Big Bear Today Magazine November 2020

Big Bear Today November 2020—Page 5
Tree lights go on, maybe without show
In a “normal” year this is when Big
Bear would be gearing up to celebrate the
holiday season, starting with a smattering
of events leading up to Chirstmas in the
Village and Santa’s Grand Entrance the
evening after Thanksgiving.
Obviously 2020 isn’t normal.
As November arrives the fate of the
season’s most popular event with holiday
music and tree lighting is still up in the air,
to be decided by City Council early in the
month. Given that Halloween in the Village
was canceled it’s likely this will be
too.
Even so Big Bear Village remains a
popular shopping destination and plans still
call for decorations to be hung and the tow-
Seed collection days
Join the Southern California Mountains
Foundation restoration team in collecting
seed Thursdays and Saturdays in
November from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
No experience is needed to be a big
help in the program as native seed is collected
to be grown in Forest Service greenhouses
and replanted later. This
contactless, outdoor activity requires all
participants to social distance and wear a
mask. Workdays are on Nov. 5 and 7, 12
and 14, 19 and 21, and 28.
Participants must sign up in advance
to comply with the Covid-19 safety plan
and will meet near Big Bear Ranger Station
on the north shore. Email for location
at lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.
ering Christmas tree on the corner to be
brilliantly decorated. Illuminated at night
the decorated Village is truly a sight to behold,
especially if there’s snow on the
streets.
There’s fine dining, quick eats and
places to wet the whistle, three outdoor
fireplaces to warm up by and seven carved
bears and other woodland critters up and
down the streets in a variety of poses, perfect
for photo ops with some large enough
to sit on. Ideal for quick posts to Facebook
or Instagram!
Beautiful outdoor lighting, ice melting
sidewalks, curbs with pavers and lighting,
even bicycle racks make shopping an
experience to be enjoyed instead of just
acquiring stuff online. Take a horse-drawn
carriage ride, explore the adjacent paved
Knickerbocker walking path or enjoy live
music at several venues. With so much to
do it’s no wonder that Big Bear Village,
which received a $3.6 million makeover
several years ago, is so popular.
Pine Knot Ave. and Village Dr. form
an “L” with Christmas tree in the middle
that leads to a mountain of shopping experiences.
Discover hidden treasures and
cozy cabin furnishings, fine art, Big Bear
souvenirs galore, gifts for man’s best friend
and much more. Like Chirp Nature Center
with birdhouses and feeders, seed and gifts,
and information for beginner to advanced
birders (story page 12).
When hunger strikes the Village is
home to authentic Mexican, Himalayan,
Warm up by outdoor fireplaces
and enjoy the Christmas tree in
Big Bear Village
Italian, traditional California cuisine,
smokehouse, sandwiches and pizza, you
name it. Enjoy locally brewed beer and
gourmet pub grub at Big Bear Lake Brewing
Co. or the new outdoor patio at the
Bone Yard (story page 10) with barbecue
specialties, 44 beers on tap and hundreds
of wine selections.
New Rockin’ Burritos is open inside
The Cave with huge chicken, pork and
carne asada burritos for $8.50, tacos and
salads, street corn, stuffed baked potatoes
and loaded nachos, and more. Plus full bar
service including craft cocktails.
From Segway Tours to marina boat
rentals, lodging to specialty services, Big
Bear Village has it all at 7,000 feet. Discover
why it’s the “Heart of Big
Bear!”www.BigBearLakeVillage.com.