Results tagged “Yucaipa Regional Park” from Yucaipa Now

Yucaipa Regional Park has much to offer recreational and camping enthusiasts.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - The rising cost of gas and the dismal economy have many people in a thrifty frame of mind. And those two factors could keep holiday travelers closer to home this Memorial Day weekend.

As a result, Yucaipa Regional Park expects to be a busy recreational destination for thousands of people Friday through Monday of the opening weekend of the park and its popular swim area and waterslide.

"I believe the park will be busy because we are seeing a lot more people staying local because of the economy," said Park Superintendent Bert Angeli. But Angeli says he and his crew are ready for the onslaught.

Humberto Estrada, president Lambda Theta Phi fraternity of Cal State San Bernardino and his fraternity crew, help clean up Yucaipa Regional Park on Saturday.

By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA REGIONAL PARK - the California State University San Bernardino Greek Community spruced up Yucaipa Regional Park in time for the park's annual Memorial Day weekend opening.

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Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

Cal State San Bernardino Greek fraternities and sororities show their bigheartedness to Yucaipa Valley community by sprucing up Yucaipa Regional Park on Saturday

YUCAIPA - Yucaipa Regional Park - especially the one acre swim lagoon - showed its winter wear and needed a clean up in time for the park's annual Memorial Day weekend opening. So about 150 members of the California State University San Bernardino Greek Community united as a volunteer labor force to get the job done on Saturday.

They pulled weeds, painted walls and buildings, racked debris from the swim lagoon's sandy beaches, planted trees, plants, and flowers, picked up trash, and cleaned up the volleyball sand court. And when they had finished their all-day work, the park sparkled like new again.

"This brings all the Greeks together for a good cause in being united to help out our surrounding communities," said Humberto Estrada, president of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity. "That's what the Greek life is all about, giving back."

Community service brings together Cal State Greek Community and San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department

News Release
Joseph Turner
Special Projects Coordinator
Supervisor Neil Derry, Third District
(909) 387-0283
jturner@bos.sbcounty.gov

YUCAIPA - On Saturday, May 9th, the California State University San Bernardino
Greek Community will team up with the San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department to spruce up Yucaipa Regional Park in time for its annual Memorial Day opening.

The all-day event sponsored by Supervisor Neil Derry will begin at 9a.m. It is expected to draw 100-150 students who will plant trees and bushes, paint park structures, abate weeds and assist in other general
maintenance.

"Regional parks are a safe, clean option for residents looking for inexpensive family friendly activities in these tough economic times," Supervisor Neil Derry said.

Photos By Bob Otto / SUN Staff

YUCAIPA - It turned into a winter wonderland in Yucaipa on Monday when temperatures plunged and rain first turned to sleet, then to falling snow.

At Yucaipa Regional Park, Alfredo Gomez of Mentone, bundled up and fished in the rain, sleet, and snow. After three hours he caught one 1 1/2 pound trout. Was it worth it? "It's cold, (but) it will taste good," Gomez said with a smile.

Not far from Gomez, a Canadian goose buried his beak deep in his feathers and raised one of his webbed feet up into his feathers to try and stay warm. And in my front yard, my maple tree was under siege by flurries of puffy, white snowflakes.

Square dancers coming to Yucaipal

The Cow Counties Hoedown Association, which encompasses San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties, will host their 33rd Annual Fall Festival at the Yucaipa Community Center on Sept. 26, 27, 28.

Along with square dancing, the three-day event will feature a fashion show, a grand march, vendors, and ceremonies. Anywhere from 300 to 460 dancers are expected to take part in the festivities, said Shayne Killam, of the Yucaipa Calico Quails one of the clubs hosting the event.

One of Saturday's high lights will be the performance of a well traveled group, the Heritage Dancers. "The Heritage Dancers perform around the country," Killam said. "They will square dance much as they did originally in the 1850s."

On Saturday an opening ceremonies will include all the clubs marching around the dance hall displaying their banners. And the Handicaple dancers - some in wheelchairs - will perform from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Killam added.

"We've got (square dance) callers from locally to all over, and the dancers range in age from nine to 90," Killam said.

Registration is scheduled to begin on Friday at 10 a.m. with vendors opening at about 6 p.m. Each day has a full line up of activities, including prize drawings, and food served by Domino's Pizza and Jose's Mexican food.

For more information about the organization, the Fall Festival, and about lodging and camping accommodations at Yucaipa Regional Park, visit www.squaredancingccha.org.

Gary D.J. Ewing releases a white dove during the Garden of Angels Charity Car Show at Yucaipa Regional Park, Sunday.

Yucaipa - One man won a 50 - 50 drawing worth $200. He gave the money back. Another woman outbid several competitors and paid $275 for an autographed painting.

Why such generosity? Because all the money goes to a worthy cause, The Garden of Angels in Yucaipa, an organization that gives a dignified burial to abandoned babies often found thrown away and dead in dumpsters.

But before that tragic ending, the Garden of Angels tries to reach expectant mothers and inform them that they have an option: They can surrender their newborns safely into welcoming arms, without the fear of reprisal. No questions asked.

The Car Show, now in its 12th year, drew 203 entrants on Sunday, who paid $20 each to showcase their classic cars, customs, street rods, trucks and motorcycles at Yucaipa Regional Park. The top fifteen left with awards, and one was awarded, "Best of Show."

But the owners didn't come to the car show necessarily to win an award. They came to support the Garden of Angels "Safe Surrender for Newborns"law.

The law allows a parent to "safely surrender" their unwanted newborn within 3 days of birth to an employee at any hospital, emergency room, most fire stations, or other designated "safe havens."

"The law is in all 50 states," said Gary D.J. Ewing, who coordinated the event. "Safe Surrender is the law that saves lives, but it only works if people know about it. We have to keep this law alive." The Gargen of Angels was a leading force in getting the law passed in 2001.

Dora Ramirez and her daughter, Belinda Ramirez, remember ten years a go when their brother, Bobby Ramirez, heard about the Garden of Angels.

"Bobby read an article about the Garden and he wanted to do something to help," said Dora, Bobby's mother. "He talked his club (Inland Empire Pick Ups United) into joining the charity. But he passed away just before the car show."

Mother and sister didn't forget Bobby's wishes and for 10 years the club has attended the car show. And this year, the Car Show was dedicated in his honor.

Ed Kohler of Yucaipa sat in a lawn chair close by his powder blue 1954 Chevy Bel Air convertible as visitors stopped by to admire and ask questions. Kohler has brought his Bel Air to the Car Show for four years.

"It ranks up there with all the top shows," he said. "And all the money goes to a super good cause."

Hundreds of classic car admirers meandered in and out of rows of cars, trucks, customs, and motorcycles stretching about 200 yards long. The looked under hoods and into open windows, while owners eagerly answered questions about their vehicles. Most of the owners belonged to car clubs that traveled from throughout southern California to lend support to the event.

But after all the looking and admiring, the founder of Garden of Angels, Debi Faris - Cefilli, took to the stage, and gathered the admirers, and car club members close to her during closing ceremonies.

"You are the first group (car clubs) to come forward and say, 'we believe in what you are doing,'"said Faris - Cefilli. "I love you for that."

To learn more about the Garden of Angels, or to make a donation, visit www.gardenoffangels.org. Phone (909) 797-8599 for more information.

See the best in classics and customs at charity car show

See fabulous classic cars at Garden of Angels charity car show, Sunday.

From 250 to 300 classic cars, trucks, street rods, and motorcycles will be on display, Sunday, July 27 at Yucaipa Regional Park for the 12th Annual Garden of Angels charity car show.

The annual event draws classic vehicles from throughout California and Arizona, said event organizer and promoter, Gary D.J. Ewing. "All the proceeds go to the Garden of Angels to provide a wonderful burial service for babies who have been thrown away."

Ewing said the event raises about $5,000 annually, and he hopes to match or top that this year. Through his organization, "D.J. Gary Rockin' Oldies," Ewing stages about 300 events throughout California each year with 95 percent of the proceeds going to charities.

Sunday's charity car show will feature music, vendors, breakfast, lunch, and raffles. And of course, hundreds of classic vehicles and motorcycles.

Ewing said that the regional park can accommodate about 3,000 cars, so there's plenty of room for parking.

Registration is $20 for classic vehicles, street rods, trucks, motorcycles, and custom vehicle. There is still time and room to enter this worthy charity. "This charity is near and dear to my heart," said Ewing.

For more information, call (951) 681-4605.

Fourth of July finds Yucaipans celebrating in numerous ways

By midmorning of Independence Day Mary Sheehan had already waved into Yucaipa Regional Park a long line of cars, trucks, and campers that had stretched for over a half mile.

"It's been going non-stop since we opened at 7:30," said Sheehan a Regional Park employee. "People started getting in line at nine last night waiting to get into the park this morning. The line backed up on to Oak Glen Road all the way to Sunnyside Drive."