Wednesday, December 31, 2008

January 1, 2009 - Playing it SAFE in 2009

Chicago, IL USA

Nearly 30 years after his death, I found that my Grandfather had kept bags of money in the bsement of his home...never daring to go too far; traveling or vacationing anywhere. This may be the new scenario and Americans can no longer trust anyone-- not even their shadow. I found this quite inquisitive as my Grandfather had a very lucrative business. We were considered rich - within the top3 families while growing up in a small farming community 100 miles SW of Chicago.

Being from the old world, he was skeptical...

After his and his wife's death, 2 big bags of money were retrieved from the basement. Dirty money as it sat in the mustiness of that sodden old home, some 80 years old; and this was 40 years ago.

Sort of makes you wonder. Will home safe's be the latest trend? Am I on to something? If Americans had money to store in them, that would be an entirely different blog...

of course, you could stow away your CREDIT CARDS - that will keep you from spending MORE than you have...

Posted by ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Thursday, January 1, 2009 - ____ AM

Kimberly's Cakes: Pride in a Single Recipe.

Chicago, IL USA: As I stood in the utter cold temperatures at the Howard El-Train Stop waiting for the Purple Line Linden Train to pull up on the last day of 2008 (yes, that would be Wednesday, December 31ST), two young Women were busy chatting away. One held a huge Tupperware Cake Box and you instantly knew that at her office, a Party would begin as soon as she entered the grounds.

Inquisitive and being a Cake Enthusiast for over 56 years now...I had to comment. I would soon learn that Kimberly had been baking cakes for more than half of her life. She began baking at the age of 12 and now at a ripe 29, she instantly could tell (by taste) alone what cakes were made by scratch and which were of a quick cake mix variety.

The more Kim commented on her LOVE of Baking Cakes, notable Cakes rapidly came to mind, as:

My Mother's Tollhouse Cookie Cake that was of the Recipe that the actual Chocolate Chip Cookies were composed, but only in grand Cake-Style;

Mrs. Brown's angelic Angel Food Cakes (circa the 1960s in Mendota, IL) where she put half-a-dozen kids through school on her home-made delicious Angel Food Cakes. Made of egg whites, that totalled alot of eggs (to say the least). This was when Kitchen Crafts as these were beginning to take off on their own ambition and wizardry.

While working at WFYR Radio, Roz Varon (a co-worker) melted the hearts and increased the waist-lines of all employees with her home-made, made-by-scratch Birthday Cakes. No one could bake a cake like Roz...

Wilton Cake Pans were one of my Hits or Favorites when I first moved to Chicago in mid-1974. Their Dolly Cake Pan fascinated me and I baked one cake that could have been award winning. It was of my 'then' Boyfriend, Julian Puretz...coated in frosting, dressed in his tell-tale blue jeans, gray t-shirt and for his eyes 2 topaz caramel colored bulls-eye candies. It surely looked like him, although the taste was much sweeter.

Kimberly and her Cake brought back a plethora of Memories...about Cakes, the years that pass between them and the fact that by taking out some Precious Time to feed Others, you two are indeed 'having your Cake and eating it, too.'

Happy New Year's to one and all...Fans and Friends both who have read and enjoyed the Pages of

KOOPERSMITHin

here this year. Party like it's 1999 + 9 and for real...may all your Future Days and Dates be as sweet as Kimberly's Cake.

POSTED BY: ASK
DecemBURR 31, 2008 - 1:25 PM CST

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith's YEAR-END-IN-REVIEW. How Creativity Tops Itself.

Written & Submitted by:
Klancy Perkins
Assistant to ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 8:49 AM

Chicago, IL USA

"Creativity again took over -- becoming Centerstage -- as the following Ingenius Projects netted their Way into the Fabric of Popular Culture."

Quote of ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 6:41 AM CST

The C-List (Creativity List) follows chronologically:

January - December, 2008: The Creation of 110+ New HOLIDATES TO CELEBRATE which falls under ASK's Literary Format called:

EVENTOLOGY ®
The Art Of Event-Making
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith's Campaigns For Humanity ©1990


KOOPERSMITHin' ® (ASK's Pop Culture Blog that began on November 21, 2007) widens by 127 new Blog Entries.


January, 2008:
1) Branding ASK ® @ 18: Summary of 18 Years of Eventological Work featuring Adrienne as:

'America's Premier Eventologist'
&
'The Premier Eventologist in The History of The World'


2) April, 2008:
Chairs & Tables.com, an ASKian Book first published in 1999 & 2000 becomes the Theme of Two Arealand Art Shows. Locations are:

April 30TH Opening at the North Lakeside Cultural Center
June 7TH - Closing at the Edgewater Historical Society


3) July 12, 2008:
GORF's Great Green Book: 'The Grin Reaper's' first Three Years as 'Chicago's First Green Mascot' and 'The Icon of The Green Movement' is published and distributed to major Personalities & Outlets.


4) August, 2008:
GORF Unveils his Peace Sign for The Green Movement on August 9TH, 2008 on ASK's 56TH Birthday at Kasia Kay's Art Projects (Art Gallery) in Chicago's trendy River West District.


5) September, 2008
Kurt Perschke's RedBall Project. ASK becomes the Official Daily Blogger and creates 22 KOOPERSMITHian Blogs exploring the Art of Sculpture, Photography & Popular Culture on a metropolitan community, its visitors and residents.


6) October 5, 2008
'She's Got The Look. ' ASK (at age 56, wearing barely any make-up) is one of the Top Contestant Winners from Chicago who 'beat out' a nation-wide search of 350+ Hopefuls to go to 'Stage 2.' This Reality TV Program will air in 2009.


7) October to Present:
Faux Fur Fridays ® begins with its pre-Launch in November. The Holidate will premier on Friday, January 2, 2009 and is concerned with ECO-logy & the ECO-nomy.


8) Photography is used as one of ASK's 2 Major Art Forms besides Writing Literature. Magic Markers is her other Choice in making the Visual Portion of her prolific Writings standout from 'The Crowd.'


9) ATTENDANCE at major Chicago Merchandise Mart (a notable Meeting Arena) Conclaves include:

Artropolis
Neocon
The Outside Furniture Show
One of a Kind (Art Show)

10) Visiting online websites as Complainary.com and voicing comments that warranted Testimonials as this from Richard Friedman of California:

Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith: She writes me emails from time to time that just make me laugh. I wish she would post more often to Complainary. Check her blog out here. She write with great style, humor and insight.

SIGHT & ON-SITE: Anticipating 2009
Always an Optimist, ASK summarizes her Past Year Dealings as a vital Growth Period, relaying:

"The Best is yet to come..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Friday, December 26, 2008

Koopersmith's FAUX FUR FRIDAYS. Quotes for The Media. Launch Date: January 2, 2009.

Dateline: Friday, December 26, 2008 – 12:13 PM CST

Chicago, IL USA: The official Launch Date of:

Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith's
FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ®

is January 2, 2009 and every Friday thereafter, culminating on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2009 at which time a Gala will be held to celebrate the Totality of the Events, compiled.

The following are the FUR-st Round of Quotes the Media can use when reporting on the Dynamics of this important Eco (Ecological & Economical) HOLIDATE, only one of 1,900+ that ASK has created since Wednesday, July 25, 1990.

QUOTES FOR THE MEDIA:

“Faux Fur, the One Pattern that invades all Seasons.”
FAUX FUR DEFINED:
Collectively includes: Leopard, Cheetah, Tiger, Zebra, Beaver & Snake Skin.

“Cotton, Silk or Cashmere. No One is pulling ‘The Wool’ over your Eyes when you enter a Room wearing FAUX FUR.”

“Fur has always given Man(kind) the feeling of dressing up. However, now with Global Warming and the constant Threat of Extinction of certain Species (perhaps the entire Planet if we want to get dramatic or serious), wearing FAUX FUR is the wisest Course to take and Decision to make.”

“Even Ancient Warriors wore Cat-Skins to derive the Cat’s Innate Prowess into their “Self’ Image. Contrary to Popular Belief, Self-Worth is no longer tied to The Clothes you wear. It’s HOW you wear those Clothes that make The Difference and define your Style.”

“On a Local Level for FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ®, adopting a PET CAT – FELINE from an Animal Shelter is advantageous to both The Pet and its New Owner(s). Saving a Person or Creature’s Skin is the most Heroic Act you can do.”

“In Chicago where it’s unBEAR-ably cold, a select Number of Night Club Owners are Sponsors of FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ®. Patrons who arrive in FAUX FUR GARB will get their First Drink Free and $1 off each Drink thereafter on each Friday throughout April. Not only does this HOLIDATE ® redefine ‘Happy Hour’ but it surely beats Cabin Fever and puts the CHIC into CHICago.”

“The FAUX FUR-enzy ® continues…”
To interview Ms. Koopersmith; to schedule ASK to speak at your Venue and/or find out more about this prolific set of thought-provoking Events, contact her directly at:

Faux(dot)Fur(dot)Friday(at)gmail(dot)com
or
Faux(dot)Fur(dot)Fridays(at)gmail(dot)com

Written & Submitted by:

Klancy Perkins
Assistant to: ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
‘America’s Premier Eventologist’
&
‘The Premier Eventologist in The History of The World’
Chicago, IL USA

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME ©1991 commemorates its 17TH Anniversary.

AS REPORTED & DISTRIBUTED BY:
Klancy Perkins
Assistant to: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
(aka: ASK)

Chicago, IL USA:

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 6 PM marks the 17TH Year Anniversary that Artist/Lifestyle Conceptualist:

ADRIENNE SIOUX KOOPERSMITH

was attacked in the lobby of her apartment building, violently assaulted and robbed. After such a harrowing, life or death experience, Koopersmith did not become a hermit, but turned a "Lemon into the proverbial Lemonade" by strategically founding the First Educational Crusade employing Comic Art and fine Cartoonery through her Creation of

CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME ©1991.

Because Crime Prevention was #1 on President Wm. Clinton's Agenda, the Crusade struck a chord with everyone who came into contact with it, not only on a political, but social and artistic front, locally, nationally and internationally, 'drawing' upon the attention of novice to experienced Cartoonists, Artists and Graphic Designers.

Setting a Milestone in using a Cartoon to save a Precious Life, ASK's Slogan was:

CAC: We draw Cartoons - NOT Guns!

The last 17 years have been extremely creative for ASK as she has developed a Series of Crusades all aimed at showing Humanity that there is (and always has been) a better way to pursue Life through the Arts.


To interview Adrienne about her Endeavors or to receive a List of her Top 10 2008-2009 Safety Precautions, contact her:

askoopersmith(at)hotmail(dot)com

Friday, December 19, 2008

Sign Up Now to PARTY-cipate in ASK's FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ® - Friday, January 2, 2009.

DATELINE: Friday, December 19, 2008

Submitted by:

Klancy Perkins, Assistant to: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
'America's Premier Eventologist'
&
'The Premier Eventologist in The History of The World'


Chicago, IL USA: The Countdown is officially on. There are now only 2 more Weeks until:

ADRIENNE SIOUX KOOPERSMITH's
Yearlong ExtravaGanza: FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ®.

Do you want to bring in more customers to your establishment from January through April?

Then, later in the year:

Do you want to bring in more customers to your establishment from November through December?


PSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING @ WORK:

With this shrinking local (as well as global) Economy and non-stop blustery weather (where so many prefer staying in and home-based), a novel Approach is always well-received and crucially needed. If this is your case, then, ASK's current EVENT called:

FAUX FUR FRIDAYS

that begins on Friday, Jan. 2 is the way to beat Cabin Feveritis.

CONNECTING THE DOTS & SPOTS:

The Premise is: For customers wearing FAUX FUR who enter your Establishment, they receive a free drink, appetizer, dessert, small gift, token (or whatever you wish) to entice them once they mention this EVENT. Gimmicks work beautifully especially when it's combo'd with Fashion + Flair as this Holidate does. Then, of course, there's your Eco-LOGICAL & Eco-NOMIC Side of it that makes it the HOTTEST HOLIDATE to surface in a long, long time.

The Available Dates are: January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10, 17, 24
November 6, 13, 20, 27
December 4, 11, 18, 25

As a full-fledged Public Relations Company since 1979, ASK will handle all Media & Broadcast Promotions as ONLY she knows how to speak on and about this relevant Topic - a Subject she has been heavily involved in since her Youth and one of the leading Trendsetters in her home town of Mendota, Illinois (located 100 miles southwest of CHICago).

ATTN MEDIA: Koopersmith is also available for Guest Appearances as well as TV, Radio & Web Ads and Commercials to further its Uniqueness. Academicians and School Teachers may wish to hire her to speak to classes about the Study of:

EVENTOLOGY ®
The Art of Event-Making
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith's Campaigns For Humanity ©1990

that she created on Wednesday, July 25, 1990.

ULTIMATELY at the Close of FAUX FUR FRIDAYS' First Annual Run, a Book, Calendar, Paper Doll Book and DVD will be issued on The Finale which falls on Friday, December 25, 2009 -- Christmas. That will culminate in a Gala called:

ASK's FAUX FURBALL ®

at The Ritz Carlton in Chicago. Plans are already on the drawing board for this SO: Special Occasion.

ASK's HOW TO PROPERLY CELEBRATE FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ® is available for:

$15 - USA (includes postage & handling)
$25 - Foreign (includes postage & handling)

You may refer to this BLOG regularly (every Friday by 3 PM) at:

http://adriennesiouxkoopersmith.blogspot.com/

for Weekly Updates.

Contact ASK at:

Faux.Fur.Friday(at)gmail(dot)com
or
Faux.Fur.Fridays(at)gmail(dot)com

for detailed Info.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Use of this Holidate without ASK's Permission and Start-Up Fee is strictly prohibited by International Copyright Laws.

©1979-2008. ADRIENNE SIOUX KOOPERSMITH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

IF I WERE...Christian V. Siriano

A NEW SERIES PRESENTED ON THE KOOPERSMITHin' BLOG DEPICTING STATE(s) OF THE ART(s) primarily:
PRAM - Public Relations - Advertising - Marketing Concepts & Ideologies

aimed at a universally renown and/or specific Multi-Media Personality.

FOR TODAY: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, IF I WERE...focuses on Fashion Designer:

Christian V. Siriano

This Glorious Idea for your 2009 Marketing Strategies centers on this Quotation:

“Words (to me) are what Fabric is to you.”
Quote of ASK
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 – 10:22 AM

And with that Thought in mind, I couldn’t help but ‘notice’ that CVS' Initials spell out:

CVS

which is one of my favorite Chain Stores – it’s a Market/Pharmacy here in ‘these parts’ that I frequent on a regular bases.

ASK's EXPLANATION & CREATIVE REASONING:

Part of my FAUX FUR FRIDAYS ® Concept involves me depicted as PaperDoll clad in Faux Fur. Since CVS' Fashion Line is something girls/women of all ages would love to wear, how about making an Assortment of his Garments into Paper Doll Books that are sold exclusively to CVS, the Market/Pharmacy? This would not only increase his Earnings, but it would inspire young Women & Men who want to pursue a Career in Fashion. I think it would be a dynamic FIRST and become yet ‘The Talk of the Town…’ Let’s make that ‘TOWNS’ (as in plural) where CVS Stores are found. In 3 Words only, the Inside Motto could be:

CVS does CVS

is how We could term that Marketing Ploy. The Paper Doll Book could come out seasonally.

-- It could have Outfits for special Events, Occasions or Holidays.
-- It could present pertinent autobiographical Info & Insights on CVS.

That is, UPDATE the ‘older Paper Doll Books’ from the previous Decades, since ‘after all,’ We are (purportedly) a Paperless Society, but then, We aren’t. To me, if I were ‘CVS Corporate,’ CHRISTIAN would be a ‘shoe-in’ for this variety of long-term Marketing Plan. FUR-thermore, I don’t think any other high profile Designer is pursuing this new Avenue and thinking ‘out of the box’ in this manner. It definitely would be an Adventure! And, you may be finding other Fashion Designers changing their Initials (as well) and thinking:

“Why didn’t I think of that!”

And you read it here FIRST.

ASK's EDITORIAL NOTE:
IF I WERE...is published whenever a Creative Marketing Thought comes to mind. If you have any Referrals that need the Koopersmith Touch, email me at:

askoopersmith(at)hotmail(dot)com
or
Faux(dot)Fur(dot)Fridays(at)gmail(dot)com

Monday, December 15, 2008

GORF voted 'Toy FROG of The Year' for 2008.

DATELINE: Monday, December 15, 2008

Chicago, IL USA:

GORF
is affectionately nicknamed:
‘THE GRIN REAPER’
&
is promoted as:

‘Chicago’s First Green Mascot’
‘Illinois’ Foremost Goodwill Toy Ambassador’
‘America’s Greenest Mascot’
‘Mankind’s Most Beloved Toy’
&
‘Nature’s Greenest Creature’

By:

ASK: ADRIENNE SIOUX KOOPERSMITH
KEEPER OF THE FROG, GORF
during
2006-2016:
THE DECADE OF THE FROG WITH GORF OFFICIATING
Chicago – CHICAGORF – Illinois USA


has been named GORF voted 'Toy FROG of The Year' for 2008 for the immense Amount
of Humanitarian GreenWork he & his Team headed by ADRIENNE have successfully done
to shed light on 'GOING GREEN.'

GORF's IMMEDIATE CONTACT INFO: askgorf(at)yahoo(dot)com

Friday, December 12, 2008

KOOPERSMITH's LOST PENNY DAY coincides with LINCOLN's 200TH Birthday: February 12, 2009.

SUBTITLE: Decades before the Days of Irrational Blagovichian Corruption...more than a Penny or two...


Chicago, IL USA: Two months from today the State of Illinois (as well as other parts of the Nation) will be celebrating the Birth of Abraham Lincoln, by far, one of the nation's top and favorite presidents.

Back in 1995 in my own personal writing quest to TOAST Mr. Lincoln, I created LOST PENNY DAY ©95 that was a Day in which LOST PENNIES - ie: 'Found Money' could be given to those needier than ourselves. Thirteen (13) years later, many (once)-average people find themselves IN NEED as homes are being foreclosed; jobs are being lost; Illinois is now classified as the most corrupt State in the Union; jobs outsourced; crime is rising and the recession is slipping into a Great Depression with no Silver Lining insight.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS TODAY: 2 Months until...

However, in order to celebrate this HOLIDATE, LOST PENNY DAY will be celebrated, eventologically, of course for the ENTIRE Month of February and not JUST on the official Day of February 12TH, the 200th Birthday of Abe, but every day in order to better understand how government was run and life was lived 2 centuries ago. With so many angles and stories, a month is needed to cover them all - even if it is February, deemed as the shortest month of the given year.

To find out more about this Historically-elated and related HOLIDATE and how you can spread some Cheer regardless of what loom ahead,

contact me directly at:

askoopersmith(at)hotmail(dot)com

and see the Difference a HOLIDATE makes in your Lives and how it touches others.

POSTED BY:
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
'America's Premier Eventologist'
Chicago, IL USA

December 9, 2008 - 2:47 PM CST

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Directly from The Creator of National Smith Day ©1994. The Countdown for 2009's Event begins today.

ASK’s National Smith Day ©1994 – Countdown: 1 Month: January 6, 2009.
Attention: SMITHS: (Y)our Name is written all over this Page…

DateLine: December 6, 2008 - 9:08 AM CST

SUBTITLE: Are you on the S-List? That’s SMITH-List, of course!

"Getting to the Root of the Matter."

Chicago, IL USA: Gosh, there’s a lot of SMITHS ‘out there.’ They all don’t go to Washington; own Pie Factories or chic Restaurants, are Movie Stars or stupendous Artists. Some are even Smithatives (as in a Derivative) like myself. Half of my Last Name is Smith; half of it isn’t. Yet, its Combo gives it its unique nature and ‘take’ on a very Interesting Subject worth exploring: Genealogy whose Roots rest in the Greatest Institution on the Planet: THE FAMILY.

As a matter of fact when many Smithatives arrived in America, they would either drop their Prefixed Name or ‘The Smith’ Part which was usually the Second or Third Syllable (or Ending of that particular Surname). Although great for ‘The Nation,’ this was (sadly) known as Assimilation and destroyed many valuable and vital Links as Migration picked up enormously. This additional Source of Knowledge is yet another good Reason to commemorate such an Event.

As for my Last Name, some of these early Koopersmiths ‘signed in’ and registered at Ellis Island as Smiths; others as Koopers. Some went as far as spelling theirs with a ‘C’ and not a ‘K’ depending on what country/country you called home. In other words, some of these so-caleld 'Smiths' could actually be Koopersmiths, if we seriously trace back their Ancestry.

The Assimilation that occurred at Ellis Island killed alot of the Character of the 'Old World' Names that were arriving from destinations far away. Another devastating Factor that's often lost sight of is that, of course, they lost touch with each other as they pursued ‘The American Dream’ since eMail wasn’t available 105 years ago. My Curiosity Factor in knowing more of my Ancestral Lineage aided me in creating this HOLIDATE for The Masses and indeed there are Masses of Smiths as it is the most popular Surname in America.

“’Short and Smith’ is how I define it.”

Quote of: ASK
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 – 2:46 PM CST

Moreover, some Folks are only SMITHS-by-Association. That is: They got lucky and married one or decided to change their Name for the Sake of Hipness (of course). However, not wanting to dispel The Spell and Mystique of this HOLIDATE that I invented back in 1995, Everybody is a(n honorary) SMITH on January 6TH. Fully documenting my HOLIDATES in order to lend Credence to them, my extensive Research showed that John Smith was the First Smith to set foot in America. Therefore, he is accredited for starting this entire Migration. It only seems fair he should be honored for starting such a Movement that means so much to so many today. This delightful HOLIDATE stems from my Core Group of 1,700 HOLIDATES TO CELEBRATE that span 39 Categories and is found in my book:

EVENTOLOGY ®
The Art of Event-Making
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith’s Campaigns For Humanity ©1990.

KEEPING UP WITH THE SMITHS:
My Tuesday, January 6TH, 2009 Blog will again be featuring NATIONAL SMITH DAY ©1994, now in its 15TH Year. Checkout KOOPERSMITHin at:

http://adriennesiouxkoopersmith.blogspot.com/

THE SPECIAL COLLECTIBLE GIFT SERIES: Special SMITH Certificates with your Name inscribed is now available until January 30TH, 2009 as a Souvenir of this Pop Culture Event for $29.95.

For those interested in interviewing me as the Creator of National Smith Day ©1994 and finding out about my Literary Style known as:

EVENTOLOGY ®
The Art of Event-Making
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith’s Campaigns for Humanity ©1990

that houses National Smith Day ©1994 and the other 1699+ HOLIDATES mentioned above and/or purchasing this Name-Sake Certificate (no pun intended), email me directly today at:

Adrienne.Sioux.Koopersmith(at)gmail(dotcom

School Teachers and Parents may want to start to instill a BIT OF SMITHology © by writing up Stories about the(ir) Smith Klans that will lend itself (over time) to what I call Smitherature ( which is the Combination of the 2 Terms: Smith + Literature).

THE IDEAL WAY TO CELEBRATE NSD: And, of course, a Group of us (known as a BoS: Body of Smiths) will be dining at one of Chicago’s top SMITH Eateries to celebrate the Occasion. Gather up your Fellow Smiths and wine-and-dine wherever you reside. You know you should.

Sincerely,
ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Renown as:
‘America’s Premier Eventologist’ – Insight Magazine – Washington, DC – August, 1997
&
‘The Premier Eventologist in The History of The World – Chicago Tribune – Chicago, IL – January, 2001

STUDIO 1437 - Chicago, Illinois USA

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

DAY WITHOUT CRIME ©93 commemorates Year #15 on Wednesday, December 3, 2008

SUBTITLE: Making Lemonade from a Lemon

Chicago, IL USA: After launching the Comic Art & Cartoon Group, CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME ©1991 whose Motto was:

"We Draw Cartoons - NOT Guns!" ®

it was time to let Governors across America know that common law-abiding Citizens (as myself )were out to help 'protect and serve' the People. And it was on this Day in 1993 -- 15 years ago today that Governor Jim Edgar (of the State of IL) signed into Action a Gubernatorial Proclamation declaring that

December 3 would now be known as: DAY WITHOUT CRIME ©1993

for the Residents of the State of IL. This Red-Ribbon Gold Seal Proclamation is one of the Milestones secured for the Campaign to show its Credibility on a larger platform. CAC's Premise was SIMPLE and quite amusing. Although hard-core criminals may not abide by it, it was designed for Petty Thieves. In essencee, whatever your chosen Crime was -- even stealing or lifting Sweet n Lows from your favorite diner -- just don't DO IT. Do NOT do it on December 3 -- only for a Day -- much like followng the Steps in an AA Program. Don't overwhelm yourself. An added Bonus is that Sanity would be restored to a Population. Civilization would again be able to be labeled as CIVILIZED.

As Background (so you will understand the Intensity of this Campaign), I was returning home from work on Monday, December 23, 1991 at 6 PM and while retrieving my mail in the lobby of my apartment building (where I am still residing), was violently assaulted, robbed and left for dead -- in a pool of blood -- my own. I was unconscious, grasping my housekeys in my left hand as my attacker ran off with my black tote bag. After being taken to the nearaby hospital where I spent the night (having lost so much blood and coming home), I went through all the STEPS of what I should have done to prevent this horrible attack that had instantly changed the Course of my Life.

SUDDENLY IT STRUCK: When I realized that I was creating a Cartoon Character who NEVER experienced the Crimes We have today, it immediately occured to me that I should start a CRUSADE and all it:

CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME

thus raising the Medium of Comic Art to an Educational Tool. I had always enjoyed The Comics since I was able to read. Before that, I'd glance at the pictures and marvel at the characters. This was my Mission and Goal -- so that other innocent People (many just trying to get home) would not GET as hurt as I had. And it worked....and still works today as an extremely clever way to be safe with just a SINGLE GLANCE. Physical Awareness in your surroundings is now more important than ever before as we hear the gruesome stories broadcast each day.

TV TO THE RESCUE: A Great Message

Coincidentally, NBC/National News in New York City aired a reel on their GET OUT ALIVE Segment with Jenna Wolf (as Reporter) on how Crime has not lessened all these years. A few of their 2008 Stats included these:

* every 6 seconds a person becomes a victim of a violent crime;
* 1 murder happens every 32 minutes;
* 1 physical assault happens every 7 seconds;
* 1 robbery takes place every 57 seconds in the USA.

If anything with innocent people now losing their jobs; the drug trade in full-force and the easy accessibility of guns, the Crime Rate can be expected to rise as the economy spins into a Depression. Also, the Holidays are a favorite time for thieves to hold up and break-in. Therefore, it's advantageous to have a PLAN in case you are caught up in any sort of Crime, whether it's violent or not.

The Premise of CAC: Cartoonists Against Crime ©1991 stemmed from my Cartoon Character, CAVE MAN NEVER ©1990 in which I used Comic Art to relay the MESSAGE that People must be aware of every thing happening in their Surroundings. A Cartoon's Facial Expression can emote so well that a Person does not even HAVE TO KNOW the given Language to understand what The Cartoon Character is trying to get across, in either a single panel or strip. What could be a more ideal way to instill an important Life-saving Fact than this?

This Campaign culminated in 3 Shows for the course of its Span:

One at Daley Place;

One at City Hall and

One at the Around The Coyote Art Space ... all in Chicago.

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL: Cartoonists from outside the USA who wanted representation and Shows within the Continental USA were eager to help me get this LIFE OR DEATH Message across, as well as many other Artists, Cartoonists and Graphic Designers - from amateurs to seasoned professionals.

ASTONISHINGLY ENOUGH: Even Prisoners incarcerated who heard about CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME (who were remorseful) drew Pictures and sent them to me for inclusion in Shows and Literary Material that was being produced and distributed. And this, I must remind you was before eMail caught on which would have made the Process much simpler. All Monies used for this Campaign came solely from my pocket.

The Crusade clearly showed what a Person could do to REMAIN SAFE in an often-times unexplainable world. Since CRIME PREVENTION was #1 on President Bill Clinton's Agenda, 3 Letters of Endorsement were received from him as well as support from Mayor Richard M. Daley (0f Chicago) who also declared (at my beckoning) that October 25 be known as:

CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME ©91 Day.

If there ever was a Vision to use The Arts as a Catharctic Way to recover after a horrible Crime, CARTOONISTS AGAINST CRIME ©1991 was that Vehicle.

Be safe, not sorry.

POSTED BY:
ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Founder: CAC (C)91
Chicago, IL USA

Wed: December 3, 2008 - 9:41 AM

* Derived from Archival Works by ASK on CAC.

Monday, December 1, 2008

ECO-Christmas ©1994 redefined. 15 Years in The Making: The latest Edition.

SUBTITLE: We’ve come unwound…

Chicago, IL USA: It always surprised me as ‘America’s Premier Eventologist’ and ‘The Premier Eventologist in the History of the World’* that as greater numbers of people were being laid off, the pieces and quantities of items – referred to as MATERIAL POSSESSIONS continued to climb.

As a leading Humanitarian whose create 1,700 HOLIDATES to actively DO to make our Life better, it seemed highly appropriate that ‘Charity begins at home.’ At this time, also, THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS – no matter what your Faith may be (if any), begins at home. Since I was born (in August of 1952), the Spirit of Christmas was shrouded in giving FROM the Wallet and not from the Heart. This Act(ion), of course, is wrong. As the World Situation is rapidly deteriorating, Retailers would cut a deal for select items, but The Standard of Living was not as complex as it is now. Today, 15 years after my Creation of ECO-Christmas ©1994 all Holiday Shopping begins in mid-September and Black Friday discounts start right after Halloween.

EXPLANATION: Now, my self-created HOLIDATE known as: ECO-Christmas ©1994 is not what it appears to be like (in name only). The Day itself was slated for December 26 and was a Date when Prices were permanently slashed 50-75%. This appeared to be The Best Time to Shop. It definitely was for me. Going shopping after the Traditional Holiday brought in more and greater Deals for the conscientious Consumer as well as taking ‘The Stress’ off from vying and competing Retailers – where Throngs of hurried Shoppers were positively MAD in their relentless pursuit of buying some item that they really may not need (now – in the future OR ever).

Endless Variations of ECO-Christmas ©1994 can occur year round, especially so when a major Holiday that relies on Commercialism presents itself. I, as a bona fide THRIFTenarian (one who is as thrifty as can be in all my purchases from A-Z), came from a Family of Scrap Dealers. And, wealthy Scrap Dealers at that. Each slice of metal found on the ground equated to a few cents. And, mark my words, these mounted up. Besides that, picking up scrap/scrap metal secured a cleaner and less polluted Environment. It was certainly a Win-Win Situation, the best kind to have and the leading way to raise Children.

“Today, the Money you save is the Money you may not have tomorrow.”

That twisted Statement proved too correct the last several months when millions of People lost Fortunes that they will never totally regain. This was earmarked as:

Money for college educations;
Money for old age;
Money for unexpected sicknesses;
Money for a new home
and the list is endless.

That Thought is what got credit card holders to live beyond their Wildest Dreams and accounts for the dire economical state the Industrialized World is in today. Although DOING WITHOUT is fundamentally better, stimulating and consumption makes the Economy hum by putting people to work so they can produce those goods and evidently, afford to live a worthwhile life. Moderation must be found between The Two.

HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE ECO-Christmas ©1994:
However, don’t be shy. Take the lead and take a look around your Block. Read Newspapers and Magazines that are leading Indicators. Venture around the Globe and spot a Crusade that tears your Heart out – one that you can identify with for any reason. Chances are, your Contribution will immediately make a Positive Effect in those Person’s Lives. Yes, Today, the Money you save is the Stimulus to secure another Person’s Tomorrow.

Needless to say, Retailers (those who remain steadfast throughout this economical downslide) will continuously have Sales in order to lure and draw-in Customers to their store(s). That's the Nature of The Beast.

“Perhaps this Christmas (for once) will be about the Real Meaning of The Season…that’s One Thing money can’t buy.”

QUOTE of: ASK
Sunday, November 30, 2008 – 9:11 AM CST


Why not thoroughly discuss with your Loved Ones that the true Spirit of Giving does not lie under a well-lit, highly ornamented and colorful fir tree or glowing Hanukah Menorah. Estimate the Amount of Money you would spend as a Collective Whole and donate this entire Mass to a Good Cause – perhaps AIDS – as Madonna is doing with her http://iambecauseweare.com/ Awareness & School Building Program. DOING is The Message. After all, if you’re healthy, you are rich in ways that Money cannot buy. As most of my Koopersmithian HOLIDATES proclaim and strictly refraim:

"Celebrate all year long with your Heart and not your Purse."

And to paraphrase the Big Guy at the North Pole: “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Eco-Christmas ©1994 to One & All…”

======================================================

*ASK’s EDITORIAL NOTE: Titles derived from:

‘America’s Premier Eventologist’ – Insight Magazine – Washington, DC – August, 1997

&

‘The Premier Eventologist in the History of the World’- The Chicago Tribune – Chicago, IL – January, 2001

Posted: Monday, December 1, 2008 - 2:02 PM CST