Hey’o, MSCA’ers!

This is WAY late, but I forgot to mention that tonight, Tues. Jan 16, at 7pm is Celebrity Waiter Night at Bosco’s Squared in Overton Square, Memphis. Muley the Mule will be at this event which benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. www.rmhmemphis.org

1-SEC/NCS Leadership, 2007
2-NASCAR Cartoonist Wanted
3-Dinner Meeting
4-MSCA 20th Anniversary
5-Urban Art Commission Information
6-Convention Watch
7-Upcoming Products
8-Heroes Watch
9-Art Auction
10-Lin Reports
11-Got Anthology 2?
12-Self-Publishing/Products (a resource AND a CHALLENGE!)
13-Shameless Plugs
14-MSCA 2007 Meeting Schedule
15-General Discussion (Upcoming RMH Events, Di Anne Price, Free Font Maker)

Don’t forget that if you have any cool news about yourself or another MSCA member…cool news, not embarrassing (unless it’s funny)…be sure to e-mail me details. Want to write an article or review to share with other members? Being published? New online store or website? Your birthday? Your wedding? Your funeral? Read a good topical book you’d like to review? I wanna know, e-mail me: muleytmule@hotmail.com

1–SEC/NCS LEADERSHIP, 2007
The baton (sp?) has been passed as a great era held by Bruce Higdon, Jack Cassady, and Steve Haynie. The votes were cast and our new leaders will be: Greg Cravens has been elected the new Chairman of our chapter. Art Roche is now our Vice Chairman. Steve Haynie will continue as Secretary/Treasurer (as if THAT’LL ever change!) Congrats to our own Greg Cravens!!

2–NASCAR Cartoonist wanted:
A new NASCAR Nextel Cup racing team is looking for freelance cartoonist todraw NASCAR-themed editorial cartoons for the 2007 season. Looking forsomeone to create own ideas and subject matter and draw quickly. Toon willbe initially used on press materials and team’s website. Only seriousinquiries only. Please email your info to steven.pegram@teamredbull.com
(notified by Bruce Higdon/John Rose)

3–MSCA DINNER MEETINGS
The MSCA Dinner Meeting is the first Thursday of the month. The next will be January 4, 2007, at 7pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza (901) 327-6111, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111), and they will be saving us space in the party room for our meetings! Bring your artwork to show and tell, and money to order off the menu. We will also be continuing our mania of napkin doodles, so bring a pen!

4–MSCA’s 20th ANNIVERSARY
History: March 28, 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association. Originally begun as the Memphis Comics Group by Jack Cassady, the first meeting happened at what was called Steak and Ale that used to be on Summer Ave. To celebrate the occasion I’ve come up with the following itinerary. All members of the MSCA, current and prior, are welcome to attend (including spouses, co-horts, and optional significant others).

SCHEDULED! Thursday, March 1, 2007 is the monthly dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza (7pm).
SCHEDULED! Wednesday, March 28, 2007, is the actual 20th Anniversary day. We won’t have the April 5, 2007, dinner meeting, but instead meet on March 28th at Garibaldi’s Pizza at 7pm to celebrate 20 Years of the MSCA.
SCHEDULED! On Saturday March 31, 7pm, we’ll have the 20th Anniversary Dinner at Steak and Ale at 6201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-685-8466 (keeping with MSCA History). I’ll need an RSVP before March 15 (so I can also know if I need more or less seating–We have to make a deposit to reserve the space and must have all reserved seats filled to get it back). After March 15, you will be responsible for making your own reservation. http://www.steakandale.com/menus_dinner.html

I’ll send an RSVP e-mail soon.
Another good thing is that there are several hotels nearby

During the day on Saturday March 31, I really don’t have any ideas planned yet, but I want to make it worth folks’ while to drive/fly/walk/run/kayak/uni- or bicycle to Memphis. Any ideas, let me know.

Tentative: I’d like to have a “20 Years of the MSCA” Art Show, where we theme the show by having our art today displayed next to art from 20 years ago (or the earliest art you can find)! I figure we can do this earlier in the afternoon (2-6pm?). That will give us plenty of time to visit, hang out, poke fun, gossip, and catch up with one another and meet folks we have no idea who they are. I’d like to have the MSCA History Books on hand that day, too. Any idea for an art show venue?
The art show, dinner, any 20th Anniversary Events, and the T-Shirt designs are open to ANY prior MSCA members.

Any other ideas or suggestions, I’m open to them.

If you know any information to be added to our MSCA History Books, or have photos over the years, please make copies or save that information to CD and bring it along to February 2007 Dinner Meetings.
This information will be offered up in a separate e-mail dedicated to the Anniversary soon.

5–URBAN ART COMMISSION INFORMATION
www.urbanartcommission.org
Dear Artists, This email was just sent to the UAC office seconds ago. We all know how rare it is that a full time professional art position reveals itself in Memphis. The position is being offered by Creative Inferno and is no way affiliated with the UrbanArt Commission.
********************************************************************************************
Please read details and contact information below and send any questions to jobs@creativeinferno.com
Graphic Designer- We are looking for a designer with minimum three years of experience in an advertising agency or marketing/design firm.
Job Qualifications:* Responsible for creative, brand vision and execution on major accounts* Adheres to schedules and budgets* Maintains consistently high graphic standards and is aware of new techniques and trends in design* Is knowledgeable and proficient in emerging interactive tools and design techniques* Actively shares knowledge with others in the Creative Department* New Business interaction and creative collaboration on pitches and proposals
Additional skills:* Must be proficient in Adobe CS2 and Quark.* Web design experience in DreamWeaver, Flash and Fireworks. Final Cut Pro a plus.* An energetic, positive, cheerful, can-do attitude* Ability to manage multiple projects at a time, prioritize and meet production deadlines daily* Excellent teamwork and organizational skills* Ability to understand and respond to all issues related to assigned projects* Ability to be flexible and accommodating under pressure
Please send resume and visual portfolio/PDFs or Web site address to jobs@creativeinferno.com

6-CONVENTION WATCH
MidSouthCon, March 23-25, 2007, Memphis, TN–They have asked that MSCA members supply sketches from over our 20 year history, and participate on a 20th Anniversary Panel, and another panel discussion about the local comics’ scene. If you are interested and have not already replied, please feel free to contact me: muleytmule@hotmail.com http://www.midsouthcon.org/
Red Stick International Animation Festival, April 17-22, 2007, Baton Rouge, LA
http://www.redstickfestival.org/
AdventureCon, June 1-3, 2007, Knoxville, TN
http://www.adventurecon.com/
Superman Celebration, June 7-10, 2007, Metropolis, IL
http://www.metropolischamber.com/

7–UPCOMING PRODUCTS
Watch for Bushi Tales #2 (Beaty, Workman, Stewart) coming out in the next few months, Muley’s Comix and Stories #1 in the spring 2007 (Williams), and not far behind that a new Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa (Wade & Wade). Don’t forget to begin preparations for the 2007 MSCA Anthology #3 (more to come)!

8–MISSED HEROES? CATCH UP AT NBC.COM
Oh, before I forget. NBC has put up a link to see all the ‘Heroes’ episodes online. http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/heroes.shtml?show=heroes01

9–WKNO Art Auction
One great way to promote yourself is during the WKNO Art Auction. Suggested by Sam Ray, it is an opportunity for you to help public broadcasting by donating a piece of original art for auction and gain a little notoriety for yourself. When more details come as to the dates, I will notify you all.

10–LIN REPORTS:
Decided to add a section here of information V-P Lin Workman works up:
-SILVER SURFER SURFACES
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-12-21-coming-attractions_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA
-OWN THE 60’S BATMOBILE (FINALLY)
http://www.1966batmobile.com/hw.htm
–Animation Legend Passes
Joseph Barbera dies at 95: http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/18/barbera.ap/index.html
–NODEL PRIZED
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9119
Martin Nodell the creator of the Golden Age Green Lantern, Alan Scott has passed away. He was 91.
Nodell left comics in the 1950s to work in advertising. He’s likely best known to the public at large as part of the team that developed the design of the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Nodell’s last comic work was published in 1991′s “Green Lantern” #19, in which he provided an illustration of the Alan Scott Green Lantern for the last time.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/books/12/12/obit.nodell.ap/index.html more info.
–SHAZAM AND THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL #1 (of 4)
Written by Jeff Smith; Art and cover by Smith
The much-anticipated 4-issue Prestige Format miniseries by Jeff Smith, the award-winning creator of BONE, brings the whimsical world of Earth’s Mightiest Mortal to fully realized life! Young orphan Billy Batson finds himself wielding truly amazing magic powers — just in time to face an invasion of alien and earthly monsters!
DC Universe 48pg. Color $5.99 US, On Sale February 7, 2007

11–MSCA ANTHOLOGY #2
Alright, folks. It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. After much ink, sweat and tears, Overdrawn and Underwritten, the second comic anthology by members of the MSCA, is finally here! Go to Lulu.com to get your shiny new 51 page copy for only $6.50! www.lulu.com/content/415974

12–SELF-PUBLISHING AND PRODUCTS
You already know that you can have products made with your art on them at www.cafepress.com, but did you know you can also publish comic books through them as well? The same thing with products and comics can be done with www.zazzle.com. While we’re on the topic, check out these other three websites where you can have just about anything published:
www.lulu.com
www.comixpress.com
www.ka-blam.com
Let’s see your work in the binds of a book soon!!
CHALLENGE! All members are expected to have SOMETHING published somehow in some way before the end of December 2007!! (This does NOT include MSCA Anthology #3).

13–SHAMELESS PLUGS
If the web addresses don’t appear above, these are some website addresses to be associated with the stories I’ve reported:
www.abshaw.com Adam Shaw
www.andrewchandler.net Andrew Chandler
www.bushitales.com Lin Workman/Dave Beaty
www.midsouthcartoonists.com MSCA — All of us!!
www.secncs.com Southeastern Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society
www.toshigawa.com Martheus Antone Wade, Janet Wade, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa
http://www.cafepress.com/uvolution/1776414 to get your Greg Cravens’ Designs
Get your Andrew Chandler Gear here:
www.cafepress.com/andrewchandlerwww.cafepress.com/mothethanwww.zazzle.com/Andrew chandler
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=kevinmule (watch Muley videos!)

If your website doesn’t appear and you’d like it to, send me the link!

14–MSCA MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2007
(Dates and times subject to change without notice, check the site for more information)
Dinner Meetings, Garibaldi’s Pizza 7 pm, First Thursday Of The Month
February 1
March 1
March 28 (20th Anniversary Dinner Meeting, no April Mtg.)
May 3
June 7
July 5
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6
MSCA’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Day
Saturday March 31, 2006
Quarterly Meetings
Location, dates, times TBA

15–NOT MSCA NEWS, BUT…
-Upcoming Ronald McDonald House Events: Come join Muley the Mule* at the following events to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. More information can be found at www.rmhmemphis.org:
*January 16 – Celebrity Waiters Night (Bosco’s Squared, Overton Square, 5 – 9 pm)
January 27 – Rockin With The Riverkings (Desoto Civic Center, 7 pm, tickets are $5)
*February 10 – Leather Ball (Robilio’s Sidecar Café, 7pm – Midnight. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door)
*February 15 & 16 – Rock 103 Wake Up Crew’s 2007 RMH Radiothon (Thursday February 15 8pm – Midnight the crew will broadcast live from Fox and Hound on Sanderlin).
February 25 – Oscar Night America (Memphis Pink Palace Museum 6 pm, black tie affair tickets are $125).
-THE TRUTH AND NUTHIN’ BUT
Jim and Jo Lynne Palmer will be starring in a new play at Theaterworks (behind Overton Square) titled The Exonerated and will open January 6. Don’t miss out! Go see it, as the last 2 plays were FANTASTIC!
http://www.theatreworksmemphis.org/-Create Fonts: 30 day free trial; font maker: http://www.high-logic.com/-Di Anne Price: If you came to Isaac Hayes’ to help me celebrate my birthday on August 20th you heard Di Anne Price, my friend and a fantastic blues performer. If you get a chance, Wednesday Nights at 7:30pm she is performing at The Vault on Highland (next door to CK’s Coffee Shop). You can hear examples of her songs at www.dianneprice.com There are also plans in the work for a music video featuring a duet with Di Anne and Muley.
-BUCKETS’ STRIP SUPPORT: Pass the word- the comic strip ‘Foxtrot’ is ceasing new production of daily comic strips. Now’s the chance to get a Memphis comic strip in the Memphis paper! Below is the URL for letters to the CA editor, along with some little facts you might want to include in your letter to ‘our’ editor: http://web.commercialappeal.com/newgo/forms/letters.htm www.comics.com/comics/buckets
-Dr. Copter: Over the course of 2006, a cartoon/puppet/poser mascot was created for the Halverson Helicopter Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN. You can visit their website here: http://www.helihq.com/halsons_helicopter_museum/ Dr. Copter was created by Kevin L. Williams, assisted by Lin Workman, for the museum which had a lot of Steve Stanley’s design work throughout the museum ( www.Stanleyart.com ) There are no pictures of Dr. Copter up on the website yet, and hopefully that will be resolved before long.

Do we know anybody else who might be interested in news from the MSCA? They don’t have to be local to know what we’re all up to. Have whomever it is e-mail me and ask to be added and I will do it!
You are receiving this e-mail because you are a member of the SEC/NCS, MSCA, or have requested to be added on the mailing list, or someone has suggested you might be interested in our happenings. If all of this has been greek to you and you honestly don’t really care about anything in this e-mail and want to be removed from this list, please reply and ask to be removed.