News Articles to Make You Think (and a helpful tip to remove your house from Google maps)

There were several articles in the news last week that you may have missed, and they'll make you think - either good or bad thoughts!  Here they are:

1) Survey finds math, science grads earn top dollar   - GOOD RECOMMENDATION! (Tom and I have degrees in architecture and Meteorology, respectively)

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 ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press  WASHINGTON (AP) -- It seems to matter less whether your alma mater is public or private than what you study -- math and science in particular -- when it comes to finding a high-paying job after college, according to a report released Tuesday by the Education Department.  The survey of the class of 2008, by the National Center for Education Statistics, found:   College grads from private four-year schools earned about the same as those from public four-year schools, about $50,000 a year. But while a paltry 16 percent of students took home degrees in science, technology, engineering or math, those who did were paid significantly better -- averaging $65,000 a year compared with $49,500 of graduates of other degrees.    FULL STORY: http://www.wtop.com/346/3658340/Degrees-leading-to-fat-paychecks

 2)   House Benghazi panel may cost $3 million this year  -  I DON'T GET IT -  Read the first paragraph from this USA TODAY story and tell me how you feel about it -  This is a NON-story. (and Veterans should be livid about the spending)  Terrorists attacked the Embassy, as terrorists have attacked MANY U.S. Embassies. What in the hell are the republicans looking for?  Several Embassies were attacked and people killed under Pres. Bush, but did Congress launch Expensive inquiries?  NO. WHY? because they're terrorist attacks. DUH.


USA TODAY:  WASHINGTON — House Republicans are planning to spend as much as $3.3 million for this year's operations of the special committee they created in May to investigate the September 2012 Benghazi attacks, a bigger budget than the House Veterans Affairs and Ethics committees were given this year.
STORY: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/07/benghazi-committee-33-million-republicans/12301935/

3) Sarah Palin Gets Renewal on Sports TV Show - UGH. WHY?  Who still cares about this fool that can't hold a job? Are people in sports networks that dumb?  - I refuse to link to the article because reading it is like endorsing this stupidity.

4) Mississippi Enacts Anti-Gay Law -  **ANOTHER SCORE FOR RELIGION BEING WELCOMING OF ALL PEOPLE-NOT.**
A law that took effect last week in Mississippi allows business owners to cite their religious beliefs in order to refuse services to LGBT people. The law, which was passed in April, is facing challenges from several Mississippi cities, including Jackson and Hattiesburg. "We are not going to sit idly by and watch Jim Crow get revived in our state," John Currence, a chef, said of the law. Advocate.com (7/6), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (7/2)

5) HELPFUL TIP:   How To Remove Your House From Google Street View
It's actually pretty easy to ask Google to blur out your house from Street View. Here's how:Find your house on Street View by searching for your address on Google Maps. Then you'll need to drop the little Street View man onto the street in front of your house to get into Street View. After that, click "Report a problem" on the bottom right of the screen. On that page, say that you want your house blurred, provide your email address, type in the CAPTCHA and press submit.  TO SEE THE SCREENS - GO HERE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/07/remove-google-street-view_n_5563939.html?1404757367


TOMORROW: A LOOK AT TOM'S AMAZING WORK IN THE GARDEN

A Dog Rescue Friday Transport Adventure!

Dog cage loaded on our truck for transport

Our weekends are usually a time for laundry and more house cleaning (we do it daily), but we manage to squeeze a lot into them. This past Friday, our friend Shelley (who works with many Dachshund and other dog rescues) sent an email to a couple of folks asking about the transport of a large dog cage. We gladly told her we'd transport it after work on Friday.
   After a quick dinner and dropping off a key for a friend (about 15 miles away), we drove to get the cage (and another as it turned out). The folks donating the cages had done extensive rescue work for many,. many years. In fact, we met them years ago when they brought us two dachshunds to care for overnight before the dogs went to foster homes.The husband and wife team are just amazing people, and I got to meet their 3 dogs and 1 cat.
   We loaded the large 7 foot long by 4 foot long, home-built, wooden and mesh crate with a large metal cage (large enough for a a large Labrador Retriever) into our pick up and headed to Shelley in northern Baltimore. Shelley was getting the cages for a rescue in central Pennsylvania that she also works with- and whom

Tom, Franklin & Dolly check directions to Shelley's house

Dolly says "we're ready to go!"

took in a pregnant dog - so the largest cage would be for the mom dog and her upcoming puppies- perfect! -Shelley even arranged with the PA rescue to get a truck to come down from PA and get the cages (it was a two-step transport process); as the cages wouldn't fit in a car of any sort.
   It was great to see Shelley, and it was fun to pile our three dogs in the car, with our guest dog, Kolbe (whom we watched for 8 days) and drive with coffee, iced tea and sing to songs from the 1970s and 80s.
  Another dog-rescue-related drive done!  It is so worthwhile to do things for dogs who don't care who you are, as long as you treat them kindly. People could learn a lot from dogs. :) 

Kolbe's 8 Day Visit to Rob and Tom's Doggy DayCare!

Kolbe relaxes on the kitchen floor

Over the last 8 days, since our friend James returned to the U.K. from his fun visit, we've had a canine visitor named Kolbe.

Kolbe looks at Dolly

Dolly waiting for everyone to come in!

  WHO IS KOLBE? -

Tyler- Kolbe's favorite playmate

 Kolbe is a small dog who weighs less than 8 pounds and is a puppy. She's about 3-6 months old and has a lot of puppy energy. She belongs to my (Rob) niece Kelli and her hubby Derek. We watched Kolbe for 8 days and were happily surprised to see that she and our 4 year old dachshund Tyler became great playmates. They love chasing each other around and wrestling! Here are some pics over the 8 day stay at Rob and Tom's Doggy Day Care! :) 

Kolbe and a favorite toy

Franklin and Kolbe explore outside

BELOW: VIDEO OF KOLBE AND TYLER PLAYING
(Link if you can't see it: http://youtu.be/3McRkxrNTjg

A Heart-Wrenching Rescue Story: "Nathan Thomas"

Nathan on his way to the vet

I'm writing this blog in memory of a dog we never knew, other than through a rescue, and through his experiences posted on facebook- but it's one that will touch everyone deeply. 


NATHAN THOMAS' STORY
In mid-June, a 15 year old Dachshund named Nathan was rescued thanks to Corinne Zoscak (President) of Sophia’s Grace Foundation (http://www.sophiasgracefoundation.org/) .


NATHAN'S POOR CONDITION - Nathan was a senior Dachshund that was abandoned at the twlight of his life by obviously callous and uncaring owners. Nathan had a huge benign tumor on his chest (under his neck) that weighed him down. The rescue immediately took him to the vet and his tumor was removed. 

On June 23, Corrine wrote:   Our sweet little Nathan is at the vet's office today The vet says that his massive tumor MUST come off, and while he is under he will give him a dental. Please send him all the good thoughts, prayers and healing energy that you can muster. This guy has not had the best 15 years so far, but we are going to do everything within our power to make sure he is well-loved and as comfortable as possible for the rest of his life! Donations toward his surgery are appreciated and will be gratefully received via the "donate" link on our website: http://www.sophiasgracefoundation.org/
 
REPORT OUT OF THE VET ON JUNE 23 at 3:14 p.m:  Nathan's immediate foster mom, Suzanne Shaver Miller reported:  Ok folks the latest is, Nathan is out of surgery. He did fine with no problems. Waiting to see if he wakes up enough to come home tonight or he spends another night being monitored and comes home tomorrow. But the good news is the tumor on his neck is gone, his teeth are fixed and our boy is on his way to healthy!!!


RENAMED "NATHAN THOMAS" -   On June 25, unbeknowst to me until later in the day, Tom covered Nathan's expenses and Corinne named him "Nathan Thomas."  This is the kind of things we like to do for dogs because they deserve it.  Corrine the Posted a note on Facebook saying because of Tom's help, Nathan was renamed "Nathan Thomas."

Nathan after surgery

On June 25, I wrote an email to Corrine. She wrote me back saying "Yes, Nathan is the dog with the large tumor – but of course that nasty thing is history now! He has had a few folks express interest in him, however I would be honored to send him your way once he is healed if you are serious. He did not deserve the raw hand that life dealt him, but we can’t change his awful past…we can see to it that his future is filled with much love and care!"

The operation was a success, but Nathan was struggling to recover at his foster parent's home. At 15, it's like being 85 in human years for a Dachshund and it was too much for his little body to handle.

On July 12, Nathan passed in his sleep.
 
Tom saw the posting of Nathan Thomas' passing first and read it to me. It was really hard to hear. 

CORRINE WROTE ON JULY 12 -  We are so grateful that we get to report such happy news on such a regular basis in rescue, that sometimes we forget that things do not always turn out the way we would like them to. It was with a heavy heart that I must report today is one of those days. Nathan Thomas passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. He put up a good fight, but this poor kid was too far neglected for too long and sadly rescue came into his life a little too late. Run free with the Angels, sweet boy

TOM WROTE:   So sorry to hear this news. I wish that he could have had lived just a little while longer so that he could have known love, comfort, peace and a home in the last years of his short life.

Tom and I are both heartbroken. The poor little guy. What a tough life he had. At least he's at peace now, and he knows how many came to his rescue. Special thanks to his foster mom Suzanne Shaver Miller and to Corrine Zoscak who made it all possible to give Nathan Thomas a lot of love at the end of his time here. We are so proud to work with such incredible caring and compassionate people. We hope that Nathan Thomas is finally able to chase squirrels on the other side. We know that he's smiling and thankful for the outpouring of love he received in his last year on Earth.
  

 

Vacation Part 10: U.K. James and the B&O Railroad Museum

This is part 10 of our tour of the region with our friend James, who visited us from the U.K. Today's blog spotlights the
famous Baltimore and Ohio (or B&O) Railroad. The B&O Railroad museum is located at 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223.

Rob and James pause for a pic

WHAT'S IN THE B&O MUSEUM? Comprised of the oldest and most comprehensive collection of railroad history in the Western Hemisphere, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, Inc. is a unique cultural and educational asset for the city and the region. It houses an unparalleled roster of the 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, original shop buildings, and surviving tracks at the historic Mt. Clare sit. It shows visitors every aspect of American railroad development and its impact on our society, culture and economy.

The B&O Museum Roundhouse

THE ROUNDHOUSE -
Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables. The defining feature of the traditional roundhouse was the turntable, which facilitates access when the building is used for repair facilities or for storage of steam locomotives. 

A caboose

WHAT IS A CABOOSE USED FOR? - A caboose is a manned railroad car at the end of a freight train. Cabooses provided shelter for crew at the end of a train, who were required for switching and shunting, and to keep a lookout for load shifting, damage to equipment and cargo, or overheating axles. 

Front of an engine

Railroad yard

  

OUR ADVENTURE - We arrived at the museum at 3:40 p.m. EDT after touring two historic ships, Geppi's museum, and grabbing a quick lunch. The museum was supposed to close that day at 4pm, but we decided to go through anyway as there were too many other plans for the coming days. Unfortunately, the clerk didn't offer us any discount or return passes and instead said "you'll have to hurry through the exhibits."  We raced through the roundhouse and took lots of great pictures. After we got home, I wrote the museum and they agreed that the clerk should've made some amends, so the manager did. I am grateful for that. It's so important to provide good customer service, and B&O came through, so I look forward to bringing other visitors to the museum and will be more mindful of their flex hours.

Selfie of Rob and James at an Engine!

COOL EXHIBITS - The exhibits were well laid out and had great information. They provided the history and allowed us to look inside of them. It was a great look at the railroads through history!

James at a passenger car

NEXT:  **Trip Blog Resumes on July 19th with a Monumental Trip to Washington, D.C. 

Engine and box car exhibits in the round house

A look in a passenger car

 

A Mr. Monk-like Cleaning Adventure!

Mr. Monk's compulsive cleaning

Anyone who knows us well knows that we love the TV detective show "Mr. Monk" about the OCD detective who as a germophobe, and had many other fears. He also had to make things even, had amazing attention to detail, and was cleaner than clean. Tom loves a clean house - one of the things I (Rob) really admire about him and respect him for. I'm a mediocre house cleaner, although I like things clean. But I don't see crumbs or tiny pieces of dirt or smudges like Tom does. He has microscopic vision to rival Superman's!   So, jokingly I call him "Mr. Monk."
  Last night we were eating dinner and when I opened the sliding glass doors to let the dogs into the backyard, he noticed there was some dirt in the track of the door. It bothered him... a LOT. So much, that he was getting irritated by it- so I wound up getting Windex, paper towels and Q-tips, so I could clean out the track. Q-Tips worked best because the tracks were so narrow (about the width of a Q-tip). SO, that was our Mr. Monk-like cleaning adventure last night!! :)
  NOW... it's clean!!

Vacation Part 9: U.K. James and Geppi's: (part 3):Star Wars, Music, Disney

James posing near the Batman statue

Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore also had lots of other pop culture memorabilia in addition to comics (although that's where James and I spent the most time). There were movies, music and Disney, too. This is a look at some of the items in those sections! 

Joan Jett's LP

MUSIC - There was a good display of music in U.S. Pop culture that included the Beatles, Elvis and many others. One thing I learned was the Joan Jett (of the Blackhearts) actually lived in Rockville, Maryland. I didn't know that! 
BALTIMORE MUSICAL TIES- Billie Holiday used to perform in clubs in Baltimore. Frank Zappa is also from Maryland, and Joan Jett had a residence, too. All of these artists were represented at Geppi's.

MOVIE POSTERS- movie posters lined the walls all over the museum, from old westerns to Tarzan in the 1940s to Star Wars and beyond.

Holiiday, Zappa and Jett

How to Join the Shazam fan club

Tarzan movie poster

A Daily Planet display

A big display of DIsney collectables!

Disney's Davy Crockett

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A Disney pop up book and tea set

Another superman statue

MORE ABOUT GEPPI'S - Geppi's Entertainment Museum (GEM) is a journey through 250 years of American pop culture, located in historic Camden Station at Camden Yards in Baltimore Maryland, just a few blocks from the city's famed Inner Harbor. Where else can you revisit your childhood and get back in touch with old friends that entertained you in the past through comic strips and books, radio and television shows, films, cartoons, and so much more? The museum exhibits nearly 6,000 pop culture artifacts including comics, toys, dolls, games and memorabilia of every conceivable category. Journey from the late 1700s to the present day and revisit favorite characters like Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, Mickey Mouse, Barbie, G.I. Joe, and many more. Geppi's Entertainment Museum is the home of "pop culture with character!"

Lots of 1960s Batman memorabilia

BELOW - CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF WHAT'S IN THE MUSEUM!!!


NEXT: THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD STATION MUSEUM











VIDEO: http://youtu.be/dAa-JikoGgU

GOOD NEWS: Fighting Back Against Intolerant Bullies!!

Since that RIDICULOUS "Religious Freedom" crap passed the Supreme Court, people who claim to be "religious" are now legally allowed to be hateful, discriminatory, and exclusionary - and some have gone off the deep end.  It's something that many knew would happen because it was a stupid decision. They've allowed discrimination to be legal.  Finally, someone is fighting back and not standing for that crap. Bravo to the Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts!- Rob

Here's the story from the Boston Globe: 
 
 Salem Kills Contract with Gordon College Over School’s Stance Against Antigay Regulations

Boston.com: By Roberto Scalese

Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll terminated Gordon College’s contract to operate the city’s Old Town Hall on Wednesday. Driscoll said she pulled the contract due to Gordon College’s stance demanding an exemption from federal antigay discrimination regulations.

     In a statement posted on the city’s website, Driscoll said the city cannot legally work with “entities that maintain discriminatory practices.”

The Smartest Mayor EVER.

From the city of Salem’s statement: 

“I am truly disappointed in the stance you have taken, which plainly discriminates against the rights of LGBT individuals, both on and off campus,” said Mayor Driscoll in the letter to President Lindsay. “These actions fly in the face of the City of Salem’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance, which prohibits our municipality from contracting with entities that maintain discriminatory practices. While I respect your rights to embed religious values on a private college campus, religious freedom does not afford you the right to impose those beliefs upon others and cannot be extended into a publicly owned facility or any management contract for a publicly owned facility, like Old Town Hall. Moreover, I hope you realize how hurtful and offensive these “behavioral standards” are to members of the greater Salem LGBT community, some of whom are Gordon alumni, staff and/or students.”

(THE NERVE OF THIS BIGOT!!! - READ THIS!!!) 

Gordon President Michael Lindsay had signed a July 1 letter sent to President Barack Obama by several religious colleges, demanding an exemption from federal regulations that outlaw antigay discrimination. The legislation would bar federal contracts to groups with hiring practices that discriminate based on sexual orientation. According to The Boston Globe, the school’s student handbook forbids “homosexual practice” and requires abstinence for unmarried students.

In a “personal message” posted on the Gordon College website, Lindsey said signing the letter was an expression of religious freedom.

From Lindsey’s letter:

Signing the letter was in keeping with our decades-old conviction that, as an explicitly Christian institution, Gordon should set the conduct expectations for members of our community. Nothing has changed in our position. The letter asks the president for the same religious exemption that was passed by a U.S. Senate bill (S.815) in 2013 with bipartisan support. Some have misunderstood this message as requesting something new or different. That’s not the case. President Bush signed an executive order in 2002 that offered the same sort of religious exemption that we are requesting of President Obama.

Gordon College, located in Wenham, was contracted by Salem to operate the Old Town Hall, which was used for private events and housed the school’s theater production of “Cry Innocent” an interactive play about religious persecution during the Salem Witch Trials.

Scalese can be reached at roberto.scalese@globe.com or via Twitter @BertoScalese.
STORY: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/07/09/salem-kills-contract-with-gordon-college-over-school-stance-against-antigay-regulations/0hqb8efQqei1IO4gvCTz4I/story.html 

Good Thursday Morning from our Kids!

Dolly sits patiently on the patio

 

Tyler sits patiently on the patio

  












Good Thursday morning! The kids were patient this morning as I picked up the backyard in prep for lawnmowing. Dolly and Tyler sat patiently while Franklin and our visitor, Kolbe emerged after walking through wet vegetation (from yesterday's 1/4" rain). Hope you have a nice day of patience like Dolly and Tyler- or be adventurous like Franklin and Kolbe!

Franklin and Kolbe walk over wet from investigating

Vacation Part 8: U.K. James and Geppi's: (part 2): Comics/Posters, People

Rin Tin Tin comic

Rob at the Batman display

While enjoying Geppi's Entertainment Museum and the comics on display with our friend James during his visit here, many of the comics, movie posters, etc. reminded me of family and friends.
RIN TIN TIN and the Shadow - My dad was a big fan of RIn Tin Tin, the German Shepherd who starred in many films.
WHO WAS RIN TIN TIN? - According to Wikipedia, Rin Tin Tin (Sept 1918 – Aug 10, 1932) was a male German Shepherd Dog rescued from a World War I battlefield by an American soldier, Lee Duncan, who nicknamed him "Rinty." Duncan trained Rin Tin Tin  and got his dog into silent films. Rin Tin Tin was an immediate box office success and appeared in 27 films, becoming known world-wide. Rin Tin Tin helped make German Shepherds popular. In 1929. Rin Tin Tin died in 1932,

still from opening animation of Batman TV show

THE BATMAN DISPLAY- There was a life-sized Batman figure in the museum and next to it was a bust of William Shakespeare. People familiar with the 1966-1968 Batman TV series  remember that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson (Batman and Robin) would pull the head back and turn a hidden knob under it to open the entrance to the Batcave.  Also on display was a cartoon still from the opening animation to the show (seen here).

Uncle Scrooge

The movie Gigi

UNCLE SCROOGE - Not only did I and my brother Doug enjoy Uncle Scrooge and Walt Disney comics as kids, but Tom's late friend Ed, read them as an adult and used to laugh over them- so seeing the cover to an "Uncle Scrooge" comic  reminded me of Ed!

GIGI- This 1958 film was one of my mother's favorites. In fact, she loved it so much she named our family poodle "Gigi" back in the 1970s! For those who never saw the film (including me) here's the summary:  Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long.

TILLIE THE TOILER -  I vaguely remember hearing this character's name and realize that that's where my aunt (Romilda) got her nickname "Tillie" from!  The character, Tillie (Jones) was a stylish working girl who was employed as a stenographer, secretary and part-time model. An attractive brunette, she had no problem finding men to escort her around town.  **Of course, I have no idea if that had anything to do with my aunt**

Another Shadow series

The Shadow

"GAY LOVE" - I had to take a picture of this comic from the 1940s (I think) because it would certainly have a different cover today - and I know I would likely read it, as would our friend Grey! 

1940s "Gay Love"

NEXT: GEPPI'S PART 3: Star Wars, Music and Disney! 

Vacation Part 7: U.K. James and Geppi's Entertainment Museum (part 1): Comics

Rob and Superman at Geppi's

James and Superman at Geppi's

This is part 7  of our friend James's visit. Today we're taking you to Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore.


WHAT IS GEPPI'S ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM? 
- It's dedicated to presenting the story of popular culture since the nation’s earliest days in an entertaining and educational fashion so that our guests have the unique opportunity to walk through a timeline that parallels and is entwined with history as a whole.**To do this, they have things from pop culture like movie posters that span from Gone with the Wind to Star Wars, they include newspapers, comic books, local heroes, music through history, tv, radio and internet history and more! 

Action #1, Donald Duck, All American, Detective #27

PRECIOUS, RARE COMICS! 
This was the first time I (Rob) had visited Geppi's, and I can't believe it took me this long to get there! The collection of rare comics was mind-blowing.

ACTION COMICS #1 (DC Comics) - This is the comic book that Superman made his debut (June 1938)!  It is widely considered both the beginning of the super-hero genre and the most valuable comic book of all time: as of 2014 it is the only comic to have sold for more than $2 million for a single original copy! (My DAD said he got this comic when he was 10 years old and he said it was destroyed when he moved out of his mother's house). 
ALL AMERICAN COMICS (DC Comics) - Marked the debut of the Green Lantern (Alan Scott). He would later be replaced in the comics in 1960 by the Hal Jordan Green Lantern. 

The Shadow

DETECTIVE COMICS #27 (DC Comics) -  Published monthly since 1937, this is the issue where Batman made his debut. in May 1939.
*******************************************************************************************

THE SHADOW- I love this mysterious character!  The Shadow is a crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers posing as a "wealthy, young man about town". One of the most famous adventure heroes of the twentieth century, The Shadow has been featured on the radio, in a long running pulp magazine series, in comic books, comic strips, television, serials, video games, and at least five motion pictures. The radio drama is well-remembered for those episodes voiced by Orson Welles.  Street & Smith published 101 issues of the comic book Shadow Comics from Vol. 1, #1 - Vol. 9, #5 (March 1940 - Sept. 1949).

MORE AMAZING COMICS-
We saw the Blackhawks, Brave and the Bold that featured the debut of the Teen Titans, Brave and the Bold with Batman and Green Lantern, Captain America, the Three Stooges, Wanted Dead or Alive, and 2 TV shows made into comics:   Leave it to Beaver, and even 77 Sunset Strip!

DEBUT OF SPIDERMAN!  -
Even Spidey's debut issue was on display here!  Did you know?  On March 9, 2011, a private collector sold a near-mint issue of Amazing Fantasy No. 15, the first appearance of Spider-Man, Monday for a whopping $1.1 million -- a record for a single comic book from the so-called Silver Age of the 1960s. The issue sold for 12 cents when it hit newsstands in July 1962.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/spider-man-comic-amazing-fantasy-15-sells-record-1-1-million-article-1.112875#ixzz36eFZ6PqI

The Shadow and Captain Marvel from the 1980s

 In the 1980s, I was really into collecting comics, including the SHADOW and SHAZAM (Captain Marvel) - so it was amazing to see these on display, too!

Detective Comics with Batman!

Zip Comics- I want to know who this shirtless guy is!

ZIP COMICS? - I've been collecting comics since 1974 and never heard of Zip Comics- but the shirtless, muscular character on the front of an issue on display caught my eye (of course). I learned that he's "Red Rube."   WHO IS RED RUBE? - According to Comicvine.com:  Reuben Reubens was a 12 year old orphan who hated the orphanage, running away he hides out in what he thinks is an abandoned castle, there he meets an old man who gives him an elixir that lets him meet his ancestors most of whom is seems where great men who were also named Rueben Reubens, each of these ancestors give him an aspect of what made them great, be it bravery, strength, stamina or toughness. (pretty much everything but brains)
After this Rueben finds that by shouting the old carnie warning of “Hey Rube!” (even though none of his ancestors are known to have had anything to do with the carnival) he is able to turn into a powerful adult version of himself who becomes known as Red Rube.
He later becomes a cub reporter for the Daily Sun when not being Red Rube.

NEXT: Vacation Part 8: U.K. James and Geppi's: (part 2): Comics and People