Gangrel at Nightmare Weekend

Nightmare Weekend comes to Rosemont, Illinois May 2-4. This will be my first time "On the Beat" at Nightmare Weekend.

All of the guests have not yet been announced, but Clint Howard is at the top of my list from those already announced. The brother of Ron, Clint has been on my want list for a long time.

Another person announced is wrestler Gangrel. After debuting in 1988, Gangrel built a solid career, most notably with the WWF. A few years ago, I saw him wrestle at 2econd Wrestling and was a bit surprised how much he could still go. In his early 50s, Gangrel wasn't quite the same as in his prime, but he put on a solid performance. He was also great with the fans.

On the wrestling front, Gangrel will be joined by WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. Foley is always a great guest. Other mainstream celebs include William Shatner, Danny Trejo and Butch Patrick. I excitedly await even more guest announcements.

Go to GalaxyCon.com for more info and scheduling on Nightmare Weekend. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Gangrel and me in Highwood, IL-July 2022.

Friend Encounters: Regan Lydale and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

This picture is bittersweet. It features two of the best folks I know. Unfortunately, it was taken at an event I was supposed to attend, but was knocked out with the flu.

Tony and I have a similar mindset about wrestling and wrestlers. We have exposed each other to wrestlers we knew and liked separately apart from each other. Nearly every time, the other of us felt almost exactly the same way.

One such example was Regan Lydale. I have known Regan from the RPro days, when she was a fan of Tommy Else and the company. She always wanted to be a wrestler and over the last several years, she worked very hard to make that goal a reality. Now, she is one of the top rising stars on the Chicago area scene. Actually, I shouldn't limit her. She's wrestled in other states. I believe sje actually won a title in a couple other states.

Needless to say, Tony immediately became a fan, citing the same reasons I like her. She's excellent in the ring (especially for being so young). She's hugely popular with fans. She's got a great look and an engaging personality.

I should have been in this picture, but there will be other times. I better hurry though. Regan is bound for bigger things.

Regan Lydale and Tony in Fox Lake, IL-January 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #732 Ryan Garcia & Guy Hebert

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I make virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I start my season-long trek through all MLB teams.

Nicknamed "The Flash," boxer Ryan Garcia was born in Victorville, California. He has an impressive 24-1-1 record. He held the World Boxing Council interim lightweight title in 2021. He threw a ceremonial pitch for his home state Los Angeles Angels and landed on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in Troy, New York, Guy Hebert became a star goaltender gor 13 seasons. After two seasons with the St. Louis Blues who drafted him, Hebert played the next 10 + seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, before finishing his NHL career with the New York Rangers for 13 games. He also played internationally for the United States in the 1990 Goodwill Games and the 1994 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. He has thrown multiple ceremonial pitches, one of which earned him this Celebrity Jersey Card. The #31 is for his number with the Ducks and Rangers.

Cards That Never Were: Jim Nettles Topps 1980 & '82

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. Many creations (not just baseball) of others can be found on the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group.

The younger brother of Graig Nettles, Jim Nettles was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 1968 MLB draft. The Twins had previously drafted Graig, who spent the 1967-'69 seasons with the Twins. Jim made his MLB debut in 1970, missing being a teammatwe with brother Graig, who had been traded to the Cleveland Indians. Jim played three seasons with the Twins, before being traded to the Detroit Tigers after spending the '73 season in the minors. After playing the '74 season with the Tigers, Jim bounced around the minors for a few years, befopre returning to the majors with the Kansas City Royals in '79. He spent '80 in the minors and returned for one last hurrah with the 1981 Oakland A's. All told, Jim appeared in 240 games and had 129 hits, including 16 HRs and 47 RBIs.

For his efforts, he appeared on Topps cards from 1971-'73 and '75. That left '80 and '82. Pictures were not easy to find, but I did the best with what I could get and was able to fill Jim's gaps.

K Lynn Smith at C2E2

Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo returns April 11-13 at McCormick Place. Once again, I will be "On the Beat" all weekend ensconced in pop culture greatness.

In addition to all the celebrities, I love meeting and catching p with the creators in Artist Alley. One of my favorites is K Lynn Smith.

Based out of Michigan, Smith the author and artist of the western comic PLUME and the series FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, among many other projects. If Smith is involved, it is a guaranteed awesome product.

She also happens to be one of the coolest, most fun creators. I always enjoy catching upw ith her at comic cons and I look forward to seeing her at C2E2.

She also does commissions, as shown in her version of the Johngy character. I love it and it now hangs on my wall.

For more info on C2E2, go to C2E2.com. To learn more about Smith, go to klynnsmith.net.

K Lynn Smith and me in  Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Congratulations Mr. Ricolo

Mr, Ricolo (aka The Hair Extraordinaire) recently had a major health scare. After a battle with liver issues, Ricolo was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant.

Ricolo has been on the wrestling scene for many years. He is one of the best and most active ring announcers in the Chicago area. If you hear "I Was Made for Loving You" by Kiss at the start of a show, you know Ricolo is headed to the ring and it will be a fun time.

Ricolo was one of the first people I met at an indy wrestling show. His wife introduced me to him. Most folks know who his wife and kids are, although it's a bit of a secret outside of the wrestling world, not a very well-kept secret though.

One of the great things about Ricolo's battle was seeing the wrestling community rally around him. Whether it was just sharing and posting on social media or getting tested for liver compatibility, folks were very active. When Ricolo left the hospital, you could almost hear the cheer across social media.

I am so glad Ricolo is on the way to recovery and will be around for a long time. God bless you, Ricolo!

Mr. Ricolo and me in Rockford, IL-Spring 2024.

Hall of Fame Coach Eugene Lenti

It's not a secret I can be oblivious. Even when I am looking for something or someone, I can still miss it even if it is near me. Last week though, I surprised myself when I spotted a DePaul legend at a DePaul softball game.

In 1979 at the age of 22, Eugene Lenti became Head Softball Coach at DePaul University. He remained in that position (except for a two year hiatus) through 2018. Lenti's career record is 1,300-656-6 for an outstanding .664 winning percentage. He is enshrined in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

We were sitting near the pressbox watching pre-game drills when Lenti sat in the row across from us. I recognized him right away, but checked online to get another look at his image. Once I was certain it was him, I approached him, introduced myself and asked for the picture. He graciously accepted and was very nice.

My keen eye didn't stop there though. Later in the day, I saw DePaul AD Dwayne Peavy head to the pressbox. I didn't want to bother him at that point. Unfortunately, he didn't come out of the pressbox before we had to leave.

More unfortunately, DePaul lost two of three last weekend. It was still a fun time at the beautiful ballpark. To join the fun, check their schedule at depaulbluedemons.com.

Eugene Lenti and me in Chicago, March 2025.

Art Baltazar at C2E2

Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo returns April 11-13. I will be "On the Beat" as usual all weekend meeting celebrities and creators.

As I wrote a couple days ago, one of my favorite stops in Artist Alley is the Aw Yeah Comics booth. Art Baltazar is the other creative genius who owns Aw Yeah.

Art is a funny guy, besides being massively talented. One of his goals is to manage a wrestle one time at some show. We're working on that one. Art would be great in that role.

One of my goals is to have Art do his version of the Johngy character. He is so busy though, I hate to bother him in his limited free time. Some day, it'll happen...I hope.

Aw Yeah Comics is about three blocks away from me in downtown Skokie, Illinois. It's one of three stores they own, along with ones on Indiana and New York. It's a modern throwback. That sounds like an oxymoron, but it is just that. It has that old school comic store feel, with new cool twists. There are bigger comics stores, but none are cooler and that goes right back to Art and Franco.

I look forward to catching up with this dynamic duo and to see their latest creations. It is always a fun time.

For more info on Art, go to AwYeahComics.com and if you live around one, be sure to visit it. Also, go to C2E2.com for more info and scheduling on C2E2.

Art Baltazar and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Friend Encounters: Wolfgang Puck and Carrie

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

At the Global Traveler anniversary and award event in Beverly Hills last year, I met famous Chef Wolfgang Puck, but almost missed getting a picture with him. Fortunately, Chef Puck made another round and I got a second chance. Of course, I didn't miss out then.

GT account exec Carrie also got a pic with the famed Chef. I felt much better knowing I wasn't the only one who wanted to take a pic. Yes, I am a celebrity hound, but I don't necessarily want to be known as a celebrity hound. I would never call Carrie that, but there she was getting a picture. So did a few others. 

It was a great night. We enjoyed an incredible meal, had great laughs and met a world famous chef. Getting a picture without looking like a goof was the extra bonus.

Wolfgang Puck and Carrie in Beverly Hills, CA-December 2024.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #731 Ernie Hicke, Gary Simmons & Norm Ferguson

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys.

Today is a special edition of Celebrity Jersey Cards. I am featuring three former NHL players appearing in a jersey other than one from their careers. Although these men never played for the San Jose Sharks (all retired well before the Sharks debuted), they were part of a special night honoring the Seals.

Hicke played eight seasons, including the first two with the Golden Seals. Simmons was a goalie for four seasons, including the last season for the Seas and the first for the Cleveland Barons (after the Seals moved there). Ferguson enjoyed a 10 year career, the first half played with the Seals.