If you have the necessary curiosity and the stomach for it, you’ll get an eye-opening experience at UT’s new Stark Center, part of the new north endzone addition to the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on campus. Our Body: The Universe Within is a traveling educational exhibit on display through Oct. 1, displaying approximately 200 organs, human bodies and other anatomical specimens preserved by polymer impregnation. Through this process of reactive plastics, water and fat is replaced while being exactly preserved to the microscopic level, leaving completely dry and odorless specimens. So you’ll be seeing the real deal for $21 general admission.

But where do these bodies come from? Well, these ones come from Hong Kong, but basically you could wind up in an exhibit like this should you choose to dedicate your body to science. That’s a bit much for some people to take, and I’ll admit I was reluctant to visit at first. However, it’s surprisingly easy to get over once you set foot inside the exhibit. My biggest complaint would be the dim lighting and the music that was softly playing, that I’m sure was intended to be soothing, but instead was a bit eerie. After the first five minutes, I stopped looking for Buffalo Bill of “Silence of the Lambs” lurking around the corner and became engrossed in the displays.

What struck me the most profoundly was the display of a brain that had suffered a stroke. The healthy tissue on the right side of the brain stood in stark contrast to the damaged, black, almost-burned-looking tissue on the left side where the bleeding had occurred. As someone with a grandparent that suffered a debilitating stroke, seeing the brain in this light gave me a better, yet bittersweet comprehension of the extent of the damage.

The more controversial prenatal section was tucked in the back corner, with a jaw dropping and equally heartrending display of the development of the fetus from smaller than the size of a paperclip to something that could fit in the palm of your hand. Another surprise was an exposed spinal cord, with the slender wiry cords enabling movement fully dissected. Under such close inspection, it seemed even more extraordinary that all of us weren’t paralyzed, being composed of such delicate materials.

If you want insight into the inner workings of your body on the level of a doctor, this exhibit will surely give it to you. But if you’d rather not delve under the skin, stick to more light-hearted anatomy studies, like that timeless classic game “Operation.”

Now I’m not one of those people who believe humans have evolved to point of needing to be completely hairless. I can’t help looking askance at my personal trainer, who regularly shaves his arms and, I suspect, his legs. He is not a competitive Olympic swimmer either, and in my book, that’s the only valid reason for that. I prefer a guy a little rougher around the edges, with a little hair on his chest, if you know what I mean. Working in a yoga studio, I have also experienced the other extreme, where all body hair is embraced a bit too far. Where is the happy medium?

Having attempted to eradicate the problem of those errant hairs previously, I endured the excruciating pain of electrolysis (think electrified acupuncture needles) with expensive but disappointing results. I also had a very unsatisfying experience at American Laser Center in Austin in the past. So I was a little reluctant about my “surprise” laser hair removal appointment, however well-intentioned. Fortunately for me, lasers and pulsed lights have the most success on people with dark hair and light skin. Lasers use pulsed light to seek and destroy the melanin, or dark pigment in hair, so it naturally works best on brunettes.

The ladies at Smooth Solutions whisked me in this “free” consultation, where to my surprise, rather than a treatment I had to negotiate a set price to pay for each session and sign a wordy contract essentially promising to stay out of the sun entirely (impossible) and affirming that I understood results of any kind were not guaranteed (great) and that the number of treatments needed could range infinitely depending on the person, in part due to the “70-30 Rule” (oh no).

I dutifully returned for my actual appointment a month later. The hardest part was not plucking, waxing or bleaching the treatment area for 30 days because this takes the hair shaft out of the follicle, making it impossible for the laser to locate. With a black Sharpie, a bored assistant prepped me by circling the problem area and shaving my upper lip to avoid the laser literally singeing the fine hairs off and burning my skin. I was left in a small waiting area for the laser technician to come take me into the treatment room.

This much friendlier technician dabbed my upper lip with an ice-cold numbing agent as I reclined in a dentist chair and she geared up an enormous defibrillator-like device. I had to don protective eye gear, that while I knew was for my own good, felt a bit like being blindfolded before being tortured. The technician pressed the little zapper piece to my face, and each time she clicked a button there would be a brilliant flash of red appearing behind my eyelids and a severe shock that I felt to my toes. Thankfully, it was a small area and was over quickly, leaving only the uncomfortable feeling of a severe sunburn. Happily, I can report that I can see a marked difference since that initial treatment. I intend to subject myself to it all over again in another session, where I may attempt to brave baring a few other sensitive areas to the laser, because it certainly beats shaving.

What do you think? Would you permanently rid yourself of all body hair if money was no object? Or as Chickster blogger Shelby wondered in a previous post, is waxing the way to go?

Word to the wise: if you’re a lady who is a little squeamish about porta potties, you should opt for a pit stop at the Mini Mart beforehand because the facilities at Quiet Valley are primitive. In addition to music, the festival has several food booths that include vegetarian options. Besides CDs, jewelry, and clothing, a range of other novelties are for sale, including tarot card reading, face painting, and chair massages. In keeping with the nature-friendly vibe, there are also no paper cups sold at the festival, so to wet your whistle you have to either buy a Kerrville Folk Festival keepsake cup or bring your own drinkware.

This year’s lineup included such notable names as the Indigo Girls, Band of Heathens and Jimmy La Fave, but there are always fresh new voices at the festival. I was most moved by the lovely harmonies of the Red Molly trio, the youthful enthusiasm of Anthony da Costa and the sad songs of Slaid Cleaves, who also played a few songs of his fittingly titled new self-released album, “Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.”

This particular show was hosted by Bryan Gutman, a Cap City regular and 2007 winner of Capital City Comedy Club’s Funniest Person in Austin Award. Bryan warmed up the crowd easily with his entirely Austin-appropriate hipster bit.

Matt Bearden also made a brief but inspired appearance. While I’ve seen his act several times, Bearden, also a Funniest Person in Austin winner back in 2002, never fails to crack me up with his flawless delivery and shockingly honest material. Bearden can be seen regularly at 8 pm Tuesday nights at Cap City with his new show “Punch”.

Finnegan himself was quite hilarious.

Christian Finnegan on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson from Vimeo.

But one particular joke that hit rather close to home. “I always have a hard time with people who say they can’t cook,” he says. “I mean, give me a damn recipe and I can knock that shit out. It makes me wonder, when people say they can’t cook is it because they can’t read or just that they can’t follow directions? I mean, seriously, what’s wrong with you?”

Er. I believe in therapy this moment is called “the breakthrough”. Looks like I have to admit it’s not that I can’t cook, it’s just that I dread the grocery store too much to keep my kitchen stocked with ingredients beyond wine, cereal and ice cream.

Kicking back with an icy Lone Star at the Continental couldn’t be cooler on a hot afternoon, especially when you’re listening to the upbeat pairing of rockabilly/swing sounds of Miss Lauren Marie and the Horton Brothers, with a stand-up walking bass, a twinkly keyboard and a rocking telecaster guitar occasionally traded for a steel guitar. The makeshift dance floor is filled quickly as couples take to their feet in appreciation, and those that don’t can’t help but tap their feet. Circling fans overhead cause the occasional skirt to fly up.

With a big white flower pinning back wavy dark hair is Miss Lauren, whose rich voice recalls Pasty Cline and is sweet relief on a sweltering Texas summer day. As someone who fondly remembers lip syncing to Patsy’s records, dancing on my parent’s couch at the tender age of five (there are pictures to prove it), I can freely admit my secret desire to be Miss Cline, and now maybe a little bit, Miss Lauren Marie. With crowd-pleasing covers of old favorites like “Red River Valley”, “Crackerjack” and “Sixty Minute Man” nicely sprinkled among originals, it’s music that will just plain make you happy.

Founded in March 2007 by singer/songwriter extraordinaire Mandy Rowden, Girl Guitar includes a host of other experienced musician teachers of the female persuasion who specialize in everything from beginning classes to vocal harmony and stagecraft. With small, intimate classes, you’ll get to know your fellow songstresses through your six-week class, culminating in a performance of your choice of covers or original songs at famous blues bar Antone’s downtown. Mandy’s encouraging words help get past the blisters on your fingers and any stage fright that might overtake you. She’s bound to insist as she does with all her students, “You’re all very pretty!” and make you get on with the show.

Forget about waiting for some sad-eyed guy with floppy hair to serenade you with his guitar. Instead invite him to check you out on stage at your next gig with Girl Guitar!

What to expect from a class at Yoga Yoga? The first class can be free if you purchase a class pass, starting with an eight class minimum. Newbies should explore the Beginners series for a slower paced introduction geared toward those who are new or returning to yoga after a break. If you don’t have a yoga mat, you can rent one for as little as a $1 a class from the front desk. Blankets and bolsters are provided to aid you with different poses and teachers are careful to instruct you on how to avoid injury. With so many different yoga teachers at Yoga Yoga, you’re sure to find one whose teaching style you like. Classes run for 75 minutes, and while that may seem intimidatingly long, once you’ve settled into the final relaxation pose savasana you are guaranteed to be reluctant to end your session. A cup of delicious yogi tea is the only thing worth getting up for at that point, and Yoga Yoga never fails to serve it up in a biodegradable cup at the end of your practice. You’ll feel refreshed, rejuvinated and a lot more limber than if you went out for cocktails. You can enjoy Yogi tea from home too, from this delicious recipe off the Yoga Yoga website.

Yogi Tea

To make two quarts:

• 2 quarts water
• 15 whole cloves
• 20 black peppercorns
• 3 sticks of cinnamon
• 20 whole cardamon pods (split the pods first)
• 8 ginger slices (1/4-inch thick, no need to peel)
• 1/2 teaspoon black tea leaves (we use decaf)
• Milk and honey to taste

1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a 3-4 quart pot. Add cloves and boil for one minute. Next, add cardamon, peppercorns, cinnamon and fresh ginger root. Cover and boil for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, cover and simmer for two to three hours! When ready, remove from heat, add black tea and let cool. Strain tea. When ready to drink, add soy or dairy milk and sweeten to taste with honey or maple syrup.
2. Drink often!

In addition to offering classes for yoga students, Yoga Yoga also offers their Teacher Training Program, a nationally recognized program for Hatha, Kundalini and Advanced Studies in yoga. Yoga Yoga also recently acquired The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, one of only a handful of vegetarian cooking schools in the U.S. Community cooking classes are currently being offered at Casa de Luz, but will be moved to Yoga Yoga’s South location in May.

Ross’ Sprinkles book tour kicks off with a release party at BookPeople on Tuesday, April 6, at 7 pm. Attendees are invited to bring their prized cupcake recipes to share in the cupcake tasting contest and enjoy along with complimentary Tito’s Vodka cocktails. Following the contest will be a book signing and reading by Ross. The tour also includes a stop in Dallas on April 13 as well as other select cities. For a sneak peek at one of the book’s chapters (including a cupcake recipe for “Everyone Likes A Cream Cheese Filling” pasted below), just click here.

Everyone Likes A Cream Cheese Filling Recipe (Yield: 14 cupcakes)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• chopped 1/4 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground salt, either sea or ionized

To Make:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Place 14 paper liners into cupcake trays.
• Cream butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add eggs and beat another two minutes.
• Add buttermilk and vanilla.
• Boil water and mix with chocolate.
• Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into bowl.
• Alternate mixing into the batter the flour mixture and the chocolate mixture. Start and end with the flour mixture.
• Pour the batter into the paper liners. Fill two-thirds of the way to the top.
• Drop the filling into the center of each cupcake. You will see part of it peek out of the top.
• Bake for 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Let cool for five minutes and then move the cupcakes to a baking rack.

Filling:

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 4 ounces peanut butter

To Make The Filling:

• Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter together with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Cook’s “Song About Writing A Song” was a huge hit with the audience and showcased not only her musical talent and husky voice but also her photography, drawings and sense of humor. An L.A. transplant who has called Austin home since 2005, you can listen to KGSR or visit her website, amycook.com to hear her songs. She was also the subject of a 2009 documentary “Amy Cook: The Spaces in Between.” Her alt-folk and Americana fusion of sound captures the warm, golden-kissed feel of summer and has been featured on television shows such as “Laguna Beach,”  ”Veronica Mars” and “Felicity.”

Amy Cook “Let the Light In” Promo from Refueled Films on Vimeo.

The release party for Cook’s new CD “Let the Light In” will be happening at the lovely Hotel San Jose on South Congress next Thursday, April 8, from 6 – 9 p.m. Produced by Alejandro Escovedo, the album features musical contributions by local favorites Escovedo, Patty Griffin, and Ben Kweller. Cook will also be performing an in-store at Waterloo Records April 6 at 5 pm and be touring with Heartless Bastards, a garage rock band from Cincinnati, this spring.

Contrary to popular belief, we Chicksters don’t subsist on sushi alone. Blue Dahlia Bistro (formerly Dandelion Cafe) is a delicious spot well worth the trip to the east side of town. Dahlias, the national flower of Mexico, are similar to daisies in appearance and have been hybridized to produce petals of every color except blue and black. Like the mythical flower it’s named for, this cozy little cafe is a dream.

Exuding a casual French foodie chic, the small but delicious menu has an emphasis on fresh organic products, and the staff is unfailing friendly. Whether you visit for petit déjeuner (served all day for those of us who may not be earlybirds) or stop by for happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, you’re sure to stroll away satisfied. Besides beer, wine and port, happy hour prices include platters for two like the cheese plate or the smoked trout with Garbanzo and olive salsa, as well as select tartines (fancy open-face French-style sandwiches). With their little back patio, sunny and warm during the day or filled with scattered candlelight at night (and frequented by a resident calico who may take a break from a catnap to eye your plate), Blue Dahlia is a delightful spot any day of the week.