After posting a much discussed (positively) slideshow on how the For Better or For Worse is created, Lynn Johnston’s staff has posted Funny Faces – a kids matching game.

Perhaps telling stories comes naturally for natives of the Magnolia State because the storytelling material there is as rich and deep as the topsoil that covers the broad expanse of the Delta.In his second novel, “Magic Time,” Doug Marlette shows that he knows a good Mississippi story when he sees one.  He also weaves the best details of each little story into a single big one, demonstrating a grasp of the cultural mind-set of the state as well the conflicts it can impose on its inhabitants and expatriates.As I’ve reported before, this is Doug’s second fictional novel.

Those of you who read BorgBlog regularly, know that it offers a rich variety of Jim�s sketches, thought processes and comments that don�t appear in print.  Even most of his print cartoons now appear in the blog long before they ever go on the press.Check out the complete list at http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/003723.php.

Paul Conrad will be spotlighted on the PBS show “Independent Lens” on November 7 according to Daryl Cagle.  Conrad is a three time pulitzer winner from the LA Times.  Head on over to Paul’s web site to check out the documentary that was created about him. It’s narrated by Tom Brokaw.

Richard Stevens has posted on his blog that his web comic Diesel Sweeties will be syndicated through United Media starting on January 8, 2007.

Toward the end of Mike Peters column that I referenced in an earlier post, was this line:

The folks over at the For Better Or For Worse web site have posted a 42 part slideshow on the production of Lynn Johnston’s feature.  Some of the highlights include how many people work the feature (it’s no longer a one-woman job); what tools they use (they’re pretty specific on the type of pens, markers, inks that are used) and the total amount of time it takes for each strip to go down the “assembly line” (about 6 hours per strip).

The Peoria Journal Star has dropped Mark Tatulli’s Lio this week citing complaints from readers of its “lack of taste and sometimes cruel nature.”  The editor wrote that they felt that the promotional strips were more Calvin and Hobbesque (my new word) in nature, but the actual strips were different that what was marketed. They’ve opted to replace Mark’s work with Frazz by Jef Mallett.

Awhile ago, I pointed out a new site called the Silent Penultimate Panel Watch which posted on a daily basis how many comic strips used a silent second to the latest panel.  Most days there is at least one.

Several cartoonists will be speaking at an upcoming Charles M. Schulz Museum event on the October 21st on the topic of how Peanuts has influenced their work.  According to E&P, Darrin Bell Candorville, Paige Braddock Jane’s World, Michael Jantze The Norm, and Keith Knight The K Chronicles are the invited cartoonists. Lee Mendelson, the producer of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will also speak.

Mike Lester, editorial cartoonist for The Rome News-Tribune, already has a goodly sum of book titles in his portfolio that he’s illustrated.  The latest book is called “Ninety-Three in My Family” and is written by Erica S. Perl.  The book’s release date was September 1 and is published by Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Next week I’ll be taking a much anticipated vacation as my wife and I celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I’m completely okay with leaving the kids behind for 10 days, but leaving the blog unattended is putting a twist my knickers. I’ve asked Aaron Taylor to help things going, but not wanting to place too much burden on him, I’m opening the door to others who would like to take a turn behind the reporters desk of the Daily Cartoonist. Read on for details on how to register to post news on the Daily Cartoonist.

The Dallas Morning News has run four comics in the vacated space left by Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks these last six months and now it is time to vote on the new favorite.  Up for a vote are:

I reported last week of a University of Virginia student who had two highly controversial cartoons published in the student paper – the Cavalier Daily.  The cartoonist has issued an apology and has asked that the cartoons be removed from the paper’s web site.

Dan Piraro was the special guest during an assembly recently at Lee Elementary School to urge kids to read and don’t eat meat (Dan is a vegetarian).