Fred Patten is recovering from a brain stem stroke and an almost-as-serious lack of health insurance. For those of you who don't know Fred, he's been an active force for many decades in science-fiction and animation fandom as a historian and sometimes as an importer of foreign books and magazines. Back when comic book conventions started with DC and ended at Marvel, Fred was the guy with the table displaying beautiful comic albums and graphic novels from overseas, showing us all what else the medium could do besides Spider-Man. It's good to hear Fred is recovering but sad to hear he needs so much in the way of funds. I know you've probably all given whatever you could afford to give to the Gulf Coast relief efforts. But if you can give a little more, send a few bucks to one of the good guys. Details here.