Friendly Encounters: Gilbert Gottfried, Jacques Baron and Haley Baron

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Jacques and Haley Baron are two more friends I have met through The Resistance (formerly RPro). I have seen them in good times and bad times with the wrestling company and all that went with it and I am happy to say they are looking happier and stronger than ever.

I admire the couple for sticking with what they believe. With the departure of Billy Corgan from RPro,they faced a tremendous amount of adversity. They lost friends, money, wrestlers and more.

While many abandoned ship, many of us stayed with Team Baron. I never thought of leaving. Everything I had at RPro was because of Jacques and Gabe and their families. This was my time to return the loyalty and friendship they had shown me over the years and I do not regret staying.

Jacques is quite good at impressions, especially wrestling stars, although he can also do some random sitcom stars (ask him about his Good Times medley). He's got a great mind for wrestling and for fun (and for wrestling fun). Mostly though, he's just a great guy. I have had many great moments and memories with and because of Jacques and I will always appreciate him.

Through it all, Haley has been right there. She's a rock.She might even be feistier than Jacques. They make a great pair.

A few weeks ago, they had a "date night" at a Gilbert Gottfried show. I love the picture. It's dark and a bit mysterious, yet their faces are illuminated.

This Friday, May 4, you can see both at The Resistance: Chapter Two: Revelations. Since it is a Star Wars themed night, you never know how they will look. You might see Princess Haley and Jacques Solo. You'll have to come out to see for yourself.

For more info, head to LiveDieResist.com. You can also follow The Resistance on Facebook and LiveDieResist on twitter.

 Jacques Baron, Gilbert Gottfried and Haley Baron in Rosemont, IL-March 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #372 Michael O'Keefe & Martin Ritt

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities seen wearing jerseys.  Today, I continue to work my way alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

Perhaps best known for his role as Danny Noonan in Caddyshack or as Fred, Jackie's husband on tv's Roseanne, Michael O'Keefe also starred in The Slugger's Wife, opposite of Rebecca DeMornay.  A signed 8x10 on Ebay provided the perfect picture for his Celebrity Jersey Card and it actually fits well with the feel of that set.  Once married to singer Bonnie Raitt, O'Keefe has kept busy acting and I hope to eventually see him at a comic con.

Martin Ritt played O'Keefe's manager in The Slugger's Wife, earning his Celebrity Jersey Card.  In the early 1950's, while acting, directing and producing, Ritt was caught up by the Red Scare and investigations of communist influence.  He worked in theatre, but did survive the mess and eventually made The Front, one of the first dramatic feature films about the blacklist.  Unfortunately, Ritt passed away in 1990.

Anthony Michael Hall at Motor City Comic Con 2017

I have always liked Anthony Michael Hall.  He had a lot of success as a young actor on the early 1980's with movies including National Lampoon's Vacation, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Weird Science.  A few years later, he played a different type character in Edward Scissorhands (one of my all time favorite movies).

He stayed busy over the next several years in movies and on television, but he didn't have the level of success he had earlier.  It's always rough for a popular young actor to transition to a success career as an adult.

In 2001, Hall played Whitey Ford in the very popular 61*.  He followed that with a several season run on tv's The Dead Zone.  Hall seemed to have survived the awkward transition to continue his career into adulthood.

When we met him at the Motor City Comic Con, we talked mostly about 61*.  He said it was awesome working with Billy Crystal and a lot of fun doing a baseball movie.  His booth neighbor was Kelly LeBrock and it was cool to see those two together again.

Meeting Hall was a real feelgood.  Growing up on the screen in front of all can't be easy, but Hall has done it and has come through on top.  He was polite and friendly.  He seemed to enjoy himself there and his long line of fans enjoyed seeing him!

Head to MotorCityComicCon.com to see this year's celebrity guest lineup. I'll be "On the Beat" all weekend (May 18-20) and I hope to see many friends!

Cuzz Gekas, Anthony Michael Hall and me in Novi, MI-May 2017.

Summer Hargett and the 2018 Northwestern Wildcats

First year Northwestern Wildcat Summer Sky Hargett came to NU from San Diego, CA. Her playing resume includes three national championships. Her personal resume includes a black belt in karate.

The catcher has started three games and appeared in thirteen. She is batting .125 with 2 runs scored and 2 rbi's in that limited action.

With starting catcher Sammy Nettling in her final season at NU, the catcher position seems to be open next season and eyes are on Hargett.

One of the joys of following college softball is watching young players like Hargett develop. It's not unusual to spend much of the first season watching and learning. It's the next season and beyond when players get more time and start to shine. I predict big things for Hargett.

Although long term, I am looking forward to watching Hargett's progression, for now I am happy to watch the Wildcats as they head into their final homestand this weekend. Their three games hosting Iowa should be exciting as both teams prepare for the Big Ten Tournament May 10-12. After this home stretch, the Cats have 4 games on the road (at DePaul and at Wisconsin).

The Wildcats are currently 30-13 and in 4th place in the Big Ten Conference. Only a couple games out of 1st, the last seven games can change a lot of things in the standings.

I am confident Sharon J. Drysdale Field will be packed and very purple for these games. I'll be there and I'll be back here reporting the action. Also check NUSports.com for more info and updates.

Summer Hargett and me in Evanston, IL-April 25, 2018.

Ashley Gold at Motor City Comic Con 2016

Ashley Gold rose to fame on television's Hardcore Pawn.  Ashley is the older sister of Seth and the daughter of Les.  The trio owns American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit, MI.

From the series, it would appear that the siblings were always arguing for power and control at the shop.  I'm sure some of that existed, but the reality is less combative and less entertaining, as is the case with a lot of "reality" shows.  Much of the heat in the rivalry was created for tv and ratings.

Many times, Ashley came off unfavorably on the show.  Granted, I only met her a couple times under controlled circumstances, but she was as pleasant as could be.

Ashley signed up for the show and willingly participated in it, but it still had to be hard at times.  Even st the Motor City Comic Con, I heard her answer many questions about dealing with her "obnoxious" (and other less flattering words) brother and also her "bossy" (and other less flattering words) attitude on the show.  She handled them all with class though.  Smiling and laughing while politely sidestepping controversy.

Do people really believe the siblings are always at odds?  If things were really that bad, would they both continue with the show and allow stuff to be aired?  It was entertaining.  I used to watch it, too.  I never really believed the tension existed between the two.  I also never believed employee Rich was fired, especially when I saw that his band was scheduled to begin a tour at that point.

After 9 seasons, Hardcore Pawn is off the air now.  The shop is still in business and is still a tourist attraction in Detroit.  Ashley is now concentrating mainly on jewelry.

Ashley is the perfect example of the unique guest celebrities at Motor City Comic Con.  I look forward to the upcoming 2018 MCCC on May 18-20.

Check out AshleyGold.com for more info and updates about the latest jewelry and fashion trends from Ashley.  You can also follow AshleyHCP on twitter.

Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for all of the info on the upcoming event.  MCCC 2018 will be held on Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20 and I'll be "On the Beat" as always!

Ashley Gold and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

On the Beat With Purdue Assistant Coach Tatum Edwards

Yesterday, I featured Kirsten Verdun and Danielle Zymkowitz. Today, I cross the diamond to feature their former Chicago bandits teammate, who is now an Assistant Coach for Purdue, their weekend opponent.
Tatum and her twin sister Taylor were stars at Nebraska, before joining the pro ranks. They helped the Bandits win titles in 2015 and 2016. Taylor has since moved on to the Scrapyard Dawgs, while Tatum turned to coaching.
Tatum was one of my favorite Bandits. She brought a unique energy on and off the field. She always had time for the fans and for an interview or chat with me.
Sometimes when you get to know these athletes, you see them as regular people and forget about how athletic they are. Then I'd see Tatum do a walking handstand for a good distance and I realize just how elite they are.
We had the honor of talking to Tatum prior to Sunday's game. We talked about coaching, recognizing pro potential, her younger sister and more. Tatum was always a fun interview.
I appreciate Tatum for her time and friendship always. I'll continue following her as her coaching career progresses.
I thank Purdue Assistant Athletics Communications Director Carl Danoff for facilitating this interview prior to the game. He went out of his way to get this done and I appreciate his efforts. I
You can check GlobalTravelerUSA.com for more coverage of the weekend. Check back here for recurring Big Ten softball coverage.

On the Beat With Wisconsin Assistant Softball Coaches Kirsten Verdun and Danielle Zymkowitz

Last weekend, I ventured north of the border to Madison, WI, for a Big Ten softball series between the University of Wisconsin and Purdue University. Of course, I love collegiate softball, but having three Chicago bandits legends coaching was a major draw for me.

Kirsten Verdun was a star player at DePaul University. She went on to pitch for the Bandits, winning a championship in 2015.

Danielle Zymkowitz starred at the University of Illinois. Playing several positions, she won titles with the Bandits in 2015 and 2016.

Kirsten and Danielle are two of my all-time favorite players. They are tremendous role models for the young players and fans. They always had time for an interview or quick quote. I appreciated them on and off the field. They have given me many fantastic memories.

After Sunday's win, Kirsten and Danielle found time to chat a bit and to give us a few minute interview. They talked about the team, judging pro prospects, their coaching duties and more. They even answered a question previously submitted by Kenzie Parker, a young fan who has given me a few questions for other interviews. Kenzie is a super fan and a pro hopeful.

Tomorrow, check for my interview with Purdue Assistant Coach Tatum Edwards, another of my favorite Bandits. Also, check here for recurring coverage of Northwestern softball and the Chicago Bandits. Check GlobalTraveler.com on Wednesday for more coverage of the weekend.

Thank you to Kirsten and Danielle for their time and continual friendship. I will continue following them as their coaching careers progress.
Thanks to Kelli Grashel, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, for facilitating this interview and for granting us access all weekend.
One final note, I made it through this whole piece without mentioning my infamous strikeout at the hands of Kirsten! Just another reason why she will always be a favorite!

Friendly Encounters: Sara Moulton, Sammy Marshall and Jonathan Cimaglio

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

With the Chicago Bandits about ready to start the 2018 season, it is the perfect time for this Friendly Encounter edition.  Today we feature two of my favorites or three if you count Jonathan.

Pitcher Sara Moulton and outfielder Sammy Marshall are two of my all-time favorite Bandits and Jonathan is one of my favorite fans (who became friends).  The trio posed with the Cowles Cup, which the Bandits won in 2015.

I love the picture, but I also get a bit sad.  Sara retired after the 2016 season.  She's back up in her native Minnesota, where she is the co-owner of Strike Zone Sports, a Fastpitch Training Center with a specialty in developing top pitching prospects.

I always appreciated Sara, but I gained a whole new level watching her change her life through a diet and workout regimen.  Her dedication and focus was impressive and her attitude was always positive.

Sammy is equally positive.  About to enter her fourth year in the NPF, she has become a star on the team and a team leader in every sense.  It always amazes me how mature she is for such a young lady.  Of course, her speed is also amazing, but she is a much more well-rounded player than just a speedster.

Like Sara, Jonathan also moved away from Chicago to Minnesota.  I have to give props to my guy Cimags.  He's a fun-loving, passionate fan.  He's also a big-time grapher.  I couldn't even guess how many autographs he has.  We occasionally helped each other with picture-taking and getting autographs after the games.  It won't be quite as much fun at the ballpark without Cimags.

I am excited about the upcoming season.  I'm hoping Sara and Cimags make a return visit for a game or two.  I'm also looking forward to adding many interviews to the Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits playlist on YouTube.

Sara Moulton, Jonathan Cimaglio and Sammy Marshall in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #371 Adele & Carmen Electra

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  This week, we continue our alphabetical journey through all of the MLB teams.

British born singer Adele Adkins is better known by her first name only.  She credits The Spice Girls as being a major influence.  She has won countless awards and sold millions of records.  Despite being a new-ish artist, I actually am familiar with her catalog, with "Rolling in the Deep" being my favorite.  For her Celebrity Jersey Card, I used a concert shot which I think works well with the card design.  I also stayed true to her and only used her first name.

Tara Leigh Patrick was born in Ohio, but became famous as model, actress, singer Carmen Electra.  Her Celebrity Jersey Card comes from a first pitch appearance for the Blue Jays.  She gets extra points for the official cap and I won't take any away for her wearing it off-center.  It appears she is looking to the catcher for a sign.  I would love to know how the pitch turned out.  I'm guessing nobody else really cared.  Among the many charities that Electra supports is the HollyRod Foundation, started by ex-NFLer Rodney Peete and his wife actress Holly Robinson. 

Congratulations Marissa Panko of the Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern Wildcats outfielder Marissa Panko was named the Big 10 Conference Softball Player of the Week. In a weather-shortened week, Marissa had a .833 batting average, with a .875 OB%, 1.333 SLG%, 3 doubles, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Clearly it was an honor well-deserved.

Marissa has started all 38 games this season. She is hitting .313 with 19 RBI and 30 runs scored. The senior infielder/outfielder also started every game last season (49 games at shortstop and 5 at second base), while hitting .329.

The Wildcats are in 4th place with a record of 9-5 in Big Ten Conference play. Overall, they are 27-13. They have ten games remaining. The Big Ten Conference tournament runs May 10 through May 12 in Wisconsin.

I'll be covering Team Purple and the Big Ten through the end, which hopefully will see the Cats on top. This is an exciting team and Marissa is on fire!

Marissa Panko and me in Evanston, IL-Spring 2017.

Happy Birthday Jean!

Today my sister Jean celebrates her birthday.  As always, I celebrate her here and hope she has a great day.

I can never say enough good things about Jean, nor thank her enough for her unwavering support, love and help.  She always does the little things, like making sure there is plenty of Coke for my visits, but she also does the big things.  Never was this more evident than last February.

I had a fairly intense nose and throat surgery to lessen my sleep apnea attacks.  Jean flew in from Florida, put me up in her house and spent a week nursing me back to health.  I couldn't have done it without her and I dare say, it was actually fun being together.

Of course, it isn't just what she does for me which makes her great.  It's who she is.

Whether together or by phone or text, we share laughs and gripes, good times and bad.  She's a sster, but more importantly, she's a friend.

Happy birthday, Jean.  I love and appreciate you immensely!

Jean and Scott Parker in Lemont, IL-September 2017.

On the Beat With Suzi Yoonessi at C2E2 2018

As I wrote yesterday, I had the pleasure of being part of a media session for Daphne and Velma at the recent C2E2. It was pretty exciting to sit next to Director Suzi Yoonessi as she answered questions and talked about Daphne and Velma, the newest part of the Scooby Doo franchise, which was such a big part of my childhood.

In the video below, Suzi gives us a little summary of the plot, which involves Daphne and Velma's friendship prior to being part of the Scooby gang. She also gave us a bit of a scoop about the future of Daphne and Velma.

Suzi is an award-winning filmmaker. She has been a producer, director and screenwriter. She is very talented and very passionate about her work.

Daphne and Velma is her latest project and her current passion. Of course, she would speak highly of a movie she is promoting, but this wasn't just promotional talk. She spoke of positive feamle characters, of the strong friendship between the two and of this not being a "high school" movie, despite the high school time frame. I felt that Daphne and Velma was really special to her.

Unfortunately, because of my time constraints, I did not get to see the screening of Daphne and Velma. I was very disappointed, but I will see it when it is released next month.

The Scooby Doo series has been so iconic, yet the characters of Daphne and Velma have not been fully detailed and developed until now. This is a unique look and part of the Scooby franchise. I seriously cannot wait to see this movie.

Check out SuziYoonessi.com for more info and follow Suzi Yoonessi on twitter. You can also check out the official trailer for Daphne and Velma on YouTube. Be sure to look for Daphne and Velma when it is released on May 22.

I want to thank Suzi for her time. I also want to thank C2E2 for this opportunity.

On the Beat With Sarah Gilman at C2E2 2018

At C2E2 2018, I had the pleasure of being in a press session for Daphne and Velma, an upcoming movie featuring the two female characters from the iconic Scooby Doo franchise. Because media sessions can be handled many ways, I never know exactly what to expect. I did, however, request time with actress Sarah Gilman, who portrayed Velma Dinkley.

Late Saturday afternoon, the media folks gathered in a special room above the C2E2 main floor. We were seated at tables in groups of 5 or 6. The various people involved in Daphne and Velma were brought to each table and we had about 10 minutes with each of them.

I was excited when Sarah joined our press table. Like so many others, Scooby Doo was such a big part of my childhood. To be sitting with someone playing one of the lead roles was a great opportunity. From the second she sat down, I realized two things about Sarah. She "was" Velma" and she was just so cool. 

In the video below from the media session, Sarah explains how she got the part and shows why she was perfect for Velma. It's best to hear it directly from her.

As a twenty-two year old actress, Sarah showed great poise and maturity in the media session. Balancing humor with seriousness, she answered all of our questions, delivered interesting side stories and generally delighted us.

In short Daphne and Velma is the story of the two women before the Scooby gang was formed.. Fred, Shaggy and Scooby are not part of this movie. It's a story about women, with many women involved in the project. It's such a unique concept. It should be especially great for young girls, but highly entertaining to all of us.

Unfortunately, time constraints prohibited me from seeing the screening of Daphne and Velma. That really killed me, but I will definitely catch it on video as soon as possible. It comes out May 22 and my calendar is already marked!

You can follow Sarah B. Gilman on twitter to get updates and fun news. Also, check out the official trailer for Daphne and Velma on YouTube.

I want to thank Sarah for her time. I also want to thank the fine folks at C2E2 for the opportunity. Lastly, I encourage everyone to check out Daphne and Velma!

The "Or Else" Podcast: Episode 13: Kickball

The latest episode of The "Or Else" podcast is up on Soundcloud and it is jam-packed with stuff. In one short hour, we crammed in a wrestling event, a comic con , a kickball tournament and more.
Episode 13 starts with us talking about RPro's "Lights Out" event at Bourbon Street, a great place for wrestling. We follow that laughing about the fun we had at Wizard World 2013. We end it with more laughs about our experience playing kickball for charity (spoiler: one of us got a hit and scored!).
This episode is especially meaningful for me. It starts with wrestling, but ends with fun and friendships. Tommy Else, C Red, Barry Ryte and me are four guys who probably wouldn't have met, let alone become friends, without RPro. Within a couple years fo the debut of RPro, there we were participating in a charity kickball tournament.
The picture below says it all. (Sorry, Barry had left by that point.) The beautiful Chicago skyline is in the background, as we celebrate an amazing day. It may be cliche, the bonds made through RPro are strong and wonderful. In doing "The "Or Else" podcast, I get to relive these moments and remember how much fun I had. The six years flew by quickly and sometimes events are forgotten or blurred. With The "Or Else" podcast, they are coming alive for me and hopefully for the listeners who were part of this journey. This is Tommy's story at heart, but it's my story, too. It's the story for all who were part of RPro.
My little cousin Noah is another example. While he has only been to a few shows, he did some interviews for Johngy's Beat at those shows and at the RPro booth at Wizard World. That was always surreal to me. I grew up with his dad and to see Noah interact with the RPro talent was just so cool for me. I might be biased, but I always found his RPro interviews to be highly entertaining. The wrestlers always delivered in those interviews.
I hope the listeners are enjoying the ride. The feedback has been excellent so far. What started as a plan for a handful of episodes has grown into another great experience because of RPro.
Check out The "Or Else" podcast Episode 13: Kickball on Soundcloud. You can also listen to all of the episodes at The "Or Else" podcast main page on Soundcloud.

C Red, Tommy Else and me in Chicago, IL-Summer 2013.

Friendly Encounters: The Godfather and Hardcore Heather Owens

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Hardcore Heather Owens doesn't look all that "hardcore" in this picture.  In fact, she looks rather giddy.  Then again, she is with the Godfather.  I'll let that sit there.

Heather is one of my favorite wrestlers at Resistance and one of my favorite people at Days of the Dead.  She looks small, but she is a ball of energy and fun.  She works hard and is well-loved at both places.

I have long-predicted a run as Women's champ at RPro and I still think it could happen in The Resistance.  She's been a loyal and popular worker for several years there/  Similarly at DotD, Heather (along with her her Zubaz-wearing husband Ed Gonzales) has been a tireless worked from the debut of the great con.

None of that stops her from having a fun time everywhere she goes.  That brings us back to the picture with The Godfather (aka Charles Wright).  When you're talking The Godfather, you are talking fun.

I love this picture.  It just screams fun.  This is the type of fun that is always happening at Days of the Dead.

Despite Heather having a great time with The Godfather, she did not join the infamous Hooooo train.  She remained a #ClassyBroad.  (She might kick my butt if I said anything different!)

Go to DaysoftheDead.com to get all of the info on this great horror con.  They have yearly events in five cities and you would definitely see Heather, although she might be a blur.

Hardcore Heather Owens and The Godfather in Indianapolis, IN-June 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #370 Cat Osterman & Monica Abbott

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  This week, we feature two softball legends, while we continue our alphabetical journey through all of the MLB teams.

Cat Osterman was born in Houston, TX and has been a collegiate 4-time All-American, 2-time medal winning Olympian and retired 6-time pro All-Star.  She is one of the all-time greats in softball and I had the pleasure of watching her pitch against the Chicago Bandits and interviewing her.  She is a class act on and off the field.  Catcher Jason Castro joins Osterman on her Celebrity Jersey Card.

 Monica Abbott was born in Salinas, CA, but attended the University of Tennessee.  She was a 4-time All-American, bronze medal winning Olympian and a 4-time champ in the NPF.  I had the pleasure of watching her up close during her time with the Bandits.  I also saw her pitch a no-hitter, although it was against the Bandits.  Still, it was awesome to witness.  Like Osterman, Abbott is truly an elite pitcher.  Also like Osterman, she is a great individual on and off the field.  First baseman Tyler White joins Abbott on her Celebrity Jersey Card.

On the Beat With Art Baltazar at C2E2 2018

I had been in the Aw Yeah Comics store in Skokie several times (usually looking for Aquaman comics or other related stuff). I didn't realize that comic artist Art Baltazar was the owner. (Yes, my reporter skills sometimes betray me). I finally figured it out when I saw his booth at a comic con a few years ago (better late than never).

When I saw Art would be at C2E2 2018, I contacted him about an interview and he replied that we "would make history." I looked forward to learning more about this talented character.

Art talked to us about his start in comics creations, his career, creating his own characters and more. Although he is completely humble, you can feel the joy he has for his work.

One bit really stood out. Having his work rejected by some companies, Art would eventually be on the receiving end as companies called him about his characters. He tells that story not out of vengeance, but more out of almost a kid-like glee. It is great to see that sort of passion and enthusiasm. It's a great story of not giving up, believing in yourself and the ultimate achievement and Art deserves it all and to be proud of it all.

I really enjoyed talking to Art and I hope to talk to him more in the future (that's fair warning, Art!). I had a lot more questions, about his work and the industry, but I don't like taking up too much of an artist's time at the comic cons and I also like learning bits and pieces over the years.

Check out ArtBaltazar.com to learn more about Art. Besides being insanely informative, it is wildly fun (much like Art). You can also follow Art on Facebook and Art on twitter to get quick updates and random thoughts.

I want to thank Art for his time and consideration. I'm not sure if we made history, but I had a great time with him. Thanks, also, to C2E2 for the opportunity!

On the Beat With Jane Labowitch at C2E2 2018

When scanning the artist guest list for C2E2 2018, as soon as I saw Princess Etch, I knew i wanted to get an interview with her. Princess Etch is Jane Labowitch, a talented artist who uses Etch-A-Sketch to create beautiful masterpieces.

While Jane proves Etch-A-Sketch isn't just child's play, she did get her start when she was only four years old. Obviously, she honed her skills over the years through a lot of practice. Jane's talent and training go beyond just mastering Etch-A-Sketch. She also earned a BFA in Illustration at the American Academy of Art. Her clients include MTV, the Cartoon Network and many others.

I was fascinated by her work. Like a lot of folks, I tried my hand at Etch-A-Sketch and like a lot of folks, I never was able to get beyond the basics. It blows my mind to see the beauty and the detail in Jane's creations. 

In our interview, Jane talked about her start with Etch-A-Sketch, her path to become Princess Etch and much more. It was funny to hear her talk about her Etch-A-Sketch skills as a youngster, but I'll let you hear that from her.

When I told my friends I was interviewing Princess Etch, the most popular question was how she makes her creations permanent, once she is done with them. Jane answers that question.

You can find out more about Jane at PrincessEtch.com.  You can also follow her at Princess Etch on Facebook.

Jane was a delight. I am still amazed at her mastery of the Etch-A-Sketch. It is unique and incredible. I appreciate her time in giving us this interview. Thanks, too, to C2E2 for the opportunity to meet awesome people like Princess Etch.

Morgan Newport and the 2018 Northwestern Wildcats

The Northwestern Wildcats Women's Softball team will be in back action this weekend. You can find my story about the Cats on the Patch at Northwestern Wildcats Returning Home.

The Wildcats are 23-13 on the season. Unfortunately, they are only 6-5 in Big Ten Conference play. There are still 16 games remaining, including a four game home stretch starting this Friday. The Cats host the Ohio State Buckeyes for 3 games, then enjoy an off day, before finishing this homestand against Green Bay.

One of the big reasons for the success of the Cats this season is sophomore pitcher Morgan Newport. She is 10-5 with a 3.87 ERA. She has 5 complete games in 12 starts. She has 46 strikeouts in 72 1/3 inning pitched. Morgan has certainly blossomed in her second season of collegiate play.

As a freshman, Morgan appeared in 33 games. She started 5 games, relieved in 22 and was the Designated Player in 5 games. She went 7-6 with 3 saves and a 3.85 ERA.

In high school, Morgan was a star on the mound and at bat. She never hit below .411 and also pitched a no-hitter, among her other accomplishments. She also played many years of club softball. Clearly she had the resume and now she is starting to show real star power in her second season with the Cats.

One of the coolest parts of following Northwestern softball is watching the development of the players. Morgan will get several more opportunities this season and I'll be watching closely.

You can go to NUSports.com to learn more about Morgan and her teammates. You can also check here for recurring coverage of Team Purple.

Morgan Newport and me in Evanston, IL-Spring 2017.

The "Or Else" Podcast:Episode 12: Back For The Attack With Quinn Bayola

The latest episode of The "Or Else" podcast is up on Soundcloud and it was a lot of laughs. Joining Tommy Else and me was Quinn Bayola (aka "Q"), former ring announcer for RPro.

Q's journey through RPro was an interesting one. Among his many entertainment forays was a stint as a host of karaoke, which is how he met Tommy. He started attending RPro events and eventually became the ring announcer. That's just the bare bones of the story though. I'll let you listen to the rest of the story on Episode 12.

A naturally funny guy, Q always interacted well with the wrestlers and the fans. He was a great ring announcer. Had RPro run longer and if schedules allowed (Q is in demand on the entertainment circuit), I have no doubt Q would have become more of a character within RPro and he would have done a great job with that, too!

I wasn't exaggerating about the demand for Q. Besides being a karaoke host, he officiates weddings, dj's events, acts and more. In fact, one of his commercials for West Suburban Bank is on YouTube.

I became friends with Q along the way and it was great to see him again. It was also a lot of fun to just sit back and watch him and Tommy share memories.

One of the things Tommy (and I) hope to convey is the bonds from RPro. Tommy was instrumental in getting Q involved in RPro as a fan and later as the ring announcer. I met Q through RPro. We're all friends and we share lots of wonderful memories. There were a lot of special moments at RPro and we plan on continuing to share them on The "Or Else" podcast.

Check out Episode 12: Back For The Attack With Quinn Bayola on Soundcloud. You can also go to The "Or Else" podcast main page on Soundcloud to see all of the episodes.

Quinn Bayola and me in Summit, IL-June 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #369 Natalie Gulbis & Polina Edmunds

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  This week, we continue our alphabetical journey through all of the MLB teams.

Professional golfer Natalie Gulbis was born in Sacramento, CA.  When she threw out a first pitch for her home area Oakland A's, Gulbis wore Rickey Henderson's #24.  She was once ranked #19 in the world.  Gulbis has also done some modeling, dabbled in acting and may have an interest in a public office in the future.  She does get extra points for wearing a glove on her Celebrity Jersey Card.

American figure skater Polina Edmunds was born in Santa Clara, CA and the home area Oakland A's invited her to thrown out a first pitch.  She competed in the 2014 Olympics and has won medals in a few other major skating championships.  Edmunds, who recently turned 20, is still active in figure skating.  She would get extra points for her Celebrity Jersey Card if she wore an official A's hat.

Friendly Encounters: Todd Helton, Monica Abbott and Michael Steuerwald

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

This Friendly Encounters is truly a Hall of Fame edition.  The photo was taken at the 2017 University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductions of former Major League Baseball player Todd Helton and National Pro Fastpitch star pitcher Monica Abbott.  Obviously, both were standouts at Tennessee and both went on to Hall of Fame calibre pro careers.
Sandwiched by the two HOFers is Coach Michael Steuerwald, who is putting together a Hall of Fame career in the NPF.  Coach Stu has been a part of 5 NPF championship teams in the last 8 seasons.
I am proud to count Monica and Coach Stu as friends I have made through my coverage of the Chicago Bandits and the NPF.  Both are the best at what they do, but more importantly, both are quality people.
Coach Stu always has time for an interview or even just informal chatting.  Monica has always been great, too, despite being in constant demand by many media outlets.
Maybe someday, I will meet Helton to complete my association with all people pictured here.  I am sure this is a special picture for those involved, but it reminds me of how fortunate I am to not only know two of these people, but to have worked in the same environment as them.
The NPF has given me great opportunities and I appreciate all of it.  I also look forward to continuing doing what I love for my fifth season with the Bandits starting in a couple months.  Until then, you can check out ChicagoBandits.com to get updated news and info.

Todd Helton, Michael Steuerwald and Monica Abbott in Knoxville, TN-October 2017.

Happy Birthday Nancy!

Today my sister Nancy's birthday. I will not reveal her age, except to mention she is older than me.

Why am I not revealing her age? Actually it isn't that important, but I am also being polite. Why am I being polite? I already stated, it is Nancy's birthday.

Nancy is often pelted with jokes when the family is together. Oh sure, we are all targets at some point, but Nanc does seem to be targeted most often. To her credit, she goes along with all and actually nails us with her own shots when we least expect it.

Like I wrote, the number isn't really important either. Nanc has undergone a big transformation over the last year or so. She has worked very hard at losing some weight, eating healthier and getting in better shape. It is never easy and she deserves applause.

She also deserves applause because she is a great sister. Being my sister isn't easy either. I need lots of help and Nancy is always on my side. I got very lucky by having two wonderful sisters and I cannot say enough good things about them.

Nancy also deserves praise for her acting. While I fiddle around with interviewing people, Nanc (and husband Dave) have stepped in front of the camera on several Chicago-filmed shows.Maybe I should interview them?

We will not be together today, but I send her a long distance birthday greeting. Happy birthday, and I love you, Nancy!

Nancy Blais in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Fergie Jenkins at Wrigleyville Sports

All weekend, I am ensconced in pop culture insanity at C2E2, but I will take a break Sunday midafternoon for a special event. Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will be making an appearance at Wrigleyville Sports, conveniently just a few miles north of C2E2. Wrigleyville Sports, at 959 West Addison Street (just across from Wrigley Field), is hosting Fergie's appearance, which is courtesy of AUTOGRAPH1, from 1 pm to 3 pm. I previewed this Fergie appearance on the Patch at Fergie Jenkins Is Coming to Wrigleyville. 

Fergie was in the middle of his historic 6 consecutive 20 win seasons when I got interested in baseball. Still in his early 20's you knew Fergie was on a path to the Hall of Fame. During those years, the Cubs had great pitchers like Ken Holtzman and Milt Pappas and young future stars like Burt Hooton, Rick Reuschel, and Larry Gura, but Fergie was always the ace.

Then the unthinkable happened and he was traded to the Texas Rangers. I remember seeing his hatless 1974 Topps baseball card (a common thing for players traded in the offseason). Even worse was actually seeing him in a Rangers uniform on his 1975 card. Fergie was always supposed to be in Cubs' blue.

Fergie would spend two seasons with the Rangers, followed by two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, before returning to the Rangers for four more seasons. By then, Fergie had a record of 264 and 202. Clearly a lock for the Hall of Fame, the free agent Fergie chose to end his career with the Cubs.

Fergie pitched two more seasons, contributing 20 wins, while helping the Cubs through the Dallas Green transition, which led them to the 1983 NL championship series. He retired after the 1983 season.

Back in my childhood days, a player appearance was a rare thing. Fans were lucky if we could get a quick autograph at the game. Pictures with the players were not even possible in the age prior to selfies. I would never have dreamed of meeting Fergie, let alone talking to him and getting a picture with him.

Fortunately, times and technology have changed. Thanks to athletes like Fergie and businesses like Wrigleyville Sports and AUTOGRAPH1, we can not only meet our favorites, we can spend a little time with them, hearing some fun baseball stories.

Believe me, Fergie has great stories. In addition to his own interesting career, he played with and against many Hall of Fame players and other fun characters. Despite having met Fergie several times already, I still hear new stories every time.

Adding to the fun, Fergie isn't coming alone. Also appearing is Marla McKenna, author of Mom's Big Catch, a wonderful children's book and a great collectible for older Cubs fans. Marla has her own fun stories to share.

For me, there is one more reason to catch this event. My longtime friend Steve Gassman is Fergie's Personal Assistant and we will do a bit of catching up there. It's always great seeing Steve.

I have previously attended appearances at Wrigleyville Sports and their events are always very well run. They always have plenty of merchandise for sale to be signed by the celebrity guest. I am really looking forward to seeing Fergie, Marla, Steve and hopefully many of my other friends, too.

 

Fergie Jenkins and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Back With Jenny McCarthy and Blondies By Jenny

Several months ago, Jenny McCarthy was high on my list of people I wanted to meet.  Within the last 4 months, I have had the pleasure of meeting her four times while she promotes her Blondies By Jenny beverages.

Thanks to the fine folks at Blondies, Binny's Beverage Depot and Jewel-Osco, I have gotten to talk to Jenny about Blondies.  The line started with regular lemonade flavored vodka and strawberry lemonade flavored vodka.

Blondies has no artificial flavors, dyes or added sugar and are gluten free. They are made with real fruit juice and a heavy dose of ultra-premium gold medal winning vodka.  Blondies is light and flavorful.

My suggestion to Jenny was to combine the strawberry lemonade with real strawberries and ice to make a frozen treat.  I'm always up for a frozen alcohol beverage.

At the most recent tasting, they unveiled a blueberry flavor.  Actually, there were two blueberry choices.  Both were very good, but one did get a pretty big majority of the votes.  The blueberry Blondies should be coming out soon.

In talking to Jenny, she also gave me a scoop.  They are working on a grapefruit flavor.  While I am not a fan of grapefruit by itself, I really like the taste when combined with other flavors.  I am looking forward to what Blondies produces.  Based on their current line, I am betting it will be a winner.

As for Jenny, she is a pure delight at these taste-testings.  She is so sweet and fun.  No matter how long the line is, everyone leaves happy and usually with several bottles of Blondies in hand.

Check BlondiesCocktails.com and the Blondies By Jenny Facebook page for updates and all of the news about this tasty beverage.  Of course, I will also have recurring coverage of Jenny and her beverage line.

Jenny McCarthy and me in Naperville, IL-March 2018.

Tugboat at C2E2 2014

Fred "Tugboat" Ottman had a nice run in pro wrestling from 1984 to 2001.  Then known as Typhoon, he won the WWE tag team titles once as part of the Natural Disasters with Earthquake.  Back then, titles exchanged hands les often.  Despite winning gold only once, Tugboat was very successful.

Matt and I met Tugboat at C2E2 several years back.  He looked in better shape than during his active career.  He was in great spirits and seemed to love meeting fans and talking wrestling.  Often times, it is the lesser stars who have (or are willing to tell) the best stories.

Tugboat doesn't do many appearances, but fans wish he did.  He is well remembered and being off the radar increases the demand for him at conventions.  Maybe he will get more active on the con scene this year.

As a little Tugboat trivia, his brother-in-law was the late Dusty Rhodes.  He is also the uncle of Dustin Runnels and Cody Rhodes.

As always, I am looking forward to more fun at this year's C2E2, starting Friday, April 6 and running through Sunday, April 8.  Check C2E2.com for all of the details and look for me there all weekend!

Tugboat, Matt Parker and me in Chicago, IL-March 2014.

Darwin Finch and The Resistance

When Jacques and Gabe Baron announced the debut of The Resistance, one of their stated goals was to bring in new talent from all over. One of those new wrestlers was Darwin Finch.

I was "On the Beat" and getting interviews at The Resistance's debut Chapter One: Creation. Finch was one of my first and that can be found at On the Beat With Darwin Finch.

Finch's gimmick of a science guy was interesting. Although not necessarily unique, Finch somehow made it feel fresh. In all honesty, that's all you can really want from a wrestler. Pretty much every gimmick has been done, but the key is to make it your own and somehow breathe life into it. Finch accomplished all of that.

Finch doesn't look all that imposing, although he is in good shape. His scheduled opponent was Barrington Hughes, a huge man who had to outweigh Finch by at least 200 pounds. The challenge in that match is to make it look believable and competitive.

I was very impressed with Finch's work. Of course, there were some predictable moments of the little man trying to match strength with the big man. That's a classic, but Finch added a few twists. He also included a few excellent athletic moves on offense. Finch had the fans believing he could win.

In the end, Hughes beat Finch, but both men deserve praise for putting on a great match. The Baron brothers deserve praise for bringing in both men and setting up this match.

Good things are happening at The Resistance. The next show is Friday, May 4. Chapter Two: Revelations is a "Star Wars" theme night. Several new names have been announced and more will be coming. Check The Resistance Facebook page for all of the info and check here for recurring coverage.

Darwin Finch and me in Summit, IL-February 2018.

Aquaman at C2E2 2017

It was a close call at C2E2 2017.  Seeing an Aquaman at any comic con is a rarity and at C2E2, I was experiencing the usual Aquaman drought.  I had been immersed in pop culture madness for two full days and had yet to see any sign of Aquaman.

As usual, I saw many people dressed as Harley Quinn, The Joker, Batman, Wonder Woman, various people from The Walking Dead and almost every other character imaginable.  Some were so obscure people had to explain them.  Still, despite thousands of costumed fans, there was no sign of any Aquaman, my favorite superhero.

My luck changed just as I was exiting C2E2 for the day.  I saw the familiar green and orange in the distance and knew it had to be an Aquaman.  I raced over and got my picture with Aquaman.  This alone made the convention a success.

Many times, I have lamented the lack of Aquaman at these conventions.  It is frustrating because I know when they eventually make an Aquaman movie, he will gain popularity, but it will probably be the newer version of Aquaman.  I only hope the "cool" thing for fans to do then will be to appear as old school Aquaman.

Until then, I will continue searching for the rare Aquaman at comic cons.  I will also continue to get pictures and celebrate my victories.

Aquaman and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Mark Hudson and Steve Gassman

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Before there was a Kate Hudson, there was the Hudson Brothers.  Mark, Brett and Bill (father of Kate) formed the Hudson Brothers, a musical band which peaked in popularity in the mid 1970's.  They also ventured on to television with a couple shows, including The Hudson Brothers Hour, a night time variety show and The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show, a Saturday morning show.  I loved that zany Saturday show.

The brothers have all stayed in show business in some form.  Mark is a musician, song writer, producer and more.  He co-wrote Aerosmith's Livin' on the Edge, among other hits from Aerosmith and others.

Hudson also worked with Ringo Starr on 9 albums.  That collaboration cemented Hudson's place in the history of the Beatles.  That connection brought him to a Beatles convention and my friend Steve (aka Willy, but that's another story).

Steve is more well-known in the world of sports.  As the Personal Assistant to Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins, Steve can be found at many conventions, too.  Presumably, he was off-duty at the Beatles convention (if Steve is ever really off-duty).

This is the kind of celebrity encounter that I love.  Hudson has such a great story, but he rarely does conventions.  The connection to the Beatles is pretty cool, too.  I love how all of these worlds collide into one cool picture (well, as cool as a picture with Steve can be).

I first met Steve years ago and reconnected last summer at a chance meeting when Marv Levy was doing a book-signing.

Steve has a lot of other interesting celebrity encounters, although I am not sure any of them will top Hudson for me.  Hudson is a guy who wouldn't have crossed my mind, but I would love to meet.

Steve Gassman and Mark Hudson in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #368 Tony Longo & Stoney Jackson

This is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for jersey-clad celebrities.  With baseball season upon us, I will work my way alphabetically through the Major League teams.

Actor Tony Longo has many credits in film and on television series.  He played catcher Triscuitt Messmer in Angels in the Outfield, which earned him a Celebrity Jersey Card.  Unfortunately, Longo passed away in 2015, after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure and kidney issues.

Stonewall "Stoney" Jackson also got a Celebrity Jersey Card for his role in Angels in the Outfield, as outfielder Ray Mitchell.  Among his many roles, Jackson appeared on The White Shadow and Everybody Hates Chris.  He also appeared in Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video.  He currently is concentrating mostly on producing.