Engaging readers on GoComics

From "FurBabies" by Nancy Beiman.  https://www.gocomics.com/furbabies/2023/09/30

I'm definitely contacting Nancy. She's GoCreator material!

 

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Sycamore Gap Tree (200-300 years old)

The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree was a sycamore tree standing next to Hadrian's Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It was located in a dramatic dip in the landscape and was a popular photographic subject, described as one of the most photographed trees in the country. It derived its alternative name from featuring in a prominent scene in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The tree won the 2016 England Tree of the Year award. The tree was felled in the early morning of 28 September 2023 in an act of vandalism.

The tree was felled in the early morning of 28 September 2023. The Northumberland National Park Authority said they believed it was done deliberately. The tree appeared to have been cut down with a chainsaw, at the base of its trunk, with a white line spray painted on it just below the cut. Northumbria Police arrested a 16-year-old boy later that day in connection with the felling, on suspicion of causing criminal damage. A man in his sixties was also later arrested in connection with the felling, on 29 September 2023.

Speaking on 29 September, a National Trust manager said that the stump seemed "healthy" and thought that the tree could possibly be coppiced, although he added that it would "take a few years to develop into even a small tree and around 150 to 200 years before it is anywhere close to what we have lost".

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The (Go)Creator!

I couldn't resist. A GoCreator is a formidable power of being, too. Watch out, world.

The Creator is a 2023 American science fiction film produced and directed by Gareth Edwards, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Weitz. The film stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Allison Janney, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles. Its plot, set in a future impacted by war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, follows an ex-special forces agent who is recruited to hunt down and kill the "Creator", who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war by destroying mankind itself.

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"Rabbits Against Magic" and "Back in the Day" crossover...

I'd like to believe that our GoCreator group inspired this crossover. Now that creators are spending more time bumping into each other on the comedic highways and byways of GoComics, fun stuff like this is bound to be the result. Fun for creators. Even more fun for readers.  

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Medieval door

One of the oldest medieval doors in England still exists today at Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs have been crowned since 1066 - almost 1,000 years later. The door was dated for the first time in 2005 by the process known as dendrochronology, and it showed that the wood was felled after 1032 AD, and that it was constructed sometime in the 1050s. This was during the reign of King Edward the Confessor, who built the Norman Abbey which was consecrated in 1065. The abbey was completely rebuilt in 1245, and the door was retained by Henry I. It was cut down, put in a new position, and can be found today in the passage leading to the Chapter House.

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Photos from FA readers

 Thanks to Luke for always sending me such interesting images.

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Dave Blazek's foot and his GoComics coozie.

Dave Blazek and his foot on the beach with his GoComics coozie*. I just realized that Dave's foot is sort of emblematic of his panel's name "Loose Parts." We're assuming this foot is attached to Dave, but it could be a loose part. Hey, it's possible.

 *A koozie (also sometimes called a coozie or a can cooler) is a fabric or foam sleeve. The primary use of a koozie is to insulate a beverage can or beer bottle thermally.

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Mr. Jobst's black eye... (true story)

https://www.gocomics.com/frogapplause/2023/09/13

Sometimes you have more to say in a strip than room to say it. This is the magic of having a comments section. 

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Sounds of the 1980s

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GoCreator Supporter (Ruben Bolling)

By the way, I offered to send Ruben a GoCreator pin, but he declined. Our first pin rejection!

(No need to send me a pin - I’m not a pin guy.)

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Frank Page (Bob the Squirrel)

 Frank Page received his GoCreator pin!

Bob Ross on a pile of Bobs with Frank and a giant foam candy corn… in front of the moon and a bunch of pencils. Think that covers everything. lol --Frank Page

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Melanistic fox

Melanistic fox with sibling

A cross fox is a melanistic variant of the red fox, a fox with an orange coat mixed with dark stripes that run down their back and intersect across their shoulders. They make up about 30% of the Canadian red fox population.

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Pumpkin spice spam

Pumpkin Spice Spam is a limited edition variety of Spam produced by Hormel Foods. It was released online on 23 September 2019, the first day of autumn. Spam is one of many brands to release pumpkin spice products for the autumn season, and is not the first meat product to be pumpkin spice flavored.

In October 2017, Spam shared a picture of Pumpkin Spice Spam on their Facebook page and noted that it was not a real product they were selling. The post went viral, and many Facebook users commented with interest in the fake product. Spam's official Facebook account responded that, "We think it's great that you'd like to see this product! Unfortunately this variety is only a joke, so it cannot be found anywhere." Two years later, in August 2019, Spam announced they were producing a legitimate limited edition Pumpkin Spice product for the autumn season.

The product was only available online at Spam's website and Walmart.com in two-can packs. Some food critics were sent cans of the product before the release date. In less than seven hours on the day of release, the Spam had sold out.

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I have no interest in this seasonal trend. I don't care what the product is. Some products might even be tasty, but I just can't bring myself into  going along with all this commercial manipulation.

Karen

 I'm not sure which I appreciate more... the Karen reference in Ainsley Ashby's "Globetrotter" comic or Taracinablue's spot-on description of a Karen. There doesn't seem to be a consensus on a male Karen, though. I mostly hear Kevin. Sometimes Ken. Which/what name do you use?

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Wiley (Non Sequitur) Miller's GoCreator pin...

Here's Wiley's GoCreator pin in two views. The first photo is of Wiley's Reuben Award for "Cartoonist of the Year" (2013). Awards are presented for one's work the year after, so this award was for the 2014 Reuben Awards Weekend during May 23rd-25th in San Diego, CA.

The second view is a peek at an unpublished Sunday edition of "Non Sequitur." I couldn't resist showing a bit of dat kitty!

Update: Today is November 5. The day this installment of "Non Sequitur" finally appears. I scribbled out much of it back in September because it had yet to be published.

Compare this drawing to Wiley's final version here.
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Pat Sandy's BLOCK PARTY from "Next Door Neighbors"...

Pat has encouraged me to put out a book, too. I don't know. First, I know nothing about the book-doing process. I also have that pesky little voice inside of me that says, "Are you crazy? Nobody will buy it. and then you'll end up with boxes of unsold books." 

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Out of the Blue

Tip: When referring to a date, don't just leave it at "today." It makes it harder for fans of "Day by Dave" to know which strip is being referred to. 

I believe that Markus shared his GoComics identity on the GC site, but I will leave it up to him to do so again. I think Markus is hoping for some feedback from other readers and, in this case, Dave Whamond.

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Extracting pearls from a clam

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Emperor Norton

Joshua Abraham Norton (February 4, 1818 – January 8, 1880), known as Emperor Norton, was a resident of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself "Norton I., Emperor of the United States". In 1863, after Napoleon III invaded Mexico, he took the secondary title of "Protector of Mexico".

Norton was born in England but spent most of his early life in South Africa. Leaving Cape Town, probably in late 1845, he arrived in Boston, via Liverpool, in March 1846 and San Francisco in late 1849. For the first few years after arriving in San Francisco, Norton made a successful living as a commodities trader and real estate speculator. However, he was financially ruined following a failed bid to corner the rice market during a shortage prompted by a famine in China. He bought a shipload of Peruvian rice at 12 cents per pound (26 ¢/kg), but more Peruvian ships arrived in port, causing the price to drop sharply to three cents per pound (6.6 ¢/kg). He then lost a protracted lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, and his local prominence faded.

Read more here.

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Proud to be a GoCreator

It's true. I am proud to be a GoCreator. 

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Coming soon?

 

What the holy heck? Why has today's "Frog Applause" been replaced with this? Have I been hacked or is this so sort of message from GoComics? It's not just today's comic but these "coming soon" panels run through my entire FA archive. Any explanation? (On a critical note: the typeface being used isn't even to my liking.)

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Free Ike O'Iko!

 Why is Ike O'Iko from Eric Scott's "Back in the Day" sitting in a jail cell on Jonathan Lemon's "Rabbits Against Magic"? We demand answers?!

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Merging of cartoons...

This comparison of two images/cartoons appeals to me. I love it to pieces. I also like that Mitch4 kept the captions and merged them into, what I perceive, to be a much more interesting caption. "All I have is tofu." Did I mention how much I love this?

Yes, this is a merge of the same creator's work, but I like the idea of merging the work of two or more creators. You've inspired me, Mitch4.

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The Onion Sisters with Johnny Stringbean (circa 1904)

And yet I'm told repeatedly that FA is one of the most unfunny strips around. I happen to think this comic is so dark that its hysterically funny.

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Dave Whamond

The uber-deserving and multi-talented Dave Whamond's division award at the 77th Annual Reuben Awards. Note Dave's GoCreator pin. Yes, Dave is a GoCreator... one of our founding members too! I'm sure his division award is nifty-cool (he probably has a closetful of them though), but can he wear those awards around on his shirt? I think not. Fun fact: Dave is the only person in all of Canada with a GoCreator pin. The current population of Canada is 38,847,059 as of Wednesday, September 13, 2023, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. Yep. Dave is one out of 38,847,059. (Should I count Dave and change the number to 38,847,058?)

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Missouri AG sues Dollar General over ‘unfair and deceptive pricing’

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit Wednesday (September 13, 2023) against Dollar General, claiming that hundreds of its retail stores in the state are offering “unfair and deceptive pricing.” 

Bailey’s lawsuit contends that Dollar General has violated Missouri’s consumer protection laws by advertising one price on the shelves and charging a higher price at the register upon checkout.

The lawsuit states, “Dollar General is routinely overcharging Missouri consumers for every day staples and the necessities of life. Worse still, consumers are being deceived as to the prices they are actually paying for these items.”

Father of teen killed in crash wants more transparency from police

Bailey says items such as candles, toilet paper, lip balm, lemonade, tire foam and drink coolers all frequently cost more at the point of sale than the prices listed on the shelf.  

Bailey claims this is a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. He is seeking an injunction, full restitution, civil penalties, and other relief. 

The Attorney General’s Office says it has conducted the investigation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Division. The investigation found that nearly 100 locations failed inspections over price discrepancies. 

Dollar General operates more than 600 stores in Missouri and nearly 20,000 stores nationwide. The chain generally aims to sell lower-cost items compared to other big-name retailers and reportedly still sold a small amount of $1 items as of May 2023. 

Anyone who thinks they might have been affected should contact the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or submit a complaint online.

If you live in another state, take notice. Maybe your DG is up to no good, too. If so, file a complaint with your state's AG.

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Blocked emergency exits and ‘dangerous’ fire hazards: Dollar General again found in violation of federal workplace safety standards

FRI, APR 7 2023

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KEY POINTS
An OSHA inspection found “dangerous safety hazards,” including blocked emergency exit routes, at a Dollar General in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, the Department of Labor said.

The inspection is one of more than 180 investigations where OSHA has found Dollar General to be jeopardizing worker safety, the DOL said. 

The discount retailer, which made $37.84 billion in sales in fiscal 2022, was fined $245,544.

Thanks to the Old Wolf for suggesting this video about how Dollar General became so successful.

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Miscellaneous goodies

I am lucky to have several readers who regularly send me photos and links of interest. Luke is one such reader. He has a good eye for what is "Frog Blog" material. I appreciate all blog suggestions. I may not post them all, but I appreciate them just the same.

I particularly like videos and photos from my readers' lives... their gardens, hobbies, childhood photos, pets, etc. Send! Send! Send!

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Psittacine beak and feather (PDF) disease

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBF) is also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV) or Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD). It is the most common and highly infectious viral disease among parrots. There is no cure.

Read about it here.

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Mrs. Sherwood's 1822 primer.

More interesting than Dick, Jane, Spot, and Puff. Does anyone else remember them? 

Oops. I forgot about Sally.

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Ululation: Tarzan's yell

 

File:John_Weissmuller's_MGM_Tarzan_Yell.ogg

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Jonathan Lemon

Here is Jonathan Lemon (Rabbits Against Magic) (Alley Oop) wearing his GoCreator pin on his snazzy tuxedo at the 77th Annual Reuben Awards of The National Cartoonists Society (nationalcartoonists.com), September 8, 2023.

To quote Jonathan, "I'm just a straight up English boy, with buck teeth and impaired vision who lucked out, and now draws cartoons for a living. "

Email from Jonathan: "On the left is the Elzie Segar award that went to Hilary Price (very heavy) and the other is the main Reuben award that Bill Griffith got (more prestigious, but not as heavy). I was helping carry them after the ceremony (they get mailed back on request). They asked me because they needed a strapping young man with big muscles, but unfortunately I was the only person nearby. Of course, that's the closest I'll ever get to winning them :-)"

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What a nice guy Jonathan is...

Apparently, some creators opt to have their awards follow them home by mail or some other means. They are heavy and big and hard to carry on an airplane. Same goes for trains, which was Bill Griffith's mode of transportation. The thought of having to carry this award around from connection to connection was probably just too much for him. One has to wonder what makes these awards so heavy. Are they made of bronze? 

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Thanks to d.d.degg at The Daily Cartoonist for his investigative research on these awards!

National Cartoonists Society Treasurer Drew Aquilina 

and NCS President Jason Chatfield replied to our inquiry 

about the weight of the awards. 

  

Said Jason: 

"I'm 'CCing' our Treasurer, Drew Aquilina, who organized the contract with 

the foundry (Rusty Mesa) to create the awards. I tried lifting the Segar, 

(and I can deadlift 330lbs), and I was in trouble after about 10 seconds... 

I had our stage assistant hold it up for everyone for a few seconds, before 

setting it down, so that C.J. Kettler and Hilary B. Price didn't have their 

shoulders pulled out of their sockets..." 

  

[King Features President Kettler presented The Segar to Price this year.]

  

Said Drew: 

"We don't have the weights, i would guess 7 pounds for the Reuben and 15 pounds for the Segar. The final weight would be the entire box and wrapping when you ship, as you know. 

I thought both Hilary and Bill were taking cars or rides home.  I know Bill was getting a ride home. I had boxes and everything and asked everyone, except Bill as i did not see him after the awards, if they needed them." 

 

Greenlandic mythology: the Qivittoq

In Greenlandic mythology the qivittoq is known as "the wandering spirit", a person who has decided to abandon society. The person loses all the memories of their former life and becomes immortal. They are often malevolent creatures and attack people. They can shapeshift and have supernatural speed/strength as well. For a qivittoq to gain magical powers, the person has to freeze to death over the course of five days."

More here.

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