Trails are a very important part of Anza, but Anza has many facets to its identity. Its identity seems to promote a belief of self-reliance, which shows itself in the history where the ranchers and native people found ways to live and prosper in the area. The town itself is still small and very little development has occurred in the area due to the nature of houses being built on acres, instead of lots. This seems to be pretty fine, to all that have made their home in the valley.
But with that self-reliance nature comes a fun-loving nature that is never more apparent than in the yearly Anza Lions Club Mayor contest. Since Anza is not a city , but an unincorporated area of Riverside County California and not privy to governmental funding, the Lions decided to do a fundraising ploy to raise funds for the many service programs the club sponsors. This led to the birth of the annual “buy a vote for mayor” contest, not to be confused with our own California voting system. What makes this contest extra fun is all the candidates are of the 4-legged persuasion, which includes many of the animals around Anza. Last year’s first mayor was a dog with a resume a mile long. “Go canines” I say!
This year’s contest boasted entries by 2 canines and of all things a mule named “Zane”
In the fun-loving spirit of Anza, Anza Area Trail Town it is tickled pink that this candidate of the equine persuasion was elected Anza’s Mayor. To our organization he is the man, or the “mule” of the moment and he supports trails like no other.
Zane Grey’s resume reads like a book from the who’s who of trail lovers and it was lovingly authored by his best buddy and owner Cathy Firth.
. 24 years community service packing for the United States Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management, Pacific Crest Trail Assoc., and the Back Country Horsemen of California, Redshank Unit.
. Star of the Silver Screen: Tuckers War
. Ramona Pageant 2017/2018
. 2018 Rose Bowl Parade
. Participated in the Anza July 4th Parade 22 years
. 2018 Deputy Mayor of Anza
. 2019 Mayor of Anza
There is no better spokesperson, or should I say spokesmule, for trails then a mule that packs all the gear needed to maintain and repair trails. His owner Cathy Firth and her husband Thomas have ridden Zane many countless miles on trails and he hardly shows his age.
If you happen to see Zane Grey out and about, or on the local trails, be sure to give him a “howdy” and he might even let you take your picture with him, Anza’s own celebrity on hoofs.