County Library partners with Ono Hawaiian BBQ for fall reading program

The San Bernardino County Library is pleased to announce a new partnership with Ono Hawaiian BBQ restaurants to promote reading among children ages 0 to 17. It’s an Ono Autumn at the Library program will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 at all San Bernardino County branch locations. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Ono Hawaiian BBQ to promote literacy and a love for reading among our youngest residents,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “In order to achieve our Countywide Vision, we need to ensure our children are meeting their grade level requirements, particularly with reading.” 

San Bernardino County residents are invited to participate in the program by signing up through Beanstack at sbclib.beanstack.org. To earn an achievement award, participants must check out five books with their library card, read those five books and track their reading through Beanstack.  A voucher for a free kid’s meal will be issued at any of the 32 San Bernardino County Library locations. Participants may earn up to three vouchers for the duration of the program. 

Participants do not need to have their own library card to participate but are encouraged to sign up for one. Receipts must be presented at the service desk during the library’s operating hours, including renewed items. Ono Hawaiian BBQ restaurants will honor the vouchers at any Southern California location. All vouchers are available while supplies last.

In support of the Vision2Read literacy campaign as well as San Bernardino County’s Opportunity campaign, this program aims to improve literacy rates among children ages 0 to 17 by inspiring a love for reading, providing achievement goals and encouraging a reading routine.

The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The County Library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to the educational, cultural and historical development of our county community.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www.sbclib/org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

Calico Ghost Haunt ‘Where Nightmares Begin’ event will bewitch those who dare to visit

If spooking is your thing and Halloween brings out the howl in you, Calico Ghost Town may be the fright place to be the last two weekends in October for our annual Ghost Haunt: Where Nightmares Begin.

The first weekend of ghost haunting starts Friday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 20 and the second weekend starts Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday Oct. 27.

Ghost Haunt hours are:

Fridays: 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sundays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ghost Haunting activities include trick-or-treating, costume contests for all ages, a campsite decorating contest, live music and entertainment shows, gunfighter shows, family-friendly games, activities and haunted attractions* (includes train rides, gold panning, haunted mine tours, Mystery Shack and ghost tours). *Attractions are an additional price. Visit www.calicoattractions.com for prices. Food, snacks and beverages will also be available as well as shopping at town stores. Take a virtual tour of our Calico town stores.

Town Scarers

Beware after dark as nightmares begin to roam throughout town haunted with frightful scarers who will lurk in the shadows waiting to prey on unsuspecting towns people.

Scare hours are:

Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m.

Costume Contest Guidelines
Visitors can enter our costume contest in one of the following categories to win a prize: funniest, cutest, scariest and most creative. Dogs can join in on the fun too as Dorsey’s Dog House hosts its dog costume contest on Saturdays.

Campsite Contest
Campers can also participate in our annual Ghost Haunt Campsite Decorating Contest based on the “Where Nightmares Begin” theme.

Dates, Admission and Hours
General admission for adults (12 and over) is $15, youth (ages 4-11) is $10 and ages 3 and under are free. Campers will also receive free admission with camping reservations. All ages are welcome. Visit our website for event details and a complete schedule of activities at parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-ghost-haunt.

For more information on camping reservations or other Regional Parks, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow Calico Ghost Town on Facebook. You can also follow Regional Parks on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with the latest parks news and events.

FREE Halloween safety reflector bags

Keep your trick-or-treating safe with First 5 San Bernardino’s FREE Halloween safety reflector bags. Visit us at the First 5 San Bernardino office to pick up your kiddo’s complimentary bag. We can’t wait to see you!

  • Oct. 21 – 25, 2024, Pickup times:  8:30 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.
  • 1 Halloween Safety Bag, 1 book and a sweet treat
  • Kids who dress up receive an extra treat!
  • Email Victor Valenzuela at victor.valenzuela@cfc.sbcounty.gov to schedule your pickup
  • First 5 San Bernardino’s office is located at 735 E. Carnegie Dr., San Bernardino

Note:  One bag per child; Must be under the age of five to receive stuffed bag. Children six and older will be able to receive one bag. All scheduled pickups must come on assigned day. 

Subaru Loves Pets campaign in October

This October, San Bernardino County Animal Care is partnering with Subaru of San Bernardino to provide the love and support every pet deserves.

According to the ASPCA®, nearly 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide last year, where many wait to find a loving home.

That’s why, as part of their annual #SubaruLovesPets initiative, Subaru of San Bernardino is providing Animal Care with direct funding through a grant administered by the ASPCA® to help us cover essential costs for preparing animals for adoption, veterinary expenses, and more. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mZOcSP3rc9Q?si=SQdZaOd7fRueQRWQ

The Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters will offer free adoptions for qualifying pets which includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, and most vaccines. Be sure to stop by and help us find loving homes for pets in need!

For more information about pets available for adoption, please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care at animalcare.sbcounty.gov/pets or call (800) 472-5609. To make a donation to assist animals at the shelter, visit https://arffund.org/.

Child Support Services to hold third annual Trunk or Treat event

San Bernardino County Child Support Services (CSS) will hold its Third Annual Trunk or Treat, a free community event to provide a safe and fun way for children to celebrate Halloween and receive some free candy too, on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10417 Mountain View Ave. in Loma Linda.

The popular outdoor event features over 25 community partners who will provide services and resources to families in San Bernardino County.

CSS professionals will be available to provide child support information and case-specific services. There will be games, prizes and special treats for the whole family. Don’t forget to dress up in your favorite costume and invite your friends.

Bloomington Recreation and Parks Trunk or Treat event

Bloomington Recreation and Parks is hosting a Trunk or Treat event at Ayala Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5 – 8 p.m. This fun and safe Halloween celebration aims to serve the community, and last year’s event drew over 3,000 attendees! The event will feature candy, pop-up booths, costumed characters, inflatable games, food vendors, a DJ and more. Join us for a spooky time!

Celebrate Halloween with a rooftop garden experience at the Highland Branch Library

The Highland Branch Library invites you to join us for festive Halloween fun! As part of the celebration, patrons can receive a ticket to Pumpkin’s Haunted Path — a haunting adventure on our rooftop garden, fully transformed for Halloween. This limited-time experience will be available during specific times.

  • Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Halloween fun continues with a special event on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 4 – 7 p.m. Pumpkin’s Halloween Haunt features opportunity drawings, face painting and trick-or-treating throughout the library. Family friendly costumes are highly encouraged.

To receive a ticket to Pumpkin’s Haunted Path patrons must check out 10 items during the listed times. A ticket will be required for each attendee.

For more information, please contact the Highland Branch Library at (909) 798-8490.

The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural and historical development of our county community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www.sbclib.org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

Astronomy After Hours at the San Bernardino County Museum

Looking for a spooky, starry-eyed start to your weekend? Head over to the Victor Valley Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for Cosmic Nights. In partnership with the High Desert Astronomical Society (HiDAS) and Goldstone Deep Space Communications, the museum invites the public to view stars, planets, the moon and other astronomical phenomena.

Visitors are encouraged to come in their favorite creative costume to enjoy an evening filled with candy, stargazing and an opportunity to discuss astronomy with experts. Local food and entertainment vendors will be onsite including Funnel Kake Frenzy, Kona Ice of the Victor Valley and OMG Face Painting.

Visitors are welcome to set up portable lawn chairs and blankets for extended viewing and are also encouraged to bring binoculars or set up their own telescopes. The event takes place outdoors and visitors are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

The Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Rd. in Apple Valley. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and museum members are admitted free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov/victor-valley-museum or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

Prado Regional Parks hosts its annual Country Campout Music Festival

This year, Prado Regional Park’s annual Country Campout Music Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 10 p.m., featuring a full lineup of country artists, including Chris Young, Coffey Anderson, Tyler Braden, Daniel Bonte and Kylie Trout.

The one-day music festival is open to everyone and you don’t have to be a camper to enjoy a day of outdoor activities including food vendors, bars, line dancing lessons, yard games, mechanical bull rides, axe throwing, country shopping and all-day musical entertainment by some of Nashville’s best artists and SoCal’s emerging country acts.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and general admission festival tickets start at $99 per person (plus a service fee). For information on all festival ticket prices, including VIP and concert cabanas, the concert schedule and event FAQs, visit www.countrycampoutweekend.com.

Prado Regional Park is located at 16700 S. Euclid Ave. in Chino. For more park information and events by Regional Parks, visit parks.sbcounty.gov.

The Clock is Ticking: Trivia Night is coming to the San Bernardino County Museum

Get out of your routine and indulge your competitive spirit with a fun-filled night of challenging trivia as you compete for prizes during Trivia Night at the San Bernardino County Museum on Friday, Nov. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. with trivia beginning at 7 p.m. inside the Fisk Gallery!

Prizes include mystery swag, free admission and museum memberships provided by our generous San Bernardino County Museum Foundation!

Teams consist of eight players. Register for one person or a partial team is a-okay!

Pour House Trivia California will be hosting the live trivia game, which will feature a wide array of subjects including custom museum questions. Local food vendor, Dawgs 4 Dogs, will be onsite for purchase. Dawgs 4 Dogs serves amazing hot dogs with proceeds supporting the Redlands Animal Shelter.

To purchase admission tickets in advance or find more information on San Bernardino County Museum programs, events, exhibitions, volunteer opportunities and memberships, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under are admitted free. Museum members receive a 50% admission discount. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.


Additional County Update News – October 24, 2024