“We want to help kids learn how to communicate without using their thumbs,” smiled Steve Cain, Youth Leadership Coordinator.

Developed by Toastmasters International, this eight-week program is not in competition with school programs or courses, or other established youth projects. Instead, it’s a supplement to these programs, providing emphasis on specialized speaking and leadership skills and individual needs. Participants learn to:

• Overcome nervousness when speaking before an audience
• Organize and present ideas logically and convincingly
• Listen carefully to others’ ideas
• Offer advice to help others improve their speaking and leadership skills
• Participate in – and even lead – group discussion or meetings

Participants increase their self-confidence as they learn. They also make new friends and have fun.

“We are excited to bring this program to the youth of BigBearValley,” said Marlene Cain, President, Bearly Speaking and Assistant Youth Leadership Coordinator.  “This learn-by-doing program helps today’s young people build their communication and leadership skills so they may become tomorrow’s leaders.”

For more information on how to start a Youth Leadership program in your organization, contact Bearly Speaking Toastmasters at 909-866-2819.

After a four-day event that brought Hollywood to the mountains for over 100 film screenings, the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) has announced the winners of its 2011 competition. The award ceremony took place September 18 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, as BBLIFF celebrated its 12th anniversary.

Attending filmmakers commented on the friendly, nurturing quality at the Big Bear fest that sets it apart from other festivals. Visiting VIPs and film industry professionals participated in Q&As, panel discussions and seminars — always staying readily accessible to the screenwriters and filmmakers looking for advice on their way up. Participants included cinematographer John Bailey, ASC, character actors Stephen Tobolowsky and Larry Hankin, and composer Michael Giacchino (UP, Ratatouille) and many others.

The 2011 competition winners are as follows:

Screenwriting Competition Awards

1st Place: Kelly & Cal, Written by: Amy Lowe Starbin

2nd place (tie): Lucky Star, Written by: Thomas Pace
And Volition, Written by: Samantha Manahan and Carol Hostutler

Honorable Mentions: Of Chameleons and Gods, Written by: Norman Anderson II and Tania Trepanier

Somerville, Written by: James Victor

Film Competition Awards (Jury) 

Best Feature – Jury Award|
Suspicion by David Dilley

Best Documentary – Jury Award
The Search for Michael Rockefeller by Fraser C. Heston

Best Student Film – Jury Award
Thief by Julian Higgins (American Film Institute)

Best Short film – Jury Award
Dead in the Room by Adam Pertofsky

Best Animation – Jury Award
Barko by Allison Craig

Best Family – Jury Award
She’s a Fox by Cameron Sawyer

Best Cinematography – Jury Award
Thief by Andrew Wheeler (American Film Institute)

Film Competition Awards (Audience)
Best Feature – Audience Award
Dealing by Matthew Huffman

Best Documentary – Audience Award
California Forever by David Vassar

Best Student Film – Audience Award
Misdirection by Doron Kipper (California State University Northridge)

Best High School – Audience Award
Subhuman by Michael Aloyan (Clark Magnet High School)

Best Short film – Audience Award
Cataplexy by John Salcido

Best Animation – Audience Award
Barko by Allison Craig

Best Sidebar showcase – Young Adventurers—audience award
Wild Eyes: The Abby Sunderland Story by Lawrence Sunderland

Best 3-D – Audience Award
My Dream by Joy Park

Best Big Bear connection film – Audience Award
Downhill: The Bill Johnson Story by Zeke Piestrup

For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433, email bigbearfilmfest@aol.com or log on to bigbearfilmfest.com.

Another Life will screen on Friday, September 16th, 12 noon at the Village Theaters North in Big Bear Lake. To find out more, watch the trailer below or visit the film’s website at www.anotherlifefilm.com.

More information on the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival.

John Bailey, ASC as the recipient of their inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinematography.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) announces John Bailey, ASC as the recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinematography. Bailey will receive the award Friday, September 16 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center in Big Bear Lake, California.

In an eclectic career, John Bailey has photographed such mainstream Hollywood films as “Ordinary People,” “Silverado,” “The Big Chill,” “The Accidental Tourist,” “Groundhog Day,” “In the Line of Fire,” “As Good as It Gets,”  “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Must Love Dogs”; such offbeat films as Norman Mailer’s “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” and Jason Miller’s “That Championship Season”; and such genre-bending pictures as “Swimming to Cambodia,”  “A Brief History of Time” and “The Kid Stays in the Picture.”

Bailey’s interest in film while studying German language and culture in Innsbruck and Vienna, where he became influenced by the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) films of the 60s. “What I sensed in the French New Wave was a sense of freedom and spontaneity that caught me totally off-guard. I found a sort of crazed new spirit happening – everywhere really, but especially in the French New Wave – and somehow it just spoke to me in terms of its energy and its sense of breaking loose. And yet the themes it was dealing with were the same themes most novelists were trying to deal with. It was the beginning of a lot of experimentation in the literary form. Given my bent toward literature, I just saw it as a new kind of writing. When I entered film school at USC, I thought I would get into an area of criticism or writing or film aesthetics and history. When I took a beginning camera course, that changed my whole perspective: I really saw the camera primarily as the writing instrument.”

That didn’t stop him from making literary contributions, however. He counts among his writing credits essays and film articles for the New York Times,American Cinematographer Magazine, ICG Magazine and the DGA Monthly, along with a weekly blog on film and the arts, hosted by the American Society of Cinematographers at www.theasc.com/blog.

Bailey’s other film credits include “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood;” “The Anniversary Party;” “American Gigolo” and “Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters,” for which he shares the 1985 Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Artistic Contribution with composer Philip Glass and production and costume designer Eiko Ishioka; “Incident at Loch Ness” for Werner Herzog and Zak Penn; and “The Architect,” which debuted at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.

His recent projects include John Krasinski’s directorial debut film “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men” and  Shana Feste’s “The Greatest” — both selected for competition in the 2009 Sundance Festival. In 2010 Bailey’s projects “When in Rome,” “Ramona and Beezus” and “Country Strong” were released. He recently completed “Everybody Loves Whales” in Anchorage, Alaska, his fifth film with director Ken Kwapis.

Other leading directors Bailey has worked with include Robert Redford, Paul Schrader, Lawrence Kasdan, Wolfgang Petersen, Jonathan Demme, Sam Raimi, Michael Apted, John Schlesinger, Harold Ramis, Norman Mailer, Herbert Ross, Walter Hill, Stuart Rosenberg, Robert Benton and James L. Brooks. He has also filmed for Richard LaGravenese, Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming, Shana Feste and Callie Khouri, on their feature film debuts.

Beyond his work as a cinematographer, Bailey directed the 1994 film noir thriller “China Moon,” starring Ed Harris, Benecio del Toro and Madeline Stowe, “Mariette in Ecstasy” from Ron Hansen’s acclaimed  novel, as well as the one-person shows, David Hare’s “Via Dolorosa”  and Lily Tomlin’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.”  He also photographed and directed the Imax concert film “N’Sync: Bigger Than Live.” Onscreen, he appears in the documentary “Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography” and the PBS series “American Film.”

He has served on the juries of the Venice Film Festival and CamerImage in Poland and has conducted workshops and seminars internationally. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the American Society of Cinematographers and on the National Film Preservation Board.

He has been married to film editor Carol Littleton since 1972.

Other 2011 honorees at BBLIFF include Michael Giacchino (Film Music) and Stephen Tobolowsky (Acting). For a list of past honorees visit the “Past Festivals” link on our website.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival attracts an average of 5,000 attendees to its scenic location yearly and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event; September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at bigbearfilmfest.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433 or emailbigbearfilmfest@aol.com.

Come see why MovieMaker magazine named BBLIFF on of the 25 film competitions worth the entry fee!

Oscar and Emmy-winning Film Composer Michael Giacchino to receive lifetime achievement award

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) has announced composer Michael Giacchino as the recipient of their inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in Film Music.

MICHAEL GIACCHINO’s melodies have enhanced entertainment of all genres, including feature films, television shows, animated shorts, video games, and stand-alone symphonies with themes that run the gamut from driving, melancholic, and suspenseful to serene. He has been nominated twice for an Academy Award® – first, for his score to the animated blockbuster “Ratatouille,” and more recently, for his score to the critically acclaimed “Up” for which he garnered an Academy Award in the Best Original Score category. This Oscar win was the highlight of an award season in which Giacchino collected all of the top prizes for his work on “Up” – the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, Broadcast Film Critics Choice Award, and two Grammy Awards. Giacchino served as Music Director of the 81^st Academy Awards.

Fans of the hit ABC TV shows “LOST” and “Alias” are well acquainted with his work and enjoyed his tense and emotional compositions for the run those popular shows. The acclaim for ABC’s “LOST” and the music that Giacchino created for the series inspired two symphonic events. “The LOST Symphony” was performed in September of 2007 by the Honolulu Symphony, and “LOST Live: The Final Celebration” was presented at UCLA’s Royce Hall in May 2010. Both concerts incorporated themes and passages written by Giacchino for the hit TV show, and included readings by LOST actors Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, and others.

His feature film composing breakthrough came in 2004 with his acclaimed score for “The Incredibles.” From there, he went on to compose music for the live-action superhero film “Sky High,” the comedy-drama “The Family Stone,” the thriller “Mission: Impossible III”, “Speed Racer,” “Star Trek” and the thriller “Let Me In”. He recently completed Tom Bezucha’s “Monte Carlo,” and is currently scoring Pixar’s “Cars 2”, directed by John Lasseter. Upcoming projects include “Super 8” and “John Carter of Mars.”

Previously, Giacchino composed many orchestral scores for interactive media, including the highly successful “Medal of Honor” series, a World War II simulation game created by Spielberg. Of this collaboration, Spielberg said, “I listen to a lot of music from aspiring composers, and one day I received a CD of sample tracks from a new composer named Michael Giacchino,” Spielberg said. “I thought his stuff was stunning and the orchestral arrangements were already on a par with some of Hollywood’s best working composers. So I did what anybody in their right mind would do. I found him an agent and signed him up to score Medal of Honor – and the rest of Giacchino’s history belongs to him.”

Giacchino studied film production at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and subsequently pursued composition and music studies at both the Juilliard School, and UCLA. He sits on the Advisory Board of Education Through Music Los Angeles.

About the newly added category of Film Music, BBLIFF Board member Vanessa Finney said, “Music’s ability to influence emotions makes it a crucial part of any movie, and the Festival is excited to start recognizing this with a Lifetime Achievement Award. We chose Michael Giacchino as the Festival’s first-ever recipient of this award for his ability as a composer to underscore the feeling of a scene and capture the spirit of an entire film  — a talent that has already earned him many accolades.”

Other 2011 honorees include John Bailey, ASC (“Ordinary People,” “Groundhog Day,” “In the Line of Fire,” “As Good As It Gets,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “He’s Just Not That Into You”), who will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinematography. For a list of past honorees visit the “Past Festivals” link on our website.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival attracts an average of 5,000 attendees to its scenic location yearly and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event; September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433 or email bigbearfilmfest@aol.com.

Come see why MovieMaker magazine named BBLIFF on of the 25 film competitions worth the entry fee!

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo are expanding their docent educational program and are now offering monthly one day comprehensive workshops, where you can become a docent and help support the Moonridge Animal Park.

The first workshop will be held 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday August 27, 2011.  Call 909 878-4200 to reserve your space or for more details.  Other scheduled one day workshops will be held September 24, October 22, November 19, and on December 17th.

If a Saturday workshop does not work for you, what day does?  Call us.

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating zoo volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

Zac Sunderland was raised on a boat in Marina del Rey, California. As a born sailor and adventurer, he started making plans for a solo circumnavigation around the world soon after his 16th birthday.  Without sponsorship, he bought his

boat Intrepid with his life savings of $6500 he had earned from working on boats and buying, repairing and selling his boats. Three long months of work later, he was off on his 28000nm trip in 2009.

Over the next 13 months, Zac experienced rough storms, pirates, deserted islands, the loneliness of spending weeks alone at sea the adventure of learning new cultures and languages, making great friends and losing some to the sea. He set two world records: one as the youngest ever to sail

around the world and the other as the first under the age of 18.

Zac now speaks around the nation to

encourage youth to have their own adventures, and will be presenting his documentary, “Intrepid” at the Big Bear Lake Film Festival in September.

Zac’s younger sister was among the first to be inspired by him. In January 2010, Abby Sunderland set sail around the world on Wild Eyes, an Open 40-foot sailboat. The voyage received global press coverage on June 10, 2010, when Wild Eyes was rolled 360 degrees by a massive rogue wave that tore the vessel’s mast. While the complete disabling of Wild Eyes ended her trip with a dramatic rescue in the Indian Ocean, Abby learned much about overcoming difficulties and what constitutes a true spirit of adventure. Since then, she has chronicled her experiences in a book, “Unsinkable: A Young Woman’s Courageous Battle on the High Seas” and a DVD documentary called “Wild Eyes: The Abby Sunderland Story.” Abby will present her documentary at the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, and be available to autograph her book.

Also on board to encourage fellow young people is fourteen-year-old Jordan Romero, a native of Big Bear Lake, California, who holds a world record for the youngest person ever to stand on the summit of Mt. Everest. Following a dream that started when he was just nine, Jordan has now ascended seven out of the eight tallest peaks in the world. Since 2006, Team Romer

o has successfully tackled Kilimanjaro (Africa), Kosciuszko (Australia), Elbrus (Europe/Russia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), the Carstensz Pyramid (Oceana) and Mt. Everest (Asia)…..with Mt. Vinso in Antarctica up next!

In an effort to share his experience with other youth, Jordan wrote “The Boy Who Conquered Mount Everest: The Jordan Romero Story” with Katherine Blanc (which he’ll be autographing at the Festival) and created the 7 Summits of Big Bear Youth Challenge, where kids are encouraged to get outdoors and conquer local peaks  — see www.sevensummitsofbigbear.org

Get your Tickets

Big Bear’s Marina Resort LakeSide Lawn with JazzTrax Floating Stage

The 2011 artist line-up In the summertime Southern California Mountains

On the jazztrax floating stage on Big Bear Lake

• British Guitarist - CHRIS STANDRING
• Durham, North Carolina Saxophonist - MARCUS ANDERSON
• Toronto Latin Guitarist - JOHANNES LINSTEAD
• Famed Canadian Saxophonist - WARREN HILL
• Saxophonist - JACKIEM JOYNER
• The SouthWest Desert’s Blazing Saxophonist - MARION MEADOWS
• Legendary British Guitarist - PETER WHITE

Pine Knot Village Art Walk, 2011

The Pine Knot Village Art Walk is  scheduled for July 2,3, 4 2011. With  more than 50 local and regional  artists exhibiting work for sale, live  painting and technique demonstrations, the Art Walk is becomming one of the regions premiere fine art events.

Historic Pine Knot Village is the retail shopping district located in the heart of the City of Big Bear Lake, CA.

With it’s many shops, art galleries,  restaurants and ample free public  parking, Pine Knot Village is the place  to unwind, breathe in and experience  the Mountain Life Style and see what  Big Bear Lake is all about.

For more information http://www.artsmda.org/

Stay for the 4th of July show: Big Bear Lake’s “Fireworks Spectacular” will explode at 7,000′ reflecting its shower of brilliance over Big Bear Lake on Monday, July 4th.

James C. Ramos

The Friends of the Big Bear Valley Library will be holding the  annual membership meeting and a special program, featuring James C. Ramos, Chairman, San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians on Saturday, June 11, 2011, 2 PM

Following a brief business meeting and election of the 2011/12 Board of Directors, Chairman Ramos, will  speak about the history of the Serrano Indian cultural heritage in Big Bear Valley.

As the first Native American, Chairman Ramos was appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Brown. He is also a member of the San Bernardino College Board of Trustees, serving in his second term following his reelection in 2010.

Chairman Ramos earned a BA degree from Cal. State Universiy in San Bernardino and a Masters degree from Redlands University.  In 2009, he received an  honorary doctorate degree from Northern Arizona University. The program wil be held at the Big Bear Lake Branch Library,40930 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake.  It is open to  the general public.  There is no admissison charge and reservations are not required, so early arrival is advised.

For information, please call the Library at 909-866-5571

Terry Cole-Whittaker

Big Bear, CA – The Bear Valley Center for Spiritual Enrichment is proud to present a unique Big Bear Experience weekend retreat June 10-12th .  Best selling author, inspirational and motivational speaker, Terry Cole-Whittaker will be the key-note speaker on Saturday, June 11th, in her all-day workshop on “The Ultimate Prosperity Program”.  For those looking for a way to create more prosperity in their life in this difficult financial atmosphere, this is the perfect event to attend. The program is being held at the Evergreen Restaurant in Big Bear Lake, from 10:00-3:00 pm, and includes lunch.  This will be one of her last public appearances, so don’t miss it!

The Wall Street Journal says “Bubbly, bouncy and relentlessly upbeat, Terry Cole-Whittaker preaches a gospel of happiness, success and prosperity now”.

She has several best-selling books including “What You Think of Me is None of My Business” “How To Have More in a Have Not World”, “Dare to Be Great”, and her newest book, “Live Your Bliss” which offers the system she used to attain her phenomenal success.

Terry Cole-Whittaker was named one of the 10 most powerful and inspirational women in the world by best selling author Laurel King in her book “Ten Women of Power”.

“If you have ever been in the presence of someone who is motivation and inspiration personified, then you will know what it is like to be in the audience of Dr. Terry Cole-Whittaker.  Her vitality and enthusiasm are contagious and the message she gives produces excellent results-whatever the goal or dream”.

In addition to Saturday’s workshop, Terry Cole-Whittaker will be presenting a Sunday talk at the top of Snow Summit on her newest book, “Live Your Bliss”.  The Sunday morning event includes the Sky Chair ride up the lift and lunch, and begins at 10:00 am.

For more information visit the center’s website at:  www.bvcse.org, or call Lorraine Taylor at: (909) 866-8081, or email her at: Lorraine@inspirationsatbigbear.com

Nancy Celeste Walker

Big Bear, CA - The Bear Valley Center for Spiritual Enrichment is presenting a special concert, Saturday, June 12th at 7:30 pm in conjunction with their “Big Bear Experience” weekend retreat at the Evergreen Restaurant in Big Bear Lake.

Local singer, Nancy Celeste Walker, accompanied by Mike Cross “The Piano Man”, and Paul Penardi on drums, will be presenting an evening of positive, uplifting music.  Nancy is calling her program “Positively Yours” and promises that you will leave the event feeling fantastic!  Some of her selections will include: “I Lost the Right to Sing the Blues”, “What a Wonderful World”, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and many more.

Nancy is a professional jazz singer and has performed in nightclubs and restaurants for over 30 years, including the Westwood Marquis Hotel, Barnaby’s, Manhattan Bar & Grill, and has appeared twice at the Redlands Bowl.  She has also been in several local musical productions for the Community Arts Theatre Society, including playing the role of the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.  In December of 1999 she was invited to sing at The White House for a private holiday tour for the Secret Service and their families.

“Nancy just shines onstage” is a comment often heard from audience members, and this is a concert not to be missed!

For tickets and more information call Lorraine Taylor at:  (909) 866-8081, or visit the Center’s website:  www.bvcse.org or email Lorraine at:  Lorraine@inspirationsatbigbear.com

Big Bear –

Children will enjoy meeting Miss Big Bear and her Court of Princesses when playing all the games with many prizes, have their face painted, complete crafts to take home. You can pan for gold with the Historical Society, watch Paula Kerris weave baskets and the Busy Bear Quilt Guild working on a quilt. Also enjoy watching the Black Bear Pie Eating contest and listen to animal stories by John 3 Hawks while meeting some of the zoos animals. Parents will love the jewelry and handmade crafts vendors, local artist’s booths.  Everyone will enjoy yummy foods provided by the Bear Belly Deli and Ike’s Rockin’ Dogs.

The Old Time Bear Country Fair will be held on during Memorial Weekend – Saturday and Sunday – May 28-29, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Park admission is $9 for ages 11 – 59; $6 for ages 3-10 and seniors 60 plus, and free to children under 3. Members of the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo are admitted free. If you are not a member, you can join.  Parking is also free in the Bear Mountain Ski Resort parking lot.  For more information call the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo (909) 878-4200 or visit our website www.moonridgezoo.org.

The Moonridge Animal Park has been saving alpine wildlife since 1959.  The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating park volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

The Old Time Bear Country Fair will be held on during Memorial Weekend – Saturday and Sunday – May 28-29, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Park admission is $9 for ages 11 – 59; $6 for ages 3-10 and seniors 60 plus, and free to children under 3. Members of the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo are admitted free. If you are not a member, you can join.  Parking is also free in the Bear Mountain Ski Resort parking lot.  For more information call the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo (909) 878-4200 or visit our website www.moonridgezoo.org.

The Moonridge Animal Park has been saving alpine wildlife since 1959.  The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating park volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

Second Session of 2011 Moonridge Animal Park Docent Classes Starting Up

If you appreciate being around wildlife plus working with people who feel the same, why not become a docent with the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo?

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo are starting their 2nd Series of their Adult Education Program that will run four consecutive Thursdays 11:00 am – 1:00 pm beginning this week May 12, 2011.  To register or for more information, please contact the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo Office (909) 878-4200.  The first meeting will be held in the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo Office at 42001 Suite 3 Big Bear Blvd.  All other meetings will be held in the Moonridge Animal Park.

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating zoo volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

Throughout the day animals will be brought out to the presentation green for special photo opportunities. For more event details, background information on the judges, contest rules and view previous calendar year pictures please visit http://moonridgezoo.org/photocontest.html

There is no pre-registration. The entry fee is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children. The price includes regular admission into the Moonridge Animal Park. The photo contest hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with registration between 8:30AM to 12:00 Noon. You can enter the contest on one of five skill levels: Child, Novice, Intermediate, Advance, or Professional.   The photographs will be professionally judged by wildlife photographers.  Photograph winners, in each skill level, will have their pictures placed in a professionally designed 2012 Calendar, covering 15 months — October 2011 through December 2012.  All photo contest participants will receive a copy of the calendar as a thank you for supporting the Moonridge Animal Park.

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating zoo volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

The Big Bear Film Society is a new venture for BBLIFF. Each month until the Film Festival in September, the Film Society will screen an independent film and allow attendees to meet the filmmakers, ask questions, and learn how the film was made. All screenings are for Film Society members and those interested in watching indie films at the Best Western Plus Chateau. Purchase the series at www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com, attend on a film-by-film basis, or purchase your Film Festival tickets now with the Film Society privileges included.

Film Society screening dates at the Chateau (subject to change):

• April 30, 2011 7:00 pm – Limbo Lounge with Writer/Director Tom Pankratz
• May 14, 2011 7:00 pm – Jackson with Director Jonathan Lawton
• June 11, 2011 7:00 pm – Ivory with Director Andrew Chan
• July 16, 2011 7:00 pm – Film To Be Announced
• August 13, 2011 7:00 pm – Earthworks with Director Chris Ordal
• September 15-18, 2011 – Big Bear Lake International Film Festival

“Limbo Lounge” was an official entrant in the 2010 Big Bear Film Festival. In this dark comedy, charming conman Silas dies from an accident and is forced to spend time in Limbo. He encounters an old flame, the temptress Anya, who offers Silas a fast track through the upper management of Hell. But to earn his horns, he must first corrupt Jules, an innocent young copywriter climbing the corporate advertising ladder back on Earth. Taking well-aimed shots at corporate ladder-climbing and the fragility of friendship and loyalty, the film asks the question how low will people go to get what they want.

Writer/Director Tom Pankratz comments, “In embarking on my first feature film, I wanted to create a story that invoked the spirit of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone — telling a fantastical story that is rooted in reality and human emotions. Hopefully, “Limbo Lounge” has achieved that goal. While its incredibly hard to make a feature film with limited resources, its also incredibly inspiring and humbling to see how so many talented people came together in support of the film. As we are about to serve our our cinematic cocktail to the world, hopefully audiences will enjoy our mix of humor, drama, fantasy and whimsy because in the end…. It’s all about storytelling.”

About being added as an important festival venue, Hotel Manager Sean Oh said, “All of us here at The Best Western Plus Big Bear Chateau in beautiful Big Bear Lake would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the filmmakers, actors, celebrities and volunteers that make this wonderful Annual Film Festival happen. We are thrilled to be the Host Headquarter Hotel this year for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival”.

"Solitary" Director Greg Derochie and producer Cindy Troianello at the first Big Bear Film Society screening in March 2011 at the Best Western Plus Chateau.

The Big Bear Chateau offers well-appointed guest rooms complete with a fireplace, pillow top mattresses, cable satellite television with Showtime and high-speed Internet access, as well as an array of amenities including a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, game room, fitness center, full business services and meeting/banquet facilities.

Guests have convenient access to outdoor activities such as hiking, golf, horseback riding, snowmobiling, fishing, sailing, wake boarding and waterskiing on Big Bear Lake. Make a reservation today, and request the BBLIFF corporate rate for savings!

SPECIAL ROOM RATES FOR FESTIVAL ATTENDEES:

Thursday, September 15 or Sunday, September 18, 2011, Standard: $79.99 / Standard with Balcony: $89.99

Friday – Saturday, September 16 – 17, 2011, Standard: $89.99 / Standard with Balcony: $99.99

The Best Western Big Bear Chateau
42200 Moonridge Road,
Big Bear Lake, California, 92315-1814
Toll Free Reservations: 800-232-7466
Phone: 909/866-6666
Fax: 909/866-8988

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival attracts an average of 5,000 attendees to its scenic location yearly and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event: September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival, call 909-866-3433 or email info@bigbearlakefilmfestival.com.

The Zoo staff is now preparing special birthday boxes that will be stuffed full of wolf-goodies and will be available for purchase at the Wolf enclosure on April 9. When the Zoo staff tosses the boxes into the enclosure, we get to watch the wolves tear open the gifts and gobble down the treats. If you want to bring treats for the wolves, please consider only un-opened

Pup-peroni flavored dog treats… and leave them at the ticket counter so we can put those treats in the puppy’s birthday boxes.

Although we call them “puppies”, they are full grown and average about 100 pounds each. However, you can still see the playfulness and youthful curiosity displayed by all 9 pups. At about 2 years old, this wolf pack is starting to decide who will be the “alpha” male and female. Although it seems that the largest wolf should be the Alpha, that doesn’t always hold true. In fact, the smallest female, Logan, is acting like she wants to be Queen! When it comes time to give up a group howl, all of their posturing takes second place to their enjoyment in howling. They will howl at anything and everything, not just the moon. And, curiously, no two wolves will howl at the same pitch… they alter their voice so the entire ensemble sounds much larger to distant wolf packs.

So, the party will be for their 2nd birthday, but in wolf-years it will be their 14th birthday… that means the wolves generally behave like, and have developed as much as, a 14 year old human. Bring your cameras and your kids to the Moonridge Zoo… and don’t forget the 80 other species who call the Moonridge Zoo home… in fact, the Zoo is a “Home for Life.”

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The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event; September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433 or email bigbearfilmfest@aol.com.

Big Bear – For those of you who appreciate being around wildlife plus working with people who feel the same, why not become a docent with the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo?  Some popular docent volunteer activities are being a park roamer mixing with the park visitors; providing help during special events in and outside of the park; preparing food in the animal kitchen; working the gift shop or our grazing corral (snack bar); flower gardening and light maintenance.  What would you like to do?

The Friends are starting their Adult Education Program that will run four consecutive Saturdays 11:00 am – 1:00 pm starting April 16, 2011.  For more information or to register, please contact the Friends of the Moonridge Zoo Office (909) 878-4200.

The Friends of the Moonridge Zoo was formed in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to support the Moonridge Animal Park through: (1) Educating the public regarding treatment, protection, and conservation of wildlife; (2) Recruiting and coordinating zoo volunteers; and (3) Fundraising.

Money raised from the car wash will help sponsor youth attending a spring retreat at Pine Summit in Big Bear Lake, April 8-10.

“We will send 15 to 20 youth to our division’s retreat,” said Kelly Raabe, the Young People’s Sergeant Major for the San Bernardino Corps.

“The retreat is an opportunity for our young people ages 14 and up, to get out of San Bernardino and to visit the beautiful mountains that they have seen their whole lives from afar but never had the chance to experience first hand,” Raabe said. “We need help to send these kids on an adventure of a lifetime.

Free time activities at the retreat include a rock wall, ropes course, bungee run, paintball and tubing if there is snow.

The Salvation Army will accept a donation of any amount for the car wash.

Raabe hopes the car wash will raise about $2,000, which will pay for most of the cost of the retreat. Each Corps must pay $125 per young person attending.

“We are asking our youth to pay $20 each,” she said. “Some of them don’t even have that.”

The Salvation Army also will accept mail-in donations from those who can’t take part in the car wash, but still want to help send youth to the retreat. To make a contribution, mail donations to the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps Headquarters, 746. W Fifth St., San Bernardino, CA 92410.

If the car wash fundraiser and other donations specifically for the retreat aren’t enough to pay the expense of each youth who wishes to attend, the Salvation Army will use its general fund to cover the difference. However, with larger fundraisers held in 2010 barely meeting their goals, the Salvation Army’s general fund budget is tight this year.

For more information about how you can help, call (909) 888-1336.

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) encourages scriptwriters to enter the Screenwriting Competition by the 2/25/11 deadline and the Film Competition by the 4/29/11 deadline. All entries can be submitted electronically at www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com.

Each screenplay submission is evaluated by a team of readers, and the five highest rated scripts are read by an eight-member panel of Hollywood professional producers, agents and managers, who select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and 2 honorable mentions during the competition.

A previous screenwriting competition winner, Iris Yamashita, realized her dream after being discovered in the BBLIFF competition. A film festival juror, Catherine Tarr at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), recommended the screenwriter to Paul Haggis and Clint Eastwood who were working on a companion production to “Flags of Our Fathers.”

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s event; September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433 or email bigbearfilmfest@aol.com.

www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com
909.866.3433, P.O. Box 1981, Big Bear, CA 92315

Ron and his camera have been partnered for years taking video footage of local events, school projects, businesses and points of interest.  Being a longtime resident in Big Bear he knows its history as well as he is a friend with many people. His Channel 6 show airs 7 days a week at 8:00 a m and 5:00 p m. While Ron is not doing his ‘live’ broadcasts there will be reruns of his best productions airing at the same scheduled times. Some of the recent work he has covered are: the U.S. Marines fly-in and 7 Stars presentation, Team Jordan and updates of Caltrans progress of the Big Bear Bridge Project.

Ron’s friends can send best wishes to him at: roundtownron@verizon.net or Post Office Box 3953, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.

Live Inland Empire Traffic

San Bernardino County, Calif. January 25, 2011 — Big Bear Lake remains one of the closest and best mountain resort destinations for Southern California residents and visitors. Despite the closure of Highway 330 due to recent storm damage, there are three convenient alternative routes to the mountain to easily accommodate visitors traveling from San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Winter is a great time to visit the mountain and experience the excitement and the peaceful serenity of local snow-covered villages and resorts.

Big Bear Lake is home to Southern California’s two premier ski resorts, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, that accommodate everyday skiers and riders in search of a convenient, close by and fun winter playground. It’s the only mountain resort in the U.S. devoted almost entirely to a freestyle terrain. In addition to the ever-popular skiing and snowboarding, Big Bear Lake features an array of winter-related recreation activities that appeal to all ages and skill levels, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill inner tubing, backcountry off-roading, sledding, and horseback riding.  There are also numerous hotels, cottages, resorts and cabin rentals available.

If you’re planning a trip to Big Bear, consider these alternate routes while Highway 330 is closed for repairs:

Highway 38 via the I-10 through Redlands
53.3 miles from the Orange St/CA-38 exit
This is a popular and preferred route from San Diego and Orange County. This road tops out at 8,400 feet as it enters the east end of Big Bear Valley.

Highway 18 via I-210 through San Bernardino
44 miles from the Waterman Avenue/CA-18 exit
This four lane highway travels up Waterman Canyon quickly. The road then turns east and passes near Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. It is the shortest of the alternate routes from the greater Los Angeles and Valley areas, but has the most mountain driving.

Highway 18 via I-15 through Victorville & Lucerne Valley
47 miles from the D Street exit
This route is mostly in the desert and is least affected by weather. It has the least mountain driving. The 18 desert route is the longest route from the coastal Southern California areas but tends to be less congested. You can also travel Highway 18 from the I-10, 62 and 247 through Yucca Valley which is an alternate desert route from the Palm Springs area.

Snow chains are highly recommended because mountain weather can change dramatically on very short notice. For road conditions, call 1.800.427.ROAD (1.800.427.7623) or go to www.bearmountain.com for current snow reports.

Considering the condition of the economy, people are not surprised to see businesses closing their doors.  However, in the heart of Big Bear, on Big Bear Boulevard, lies not the remains of a once thriving business, but rather the beginning of “the next big thing” – Get the Burger.  As owner Eric Schwartz puts it, Get the Burger “is like In and Out on steroids.”

Get the Burger maintains a simple philosophy – customers can make or break a business.  It’s for this reason that they maintain a strong relationship with the community, by being active participants in their local Chamber of Commerce and volunteering for local community events.

Early in their entrepreneurial career, Eric and Lynn Schwartz joined the Big Bear Chamber and started hosting mixers and fundraisers.  During the fires of 2003, which engulfed many of the forests surrounding their community, Eric along with other volunteers cooked for the firefighters at a local ski resort & lodge.  In addition to these activities, the Schwartz’s are known for their charitable contributions to community arts, Big Bear Sheriff’s Explorers & “Citizens on Patrol”, and the Domestic Violence Shelter.  Their involvement in the community and their charitable work and contributions was reciprocated years later, during some very turbulent times for their business.

During 2008, Get the Burger encountered some difficulties with their location and were forced to relocate.  Financial and operational barriers stood in the way of their relocation.  It was during this time that Eric and Lynn learned about the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), a program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and dedicated to helping aspiring and existing business owners reach their entrepreneurial goals.  The IEWBC helped them write a business proposal, develop a pro-forma, prepare a loan package, and ultimately secure financing.

Thanks to their hard work & entrepreneurial spirit, and  the help of the talented consultants at the IEWBC, as well as support  from their family and community, Get the Burger was able to reopen their doors on June 30th, 2009.  Not only were they back serving the community they love, but they also created 12 new jobs.  Their new location can accommodate 50 people, as opposed to their old location that could only seat 15 individuals.

Despite the economic downturn experienced in the last few years, Get the Burger was able to bring about even more positive news.  Their company was able to create three additional summer jobs, as well as maintain their original 12 throughout the year.  They added a few items to their select menu which have all been quite popular.  Eric and Lynn continue to work with the IEWBC as they prepare to expand and open a new location somewhere in San Bernardino County.  Get the Burger has shown that working with your local business resources, maintaining strong community ties, and remembering that the customer always comes first, success is possible.

The organization also encourages scriptwriters to enter the Screenwriting Competition by the early bird deadlines of December 31, 2010 (regular deadline 2/25/11). Screenplays may be submitted electronically at www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com.

The screenwriting competition is an important component of BBLIFF. This is the 10th year the Festival has given aspiring writers the opportunity to submit entries, receive evaluations of their work and vie for an invitation to participate in the Festival.

2010 Big Bear Film Festival Poster

All entries will be read and evaluated by a team of readers. Each entry is carefully considered, and the five highest rated screenplays are invited to take part as finalists in the Festival. The top five scripts are read by an eight-member panel of Hollywood professional producers, agents and managers who select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and 2 honorable mentions.

The BBLIFF screenwriting competition is unique among film festival screenwriting competitions because each entry receives back written evaluations of their script from a minimum of three different readers. Those that make it to the second round receive evaluations by six readers. As Screenwriting Competition Director Sandy Steers points out, “The majority of competitions do not provide writers with feedback and those that do charge extra for it. We receive thank you notes every year from writers who appreciate the level of assistance this valuable feedback has given them.”

A previous screenwriting competition winner, Iris Yamashita, realized her dream after participating in the BBLIFF competition. Yamashita was nominated for an academy award for best screenplay for the Clint Eastwood movie Letters From Iwo Jima (2006). Yamashita was discovered during the competition by a film festival juror, Catherine Tarr at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Tarr recommended the screenwriter to Paul Haggis and Clint Eastwood who were working on a companion production to “Flags of Our Fathers.” Yamashita later returned to Big Bear to participate as a speaker on the screenwriting panel.

The Screenwriting awards, along with the Film awards will be presented on the afternoon of September 18 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival attracts an average of 5,000 attendees to its scenic location yearly and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary at this year’s expanded event; September 15th – 18th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at bigbearlakefilmfestival.com; at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center Box Office (39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315); or by phone: 909-866-4970. For more information about the festival call 909-866-3433 or email bigbearfilmfest@aol.com.

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Press Contact:
Vanessa Finney
909.866.0321 | vanessa@soundandstory.com

Video Producer Vartan Nazaraian, director Christopher Coppola, screenwriter Richard David Boyle and actor Ken Carpenter talk about film at the recent Big Bear Horror Film Festival.

Legends of Hollywood mingled with some of the best new directors and actors at the Big Bear Horror Film Festival last weekend and the small, intimate parties were the best ever.

Jerry Maren, who handed Judy Garland a lollipop in “Wizard of Oz” told me that the stories of Munchkin orgies were simply not true and he worked hard for his fifty dollars a week in 1939. I also met my adolescent screen idol, Margaret O’Brien, who also starred with Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis” which earned the teen star an Oscar.

Up and coming new directors and actors, such as Richard Swindell and a brilliant ensemble cast created “Pelt” a very funny spoof of the eighties “teens meet killer” horror genre films and won over not only the audience but judges as well, winning for best feature. In an interview with the cast and crew, it was revealed everybody had fun shooting and put in their own ideas in making the horror film shot at Lake Tahoe as well as Big Bear itself.

“Devil’s Creek,” a 10 minute project directed by Mohit Ramchandani about a small town preacher tormented by a park ranger won for best short film. “Red,” by Kevin McGuiness about Little Red Riding Hood won for best animated film however Israeli animator Amit Tishler also got audience approval for his film about Bigfoot called “Winter Hunt.”

I especially enjoyed meeting Christopher Coppola, the son of the former dean of San Francisco State film school, August Coppola, who lured me away from Stanford in 1991 to teach screenwriting at my alma mater. I was sad to learn from director Christopher Coppola his dad passed away last year at age 75, but we also reminisced about my hanging out with uncle Francis Ford Coppola on his yacht at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival. A cute little girl on that boat handed me a plate of delicious pasta, with a “special sauce from Tuscany.” A decade later I would vote for Sophia Coppola for best director at the Oscars. “Sophia is a great cook,” said Christopher Coppola, who screened his new horror film, ”Creature from the Sunnyside Up Trailer Park,” to the delight of the audience at the Friday night opening.

Other legends of horror films, such as Ford Austin, who directed “Curse of Lizzie Borden,” and “Slaughter Party,” actor Ken Carpenter, beloved by horror film fans for his role as “camera head” in “Hell Raiser III” and Victor Miller who wrote the original “Friday the 13^th“ had fun signing autographs.

Maybe the best horror films were made by video producer Vartan Nazarian, who shot several short promos about the festival, one even starring Carpenter about a real newscaster who is murdered by a woodland killer during an interview.

The parties continued well into Sunday morning at the suite of my wife and me at the Robin Hood Hotel overlooking the glimmering Big Bear Lake. As film festivals go, the Big Bear Horror fest is new, only two years old, but next year we expect the best fright film party in the world.

The Moonridge Animal Park is Big Bear’s wildlife animal sanctuary, rehabilitation and education center founded in 1959.  During the past year the Moonridge Animal Park has been celebrating 50 Years of Sanctuary, Rehabilitation and Education.  The Moonridge Animal Park provides a “Home For Life” to over 180 animals representing 85 species.

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s filmmaking and screenwriting competitions.

BBLIFF Programming Director Monika Skerbelis said, “We had a huge turnout of filmmakers! The festival continues to attract filmmakers who take advantage of watching their peers’ films, support each other’s work, and attend the seminars and panels packed with industry pros.”

Sandy Steers, Screenplay Competition Director, added, “We had a great crop of screenplays this year. The quality improves every year, so hearty congratulations to our screenwriting winners on their accomplishment.”

The award ceremony took place September 18, 2010 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, with the generous support of the City of Big Bear Lake.

2010 winners are as follows:

JURY AWARDS

Film Competition Winners

Best Feature
“Earthworks”
Chris Ordal

Best Documentary
(TIE) “Do It Again”
Robert Patton-Spruill

(TIE) “Unforgettable”
Eric Williams

Best Short
“Touch”
Jen McGowan

Best Family Film
“Amazonia”
Sam Sam

Best Cinematography
“La Premiere”
Michael Regalbuto & Nick Regalbuto

Best Student Film
“The Last Page”
Kevin Aceved
Chapman University

Best Animation
“Amazonia”
Sam Chen