Circus under attack AGAIN …
May 12, 2012 | 
Author Bristol, Connecticut City councilors said Tuesday they may not let a circus come to town this summer.
After expressing concern about alleged mistreatment of circus animals, city Councilor Henri Martin said he is not sure “we really want to promote that type of entertainment in the community.”
We’re wondering what he means by “that type of entertainment” and what harm it might bring to the community?
A couple of points of fact:
Those people who were announced to speak for the Circus’ side of the story, Tim Orris of Cole Bros. Circus, and Gary Payne, a fan of the circus, were never given the opportunity to speak.
When they left the meeting, the matter was brought up again.
Someone went to find Messrs Orris and Payne, and when they came back there was a shuffling of the business and a motion to kill the circus withdrawn, and the matter postponed to the next Tuesday.
Only the fire marshal spoke, saying he needed more information. Orris waved some paperwork (looked about an inch and a half thick) representing the information so far made available.
Seems like the circus’ side of the story has never been told.
We need the support of all circus fans (and animal lovers) support on this.
Please follow the link below, read this Bristol, CT article, and then post a “pro-circus” comment. THE VOTE IS AT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING IN BRISTOL, CT THIS COMING TUESDAY NIGHT!
Thanks in advance and pass it on!!!
Read some of the Anti’s remarks … and please, click here to voice your opinion.
You’ll have to register, but they don’t require everything or publish your real name/email when you leave a comment.
Posted in 
Animal rights groups should pay legal fees
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wants the animal rights groups that unsuccessfully sued over allegations that the circus was mistreating elephants to pay its legal fees, which could run in excess of $20 million.
World Circus Culture Documentary
Your help is Needed!
In December, CFA member and fellow follower of the circus, Angela Snow, finished filming her feature documentary, World Circus Culture, with an interview with Kenneth Feld, of Ringling Bros., and before that Paul Binder, of the Big Apple Circus. We filmed in Europe, the US, Canada, and Peru to uncover the history and culture of circus on an internationals scale. With all access, the film follows five circus acts as they prepare and compete at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival.
From Angela: I’ve begun editing on the film and have hired an Emmy and Academy award winning editor. Now, in order to keep editing and finish the film, I’m having a fundraiser – 30 days to raise $12,000 – only 13 days left! There are some great rewards for people, Ringling Bros. Circus tickets, circus calendars, circus photos, signed DVDs from Ken Burns, and more.
Please check out the new video and campaign and let me know how you might be able to help me spread the word. World Circus Culture, follows five circus acts from different countries as they rehearse and compete at the “Academy Awards” of circus competitions, the Monte Carlo Circus Festival. Through these personal stories, the film will open peoples’ eyes to the true culture, art, business, and history of circus on an international scale as never seen before.
They filmed with many known circuses in the US– Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and Big Apple Circus and in Europe – Cirque d’hiver, Fratellini Academy, acts from Circus Krone, and other festivals like Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain, to name a few. Archival photos and footage will light up the circus past.
With the support of the World Circus Federation, the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, and circus friends of friends, I was able to enter the behind the scenes life of circus. For two months in December 2009 and January 2010, with cinematographer Ian Issitt, we filmed circus in six countries across Europe. We also filmed in the United States, Canada, and Peru. We visited circus schools, historical societies, fan clubs, popular circuses, and variety theaters. We captured over 200 hours of footage depicting the breathtaking art of circus, its long history, and its international scope. Performers welcomed us into their trailer homes and into their dressing rooms, sharing their hopes and fears as they lived their lives on the road and prepared for the competition in Monte Carlo.
HR3359 is REAL.
If passed, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (H.R. 3359) will change the circus … there will be no more animals.
Right now, those of us who oppose the bill are in the minority.
Please take just a minute and click here to visit this website. You can monitor the progress of the bill, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you can add another number to the opposing side.
You can VOTE, and then leave a note as to why this bill needs to be defeated. If just half the people reading this, take a minute to vote, we can turn the numbers around.
This is a comment from the website:
(Animal Defenders International USA) – Undercover investigations and scientific evidence show that given the circumstances of constant travel, limited facilities and pressure to make animals do things that they are unwilling to do, suffering and sometimes abuse is inevitable in U.S. traveling circuses. With current-day understanding of the intelligence, environmental and emotional needs of other species, we have no excuse to treat them in a way that degrades a civilized, advanced society.
I think we can do better.
Please OPPOSE HR3359 … and please visit CFA’s grassroots site for more information on how you can help keep animals in the circus.
Urgent! Hey Rube!
From Gary Payne.
To all,
Urgent! Hey Rube!
We have another serious matter – this time in Dane County, Wisconsin. We need your urgent attention to this new threat.
Go to grassroots.circusfans.org Click on the Grassroots Circus Fans tab. Follow the directions to contact those who are considering this destructive legislation.
To Recap:
We now have serious campaigns going on in three markets, as follows:
- Massachusetts-The Hedlund bill
- USA/Nationwide-The Moran bill
- The new threat in Wisconsin
I would love to give Circus Fans time off for the holidays, but frankly, I’m hopeful that you will spend an hour or two each day you can make available to campaign for us.
Your options are:
- Write personal letters to “each” person on the various lists who is in a position to consider the legislation.
- Send individual Emails. If you write letters you might also send Emails to follow up.
- Make phone calls.
- Lastly: YES! Definitely send this email out to ALL on your Email list, and ask them to do the same. DO THIS TODAY! Then follow up with steps #1 thru #3, a little each day.
Forward copies via email so that I can track participation for our friends.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!
Regards,
Gary C. Payne
Eastern Vice President and Chairman of the CFA Animal Welfare Committee
Circus Fans Association of America ptgcp@aol.com 860-833-7925
URGENT matter in the State of Massachusetts
From Gary Payne, CFA Animal Welfare Committee Chairman and CFA Eastern Vice President … please do what you can.
Members of the CFA Animal Welfare Committee, CFA Senior Officers, and CFA Tent Officers in states of MA, CT, NY, NJ, RI, NH, VT, ME
Today, I was alerted to an URGENT matter in the State of Massachusetts. In short – Senator Hedlund has got his legislation back in consideration. A late October hearing is likely. We feel this is URGENT and have updated the grassroots site to reflect that urgency.
We are asking that you:
- Please forward this information to CFA members, family members, or friends in the states listed above. Our website asks that Massachusetts members take action immediately. (Keep in mind that anyone can access this website) We also need the assistance of people who live within a reasonable driving distance from neighboring states. You should call to the attention of the lawmakers that you and family drive from your state to MA to attend a circus, patronizing businesses, etc.
- Go immediately to circusfans.org and click on grassroots.CircusFans.org for instructions. Your assistance is needed to IMMEDIATELY direct ONE PAGE letters via US MAIL to the Senators and Representatives listed . US MAIL letters should be written this week. Email and phone calls should begin immediately and continue until hearing day, until or unless otherwise instructed. Consult the grassroots website for updates.
- Send copies of any letters or emails to me so that we can monitor the collective effort. Use email if possible please.
- Massachusetts and adjacent states: We need people who are willing to drive to Boston to testify or support those who will testify. Respond today.
CFA 2011 Convention
Newburgh, New York … we arrived with an earthquake and left with a hurricane … the 2011 Convention was non-stop action all week.
Dutchess County Fair … was the best county fair ever. A parade, animals, thrill show, *lots* of food, The Mechanical Man, brats and creampuffs, Llamas, a butterfly nursery, the Circle City Stompers Clown Band played for us, and we even had a birthday cake!
Great seminars, good friends, new friends, old friends, the Bobby Byrne show, and even a tour and lunch at the Big Apple Circus winter quarters with Paul Binder, Barry Lubin, and some awesome performers.
The auction was amazing … so many wonderful items … if only we’d taken a big truck!
The good news is, a Hunt Bros. Circus ballyhoo stand, with posters, route cards, buttons, tickets, and two women with a week’s worth of luggage, will … and DID fit into the Prius!
Visit circusfans.org for more information about the Circus Fans Association of America … you can join on line!
The CFA 2012 Convention will be held in beautiful Tampa, Florida … April 19-21.
Kelly Miller Circus in Redford
Monday, August 15 – Redford, Michigan
We got up early to go to Redford and watch Kelly Miller Circus set up for today’s performance. It was an absolutely beautiful Michigan morning … bright blue sky and perfect temperature.
Bell Creek Park was already bustling with activity when we arrived, just before 8:30. A handful of spectators gathered as the big tent was laid out, with poles and ropes placed carefully in their designated positions.
The animals seemed to really be enjoying the cool morning … the elephants, horses, camels, ponies, dogs, and even a pot bellied pig were smiling … oblivious to the strangers mulling around with their shiny cameras and wiggling children.
Several of the sponsoring Jaycees (shown here with CFA past president Pat Pagel) were there to welcome fans and watch the tent raising …
A small crowd was gathering as Kelly Miller’s “Lucky Eddie” gave us a brief history of the circus, its animals, and performers … and answered questions from the crowd.
It seemed to take forever … before it was finally time to see what we’d all come for! Lisa the elephant gearing up with her harness and heading into the big tent to hoist it into position! Hooray!
Lucky Eddie herded us into the tent and around the back wall, out of harm’s way … it was dark, but we could all see Lisa happily doing her morning job. She seems to totally enjoy herself.
If you’d like to see a couple more pictures of our “tent hoisting” experience, please take a minute to visit us on Facebook. Just click on the link on the right hand side of this page.
Time to head for Peru!
We’re heading for Peru, Indiana this Friday for our annual Circus Weekend at the Circus City Festival, International circus Hall of Fame, and Big Top Circus.
For the past 51 years, approximately 250 young people, ages 7 to 21, and a team of Adult, Junior, and Kiddie Clowns, supported by a tremendous number of adult volunteers, present 10 performances during an eight-day period in mid-July. It’s not to be missed.
The BIG Circus Parade (on Saturday the 23rd) is filled with authentic circus wagons, clowns, calliopes, wild animals, floats and bands … it’s the longest running circus parade in the United States, and second largest parade in Indiana.
For more information about the Circus City Festival and lots of pictures, visit perucircus.com.
The International Circus Hall of Fame presents another amazing circus under the Big Top … with performances daily from July 16 – 31 at 2:00 and 2 shows on Sunday at 2:00 and 4:00. The Banquet Saturday night at 6:00 will feature the induction of two people into the Hall of Fame, including our friend Jack Ryan (originator of the phrase “May all Your Days be Circus Days!).
See you in Peru!
Circus Poster Exhibition – Ringling Museum of Art
From Rodney Huey
CIRCUS POSTER EXHIBITION SENSATIONALLY BRINGS TO LIFE AMERICA’S FIRST COLOSSAL ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
Sarasota, FL – June 28, 2011 – Before television, radio, film and the Internet, the circus was America’s colossal entertainment industry. Circus owners enticed massive crowds with brilliantly colored, boldly bombastic posters that advertised never seen before attractions, performers and animals from all corners of the globe, including Jumbo the Elephant and Gargantua The Great, as well as new innovations such as the automobile and electrical lights.
The Amazing American Circus Poster: The Strobridge Lithographing Company, 1878-1939 showcases the cultural influence of the circus on America in a special exhibition at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla., that runs from Sept. 17, 2011 to January 29, 2012.
The works exhibited span from the time of P.T. Barnum’s greatest show on earth to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The traveling exhibition opened in February at the Cincinnati Art Museum and is currently running through July 10, 2011.
“At the beginning of the twentieth century in America, the major holidays were the Fourth of July, Christmas, and the day the circus came to town,” said Steven High, executive director of the Ringling MuseumRingling earning Center and reated by Howard Tibbals, Mable Ringling Museum of Art and strength, the circus poster in the late n. “Circus owners relied on posters to advertise the show and to fuel excitement so that the colossal tents were filled with children of all ages. When it came to producing incredible poster designs and reliable delivery, the Strobridge Lithographing Company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the industry leader.”
With an array of dates and show titles, the posters in the exhibition range from the image of the woman, horse and clown, done by the American impressionist Edward Henry Pottast (1857-1927) to the romantic Ringling Bros. poster of In Days of Old, to iconic image of the leaping tiger. All 80 circus posters displayed in the Ulla. R and Arthur F. Searing Wing of the Ringling Museum of Art were made in America, produced in Cincinnati and distributed throughout the country. The exhibition draws from the collections of the Ringling Museum, Howard Tibbals, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. The exhibition is co-organized by the Ringling Museum and Cincinnati Art Museum.
The Ringling Museum circus poster collection includes the preservation of 145 Strobridge posters ranging from half sheets to sixteen sheets, as well as window cards and original designs. The Tibbals Collection entails 1,151 Strobridge posters ranging from half sheets to thirty-two sheets, in addition to window cards, trade cards, calendars, design cards, and original design artworks. The Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection includes 702 circus posters.
“Featuring colorful exotic animals and people performing remarkable feats of flight and strength, the circus poster in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries changed the face of American advertising forever,” explained Janet M. Davis, Associate Professor of American Studies, History, and Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
One of the first forms of visual communications and outdoor advertising, the circus poster boasted colorful eye-catching images and fantastically enticing copy that brought the stars-of-the-show sensationally to life. The ability to print the thousands sheets of paper quickly and efficiently was made possible through the lithographic process, a flexible medium quickly embraced by printers, including the famous Strobridge Lithographing Company.
“As early examples of mass marketing, these circus posters document a vibrant record of social change and new technology,” said Deborah Walk, Tibbals Curator of the Circus Museum at the Ringling Museum, who co-curated the exhibition with Kirstin L. Spangenberg, Curator of Prints at the Cincinnati Art Museum. “What’s interesting about this exhibition is that visitors can see through the circus posters the immense impact the circus had on American culture and how advertising techniques have changed since then as the pace of our lives have sped up.”
A 264-page catalogue accompanies the exhibition. It features the 80 posters and essays by circus and American cultural studies, historians and scholars. It retails for $29.95 and is now available in the Ringling Museum Store.
The Amazing American Circus Poster exhibition would not have been possible without the generous financial support of The National Endowment for the Humanities. The Ringling exhibition is sponsored in part by a grant from the Sarasota Arts Council, Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, and paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues, the Les and Judy Smout Foundation, and the Koski Family Foundation.
General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $10. Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members. Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit ringling.org for more information.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
American Youth Circus Organization Conference
From Pete Adams …
As you are aware the American Youth Circus Organization will be holding their Conference at Sailor Circus again this summer from August 17 to 21, 2011. Students from many of the youth programs from across the nation as well as their leaders will be attending this conference which is held every two years. As Joan Leonard mentioned at a previous TENT meeting, they can use some help which would include the following but not limited to just these items:
- Hospitality – filling water stations, prepping snacks, serving meals, registration table. (A notary is needed for Wednesday the 17th)
- First Aid Team, general information booth, concession sales.
A Festival Volunteer Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 21st at Sailor at 6 p.m. to coordinate volunteers for the AYCO Festival in August.
If you can help, just show up at the meeting on July 21st. If you can help and are not available for that meeting, please email me and let me know when from the 17th through the 21st of August that you are available, morning, afternoon and evening. Let me know also what phone number is best to contact you.
Thanks for consideration of this opportunity.
CFA is on Facebook!
We’re proud to announce that the Circus Fans Association of America (CFA) has gotten on the social media bandwagon!
If you’re a facebook subscriber, be sure to check out the CFA page, and don’t forget to click the like button!
We welcome you to post your comments, images, stories, and most especially, to join the CFA! Members, share the CFA with your facebook friends far and wide.
Click HERE to visit the new CFA facebook page, then visit circusfans.org for more information, and to become a member of the CFA. You’ll be glad you did!
NEWS from Sarasota
Don’t Miss this Amazing Show!
Featuring Grandma and other spectacular international acts … fun for “children of all of ages”!
Wednesday, June 22 – Sunday, July 31
Wednesday & Thursday at 11am & 2pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 & 5pm
Affordable Family Fun at the Historic Asolo Theater !
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
$10 for children age 12 and under, $15 for adults
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Visit Ringling.org or call 941.360.7399
Charity Auction Raised $3151 for International Elephant Foundation Research
Check this out click. Thanks to Water for Elephants movie fans, over $3100 was raised for the International Elephant Foundation, Tai’s philanthropy, to fund research for a cure for EEHV, the disease that killed her 3 year old elephant nephew, JP. Click here to read the thank you letter from IEF and Tai’s human parents at Have Trunk Will Travel.
We loved the movie … especially Tai’s performance. Don’t miss this one … circus fan or not, it’s a sweet love story with a happy ending.
Piccadilly Circus in Ypsi
We had the pleasure of attending the afternoon performance of Piccadilly Circus in Ypsilanti yesterday.
The show was fast moving and fun … elephant rides, clowns, music, agile acrobats, and even a boxing kangaroo!
My favorite was the elephant act … two lovely young ladies danced and performed with a sweet smiling elephant (she looked like brown velvet), who very obviously enjoyed every minute.
There was a nearly packed house, and everybody had a good time … we even ran into a couple of circus celebrities (pictured here) … John Polacsek (Circus Historical Society Vice President), Dickie Gardner (Piccadilly Circus), and Pat Pagel (CFA Past President).
Water for Elephants Premiere April 22!
Gary Payne has lots planned for circus fans in Connecticut for the opening night of the new Water for Elephants movie, based on Sara Gruen’s best selling book.
Pre show buffet dinner, motorcade to the theater, red carpet, limousine service, searchlights, and even photos with Reese and Rob look-a-likes!
For details and contact information, click here.
Have you got something special planned in your neighborhood?
Circus Posters Revealed in Cincinnati!
This story was written by reporter Cliff Radel
Step right up! See the GREATEST, most STUPENDOUS, most COLOSSAL, most SPECTACULAR exhibition ever to grace the hallowed walls of the Cincinnati Art Museum!
The Amazing American Circus Poster: The Strobridge Lithographing Company was spared from the flames of a horrendous FIRE and rescued from OBLIVION!
Thirty-five years in the making! This amazing, world-renown, never-before-seen collection of Cincinnati-made circus posters juggles history and entertainment with art and advertisements, as well as civic pride with civic understatement!
The exhibition features 80 posters. One work – recently discovered plastered to a building in Iowa after 100 years – is nearly as big as the side of a house. The images on these posters are so vivid, the colors so loud, the typefaces so bold, you expect to read their superlative-stuffed messages to the tune of a brass band blaring the most famous of all circus marches, “Entrance of the Gladiators.”
Every last one of these gaudy, boisterous works was made by the Strobridge Lithographing Co. This internationally known printer of entertainment posters churned out its products by the lithographic method. Paper copies of hand-drawn images were created from acid-etched, ink and water coated slabs of blue Bavarian limestone.
These works came from an Over-the-Rhine plant topped by turrets and towers. The Strobridge building loomed over Central Parkway until it was razed in 1976. That space is currently occupied by the School for the Creative & Performing Arts.
Excavations for the school revealed the base of a chimney. That’s all that remains of Strobridge. That, and hundreds of world-famous posters.
“These posters have been under wraps for decades,” said Owen Findsen, former Enquirer art critic. “They are the art museum’s best-kept secret.”
Now, that secret is out. Thanks goes to Kristin Spangenberg the art museum’s longtime curator of prints, drawings and photographs.
If there is a star of this three-ring circus of an exhibition, it is Spangenberg.
She has never been a clown, a bareback rider or a human cannonball.
“I only saw one circus when I was a kid growing up in Palo Alto, Calif.,” she said as she walked through the exhibit. She paused to gaze at a poster of three, seemingly disembodied clown heads floating in a field of blue. The impressionistic “Galaxy of Clowns,” created in 1919 for the Sells-Floto Circus, is equally comedic and creepy.
She smiled at the faces.
“I liked the circus,” Spangenberg said. “But I never wanted to work in one.”
She has, however, walked a creative tightrope to assemble this show. Spangenberg has created 125 exhibitions during her career at the art museum. At the same time, she has passionately dedicated the last 35 years to this display of circus posters.
When she came upon the art museum’s 702 Strobridge posters, she faced a daunting task. Nothing was cataloged.
“They were either rolled up in tubes or folded in envelopes on shelves in our library,” Spangenberg said.
A series of museum directors gave her these instructions: Find out what we have.
What the museum has is a treasure trove of posters depicting every aspect of life under the big top. From the beginning, Spangenberg knew the collection was exhibition worthy. She just had to make sense of it.
With the photographic expertise of her husband, John E. Gilmore, she inventoried the posters and tracked down the history of Strobridge.
The firm started in 1847 and lasted until 1960. Between those years, she noted, Strobridge earned the right to claim: “Our posters are seen around the world.”
Strobridge serviced circuses that toured the globe and needed posters to promote their arrival. Those posters were printed in several tongues by Strobridge.
“This Cincinnati company worked on publicity in 14 different languages,” Spangenberg said. “Its posters were literally seen around the world.”
Fire destroyed the Strobridge building in 1887. The blaze consumed the firm’s entire stock of posters. Albums of poster samples were spared because they resided in the company’s New York office. Excerpts from those albums, which were stored for years in the museum’s library until Spangenberg’s arrival, made up a good portion of the Amazing American Circus Poster exhibition.
Strobridge rebuilt its headquarters within six months and went on to become more than a world-renowned circus poster printer.
As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, Cincinnati – thanks to its influx of German craftsmen – was the country’s third-largest printing center, topped only by Boston and New York.
Strobridge’s national prominence and international connections placed “the company at the forefront,” Spangenberg said, “of the beginning of saturation outdoor advertising on a large scale.”
She noted that the first posters ballyhooing Ivory Soap, the invention of Westwood’s James N. Gamble, as “the soap that floats,” were printed by Strobridge.
“These posters were meant to sell products,” she added. “This was a business. This was not art for art’s sake.”
At the time they were printed, these posters were not considered works of art. The were pasted on the outsides of buildings. They were not meant to last.
“Many famous artists, Henry Farny and Edward Potthast, for example, got work and training making posters,” she said. “But this was not a time of graphic art.”
Their posters of powerful pachyderms and women riding horses in the center ring were designed to entice children of all ages to run away from home and join the circus – at least for a day and the price of admission.
“People just took these posters for granted,” Spangenberg said, “No one saw them as art.”
Until now.
Click here for photos.
Misguided good intentions
Although I’m sure the protesters at Atlanta City Hall yesterday *believe* they’re protesting cruelty to animals … I’m sure they *believe* there’s abuse at Ringling, and I’m pretty sure they *believe* they’re fighting a worthy cause … but I urge them to do some research on who and what PETA actually is and does. Read more ->
PETA wants to outlaw PETS!
In Virginia, for instance, Center for Consumer Freedom formally petitioned Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), requesting that the government agency officially reclassify People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as a slaughterhouse. An official report filed by PETA itself shows that the animal rights group put to death nearly every dog, cat, and other pet it took in for adoption. During that year, the well-known animal rights group managed to find adoptive homes for just 12 animals. Not counting pets brought to PETA for spaying or neutering, the organization killed 2,981 of the 3,061 “companion animals” it took in. According to VDACS, the average euthanasia rate for humane societies in Virginia was 34.7 percent. PETA’s “kill rate” was 97.4 percent. Read more ->
No Fishing? Several months ago, The Outdoor Wire reported a new campaign from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that was going to take up a new cause: fish. At that time, we received several notes from people accusing us of reporting something that was, at best, looney, and most likely, a joke.
It’s not a joke, folks. Today, it’s a reality. PETA’s already begun their initial push to “sensitize” the media. The most recent incident is PETA’s having told newspaper editors it was time to “either dump their fishing columns or relegate them to the crime and obituary sections where they belong.”
In a column called “Let ‘Em Eat Worms,” Florida Today fishing columnist Bill Sargent reported that “if PETA had its way, you wouldn’t be reading this column with your Sunday morning coffee.” He then recounted the letter newspaper sports editors had received from Karen Robertson the Fish Empathy Project Manager (I did NOT make this up) for PETA. From her group HQ in Norfolk, Virginia, she brought her 800,000 members and supporters to bear on the fishing columnists of the country. Read more ->
PETA’s Pet Killing Program Set a New Record in 2009
Public Records: PETA Found Adoptive Homes for Just 1 out of 300 Animals
Animal lovers worldwide now have access to more than a decade’s worth of proof that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) kills thousands of defenseless pets at its Norfolk, Virginia headquarters. Since 1998, PETA has opted to “put down” 23,640 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens instead of finding homes for them. Read more ->
They also want to ban horse carriage rides, hunting, rodeo, horse shows, and ownership of ALL animals. No dogs in the military, or for police work … the list goes on and on. So, before you get on the NO ANIMALS bandwagon … think about your life without your pets … go to the Circus, meet the animals, meet their trainers, see for yourself how they live and work together … and most importantly, DO YOUR RESEARCH and find the truth … money talks, and PETA is all about the money …
As Ingrid Newkirk (founder of PETA said, “Taking care of animals costs more than killing them.” WTF?
Youth Circus!
An introduction to youth circus in the USA, produced by Circus Fans Association of America (circusfans.org) in collaboration with the American Youth Circus Organization (americanyouthcircus.org)
Youth Circus In The USA from AYCO on Vimeo.
The Offical movie site for Water for Elephants is online!
It’s here …
The official site is open … great preview. :0)
Check it out HERE. it’s gonna be a good one.
NEWS! Sarasota, be on the lookout …
Rumor has it that these two are planning a trip to Sarasota next week … so be on the lookout!
CFA President Maxine House and former CFA President Pat Pagel will be attending the festivities in Sarasota from the 13th to the 19th of this month. Sounds like fun (and trouble) to me!
Photo courtesy of Mort Gamble.
Homeless Youth Find a Home with the Circus
The Circus Project in Portland, Ore. invites at-risk youth to give circus life a try, one afternoon at a time. In 2008, The Circus Project opened its doors in Portland. Since then, more than 200 people have tried the circus life on for size.
A large part of the project’s mission remains instilling confidence in at-risk youth from 12 to 24 who stream in from partner organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club …. Read more –>
Facebook
Hey Circus Fans … check out some new (old) images on our Facebook page!
I’ll be adding more from this Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Parade in New York, 1945 collection over the next couple of weeks. I’m lucky enough to have eighteen of them, all amazing.
Click on the image for a larger version.
While you’re there, look around our page … bet you’ll find some facebook friends already there.
Here’s some great info to go with the images …
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Route Book, 1945 from the Circus Historical Society.
Christmas in Altoona
Merry Christmas from Adam Forepaugh – Barry Lubin “Grandma” Tent No. 2 – Altoona / St. College.
Picture of Steve Hyde and Company taken December 5, 2010 Forepaugh-Lubin “Christmas in Altoona” Christmas party, Jaffa Shrine Circus Center.
Thanks to David Orr for sending this!
We apologize for any inconvenience while our server was under the weather. A brand new server is now up and running!
CIRCUS NEWS
Walt Disney World to close Mickey’s Toontown Fair in February 2011 as Dumbo’s Circus comes to the Magic Kingdom.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant that will allow guests to enjoy themselves in an interactive play area inside a nearby circus tent while waiting to board one of two Dumbo carousels. read more –>
Poodle Brigade hits Charlotte
UniverSoul is not just any ordinary circus. Of course, there’s all the circus favorites: cotton candy, popcorn, clowns, and elephant rides. But UniverSoul is a high-energy, soulful show with a twist: an international appeal. The show features a two-man basketball act from Holland and Belgium with unbelievable dribbling skills, breathtaking aerial artists from China, heart-pounding trapeze artists from Colombia, Africa and the Dominican Republic … and the adorable poodle brigade from Russia.
Just two more days to catch this wonderful show in Charlotte!
Community Kids Awarded for Service
The Barnum Award is a national prize given by the circus operation to children who are making a difference in the community.
The Gold Barnum Award winner, Madeline Cumbey, of Fort Wayne, received a $1,000 grant.
In order to address the problem of childhood obesity and kids health, Madeline started an after school club for 30 kids called the SMART2BFIT club. She taught other students about nutrition, physical activity and hydration. Madeline also started a school garden where students were able to stay physically active and take home nutritious foods.
The Sliver Barnum Award winner, Gavin Winebrenner, of Auburn, received a $750 dollar grant. Since being diagnosed at age seven with Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Gavin and his family have worked hard to raise money for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He has now spent more than 15 months in remission, but is still working tirelessly to support this worthy cause alongside his brother and sister.
(visit ringling.com for more information about the Barnum Award)
PBS CIRCUS Episode 2
Don’t forget! CIRCUS tonight on PBS 9:00 EDT
Hertzberg Circus Museum Treasure
Historical treasures found hidden away in library closet
The old Hertzberg Circus Museum is under renovation. Construction crews are busy at work, turning it into a new western art museum. What they found about a week-and-a-half ago was unexpected. You might call this tiny third floor closet an accidental time capsule.
Beth Graham with the San Antonio Library says, “It was a complete and total surprise to the library. The manager of the central library said, you know, for a Nancy Drew fan, it was a dream come true, you know, the story of the secret closet.” Read more.
Food for thought
The Fulton County issue is still in the news … this morning’s article by Mark Woolsey on sundaypaper.com says the story began with Anna Ware, looking out a window while dining in Atlanta, and seeing someone from a visiting circus “prod” an elephant along. Her subsequent search for more proof of circus animal abuse led to the effort to ban bull hooks in Fulton County.
Discussion of this article here at home this morning lead to two more points I’d like to bring up …
1. As in the case above, should the action of one person be the responsibility of the community? Should one man beating his dog cause dog ownership to be banned? Of course not … but it feels to me that the Fulton County issue was headed in that direction.
In a perfect world, NO animal would be held in any kind of enclosure, but allowed to roam free … dogs, cats, birds, turtles … each and every one … especially those kept to be slaughtered and eaten.
But alas, that’s not the way it is. Animals *are* kept in enclosures, as pets, entertainment, food. That I can’t change … but what I can do is speak out for and support those who do keep their animals in safe and comfortable conditions, who treat them with respect and care … and expose both the animal welfare supporters and the abusers.
2. This opened another can of worms (no offense intended) … when I suggested that perhaps some “animal rights” activists should investigate more obvious and easily documented abuse … like chicken farmers or other animals-for-food industries,* Tom said, “That’s different.”
Wow, is it? Do people really think it’s different? Does it matter if animals are raised in adverse conditions, if we’re only going to eat them?
Really?
*The living conditions for most chickens raised for meat and eggs are horrendous … (hooray for California passing positive legislation!) … but I’m not going to go there right now. Search some ‘reliable” sources and do some research if you’d like to learn more. Slow Food or Green Building Pro … are good places to start, but do some surfing and don’t believe everything you think or read.
