Seasonal Alert: Pumpkin Spice Is Back

Spotted at Target. This is your seasonal warning: Pumpkin spice is back. I couldn't be more thrilled. (And that's not sarcasm. I may be in the minority, but I love the stuff.) Now, just counting the days until the return of Trader Joe's pumpkin biscotti.

Super Bowl Sunday: A Reminder

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! A sad reminder, above, from Target: The first year return of NFL pro football to Los Angeles didn't turn out, well, all that great. Better luck next year?

Star Wars Mania: This is Not the Cereal You Are Looking For

And so it begins! The "Star Wars" marketing mania is already in full force... just in time for last week's "Force Friday." (Yes, I did buy this Darth Vader cereal. Guilty.)



Yoda does not approve.



Have your pets caught "Star Wars" fever yet? THEY WILL.



Of course, "Star Wars" has always been a marketing bonanza. Below, from 1984: Do you remember "C3P0" cereal?

Kettle Corn Coffee? Maple Bacon Frosting? America's Flavor Explosion Continues

I love weird flavors more than most. This is the most wonderful time of the year in Flavorville, as pumpkin, apple and all sorts of spice-flavored versions of popular products hit the shelves. But nonetheless... I will *not* be trying Kettle Corn Ground Coffee, as spotted at Target. Nope.



This is similarly going too far. Maple Bacon frosting. I applaud the effort. But no.



I'm with you here. Pumpkin Spice M&Ms are pretty great. And I can appreciate Candy Corn M&Ms too.



I would indeed like to learn more about Cookie Dough Oreos.



Bought a large box of Pumpkin Pop Tarts. Ate 'em. (Kids ate most of 'em.) I approve.



Again with the frosting? Sorry Betty Crocker, "Candy Corn" frosting just sounds like too much.



I wish "Caramel Apple Oreos" were available in trial size packages. I'm curious... but am not about to be stuck with an entire bag of inedible cookies.

The Darth Vader Army Invades Target

As seen at Target: The Darth Vader Army. I think we know who stole all that credit card info now!

Retro Friday: Target, Circa 1970: "A Fun Place to Shop"

What an amazing find: A circa 1970s TV ad for Target -- "a fun place to shop." I think the most amazing part of this ad is the realization that after all these years of jokingly saying "Target" with a fake French pronunciation -- "Tar-jay" -- it turns out one of Target's in-house brands back then was indeed called "Ms. Targé" and pronounced that way!

Damn You, "Sharktopus" Ends Up on the Target Clearance Shelf

Remember Roger Corman's Syfy masterpiece "Sharktopus"? The 2010 movie, starring Eric Roberts, is about a scientifically engineered half-shark, half-octopus (natch) that escapes (also, natch). Fans of Kevin & Bean also remember Ralph Garman's turn on the film as "Captain Jack."

Well, sorry, film lovers: "Sharktopus" is now sitting in the bargain aisle of Target, for the low, low price of $2.56. Run!

Gummy Bunnies Are Real

You make the call: Exciting, or disgusting? As spotted at Target.

Enough With the Holiday Mash-Ups

Trick-or-treating is not enough? Bobbing for apples? Haunted houses? Spooky music? All too played out?

Halloween has plenty of traditions already, which is why I just don't get the need to import traditions from other holidays. Egg hunts (above) and gingerbread houses (below)? C'mon, Target, they'll get their turn. Save it.

Retro Friday: Atari Edition

A 1983 Elizabeth Shue turns you on to a very special Atari deal.



From 1982: Everybody enjoys Atari, because Atari has so many video game cartridges to enjoy!



From 1981: Even aliens love playing Asteroids on their Atari 2600 system!



Target ad from 1981 -- $129.99 for an Atari 2600 system. TV not included.

Here's The Situation: I Won't Be Buying This Costume For Halloween

Spotted at Target: The officially licensed "Jersey Shore" SITUATION Halloween costume. Yes, you too can contribute to the wild financial riches that "Jersey Shore" and its cast members have reaped -- all while pretending to be a ripped, gym/tan/laundry juice head on Halloween!

To be fair, however, this would truly be the only way I ever developed abs like Situation's. But while you're picking up that Situation costume, don't forget to also buy some ointment for the rash that inevitably develops!

My First T-Pain

Spotted at Target: I'm not sure I approve of teaching kids about auto-tune at such a young age.

Burbank Residents Mobilize Against Walmart

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Reports that Walmart may move into Burbank has not sit well with several locals -- some of whom have rallied against the store via the new No Walmart in Burbank Facebook page.

Walmart is believed to be interested in taking over The Great Indoor's big box site next to the Empire Center. (Sears, which owns The Great Indoors, is closing both of the chain's stores in the L.A. area.)

According to the Glendale News-Press, Walmart hasn't officially announced its plans, but Burbank says it has little authority to prevent the store from moving in next door to Best Buy and Target.

The 12-acre site, purchased last month by Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, is zoned for commercial use. Changing that zoning would require a mutual agreement between the city and property owner, said Joy Forbes, Burbank deputy city manager.

Walmart would simply need to pull a few permits for a project to proceed, she added.

Walmart representatives have declined to say what they’re planning for the space, and it is unclear whether the company will seek to build a supercenter or a smaller store.

“They could use the whole site or break out the site with different tenant spaces,” Forbes said. “We have no idea.”

The Empire Center is already home to several big-box stores,” such as Target, Best Buy and Marshalls.

Adds Forbes: “Our biggest concern is to make sure [Walmart] doesn’t compete with other existing businesses which are also doing their part to generate revenues,” she said. “But competition is good.”

The L.A. Times Book Festival Settles into Its New USC Home

The L.A. Times Book Festival's move to USC was a welcome one at Franklin Avenue thanks to the closer proximity to home. And although it took a few moments to get used to the new set up and layout (vs. the old, familiar presentation at UCLA), we approve.

First off, it wasn't hard to find street parking on Sunday morning (we easily found a spot on Jefferson), saving us $10. From there, things got a bit hairy, as there were no signs that far away explaining where to go. So based on pure instinct, I headed for the heart of campus. And sure enough, signs started appearing. Soon I was on my way to the kids' area (sponsored, as usual, by Target).



The goal: To see popular children's book author Mo Willems (above) read from one of two of his tomes. Like many a Gen X parent, we've pushed Willems' fantastically fun books on our kids -- including the Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie and Knuffle Bunny series. Thankfully, they dig 'em... and thankfully, Willems was completely entertaining on stage.

The "Elephant & Piggie" books are Easy Readers, he explained, which is why one book in the series is called "My Friend is Sad" and not "My Companion Has Manic-Depressive Disorder." Willems also revealed that the next Elephant & Piggie book, "Should ! Share My Ice Cream?" ("Because I rip from today's headlines," he quipped) will be out this summer.



Before Willems, we got to the kids' stage in time for... yep, Disney Junior's Choo-Choo Soul. Those insanely catchy yet annoying "Choo Choo Soul" music videos used to run constantly on Playhouse Disney; I haven't seen them as of yet on the rebranded Disney Junior -- but yet I find myself now rooting for Genevieve and D.C., who try so hard and yet haven't quite gotten their break.

At one point, an out-of-breath Genevive started spelling words out to the kiddies. "Are you feeling O-L-D?" she asked after finishing one number under the hot sun. Try doing that for five years while wearing P-O-L-Y-E-S-T-E-R, she added. Poor Genevieve. Apparently Choo-Choo Soul needs a R-E-S-T.



Among the other sights on Sunday:


Franklin Avenue pal Eric Lynxwiler was at the Angel City Press booth, signing copies of "Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles" and "Knott's Preserved" while wearing this snazzy, vintage Wilshire Blvd. bowling shirt.


Free ice cream. Sure, you win again, Target.


C-SPAN IN THE MOTHAEFFING HOUSE!


The cooking stage.


Booths.


Poetry stage.

Target Adds Insult to Dodger Injury

A reminder of the Dodgers' disappointing turn of events, currently on display at Target: Manny Ramirez #99 Dodgers T-shirts, now 75% off. (From $14.99 to $3.74.) I'd say get these "collector's items" while you can ... but who are we kidding, I've seen these Manny tees collecting dust on the Target shelves for at least a week.

FREE L.A.: Target-Sponsored Free Days

Target is continuing its 2009 "Free Family Fun" program -- sponsoring free museum entries as well as other events. The highlights include:

L.A. Phil // Target Free Community Concert Oct. 3

LACMA // Labor Day (Sept. 7) and Columbus Day (Oct. 12)

Bowers Museum (Santa Ana) Includes a Kidseum // Every first Sunday through November

California African American Museum (L.A.'s Exposition Park) // Every first Sunday through December

La Habra Children's Museum (La Habra) // Every first Sunday through November, and Dec. 12

Japanese American National Museum (Little Tokyo) // Every second Saturday through December (except August)

Museum of Latin American Art (Long Beach) // Every Sunday through December

Plaza de la Raza (Los Angeles) // Target Feria de la Familia Festival (Sept. 20)

Shakespeare by the Sea (Point Fermin Park, San Pedro) // June 11 - July 11

Dreaming of a Downtown Target

(Flickr pic by Tortuga One.)

Following the news that Macy's is shutting down its downtown Los Angeles location at the 7+Fig shopping center (its other downtown location, at Macy's Plaza, will remain open), let the speculation begin on how 7+Fig might fill that 120,000 square foot space.

Blogdowntown's Eric talked to a rep from 7+Fig owner Brookfield Properties, which is looking to fill both that space and another 80,000 square foot space vacated in 1997 by Bullock's. The 7+Fig Macy's was actually a Robinsons-May until Macy's owner Federated bought the May Co. in 2006; it was only a matter of time that the location shut down, as the Macy's Plaza location was close by.

Blogdowntown says Brookfield hopes to combine the two spaces and attract a new retailer downtown; Eric suggests one sure to get downtown residents excited: Target.

Blogger Preschooler Sez The Darndest Things, One in a series

-- A few days after the 2008 election: "Dadda, I saw a magazine at school with 'Robama' on the cover. It was all about 'Robama.'"

-- Noticing my thinning hairline: "Daddy, you're hair's gonna look like Grandpa's soon!"

-- A few days ago, as we were walking down the aisles of Target, Evan suddenly screamed: "EVERYONE! TARGET IS CLOSING IN FIVE MINUTES!" It was the middle of the day. Not sure if anyone left the store, confused, after hearing the 4-year-old's stern announcement.

This Is What The Summer Brings

YES! The Yo Gabba Gabba toys have started arriving in stores. We spotted a big selection this weekend at the Burbank Target -- plush dolls of Brobee, Muno and Toodee; Plex's car; a YGG! guitar; and, above, a Brobee microphone.

I bought the microphone. For (ahem) the Kid FKABT, of course. (Maybe we'll share.) Nontoxic reviews has more info on the new toys here, or read about it at the official YGG! production blog.

And stay tuned... we'll recount our super-secret visit to Gabbaland later this week! (Seriously!)

The 99 Cents Only Store Shopper

As I mentioned in the past, I love hitting up the 99 Cents Only store for unusual products or flavors that didn't quite work out in the mainstream. An early morning Easter run to the store resulted in these gems:

-- Limited Edition Carnival Flavors Skittles: Cotton Candy, Candy Apple, Bubble Gum, Red Licorice and Green Slushy flavored Skittles! Eat your heart out, Jelly Belly!

-- Mini Robin Eggs Milkshake, Strawberry flavor: From the makers of Whoppers. Malted milk candy, but with an artificial Strawberry finish.

-- Chex Mix, Apple Cinnamon flavor: It's like a breakfast version of the snack mix: Cinnamon Chex, Corn Chex, Apple Cinnamon Walnuts, Cranberries, Apple pieces, and yogurt-covered Chex.

-- Vanilla Creme Hershey's Kisses: Probably the most disappointing of the bunch. Like a Cadbury egg, just smaller.



Now, a bonus shopper tip: Target's line of baked chips, which includes flavors such as curry and Jamaican Jerk (above), are just $2 right now. The Jamaican Jerk is nice, with a kick that doesn't show up until you've scarfed down five or six.