Public Notice

When someone tells us to put a bag over our heads, we just skulk away with that familiar sinking feeling that comes with being a self-absorbed prat. We're sure the message is directed at us, personally. Bag Day carries a different kind of message, however, one directed at a much larger foe than pathetic self-effacing insecurities. Hello, big-ass corporate chainstores! This protest is for you! Our pals at FringeWare and ®™ark have passed along the information that a "nationwide coalition ... is declaring Mon, Nov 23 to be Bag Day, asking that at noon on that day, people all over the US protest the homogenizing and destructive effects of corporate chains, by browsing in Barnes & Noble bookstores -- with paper bags over their heads." The inspiration for Bag Day is three-fold. First, the American Booksellers Association along with two dozen independently owned bookstores have targeted B&N in a lawsuit contending that the chain has engaged in illegal practices with publishers and distributors thereby threatening the livelihood of independent bookstores. The "bag" part was inspired by a young man's act back in February last year at an Austin B&N. This dude couldn't bear going into the corporate megalith, but was on a desperate, no-luck search for a certain title. When he with ashamed face cloaked in anonymous brown paper approached a clerk, the helpful book prole called the manager who insisted that the customer either remove the bag or leave. Dejected and already embarrassed to be in the store, the dude left. He later submitted a funny feature story to this publication, which was rejected. (The author-de facto-activist went on to pen other unrelated items for the Chronicle.) Plus, November 23 is the day commonly accepted as Billy the Kid's b'day. Huh. The faceless act of bag wearing brings out the Robin Hood, Mother Jones, and Hugo Ball in all. We like that it is as much an act of art as it is politic, and wonder whatever happened to Critical Mass?http://www.bookweb.org, http://www.fringeware.com/friends, or 494-9273.

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Lost Boys Found

Nothing like a little Pixie Dust to keep your weekend afloat. OutYouth embraces its fairy heritage this weekend with a big dough fundraiser called Never-Never Land, Sat, Nov 21, 7pm high atop the Hyatt Regency. The deal is, however, that since space is limited to 200 slots, OutYouth needs to hear from you right now. Reservations are required. Tickets are a formidable $125 per person, which includes shopping and silent auction opportunities, a feast accompanied by dessert buffet, and plenty of time into the wee hours to dance it all off to the swingin' sounds of One O'Clock Jump. This is OY's main benefit for the year, and with all the uncertainty with Cornerstone right now, it's urgent that the gay-lesbian youth safe zone be fortified now. You can fly. 708-1234.

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Heal for the Holidays

Don't be so harsh on the Humbuggers. Some of us have good reason for our winter bitterness. Some of us like to be alone. Some of us like to view the pageantry of the season through the bottom of a glass. Some of us simply cannot bear being away from loved ones for the holidays, and roll up into fetal positions and pull the covers over our heads until it's all over. Hospice Austin understands this and is offering opportunities for those with grim holidazed attitudes. Hospice offers three free discussion/lectures and one unique cooking demo to help assuage the grief so many face this time of year. Surviving the Holidays will be available tonight, Thu, Nov 19, 7-8:30pm at the Hospice Austin office, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd.; Sun, Nov 22, 6-7:30pm at St. James Baptist, 1812 Franklin; and Wed, Dec 9, 7-8:30pm again at the Hospice office. On Sat, Nov 21, 10am-noon, Hospice presents Recipes for Comfort, addressing grief through something to which we can all relate -- food, at Hyde Park Christian, 610 E. 45th. Cooking demo and lunch included. Okay, maybe we'll try this holiday season as a Yumbug instead. 342-4700.

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Boys Against Girls

The second ever Test Vs. Est Fest will rage like the hormones for which it was named at Amy's Ice Cream, 3500 Guadalupe (all-Est crew) and Sixth & Lamar (all-Test), this Sat, Nov 21, 7-10pm. It's a race to see who can raise more dough for Pediatric AIDS League. Wages and matched tips will be donated. Partial? Who, us? Go XX! 458-6149, ext. 516.

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A Stirr(up)ing Cause

The Junior League and Planned Parenthood are offering Free Gynecological Exams by appointment only on Tue, Dec 8 in celebration of Healthy Women's Day. So give your local PP clinic a call, kick your shoes off, and scooch down a little. There. Happy Healthy Women's Day! 800/230-PLAN.