A Look At Some Current Advertising & Promotions:

Rachael's birthday party last month was like any other 5-year-olds: sandwiches and punch, games and music, cake and ice cream. But there was one extra surprise. Cookie The Clown was on hand to entertain with her colorful, calvacade of circus fun, merriment and surprises designed for children 2 to 102. "When I visit a party, I like to begin with face painting," Cookie said. "This gives me a chance to meet the children, talk with them and learn their names. But more importantly, it gives them a chance to meet me. This makes the show fun for everyone."

"It is not everyday you see a professional clown in your family room," Cookie adds. "After all, professional performers have a warm-up act and I am no different. This lets the children know that with their sense of adventure and imagination, we are going to have fun."

Rachael had morphed into a princess. Some of the other girls wanted to be kitty cats or bunny rabbits.

With lots of giggling and finger pointing the children checked themselves in the mirror and imitated the character they became.

Most of the boys became pirates. Jacob was having the finishing touches added. Cookie had him look into her mirror and roar. He was surprised and delighted to see staring back at him was a lion.

In addition to entertaining at birthday parties, Cookie has performed at art festivals, parades, parks and recreation events and corporate picnics and holiday parties.

This is how Rachael met Cookie. Cookie entertained at a holiday party last December for employees, friends and families. All Rachael talked about was the silly things she saw with the puppets, balloon animals and face painting.

Before Cookie wrapped up the show with the balloon animals, she made sure to leave time for some games, puppets, songs and stories.

"These interactive activities truly give the children a chance to let their imagination soar," Cookie said.

In the hands of children, the 12' parachute becomes everything from a popcorn popper to a tent; the puppets tend to take on a life of their own; the music gives the children a chance to dance and sing and seeing isn't always believing when Cookie tells a story.

But the one activity most in demand is balloon animals. With a few bends and folds, pinches and creases, twists and turns, she creates not only a balloon animal, but a further extension of make-believe that has run through the entire party.

As she creates a balloon sword, she tells one of the pirates with a twinkle in her eye, "Promise you will use your powers for good and not for evil."

One of the moms at the party asked, "How did you learn your various talents?"
"A misspent youth," Cookie replies without missing a beat.

Actually, the truth is Cookie's real name is Jenny Kahn and she married into a performing family. Her husband, Alan, started performing in 1979, under the name Alan The Amazing. Together they have created 1st. Impressions Entertainment Group.

"Even when you add Alan performing the magic shows and workshops, arts and crafts and character visits," Cookie says, "our most popular activity is balloon animals."

They have performed for the past four years at the Fremont Art Festival doing balloon animals all day. They have taught classes from child care centers, through high school and this Winter they will be at Milpitas Adult Education. This has become so popular, they now teach a class on face painting and a class on magic.

On Sundays, Jenny twists balloons during dinner time at the Red Lobster in Fremont.
Jenny says, " It is a lot of fun for guests of all ages."

But now these two are giving something back to the community. Alan is a Booklegger with the Fremont Library and the Fremont Unified School District. They have also been active supporters of the Book Bucks program presented by the Alameda Newspaper Group in schools throughout the East Bay.

When it comes to spreading laughter and joy to a one-of-a-kind event, it takes a one-of-a-kind performer. With Cookie at the party, it is a lot of fun, without a lot of fuss.