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Bear relocated after car break-ins
Page 13
A new master Martial arts master visits Craig for black belt testing Page 6
Remembering the garden
By MATT STENSLAND Steamboat today
Diane Prather reminisces about her childhood ranch Page 7
taco salad casserole Learn how to make a quick and delicious new dish
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Making a mark
Wolf Tattoo shop opens in Craig, aims to give back to community
COLORADO TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIPS: Moffat County Pavilion, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $3 for adults; free for kids 10 and younger.
By NOELLE LEAVITT RILEY
DEAL of the week 5 Bags of Wood Pellets $57 for $95 value 20970705
IT 970-824-7031
“I can finally give back a little bit. I think every kid should express their inner artist.”
MORNING PRESS WRITER
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noelle leavitt riley/morning press
Clifford Fisher, also known as Wolf, owns Wolf Tattoo located at 13 W. Victory Way. The shop opened March 26, and Fisher looks forward to giving back to the community as a new business owner in Craig.
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CRAIG — A new tattoo shop is trying to make its mark on Craig, inking locals with a variety of art unique to each customer’s taste. Wolf Tattoo opened March 26 in a 1,600-square-foot retail space along Victory Way. “It’s been absolutely fabulous,” said Clifford Fisher, who owns the shop. His nickname is Wolf — a name he acquired because “my (facial) hair grows out all crazy when I grow it long. And it’s my favorite animal.” Fisher spent $30,000 to get the tattoo shop up to par, painting walls, refinishing the floors and adding a variety of art to the retail space that sat vacant for two years prior to Wolf Tattoo’s opening. However, he didn’t take out a loan to pay for the upgrades. Instead he worked his tail off, refinishing floors in Steamboat to pay for the new business. It hasn’t been an easy road o n l i n e
Clifford Fisher Owner, Wolf Tattoos
for the 41-year-old, who moved to Craig in 2008. For decades, he abused drugs and alcohol and spent four years in prison. “July 3 is seven years of being clean and sober,” Fisher said. “No one who works for me does drugs.” He sees his new business as an opportunity to give back to the community, he said. During the Grand Olde West Days during Memorial Day Weekend in Craig, he and his four employees set up a face-painting and fake tattoo booth in front of the tattoo shop for children. The group raised $170. That night, he ordered $170 worth of paint so he can teach local kids how to paint on canvas once a month on Tuesday nights at his shop. “I can finally give back a :
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little bit,” he said. “I think every kid should express their inner artist. Not every kid knows that they’re an artist until they put a paintbrush in their hand.” He has high hopes for his new store. Eventually, he wants to add a variety of merchandise for customers to purchase, including clothing and jewelry. He even wants to get a nail artist on board to do manicures. Tattoos start at about $80 for a fist-size tattoo and go up in price depending on the intricacy and size. Craig resident Vanessa Gray recently got a tattoo from Fisher on her leg. “I heard he was really good, and I’m addicted to ink,” she said. “I didn’t really feel nothing. He’s really light handed.” One of Fisher’s employees, Matt Mcneilly, enjoys his new job. “I like making people happy, man,” Mcneilly said. “Seeing the excitement on people’s faces.”
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steamboat springs — Time will tell whether wildlife officers successfully trapped a bear that has been opening car doors and ravaging the interiors in search of food. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Steve Baumgardner said officials think there might be two bears that have adapted the behavior of opening car doors in search of food. If cars continue to get broken into, wildlife officials will know another cute culprit is on the loose. The bear was trapped Thursday night near a home at 2450 Ski Trail Lane by Steamboat Ski Area. The previous night, a bear had opened the unlocked car doors of a Toyota 4Runner and damaged the center console and dash. A bear also has been getting into cars in the area of Steamboat Boulevard. Baumgardner said the bear or bears have been able to open car doors that have handles where bears can wedge the paws or claws between the door and the handle. Bear bait was used to lure the bear into the trap. Baumgardner said there was a trash can overflowing with trash in the same area where the bear was trapped. It was not secured and made for an easy meal for any bear. Baumgardner reminded residents to secure their trash and to put it out the morning of trash service. The bear was taken to a Parks and Wildlife garage where it spent Thursday night. On Friday morning, the bear was tranquilized, an ear tag with the number 400 was put in each ear and a microchip was implanted into the bear’s skull so it can be identified with
See bear on page 4