If you're a fan of kitsch and Americana, you probably already love Charles Phoenix. His over-the-top "found" slide shows are always a window into the world of roadside attractions, classic… Read the rest of the article: Get your own kooky Cameo from retro-culture vulture Charles Phoenix

Still looking for gifts for art book-loving friends or family? Just in time for holiday gift giving (or wish-listing) here a few reviews the best art books I discovered this… Read the rest of the article: Three great art books that'll arrive by Christmas

People from Chicago rave about their Garrett Mix special popcorn, with a mix of half caramel corn and half cheese flavor. At first that sounded to me like mixing Cracker… Read the rest of the article: Corn is a healthy vegetable snack, right…?

The 1960's was a heady time for the music biz and Follow the Music: The Life And High Times Of Elektra Records In The Great Years Of American Pop Culture… Read the rest of the article: Follow the Music is a BIG book on the history of the music biz

Why should people have all the freeze-dried fun? Our two cats go CRAZY for these PureBites cat snacks made of chicken. No, I haven't tried them myself, but they have… Read the rest of the article: Marbits for cats?

My wife and I both to love to watch artist James Gurney's fantastic plein air demos. (He's the guy who did those great "Dinotopia" books!) We think he's a really… Read the rest of the article: Masterful and Fun plein air painting demos

Record Store Day never fails to unearth rare, sonic treasures and one of this year's offerings is a 1964 recording from a young Jim Messina (later of Buffalo Springfield, Poco,… Read the rest of the article: Jimmy Messina and His Jesters' "The Dragsters"

I totally dug this wonderful book of the early days of rock and roll [Amazon], featuring the creators of the music and the gear. Even if you already know some… Read the rest of the article: "The Birth of Loud" by Ian S. Sport: R&R gear history book goes to 11

I remember a really odd guest on the Merv Griffin Show back when it was broadcast from NYC in the 60's. In the middle of the usual anodyne talk show… Read the rest of the article: "To My Great Chagrin: The Unbelievable Story of Brother Theodore" is a fascinating look at a comic madman

Although largely unknown in the west, Otoko wa Tsurai yo (男はつらいよ, "It's tough being a man" but commonly referred to as Tora-san) was a hugely popular series of 48 (!)… Read the rest of the article: The longest running Japanese comedy series that you've never heard of

In 1963, three musicians traveled from Minneapolis to Milwaukee for a stripped-down, one-day recording session in a church. What they laid down was a thumpin', jumpin', and jammin' acoustic country… Read the rest of the article: Life and times of folk-blues trio

During these times of reduced travel my wife and I have really enjoyed the fun and free online tours from professional guide Francisco Gloria Baines. He lives in Pamplona, Spain… Read the rest of the article: Your new friend in Pamplona

Yasuzo Masumura's "Giants and Toys" (1958, color) is a funny and satirical look at go-go, post WWII Japan. This unblinking look at corporate values and pop culture is colorful, kooky,… Read the rest of the article: Kooky 1950's Japanese candy comedy

My wife and I really enjoy watching Satoshi and Shinichi of the YouTube channel TabiEats as they test and sample all kinds of foods from Japan. Fancy restaurants, take out… Read the rest of the article: Watch these mouth-watering street snack tours of Tokyo

With raspberries, blueberries and flowering plants in our wooded yard, we need all the friendly pollinators we can get. But Bob Knetzger's wife is extremely allergic to bee stings, so what to do? Build a Mason bee house!

Last month I asked my friends to write about books they loved (you can read all the essays here). This month, I invited them to write about their favorite graphic… Read the rest of the article: Great Graphic Novels: The Cereal Killings by James Sturm