Star Family Circus

I know I still haven't posted about Circus Rosaire, I PROMISE I will tommmorow. But here are some pictures of the Star Family Circus. It was my nephew Nicholas's first circus.


















Nicholas and I. He LOVES to watch my circus videos and his favorite stuffed animal is Dumbo!

Take care,
Logan

Circus Rosaire Trailer/Interview

I found this video on youtube its an interview about the new film based on the Rosaire family, Circus Rosaire, there is also footage from the film with it. It's truly beautiful. You'll fall in love with the Rosaires. I have a full blog about it coming tommorow. You can check out the official page at www.circusrosairemovie.com



Take care,
Logan

Circuses, Monkey Races, What More Can A Boy Ask For?

So earlier this week I was a guest, well I was forced to perform in the Star Family Circus by the clown, oh well I had fun. It was nice to be back in the center ring
:-) For those of you who missed the show it's a great little show. It's perfect for the kids. They opened up with a comedy acrobatic act which brought down the house. They also had two clown act, hand balancing and chair balancing, dogs, monkey, boxing kanagroo, aerial hoop, spanish web, tissu, hula hoop, archery/knife throwing, magic, and a few others that I am forgetting about right now. It was Kyle's and Nicholas's first circus, I think they both had a great time.
I'll be posting some pictures from the circus this weekened sometime.

If anybody has a chance to see The Banana Derby this summer I highly recommend it. I worked for the show this fall and it's one of the best fair shows out there. It's 110% entertaining, edcuational, and unforgettable. I leave you today with some pictures from The Banana Derby.













PS You can check out The Banana Derby at www.bananaderby.com

Santa Clara Circus and Rodeo Ban and Sideshow Photos

NEWSFLASH:
Santa Clara County has voted NOT to ban the circus and rodeo at this time but will revote on it in August after they do more investigating in animal care in both industries. I will keep you guys updated.

Here are some pics from the 2006-2007 Season of the World of Wonders Sideshow


HEA Thee Lobster Girl and Poobah the Pygmy


Lil Miss Firefly The World's Smallest Woman and Yours Truly


Magic Jess and Dr. Vitka


Madame Veva


Jeffery the Living Torso


Chelsea Rammer


Me Doing "The Pony Boy"


Fluffy the Giant Snake

And the man who started it all.. well made it popular at least..

NBC Announces Star Lineup for Celebrity Circus

From Variety

"NBC has confirmed which stars will appear in its upcoming "Celebrity Circus" and has signed "Dancing With the Stars" runner-up Joey Fatone to serve as ringmaster.
Roster includes several celebreality veterans, including Christopher Knight ("My Fair Brady") and Rachel Hunter ("Dancing With the Stars"). Also headed to the Peacock's big top: Suds star Antonio Sabato Jr., Grammy-nommed neosoul singer Blu Cantrell ("Hit 'Em Up Style"), Olympic swimmer Janet Evans and Jason "Wee Man" Acuna ("Jackass").

Produced by Endemol USA, "Celebrity Circus" will follow celebs as they attempt to master a number of circus stunts, including the high wire, flying trapeze and fire dancing. After training, contestants will perform their acts and then face the verdict of judges and viewers."

The REAL Reason Circus Animals Attack

An animal liberationist Jenny Wilkins, 45, was staying in a hotel with some friends and a circus set up across the road. Jenny felt that it was her ’duty’ to save the circus elephants by ’freeing’ them. Jenny tried to coax them out of their sleeping quarters several times but they rejected her. So she started to harass them to get them out and the elephants did not appreciate that. One of the elephants than turned on her and attacked her.

What did this woman think was going to happen? She went into THEIR home and tried to REMOVE them from the place that they feel SAFE. If somebody tried to remove me from my home I’d attack them too. Animal right’s activists will try to lead you to believe that circus elephants frequently attack patrons, but there has not been one recorded case of this in the history of the circus in the United States. The only people they seem to be attacking are the animal liberationists who think they know what is good for these animals.

My most troubling thought with all of this. How did Wilkins expect these elephants to survive in the city by themselves? It seems like she was wanting to sentence them to death.

How Uneducated Circus Protestors Really Are

This was taken from a blog posted today. This student is planning a circus protest at Ringling Brothers.

Misinformed Blogger Quote Number 1: "The Ringling Brothers and the Barnum & Bailey circuses are at the Wachovia Spectrum until a week from tomorrow. (So they're there till the 27 of April.) (Hey wait, it's 12:10 Sunday now, so a week from today. My parents think I'm sleeping. Oops.) These are probably the two worst circuses in this country because of what they do to their animals. They are the two main abusers and we must stop them."

My Thoughts Number 1: I can't even believe people like this are allowed to protest when they are SO uneducated about the subject. This person thinks that Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus are TWO different circuses. The sad part is if this protest takes place the media will probably show up and think this person's words are god and that he or she speaks the truth when in reality he or she knows NOTHING about the subject.


Misinformed Blogger Quote Number 2: "If you'd like to learn more about how circuses are bad, visit circuses.com. Yeah, I know, that website is PETA, which you can't always trust, but what it says about circuses is very true."

My Thoughts Number 2: Once again this person's source is circuses.com. We really NEED a website that show's the truth about circus animals out there and put and to all of this bullshit (sorry for the language) from PETA. This blogger even says that PETA can't always be trusted but he or she is convinced they are right about circuses, how can they be so sure unless they have toured with a circus that PETA is right?


Misinformed Blogger Quote Number 3: "We should help to free them."

My Thoughts Number 3: Where exactly does this person propose these animals go when they are set free? To die in the jungles of Africa and Asia because they were born into captivity and can't fend for themselves. Or perhaps he or she wants the animals to be set free in the streets of America so they can be hit by cars? Or maybe he or she wants the elephants to be sent to the infamous Elephant Sanctuary (females only though because the "sanctuary" doesn't accept males) where seven elephants and one person have lost their lives since the "sanctuary" started.


You can find the full blog post at
http://themarchingbandfreak.blogspot.com/2008/04/lets-try-to-protest-circus-again.html

New Elephant Act on Ringling Gold Unit

I was searching through random blogs today and I found several pictures of RBBB's Gold unit and there were two pictures of the elephants but these elephants were from the Carson and Barnes Circus. Did Zerbini leave the show? Anybody know anything about this?

You can check out the pictures by going to http://purpleandpaisley.blogspot.com/2008/04/circus.html

Circus Rabbits

I'm going to be training a FULL rabbit act. It's going to be similar to a dog's agility course. The plan is to keep you guys updated with the progress because I have a lot of interest in my dog riding rabbits.

I will be using Harlequin rabbits for this act for those of you who don't know what a Harlequin looks like:

Finally Some Positive Press for the Circus

From the Altoona Mirror

"All was quiet in the garages behind the Jaffa Shrine Center in the afternoon.

The animals, which sleep in the garages while the circus is in town, were relaxing after performing for the 11:30 a.m. show. The elephants were munching on an afternoon snack of hay, the tigers were lounging lazily in their cages and the bears were napping in their trailer.

The animals are an important part of the Jaffa Shrine Circus this week, which ends Sunday.

Although the three elephants, five tigers, three bears and four dogs are working, their handlers say the animals enjoy life on the road.

“All the animals are clean and well taken care of,” Jaffa Shrine circus administrator Bill Troxell said.

Tiger handler Clayton Rosaire said his five tigers love traveling and sleep more while on the road.

“When we go on the road, they get all excited. They’re happier when they’re in transit. They sleep better,” Rosaire said. “They’re really lazy animals. They usually sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.”

When the tigers aren’t sleeping, they’re performing for the circus at least twice a day. The routines involve tigers walking and jumping in sequence.

“Everything we do are natural behaviors. We just transform it into a routine,” Rosaire said.

Rosaire said he is sensitive to the mood of his tigers on performance days. If a tiger seems irritable, he will not make it perform.

“If they wake up on the wrong side of the bed or they’re not feeling good, I say, ‘Hey, relax, take a break,’” Rosaire said.

Training a tiger takes about 2 1/2 years. Rosaire’s tigers range from 7 to 12 years old.

One tiger named Conan weighs 700 pounds.

“He’s one of the largest tigers in the country,” Rosaire said.

Rosaire’s tigers eat beef and chicken. While on the road, he usually buys meat from local butchers.

The circus bears, however, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dry dog food.

Tepa Hall, a bear handler and self-described “mama bear,” said her three bears also are good travelers. “They’re easy to take care of. They’re very clean animals. They just like to chill when they’re on the road,” Hall said.

Occasionally, Hall will take the bears for walks on their days off from circus life. The bears’ performances involve riding bicycles, walking on balls and balancing.

“We have to show them everything by the time they’re 2 years old. They have to be held and protected so they don’t fall and hurt themselves. We never teach an old bear new tricks,” Hall said."

DISCLAIMER: THE CIRCUS DID NOT INCLUDE A WHITE LION. I INCLUDED THE PICTURE FOR MY OWN ENTERTAINMENT.

Cleveland Zoo Finds Rare Giant Turtle in Vietnam

Cleveland zoo researchers find rare giant turtle in Vietnam 23 minutes ago



CLEVELAND - Researchers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have discovered a rare giant turtle in northern Vietnam — a find that carries great scientific and cultural significance. Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle was previously thought to be extinct in the wild. Three other turtles of the species are in captivity, said experts from the Zoo's Asian turtle program.

The discovery represents hope for the species, said Doug Hendrie, the Vietnam-based coordinator of the zoo program.

Turtle expert Peter Pritchard, president of the Chelonian Research Institute, confirmed the find based on a photo Hendrie showed him.

"It looked like pretty solid evidence. The animal has a pretty distinctive head," Pritchard said.

There have been rumors for years of a mythical creature living deep in the waters of a northern Vietnam lake. Some in a village west of Hanoi claimed to be blessed by catching a glimpse of it's concave shell as it crested above the surface of their lake.

A national legend tells of a giant golden turtle that bestowed upon the Vietnamese people a magic sword and victory over Chinese invaders in the 16th century. Whether that sacred turtle has materialized in the 21st century will be a matter of cultural debate among the Vietnamese.

"This is one of those mythical species that people always talked about but no one ever saw," said Geoff Hall, zoo general curator.

Of the other three Swinhoe's soft-shell turtles in captivity, two are in Chinese zoos and the other is cared for in the Hoan Kiem ("Returned Sword") Lake in downtown Hanoi — the lake in which the legendary turtle appeared to reclaim the sword from the emperor.

Pritchard said an amateur photographed a Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle in southern China about six months ago that he believes was legitimate.

"It's on the very brink of extinction, so every one counts," Pritchard said.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo began its effort to preserve and protect Asian turtles in 2003 amid reports of increased killings for food or to make traditional medicine from their bones. Development and pollution also led to loss of nesting habitats along rivers, zoo officials said.

The zoo has put more than $275,000 into Asian turtle conservation efforts since 2000 and has supported Hendrie since 2003, officials said.

His team and scientists from Education for Nature-Vietnam had searched lakes and wetlands along the Red River for three years before hearing about the creature living outside Hanoi.

The turtle remains in the lake and researchers have notified the Vietnamese government of its existence, Hendrie said.

___

Information from:

www.yahoo.com

The Battleground for Circus Animals

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about where we need to really start focusing our efforts to stop the propaganda and lies about the circus industry and I really believe everybody that supports the circus needs to start focusing more on the internet. Most of people who protest the circus get recruited online mainly from PETA's website or youtube videos. There is a TON of anti circus material out there online but very little pro circus material out there.

Here is what I would like to see happen. Let me know what you think. I don't want anybody to think though that I am saying THIS is the solution or THIS is what has to happen because I am not saying that. These are just my opinions on how to help the situation. They might work, they might not.

1) Upload more pro animal videos to youtube and other video hosting sites. If you search "Circus" or anything that has to do with the circus dozens of anti animal videos will appear but very few pro animal videos appear. Here is a pro animal video I have found that we need much more of.

The Great British Circus


Here is a video that isn't pro circus but it does explain the bullhook and why it's used.


Wouldn't be nice to see some video's of Ringling's Center for Elephant Conservation on youtube or video's from Carson & Barnes Endangered ARK Foundation.

2) I think a PRO animal website would be greatly beneficial for the industry. It could have all of the recent studies that have shown that circus animals are healthier and live longer than zoo animals and animals in the wild. It could have "action alerts" when an anti-circus bill is going to be voted on. There are a couple websites that have been set by individuals to try to do this but it's apparent they don't have the money, time, or experience to create a website that rivals PETA's. But it could very easily be done with donations.


3) My last thought for now on this subject is about actual circus webpages. When most people go to research a show they google the shows name and for the shows webpage. A few of the shows that have webpages do a GREAT job of defending themselves and their animal care but not all the webpages. Why not have quotes from their vets or inspectors saying how great the animal care is. Or link to studies done on circus animals such as the ones performed by Dr. Ted Friend or the recent study by the UK Government?

Take care,
Logan Jacot

What's The ASPCA Really Afraid Of?

I just got this off Buckles' Blog but this information is nothing new.

"ASPCA DEMANDS CANCELLATION OF TV’S GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

The ASPCA has urged Turner Network Television (TNT) to immediately cancel Greatest Show on Earth, its upcoming series that touts a “behind-the-scenes” look at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Unfortunately, the real behind-the-scenes story is one of unrelenting cruelty to animals: the abuse of Ringling Bros. circus elephants has been exhaustively documented by animal welfare organizations, state humane agencies and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors. The ASPCA—currently involved in a lawsuit against the circus for violations of the federal Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act—urges all those who care about animals to speak out against TNT’s new show.

In a March 19 letter to Turner Network’s president Steve Koonin, ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres wrote, “To entertain the unsuspecting public at the expense of the welfare of these noble animals goes against all tenets of humanity and our responsibility to protect the animals with whom we share the earth. TNT’s viewers should certainly not be subjected to such hypocritical and unethical programming.”

Compassionate people may speak out against Greatest Show on Earth by emailing its producers, Mark Wolper and Al Hassas, at kathleen.doise@wbtvprod.com and al@thecollective-la.com, respectively. TNT president Steve Koonin can be contacted at anne.smith@turner.com. Letters may be sent to: Steve Koonin, President, Turner Network Television, 1010 Techwood Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318"


So my thoughts on this. What happened to the freedom of speech? Why is the ASPCA, which holds a minority opinion on circus animals, trying to force their beliefs on the rest of us. Shouldn't we all be able to choose if we want The Greatest Show on Earth on television by either tuning in or avoiding the program? Why is the ASPCA afraid of The Greatest Show on Earth reality show? I personally think, no, I personally know the ASPCA is trying to stop this show from happening so hard because they know if the show airs people will see TRUTH about circus animals. The public will see the LOVE between the animals and their trainers. And most of all the public will realize the LIES the animal liberation movement have been spreading about the circus industry.

So I encourage each and every one of you to send an e-mail to the producers of the show telling them that you support The Greatest Show on Earth and that you support having a choice and that you don't want a minority's opinion shoved down your throat. Please ask your friends and family do the same.

Take care,
Logan Jacot

Circus Protestors

I truly don't understand most of the people who protest circuses. I have talked to dozens upon dozens of them, and most of them are clueless. I would say 99% of them get all of their "facts" from the infamous PeTA ran circuses.com website which is complete propaganda. Wikipedia has more credibility than it does. Most of these protesters haven't even looked at all of the studies done that have shown that circus animal live longer and are healthier than animals in the wild and their cousins in zoos. What troubles me the most though is that several times I have asked protesters about the show they were protesting. I asked them questions about what kind of animals that show carried, who the trainers were, what was the show's track record for animal welfare and sadly 98% of the time the protesters had no idea. Isn't it frightening that these people are being hailed by the media as "heroes" and that they are trying to convince people that they know best when in actuality they have no idea of the situation. Maybe I'm crazy but I believe if you are going to protest something you better know every little detail about it.

Freaks and The Great Martin Lacey Jr.

Rant number 1:

Well I guess this really isn't a rant but I figure I'd give everybody an update about the cast of the World of Wonders Sideshow from the 2007 season. I got an e-mail from a fan wanting to know where he can see everybody this season so this might help.

Elton Litzner and Jessica Peterson are working on a new show called "Fire and Magic" they are hoping to play theatres and upscale musuems with it.

Chelsea Rammer just finished a gig in Texas and she is now in Pennsylvania getting her entire body tattooed with fish scales.

Tommy Breene is now a performer with the 999 Eyes Freakshow.

April Goins is in North Carolina working on her new club show called "Kerosine Kisses"

Trystan Clark is now in Florida. The last I heard he is working for Universal Studios.

Madame Veva is back in Colorado doing shows for private functions.

Sunshine English has retired from performing and is now studying nursing I believe. I need to call her.

Mike Vitka is busy turing the entire town of Sale, Massachusetts into a freakshow. And from what I've heard he's doing a great job at that.

Brett Loudermilk can now been at the Venice Beach Freakshow.

Lady Diane is still performing with the World of Wonders Sideshow.

Nate Branow has vanished into the wilderness of Michigan.

Lil Miss Firefly can be seen with the 999 Eyes Freakshow as well as the Bros. Grim Sideshow.

HEA The Lobster Girl and Satan John the Seal Boy can both be seen with the 999 Eyes Freakshow as well.

Jeffery the Penguin Man can be seen touring with his band Super Cool.

And last but not least Bambi and Bunny can be seen at the Coney Island Burlesque show.

I think that's everybody sorry if I forgot you.

Here's a picture of the gang from the New Jersey State Fair




Rant Number 2:

This is a video of the GREAT Martin Lacey Jr. a big cat trainer in Europe who according to rumours has an all white lion act now. He is one of the greatest animal trainers today, nobody treats their animals better than the Lacey family. Wouldn't it be nice to see this act on Ringling?



Well good night kids!
Logan

A Little About Me

I mainly created this blog so friends and family can keep tabs on me and my adventures as well as a place to vent about the world's stupidity. For those of you who don't know me. I work in freakshows, not circuses, they are very different from eachother. I will be taking a break from the freakshow though for a while and become a zoology major in college. I am an animal welfare and human rights activist and am generally known for being too outspoken. I have promoted my causes throughout the country. Anything else you want to know, just ask :-)

Rant Number 1 of the Night

Wouldn't this be an absolutely amazing opening to a a circus. Maybe US show needs to focus more on artistry and talent then making the circus into a giant pitch or a kids sing along. You guys know who you are.





I know I for one if I went to a show especially under the bigtop and saw this as the opening I would be very excited to see the show. It has all the crucial elements of a good circus opening except for animals.

Rant Number 2: Carol Buckley's Elephant Sanctuary

I truly can't understand how people think The Elephant Sanctuary is a good place. Six elephants and one person have already lost their lives there. And most of the elephants died prematurely, some sanctuary. I don't know Carol personally but from my research I've done and the people I talk to she sounds like an absolutely horrifying woman. Every circus and zoo person I have talked to said that she treated her elephant Tarra terrible while she was on the road so I can't imagine how she is caring for the dozen plus elephants now in her care. After all she was the one who put an elephant on roller skates. TALK ABOUT CRUELTY. It also troubles me that she calls her facility a "sanctuary" but she doesn't accept all elephants. She won't accept any male elephants regardless of the condition they are in. Perhaps it's because she knows she can't control a more moody male. They have thousands of acres and thousand of donor's dollars so room and money can't be options to why she won't accept them. Carol Buckley if you read this for some reason, please feel free to contact me and prove me wrong. I would LOVE to find out that I am wrong about you, I truly would.

I leave you with this image of Carol's elephant Tarra.