ustxtxb_obs_1989_02_24_50_00023-00000_000.pdf

but distinctive head. The crown of his pate comes to a point, makes him look like an intellectual, which appeals to Franklin. He’s not jealous of the man. How can he resent a guy whose place he takes beside Barbara anytime he wants? Franklin stands at the edge of the Duval Avenue side of their relationship and looks upon it with such devotion that he can close his eyes and sense when it is time for Barbara and her man to make an appearance on the street. The other night, she came so close to entering Franklin’s real life that it frightened him. He had divined that she and her friend would eat at the Hyde Park Bar & Grill. Franklin was there, hunched in a corner of the standup bar, when they appeared. As always, he kept his eyes on Barbara. Her dark hair was cropped close like a boy’s with pointed sideburns forking over each tiny ear, which held rings. She is a small, slender woman with a cute nose, a compelling contradiction of freshness and sophistication, and she looked fetching in her goldbelted jeans and satiny maroon blouse. By the time that Barbara and her man got down to eating steaks and drinking beer, Franklin in his imagination had transported her across town to The Courtyard on North Lamar, where, as his date and not the pointy-headed fellow’s, she ate chicken Veronique while he had scallops Provencale. They shared a $30 bottle of Croton Charlemagne. And they had a wonderfully bubbly conversation. Now, as the busboys rudely cleared tables in the Hyde Park Bar & Grill. Franklin came down to earth and Duval. and realized that his Barbara was leaving with the other fellow on her arm. He bolted down the last of his wine and stole a goodnight glance at her. Suddenly, she turned from her real lover and looked at Franklin. She had never done this, never seemed to notice him. She looked straight at h;m. into him, without a blink. It wasn’t harsh like a stare, but a direct and open gaze. as unafraid and intimate as lovers exchange. Franklin couldn’t stand it. He turned away. summoned the bartender and settled with him, left as fast as he could. For hours in his garage apartment he trembled at the thought of her gaze. for days wrestled with himself about what to do about it. Finally, with the self-control he has learned to summon. Franklin forced himself to give Barbara up. He resolved never to see her again. And he won’t. SOCIAL CAUSE CALENDAR RAPE CRISIS CENTER ANNIVERSARY The Austin Rape Crisis Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary on February 25, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Temple-Inland Building at 301 Congress. A $10 donation provides champagne. refreshment from Austin’s finest restaurants, and entertainment by Elouise Burrell, classical guitarist Jim Lawrie, and harpist Chelsie Bowles. Nonalcoholic beverages are also available. Call 440-7273 for more information. JOBS WITH PEACE CONFERENCE The National Jobs with Peace Campaign is an effort to redirect federal funds from military spending toward domestic needs such as housing, child care, education. and other human needs. The group helps people organize to participate in the political process, especially those hardest hit by the cutbacks in domestic spending. The conference will be held in Austin March 3 to March 5 and will focus on fundraising and organizing for change on local, state, and national levels. For further information and registration materials contact Veon McReynolds at CHINA STUDY TOUR Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch is sponsoring a study/tour program to Beijing. China, from May 28 through June 17. Excursions will include visits to the Great Wall, Ming Tombs Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City. Following a seminar session in Beijing, students will travel to Shanghai, Xian, and Hangzhou. For further information 620-4829. OBSERVANCES February 28, 1906 Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle published. March 3, 1919 Supreme Court holds that freedom of speech does not apply to resisting the draft. March 5, 1927 U.S. Marines land in China. March 6, 1857 Supreme Court upholds slavery in Dred Scott decision. March 8, 1989 International Women’s Day. March 11, 1833 U.S. troops intervene in Nicaragua. March 26,1918 Governor William Hobby signs legislation giving Texas women the right to vote in primary elections. BUILD HOMES NOT BOMBS CAMPAIGN Between 1981 and 1988 Congress cut federal spending for affordable housing by 74 percent. During the same time, military spending doubled. Rents and home prices have skyrocketed and a growing number of families are homeless as a result. The goal of Homes Not Bombs is to increase federal spending for affordable housing by reducing the military budget. To find out how to get involved with this national campaign, call ART OF TEXAS WOMEN “Texas Women” features work by 12 contemporary artists currently living and working in Texas. There will also be a continuously showing videotape of art by 39 other Texas women artists. The show, organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts State Committee, will open March 19 with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin and will run through April 30. TACTILE ART “Art for the Blind featuring bronze portrait sculptures by Willa Shalit will be shown February 28 to March 23 in the Forum Gallery at Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch. IRISH IN DALLAS What is described as the largest gathering of Irish in the South is scheduled for March 4 from noon until midnight and Sunday, March 5 from noon until 8 p.m. at Fair Park in Dallas. Continuous music and entertainment will be provided by groups including the Clancy Brothers, Greenfields of America, Barley Bree, Rare Air, Patrick Ball and the Celtic Folk. The festival, sponsored by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, will also include dance and music workshops, a children’s fair, and over ten artisans and craftsmen. Tickets are $8 for one day and $12 for two days. LATINO/A RESEARCHERS Summer workshops in statistical and nonstatistical social science training will be sponsored by the InterUniversity Program for Latino Research. These seminars are open to postgraduate latinos and include stipends for travel and study for the summer of 1989. For more information on seminars and locations, contact Harriett Romo at the THE TEXAS OBSERVER 23