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< Wednesday, July 28, 2021 >


All Day The Festival Will Go On! The Bear Valley Music Festival Returns July 23rd - August 1st!!
Bear Valley, CA...The Bear Valley Music Festival is a 53-year old icon in our community, and only a pandemic could make us miss a year. After much analysis, conversations with the state and county health officials, and listening to over 500 of you via the survey we sent out in February we are thrilled to announce that we’re back. We expect to make a formal announcement in early May that will include our robust safety protocols, the programming line-up and this year’s ticket sales process.


The 2021 Festival will be reduced to one week and two weekends, so we expect to sell out quickly. There is much more information to come, but for now mark your calendars for July 23rd - August 1st. The celebration will be especially sweet as we join together to finally enjoy live music again in the High Sierra.

See you soon!
The BVMF Board of Directors
All Day The 2021 Bear Valley Music Festival is July 23 - August 1st!
Bear Valley, CA...The 2021 Bear Valley Music Festival is July 23 - August 1st! Order your tickets now & make plans for your summer musical adventures in the California Alps.


About Bear Valley

CLICK HERE FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Bear Valley is located on Scenic Highway 4 in the heart of the Stanislaus National Forest–an area known as the California Alps between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.

Make plans to come early for performances to enjoy beverages, snacks and the art exhibit–all to benefit the Festival.

The Festival is held in a large tent located in the heart of Bear Valley Village. In addition to the main performance tent, small tents are located adjacent and offer local wines from award-winning wineries, beer, beverages and snacks along with Festival merchandise for sale as fundraisers for the festival.

The annual Arts of Bear Valley exhibit is back this season and also supports the Festival. The exhibit is located in the Community building adjacent to the Festival tent.

A Brief History

The Bear Valley and Lake Alpine region of Alpine County has a rich history, and today hosts thousands of visitors, many who take part in the wide recreational activities available throughout the year.

This area was originally named Grizzly Bear Valley by explorer Jedediah Smith, who traveled up the Stanislaus River drainage on his journey across the Sierra Nevada in 1827 following the route of today’s Highway 4, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in October 2005.

In 1850, the route was traced by Major John Ebbetts, who led a company of miners across this route. The Major’s death in 1854 resulted in the naming of the pass in his honor. A toll road, known locally as the Big Trees Road, operated from 1866 to 1911, while today, the highway is one of Alpine County’s state scenic highways.

Development of the Bear Valley Village and nearby ski area began in the early 1960′s. Located on the site of Blood’s Toll Station, homesteaded by Harvey Blood a hundred years earlier, development began with the purchase of 480 acres in 1952 by the Orvis family, prominent San Joaquin Valley ranchers.

In 1955, 20 acres on the north side of the valley were subdivided, marking the beginning of today’s Bear Valley community.

The Bear Valley Mountain Resort, originally named Mt. Reba, opened in December 1967, while the construction of homes, condominiums and commercial facilities began about the same time.  Nearby Lake Alpine, a man-made reservoir, offers a rustic lodge, cabins, restaurant and store, as well as a large concentration of camping facilities.

Today, Bear Valley is a recreational paradise, offering a multitude of summer and winter sports, and is close to foothill golf courses and the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The community is also home to the oldest cultural event in Alpine County, the Bear Valley Music Festival, held every August.

Area Camping

Three dozen campgrounds, plus thousands of acres of dispersed camping, makes Alpine County a favorite with campers. A range of facilities are available, from primitive sites along rushing streams, to lakeside campgrounds with swimming, fishing and boating.

Developed facilities are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alpine County and California State Parks, as well as by private owners.

With elevations ranging from 5000 to 8000 feet, campgrounds are clustered around Lake Alpine on the west, and at Caples Lake, Hope Valley and Markleeville on the east.

Undeveloped, or dispersed, sites are found in a variety of locations around Alpine County. Popular spots include Centerville Flats, Wolf Creek Meadows, Pacific Valley and a variety of locations in Hope, Faith & Charity Valleys.

For more information please visit:
The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
All Day Make Sure Stevenot Winery & Tasting Room is on Your Visit Itinerary
Vallecito & Murphys, CA...Come Enjoy our Patio or Lawn while enjoying wine!! Stevenot Winery is open from Wednesday - Sunday, 11am to 4pm in Vallecito. On Weekends you can drop by the Stevenot Tasting Room on Main Street in Murphys as well.


2849 BATTEN ROAD, VALLECITO, CA 95251 WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY- 11 TO 4 CHARCUTERIE TRAYS AVAILABLE RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED AT WWW.STEVENOTWINERY.COM

458#3 MAIN STREET MURPHYS, CA 95247 FRIDAY -SUNDAY - 11 TO 4 WALK IN ONLY
209-728-3485 CALL OR TEXT

About Stevenot Winery
Wine, gold, history, and heritage are all parts of the rich and colorful tradition that is Stevenot Winery. Located in downtown Murphys and in Vallecito, in the heart of the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County, Stevenot’s beginnings hark back long before their first release of wine in 1978.

The first Stevenots came to the area during the great Gold Rush of the mid 1800’s. During that time vineyards began cropping up throughout the region as miners from France, Germany, and Italy were creating a demand for wine on an unprecedented scale. At one time the Sierra Foothills rivaled the areas of Napa and Sonoma combined in vineyard acreage with over 100 wineries established.

Although the industry eventually declined with the advent of prohibition, it wasn’t long before Barden Stevenot, a fifth generation member of the Stevenot family in Calaveras County, took up where his family had left off and established the winery in the late 1970’s. Recognized as one of the pioneers of the rebirth of wine production in the Sierra Foothills, Stevenot Winery quickly secured its reputation for producing world class wines and for their innovative and award winning style.

Stevenot also looks back at Calaveras County history. The Tasting Room in downtown Murphys was part of the Rufe and Keilber Meat Market, built in 1893. Behind the Tasting Room is the Matterson house, built in the 1860’s, which was damaged, but not destroyed, by the 1893 explosion of the nearby Manuel and Garland Store warehouse. Much of the center of town was destroyed by this accident caused when a clerk left a candle burning in the warehouse which ignited some black powder stored nearby.

New Generation
At about the same time Barden Stevenot was establishing his winery, the Oliveto family was establishing a distribution business in Jackson, which is now headed by brothers Jon and David Oliveto. Born and raised in Jackson, Jon and David began working at very early ages with their father Ross Oliveto’s milk distributing business which opened in the late 1960’s. In 1979 the milk distribution company was sold and the Oliveto family went into the beer and soft drink distribution business serving Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne counties. In the early 1980’s a wine division was added. The Oliveto family began distributing Stevenot wines in the early 1980’s, when White Zinfandel was their best seller. Oliveto Distributing was honored with the Miller Masters award in the early 1990’s, placing them in the top seven distributors in the United States. They were also awarded the High Life Achievement by Miller Brewing Company in 2002 and 2003, given to the top 40 distributors out of a roster of 450 companies.


Oliveto Family - Stevenot Winery Owners
Left to Right: David, Lorraine, Elizabeth, Ross, & Jon.

On February 10, 2010 Oliveto Distributing, Inc. became the proud new owner of Stevenot Wines and now operates the Stevenot Tasting Rooms on Murphys’ Main Street,and at the winery in Vallecito. Jon and David Oliveto are now owners of the well-respected and long-standing distribution company based out of Vallecito.

Into the twenty first century
Recently the Stevenot presence has expanded beyond the Tasting Room on Main Street to the winery in Vallecito. The winery is on property developed by John Batten in 1852. In addition to a facility that allows for local crush and bottling, the vineyards grow Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, and Merlot grapes which provides the opportunity to produce Estate Bottled wines. As you pass through the decorative iron gates in the dry stone wall, past the pond, the heritage oaks, and landscaped meadow, your eye is immediately drawn to the Batten House. The Olivetos have put a great deal of thought and effort into the rehabilitation of this mid nineteenth century landmark. There are ample shaded outdoor areas to enjoy a glass, or two, of Stevenot wine.

Management of the Stevenot label is a family affair. Jon Oliveto is President of Oliveto Distributing. Jon lives in Murphys and is Production Manager and Vineyard Manager. He works closely with winemaker Nancy Steele in the making of each year’s vintage. David Oliveto is Vice President, Operations Manager, and Office Manager. David’s wife Lorraine is Tasting Room Manager and Head Groundskeeper. David and Lorraine live in Murphys. The next generation of Olivetos all live in Murphys as well. Sisters Brooke and Elizabeth have been involved in the business for years. Brooke Peterson is married to Robert Peterson who is a Company Officer and Sales Director. Brooke is currently on sabbatical to raise Cashton, who anchors the third generation. He was seen in the vineyards before his first birthday. Elizabeth is Wine Club Director. Working closely with her father and uncle, Elizabeth is perfectly placed to learn more about the wine making business.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to continue the tradition of Barden Stevenot,” said David. “Stevenot has always been a quality wine and well respected in the community.” “It’s all about quality,” adds Jon. “We have been in the distribution business our whole lives, and will continue to focus on wine making.”

With close to 50 years in the industry serving the region, the Oliveto family knows the business and the community well.



This event repeats weekly every Sunday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday until 10/27/2021
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
Is food a problem for you? Whatever your food issues, we welcome you to the Wednesday Night Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meeting.

Wednesdays 6pm-7pm via Zoom until further notice.

For Zoom info or questions, call Cathy at (209) 591-0074
06:30 PM Calaveras Arts Council Music in the Park Tonight at 6:30!!
West Point, CA...Join us tonight as Jana & Leroy sing jazzy pop standards in the West Point Community Garden.
Concert Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Bring chairs, lawn blankets, snacks or dinner, and drinks and enjoy hanging out with the West Point Community

06:30 PM Music in the Park from the Calaveras County Arts Council!
San Andreas, CA... Music in the Parks Returns to Calaveras County: After last year’s summer of silence in the parks, we’re all itching for some good times. And thankfully, music returns to Calaveras County on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. with the Calaveras Arts Council’s long-standing admission-free Music in the Parks concert series.




Music in the Parks fell silent in 2020 for the first time in over 30 years of sharing music with the community. Music in the Parks holds a special place in the heart of Calaveras County, and Executive Director Kathy Mazzaferro heard from many people that they missed the weekly summer performances. She knows everyone is looking forward to the return of the summer concert series.

“We are so delighted with the community enthusiasm for the return of Music in the Parks,” she said. “We want to slowly help restore a feeling of normalcy to life in Calaveras County. Music is a language we all share that can soothe, relax, bring a smile and send our toes a-tapping. Music in the Parks brings us together as a community.”
Music in the Parks encompasses a wide range of music styles, all chosen to resonate with the community. There’s something for everybody. “There’s everything from swinging Chicago blues, jazz, California country, American folk and bluegrass, to Broadway and Americana,” Mazzaferro said. The Kool Shifters will kick off the season with R & B and rock and roll at the Jenny Lind Veterans Park in Valley Springs on Wednesday June 16. This year, all concerts will be on Wednesday evenings, from June 16 to August 18.

All concerts will be held outside this year. According to Mazzaferro, “The San Andreas concert (July 21) returns to Turner Park with smooth jazz from the Bob Eisenman Jazz Trio. A new venue this year will be the White Pines Community Park in Arnold (August 18), where the Calaveras Community Band will play Broadway tunes and Americana.” She’s excited about this move. “We will have more room to spread out beneath the pine trees. We are grateful to the White Pines Community Park Association for welcoming us to their beautiful park.

Music in the Parks concerts are admission-free events funded by individual donations from community members, and by the generosity of local businesses like Dignity Health Mark Twain Medical Center. More sponsors are stepping up. “This year we are delighted to welcome Big Trees Market and Sierra Pacific Lumber as sponsors,” Mazzaferro said. She is grateful that the community values the tradition of Music in the Parks. “Every donation helps,” she said.

For those concerned about Covid-19 safety, Mazzaferro offers reassurance. “We will be following all local, state and federal health regulations and we hope audiences will work with us,” she said. “Our hope is that we can all come together in kindness and respect, celebrating the opportunity to be together again.”

“The "buzz" around the county is so exciting and we can't wait to see all of you!”

Print out a schedule at www.calaverasarts.org or call the Gallery Store at 209/754-1774 for more information.

Show dates:
June 16
Kool Shifters
R&B, country
Jenny Lind Veterans Park
Valley Springs

June 23
Pinetop Boogie
American folk & bluegrass
Brice Station (No outside alcohol permitted)
Murphys

June 30
Windburn Brothers
Country swing, hillbilly jazz
Utica Park
Angels camp

July 7
Frozen Radicals
Jazz and big band
Shutter Tree Park
Mokelumne Hill

July 14
Two Tone Steiny & the Cadillacs
Mountain Ranch Community Park
Mountain Ranch

July 21
Bob Eisenman
Jazz trio
Turner Park
San Andreas

July 28
Janna & Leroy
Jazz and American standards
Venue TBA
West Point

August 4
The Sky Kings
Country, rock and roll
Murphys Community Park
Murphys

August 11
Grover Anderson & The Lampoliers
Folk Rock
The Square At Copper Valley
Copperopolis

August 18
Calaveras Community Band
Broadway and Americana
White Pines Community Park
Arnold

Mark Twain Medical Center
Meadowmont Pharmacy
Angels & San Andreas Memorial Chapels
Bear Valley Real Estate
Gerard Insurance
Bank of Stockton
Fox Security
Bistro Espresso
Chatom Winery
Middleton's Furniture
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Cave, Mine & Zip Lines
High Country Spa & Stove
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Sierra Logging Museum Calaveras Mentoriing
Jenny's Kitchen

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