Public Notice
This week, "Public Notice" revels in the unconditional luv that is kids and pets … but mostly kids.
By Kate X Messer, Fri., Feb. 16, 2001
Puppies & Kiddies
One publishing day after the St. Valentine fact and we are still feeling the juicy luv vibe coursing through our veins. Hard not to with a house populated by kid and dogs. The brand of that love that those particular rogues brandish is unconditional. Sweet. Interestingly, in the last few weeks we've received plenty of Volunteer Calls and info on events for concerns having to do with kids and pets. So without further ado, here are some of those very things.
Okay, there's actually only one pet item pertaining to the near future, so we'll list that first: The City of Austin Town Lake Animal Shelter and EmanciPet Mobile Spay & Neuter Clinic of Austin will continue to offer Free Pet Services, specifically targeting pet owners on the Eastside. The services include spay and neuter snippages and/or rabies vaccinations. This week's clinic is this Friday, Feb. 16, at Givens Rec Center, 3811 E. 12th. The following Friday, Feb. 23, a clinic will be held at St. Johns Neighborhood Center, 928 Blackson. Both centers will see repeat clinics throughout the spring, and clinics will also be offered a number of other Eastside locales. Call for further dates and times. The clinics are held on each Friday, 8am-6pm. Pets must arrive on leash or in a carrier 8-8:30am and be picked up 5-6pm. Other pet services will be available as well for a nominal cost. 708-6000 or 587-7729.
On the TLC Tip
You'll have a hard time finding a more noble cause than that of working for the good of a youngster. Here are some general and specific calls for your time and energy:
° Both CEACO (Central East Austin Community Organization) and AISD's Victory Tutorial Project need you. In the case of CEACO, you'd be mentoring at-risk kids (they are also looking for mentors for families and for their Welfare to Work Program and need to hear from you by tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 16). In the Victory program, you'd be sharing your smarts with a kid struggling academically. Both are darned fine causes, and darned fine ways to find out what kids are up to these days. CEACO, 236-9387; Victory, 926-2478.
° The Texas Runaway Hotline is always in need of prevailing cool heads and big-hearted types who can handle sometimes crisis calls from errant kids. Volunteers will be required to take a training class beginning Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30pm. For info on where and how and all that, call Jay. 833-3477.
° Gay kid? PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will hold its Monthly Meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7pm, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 600 E. 50th. 302-FLAG.
° This weekend wraps up Insure-a-Kid Week. There's still plenty of time to find out what health insurance services are available for your kid and to sign up Friday, Feb. 16. All Seton Clinics, Children's Hospital, Round Rock Hospital, Johns Community Hospital, and Georgetown Hospital will provide Application Assistance, 4-8pm. More events and sign-ups happen on Saturday, too. Find their full schedule online or by phone. www.insureakid.com or 324-CHIP.
° Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas calls all twinkletoes Flintstones and Big Lebowskis and King Pins and Pin Gods to volunteer to help with their largest fundraiser, Bowl for Kids' Sake, which happens Friday, Feb. 23 through Friday, March 2, at Highland Lanes. They have day and evening slots open. 472-KIDS.
° Next week we'll tell you all about the RunTex Marathon Kids happening Saturday, Feb. 24, 9am, at Burger Stadium. If you can't wait until then, call 'em! 477-1259.
° This Saturday, Feb. 17, noon-9pm, is the much-anticipated Bikes & Babes in Toyland fundraiser and happening at Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts, 600 River St. It's going to be chock-full of BMX nuttiness, including a show by the 2000 World Champ Freestyler from Spain, as well as appearances from riders from across the globe -- and bands! Did we mention bands? And a circus?! Plus, there will be a VIP Lounge for you trés-trés types to get into (and to slurp some complimentary wine and chow) for a few more bucks donation. Whew! There's just too much to tell you about. Go see their Web site and just go. It's all for Hope Horizon, SIMS Foundation, and the Yellow Bike Project. www.spacetruck.net/poshevents or 472-8544.
Whew! That's a lotta kidstuff. Don't you just want to go out and pop one out for yourself now?
