February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

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Page 10—February 2022Civil War to Ives, Brad plays 9,000 songsBig Bear TodayRare indeed is the listener who canstump Brad Riesau from Silver Moon witha song request. That’s because he estimatesthat he’s played over 9,000 tunes sincecoming to Big Bear in 2006!But even he was a little surprised whena group from out of town came up to requestBurl Ives. From the depths of Brad’splaylist came “Wayfaring Stranger” and“Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin.”“Nailed it,” he said with a chuckle.Rock, blues, country, standards,reggae, even songs from the Civil War arepart of his playlist, gleaned from workingand playing in the music industry for decadesin a variety of capacities. With long-Animal Sanctuary toursLearn the stories of rescued crittersduring one-hour tours of Grateful HeartAnimal Sanctuary in Big Bear City.Horses, burros, chickens, ducks, roosters,bunnies, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, evena steer have found forever homes at thenonprofit, volunteer-run facility. Enjoy upclosepersonal interactions with goats andpigs while touring the property and learningthe stories of how they ended up atGrateful Heart Animal Sanctuary, a 100%volunteer run facility.Many of the farm animals have beenabused, abandoned, neglected, have specialneeds or are otherwise at risk. Toursare a fun and educational experience wherequestions are always welcomed.Tours are set for February 5 and 26along with March 5, 12 and 26. Admissionis $10, $5 under 18, with proceedsgoing to feed and care for the animals includingveterinary care, supplies andequipment.Tours take place regardless of weatherso dress appropriately. Ticket sales end twodays prior to each tour so book in advanceby calling (909) 979-9333, or visitBigBear.comtime Big Bear bass player Hank Kalvin theduo forms popular Silver Moon. Regularlysitting in with Brad the last few years hasbeen Emmy nominated engineer RustySmith and 8-string picker Randy Boswell.Brad plays his wide variety of musicat Stillwells restaurant every Saturday from6-9 p.m. He’s also at Big Bear MountainBrewery on Red Ant Hill across from AlpineSlide from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18 plus5-8 p.m. on Feb. 8, 10, 13 and 24, so there’slots of opportunities to hear Brad thismonth and see if you can stump him.“People love to request their favoritetunes and I love to play all kinds of musicand have a decent memory for melodiesand lyrics,” Riesau said. “Having an iPadfull of so many great songs, I can usuallyget close to something they request.” Somenights see him play 60-80% requests.Fullfilled courtesy of Brad’s guitar,harmonica and musical memory that’scatalouged so many songs he’s comeacross through the years. He’s worked inconcert and music promotion for peoplelike Willie Nelson, with whom he spentfour years, along with Derek Trucks,Herbie Hancock, Bruce Hornsby, membersof the Rolling Stones, Dave Brubeck andmany others. He also owned a Delawaremusic store in the 1980’s and 90’s.Brad has written over 400 originalsand released 15 of his own group and soloprojects and produced, arranged, co-wroteand/or coordinated albums/sessions for avariety of artists. Plus recorded as sidemanon sessions for still more artists. Before BigBear he founded popular Delaware bandsPorch Chops and Love Minus Zero, andGoldrush in San Diego.Click Us Up!bigbeartodaymag.comMan of 9,000 songs Brd Riesau, at Stillwells and Big Bear Mountain BrewerySong notes course through Brad’sveins and he’ll do anything the music businessesoffers. As a journalist he’s writtennationally for Jazziz, Relix, Dupree’s DiamondNews magazines and local for BigBear Today. For two years he served as`Super’ weekend with Bear Bowl, partyGet psyched for a “Super” weekendof football when Bear Mountain againhosts its annual Bear Bowl VI on February12, followed the next day by the resort’skiller Big Game Party.Awesome prizes are on the line forteams of four that compete from 11 a.m.-1p.m. in fun activities during Bear Bowl.Events include a relay race, field goal kickingand tire toss contest. Team that scoresthe most overall points wins. The competitionis free to enter and open to the first12 teams to sign up that morning so getyour bros together and try to capture thecoveted Bear Bowl trophy.There’s serious prizes too, like fourfree 2022-23 Bear+Summit Anytime seasonpasses, $1,000 in cash ($250 per personfor team of four), and VIP treatment atnext day’s Super Sunday Viewing Party onmusical director for Bear Valley Center forSpiritual Enrichment.Call Stillwells (909) 866-3121 orBrewery (909) 878-0616Feb. 13 in Methods Sports Bar.Registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. followedby players meeting and moment ofsilence for the late, great NFL coach andannouncer John Madden.All team members must have validseason pass or lift ticket to compete.There’s also music on the newly-expandeddeck and other giveaways making for agreat Bear bash.Don’t miss the next day’s super partyat Methods when the Los Angeles Ramsand Cincinnati Bengals go at it to determinepro football’s champion. There’sdrink and food specials plus giveaways andaction on big screen TVs with kickoff at3:30 p.m. Don your favorite team’s jerseyand watch the big game after a few morninglaps on the mountain!18
Big Bear Today February 2022—Page 11Long tubing runs, ropes course at BBSPWinter was slow in arriving but whenit did show up, it came in a blizzard, bothnatural and manmade.Significant December snow stormsfollowed by great snowmaking conditionsin January have allowed Big Bear SnowPlay to build a deep snowpack that’s measuredin feet. Ski area-quality fan snowguns have done the lion’s share of thework, taking full advantage of cold, dryweather to pile up product, ensuring there’sinner tubing through Easter and beyond.All of which is making for an exciting2022 at Big Bear Snow Play, wherethere’s new expanded base lodge featuringsnack bar with 3,000 sq. ft. of seating.Serving goodies like burgers and pizza, theindoor space is just part of an enlarged,renovated base lodge that more thandoubled in size and sports two stories featuringa 6,700 sq. ft. observation deck,serving up great views of snow play action.The wraparound deck is amazing withradiant heat that helps melt snow and ice,spanning the entire building.At one time the Rebel Ridge ski area,longtime family favorite Big Bear SnowPlay sports by far the longest inner tubingruns in the region. By making snow at everyopportunity, Big Bear Snow Play offerstubing whether storms arrive or not,with daily sessions from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.So much product enables Big BearSnow Play to create signature snow featuresin addition to traditional downhillsliding, features like whoop-di-doos,bumps and berms. Nightly groomingmeans tubers enjoy perfect surface conditionseach morning with corduroy snow.Getting to the top of all the snowwould be a real chore if not for two MagicCarpet uphill lifts. Just step on and stepoff! No uphill climb to tucker parents andkids out so they save energy for downhillfun and get all the runs they can handle.For a special treat try after dark GlowTubing sessions at Big Bear Snow Play, 5-9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holiday periodsincluding February 20. The slopes alreadylooked like a Christmas tree for nighttubing when 11 RGB strobes that changesequences from color to color and 1,500LED lights were installed and then evenmore lighting was put in. Now the runs area virtual kaleidoscope of colors with all theshades of the rainbow reflecting off snow.Enhancing the experience even moreare colored inner tubes instead of traditionalblack tires. Red, white and blue camotubes—the area went to colorful innertubes instead of the traditional black tirelookseveral years ago—really light up afterdark, especially when the black lightcomes around. Even the Magic Carpet lift,enclosed for guest comfort, is lit up.All inner tubing sessions at Big BearSnow Play are $40, children $25, whichincludes tube rental and Magic Carpet.The 6,400 sq. ft. Big Bear RopesCourse adjacent to the lodge is open yearround,weather permitting with 37 challengingelements including suspensionbridges, ropes, spinning log, curved barsand more. The state-of-the-art ropescourse, only one in Big Bear, is two storieshigh with an engaging mix of obstaclesand challenges that bring out your innerNinja warrior. Unlike Ninjas, guests arewearing five-point, full-body safety harnessesthat are tethered into the structure,so there’s zero chance of falling as theynavigate obstacles like spinning log or avariety of rope challenges.There’s curved bars that adventurersmust wind their way around and swingingsteps. Along with a variety of suspensionbridges, some with wide-open gaps andothers dangling ropes to grasp onto. Evenan 80-foot descent on the Sky Rail ziplinewith automatic braking. Sessions are $12.All users must be at least 42” tall andunder 48” must be accompanied by anadult. Maximum weight 300 lbs.Big Bear Snow Play/ Ropes Course isat 42825 Big Bear Blvd. (909) 585-0075.Year-RoundChristmas Room!Our rooms arefilled with giftsand treasuresfrom nearly20 artists!Come Up the Historic Staircase of the 1920's Navajo Hotel• Bear-ly UsedBooks• Jerky• Pottery• Aprons• SportsMemorabilia• EverythingBears & MoreOpen 7 Daysa weekBig Bear's from 9:30 a.m.Shopping ExperienceThere is not “Anything” we do not have!Village Faire40794 Village Dr.(909) 866-8220Above the Leather Depot in Big Bear VillageFull Hot & Cold DeliGroceries • Firewood & Propane • Spirits • LottoTry Our FamousRotisserie Chicken& Kabobs!We cut the highestQuality MeatsDailyAwardWinners:1stLiquor2ndGroceries2017Chamber ofCommerceExcellencein Business!Fully-Cooked Delicious Heat & Serve Meals Like Tri-Tip,Smoked Pork Loin, Enchiladas & More! • Fresh Produce Too!(909) 585-2641 • Open 7 DaysCommunity Market100 E. Big Bear Blvd. (at Greenway) • Big Bear City1 mile east of The Convention Center
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