Vol. I: Issue 025                                                                                             June 12th, 2026

Breaking news out of Toastwood, where the art world got a surprise it did not see coming.

The elusive street artist known as RypToe is opening his first official show tonight at the historic Brunost Gallery, and in true RypToe fashion, the whole thing arrived with almost no warning. Shipments began coming in Thursday afternoon, complete with detailed installation instructions, and by morning the gallery’s staff had transformed the space into what is being described as one of the most unexpected exhibitions of the year.

Now, if you are planning to attend tonight’s reception, do not expect a handshake from the artist. RypToe may be gaining steady notoriety, but he is still keeping well away from the public eye, and gallery representatives say he will not be in attendance. As a consolation, Shannon and I will be there taking it all in, and I can promise you we will be keeping our eyes open.

We are told the show features a mix of paintings, video installations, sculptural pieces, and a few surprises the gallery is not ready to name just yet. Given RypToe’s reputation for layered messages, hidden details, and work that tends to show up before anyone realizes what they are looking at, that mystery may be part of the point.

And there may be no better place for this kind of debut than Brunost Gallery. Opened 150 years ago, Brunost is one of the oldest continually operating galleries in the world. It was founded with the mission of being the “people’s gallery,” a place willing to showcase bold, avant-garde work that the more prestigious museums and salons of the day refused to touch.

That choice helped shape Toastwood into the creative stronghold it is today, paving the way for generations of artists, collectives, and institutions like the Toastwood Institute of Art. So tonight’s show is not just a major step for RypToe. It is also a fitting new chapter for a gallery that has spent a century and a half opening its doors to artists who do things their own way.

So if you find yourself in Toastwood tonight, Brunost Gallery may be the place to be. The artist may remain out of sight, but the work is finally stepping into the light, and NowTime News will be there to see what story it tells because, Duke’s Gotcha covered!

 

Hiya friends!

Finley and I had such a lovely time at Burgerburgh’s annual Pride Parade on Saturday. And as a little extra treat, we ran into none other than Mumphrey, his darling wife Greta, and that big ol’ cutie Hambone. It was such a fun surprise, and honestly, seeing everyone out and celebrating made the whole day feel even sweeter.

Now, speaking of Burgerburgh, the weather is looking a little mixed for the rest of the week…

We’ve got plenty of warm, summery air hanging around, but it does come with a few scattered showers and thunderstorm chances popping in here and there, especially through the first half of the stretch. Things calm down a bit as the week rolls along, with a little more sunshine returning and that nice, seasonably warm feel settling back in.

So keep the sunscreen close, the umbrella closer, and enjoy a week that still has plenty of summer energy over in Burgerburgh.

 

The Mumph here, and Zepha, it was great seeing you and Finley at the parade. And folks, I have to admit something. I did not realize this was the Finley from Tacodale.

That is on me, because this guy is already building a serious résumé. Five years coaching Tacodale High football, five years of turning the Gorditas into must-watch ball, and he has already brought gold back home. That is not luck, that is leadership. I almost asked for an autograph right there in the middle of the parade, but I played it cool. Mostly.

Now, speaking of must-watch sports, baseball season starts next week, and Griller Stadium’s home opener has the Burgerburgh Sizzlers taking on the Toastwood Turkeys. You better believe The Mumph is ready for that first crack of the bat, that first slide into second, and that first fan who’s not aware they dripped nacho cheese all over their shirt (me… it’s always me).

But this week, I am taking one deep breath before the whole thing gets rolling. Kicking back, relaxing, and saving up the voice, because once baseball starts, folks, you know The Mumph is going full season mode.

 

Hello out there…

Less than a month ago, the BotWursts struck out on their own, taking a bold step toward independence. This week, while visiting the farmers market in Oilseed Springs, I found Kirk behind a small booth, trying to sell bottles of his homemade motor oil. Naturally, I bought one and took the opportunity to sit down with him for a proper conversation about how life has been treating the trio.

He was genuinely thrilled to make a sale, which told me quite a bit before the interview even began.

Kirk explained that the market for independent oils and hydraulic fluids is a hard one to crack. Most humans, in his view, do not exactly appreciate the finer points of the craft, and his prices cannot realistically compete with the store-bought stuff lining the shelves. He still enjoys making it, and there was real pride in the way he talked about the work, but he also knows full well it is not enough to keep the lights on, so to speak.

And right now, the bills are mounting.

The heat in Oilseed Springs, combined with the dust and heavy summer humidity, has been wearing down their parts faster than expected. Oneita has been keeping up with repairs and maintenance. Twoodles has been doing what they can to keep rust from creeping across their exteriors. But there is one problem none of them can polish, patch, or tinker their way around. All three BotWursts are approaching the point where their solid-state etherillium batteries will need to be replaced.

That is not a small expense.

So I did some digging, and what I found made this situation look even more serious. Etherillium is a rare Gurth mineral, and by all accounts, not one native to the original formation of our solar system. In other words, it is genuinely rare, and priced accordingly. The batteries built from it can be recharged many times over, but their lifespan varies wildly depending on the environment. In hotter climates, they may last only a few years. In much colder conditions, that lifespan can stretch dramatically, even several times longer.

Which means the batteries are only part of the problem.

Replacing them would buy the BotWursts time, certainly, but if they stay in the same punishing heat, they may find themselves right back in this position sooner than anyone would like. A cooler home in a place like Frostfield or Philly Heights could make all the difference, not just as a comfort, but as a practical way to extend the life of the very thing keeping them going.

It was, in all, an eye-opening conversation. We talk a great deal about independence, self-sufficiency, and making your own way. But sometimes what gets lost in all that rhetoric is the plain fact that survival is expensive, and no less so for a family of robots trying to build a life on their own terms.

So I decided to use my platform for something direct. I have started a Friend-2-Fund page for the BotWursts with the goal of helping cover the cost of three replacement etherillium batteries. And if the support goes beyond that goal, the extra would help them relocate somewhere cooler, somewhere their new batteries and their future might last a little longer.

Life is difficult enough without your body itself becoming another bill you cannot afford. If you have a little to spare, I hope you will consider lending a hand to three hardworking BotWursts trying to stay upright in a world that is not exactly built for them.

You can find the fundraiser at BotWursts/Friend2Fund.grth

And that’s The Scoop.