Nancy and Remi dancing with a Smurf in Sint Baafsplein

Last Saturday and Sunday (March 15 and 16) the Smurfs came to my home town of Gent, Belgium to celebrate their 50^th Birthday. The tiny blue figures, who live in little mushroom homes and speak their own language, first appeared as comic strip figures in cartoonist Pierre Culliford’s cartoon “Johan and Pirlouit” which was set in the middle ages.

The Smurf’s popularity increased rapidly, and by 1960 Papa Smurf and his clan had their own comic strip. Hanna-Barbera Productions brought the characters to life as an animated cartoon in 1981, and they soon became a hit around the world.

One of the Smurf Displays

Although the Belgian born Culliford, or Peyo, as he is better know to his legion of fans, passed away 15 years ago, he lives on in he hearts of two generations of children around the world. The Smurfs are known in Spain as Pitufo, in Germany they are called Schumpf; Chinese children know them as Nam Ching Ling, and as Sumafa in Japan. Israeli children call them Dardassim. The Smurfs have teamed up with UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of ex-child soldiers in Africa and this year they will promote children’s rights and education worldwide.

The year long birthday celebration was kicked off in Brussels, Belgium. The Smurfs will tour Belgian cities and continue the celebration in Paris and Berlin. Among the events planned for this special anniversary year is a feature 3-D animation film, new comic book collections and a remastering of the 1980’s television series.

Hey Everyone - Our Dear friend Ms P Segal is having a Bon Voyage
get-together for us on Saturday:

Dear friends,

As you probably know, Nik and Nancy Phelps have
finally given up their house in the Avenues, and are
moving to Ghent, Belgium, in a few days. They’re
tremendously excited, and have a remarkable and
well-earned future ahead in Europe.

For those of you who haven’t had a chance to see them
recently, we’re having a very informal drop-by
farewell at my house this Saturday, April 8, from
about 6 until midnight or so. My academic life has
made it impossible for me to do anything like a bash
right now, and this is a totally bring-you-own food
and drink kind of thing for a last visit before they
are off to Europe. Please pass the word along to
people who should know, because my email list is
hardly complete.

My address is 1607A McAllister St., at the corner of
Divisadero, over the Transfer Market.

xoxoxoP

The Museum is now closed and Nik and Nancy are moving on to their next life.
If you have enjoyed the parties and good times here, the remains can be
viewed and PURCHASED on March 24, 25 and 26  (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  Please come by to say bye to Nik and Nancy and
BUY - BUY - BUY.

Our special thanks to everyone who has given SO generously of their time to
help us pack, move into storage and brought us FABULOUS meals — we couldn’t
have done it without you all!!!

2066  30th Avenue  (Between Pacheco and Quintara) - for the last week
24, 25 and 26 March

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The End is Nigh! - Nik and Nancy are well underway getting ready for the LE
GRANDE LAST BIG SALE, but we need help wrapping and packing the little
things we are taking with us (and getting a close look at what’s going for
sale). If you have even a few hours you can give us, call or email and we
will schedule you in. (415-681-3189) It’s a way to do a hang with us before
we go - not all work, not all play - just more of our strange and wonderful
existence.

Also - if any of you sell on E-Bay, we have several collectables we would
like to sell, and we would rather pay someone we know than just take them to
isolditsf.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU NIK

Dear Friends:

On Friday morning at 9:00 AM, Nik and I will open the doors of our home to
the public to buy, buy, buy. If there are things in our home that you are
interested in purchasing please give us a call at 415/681-3189 ASAP and we
will make arrangements for you to come over prior to this Friday AM.

We love you all and will miss you but it is time for us to move on. . . so
come and help us clear out!!!!

Love,

Nik and Nancy

PS We are packing with a frenzy and so as much as we would love to sit
around and drink wine and visit WE JUST CAN’T!!!!

February 4, 2006 at 8PM doors open at 7:30

TRINITY CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES

At TRINITY CHAPEL 2320 Dana Street

between Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue in Berkeley

Information and press inquiries:

Telephone: 415/ 681-3189 e-mail: nik@niksprocket.org

Visit our Web Site: niksprocket.org

$12.00 General admission

$8.00 Senior, Disabled, Students ALL Ages Welcome

Most people think of animated short films as strictly Saturday morning kiddie fare, but composer Nik Phelps and his producer wife Nancy Denney-Phelps, with their “Ideas In Animation” series, have shown the Bay Area that cartoons are not just kid’s stuff. Nik and Nancy have been planning a permanent move to Gent, Belgium and at long last plans have reached realization and they will be leaving the Bay Area in early April. This concert on February 4 at the Trinity Chapel will be an opportunity for long time Sprocket fans to come say goodbye, and if you have never had the chance to hear Nik’s unique musical scores, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

(more…)

Nik and Nancy are starting to dig into their closets — the first of many
house sales !!

Vintage clothing from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s

Hats and accessories

A few just plain oddities

Come buy or just by to say hello

Sunday, November 27 - 11 AM to 6ish (as long as people are buying)

2066 30th Avenue between Pacheco & Quintara in San Francisco

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE

Just three more days til Turkey Day at Nik and Nancy’s — We know that we
have been threatening that this would be the last one for years but this
REALLY is!!! . . . much will be revealed on Turkey Day!!!

2066 30th Avenue

Between Pacheco & Quintara in the Avenues

415/681-3189 (but we will not be able to hear the phone ring on Thursday
(much less find it) so please call after Thursday to chat)

Nosh at 2:00 PM

Dine at 6:00 PM

and play the night away!!!!!

BRING: Something delicious to eat or drink to share

AND

Something packaged or canned for the food bank barrel

AND

musical instrument, DVD’s to screen, mirth and good wishes!!!!!!
Hope to see you on Thursday but if you can’t join us we hope that you have a
joyous Thanksgiving where ever you may be.

Bon Appetite,

Nik and Nancy