Jonathan Frid: A Look Back On A Happier Occasion

Two years ago, I posted the following in celebration of Jonathan Frid's 85th birthday. Now that he's no longer with us, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit that earlier post celebrating a happy occasion.

Above, Jonathan Frid in 1984. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A pop-culture icon will be celebrating his birthday this coming week.

Next Wednesday, December 2, actor Jonathan Frid will become 85-years-young. Frid is best remembered as the 175-year-old vampire Barnabas Collins in the 1966 - 1971 gothic soap opera Dark Shadows.

Baby-boomers around at that time would race home from school in the afternoon to catch the latest installment of the show. Dark Shadows originally was conceived to be a gothic soap opera embodied by paperback book illustrations of a damsel looking fearful with a looming spooky mansion in the background.

At first, the show garnered enemic ratings. So producer Dan Curtis added some supernatural elements (ghosts, a woman phoenix, etc.). It helped the ratings a little but the show was still in danger of being cancelled.

Figuring that he had nothing to lose, Curtis decided to introduce the Barnabas Collins character. Canadian-born Jonathan Frid was chosen to play the vampire for about thirteen weeks. But he became so popular with viewers that it was decided to keep him on. In a way, the vampire became a national hero. A flashback story was presented when governess Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) was taken back into time via a seance. This story showed how Barnabas became a vampire.

Above, Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins.

As the show progressed, Barnabas became the star of the show and Frid attained star billing along with veteran actress Joan Bennett (who played matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard). Other supernatural characters such as witches, warlocks, werewolves were introduced during the show's run.

IMDB decribes Jonathan Frid's career (I cannot vouch for the accuracy) as follows:

Jonathan Frid's career in drama began when he first "offered his soul" to the theater as a young boy at a preparatory school in Ontario, Canada. Following his graduation from McMaster University, he attended London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and later earned a Master's Degree in Directing from the Yale School of Drama. Mr. Frid was a leading actor in English and Canadian repertory and went on to work in many of the most celebrated regional theaters in the United States, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and the American Shakespeare Festival under the direction of John Houseman, performing with Katharine Hepburn in "Much Ado About Nothing". He has appeared in major roles on-and-off Broadway, in such productions as "Roar Like A Dove", "Murder in the Cathedral" and "Wait Until Dark". But, it was Mr. Frid's portrayal of a complex, conflicted vampire on ABC-TV's daytime drama series "Dark Shadows" (1966) (co-starring with Joan Bennett) and in the subsequent motion picture "House of Dark Shadows" (1970) that earned him a place as an icon of American popular culture. His other film credits include co-starring roles in "The Devil's Daughter" (1973) (TV) (with Shelley Winters) and "Seizure" (1974) (Oliver Stone's directorial debut). In 1986, Mr. Frid joined the Broadway production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" (co-starring with Jean Stapleton). He won critical acclaim for his villainous turn as the homicidal nephew and spent ten months with the play's national tour. That same year, Mr. Frid founded his own production company, "Clunes Associates", to create and tour a series of one-man readers' theater shows across North America. Mr. Frid continues to perform his one-man shows, now under the banner of "Charity Associates", to raise money for a variety of charities. Combining the arts of his voice and his zest for entertaining", as one critic put it. In June of 2000, Mr. Frid returned to the traditional professional stage in the play "Mass Appeal" at the Stirling Festival Theatre in Stirling, Ontario.

Now retired from acting, Frid spends much of his time working on his website in which he posts his musings on his career, current events and personalities and answers queries from fans. He has also returned to making appearances at annual Dark Shadows Festivals after a hiatus of several years.

Above, Dark Shadows cast members have a reunion at the 1989 Dark Shadows Festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer

He is still sharp as a tack, but grouses over the inconveniences of aging. I had the pleasure of meeting Frid at one of the earliest Dark Shadows Festivals in 1984. The photo of Frid at top of this article was one I took at that festival.

Frid is tentatively planning on attending the 2010 Dark Shadows Festival in California next summer. He has started an online store at his website and plans to have items available for sale at the festival.

A big "Happy Birthday" to Jonathan Frid!

Jonathan Frid Dies At 87

Sad news has been reported over at Dark Shadows News:

It is with tremendous sadness that we report that Dark Shadows legend Jonathan Frid has died. Jonathan passed away peacefully on April 13 at the age of 87. 

Frid was the original Barnabas Collins on the ABC-TV soap Dark Shadows.  He has a cameo appearance in the upcoming Johnny Depp/Tim Burton feature film Dark Shadows.  He posted at his website that he was hoping to attend the movie's premiere.  It would have been interesting to read of his reaction to the film.

I had the pleasure of meeting Frid at a convention in Los Angeles in 1984.  This news is almost like a punch to the gut.  Frid was as much a favorite to me as George Reeves.  Fortunately, Frid was blessed with a long and active life.  I have an autographed photo of Frid as Barnabas displayed on my bedroom wall.

Strangely, I received a mailer yesterday from the Dark Shadows Festival organizers.  Inside, it advertised that Frid was to be part of a luncheon with Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott on July 29 at the Doubletree Tarrytown Hotel.

Above, Jonathan Frid at a Dark Shadows Festival, circa 1984.   Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Read Kathryn Leigh Scott's Tribute to Jonathan Frid.

"...and our little life is rounded with a sleep." - Jonathan Frid quoting William Shakespeare.

UPDATE:  More details on the passing of Jonathan Frid.  Go here.

Gundam Front Entertainment Center Now Open

Gundam fans now have a place to go to in Tokyo.

From Kyodo News:

Many fans flocked to a facility to experience the world of the Japanese robot animation series ''Mobile Suit Gundam'' as it opened Thursday in a waterfront area in Tokyo's Koto Ward. 

An 18-meter-tall Gundam statue stands in front of the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza commercial complex housing the Gundam Front Tokyo run by Bandai Co. and other organizations. 

The new entertainment spot features ''real-scale'' attractions, including Dome-G for dynamic images of famous scenes in the past series and computer graphic images of new works projected inside the dome of 16 meters in diameter. 

At the Experience Field area, visitors can view such models as the 1/1 Core Fighter Ver.GFT of the first series and the 1/1-size bust of Strike Freedom Gundam Ver.GFT in the Seed Destiny series as well as the 1/3000th scale space fortress A Baoa Qu. 

They can also take photos with their favorites among many characters from the series at Character Photo Spot of the Experience Field. 

People who visited the facility on the first day expressed enthusiasm.

Moon and Venus

Last month (March 26, to be exact), I took the above shot of the moon and the planet Venus in the western sky.

I previously posted two shots from my cell phone.

R.I.P. Dick Clark

The entertainment world just got a bit more poorer.

It was just reported by ABC News that "America's Oldest Teenager" Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack at age 82:

Dick Clark, the music industry maverick, longtime TV host and powerhouse producer who changed the way we listened to pop music with American Bandstand, and whose trademark Rockin' Eve became a fixture of New Year's celebrations, died today at the age of 82, ABC News has learned. 

Clark, who suffered a serious stroke in 2004 but returned to the airwaves, reportedly died from a heart attack. 

It was reported on KFI-AM 640 that Clark died at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Santa Monica.

For more, go here.

Kelsey Smith Act On Hawaii Governor's Desk

Above, Kelsey Smith.

Great news!

Greg Smith, father of Kelsey Smith, reported over at Facebook today:

• We received word from Hawaii State Senator Espero that the Kelsey Smith Act has been sent to the governor's desk for approval.

What is the Kelsey Smith Act?  According to the Kelsey Smith Foundation:

The Kelsey Smith Act provides law enforcement with a way to quickly ascertain the location of a wireless telecommunications device if a person has been determined, by law enforcement, to be at risk of death or serious physical harm due to being kidnapped and/or missing. 

As of January 26, 2012 the Kelsey Smith Act has been passed by the following states (in order of passage): Nebraska, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and North Dakota.

It has been proposed in: Missouri, Hawaii, and Massachusetts

It has also been proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives and the province of Alberta, Canada.

 If we can only get the California legislature off their duffs and have the Kelsey Smith Act passed in California...

This coming June 2 will mark the fifth anniversary of Kelsey Smith's kidnapping and murder.

Tokyo's Sky Tree Built With Anti-Earthquake Technology

Above, the Sky Tree under construction in December 2010.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When it was announced that the new Sky Tree tower would be built in Tokyo, some people I know expressed apprehension about going up in it fearing that an earthquake may hit while they were inside.

An article by BusinessWeek.com should put to rest those fears as new anti-earthquake technology was used in  the tower's construction.

They wrote:

A Tokyo developer took visitors up the world's tallest freestanding broadcast structure on Tuesday, a 634-meter (2,080-foot) tower with special technology meant to withstand earthquakes that often strike Japan. 

The Tokyo Skytree is the world's second-tallest structure behind the 828-meter (2,717-foot) Burj Khalifa in Dubai, according to owner Tobu Tower Skytree Co. 

The tower was constructed with extremely strong steel tubes surrounding a central concrete column that are structurally separate from each other in the tower's mid-section. In the event of an earthquake, the concrete core and steel frame are designed to offset each other to reduce the building's overall motion. 

The Skytree has been built to stand firm even if a magnitude 7 quake were to strike beneath the building, said Sho Toyoshima, a spokesman for Tobu Tower. He said the tower sustained no structural damage from the magnitude 9.0 quake that struck off Japan's northeastern coast last March, even as it was being built.

The March 11, 2011 earthquake did cause the tip of Tokyo Tower to bend a bit.

If Toho Studios should resume production of Godzilla epics, it would be interesting to see if the Sky Tree could withstand a kaiju onslaught.  (Probably not.)

The Sky Tree is set to officially open on May 22.

To read the full article, go here.

A Visit To Kinokuniya Bookstores In Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Above, a view of Kinokuniya's Little Tokyo bookstore from the courtyard of Weller Court.  Photo by Amber Vaquer.

Recently, my daughter Amber visited Little Tokyo near downtown Los Angeles and paid a visit to Kinokuniya Bookstores located in Weller Court.

She sent along the photos at top and below.

Above, "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" in Kinokuniya's Japan travel section.  Photo by Amber Vaquer.

Kinokuniya Bookstores' Little Tokyo store is located at 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka #205,  Los Angeles, CA 90012 (in Weller Court).  Phone (213) 687-4480.

U.S. Burger Chains With Unusual Items In Japan

Above, an Asakusa, Tokyo toy shop with some familiar golden arches next door.

Okay, chow-hounds!  Japan Today has an interesting article on American burger chains who are also in Japan.

The article starts with:

TOKYO —
Famous American hamburger chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s have had varying degrees of success in Japan over the years. Many foreign food chain restaurants have flopped (Nathan’s, Arby’s) because they have not been able to adapt their menus to suit Japanese consumers. 

The hamburger chains generally have had better success than most. While their menus are predominantly the same as in the U.S., they are also selling original items for Japan.

What are the "original items"?  Take a gander at the article and find out!  Go here.

Travel Summit In Sendai, Japan

Above, Sendai Station.  The station was featured in two kaiju movies.

Travel industry professionals have gathered in Sendai, Japan for a travel industry summit. 

According to BreakingTravelNews.com:

The joint World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Sendai Recovery & Asia Outlook Forum has opened in Sendai, Japan, with almost 500 industry professionals and government leaders from around the world present.  

As part of the WTTC Global Summit taking place in Tokyo and Sendai, April 16th-17th, the overall theme of this year’s Global Summit is, ‘Leading a Dynamic Industry Through Turbulent Times’. 

Sendai was hit hard by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.  I visited Sendai in 2006.

Sendai was demolished by the giant flower pod in Gamera 2: Advent of Legion and some damage was caused by Rodan in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.  Sendai is spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

Monsterpalooza Kudos and Photos

Herein, are a few more photos from this year's Monsterpalooza.  But, before I get to them, a word about the souvenir program (as posted earlier today at the Classic Horror Film Board):

It must be mentioned that this year's official souvenir program has to be the best program book for a monster convention/show I've ever seen!  It is more of a magazine, rather than a program book, and is 34 pages thick (not counting the covers).  The staff really did an outstanding job and kudos to the following are in order:

• Editor: Jessie Lilley

• Design: Joe Sena

• Cover Werewolf: Tim Martin

• Cover Photo: Steve Jennings

• Printed By: Choice Lithographics

• Published By: CFQ Publishing

Now, the pictures:

Above, The Monster and his mate.

Above, Sasquatch managed to make the show.

Above, a collection of creepies.

Above, Jerry Weiler and yours truly.

Above, the mill from "Frankenstein."

Above, Rick Baker.

Monsterpalooza Souvenir Program Ad

This year's Monsterpalooza included a beautiful souvenir program that was professionally done.

The program was helmed by Mondo Cult magazine's Jessie Lilley.  She contacted me months ago asking if I would be interested in placing a "business card" sized ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Since the price was right, I went for it.  

It was placed on page 27 on the lower right corner (an excellent spot).  Here it is:

A hearty "thank-you" goes out to Jessie!

Monsterpalooza 2012

Above, The Monster confronts Elizabeth in "Frankenstein" in Monsterpalooza's  Museum.

It was another fun Monsterpalooza in Burbank this year.  I attended yesterday afternoon.  The crowds waiting to get in were huge, despite an occasional downpour.

The first person I recognized was Godzilla suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa.  We chatted a bit over at The Daily Grill, the Burbank Marriott's restaurant.  I introduced longtime G-FEST volunteer Barbara Weiler to him.

While waiting to get in, a gent in a homemade Gill-man suit entertained people in line (below).

Once inside, I made my way to Mondo Cult magazine's table and met with Jessie Lilley.  Earlier, I had Don Glut snap this shot of actor/writer/film historian Ted Newsom and me (below).

Wandering around, I found that the usual great exhibits one expects at Monsterpalooza were in abundance.   Mike Hill's life-size sculptures (below) of Jack Pierce (with The Mummy) and Rick Baker (with An American Werewolf In London) were terrific.

Naturally, Monsterpalooza had celebritites and big names in the horror genre in abundance.  Sara Karloff (daughter of Boris) had a table (below) as did Bela Lugosi Jr.

After meandering around the vendor areas, I made my way into Monsterpalooza's Museum.  Here's some of the highlights in the museum:

Above, several portraits of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Al Lewis.

Above, "Avatar."

Above, Godzilla was represented by this huge sculpture.

Above, The Monster and Henry Frankenstein struggle on the mill.


Following the Museum, I made my way to the autograph section where I obtained this autographed photo of actress Caroline Munro (from 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me) with Roger Moore (below).

And, had a photo taken with her:

After this, I had to dash off to pick up my roomie in Pasadena. Monsterpalooza continues today and tomorrow. 


 If you can, head out to Burbank and have yourself a great time!

Reunion At Monsterpalooza

Monsterpalooza opened today at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.  I met up with old G-FEST friends Barbara and Jerry Weiler.  I hadn't seen them since 2009.

Here's a couple of photos of the reunion:

Above, Barbara and Jerry Weiler.

Above, Armand and Barbara.

More on Monsterpalooza tomorrow.

Hilary Rosen's Foot-In-Mouth

Hilary Rosen really put her foot into her mouth.

Democrat strategist Hilary Rosen's remark on Ann Romney “His wife has actually never worked a day in her life.  She’s never really dealt with the kinds of economic issues that a majority of the women in this country are facing” has the Obama Campaign in a tizzy.

The Obama Campaign has been stepping over itself in distancing it from Rosen's comments as Ann Romney raised five boys, had breast cancer and is a multiple sclerosis sufferer.  Maybe a "Joe Biden Award" is in order?

This comes at an interesting time as I will be at the Walk MS event in Pasadena on Sunday.

Monsterpalooza and Walk MS

Above, the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, the site for Monsterpalooza.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is going to be one busy weekend.

Between work, I will be attending this year's Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center (across the street from Bob Hope Airport) and the Walk MS in Pasadena where my roomie will be walking with Team Chef on Sunday.

I haven't yet decided on what day I'll be going to Monsterpalooza, Friday or Saturday.  I am leaning towards Friday.

If you haven't been to Monsterpalooza, you're in for a real treat if you decide to go.  But beware, parking is a hassle and the crowds inside the Marriott can be daunting.  To see what Monsterpalooza is about, go to the official website for the details.

If you spot me at Monsterpalooza, feel free to say hello.

Romney Locks Up GOP Nomination

Former Senator Rick Santorum effectively ended his presidential bid today when he announced that he's suspending it.  This pretty much clears the path for former Massachusettes Governor Mitt Romney to secure the GOP presidential nomination.

Romney is not the "perfect" candidate.  Who is?  But he has the experience in private enterprise and in government to turn this country away from the socialist policies of the Obama and the Democrats.  In 2008, I preferred Romney over John McCain.

It is time to get on board the Romney campaign to defeat Barack Obama this November.   Go to www.mittromney.com to volunteer or donate.  Get involved!

MS Walk Reminder!

The Greater Los Angeles Walk MS is this coming Sunday morning.  We need sponsors!  My roomie Jeska is participating (I'll be along for the walk, but please donate under her name):

Please help by making a donation to support my fundraising efforts. Money raised will support education, advocacy, research and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. 

Click here to visit my personal web page to make a secure, online donation. 

If you prefer, you can mail a check to the National MS Society, Walk MS, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 

Please be sure to put my name in the memo portion of the check so it will be credited to my fundraising efforts.

Convention Favorite Julie Adams

Above,  Julie Adams with Armand at the 2009 Monsterpalooza.

The Los Angeles Times has a profile article on actress Julie Adams.  Here's a snippet:

Julie Adams nearly turned down the role that has made her a legend among sci-fi and horror films fans: Kay Lawrence in 1954's "Creature From the Black Lagoon." 

But who could blame her? As a contract player at Universal six decades ago, she had played opposite Arthur Kennedy in 1951's "Bright Victory," Jimmy Stewart in the 1952 western "Bend of the River" and heartthrob Tyrone Power in 1953's "Mississippi Gambler." And now the studio wanted her for a black-and-white 3-D horror film that was sort of a fishy version of "Beauty and the Beast." 

"I thought 'Creature From the Black Lagoon'! What?"' recalled the 85-year-old actress during a recent interview at her comfortable Los Feliz home. "I thought about turning it down and then I thought if I do that I'll go on suspension and I won't get paid. Then I thought it might be fun, and of course it was." 

It was more than just fun. Adams is much in demand at conventions and autograph shows because of her iconic role as the girlfriend of ichthyologist Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) who, while on a scientific expedition down the Amazon, becomes the object of affection of a tall, amphibious creature called the Gill-Man. 

I met Julie Adams at the 2009 Monsterpalooza and Adams will be at this year's Monsterpalooza (the full article mentions this) starting this coming Friday (the 13th).

To read the full article, go here.

Another Good Month For "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Above, Armand at the 2011 Monsterpalooza.

April is turning out to be another good month as far as sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan are concerned.  The sales are keeping up a good pace with January, February, and March.

That, plus the upcoming write-ups in the Comics Buyer's Guide and Japan Times, bode well for the travel guide.




Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center begins this coming weekend.  I bought ad space in the program booklet.  The ad is above.  If you've never been to a Monsterpalooza, you should make an effort to go!

MIke Wallace Dies At 93

The world of television journalism lost one of the giants of the industry.

 Fox News reported:

CBS newsman Mike Wallace, the dogged, merciless reporter and interviewer who took on politicians, celebrities and other public figures in a 60-year career highlighted by the on-air confrontations that helped make "60 Minutes" the most successful primetime television news program ever, has died. He was 93. 

Wallace died Saturday night, CBS spokesman Kevin Tedesco said. On CBS' "Face the Nation," host Bob Schieffer said Wallace died at a care facility in New Haven, Connecticut, where he had lived in recent years.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/08/famed-cbs-journalist-mike-wallace-dies-at-3/

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" In Tony's Tips

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."  Photo by  Armand  Vaquer.

Tony Isabella penned a nice write-up on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan in "Tony's Tips" for  Comics Buyer's Guide (CBG) #1691:

If you’re planning a pilgrimage, I mean, a vacation to the Land of Giant Monsters, you should first score a copy of The Monster Movie Fan’s Guide to Japan by Armand Vaquer [$15]. 

[That's as far as I should go on this until it appears in Comics Buyer's Guide that'll be out in about a month and Tony's personal blog a month later. - A.]




According to Wikipedia, Tony Isabella "is a comic book writer, editor, artist and critic, known as the creator and writer of Marvel Comics' Black Goliath, DC Comics' first major African American superhero, Black Lightning, and as a columnist and critic for the Comics Buyer's Guide and the father of Mowgli."

Besides that, he's also a great guy in Ohio!

Thanks, Tony!

HAPPY EASTER!

Popular Artist Thomas Kinkade Dies At 54

Above, "Lamplight Manor" by Thomas Kinkade.

Some stunning news:

The Huffington Post reported:

SAN FRANCISCO — Artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches have been big sellers for dealers across the United States, died Friday, a family spokesman said. 

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the San Francisco Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade was my mom's favorite artist.  She went up to  Portland, Oregon around 12 years ago and went to an art gallery where some of his paintings were available relatively cheap.  She regretted not buying a painting to the day she died.

For more details go here.

ANIME EXPO WILL FEATURE VOICE ACTOR STEVE BLUM AS AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF HONOR

Source: Anime Expo News Release

Above, Steve Blum.  Photo courtesy Anime Expo.

LOS ANGELES (April 6, 2012) – Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced popular voice actor Steve Blum as an Official Guest of Honor.  One of anime’s most prolific voice actors, Blum will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and focus panel at Anime Expo when it returns to the LA Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012,

With literally hundreds of credits to his name, Steve Blum is well known as the voice of “Spike Spiegel” from “Cowboy Bebop,” “Wolverine” from several incarnations of X-Men (animated movies, games, the Wolverine and the X-Men TV Series, The Super Hero Squad Show and X-Men Anime) and “Orochimaru,” “Zabuza,” and others from “Naruto” -- to name a few.  His has also lent his distinctive deep voice to 7-11 television and radio ads, dozens of Digimon and a gigantic list of other characters from anime, video games, TV and film. Currently fans can catch him on the new super-charged CGI series “Transformers: Prime,” playing the sometimes delusional but always deadly Decepticon “Starscream”, as “Heatwave” on the brand new kid-friendly, “Tr ansformers: Rescue Bots!” and joining the cast of “Avatar: The Legend of Korra” as the evil “Amon.”

About Anime Expo

Now in its 21st year, Anime Expo is North America’s largest celebration of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture.  Anime Expo gives fans the rare opportunity to meet and hear from some of the most famous anime, manga, musical, game and fashion artists from Japan.  AX 2012 will feature an exciting schedule of exclusive screenings; artists’ panels; live concerts; cosplay, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions; non-stop video gaming and unsurpassed shopping from more than 300 vendors.  AX 2012 takes place June 29 – July 2, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  To register or for more information, please visit www.anime-expo.org.  Con nect with Anime Expo on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®.   For more information, please visit www.spja.org.

Watchlater Picks Up Monster Japan Travel Guide Video

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."  Photo by Armand  Vaquer.

Watchlaterapp.com picked up the YouTube video on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.According to Watchlater:

This video was shared via watchlater, an app for bookmarking and downloading videos. Watch videos anytime and anywhere with both our iPhone and iPad App.. It’s free

To view the site, go here.

Politicians Playing Games With Agriculture's Future

Above, the family farm in Nebraska during winter.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Obama Administration has been a disaster on issue after issue. It is no better when it comes to agriculture policy.  Some in Congress are no better.

Western Farm Press posted an article on how the Washington politicians are screwing up agricultural policy.

 They begin with:

Farmers and ranchers have known for a long time that most federal lawmakers are notoriously uninformed when it comes to making decisions about farm policy. But what have long been laughable, but serious errors on the part of legislators and policy makers in the past seem to have reached a pandemic crescendo of inefficiency. A war-driven economy and partisan politics have muddled minds in Washington as ill-fated attempts to address federal budget concerns has spawned a plethora of actions that threaten to multiply problems rather than address ways to make them better, especially when it comes to farm policy. 

While the problem extends far beyond agricultural issues, it is becoming apparent that farm policy will be taking more than its fair share of these misguided decisions by lawmakers, who seem to have lost touch with reality when it comes to understanding that U.S. agriculture plays as important or a greater role to a healthy nation as the banking and energy industries.

The Obama Administration has ordered the closure of vital programs that have discovered problems with some agricultural products that produced illnesses and deaths.

For example:

Last summer the USDA's Microbiological Data Program (MDP) was the agency that ordered cilantro and bagged spinach that had tested positive for salmonella to be removed from grocery store shelves. It also forced a recall of lettuce that had tested positive for E. coli, and started testing cantaloupe regularly for Listeria after an outbreak that left 13 people dead. 

As part of President Obama's 2013 budget, this program will be shut down. 

Food and Drug Administration Produce Safety officials say that testing certain high-risk crops such as sprouts, tomatoes, and cantaloupe would now have to be undertaken by state and local agencies, many of which are already cash-strapped and short on staff.

It is a real eye-opener to see how agriculture policy is getting messed up by Washington. And they have the nerve to think they can effectively run health care?!

 To read the full article, go here.