The weather pattern in Eugene Oregon is typified by a cycle of two to five days of rain followed by two to five days dry. My oldest daughter moved to Eugene four years ago to attend the University of Oregon. Having grown up on the West Side of Los Angeles J.Lucy’s distinctive sense of style was influenced by a combination of upscale trends and freethinking California urban fashion. J.Lucy is lovely. She is iconoclastic, but adapts to any environment and is comfortable wherever she is.

Backpack at Street fair

As a resident of Eugene, she purchased her fair share of down outerwear and bulky sweaters not often worn in LA, however, after three years in the Pacific Northwest the endless parade of young women in diaphanous mismatched, ill-fitting clothing had violated her Southern California innate sense of style, and she was ready for a change.

That beautiful face

Last October I visited my daughter in her adopted hometown. We ate at restaurants that had names which included either cuddly animals, or parts of the solar system.  The interiors were rustic and individual, not a chain pancake house in sight. Vegan donuts and gluten-free pizza were more the norm.  Living in South Florida, where Publix markets and CVS pharmacies dot each and every intersection, I was ecstatic to be outside the fringe. Shops and restaurants in Eugene are entirely different from one another and neighborhoods have distinct character, but when J.Lucy told me she wanted to include tailored pieces in her wardrobe I asked her if there was a mall nearby. But of course in this iconoclastic bastion of style and academia the mall was not nearby. It was on the outskirts of town. During the forty minute bus ride to Gateway Mall we talked about nothing in particular and giggled about anything. The freezing blasts of wind overtook us every time the doors opened. It was impossible to stay warm.

New and just right

I will admit that I succumbed to the ad campaign for the revamped JC Penny. James Cash Penny first opened his dry goods store in 1902 in the small town of Kemmerer Wyoming. Miners, farmers and their families were able to purchase affordable necessities in an atmosphere designed to follow the golden rule. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated was the founding motto. Mr. Penny originally named the store The Golden Rule to anchor that philosophy.

JC Penny’s underwent reorganization from a store known for mass market merchandise to establishing itself as an affordable fashion-oriented store in the 1980’s. Collections now include natural fibers, and stylish designers. The first time I visited a JCP, (as they are now known) I felt the love. The sales associates are as attentive as any highly trained staff of an upscale department store where feigned interest in shoppers masquerades as concern. At JCP however the interest is genuine. The staff is committed to ethical and responsible behavior, and is trained to treat customers as friends.

Black jacket for us both

“Precious” was my sales associate at the Pompano Beach store. She has worked in the same department for years and told me that many of her clients treat her as a cherished friend. She and I spent hours together in search of the illusive perfect fitting bra. I felt as if she were in fact my friend by the time I left.

Only the sleeve and polka dots

And when J.Lucy and I were in the JCP many thousands of miles away from Pompano Beach, Florida, the service was exactly the same. Attentive and caring. My daughter is taller than I am and subsequently wears a larger size. In light of her request to restyle her look, I suggested she try on particular fashion forward jacket. The only problem was that the jacket which would fit her was being worn by the mannequin. Without hesitation the manager undid the arms, unfastened the pins holding the jacket in place and disrobed the mannequin, leaving her top half exposed, no questions asked. J.Lucy looked beautiful. I purchased the jacket for her in a medium and bought the same one for myself in a size small. What do you know; we finally had that Mother – Daughter look.

As evidenced by JCP the underlying philosophy of an organization sets the tone for its success. More than one hundred years after opening its doors JC Penny is thriving based on the edict Mr. Penny first believed in, to treat every customer as a friend.

The talented Mr. Hall

Several months ago when I curated The Sincerity Project at Studio 18 in Pembroke Pines it was my pleasure and privilege to meet Cynthia Drucker, founder of Artists with Autism. The exhibit showcased the work of forty established artists, all of whom lent their work to be interpreted by members of the special needs community. Artwork from several artists from Artists with Autism was showcased in The Sincerity Project.

Founded in 2010 Artists with Autism promotes the artistic abilities of high functioning young artists with either autism or Aspergers Syndrome. Ms. Drucker started the group to address her autistic son’s interest in creating art.

With the cooperation of other parents Cynthia spearheads the organization believing that “though each member continues to have personal struggles relating to their diagnosis; they continue to succeed, because their family chooses to believe in them.”

Just Love

During the intake for The Sincerity Project Cynthia, her son Brandon, and I discussed other venues for exposure for the disabled community. Once again, Cynthia has lent her quiet, yet effective style of leadership to chair the Inspiration Runway Fashion Show at the Coral Springs Museum of Art on October 13^th , 2011 form 6:30-8:30pm. The event is part of the 32^nd annual Disabilities Expo. The show will present more than a dozen models with various disabilities who have led exemplary lives.  Their inspirational stories will recount their achievements and future aspirations.

Cynthia’s professional life has been that of a highly skilled dental hygienist since 1988. She has neither formal education in the arts, nor any expertise in the field of autism. She is unfamiliar with event production, but that didn’t prevent her from accepting the position to chair the event. No one would know the bravery that marks Ms. Drucker’s life unless they had the opportunity to listen to her speak. Her humble demeanor prevents her from extolling her virtues. Instead she will tell you that being associated with the special needs community has made her a better person. Cynthia is the lifeblood of many worthy projects. But mostly she is a mother, a glorious, protective, and compassionate parent. She is indeed a hidden gem.

Mother and Son

JCP is the sponsor of the Inspiration Runway fashion show. They too are a well-kept secret. Their enthusiastic support of community events and organizations harkens back to James Cash Penny’s original platform of the company’s Golden Rule beginnings. After more than 100 years they continue to care for the communities where they do business, and operate in and ethical and responsible manner. I support both, and invite you to do same. The fashion show is free, with donations accepted at the door. I look forward to meeting you at the show, and will be wearing the black jacket I am pictured wearing in this piece.

JCPenny