Public Notice

No, that's not exactly what we mean to say. What we mean to say is, enjoy this All Hallow's Eve/Dia de los Muertos Weekend, be good, be bad, stay safe, and all that rot... yada yada, blah dee blah ... and do check this week's "Community Listings" for a thorough descent into the halls of Hades and sum-up of this bloody holiday weekend's events.

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Night of Love

ALLGO and La Peña present Noche de los Muertos, featuring musicians Tish Hinojosa and Lourdes Pérez, a performance by Roy Lozano's Ballet Folkórico, and a Day of the Dead Altar exhibit at Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, 211 Congress, from 6:30pm until 8:30pm to honor beloved artist/activist/friend Marsha Gómez and others who have passed on. The recent passing of Gómez makes this particular holiday especially significant to the communities she touched. 472-2001.

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License to Care

Walker: Texas Ranger star and Dallas, Texas native Sheree J. Wilson (ummmm ... she's the blonde one ... yeah, the one without the beard ... okay, April Stevens from Dallas, does that ring a bell?) is the point person for the State of Texas' new License Plate Campaign to get folks to consider proudly displaying a Lone Star Proud specialty vehicle plate. Proceeds from the plate will benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the nonprofit that trains folks to advocate for the best interest of kids in court due to abuse or neglect (22,582 confirmed cases in Texas in 1997). The $30 plates have a Lone Star flag scheme with a gold star and the "Lone Star Proud" saying on the bottom. CASA gets $25 of the take per plate. 473-2627 or 877/TX4-CASA.

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Run Away! Run Away!

Turn your Teletubbie™ blubby into a lean, mean Barbie™ machine -- or not. Either way, here are three upcoming opportunities to run around for a good cause or three.

First, The annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Caritas of Austin is calling for volunteers -- from pre-Trot planners, to rowdy route entertainers, to post-Trot whatnot. It's a great way to help Austin's working poor, homeless, and refugee communities, to meet other caring, compassionate types such as yourself, and a fine excuse to get you out of stuffing the bird or poaching the pumpkins.

This weekend features two walk/runs aimed at raising research dough for two deadly diseases. On Sat, Oct 31, Walk to Cure Diabetes launches its 5K of care from the west end of Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Bergman at 9am to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Check-in begins 7:30am.

Then on Sun, Nov 1 is the big culmination of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Race for the Cure is certainly another 5K you can handle to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It leaves the ominous monolith otherwise known as GSD&M's Idea City on West Sixth Street, just east of Lamar, at 8:30am. Turkey Trot, 479-8815, ext. 401; Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 450-1965; Race for the Cure, 370-9647.

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Killing Us Softly With His Ads

Remember a few months back we told you about the Ophelia Project, the speakers series dedicated to exploring topical issues for parents of adolescent girls? Well, their last event of this year (and by "year" we mean calendar year -- the series resumes in January) is next week, Fri, Nov 6, 7pm at the University of Texas LBJ Auditorium. The Ophelia Project and UT present Deadly Persuasions by Jean Kilbourne, internationally known lecturer/authority on media impact on society. Familiar to those in academic and lecture circuits, Kilbourne's message demystifies advertising messages. This particular lecture focuses on the effect of ad campaigns for addictive substances. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for folks 18 years old and under. 476-3988.

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Net Porn Scourge! Hiss!

Whilst hunting the Net for some germane Jean Kilbourne info, we came upon this Urgent Outcry and knew we wouldn't be able to sleep until we shared it with you fine, compassionate people. Please find a computer and become informed about this Latest outrage. http://www.thecorporation.com/oneoffs/96/kittyporn/index.html.