I had a good week visiting some elementary schools. As usual, it was a lot of fun and it sufficiently wore me out. While at Dimmick School in Illinois last Friday, I was doing a session with students in kindergarten through second grade. They were all very well behaved and attentive. Towards the end of my presentation, while I was drawing one of the second graders, a little kindergartner (who just so happened to remind me of Kim) got out of her seat and walked right up to me at the front of the room. She said nothing, but held up her arm as high as she could in my direction. In her grubby little fist was a pencil. Upon further inspection, I could see that it had a broken point. "You need your pencil sharpened?" I guessed aloud.
She nodded.
"Well why don’t you go sit down for now," I said. "And when we get to the drawing part, we’ll get that pencil sharpened right up." That seemed to satisfy her, and she turned around and walked back to her little chair.
That’s why I find these expeditions into the educational system to be fun – you never know what you’re gonna get. One thing I can usually count on however: that the kids will be excited about drawing. It certainly doesn’t take long for those pencils to start smoking as soon as I give the green light for the kids to try out the techniques I’ve just demonstrated.
Provided that the pencils are sharpened, of course. 
Here is a shot of me scouting the talent field for a junior designer. Perhaps I should contact NBC about setting up an off-shoot of The Apprentice…
As I write this, I’m gearing up for a busy week. Tomorrow I head south to Illinois to do a cartooning workshop for an elementary school near my hometown. I’ll be meeting with kids in kindergarten up to eighth grade. Looking forward to it. Plus it gives Kim and I an excuse to see the P’s (an affectionate nickname we’ve given our parents.) Plus, if the weather’s decent, it’s an opportunity to steal my Dad’s hose and soap bucket to wash the car, which hasn’t been touched in months. Sunday night we’ll find ourselves in South Milwaukee, where I’ll be talking to about 100 middle and high school kids at a church. I’m excited that they have access to an LCD projector, so I’ll be able to utilize the slideshow aspect of my presentation. The photo of me from sophomore year always goes over well. Almost as well as the senior picture of my Dad. Then next Wednesday I’m back in Madison at Huegel Elementary for the first of three in-depth cartooning workshops made possible by Bucky Badger. That will be with third graders, who may be among my most favorite age group…old enough to get more advanced concepts, but not quite in the pretentious middle school stage. Finally, for those of you in the Madison area, come downtown next Friday between 2:00-4:00 pm and say hi. I’ll be on hand for the grand opening of Twee & Luliloo, a new candy store that’s opening at 218 State Street, next to the Orpheum theater. They will be exclusively carrying the Kim & Jason Jelly Bean cards. Oh, and a lot of old-fashioned candy, too. I’ll be working on some comic strips and scribbling my name on some of the non-edible purchases made by customers. Should be fun.
Related Posts:Kim and I had a chance to stop by Team Alswager’s thank you party the eve before their Juvenile Diabetes walk. We had the distinct privilege of meeting Michelle’s son Jesse – Kim’s first time, my second – who is now in second grade. He’s a big shot of epic proportions, spending time lobbying governors and senators and congressmen and various other hot shots. The photo here shows Jesse presenting a thoughtful gift from the Alswager clan; a framed graphic from the T-Shirt they used for the walk. Plus, it was autographed by the entire family, making it even more valuable. I’ll have to find a special place to put it so that I can always be reminded of the people out there who are doing so much to make such a difference. Keep up the great work you guys!
Well, KimandJason.com just became a much better web site. I wish I could take the credit for it. We just launched a new feature to the Chalkboard, one of the most popular areas on the whole site. It’s called Allan’s Alley, and it is the first Chalkboard Column, featuring reminiscings from Allan Dash, a 65-year-old Philadelphian who claims that he is still trying to figure out what to be when he grows up. Allan started posting to the Chalkboard several months ago. I really liked his writing style and unique perspective. Being a fairly young whippersnapper in my twenties (not for long…yikes!) I appreciated hearing Allan’s reflections on the days before TV. Not too long ago, he e-mailed me with the idea of writing a periodic column on various topics from his childhood. It took me about one point two nanoseconds to make a decision on that one. I just added his first article today, and am totally excited about the depth and richness the column will add to the whole Kim & Jason experience. My ultimate master plan (no, not ruling the world – too much stress) is to someday make Kim & Jason synonymous with the word "Childhood" in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Like if someone were to say "adhesive bandages", you’d automatically think…exactly. I know, it’s a lofty goal. But I think Allan’s column makes this "universe known as childhood" just a little bit more expansive.
Related Posts:
A few weeks ago, I spoke about the opportunity I had to contribute some Kim & Jason artwork for one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin’s holiday cards. I’m happy to say the cards are now available for sale in a boxed set. The inside message says "Wishing you all the joy, hope, and wonder of the holiday season." You can get 25 5"x7" cards and envelopes for only $25. You can order the cards with a check or credit card. Just download the order form from their web site. You can have the insides personalized and even get them addressed, stamped, and mailed for you, too! Talk about taking the stress out of the season. Consider picking up a box or two. All of the proceeds go to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Good stuff.
I’d like to highlight someone who is doing a great job making a difference in the lives of children. Her name is Michelle Alswager, and she is doing a phenomenal job of raising funds and much-needed awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Her involvement began five years ago when her son Jesse was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was three years old. I admire how Michelle has taken such a difficult situation and turned it into a positive and passionate mission to help not only her son, but also children and families all over the world. Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with juvenile (type 1) diabetes, the most severe form of a disease that annually accounts for almost $100 billion in health care costs in the U.S. alone. Insulin is not a cure for the disease; it is merely life support. The threat of devastating life-limiting and life-shortening complications such as blindness, amputation, heart disease and stroke, and kidney failure are an ever-present threat. It is destructive both to children and childhood, requiring a grueling regimen of eating a carefully calculated diet, checking blood glucose levels several times each day (by lancing a finger) and as many as six insulin injections a day just o stay alive. It means children and families living by the clock, day and night, for the rest of their lives – lives that turn out to average about 15 years less than normal. You can’t outgrow juvenile diabetes. The only solution is a cure. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has the mission of finding a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research as soon as possible. Michelle is just one regular, loving, committed Mom who has made an incredible difference. She has organized Team Alswager for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, and in the years since Jesse’s diagnosis, the team has raised over $22,000. Michelle organized a cookbook fundraiser featuring recipes from various Wisconsin celebrities and politicians. She has also volunteered her time to serve on the Board of Directors for JDRF and provides support for newly diagnosed families all over the world, including Japan and India. This year, besides the annual walk, she’s taking on a new challenge – riding 105 miles through Death Valley, California to raise $3,400 for the cause. I just think it’s awesome what Michelle and her family has been able to accomplish. It is a true testament to the power one person can have in this world. Here is her goal, simply and powerfully stated: 
CURE JESSE no more needles no more blood testing no more low blood sugar reactions no more worrying about school field trips no more parents afraid to have him come over to play no more worrying about finding babysitters no more "Mom! STOP talking about diabetes!" no more fighting with insurance companies about what I think is best for my child No more.I have had the honor and privilege of meeting and working with both Michelle and Jesse, and I wish them nothing but ultimate success. Keep up the great work! You can find out more about Jesse, the upcoming Walk to Cure Diabetes, and the myriad of ways to help out at Team Alswager’s Official Web Site.
