Moonridge Animal Park Fundraiser “Blues for the Zoo” August 7, 2010

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 16, 2010, 3:00pm – The Moonridge Animal Park turns 50 this year. To help celebrate the zoo’s golden anniversary of providing sanctuary and rehabilitation for orphaned and injured alpine wildlife is a special benefit concert “Blues for the Zoo”.  Internationally recognized blues artists take the stage lakeside at McDill Swim Beach’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, August 7th from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The Blues for the Zoo headliner will be The Delta Guitar Slingers, an all-star group featuring three heralded guitarists from the blues current generation of virtuosos, which includes Lucky Peterson, Michael Burks and Sherman Robertson.  Guy Davis, guitarist and singer-songwriter, opens the concert with his blend of east coast acoustic folk blues and renditions of delta blues favorites.  Café R & B also performs with a mix of originals and Chicago Blues classics.  All proceeds from the concert will go towards providing medical supplies and equipment for the park’s rehabilitation programs.  Ticket prices are $30 in advance or $35 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult. Parking is $3. Beach chairs are welcome for festival-style lawn seating. To purchase tickets in advance log onto www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232. Tickets can also be purchased at the Big Bear Visitor Center on Bartlett Road or at the Moonridge Animal Park on Goldmine Drive across the street from Bear Mountain Resort.  Between now and August 7th, the artists of “Blues for the Zoo” will be showcased right here on KBHR Friday night’s from 6 to 8pm on Blues on the Bear with Rick Bates.

Escrow Closes on New Zoo Property; Community Input on Relocation Project to Be Sought in August or September

Big Bear Lake, CA — County Supervisor Neil Derry has just announced the purchase of a 10.4 acre parcel of land in lower Moonridge, to relocate and expand the Moonridge Animal Park, as escrow on the $2 million property closed this week. For nearly a decade, the zoo relocation project has been in various stages of discussion and implementation with action in earnest occurring over the last five years, per Derry’s office. The parcel was financed with San Bernardino County funds that had been set aside over several years, as well as matching state funds from Proposition 40. Various bureaucratic obstacles had impeded progress on the project, per a statement issued by Supervisor Derry, and the county was at risk of losing the state’s matching funds had it not acted. Per Derry, “The zoo was a pipeline project in grave danger when I took office and I expressed my commitment and support for the relocation to the curator and county staff. This was a true collaborative effort, and I am very proud of the results and excited about the zoo’s future.” The Moonridge Animal Park, home to over 150 birds and animals, is one of only two alpine zoos in the country and is entirely self-sufficient, via ticket sales and fundraising efforts overseen by the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District. In its current location, at the south end of the Bear Mountain Golf Course, space limitations and rent increases, from $1 a year to $5,000 a month, necessitated action on the relocation, which will take the zoo to the northern end of the golf course. “If we had lost these state funds,” adds Derry, “I am not sure what the future would have held for the zoo.” Now that those funds are secured and escrow closed, the Recreation and Park District will proceed with the CEQA and civil engineering process, with plans to seek public input on the project in August or September. If all goes as planned, development of the new Moonridge Animal Park will begin in April 2011, with completion slated for May 2012.

Recreation and Park District’s Advisory Commission Meet to Discuss Park Funding, Skatepark and Zoo

Big Bear Valley, CA – The Advisory Commission for the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District—which, at present, includes Don Pletcher, Kathryn Poole, Gloria Rose, Bob Ybarra and, as of April, Helen Stearns—convenes for their monthly meeting this evening at 5pm at the Big Bear Senior Center. This evening’s meeting is scheduled to include administrative updates on Proposition 84 (as it relates to Paradise Park and the Moonridge Animal Park) and the Sugarloaf skatepark renovation. The agenda also includes appointment of two commissioners to serve on the Zoo Collaborative. Per zoo curator Debbie Richardson’s report on the Moonridge Animal Park, which is celebrating its 50th year, there is a new veterinarian on site, as well as many new baby animals, which include five baby raccoons, three baby opossums, a young coyote, two young ravens, several baby rabbits and some baby birds.
Update: Due to lack of a quorum, the Commission will not meet today. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20.

May’s Third Week Meetings Include DWP, BBVRPD, BVUSD, BVCHD, MWD and SPOA

Big Bear Valley, CA — In addition to today’s meetings of the Big Bear City Community Services District and the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District, there are a slew of civic meetings taking place in this, May’s third week. The Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners now, as of May, meet on the third Tuesday of the month, so will convene tomorrow, May 18, at the DWP offices on Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake at 9am. The Tuesday morning meeting will include a presentation to outgoing Commissioner Karen Dally (who, with husband Ken, will be leaving the Big Bear Valley); Commissioners will also consider a revised proposal from ALDA Engineering for the water system infrastructure replacement plan.
Also on Tuesday, the Advisory Commission of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District meets for their monthly meeting, to be held at the Big Bear Senior Center at 5pm. The Rec and Park meeting will include updates on the new animals to the Moonridge Animal Park—which, as of April, included three baby opossums and four baby raccoons—as well as the zoo relocation.
On Wednesday, May 19, the Board of Trustees for the Bear Valley Unified School District meet at the school district offices at 5:15pm. During open session, scheduled to begin at 6:30pm, the school board is agendized to ratify agreements with the unions, BVEA and CSEA, for the current school year.
The Bear Valley Community Healthcare District also meets on Wednesday; during closed session items, beginning at 5:30pm in the hospital conference room, labor negotiations and CEO appointment will be discussed.
Come Thursday, the Board of Directors for the Big Bear Municipal Water District convene for their regular third-Thursday-of-the-month meeting at 1pm at the MWD offices on Lakeview Drive.
And lastly, the Sugarloaf Property Owners Association meets for their monthly meeting on Saturday, May 22 at 10am. Guest speaker for the SPOA meeting at the Sugarloaf Fire Station will be Community Services District General Manager Mike Mayer, who will provide updates on the Paradise Park and Pan Hot Springs Meadow projects. The general public is invited to this meeting on Saturday morning, which will include refreshments.

New Zoo Review: County Supervisors Approve Purchase of Golf-Course Adjacent Land for Moonridge Animal Park

Big Bear Lake, CA — After 50 years in Moonridge, the Moonridge Animal Park is moving—to Moonridge. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the governing body which oversees the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District responsible for the zoo, approved the $2 million purchase of a 10.46 acre parcel at the opposite end of the golf course in their meeting yesterday. The new site, on the corner of Clubview Drive and Moonridge Road, will more than quadruple the size of the existing facility, which is home to 150 birds and animals representing over 80 local species. The new acreage for the zoo is being purchased with over $1.5 million in Proposition 40 state park funds, and the remaining balance will be paid with previously dedicated County funds from the zoo’s CIP budget. In a statement from our Third District County Supervisor Neil Derry, he says, “For more than a decade, the County has been working to relocate this treasured asset. Finishing this project was a top priority of mine, since we were at risk of losing state funds if we did not act quickly.” Though the appropriation of funds for the purchase was approved on April 27, Reese Troublefield with the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District tells KBHR, “I don’t think it is in escrow yet, but it will be very shortly. When we acquire land like this, the County is going to go through the CEQA process and then, during that time, there will be some engineering and things we are trying to accomplish simultaneously. It is such a vague time right now, as we have to wait for escrow to close before any of this gets real and then, at that point, we will move forward diligently. It’s great to be making what looks like positive progress after such a long time.” Funding to operate the Moonridge Animal Park, which also serves as a rehabilitation facility for injured animals, comes from the County’s Special Districts through property tax revenues, though additional funding comes from gate admission, program fees, and the fundraising activities of the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo (who’ve planned two fundraising concerts, scheduled for May 30 and August 7). However, Supervisor Derry notes that the ultimate goal for the zoo is to become financially self-sufficient, through gate revenue and private donations. “This is the first step toward reaching that goal,” Derry says, “and establishing the zoo as a regional, if not national, must-see destination.” On a more local level, Troublefield adds, “The zoo is a cherished local staple in the community, and the Park District, and the Supervisor’s office and County Special Districts as well, are really excited about the opportunity to upgrade the facility and make it a place that you just can’t wait to go to.” Current hours for the Moonridge Animal Park, at the southern end of the Bear Mountain Golf Course, are 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends.

Moonridge Animal Park May Move–to the Other End of the Golf Course; Purchase of 10+ Acre Parcel on County Supervisors’ Agenda

Big Bear Lake, CA — After 50 years in Moonridge, the Moonridge Animal Park is slated for a new location—this one on the northern, rather than southern, end of Big Bear Mountain Resorts’ golf course. Pending the authorization of purchase, agendized for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors’ approval tomorrow, the zoo may finally have a permanent home on a 10.46 acre parcel on the corner of Moonridge Road and Clubview Drive. At present, the zoo, which is overseen by the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, is on a 2.5 acre site; the original lease on the land, at $1 per year, extended for 50 years and, as of this February, the renewed three-year lease contract amounts to $5,650 per month, with an annual rate increase of 4%. Bill Treadwell, Vice President for the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo, has been working on the zoo relocation project for six years, prior to which a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding had been established with the U.S. Forest Service, to potentially move the zoo to Forest Service land adjacent to the Big Bear Discovery Center; he tells KBHR he is excited about the prospect of staying in Moonridge, within the City of Big Bear Lake. “One of the greatest things,” Treadwell says, “is that we don’t have to change our name, after all the branding we have done for all these years—so, the Moonridge Animal Park and Friends of the Moonridge Zoo stay intact, so that’s a big plus. We can also be the southern anchor for the Moonridge corridor.” The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo feel confident that the sale, as appraised at just over $2 million, will be approved during tomorrow’s 10am County Supervisors meeting. Adds Treadwell, “Supervisor Derry is very supportive of it, and wants to see it happen.” Once this action is approved, the current zoo relocation plans will be adapted to suit the new location. The purchase of Moonridge property from the Robert Gumbiner Foundation for the Moonridge zoo will be paid with roughly $1.5 million in Proposition 40 state park funds, with the remaining balance of $559,000 to be covered by the zoo’s CIP budget. The Moonridge Animal Park is home to 150 birds and animals, representing 85 local species, and is the only zoological facility in the U.S. located in an alpine environment and dedicated to the preservation of native species.

Big Bear Offers Many Opportunities to Enjoy Earth Day, Which Celebrates 41 Years on April 22

Big Bear Valley, CA — This Thursday, April 22 marks Earth Day, which has been celebrated in support of the environment since 1970. Should you be looking for ways to establish—or renew—your commitment to do your part this Earth Day, you can choose to reuse shopping bags, take a moment to pick up litter ’round the lakeshore or in your neighborhood, or take advantage of curbside recycling opportunities available from both Big Bear Disposal (866-3942) and the Community Services District (585-2565).
There are also opportunities to celebrate Earth Day with community, starting with Thursday’s Earth Day event being hosted by Bear Valley Electric Service. From 11am to 2pm, BVES and other agencies, including DWP and CSD, will be sharing information, food and freebies, and power plant tours; the Earth Day Community Celebration takes place at 42020 Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake.
The Friends of the Big Bear Library will also host a special event for youth, who will be able to share in books and decorate their own recyclable bag, donated by the Sierra Club; this activity takes place at 4pm Thursday at the library at 41930 Garstin Drive.
On Saturday, April 24, the Sierra Club hosts an Earth Day Fair at the new Copper Q on Pine Knot Avenue in the Village. The fair runs from 11am to 4pm, and will include a number of activities, as well as Xeriscape demonstration gardens, Earth Day-themed tours, and booths hosted by Friends of Fawnskin, Forest Care, the Bear Valley Trails Foundation, the Big Bear community garden project, and the Sol Food produce co-op, among others. The Sierra Club Big Bear Group encourages Valley residents and visitors to come on down and join the fun, while celebrating the planet we live on.
For those looking to celebrate Earth Day with an outdoor adventure, there will also be a Saturday morning group hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (more details available at MountainTopHiking.com) and the first round of docent training, starting at 11am on the 24th, for those interested in volunteering at the zoo; for more info on this opportunity at the Moonridge Animal Park, call 878-4200.

The Zoo’s Nine Wolf Pups Celebrate Their First Birthday

April 6-9: This Week’s Community Calendar Includes Book Sale, Tree People and a Wolf Party

Big Bear Valley, CA — In addition to the regular, first-week-of-the-month meetings*, the Soroptimists’ Man About Town festivities, and “The Odd Couple” at the PAC, there are a number of goings-on in the Big Bear Valley this week. On Tuesday, there are two public meetings, both of which begin at 6:30pm. “Tree People” will be featured at tomorrow’s meeting of the Big Bear Valley Historical Society, given a presentation on the non-profit’s tree planting project on the San Bernardino National Forest; the Historical Society meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Big Bear Discovery Center. (More info: Doug Walton at 633-8314)
Also at 6:30pm on April 6, Bear Valley Unified’s Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright will be the featured speaker of the Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley meeting. Dr. Wright will address recent school district budget cuts and a possible parcel tax to fund local education, and attendees will be able to participate in a Q&A following the presentation. The Democratic Club meets at the offices of the Municipal Water District, located at 40524 Lakeview Drive. (More info: Golen Olson at 648-5745)
On Thursday, the Big Bear Diabetes Support Network hosts a free, 5:30pm lecture at the Big Bear Chamber offices on Bartlett Road in the Village. Certified Diabetes Educator Therese Sweet will focus on basics, including diet challenges, in a presentation that will be followed by a Q&A. (More info: Therese at 222-5392)
The Spring Book Sale presented by Friends of the Big Bear Library returns this week and, following a members-only preview on Wednesday evening, the book sale is open to the public on Thursday and Friday, from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday, starting at 9am. Prices start at 25¢, and bargains include CDs and DVDs. The book sale takes place at the Big Bear Library at 41930 Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake. (More info: 866-5571)
This Friday, April 9, it’s a wolf pup birthday party at the zoo! The Moonridge Animal Park’s nine wolf pups celebrate their first birthday on the ninth, with a party from 11am to 2pm. For more info on Friday’s festivities in celebration of the wolf pups, call 878-4200.

*This week’s meetings include CSD on Monday, the Big Bear Airport District and Big Bear Lake Planning Commission on Wednesday, and the Sugarloaf Roads Commission on Saturday (10am on the 10th at the Sugarloaf Fire Station). The MWD held their first-week meeting on April 1.

Former Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Speyers Passes Away Today at Age 86

Big Bear Lake, CA — The Big Bear Valley lost one of its more distinguished contributors with this morning’s passing of former Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Speyers, who died in the 4am hour with Paddy, his wife of 65 years, at his side and one of his beloved boxer dogs nearby. Speyers had, citing health reasons, resigned from his post as Treasurer for the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District on December 31, ending a long career of community service since moving to the Big Bear Valley in 1985.
Since relocating here upon his retirement from a career in engineering and aerospace, the World War II veteran served on the Big Bear Lake City Council for four years and was Mayor Speyers in 1988 to 1990; he also served as a Department of Water and Power Commissioner from 1991 to 1999, and again from 2001 to 2007, before joining the Healthcare District Board for a period of over 10 years. Speyers and wife Paddy, the parents of three daughters, were also active with Friends of the Moonridge Zoo; he is also a past president (or chairman) of SANBAG, the Valley Water Study Association, AARP, the Bear Valley Human Services Foundation, the Big Bear Amateur Radio Club, the Mining Monitoring Committee, the Association of California Healthcare Districts, and Friends of the Performing Arts, among other activities and groups, including the Elks and VFW.

It was on a walk one day in Big Bear that Speyers said he saw a sign on a porch that read, “He who rocks, rots,” prompting his extensive foray into public service. Those who have worked with him have nothing but praise for his dedication, among those DWP Board Secretary Robyn Bratton, who tells KBHR, “He was very dedicated to this Valley, and totally supported DWP in every way. Bill Speyers was a good Board member, and he was a good man.” Michael Perry, who had been the DWP’s General Manager when Speyers was Mayor of Big Bear Lake adds, “He was a great Council person and Mayor, and he really cared about the City. He was really forward-looking, to assure that what we did today would make sure the City was healthy in the future.” And yet his commitment was not without a dose of humor, as the healthcare district’s CFO Rudy Shutta recalls. “I always knew he read the financial statements,” Shutta says, “because, with a little twinkle, he commented on my spelling errors.” Services for Speyers, who passed at age 86, have not yet been announced.
Update: As of March 23, still no announcement with regard to services to honor Speyers.
Update: The family of Bill Speyers will celebrate his 86 years at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 17 at 1pm. Paddy Speyers, the former Big Bear Lake Mayor’s wife of 65 years, says that Bill had a wonderful life and this will be a celebration of that. The PAC is located at 39707 Big Bear Boulevard in the Big Bear Lake Civic Center.

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