Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for April 16, 2016

Just in case the glittery introductory frame and glittery special edition comic book above disappear (which has happened before), or if you’d like to viewthe comic book cover in a larger version without the glitter, you can click on the following links (Right click and choose “OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW” so youwon’t lose this page):

Glittered Introduction FrameGlittered Comic Book CoverUNglittered Large Version of Comic Book Cover

The party is in the Tiki’s Princess Room!

SusanWe got you a special party hat to wear!

And these earrings, because we olive can’t live without you!

Wow….

For ME??

Thank you!

StelBel… have you been following me?Or was it your minions?OH!! Might be those drones I saw.

Rose… that’s so pretty!And X … goes without saying I’m always impressed with your cards.

Gosh, Rose…. now if somebody wants to nibble on my ear, I’ll be suspicious pf the motivation…

Hey what’s in the goodie bags?

Wonderful Celebrations to a wonderful Lady!Happy Birthday, Susan.

The GoComics website is going crazy on me tonight. I hope you get this.

Thanks Dennis, and mr_sherman!

And yes… I can see it just fine.

Hey, X! …….that birthday card is awesome…..as usual!I think it’s going to put me in a trance if I keep staring at any longer!

I love my golden steampunk gown, Stel.Can I wear it tomorrow….. er… I mean… later today?

Happy Birthday

Dennis… that Happy Birthday song is hysterical!Thanks!

Oh Stel, I love it!So me.

And of course it’s magic…. I can fit into it, can’t I?

Hey, I found a picture of Susan back in the day.

Wow, Bev!You sure have a good memory!

Wonderful food!

What egg?I don’t see any egg….. right?(You can’t see it now can you?)

x_Tech… I wish!

Bev… I think it’s good for anywhere…Does it come a few sizes larger in the hips?

I hope it’s OK to wear it at my new age…. yeah… why not? Who’s gonna tell me what I can wear?

Cupcakes for everyone!

Here is a Punny Dish: Anaconda Rice

Pssst…. Stel…. Don’t ask that…I think she saved them up…. you know… from her martinis….

Excuse me……I did NOT touch any chocolates………. yet

Here is some Punny Ice Cream to go with x_Tech’s cake: RKOreo Ice Cream…..for all the actors out there,,,,,get it?

I brought a cake but it nothing like the ones Susan bakes.But then it is my first attempt at a birthday cake. For a closer look…

x_Tech, that is so sweet of you and the cake looks professional!

I have to get to bed, we’re having 10 people over for dinner tomorrow,I’ll grab a plate of Bev’s yummy food and say goodnight’Susan Have a wonderful birthday, you deserve the best one ever!

Goodnight, Rose!

Thanks so much!

What are the Pun Fest drink specials, X ?

Not that I’m not afraid to ask….

And THANK YOU for the cake!

WOW, Stel!

An amazing cake!Looks very difficult to assemble….I’m glad you had a little robot help!

Bev!

That A&B market was still there in the 80’s.

I sometimes used to shop there…. but more often, at their other store that was closer to me.

Wow, thank you, BatPug…. you look fabulous!

Bev… I don’t consider SteamPunk “New Age”… but yes, I love it.Used to go to a wonderful SteamPunk festival every summer, right here in Santa Rosa… the great Handcar Regatta, with amazing people-powered vehicles and contraptions…but it lost the right to use the unoccupied railroad right-of-way, and disappeared.

Stel, I think I’ll put some distance between me and that..cake?

At couple of notes on the cake:First if you have a peanut allergy avoid the top tier, the icing is chocolate and peanut butter and chunky peanut butter between the layers.The candles are a new product form XTI. They are not wax instead they are small alcohol lamps, so no wax drippings on the cake. Plus, if you snap the bottom off the candle you can drink the cocktail inside. Each candle is a different color indicating the flavor. Red – Bloody Mary, Orange – Screwdiver, Yellow – Banana Dak, etc..More candles are available at the buffet.

Yep…..here’s Ralph from around the block:

@BevWe laid in extra yellow ones just for you (and StelBel, and Rose and…)

Santa Rosa (Otherwhen)Click image for larger view

Oh! And, good night!!!

Wow, you guys…..this is amazing.Thanks.

Bev… that courthouse was torn down a few years before I got to Santa Rosa, and they divided Courthouse Square into two halves, so you could drive straight through, instead of having to detour around it.

Now there’s a movement to re-unite it, making it almost impossible to get through town.Thanks.

Goodnight, Stel!

Hope I didn’t miss you!

Thanks so much for all you did…. see you tomorrow!

Hope I’m not to late to add my little ditty:

Hippo birdy two ewesHippo birdy two ewesHippo birdy deer SusanHippo birdy two ewes

Goodnight Bev!

Thank you for all the food and pictures and stuff.

Well maybe except the dinosaur…..

Hi Capt Mutt…. Thank you!

Of course you’re not too late… it’s still the night before my birthday!

Wow, hi Six!Fancy meeting you here.

Thanks…..

When did Andy get the Dagwood “do”?

G’night, Bev!

I’m wondering about Chuck…you know…. Chuck….in the actual strip…the reason we’re here….LOL

I’m worried that he has low expectations.Don’t you think that target is a little beneath him?

I kinda think he should aim higher…..

You know Chuck’s ankles wouldn’t be so sore if he wasn’t being dogged by a certain canine.

Thank you, Tony….

Good to see you!

Good night Susan, Happy Birthday. See you later.

Gosh…. how did Bev know so many of my favorite foods…you’d think she was a mind reader or something….

Good night, X …thank you for the beautiful cake and card…..

You’re welcome.

Capn d… ??

Thank you so much, everybody!

I’m dozing off…. See you tomorrow….

Happy Birthday Susan. You’re the sunshine that makes Ballard St and other spots so delightful. And, as they say, many happy returns.

Happy Birthday, Susan Sunshine! Just wish there was a way we could upload pictures to Go Comics as well as drawings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE!!!Sorry I’m late to the party, let me go get the desserts I brought.

For you! I wish i could get you a real one for your birthday.

Happy Birthday, SusanMay you have many more!

And, of course, the White Rabbit has always been very Steampunk. A portrait for you.

Bev, it appears to me like you couldn’t keep your hands off the Russell Stover goodies before you added them to the spread. Willpower, it’s now or never.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN – i hope you have an awesome day. Your party is spectacular.

StelBel – really fantastic invitation and comic book cover. Very impressive. All the food looks so great! Beviek – how special to include all the pictures of Santa Rosa. Good job everyone – great party.

Happy Birthday Susan! Sorry I’m late….

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN. Here’s a present for you…Right click on the picture below and select “Open link in new tab/window” for the video (you may want to skip any ads) (song is 2 minutes 45 Seconds)

Happy Birthday to you, Susan! …and thank you very much for your e-mail-invitation to take part in your birthday party at Ballard Street.

Happy Birthday, Susan!

Hope you have a GREAT day!

As I type this, there are about 176 comments. All the pictures and cards are beautiful! And what more deserving person than Susan Sunshine, who has given so many laughs to so many people! I wish you the Happiest of Birthdays, Susan, and a million thanks for all the fun you provide. Enjoy!

SUSAN:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL!

I took the liberty of setting up a buffet table for later, so everyone enjoy!

And Parfaits for EVERYONE!

Susan Sunshine: In comparison to the many colorful and eye-catching displays of my fellow BS’ers, may I simply wish you a dignified & properly cheerful celebration of this auspicious day. And many more.

No doubt the Tiki will be at capacity tonight. I call on all good citizens to ensure that Susan does NO WORK of any kind today, and to see to it that her money IS NO GOOD.

But Chuck knows it’s all worth it when he sees the smile on Rusty’s face.

OMG!!!!

I am completely overwhelmed!

I was very tired last night, and I don’t think I even BEGAN to give proper thank yous to everyone involved in this….and so many more have arrived since I literally fell asleep in my chair (sshhhhh don’t tell) in the wee hours.I don’t know where to start!Well, OK, yes, I do…..First, of course, the usual suspects…our loosely formed birthday committee…or cabal, I’m told….

Stel, my friend, the invitation and cake are GORGEOUS…I adore steampunk… and of course, golden glitter….the two together are unbeatable.I can’t thank you enough!Bev …. I know it was your crystal ball telling you everything I like to eat….But YOU did the heavy lifting.What a FEAST!And all the other pictures…the songs, the cards…wow.

Rose …the room is beeoootiful…. my dream birthday setting…and beautiful hat, and cards…wonderful!

X… what can I say?So much work, and it’s all stellar.Thank you for the new portrait, too.You are truly amazing!

THANK YOU ALL so very much.I cant get over it!

Nighthawks!

My very own Cleo!

Thank you!

It looks like I commented after you posted it this morning… but believe me, it didn’t show up at my last refresh, or I would have mentioned it.

I can’t believe Cleo took to the skies for me!!

WildeBill …. Last night I couldn’t see the picture in your post, so I didn’t know it was a birthday greeting… thank you!

Dennis …. thank you so much.Wherever did you find the banana dak… um…. “cupcakes?”They’re _beautiful…though I found out the hard …. er… stupid way that they’re not food.Oops.

I have so many people to thank…PLEASE forgive me if I can’t say much about each contribution right now….I’ll try, and if I miss something, I’ll try to come back later…The Saturday Ballard Street forum keeps going all weekend, cos there’s no Sunday strip.Saturday is a lucky day to have a birthday!Just click (or right-click) the title and come on back…there’s enough food and cake for a WEEK!

whiteheronpcolliAnnetteNoreen …

THANK YOU!Pictures, no pictures….. every word is precious to me….

Zack … Oh my, the desserts!!Dry … wow… a whole buffet! You’ve booth outdone yourselves.(Dry, I’ll leave the okra for you and Bev, if that’s all right. Though I’ll taste it…. I have liked it a couple of times, fried just right…. which I’m sure you do!)

Thank you!I’m supposed to go out for a light dinner … dunno whether I’ll be able to eat!

Good thing my “special” birthday dinner has been delayed a few days.

Daddyhc … love the bee’s knees!Happy Happy Happy ……I LOVE the brass bunnies!I really like sculpture made out of found objects…. and those are beautiful.

And they’re watch bunnies….maybe I can set some up to watch out for me!

Grog, Noreen, Marge ….extra thanks for coming all the way to Ballard Street!

Not even close to finished……

I hope you guys realise these are in scattered order… I go down the page, but I miss some and go back….And my ancient brain won’t hold the whole list at once.So I truly hope I don’t forget to thank anybody, but please forgive me if I did.Hope it’s only temporarily…and it doesn’t mean I didn’t notice your post.

Dogsniff! Great to see you here… thanks!’And my old friend Red … we don’t see enough of you these days, either. Thank you!

JPSteve…. wow… thanks!You’re nowhere NEAR late…..it’s still my birthday…and I just got back here…. and will be back again!

BaconBoy … thanks!But your video says it won’t play in the US….licensing issues….where are you located?

Perkycat, FinnyGirl… you are both always so sweet to me!.Thank you for that, and for the birthday wishes!DJC as well!Thanks Josh, too.

Liverlips … thank you so much!Um…. just how sedate do I have to be?

I have to leave for a while…but thanks again, EVERYBODY!!

WildeBill, I am enjoying your contributions to our asylum’s local newsletter.

For those of you that keep track of such things, this is post number 187.

Funny that todays comic is about hopping.We bunnies know something about hopping.

When to hop, and when to just say, skip it.

Susan, the OKRA IS MADE TO YOUR LIKING! Trust me, Bev and I worked on this together, and it is DELISH!

I think this might be the 200th post. Happy Birthday Susan Sunshine! What a crowd you draw!

Party still going? I brought my birthday suit Needs a bit of ironing

Time to release the balloons.

205. I think. Party on, Susan.

Wow, X … the balloons!THANK YOU!

You did an amazing job on them!

I know you created them in an animation program….but I don’t really understand how that works.

Did you have to go all the way to Indonesia to get the latex?

Can you buy balloon coloring at the animation store?Oh! I bet you have some out at XTI, right?

Number Six… that you for the revolving cake….I gotta cut a slice before it… gets…..away…. Oh…. wait, cake! Wait for me….OK… here I go… oooohh… wow…. look!Bev…. would you like some spiral sliced cake?X ? Anita? Dennis?

I guess people liked my cake. The platter has ben licked clean.

No, it was all done in Blender. No latex involved.

Bev… I gotta think that’s the California theater on B Street in Santa Rosa…..But it didn’t look like that in my day…..

It looked like this….

There was a campaign to save it, but it was torn down anyway, in the late 70’s.Hmmmm…. last night you posted Courthouse Square with Model T’s and stuff, tonight the theater not much later.

You must think I moved here in the 1920’s…but I’m not THAT old.Do you remember the 20’s Bev? Think back….

HBD, SS. Sorry I was such a jerk.

Gosh…I can’t stay awake and I can’t stop thanking people.This has been amazing…..and what with Ballard St being closed on Sundays…we get to eat cake and party all day tomorrow, too…well, that’ll be “today” to most of you, but I haven’t gone to bed yet, so it’s still Saturday night to me.

Apologies to Number Three… I think I missed naming you in my thank yous…but of course I saw your pretty “card” and meant to include you. Thanks!

Dry… you’re right… I tried the okra and it was delicious….I mean, at least, that one little scrawny piece Bev left for me was delicious.(HA, Bev…. it had fallen off the plate and rolled under the edge so you didn’t see it.)Thanks again Dennis…. I’m amazed myself!Liverlips.. thanks…. and who’s counting, right….. LOL pshearer…. a surprise. Thanks.

G’night all… when I come back we’ll be in the same day…..

Short change of subject.Does anyone have an address for a site that has the new Facebook Like Emoticons that can be downloaded for posting in comment sections?I like that new “laugh” like button.

I wish that Essex would have made an appearance.

Okay, this isn’t a bunny pun, but its still good.

Have a PUNDERFUL DAY, SUSANSUNSHINE!

Susan, tried to reply directly to your comment but could not. SODry… you’re right… I tried the okra and it was delicious…I mean, at least, that one little scrawny piece Bev left for me was delicious.(HA, Bev…. it had fallen off the plate and rolled under the edge so you didn’t see it.)

LOL! You know Bev and her Okra! If you did enjoy that little scrawny piece, I will make you some more as a belated Birthday present!

(Guess I better make a batch for Bev too, in case she steals yours again!

With liquid sunshine, you can make any cocktail you want, and feel it’s warmth right through down to your toes.You may need Rayban sunglasses to make these!

Hi Dry and Dusty! I see you are late too.Aren’t the cards and food fabulous? Stelbel and all the talented posters here keep raisning the bar. My little cake might get lost with all the food.

Shika don’t worry about the size of the cake, if we are all on a sunny beach with cocktails, if there’s no cake left, THAT’S OKAY ya’ know? ! ;-D

Hi Shika and Dry! Thanks, Shika!

You don’t have to worry anyway…For one thing, not many are here right now to eat it…and even if it gets eaten up…. that’s what it’s FOR…..

You and I and Dry got some…Bev probably sneaked some…Stel hasn’t been hanging around Ballard St that much….

The rest of ‘em can shift fort themselves…there’s a ton of food here!

Happy…. that hoppy beer…. is it the hare of the dog?

And Bev…. I thought you knew that guy in the white t-shirt….before his family moved to California, wasn’t he a pal of your college boyfriend?Speaking of whom….he looks so cute in his cowboy hat…. trying to look as old as the other guys in the group.

It was nice of you to buy them all ice cream!

That reminds me…. when I was looking through these photos…and I found one of our Dad’s car!I guess he’d taken it in for a bit of mechanical work…

In other words…don’t mess with me, Bev…..