Public Notice

The thing about body parts is that we come to think of them as ... well, part of us, like family members, like essential parts of our being, part of what makes us us. It seems so obvious, but how often do we, each of us, take a moment to revel in the glory of the fleshy, gooey, yummy, lovely encasements which define our places in this mortal coil? Yeah, we're all obsessed in one way or another with "body image," but that's not reveling in the glory. Athletes, musicians, artists, and performers reflect upon and examine their bodies as part of their lives' missions -- it's just a natural part of that art thing. But some of us only revel when we're marveling in someone else's, all wrapped up, entwined in an intimate dance. Cancer, and specifically breast cancer, is not just about a loss of a body part, and sometimes, those of us not immediately faced with the horror forget that; we tend to obsess on the loss. Disease, and especially cancer, is about an elemental invasion, a devastatingly hostile attack on that which we hold most dear -- our very selves. This weekend, join with the community and celebrate your body and everybody else's. Both events will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, dedicated to funding research on treatment and finding a cure for the leading cause of death of women between ages 35 and 54: Shake off some of that body inhibition at A Dance for Life, this Fri, Nov 5, 8pm-midnight, at Ben Hur Shrine Temple Auditorium, 4300 Westlake High Dr. The dance party will feature W.C. Clark and those original Dixie chicks, the Texana Dames. There will be a Silent Auction, and setups are available for you BYOers. On Sun, Nov 7, 6:30am, the Komen Austin Race for the Cure (actually a variety of races and walks to suit all abilities), will take off from GSD&M, at Sixth & Lamar, as all sorts of folks (and especially a whole lot of women) will take to the streets doing one of the prettiest things a human body can do: run. There's still time to call for an application and gather some sponsors. Or if that's not your preferred route, go on down that morning, cheer them on, and perhaps even sponsor someone. Dance, 892-3569; Run, 427-4833. Y'ever notice that at just about every convention or fair, no matter the size, scope, or theme, there is a booth featuring a chiropractor? Yeah, we have too. What's up with that? Sure, sometimes it makes perfect sense. Family health fair? Totally understandable. Home & Garden Show? Okay, but that's a stretch. Hey, don't get us wrong. We swear by chiropractic, and are in no way questioning its validity or even suggesting that it is in the class with other fair regulars, like, say, Chinese healing magnets or biorhythm charts. We love chiropractors. We just thought it odd in that sort of Seinfeldy "Y'ever notice?" sort of way. This Sat, Nov 6, 9:30am-2:30pm, is Austin Family magazine's first free School Fair at the Great Hall of the First Methodist Church, 1300 Lavaca. All sorts of kid-specific businesses and services -- from tutoring services and private schools to toy stores and (snnnark! you guessed it) chiropractors -- will set up shop to show their wares and give away free stuff. Bring the kids. 442-7979. Only 200 lost boys and twinkly Tinkerbells will get a chance to enjoy a dinner at the second annual Out Youth Peter Pan Ball, Sat, Nov 13, 7pm-midnight at the Hyatt on Town Lake. Reservations are being snapped up faster than Capt. Hook by the tick-tocking clock croc. This is the annual fundraiser for the local safe place for sexual-minority youth. This year, two tiers of tickets are offered. Tickets for the Seasonal Winter Harvest dinner, which begins at 7pm, cost $75 each. Tickets for Silent Auction & Dance only (9pm) are $25 each. 419-1233x3. Mothers are doing it for others this month.

Mother Rock Star, that fine fine network of networking music biz madres, is collecting for a Children's Charity Clothing Drive throughout November. Drop off your gently useds at Waterloo Records (call for more dropoff points) and the moms will get the articles to folks who need them at Salvation Army, Pediatric AIDS League, and Any Baby Can. 236-0098.

Mon, Nov 8, 9am, the Central Austin Preschool Mother's Club will hold its annual free and open to the public Silent Auction at Crestview Baptist, 7600 Woodrow. Proceeds will go to facilitating the club's projects, to breast cancer research, and to Shalom House. 989-8313.