5/15
One of Mom's childhood nicknames for me was "Peter Rabbit," from Beatrix Potter's children's tale, which I hadn't read until today. It has this cheery line: "Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor." Oh, my...it seems Mom's term of endearment was taken from patricidal bunny snuff literature. Explains a lot. But that's our--and our therapist's--problem. You happier families can meet Farmer McGregor and his wife during Peter Rabbit Day at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park, where children and grown-ups can tour the garden and find plant-related clues to fairy tales and nursery rhymes to puzzle over. (For example, beanstalks go with?) The North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary will bring rabbits for the kids, and the DFW Wildlife Coalition will offer nonviolent tips for keeping rabbits out of your garden. The event is noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1.50 for children ages 3 to 11. Call 214-428-7476 or visit www.texasdiscoverygardens.org. --Patrick Williams
Extreme Fun
5/14
Are you poor as hell yet totally X-treme? For only $2 for parking, why not partake in the Texas Outdoor & Motorsport Expo on May 14 and May 15 at Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine? Enjoy free activities such as SCUBA experience, JAZZERCISE, Spintastic Yo-Yo Show, hang gliding clinics and a water safety workshop. We had to throw in JAZZERCISE because we thought it was extinct--even though it comes up in casual conversation--like the dodo bird. There are also events to shell out cash for: rock climbing, hot air balloon rides and the like. We'll see you there, only we'll be walking because we're too cheap for $2 parking. Check www.TexasOutdoorExpo.com for schedule. --Jonathan Freeman
Three's Not a Crowd
5/14
My most vivid memory of an all-invitation 3 on 3 basketball tournament isn't a fond one. It didn't help that our trio was taken to school on a sunny Saturday afternoon. But even worse, the mental Rolodex always falls open to the event's unofficial theme song: Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There It Is)." How can anyone rise to the occasion with some fat guy shouting about short shorts? Call it bad generational timing. Or just call it an excuse. We can't promise that the tournament this Saturday at the Oak Cliff Family YMCA won't showcase bad music, but at least there's a cause worth playing for. Proceeds benefit the Lone Star Ride, a charity bike ride that helps AIDS research. 97.9 The Beat personality (and frequent research supporter) Action Jaxon will attend, so at least the music should be better than our experience. Team entries are $10 and general attendance is $2. The Oak Cliff YMCA is at 6701 S. Hampton Road. Call 214-330-1207.
