Goodwill to All...
Fri., Dec. 8, 1995
Let Your Fingers Do the Right Thing
Core samples taken hundreds of feet deep into landfills revealed that our mainstay of waste in the U.S. was paper. Deprived of the necessary elements to break down, the generally biodegradable product remained entombed under tons of garbage. Pristine, readable samples from three decades worth of phone books composed the majority of the paper bulk. Project Redirectory, the phone book recycling program co-sponsored by Keep Austin Beautiful, makes a difference and boasts a 25% participation rate. The program runs Sat., Dec. 9-Sat, Jan. 6, 1996, with collection bins at HEB and Randall's. 499-3576.
Get You a Piece
The Beatles got in a lot of trouble for that original "Butcher" album
cover for Yesterday and Today. Remember the one with the lads dressed in
white smocks wielding meat cleavers amongst a disturbing scene of doll heads
and... eeeeeww, raw meat? Ultimately, the shock effect outweighed the
negative press, and presto! collector's items! Meat Circus, Thurs., Dec.
7, 11pm, at Capitol City Playhouse, promises a "living sculpture" of spoken
word, music, film, performance art and... eeeeeww, raw meat. The $10
tickets get you into the fashion show called Dressed Meat which benefits ASA.
459-6819.
Campy Art
Working parents need not rue the thought of pitter-pattering li'l feet over holiday break. Dougherty Arts has programs for holiday survival. One Day Art Camp, Fri., Dec. 15 covers the C-Day, while Bright Beginnings Arts Camp runs Tues. Dec. 26-Fri., Dec. 29, 9:30am-5:30pm (earlybird option available). Week-long tuition for your budding Dalis and O'Keefes is $77. Ask about their after-school program, too. 397-1458.
A Rose Is a Rose
The Caritas Clinic (no connection to the similarly named Caritas of Austin) has officially changed its name to the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic, to alleviate some confusion. The clinic, located at 4215 Medical Parkway, provides free, non-emergency medical care for those without access to healthcare who qualify. 459-6002.Holiday Swingers
Jitter on back to the Forties and then... bug right back, again. Here are some holiday events for you and yours. It's a wonderful life... no?*Have your very own Capra-esque fantasy and sway the night away at Project Transitions' Holiday Swing, Fri., Dec. 8, 8pm, at the historic Saengerrunde Hall and Scholz Garten. 454-8646.
*Tish, Charlie, Kris, & Kelly partner up with Community Partnership for the Homeless at La Zona Rosa, Fri., Dec. 8, 8pm, for some luminous acoustic luv and silent auction. 469-9130.
*Just like Uncle Sam on those WWII recruiting posters, they want you to help with a Party for Homeless Youth at Johnston High, Sat., Dec. 9. Students and faculty at Johnston throw a carnival for the kids. But they still need food, school supplies, entertainment, and You! 414-1740.
*The Rainbow of Lights commemorates loved ones who have battled cancer. The strands of lights represent individual donations made in the name of the loved one, and appear on an archway at the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. 928-1144.
*Ruta Maya coffee, wine, and hors d'oeuvres await at the Cedar Ridge Children's Home benefit, Sat., Dec. 16 at Discovery Incubator. Choose the 7 or 9:30pm show with Nancy Reed, Denia Ridley, and State Rep. Sylvia Romo. 404-9607.
*He'll be a Blue Santa without you. The delivery day for goodies is Sat., Dec. 16. They still need toys, canned goods, and volunteers. 389-3556.
*If you need this, you'll probably be too drunk to remember a number, so tattoo 434-7788 onto your flesh for a Safe Ride Home.
*And here we are back to the good ol' days... Ah! The sounds of the Big Bands: Dorsey, Krupa, Shaw... now those boys could swing. It's amazing how deeply music speaks to folks. Studies reveal that tunes from the past are like old pals to folks with Alzheimer's disease. High Fidelity, Inc., 3300 W. Anderson, invites you to drop off your old LPs from the Forties and Fifties for use in music therapy programs employed in nursing homes. Albums for Alzheimer's will accept donations until Mon., Jan 15. 454-5833.
Blue Lights Anonymous
Give 'til it helps:*Holiday gifts for the birds are in full flight at the National Audubon Society. The New York office can have gifts sent out to your flapping fanatic. The hot items, as usual, are the six different varieties of calendars and the boxed holiday cards. But they also have tips on field guides, binoculars, birdfeeders, and even wild bird replicas. Gift memberships for your nature lover are a natural. 800/308-4291.
*Local nature scene makers should check out the gifts at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. They feature T-shirts, cards, and novelties featuring the flora and fauna of our environs. Birders can go early Sat., Dec. 16, 8-10am, for an invigorating hike to identify many local species and then shop after the jaunt. 327-7622.
*This just in: Like Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Treaty Oak is still... Dead. Yup. Only one-third of the tree still stands. The remaining wood has been trimmed and turned into collectibles by area craftsfolk. The price range of items is $24.95-$995, with proceeds going to plant additional trees in Austin. 800/537-2757.
*American Express offers to donate three cents per charge-card purchase to Share Our Strength, a national anti-hunger organization. The offer lasts through Sun., Dec. 31.
*Plastic people: We'd feel remiss in informing you of the above without informing you of the below... Consumer Credit Counseling Service has prepared credit-rating saving info to help with Last Minute Holiday Tips. The local not-for-profit is a branch of Child & Family Services and provides free budget counseling and financial guidance. 447-0711.
Next Week: "Public Notice" presents our fabulous Holiday Wish List Special as area organizations send out their letters to Santa and You. n
