FROM ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA....

Anderson's Max Truzzi spent much of his life performing in the circus with his most famous role as Jay Jay Happy Clown. He now performs for charities and collects donations for Meals on Wheels.

Anderson resident spent a life under the big top

By Charmaine Smith-Miles

Anderson Independent Mail July 11, 2010

ANDERSON — Max Truzzi used to get into trouble when he’d try to climb the ropes behind the curtains on the stage. He didn’t know why, but he was a boy who liked to climb.
Heights weren’t a problem for him.
Trees were his favorite playgrounds. Then one day, when he was 8, his mother, Sonya Truzzi, took him to a neighbor’s house in Florida. There, children his age were climbing a rope suspended 12 feet to 15 feet in the air. He was amazed.
“I thought that looked like fun so I climbed up on the rope with them,” Truzzi said.
This was the beginning of a 41-year career with the circus — the Ringling Brothers Circus, the Hanaford Circus, the Clyde Beaty Circus and the Moscow Circus. Truzzi was a tightrope walker.
It was all work he loved.
“It was in my blood,” Truzzi said. “The families all had kids who did something — some kind of act.”
This was Truzzi’s place.read more at:http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/jul/11/anderson-resident-spent-life-under-big-top/

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE -

Attack on Toledo keeper rekindles debate on zoo elephants

Sunday July 11 2010
TOLEDO (MCT) - The Toledo Zoo's star elephant, "Baby Louie," isn't quite so cute these days.
Since the 7-year-old African pachyderm attacked and critically injured his trainer, Don RedFox, on July 1, zoo employees have been keeping their distance, attending to him only from behind a protective barrier.
Zoo officials and experts have been puzzling over the attack, trying to understand why it happened.
"I think it was just a fluke at this particular time," Alan Roocroft, an international expert on elephants, said last week after an initial assessment of the issue. He said it didn't appear that the 4,000-pound animal intended to seriously harm RedFox, who had worked with the animal since its birth.read more at:http://www.norwalkreflector.com/articles/2010/07/11/front/iq_1025086.txt

NEW PBS CIRCUS SPECIAL TO AIR THIS FALL!

PBS July 08, 2010
http://www.pbs.org/circus: In November 2010, step inside the ring, where the stories are true and the magic is real, for an intimate look at the mystery, thrill of life and drama in the big top and on the back lot and take an unforgettable trip with the diverse characters who make up the legendary Big Apple Circus with PBS' new six-hour miniseries CIRCUS. http://www.pbs.org/circus

STEAM TRAIN PULLS CWM CARS

SUNDAY FUNNIES

ROY ROGERS AUCTION AT CHRISTIE'S

Gil Perez, right, a doorman at Christies auction house, wears an outfit and holds a guitar belonging to Roy Rogers as he stands alongside the preserved remains of Rogers' horse "Trigger" and dog "Bullet" at the New York auction house, Friday, July 9, 2010. Christie's held a preview Friday of an upcoming auction of items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The preserved remains of Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger" and dog "Bullet" are on display at Christies auction house in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. Christie's held a preview Friday an upcoming auction of items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

An employee of Christies auction house takes inventory of some of the belongings of movie cowboy Roy Rogers, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010. Christie's held a preview Friday of an upcoming auction of items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Roy Rogers auction in NYC offers Trigger's remains

By EVA DOU (AP) – 1 day ago
NEW YORK — The smell of horses and hay permeated the marble-floored galleries at Christie's in Manhattan Friday as potential bidders previewed items including the preserved remains of movie cowboy Roy Rogers' famous horse Trigger.
The auction house is selling items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo., next Wednesday and Thursday.
Unlike the fine furniture, paintings and jewelry that Christie's is famous for, the centerpiece of this auction is a stuffed and mounted horse rearing on its hind legs. It also will feature another type of horsepower — Rogers' 1964 Bonneville convertible adorned with collectible silver dollars, its door handles and gear shift replaced by silver-plated pistols.
The car is estimated to draw $100,000 to $150,000. Trigger is expected to fetch $100,000 to $200,000.
Other items for sale include: Rogers' and Evans' performance outfits; the preserved remains of Rogers' dog, Bullet; about 60 pairs of cowboy boots; the Rogers family dining table; and the Jeep "Nellybelle" from the Roy Rogers TV show.

Sunday, July 11, 2010 Weekend: Circus coming to Findlay on July 23

This 74th Carson & Barnes Circus is coming to Findlay on July 23 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. This show features a new concept in circus presentation, which blends eight decades of circus tradition with breathtaking performances and up-close audience viewing.
The usual circus fare will also include performing ponies, horses, dogs and spectacular elephants under a big top. More human will be award-winning clown and world-renowned "King of Comedy" clown, Alex.
Families are also invited to see the set up and free zoo on the morning of the circus when more than two dozen types of domestic and exotic animals are cared for, watered and fed.
Showtimes are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on July 23. All tickets are $7 and can be picked up in the form of various coupons distributed around Findlay.

MADISON COUNTY, NY FAIR

CANTON, PA FIREMEN'S FAIR

Review Photo/JAMES LOEWENSTEIN

A vendor running one of the games Saturday at the Canton's Firemen's Fair takes a food break
Review Photo/ERIC HRIN
Annette Mickey and Nathan Hart of Gillett enjoy the merry-go-round Friday at the Canton Firemen's Fair

Canton Firemen's Fair expecting good final night

BY JAMES LOEWENSTEIN (STAFF WRITER)

July 11, 2010 CANTON - While attendance has been down this year at the Canton Volunteer Fire Department's Firemen's Fair due to the hot weather, organizers hoped to make up some of the loss in revenue on Saturday, the final evening of the fair.
"We're getting busy. It looks like we'll have a good night," Rich Bardo, president of the fire company, said early Saturday evening. "It's cooler and breezy."
Usually a total of 8,000 to 9,000 people attend the annual fair, but as of the end of Friday night, only 4,000 had attended this year, he said.
Organizers were expecting another 1,500 to 2,000 would attend on Saturday night, he said.
Bardo said his personal goal was to have the fair raise $10,000 this year, which will be used to help purchase rescue equipment for the fire company.
The most important need for the money is for high-lift air bags, which can be used to rescue someone who is trapped underneath a vehicle or heavy equipment, including equipment used in the natural gas industry, Bardo said.
While the fire company already has similar air bags, the kind the department wants to get will be much better, because they will be able to lift higher and more quickly, he said.
The fair began on Tuesday.

ST JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA FAIR OPENS

SOUTH BEND — Crews are wrapping up preparations for the St. Joseph County Fair. Gates open at 10 a.m. Friday for the week-long event.

It's Fireman's Carnival time all over Maryland!

Topless PETA model protests circus

By EUGENE W. FIELDSTHE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Published: July 9, 2010
ANAHEIM – The tour stop for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is nearly three weeks away, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were out Friday afternoon trying to make sure people don't go.The activist group staged a protest near City Hall using a chained, virtually topless model with faux wounds on her back to simulate what PETA alleges represents the cruel treatment of circus animals, specifically the Asian elephants.
"It's shocking that the circus beats the animals," said model Meggan Anderson, 25. "We have to do a shocking display to show the public."PETA spokeswoman Amanda Fortino handed out leaflets to passersby. The flyers featured photos, allegedly taken at the circus's breeding facility in Florida, of a baby elephant tied with ropes and having its legs being stretched out in different directions."Most people don't go when they see these photos," Fortino said. "They don't want to support cruelty to animals."Janice Aria, the director of Animal Stewardship for Ringling Bros., said any incidents of abuse were isolated and each allegation was thoroughly investigated. Some employees were reprimanded.
According to PETA, mistreatment of animals has led to the death of 27 elephants over the past 18 years. The organization has released undercover videos allegedly depicting elephants being beaten and shocked with electric prods and posted the footage at ringlingbeatselephants.com."We take very seriously some of these videos," said Aria, adding that none of the elephants were found to be harmed. "We went through it frame by frame with the trainers to find out why they did what they did."Aria said the circus has 54 elephants, with about one-third actually used for the travelling shows. Eleven will be used in the Anaheim shows, which run from July 28 to Aug. 8 at the Honda Center."We spend $62,000 a year per elephant for care," Aria said. "It just is incredible to me that if there's that much that goes into taking care of these animals, why would it behoove us to abuse them?"Fortino said PETA stages protests around the country wherever the circus tours."We used to just have signs, but we didn't get as much response as when we have something eye-catching," she said.Workers on their lunch breaks stopped to watch, accept fliers and snap photos. A sergeant with the Anaheim Police Department stopped and asked if Anderson was wearing pasties. The model verified that she was.Anita McCowan of Anaheim was having lunch at a table near the protest and said she didn't mind it."She's portraying how she feels,'' McCowan said of the model.

AMUSING THE ZILLION

Amusing the Zillion

"A former carny kid casts an insider's eye on the amusement business, Coney Island, and fun places in between"

A very interesting Blog.

I suggest you take a look!

http://amusingthezillion.com/

BLOOMSBURG,PA FAIR NEWS...

Bloomsburg Fair announces skyride

Published: July 8, 2010
Visitors to the Bloomsburg Fair will now have the chance to get a bird's eye view of the festivities, courtesy of a new ride.
During a fair directors' meeting this week, officials announced that a skyride would be set up over the fair's main drag.
The ride will stretch 2,000 feet from Gate 3 to Leonard Street, and installation will be handled by fair ride operator, Reithoffer Amusements.
According to the Press Enterprise of Bloomsburg, a contract to permit the ride was signed before a vote was taken by the fair board members. However, approval is still needed from the town of Bloomsburg and the state Department of Agriculture's ride inspection division.
During the meeting, attendees were split in their support of the ride. Some voiced concerns about the ride's safety, while representatives from other fairs testified that they have had no problems with their skyrides, according to the newspaper.
Supporters said the ride would bring in money to the fair and keep the weeklong event competitive with other area attractions.
The fair will be held Sept. 25 to Oct. 2

FROM DAVID P. ORR...

GOOD MORNING FROM CENTRAL PA.

Many of you have already received the OABA Animal Fund Press Kit from the OABA Office. Please e-mail to your friends in the business.

And all out effort with our new OABA LION PIN campaign is needed.

My part of the OABA Animal Pin Tour started Tuesday, July 6, 2010 on the LEWIS and CLARK Circus in Patton, PA. Bob Childress, Owner for the third year was not only a gracious host but once again donated $500.00 to the OABA Circus Fund.

Bob's L & C Circus had two full houses in Patton.

Great host and FANTASTIC Circus. For route check out L & C website.

For a current listing of all OABA Animal Fund Donors check out SHOWTIME magazine.

My next OABA stop is Peru, IN during Circus Weekend and Circus Hall of Fame Inductions. JOIN OABA: If you aren't and OABA Member check out the new website and print your membership application.

Current Members told the OABA Survey last year the most important reasons, they joined the OABA.

A. For representation in legal matters affecting our industry.

B. To stay connected with news, about the industry and with one another.

C. To be a part of supporting the industry where you make your living.

WANTED: OABA Lion pin agents

SPECIAL THANKS to all my OABA Lion pin agents.

Any questions regarding agents e-mail: dpowhitetiger@aol.com

Hope to see you on the road this summer. Thank You for your continued support.

To contribute to the Circus Fund make your check payable to: OABA Circus Fund. Send TO: OABA

1035S. Semoran Blvd., Ste. 1045 A

Winter Park, FL. 32792

Circusly,David P. Orr, OABA Circus Representative