Cold penetrates in more than just physical ways. Sure, many of us have
been cold. But, have you ever gone cold? A climate that allows children
in modern America to go cold, unfed, unhoused, is a chilling strain of evil
that individual attention and warmth can only begin to counter. How is it
possible in our audaciously excessive culture that tots go unloved? Goodwill’s
Coats for Kids makes a noble dent in that wall of indifference. Hurry and drop
a coat by any Jack Brown Cleaners, today and tomorrow, Thu. & Fri., Dec. 7
& 8. Goodwill distributes the coats this Sat., Dec. 9, 8am-3pm, 300 N.
Lamar. Families may obtain vouchers for coats through AISD and Texas Dept. of
Human Services. 467-6224 x 115, or 891-9883.
Let Your Fingers Do the Right Thing
Core samples taken hundreds of feet deep into landfills revealed that ourmainstay 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” albumcover 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 feetover 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 ofAustin) 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 aresome 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
This article appears in December 8 • 1995 and December 8 • 1995 (Cover).