We had a great time a few weeks back at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California-raising money and awareness for CAAF's organization. Dream Halloween was a rousting success, with a bevy of stars including Jada Pinkett Smith and her daughter,

Wilmer Valderrama (FEZ from 'That 70s Show'),and veteran Dream Halloweeners Jason Priestley ('Beverly Hills 90210'),

Melina Kanakaredes ('Judging Amy') and Doris Roberts ('Everybody Loves Raymond').

Emcee Jamie Lee Curtis showed up as Uncle Sam to host the night's festivities which included various stage performers, a haunted house, face painting, and food services from local area restaurants. The auction raised some major $$$ for CAAF, with the highlight of the night being Jada Pinkett Smith and her duaghter's one of a kind Barbies, which sold for a whopping $20,000.

Other Mattel produced goodies included this one of a kind Batpod with 12 inch Batman, a 1:18 Dream Halloween exclusive Batmobile, and a Darth Mater version of the 'Cars' movie favorite.

There was also a one of a kind crystal He Man figure,

and a 1:18+ 1:64 Merc featuring Wilmer Valderrama ('FEZ' from 'That '70s Show)--He designed it himself at Mattel's Design Center, and auctioned it off for $6,500.

A worthy cause that you should definately attend, your $300 ticket gets you an evening of fun, rubbing elbows with the stars, and a goodie bag that included a limited edition smaller scale of the special Batmobile and this gorgeous Matchbox creepy London Bus. Join us next year, same Bat-time, same Bat-hangar!

Peace!

~Neil

POP by the Mattel booth for the opportunity to own this Comic con exclusive 3 pack for only $30--while you're there, be sure to pick up the Giganta Justice League exclusive 2 pack....

Peace!
~Neil

The average Hot Wheels collector doesn't seem to have a hard time wrapping their collective heads around the concept of dropping a few hundred dollars on Hot Wheels, even a few grand on Redlines...but a few thousand $$$ on artwork? --How about doing both at the same time? TheApril 2nd opening (see last article) was a smashing success as artlovers and Hot Wheels enthusiasts alike crammed the gallery full. Redline track tying the entire exhibit together was a very cool use of the brother-beating orange strips we all know and love--the Sema debuting Designer's Challenge large and small scale cars were present, as was everyone's favorite full scale Hot Wheel, the Deora II. My favorite item, VW Drags and paintings of Redlines aside, had to be this $1,200+ Twinmill ring! Truthfully, it's a bit cumbersome to wear, but too cool! A few toy-geek celebs even showed up--I saw our old Game Guys friend--(Austin Powers' Seth Greene). A good time was had by all, while raising money for a very worthy cause--part of the proceeds from sale of the items went to Mattel sponsored, Jamie Lee Curtis' CAAF (Children Affected by Aides Foundation)--If you couldn't make it, you probably caught it on the local L.A. news....and with the 40th anniversary Road Trip coming in August, you'll still have a chance to partake in some fun hot Wheels events..speaking of which, well see you in a few weeks, with coverage of the Chicago convention!

Peace!
~Neil