ITEM #1: How did we get to the last month of 2009 so fast? Time flies and all that, but still…wow.

I’m back from Chicago TARDIS 2009 (actually held in Lombard, Illinois, but let’s not quibble) and it was possibly one of the best con experiences I’ve ever had. In addition to the obvious major focus of the gathering on Doctor Who, there was plenty of room for programming on horror and zombies, the history of pop culture, and even literacy and comics! There were vibrant panel presentations, a lot of laughs, and another great weekend was had by all.

Now that we’re past Thanksgiving, it’s time to look ahead to the full-on approach of the holidays. Hanukkah begins the night of December 11 and of course Christmas and New Year’s is close behind. And we all know that the holidays can mean only one thing…that’s right, new Doctor Who!

David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor takes his final bows alongside a host of guest stars – including arch-nemesis the Master (John Simm) – in a two-part special titled “The End of Time.” Part one airs on December 25, 2009 in the UK and just one day later right here in the US on BBC America. Then, Part two airs on January 1, 2010 in the UK and one day later again on January 2 here on BBC America! How’s that for service?

And beyond, Series 5 of Doctor Who with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond will be coming our way in the early spring. But what’s that? It might be called “Series 1?” Why?

Stay tuned…

ITEM #2: In addition to our current Special Edition exhibit, Yellow Bricks & Emerald Cities (more on that later in this column), we have a pair of Sleepy Sensations in our third floor gallery space. First, see the original artwork from Bo Hampton’s 1993 graphic novel adaptation of the classic literary chiller, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The exhibit also features background artwork from Disney’s family favorite, Sleeping Beauty. But please be sure that you stay awake and get to GEM in order to see it all!

ITEM #3: Yellow Bricks & Emerald Cities – Our Special Edition Exhibit
In 1900, children of all ages were first introduced to a wonderful land of imagination and adventure known as Oz. Written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz told the tale of farm girl Dorothy Gale and her magical journey to another world populated by fanciful friends and foes like the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Geppi’s EntertainmentMuseum celebrates the legacy of Baum’s work and its incredible impact on generations of children through a special exhibition that showcases first editions of the first 40 Oz books on loan to the museum from local collector Fred Trust, as well as other memorabilia. The original art wall graphics and cutout figures for the exhibit were produced by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Oz Project Team: Crisanto Cimatu, Michael Clayton, Maggie Cerveny, Tiffany Nguyen, Elly Kim and Cody Griffith, all seniors in the Illustration Program at MICA. The Team was lead by MICA’s Chair of Illustration, Whitney Sherman, who acted as creative consultant and art director.

Yellow Bricks & Emerald Cities is open through January 2010.

Don’t forget to visit Geppi’s EntertainmentMuseum online at www.geppismuseum.com or in person at 301 W. Camden Street, Baltimore, MD21201. Our phone is (410) 625-7060.