Sewing has spun a long history with the women's movement. For many, the tool of choice for a revolution was the needle. Susan B. Anthony crafted the first American flag, and handmade quilts were hung in windows of houses used in the Underground Railroad. Find a local quilting circle and chances are you'll learn more about your town than you would from reading the local paper. Borrowing from those ideas, the Women's Center at Florida International University is sponsoring the Women's Spring Quilting Project for the month of February. Dr. Karen Garner says the community effort is all part of the process: "Historically, women have quilted together. We are drawing on those historic ideas of quilting so they can see what they have done working together." The theme for the quilt is "Women's Rights are Human Rights," and those interested can visit the Women's Center at University Park (3000 NE 151st St., North Miami) to pick up materials. The quilt will be unveiled at the Women and Postwar Reconstruction Conference open to the public beginning in March. -- Terra Sullivan
V-Day in Lavender
SAT 2/14
Jilted lovers, ignored one-night standers, and psycho ex-lovers unite! If Valentine's Day plans involve a lonely date with your live journal, then sign off and join the party. Just for you, local writers and poets give Valentine's Day the good old-fashioned tongue-lashing it deserves. Instead of being nose deep in your favorite Danielle Steel novel, Lavender Writes presents tales of soured romance, messy breakups, and sordid love affairs with the possibility of steamy romance thrown in for good measure. Their rosy sentiments are more romantic than that suspicious rash you got last V-Day. Lavender Writes asks you to bring a donation of nonperishable food to the free event to benefit Catholic charities in Wilton Manors. Writers can preregister at www.queerwriters.com/lavenderwrites. Check it out at 8 p.m. at Borders Books and Music (2240 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-566-6335. -- Terra Sullivan
Wanted: Luscious Lips
For Greenacres Kissing Contest
SAT 2/14
Think you've got the most kissable lips in all of Greenacres? We'll let WIRK DJ Kevin Casey be the judge of that! For the city's annual Valentine's Day celebration, "Love on the Lawn," Casey emcees three contests: Most Kissable Lips, Smoothest Lips, and Best-Shaped Lips. To compete, contestants must apply lipstick and snog a piece of paper. Casey judges from the resulting prints and awards the winners with cash prizes from $25 to $100. All attendees receive red plastic eggs filled with Hershey's kisses and, if they're lucky, a gift certificate from a local business. The event is free and starts at 6 p.m. Call 561-642-2181. -- Deirdra Funcheon
