by Kate X Messer
Chain of Fools We don’t mind telling you that we almost made hee-haw jackasses of ourselves.
Yup. See, we received a locally generated chain letter about a little
seven-year-old kid named Craig who is suffering from a brain tumor and
collecting business cards for a Guiness Book of World Records listing as
a dying wish. We’d be adding to some grave misinformation if it weren’t for the
keen eye and astute memory faculties of crack music columnist Ken Lieck. (You
know we must be hopped up on some serious pain medication to assert that with a
straight face; and we are…)
How did we get duped? Normally we reserve this column for more “public”-type
notices and steer clear of personal (and virtually unverifyable) stuff like
this (there’s just no end to it, eh?). But for those of us who are the parents
of seven-year-olds, the plea struck a little close to home and okay, we’re just
big ol’ day-long suckers, just like the huge-hearted goofs who sent the press
release/chain letter in the first place. In our defense, the letter’s
Make-A-Wish Foundation address (the highly reputable organization which grants
wishes to kids with terminal illness) lent credibility, so we figured we’d
verify and everything’d be hunky-dory. Well, according to Ken and a Make-A-Wish
website (see address below), there is no child currently seeking entry
to the Guiness Book of World Records working through the charitable
organization.
Relegated to the land of “urban myth,” the story is actually based in some
fact. Back in 1989, there was a nine-year-old boy diagnosed with a terminal
brain tumor who, upon receiving tons of get-well cards, began his quest to earn
a spot in the Guiness Book for the largest number of greeting cards. He
not only earned that spot in 1990 (after receiving an overwhelming 15 million
cards), but in 1991 survived a successful brain tumor removal and is living a
happy, healthy life.
Check out the toll-free info line dedicated to clarifying the chain letter
myth, 800/215-1333, ext. 184, andthe informative page on the Rio
Grande Valley Make-A-Wish chapter’s website,
http://www.rgv.net/make-a-wish/shergold.html
The chain letter making the local rounds is either a mistake or a ruse.
Please, do not send in business cards. Instead, take this opportunity to get to
know our local Make-A-Wish. If, perchance, you were one of the unfortunate who
already sent out a stack of cards as a result of the misguided letter, call the
local office and put your compassion to use. 329-9474. To Da Moon Two moons means a Blue Moon. And June sees two full moons. We basked in the
fine glow of the first one Sat, Jun 2. The second full moon may be viewed in
style Sun, Jun 30, 7:30-10pm at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. The
preserve hosts monthly Moonlighting strolls through their gorgeous slice of
Texas Hill Country, off Capital of Texas Highway. The Once in a Blue Moon
Evening offers telescopes for viewing, moon stories, “moon” music, and “moon”
refreshments (Cheese? What?). They recommend reservations. We recommend
a compagne. 327-7622. Doggies Do Is your pooch a pentathelete? Your hound a high jumper? Your bitch a boxer?
Your cur a curler? Let the Dog & Disc Summer Games begin! It may not be
the Olympics, but whatever games your four-on-the-floor prefers, there’s
a spot for Spot at this Humane Society/SPCA fundraiser, Sat, Jun 22 at the
Zilker Polo Fields in Zilker Park. Leash up ol’ Tasha, Beau, or Rudy, bring a
current rabies vaccination certificate and some bucks for registration.837-7985. KO-Down
KOOP Radio’s Summer Series at the Continental Club, Sun, Jun 23 bills itself
as Part 1. If the rest of the summer fundraiser line ups are as hot as this’un
then KOOP should be blasting out about 100,000 watts of power in no time. Go
see the Derailers, Cornell Hurd Band, Rod Moag & Texas a la Moag, and Don
Walser’s Pure Texas Band. Pay $5 now to insure that bands like these’ll be
heard on the radio for years to come.467-6224, ext. 115.
Incredibly True Adventure of Film Fest in Need
It’s cool, but it’s not all glamour. It’s hard work and you might break a
nail, girl. Whether you choose to schmooze or cruise, the fine folks at the
Austin Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (aGLIFF) will put you to work;
they need volunteers pronto. The festy begins Fri, Aug 30 and runs through Fri,
Sep 13. asmith311@aol.com or 451-7740.
This article appears in June 21 • 1996 and June 21 • 1996 (Cover).