The Akron Beacon Journal has announced that it will cut 25% of its staff – approximately 40 people to “align costs with revenues.”  Chip Bok, their editorial cartoonist, says he’s not one of them, but two other artists will be losing their jobs.  One such artist is Rick Steinhauser who has expressed interest in inking cartoons. If you’re aware of any opportunities contact Chip through his blog.

Phi Frank, who draws Farley, one of the few local comic strips left in the U.S., will be the featured speaker at the Yosemite Association’s 31st annual member’s meeting on September 9th at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona, Yosemite National Park.  He will also be on hand to sign books and sell original drawings.

For the last 13 years, Jefferson City News Tribune editorial cartoonist Jim Dyke has spent his vacation hours doing caricatures at the Missouri State Fair – for the change in pace and to meet and greet news people.

For those who are not familiar with Farley, here is the wikipedia entry for the feature and artist:Farley is a American comic strip written and drawn by Phil Frank, appearing daily (except Saturday) in the San Francisco Chronicle.  The strip originally began in 1975 as Travels With Farley, a nationally syndicated strip, but missing the “timeliness and joy of doing local politics” and dissatified with the four-to-six week lead time required of syndication, switched to working exclusive for the Chronicle, enabling him to quickly mine local events — usually overnight — for his satire.Phil collaborates on The Elderberries with Joe Troise.

Ted Rall is celebrating 10 years of syndication with Universal Press where he draws cartoons for over 140 newspapers and also produces a weekly column.

The Daily American (PA) is asking readers to rate the comics. The online article didn’t mention which features they currently run, but listed a few that are not in the current line up that might be picked up if survey results are good:  Lio, Non Sequitur, The Pajama Diaries, Stone Soup, and Zits.

For those who are unable to make it to the “This Inking Life” cartoon exhibit can head over to Mike Lynch’s blog where he’s posted photos of the exhibit.

Last week, I reported that the 60+ year old comic Mary Worth was getting some attention with a new story line of a potential stalker named Aldo. E&P points out that a humorous video called “Aldo Stalks Mary Worth.” It reminds me of the Benny Hill closing credits, but humorous none the less.

Steve Moore, creator of In the Bleachers, has received the inaugural Certificate of Recognition from the Boston University Athletic Training Program for his “[accuracy] in his portrayal of the athletic training profession.

According to E&P, several cartoonists will be on hand at the sixth annual “Toonfest” on September 15-16 in Marceline MO.

In case you missed the last Garfield: A Tail of Two Cities movie, you can pick up the DVD which is slated to be released on October 10 according to E&P.  The DVD includes unseen footage, a music video, games and a ‘Drawing with Jim Davis” feature.

I’m not a Mary Worth reader, but after reading an entertaining article in the The Palm Beach Post about how Mary Worth has morphed into a more hip-per comic strip, I’ve decided I’ll give the 60+ year old strip a good read for the next couple of weeks. Recent story lines have include a new character “Aldo” who might be crazy (and a murderer) and there is the possibility of a “secret lover” from Mary’s past.  The article also talks about the various artists over the years that have worked on the strip and how they’ve made Mary look much younger (which created a stir among readers).

There’s an interesting article over on the Associate Baptist Press about the newly launched Heaven’s Love Thrift Shop and its potential to survive in “secular” newspapers….  Frank, a self-styled ?connoisseur of thrift stores,? said his thrift store and charity experience helped him learn that ?charitable outreach? appeals to most people, while outright Bible lessons are often dismissed by non-Christians.?That [charity aspect] sort of gives me a vehicle to discuss matters of faith in a way that is more palatable to people, because nobody disagrees with charity,? he said.

The Taunton Daily Gazette is reporting that this Sunday and every Sunday until December 17 that subscribers will receive a free Spider-Man comic book with their paper.  The comic is presented by Marvel Comics and News America Marketing.

According to Dave Astor at E&P, the International Herald Tribune ran last weeks banned Non Sequitur by  accident.  Apparently a production editor goofed up and printed the original Non Sequitur instead of the replacement one it had received from Universal Press.