Public Notice

It is with much sadness and admiration that we say Goodbye to the Foundation for a Compassionate Society and the Feminists for a Compassionate Society as they close their doors forever. The sister organizations have worked toward viable social change in Austin since 1987 through a variety of projects local and statewide: Stonehaven Ranch, Grassroots Peace Building, WATER House, the Feminist Family Values Conference, and too many other projects to mention here, some of which will continue under the auspices of a much smaller group. Genevieve Vaughan, the founder and heart of the foundation, will continue to promote her theories (espoused by these many efforts) through her book, For-Giving: A Feminist Criticism of Exchange, and through other venues. We'll miss hearing from the foundation, and do wish the staff and workers well in all future endeavors. 447-6222.

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A Wildflower Is Still a Wildflower

Oh sweet spring, you are a cruel month, indeed. You carpet this soil with your bounty of blue and red and yellow for but a few, short fleeting weeks. It's a dizzying display, really, and it should comfort us. But it doesn't. Our lover is gone. Gone to Autumn, across the globe. We lay in your fields of blue alone and blue. Damn bluebonnets; we love you so.

Sorry you had to suffer through all that self-indulgent whining just to find out that our lovely National Wildflower Research Center has shed her academic moniker for a cozier name, an homage to the woman responsible for its existence and responsible for the blankets of exploding colors all over our highways, instead of those pesky billboards). God bless Lady Bird Johnson and the newly re-named Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. And in two weeks, you can go out and celebrate in style, as the center hosts its annual Wildflower Days Festival, Sat-Sun, Apr 18-19, 10am-6pm. More info next week. http://www.wildflower.org or 292-4200 or 292-3145.

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A Literal Shift

Two offices of the Literacy Council of Williamson County have Consolidated into one: The new address is 2109 N. Mays, Round Rock. They are still in need of Spanish/English dictionaries, paperback English dictionaries, and a stepping stool. 244-6647 or 244-6648.

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Eggs and Live Births!

Easter Fun is busting out all over this weekend at the South Austin Recreation Center. There will be a Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt, Fri, Apr 3, 7pm-9pm at the center, 1100 Cumberland, for teens, 12 & up. Prizes will include candy, CDs, tapeplayers, and more. Sat, Apr 4, 11am-3pm, SARC will hold its Family Easter Festival. There will be another egg hunt, a children's area, entertainment, and registration for summer youth programs. 444-6601.

* Imagine the delight in your child's eyes when he or she comes bounding out on Easter morning to discover a friendly Manatee in his or her basket! Save the Manatee Club asks you to consider participating in their Adopt-a-Manatee program. $20 gets an adoption certificate, photo and bio of "their" manatee, an educational handbook on the endangered sea cows, and a coloring book. Bunnies and chickies, indeed. http://www.objectlinks.com/manatee or 407/539-0990.

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Spring Into Action

April Is Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month. Our local Austin Child Abuse Prevention Coalition is hosting a series of events throughout the month. This Sun, Apr 5, 3-5pm, there will be an Art Opening of children's work hosted by CASA and The Children's Shelter at Barton Creek Mall. We'll keep you posted of more events in the coming weeks. 258-4579.

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Oh, Just Say "Cart"

You're input is invited, for once, in the development of your lovely city. The Lower Waller Creek Charrette is being held specifically to get all you (legit or nay) griper-types out to have a say before the fact instead of after development. First on Fri, Apr 3, 7-9pm, there will be a Public Presentation at the Waller Creek Plaza, 625 E. 10th, then on Sat, Apr 4, 9:30am-4pm, there will be a Citizen Design Workshop at the Austin Convention Center, Ballroom C, 500 E. Cesar Chavez. 499-6418.