Hillary Kanter says there's one reason why, as her book declares, Dating Sucks! "It's the Weak Selection Theory," says the fortysomething Nashville-based author and songwriter (whose songs have been covered by Tim McGraw, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly Parton). "There are very, very, very, very few good available men, because all of the good ones are already married or gay."
Kanter, who's "occasionally dating," says she tried marriage "once, and it cured me." These days, she's just looking for a guy she doesn't consider a "leftover, [like the ones with] multiple-dysfunctional characteristics." She hopes her book puts a positive and humorous spin on the dating game. "I wrote this so others won't feel so alone," she says. "It's not really a how-to book, but it gives very helpful hints for navigating life alone. Being single doesn't suck; dating sucks. There's a real upside to being single."
Lack of sex isn't one of them. "That's the catch," laughs Kanter. "The older you get, there's more responsibility there. But we're all human, and sometime we all have to take our needs into our own hands." Kanter reads and signs her book at 7 p.m. Thursday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 24519 Cedar Road in Lyndhurst. Admission is free; call 216-691-7000. -- Michael Gallucci
Fashion Forward
Local designers unveil new line.
THU 6/23
Autumn is one of Keisha Redley's favorite seasons; the time of year when models work the catwalk, sporting Redley's latest fashions. Folks can get a peek at the collection at Thursday's Myley Trunk Show & Fall Pre-Sale. With partner Patience Myrick, Redley's fall ensemble is Simply Opulent, a line of high-end blouses, skirts, and evening gowns, whose prices range from $50 to $220. For that kind of money, the fashionistas focus on tweed fabrics with a basic black-and-white color base. "You can wear our clothing to work, on the weekends, casually to a club, or to a special event," says Redley. "We design a lifestyle." To accent the dresses, the designers have added scarves, belts, and capes bathed in earth tones, such as browns, grays, and burnt oranges. But here's Redley's fashion tip for the fall: The "in" color will be off-white. "It just looks so chic," she says. Fashions flow from 6 to 8 p.m. at Divine Boutique, 6721 Eastgate Drive in Mayfield Heights. Admission is free; call 216-470-9637. -- Cris Glaser
Diesel Power
Vin ditches XXX for PG fun.
TUE 6/28
After years of jockeying for the title of World's Biggest Action Star and stumbling almost every step of the way, Vin Diesel has finally found his forte: family-friendly actor who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty changing a diaper or two. In The Pacifier (out Tuesday on DVD), the chrome-domed, monosyllabic meathead plays a Navy SEAL whose latest assignment is to watch over five kids. The biggest surprise here is that the movie is one of the few hits in a year when box-office profits have sunk lower than Diesel's career. Among the DVD bonuses is "On Set With Mr. Diesel: Action Hero and Nice Guy." We have news for you, Vin: You can't have it both ways. -- Michael Gallucci
Cold Blood, Hot Weather
SUN 6/26 Of the 200 reptiles at Sunday's Snakes & Such, the stars of the show are two black rat snakes. Measuring five and a half feet, the snakes hold court over turtles, lizards, and various amphibians. "They climb up on the branches in the cage," says naturalist Andy Avram. "They look at you and think, Okay, what are you staring at?" It happens from noon to 4 p.m. at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland. Admission is free; call 440-256-1404. -- Cris Glaser
