Robert L. Short, known for the study of religion through popular culture, died July 6 after a brief illness. He was 76.

Born in Midland, Texas, Short is perhaps best known for his The Gospel According to Peanuts. Upon its release in 1965, the book became the top nonfiction best-seller in the U.S., selling more than 10 million copies in 11 languages. It was lauded by The New York Times Book Review as "a ‘perilous experiment' that comes off" and earned the admiration and respect of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz.

"Bob showed that a thoughtful exploration of popular culture through a theological lens could help us all gain a deeper understanding of both religion and culture," said David Dobson, editorial director of Westminster John Knox Press. "In addition to his many books, Bob was a true friend to the press and a joy to be around. His humor, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit will be greatly missed."

Short also worked in commercial and religious television as a professional actor. He received a master of divinity degree from Southern Methodist University, a master of arts in English from the University of North Texas and a master of arts in theology and literature from The University of Chicago. In 2001 he moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he founded the Fellowship of "Christianity Without Doom or Gloom." An ordained Presbyterian minister, he traveled throughout the country, presenting programs in Christian faith and the arts.

Short's other books include The Parables of Peanuts; A Time to Be Born-A Time to Die; Something to Believe In; The Gospel From Outer Space; Short Meditations on the Bible and Peanuts; The Gospel According to Dogs; and The Parables of Dr. Seuss.

Church bookstore manager George Thomsen is to be the next chairman of CBA. He will become chairman-elect in October, taking on leadership of the retail trade association's board when current chairman Jim Whitaker's term expires in October 2010.

Thomsen, the 55-year-old director of the Harvest Store at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., was voted into the position during CBA's board meeting prior to ICRS. A formal announcement is expected to be made later in the year.

Pop singer Marie Osmond surprised the ICRS crowd Monday with an appearance to promote a forthcoming inspirational music CD available to stores through Word Distribution. Osmond, who gained fame with her brother Donny, currently appears with him in a musical variety show in Las Vegas.

After greeting a large crowd of retailers at the Word Distribution booth, Osmond met with key retail accounts, explaining the inspiration for the project. Osmond said she felt "moved by the Spirit" to record the CD, getting on her knees in prayer before ultimately realizing it's "what I needed to do."

The disc, titled The One and Only, will include "How Great Thou Art," a cover of MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine," a couple of classical opera-style songs and original contemporary tracks. When asked if there were any songs done in a country style, she joked, "Well, I am a little bit country," referring to a song made popular by her and her brother.

Osmond said she was a longtime listener of Word music artists, but had previously felt that the "barrier with me as a Mormon" prevented the possibility of a recording. She said she hoped that people would realize "it doesn't matter what denomination (you are)," but that she wanted to bring people to "my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Whether Christian retailers, who are mostly evangelical in nature, will stock the CD remains to be seen. Mickey Nuttal, owner of Sonlight Christian Books and Gifts in Grand Junction, Co., told Christian Retailing that "if she's a Mormon, I probably wouldn't stock it. If you're going to be a Christian store, be a Christian store."

Lois Friesen, owner of Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton, Kan., however, said she would judge the CD on its own merits and definitely consider it "if it's not contradictory" to Scripture.

In a presentation during CBA's Industry Conference in January, researcher Kelly Gallagher revealed 18% of Catholics and 7% of Mormons shop at Christian stores.

Word Distribution has not released an official street date for the project.

His FOX television schedule prevented his planned appearance at ICRS this week, but Oliver North was still featured at the show-as part of a major new documentary film premiered last night.

North appears in The Samaritan, the miraculous story of a Texas attorney's fight to help a Romanian defector, which will also be a book by the same name he is to edit for B&H Publishing Group's new Fidelis Books imprint.

Made by Banias Entertainment, The Samaritan combines present-day interviews, archival footage and reenactments to recall Eddie Roush's efforts on behalf of Paul Firica. Roush lobbied in U.S. government circles and traveled to Romania while it was still under the control of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu to secure freedom for Firica and see him reunited with his family.

Though the remarkable events happened in the 1980s, they still speak today about "freedom and sacrifice," and challenge Christians about what lengths they might go to in helping others, said Randy Roush, brother of the subject and a producer of the film.

The movie is due to be released first in Romania, later in the year and in time-for the 20th anniversary of the peaceful revolution that overthrew Ceausescu. It is due to be released in the U.S. next year, with the book adaptation likely to be published in March 2010.

Gary Terashita, executive editor of Fidelis Books, said The Samaritan would include photos from the film and additional archival materials. The story was about "man's innate desire for freedom" and "a call to action."

Former EMI CMG Distribution President Rich Peluso is back at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) this week in a different role-as the newly appointed vice president of Affirm Films, the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) division created to produce movie projects for the faith-based community.

Peluso takes on the role after serving as a consultant to SPHE for two years, during which time he helped bring Faith Like Potatoes, an award-winning biopic about an African evangelist, to an American audience.

Peluso said the SPHE move was an indication of the company's increasing commitment to developing films that were family-friendly or faith-based. In 2008, SPHE released one such film, with four projects due out this year. Meanwhile, around 100 other projects were under consideration, with several releases due in 2010.

During his time in Denver, Peluso has been meeting with filmmakers, authors and agents, as well as key accounts and marketing partners. With a growing demand for inspirational and faith-based movies from consumers, he noted that some Christian retailers were becoming more aware of the potential of the category.

"When Christian retailers close their books on 2009 and look back at the factors that were their business drivers, Fireproof will be in the top one or two or three. The numbers are off the chart," he said. "I think there's a great awakening to the power of film to deliver a message of truth."

Ten-year-old Isaac Valk participated in a birthday party yesterday unlike any he has ever attended-CBA celebrating its 60th anniversary with the association's leader leading a tweaked rendition of "Happy Birthday."

"It was neat that they sang 'Happy Birthday to Us,' " said Isaac, who attended the anniversary celebration with his sister and mother, Lorraine Valk-who owns Banner Books Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Mich.

CBA President Bill Anderson told the crowd of approximately 100 people that "this is your party," as several tables were set up outside the CBA Member Services area, and lined with chocolate and white cake featuring the logos of sponsoring publishers, including Barbour Publishing, Moody Publishers and B&H Publishing Group.

Anderson spotlighted a black-and-white photograph of the first CBA gathering in Chicago in 1949, which drew 279 attendees. "I still have the brochure (from the first show)," said Anderson, who then encouraged the crowd to sing "Happy Birthday to Us" versus "Happy Birthday to CBA." "This is all about you and all you've been willing to do to change in 60 years. Let them eat cake."

Lisa Umina, owner of Halo Publishing International, said she was "definitely interested in the cake." "I think this is a very important event and anniversary," she said.

Lorraine Valk, who indulged in the chocolate cake, agreed. "I thought it's neat," she said. "I've been coming to CBA (trade shows) since 1973. It's historic to bring such a fellowship of people together who are working in the frontlines of Christian retail."

Valk's daughter, Jessalyn, 18, added: "It's amazing to know that they've been around 60 years."

For the third year in a row, generous attendees have made it possible for several managers of fledgling Christian bookstores in mainland China to travel to Hong Kong to get vital training.

A special offering taken at the Sunday morning Worship Now! event to sponsor attendance of mainland Chinese retailers at Marketsquare Asia in September raised $7,827.74, CBA President Bill Anderson announced at yesterday's show-floor ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Anderson presented an oversized check for the gift to Jim Powell, president of Christian Trade Association International (CTAI), which is organizing the Marketsquare event, to be held Sept. 6-8.

Powell thanked the crowd of approximately 175 people at the official opening for their generosity. "Our goal is 60 (mainland Chinese retailers)," he said. "We're going to keep working on this."

Sixty Christian retailers from mainland China also were able to attend Marketsquare Asia 2008 through offerings taken at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Fla., last summer, including $9,205 during the Worship Now! event.