etc. - Dec. 24, 2009

Yakima Canutt book relates wrangler days

A new book about Yakima Canutt, Penawawa area native who earned fame as a national rodeo champion and went on to a career as a Hollywood stunt director, has been released. Titled “My Rodeo Years,” the book was published by McFarland & Co., in Jefferson, N.C.

It is based on Canutt’s recollections of his years as a cowboy competitor which were told to John Crawford, retired Hollywood actor and writer who originated the Codger Bowl in Colfax. Crawford, who now resides in Newbury Park, Calif., conducted a series of interviews with the retired stunt director...