credit Photo: Todd Tankersley
S. S. Adams
description It’s one of the last great American companies. http://www.ssadams.com/ S. S. Adams has made magic tricks, hand buzzers, snapping gum, and fake vomit for more than a century. The gorgeous original-packaging graphics are enough for me. If you want to delve deeper, get http://kirkdemarais.com/ Kirk Demarais’ book Life of the Party: A Visual History of S. S. Adams, Makers of Pranks & Magic for 100 Years. 
credit Illustration: Steve Sanford
Thomas Dolby
description Dolby’s The Golden Age of Wireless remains one of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Age_of_Wireless greatest albums ever recorded. And his follow-up records were a brilliant mix of heart, soul, and electronics. Dolby is now recording his first studio effort in 17 years. You must check out the photos of his dry-dock studio, the Nutmeg of Consolation, on his blog, http://www.thomasdolby.com/ ThomasDolby.com. He’s a genius. 
credit Photo: Todd Tankersley
Kenny Shopsin
description I met Shopsin long ago at his restaurant, Shopsin’s General Store, in Manhattan. Over the years, I have failed again and again to adequately describe this remarkable man and chef. Thank God he wrote a book, http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307264930 Eat Me, so he can explain himself. Please get a copy of it. The recipes are delicious; the life lessons, humor, and point of view are even better. 
credit Illustration: Steve Sanford
Video Copilot and The Gnomon Workshop
description In the category of Things I Wish I Had Access To as a Child, these spectacular Web sites (http://www.videocopilot.net/ VideoCopilot.net, http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/ TheGnomonWorkshop.com) offer tutorials, advice, hints, and software for creating visual effects that are on a par with the pros’. http://www.videocopilot.net/contact/company/ Andrew Kramer’s Video Copilot work is so impressive we hired him to create the title animations for Fringe and Star Trek. 
credit Photo: Todd Tankersley
Gama-Go
description Created by Tim Biskup (a crazy-talented artist who is no longer involved creatively in http://www.gama-go.com/ Gama-Go), this company makes awesome T-shirts. Check out their characters; you can’t really deny http://www.gama-go.com/product.php?productid=16764&cat=0&page=1 Deathbot. My credo is this: Any company that has an obsession with robots and giant squids is all right in my book. See at http://www.timbiskup.com Biskup’s fine art. 
credit Illustration: Steve Sanford
M&H Type
description The first time my pal http://www.magpietime.com/bios.html Helen Bartlett showed me her beautiful turn-of-the-century letterpress, I was hooked. Choosing a font can require a lot more than a single click in a pulldown menu. Letterpress printing, a dying art, is kept on life support in part by the good people at San Francisco’s http://www.arionpress.com/mandh/catalog.htm M&H. Cool stuff for font nerds. 
credit Photo: Todd Tankersley
Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection
description The http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Zone-Complete-Definitive-Collection/dp/B000H5U5EE Twilight Zone belongs on any Top 10 list. It’s the best series of all time, and now you can buy the whole thing. Yeah, that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Enough_at_Last Burgess Meredith episode is great, but a personal favorite is from season one, called "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_Distance Walking Distance." It’s a classic example of deeply emotional sci-fi at its best. 
credit Illustration: Steve Sanford
City Bakery’s Pretzel Croissant http://www.thecitybakery.com/ City Bakery has one location in New York and one in http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-city-bakery-santa-monica Santa Monica. And all I will say is that when you eat the http://www.pretzelcroissant.com/ pretzel croissant, you never want to eat anything else again, ever. The secret? The bakers won’t divulge the ingredients. I can live with that. Plus, what the hell is in the hot chocolate? I mean, besides the devil himself?
credit Photo: Todd Tankersley
House Industries
description If there were any place I wish I worked that I don’t, it’s http://www.houseind.com/ House. These folks have an unparalleled aesthetic, brilliant font-design skills, killer musical acumen, and a kick-ass sense of humor. Look at their gorgeous and amusing book, which reveals the passion behind their process. Or even better, buy their beautifully packaged fonts. 
credit Photo: Lotte Jacobi Collection, University of New Hampshire
J. D. Salinger
description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Salinger The man, one of our greatest novelists, is still alive. On this planet, right now. How cool is that? Is he still writing? Has he been writing? Has he been publishing under an assumed name? Here’s an open letter to Mr. Salinger: "Dear Sir, Let’s hang out. I don’t want to bother you, but if you feel like chatting, please contact me. Love, J.J."
