Clint Howard at Nightmare Weekend

Just like his older brother Ron, Clint Howard has acted most of his life. At the age of two, he appeared on The Andy Griffith Show and has stayed busy since.

Howard's resume is lengthy, including several episodes of Star Trek, 17 of Ron's movies and my favorite, Rock 'n' Roll High School. Last year, on the big screen, he was in Terrifier 3 and The Bold and the Beautiful on tv. That started his seventh decade of acting.

I have wanted to meet Howard for many years, but he hadn't done conventions around here. That changed in April, when he appeared at GalaxyCon Nightmare Weekend. He was the most popular celebrity guest there and he could not have been nicer. He happily posed for pictures, signed autographs and answered questions from adoring fans, including me.

With folks like Howard who has done so much, he gets a wide variety of questions, but he said I was the first there to ask about Rock 'n' Roll High School, which also starred PJ Soles and the Ramones. He had nothing but good things to say about that and the other projects I heard people ask him.

Nightmare Weekend was a smaller, but great convention. In addition to Howard, we met Joey D'Auria (aka Bozo), some wrestlers and several talented creators.

Look for my recaps mixed in with my other coverage. Also, check galaxycon.com for more info.

Clint Howard and me in Rosemont, IL-May 2025.

Patricia Kara's Book Tour

A couple years ago, I saw Patricia Kara mention on social media how much she loved travel. That's all I needed to immediately ask her for a Talking Travel interview on Global Traveler. That interview is at Talking Travel with Patricia Kara.

Although I attended her book-signing event a few months ago, when I saw she was doing another, I asked my pal Tony about going, since he missed the previous one.

Patricia was so nice. Her and Tony hit it off, after realizing they grew up near each other, although a few years apart.

I wrote about the whole experience at Patricia Kara's Celebration on Global Traveler. I also got a quick update interview with her there.

Check out her book Dream On...Now Deliver. Also, subcribe to the GT YouTube channel.

Patricia Kara and me in Homer Glen, IL-June 2025.

Friend Encounters: Missy Hyatt and Brian Heffron

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is one of those times that I feature a friend who is also a celebrity. Really, this is two celebrities.

Brian Heffron rose to fame as the Blue Meanie in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Heffron made that character very popular and successful. He eventually had a run with WWE, too. Since then, he has made appearances on the indy scene and doing comic cons, too. 

Missy Hyatt is one of the first modern day valets. With her Gucci purse, Hyatt became one of the best-known valets. Hyatt had stints in several companies, including a brief stay in the WWE.

Heffron reconnected with Hyatt at a comic con earlier this year. The two worked together in ECW. It's cool seeing them together and looking good after so many years.

Heffron is one of those celebrities I consider a friend. While we don't chat on the phone or hang out, I have seen him enough times that we became friends through familiarity. He is one of the great guys in wrestling and anywhere. He is a huge Philly sports fan, too. He is a knowledgeable fan, too, as our interviews prove.

Brian Heffron and Missy Hyatt in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #745: Gloria Estefan & JoJo Offerman

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams. Today I feature two Cubans repping the Florida Marlins.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Gloria Estefan rose to fame with her future husband Emilio in the Miami Sound Machine. Estefan went on to have a great solo career, too. The couple has two children, a son and daughter. In a bit of a miracle, their daughter was born after doctors told them Gloria wouldn't be able to bear children after a tour bus crash. The Florida Marlins celebrated Estefan by inviting her to throw a ceremonial pitch, which landed her on a Celebrity Jersey Card. She is wearing the #32, probably most-notably worn by pitcher Alex Fernandez.

Born in Bayamo, Cuba, Felo Ramirez had a legendary 72 year broadcasting career. Among his highlights was calling the action for 40 Caribbean World Series. He was the Spanish announcer for the Marlins from 1993-2017. Ramirez died in 2017, but he will always be a part of the Marlins legacy. The team celebrated him on the field which allowed Ramirez to earn a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: John Flannery Topps 1978

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

While I usually do the creating, sometimes others help me with tough designs or have beaten me to a specific card. The latter is the case today.

Infielder John Flannery was selected by the California Angels in the ninth round of the 1975 MLB draft. In midseason 1977, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox with Don Kirkwood and John Verhoeven for Ken Brett. He made his MLB debut that season, playing in seven games. He had three plate appearances, walking once, but not getting a hit. He did score one run. Unfortunately, that would be it for his MLB career. He played in the minors with the Sox, San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers, retiring after the 1982 season. 

Not surprisingly, Flannery did not appear on any Topps cards. I set out to create a 1978 card (a rookie card and a career capper all in one), but Gio of When Topps Had (Base)Balls beat me to it. Gio's site has hundreds of his awesome creations. So many times, I see a picture and am ready to create a card, only to see Gio already did one. His creations are spectacular and plentiful.

Elizabeth Berkley at Fan Expo

Running August 13-15, Fan Expo Chicago is now exactly two months away. Of course, I will be "On the Beat" all weekend, along with my pal and photog Tony.

Last year, we met Elizabeth Berkley, who rose to fame on television's Saved By the Bell. While a bit silly, the show was just fun Saturday morning entertainment. Most of the actors on the show have gone on to solid careers.

Berkley originally auditioned for another part on Saved By the Bell, but ultimately the producers were so impressed they created the role of Jessie just for her. She was a strong, young female character, a good role model for other teenage girls. Of course, she also later starred in Showgirls, which a bit controversial at the time, has become a cult classic. 

Last year at Fan Expo, Berkley was so very sweet. We expected our standard few minutes with her, but she initiated more conversation (much to the dismay of the guy behind us). We discussed her career and Chicago. I also gave her my card, hoping for an interview later. She took it and even took a picture of it to make sure she didn't lose it. Unfortunately, I never got the interview, but I really didn't expect it. Still it was a great several minutes with her (even if the guy behind us didn't agree).

Up close, Berkley is stunning  At 51, she looks naturally beautiful.

Fan Expo Chicago will have many new celebrities this year and Tony and I will meet many of them. There is also a huge Artist Alley full of creators of all sorts. Vendors and events round out the fun-filled weekend.

For more info, go to fanexpohq.com. Chec back here for my updates.

Elizabeth Berkley, Tony and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2024.

David Herro of The Herro's Journey

Over the last couple weeks, I wrote about the premiere of The Herro's Journey, as well as interviewed Producer David Vox Mullen and Director Danny Reyes. Today, I feature an interview with David Herro, the subject of the documentary.

The Herro's Journey gave a great look into the man and father David is. My goal here is to share that with my readers and also to thank David for years of entertainment and friendship.

Just like in the film, David spoke candidly about the process of making it. He also diffused the topics of nepotism and criticism of wrestling (and rightly so). Lastly, he spoke of his son Kal.

All of it revolves around Kal. He clearly is David's main focus and their relationship is one to admire.

As The Herro's Journey gives a fantastic view of David, I hope this interview gives another small glimpse into him. David is a #Superfriend to all.

Watch our interview video at On the Beat with David Herro. Check back here for updates on The Herro's Journey.

Talking Travel with Barbara Booth

Barbara Booth is my latest Talking Travel interview guest of Global Traveler. Booth is a CNBC contributor and the CEO-cofounder of Go-Be Airplane Seat Trays.

Looking into the cleanliness of airplanes for a friend, Booth saw a need and she worked on a solution. The result is a sleeve that covers seatback trays, one of the most germ-filled spots on planes.

After seeing one on a plane and realizing what they were, I contacted Booth who graciously gave me an interview. Booth discussed the whole process, airplane hygiene, future possible products and more.

The full interview is at Talking Travel with Barbara Booth on GT. Also, please subscribe to the GT YT channel. (It's free, easy and will help me a lot).

Friend Encounters: Jacqueline Moore and Heather

 Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Here are two of my favorite women wrestlers. Pioneer Jacqueline Moore is partially responsible for paving the path for Hardcore Heather Owens.

Moore is an underrated wrestling personality. Whether a wrestler of manager/valet, Moore was one of the generation who bridged the gap from the old time women wrestlers who were lucky to get one match on any card to the new generation who can main event a card. While Heather has never told me directly Moore is one of her role models, I know her well enough to say this is the case.

I have known Heather from our time with Resistance Pro Wrestling. I believe she was vastly underappreciated there, but she was a good soldier and did what was asked. I would have liked to see her get a real run to and with the title.

Since then, Heather is mostly retired. She runs a yearly wrestling show in the Cincinnati area as well as being one of the promoters of Squared Circle Expo, where she met Moore.

I love this picture. It is two generations of women wrestlers. I would bet there is pride on both ends. No doubt Moore is proud of the women who have followed her and Heather is proud to meet the legend.

Go to squaredcirclex.com for more info on the awesome wrestling convention. Also, check Heather on social media or the Cincinnati Patch for info on Power. Pride. Pro Wrestling!

Jackie Moore and Heather Owens in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #744: Brian Agler & Brock Huard

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams.

A native of Ohio, Brian Agler rose to fame as a coach in college, the American Basketball League and the WNBA. During his career, Agler's awards and accomplishments include ABL Coach of the Year Award (1997), 2× ABL champion (1997, 1998), WNBA Coach of the Year Award (2010) and 2× WNBA champion (2010, 2016). Agler tossed a ceremonial pitch for the Seattle Mariners to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card. Agler's connection to Seattle stems from his years coaching the WNBA Seattle Storm, including leading the team to a championship.

Brock Huard's connection to Seattle runs deep. He was born there, went to the University of Washington and played four seasons (over two stints) with the Seahawks. Since retiring, Huard has done broadcast work in different roles for several outlets. The Seattle Mariners invited Huard to toss a ceremonial pitch which landed him on a Celebrity Jersey Card.