Well, Jaime Cancel (Charles Fazzino's Art Director) and I filled in for Charles at the 20th Anniversary Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk today. Charles is in Europe doing shows in Germany and one in France. He was disappointed that he couldn't be at the Walk, but his schedule is often set a year in advance. Jaime and I were proud to be there representing him, and showing and selling his official poster for the event. We had the posters and the limited edition fine art, and the Alzheimer's Association has produced some really nice note card sets and mousepads from the artwork. More than 3,000 people participated in the Walk and before they even started today, they announced that they had already raised more than $700,000 for Alzheimer's research and care. They were shooting for a new record and were pretty sure they were going to reach it.

The Memory Walk Weather Magic took effect too. Yesterday, we had torrential rains here in NY but today was absolutely gorgeous. Most people finished the walk in short sleeves and some were even in shorts. The speeches were very motivating and the crows was very upbeat. Lou-Ellen Barkan, the President and CEO of the New York Chapter of the Alzheimers Association did a fantastic interview on WABC TV this morning and you can see it here: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news&id=6470403

And here's Jaime at the walk:

Author's Note: Julie Maner is the Director of Charles Fazzino's exclusive publishing company, Museum Editions, Ltd., and the moderator of this blog . She substitutes for Charles Fazzino on occassion.

Blog Moderation: Please note that Charles Fazzino's blog is moderated. If you post a comment, please allow 24-hours for that comment to be approved and posted live to this site by our moderator. Thank You.

Physical fitness is a big part of my life. My obsession with exercise is almost as well known as my obsession with fine food and wine! I love both and have exercised religiously for years. So, it was extra special for me when Christine Spain from the US Department of Health and Human Services asked me if I would be interested in creating the artwork for the President's Council on Physical Fitness for the 2008-09 school year. Collectively known as the President's Challenge, the series of programs created by the Council to promote activity and healthy living begins in the schools. Children all over the country are introduced to the concept of the active lifestyle, not only in gym class, but throughout their school curriculum. It's such an important part of our lives and so often overlooked. I created a piece of artwork to illustrate this year's theme: “Take the President's Challenge: It's Fun & Good For You!” That piece of artwork is appearing on manuals and posters advertising the Challenge throughout schools all over the country.

There's just too much documented evidence that we are becoming too sedentary. We're not exercising enough and we're not eating healthy foods. I'm certainly not a fitness fanatic, but i encourage every one of you to examine your life and see if there aren't even small changes that you can make over time….changes that will move you in the right direction….towards health and fitness. Too many people struggle with health issues at too early an age because they don't pay attention today to how their activity, or lack of activity, will affect them tomorrow. It's hard to think about tomorrow….especially if you're healthy now. But please, think about how things may catch up with you later, and take action today!

As Christine always says, “Yours, in Health and Fitness”

–Charles

**Please note that Charles Fazzino's blog is moderated. If you post a comment, please allow 24-hours for that comment to be approved and posted live to this site by our moderator. Thank You.

I was recently asked by the Alzheimers Association in New York to create an image commemorating the 20th anniversary of their Memory Walk event. I was honored, especially since my own family has been touched by this terrible disease. They told me that more than 5 million Americans are afflicted with this disease. I was surprised to find out that many of them are under the age of 60. Every year, Alzheimer's Associations all over the country run Memory Walks to raise funds for their organization…to fund the search for a cure and support the families of those suffering. This year's walk in New York will take place on October 26th in Manhattan's Riverside Park.

I created an official poster for the event….I decided to make the image in the round because the walk should really be a never-ending walk…at least until we find a cure! The design is also being printed on a scarf by Echo. You can earn the scarf and the posters by raising funds as a walker, but you can also purchase the poster outright to benefit the organization by emailing us at info@fazzinocollectors.com.