By Julianne Homokay – Special to the Alpine Mountaineer

On Saturday, June 17, a moderate but mighty crowd from the mountain and beyond attended Rock the Rim to show their support for those who suffered as a result of the mountain’s recent, unprecedented snowstorm.

The event, held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tudorville in Arrowhead Villas, featured five bands and almost two dozen vendors. The San Marzano Wine & Ale Lounge, The Tudor House, Hearts & Lives and Bizzyland sponsored the event.

In fact, the event was Shannon Bizzy’s brainchild. “It was actually Shannon’s idea,” said Alyssa Braggins. Braggins works with her husband Andrew’s business, AF Braggins Weddings and Events, who produced the concert. Bizzy contacted Andrew, who is also Bizzyland’s event coordinator, and asked, “Can we put this together?”

“And here we are!” said Braggins. “We contacted Hearts & Lives because we wanted a nonprofit to distribute the money,” Braggins continued. “They were happy to assist.”

Vendors came from across the mountain and beyond to enhance the experience for concert goers and show their support. Andrew Braggins created a fair-like atmosphere with a main staging area, two additional areas where most of the artisans set up shop and a goat petting zoo for the kids.

Tasty tacos and refreshing lemonade by Woosh in the main concert area.

Representing Crestline were Bear Claw Saloon, Sterling Feather Studio, The Palace of Bone & Salt, Crestline Dream and Devina’s Chalet Kitchen. NoNo’s Herbals represented Running Springs; Sugarpine Creations, Cedarpines Park. From Studio City were Deon Fragrances and BaBa YaGa Balenciaga. Riley’s Brand came up from Redlands, Tacos y Mas by Angela from Colton and the Off Road Coffee Stop from Apple Valley. In addition, several online and mobile vendors participated, including Harvest Moon Apothecary, Tacos By Woosh and Wears The Mountain.

This youngster at the Off Road Coffee Stop was tired from making those lattes.

The concert featured Destiny Love, Speakeasy Jazz Quartet, Groove Cats and Buzz Box, with longtime local favorite By-Products providing the heavy lifting with a nearly two-hour set in the middle of the afternoon.

Mas tacos por “Tacos y Mas by Angela.”

The By-Products were a draw for one delighted concertgoer, Irene, who came up from Colton to support her friend Coni. Irene had first heard the By-Products at 3 Iron Brewing Company: “They were a hit!”

Irene and Coni enjoying the concert.

Irene’s friend Coni is a local. “I live up here. My house was damaged.”

Hearts & Lives, the nonprofit that will be distributing the funds collected via Rock the Rim, is a local group that strives to “[address] the needs of residents in the Rim Mountain Communities through case management, education, direct services and referrals” (heartsandlives.org). Once the funds are tallied, Hearts & Lives will make applications available to the community.

Residents applying for relief must have photos of the damage to their homes, proof of residency and a denial letter from their insurance companies. Priority will be given to structures that are still red- and yellow-tagged.

Businesses, business owners and 1099 employees who suffered a loss of income as a result of the storm need a 2022 tax return and a signed letter describing how the storm caused loss of income.

Hearts & Lives may be contacted at (909)-338-3222 or [email protected].