Diligent activists or hearty party mamas? Those wacky Lesbian Avengers are
back and while some question their tactics of having a damn good time while
making social commentary, some realize that half of the Avengers’ work is
accomplished by just getting you out there. Part perf art, part political
action, part welcome wagon to the wonderful world of women, the 100% lovable
Austin branch has been in hibernation for a short time. Go out to the Electric
Lady Lounge, Sat., Nov. 25, 8pm, hear cool bands, and welcome the grrrrls back.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. 476-FUSE.
Make Toys Not War
The national office of the War Resisters League implores holiday shoppers toconsider toy choices with a clear head and heart. November 24 and 25 are the
International Days to Stop War Toys, a reminder that children learn violence
through their play. No local branch has contacted this column; if there are any
local exchanges for violent toys, please forward info and we’ll pass it along.
WRL@igc.apc.org 800/WRL-YOUTH.
Work Your Assets Off
Working Assets celebrates 10 years in the biz of socially relevant credit andlong distance services which benefit activist efforts around the globe.
Parentals and grand-parentals: Here’s a fine way to show your raging,
idealistic spawns that you are truly interested in their future world. Set ’em
up with a gift certificate for long distance phone service or if you’re really
liquid (and not concerned about staying that way), give ’em their own credit
card. 800/788-0898, individuals; 800/789-7022, organizations.
From the Little Acorn…
ACORN Housing is a non-profit that helps folks pre-qualify for home mortgages.
The real estate market is maze-like enough without factoring in elements like
iffy credit, tight budgets, or discrimination – those road blocks can make the trek home nearly impossible. ACORN’s next
Homebuyer’s Class is Wed., Nov. 29, 7pm, at the Oak Springs Library.
444-1207.
…the Mighty Oak Doth Grow
The Giving Tree is another in the growing list of innovative not-for-profits
that kills two birds with one stone. Whoa! Wrong metaphor! If anything, the
Giving Tree makes good things grow, not keel over. One donation to the Giving
Tree supports the Austin Child Guidance Center’s work in children’s mental
health services and sponsors the planting of a native tree. Sponsorships
are available through the end of the year at three $$ levels: $125, $250, and
$500. 451-2242.
Like a Fish Needs a Bomb
Derail yourself from the chain stores: The tireless crankers at Bikes NotBombs are gearing up for another Bike Sale, Sat., Nov 25, 10am-4pm at
Wheatsville Co-op, 3101 Guadalupe. Our experiences with the organization have
been wheely great. As they pedal their wares, you won’t feel framed: In fact,
you’ll probably coast away with a fine bike and a sprocketful of chains. Good
customer service is spoken here: If anything brakes, they can handle it, bar
none. So cruiser on down and support the cause of sending used bikes to Central
America.
Heed the Call Up
Share yourself and check out these volunteer opportunities: *The Texas Runaway Hotline needs volunteers to fill in for regular volunteers
out of town for the holidays. The Hotline receives over 2,000 calls per month
and expects their typical 125% increase over the holiday season.
463-1980, volunteers; 800/392-3352, hotline.
*Exporting our culture (read: consumer goods) is as favorite an American
pastime as buttressing icky dictatorships. In a fair twist, here’s an
open-armed method for welcoming other cultures right into your own home: The
Academic and Cultural Exchange seeks host families for students from Brazil or
Croatia. 800/484-5678, x 6643.
*MADD as hell and not going to take it any more, these moms offer info on how
to make these seasons less bright (with fewer ambulance lights) and invite all
to wrap red ribbons on rear-view mirrors as a reminder to drive sober.
442-6441.
*”Who told you you could wear my sweater???” “Put my records away!” “I swear to
god, I’m gonna tell mom!” If you have latent revenge hang-ups over big
siblings, disregard this notice: Big Brothers and Big Sisters hold volunteer
meetings, Mon., Nov. 27 & Thu., Dec. 7, 6-7pm, and Sat., Dec. 16,
11am-noon. But if you have a big heart and would like to be a great pal to a
cool kid, then by all means, call. 472-KIDS.
Blue Lights Anonymous
On the feel-good holiday shopping tip: *The Children’s Shelter & Assessment Center, an agency serving abused and
abandoned kids, is selling Holiday Cards. And whatever bonus the kids get from
these sales, they’ll have earned it, as they designed the greetings themselves.
Packs of 16 cards sell for $12.99. 258-4579.
*Austin is home to the bloomin’ National Wildflower Research Center. Situated
on 42 acres of Hill Country heaven, the center boasts a heck of a gift shop – a fine holiday gift destination, to be sure. While you’re at it, sign up a
flower child as a member. A place in the floral coterie comes with unlimited,
free admission to the facility ($3.50 per, otherwise), discounts to the gift
store, factsheet service, educational programs, and a free newsletter.
292-4200.
*Pueblo to People holds their annual holiday sale of Latin American goods to
benefit the Quakerly peace and justice outfit American Friends Service
Committee, Sat. & Sun., Dec. 2 & 3, 9am-5pm. The Pueblo works
specifically with craft and agricultural co-ops in Latin America, which means
both the wholesale and retail ends of this operation benefit good causes.
474-2399.
*Texas Memorial Museum hosts the annual Holiday Museum Market, Thurs., Nov. 30,
4-9pm. They tout discounts of 20% off of unusual gifts from around the planet.
471-1604.
*Over 150 area businesses throw their gift certificates in the ring for this
year’s Holiday Bizarre Bazaar at City Grill, Nov. 24 – Dec. 23, 5:30-10:30pm,
nightly. The month-long sale is a great way to lob a surgical strike on the
holiday gift certificate front. They’ll have a stunning array of certs
available from $5 to $150, for food, clothing, nights out (restaurants,
theatres), nights in (hotels) and high-end consumables (bikes, home
furnishings). More on this next week. 479-0817.
*From the Fashion-Faux-Pas File: Topping this year’s list of must-to-avoids,
the Rush Limbaugh Tie celebrates the last gasping milliseconds in the Large
One’s allotted 15 minutes. ‘Tis no joke, kids, this is no spoof. At least one
area retail monolith hopes to cash in big on the ditto nooses. We can’t imagine
less than a wholesale, lemming-like exodus at the mere sight of the puffy
pontificator pictured on the display.
This article appears in November 24 • 1995 and November 24 • 1995 (Cover).