The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • D2

MONDAY D2 THE FRESNO BEE THE FRESNO BEE PRERUN 2 Printed 19:08 Logical Page is THE FRESNO scrabble word sleuth solutions A Tail Water-skiing Twiggy wows on the waves. airborne molecules that can irritate breathing passages throughout the year, come wind-blown dust, wood burning, agricultural and construction Bello adds. of our stagnant weather conditions the particulates just hang in the Pets and pollution Studies have shown air pollution can damage lungs, says Charles G. Plopper, a professor in the anatomy, physiology and cell biology department at University of California at Davis. Poor air quality all kinds of effects on adults and post- natal Plopper says.

we know is it increases airway resistance. If the animals have been exposed to allergens, their airways become more reactive. Their airways The Archie Crippen Excava- tion fire in southwest Fresno added to breathing difficulties for animals as the blaze burned for more than a month in January and February. As particulate-bearing smoke rose from the blaze, the area went through a siege of stagnant air and fog, adding to the problem. There were days when outdoor activities at schools were canceled because of unhealthful air.

Beverly Robertson, 56, who lives near the Crippen site, was sufficiently concerned that she kept her four dogs inside most of the time the fire burned, limiting the animals to 15-minute outside breaks. started going cabin she says. thought they were safer inside, but I guess still seeped because her rat terrier Trucker developed pink eyes and swollen eyelids. Robertson says Trucker had no medical problems before the fire, but is being treated with allergy medication after being seen by Nample, the veterinari- an at the SPCA Animal Hospital and shelter, which is near the fire. Dogs and cats at the shelter could smell the blaze, says Nample, so he took preventive action by limiting the outdoor activities of the small animals in his charge.

During the peak of the Crippen fire, Nample saw more animals than usual at the hospital, which he believes is attributable to dirtier air. Small animals such as cats and dogs seem more susceptible to air pollution because of their physiology, says Gwen Griffith, a veterinarian in Nashville, and director of Alliance of Veterinarians for the Environ- ment. pets are like she says. small body size means breathing a larger percentage compared to their body size. So, exposed to more pollution than a larger animal or person.

Smaller animals also breathe While Griffith makes the case for danger to small animals, Jim Cullor, associate dean and director of the Veterinary Medicine and Research Center in Tulare, seen any direct evidence that the air causes respiratory problems in dairy cows. And none of the animals at the Chaffee Zoo shows any breathing problems, either, says veterinarian Sue Lynch. During necropsies, though, she does see some specks of soot in the Breathing easier While pet owners make the smog go away, they can help their animals breathe a little easier by keeping them inside on bad air days or peak hours and utilizing air filters, veterinarians say. And time to visit a vet if a pet is breathing irregularly, tires easily or is coughing or sneez- ing a lot. conditions can look very similar but have different Nample says.

Be aware also, say veterinari- ans, that allergy symptoms can look different than those people display. Instead of sniffling and sneez- ing, animals may scratch themselves and rub up against objects to scratch, vets say. Some pets may lick their paws excessively. Again, the recommendation is a trip to a veterinarian for a diagnosis, then treatment, if needed. Evensen says she realize cats could develop breathing difficulties such as asthma.

But once Elvis was diagnosed, she had to treat his illness. Besides keeping Elvis in her house during bad-air days, Evensen also gives him pred- nisone, a steroid, which is administered orally twice a day. Elvis waits patiently for Evensen to open his mouth and pop the pill inside, she says. seems to know it she says. Although the Crippen fire is long extinguished, Beverly Robertson still is medicating possible pollution- caused symptoms and wonder- ing whether more might crop up.

Bradley developed a side-effect of taking prednisone: he gained weight. So his vets, Robert Nathan and Richard Holm at Abby Pet Hospital, put together a custom-made inhaler for him and changed his medication to Flonase, says Munson. As she administers the medicine through a tube with a cone-shaped piece at the end that fits tightly over the head, Bradley squirms before settling down and closing his blue eyes. really like Munson says. it helps The reporter can be reached at or 441-6467.

Continued from Page D1 BY PETER CARLSON A I ASHINGTON Whenwinter drags onforever and the news is all bad and war looms and severe depression begins to seem like the only sensible lifestyle at times like this, refreshing to know that somewhere out there a squirrel is water-skiing. The name is Twiggy. Twiggy No. 5, to be specific. Over the weekend, she was skiing at the National Capital Boat Show in Chantilly, Va.

But right now, in her trailer outside the arena, waiting for showtime. gotta keep the door shut because the running says Lou Ann Best, 47, coach, trainer and surrogate mom. Best disappears into a back room of her 40-foot Winneba- go, searching for Twiggy. found she says, and then Twiggy bounds out, jumps up onto the couch and climbs into the overhead cabinet where she likes to sleep. Best sits in a recliner and reveals the secret of training a squirrel to water-ski.

kinda like training a she says. have to give them a lot of love and affection and tell them the same thing over and over It was her husband, the late Chuck Best, who trained the first Twiggy. That was back in 1978, when the couple ran a roller rink in Sanford, Fla. One of skating students gave him a baby squirrel that had been blown out of its nest during a hurricane. He named it Twiggy, nursed it to health, then taught it to water-ski behind a little remote-con- trolled boat.

Chuck Best had some kind of genius for teaching various animals to water-ski. taught two miniature ponies, two French poodles, an armadillo and a Lou Ann Best says, and then she pulls out an envelope of photos to prove not kidding. Somehow it was Twiggy who caught the attention. In 1979, the Orlando Sentinel published a story on skiing prowess. United Press Interna- tional sent the story all over the world, which led to TV appearances, which led to gigs at boat shows.

then on it just went Best says. Over 24 years, she and the various Twiggys have done hundreds of shows. been to Paris, France, been to Bermuda, been all over the United States and The show stopped only when Chuck Best died in 1997. He dived off his boat to save his stepfather from drowning. He saved the old man, but suffered a heart attack and died.

was Lou Ann says. quit doing the shows for months. But then I got calls from Sports Illustrat- ed and the Wall Street Journal and a lot of boat shows. I thought maybe the Lord is telling me he wants me to keep So she went back on the road with Twiggy Twiggy No. 4 by then dressing the squirrel in a tiny lifejacket and adding a plea for water safety to the performance.

gonna be the Smokey Bear of water Best says. the next president or the next Billy Graham will be saved because Twiggy taught him to use a All five Twiggys have been orphans, the last four given to the Bests by veterinarians and the Humane Society. All but one have been females. easier to train Best says. stay more docile longer.

The males, when the testosterone kicks in, they get They water-ski until they are about 4 years old, then retire to live out their golden years in a special room in Sanford house, where the floor is covered with mulch and there are plenty of oak branches to climb. In the wild, Best says, squirrels live three or four years; in captivity they last eight to 10. Now almost showtime, but Twiggy? not in her favorite overhead compartment. not in her cage. Where is she? Best and her son, Chuckie, 21, start pulling out drawers, opening cabinets, tearing covers off the bed.

No Twiggy. where are Chuckie calls out. Twiggy answer. Best looks over in the corner where Twiggy No. 6, now in training, rests in her cage.

not show-ready yet, but make her she says. got to do what you got to do in a But first she decides to see if Twiggy 5 is hiding in the bed. She starts taking it apart. Voila, Twiggy napping in a pile of clothes. Best laughs, kisses Twiggy, then sticks the squirrel down her shirt and heads off to do the show.

Inside, a crowd gathers around a pool 24 feet around and six inches deep. Best puts on a microphone and introduces Twiggy as only water-skiing squirrel in the She looks happy there, calmly scratching her nose as she circles the pool. Nothing restores your faith in humanity like a water-ski- ing squirrel. BY MICHAEL FLANNAGAN I A I From now through June 22, more than 60,000 bowlers from around the country will make their way to Knoxville, to compete in the 100th American Bowling Congress Champion- ships Tournament. When they get there, be able to celebrate a victory or drown a defeat and wake up the morning after.

City merchants are developing a special ale and a special blend of coffee beans just for tourna- ment competitors and their guests. Eagle Ale is the a brew, created to make bowlers feel welcome, said Marty Velas, Copper director of brewing operations for the Copper Cellar Corp. wanted to create something that is unique and lets the bowlers know Knoxville is thinking about Velas said. Bowlers Blend coffee, developed by Goodson Bros. Coffee is also a tribute to the bowlers, who make up the largest field ever to bowl in an ABC Tournament outside of National Bowling Stadium.

The 12,203 five-player teams will compete for $4.478 million in prize money. Both companies are official sponsors of the tournament, and paid a $30,000 fee, which puts their names on banners, and both are providing drink and food specials. Velas, who has trained more than 200 brewers in the industry and has held brewmas- ter positions in California, Texas, Japan and Hungary, said Eagle Ale is a light amber beer. want to brew anything too he said. wanted to make something relatively light but with a little malt and hops flavor to distin- guish it from the national Hops impart pleasant bitterness to balance malt sweetness, Velas said.

The recipe comes from Curt Gibson, director of operations for Copper Cellar who liked mixing the microbrews. like to mix Cherokee Ale with another beer to give the light beer more Gibson said. Bowlers Blend is a mild-fla- vored coffee made from beans imported from South America, Hall said. found a flavor profile that would be appealing to the masses and not too Hall said. TODAY'S SHOWTIMES MAY DIFFER FROM WEEK-END TIMES UNITED ARTISTS BROADWAY FAIRE STADIUM 10 FRESNO 221-6471 UNITED ARTISTS CLOVIS TOWNE CENTER FRESNO 487-2711 EDWARDS THEATRES FRESNO STADIUM 21 FRESNO 800-555-TELL SIGNATURE THEATRES MANCHESTER STADIUM 16 FRESNO 243-7461 Call Theaters Or Check Directories for Showtimes No Passes Accepted Visit Showtimes.SonyPictures.com OR CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS Watch The Academy March 23 on ABC at 5:30 PM NOW PLAYING AT THEATERS EVERYWHERE Pets: Poor air causes airways to constrict, and breathing is difficult when a visitor mentioned the new statistics on obesity in San Antonio, before leaning back in his La-Z-Boy and breaking into a broad smile.

have the remote right here, and get a beer right here, and live up to the reputa- he said. According to the figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 31.1% of the adults in San Antonio were obese in 2001, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the highest rate in the nation. Overall, of San Antonio adults were classified as overweight, second only to Charleston, W.Va., where nearly fell into that category. The latest statistics on swelling citizenry were insult added to injury for San Antonio, the ninth largest city. Last year, keying on the furnace that is San summer, advertisers for Old Spice pronounced this place Sweatiest City.

Then studies by Health magazine and Tufts University named San Antonio residents among the most overweight in the nation. Along the way, it was reported that casting directors for the remake of the movie which is being shot just north of San Antonio, were having a hard time finding extras who were lean enough to play the roles of Mexican soldiers. Many in the city took the news stoically. San population is nearly Hispanic the highest percent- age of any American city of more than 1 million and researchers have long recorded a correlation between that ethnicity and high rates of obesity, diabetes and other conditions. For many, there is nearly as much resignation as unease.

The city may have a problem, some say, but then, so does most of America. created a pretty permissive said Anthony G. Comuzzie, a geneticist who studies obesity at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. even if you may rank San Antonio as the fattest, the rest of the country doing all that well. just a matter of Continued from Page D1 Fat: San diet help PHOTOS BY TRACY A.

WOODWARD THE WASHINGTON POST A father and son watch Twiggy zip along at the National Capital Boat Show in Chantilly, Va. Twiggy No. owner says it takes about two years to teach a squirrel to water-ski. merchants will toast bowlers with designer ale and coffee 1609 E. Belmont Fresno (West of Blackstone) 266-4077 00 38 63 01 03 FOR $3295 2 DINNERS Your choice of Prime Rib, New York Steak or Halibut Deluxe Dinner served with Shrimp Cocktail, Salad, Garlic Bread, Cottage Fries or Baked Potato, Our Famous Beans, and a Glass of Wine, Tea or Coffee for each person.

With this coupon. Expires PLENTY OF FREE AND SECURED PARKING MANCHESTER STADIUM 16 2055 EAST SHIELDS, FRESNO TICKETS BY PHONE 243-7461 Visit Us At: www.signaturetheatres.com DAILY BARGAIN MATINEES $5.75 FOR ALL SHOWS STARTING BEFORE 4PM Special Twilight Matinees $4.25, for all shows starting between 4-6pm daily. 00 88 64 03 03 Showtimes Good Fri. To Tues.3/11 And Thurs. Only Bringing Down The House PG-13 No Passes Showing On Three Screens 11:30, 12:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15 Tears Of The Sun No Passes Showing On Two Screens 12:30, 1:30, 4:05, 4:45, 6:45, 7:25, 9:30, 10:05 The Pianist 12:45, 4:15, 8:00 Cradle To The Grave No Passes Showing On Three Screens 11:30, 12:05, 1:55, 2:30, 4:35, 5:05, 7:15, 7:45, 9:20, 9:50, 10:20 Gods and Generals PG-13 12:15, 4:55 Old School 12:55, 3:05, 5:15, 7:40, 9:55 Daredevil PG-13 11:50, 2:15, 4:40, 7:20, 10:05 The Jungle Book 2 11:40, 1:25, 3:10, 5:10, 7:05 Shanghai Knights PG-13 11:25, 2:10, 4:50, 7:35, 10:10 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days PG-13 1:00, 4:10, 7:05, 9:45 Chicago PG-13 11:35, 2:05, 4:40, 7:10, 9:55 The Recruit PG-13 1:15, 7:25 Dark Blue 9:35 pm The Life Of David Gale 4:00, 10:00 The Restaurant Four Points Hotel Blackstone Dakota 230-8450 Papa Bear Company 8 pm 11 pm March 14 00 91 16 03 03 $6.00 Lunches Exp.

March 16thAll Sandwiches include choice of Potato Salad or Fries and Soft Drink March Lunch Specials Served from 11:00 am 3:00 pm 3 Guys Playin' the Blues 8 pm 11 pm March 21 LIVE JAZZ BLUES IN MARCH B.L.T. Smuggler's Cheeseburger Club Sandwich Deli Sandwich Herb Chicken Sandwich Caesar Salad Select From 3 Guys Playin' the Blues 8 pm 11 pm March 15 D2 MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2003 THE FRESNO BEE.