Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/42847
Friday, September 23, 2011 – Daily News 1B 2011 Tehama District Fair The Daily News' daily guide to the best of Tehama County on display Mural depicts Tehama spirit Tigers By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Enjoying the green grass on the east lawn of the fair- grounds, three full-grown tigers pad and paw inside their cage arena. The stature of a several- hundred-pound wild animal just a few feet away is part of the appeal of the Eye of the Tiger show, in its third year at the Tehama District Fair. "Kids always want to hear them roar," said Greg Smith of Hollywood Ani- mals. Smith and Chris Pollard, both of Santa Clarita, work with two female and one male tigers, named Kismet, Schicka and Kipling. The tigers, raised in cap- tivity, have been trained to work with their handlers. They don't encourage roaring, Smith said. It is an aggressive noise and not some- thing they want to promote. Instead, the show offers a chance for people to ask ques- tions as well as see what the animals can do. "Not everyone can get time or money to get into a big- ger zoo," Pollard said. "Here they learn something and see something that's cool." The tigers have also played roles in Hollywood films, such as The Hangover and Zookeeper. Fair shows are limit- ed to times when the tigers are not working in a film, Pol- lard said. Tehama County is right for the schedule because it is close enough to Los Angeles to drive to between filming and the agricultural nature of the area produces a lot of peo- ple used to caring for and nurturing animals, Pollard said. See TIGERS, page 3B Special People Program By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Among the hundreds of people who will be attending the fair today are disabled people and seniors. A Special People Program will include several opportunities for those with disabilities to enjoy a day a the fair, just like anyone else. Among the activities planned for the program is a number of skits being performed by a group from the 7th St. Center for the Arts, of Chico. "On Your Mark, Get Set, Advocate," highlights the importance of advocacy. Other issues, such as bullying, will be addressed, as well. The actors and actresses are people with disabil- ities, and all the scenes in the show are based on the actors' own experiences. See SPECIAL, page 3B Auto Recycling Inc. 10 ACRES OF INVENTORY All Star *WILL PAY CASH FOR JUNK CARS* Used Parts for Less Quality Domestic • Foreign • Pick-ups 530 824-2880 Highway 99W & Capay Road (Halfway between Corning & Orland) 22521 Capay Road, Corning CA. 96021 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat. 9am-2pm Junk Cars & Truck Removal EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Expert Repair Work of All Types Rainy Weather is Coming Super Comfort Waterproof #5693 Workboot $ 12900 Steel Toe $ 13900 478 Antelope Blvd. • Red Bluff • 529-5466 CAROLINA #8028 Waterproof Comfortable Tractron Lug Sole $ 13900 Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb A mural on the art building at the Tehama District Fair was created by Red Bluff Art Associa- tion members Marjorie Curl, Debby Sipes and Connie Graham. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Fairgoers will likely see a new friend on the outside of the Art Building comple- ments of Debby Sipes, Con- nie Graham and Marjorie Curl, members of the Red Bluff Art Association. "I'm just excited we're finally getting it done," Gra- ham said. The project, which was made possible by a grant from the Tehama County Arts Council through the California Arts Council Arts Plate Program, started in 2007. "Association member Jan Peterson started the idea as a way to bring arts to the community," Sipes said. "Tehama District Fair CEO Mark Eidman had the wall picked out and prepared and Connie Maxey who was RBAA president had artists ready to volunteer their time and talent with plans in hand." The project had to be put on hold until funding became available, and the grant came through early in 2011. "There have been a lot of unknowns, but I've enjoyed the challenge of getting past each of them," Curl said. "It's definitely a group effort." The group started the first part of the mural in September and finished it just days before fair. Using a picture of a steer wrestler tackling a steer, the group painted it to look as if its coming through the wall. "Our western heritage alone gives us inspiration, along with our magnificent landscape," Sipes said. "Jean Barton's articles in the Daily News give us glimpses of the past that have also inspired us." The group wants to focus on depicting things on the wall from the Red Bluff area, she said. "We've got rodeo, prize winning horses and bulls, 4- H events, motor cross, you name it," Sipes said. "Then there's our history with ferry boats bringing sup- plies and people to Red Bluff, the Round-Up, Red Rock, families that have been here for generations, Indian history and agricul- ture." There is a 108-foot-long wall that can be used to reflect the best of Red Bluff, all that is needed is funding, Sipes said. "This is just a start and we will paint until we run out of paint," Sipes said. Welcome to the Fair TEHAMA ESTATES PROVIDES: ◆ Independent Living ◆ Private Apartments ◆ Three Nutritious Meals Daily ◆ 24 Hour Secure Environment ◆ House Keeping Services ◆ Warm & Friendly Staff ◆ Recreational Programs ◆ Private & Formal Dining Rooms ◆ Scheduled Transportation A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Avenue, Red Bluff • 527-9193 22755 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-9166 Open Mon. thru Sat. 10am – 6pm 1. Trimming and cleaning are easy with quick release and replaceable grill 2. Stainless steel adjustable cutter blades 3. Tri-blade fans design make more air flow 4. Powerful, efficient and quiet motor 5. Disassembles easy for transport and storage 6. Auto-shut off when cutting box is opened 7. Works well with flowers and various herbs 8. One person works as fast as ten or more. OK TRIMMER SELECT FROM 15 VARIETIES OF SCISSORS! LADY BUGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! "We've had some great community support already. Paint Mart's Bill Spidle has helped us get the most out of our grant, even donating some of the paint. We would gratefully accept any donations and ideas for the mural." The hope is that the mural will not just be on the fairground art building, she said. "We are hoping to inspire further murals in our community," Sipes said. "We have several walls that would support a mural and add interest to our town, which will hopefully cause people to stop on their way through town." Sipes travels frequently and recently stopped in Toppenish, Wash. where there are about 70 murals throughout town, she said. "It was amazing," Sipes said. "We have so much tal- ent just here within Tehama County. So many artists with the ability to create amazing scenes that recount our history, outstanding citi- zens and every day life. Hopefully this small start will catch on and we can continue." Anyone interested in putting forth an idea for a mural or donating to the fair mural can call 527- 5920, Ext. 13. Any busi- nesses interested in having a mural on a wall can call 527-4810.