"Cocktails for Eagle Tails" raises funds for Watershed heroes and Raptor Aviary; tales about Miss Eureka, the camel who preceded Bill the Chimp shared

Approximately 60 people attended and approximately another 20 people donated but did not attend "Cocktails for Eagle Tails," a fundraiser for the Sequoia Park Zoo on June 5 at the home of Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass. Supervisor Bass and her husband Matthew Owen are supporters of the Zoo and organized this event along with Zoo Foundation Founding President Jeff Lamoree and his wife Sharon. Funds will be used for for Watershed Heroes, Raptor Aviary and similar new exhibits by the Sequoia Park Zoo foundation.5

The fundraiser was by invitation only and while the suggested tax deductible donation was $100 per person, there were people who attended who were more generous in their support. Attendance was diverse. Representing the Zoo board was Annette De Modena and staff member Kelly Parchman , KAEF Assistant News Director Lindsay Housaman, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who made a cameo appearance and then went to attend the Relay for Life event at the Adorni, Eureka Main Street Director Charlotte McDonald, Eureka Mayor Frank Jager, Lora and Joel Canzoneri, Alex Stillman, Connie Stewart, John Fullerton, Neal Ewald and many others.

I asked the people attending why they support the Zoo. "The zoo is the crown jewel of Eureka," said John Fullerton.

"The zoo is such an important part of our community," said Charlotte McDonald. "It gives people the chance to see animals they may not see. It is well-manged, well-run and it enhances the quality of life, the parks and the surrounding areas in our community. It is a place that families and friends can gather in the center of Humboldt County. We had Jillian's third birthday party at the Zoo."

Michael Dearden, manager of the Wells Fargo branch in Eureka said, "There are things in  life we need and there are things that make life worth living."

Linda Wise, a local artist and Recology Humboldt operations manager, said she was there supporting the Zoo but also all local parks and recreation facilities. "When you don't have facilities like this, you just give up on quality of life."

Lora Canzoneri grew up in the neighborhood adjacent to the Zoo. She shared with me fond memories of Miss Eureka, a camel, who preceded Bill the Chimp. She talked about how the Zoo was a place she and her friends could walk over to, a place they felt safe going to even without mom and dad.

"It was my backyard," said Lora Canzoneri. "My best memory was Miss Eureka, the camel. I was probably 7 or 8 when she died. " Then she talked about visiting Bill and dealing with that loss. "There are very few places in the nation that still have a city zoo. I am very impressed with the recent improvements to the Zoo, thanks to the Foundations."

For Ms. Canzoneri, the Zoo is a place where a nine year old Lora took her baby sister, it is the place she and her husband Joel met and first started dating. They would go there and have lunch and walk and visit Bill. She also mentioned that when she was a little girl, the Zoo had a lion.

These are just some of the highlights shared last evening of what the Zoo means to local residents.

Mr. Lamoree started his remarks by saying, "I would like to thank Matthew and Virginia for opening their house" and gave the eagle photo to them as a thank you. He then quipped, "I have a 40 minute presentation," to laughter and just pointed to the easels  that people could look at for more information. It was an informal mingling with zoo staff and board members answering questions and people enjoying home cooked goodies and drinks.

According to Mr. Lamoree, The Sequoia Park Zoo like many accredited zoos across the country is owned, operated and funded through a local government entity, in this case the City of Eureka. The city revenue covers animal care, operations, maintenance, utilities, and education programs. Working in close partership with City of Eureka staff, the Sequoia Park Zoo foundation is responsible for fundraising, marketing, membership, guest services, special events, and other initiatives such as capital projects.

$7,000 raised from last night. Mr. Lamoree will follow up with those that did not attend but pledged donations.