Summertime and music go hand in hand, and what better way to enjoy your summer trip to Big Bear than with a concert at the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater. On Saturday, June 25, their series launches with The Long Run, taking the stage to perform the greatest hits of the Eagles such as “Hotel California,” “One of These Nights” and “Take it Easy.” The Long Run, revered as one of the best tribute bands in the world, returns by popular demand and will perform another stellar night of classic rock music at Southern California’s most scenic amphitheater. As a tribute of sorts to their mountain fans, they will record their first live concert album at this show; plan on being a part of this history-making event.
Tickets are limited. Purchase tickets online at www.NationalForestAssociation.org or in person at Big Bear Discovery Center. Tickets are $20 – $22 Adults; $10 teens 13-18; youth 12 and under are admitted free. Gates open at 5:30 pm; concert at 7pm. Check out the rest of the Summer Concert Series online including season passes, VIP packages, parking and more at www.NationalForestAssociation.org .
JazzTrax
Summer Jazz Concert
Lakeside Jazz Concert on a Floating Stage The 6th Annual Big Bear Lake JazzTrax Summer
Music Festival takes place lakeside this year at the Marina Resort from June 24-26. Headline artists include Peter White, Jackiem Joyner and Marion Meadows. After show party every night at Nottinghams. For more info please visit www.jazztrax.com or call (866) Trax Tix.
Eagle Celebration at the Discovery Center January 16, 2010 – 10:00am
Join the Discovery Center for a tribute to Big Bear’s most famous residents! Eagle Celebration will be complete with handouts for kids and adults, an educational slide show from a Forest Service Biologist on the Bald Eagles of Big Bear and to top it off, a visit from Aries, a LIVE Golden Eagle, from Moonridge Animal Park! Fee: $5 Adults, $3 kids up to 12.For more details call (909)382-2790.
Snowshoe Tours at the Discovery Center January 16, 2010 – 9:00am
Come celebrate our winter wonderland by playing in it! The Discovery Center is offering guided snowshoe tours this winter for visitors and residents to explore scenic areas around Big Bear Lake. A naturalist will lead
you through the forest where you will learn about winter ecology and natural history of the Big Bear Valley. Tour is suitable for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. Meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center.
Snowshoes and additional transportation are provided. Rate: Adults: $35, Children (8-12): $25 Dates: Saturdays 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Sundays 9am-12pm; December 26 through March 7. Additional Tours scheduled for Saturday, December 19; 9am-12pm and Sunday, December 20; 9am-12pm. Call to reserve your spot today! (909) 382-2790 or (909) 866-3437. Reservations are recommended; tours are limited to 13 people. Tours are weather dependent, so please call to check snow conditions.
Eagle Tour at the Discovery Center January 16, 2010 – 10:00am
The only Eagle Tour of the season! Join a Discovery Center Naturalist for a tour around Big Bear Lake looking
for Bald Eagles. Tour participants will be attending Eagle Celebration with an educational presentation that teaches you how to spot Bald Eagles. Following the presentation and live eagle viewing, participants will be driven around Big Bear Lake looking at eagle hot spots. Spotting scopes, binoculars, water and a snack are provided. Fee: $30 adult, 12 years or older. For more details please call (909) 866-3437.
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs for seven consecutive weekends, September 19 through October 31 at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. The times are Saturdays 12 noon to 12 midnight and Sundays 12 noon to 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices for Saturdays are $12 adults; $9 seniors (65+); $6 children (3-12). Sundays are $5 adults; $4 seniors (65+); and children (12 and under) are free. Group and tour package pricing is also available. For more information call 909-585-3000 or visit www.bigbearevents.com.
2. Big Bear Horror Film Festival October 16 thru 18th, 2009
The Big Bear Horror Film Festival will take place at the PAC on Friday October 16th through Sunday October 18th. For more information please call (323) 604-9874 or visit www.bigbearhorrorfilmfest.com
3. Wolf Awareness Day at Moonridge Animal Park October 17, 2009 – 11:00am to 3:00am
We dispel myths about wolves and inform everyone of their importance within the circle of life. Have a fun day at the zoo with fun activities for the kids. For more information, call (909) 878-4200.
4. Greenthumbs Forest Planting Day at the Discovery Center October 17, 2009 – 9:00am to 3:00pm
Volunteer to assist the Big Bear Ranger Station’s Native Plant Nursery and Restoration Program. No experience necessary. Bring hat, sunscreen, your favorite pair of gloves and a sack lunch. Meet at the Big Bear Ranger Station flagpole @ 9am. The Big Bear Ranger Station is located � mile east of the Big Bear Discovery Center. Please call ahead to verify your participation. (909) 382-2837. 9am-3pm Free! For more details please visit www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com
5. Flashlight Safari October 17, 2009 – 6:15pm to 8:45pm
Experience the park’s nocturnal animals. The Safari starts with a briefing on nocturnal animal characteristics and their night environments. Then everyone proceeds on a night tour throughout the park. Gates open 6:15 PM and close at 6:30 PM to start the program. Bring your flashlight and wear warm clothes. Admission: Under 3 years old free, for ages 3-10 $6, and over 10 years old $9. For more information call (909) 584-1299.
The fourth and final peformance for the 2009 Music at the Mansion series will feature a mixture of instrumental, vocal, and theater. Two performances will be given at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Dinner will be available at the Mansion following the 4:00 p.m. concert. For more details and to reserve tickets plase call (909) 585-5916 or visit www.bigbearartscouncil.org
Saturday & Sunday, September 19 & 20: Kids on Public Lands. 9am-4pm. The Big Bear Discovery Center is hosting Kids on Public Lands. Children from the Anaheim YMC after school program ages 8 -12 years old will get the opportunity to spend a day in the San Bernardino National Forest and learn about off-highway trails, natural resources, and the plants and animals in the forest. This event is closed to the public.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –On Saturday, September 26, more than 100,000 Americans will offer their services at an estimated 2,300 projects across the country during National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest one-day outdoor volunteer effort.
Among those projects will be four featured sites government. Private industry and nonprofit leaders will offer remarks to mark the day.
Now in its 16th year, National Public Lands Day draws tens of thousands of volunteers to sites across the country. A renewed emphasis on service and community involvement prompted by President Obama’s United We Serve initiative is expected to drive record turnout with 130,000 volunteers expected at sites in 2009. National Public Lands Day is a project of the National Environmental Education Foundation and sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
“This is our biggest year yet for National Public Lands Day,” said Robb Hampton, director of the program. “Interest in volunteering is surging. We have more projects than ever, and an exciting lineup of activities and speakers at our four signature sites.”
Four signature sites across the country include a National Park ravaged by a wildfire in need of clean up; an urban oasis in one of America’s most beautiful cities; the birth home of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and America’s front yard, the National Mall.
Each will draw dignitaries and volunteers, alike, as they work to improve and preserve America’s treasured public spaces.
• Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, Calif.
Just a week after firefighters extinguished nearly all of the Station Fire that burned more than 160,000 acres of land in Angeles National Forest, volunteers will work with crews to rehabilitate trails, recreation sites and riparian areas and clear rubbish while learning about fire management in the Big Tujunga Canyon.
Tom Tidwell, chief of the U.S. Forest Service will be on hand, as well as Hiroshi Mazawa, vice president, Technical Administration and Planning Office, Toyota Technical Center.
After spending the morning on work projects around the area, volunteers will have an opportunity to take a guided hike through the recently burned area, learn more about the Station Fire and hear about recovery efforts underway.
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif.
The annual tradition of projects at this beautiful urban park will take on more importance as part of the United We Serve initiative. Volunteers will have a number of opportunities to choose from
at the park to suit their interests and abilities, including habitat restoration, vegetation management and grounds and trail maintenance. Over 400 volunteers are expected at locations throughout the park.
The Ken Burns’ documentary, “America’s Best Idea,” will premiere the day after National Public Lands Day, on Sunday, September 27. As part of the nationwide celebration, a preview of the documentary will be aired during an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on National Public Lands Day.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta, Ga.
Volunteers at the site will undertake a number of projects, including helping to restore historic houses adjacent to the King property as well as weeding, mulching and planting around the site.
The event will coincide with the conclusion of a national conference, “Breaking the Color Barrier in the Great American Outdoors” held in Atlanta. Speakers at opening ceremonies before the volunteer projects include Jody Forte, superintendent of the National Park Service and Arthur Gibson, board chair of the National Environmental Education Foundation and vice president of Environment, Health and Safety for Baxter Healthcare.
• The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
A kick-off event for a number of projects in the D.C. area will be held at the historic Watergate Steps, next to the Potomac River and near the Lincoln Memorial. Volunteers at the site will prune trees, clear invasive plant species, remove trash and help to create mulch that will be used throughout the National Mall.
Dignitaries from government agencies, private industry and the White House include: Dan Wenk, acting director of the National Park Service, David Hayes, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior, Nancy Sutley, chair of The White House Council on Environmental Quality, Michael Rouse and vice president, Philanthropy and Community Affairs for Toyota Motor Sales. USA, Inc.
As part of the celebration, free entrance will be granted to all 391 National Parks on Saturday, September 26.
National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 to carry on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program to revive communities and create opportunities for employment following the Great Depression. The event is a program of the National Environmental Education Foundation.
For more information about National Public Lands Day and to locate a volunteer project in your area, please visit www.publiclandsday.org.
California travel expert Veronica Hill tours Big Bear Lake in this episode of “California Travel Tips.” This Big Bear video highlights Big Bear hotels such as Northwoods Resort, Big Bear restaurants, the Discovery Center and Gold Panning in the mountains.
