Month: December 2016 (Page 7 of 9)

PopCult Note: Mel Larch (aka Mrs. PopCulteer), the host of On The Road with Mel on The AIR, returns to the PopCult Gift Guide with suggestions for the traveler on your holiday gift list. You can listen to On The Road with Mel Wednesdays at 1 PM at the website, or on this handy little embedded internet radio player…

Wondering what to get the road warrior or world traveler in your life? Consider one (or all) of these items to help them enjoy their travels even more. These recommendations are all things that I use, so just think of them as having the On The Road with Mel Seal of Approval.

American Automobile Association (AAA) Membership

If I had to single out any one item on this list as a “must have,” this would be it. AAA offers a wealth of services to its members, including 24/7 Roadside Assistance, travel discounts on car rentals, hotels, and vacation packages, discounted attraction and movie tickets, and insurance, just for starters. They also offer trip planning for everything from road trips to cruises to overseas travel.

As a longtime member of AAA, I’ve utilized the Roadside Assistance service a few times for everything from running out of gas (they’ll bring you a couple gallons to get you back on the road) to towing to battery replacement. And their hotel discounts can definitely help stretch those travel dollars further, especially if you’re visiting a major city such as Chicago or New York.

With a choice of three different membership levels (Classic, Plus, and Premiere) at various prices, a AAA membership would be one of the best gifts you could give your favorite traveler. Check their website for details on how to give gift memberships.

SHOLDIT

Keeping your cash, credit cards, and ID or passport safe from thieves is certainly a concern for any traveler. Ever since I had my wallet stolen on a trip to New York in my college days, I’ve always been on the lookout for products to protect those valuable items. There are a wide variety of products out there which serve this purpose, but my personal favorite is the SHOLDIT scarf.

This take on the popular “infinity” scarf features a hidden zippered pocket that allows you to safely and securely carry those small valuables while traveling, attending sporting events or concerts, or any time you don’t want to carry a larger bag or handbag. Available in a wide selection of colors and designs, it’s a stylish travel accessory for women and men.

I bought my first SHOLDIT almost two years ago and since then, have traveled to both New York and Chicago using nothing but my SHOLDIT to carry my valuables. If you’re looking for a way to travel light, protect your cash and credit cards, and look good while doing it, the SHOLDIT is the way to go.

In addition to different styles of the “infinity” scarf (including a nursing scarf with pocket that would be a great gift for any busy new mom), you can find other products for the traveler in your life on the SHOLDIT website, as well as Amazon.

SLIME 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator

Any seasoned traveler knows the importance of having a good emergency kit in their car. And if you’re a traveler like me who looks for products that can do double duty, then the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator is a winner on both counts.

This powerful and compact combination tire gauge and inflator uses Inflate Right technology to automatically shut off when the proper tire pressure is reached. It’s designed to inflate a standard car tire, with a maximum pressure of 35 PSI. All you need to do is plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter (15 Amp fuse required) and it will inflate a standard car tire in approximately six minutes. It also features a bright, long-lasting LED light for easy night use and rubberized feet for stability.

With Inflate Right, there’s no chance for error–just the perfect pressure for your tires every time, which means cost savings in terms of reduced fuel expense and tire replacement costs.  This compact and lightweight device is one way to help your road trip loving gift recipient stay safe and save money.

The Slime 4022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator is available at Amazon, as well as Advance Auto Parts, NAPA, O’Reilly, Target and Walmart. Slime makes several other models that are available at other price points, but the 40022 has been very reliable for me.

I’ve also recommended several travel themed books on my show, including The Next Exit. Updated yearly, this comprehensive US Interstate highway exit directory includes every major and most minor routes for each state, along with every exit  You’ll find information on gas, food, lodging, camping, shopping and more.  It’s one of my “go-to” travel planning tools.  The 2017 edition will be available on January 1st, but if you don’t want to wait and your gift recipient prefers the digital format, it’s also available as an app that you can find out more about at their website. An atlas, such as the ones published and updated yearly by Rand McNally, would also be an excellent and valuable addition to any travel library.

And if you’re looking for stocking stuffers, items such as a sleep mask, luggage tags, travel sized-toiletries, a travel luggage scale, an organizer wrap for electronics or jewelry…use your imagination! Happy holidays and safe travels!

This one is a bit unusual for the PopCult Gift Guide. It’s a pre-order for a book that is supposed to be delivered in mid-to-late December, but with printing and shipping variables being what they are, there’s an element of gambling if you want to give it as a gift. Update: The book will NOT arrive by Christmas, but the publisher has a nice gift voucher that can be can emailed to anyone who needs it for a gift. Books will be shipped to buyers first week of January.

Having said that, this is a pretty impressive book, and if you have an automotive enthusiast of a certain age, or someone who appreciates classic magazine cartooning on your holiday list, this is a pretty sharp surprise for them.

The first limited edition of Stroker. The Artistic Works of Tom Medley is now available for pre-order. Books will be shipped the first week of 2017. But remember, initial printing is a small press-run Slipcase Limited edition!

The exquisitely designed 240-page table-top book (12”x12”) features more than 270 illustrations and photographs, showcasing the work of the famed Hot Rod magazine cartoonist, Tom Medley, who joined the staff on issue #2 in February 1948.

Stroker reviews Medley’s seven decades as an artist, including an insightful biography. The book features illustrated letters home during World War Two; drawings from the 78th Infantry Division Lightning newspaper, including “Fearless Freddy Flash;” legendary character “Stroker McGurk” in Hot Rod magazine; character “Flat Out Snodgrass” in Cycling magazine; plus automotive cutaway illustrations, spot cartoons, logos, t-shirt designs, holiday cards, and much, much more.

In addition to reproductions of the finished art, the book also shows numerous original art boards, as well as rough sketches that show the creative process used by Medley.

A limited number of slipcase editions will be printed. This is a must-have for any hot rod or cartoon enthusiast. It’s a bit pricey, but it could well be the perfect gift for that certain person. You can only pre-order it from the website now for $65. Your PopCulteer is tempted to pull the trigger on one for himself.

As a kid who grew up with slot cars, seeing the resurgence of scale automotive racing combined with the newest technology has been heartwarming. Last year Anki Overdrive showed what could be done with the latest bells and whistles, but their sets were pricey and require a smartphone or tablet to operate (one for each car).

This pick for the 2016 PopCult Gift Guide finds Mattel meeting the challenge head-on with a Hot Wheels-branded set that comes with dedicated controllers, has extra features and costs under a hundred bucks–less than half of what the Anki Overdrive starter kit sells for. If you have a kid on your holiday shopping list who loves racing, but isn’t old enough to drive, this is the way to go.

Hot Wheels A.i. uses computer enhanced Artificial Intelligence to help guide your car around the track. But watch out! The A.i. also controls rival racers who will stop at nothing to overtake you and speed to victory. Use your driving skills and launch virtual hazards, like oil spills and tire blowouts, to be the ultimate Hot Wheels champion. You can even race off-track with the standalone freeplay mode.

Hot Wheels Ai features Smart Car technology, with sensors on the bottom of each vehicle that read the lines of the Hot Wheels Ai Smart Track. Together, this technology will make sure your car stays on track and in the race. But be careful, as you increase the skill level from beginner to advanced to expert, the track assist decreases as the speed increases. Master control of your Smart Car to become Hot Wheels Ai champion.

Hot Wheels Ai Smart Track is made from a durable vinyl material. The track is designed to be thin and flexible to create a smooth, road-like surface. The matte surface of the track enables the Smart Track to interact with the Hot Wheels Ai Smart Car.

This is one of those toys that makes your PopCulteer wish he was still a kid, or had more room, or had a kid that he could say he was getting this for but really gets it to play with himself. Available wherever toys are sold, and as the holiday approaches, the prices keep dropping. The suggested retail price is $99, but I’ve seen it as low as $65.

HPL’s Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers
by R.J. Ivankovic
Chasoium Inc.
$19.95

Okay, let’s say that you have children on your holiday shopping list, and maybe you sorta want to…I don’t know…cause their parents to freak out a little bit?  Lucky for you, the iconic Lovecraft story, The Call of Cthulhu, is now a children’s book!

The late Professor Angell’s research has been discovered by his grand-nephew, Francis Wayland Thurston. Francis delves into the papers and discovers a bas-relief depicting an odd creature with an octopoid head, spurring him to read on. He learns of the raid led by Inspector Legrasse and the voyage of the Vigilant, captained by Gustaf Johansen.

This fantastic 102-page adaptation was written and illustrated by R.J. Ivankovic. It depicts Lovecraft’s epic story in the style of a Dr. Seuss Beginning Readers book.

Now, maybe you don’t really want to give this to a kid (although, to be perfectly honest, it would be really, really hilarious if you did), but you could make this a gift to the Lovecraft admirer on your shopping list. It’s unlikely that they already have it.

You can order HPL’s Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers directly from the publisher.

Longtime PopCult readers had to know this was going to be in the Gift Guide. The perfect gift for any Beatle fan who remains young at heart, LEGO has released their version of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. It retails for around sixty bucks, and is supposed to be available in many stores like Target, Toys R Us and Walmart, but sightings have been few and far between. Your best bet if you want it for Christmas is to order directly from LEGO.

This looks to be an instant “happy place” for fans of The Fab Four and the classic 1968 animated feature. The submarine features a removable top for easy play, a cockpit that accommodates the included John, Paul, George and Ringo minifigures, two rotating propellers, four periscopes, an adjustable rudder, plus assorted accessory elements that The Beatles have collected on their journey. The set also includes a Jeremy figure.

The set also comes with a removable display stand as well as a minifigure display stand. Accessory elements include John’s telescope, Paul’s 1×2 ‘Love’ tile, Ringo’s round 2×2 ‘half a hole’ tile, George’s submarine motor and Jeremy’s apple.

This is great for display or role-playing scenes from the iconic 1968 film (go ahead and do it, nobody’s looking). The set also includes a booklet about the LEGO fan/designer and the Yellow Submarine. This set includes over 550 pieces and offers an age-appropriate build and play experience for ages 10 and up. You can even put it together when you’re 64.

When built, the Yellow submarine measures over 5” high, 9” long and 2” wide. You know that any Beatle fan will want this.  Don’t be a Meanie. Let them go to Pepperland.

Fans of Radio Free Charleston may remember our old pals, Frenchy and The Punk, who occasionally pop into town for a performance of their fun and eclectic neo-cabaret steampunk music. Well, Scott Heilland, “The Punk” half of the duo, has two CD releases (a compilation and a reissue) and a first-edition book of his art that would make wonderful gifts for fans of the band, or connisseurs of fine music and stuff in general.

Scott creates melodic, euphoric acoustic guitar instrumentals rooted in the realms of folk, alternative and world. His eclectic musical past, keen melodic sense, live looping technique and tasteful use of guitar effects creates a compelling soundscape. Helland has been a featured performer at numerous events across the U.S. including the Steampunk World’s Fair in New Jersey, AnimeMidwest in Illinois, Motor City Steam Con in Michigan and Spoutwood in Pennsylvania.

FEAST is Scott’s first edition art book, released in 2015. FEAST is a a collection of pen and ink drawings in a beautifully designed 10″x10″ hardcover book. Featuring 50 original drawings from 2005 to 2015. You can order it from his website for $40 + $8 Shipping.

At his website you can also find the Compilation CD, which collects tracks from throughout Scott’s career, and his acclaimed 2002 CD, Earthbound, which spent quite a bit of time in the New Age Music charts.

While you’re spending money over at Scott’s part of the Frenchy and the Punk website, don’t forget to check out their band store, which is filled with fantastic music, cool shirts and home-made oddities that will thrill and delight the discriminating music and art lover.

One of the coolest companies that we were able to connect with at the New York International Toy Fair last February makes what could very well be the perfect stocking-stuffer gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your shopping list. Even the grumpiest of curmudgeons has a favorite movie or TV show, and chances are that Greenlight Collectibles has released a memorable 1/64 scale vehicle from that show or movie.

In the above clip we mainly talk about their new line of cars based on The Walking Dead, but Greenlight has also produced sets based on TV shows like Supernatural, Lost, Charlie’s Angels and Breaking Bad and movies like The Blues Brothers, Bullit, Clueless, Fast and Furious and Animal House.  What other toy car company boasts a line up that includes Joe Dirt, Smoky and the Bandit, Field of Dreams and Forrest Gump?

Greenlight produces an amazing array of pop culture vehicles. You can find cars featured in everything from The Godfather to Gremlins to the TV show, Friends.

Best of all , these turn up everywhere from Toys R Us to Walmart to Autozone, Target, Hot Topic and FYE.

Big In Japan, Book II: Power
by Timothy Price
illustrations by Alan OW Barnes
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN-13: 978-1533241726
$12.99

This next gift is perfect for the person on your shopping list who’s equally into Rock ‘N Roll and giant Kaiju Monsters. A sequel to Timothy Price’s first book, Big In Japan, volume two in the series continues the loud and fast thrill ride.

Monsters come in many forms, shapes and sizes, often hiding deep within our own minds, biding their time until mutating to magnificent yet deadly proportions. Is the kaiju you’re at odds with the real nemesis? Or are you, yourself, the one who is harboring the strange beast from within?

Somewhere it all awaits, and it doesn’t matter if you’re the singer in a rock band or an agent for a super-damn-duper daikaiju-fighting organization (or both). Nothing is all it’s ever cracked up to be. Nathan Fox indeed has some hard choices to make, and upon learning his past, the choices have become even more difficult. However, when madmen with insatiable appetites for power rise up, sometimes your answers lie where you would least expect to find them.

If the adventures of a rock band fighting Kaiju monsters in Japan doesn’t get your blood pumping, then get to a doctor and have your pulse checked quick.

Big In Japan II: The Power, and the original Big in Japan can be ordered from Amazon, or from Timothy’s Big In Japan website, where you can also find the audiobook version and a soundtrack CD (which I’ve played tracks from on Radio Free Charleston).

Our local pick today is actually for a play that runs this weekend and the next at the Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Street in Saint Albans. On the Worst Day of Christmas is a comedy for the Holidays.

Adam MacAfee will tell you that Appleville, is a quiet, all-American town, full of peace year round. Everything about the annual church Christmas pageant is hunky-dory, until the church on the other side of town gets a real, live camel for their Christmas festivities! Mayhem ensues as Adam’s mother, Amanda, head of the Christmas Pageant Committee, goes off the rails to put on The Twelve Days of Christmas in place of the traditional Nativity. But, it is the children who end up teaching the grown-ups the most important lesson of the holiday.

You can see this show December 9, 10 and 16, 17 at 8 PM. There will also be Sunday matinees on December 11 and 18 at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 for Adults,and $10 Children or Seniors. Group rates are available.

Visit the Alban website or call 304-721-8896 for more information. You can also look into buying season passes and ticket packages for The Alban Arts Center’s 2017 productions while you’re at it.

This is a great gift for the theater lover in your life.

Evening With Todd Rundgren: Live at the Ridgefield

The Runt, Todd Rundgren, musical genius, aging wunderkind, producer, songwriter and rock icon has a new release out, and it’s a must-have for his legion of fans. The Deluxe CD/DVD, Evening With Todd Rundgren: Live at the Ridgefield comes in a special six-panel digipak. It’s an incredible concert experience, a multi-media extravaganza starring classic rock legend, Todd Rundgren.

This set includes some of Todd’s best known songs including “Hello It’s Me” and “Bang On The Drum” plus fan favorites that haven’t been performed live in decades, recorded live at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield CT on December 15, 2015.

One disc is a CD with 18 songs from the concert. The other is a DVD with the entire concert. Todd is backed by his regular band, and this is a “greatest hits” show, presenting his hits and gems that go all the way back to his days with The Nazz.

Evening With Todd Rundgren: Live at the Ridgefield  is the perfect gift, at a very reasonable price, for any fan of Todd’s, or even any fan of classic rock in general. Many of these tunes were staples of the 1970s radio playlistsYou should be able to find it anywhere music is sold, or just order it from Amazon.