THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 22, 1995 TAG: 9503210113
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 130 lines
WHETHER IT'S sticking up banks, shooting at the good guys or running from the law, Paul Rine has a good reason for breaking the law.
But unlike most modern criminals, this cowboy is not afraid if anyone sees him in action. In fact, that's what he lives for.
More than 200 parents and children watched Rine commit crimes last Saturday, when ``Paul Rine's Wild West Show'' hit the horse arena of Princess Anne Park. The two-hour substance abuse/violence prevention program featured music, magic and a 30-minute visit to the Old West - complete with a bank robbery and shootout.
Rine, who performed on shows such as ``The Young Riders'' and in classic films like ``Smokey and the Bandit,'' has spent the past seven years traveling around the country, using the Western theme to teach children about the dangers of drugs, guns and alcohol.
After seeing a fellow stunt man become paralyzed because of drugs, and watching a crack-cocaine baby die before his eyes, Rine decided it was time to hit the streets and talk to kids.
``I am a cowboy that really cares,'' said Rine, during an interview after the show. ``It's time that we take a stand in America and train our children against drugs, guns and alcohol.
``We all talk about it, but only a few of us are doing something about it.''
Sponsored by the city schools' Drug Education Program and the Virginia Beach Council of PTAs, the Wild West show was free for all local schoolchildren and their families.
``The main reason was to create an opportunity for parents and their children to spend an afternoon together and enjoy a very educational and entertaining experience,'' said Mary S. Pace, coordinator of the Drug Education Program.
Although the show was open to all ages, it was aimed at children in kindergarten through fifth grade. To solicit participation, fliers were distributed at all of the city's elementary schools.
``I believe the message is for a younger audience,'' Pace said. ``They are highly impressionable at this age.
``This is an excellent time to talk to them about serious things like alcohol, drugs and guns. The earlier the age, the sooner the message is ingrained in them.''
But since kids at this age are so highly visual, organizers toned down the performance. They voted against the fake blood Rine uses during simulated gunfights, as well as the finale, when he usually sets himself on fire.
``Sometimes children get so wrapped up in the action, they don't pay attention to the reason behind it,'' Pace said. ``It's hard for them to separate fact from fiction.
``Paul's message is extremely clear and effective without the graphics. He puts forth a very sensible, very strong `Say no to drugs' message.''
``Just say no'' was contagious Saturday, and nothing - not even a few adjustments - could pull spectators away.
The first hour pre-show included a magic show with Amazing Mr. Bill and Dee, a rap against drugs by G-Boyz and a fashion show - featuring clothes worn on the set of ``Little House on the Prairie.''
After a short intermission, kids and parents took their places - whether it was a seat on the wooden bleachers or a place at the surrounding wire fence - to witness the long-awaited main event.
An American flag hung high above a hay- and cactus-trimmed mock Western town.
After WAVY-TV's Kelly Wright sang ``God Bless the U.S.A.,'' Rine made his grand entry on a galloping horse. Dressed in red and black, he hopped down and jumped right into his message.
With his wife, Donna, by his side, Rine began with gun talk. ``These children's lives are too important to take a chance with guns,'' he said sternly, advising parents to buy trigger guards for their weapons.
Alcohol was next on the list and after telling the crowd about a friend who lost a son in an alcohol-related accident, Rine suggested a law to the applauding audience: ``If you drink, you don't drive, period. What do you think?''
After using the stories about his stunt man friend and the crack baby to illustrate the dangers of drugs, Rine asked the young people to make a promise. ``I want every boy and girl to promise Cowboy Paul they will say no to guns, drugs and alcohol,'' he shouted.
The kids made their promise, and Rine and company moved right into the stunt show. ``The Rawhide Song'' kicked off the half-hour trip to Dodge City.
The showdown between Billy the Kid, played by Rine, and Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Earp, played by Bob Herington, included a variety of professional stunts.
A bank robbery, gunfight and a near-hanging were all part of the demonstration. Carla Amoroso, a parent in the audience, had two daughters who were mesmerized by the action.
Six-year-old Anna, a kindergartner at Corporate Landing Elementary, was thrilled when Billy escaped from a noose, just as it was being tightened.
``I liked how he did that,'' she said. ``It was funny.''
Anna's 4-year-old sister, Maria, was excited about the shooting scenes.
Rine ended the show with a horse drag, where he attached himself to a horse with a rope, only to be dragged around the dusty arena.
``It was really cool,'' said 7-year-old Wade Peters, a second-grader at King's Grant Elementary.
The kids weren't the only ones who were impressed, however.
``It was a real good program,'' said Bill Thompson, who brought his three sons along for the show. ``It's hard to find someone who's concerned about kids, much less somebody who will put on a show for them.
``It's not everyday you get to see something like this - especially for free. I'm glad we came.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos on cover by D. Kevin Elliott, Staff
Steven Bull, 6, son of Richard and Candee Bull of Virginia Beach,
came dressed in his best cowboy style to watch stunt man Paul Rine,
who is dragged behind a horse in the show's finale.
Staff photos by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
ABOVE: An American flag flies high above a hay- and cactus-trimmed
mock Western town in Paul Rine's Wild West Show.
LEFT: While robbing a bank, Paul Rine as Billy the Kid is shot by
Wyatt Earp, played by Bob Herington.
John Vinson and other cast members held flags as WAVY-TV's Kelly
Wright sang ``God Bless the U.S.A.'' during the introduction of the
show.
Paul Rine asked the young people for a pledge: ``I want every boy
and girl to promise Cowboy Paul they will say no to guns, drugs and
alcohol.''
A bank robbery, gunfight and a near-hanging were all part of the
demonstration. Paul Rine as Billy the Kid was at the mercy of John
Vinson on the gallows.
by CNB