Adventures in Southern California

On the way in, we stopped by Gary Dahle's house. His wife Judy will not be able to make the dinner tonight and we wanted to see her while we were down here. They had never met Carmen. We chatted, Judy played the mandolin, we traded some jam for some plum sauce and they gave us an extra pressure caner that they had. Thank you Judy and Gary. The time passed so quickly and before you knew it, it was time to leave.

We stayed at the house of Melinda Race. She is a dear sweet woman, who embraces the meaning of hospitality. Her generosity knows no bounds. I have known since grammar school. This time we got to met her other daughter. Melinda has a beautiful family.



Saturday morning, we got up way to early. We headed over to Yoyo's. Yoyo is a friend from Peru. She made us a delicious breakfast and we enjoyed chatting with her.

Carmen and I both got off early so that we could drive down to southern California. We left at 11:15 and got in just after 7:00pm. We made really good time until we were on the I210 East and got to the tunnels in Pasadena, then we crawled the rest of the way. If is funny how the diamond lane is often not as fast as the regular lanes.


(This picture was stolen from Grant Jones)

Next we headed over to Lee and Judy Fisher's house. Waiting there was another friend Cecil Brower. The Fishers and Browers are families that we were very close to. I went to school with their kids, we were in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts together. Our families spent a lot of time together. Both Lee and Cecil were very active in Scouts and attribute many good lessons that I learned to their efforts. There should be more people in this world like them.

We chatted about old times and where everyone was now and how they are doing. Next time I visit, I need to bring my dad. One of Lee Fisher's favorite quotes by my dad is "It isn't easy being a Webelo”..

While Mr. Brower still lives in his house in Glendora with is wife, Lee and Judy no longer live in their 5 bedroom house in Glendora. They now live in a beautiful 3 bedroom house in Rancho Cucamunga near one of their sons.



Next we visited COBOS (Diana Campbell), her daughter Zoe and her grandson Logan. What a cutie. He is a babe magnet and we took some short videos which are posted on Facebook. Can we say Facebook here?

That evening Melinda, Cobos, Carmen and I headed over to Honolulu Harry's for a mini reunion. The reunion was planned by Grant Jones of 1979 and open to all years, which has become the tradition. I think it was the best one so far. There was live music, yet everyone could hear. The prices were very reasonable, the food was pretty good and the seating worked very well.


(This picture was stolen from Pearl Sittrop)


I thought I was going to a COHS mini reunion and I was. I saw many friends that I always enjoy seeing such as Melinda Race, Judy Zeiter, Bill Hicks, Sonya Conn, Gary Dahle, Craig Schaeffer and many others, but my family was very active in Boy Scouts (BSA). Earlier this morning I spent time with some wonderful people from Boy Scouts, but imagine my sheer delight when two Eagle Scouts, Tom Sargent and Albert Funfstuck where there. Tom's dad was another one of those parents that were very involved. Until that day, I had not seen anyone from Boy Scouts in 30 years these two made for a total of five in one day. WOW.


(This picture was also stolen from Pearl Sittrop)

There were quite a number of people that showed up that have not made other reunions and so again it had been over 30 years since I had seen them. One such person was Jim Vanessa. Jim and I had played Little League Baseball together. Our very first team was the Delephane Truckers. Worst team ever! The following year we did quite a bit better as Savage Mazda. Naturally we had no idea what a Mazda was at the time or how to pronounce it. Jim's dad was our coach. He was one of those great parents that really make a difference. It was so good to see Jim after so many years. In case you don't know Jim, Jim was funny. He still is! We had a riot!

Carmen and I are very grateful for Melinda putting us up at her place and I am grateful to Grant Jones for putting this mini-reunion together. It was First Class!

Avatar

Today Carmen, Lila, Kike and myself went to see Avatar. Normally I wouldn't write about seeing a movie in our blog, but there were some special circumstances that made this memorable. We had just laid to rest Uncle Don only the day before yesterday and it was good for us to do something to take our minds off of this loss and start to get back to normal.

I had a lot of doubts about this movie. I had heard mixed reviews from friends. I am not an incredible fan of James Cameron. I have found his movies, such as Titanic, to go on way too long. One friend compared it to Lord of the Rings, which I found totally boring despite many attempts to like this series of films.

I had decided that if we were going to see Avatar, we would see it on the Imax in 3D. I looked up the times on Fandango, but did not book the tickets. That was a mistake. The theater is in Dublin, California, which is a good 45 minutes from our house. Once we got there, we found out that they were sold out for the 3D Imax until 10pm, so we decided to watch the movie in 3D, but not on Imax. Next time I want to see something in Imax, I'm going to book my tickets in advance.

We had some time, so we decided to get something to eat at Fuddruckers. Besides beff, they have hamburgers made out of Bison, Ostrich and now Venison. I had to have it. I can now say that I have eaten Bambi.

The theater is the Regal Hacienda Crossings 21 & Imax. The theater was fantastic, the screen was very big, but the most impressive part was that the men's room has waterless urinals. Win one for the Green side!



3D can be annoying, this wasn't. Seems 3D technology has come a long way. There were none of the gimmicks in this movie of having things fly right at the audience. This was just a movie that happened to be in 3D and it enhanced the viewing experience. I was worried that Carmen who wears glasses would have difficulties, but that was not the case. How soon before 3D TV's hit the market.



This movie was amazing. I not only enjoyed the visuals, but thought it was a great story. The only movie I have ever enjoyed more was Star Wars when it first came out back in 1977. We all enjoyed this movie, so four thumbs up from the Bears.

Donald Robert Bear Laid to Rest

Today started at 11:30 with a viewing of my Uncle Don. He passed away earlier in the week at home at the age of 80. Today was a day filled with sorrow and pain, but also joy and unity.

There were bouquets and wreaths of flowers everywhere. The Bear Family is a very large and close family. Bears poured in from all over the west coast; but it wasn't just family. Friends were everywhere. Don was loved by all that knew him. He lived his life the way most of us wish they could. He did not drink, smoke, curse or brag and he was the most honest person I have ever known.

By the time the service started, the chapel was filled and there were people standing long the wall. His son Don, gave the eulogy. He did a wonderful job and there was not a dry eye anywhere. It was time for members of the family to speak, both his older bother Charles, nicknamed Puzz and his younger brother Jim spoke eloquently. I spoke for our family. There was no shortage of family members to wanting to express their love for our dearly departed Uncle Don. There were stories about fishing, cars, and wonderful woman named Marion, his wife. One theme that continued throughout was Don's amazing selflessness.

The service ran long because of all the people who wanted to speak in praise of Uncle Don. We proceeded from the memorial service to the funeral. My brothers and I were privileged with being pallbearers. After the body was lowered, the funeral portion was over.

We all headed to First Church of the Nazarene, were Don had been an active member for almost 50 years. There we looked at pictures of Don during his life, we ate, we told storied. We promised to stay in touch and we said our goodbyes. I am lucky to be part of such a large and wonderful family. I really got to know Don's wife, Kathy for the first time. I had not seen his children since they were both in strollers and now they are young adults. I had not seen Ralph in almost 35 years. We lost one of the strongest links in our family, but we pulled together and supported each other. We are stronger than ever.

It was a beautiful celebration of the life of a dear man.

Donald Robert Bear

Click on Images to Enlarge

Donald Robert Bear passed away, Sunday January 3, 2010 around 4:00pm at home. The cause of death is Leukemia. He is survived by his wife, 2 daughters, 1 son and three grandchildren.

On Friday, January 8, 2010 there will be a viewing starting at 11:00am and a memorial service at 1:30pm at the Chapel of the Chimes located at 32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544-8257
(510) 538-3131

Don and Grandma Grimm

Puzz, Grandma Bear and Don

The Bear Family is Complete

Family on Vacation

Don and Marion

His Own Family

The Kids Start their Families

Don, Marion, Louise and Ted

Puzz, Don, Mary and Jim

Family Reunion 2009 at Nancy and Mark's House/Winery

A Hike

Some months ago, a very dear friend and famous COHS personality (COBOS) stopped by to visit while on her book signing tour. I took her for one of my favorite hikes in the hills above where I live. I figured this would be a quick hike and I would not bring a back pack therefore I would not need hiking boots. During the descent on the Eagles Nest Trail it was pretty steep and I gave Cobos tips on how to handle the steep grade.



We are about 3/4's the way down and the phone rings. I stop to answer it. The grade is very steep, and the ground is covered with Eucalyptus leaves and bark making it very slippery. I'm holding the phone and the water bottle and decide to switch hands. Keep in mind that I am standing still, I'm not hiking. All of a sudden, my left foot takes off sliding down the hill. Unfortunately, the right foot tried to stay behind, but ended up twisting over itself and getting crushed as I feel down full force on top of myself. The snapping and popping that I heard was not all bark and branches. I know call this infamous site "Bears Landing".


I ended up with a severely sprained ankle and a very sore Achilles heel. See the picture?


I was on crutches for months. Today I decided it was time to take back the trail. This time I wore proper hiking boots (smart), but went hiking alone (not smart) and used a walking stick (smart). It was just me, the fog and the cows. It was a great hike.

I finished the hike, my wife Carmen picked me up. We went over the Lakeridge Athletic Club for a shower (needed), and soak in the Jacuzzi and another shower. It was very relaxing, the trail is mine!

New Year's Resolution 2010

Here are my resolutions for 2010:

Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game.

Seeing more COHS friends.

Keep another 5-10 pounds off.

Get more active: Hiking or swimming.

Get more active: Helping other people.

Improve our financial situation (reduce debt)

Canning: Trade with more people that can; add to what I make: salsa, speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax


Be More Green - this is way to general so I want to accomplish some of the following:

Plant a tree

Plant more vegetables: tomatoes, onions and garlic, ginger, herbs

Increase the number of LED lights in use.

Better composting

Let fruit we grow go to waste.

Merry Christmas Everyone

This year has had its up and down moments. We lost Tia (aunt) Leone just after she landed here to visit us from Peru. She worked hard all her life and was a very special member of our family.

The economy has been very tough for many and we are no exception, but my sister Becky bought a house in Hayward near Castro Valley. It even has a view of the bay.

Carmen got to accompany me on a business trip to Washington DC and had a wonderful time. We got to visit Amelia and her folks Sally and David Ames. Back home Lila broke her foot.

June arrived and Lila got her AA. It was a very proud moment for all of us. At this stage in her life, it seems like she has been in school forever.

The West Coast Bears had a family renuion at Nancy and Marks House/Winery in Sutter Creek. It was really nice. They produce a great wine. The weather was California beautiful and we got to spend time with family that we had not seen in quite some time.

I ended up going to Niagra Falls for work. The falls are spectacular, but I also enjoyed going to the Anchor bar, where Buffalo Wings were invented.

Carmen and I enjoyed a number of concerts: Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Creedance Clearwater Revisited. Love that classic rock. During my work, I also got to see Kool & the Gang.

I went to Las Vegas to attend the opening of World Series of Poker. I got to spend time with our nephew Carlos who happened to be there with the airforce. Lila flew in the next day and we got to meet many of the famous poker players that we enjoy watching on TV. We also saw the Beatles Love show at the Mirage. What an amazing experience.

Ceci has been with the same boyfriend for over 4 years now. She is attending college studying to be a nurse. She is working at an animal care clinic and now we have four dogs. Four dogs. I never imagined that we would have four dogs. Did I mention that I have four dogs. We love Ceci despite having four dogs.

I had the privileged of officiating at the weddings of two dear couples: Gabriel and Melanie and Carl and Laurenne. It was a great honor and I wish them all many happy years.

I have always considered myself a swimmer and this year I experienced one of the great swimming experiences of my life. My friend Susie Norris invited me to go swimming at Hearst Castle. It is an amazing pool. No chlorine, perfect temperature not to mention how beautiful it is. Her husband and I were the only ones to be able to swim the length of the pool under water without coming up for air.

I had gone 25 years or more not seeing any of the people I went to school with, but this year I ended up in Southern California more than usual and held a series of lunches where I got to spend time with the people I grew up with. These events were very special to me. The highlight was the Chater Oak High School Alumni Waterpolo Match; something I will never forget.

There were two major visits of family from Peru. The first was very sad with the passing of Tia Leone. The second was in December and revolved around Edgardo's 90th birthday. Edgardo is Carmen's dad, and he doesn't look anywhere near 90. We are very fortunate that our children have grown up with their grandparents.

Our nephew Carlos Left for Korea where he will be stationed for one year, followed by three years in Okinowa. We hope to be able to visit him at least once. He will visit us once a year.

While the economy really sucked this year, our family has never been closer. We are grateful for all of our friends and family that have touched our lives. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Bears

P.S. We choose this method of sending Christmas Cards as what will likely be our last "Green" act of the year.