and decreases stress hormones

• Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike? Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.

• Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain.

• The levels of two stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine which suppress the body’s immune system, will actually drop after a dose of laughter.

• Higher levels of an antibody (salivary immunoglobulin A) that fights infectious organisms entering the respiratory tract were found in the saliva of people who watched humorous videos or experienced good moods.

• Laughter releases anger, fear, guilt, anxiety and tension

• Researchers found after watching an hour-long video of slapstick comedy that the “natural killer cells,” which seek out and destroy malignant cells, more actively attacked tumor cells in test tubes. And these effects lasted up to 12 hours.

• Planning enjoyable activities for the future will reduce the stressor hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine.

• Laughter reduces pain by releasing endorphins that are more potent than equivalent amounts of morphine

The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed. Don’t wait until you are sick before you begin practicing laughter therapy. Start today by renting comedy classics from your video store, borrowing humorous books from the library, attending comedy clubs, watching comics on TV, and exchanging jokes with family members, friends, and coworkers. If you are visiting someone in the hospital, why not bring funny greeting cards and humorous books instead of flowers? Have a happy Holidays and just smile it will make you a little happier!

~Sara

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Though no mention was made of her, Santa Claus’ wife made her debut in 1899 in Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride, one of a set of thirty-two books by Katharine Lee Bates, composer of “America the Beautiful. In 1908, another story encouraged children to start leaving a little food for Santa Claus because he would be tired after his hard work. Carrots and other treats were later added for his reindeer. Of course, Santa always left a note thanking the children for their kindness. A 1910 advertisement for Ivory Soap showed a child sitting in front of the fireplace with a bowl of water, a towel and a bar of Ivory soap so that Santa could wash up after coming down the chimney. Following the ad to the letter, soiled wash clothes and dirty water was often found on Christmas morning.

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·        Approximately 25-30 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year

·        Did you know that Saint Nicholas is commonly identified with Santa Claus due to his reputation for generosity, secret gift-giving and his kindness to children

·        The North Pole is not on a continent, it is located in the Arctic Ocean

·        The names of the ‘Three Wise Men’ are not actually mentioned in the Bible? The Magi are known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar as these names were detailed in an early 6th century Greek manuscript

·        Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.

·        Clearing up a common misconception, in Greek, X means Christ. That is where the word “X-Mas” comes from. Not because someone took the “Christ” out of Christmas

·        More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year

·        In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year

·        “It’s a Wonderful Life” appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.

·        From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings

·        Rudolph, “the most famous reindeer of all,” was the product of Robert L. May’s imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store

Hoping you all a wonderful holiday season

~Sara

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We have all picked up pinecones around the yard, on a nature walk or even spotted from across the way. But did you know, if you want to gather a lot of pinecones in Big Bear, you will need a permit!?

The permit is free or charge and is only needed when you are planning to gather quite a few pinecones. A normal plastic grocery store bag is what the Forest Service recommends taking, no permit needed. But if you plan on coming up here to get container of pinecones for that school project or holiday craft idea that you have, you may need a permit.

If you are collecting the pinecones in and around the back yard, then don’t worry about it. If you’re going to go to the forest to collect them, then you might just want to pick up a few.

After gathering a few I have a great idea, to get you started in making those crafty crafts! The most simple, year-round craft is the Pinecone Bird Feeder. Super easy, totally inexpensive and a great way to spend some time with the kids. All you need besides the pinecones are bird seed, some string, twine or rope and peanut butter. You will need to start by washing or baking them. This removes the sap or if you choose to bake them, the pinecone will be “glazed” by the sap making it hard and shiny.

To wash them just place the pinecones in the sink with hot soapy water and soak them for 10 – 20 minutes. Rinse them off and let dry (if not free of all sap repeat process until no longer sticky) To bake the pinecones, just set the oven at 200 degrees, line your cookie sheet with foil (to protect your pan) and bake for about 20 minutes. You may need more or less time depending on your oven and the size of the pinecones, so make sure not to leave the kitchen while baking them.

After cleaning the pinecones lay some newspaper down, to keep your area clean and for easy clean up. The first task is to add the hanger. Just tie twine, rope or any type of string to the base or top of the pinecone depending on which way you want it to hang from the tree branch.

Then you’re going to mix 1 cup of the bird seed with ½ cup of the peanut butter. This makes it easier to spread. Using a spatula or knife press the mixture into the pinecone petals. Then cover the entire pinecone.

Next you want to roll the covered pinecone into 1 – 2 cups of seed. Press hard to get in between and around the whole cone. Shake off excess.

You can also add fruit (apples, or raisins work well) in between the petals; push chunks of dried or fresh fruit in each crevasse for an extra special treat for out feathered friends.

Now you are ready to hang it! Hang outside a window, near your porch or deck for easy viewing! Next time you’re up you’ll just have to make a Pinecone Bird Feeder in one of our awesome cabins. Hope to see you soon!

~Sara

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There are so many reasons to come to Big Bear for your next vacation or even for that overnight get away.

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we have the best outdoor activities and plenty of sunshine to do it in!

With over 300 days of sunshine all year, there’s not a season you will be disappointed in coming. With the most scenic views around, just the drive up to Big Bear is exciting!

Climbing over 6500 feet above sea level Big Bear sits atop the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains at 6,743 feet in elevation.

Once up here you’ll have to take a drive around the lake with its 22 miles of shoreline, 7 miles in length and an average ½ mile across.

The average depth of the water is about 35 feet in the middle, and the max is 74 feet at the dam. With the heat from the city you might want to come up to cool off, our temperatures averagely fall around 80 degrees during the daytime in summer; cooling off at night with an average of 45. 

Like I mentioned before we have an array of outdoor activities for the whole family, no matter the age, there is some fun to be had in the area.

We have boat rentals: anything from a speed or pontoon boats all the way down to kayaks and canoes. If you don’t want to drive that boat yourself, you can always hop on one of the many rides or tours we have to offer.

What’s that you say, you want to soar above the lake?! You can do that too! Take a parasailing ride and you can fly high above the lake, with the most breathtaking views possible.

You may be looking for a little adventure and if you are there are many ways to explore our forest! You could start by taking a horseback ride, or forget the horse and just take a relaxing hike.

You could take a ride on the scenic Summit Sky Chair to the top of the ski resort where, in the summer, you are able to hike around, down or atop the mountain. Either way you can find a trail that’s right for you.

Maybe you don’t want to hike in the forest, but drive instead. We have Off Road Adventures to take you on a guided tour around to some of the coolest spots. With lots of history, interesting facts and stunning views you’ll be amazed.

You don’t have to take the guided tour; you might choose to do the “Self Guided Tour” through the Holcomb Valley. Just stop off at the Discovery Center for a brochure guide. With the locations mapped out for you and the total mileage between each spot there’s no way to get lost and you’re bound to have some sort of fun!

While you’re there at the Discovery Center shop around for some kick knacks and mementos, and if you happened to get hungry you could stop by the little café they have inside too! They have a wealth of information about the plant and wildlife found indigenous to this area. You don’t want to forget any parking passes, permits or maps while there, they have it all. From the hiking and biking trail maps, to camping information this is the spot to get it.

For the cheapest lodging deals and specials on the mountain you can visit US, Gold Rush Resort Rentals. At 40016 Big Bear Blvd.

Or check us out online at www.bigbearcabins.bz.

Enjoy and we hope to see you soon!
      ~Sara

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Every year Beloit College publishes a  Mindset List.  This list shows a glimpse of the world through the eyes of each incoming freshman class.  For this years freshmen:

Rap music is mainstream, Mike Tyson the boxer has always been a felon, they have never used a card catalog, and they have never had to wait for the news until the evening!  When saying “Here’s Johnny” they don’t know who Johnny Carson was, always had Choc. Chip cookie Dough ice cream, and always had internet!

There are more, but I don’t know if I can take it!  Check it out for yourself!

While you are on the “net” why not go to www.bigbearrentals.net and rent a cabin from us, Gold Rush Resort Rentals!  We would be happy to assit you…we have some rentals without stairs for folks who remember all the old stuff!

Susan

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This is an awesome hike, with a great view of the lake, and on your way up you might even run into a little waterfall if you catch it in the right season.

It’s only about a mile hike each way, but to see the grand view you will have to do a little rock climbing. It starts in a forested gully at the west end of the valley just past Boulder Bay 1 mile east of Big Bear Dam or 3 miles west of Big Bear Lake Village.

The trail climbs steadily to the left through magnificent stands of Jeffrey and Ponderosa Pines, White Fir, Western and Incense Cedar, passing huge granite boulders on your right.

Just as the trail turns back to the right among some rock steps, there is a waterfall straight ahead (usually from early spring through the middle of summer, depending on rainfall)!

The hike takes a steady ascent about 700 mile gain in elevation. Castle rock is the large rock formation immediately to the right. You can leave the trail there.

The eaisest way up the rock is to go about 50 feet around the north side of theformation, then climb up an indention to the summit and enjoy the beautiful views of Big Bear Lake and the surrounding areas.

Take lots of water and don’t forget sunscreen and maybe even a hat. Have a great time, be careful and remember pack up any trash you make and leave our forest nicer than you found it!

~Sara

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Trees for the 21st Century is an tree-planting program for children ages 6 to 18, involving science-based learning, tree-planting, and ongoing stewardship activities.  Although this program is school based, it is designed for clubs, civic groups and to help children value long term stewardship of trees, Earth’s “perfect organic machines.”  This can be done with a city or a family!

ERTHNXT (earthnext) is an online community that is a terrific starting point.  info@erthnxt.org is your contact for great planting ideas.  Planting is done in the Spring, but reservations must be make by October 1, 2009.

If you want to see some great established trees, give us a call at 1 (866) 37- CABIN or check out our website www.bigbearrentals.net to get the best rental deal on the hill!  That’s Gold Rush Resort Rental!

We look forward to hearing from you,
Susan

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