Team LoveHATE's December Charity Run!!!

Written by Tracy Arnett / photography by Munpreet Randhawa

December is our busiest month when it comes to charity. From Toys to Tots to Operation Christmas. We are proud to set our trophies aside and pick up our Santa hats to bring joy to those who don't have it like we do. Every day we take for granted those gifts and blessings we experience with our lives so filled with shows, meets, work, and family. Rarely taking the time to actually stop and reflect on who we are.

Team LoveHATE has made it a point to freeze everything in December. Walk away from the gogo dancers, the smoke machines, industry parties, and our long anime / car show schedule to make time for THE KIDS!!!

Our first charity event actually was right before HIN. It was at Tapioca Express in Natomas and it was put on by Lazandro Sapinoso. The Charity: The Sacramento Children's Home. It was a small meet filled with people with big hearts. During a time when everyone is out shopping, several cars from various groups appeared for a common cause. Every car that came had to pay five dollars to display with the proceeds going to the Children's Home. Big props to all who attended. 

After our return from HIN "The Return", we geared up for MOAR CHARITY!!! SacCon, put on by Dan Houck and his SacAnime Family. Every year he puts on a show at the Scottish Rite Temple and uses the huge Anime fan base to help raise toys for the Marine's Toys for Tots. We spent a few hours there, dropped off some toys, met a few of our favorite cosplayers, and played catchup with a few of our friends who are usually on the road touring. 

 Our next event was "Drawing for the Kids" put on by Jason Dube's SCCG and friends at Empire Comics Vault. The event consisted of many artists coming together to create art and auction off with all the proceeds going to the kids and to receive donated canned goods to raise money for the Children's Receiving Home. We even did a special itasha-mobile for the kids and Charlo dressed up as Santa (he wore sunglasses so no one could see his almond eyes). The event was very successful and they were able to raise 700.00 for the Home.

The next day we headed out to Sacramento's Toys r Us to help Rodney Stanhope, (who camps out there for 3 weeks!!!) raise money for Yellow Ribbon America. We came in full force and DJ RSkee setup his system to help draw attention to the fundraiser. With such a prime location and with Christmas only days away, many onlookers couldn't help but stop by and drop something off to help the kids and families who have loved one fighting the war overseas. While we spend the year enjoying the freedoms we have, we can sometimes forget the soldiers fighting for it. I'm not sure how much they raised during that time but it was a ton of stuff!!! Expect us to be very involved with Rodney this year as we plan the 2st annual Team LoveHATE Holiday Car Show.

Well, that concludes our December charity run. I hope you enjoyed it.

New guests at Decepti-kon

Okay before I post this I have to say the Carly will be a "boss battle" during the beer pong tournament so don't forget to sign up.




Miss Carly is the artist, designer, seemstress and cosplay/gothic lolita model that is Carlyfornia. She attended the prestigeious FIDM Fashion Instatute in San Fransisco before launching her gothic lolita clothing line in 1999. Carlyfornia has won several awards for her fashion and cosplay designs (at Sac Anime too!) including being crowned Princess Ai by Tokyopop as well as being featured in their magazine and manga. Her graphic design and comic work begain in 1996 with a string of well selling caligraphy and how to draw books. Carlyfornia has since gone on to be a manga and graphic artist for Sakura Pens of Osaka, Pentel Arts of Tokyo, Golden Paints and General Pencil to name a few. She has taught art and sewing in various countries such as China, Japan, India, United Kingdom and here state side. In addition to her many artistic roles, she is also working as a costume and art director. www.carlyfornia.com

Jason Dube



Jason has been self-publishing under his comic book company Scattered Comics for almost 20 years. He has published titles such as Scattered, Panda Days, Caffeine Poisoned, and Waiting for Something to Happen. He has been putting out monthly webcomics which include the new Artist-themed comic “COMICS VS MANGA“, and branched out to releasing his titles to download on I-tunes. Jason also working as a fulltime freelance comicbook artist has worked as artist, colorist, typesetter and layout artist for several independent companies. (Companies include NEKO PRESS, BLUE WATER PRODUCTIONS, COMICBOOK DIVAS, and ZEPHID COMICS). He also runs Scattered Comics Studios and works with several other Artists to create comicbooks for clients. Locally, Jason Dube founded the SCCG (Sacramento Comicbook Creators Group) in which comic book artist, writers and creators can meet each week, share, motivate and support each other in their endeavors. www.scatteredcomics.com




- Posted by Jazel Gonzalez

TLH adds two new members at SacAnime and "Through a cosplayers eyes"

Hey peeps, its Jazel again. I've done my share of SacAnime's in the past, this would be my fourth. Over the last couple of years, Team LoveHATE has done car shows, Anime Conventions, and lots of charity work. This weekend, we did a bit of both. As usual, we displayed the Itasha rides everyone has grown to love, but today three things were different. We were helping fulfill the wishes of two very special children with Make a Wish whom also became two official team members. And I was cosplaying for the first time.

Before I go any further, I must say thanks to SacAnime's founder, Dan Houck, for providing both kids five VIP weekend passes each, Jason Dube of “Scattered Comics” providing some of his own rare autographed comics as well as being our liaison with SacAnime, and Steve Crain with Sacramento's Signs by Tomorrow for providing the autograph boards, posters and vinyl’s for the kids. Without you guys their wishes wouldn't have been possible.

Nick and Jason are our first two new members since the inception of Team LoveHATE. We placed a Shin Chan Itasha on Nick's scooter and gave Jason an official Team LoveHATE shirt. We then headed inside to take them on a tour of the con and introduced them to Jason Dube, founder of “Scattered Comics” in the dealer’s hall for a special autograph session. Once we were out of there, Dan Houck made it possible for the kids to get autographs without waiting in line. After they got a few autographs they were itching to head to the gaming room so we made our way through the crowds of cosplayers and across the courtyard to the game rooms and left them to explore the con the rest of the day.

Oh yeah, did I mention during this time I was cosplaying as Master Roshi?


I’ve been watching anime for a while and there are a handful of bald anime characters. I thought Master Roshi would be the best choice for me because I can relate. As soon as I placed the mustache and beard on, grabbed my staff and strapped on my shell I couldn’t help but to fall into character. This being by first time, I was amazed at the comradre that is shared among absolute strangers. As I walked though SacAnime shouts of, “Master Roshi!” and “Roshiiiii in da house!” flew at me from all sides. I was asked for tons of photos and hugs from people who approached me. Thanking me for leaving Kame House, asking me about Dragonballs, and “How’s Goku?” I can see how so many people can fall in love with cosplay. What also suprised me is how much I wanted to cosplay again. The feeling of being sort of a celebrity for a day is pretty addicting, especially if your the only Master Roshi at the Con.






So Sunday arrived the weather was a bit warmer as the sun decided to gret us in the morning, so I decided to be shirtless Master Roshi and make the rounds through the con! That was a super blast. More hugs and photos!!! Also, I was pleased to see both of our TLH prospects make it out. Mike Collepardi and Carlo de Quiroz helped with watching the LoveHATE booth as well as setting up and breaking down Saturday and Sunday. Thank you.

Well that's it till September for SacAnime. To check out the pictures we have posted so far click here! Bye-bye for now.