Devolving
MIRA Books and Houstonian Catherine Lanigan, author of Romancing
the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, announced a contest for
“evolving women” from the Lone Star State, one of whom will be chosen September 2 out of all
entrants who, in 500 words or less, exhibits the “most inspirational and
compelling” testament to having “shaken off the shackles of loving Mr. Wrong.”
The winner will be flown to L.A. for a weekend in September to have a day-long
visit with “personal transformation experts,” and then
“whisked” to Givenchy Hotel & Spa, where the beauty of her purported inner change will
reflect favorably upon an external one. (I’m all for getting rid of Mr. or Ms. Wrong,
but seriously doubt whether entrants can explain that process in less than 500
words, and question whether the awards of this contest are well-suited to its theme.
It is good, though, that the winner will be honored with a donation in her name
to the Star of Hope Family Shelter in Houston.) Besides, don’t Texas women just kick
Mr. Wrong’s ass instead of going to L.A. to talk to “personal transformation
experts” about the evil dude? But if you think I’m just being a killjoy and would like
to enter, submit with a home or business number by August 29 to: Evolving Woman
Contest, c/o Blanco & Peace Enterprises, LTD., 357 W. Chicago Ave., Suite 400,
Chicago, IL, 60610.
They Self-Helped Themselves
Two locally affiliated women seem to have their own ideas about evolving:
They are Dr. Maria Nemeth and Diane Dwyer, H.H.D. (Holistic Health
Doctor), authors respectively of You and Money: Would It Be All Right With You If
Life Got Easier? and The Golden Bridge to Freedom. Nemeth’s work
concerns building upon a person’s relationship to money as a metaphor for that person’s other
relationships in life. Dwyer has a holistic health practice in town and self-published her
book. Nemeth will be at BookPeople signing her book on Saturday, August 2, at 7pm,
and Dwyer will sign her book on Thursday, August 7, at 7pm.
Milwood News
The huge crowd last Saturday for the opening dedication of Austin’s 21st
library, the Milwood branch in north Austin, included Mayor Kirk Watson,
Councilmember Beverly Griffith, and Milwood NA President Gayle Opie; Austin
voters approved the funding for Milwood in a 1992 bond election. The library holds
40,000 volumes, is an expandable 8, 266 square feet, and was built by Braun &
Butler from a design by the Austin Group Architects. Alexis Graham,
Ben Sorrels, and Pamela Bowles will be branch manager, assistant
branch manager, and youth librarian respectively. Hours are 10am-9pm, Mon-Thu;10am-6pm, Fri;
and 10am-5pm, Sat.
Ongoing: Be forewarned that on August 15, Don Bachardy’s exhibit
Confrontations, portraits of famous literary figures like Tennessee Williams, E.M.
Forster, Ana�s Nin, W.H. Auden, and Lillian Hellman among
others, closes. It is showing at the Leeds Gallery at the Flawn Academic Center on
the UT campus; Bachardy’s portraits hedge the fine line between formal and frenetic.
They are clear, elegant insights into literary figures to which we readers rarely
receive such benign, open access.
Book news for “Postscripts” must be received at least one week
prior to issue date. Mail to: The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, TX
78765; fax 512/458-6910; or e-mail clay@auschron.com
This article appears in August 1 • 1997 and August 1 • 1997 (Cover).