After a Fashion

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

My nephew Tyler is home for a few days from Afghanistan. I guess he'll be reassigned when he returns. Personally, I'm happier when Tyler is not in a battle-torn country, but the government rarely responds to my suggestions. When I wrote his commanding officer that I thought Tyler would be more comfortable in a Sleep Number bed, I didn't hear back. Talking to Tyler on the phone is always fun. We live for his calls. So when I thought he sounded just a bit down, I wrote his commanding officer again, suggesting that some video games and breakfast in bed might cheer him up. I still did not hear from the CO. So, when I realized that Tyler was naturally fearful of gunplay, I suggested that the CO might pull some little strings here and there and let Tyler go on an extended hiatus from the Army, maybe somewhere warm and tropical and bountiful with women and free-flowing booze. I guess that letter really got through to the CO – in short order, I received an official response from said CO. The note said, "Are you for real?" Well, despite my best intentions, Tyler is flourishing under these undesirable conditions and returns bigger and more muscular and more mature every time.

TUXES & TAILS

Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 8pm, is Rain on 4th's second annual Black Tie Gala. The gala is hosted by the Octopus Club and benefits the Paul Kirby Emergency Assistance Fund, and high-end liquor sponsors are offering drinks for $5, of which $2.50 goes to the charities. There are $10 50/50 raffle tickets, with first prize being 50% of the raffle (the rest goes to the Paul Kirby Fund). Second prize is a 42-inch LCD TV, and third prize is a Kindle Fire.

ART SMART

If you're not already a fan of Stella Alesi, then you are about to become one by attending Women & Their Work's annual shindig, the Art Divas Art Party, held Wednesday, March 7, from 6 to 8pm, this year at the artful home/studio/gallery of Stella and her artist husband Leon Alesi (1017-A W. Milton). Their new in-house gallery, Blackbox, is presenting "Everything Is Possible Again," photographs and sculptures by Elaine I-Ling Shen. Stella and Leon's newly remodeled south-central Austin home features an abundance of clean, well-lit space; gorgeous art; double-decker porches; and a bocce court. Women & Their Work urges you to renew your membership and all pertinent information at www.womenandtheirwork.org or call 417-1084.